CONTACT [EL NYSA]

[priorly]

[Greetings, Prophet. The Great Work Begins.]
(leave a message after the tone)

Comments

[badgerlock]

Not around here, certainly. There are too many kings, and emperors, and sons of the same.

[priorly]

You can hit a couple with any thrown stone. Are you planning to claim the title, now you're here?

[badgerlock]

They trained me too well against treason.

When my grandfather died, and my older uncle vanished, the dukes offered me the position. They said they would support my claim, against my other uncle. I turned them down.

[priorly]

Is it still treason if there's no one else awake? Why did you turn it down?

[badgerlock]

Because it would have been treason. Because I'm not a prince. I'm a bastard.

[priorly]

If you called me so we can rehash your little bastard annie story I'm putting the phone down.

In the toilet.

[badgerlock]

That would be a waste of this device.

No, I wanted to tell someone-

I've always had secrets. I've just never kept them all from everyone.

[priorly]

They can build space ships here, someone would fix it.

You shared them out and trusted no one would put the pieces together?

[badgerlock]

Well.

The Fool knew everything. And Chade knew most things. Everyone else only knew pieces. You would be surprised at how many people don't take the time to think past what they're told.

[priorly]

Is that a hint that I should?

[badgerlock]

Why shouldn't you? I'm doing it to you.

[priorly]

Really. And what have you put together about me, exactly?

[badgerlock]

Prophecy has ruined your life, so you didn't grow up with it. You miss people holding you, or touching you. And you're from a place where either men can love men easily, or you have never mastered the art of hiding that part of yourself. You have never had to defend yourself against violence, or, if you have, you've didn't decide to make it change you. You're certainly not interested in violence.

[priorly]

3 and a half. Not bad.

You know I could cheat at this game?

[badgerlock]

Yes. But I don't think you will.

[priorly]

You want to know what I've learned about you.

A confluence of unfortunate happenstances meant you grew up a bastard no one wanted with some kind of magic no one wants you to have. Your sense of self worth is about as bad as your dress sense but you do know both your familial status and the magic you have make you something different. And different's always a mix of good and bad. Other people might be afraid of it, or you. You have your own prophet with a cruel name that doesn't sound cruel when you say it. And if you have a prophet I suppose there must be a mission to fulfil. You're a dog person. The unevolved variety.

[badgerlock]

Why am I doing this?

[He feels like Chade. Pressing for answers that he knows.]

[priorly]

You... finished your crossword already?

1/2

[badgerlock]

I don't know what that means.

[badgerlock]

I'd like you to think I trust you.

[priorly]

Do you trust me?

[badgerlock]

Yes.

[priorly]

Well, that's all you needed to say.

[badgerlock]

Well.

I trust you.

[priorly]

I'm not sure it's mutual, currently. I feel as if you're leading toward asking me to do something terrible.