IC Contact - Exit Void

[mousquetaire]

first.last@compass.net (3) (no subject) D12 63:19PM first.last@compass.net (6) Re: Mission D11 8:01PM first.last@compass.net (12) [text] D10 9:35AM

E-MAILS

TEXTS

<span style="font-family:courier; color:#93002d;">TO:</span> first.last@compass.net <span style="font-family:courier; color:#93002d;">CC:</span> firstname.lastname@compass.net <span style="font-family:courier; color:#93002d;">BCC:</span> firstname.lastname@compass.net, firstname.lastname@compass.net <span style="font-family:courier; color:#93002d;">FROM:</span> firstname.lastname@compass.net <span style="font-family:courier; color:#93002d;">DATE/TIME:</span> Day Twelve, Night. 63:19PM <span style="font-family:courier; color:#93002d;">SUBJECT:</span> (no subject) <span style="font-family:courier; color:#93002d;">MESSAGE:</span> No message.

<span style="font-family:courier; color:#93002d;">CONTACT:</span> first.last@compass.net <span style="font-family:courier; color:#93002d;">MESSAGE:</span> <span style="font-family:courier; color:#000000;">text</span>

Comments

action; week 18, day 2 / late evening

[desequilibre]

[ The light is setting outside, Athos can see the way it sinks down in the sky casting an eerie light over the tops of the roof. He watches it through the dusty window for a minute before turning to his companion. It settles his nerves more than he should allow, really. To know that he is not alone in this strange new land, to have d'Artagnan here and at his side, it makes it easier. It gives him something to fight for. He's already sworn to himself that he'll get him back to Paris. That or die trying, and Musketeers don't die easily.

( Athos less so, when he has a reason not to. ) ]

I think it's safe to say that we've reached the pinnacle of strange situations. [ His voice is dry, mouth a line but there's no cruelness in it. His posture is almost easy when he crosses his arms over his chest, angling his chin to stare at d'Artagnan none too subtly. ] Are you all right?

[mousquetaire]

[ Is he all right?

D'Artagnan's decent, given the circumstances. He's sitting against the far wall, with his legs drawn up and his arms balancing on his knees. There's a bowl of rapidly cooling creamed corn sitting just a few paces away from him, where he'd pushed it when he realised that it tasted even worse than it looked.

Which, actually, is quite an achievement, so he commends it for that.

Still, he looks up at Athos with half a smile. ]

I've been better, but I've had worse. Are you? You must have been staring out that window for an hour or more.

[desequilibre]

[ Athos had declined the creamed corn before he even saw it. He simply doesn't have the stomach for it, not hungry enough to be desperate and too dry to consider it either way. ]

It helps me think. [ He delivers it with no inflection which clearly means it's not to be taken seriously at all. ] There are too many windows in this place. Too many doors as well. I'm surprised it's yet to be overrun.

[mousquetaire]

[ D'Artagnan leans his head back against the wall, eyes briefly closing. ]

It's not for a lack of effort. You saw the numbers gathering at the edge. It's not force that keeps them back.

It's something else. I don't need to tell you I don't like it.

[desequilibre]

[ He makes a noise and nods. ]

There is an ill feeling about the place. I'd call it superstition but I'm beginning to think cynicism has no place here.

[mousquetaire]

You think they're too quick to believe?

[ His eyebrows are having a conversation of their own with Athos, but his gaze is intent and steady. ]

If half of what they tell me has happened to them is true, I'd find it hard to be a skeptic, too.

[desequilibre]

No, I think I am too quick not to.

[ He'd have scoffed at what he's been told here but now? There is a woman with dragons, men who have strange abilities. Perhaps his logic will lead him nowhere good. ]

[mousquetaire]

I know how you feel. I didn’t believe in anything resembling witchcraft ‘til we landed here.

I don’t think it’s a matter of faith anymore.

[ If it ever was. If he’d seen the evidence for it in Paris, he’d have thought differently there, too. D’Artagnan wouldn’t deny something that was clearly shown to be true, even if it flew in the face of what he’d known before. ]

It’s a matter of us getting used to it. Adapting to it. That’s what we always do, the only difference this time is the rules have changed. [ A slight smile. ] We can handle that.

[desequilibre]

It seems like there are no rules any longer. [ That unsettles Athos the most. That there is no way to navigate this land in the same terms as before. Long gone are the social structures he understands, or the right and wrong of living. Everything is up in the air, everything is a mess of new information and strange happenings and he just does not understand it as much as he would like. ]

But you're right. Together we'll survive this. We'll work out the way COMPASS operates. We'll find our way home.

[mousquetaire]

Don't doubt it. We have friends waiting for us, after all.

[ No matter how confusing it is here, no matter how out of their element they are, they're still Musketeers. Giving up and backing down isn't their way. D'Artagnan has every faith they'll get out of this mess.

After all, an impossible situation never stopped them before. ]

If there aren't rules, then we'll make them. The thing about chaos is that order can be brought to it, Athos. We can do that.

