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

[chromosomes]

Well then. See you soon.

[ And don't mind John buying some of that food for himself when you get there, Bucky. ]

[wipedclean]

[He doesn't get himself anything to eat because he's not hungry, but he finds John easily enough, walking over and standing by him.]

You didn't say what your name was.

[chromosomes]

John Grimm.

[ He'd offer a hand to shake, but there's money and food exchanging hands. ]

Yours?

[wipedclean]

[He might not shake it even if he did offer it, so it's probably for the best.]

James Barnes.

[chromosomes]

[ A nod, and John takes a bite of steak. It's rare, as rare as the man would make it, and his teeth are just a hint sharper than the average human's. ]

The question is "what are we doing about it" in regards to the courts, wasn't it? Giving the locals a voice, a place to stand, armed men and women who won't fleece them or shank them after getting paid -- that's something, as it turns out.

[wipedclean]

[He notes the teeth. It's interesting, but not necessarily extraordinary.

What John says is what's really important, and he listens carefully. He doesn't really give much of a shit about the locals, but they deserve more than what the courts are giving them, that's for sure. Which is what, eternal war?

Fuck that.]

And the conflict?

[chromosomes]

I'm not saying we have a plan for that. But...

[ His voice drops, almost imperceptible to a normal human. ]

We took Mair, now the Seelie have to hold it. They also have Cothromach and Parrais to defend, along with the Citadel and Caer Glaem. Their forces are divided. People could do something with that, buy more time.

[ Another snap of teeth on meat and John shrugs. ]

Just a thought.

[ He's not revealing the plan to anyone he's just met, and not to most he's already known. Not without some proof of loyalty, of service. ]

[wipedclean]

[It's a thought, and it's an interesting one. He considers John, tilts his head.]

Something?

[He's got no head for strategy. That was always someone else's job. He knows what he's capable of, but he's not going to run into some place without a plan.]

[chromosomes]

Maybe go point it out to someone with troops.

[ A half-shrug and he pulls some more meat off with his teeth. ]

[wipedclean]

[His brow furrows a little. Ariadne has troops, but he's not entirely sure there's enough to muster a skirmish at any of those places.]

Maybe. Something to consider, anyway.

[chromosomes]

Yeah.

[ A swallow and a half-shrug. ]

You have other questions?

[wipedclean]

[He shrugs back.]

Got anyone you need killed?

[He might as well offer. Just in case.]

[chromosomes]

[ John can't help it -- he laughs. ]

Usually do, or they usually decide that it's going to end that way.

[wipedclean]

[He snorts, then tilts his head.]

Killing people's what I do. You ever need someone dead and can't do it yourself, you can give me a call.

[chromosomes]

That I can do.