o5 ✍ sharpe's PSA ✍ video

[sharpe]

[ Sharpe has his tablet set on the table facing him, and his foot is on the chair, knee near his ear. His rifle is propped up against his other shoulder, and his fingers and moving down it, fingering the barrel. ]

I ain't one fer long speeches, so I'll keep this short. [ His eyes flicker finally towards the screen, and he stares straight into it. ]

I know I ain't the only one that's being given dirty looks by the Exiles - that's the proper name fer the poor bastards who're here 'fore all of us, fer those of you who don't know. And I'm telling you right out: if I see anyone fighting or using weapons against them, no matter what they're doing, I'll hunt you down and shoot you in the face. [ Said the most casually ever. But he is leaning forward. ]

That's a promise.

[ A second passes, and Sharpe seems satisfied with what he just said, so he drops back to his seat. ]

Listen. I've seen people like 'em before. People who just want peaceful lives but are dumped in the midst of war. [ Snorts. ] You all know the sickness and bombs last month [ pause ] - if you don't know, read back on the buggering network 'cause I ain't explaining shite you can read yerself - [ back to the topic ] and that's more than enough ta make anyone resentful. They hate us 'cause they think we brought the war ta 'em. We all know we didn't, but resentment's never been particularly logical. Grit yer teeth and bear it. Be decent.

If you try ta hurt 'em, it'll make things worse, and I'd rather not have ta make me own tea because the man in the shop I like starts hating me for the stupid shite any of you are doing. [ His eyes flicker up again. ] I don't ever miss, aye?

[ Pause. As if he's just thought of it. ] Me name's Major Richard Sharpe of the Prince of Wales's Own in Duke Wellington's army. [ A crooked smile, a salute. ] If that means anything ta any of you.

[ ooc; for more info, check out the outline about native hostility. I'm the slowest ever. ]

Comments

[curatesecrets]

Thank you for this, Mr. Sharpe. It ... it needed to be said, I think.

[though he's not sure shooting people in the face is necessary, either, but he has a feeling actually saying so wouldn't go over well at all]

[sharpe]

Are you saying it 'cause you think it, or you'd like ta be special by agreeing with me?

[ All the raised eyebrow.

Sharpe doesn't know how to make friends. Okay, he does, but he's grumpy because everyone is, in his opinion, being an idiot. ]

[curatesecrets]

I'm saying so because I honestly agree with you, and think the whole situation is atrocious. [the look on his face clearly says "don't be ridiculous"]

[sharpe]

Alright then. So you'd not lay a hand on 'em?

[curatesecrets]

Only ever in self-defense, and even then ... only if I had to. I may know a little bit about war, but it doesn't mean I enjoy instigating it.

[sharpe]

If you had ta? What does that mean?

[curatesecrets]

[what a weird question.] I mean, I'd only hurt someone if it was in self-defense, if I had to, I don't know, hit them to break a hold, to get away, something like that. Just because I understand where they're coming from doesn't mean that if one of them takes a swing at me and doesn't want to let up, I'm not going to try to remove myself from the situation.

[sharpe]

[ Pause. Shrugs. ] Alrigh', that's sensible enough.

Long as you don't go after them and keep hitting when they aren't hitting you back.

[curatesecrets]

[he sounds horrified at the concept] God, no. That's the kind of thing that starts riots.

[sharpe]

Long as you understand that, we're good.

[curatesecrets]

Clear as crystal.