[A big breath, taken through his nose, away from the crystal; sometimes you just need to sigh because it feels nice.]
There was an incident last Bloomingtide, during our big bereavement. Not the one you're thinking of; this one happened earlier. Someone thought he'd express his grief by picking a fight, didn't like what he received in return, later threatened leverage... anyway, in the spirit of honesty, [like that recently forced in the family crypt,] I confessed it to the division heads.
[Of taking leverage back into his own hands, a polite no thank you to the prospect of inconvenient blackmail.]
My response.
[Isaac's admission to a certain bed does not afford him everything.]
It's been handled. I assume I'll be under surveillance for a time, but that's nothing new. [Possession risks and other healthy childhood concerns.] Consider this news a courtesy.
[It takes him a moment. Softer, then (but no more fond):]
I've done this to correct a lapse in judgment, not perpetrate more of the same. I understand why you might think otherwise—but the circumstance of this misstep was extraordinary. As you may yourself recall.
[The same way he recalls the strange chorus of opening scars. When he remembers it, he wishes he'd have accepted it more readily, with more grace; it would have been a beautiful departure. But the survival urge won out, just as it did before, and does now.]
So, let their eyes follow me for a while. They won't see anything of interest.
no subject
[Because he is a good and noble citizen. And because he can more or less hear Isaac's paranoia buzzing from here,]
No questions?
no subject
[ what did you do would be rude, probably ]
What punishment?
no subject
There was an incident last Bloomingtide, during our big bereavement. Not the one you're thinking of; this one happened earlier. Someone thought he'd express his grief by picking a fight, didn't like what he received in return, later threatened leverage... anyway, in the spirit of honesty, [like that recently forced in the family crypt,] I confessed it to the division heads.
That punishment.
no subject
[ who is as good a question, less relevant. this wasn't magic, or he'd be out worse than pay. this wasn't a punch, or there'd be nothing to discuss.
the spirit of honesty. of leverage. fuck. ]
no subject
My response.
[Isaac's admission to a certain bed does not afford him everything.]
It's been handled. I assume I'll be under surveillance for a time, but that's nothing new. [Possession risks and other healthy childhood concerns.] Consider this news a courtesy.
no subject
Not a word of this is courtesy. How much is he meant to courier?
Pivot. ]
Then I take it you'll not visit her.
[ It. The girl. Fishing more than it's anything; a reaction to divine from Leander's atypical dullness. ]
no subject
I've done this to correct a lapse in judgment, not perpetrate more of the same. I understand why you might think otherwise—but the circumstance of this misstep was extraordinary. As you may yourself recall.
[The same way he recalls the strange chorus of opening scars. When he remembers it, he wishes he'd have accepted it more readily, with more grace; it would have been a beautiful departure. But the survival urge won out, just as it did before, and does now.]
So, let their eyes follow me for a while. They won't see anything of interest.
no subject
[ but you know, in orlesian. he hangs up. ]
a minute or two later;
[ imprudent? abrupt? rude? a small noise, dismissive of itself ]
— Installments. If you've need to change the arrangement, we'll find a reason. This can stay between us.
no subject
no subject
you're still fired