[Shoved under Allumin's door at some point during his enforced quarantine is a packet of papers with a handwritten (distinctly lovely handwriting at that) questionnaire. The following instructions are pinned to its cover: 'Welcome to Riftwatch! Please fill out the following survey to the best of your ability and return it to the Project Felandaris offices, to the attention of Madame Wysteria de Foncé. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out for clarification. Best Wishes, W.A. de Foncé, Research Division.'
The following survey is...expansive.]
The following survey is...expansive.]
Questionnaire Section A
Of and Relating Specifically to the Rifter Population in the Gallows (Kirkwall, The Free Marches, 9:47)
Question 1A. Conceptually, how familiar are the Fade and the Veil to you? Are there similar phenomena (however minor the resemblance) in the place from which you came?
Question 2A. If yes, is energy drawn and/or emitted from or through it? Do cognizant beings (spirits, full bodied manifestations similar to a Rifter, and so on) pass through it?
Question 3A. Does "magic" exist in your world?Question 3A.(i). If "magic" exists in your world, is it somehow tied to or sustained by this other space?
Question 3A.(ii). If "magic" exists in your world and there is no such alternative dimension as referenced in Question 1A., from where does it originate?Question 4A. Given the opportunity to objectively estimate your own physical conformation and comeliness against the general populace of the world from which you came, where on a scale of one through ten might you be ranked (for the purposes of this survey, please consider the numerical score of five (5) as average for your home world)?Disregard. This question has been deemed inessential.Questionnaire Section B
Rift Anchors, with Respect to All Who Presently Possess ThemQuestion 5B. How long have you had your rift shard?Irrelevant; it is assumed you received it upon arrival through the Rift. However, you are welcome to detail any notes you may have on it here.Question 6B. Are you able to perform any supernatural acts with the power of your rift shard beyond closing Rifts? If yes, please detail these abilities. Irrelevant; recorded with your personnel file. Please update W.A. de Foncé should your rift anchor develop any additional effects.
Question 7B. Do you have any other abilities, such as mage talent? If so, has the presence of the rift shard or your time in Thedas affected your ability whatsoever (please note whether this is a negative or a positive effect)?
Question 8B. At what point would you take surgical measures to rid yourself of your anchor shard?Question 8B.(i). Would you permit scientific observation of the process?
Question 8B.(ii). Would you permit samples to be taken from the limb?
(PLEASE NOTE that the authors of this survey do not advocate for preemptive amputation unless strictly recommended by a trusted medical professional.)
[It's clear in some of the linework that he's still getting used to writing in the script for the common tongue here - some lines are unsteady, splotches where his pen lingered a bit to long in a stroke, an inclination to add a flourish to the lettering where there should be none. Considering that there are two signatures for his name, one written to be read here and the other in what can easily be guessed as his native script, it's clear why the alphabet for the language here might give him some trouble. It's returned in an envelope to her office, the wax seal on it small and modest as if from a signet ring.]
Questionnaire Section A
Of and Relating Specifically to the Rifter Population in the Gallows (Kirkwall, The Free Marches, 9:47)
Question 1A. Conceptually, how familiar are the Fade and the Veil to you? Are there similar phenomena (however minor the resemblance) in the place from which you came? Very familiar. Yes, there are.
Question 2A. If yes, is energy drawn and/or emitted from or through it? Do cognizant beings (spirits, full bodied manifestations similar to a Rifter, and so on) pass through it? Was trying to research that, didn't go well. Yes.
Question 3A. Does "magic" exist in your world? Yes.Question 3A.(i). If "magic" exists in your world, is it somehow tied to or sustained by this other space? No. Well, it can.
