Gathering: Masquerade Ball

[concierge]

A large sign placed prominently in the Nexus lobby reads:

The Nexus Hotel
proudly presents the
MARDI GRAS MASQUERADE BALL

Event Location
Nexus Dining Hall
8 PM - 2 AM

Masquerade dress recommended, but not required for all guests

The Dining Hall's central table and chairs had been removed to create a dance floor wide enough to accommodate fanciful masquerade costumes. On one end had been placed a long bar providing free drinks, and on the other a small chamber orchestra providing the music for dancing. The entire room was bedecked in gold bunting and twinkling candlelight, and masks were available for those guests who hadn't brought their own.

Comments

[armedagainstlove]

"You see? You need a minder," Athos says, which is not a surprise. D'Artagnan's tendency to burst forward into things with little thought has not been a surprise to him, though it has been very exhausting keeping up with, at times. He is nowhere near as young as he used to be. "Which makes you all the more idiotic, trying to take me on to a battle to the death."

[temperamentalsteel]

"And are you volunteering for the role?" d'Artagnan shrugged. Of course it had been wildly stupid to go running after Athos, but he had been taught that honor was paramount and stood ahead of all reason.

[armedagainstlove]

Athos gives d'Artagnan a wary look, wondering if he has not already taken that role. "And here I thought I had been appointed such responsibilities the day we met," he deadpans, given how often he finds himself (and Aramis, and Porthos) making sure d'Artagnan stays out of trouble. "Perhaps I can entreat Treville to pay me for it and make it official."

[temperamentalsteel]

"Only if you intend to help keep me in bread and wine with that bonus," d'Artagnan declared, feigning protest, even though there was a very real question in that. Pay from his commission has finally made up for the losses of his farm, but not so much that he can spend freely.

[armedagainstlove]

"I believe you are mistaking me for a benefactor or one of Aramis or Porthos' patrons," Athos notes wryly, thinking of the acts that the other two had gone to, in order to fetch themselves money, bread, and wine (not to mention other things). "I can assure you that Treville would only laugh me out of his office were I to make such a request."

[temperamentalsteel]

D'Artagnan laughed, wondering if such a wry expression on Athos was the equivalent of boisterous laughter on freer men. "If you plan to demand money to be my minder, isn't it your duty as my minder to keep me fed?"

[armedagainstlove]

"Well in your cups," Athos permits, because he often forgets to feed himself at the best of times and surely wouldn't be able to do the same for anyone else. Truth be told, there are times in which Athos wonders whether he's the one who needs minding. "I suppose I could find you a piece of bread here and there."

[temperamentalsteel]

All of them did, really. In ne way or another. It was probably why the four of them meshed so well. What one lacked, the others could provide.

"A crust now and then, perhaps. Just to keep me upright."

[armedagainstlove]

"Fine," Athos sighs, as if he's been asked for diamonds, emeralds, and all other manner of gems rather than the simple and innocuous request for a crust. "I suppose I shall offer you a sliver of bread every now and then to keep you from fainting of starvation."

[temperamentalsteel]

"I would not be a very good Musketeer were I unconscious all the time," d'Artagnan reminded him. "Treville wouldn't want a half starved soldier."