Three points then. First, [She sets down her glass so she might count them off on her fingers for emphasis—though first devours a dried cherry.]
First, I doubt it matters whatsoever what you call me for everyone in Thedas is shockingly relaxed on the matter of names and you are hardly the only person to address me so. No, I'm afraid if you are serious with respect to the charade that a term of endearment would suit best. I leave you to create one.
Second, I will not have Veronique undoing all the labors of the last summer by digging trenches into the planting beds. You will need to see that she is is able to mind herself there.
Third, [which she continues to at both a clip and a slightly elevated volume to avoid any conversation regarding the manners of giant bugs.] and this is the inconvenience which I mentioned, but you recall that I have done much of my own work in that half sunken space which was once the cellar off the kitchen. What was a matter of convenience at the time thanks to the state of the rest of the house has become habit, but there is no reason why I might now not alter it.
In which case, it hypothetically would be possible to fill in the cellar with whatever sod would suit the creature in question best. Further, there is a vent installed there at what is the ground level which might, depending on her exact dimensions, be used as a sort of...means by which she might come and go. Then you—and Veronique—would have your box, and I would have my guard...animal and all would be right in the world.
Save for the great inconvenience of the relocation of a great deal of delicate work, of course. You would have to find some way of making it up to me.
[Carte blanche with a term of false endearment is very good. How would it be topped? Of course only by the offer of large and comfortable accommodations for one's very large ant. Val is moved to shove the documents into his satchel with unceremonious haste. His chair scrapes the floor as he turns and grabs for Wysteria's hands, to earnestly clasp them.]
But mademoiselle! Ma biquette! This is an arrangement of great convenience for us all--you, and me, and of course Veronique, who is the luckiest of us all in this suggestion. I am sure that she will be very happy. She enjoys dark places--I have taken to shuttering the windows in the work room because it makes her happy. Of course it is difficult to work by candlelight alone, but for Veronique, I do it gladly--yet if she were to reside in relative freedom in the cellar, I would not need to do so! Ah, I can picture it now.
[So well that he shoves away from her and snatches up his pencil once more, and turns the page to begin scratching anew at a block of notes.]
I will need to inspect the vent, of course. It may need to be cut slightly larger, to ensure her comfortability. The 'great inconvenience' really was only the moving of some work from this space? Please. This is easily done. The other residents of your house might do this for you, in preparation of this new arrangement, and then I owe you nothing. Oh, and you will now meet Veronique! What luck for you as well.
[Wysteria (Mademoiselle Cannon; ma biquette) snatches her hands back into her lap. Not that his is still holding them by that point, but it is the sentiment of the thing.]
It is not merely a matter of relocating the work! It is the principle of the thing, Monsi--Valentine. And for your information, a great number of the samples I am currently working with are rather temperamental. In fact, moving them may jeopardize their growth. I will have you know that to relocate them is to take a significant risk on their stability.
[Still writing, without looking up or marking the replacement of hands in lap, Val says, somewhat absently--]
I do have great respect for research most fragile. I will make that statement at the top of this, to be clear in my intention and the place where my heart lies. But what is the work? I do not think that you said precisely. And this is important to know, so that I can determine if I should continue to be cavalier about its moving.
[He gives her a glance, a little smile. There are times when it suits one to act, as they say in Lowtown, a prick. If such an act is done in fun, these times tend to occur more often. But it is in fun. The fact that smiling will only likely be a further annoyance hardly matters.]
[Regardless, the color which rises in her cheeks in reply to that little smile is confirmation that she is annoyed. Nonetheless, Wysteria does her best to moderate the tone of her reply toward something like patience. Or seriousness. Or something close enough to either to be understood as important.]
I am studying the growth of a variety of poisonous fade-touched fungi. They are very rare, and very toxic, and the conditions of the cellar appear to have been uniquely suited to their progress. Should they come to be damaged by a relocation, they would be extremely difficult to replace.
Let us have a second cellar dug, ma puce. For such a study does sound to be entirely too fragile to suffer a great move. And where would they be transferred to? What other room within the house could accommodate such conditions that would cause these samples to thrive? What do they grow in? Movable pots, or within the soil itself? And no matter the answer, such a trauma would be caused. This is certain. Yes, a second cellar is the only answer.
