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

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.

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Not yet, but one day?

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

[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.

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.

One day works, assuming we have a lot left.

[ Eh, you do what you gotta do. ]

[ Smart girl. John smiles back. ]

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

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. ]

[ 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.

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.

Edited 2015-07-28 22:31 (UTC)

I know we don't. I know. I need to keep my court allegiance, so for what it's worth, if you do find yourself hired out by anyone Unseelie, you can always call on me.

[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.

[ Now that's interesting. It actually sounds rather like what Dick's more willing to do, compared to, say, the be all and end all of the Seelie and, just as likely, the Unseelie. He's questioned and considered, but he can't, in good conscience, fully support the Seelie cause the way the monarchs probably want him to. The way some of the people he's gotten to know seem to.

He doesn't know if this--this Red Hand will solve all the problems, if it'll solve any of them, but at least it's a third option because... Because well. The Seelie aren't giving him what he needs, but he doesn't think defecting to the Unseelie will be any better. Might be worse, really. ]

I can bring my skills to the table, but I'm gonna put it out there first: I don't kill. I don't condone killing. If I'm doing something with someone, I'm not gonna let them kill.

[ He did say they're a mercenary group, after all, and though Dick knows this world is nothing like home, there're still some things he can't let go of. He also didn't miss how his question wasn't answered. ]

Edited 2015-07-28 12:43 (UTC)

[Well, well...]

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

[She's that at least. There's a puzzled raise of an eyebrow before she realises John means her actual pups and not her students, like Lancer had referred to them as once. Merida inclines her head.]

I could do. Lancer has them scattered at th' moment but one or two will come when I call them.

[She was quite sure at least one was watching over her at all times anyway.]

We raised them to be war hounds, so they're able to aid in fights.

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.

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.

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?

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.]

You can keep it and still work for us, Harry. You wouldn't be the first.

Might be able to get some collars made or enchanted that will help protect them in battle too, if you don't have any already.

Otherwise- when they're scattered and show up, mind if I talk to them? Dogs notice all sorts of things that people don't.

You haven't been here for very long, have you?

Sure wouldn't hurt.

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

How much did Aly tell you?

[ That's the first step, really. ]

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

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.

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?

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