[The front wasn't what he'd meant, but he already feels like this disagreement is his fault for letting his guard down a bit in the first place. Clarifying feels like it will make things worse in the moment. Instead, he exhales.]
Rowntree's head of Forces. If he wants me dead, he has options less messy than a sparring session gone wrong. And it's not ... I never sparred with him while I was still taking lyrium. He's not learning that much from me. Come and watch sometime if you want, see if you disagree with my assessment.
[They're prodding at something he's almost surprised to find is sore. On the other hand ... he doesn't think Keen has any reason to worry that he wouldn't have had even if Vanya had said no to Rowntree.]
[ it's a quiet few minutes up. the creak of wood, scuff of boot on stone. cedric drops his end once they’ve drawn into the hall. he isn't done, only needs a break: thumb dug into the meat of his hand, the strange, numb ache of anchor. a sore spot.
at last,]
Fine. [ he'll come see. ] But when Baudin asks y'to dinner, you're saying yes.
[ is that a point for or against friendship? unclear. cedric puts his back to the wall, stretches an arm. it's mostly so he isn't looking at vanya. still cooling down, sure. but, ]
She knows 'bout my folks. Been good, having someone gets it.
[ the life he's lived is leagues closer to vanya and gela than orlesian nobility. but they're nearer in turn: merchants and artisans, an entirely different nevarra to his own. the muddle of his syllables reminds it whenever they slip from trade. ]
[ he ought to ask what. ought to ask why, ought to pry a little, when he's given near an invitation. but it's only been a few minutes. but yeah, something does rise protective for gwen; way it does for gela, and barrow, and keen, ]
Just... you got people, is all.
[ vanya knows that. he's said as much. sometimes you've got to say it, too. ]
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Rowntree's head of Forces. If he wants me dead, he has options less messy than a sparring session gone wrong. And it's not ... I never sparred with him while I was still taking lyrium. He's not learning that much from me. Come and watch sometime if you want, see if you disagree with my assessment.
[They're prodding at something he's almost surprised to find is sore. On the other hand ... he doesn't think Keen has any reason to worry that he wouldn't have had even if Vanya had said no to Rowntree.]
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at last,]
Fine. [ he'll come see. ] But when Baudin asks y'to dinner, you're saying yes.
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[A moment.]
Do you know of a particular forthcoming invitation, or just generally.
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[ 'he already said yes', right, and that was before cedric made it an outing ]
It's that book she's reading. You, me, and Gela. Regular.
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[More an invitation than a question, especially under the circumstances.]
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[ is that a point for or against friendship? unclear. cedric puts his back to the wall, stretches an arm. it's mostly so he isn't looking at vanya. still cooling down, sure. but, ]
She knows 'bout my folks. Been good, having someone gets it.
[ the life he's lived is leagues closer to vanya and gela than orlesian nobility. but they're nearer in turn: merchants and artisans, an entirely different nevarra to his own. the muddle of his syllables reminds it whenever they slip from trade. ]
Cares on you a lot.
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[ he ought to ask what. ought to ask why, ought to pry a little, when he's given near an invitation. but it's only been a few minutes. but yeah, something does rise protective for gwen; way it does for gela, and barrow, and keen, ]
Just... you got people, is all.
[ vanya knows that. he's said as much. sometimes you've got to say it, too. ]
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I'm relieved to know you are not having us haul furniture this way just for your health.
[A bit more sincere, he adds,] I do appreciate it.
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