Question 3A.(ii). If "magic" exists in your world and there is no such alternative dimension as referenced in Question 1A., from where does it originate? It's not the sole source of magic, or even a main one. Most magic comes from nature, bloodlines, can be bestowed upon people who don't have it from someone who does (a person, powerful creature like a demon or dragon, or even a god), or one can simply be born lucky and have their own magic within them to use.Question 4A. Given the opportunity to objectively estimate your own physical conformation and comeliness against the general populace of the world from which you came, where on a scale of one through ten might you be ranked (for the purposes of this survey, please consider the numerical score of five (5) as average for your home world)?Disregard. This question has been deemed inessential. [Despite the note, there is still a question mark written next to this.]Questionnaire Section B
Rift Anchors, with Respect to All Who Presently Possess ThemQuestion 5B. How long have you had your rift shard?Irrelevant; it is assumed you received it upon arrival through the Rift. However, you are welcome to detail any notes you may have on it here.Question 6B. Are you able to perform any supernatural acts with the power of your rift shard beyond closing Rifts? If yes, please detail these abilities. Irrelevant; recorded with your personnel file. Please update W.A. de Foncé should your rift anchor develop any additional effects.
Question 7B. Do you have any other abilities, such as mage talent? If so, has the presence of the rift shard or your time in Thedas affected your ability whatsoever (please note whether this is a negative or a positive effect)? Unable to cast most spells I could normally cast. The ones I can still use feel different and/or weaker.
Question 8B. At what point would you take surgical measures to rid yourself of your anchor shard? Is this required? I would prefer not to resort to such a thing.Question 8B.(i). Would you permit scientific observation of the process? If necessary, yes.
Question 8B.(ii). Would you permit samples to be taken from the limb? If it's no longer on my body, I suppose you could do with it whatever you like.
(PLEASE NOTE that the authors of this survey do not advocate for preemptive amputation unless strictly recommended by a trusted medical professional.)
[Shortly after the survey is returned, a short note appears in Allumin's assigned mail cubby in the dining hall. It reads:]
Dear Sir,
Welcome once more to Thedas, to the Gallows, and to Riftwatch et cetera. I thank you for the time you spent responding to and returning my survey. Should you have any questions regarding the nature of Thedas, its arcane arts, the business of Riftwatch, and so on and wish to receive answers from the perspective of a fellow Rifter then I am entirely at your disposal.
As a small additional note, I wonder whether you might seek out an audience with the esteemed Madame de Cedoux. She is Riftwatch's cryptographer and I believe she may have some use for the alphabet (if that is indeed what I have interpreted the second line of characters on your returned survey to have been part of). She is quite interested in all varieties of languages, particularly those which originate from elsewhere as it is a great benefit to create codes out of things which our enemy has no reference whatsoever for translation.
Regarding your anchor: There are no fears whatsoever of anything ill happening because of it. Or at least, the likelihood is very small. There has been only one confirmed case of death by anchor poisoning and that person was unfortunate enough to have the thing in their torso rather than an appendage. (I trust yours is in a hand or some similar limb.) Everything should be perfectly well for the duration of your stay in Thedas. I am quite certain of this.
Warmest Regards,
Wysteria de Foncé
Research Division
Project Felandaris
Dear Madame de Foncé,[It is once again signed with his name in his native script as well.]
Thank you for the welcome, and I appreciate your offer. I have endeavored to read what I can of native source material, especially regarding the magic of Thedas, but would appreciate the opportunity to discuss it with another Rifter very much.
Indeed it is! It felt odd not to sign my name in my native script, hence the inclusion of it. I shall remember to seek out Madame de Cedoux and discuss it at some juncture in the near future.
It is a relief to know that I shouldn't need to worry much, as it is in one of my hands, yes. Thank you for your informative explanation regarding the matter.
Best wishes,
Allumin Etsija
[Some days later—she is rather behind on her corrspondence—another note manifests. This one has a few distinct smudges of ink at the edges, as if the author's fingers had been dirty when she'd gone to pack it into its little envelope.]
[Wysteria, it's not really at someone leisure if you give them a scheduling block.]
