'Protecting the city' is an incredibly vague answer, I'm sure you're aware, and one that's up for interpretation. After all, if you consider the gods a larger threat to the populace than the Null, then you'd still be 'protecting the city' by allowing people to assist the Null.
[He doesn't like the dismissive attitude toward him, but he also knows it's probably purposeful and so he's doing his best to ignore it in turn.]
[One that she intends to gather intelligence about before making a decision one way or another.]
Your 'interpretation', as you so eloquently call it, is of no concern to me. Did you have something of actual importance to discuss, or is this another your fishing expeditions?
[Normally, he might allow them to go in circles a little more, but this seems pointless and he doesn't have the energy for that. So instead--]
Fine, I'll make my question very clear. Are you planning to do anything to attempt preventing harm from coming to anyone the Null have listed as targets?
[And since it's basically a yes or no question, he watches her reaction incredibly carefully; answers to these types of questions are usually the easiest to read truth and deception from.]
We will do our duty to the city and the people within in. Our numbers are unfortunately limited, but we have protocols in place.
[And she does intend to keep the majority of the people safe. It's just inevitable that one or two people will die. And from that, Maketh will have her intelligence.]
If you wish to discuss the logistics of our operations, I suggest you speak with Henry or Nick. I have little patience for you.
I've told you I work for the government, right? A bunch of elegant-sounding wording isn't going to distract me from the fact that you clearly can't give a yes or no answer to a very simple question.
[Which says a lot on its own, and really tells him what he needs to know. But fine; he'd hoped that he was wrong, but if he isn't, then he'll just deal with it.]
I might do so. I imagine they both have strong opinions on this subject.
[And as much as he'd prefer not to, he'll also address with them the concerns he has with Maketh's answer if necessary.]
[She thins her mouth. He annoys her on an uncomfortably personal level and in another world - another life - she would have had him either shot or so deeply humiliated that he'd never dare to show his face in her presence again. But that isn't possible here.]
[Don't say anything, Lance. What has he just been telling Ephemera, and Kate, and others? Just walk away.
But he's also so good at giving advice on the subject because it's one he struggles with himself, and it's taking every ounce of willpower he has not to say something snappish in return. He's gotten the answers to both questions he'd had at the same time, and there's no point in continuing to talk to her; she isn't worth the time to effort, or the worsening headache.
So he refrains from what he really wants to say, although he also can't allow himself to just be dismissed like that without saying something. So, after a moment, he responds coldly--]
You know what the right thing to do is, and there's still time to do it. I suggest making an attempt.
Do you remember what you asked me once, a few weeks after I arrived, about whether or not I intended to challenge you regarding your position in the guard?
[Not as much of a reaction as he wanted, but that's probably for the best. He shrugs, stepping back and turning to leave now that he feels like it's more on his terms.]
Just leaving. I think I've said everything I need to.
[Lance has a retort for that, but decides finally to walk away now that he's regained some control of the conversation. So he just shrugs at Maketh in return before turning to leave.
And he wishes he could truly just leave it there, but now he's going to have to have some other conversations that he is not at all looking forward to.]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2017-10-31 05:53 pm (UTC)[He doesn't like the dismissive attitude toward him, but he also knows it's probably purposeful and so he's doing his best to ignore it in turn.]
no subject
Date: 2017-10-31 05:56 pm (UTC)[One that she intends to gather intelligence about before making a decision one way or another.]
Your 'interpretation', as you so eloquently call it, is of no concern to me. Did you have something of actual importance to discuss, or is this another your fishing expeditions?
no subject
Date: 2017-10-31 06:04 pm (UTC)Fine, I'll make my question very clear. Are you planning to do anything to attempt preventing harm from coming to anyone the Null have listed as targets?
[And since it's basically a yes or no question, he watches her reaction incredibly carefully; answers to these types of questions are usually the easiest to read truth and deception from.]
no subject
Date: 2017-10-31 08:31 pm (UTC)[And she does intend to keep the majority of the people safe. It's just inevitable that one or two people will die. And from that, Maketh will have her intelligence.]
If you wish to discuss the logistics of our operations, I suggest you speak with Henry or Nick. I have little patience for you.
no subject
Date: 2017-10-31 08:41 pm (UTC)[Which says a lot on its own, and really tells him what he needs to know. But fine; he'd hoped that he was wrong, but if he isn't, then he'll just deal with it.]
I might do so. I imagine they both have strong opinions on this subject.
[And as much as he'd prefer not to, he'll also address with them the concerns he has with Maketh's answer if necessary.]
no subject
Date: 2017-10-31 08:46 pm (UTC)[She thins her mouth. He annoys her on an uncomfortably personal level and in another world - another life - she would have had him either shot or so deeply humiliated that he'd never dare to show his face in her presence again. But that isn't possible here.]
no subject
Date: 2017-10-31 08:59 pm (UTC)But he's also so good at giving advice on the subject because it's one he struggles with himself, and it's taking every ounce of willpower he has not to say something snappish in return. He's gotten the answers to both questions he'd had at the same time, and there's no point in continuing to talk to her; she isn't worth the time to effort, or the worsening headache.
So he refrains from what he really wants to say, although he also can't allow himself to just be dismissed like that without saying something. So, after a moment, he responds coldly--]
You know what the right thing to do is, and there's still time to do it. I suggest making an attempt.
no subject
Date: 2017-10-31 09:04 pm (UTC)[Maketh's voice is icy calm. She doesn't look up.]
And then I remember: I don't. How refreshing. Good day, Doctor Sweets.
no subject
Date: 2017-10-31 09:47 pm (UTC)Do you remember what you asked me once, a few weeks after I arrived, about whether or not I intended to challenge you regarding your position in the guard?
no subject
Date: 2017-10-31 10:52 pm (UTC)Oh. Are you still here?
no subject
Date: 2017-10-31 10:55 pm (UTC)Just leaving. I think I've said everything I need to.
[It's just the slightest bit flippant.]
no subject
Date: 2017-11-01 09:53 pm (UTC)[If he wants to challenge her, then he'd best be prepared for her worst.]
no subject
Date: 2017-11-01 10:04 pm (UTC)And he wishes he could truly just leave it there, but now he's going to have to have some other conversations that he is not at all looking forward to.]