maskormenacelogs | (no subject)

I do. I love all of them. We've all.. been through a lot together.

[ for a few moments, he's silent, staring down at his hands. he turns the left one over, rubbing his thumb into the center of the anchor. at the best of times, it aches, a constant reminder that it's there. ]

It's.. complicated, Miles. I'm not even.. [ he trails off, not sure how he intended to continue that. bull had accepted him so easily, but he still feels like some sort of changeling. he's not the inquisitor that bull knows.

he heaves a sigh, reaching for his glass again. ] Well, anyway, like I said-- I honestly don't think about.. romance and that sort of thing. If it happens, I suppose it happens, but it certainly won't harm me if it doesn't.

[ Miles reluctantly reins in his impulse to push harder on the topic. Not everyone needs to be as love-obsessed as him, surely ... but it seems like something everyone should have a chance at. ]

Just don't deny yourself, Mahanon. Speaking as someone who danced that particular dance ...

[ he can't explain how selfish it would feel. he doesn't even know if he's going to live. corypheus is focusing so much of his efforts on killing mahanon, after all, and they still have no idea what effect the anchor will eventually have on him.

maybe one day. ]

I'm alright, I promise. [ his smile returns by degrees, warm and a little amused. ] Bull is quite attractive, though, isn't he? And such a flirt! I actually wouldn't be surprised if he has a partner here. [ or several, potentially. ]

[ Good enough for now. Miles nods and settles back, satisfied. ]

He really is, isn't he? And huge, but that's no drawback ...

[ Miles sure would make a funny picture doing anything with Bull, given that size disparity. ]

To my understanding, most qunari are quite big like Bull. I've not seen many, though.

[ he'd had a chance, but-- well. he could certainly never regret saving krem and the others, anyway.

a beat, and the amusement in his face deepens. ]

Actually, come to think of it.. if I'm being shallow, most everyone I'm surrounded with in the Inquisition is attractive. [ his ears go a little pink again, expression starting to look a hint sheepish. ] .. And it's been months, but I still like the novelty of facial hair on human and dwarf men.

[ Miles runs one hand along his own clean-shaven jawline self-consciously. ]

Is it that rare for elves, then?

[ he follows the movement of miles' hand curiously. ] We don't grow much body hair at all, honestly. I suppose there must be some out there somewhere who're exceptions, but I've not met them.

Oh, surely. Some genetic anomaly, I'm sure ... The Cetagandans would have a field day with you.

[ a mild blink. ] I'm sorry, the who? They.. don't.. like facial hair or something?

They're obsessed with perfection and beauty. Closest thing we have to elves.

[ there's a surprised pause, staring, before mahanon smiles helplessly. ] I'm flattered, I think, but I'm afraid they'd be disappointed. We're certainly not perfect.

No, no. I didn't say that. But they'd probably take one look at you and ask for a genetic sample.

A genetic sample-- [ for what??? ] Why would they want something like that?

To add to their database, of course. See what they can breed from it.

Oh! [ his eyes widen, alarmed. ] No, no, no thank you. Maybe there are some elves out there who'd agree, but I'm afraid I'm not one of them.

Don't worry, I completely agree. Cetaganda is an old enemy of Barrayar.

It seems strange to me that entire planets might at some point be at war with one another. [ for the same reasons? land, wealth, differences in ideology and religion-- ] It's difficult enough directing one on the scale of a nation.

Oh, not just planets in this case. The Barrayaran Imperium is three planets strong and the Cetagandan Empire has eight.

[ he actually looks a little horrified. ]

.. Poor Gregor. [ what a horrible job to have, running not just an entire planet, but three. ... or eight, in the case of the cetagandans. (not everyone is as deeply involved as you are, mahanon.) ] I certainly don't envy his job.

Nor do I. He ... doesn't always enjoy it, but I'm trying to make it an easier burden to bear.

Who would? [ enjoy it, that is. he's never understood people who want to rule. he hadn't even wanted to be the next keeper of his clan, much less the inquisitor. the pressure is enormous. .. of course, on the other hand, not all rulers actually care about what they're in charge of, so perhaps that makes it easier. ] He's lucky to have you, I'm certain. And others who want to actually help him. Good advisers are easily worth their weight in gold.

Well. I wouldn't consider myself an advisor, exactly ...

[ he hums out an amused noise. ] No, I suppose you'd be in an altogether different category. I was mostly putting it in terms of what I have.

[ because he seriously has good advisers. josephine alone is worth all the frilly luxury in orlais. ]

... Oh. Yes, I should have thought of that. Who do you have?

As far as advisers? .. Probably not nearly as many as Gregor must need, given the three entire planets thing. Four make up my war council, not including myself.

[ keeps things simple, and it certainly keeps information from getting out prematurely. he leaves it to them to delegate to their staffs as necessary.

a small sigh. ] Though that doesn't include the number that aren't involved in my war council. Or the-- the petitioners and Chantry clergy and-- [ a fluttery gesture of both hands. ] --all of that.. nonsense.