video | open to both courts (yay non-locket devices)

[chromosomes]

I've been thinking.

[ John's sitting against the base of a tree somewhere, idly scratching a stray mutt behind the ears with one hand while holding his device with the other. ]

Seelie, Unseelie. Order, Chaos. Can't really have one without the other, can you? But that's the whole thing the courts want: one to win over the other. And that's with the queens being sisters.

Sort of seems like it won't work either way, in the long run. Not in a way anyone wants.

[ This would have been essentially blasphemy, once upon a time; treason of the highest order. But John has had no shard for eight months, has only the memory of a gold cloak to his name now. It's the Shuck he serves and the Red Hand he fights for, this world and its people and those he cares about. ]

But maybe that's just me.

[ He shrugs, pausing just long enough for the dog to look up at him and whine. A snort and he goes back to generously bestowing ear scratches. ]

Anyway, if any of you are looking for something to do, a way to make money, and aren't afraid of hard work -- the Red Hand's hiring. We're a mercenary group but we'll take all sorts; we can find a job for you, if you've got something to bring to the table. We have no court-attached contracts, are focusing more on what the natives to this world need, so no worries there -- and I'm a shardless son of a bitch, so no worries about getting spanked or whatever your court does for having conversations with the 'wrong people'.

Leave your prejudiced bullshit at the door, though; we've got all sorts of races and believers among the ranks. If you can't handle that, I'm more than willing to throw you out on your ass.

Comments

[thebreakingwave]

Not yet, but one day?

[ P.S. Sorry about Mair, friend. ]

[chromosomes]

One day works, assuming we have a lot left.

[ Eh, you do what you gotta do. ]

compass; private

[notyetlegend]

[Because while John might not get punished it's better to speak over a communication device the monarchs don't monitor. Merida gives him a smile, leaning back where she is in the training grounds.]

If you'll still have me, I'm in.

compass; private

[chromosomes]

[ Smart girl. John smiles back. ]

We'll still have you. Going to bring any of your pups along?

private text ; compass

[dicktionary]

So I'm interested, but I kind of want to know more about what you guys are going to be doing and what your end goals are. If, y'know, you're cool with telling me.

private text ; compass

[chromosomes]

We do what we're paid to do, but we pick and choose our jobs, are respectful when we go through areas. Right now we're looking at contracts for protecting people and settlements moving away from the Void.

[ There's no mention of an end goal: that's classified information that only a few know about, and John has no idea who this is or why he thinks a mercenary company has an end goal, which puts him on edge.

Well, maybe the end goal suspicion is from his little speech at the beginning, but he's hardly the first to have said things like this. It's just that most people don't do it so blatantly. ]

compass; private

[commandertoolbelt]

[ Leo isn't completely sure about this, but... it's John. He knows the reputation if not the man himself, and it's far from a bad one. Might as well see how this turns out. ]

I'm guessing you're gonna need a blacksmith.

compass; private

[chromosomes]

Sure wouldn't hurt.

You have a base of operations or would you rather go where we go?

Over the Aly-net devices, video and private

[gordianknots]

You know full well that my network of information is available to you, especially for these purposes. If you have anything in particular on the horizon, do let me know. I can likely be of use.

Over the Aly-net devices, video and private

[chromosomes]

How much did Aly tell you?

[ That's the first step, really. ]

[starspangled]

[It isn't just him who thinks that way, but Steve doesn't need to say that out loud. John gets him well enough that he doesn't need to.]

Oh, now you tell me. I was sorta looking forward to the spankings.

[chromosomes]

I'm sure we can still arrange something for you, Rogers.

Compass, private

[theincredibleherc]

[Well, well...]

Focused on what the natives need, eh? What sort of jobs are we talking about?

Compass, private

[chromosomes]

Right now? Protection, mostly. Plenty need to move locations with the Void moving in but that makes them easy targets.

We make them more difficult ones.

compass network; private

[judicatus]

The absolute victory of either court does not seem an end suited to any of our best interests.

[ Gabranth has considered well the treasonous implications of such a statement, were his message somehow intercepted. But if he were unwilling to take such risks, then he wouldn't have bothered to have this device enchanted by Hermione in the first place. ]

A Marquis can hardly be seen lending aid to a band of mercenaries, least of all when the possibility exists that those mercenaries may work to counteract the interests of his court. Nevertheless, perhaps some arrangements can be made.

compass network; private

[chromosomes]

A Marquis could be seen investing for his own political interests, if it becomes a point. But we worked for the Seelie up until fairly recently.

Still, I understand discretion. And congratulations on the position, by the way.