A second—Absolutely not. There is nothing in the budget for such an expense, Mons—Valentine. And even if there were, your solicitor will surely take weeks to approve of the agreement, to say nothing of the organizing of the paperwork and the performance of whatever most minor ceremony we might arrange for here once he does. And then there is the liquidation of the assets themselves. Do you really mean to make your dear Veronique wait for so long?
[She downs the remaining contents of her glass, deciding to flag the pot boy down for another bottle of the stuff the moment he shows his face in the room again.]
—It will be very minor, of course. The signing of the papers and so on. Naturally it must be convincing to a degree for the sake of the scheme and until the partnership can be annulled, but I cannot have my eligibility tarnished by rumor so I see no reason to be too free with any part of it. You agree, yes?
[At first he continues to write, determined to finish his thought. It is quite a long thought. It takes up the rest of the page, and the full next page plus another part of a third. Only then does he bother to look at, squinting with a keen thoughtfulness at the mademoiselle.]
In curiosity, and for the sake of the appearance of legitimacy with which we must imbue this partnership--which is of the utmost importance, indeed, if we wish for it to be convincing--how minor is your 'minor'?
[She instantly opens her mouth to reply, snatching the deep breath which ought to precede a particularly long winded answer.
And then pauses.
That pause extends, lapsing into a full silence as she glances away from him and to the papers scattered about the table.]
Ah. Yes. Well—I suppose I thought it might be best as a sort of... elopement. A matter of paperwork, only. But that does leave us with very few witnesses, as it were. Oh, but it can't be too significant for then someone will question my status as a Rifter.
To say nothing of the fact that my part in this must be believed. And who would believe that I would elope in any small way? Even if I were to do so, it would be a momentous affair. A rain of flower petals. A great choir of singers. A sumptuous feast of all of my favorite foods, served in some romantic setting--a garden, perhaps, in the open air--or a ruined manse that we might decorate in some fetching way--
[She is distracted, so he signals the newly reappeared pot boy for more wine on her behalf, without asking. Of course she will want more. The wine is very good here; she noted it herself.]
No, no, Mademoiselle Canon, even if we sign the paperwork in secret, we must be sure that the occasion itself which marks their signature is later revealed to be greatly, greatly breathtaking. The sort of event that is spoken of with the greatest of envy in all the right circles. This is very important.
[With her frown growing more severe, one of her hands rises from her lap so she might absently scuff a thumb thoughtlessly along her lower lip. It's a studious, unsatisfied thing. After a long, wretched moment she admits,]
I do have a known fondness for parties.
[How dreadful the words she must say are. So she doesn't say them. Rather than, You may be right, de Foncé':]
—You're certain that you couldn't convince anyone that you found the secrecy of the thing more dashing? We might get away with only the testimony of a few very select close friends who might be trusted with the details of scheme. Why, then we could do away entirely with this pretending familiarity aspect as well.
The secrecy? Certainly. The testimony of but a few close friends? I would do it no other way. Of course there will be close and trusted friends. But to have no marker to it at all, that I would never do. It is contrary to my very being, mademoiselle, to let a party pass by without celebration.
[He takes her wine glass as she contemplates, and holds it up to be refilled. The wine and its bearer are still partway across the room but, seeing the expectant glass held aloft, a hurried sense enters into the pot boy's pace. So is Wysteria's glass dutifully refilled, as is Val's, and then the bottle is placed upon the table for them to finish.]
I am afraid our plan will only succeed if we ensure there is a lavish event to mark the signing of the papers.
[Through this, she has leaned progressively farther forward over the table and the papers as if a closer examination (literally) of the documentation spread before her might reveal some alternative. She hardly bats an eye for either the refilled glass or for the fresh bottle which replaces the empty one. Indeed, she goes so far as to turn through and review a few pages of held in the open folio before she is (dis)satisfied enough to straighten.]
Fine. You will give me an allowance for it and say what you would like included if there is anything you desperately require. Then I suppose I will have no choice but to see to the arrangement.
[Val, suddenly all cheer and business, grabs his glass, clinks it against hers, then quaffs a huge quaff of wine. He grabs up his pencil once more and flips to a new page.]
I shall make a list. There are a great many requirements. Do not be afraid, dearest mademoiselle, most are very small requirements. I am sure that you will be able to manage them admirably. I well and fondly recall the fundraising event that you planned for the project. It was nicely conducted for what it was. Of course it must be outdone, given the nature of this event, but I cannot imagine that needs to be said, yes? And of course you must include your own desperate requirements--such is the nature of this thing!