[desequilibre]

There are many who'd think us agents of chaos. [ But all of a sudden there is a fondness to him that is undeniable. ]

We must be careful, nevertheless. We cannot stay stagnant here. Training is important, as well as gathering as much information as we can.

[mousquetaire]

Perhaps we are. Perhaps that will make us useful here.

[ D'Artagnan hopes so. Whatever is happening here, he wants to help. He wants to do what he can for these people. ]

Believe me, I don't intend to see this as a holiday.

[desequilibre]

[ He offers up a wry smile. ] There are far too little barrels here for it to be considered a holiday, for starters. And Aramis is not here to flirt with half the women.

[ THEY'D ALL GO ON HOLIDAY TOGETHER, DON'T FRONT. ]

[mousquetaire]

[ D'Artagnan leans his head back, clearly amused. ]

Only half the women? I think you're underestimating him, Athos. He'd be offended.

[desequilibre]

Let him be. Aramis would do well to keep his clothes on.

[ Such grump and he doesn't even know yet. ]

[mousquetaire]

[ D’Artagnan lifts his eyebrows, cheerfully surprised. ]

There’s little harm in it. I’ve yet to see him with a woman he did not care for, and I could not say that about all men.

[desequilibre]

The circles are smaller here. Imagine the amount of trouble he could bring down on our heads.

[ HOW MANY PEOPLE COULD HE SLEEP WITH? ]

[mousquetaire]

You worry too much. I'm sure Aramis knows what he's doing.

[ D'Artagnan, how naive you are. ]

Besides, I'm sure he'd be more careful here. It's hardly Paris. I've rarely seen a place less romantic than this.

[desequilibre]

[ Aramis would find a way. He loves to love. He can't stop himself. But Athos doesn't like talking about the l - word so he doesn't. ]

It hardly lends itself to anything but fear.

[mousquetaire]

Well then, there's our answer.

[ D'Artagnan looks at him. ]

We won't treat it with fear. We won't give it what it wants of us, and then through that we'll beat the place.

[desequilibre]

There is very little that can move me to an emotion I don't wish to have. Of course we won't allow it what it wants.

[ Milady's not here, so ......... ]

[mousquetaire]

[ That provokes a wry grin. ]

Oh, it's that easy, is it? All right, then. I suppose I'm worrying over nothing.

[desequilibre]

It's that easy.

[ The vaguest hint of a smile. ] Do you doubt my stubborn nature?

[mousquetaire]

Oh, never. I know better than that by now.

[desequilibre]

Well, if it can lend a hand in ceasing your threats then so be it.

[mousquetaire]

You say that as if I threaten everyone I meet.

[ Which he doesn't.

Not everyone. ]

I'm hardly that unfriendly.

[desequilibre]

[ Both eyebrows lift. ]

Of course not.

[ Yes you are you little shit. ]

[mousquetaire]

[ Pointing at him. ]

I'll have you know, I threaten no one without good reason.

[desequilibre]

Your reason and mine are often very different.

[mousquetaire]

[ He eyes him, considering that. ]

Perhaps. But not always.

You're the one who keeps saying I'm so much like you.

[desequilibre]

[ HOW DARE YOU. ]

That's true. Still, I'm better trained than you.

[mousquetaire]

[ D'Artagnan lifts his eyebrows, half amused and half frustrated. ]

Is this a competition, now?

[desequilibre]

Will it make you listen to me?

[mousquetaire]

[ Turning his head sideways. ]

I always listen to you, Athos.

[desequilibre]

You don't always heed my advice.

[mousquetaire]

[ He looks away, smiling wryly. ]

I’m not like you. I can’t always do everything the way you would.

[desequilibre]

[ Quietly. ] You're more like me than you know.

[mousquetaire]

[ D'Artagnan looks up at him, surprised. ]

I don't see how you can say that, only a breath after saying I don't follow your advice.

[desequilibre]

[ A small, slight shrug, the upturn of the corner of his mouth. ]

I never followed advice to begin with either. I learnt the hard way. But you at least have me to keep you on the straight and narrow.

[mousquetaire]

[ He smiles back now, laughing a little. ]

That sounds terrifying.

I do listen, you know. I always listen to you, even when I'm angry. Even then.

[desequilibre]

[ He reaches out, hand dropping to d'Artagnan's shoulder. ]

You do. [ No longer teasing. ] Whenever I'm there to tell you to. Try and not get into trouble without me around.

[mousquetaire]

[ Something in his face relaxes and he smiles, bringing a knee up to lean his elbow on it. ]

Why? Are you going somewhere?

[desequilibre]

I don't plan on it. I'd only come back to hear you've died a horrible death.

[mousquetaire]

I'm glad you have so much confidence in me. It warms the heart.

[desequilibre]

[ A laugh. ]

I'm glad you can get some joy out of it.

[mousquetaire]

Well, you're the one who threatened to leave. I have to get my entertainment where I can.

[desequilibre]

I'm sure you'd find something.

[ He's not actually going anywhere though. ]