[Saralegui seemed to feel the stare and pulled his eyes away from the larger dragon, keeping a cool expression with a bit of effort under that look. It was silly to get flustered, he told himself. People always stare at him. This is no different.]
If I say "completely", would you actually be entirely honest with me? I'd rather not dance around the subject, whatever it is.
[Determinedly, he held Tzilan's gaze. He'd certainly prefer absolute honesty, and he didn't want there to be any doubt about that.]
But I'd do so under the understanding that you can reciprocate at least a modicum of discretion.
[ His stare went unbroken, unblinking. By some trick of the light, or his posture, he even seemed taller, somehow. Dark eyes glinting and cold, like black river stones freshly pulled from a snowmelt stream, all the heavy weight of his full attention on the pale man before him. He did not breathe. ]
[His first instincts generally leaned towards snark and levity, but he hadn't gotten as far as he has in life without the ability to read the mood of a situation. In the face of that heavy stare, Saralegui sobered up, his mouth pursing slightly.]
[ Tzilan watched Saralegui a long moment more before nodding. 'I am very discreet.'
Heaven help the young man if he wasn't. But it was a good first step... Trust had to be given first if it were ever to be reciprocated. ]
I came to this world with as mediocre a sum of wealth or esteem as any other outworlder. I've been, in secret and when currents and other factors are favorable, going out to see in hunt of ships carrying valuable but untraceable cargo. The captain, crew, and all living souls aboard, I kill.
I return the cargo in segments to port, here or elsewhere, under the painstakingly-built guise of a commodities merchant. It's ow I was able to afford a manse of such impressive size in this area against the mountain-- usually reserved for blue-blooded native families. It's the first step, growing wealth, but soon I mean to leverage it to buy my way into local politics as a magistrate of the port.
One step on a path that I mean to take me to the governorship of the city.
[Whatever he was expecting, it obviously wasn't that. But the surprise is only visible on his face for a moment before he schools his expression, carefully blank and decidedly neutral.]
...Some would call that immoral.
[Yuuri certainly wouldn't approve. Saralegui has to appreciate the efficiency of it, but he's not quite sure what kind of reaction is sought here. Did he want enthusiasm for the idea, or was he seeking disapproval in some roundabout test of character? Saralegui HADNT known Tzilan long enough to be sure.]
Not just some; many. I am not concerned with the smaller moral costs when confronted with the possible net gain of good which might be achieved in the near future. Every other month the city is under attack, there are no state-sponsored investigations into the gods or the means of our arrival... or into any of the significant disruptions our presence makes here. A few lives lost on the path to greater understanding of our situation... and its consequences not just for our old worlds, but the one we inhabit now.
[ He paused there, lips pinching... and leaned forward a little. ]
And if you aren't overly troubled by niggling immoralities...
[An amoral idealist. Saralegui almost scoffs, and a hint of a smirk does manage to escape him despite his efforts towards neutrality.]
It certainly sounds like you need help. I can already think of a few ways that could all go wrong and get you caught or killed.
[He shifts backwards off his knees to sit on the floor properly, arms resting on his knees while he adopts a thoughtful expression.]
...I'd bet that I could do it without killing anyone.
[Or rather, he knows he could. Though it would certainly be fun to see if he could come up with a scheme that doesn't use his eyes. He's never had to put his wits to use for something like making money, but the novelty of it could be nice.]
[ His brows inched towards his hairline, and his mouth pursed thoughtfully while he considered the other man, cradling the pale dragon mutely while he listened. ]
Trust me when I say I'm remarkably resilient. And--
[ It's clear by his expression that he's curious. Like a cat watching a pulled string, trying to decide if it was worth batting after. He set his shoulders. ]
I hadn't meant that you would join in on that scheme... No; I'm unfit for the public eye. I need... a partner, someone who can be the respectable face of an understanding. But I won't... wouldn't turn down sound advice.
I'd just have a talk with the crews. But I don't imagine my methods would work for anyone else. I'm just very persuasive.
[To say the least.]
Personally, I think you're plenty fit for the public eye. [He flashes a grin, and powers on before he can think too much about Tzilan's earlier words. It's easier to feel at ease when he could at least control the rhythm of the conversation.] But I suppose I can help out in that respect, if you'd rather stick to the shadows.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
enthraller) wrote2014-06-30 02:51 pm
no subject
If I say "completely", would you actually be entirely honest with me? I'd rather not dance around the subject, whatever it is.
[Determinedly, he held Tzilan's gaze. He'd certainly prefer absolute honesty, and he didn't want there to be any doubt about that.]
no subject
But I'd do so under the understanding that you can reciprocate at least a modicum of discretion.
[ His stare went unbroken, unblinking. By some trick of the light, or his posture, he even seemed taller, somehow. Dark eyes glinting and cold, like black river stones freshly pulled from a snowmelt stream, all the heavy weight of his full attention on the pale man before him. He did not breathe. ]
no subject
I'm very discreet. What is it?
no subject
Heaven help the young man if he wasn't. But it was a good first step... Trust had to be given first if it were ever to be reciprocated. ]
I came to this world with as mediocre a sum of wealth or esteem as any other outworlder. I've been, in secret and when currents and other factors are favorable, going out to see in hunt of ships carrying valuable but untraceable cargo. The captain, crew, and all living souls aboard, I kill.
I return the cargo in segments to port, here or elsewhere, under the painstakingly-built guise of a commodities merchant. It's ow I was able to afford a manse of such impressive size in this area against the mountain-- usually reserved for blue-blooded native families. It's the first step, growing wealth, but soon I mean to leverage it to buy my way into local politics as a magistrate of the port.
One step on a path that I mean to take me to the governorship of the city.
no subject
...Some would call that immoral.
[Yuuri certainly wouldn't approve. Saralegui has to appreciate the efficiency of it, but he's not quite sure what kind of reaction is sought here. Did he want enthusiasm for the idea, or was he seeking disapproval in some roundabout test of character? Saralegui HADNT known Tzilan long enough to be sure.]
no subject
[ He paused there, lips pinching... and leaned forward a little. ]
And if you aren't overly troubled by niggling immoralities...
... I'd ask that you help me.
no subject
It certainly sounds like you need help. I can already think of a few ways that could all go wrong and get you caught or killed.
[He shifts backwards off his knees to sit on the floor properly, arms resting on his knees while he adopts a thoughtful expression.]
...I'd bet that I could do it without killing anyone.
[Or rather, he knows he could. Though it would certainly be fun to see if he could come up with a scheme that doesn't use his eyes. He's never had to put his wits to use for something like making money, but the novelty of it could be nice.]
no subject
Trust me when I say I'm remarkably resilient. And--
[ It's clear by his expression that he's curious. Like a cat watching a pulled string, trying to decide if it was worth batting after. He set his shoulders. ]
I hadn't meant that you would join in on that scheme... No; I'm unfit for the public eye. I need... a partner, someone who can be the respectable face of an understanding. But I won't... wouldn't turn down sound advice.
How would you do it?
no subject
I'd just have a talk with the crews. But I don't imagine my methods would work for anyone else. I'm just very persuasive.
[To say the least.]
Personally, I think you're plenty fit for the public eye. [He flashes a grin, and powers on before he can think too much about Tzilan's earlier words. It's easier to feel at ease when he could at least control the rhythm of the conversation.] But I suppose I can help out in that respect, if you'd rather stick to the shadows.