Edited (one tiny word ) Date: 2021-03-09 01:21 am (UTC)
[Once, what feels like a very long time ago now but surely is only removed by a few minutes, she had been quite certain she held the reins on this thing. Now, she has the distinct impression of someone who has been holding a piece of rope and all this time merely reassured that Yes, of course you're steering the wagon. And look at what a fine job you're doing with it!
She drains her clinked and only very recently refilled glass and pours herself another straight away.]
Happily, whereas I had never before been to a fundraiser of the kind I--we--arranged, I may report that I have been to a great number of weddings and the parties which usually follow and so believe I know a thing or two about how they ought to proceed. Make sure, if you would Monsieur, to include your list of guests there.
Oh, I can tell my guests to you right now. Are you ready?
[He straightens up, take a big breath--a man about to launch into an oration--]
Freddie and Jehan.
[There. He relaxes again, sitting back normally in his chair, and taking his wine glass with him so that he might sip contentedly from it.]
Of course, their standards for such events are quite high, though Jeannot, at least, is inclined toward charity--but I am sure you will manage most excellently. As you have said, you have attended such things as a guest. Not in Orlais, of course, but the thing cannot be very different.
Oh come now, de Foncé--Valentine. That cannot possibly be the whole of your list. If you mean for this to be some kind of extravagant event, there must be people in attendance. You can't expect me to--
[Her eyes narrow on him, recalling a certain grubby piece of paper which had constituted as his last 'guest list.']
I see. Well, since the guests themselves are of so little consequence, then you will not be opposed if I simply make the invitation an open one.
Of course I did not say that the guests are of little consequence, ma rein. What I mean is this: that there are only two guests who matter at all to me. These are Freddie and Jehan. Should their presence be lacking, no one will be convinced that the thing is at all genuine. They must be there, just as I must be there, as soundly as if we were joined the three together. Others may be in attendance, good and fine. I leave this to you. Surely you have acquaintances enough? Your friends, the one living in your mansion--others, I am sure...
There is no one--[No, that point is a lost cause. She will simply have to sacrifice matters of spiritual hauntings for the time being. With a small scoff of irritation, Wysteria proceeds heroically onward.] I can think of only eight people I might on my own and under more ordinary circumstances wish to invite. And truly only four of those are really so vital. But my four and your two hardly a convincing wedding party make, sir.
[Is that somehow the first time she has deployed the W-word in this conversation?]
[With great and hardly-concealed obnoxiousness, Val raises his eyebrows but
somehow
manages not to say anything about the w-word. Instead, he holds up one finger.]
A point. We shall, instead, think of those to be invited whose invitation might not be a necessity, but an obligation. Is this not the usual way when one is engaging in such a partnership? Of course, I would not know, never having entered into such a thing. But I have observed.
[It is good he manages so much restraint, for Wysteria's expression had for just a moment grown very thin indeed - drawn to a point so sharp that it's only use can have been to take a piece out of him had he done otherwise. She is still recovering from the impulse, and so says automatically and without much consideration answers:]
Yes of course. As have I. Observed, I mean. In Kalvad such a list would naturally include a great deal of familial relations, but naturally I am somewhat short on those at present. So my question, de Fo--Valentine, is who would you feel obligated to include?
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2021-03-03 12:09 am (UTC)First, I doubt it matters whatsoever what you call me for everyone in Thedas is shockingly relaxed on the matter of names and you are hardly the only person to address me so. No, I'm afraid if you are serious with respect to the charade that a term of endearment would suit best. I leave you to create one.
Second, I will not have Veronique undoing all the labors of the last summer by digging trenches into the planting beds. You will need to see that she is is able to mind herself there.
Third, [which she continues to at both a clip and a slightly elevated volume to avoid any conversation regarding the manners of giant bugs.] and this is the inconvenience which I mentioned, but you recall that I have done much of my own work in that half sunken space which was once the cellar off the kitchen. What was a matter of convenience at the time thanks to the state of the rest of the house has become habit, but there is no reason why I might now not alter it.
In which case, it hypothetically would be possible to fill in the cellar with whatever sod would suit the creature in question best. Further, there is a vent installed there at what is the ground level which might, depending on her exact dimensions, be used as a sort of...means by which she might come and go. Then you—and Veronique—would have your box, and I would have my guard...animal and all would be right in the world.
