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ne t'en fais pas, mon chou.
WHO? Everybody!
WHAT? Agoge's second TDM! And welcome to Paris, everybody.
WHEN? Late 1792, Paris.
ANYTHING ELSE? Violence, as always. Please warn in subject lines for anything beyond physical violence, and move to a personal journal if things go beyond PG-13.
WHAT? Agoge's second TDM! And welcome to Paris, everybody.
WHEN? Late 1792, Paris.
ANYTHING ELSE? Violence, as always. Please warn in subject lines for anything beyond physical violence, and move to a personal journal if things go beyond PG-13.
IT'LL BE FINE;
Paris, 1792: revolutionary france.
read the France setting infopages
arrival for veterans
For those who broke off from the army that fought at Valmy and returned to Paris, they come to a city bustling with life. Not only that, but they are greeted with nothing short of a hero's welcome. The tricolor is flown from every possible spot that can hold a flag, cockades are everywhere, and people cheer the names of the generals Dumouriez and Kellermann.
Simply saying you fought at Valmy is liable to get someone to buy you a drink, do you a favor, congradulate you, shake your hand. It's a great way to get shopkeepers to lower their prices, to get a low cost room, or just get someone to smile. Children will ask for stories of the fight. Grown men and women will ask to know what the generals were like.
Yes, you are undercover, yes, you are in the wrong time, and possibly the wrong universe, but for today? You are heroes.
arrival for new recruits
If you didn't fight at Valmy, it means you're new to COST. Maybe you agreed to work with them, maybe you don't remember. It doesn't matter. You wake up in a Parisian hotel room with a kind woman standing near the door, waiting for you to awaken.
You have none of your clothing, just black military-issued underwear, and none of your previous possessions beyond the one you chose (if you remember choosing) to bring with you.
The woman by the door speaks French, and if you didn't understand the language before, you do now. If you have questions as to what's going on, she'll answer: you are a member of COST, a paramilitary organization of time travelers fighting against the Regency, a tyrannous kingdom of the future who are trying to stamp out freedom and individuality in the name of peace.
She will provide you with the clothing necessary to fit in at this time, and show you how to use your BCE implant to look up information on this time period and its social and political mores. She won't let you leave until you're properly dressed to fit in, but once you are, she'll wish you luck.
MISSION OBJECTIVE
Unlike the last two missions you may have faced with COST, this one isn't as straight forward as a battle. This is about information-gathering, keeping your ear to the ground, and watching.
Paris during the revolution, even early days like this, is rife with paranoia. Though the heroes of Valmy are treated with huge respect and admiration, that is a huge exception to the rule, one that will fade with time.
As it stands, everyone expects counter-revolutionary spies sent from Prussia and the Holy Roman Empire, or simply French monarchists, to take what freedoms the people of Paris have wrested for themselves. Whispers abound. Suspicions mount.
It's in the midst of this that COST has received information that the Regency has placed its spies within Paris. Their aims are currently unknown, but it's suspected they have some sort of machinations for the King and Queen. Paris has declared itself a republic, free of monarchial control, but the Regency may have other aims. It's imperative that COST operatives keep an eye open for any and all signs of suspicion.
It's just difficult, because so is everyone else in Paris.
CELEBRATE
Paris is in an uproar, excited by the return of some of its great heroes, the fighters at Valmy. Even if you didn't actively participate in the battle, if you were there, if you contributed at all, someone will want to shake your hand.coffee break
Of course, there's always rumors, and there's little way to prove one was actually at Valmy in this premodern era. Accusing, or being accused, of lying about this tremendous day is an excellent way to get into a fight. Be careful.
At this time, high spirits in Paris are a dangerous thing. So many people on the streets inevitably leads to trouble: a riot breaks out.WITNESS A BEHEADING
You see, the shipment of more coffee from San Domingo is late, and this increases the price of the coffee already on the market. This may not seem like much, but the average citizen in Paris is very poor, and works upwards of twelve hours daily, often doing back-breaking or repetitive labor. Coffee is an essential ingredient to get them through the day, a stimulant to keep them from dropping flat. Price increases are even worse, then, because of certain laws put in place to stop this from happening. In an attempt to aid the poor, the National Convention has put price laws in place, decreeing that goods such as food and coffee cannot rise above a certain price. In view of the shortages, merchants have ignored these laws.
So a riot breaks out. People break shop windows, attack businesses, and fights break out left and right. In the chaos, it's difficult to tell friend from foe, and you may be attacked by someone who, hours ago, was shaking your hand and congratulating you. You may get swept up in the riot without meaning to. Or, hell, maybe you want to cause a little chaos and break some windows yourself.
Regardless, a riot is a calamitous thing; be careful. While it doesn't cease all of Paris-- Paris is a big place, after all-- it certainly takes a fair percentage of the streets, especially near markets.
One thing, though. It's very odd. Often, when these shops are broken into and goods are stolen, money is left behind. Generally, it's not the amount the shopkeeper was asking-- often, it's exactly the lower amount decreed by the National Convention's ignored law.
