( video o4 )

[desequilibre]

[ 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. )

Comments

[du_vallon]

I don't know many minotaurs. I'd like to imagine you wouldn't cast me out as something horrid, though, even if I occasionally don't pick up after myself as much as I ought to.

[He'd love to argue you for most handsome, but that would be egotistical to Aramis' level and Porthos absolutely doesn't stoop so low]

[illuminescent]

I do. They are all very tall and broad shouldered, and all are far gentler with my personage than I deserve.

But you must know I will frequent this office, clean or not, as often as I am able.

[du_vallon]

Well, if you say they're gentle and good, then I'm more than willing to take on the compliment. And I promise I'll try and keep it mostly clean. I mean, if there's going to be such distinguished company and all.

[illuminescent]

Do you miss the work? Truly miss it?

[du_vallon]

I sort of do. I mean, I miss being useful. I feel like I'm not doing that, here.

[illuminescent]

Then I suppose I will grant you permission to leave my side and engage in your duty-!

[That's said so grandly he has to know she's joking. She's not even remotely that much of a snob.]

[du_vallon]

Only sometimes, milady. After all, however would I be able to protect the kindest woman here otherwise? I can't dare leave that all to Athos and d'Artagnan.

[illuminescent]

No, now that you are here and I know your company to be so good, I would not have you neglect me always. You too must put in your time at my side.

[du_vallon]

I wouldn't ever insist otherwise. Of course, the time I spend at your side will clearly be more fun. We could search for all manner of trouble.

[illuminescent]

What manner of trouble would you get me into?

[du_vallon]

Only the most exciting sort with adventure and action and maybe delicious foods and sights.

[illuminescent]

Yes-

I mean, yes, please, if you would, sir.

[Porthos you'll become her favorite.]

[du_vallon]

I think we'll definitely need fireworks, at some point. And obviously you'll have to help bribe Athos and d'Artagnan into letting you help with the tasks.

[illuminescent]

Fireworks! We could go to the ocean, and set them off at the beach, even as the weather draws colder and forbidding, I think it would be a venture worth risking a chill.

It would not be so hard to make d'Artagnan agree. It is Athos who will present a challenge. Perhaps I can steal his hat and hold it hostage.

[du_vallon]

I feel like after years and years of knowing me, Athos knows better than to think he can truly escape any of my plans.

[illuminescent]

But my plans are still quite new! He has not known me for mischief.

[du_vallon]

He has a nose for it, I think. Utterly able to sniff it out from miles away.

[illuminescent]

'tis better than his nose for wine.

[du_vallon]

I haven't gotten around to asking yet, so I'm glad you brought it up. Is that still going on, then?

[illuminescent]

Do you mean to ask if he is still drinking every night?

[du_vallon]

I do mean to ask. Not just the nights, but some of the afternoons and mornings, too, is what I'm worried about.

[illuminescent]

I should not speak of this on such a public forum, sir.

[du_vallon]

Later, then. In private, after we eat dinner.

[illuminescent]

Take me riding, and I will tell you.

[That's definitely agreement, there.]

[du_vallon]

That's an easy deal to make.