desequilibre | → ( cdc

Yes. [ He sits and almost smiles. ] But I knew we would. We knew what we were doing. [ They've had the greatest of practise, after all. ] I wonder how the rest of our team faired. I suppose you will have to pay attention to that, now you are leader.

[ He already has, as a matter of fact. It reminds him of something else he needs to tell Athos. He's not sure how well this is going to be received. ]

Hanna passed. And Kyoya, they're both on our team.

So is Elena. [ And at this point, he casts a wary eye over his friend. ] Thought I'd best not let that be a surprise.

[ His expression scrunches up minutely, a shadow passing over his features. He still hasn't forgiven Elena for the way she manipulated d'Artagnan - and of course he sees it like that, he couldn't any other way.

At length. ] You'll be careful?

[ Because voicing his displeasure will do him no good. D'Artagnan will forgive her. Athos can keep an eye on her better from close quarters at least. ]

[ D’Artagnan nods easily. For him, there’d been nothing to really forgive. He doesn’t blame her for having a dangerous friend, who had disappeared at the same time as Aramis, anyway. He’s elsewhere now. And Elena’s alone, and she’s done more good for d’Artagnan than bad. ]

Of course. She’ll be the least of our problems, once we’re thrown into combat. Better that we have Hanna, though. At least if she gets in trouble, I’ll be there to help her.

[ He’d have worried, otherwise. ]

Hanna's a good person. [ He's just casually moving away from talk of Elena. There's little point arguing about her. Athos doesn't trust her but he trusts his friend. And now d'Artagnan knows everything, he can trust he will make the right choices. ]

But she needs guidance. I told her I'd train with her someday. Perhaps I can use this as an excuse.

She told me about that.

[ D’Artagnan’s smile comes easier now. He likes Hanna too. It’s good to find someone they agree on. ]

She seemed keen to learn. I told her you were the best swordsman I knew. You should do it. I think she’d be good once she knew how.

[ He dips his chin a little. D'Artagnan would do well to stop talking about Athos and his swordmanship. Then people seem to think that makes him a good man. ]

Perhaps I will. I have a spare sword.

[ They would be right to think so. ]

I know. The one I borrowed, to teach Rikki. You might as well get the use out of it.

I'll consider it. [ Because Athos had never really thought himself as much of a teacher before d'Artagnan. Of course he had practise with Aramis and Porthos, but that had felt like more of a mutual agreement at the time. He spent time sparring with them, honing skills, and they didn't ask him why he was so quiet, why he drank so much. And then came along the young Gasgon, who wouldn't follow any of the rules no matter how often Athos had glared, but who could be shaped into something wonderful.

He'd enjoyed his time teaching him, watching him grow. But perhaps d'Artagnan was a special case. ]

[ D'Artagnan smiles at him, raising a questioning eyebrow. ]

I don't know why it's left to me to convince you. You made the offer before I even knew of it, didn't you?

I'm not saying I won't help her, but I do not know when nor if she still wishes for it.

[ And Athos is terrible at making the first move. ]

[ Dear God, Athos. ]

And you haven’t spoken of it to her since?

→ ( cdc - ic contact )

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