Dear Sir,
How pleased I am to discover that you are the sensible sort who has no imposition of pride when it comes to accepting the counsel of experts. We may discuss the subject of the arcane (or any other topic, I suppose) at your leisure. I presently keep hours in the Gallows work rooms or in the Project Felandaris offices from just after the morning meal hour to two marks past noon, and am then engaged elsewhere (field work and so on) for the remainder of the day (days dedicated to field work and so on not withstanding)
[Wysteria, it's not really at someone leisure if you give them a scheduling block.]
However, if you care to pursue our conversation in a more casual setting then I would be delighted to show you about one of Kirkwall's most interesting dinner establishments. I am pleased to say that I have curated quite a thorough listing.
Sincerely,
Wysteria de Foncé
Research Division
Project Felandaris
➠ action; hopefully this is cool, squeaking in right before her anchor poisoning plot
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
voidtransport
2021-08-30 11:20 am (UTC)(link)
[There are a few days at least a week of time that pass wherein Allumin, having fully intended to go sooner to pop in for a discussion has managed not to do it for one reason or another. It's the kind of "Well, I will try again tomorrow" that just keeps happening until it's embarrassing, and then in joining the Research division he hears a term that sounds familiar enough to make him want to bury his head in his hands for a while.
It's definitely outside of the recommended window of time when a new face appears awkwardly peering in around the corner of doorway into the Project Felandaris offices.]
Excuse me, would you be Madame de Foncé? [what was it Tony had said...?] ...de Fonz?
It's definitely outside of the recommended window of time when a new face appears awkwardly peering in around the corner of doorway into the Project Felandaris offices.]
Excuse me, would you be Madame de Foncé? [what was it Tony had said...?] ...de Fonz?
[For a moment, the young woman in question doesn't respond. It can't be due to having failed to hear him or even being too consumed in the work before her—which appears to be little more than sorting a great series of notes into the appropriate draws for some archaic filing system. And so for a split second, the answer must be plain. No, he clearly has the wrong—]
Oh! [In a swirl of brightly colored skirts, Wysteria twists away from her little organizational project forward the sound of, Yes actually. That is her name, isn't it?]
Yes, that's right. —Well, no it isn't at all. You mustn't take anything the Provost says too seriously. It's said like so: de Fon-sey.
[The very fantasy French surname sounds somewhat absurd in her very not fantasy French accent.]
And with whom am I speaking?
Oh! [In a swirl of brightly colored skirts, Wysteria twists away from her little organizational project forward the sound of, Yes actually. That is her name, isn't it?]
Yes, that's right. —Well, no it isn't at all. You mustn't take anything the Provost says too seriously. It's said like so: de Fon-sey.
[The very fantasy French surname sounds somewhat absurd in her very not fantasy French accent.]
And with whom am I speaking?
awesome! (i was gonna have him knock and then i remembered your thing about doors haha)
voidtransport
2021-08-31 07:39 am (UTC)(link)
de Fon-sey... de Foncé? [He repeats it back a couple times to see if he's got it right.]
Ah, yes, sorry - Allumin Etsija. [Now that he's certain that this is definitely the place and person to speak to, he enters. His own attire is mostly the modest clothes given to him when he arrived with the addition of his own tunic made of fine blue and gold embroidered fabrics and white gloves, both of which he arrived with. He reaches out a hand to shake when he is an arm's length from her.]
I meant to come sooner but I sort of kept losing track of time - there's a lot to read here. [a small, nervous laugh.] And now I'm here to join Project Felandaris.
Ah, yes, sorry - Allumin Etsija. [Now that he's certain that this is definitely the place and person to speak to, he enters. His own attire is mostly the modest clothes given to him when he arrived with the addition of his own tunic made of fine blue and gold embroidered fabrics and white gloves, both of which he arrived with. He reaches out a hand to shake when he is an arm's length from her.]
