[An envelope appears in Abby's assigned pigeon hole in the main hall. The envelope itself is quite plain, though the wax sealing it has been stamped with an official mark of Riftwatch—a hand with a rune in its palm. The contents of the envelope, which consist of a single page with excellently looping handwriting, reads:]
Miss Anderson,
You are formally and immediately required to supply a full written account of your whereabouts on the 19th day of Kingsway, 9:49. Please include remarks regarding your assigned duties, any transit to and from the Gallows, and notable persons who might corroborate your account should it be required.
Please submit your account to my desk in the Research division offices directly.
(A note shows up on Wysteria's desk a few hours later, folded over in half to hide its message. The paper is clearly from the corner of a page, torn off and reused. There is some irrelevant scribbling on the other side of it.
[She considers this note. She considers for a few hours how she means to answer this note. And then, finally, because she is much better at doing so on paper than in person, she lies.
The next missive left in Abby's pigeon hole is written on the back of the original summons (there is, after all, still a paper shortage). It reads:]
Miss Anderson,
A suit has been filed against you by a member of this company. As Mediation Officer, it is my most unfortunate responsibility to give these matters a measure of due diligence so I may either
1. Dismiss the matter 2. Seek to reconcile the aggrieved parties with the minor liberties afforded my office 3. Pen a recommendation to the division heads responsible for the individuals in question
Your cooperation is most appreciated by myself and Division Heads, whose time I would dearly like not to waste with trivial inquiries.
Wysteria A.P de Foncé Mediation Officer Research Division
(On the other end, Abby bristles, thinking. There's something weird going on here...
Her reply is careful.) Why did somebody file a suit against me?
(She gets to know that, right? All she can think of is that thing they say in old police procedural shows, you have the right to remain silent. Well she doesn't wanna do that, she wants to ask questions.)
I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to say. It would be— well if it is something then it would be imprudent of me to say too much. And if it is nothing, then I guarantee I will see to taking the other party to task as is fit.
I have every confidence the matter will be resolved if only— [Here, a pause. Then, as if she has remembered she has an unsatisfied request:] Is there a particular reason you're hesitant to share your whereabouts?
Some of that airiness drops further from her tone.]
Obviously you will be permitted to defend yourself should the matter prove legitimate. In fact this account I have requested is the preliminary stages of doing just that—defending yourself.
(But she doesn't know enough about the... judicial system of Riftwatch to debate this treatment. She has a little feeling that Wysteria is tripping on the scant amount of power 'mediation officer' grants her, though. This is probably about something so minor.
At normal volume,) I guess you actually want me to write down where I was instead of telling you right now.
In the tones of a young woman who is being incredibly generous and accommodating with her very precious time—]
If you like you might tell me and I will take it down on paper. Though you may need to sign it to validate its accuracy should it come to— er, should it be presented before the Division Heads.
[Her? She's merely a completely objective third party performing her solemn duties.]
But for the sake of being thorough about the inquiry, was there anyone in the training yard, or library and workrooms with you who might corroborate your account?
Yes, maybe there should, [is all brightness and cheer, however—that airy, high quality of her humoring the sentiment moreso than really endorsing it.] I'll be sure to include a note that you suggested it when I next speak with the Provost.
The suit I may be forced to file as an obligation of my post, should this present conversation and ones like it not bear out a satisfactory resolution.
[Wow she is an innocent and entirely neutral third party!!]
[In her head, Wysteria counts to five. It's the sort of pause in which someone might be making a note, if they were taking them. Then—]
Well, thank you. I appreciate your cooperation, Miss Anderson. I will let you know if I have any other questions, otherwise please do go about your business as per usual.
If I were to determine that the complaint should be formally filed with our upper leadership, then I believe it would be most appropriate to discuss it with your Division Head.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
a notice;
Miss Anderson,
You are formally and immediately required to supply a full written account of your whereabouts on the 19th day of Kingsway, 9:49. Please include remarks regarding your assigned duties, any transit to and from the Gallows, and notable persons who might corroborate your account should it be required.
Please submit your account to my desk in the Research division offices directly.
Wysteria A.P. de Foncé
Mediation Officer
a reply
The bit for Wysteria says:)
Why
Abby Anderson
Forces
an addendum
The next missive left in Abby's pigeon hole is written on the back of the original summons (there is, after all, still a paper shortage). It reads:]
Miss Anderson,
A suit has been filed against you by a member of this company. As Mediation Officer, it is my most unfortunate responsibility to give these matters a measure of due diligence so I may either
1. Dismiss the matter
2. Seek to reconcile the aggrieved parties with the minor liberties afforded my office
3. Pen a recommendation to the division heads responsible for the individuals in question
Your cooperation is most appreciated by myself and Division Heads, whose time I would dearly like not to waste with trivial inquiries.
Wysteria A.P de Foncé
Mediation Officer
Research Division
crystal
... Wysteria, what does this mean?
no subject
Airily, breezily, perfectly normally:]
Is that you, Abby? What does what mean? [Stop there, good sense dictates. So naturally:] Oh! You must be referring to the note. Which part is unclear?
no subject
Her reply is careful.) Why did somebody file a suit against me?
(She gets to know that, right? All she can think of is that thing they say in old police procedural shows, you have the right to remain silent. Well she doesn't wanna do that, she wants to ask questions.)
no subject
I have every confidence the matter will be resolved if only— [Here, a pause. Then, as if she has remembered she has an unsatisfied request:] Is there a particular reason you're hesitant to share your whereabouts?
no subject
I'm not allowed to defend myself from somebody accusing me of something? (That doesn't seem fair.
Yes she's ignoring the other question.)
no subject
Some of that airiness drops further from her tone.]
Obviously you will be permitted to defend yourself should the matter prove legitimate. In fact this account I have requested is the preliminary stages of doing just that—defending yourself.
no subject
(But she doesn't know enough about the... judicial system of Riftwatch to debate this treatment. She has a little feeling that Wysteria is tripping on the scant amount of power 'mediation officer' grants her, though. This is probably about something so minor.
At normal volume,) I guess you actually want me to write down where I was instead of telling you right now.
no subject
IT'S NOT MINOR IT'S SCIENCE.In the tones of a young woman who is being incredibly generous and accommodating with her very precious time—]
If you like you might tell me and I will take it down on paper. Though you may need to sign it to validate its accuracy should it come to— er, should it be presented before the Division Heads.
[Sure sounds legit.]
no subject
Happy?
no subject
[Her? She's merely a completely objective third party performing her solemn duties.]
But for the sake of being thorough about the inquiry, was there anyone in the training yard, or library and workrooms with you who might corroborate your account?
no subject
Maybe there should be a sign-in sheet somewhere.
no subject
Yes, maybe there should, [is all brightness and cheer, however—that airy, high quality of her humoring the sentiment moreso than really endorsing it.] I'll be sure to include a note that you suggested it when I next speak with the Provost.
no subject
no subject
[Wow she is an innocent and entirely neutral third party!!]
Are you familiar with Mister Talis, by the way?
no subject
Why did Jayce file a suit against me?
no subject
no subject
Yeah. I do. (Did? What gives.)
no subject
[In her head, Wysteria counts to five. It's the sort of pause in which someone might be making a note, if they were taking them. Then—]
Well, thank you. I appreciate your cooperation, Miss Anderson. I will let you know if I have any other questions, otherwise please do go about your business as per usual.
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
[Nailed it.]