Just because they've never talked to you doesn't make them poor company.
[--said lightly, though. She's not hearing voices, thanks.]
And I do have relationships with other living beings, obviously. There are some who think that Seekers ought to remain aloof, so that they might better remain impartial on issues and investigations and judgments that they're asked to be involved in. I've never agreed with that. I think our place is among people.
I don’t think we’d have all that much to talk about, anyway, the three of us.
[Equally as light. Clearly this is all in good fun.
Or— just fun, at least.]
But you know, I can’t help but agree with you there: impartiality’s all well and good as a concept on paper or in theory, but pull back from the picture too much and....
Well, you won’t be able to see a damned thing.
And I should know. I was a magistrate in my own world. Back before—
[He stops there, catching his own instinctive impulse.]
[Oh. Under the very real and logical impression that Astarion's small pause is to do with feelings about having been sucked through a Rift and deposited into the middle of a war in Thedas--]
I didn't know that about you. Or expect it, really, if I'm honest. And I try always to be honest.
[Still light, that, but there's a spark of genuine curiosity now.]
Was that your style, during your service? Rubbing elbows with the people?
My style was doing whatever it took to ensure the jewel of a city that was Baldur's Gate never suffered unnecessarily. True, that meant I wasn't always popular outside of the higher social circles, but common folk rarely know what's good for them to begin with. Their worldview is too narrow.
To compare it with my prior metaphor, I suppose they've got their noses in the paint.
So you made decisions for people, for their own good? And you didn't mind being unpopular for it? I would think that would be troubling for most people. Who doesn't like to be liked?
You're quite convincing--and quite sturdy besides, if our mission is anything to go by. But you've already said that you agree with me, that being among people is the best way to lead and judge and measure and understand them. So I don't think you're telling entire truths here.
[He shouldn’t be surprised. In fact, he isn’t— although it does necessitate tipping his hand by way of offering her at least some small fragment of his truer self.
What he thinks. What he believes.
A sacrifice, yes, but a far better one than confessing the rest of his grim, monstrous facets.]
But no, I suppose reality is a little more nuanced than what I’ve been promising. Less entertaining, too, though it’s your choice if you want me to speak from the boring, undazzling heart.
Because in reality, you do get close. Make friends, contacts, acquaintances— whatever you want to call it— and then you make damn well sure that no matter how they pull on your heartstrings or lull you with the kindness of their company, you don’t fall into the trap of caring too much. Or too hard.
[--a brief final moment of that dazzling lightness, before she settles into listening once more and the boring heart of it all.]
I suppose I understand what you mean. But I would argue that friendship--company, companionship, whatever you'd like to call it--is worth risk and even the occasional bitter end. What else do we have in this life but those we surround ourselves with?
[Lonely is what she thinks, again. But she lets it pass for now, picking up his cue.]
Is that so. [Personal investment.] And would you mind telling me what you mean by that, exactly, in this situation? Rifters might have different references and turns of phrase, after all, and I want to make sure I have your meaning clearly.
My dear Seeker, I trust your radiant powers of deduction. Surely it wouldn’t be too difficult for a perceptive creature like yourself, to figure out what you mean to me.
Just how dear you are.
[Or that he'll be watching with interest as she makes her way in this weary world— in good company or otherwise.]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2021-09-30 03:52 am (UTC)[--said lightly, though. She's not hearing voices, thanks.]
And I do have relationships with other living beings, obviously. There are some who think that Seekers ought to remain aloof, so that they might better remain impartial on issues and investigations and judgments that they're asked to be involved in. I've never agreed with that. I think our place is among people.
no subject
Date: 2021-09-30 04:34 am (UTC)I don’t think we’d have all that much to talk about, anyway, the three of us.
[Equally as light. Clearly this is all in good fun.
Or— just fun, at least.]
But you know, I can’t help but agree with you there: impartiality’s all well and good as a concept on paper or in theory, but pull back from the picture too much and....
Well, you won’t be able to see a damned thing.