I meant to come sooner but I sort of kept losing track of time - there's a lot to read here. [a small, nervous laugh.] And now I'm here to join Project Felandaris.
[Handshakes are not a thing a respectable Kalvadan lady does, yet Wysteria Poppell—Wysteria de Foncé has been in Thedas quite long enough that she is more or less prepared to receive his hand when it's offered. She is not wearing gloves; the acid green flare of the anchor in her off palm is in nauseatingly contrast to the bright blues and soft yellows of her day dress.]
It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mister Etsija. [You can tell due to the enthusiasm with which she pumps his hand up and down. Yes, she is a very accomplished shaker of hands.] I would welcome you to the project, but that would risk implying that I have some guiding hand in the whole thing whereas I am merely a—let a say a consultant. That sounds much better than hobbyist. The project has no leader at present, so we are all equal in the eyes of the Maker in this room.
[She laughs, a bright sound. This is an excellent joke for many reasons, not the least of which being the one where the Maker is notoriously uninterested in using his eyeballs for assessing any mortal creature, in this office or otherwise.]
Although I'm afraid that means you will find very little direction from this room either.
[She is still shaking his hand.]
It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mister Etsija. [You can tell due to the enthusiasm with which she pumps his hand up and down. Yes, she is a very accomplished shaker of hands.] I would welcome you to the project, but that would risk implying that I have some guiding hand in the whole thing whereas I am merely a—let a say a consultant. That sounds much better than hobbyist. The project has no leader at present, so we are all equal in the eyes of the Maker in this room.
[She laughs, a bright sound. This is an excellent joke for many reasons, not the least of which being the one where the Maker is notoriously uninterested in using his eyeballs for assessing any mortal creature, in this office or otherwise.]
Although I'm afraid that means you will find very little direction from this room either.
[She is still shaking his hand.]
[His grip when she takes his hand is light but firm, with just a bit of pressure between his thumb and fingers. The enthusiasm is entertaining at first, and he laughs a bit as well.
And then the handshake is too much, so he pats her hand down still with his free one and then lets go.]
Ah - I understand what he meant now. ['...where our rift research goes to die.' Hm. And Joselyn was right too in saying anywhere would need the extra help.]
I'm no stranger to the initiative required in studying and working alone, so a lack of direction shouldn't be too much of a problem. At least, when it comes to everything on paper.
[He thinks a moment.] When you say consultant, what do you mean by that?
And then the handshake is too much, so he pats her hand down still with his free one and then lets go.]
Ah - I understand what he meant now. ['...where our rift research goes to die.' Hm. And Joselyn was right too in saying anywhere would need the extra help.]
I'm no stranger to the initiative required in studying and working alone, so a lack of direction shouldn't be too much of a problem. At least, when it comes to everything on paper.
[He thinks a moment.] When you say consultant, what do you mean by that?
[continued from here]
There is a lot to process in this moment: how still and quiet Allumin suddenly is, the hand gripping his shirt and drawing him near, the forcefulness. For someone who can play convincingly self-assured, Benedict finds that his thoughts are suddenly falling all over themselves to be addressed first: the realization that he's been had, the realization that he likes that he's been had, the heat building in him (both above and below) at the hot breath on his face.
"...oh," is all he manages to say, and in this moment he also realizes he doesn't tend to do this stone sober, and is a lot less suave than he was playing at.
Fortunately, he's pretty good at blocking out the last thought ('what would Mother think if she knew') in favor of trying to meet Allumin's lips with his own.
There is a lot to process in this moment: how still and quiet Allumin suddenly is, the hand gripping his shirt and drawing him near, the forcefulness. For someone who can play convincingly self-assured, Benedict finds that his thoughts are suddenly falling all over themselves to be addressed first: the realization that he's been had, the realization that he likes that he's been had, the heat building in him (both above and below) at the hot breath on his face.
"...oh," is all he manages to say, and in this moment he also realizes he doesn't tend to do this stone sober, and is a lot less suave than he was playing at.
