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]

This war has been going on for thousands of years. There are shards stockpiled in both castles, kept out of sight until they're needed -- or in the case of the Seelie, simply out of Unseelie hands.

[ John takes a deep breath. ]

We're going to break in, steal them, and use their combined power to cast the Void back to its starting place. It won't destroy it, but it also won't let it destroy us.

[starspangled]

[It makes sense that the Seelie would be hiding their share of the shards somewhere. For them, it's more a game of keep-away than anything. He looks away from John, thinking about it, withholding judgement. He could be impressed by the plan or think it's crazy, it could go either way.

Steve thinks that it's both, and that's probably why he likes it.]

How soon are we doing this?

[Because John put a tremendous amount of trust in him just by telling him this, and Steve's willing to do whatever he can to help.]

[chromosomes]

Once Caer Scima is mapped, we just need a big enough distraction. If the rumors are true, if what I saw at the beginning of the month occurs, it may be soon.

[ John- well, he does trust Steve. Unlike many others, he knows this trust isn't misplaced. ]

I'll let you know. In the meantime- do the mission you'll get, prove to the others you're reliable. Keep what I've told you secret, because there's ears goddamn everywhere.

And try not to die, when we do it.

[starspangled]

[Steve nods softly, but it's only when he reaches that last one that he cocks an eyebrow and gives John a smirk.]

You don't ask for much, do you? Talk about high-maintenance.

[chromosomes]

[ And this is why they get along. John snorts, shakes his head. ]

Well, I wouldn't say no to a steak.

[starspangled]

Okay, but exactly how rare? Do I even need to cook it?

[chromosomes]

Honestly? No, you don't have to.

Seasoning doesn't hurt, though.