[video; locked to Athos; as soon as he sees Milady's message (later the day of her arrival)]

[not_apriest]

Athos... I assume you know.




Are you all right?

Comments

[thestormcomes]

[The narration would like to enter Athos' current mental state here:

AhahahahahaHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAOHMYGOD.]

I'm fine, padre.

[not_apriest]

I find that hard to believe.





This is a closed channel, you know.

[thestormcomes]

So I won't have to worry about eavesdroppers? Wonderful.

[He still doesn't sound particularly enthused. Or lacking in sarcasm, for that matter.]

[not_apriest]

So you don't have to worry about anyone else knowing.

But we could meet in person, if you prefer.

[thestormcomes]

What could she possibly harm? My lack of a reputation?

[He's trying not to sound bitter.

Keyword: trying.]

...I would prefer that.

[not_apriest]

I'll be there in five minutes with a bottle of merlot.

[thestormcomes]

[True to form, Athos is sulking (though he'd never admit to it) in his rooms, glaring at the door through which Aramis arrives.]

I'm glad you brought fortification.

[A nod to the bottle.]

[not_apriest]

Wouldn't have thought to come without it. [And he doesn't bother with the ceremony of glasses. He hands the bottle to Athos.]

[There's silence for a moment and then he drops into a nearby seat.]

Have you spoken to her?

[thestormcomes]

[Athos accepts the bottle gratefully, wresting the cork free and taking a generous swig. Ahhh, just like the old days.]

I almost ran into her in the gardens.

[That's a yes.]

[not_apriest]

[He glances down, then looks at Athos.] And what did she have to say for herself?

[thestormcomes]

She said she'd just fallen from the airship.

[A beat.]

She certainly looked the part.

[What with the seaweed streaming from her dress, tangled in her hair, sand caking her back. Athos was obliged to give her that much of her explanation.]

[not_apriest]

[She hadn't fallen. She'd jumped.]

Survived, did she? Couldn't even bring herself to follow through her one noble act?

[thestormcomes]

[Fallen, jumped. They feel the same to Athos, unfortunately, so he still gets slightly twitchy thinking about it.]

No.

[He looks down into the bottle.]

I suppose she couldn't.

[not_apriest]

[Aramis glances away. It's not really his place to comment. He expects he's overstepped his bounds at this point.]

I'm sorry.

[thestormcomes]

Don't be.

[Athos sighs, glancing out the window.]

I just didn't want this to come to pass.

[not_apriest]

Nor did any of us wish it for you. [He glances over.] Is there anything I can do?

[thestormcomes]

Keep an eye out for Cardinal Richelieu, maybe?

[he laughs somewhat bitterly, immediately regretting the statement. Best not to tempt the Hand of Fate. The only way this could possibly get better would be for Porthos to stumble in -- the musketeers are very nearly outnumbered.]

You could even pray, if you like.

[Though Athos doubts that will accomplish anything at all.]

[not_apriest]

Just not here? [Asked with a hint of amusement that dies as he looks away.] I do that anyway. You know I do.

[thestormcomes]

I'm not chastising your beliefs,

[he replies, catching the expression on Aramis' face. It is more difficult for him, he knows, to be trapped in such a godless place. As a man of God he holds onto his faith, but Aramis lacks the stability of the Church, of other believers.

And Athos is hardly one of those.]

I don't want to think of you spending your evenings hoping I'll get better, or something to that effect.

[not_apriest]

[A quiet snort.] I don't think you think that's how I spend my evenings.

[He looks at Athos again.] I am concerned what effect her being confined here with you will have on you. She's a viper. At some point, she'll look to sting you, if only for her own amusement. Not that I doubt her ability to find an angle to her personal benefit.

[thestormcomes]

Being here is a tonic in and of itself,

[he notes, casting his friend a look.]

It will dull her fangs soon enough.

[not_apriest]

I wouldn't count on it.

[He glances back.]

I don't suppose you can simply avoid her company.

[thestormcomes]

[Athos laughs. Laughs! Laughs, and shakes his head.]

I may try, ami, but a sailor can no less avoid the sea.

[Although the comparison is apt, as both treacherous ocean waters and former wives are cruel mistresses.]

[not_apriest]

[He raises a skeptical eyebrow at that.]

She surrounds you, does she?

[thestormcomes]

...you're making it sound very romantic,

[he warns, suddenly displeased with the turn that this metaphor has taken.]

[not_apriest]

[A skeptical eyebrow shoots up and Aramis gives him a flat look.]

You're the one that compared her to the sea. I believe my metaphor of choice was 'viper'.

[thestormcomes]

[Chastened, Athos relents,]

...I realize you are only looking out for my well-being.

[And his mental health.]

[not_apriest]

Tell me you won't go out of your way to seek her out.

1/2

[thestormcomes]

[He laughs. He laughs some more. Then he stops laughing.]

[thestormcomes]

...oh, you're serious.

[not_apriest]

Athos... [He bites his words off in frustration.] Nevermind. [He gets up restlessly to find some brandy. Wine isn't going to cut it today.]

[thestormcomes]

Ami-

[He starts, realizing the error he's made.]

...Padre. I am not such an avid practitioner of self-harm that I would seek her out.

[not_apriest]

Good. Thank you. [A moment's pause, as he pours two glasses of brandy and brings them over, holding one out for Athos.] And if she seeks you out? She may get bored and go looking for something to amuse her.

[thestormcomes]

If she wishes to have words with me, I daresay I'll answer her.

[He accepts the brandy and takes a sip since it's a pleasant substitute for crushed, aged grapes.]

It doesn't mean I'll be happy to do so. It's common courtesy.

[not_apriest]

You're an entirely better man than I am.

[thestormcomes]

...I'm going to remember these words of yours when I begin to doubt myself,

[he laughs quietly, because compliments of that variety are few and far between. It isn't so much difficult for Athos to avoid her -- that's simple enough. He does not relish pain, but he does miss what he had once.

Even if it was a lie.]

[not_apriest]

And I'll remember yours when I get it in my mind to throttle her. [Because he's certain a single conversation with her would manage that. But he can exercise restraint. For a friend.]

[thestormcomes]

You never did get along with her,

[Athos sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. He remembers more than one occasion where Aramis questioned the validity and credibility of her feelings. But Athos has already eaten his words.]

[not_apriest]

I'm sorry. I wanted to. But I know women, Athos, and there was something a little too...crafty about her. [A pause.] Though there's something to be said for a partner whose not like other women.

[thestormcomes]

You think?

[There was a reason he married her, after all.]

...all is said and done, either way.

[not_apriest]

Just let me know if you need anything. [He stood, then smirked a little.] Your lordship. [The event that revealed Athos' heritage gave him a counterpoint to Athos' teasing use of 'Padre' to address him.]

[thestormcomes]

Don't make me hurt you.

[This face. 4ever.]

[not_apriest]

[An impish smile.] You'd never.

[thestormcomes]

You're tempting me. Be gone with you.

[Athos waves a hand.]

[not_apriest]

I'm gone.

[He slips out the door, but can't resist calling back through it.]

Just ring the bell if you need the maid!

[thestormcomes]

[Athos throws a cup at the door.]