[ He does. He doesn't check in with anyone first, doesn't mention where he's going. His CDC handgun is in his belt, where his pistol would be if he still had it, and his sword is at his side. He waits for Athos, arms folded and hands tucked around his chest. ]
[ He turns, and a smile flares momentarily when he sees his friend. Automatically his shoulders lose some of their tension, and he steps close to Athos. ]
You got me thinking. Always a dangerous game. You're worried, aren't you?
I wouldn't go doing that, we're in a dire enough situation as it is. [ And people think he hasn't got a sense of humour. ]
Yes. [ No point beating around the bush. ] We're not safe here, d'Artagnan. They have control of our every waking breath. Where we live, how we talk, how we act. I don't appreciate the knife hanging over either of us.
Then don't give them a reason to swing it. [ He frowns, his gaze intent on his friend. ] Didn't you see the girl whose arms were broken, for disobeying? We have to be careful, Athos. The control they have is real.
Do you suppose there's anything we say on those...devices, that they aren't listening to?
What if there's no other option? [ He's struggling to think of what he might do. He knows what the CDC want of them, what they have planned. Can he truly go through with it? Can he allow himself to become a person who takes the lives of others simply for personal gain? There is no honour in it, the people who's worlds they destroy are just like the people he knows back home. Not villains or crooks, but innocent beings. ] I won't give them a reason to doubt me.
[ Not yet, at least. ]
No. Why wouldn't they listen in to everything? But what can we do. They've separated us. I'd like to still know you're safe when I can't see for myself.
[ He pauses, his head tilted to one side. ] Treville.
[ He's the Captain of the Musketeers, he's the symbol of everything they both hope to achieve. If there's a code he can remember it would be that one. ] If either of us message the other with his name then we will know we must meet. We could pick a place each time they move us. One we can both get to.
I don't like it. [ There's nothing honourable about this situation, nothing he can see that makes it any better. But d'Artagnan knows that, and so he tilts his head to the side more easily. ]
Neither do I. [ But he looks at Athos with real concern, and sets a hand on his shoulder. ]
I don't like the thought of them breaking you, either. We have to be careful. We have to think before we act. You're the one who taught me that, Athos.
[ He folds his arms again now. It's not even a defense against the cold, it's just habit. ]
I'm not used to it yet. I keep wanting to sleep in the middle of the day. It's like every one day here takes three times longer than I'm expecting it to. I feel like we've been here at least a fortnight, but I can't tell for sure.
They don't seem like the type of ... people who would leave a lot to chance. [ Even the drop points themselves felt like a trap, a way for the people to prove themselves capable of survival. ]
I will. I just haven't found it easy. [ Either he drinks or he exhausts himself. How does he do that now?
[ Well, at least it doesn't seem like he'll have any trouble with the latter. D'Artagnan lays a hand on his arm. ]
I know.
But you have to try, Athos. We both do. We have to eat their awful food and sleep in rooms full of strangers, because if we let ourselves get weak we won't be able to fight.
And I'm going to fight. I won't let them get away with all of this.
Of course you won't. [ A smile almost blooms on to his face then. D'Artagnan is as stubborn as he is and he appreciates the echo of it whenever he looks at the young man. ]
I won't be laying down any time soon and giving up, you have my word.
I've been meaning to explore the confines of the camp. Perhaps we can do so together. [ But if he sees Sturmhond he's walking the other way, sorry d'Artagnan. ]
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[ He does. He doesn't check in with anyone first, doesn't mention where he's going. His CDC handgun is in his belt, where his pistol would be if he still had it, and his sword is at his side. He waits for Athos, arms folded and hands tucked around his chest. ]
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[ Just appearing out of the middle of nowhere, nbd. His voice is light, almost mocking, but there's a tired seriousness to his face now. ]
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You got me thinking. Always a dangerous game. You're worried, aren't you?
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Yes. [ No point beating around the bush. ] We're not safe here, d'Artagnan. They have control of our every waking breath. Where we live, how we talk, how we act. I don't appreciate the knife hanging over either of us.
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Do you suppose there's anything we say on those...devices, that they aren't listening to?
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[ Not yet, at least. ]
No. Why wouldn't they listen in to everything? But what can we do. They've separated us. I'd like to still know you're safe when I can't see for myself.
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Then again, maybe that's the point. ]
We should meet. Regularly, to be certain of that.
[ He lifts out his device, turning it over in his hands. ]
And for this. Perhaps a code of some kind, something that's meaningful to us but not to them. We need to have a way to plan.
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[ He's the Captain of the Musketeers, he's the symbol of everything they both hope to achieve. If there's a code he can remember it would be that one. ] If either of us message the other with his name then we will know we must meet. We could pick a place each time they move us. One we can both get to.
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All right. That's to meet.
And if there's trouble, then send Richelieu. Nothing would tell us to be careful more than that.
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Yes. Now we have an adequate system.
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Then for the moment, we obey them. At least in name, until there's a better option.
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But it would appear to be the only way.
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I don't like the thought of them breaking you, either. We have to be careful. We have to think before we act. You're the one who taught me that, Athos.
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Tell me, how have your days been? The time is strange here, it is difficult to keep track.
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[ He folds his arms again now. It's not even a defense against the cold, it's just habit. ]
I'm not used to it yet. I keep wanting to sleep in the middle of the day. It's like every one day here takes three times longer than I'm expecting it to. I feel like we've been here at least a fortnight, but I can't tell for sure.
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I doubt it's of their invention. But either way it's a nuisance.
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Maybe I'm just paranoid.
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[ He'd need a drink or five. Despite how much good it did him to relieve himself of Anne, not all wounds heal. ]
Do you think they control it?
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[ He arches a brow, his expression decrying it unlikely.
But not impossible, sadly. ]
I doubt it. They can't be in control of everything. But you'll need to sleep. [ Glancing at him. ] You'll lose your focus if you don't.
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I will. I just haven't found it easy. [ Either he drinks or he exhausts himself. How does he do that now?
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I know.
But you have to try, Athos. We both do. We have to eat their awful food and sleep in rooms full of strangers, because if we let ourselves get weak we won't be able to fight.
And I'm going to fight. I won't let them get away with all of this.
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I won't be laying down any time soon and giving up, you have my word.
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Good.
But I’m not going to rush back, either. I’d rather waste my time with you if that’s all right.
[ Better than wasting it alone in his rover. ]
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That sounds more like it. After you?
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