But Tony's message is there, long after dark, when Ellis is standing atop one of the highest points at the outer wall and coaxes his crystal up out of Thot's belly. Listens to the message. Breathes out as Thot hops on his shoulder before directing her: Tell me if someone is coming.
And after all that, he activates the crystal, and speaks. ]
I'm here.
[ No confirmation on Corypheus deep cover agent either way. ]
[ There's the dim sounds of activity, things being put down, a drawer rattle. ]
Pretty well. Only one assassination attempt, one skeleton murder army, so I think statistically we're in the clear for another couple of months. What's new with you?
[ If Ellis were to close his eyes, and tip his head back, he might cast himself back to Tony's workroom. The familiar clattering of work tugs at his chest.
But dropping his guard in such a way would be foolish.
There's a beat of quiet, processing the leap from assassination to skeleton army to the question. ]
They've been sending material to Tevinter. [ Flat. Tired. ] Every time I think I've found something, it's been sent away.
[ A stretch of quiet. Ellis listens to the familiar patter of sound on the opposite end of the crystal, grappling with the immensity of his frustration and disappointment.
But eventually— ]
There's dissent. Disagreements. They're very careful about how they speak of any ill feelings here, but I've heard some dissatisfaction. If I stayed longer I might hear more of it, but they aren't as unified here as I'd thought.
I'm not asking questions. I'm going to listen, while I see if there's any last thing that might be useful here. It's no greater risk than I'm already undertaking.
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But Tony's message is there, long after dark, when Ellis is standing atop one of the highest points at the outer wall and coaxes his crystal up out of Thot's belly. Listens to the message. Breathes out as Thot hops on his shoulder before directing her: Tell me if someone is coming.
And after all that, he activates the crystal, and speaks. ]
I'm here.
[ No confirmation on Corypheus deep cover agent either way. ]
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Oh hey, [ brightly. ] What's cooking, good looking?
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[ But things haven't changed that much in his absence, so. ]
Is all well?
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[ There's the dim sounds of activity, things being put down, a drawer rattle. ]
Pretty well. Only one assassination attempt, one skeleton murder army, so I think statistically we're in the clear for another couple of months. What's new with you?
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But dropping his guard in such a way would be foolish.
There's a beat of quiet, processing the leap from assassination to skeleton army to the question. ]
They've been sending material to Tevinter. [ Flat. Tired. ] Every time I think I've found something, it's been sent away.
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Material?
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[ Overhead, Thot circles, watchful. ]
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[ :grimacing: ]
What about records?
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What's left isn't without value, but it isn't...
[ A trailing quiet. It's not why he came. It's not what he wanted to find. ]
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[ Which is definitely like what going to Weisshaupt undercover and in fear of your life is like. ]
So you tell us what colours you can see. Who's the big dog, what are they doing, is anyone up there ready to flip? You know what to do.
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But eventually— ]
There's dissent. Disagreements. They're very careful about how they speak of any ill feelings here, but I've heard some dissatisfaction. If I stayed longer I might hear more of it, but they aren't as unified here as I'd thought.
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[ —is probably not wholly his call to make, in the scheme of things, but comes immediate and sure. ]
No, I think you come home, is the next move.
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There is a stretch of quiet. Ellis turns the crystal in his hands. ]
Are you sure that's the next move?
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It feels like leaving something undone.
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[ But he can't just dismiss that. There's a clatter of some lightweight thing dropped, rolling, the squeak of furniture. ]
What does tying it in a bow look like?
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[ is an answer he can give to Tony, but would never divulge were Yseult in the room with him. ]
If there is disagreement here, it would be good to know the extent of it.
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[ A pause. Then, quieter, conciliatory— ]
I'm not asking questions. I'm going to listen, while I see if there's any last thing that might be useful here. It's no greater risk than I'm already undertaking.
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Fine. And talk to Yseult before you go dark, figure out a timeframe. Don't take notes, we can do that.
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[ And here is the point at which he might cut the line. Here, quietly, he adds— ]
I'll be back in time for the next disaster.