( o1. )

[desequilibre]

Who: Athos
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: Marsiva
When: 06/07

[ It has taken Athos the better part of the day to curb the initial wave of panic within him. At first, it been monumental, the likes of which he had not felt in many years. One look out of the window had sent his breath from his body and his hands trembling in the wake of all that black. Athos had not known there were that many stars in the sky. The understanding had left him fairly certain he'd been one step away from madness, barely managing to claw his way back to his way back to control of himself.

Which means he's not happy.

Using the communicator feels foreign to him. But from watching others he can only gather that it is like a window, though one that lets a man see much further than merely outside. If it had been the first thing he'd come across, he would have crushed it beneath his boot - but after realising he's floating his way through nothingness, a simple thing like witchcraft isn't as impressive. When he addresses the fleet he makes sure to do so without any trace of fear on his face. His scowl is firmly fixed, the brim of his hat darkening his eyes. ]

My name is Athos, Captain of the King's Musketeers. I seek an audience with whoever has brought me here. [ He has to remain dignified, at least for now, but there is a hint of threat still in his voice. ] As well as the immediate return of both my companions and my effects.

[ He'd been with d'Artagnan and Porthos, they'd been right beside him. And here he is, his uniform pressed but sans pistol or rapier, and no sign of them. His mouth twitches slightly, the shadow across his face stretching. ] I do not appreciate being taken against my will. You would do well to make haste.

Comments

video.

[brainiest]

You might have to wait a little while for the Atroma to talk to you. They're not very good at greeting newcomers.

[ Which is, well, accompanied with a little wince. ]

I'm sorry you're not happy about being here, but there's not much we can do.

video.

[desequilibre]

[ His first real thought is that the scar is far too big on a face so young. It at least curbs his initial response, which would have been undoubtedly rude and dismissive. He does not have it in him to wait.

Not when there is so much to be done. ]

And who is the Atroma? Is that the King here? [ ... Of space? Lord, if only they hadn't taken his flask too. He could do with a drink. ]

video.

[brainiest]

[ Hermione has no idea, of course, and she watches him before she shakes her head. She almost feels terrible about it, about being the one to answer these questions, but at least she's a little bit used to it. ]

No, the Atroma are the people who brought us here. There's not a king or queen, I don't think, but they're definitely in charge.

video.

[desequilibre]

And I suppose, since they are so cleverly concealed, there is little you can tell me.

[ It's hard to keep the frustration at bay in his voice. ]

action;

[noprophecies]

[she had been told that there had been other people on the Marsiva, but hearing it was different from seeing it, and what a relief it was to see someone who dressed at least somewhat familiar. She had no idea what a Musketeer was, but she was just going to assume it was some manner of knights. Close enough for her, until she's corrected.

She still has her armor on, but her own sword is missing - that's what drew her attention, really; the siren call of someone else demanding their belongings returned. She leans against the wall and crosses her arms, eyebrows raised]

Demand all you like, sir. They've not returned my effects, no matter how many times I've shouted threats to the walls.

action;

[desequilibre]

[ He turns towards the voice, an irritated dismissal already on his tongue. And then he pauses. He does not expect a woman to be dressed the way she is, and his confusion is evident on his face. It takes Athos a long moment to order his thoughts and find his tongue, his rudeness put on the backburner for the most part. ]

And how long has it been, Madame?

[ Perhaps it is just a matter of being loud and also frequent. That he can do. ]

[noprophecies]

["madame"? That was a new one for her. The confusion, not so much. She makes a face at the question, half a scowl and half exasperated]

Today is the third day, I believe. I have been told they will not be returned, but I am a bit too stubborn to believe that just yet.

action;

[ontrial]

[ while barriss - green-skinned and hooded and more annoyed than panicked - has spent most of her time since waking up trying to gleam what information she can from the hospitality deck, she's not exactly ignoring the other captives. she's paying attention to them, in her own way. this one seemed like he needed a bit of time, but when their paths do inevitably cross, she greets him with a nod of her head. ]

You're not the only one feeling lost here, don't worry.

action;

[desequilibre]

[ He has not yet learnt to be mindful of people who don't exactly seem human. Elf ears were one thing when they were compared to a woman with green skin. And so for a moment Athos can only stare at her.

