justice_is_blond | Inbox for Fade Rift

Colin's brows go up at the second one. This is the first he has heard of Lexie in an abusive relationship. To the first one, he waves his hand dismissively.

"Byerly was picking fights out of boredom. He doesn't believe any of that."

The truth of the matter is somewhat more complex, though. Byerly is a spy. He plays a character, causes people to expect certain things of him so they don't suspect him to act in other ways. Of course Colin can't say that. They'll circle back to Lexie in a bit.

"I do believe he was going to fight Kostos on it and mocked Merrill before I'd had enough and stopped listening," he says. His own eyebrow is up now. Someone wanting to punch Kostos really isn't new, but mocking Merrill is rare.

"Why taunt us about the very real danger of people trying to take our lives away from us if he doesn't believe it? There are easier ways to pick fights."

"I suspect because everyone is on edge about it right now especially. Look, Byerly is full of shit. Don't believe anything he says unless he's been kicked in the head first. Even then, wait to see what he backs up with real action instead of bluster--for example, travelling across the sea to take down a Templar who abused your apprentice."

That right there matters a lot more to Colin than any bullshit spouted on the crystals.

He exhales.

"Actions are louder than words," Anders grumbles, "but one could at least attack nobles or something when they're a noble, rather than those who are already attacked at nearly every turn." He's no longer arguing. Byerly is apparently going to help. But Anders isn't going to suddenly think of him as friend. He has to wait and see for himself.

He'd say that Byerly is still an ass... but he's aware that sometimes he's an ass and doesn't feel like giving Colin a chance to point that out.

And Colin would agree--Byerly is an ass. But Byerly also doesn't seem to be comfortable with being liked, which gives Colin a particular pleasure in liking him anyway.

"Nobles think of him as a sort of pet, I think," he muses. "Someone weak and stupid and clearly in their pocket. They think he thinks like them, so they let him in. He's in all sorts of circles, and look at who it is he helps with it."

It's as close as he can come to outright explaining Byerly's profession.

"Of course he's in all sorts of circles. He's a fan of circles." He can hear what Colin is suggesting, that Byerly is using the nobles as they try to use him, but does that really justify being so flippiant about what's caused so much pain?

"The cause is worthwhile and I'll work with him. You need have no fear of that. But I'd appreciate it if he kept his casual cruelty to a minimum. This will be fraught enough already."

Colin bobs his head. Now it's time to circle back.

"What did you say about Lexie?"

He blinks as he thinks back, and then frowns.

"Loki. He orders her around in a way that makes her plead in a fearful way if she disagrees, manhandles her, doesn't respect her..." He shakes his head. "And that's in front of an outsider. I don't think the relationship is healthy. But I'm entirely, as mentioned, an outsider. So it's not my place to say something."

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