inbox.

[heirring]

[action + written + crystal]

Comments

[bouchonne]

Is it because you don't like me?

[heirring]

I might ask you the same question.

[bouchonne]

Why would you ever think that?

[heirring]

Really, Mister Rutyer.

[bouchonne]

Really, Miss Poppell, I am at a loss.

[heirring]

Well this has been a rewarding conservation which perfectly respects my time.

If you have nothing more to say, then I will happily return to my work. Though I know you've little regard for it.

[bouchonne]

What is disrespectful about asking about the root of your hostility towards me?

[heirring]

You know perfectly well. And to pretend otherwise is disingenuous.

[bouchonne]

[ A sigh. ]

Are you talking about the incident in the dream?

[heirring]

You must admit that disdain is a reasonable conclusion to draw from an assassination attempt, imagined or otherwise.

Is there something you require, Ambassador?

[bouchonne]

Ah. But there is no conceivable reason for me to feel disdain towards you?

[heirring]

How should I know, Mister Rutyer? You have always been so insistent otherwise.

But you may take this moment as license to say otherwise if you wish. I promise not to hold it against you.

[bouchonne]

So you see no possible justification, remotely, for having gone after you?

[heirring]

Certainly there was justification. But it is strange, don't you think? That Mister Stark and I were the only prisoners who might have been killed rather than rescued.

How charming it is to be thought of as so disposable.

[bouchonne]

Well, you were also the only ones creating weapons of incredible destruction to the enemy's benefit.

[heirring]

[She scoffs. True, bUT—]

Very well. We've established our great mutual respect for one another. Now, what is it you wish to discuss?

[bouchonne]

I just wish to register my deep hope that if you found yourself in that situation in reality, that you would take steps to ensure you did not aid the enemy.

[heirring]

[There is a clever point here which Tony made that she might recycle. What she says instead is—]

And this is the first time you've seen fit to say so.

[bouchonne]

It is the first time it has been made clear to me how destructive you might be.

[heirring]

Because you couldn't imagine I was capable before that point. Nevermind that I have twice now narrowly escaped Venatori custody in life.

[bouchonne]

Capable enough to utterly destroy your former allies? Capable enough to be deadlier than poison down a well? No, I did not imagine that, Miss Poppell.

[heirring]

You know that isn't the point of the thing.

[bouchonne]

[ There's a rather sharp note in his voice when he says: ]

That is entirely the point of the thing. You fell into their hands, and you destroyed the world.

[heirring]

[Snipping right back—]

Remand me to the dungeon then if you see me as such a threat.

[bouchonne]

Don't be disingenuous.