And I should know. I was a magistrate in my own world. Back before—
[He stops there, catching his own instinctive impulse.]
Before all this.
no subject
Date: 2021-09-30 11:24 pm (UTC)I didn't know that about you. Or expect it, really, if I'm honest. And I try always to be honest.
[Still light, that, but there's a spark of genuine curiosity now.]
Was that your style, during your service? Rubbing elbows with the people?
no subject
Date: 2021-10-01 03:51 am (UTC)[Don't be a dick, Astarion.]
My style was doing whatever it took to ensure the jewel of a city that was Baldur's Gate never suffered unnecessarily. True, that meant I wasn't always popular outside of the higher social circles, but common folk rarely know what's good for them to begin with. Their worldview is too narrow.
To compare it with my prior metaphor, I suppose they've got their noses in the paint.
no subject
Date: 2021-10-02 07:57 pm (UTC)So you made decisions for people, for their own good? And you didn't mind being unpopular for it? I would think that would be troubling for most people. Who doesn't like to be liked?
no subject
Date: 2021-10-02 08:19 pm (UTC)[The way he says it, he might indeed be fanning fingers through his own locks at present, in fact.]
But all teasing aside, I didn't need anyone else. I still don't.
no subject
Date: 2021-10-03 05:58 pm (UTC)Speaking of 'awfully lonely'--
[--well, that.]
no subject
Date: 2021-10-04 01:57 am (UTC)[That, and he’s lying. Ironically to a Seeker of Truth, but that’s neither here nor there, at present.
He likes her.
And because he likes her, it’s better that she doesn’t know too much. Or anything at all, in fact.]
no subject
Date: 2021-10-05 05:45 pm (UTC)You're quite convincing--and quite sturdy besides, if our mission is anything to go by. But you've already said that you agree with me, that being among people is the best way to lead and judge and measure and understand them. So I don't think you're telling entire truths here.
no subject
Date: 2021-10-06 10:39 am (UTC)I suppose you are a Seeker after all.
[He shouldn’t be surprised. In fact, he isn’t— although it does necessitate tipping his hand by way of offering her at least some small fragment of his truer self.
What he thinks. What he believes.
A sacrifice, yes, but a far better one than confessing the rest of his grim, monstrous facets.]
But no, I suppose reality is a little more nuanced than what I’ve been promising. Less entertaining, too, though it’s your choice if you want me to speak from the boring, undazzling heart.
Because in reality, you do get close. Make friends, contacts, acquaintances— whatever you want to call it— and then you make damn well sure that no matter how they pull on your heartstrings or lull you with the kindness of their company, you don’t fall into the trap of caring too much. Or too hard.
Believe me, it never ends well.
no subject
Date: 2021-10-07 12:31 am (UTC)[--a brief final moment of that dazzling lightness, before she settles into listening once more and the boring heart of it all.]
I suppose I understand what you mean. But I would argue that friendship--company, companionship, whatever you'd like to call it--is worth risk and even the occasional bitter end. What else do we have in this life but those we surround ourselves with?
no subject
Date: 2021-10-07 08:02 am (UTC)[He inhales brightly after that, though. Clicks his tongue against the back of his teeth, voice sweet as a songbird:]
That said, for the sake of my own personal investment: I support you. I’d even like to think you might just be right—
Although I suppose the only way to test that theory would be to leap in, feet first.
no subject
Date: 2021-10-13 04:26 am (UTC)Is that so. [Personal investment.] And would you mind telling me what you mean by that, exactly, in this situation? Rifters might have different references and turns of phrase, after all, and I want to make sure I have your meaning clearly.
no subject
Date: 2021-10-14 05:51 am (UTC)My dear Seeker, I trust your radiant powers of deduction. Surely it wouldn’t be too difficult for a perceptive creature like yourself, to figure out what you mean to me.
Just how dear you are.
[Or that he'll be watching with interest as she makes her way in this weary world— in good company or otherwise.]