Save for the great inconvenience of the relocation of a great deal of delicate work, of course. You would have to find some way of making it up to me.
no subject
Date: 2021-03-03 06:28 am (UTC)But mademoiselle! Ma biquette! This is an arrangement of great convenience for us all--you, and me, and of course Veronique, who is the luckiest of us all in this suggestion. I am sure that she will be very happy. She enjoys dark places--I have taken to shuttering the windows in the work room because it makes her happy. Of course it is difficult to work by candlelight alone, but for Veronique, I do it gladly--yet if she were to reside in relative freedom in the cellar, I would not need to do so! Ah, I can picture it now.
[So well that he shoves away from her and snatches up his pencil once more, and turns the page to begin scratching anew at a block of notes.]
I will need to inspect the vent, of course. It may need to be cut slightly larger, to ensure her comfortability. The 'great inconvenience' really was only the moving of some work from this space? Please. This is easily done. The other residents of your house might do this for you, in preparation of this new arrangement, and then I owe you nothing. Oh, and you will now meet Veronique! What luck for you as well.
no subject
Date: 2021-03-03 07:22 am (UTC)[Wysteria (Mademoiselle Cannon; ma biquette) snatches her hands back into her lap. Not that his is still holding them by that point, but it is the sentiment of the thing.]
It is not merely a matter of relocating the work! It is the principle of the thing, Monsi--Valentine. And for your information, a great number of the samples I am currently working with are rather temperamental. In fact, moving them may jeopardize their growth. I will have you know that to relocate them is to take a significant risk on their stability.
no subject
Date: 2021-03-03 09:47 pm (UTC)I do have great respect for research most fragile. I will make that statement at the top of this, to be clear in my intention and the place where my heart lies. But what is the work? I do not think that you said precisely. And this is important to know, so that I can determine if I should continue to be cavalier about its moving.
[He gives her a glance, a little smile. There are times when it suits one to act, as they say in Lowtown, a prick. If such an act is done in fun, these times tend to occur more often. But it is in fun. The fact that smiling will only likely be a further annoyance hardly matters.]
no subject
Date: 2021-03-03 10:10 pm (UTC)I am studying the growth of a variety of poisonous fade-touched fungi. They are very rare, and very toxic, and the conditions of the cellar appear to have been uniquely suited to their progress. Should they come to be damaged by a relocation, they would be extremely difficult to replace.
no subject
Date: 2021-03-05 01:55 am (UTC)Oh, well.
[Val returns to writing.]
Let us have a second cellar dug, ma puce. For such a study does sound to be entirely too fragile to suffer a great move. And where would they be transferred to? What other room within the house could accommodate such conditions that would cause these samples to thrive? What do they grow in? Movable pots, or within the soil itself? And no matter the answer, such a trauma would be caused. This is certain. Yes, a second cellar is the only answer.
no subject
Date: 2021-03-05 04:02 am (UTC)[She downs the remaining contents of her glass, deciding to flag the pot boy down for another bottle of the stuff the moment he shows his face in the room again.]
—It will be very minor, of course. The signing of the papers and so on. Naturally it must be convincing to a degree for the sake of the scheme and until the partnership can be annulled, but I cannot have my eligibility tarnished by rumor so I see no reason to be too free with any part of it. You agree, yes?
no subject
Date: 2021-03-07 06:41 pm (UTC)How long can a cellar take to dig? Two weeks?
[At first he continues to write, determined to finish his thought. It is quite a long thought. It takes up the rest of the page, and the full next page plus another part of a third. Only then does he bother to look at, squinting with a keen thoughtfulness at the mademoiselle.]
In curiosity, and for the sake of the appearance of legitimacy with which we must imbue this partnership--which is of the utmost importance, indeed, if we wish for it to be convincing--how minor is your 'minor'?
no subject
Date: 2021-03-07 07:31 pm (UTC)And then pauses.
That pause extends, lapsing into a full silence as she glances away from him and to the papers scattered about the table.]
Ah. Yes. Well—I suppose I thought it might be best as a sort of... elopement. A matter of paperwork, only. But that does leave us with very few witnesses, as it were. Oh, but it can't be too significant for then someone will question my status as a Rifter.
[She tsks, frowning.]
no subject
Date: 2021-03-07 07:50 pm (UTC)[She is distracted, so he signals the newly reappeared pot boy for more wine on her behalf, without asking. Of course she will want more. The wine is very good here; she noted it herself.]
