[un: sprite bulb] text;

[bearshermark]

How does a farmer become rich suddenly? I don't think I've ever heard a story like that before. At least not without marriage. All I can think is either I have a noblewoman as a wife or I got real lucky playing slots when I left for the city. I'm not sure what's more believable.

I was also mistaken for a ferryman when I was steering a gondola the other day while wearing a different mask. It's kind of nice, so I think I'll keep at it for an hour or two a night. I thought it might be helpful if two people from opposite sides need to meet in person for a little while.

-Eleven

Comments

[bearshermark]

A valuable resource. That could work pretty well.

I want to avoid a lot of questions I can't answer, so maybe something simple like a vein of gold or precious minerals?

[darkeststars]

Something along those lines seems simple enough. As I now accidentally have access to several entire institutions of learning [ there's a long enough pause that you can basically feel his put-upon sigh even through text ] I'm sure I can research an appropriate mineral if you would like.

[bearshermark]

If it wouldn't be too much trouble. You sound busy.

[darkeststars]

If one more person asks the 'visiting scholar of war studies' what he thought about some inane recent power struggle between no-name local lords and princes vying to see who can squeeze their vassals harder while they fight over their pathetically tiny spheres of influence like akk dogs all going for the same bone, you'll probably be reading about Professor Nakh'an's arrest for murder in tomorrow morning's broadsheets.

2/2 actually

[darkeststars]

[ there's a few second's pause after that little rant ]

It's no trouble. I'd far prefer to have something less tedious to think about for five minutes.

[bearshermark]

[He laughs on his end]

I appreciate it.

Nakh'an is your name here? Though I guess we won't get to talk much outside the network, but I'll try to remember it. I went with Elliott.

1/2

[darkeststars]

Elliott. I'll remember that if for some reason I have to disparage you in public.

[ there's another brief pause ]

2/2

[darkeststars]

I gave my actual clan name, such as it is. They thought the Professor should have two names, so. Something easy to answer to being the usual wisdom with these things, or so I'm told -- at any rate, Archeval is still fine. I'll be sure to tell anyone who cares to listen that you're a disrespectful lout speaking overly familiarly with strangers.

[bearshermark]

A shame. I've gotten used to being on friendly terms. I'm not sure how I'm supposed to pay up on those drinks I owe you now.

[darkeststars]

I confess, I've been so busy trying not to elecrocute any precious little princes recently I hadn't stopped to think about the logistics of that yet. [ well, he's been busy with that and other things, but Eleven doesn't need anything new to fret about. ] But ever since I made the mistake of giving someone actual combat strategy advice, I keep getting incessantly invited to these little rich folk salons and coffee shops to discuss inane things with equally inane people. They're very well-populated, certainly possible to get lost in the shuffle -- perhaps we could try to meet up in one such place? With a different set of masks and fripperies, as long as no one notices the process of us getting there then none would be the wiser.

[bearshermark]

I can do that. I've accidentally acquired a new identity as a ferryman after all, and Lily's extension charm has been very useful in hiding my swords and a second set of clothes.

[darkeststars]

Indeed. In a pinch of course I will come down and find the humble gondola-pusher for a little while, but I suspect a pair of different masks and some corner of a bustling coffee shop would give us more room to breathe.

How's the triple life been treating you, hero? I don't imagine subterfuge is usually your style.

[bearshermark]

It's difficult. Some days during court I'm not sure I'm going to survive this place. I just try to remember there's plenty of food, drink, and a comfortable bed when it gets difficult.

But I found a lovely place to meditate and I like my evenings as a ferryman. No one expects anything from me beyond a smooth ride to the other side of the canal.

[darkeststars]

If it's that hard on you, perhaps it would be useful to make a pact to keep ourselves honest with. As long as you keep doing your best to play along with the farce, I will keep doing my best not to maim any of these idiots, and vice versa.

[ pause ]

Hm, upon rereading that sounds like a threat. Ah well.

[ pause again. He does not correct himself to make it sound like less of a threat. Look, being in a noble court where he can't legally kill most people who annoy him is a new experience for him okay. ]

The water is nice. I've not visited a city where the streets were all canals before. Hadn't expected to have such a genuinely unique experience on this planet.

[bearshermark]

It almost sounds like if you fail, I'm allowed to murder people.

[He would never of course, but he can appreciate Archeval's severe humor much more now that he has his own annoyances to put up with]

But it's true there are some nice things about this place. If ever you want to ride along the canal of course, I'd be happy to. I'd had some practice in a sea-side town in my own world.

[darkeststars]

Come now, Eleven, you're always allowed to murder people. The only matter ever in question is how many other beings in your immediate surroundings disagree with you.

[ It's not clear how much he's joking, but well, this is Arche. You don't really want to hear Darth Imperius's full opinions on murdering people, El. ]

It hasn't been terrible, overall. The people are largely insufferable, but that's true of most places. I do far prefer dealing with the insufferable after enjoying three square meals, a clean bed in a warm room, halfway adequate bathing facilities, and reasonable temperatures.

Perhaps I will take you up on the gondola just to get away from the madness for a bit. Whichever way we choose, I do think we should speak in person when we can. You and I seem to work together better than some of this lot, so being on 'opposite sides' could present opportunities... we should coordinate together where we can.

[bearshermark]

I'd disagree on most days.

But I'm glad this place is treating you well otherwise. We'll get through this. And it's rather peaceful out on the water, so feel free to come find me to talk anytime you like.

[darkeststars]

Yes, and that's what makes you the hero, hero.

I suppose we'd both surely rather this than more fatal cold and walking corpses, at the very least. Should we try to figure out a time to meet? Or do you think Vannozza's people are paying too much attention right now?

[bearshermark]

Goddess, most anything is better than Sa-Hareth and those mines.

I haven't noticed undue attention, however. Two days hence, once night falls?

[darkeststars]

Should be able to wrangle that, I believe. [ following afterward are his suggestions of a couple of potential spots along the canals that he thinks he could get to inconspicuously ]

I will see you there. In the meantime, hm...don't do anything I wouldn't do. [ you can feel the sarcasm, right? right. ]

[bearshermark]

I'll be sure to ferry along those areas.

Shouldn't that be don't do anything you would do?

[darkeststars]

Well I hope you will do a few things that I would do. Read up on our full local situation, for one thing. If you and I were to be caught out together I suppose we'd have to have a substantial reason for two such deadly, mortal enemies to be found alone at night in the same place, hm? [ it's harder to tell over text whether he's joking or not, but on the other hand, this also sounds like a legitimate suggestion. ]

[bearshermark]

Deadly mortal enemies.

[Just gonna sigh quietly to himself. At least he can pull on his initial discomfort around Archeval to lend some credence to that, but it otherwise sounds like an exhausting farce]

It's hard enough to read through all my healing papers, and I actually care about that. I'm not sure how much on politics I'm going to be able to get through without wanting to fight someone.

[darkeststars]

Been doing some actual studying, have you? It's been hard to keep track of what everyone's up to under these circumstances. [ The physical separation, the feeling vaguely ill and wrestling with an undead presence in his head, you know, the usual. ]

But I imagine if we were really in such a pinch I could probably come up with something. I've certainly listened to enough of these imbeciles drone on and on about the minutiae of this succession battle.

[bearshermark]

I was invited to take spiritual healing classes at one of the minor magic schools. They said they could sense there was something off about mine. And well, the healer's halls don't seem to mind so I'm taking some classes there to broaden my abilities while we're here as well.