( 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

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.

[desequilibre]

[ He is more than a little intrigued. Her state of attire is one thing, but then Athos catches sight of her ears and he has to send his gaze heavenward. Is this madness a punishment for his lack of faith? Is this what he must suffer, now?

But no, he can feel it in his gut. This place is real. And perhaps this woman is too. ] It would seem like most have simply given up. [ If he hadn't been a soldier he might have been distracted by the view from the window long enough to leave his weapons unclaimed. But he needs them. He will not stay within this place undefended. ]

Has anyone said why they are keeping you, yet? [ Three days is a long time. ]

[noprophecies]

[to her, at least, Athos is a welcome familiarity. Honestly, she was beginning to feel like a bit of a relic; someone from so long ago, thrown into some modern madness in the middle of the stars. As though the whole thing was ripped from the pages of an adventure book. Athos immediately reminded her of men from home, and it does serve to relax her a fraction.

She huffs a little, eyes rolling] Complacency? Is that the word? It is common in these places. [she'd seen it in Kyriakos, and even in her home. People simply accepting things as they were. She can see why, but it never fails to annoy her]

They do not - transfer? - people to the other ships until the end of the week, so we are to remain here until then. I have already tried to find a way out with no luck.

[desequilibre]

[ It was common in France too. Athos had seen dozens and dozens of men and women who merely accepted their lot in life and hoped for the best. He had even been like that himself, once upon a time, before the Musketeers gave him a reason to live again. ]

Perhaps it is human nature. [ Though, he is not sure about her human nature. It would be easy to shrug off her ears as a malformity had he not seen outside. Now he is not sure. ]

So this is not our final holding cell? [ Interesting. He wonders then if the person he needs to speak with will be there. ] I would have suggested another try, but - [ Waving at the windows. ] Where would we go?

[noprophecies]

[at one point she too had been the same, before her world proved just how terrible it could be. Since then, she's only accepted what she decided was worthy and nothing else]

It is not exclusive to humans. [if he needed confirmation, well. But she had seen it in other races in her lands, too. Elves were notorious for going hundreds of years being "fine" with what life had given them]

It is not; once we are released, we will be able to go down to the planet as well. [it comes out a little awkwardly, because frankly, that was just strange to her. Planets and space travel and all that nonsense she had been told was hard to stomach] That I do not know. Perhaps it will bring our kidnappers out, though, if we are successful.

[desequilibre]

A planet.

[ There is a headache blooming behind his eyes, sharp and unforgiving. ]

Would we be able to find our way home once that had happened, do you know? [ Athos is aware he is asking this woman a series of questions that she could be lying about in her answers. He would not were he not so desperate to understand. ] I cannot remain here. I do not care what my captors want, but there is need of me back in Paris.

[noprophecies]

Yes, I know how it sounds. But you have seen we are in the middle of the stars, yes?

[welcome to the headache she's had to three days, Athos]

I find it very unlikely, but I would not fault you for trying; I certainly will be. [her expression softens just a bit, her tone taking on one of understanding] You are not the only one who is needed elsewhere. Though I cannot give you much more information than what I have already shared.

[and then, a bit dryly] However, experience tells me that our captors will not give a damn about where and why we are needed home.

[desequilibre]

[ They are in the middle of the stars. He has been trying to forget that.

So far, it has been impossible. Every so often his gaze is pulled unbidden to the window and to the black beyond. ] It was still useful, Madame. And I thank you for it. [ He knows that he will escape this, that there may yet be a chance to fight his way free. That will be enough to keep his thoughts safe. ]

They are smart, at least. Had they left me my sword I do not doubt they would have had a struggle on their hands.

[noprophecies]

[this time she can't help but wrinkle her nose; madame sounds so polite, and it's a word that doesn't suit her in the least] You needn't thank me, I am as lost as you are. I've merely a few days on you.

[she frees a hand to wiggle her fingers a little, her tone wry] They have left me armed, in a sense, but I doubt they are concerned about magic, either. Their ship is certainly resistant to it.

[desequilibre]

Magic.

[ Of course.

Of course.

