outsidebones | sieghart

A tell? Some sort of marker?

[hmm.]

Is there anyone here who has been told the name and identity of your hostage?

[His lips part while his gaze drifts off to the side. Ultimately, he closes them before moving on. He looks back at her.]

I don't think I mentioned her until recently . . . By now, I've told a good number of you.

I see.

[both on her question and on the hostage.]

That will likely do. If you wish to give me a name so that I will know if there is ought I may do for her, you are welcome to. I make no promises that there is anything I can do to help her, nor would I put her before my own life and own hostage. However, in repayment for the information you have provided, which I believe will do us all a great deal of good, I can at least offer consideration.

[she says this all very formally, with a polite bow of her head.]

If you are secure enough in the knowledge that some here know of her condition, that is satisfactory to me as well. If there is some other payment I may offer instead, you may propose it.

[The bow widens his smile, if slightly. She's an interesting one.]

I don't need payment, and I don't expect you to prioritize my desires over yours. But if you really want to know . . . Her name is Mari.