o2 ✍ sharpe's distractions ✍ video

[sharpe]

[ The video opens to a pair of hands. Hands, paper, and a line of tobacco. A cigarette being rolled before the camera is tipped upwards and Sharpe comes into view. He drags a hand through his hair, which is more than slightly wet by the rain. It's obvious after a while that he's outside, sitting below the awning of one of the houses in the Hold. His rifle, leaning against his shoulder, is completely dry.

He takes out a lighter and snaps it on, lighting the homemade cigarette and taking a drag. ]

Convenient things, these. [ Tosses the lighter up, and catches it again. ] Works better than any flint. [ Pause, and he shrugs. ] But I ain't here ta talk 'bout fires.

I'm a soldier and I ain't use ta just waiting 'round here. Even travelling and sightseeing [ he grins at this, because going out to the Outlands was fun but not the kind of sightseeing and travel most gentlemen go for ] gets tiring after a while. [ He leans a bit further back against the wall. ] There any books 'round? [ Beat, then he clarifies, because his accent tends to mark him as illiterate: ] Fer reading, I mean. English'd do, but if there's something in French or Spanish, I ain't going ta say no.

[ He takes a drag of the cigarette contemplatively. ]

Stories'll do as well, if no one's got any books ta read.

[ He makes to switch off the transmission, but then he seems to remember something. Scramble, scramble, oops, ash and burnt paper on the camera, which he brushes away irritatedly. ]

Can someone explain ta me how a man and a woman can share the same house without being married or related ta each other? [ He tips his head ta the side. ] It don't say much for decency or the woman's reputation, no. [ Beaaaaaaaaaaaat. ]

And what's those noises on the thirteen floor of that damned building we've been housed in, eh?

[ This is actually Sharpe's point in making the transmission but he wants books as well. Whatever. Look, it's shut off for real now. ]

a little bit later, 10% (crappily) encrypted to morgana

[ Awkwardly: ] How fares you, milady?

Comments

you know better than me. what are elves /hoards Men

[sharpe]

Speaker, eh? And who do you all speak ta?

Oh, good. I can make shit up and you will believe it

[inafadingcrown]

To each other, at the first. And to the stars and trees, the birds and the beasts. We named ourselves thus when we believed ourselves to be the only beings with language.

It was not until later that we met the Valar and later still until the coming of Men and the other races.

yes good 8D

[sharpe]

[ He blinks. ]

Do the trees, birds and everything else talk back? [ Actual curiosity. Then- ] I'd have thoughts the stars too high up ta hear whatever you say.

[ That's always kind of his reasoning about not believing in God. He'll ask about the 'coming of Men' later. ]

[inafadingcrown]

Not in words, no. [Save for the Ents, but they aren't quite trees.] Perhaps the stars are, yet it is said that she who kindled them hears all that comes to pass in our world.

[sharpe]

Stars in me world are said ta be balls of gas. [ He chuckles. ] What's her name, the one who lights the stars? She's a god, aye?

[inafadingcrown]

She is a Vala, though some have worshiped her as a goddess and it is near enough for our purposes. Varda Elentári, she is called, and Elbereth Gilthoniel also.

[sharpe]

[ Chuckles. ]

Do all of you from yer world have so many names?

[inafadingcrown]

[And she chuckles as well.] Not all of us, no, but it is not uncommon. I have three myself.

[sharpe]

What d'ya need three fer when one does just as well, eh? [ That- much be a little bit too rude. He ducks his head. ]

Pardon me manners, milady.

[inafadingcrown]

[She just looks amused.] There is nothing to pardon. I know it must seem strange to those who know nothing of our traditions.

The first is my father-name, given to me at birth. The second is my mother-name, given to me in my childhood, based upon the foresight of my mother. The third and last, the one which I gave to you, was bestowed upon me by my husband- a mark of affection, if you will.