Fortunately, he's pretty good at blocking out the last thought ('what would Mother think if she knew') in favor of trying to meet Allumin's lips with his own.
Edited 2021-09-02 06:50 (UTC)
When Benedict tries to close the space between their lips, tries to initiate a kiss, he leans back to deny him.
"Needy already?" he asks, his words twisting his lips into a coy smile. "Well, that won't do at all."
One hand wanders upward, at least offering some gratification of touch in the form of Allumin's thumb running over his lips. His other one also releases the grip on his shirt, but lingers over his chest. He himself is unsure of where this is coming from within him, but seeing Benedict wanting fills him with confidence. Makes him feel in control.
"Having patience only makes the satisfaction sweeter."
"Needy already?" he asks, his words twisting his lips into a coy smile. "Well, that won't do at all."
One hand wanders upward, at least offering some gratification of touch in the form of Allumin's thumb running over his lips. His other one also releases the grip on his shirt, but lingers over his chest. He himself is unsure of where this is coming from within him, but seeing Benedict wanting fills him with confidence. Makes him feel in control.
"Having patience only makes the satisfaction sweeter."
Although utterly unused to being denied anything in this realm, Benedict is, for lack of a better word, intrigued. He blinks rapidly in surprise when Allumin leans away, but maintains his rapt attention, giving a quick and subtle little nod when it becomes clear that there's some manner of plan in play.
He's here for it.
He's here for it.
"Good."
His thumb grazes along Benedict's lips again before moving away to firmly grasp his face by the chin. Hazel eyes bear down deep into his dark ones, and there is a brief shuddering exhale that betrays Allumin's nervousness (and also maybe a bit of excitement hm) at so much deliberate eye contact compared to his usually more avoidant gaze.
"Before we go too far, I want you to give me a safeword. If I do anything that makes you uncomfortable, if at any point you want - need - to stop, you have to tell me." It is both an order and also an earnest request. He does not want to do anything that would hurt him genuinely, doesn't want to ruin the chance at any kind of relationship with Benedict.
His thumb grazes along Benedict's lips again before moving away to firmly grasp his face by the chin. Hazel eyes bear down deep into his dark ones, and there is a brief shuddering exhale that betrays Allumin's nervousness (and also maybe a bit of excitement hm) at so much deliberate eye contact compared to his usually more avoidant gaze.
"Before we go too far, I want you to give me a safeword. If I do anything that makes you uncomfortable, if at any point you want - need - to stop, you have to tell me." It is both an order and also an earnest request. He does not want to do anything that would hurt him genuinely, doesn't want to ruin the chance at any kind of relationship with Benedict.
Eliciting a little sound of alarm, Benedict breathes in quickly and meets Allumin's eyes, hesitating a moment before giving him another little nod.
"...um," he says stiffly, it being hard to move his jaw while it's being held, and all, "...Ventus."
He remembers talking about this with Colin, at some point-- but it was for Colin to say, and not for him. Or at least, it's unlikely he would have.
"...um," he says stiffly, it being hard to move his jaw while it's being held, and all, "...Ventus."
He remembers talking about this with Colin, at some point-- but it was for Colin to say, and not for him. Or at least, it's unlikely he would have.
“Noted. Thank you.” And with that, he gives Benedict a kiss as a reward. It may not be the kind he’s hoping for though, because it’s soft, gentle, and very brief and over before it can really be savored.
Letting go of his chin, Allumin moves back once again and pulls the braid of his hair over his shoulder, unraveling the ribbon tied into it. The ribbon is quite long and made of sturdy material - a necessity to keep all of his hair neatly tied up but also for other reasons. As he does this, his eyes take the time to really make a thorough journey over Benedict’s frame and he wonders where will be most sensitive to which touch, and how much he’ll be able to explore before inevitably the other man has to go to work. This merits a bite of his lip and his cheeks flush as his imagination tries to conjure up thoughts of what sounds he’d make. He also wishes he had a longer bit of rope than just his hair tie, but it will be enough for now.