But neither the riot nor the celebration overtakes all of Paris. There are other things going on. Like a beheading.PLANT A LIBERTY TREE
Jacques Cazotte is one of the first victims of the Terror that will sweep France in a couple months, though he didn't know it at the time. He is a monarchist, though, the very definition of the feared 'counter-revolutionaries' everyone believes live in secret throughout France, seeking to undermine the Revolution at any cost. (Convenient, considering the definition of what precisely a 'counter-revolutionary' is constantly shifting).
Many gather to watch his death, and cheer when the guillotine falls. The executioner holds up his head for all to see when the act is completed, and some may notice the eyes still blink and roll in their sockets. The crowd gasps and jostles closer to see more, but after that, there isn't much fanfare. The body and its head are shoved into a cart and taken away to be buried. The event is over.
Still, the people discuss with great excitement, happy the filthy monarchist, the counter-revolutionary, is dead and gone, and France is that much safer.
Liberty trees are popping up all over Paris, and everyone wants to plant one (if only to say they have). They're any kind of tree, and people are plopping them down in any bit of soil they can find. It's a symbol of the revolution, of patriotism, of loyalty, of whatever the planter wants it to be. Join in, or you'll inevitably be invited to the activity. It's a great way to get an ear to the ground for gossip, or just an idea of how things are going in the city.LISTEN TO A SPEECH
France was just recently declared a republic after literally hundreds of years of unbroken absolutist monarchism. People are a little excited. Attend political clubs to listen to the speeches on the subject, all with their own perspective (but nearly all very much in favor of the republic). Or maybe you'll see someone speechifying on a street corner, throwing their ideas out to the masses. People are forthright about their political opinions, because they feel like, for the first time in history, their political opinions actually matter. It's pretty exciting, if you're into that sort of thing.
If not, feel free to let people know. Giving public speeches is an active process, and the speech makers are expected to be able to keep up with the crowd. Heckle, argue back, debate, start a fight, whatever.
The major things being debated are what, exactly, to do with the king and queen now that France is a republic. Should they be executed? Should they be brought down to normal citizenship? Should they serve as figureheads, like in England, making France a constitutional monarchy? Is that a step backward or forward? Everyone has an opinion, and everyone wants to hear it.
However, if you're lucky, you might catch the rare debate on other subjects: women's suffrage (still unheard of), the correct price for bread and coffee, what to do about the slaves in San Domingo, and which countries to invade in the upcoming war. It's all on the table.
read the France setting infopages
no subject
Even now, with the two of them so close. He keeps his hands to himself, though he could push Eames in order to give them space. Their faces are a little close together, thanks to their matching height. Arthur quirks an eyebrow, mouth pulling up a bit. Closeness aside, he is happy to see Eames. ]
Yes and no. I'd murder for a real gun and a PASIV. And maybe the ability to wear a suit. This frippery is a bit much.
[ It's all the ruffles. On virtually everything. His expression turns serious as he gets into the deeper questions ] When did you get here? Did they recruit you by choice?
no subject
His expression follows suit quickly.] Just yesterday. And yes, I chose to come here. It seemed foolish not to investigate what was going on, whether or not they're telling the truth.
[It's really actually a relief to see Arthur here. He really didn't want him to be, but now that he is... Eames is thankful for an ally. Sure, they argued and teased, and they had their differences, but he couldn't imagine Arthur would waste an opportunity for an ally. And, maybe, they're really the closest things to friends that either has had for a while.
He gestures to the street, smiling.] Walk with me? And same questions.
no subject
Risky endeavour. [ That's what Eames is all about though. Of course something like this would appeal to him, if he knows anything about the forger. He's the creative one in the group, always thinking outside the box. And always up for some kind of challenge.
And as Arthur is realizing quickly– a dependable ally to have. Not that he thought him an enemy before, but he's someone to trust here, amongst strangers. Though, Cobb arrived recently. They haven't made contact yet and he still hasn't seen him in person to be able to say it's him. He chooses not to mention it and starts walking with Eames. ]
A few weeks ago. There was a battle in Valmy; we've been mired in politics here. [ And not always doing well. ] I got tricked. Said it was another dreamshare job, but when I showed up to meet them– I don't remember much before ending up on the field.
no subject
That's not a good sign. I fear we'll have to stay on our toes, especially around the Commander.
[He looks back up at him.] I haven't had a chance to speak with her, but I think, if we're careful, we should ask her our burning questions.
no subject
Arthur nods, listening as Eames goes through his thoughts on the matter at hand. Of course at the mention of the Commander, he braces himself on reflex. He's not entirely sure what to make of Grothia, but she seems alright.
And well, she did answer his very stupid questions. ]
We'll have to be on alert for the regency in any case. As for the Commander, she's uh, she's not so bad. A soldier first, so she isn't gonna walk on eggshells.