Part of him wants to renounce her. Part of him wants to storm off. Part of him wants to get so drunk the blackness takes him. Neither of these options seem suitable right now. What good would it do? Where would he go? ]

[noprophecies]

[. . . oh. Oh no.

She can't help but grin a little bit]

You are not from a world with magic, are you.

[desequilibre]

[ That smile is not helping. ]

It does not exist.

[ And it's really hard for him to wrap his head around worlds, let alone witchcraft. It would be infinitely easier if he could just pretend she was a madwoman, except he has the sinking suspicion that won't be happening. ]

You say you are a witch?

[noprophecies]

[if she didn't already understand how out of place he felt, she'd be a bigger asshole about it. But instead, she's issuing some restraint, for once.

Of course, she's still grinning, so it isn't all that much restraint]

I am a mage. It is similar enough.

[desequilibre]

And if I asked you to prove it?

[ Because he cannot believe in something he has not seen. It gives Aramis no small amount of pain for his faith. ]

[noprophecies]

[she holds out a hand, palm up - and a little ball of flame materializes there, floating gently. She tilts her head, watching his reaction; it's rare to meet anyone not familiar with magic, so she genuinely wants to see how he responds]

I would offer you proof, of course.

[desequilibre]

[ As a man of a specific kind of disposition, Athos should most definitely not want to run away screaming. But there is a woman with fire in her hands, and he is tumbling through space. It is hard not to be afraid.

Still, he lets out a slow breath, lifting his gaze from the flickering flame and to her face. ] Impressive. [ And it is. He can't help thinking that would a Parisian woman be showing off like this, she most certainly would end up on her own pyre. ]

Is this common where you are from?

[noprophecies]

Thank you. [she could take it as an opportunity to tease him, to cure some of her anger and boredom through someone else's expense, but if she has to be on the ship any longer, it wouldn't do to upset the one other person she's met thus far.

So instead, the flame disappears as quickly as it appeared and she folds her arms again, smiling a bit]

Quite, though not everyone is able to use it, and those who can vary in what they are capable of. There are very few who can call themselves wizards. [she tips her head with a knowing look] And even fewer women. I am a bit of an oddity.

[desequilibre]

[ She can tease him as much as she wants when they've settled in. ]

I would have been able to tell you that. [ She's certainly an oddity to him. Curiously. ] They didn't think to take that from you? It is just as dangerous as my pistols.

[noprophecies]

[she will, happily. Your fate is sealed, Athos]

My, I do not know whether to be insulted or amused. [a little teasing can't hurt, though. She's not offended in the least, she's an oddity even in her world] Perhaps they do not find it as dangerous. It is very likely that is has been weakened, however.

[and then she pauses, eyebrows furrowing] A pistol is a . . . type of gun, yes?

[desequilibre]

[ He dips his head, the approximation of an apology even though neither of them really mean the jibes. ] Weakened? Do you feel any less powerful? [ It's hard to understand how it works. He almost imagines it must be like having a sickness overcome you. ]

A gun, yes. Pistols and muskets are the most common long range weapon where I am from. But I have always preferred a sword. [ Gesturing to his empty belt. ] As you can see, that is also misplaced.

[noprophecies]

[it's a good question, and one she hasn't taken the opportunity to consider, in her burst of panic and rage when she first woke up. She frowns and tilts her head, then shakes it with a huff] I feel cut off, but not weakened - but I imagine that is because we are in the stars. I would not know for sure until I tried to cast a larger spell - which I will not do here, as it is supposedly dangerous.

["supposedly". Musket is another word she's not familiar, but she appreciates him mentioning it so she can add it to her very short list of weapons her world has yet to embrace - that she knows of. Who knows what's been going on over on the mainland] Of course. It is quite rude of them.

[desequilibre]

Cut off. [ It's an unpleasant thought. But then, an inferno in the walls of the ship is one too. ] Is fire the only thing you are able to wield?

[noprophecies]

Fire is a - mm, specialty? It is the one I use most of often. But no, I am able to wield all sorts of spells.

[desequilibre]

Interesting.

[ He takes a moment to mull this over, his expression clearly thoughtful. ]

We could use it to our advantage. They clearly did not think to cut you off entirely. Meaning they aren't expecting you to act out.