by Cinnabar » Mon Apr 23, 2007 7:13 am
On mentioning the Governor's name, he is already inwardly kicking himself. Foolish. The line between trust-gaining openness and giving out information which is unhelpful to his inquiries is a fine one, especially in this case. Well then. Let's try that again. He sets down his pen for the moment, leaning forward to speak quietly.
"I shall explain as plainly as I am able: When I make my report, it will include the details which are relevant to my task - that is, breaking up the cult of the Baie. My plain is that this will mainly involve identifying members of the cult, and arresting them, or otherwise removing them from the cult's grasp. Anything not directly connected to that aim is irrelevant, and I would not dare waste the Governor's time by including it in my report." Calm and reasonable tones, as if untangling some silly misunderstanding.
"From my point of view, I need to know all I can about the cult, and about the Baie, because it will help me understand the way they think, and the way they act, and how to catch them. Simple enough, no?" Brows raised inquiringly, checking to be sure she follows.
"From the Governor's point of view, the history of the cult, its beliefs and rituals and such do not matter, so there is no need for me to trouble him with such trivial details as long as the cult is eventually broken."
Meanwhile her explanation of the reasoning behind the "pretense" provokes a reaction in the questioner every bit as clear as Ariane's own, though different in nature.
"The beast itself wishes it?" A sudden keenness, perhaps like that of a hound that has caught a scent, or a falcon that has sighted some small morsel in the long grass. "I see. I shall agree to this pretense, but I must ask: How did this become known to you?"
Omnia mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis.