triangularity | For Colin (post thebastion)

"I thought you might say something like that," Colin says, smiling even wider. "I could tell you that clothes are completely free for citizens of the empire, but I suspect you'd just give me a tired expression. Fortunately, clothes being free does not mean you can't buy nice things."

He shakes his head then. "But for jobs, you're going to need to wait a little while," he adds. "If you're willing, of course, you're going to need some introductory courses on Corsican culture and advancements. To get you past the culture shock and get you the knowledge you might need to live here comfortably."

He knows she isn't going to be very happy to hear that, but he also knows she'll understand the logic behind it. With protest.

"That said, Jade and Pearl have both expressed willingness to take you under their wings and get you started. I told Jade about your medical practice, she expressed interest in seeing your studies. Medical history and new techniques are always of interest to her. If you're willing, of course."

"I don't need nice things, unless you're planning to stick me in the middle of formal events. I wish you wouldn't, on that count. I just want new temple robes." She isn't completely required to wear them, but her vows are important to her, and she's never objected to the uniform. Dark green robes to mark her as an Earth Temple dedicate, and black at all the hems declaring her a mage.

She makes a face. He's correctly predicted just how thrilled she is at the notion of mandatory coursework. "Classes, Colin? I left the university after I graduated with no desire ever to go back." She did research for awhile before taking temple vows, but it wasn't anywhere near Lightsbridge and all its stone walls. Rosethorn needs a garden to stay sane.

"Of course I'm willing to talk about medicine with your sister. Jade's easier to get along with than certain of my research partners ever were." There will be a lot less bickering in this partnership.

"They try to keep me away from the formal events," Colin says, laughing quietly. "Something about 'diplomatic incidents' and 'offending people'. I mean, would I do something like that?"

The shit-eating grin he gives her is all the more confirmation that yes, it is is a valid worry. "What I meant is... Corsican Society is set up so that everything people need it provided for them. Clothes included. The taxes are high to cover it, but what's left in peoples pockets is solely disposable income, for investment, luxury items, whatever people want," he explains, and he gives a smile he hopes isn't too patronizing. "That's what the classes would be for, to get you acclimated to the differences between what you're used to, and how this society operates. To get you through the culture shock, in other words."

He frowns, and folds his hands on the table in front of him with a shake of his head. "I'm probably not the best person to explain it," he confesses. "I'm comfortable just about anywhere you throw me, and I adapt extremely quickly. Add in a marked disregard for social norms, and that makes for an arrogant-seeming outward appearance..."

"Diplomacy is not either of our strong suits," Rosethorn agrees, amused. Colin is even worse at it than she is. Rosethorn can manage, if she has to, but she doesn't like it. "I do think you're more likely to cause incidents than I am. Most of the time."

She snorts. "It's been nothing but culture shock for the past two or three years. I said I wanted to travel, and I've gotten far more than my fill of it. What's left to be shocked about? As long as your father is as far as possible from the Yanjingyi emperor, I'll be fine." She had her fill of emperors and then some in Yanjing. She cringes away from the word these days, as a reminder of death and pain and fear.

Somehow, she doesn't think 'I'll be fine' is going to get her out of any of these classes. Quietly she admits, "I'm adaptable enough, but the differences make me homesick. Similarities might be worse."

For Colin (post thebastion)

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