[ He pauses, trying to sort through everything he wants to ask. ] Wait. What's the last thing you remember?
no subject
Will I mess up time and space if I tell you? [He doesn't wait for an answer.] Nevermind, we're probably already screwing around with it too much. I was waiting for my bag at the airport.
[He smiles in a brief moment of giddiness, lowering his voice.] We pulled off inception. We really did it. [A pause.] What's the last thing you remember?
no subject
[ A bunch of people from all sorts of eras in revolutionary France. If that hasn't messed up the historical timeline already, he'd be shocked.
Thankfully though, it seems like Eames remembers almost the same thing he does. It's a few weeks old in his mind but good enough. And honestly? He has to return the flash of the smile, still inordinately proud they managed to pull off inception. The job might've been the biggest clusterfuck he ever had to run point on, but they'd done it. ]
I was at a cafe, waiting to make contact with the fake job COST had spun. Fischer-Morrow made the announcement to dissolve a few days ago; caught it on the news.
no subject
He frowns again.] If COST lied about the job and got you here, that means they could be lying about my eventual family line being "bloodline criminals".
[Eames sighs, glancing at Arthur with a half-smile.] You really do look good. Any idea where you could buy me a drink?
[And now it's a cheeky smile being directed toward him.]
no subject
(Okay, he might've drank too much on that roof with Henry, but that's neither here nor there). ]
What, are you planning on settling down with 2.5 kids and a home in the suburbs? [ It's kind of...... hard to imagine. Maybe because he considers himself a career point man. Live fast, play hard, work hard, die relatively young and rich. He'd always thought Eames was cut from a similar cloth. ]
Mr Eames, please, I'm already glad to see you, the flattery isn't necessary. [ Besides, he feels gross. This era sucks. ] I know where to acquire you a drink. Learning how to be light-fingered from a certain someone has panned out pretty well here.
no subject
[Forging is kind of his life, but he is a romantic and loves children. He's open to the possibilities, but he's not set on it.]
Please say that certain someone is me. And I dearly, dearly hope that that's a euphemism.
no subject
[ Well, Eames was always a little more hard to pin down. Just when he thought he understood him, the forger would do something that didn't make any sense. Maybe he did it on purpose, to keep people from knowing him– their line of work wasn't always the easiest. Nor the safest. Better to keep your personal effects to yourself, tuck away the details that someone could wield against you later if the price was right.
Still. It should be harder to envision Eames with a family, but, well. He kind of doesn't want to, in the way that someone doesn't want to see their ex smooching someone else. Arthur carefully sets that line of thought aside for later. ]
Yes, Eames, your lessons in thievery have finally paid off. And I am actually getting you a drink. You'll probably want it after being here for more than twenty minutes.
no subject
And let's be real, Eames doesn't always follow through.
He smiles a little at the last part, though.] Yeah, I'm getting that. Kind of a crazy whirlwind.
[He looks him over as subtly as possible.] ...You're okay, right? No battle scars?
no subject
Here, though, there's a job but it's different. They have to cooperate and Arthur is more than willing to set aside any of his (admittedly small) grievances towards the forger.
At the question though, he turns his head towards Eames, cocking an eyebrow. ]
Worried about me? [ As if he wouldn't be worried about Eames if they switched places. ] I'm fine. Just got a couple scrapes and bruises in the last fight.
[ And then in a lower tone: ]
Most of these people have no idea how to fight. It's almost unfair.
no subject
[He nods solemnly about the last part. He doesn't doubt it. It makes this all the more difficult and awful, though. He's really getting the idea that COST is a piece of shit.]
Has anyone died, do you know?
no subject
And well, it is a little flattering that Eames finds him trustworthy enough, despite their differences. ]
Not that I know of. Well, not anyone COST related. [ A wry smile as he slows, checking the sign on the building he's stopped in front of. ] Viva la revolution and all that.
[ With that, he opens the door to the inn, holding it for Eames as he goes in. ]
no subject
Now let's see you at work.
[He isn't above a little thievery rush to get his blood pumping. Even Arthur's small 'acquiring' of drinks sounds fun.]
no subject
[ Sort of a vacation. Sort of play. At least right in this moment. They aren't doing anything dreamshare related, which is what he equates to work. This is brushing up on skills he hasn't had use for in a long time. Or just on off chances, when it was necessary.
Without breaking a stride, he goes directly for the stockroom, only pausing near the bar to monitor how many people are in the area. And how many eyes are on him. Because of his stop in motion, there's a couple sets, but they glaze over him like the mind glazes over details in a dream. He's just another face, not anyone these people recognize. Carefully, he times the bartender as they go to the end of the bar opposite of him. Just a few minutes to dart in and out– which is what he does. Slides onto the other side of two men as they go past the bar and then disappears for a moment, then two.
On the third, he's stepping out again, face impassive. He accidentally runs into a younger man on the way out of the bar area but rights himself before he stumbles.
And then he's back to Eames, except he goes to the front desk instead, asks for directions to a landmark he remembers is close to where he's staying before joining the forger again. ]
It might still kind of be noisy, but there's a small park near where I'm staying, if you want a look around.