[It's as good a question as any. From the man's broadly unflinching bearing, it may even be the question he has been more or less anticipating. If not from Cosima, then certainly from any number of the rest of the company.
(It is why he will suggest, either to her or to one of the other Division Heads, that they make no great announcement of his leaving on anything but ordinary fieldwork until the position has been filled with a substitute. Under the current circumstances, it might cause a kind of needless anxiety.)]
What I think, [he says.] Is that Riftwatch is as relevant as it ever has been, but that it is rapidly approaching the point that it will need to make difficult decisions with respect to which of its friends it best wishes to please. I'm choosing to believe it will fall on the side of those who would see the cast offs of the Imperium treated with some dignity rather than trampled under the foot of the March.
Which is why I'm going now. It will mean more to the people there to make the effort when they're at their most vulnerable, and Kirkwall at its weakest.
backtagging after the official announcement like a rebel
[It's not a very satisfying answer, but it seems like an honest one. Not because she thinks Flint incapable of lying to her, but because she doesn't see any particular reason he needs to at present. It's not like she's going to stop him going, and he doesn't seem the kind to sugarcoat.]
Well, you've made your choice to remove yourself from what we do next. But thanks anyway, for an honest answer. I think everyone knows I've never been team Chantry, whatever happens next, but it's going to be...
[She breaks off. She's going to talk herself in circles, probably, if she starts picking at the threads he's left by ripping himself out of Riftwatch. That conversation probably does need to happen but it won't be with Flint himself. At least not productively. Instead, she asks:]
As soon as the Walrus can be supplied and the crew recalled. A week, at most. Less than, if it can be managed.
[This too is a blunt arrangement of facts, though it allows for the opportunity to add—]
I recommend it be kept quiet to some degree until things settle here. If news of my going spreads, there will be people here who may see more sense in going with. I don't much care to rob Riftwatch's ranks.
[More than he is already, in any case.
(He doesn't say 'You're welcome,' but maybe it's implied in his bearing.)]
Yeah. I assume you've talked with the Scoutmaster or you're going to.
[As much as he's presenting not taking even more of Riftwatch with him as a gift, Cosima can imagine how much Yseult won't see it that way. Not that Cosima plans to try to parse, now or ever, Flint and Yseult's working relationship.]
Look, I'm not going to pretend I'm thrilled. But you're going to do what you're going to do, and we'll figure it out. I appreciate you not just leaving without a word, I guess.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
(It is why he will suggest, either to her or to one of the other Division Heads, that they make no great announcement of his leaving on anything but ordinary fieldwork until the position has been filled with a substitute. Under the current circumstances, it might cause a kind of needless anxiety.)]
What I think, [he says.] Is that Riftwatch is as relevant as it ever has been, but that it is rapidly approaching the point that it will need to make difficult decisions with respect to which of its friends it best wishes to please. I'm choosing to believe it will fall on the side of those who would see the cast offs of the Imperium treated with some dignity rather than trampled under the foot of the March.
Which is why I'm going now. It will mean more to the people there to make the effort when they're at their most vulnerable, and Kirkwall at its weakest.
backtagging after the official announcement like a rebel
Well, you've made your choice to remove yourself from what we do next. But thanks anyway, for an honest answer. I think everyone knows I've never been team Chantry, whatever happens next, but it's going to be...
[She breaks off. She's going to talk herself in circles, probably, if she starts picking at the threads he's left by ripping himself out of Riftwatch. That conversation probably does need to happen but it won't be with Flint himself. At least not productively. Instead, she asks:]
When are you leaving?
look I put things in inboxes for a reason
[This too is a blunt arrangement of facts, though it allows for the opportunity to add—]
I recommend it be kept quiet to some degree until things settle here. If news of my going spreads, there will be people here who may see more sense in going with. I don't much care to rob Riftwatch's ranks.
[More than he is already, in any case.
(He doesn't say 'You're welcome,' but maybe it's implied in his bearing.)]
no subject
[As much as he's presenting not taking even more of Riftwatch with him as a gift, Cosima can imagine how much Yseult won't see it that way. Not that Cosima plans to try to parse, now or ever, Flint and Yseult's working relationship.]
Look, I'm not going to pretend I'm thrilled. But you're going to do what you're going to do, and we'll figure it out. I appreciate you not just leaving without a word, I guess.