Sometimes I feel as though before was some vague dream, so you're not the only one. [ He lifts his glass for another sip, his eyes downcast to the liquid inside before he continues. ]
Five years. It may not seem like such a long time, but I never expected it. [ To live this long, to survive and thrive and find love again. For he has, he won't deny that. He loves his friends so dearly that he cannot continue pretending there's nothing left inside of his chest. ] You'd like the Captain. He commands a guard that is loyal to no one more than he, save the King. He doesn't need riches nor title to bring us under his leadership. It's his character that does it. [ Athos turns the glass between his fingers, watching the dull light shine off it. ] He believes in you. He did me.
[ Even though when they met Athos was wine soaked and desperate for a blade at his throat. Treville saw the better man. ]
[ Sturmhond looks quite seriously at Athos for a moment, and puts a hand on his shoulder. ]
Any man worth his salt would believe in you. It's clear he means a great deal to you. A friend as well as a captain.
The best leaders don't only command respect. They earn it. I'd like to meet your Treville. If he could inspire that amount of faith in you, I think he'd be worth it.
[ The first part makes him smile. He doesn't argue simply because it would be rude to. And he knows Sturmhond means it. Athos is almost never surprised now, when the man is more kind than he would let on. He certainly spends a fair amount of his time trying to soothe over old wounds left in Athos. It makes him a great man, and a great friend besides. ]
If only you could. [ He doesn't want Treville here. He would rather die. But Athos would like for the two men to meet. If he is anything it is of the Captain's making. ] The world could do with a few more good men.
[ So perhaps it's better that this Treville is not here. Good men are wasted here, or they're laid to waste. It's not a safe place for them. ]
Perhaps I don't need to meet him. After all, I know you. There is no greater evidence of a man, than those who follow him. I know all I need to know of him through you.
[ He inclines his head, a little touched. He had been a drunk when Treville found him, removing a thief and a murderer of his life outside some despicable little tavern. He'd commended Athos on his swordsmanship and gave him an address for when he finally crawled out of the gutter to put that blade to better use. Treville inspired him to be a better man instantly. And here he is now. Alive. ]
You lead at home, do you not? Being a Privateer, I mean. [ SO SUBTLE SON. ] You must have a crew.
[ And an army, besides. The only hint of how amusing that question
is to him is the wryness of his smile. He wonders how much Athos has
inferred. No small amount, he imagines, for they live together, and have
since the beginning of all this, and neither of them have ever been in
stasis, as Wesley has. Quite regularly they have been the only two living
here. If anyone were to guess there were more to Sturmhond than he
admitted, it would be Athos. ]
A good and reliable one, hand-picked. Were this my world, I would be
honoured to name you as one of them. You’re an exemplary soldier. My people
would welcome you, without a doubt.
[ He tops up Sturmhond's glass with the ease of someone well suited to quiet intimacy between friends. This is where he flourishes, when he is not forced to put on a public mask of warning, when he only needs to be himself in the company of someone he trusts. ] I'm better suited to dry land, Monsieur. [ He doubts that is all there is to Sturmhond's leadership. But their conversation remains one of polite pretending and he doesn't mind it so much. ] But there is no doubt I would have been honoured to call you my Captain.
[ With a quiet grin. ] You're only coming to that conclusion now? [ Sipping at his own drink. ] It wasn't even the predisposition for flight that clued me in. It was the reckless way you threw yourself in to dismantling everything in this rover. You're comfortable around the instruments. Whereas I still struggle to use the ... [ A pause as a furrow appears between his brows, his mouth working over the word with a concentration. ] Microwave.
[ He can still burn anything he puts inside it. Which is probably why he goes to the bonfire to heat things up when he's alone. ]
Well, if I'm in want of a quick way out of this madness, I will surely give it a try. [ Athos offers up a wave of his hand towards the kitchen and all of the things he tries to understand. If he weren't so stubborn it might come easier, but he doesn't like to trust what they have given them. ]
You can explain to d'Artagnan afterwards. It was your idea afterall.