No, no, Mademoiselle Canon, even if we sign the paperwork in secret, we must be sure that the occasion itself which marks their signature is later revealed to be greatly, greatly breathtaking. The sort of event that is spoken of with the greatest of envy in all the right circles. This is very important.
no subject
Date: 2021-03-07 08:21 pm (UTC)I do have a known fondness for parties.
[How dreadful the words she must say are. So she doesn't say them. Rather than, You may be right, de Foncé':]
—You're certain that you couldn't convince anyone that you found the secrecy of the thing more dashing? We might get away with only the testimony of a few very select close friends who might be trusted with the details of scheme. Why, then we could do away entirely with this pretending familiarity aspect as well.
no subject
Date: 2021-03-08 05:52 am (UTC)[He takes her wine glass as she contemplates, and holds it up to be refilled. The wine and its bearer are still partway across the room but, seeing the expectant glass held aloft, a hurried sense enters into the pot boy's pace. So is Wysteria's glass dutifully refilled, as is Val's, and then the bottle is placed upon the table for them to finish.]
I am afraid our plan will only succeed if we ensure there is a lavish event to mark the signing of the papers.
no subject
Date: 2021-03-08 06:48 am (UTC)Fine. You will give me an allowance for it and say what you would like included if there is anything you desperately require. Then I suppose I will have no choice but to see to the arrangement.
no subject
Date: 2021-03-09 01:21 am (UTC)[Val, suddenly all cheer and business, grabs his glass, clinks it against hers, then quaffs a huge quaff of wine. He grabs up his pencil once more and flips to a new page.]
I shall make a list. There are a great many requirements. Do not be afraid, dearest mademoiselle, most are very small requirements. I am sure that you will be able to manage them admirably. I well and fondly recall the fundraising event that you planned for the project. It was nicely conducted for what it was. Of course it must be outdone, given the nature of this event, but I cannot imagine that needs to be said, yes? And of course you must include your own desperate requirements--such is the nature of this thing!
no subject
Date: 2021-03-15 02:45 am (UTC)She drains her clinked and only very recently refilled glass and pours herself another straight away.]
Happily, whereas I had never before been to a fundraiser of the kind I--we--arranged, I may report that I have been to a great number of weddings and the parties which usually follow and so believe I know a thing or two about how they ought to proceed. Make sure, if you would Monsieur, to include your list of guests there.
no subject
Date: 2021-03-20 07:56 pm (UTC)[He straightens up, take a big breath--a man about to launch into an oration--]
Freddie and Jehan.
[There. He relaxes again, sitting back normally in his chair, and taking his wine glass with him so that he might sip contentedly from it.]
Of course, their standards for such events are quite high, though Jeannot, at least, is inclined toward charity--but I am sure you will manage most excellently. As you have said, you have attended such things as a guest. Not in Orlais, of course, but the thing cannot be very different.
no subject
Date: 2021-03-20 09:36 pm (UTC)[Her eyes narrow on him, recalling a certain grubby piece of paper which had constituted as his last 'guest list.']
I see. Well, since the guests themselves are of so little consequence, then you will not be opposed if I simply make the invitation an open one.
no subject
Date: 2021-03-21 05:11 am (UTC)Of course I did not say that the guests are of little consequence, ma rein. What I mean is this: that there are only two guests who matter at all to me. These are Freddie and Jehan. Should their presence be lacking, no one will be convinced that the thing is at all genuine. They must be there, just as I must be there, as soundly as if we were joined the three together. Others may be in attendance, good and fine. I leave this to you. Surely you have acquaintances enough? Your friends, the one living in your mansion--others, I am sure...
no subject
Date: 2021-03-21 07:01 am (UTC)[Is that somehow the first time she has deployed the W-word in this conversation?]
no subject
Date: 2021-03-23 02:59 am (UTC)somehow
manages not to say anything about the w-word. Instead, he holds up one finger.]
A point. We shall, instead, think of those to be invited whose invitation might not be a necessity, but an obligation. Is this not the usual way when one is engaging in such a partnership? Of course, I would not know, never having entered into such a thing. But I have observed.
no subject
Date: 2021-03-23 03:13 am (UTC)Yes of course. As have I. Observed, I mean. In Kalvad such a list would naturally include a great deal of familial relations, but naturally I am somewhat short on those at present. So my question, de Fo--Valentine, is who would you feel obligated to include?