( He at least has the presence of mind to keep his feeling of horror from his face. )

Clearing his throat. ] I am beginning to see that. It seems our captors were not satisfied with one, they needed many.

[ontrial]

[ well, if he was that out of sorts from his surroundings, barriss isn't surprised that her appearance doesn't help much. but she understands that it's not personal and she'll continue to be polite. ]

In a way, that might be better. [ no wait hear her out. ] From what I know of most kidnapping situations, what turns the tide in favour of the captives is their ability to stand together against their captors. Especially if help can't come from the outside, that'll be all we have.

[ video ]

[axiomed]

[ Charles' eyes light up. Athos from the Three Musketeers? Amazing. Still, it would do no good to confuse the man with his knowledge of the book. ]

Ah, I'm afraid our captors don't usually make themselves known. I've yet to see hide or hair of them since I've arrived three months ago.

[ video ]

[desequilibre]

Well, what about their agents.

[ You don't just take people against their will and then leave them to their own devices. If the main instigator doesn't want to get his hands dirty then surely he employs someone on his behalf. Athos can't actually fathom being here three months and being none the wise. ]

Surely there has been someone. There must have been demands, or threats. There can't have been no one.

Re: [ video ]

[axiomed]

Normally, that would be true, but these . . . ah, overlords are a little more powerful than you can imagine. They don't use human means to accomplish their goals.

[intelligently]

I would say good luck, but maybe someones demands will actually be listened to one day.

[desequilibre]

If words don't work, then I will surely find another way to have those demands met.

[ He just has to get his hands on them first. He's beginning to build a picture of everything that's going on, though. ]

How long have you been here, Mademoiselle? And have you truly never seen it happen?

[intelligently]

A few months. I haven't seen the people that brought me here. I don't think many of us have.

Video

[onlyanapple]

[Crowley's in his bar, judging by the clinking of glasses and general murmur of conversation going on in the background. ]

It's cute that you think you'll get an audience with them. Like they'll actually listen to anything you have to say.

Video

[desequilibre]

[ Cute? ]

I could be forgiven for assuming I'd be treated with respect. I did not know it would be a lost trait here.

Video

[onlyanapple]

Atroma don't offer respect to anyone. To be honest, you're probably not going to get much of it from your fellow captives, either.

It's the sort of thing that's earned. Respect.

Video

[pain_train]

Hi Captain Athos. My name is Lieutenant Wrath. I'm the First Mate of the Windrose.

Um. You're probably not going to get an audience with anyone.

Video

[desequilibre]

So I believe.

How long has this been happening? People held captive without so much of a word, a man said he's been here for three months. Surely they would have shown themselves by now. [ It's a poor way to be. Having his code of conduct so thoroughly overlooked does not endear him to whoever is in charge.

He was already going to stab them for taking him against his will. Now he'll have to do it slowly. ]

Re: Video

[pain_train]

I've been here for over a year.

They've kind of shown themselves? Sort of. There's the host of the show, Diamond. But if this is like the vidshows from home, the host really isn't the person in charge.

video;

[universal_charm]

_{[ He would find this cute if he didn't feel bad for everyone who was getting kidnapped. He does admire the spunk though. They needed more of that. ]}

You aren't alone in that sentiment, but good luck getting Atroma to actually answer you. So far, I don't know of anyone who's gotten an actual, direct response.

As for your companions - if they haven't answered you yet, then they probably aren't here.

video;

[desequilibre]

[ Jim's the second person who thinks this is good. It's a good thing Athos doesn't know and also that his sword is gone. ]

How many people are trapped here?

[ But at least he can be relieved the others have escaped this suffering. ]

Re: video;

[universal_charm]

I've never done an exact count before, but I would say easily a hundred, give or take a few.

_{[ That might be overestimating it a bit, but he thinks he's fairly close with the hundred count. ]}

We fluctuate, so that number tends to go up and down.