I'd tell you to cease your dreaming, Monsieur. But I don't think I will be allowed to remain on my own two feet for long around here.
[ He imagines either he'll be back in the plane in no time, or he'll be up in that infernal ship. He doesn't care which, they will both be unbearable. ]
[ He drums his fingers, thinking about that. In the end, his answer is a little slice of honesty. You'll probably want to write it down somewhere to remember the moment. ]
I think I enjoy finding the order in it. I'm fond of fixing things. True chaos is nothing short of a challenge, I'm afraid.
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Five years. It may not seem like such a long time, but I never expected it. [ To live this long, to survive and thrive and find love again. For he has, he won't deny that. He loves his friends so dearly that he cannot continue pretending there's nothing left inside of his chest. ] You'd like the Captain. He commands a guard that is loyal to no one more than he, save the King. He doesn't need riches nor title to bring us under his leadership. It's his character that does it. [ Athos turns the glass between his fingers, watching the dull light shine off it. ] He believes in you. He did me.
[ Even though when they met Athos was wine soaked and desperate for a blade at his throat. Treville saw the better man. ]
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Any man worth his salt would believe in you. It's clear he means a great deal to you. A friend as well as a captain.
The best leaders don't only command respect. They earn it. I'd like to meet your Treville. If he could inspire that amount of faith in you, I think he'd be worth it.
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If only you could. [ He doesn't want Treville here. He would rather die. But Athos would like for the two men to meet. If he is anything it is of the Captain's making. ] The world could do with a few more good men.
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[ So perhaps it's better that this Treville is not here. Good men are wasted here, or they're laid to waste. It's not a safe place for them. ]
Perhaps I don't need to meet him. After all, I know you. There is no greater evidence of a man, than those who follow him. I know all I need to know of him through you.
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You lead at home, do you not? Being a Privateer, I mean. [ SO SUBTLE SON. ] You must have a crew.
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I do.
[ And an army, besides. The only hint of how amusing that question is to him is the wryness of his smile. He wonders how much Athos has inferred. No small amount, he imagines, for they live together, and have since the beginning of all this, and neither of them have ever been in stasis, as Wesley has. Quite regularly they have been the only two living here. If anyone were to guess there were more to Sturmhond than he admitted, it would be Athos. ]
A good and reliable one, hand-picked. Were this my world, I would be honoured to name you as one of them. You’re an exemplary soldier. My people would welcome you, without a doubt.
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The land, the sea, the air. I see no real difference between them. I have the impression that is where our worlds differ, Athos.
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[ He can still burn anything he puts inside it. Which is probably why he goes to the bonfire to heat things up when he's alone. ]
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I don't know those things any better than you do. My world doesn't have them. Would that it did. They way they work always fascinated me.
[ He lifts one shoulder. ] You won't learn if you don't try.
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You can explain to d'Artagnan afterwards. It was your idea afterall.
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You’re very cynical. Your friend is less so; he might actually listen to me, and then you’d be furious.
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Thankfully I shall do my best to stay alive and save the world of that madness.
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I find I'd appreciate it if you did, yes. It would be hard to get you in a plane again, otherwise.
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[ He imagines either he'll be back in the plane in no time, or he'll be up in that infernal ship. He doesn't care which, they will both be unbearable. ]
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[ He's looking forward to flying in space. This time, he'd like to remember more of it. ]
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I wouldn't call it luck.
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Oh, come now. It's not so bad as that.
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Of course you would think that. I believe you rather enjoy chaos.
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[ He drums his fingers, thinking about that. In the end, his answer is a little slice of honesty. You'll probably want to write it down somewhere to remember the moment. ]
I think I enjoy finding the order in it. I'm fond of fixing things. True chaos is nothing short of a challenge, I'm afraid.
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That makes sense. You have taken to finding the order in our chaos here. [ Looking after the whole rover for one. ]
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It’s a talent that’s come in handy, I’ll admit.
[ Trying to keep track of you all is like herding cats. He’s lucky he’s managed it this long. ]
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[ DRY. SO VERY DRY. ]