o3 ✍ sharpe's confusion ✍ video | backdated to January 26th

[incorrupt]

[ Someone is dressed in clothes that's obviously not his size. His shirt is obviously too big for him and hangs off the side of his shoulder. It's white, and a little dulled and thin from too many washings. The coat he's wearing over the shirt is, on the reverse, a little bit too small for him, the sleeves pulled up tight against his shoulders. The coat is absolutely, completely filthy. It's the kind of coat that you find on a chimney sweep, if chimney sweeps have money to buy coat.

Someone's either thieving from dumpsters or clotheslines or stealing them from beggars. What do you mean, you can buy clothes? Why would you do that when you have free stuff all over the place? Sure, he can pickpocket people, but the easiest targets are in the clinic and he feels bad about stealing from the people who healed him.

Look, just be happy he has a shirt on, okay? He spent like most of the last week half-naked. (He doesn't like charity. Stealing is better than charity, honestly. At least he knows where those things come from.)

The camera spent most of the time stuck onto his shirt before Sharpe tilts it up to his face. Look at his chin! Wait, no, he has it in his face. He stares a little belligerently at the camera for a long moment before he drags a (callused, not very clean hand) through his (sweaty, not very clean) hair. ]

I've got two questions. [ One finger. ] Who knows a man named 'Richard Sharpe'?

[ Two fingers. ]

D'ya think anyone can change their class? Move up the ranks, so ta speak. A rat becoming a gentleman. Summat of that sort.

[ This is important, okay? He knows about his future self (one gets very, very bored on a hospital bed, and he has this tablet thing in his hand), and future Richard Sharpe calls himself a Major. That's puzzling, that's what he is. He doesn't know how he even gets promoted in the first place to Ensign, much less a goddamned Major, commanding entire divisions and maybe even regiments. He's a streetborn rat joining the army to avoid two consecutive murder charges. What the hell? ]

Comments

[priad]

Of course. Once I was but a petitioner, now I'm a sergeant. I've been told one day I may lead my own company as a captain, if the Emperor wills it.

[incorrupt]

And why should the Emperor care 'bout the doings of a Sergeant?

[priad]

Because he is our god, and we are his grandsons.

[crystalia]

I think we've already had this conversation. Or we will.

Are you quite alright, Mist--Richard?

[incorrupt]

Crystal, isn't it? I don't remember talking ta you 'bout this. [ He's nowhere near as polite as his older self was, oops. But he's still surprised at the question, and he cocks his head to the side before he grins. ]

What'd you do if I say I ain't alright?

[crystalia]

Oh, now it's just Crystal. _{( The way she rolls her eyes is halfway between amused and annoyed. Probably leaning towards the former. )}

I'd try to help, of course.

[whatsupcroc]

Sure, if you put him in a tuxedo and he acts nice. What's this about?

[incorrupt]

Then he opens his mouth and becomes a laughing stock. [ Droll. Then- ]

What's yer business 'bout what this might be 'bout?

[whatsupcroc]

I figure if I'm answering one question, I can ask one in return! You're asking about it. So I'm curious!

( She wrinkles her nose as she smiles. )

I don't think that's always the case... just don't say something totally dumb!

[notyetwonderwoman]

( Quietly...

...

...

Holds up her hand. )

[incorrupt]

[ .......... Tiny child. Sharpe's eyes soften, and his smile fades into a much kinder, sweeter one. ]

Aye? You think so, lassie?

[notyetwonderwoman]

( She nods her head, not quite ready to volunteer anything yet. )

Mmm! Yes. I have a note with that name, sir.

action

[feyted]

( Out and heading off to a nice place down the road for a later lunch, she doesn't recognize Sharpe as more than someone vaguely familiar at first.

When she does, she pauses, doubling back and crossing the road. It leaves her approaching from the front, holding up a hand around bosom-level to wave. )

Are you even supposed to be out of the clinic yet, Mr. Sharpe?

action

[incorrupt]

[ Okay, he's just lounging around the streets dressed in his filthy cloak and too-big shirt, and no one takes notice of him because. Well. Because he looks like a beggar and who looks at a beggar?

He tips his head up at Mia. In fact, he's just looking at her bosom instead of her face. ]

I ain't no mister. [ He laughs at the very thought of being a 'Mister' Sharpe. Then- ] I've been healed since the first day you've dragged me ta that place, ma'am. It's no good for a healed man to stay 'round a hospital.

video

[onblackwings]

Isn't it better just to ask if anyone knows you?

video

[incorrupt]

This works well 'nough, don't it? It got you ta answer, fer one.

[onblackwings]

What was the point of the question?

[voice]

[deadbythename]

[ Wait, he knows this guy.. ]

...The hell happened to you?

[voice]

[incorrupt]

Nothing happened ta me. [ Dryly. Headtilt. What is with everyone's reaction to his clothes. He found perfectly good clothes! ]

[voice]

[deadbythename]

You look like you went dumpster diving and the dumpster won, man.

voice;

[ladyspitfire]

I'm...familiar with him, I believe.

[His name is in her book, at least.]

And it's always possible for people to change their lot in life. It's their integrity that defines them, not their class or status.

voice;

[incorrupt]

You believe, ma'am? Either you know or you don't.

[ Long beat, and he chuckles at that thought. ]

That's a pretty thought, ma'am. [ The implication is: and that's all it is. ]

voice;

[ladyspitfire]

Things are strange now. I know him by name. Before this trouble with ages...I knew him. I remember him a little.

[Fuzzy memories, if little else.]

It's true. My family was once common born many centuries ago. All it took was the integrity of a few to bring us to the status we are now. Even then, we would have been nothing but dust to the wind had my father not protected the king during the occupation of our homelands.

[Audio]

[asskickersunite]

Absolutely. Sometimes all someone needs to be awesome is a push in the right direction.

To answer your second question, can't say as I know any dudes with that name.

[video]

[incorrupt]

It don't matter that you don't. [ Pauseeeeeee. 'Awesome' has a meaning completely different during Sharpe's time. In any case... ]

And what direction is the 'right' direction, eh?