“I was thinking about how wonderful you’d look if I tied you up,” he says, but he doesn’t follow it with a question as to whether or not Benedict would like that or wants him to. He wants Benedict to ask for it. If he begs? Even better.
Letting go of his chin, Allumin moves back once again and pulls the braid of his hair over his shoulder, unraveling the ribbon tied into it. The ribbon is quite long and made of sturdy material - a necessity to keep all of his hair neatly tied up but also for other reasons. As he does this, his eyes take the time to really make a thorough journey over Benedict’s frame and he wonders where will be most sensitive to which touch, and how much he’ll be able to explore before inevitably the other man has to go to work. This merits a bite of his lip and his cheeks flush as his imagination tries to conjure up thoughts of what sounds he’d make. He also wishes he had a longer bit of rope than just his hair tie, but it will be enough for now.
“I was thinking about how wonderful you’d look if I tied you up,” he says, but he doesn’t follow it with a question as to whether or not Benedict would like that or wants him to. He wants Benedict to ask for it. If he begs? Even better.
The kiss is even better this way, somehow, and if ever Benedict's eyes were going to fill with little cartoon hearts, it would be now. His head follows after Allumin as he pulls away, but Benedict is too fascinated to actually protest. This guy? This guy?
He's given pause by the hair tie, feeling a little skittish based on the uncertain set of his brow.
"I want to see it first," he says quietly, sheepishly, knowing this is a game and feeling a bit of guilt for disrupting it. He holds out his hand in silent request-- there's clearly a history here, and he wants to be sure there's nothing to genuinely fear.
He's given pause by the hair tie, feeling a little skittish based on the uncertain set of his brow.
"I want to see it first," he says quietly, sheepishly, knowing this is a game and feeling a bit of guilt for disrupting it. He holds out his hand in silent request-- there's clearly a history here, and he wants to be sure there's nothing to genuinely fear.
"Of course," is Allumin's answer, tone understanding and tender. He's not going to ask questions about it because it's not his place to do so - his place is to respect Benedict's needs and wishes. He hands it over to him so that he can inspect it however he likes.
"If you don't want to be tied up, that's alright. More than anything, I want you to feel respected and valued during all of this."
"If you don't want to be tied up, that's alright. More than anything, I want you to feel respected and valued during all of this."
"You do?"
That seems a bit counter-intuitive, but for once Benedict realizes maybe his idea of something is not necessarily the truth of it. Isn't the objective to be treated badly?
He feels over the hairtie, and, finding no effects of note, hands it back. "It's fine," he decides, still a little uncertainly-- he's suddenly not sure what his role in this is meant to be.
That seems a bit counter-intuitive, but for once Benedict realizes maybe his idea of something is not necessarily the truth of it. Isn't the objective to be treated badly?
He feels over the hairtie, and, finding no effects of note, hands it back. "It's fine," he decides, still a little uncertainly-- he's suddenly not sure what his role in this is meant to be.
[She seems surprised by the question, her pale brows rising briefly unguarded toward her hairline before she arranges them into a more strictly impassive expression. No one has ever asked before.]
Well, I suppose that I mean it in the sense that I am merely an enthusiast for the work and not particularly attached to any one thing which the project purports to do. It was more relevant, [she adds hastily.] When Mister Stark was still overseeing the work. I didn't care to be involved with the filing of paperwork and so on, you see.
[No, she will not be your secretary Mister Stark. Not that he had asked, but that had hardly stopped her from being defiant on the point.]
Well, I suppose that I mean it in the sense that I am merely an enthusiast for the work and not particularly attached to any one thing which the project purports to do. It was more relevant, [she adds hastily.] When Mister Stark was still overseeing the work. I didn't care to be involved with the filing of paperwork and so on, you see.
