[Her intention with her copy of The Jungle Book had been to pass the time, and to keep some of her homesickness at bay.
When she started reading (after she put on the necklace of course), she knew a better use for the book.
His name is written in neat all-caps on a slip of paper peeking out of the top of the book, serving as a bookmark set to the story of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. When he opens the book, all he'll find just a series of letters on the paper.]
[ He has to put type the story up first, put it into his blackglass and then send it to himself for the translation. It takes some time; he’s never hated that character limit more. Eventually, though, he gets there, and reads it all.
It’s a strange story. There’s some part of him that feels strangely sorry for the snake, even though it’s the enemy. This message comes sometime after he’s finished: ]
[ That's a long story. Suffice it to say, most of his sympathy for the snakes disappears once he starts conflating them with the Cardinal and Milady. ]
They won't know what you've done. Sometimes you have to do... a lot of bad things to do something better. You've got the heart of a hero, and you won't lose it despite this.
You won't be alone. Athos will know. And even if you find someone who doesn't believe you, who thinks you're crazy, you'll have them too so you can get it off your chest.
FROM: talbot.hanna@cdc.org
Maybe it's not about believing you, it's about you telling the story. That's just as important.
They don't have a right to anything. I know right now you might think it's bad, but trust me. I've been through bad things. There's a lot of good that comes from the bad.
FROM: talbot.hanna@cdc.org
I wouldn't have met you if we both weren't dragged into this.
I know, but that doesn't mean I wasn't stupid to get drawn into this in the first place. If I'd asked questions instead of rushing in blindly, I wouldn't be here.
[ Or so he thinks. The truth is, they'd probably have found a way to force him anyway. It's far easier to blame himself, though. ]
They're vague on purpose. These people aren't nice people. Nothing would've changed. They wanted us, and they would've found a way to get us.
FROM: talbot.hanna@cdc.org
D'Artagnan, please stop blaming yourself. Stop shouldering these burdens. They're not all yours, they're ours too, or maybe no one's.
FROM: talbot.hanna@cdc.org
This isn't you anymore. It's us. It's everyone. No one knows the truth, and that's why we're here. Not because we didn't ask questions, but because we didn't get the answers.
[ He doesn't answer right away, but thinks about that. After a moment he sighs, and runs his hands though his hair. ]
FROM: dartagnan@cdc.org
Maybe you're right. I think I'd like you to be.
FROM: dartagnan@cdc.org
It doesn't matter now. All I care about is making sure the people who matter to me stay safe. If I can't promise anything else, maybe I can manage that.
[ It's the only form of honour left to him, after all. ]
You will. You'll do that and more. You don't see it but I do.
FROM: talbot.hanna@cdc.org
I make bad choices, but I make really great ones too. It's my choice to trust you and believe in you, and you have to believe me when I tell you you're going to be great.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
D68
When she started reading (after she put on the necklace of course), she knew a better use for the book.
His name is written in neat all-caps on a slip of paper peeking out of the top of the book, serving as a bookmark set to the story of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. When he opens the book, all he'll find just a series of letters on the paper.]
XOXO
no subject
It’s a strange story. There’s some part of him that feels strangely sorry for the snake, even though it’s the enemy. This message comes sometime after he’s finished: ]
FROM: dartagan@cdc.org
Heroic tales are my favourite. How did you know?
no subject
Because heroes like those kinds of stories. Heroes have to start somewhere.
no subject
Are you saying I’m the mongoose?
no subject
Like you wouldn't go chasing after a snake if it meant protecting the ones you love.
no subject
Actually, I already did.
[ That's a long story. Suffice it to say, most of his sympathy for the snakes disappears once he starts conflating them with the Cardinal and Milady. ]
FROM: dartagnan@cdc.org
I think that's a compliment. Thank you.
no subject
You're very welcome, my hero.
no subject
Stop that.
no subject
Mm. I'll think about it.
no subject
You’re teasing me again.
no subject
Maybe, but I do really think you're a hero. If not, you'll be one someday.
no subject
I wanted to be a Musketeer. I suppose being a hero wouldn't be too much of a step down.
no subject
FROM: talbot.hanna@cdc.org
It wouldn't hurt your resume.
no subject
Well, I need something to balance out 'Destroyer of Worlds'. Somehow, I don't see many people thinking I'm much of a hero after that.
no subject
They won't know what you've done. Sometimes you have to do... a lot of bad things to do something better. You've got the heart of a hero, and you won't lose it despite this.
FROM: talbot.hanna@cdc.org
Don't forget that. I have faith in you.
no subject
I think that means more than you know. I hope you're right.
FROM: dartagnan@cdc.org
After all, I'll still know what I've done.
[ And he's seen how secrets can shatter a man. He doesn't know if he can do that. ]
no subject
You won't be alone. Athos will know. And even if you find someone who doesn't believe you, who thinks you're crazy, you'll have them too so you can get it off your chest.
FROM: talbot.hanna@cdc.org
Maybe it's not about believing you, it's about you telling the story. That's just as important.
no subject
FROM: dartagnan@cdc.org
I don’t know if that’s true. I don’t think it’s a story I’d ever want to tell. What would they think of me, if they believed any part of it?
no subject
FROM: talbot.hanna@cdc.org
It doesn't matter if you want to tell it, you might need to tell it. You'll go crazy holding it all in.
FROM: talbot.hanna@cdc.org
They'll be stupid to judge you so quickly.
no subject
They'd be right to. I wouldn't blame them.
no subject
They don't have a right to anything. I know right now you might think it's bad, but trust me. I've been through bad things. There's a lot of good that comes from the bad.
FROM: talbot.hanna@cdc.org
I wouldn't have met you if we both weren't dragged into this.
no subject
I know, but that doesn't mean I wasn't stupid to get drawn into this in the first place. If I'd asked questions instead of rushing in blindly, I wouldn't be here.
[ Or so he thinks. The truth is, they'd probably have found a way to force him anyway. It's far easier to blame himself, though. ]
no subject
They're vague on purpose. These people aren't nice people. Nothing would've changed. They wanted us, and they would've found a way to get us.
FROM: talbot.hanna@cdc.org
D'Artagnan, please stop blaming yourself. Stop shouldering these burdens. They're not all yours, they're ours too, or maybe no one's.
FROM: talbot.hanna@cdc.org
This isn't you anymore. It's us. It's everyone. No one knows the truth, and that's why we're here. Not because we didn't ask questions, but because we didn't get the answers.
no subject
FROM: dartagnan@cdc.org
Maybe you're right. I think I'd like you to be.
FROM: dartagnan@cdc.org
It doesn't matter now. All I care about is making sure the people who matter to me stay safe. If I can't promise anything else, maybe I can manage that.
[ It's the only form of honour left to him, after all. ]
no subject
You will. You'll do that and more. You don't see it but I do.
FROM: talbot.hanna@cdc.org
I make bad choices, but I make really great ones too. It's my choice to trust you and believe in you, and you have to believe me when I tell you you're going to be great.
FROM: talbot.hanna@cdc.org
You're more than you think you are.
(no subject)