What did you have in mind?

compass, audio, private;

[gehennawind]

Ah! Unfortunately I have a pretty full schedule, now that I have two hands again I can use to work in Srathmarbh. But good luck with new hires.

compass, audio, private;

[chromosomes]

You did technically have two hands before. [ They were very nice hands. ] Congratulations on being more solid, though.

Srathmarbh, huh?

compass / private

[enthraller]

Well, isn't this a rather bold advertisement?

[That's Sara-talk for "Hi John, long time no see". And on that note:]

When did you lose your shard?

compass / private

[chromosomes]

You know me.

[ Oh. Yeah he was bad at telling people, wasn't he? ]

Samhain.

[maidenofexcuses]

You don't have a shard? And you're okay with it?

[She has so many questions. Didn't that go against everything she'd heard? Four is both highly prejudiced and very interested, but she's sure she can stomach being around... elves and whatever else they have to get the job done.

Still, her own personal curiosity has her asking the wrong questions.]

On topic though, I believe I'd be able to offer my services to your organization.

[For one it actually seems to be organized. And this isn't private because she just doesn't think of it at the time.]

[chromosomes]

Only one person and therefore one thing for me at home, and I'm holding out hope that she'll be brought here eventually. So yeah, I'm okay with it.

[ His world sucked.

And if it helps... they have far more vampires than elves. ]

You have a name?

[wipedclean]

Red Hand was with the Seelie.

[He's curious, that's why he's answering, but he wants to figure out some things beforehand. He knows what he is, he's not going to go offering himself to anyone blindly. Not when he fully understands the damage he can do.]

[chromosomes]

Hired by. Contract's over now.

[ John shrugs. ]

Part of being a mercenary.

[digophelia]

[ After a few moments of listening and Alice sitting there, mulling it over in her mind, she finally asks- ]

What happened to you? Why did you lose your shard?

[ As far as she knows, shard loss means death, in some fashion. ]

[chromosomes]

The Shuck wanted me in His service, so He took it.

[ John half-shrugs. For him, it's not a big deal. ]

Nice to see you again, Alice.

compass; video

[uptowngirl]

[ It's, perhaps, a little sad how excited she is at the opportunity to speak across courts, even if she doesn't really know anyone on the other side. But since Hermione gave her the compass, she has been very curious to see what she could, hear what she can. And this? Well, the first part, at least, hits on what she's been spending some time thinking about. ]

It does seem like it would be strange if any one side did end up winning this war, for as long as it's been going on.

[ But-- ]

I'm sorry, I'm really curious...I haven't been able to speak to anyone who's actually lost their shard yet. How did happen, if you don't mind me asking?

compass; video

[chromosomes]

The End is coming up, either way. The Powers of this world all know it, and- well, the Void's practically right off the shore.

[ Not so much strange, for John, as undesirable -- something to fight against. ]

You know, you're the first to ask if I minded. So. Thank you for that.

[ He does mean it, though he's a bit gruff about it. ]

The Shuck decided He wanted me to work for Him, and so He took it.

[fauxdysseus]

[ at this point, Flint could give a shit about belief.

no, he likes the "way to make money" part. ]

How much money are we talking here?

[chromosomes]

Would you believe you're the first person to ask that?

[ People are weird. ]

Pay itself depends on the position you take; we have fixed pay scales. Organized, for a bunch of mercs. Assuming the Void doesn't take us all and you're still here, you even get a pension.

aly-net, audio

[erythristic]

You know, someone brought that up the other day, that one loses meaning without the other attached to it.

[the Devil was good for one thing, at least.]

Court or no, it'd be foolish to refrain from saying that what assistance I can provide, you only need to ask. Surviving the Fox earns that much. Though keep in mind I'm a Necroveil when making your calls, hm?

aly-net, audio

[chromosomes]

Well, at least I'm not the only one wasting time on philosophy.

[ awkward ]

Of course. I remember what it's like, wearing one of those cloaks, even if mine was a different color.

[ There's a pause and John clears his throat, audibly uncomfortable. ]

But you're a Reaper, too. One of His.

COMPASS. PRIVATE.

[selfimage]

Chaos, order—[ he twirls his fingers as if demonstrating. ]—Your explanation is curiously simplistic.

COMPASS. PRIVATE.

[chromosomes]

Sometimes simple's the best.

compass. ─ shh this isn't late.

[wolfskin]

[ It is a sharp intake of breath, muscles in his jaw tense. Robb Stark takes longer than he should to speak, mind twisting and spinning in ways that makes him feel ill. The end he settles with a sigh, passive save for the shine of emotion in his blue eyes. ]

You as well?

compass. ─ no such thing.

[chromosomes]

"Me as well" what?