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

Then yes, I am the last.

Of the ones here at least.

It's nice to meet you then.

Especially since I think d'Artagnan just conscripted me.

You wish to join us?

[ He hopes she's willing but he knows d'Artagnan is a powerhouse, it is difficult to deny him. ]

I've got nothing better going on. I'd end up tagging along anyway so why not.

[ In a roundabout way. Yes. ]

Of course.

[ He doesn't necessarily like flippancy when it's something he cares so much about, but they do need the recruits. ]

He can vouch for your skills, I presume?

I'm a werewolf.

And I'm putting this out there now so you can say your piece. I'm a vampire too. If we're going to be working together you should know that. Both for my skills and so you can decide if you trust me or not.

[ He is the Captain, what he says goes. If he tells the others he does not want someone like her to be a part of this they would have to follow him in that.

( Part of him is not sure he even believes in what she is saying. ) ]

You will know that what you are saying is the stuff of stories in my world?

[ Plus she's not going to hang around if he has problems. She's not that much of a masochist. ]

It's very real in my world. And I'm one of the very few that's both of those things.

[ But he has like, so many problems. ]

I believe I would need to know more, before I agreed you were right for our company.

[ Because he is a. naturally suspicious and b. responsible for the safety of those under his charge. To him, her species could be very dangerous. He is not like d'Artagnan who reacts with heart alone. ]

You would understand that?

You're taking it better than d'Artagnan so far.

I get it, though. What do you want to know?

Your prey for one.

[ Are the men and woman he plans to enlist safe with someone like her around? ]

[ Always on everyone's mind. ]

Blood bags mostly. But they don't make a vampire as strong as they can be. So from the source from time to time.

I don't have to kill, though. And I never do it from people close to me in any way. That includes just proximity.

Do you think about the person before you take their life?

[ Which is rich. But Athos does not see it that way. He only sees the violence of taking a person's life for food. He knows only of myth. ]

Do you think about every kill you've made to survive?

I do.

And I think about how they are a threat.

They don't even remember it, anyway.

How could they forget?

I can make them.

I technically can make anyone do what I want.

Is that part of your power?

It's how I stay safe.

But yeah. It's one of my powers.

Has anyone managed to resist it?

[ He is a naturally suspicious person and even if he allowed her to be one of them he would very much like to know how to defend himself from her. ]

It's rare to resist it on your own. It takes a lot of training.

But there is an easier way. Start drinking vervain. It's poison to me and it'll make it impossible for me to compel you.

For the record, I don't go around telling people about this.

And you are telling me? To win my trust?

Unfortunately now we are merely even. You know how to kill me and I know how to resist you. Trust will be harder won.

You can come for the paperwork in the morning, if you would like.

[ Vervain. He'll have to ask around. ]

Fuck you and your trust. I'm telling you because as much as I make fun of d'Artagnan for being a boy scout, I respect him. [ And she's not ruining her only really good friendship because of a lie to Athos some day down the line.

But she is also hugely offended. ]

I don't need any paperwork. I'm not doing it for pay or anything.

[ If Athos worried about offending people he would never get anything done. ]

No. We would not usually ask for it either. But this world is a strange one.

I only wish to work by the rules that have been laid out for me.

( video o4 )

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