Fourth Dispatch: It's Not What You Think. Voice.

[trinkett]

Dear Fellow Residents of Luceti,

Wouldn't it be entertaining to put on some Games here in Luceti? Not that the Cultural Fair wasn't amusing, or any of the other activities going on here -- but true gladiatorial games. The pitting of one creature against another! Think of the thrill and drama and the release that goes along with that sort of entertainment! And here in Luceti we are ideally suited for a very exciting Games indeed.

Who would you sponsor or volunteer for this entertainment? Or would it all be...

[There is a pause here.]

Pokey-mans? I find human beings MUCH more interesting to watch, personally.

Comments

[ruthlessismore]

If Effie's eyes could throw ice lasers at a man, that man would be Richard Sharpe.

"If the dog is not welcome here, then neither am I. The dog is a necessity."

[greenjacketed]

"A necessity," he repeated -- not even touching the part about how she was definitely not welcome to begin with.

[happyhungergames]

"Indeed! You've likely heard the threats of the rabble!"

[greenjacketed]

"...What threats?"

He saw Luceti's population as oddly peaceful, but there were a few troublesome elements. And although he might not like Effie, he hardly wanted to see her hurt. Even still, his question was rough and clumsy -- hardly warm, or even touched by any obvious concern.

[happyhungergames]

So he hadn't. Well, it wasn't her job to educate Richard Sharpe.

She didn't envy the person to whom that mountain-high task belonged.

"Nevermind. I shall make some dog-friendly arrangements in the meantime. Perhaps the community housing buildings would be a sensible alternative."

[greenjacketed]

"...Who?"

He barked -- eager to know who was throwing around threats. Less eager to hear about this damned dog.

[trinkett]

"....Zevran, for one."

[greenjacketed]

Oh. Well -- he wasn't too concerned about Zevran. Not that he doubted the man's convictions, but he could trust Zevran's actions not to be sloppy. Not to have collateral damage. But even still, the woman didn't deserve to be poisoned...did she?

"In that case," he hesitated, "if I were you, I'd be sure to prepare my own meals."

[ruthlessismore]

"Yes, yes -- he's already warned me to watch my food if I should upset the Misses Everdeen. Though I believe you've warned me enough, yourself, on that account."

[greenjacketed]

"Difference is, ma'am, you'll not be surprised if I make good on my warnings."

It was intended to be a comfort, implying that he was direct. Forthright. Obvious, even, in his retribution. He wasn't the sort of man to shoot an enemy in the back.

"I'm not one for cloaks nor daggers."

[trinkett]

"Perhaps I'll get two dogs, then. One for going, one for coming."

[greenjacketed]

"...You're not making sense."

[trinkett]

"I've had enough threats on my life today; it leads a woman to distraction."

[greenjacketed]

"So far," he probed, "it sounds as if there's only the one threat. From an assassin, aye. But he equally threatened to poison Sokka just last week."

Sharpe might now be regretting his reticence towards that offer.

[happyhungergames]

"I'm meeting a man at six. He's threatened my life, but he must be shown that this behavior is not appropriate."

[greenjacketed]

Sharpe stood straighter. Did he despise this woman's breathing guts? Aye, quite so. But it was an officer's right and prerogative to pledge protection to any lady who might need it -- even the damned annoying ones who were likely to bring awful hell down upon his head and the heads of the Everdeen sisters.

"Bloody hell. You're not meeting him alone," he gave her no immediate chance to refuse his accompaniment.

[happyhungergames]

"Why Major Sharpe! You're acting more protective than Jack," she said, almost warmly. "And we're not even lovers!"

[greenjacketed]

Sharpe, having never meet Horner, made a huge mistake: "Jack? And you? Are you sure?"

Never you mind any insinuations about himself.

[trinkett]

"I'm fairly certain I haven't been imagining it..."

[greenjacketed]

"...That dog," he muttered -- not thinking about his choice of words until after they'd been chosen. Hah.

[inyourfavor]

"Hey! Jack's very good to me! And we suit each other so well! And he took me to Disneyland."

[greenjacketed]

What the bloody hell was Disneyland? He wrinkled his nose -- unwilling to ask but willing to register his disapproval for such a vague and unknown term. There was a larger problem to tip-toe 'round: "Even so, perhaps you ought not to say it aloud..."

Because the woman, he suspected, did not need the barmaid threatening her life as well.

[trinkett]

It is a magical place, Sharpe.

"Why not?! He's utterly respectable!"

Was this Sharpe just being too difficult for words again?

[greenjacketed]

"Respectable?" He repeated -- using the echo to once again buy himself time. As if he needed clarification on the term: one flung at him more often than he could recall. Respectable was exactly what Sharpe wasn't, according to many an observer. A red sash and a title made little difference off the field. And fame was a poor stand-in for noble blood.

Sharpe would not explain to Effie that her Jack -- or who he assumed to be her Jack -- was more publicly pledged to another woman. Like as not, she knew it. How could she not? Women so frightfully focused on their social standing always knew, even if they never said it aloud. Admitted it. Allowed it to come to nest in their hearts and minds.

So he took great pains to drag the conversation back on track: "Miss Trinket," he stiffened, "I merely want to see the members of this household kept safe. Out of trouble."

[trinkett]

"Perhaps one day he'll invite me to stay with him," she answered primly. "And I'll be out of your flowing blondish-auburn locks."

She did like Sharpe's hair quite a bit.