maskormenace | ( video o4 )

[ The man who first appears on the screen is easily recognisable thanks to the very prominent scowl between his brows. People may have seen it before. Usually it comes about when he’s forced to do something like this. In his hands are varying sheets of paper that he rifles through as though to ignore d’Artagnan and his eager camera.

Athos waits a moment, then two, before he sighs. ] Go on then, I know you’re dying to announce it. Let’s not keep them waiting.

[ That’s all the cue d’Artagnan needs. The camera wheels around to show his face, where he’s looking altogether too pleased with himself. ]

We have something to tell you all. [ The camera lingers on his face for a moment and then shifts up, fixing on a sign bearing a symbol that will be familiar to anyone who’s met the Musketeers. D’Artagnan’s voice accompanies the picture. ] We’d like to welcome you to our new offices.

The thing is, we’re Musketeers. This may not be our world, but we’re still able to work. We’d like to help, in the best way we can. And let’s be honest, I was never going to help anyone at the Renaissance Faire.

So, we’re opening an agency of our own.

[ The camera pans around the office itself, showing a mostly wooden interior, a desk, several chairs, and what looks like a modern coffee machine hidden in one corner. There are several doors, including one that leads out to a yard. A couple of horses can briefly be seen there. ]

We want to do our part, here in De Chima. We’re here to protect you. We’ll be your guards, if you need us. We’ll investigate crimes that you bring to us. You can come to us in confidence, and we’ll do all that we can to help you. This is our work, and we want to get back to it.

[ A large hand grasps to reposition the camera and in looms a set of curls and not much else before the camera settles on a desk and Porthos comes into the frame. ]

Not like we get all the praise and glory, despite it being something that’s been well-deserved by our regiment, in my very humble experience. Only, there’s the bit where we take the best. I mean, I’d accept mediocre if I could train it out of you, but I think Athos might have my head first.

[ Which is actually a good point. Athos makes a noise like clearing his throat and waits until one of his companions angles the device again to get him in it. ] We’re taking anyone who wants to learn and seems as if they’d be capable. Men and women. [ And that’s at least one sign that he’s becoming one with the times. And that he’s not as bad as all that, thank you Porthos. ] We only ask that you be over sixteen and that you are prepared to learn. It is not an easy life, you do not make it without dedication. We would expect much of that. But I can guarantee that it is worthwhile. And if you trust us to teach you then you will not be let down.

[ After all that, d’Artagnan pulls the camera back to himself. All of that seriousness has not gotten rid of his excitement. ]

You can let us know if you’re interested. We open for business two weeks from today. If we can help you, you should get in touch.

( nb: the occ information post is here and sign-ups are here. Athos is black, D’Artagnan is teal and Porthos is purple. )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

But I'm no swordsanything. I'm a mage.

[ She doubts that excludes her, but... ]

And one you wouldn't want attached to your name, in any case, although I do have a worry. You're going to need more than a few swords and a bottle of wine to deal with jobs like that.

[ She could learn. He would not mind having her on his side. ]

We have been more than capable before now, Hawke. Do you think we would not be in the future? [ Athos will modernise a little. He has to, otherwise he will get someone killed. But he won't change wholly. He values his own ways too much. ]

[ If d'Artagnan ever knocks her down in a fight, she will. That was the deal. Better get on him about that! ]

You've survived, I'll give you that, but have you ever a super-villain face-to-face? Or seen what strange weapons they've put out on the streets of Maurtia?

[ Landsharks, Athos. They had landsharks. ]

No one here can boast of knowing everything. Of course if that was to come about we would liaise with those who understood best what to do with the problem.

[ But even a little preparation can go a long way and that is what Athos wants for the world. ]

Edited 2015-11-04 00:12 (UTC)

Okay, so with whom would you liaise about dealing with... let's say... walking sharks?

[ She's curious now. ]

[ Flatly. ]

My blade.

[ Come on, Hawke. Walking animals who pose a threat have to be put down. ]

But what if it shoots lasers? From its eyes?

[ This is just going to get stranger and stranger the longer he keeps answering her, let's be honest. ]

Then a pistol and something to use as a shield.

Bulletproof skin?

There is risk in all things.

What? No increasingly ridiculous plans?

[ She's disappointed. ]

You're too sensible, Athos. That's just no fun.

Well, if we are attacked by land-inhabiting sharks you only need find me and I am sure we can think of something.

[ He is also of the ridiculous plans. You just have to be there. ]

[ Maybe she'll just join them for the sake of actually being there at the right time. ]

You actually did miss those ones, though they may yet show up again. You'll want a big gun with the... what is it? Fully auto? It fires a lot all at once. That one.

[ She is not a gun expert, okay. ]

I prefer my sword.

[ Hawke, don't tell him to modernise himself. ]

I suppose that might work as well.

[ She's just telling him what managed to kill giant killer land-walking sharks! ]

Edited 2015-11-08 00:58 (UTC)

[ But modern guns :< ]

You'll come and put the new recruits through their paces, yes?

[ Hey, she doesn't like guns either. ]

That seems unnecessarily cruel to them, doesn't it?

Ask d'Artagnan what his training was like when he first joined us. I was being kind to them.

Oh, I don't doubt that, but I don't think you could throw him around with your mind, either.

I didn't need to.

[ Super smug, goddamn. ]

He couldn't catch up to me regardless.

You know, one day he's going to...

[ But something tells her he'll only be proud of that moment. ]

But very well. I'm already up that way enough to help d'Artagnan, just don't blame me if your recruits quit afterwards.

Well, think of it as a good test. If they can't handle you on a good day then they won't be able to handle what a bad day throws at them.

It'd be good to know which ones are worth the time.

So would we only be testing for tenacity? Because I've yet to have any of the real musketeers handle me, either.

I'm merely finding the right moment, Madame Hawke.

[ If this were anyone else it might constitute as flirting, but no, it's Athos. ]

[ No time for flirting when there's a fight to be had, right? ]

Well, do let me know when that right moment arrives, but until then, I'll stick to traumatizing your poor recruits.

Edited (adding words sry) 2015-11-08 02:00 (UTC)

voice;

desequilibre - 2015-11-08 02:01 (UTC) - Expand