[No, she will not be your secretary Mister Stark. Not that he had asked, but that had hardly stopped her from being defiant on the point.]
While Benedict is busy inspecting the tie, he takes the time to unbuckle and set aside his belt and the bag hanging from it. It will get in the way more than anything, even if they don't strip down much, so it's better to get it out of the way. He also slips off his gloves and sets them aside as well, then takes his hair tie back, slowly running his now bare fingers over Benedict's hands as he does so.
"I do," he answers, and considers how to say this that he might like to hear best. After some thought, he leans close, brushing back Benedict's hair so as to plant a kiss on his ear, then says, "You're actually the one in power here, after all."
"I do," he answers, and considers how to say this that he might like to hear best. After some thought, he leans close, brushing back Benedict's hair so as to plant a kiss on his ear, then says, "You're actually the one in power here, after all."
"Well that's a bad idea," Benedict mutters, self-effacingly, but catches himself; he just met this person, he's not about to spill all his insecurities to him, no matter how pretty either of them are.
The hands through his hair feel nice, though, and he sighs lightly.
"What are you going to do?" he asks, with more curiosity than trepidation.
The hands through his hair feel nice, though, and he sighs lightly.
"What are you going to do?" he asks, with more curiosity than trepidation.
If he does happen to hear the muttering, he ignores it - he's not here to dig into personal business at all, and the only thing about Benedict he's concerned about is making sure he enjoys this.
"I'm going to see what sort of things you like and don't like. For example..." He pauses as he takes a moment to run his hands all through his hair, from his temples to along the back of his skull and down to the nape of his neck - seeing if there is anywhere of note where his touch feels nicer than others - then grabs a fistful of his hair and pulls his head back.
"How's this?"
"I'm going to see what sort of things you like and don't like. For example..." He pauses as he takes a moment to run his hands all through his hair, from his temples to along the back of his skull and down to the nape of his neck - seeing if there is anywhere of note where his touch feels nicer than others - then grabs a fistful of his hair and pulls his head back.
"How's this?"
It's clear from touching Benedict's hair-- clearer than it already was by looking at it-- how well he cares for it, and the hours he puts into its upkeep. He may not be able to afford all his fancy oils and creams anymore, but he does what he can.
And then Allumin's hand knots in it, which makes Benedict gasp aloud in... pain? Horror? Outrage? Maybe all of the above, but he takes a beat to think on it, and his wide eyes meet Allumin's.
He nods lightly, wincing as it pulls at his scalp. Yep, that's good.
And then Allumin's hand knots in it, which makes Benedict gasp aloud in... pain? Horror? Outrage? Maybe all of the above, but he takes a beat to think on it, and his wide eyes meet Allumin's.
He nods lightly, wincing as it pulls at his scalp. Yep, that's good.
Oh, I see. That makes sense. [Why does he have the feeling that the filing in question was probably a nightmare...?]
I suppose if I were working with another division or elsewhere in the Gallows I would probably still find my way here out of interest for it as well.
[Oh no, what if the filing still is a nightmare...? This thought hits him and his gaze seems to veer off into the middle distance as his soul metaphorically leaves his body for a moment. He blinks and a hand goes up to cover his face as he clears his throat.]
Pardon me, I just had a harrowing thought - shouldn't be an issue though. Hopefully. [The way his fears begin to materialize in the furrow of his brow would say otherwise.]
I suppose if I were working with another division or elsewhere in the Gallows I would probably still find my way here out of interest for it as well.
[Oh no, what if the filing still is a nightmare...? This thought hits him and his gaze seems to veer off into the middle distance as his soul metaphorically leaves his body for a moment. He blinks and a hand goes up to cover his face as he clears his throat.]
Pardon me, I just had a harrowing thought - shouldn't be an issue though. Hopefully. [The way his fears begin to materialize in the furrow of his brow would say otherwise.]
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