[IC] Ainmhian Inbox

[happiertimes]

You've reached the inbox of Cullen Rutherford. I'm indisposed right now. Please leave a brief message and I will contact you as soon as I'm available.

Comments

[deploy]

Well, you're right about that. On all fronts.

We all start at the bottom rung, here. You're only as good as your last mission.

Says you were 'knight commander' at your previous post. That above or below a general?

[happiertimes]

No, last position was Commander of the Inquisition forces. The only person of rank above my own with the troops was the Inquisitor himself.

Knight-Commander was before that. And it wasn't for very long. There wasn't anyone else above me to take the position at the time. [He doesn't really want to talk about why he became Knight-Commander in Kirkwall. Not to mention that he'd been Meredith's second-in-command before the Champion had taken her out.]

To answer your question, I suppose it would be about the rank of general or so. I'm not absolutely certain how it compares to other armed forces.

[deploy]

Sounds like you haven't taken orders in a long time.

How do you feel about that?

[happiertimes]

Even as Commander, I followed orders from the Inquisitor. Before him, there was the late Divine Justinia. Any man that cannot take orders from his superiors is useless in any situation that matters.

[deploy]

Damn right.

So I trust there won't be any issues taking orders from me?

I'm not sure I'd consider myself your superior, but I am in charge.

[happiertimes]

I would not have applied for the position if I thought myself beneath taking orders from those in charge.

Besides, there's no shame in working one's way from the bottom to become a leader.

[deploy]

That's a good attitude to have.

Like you said, it's dirty work, and it's not the easiest, or most glamourous job in the PG, but we get stuff done that needs to get done, for everyone's sake.

We're a small team, so it's especially important we all get along.

[A pause, for dramatic effect.]

Are you a dog person, or a cat person?

[happiertimes]

I can understand how important it is to maintain harmony with such a small group.

[You can't see it, but he's narrowing his eyes at you, Sheppard. Did you really just ask that?]

A dog person.

[deploy]

What's your favorite colour?

[happiertimes]

[What is this? 20 questions?]

Red. Is there a reason for that question in particular?

[deploy]

Of course.

If your favorite colour was yellow I wouldn't even let you try out for the team.

[Really, he's just trying to see if this guy has a sense of humour. He'll need it to survive in RR-1. They're a quirky unit.]

[happiertimes]

I'm afraid that yellow clashes with my hair. I cannot allow that.

[Cullen has a sense of humor. It's just tempered.]

[deploy]

Strategic. I like it.

[Cullen might be able to hear the smile in his voice.]

I take all potential recruits out on a trial mission before we go any farther than this.

How soon can you be ready? Don't worry about gear, unless you already have some handy. We've got our own armory.

[happiertimes]

[Cullen does, indeed, catch the near laugh in the other man's voice.]

I'm ready now, so long as you have no problem with me using a sword and shield. I understand that to a good deal of the people here that they might be...antiquated.

[deploy]

Great. I'll contact you with the mission itinerary as soon as I have it.

[He's already looking, in fact. There's a rustling of papers.]

I've got a buddy who uses a sword. Never been a problem for him.

That said, if you do join the squad? I'd like you to carry a side-arm. You don't have to use it, but you should know how. Just in case.

[happiertimes]

That sounds fine with me either way.

[Ah, the sound of shuffling papers. How Cullen doesn't miss that.]

I've no problem with learning how to use new weapons. If it can give me an advantage in a fight, I will take it.

[deploy]

You know what? Let's just get down to it.

Meet me tomorrow at 0800 hours. We'll suit up and head out.

I'll brief you on the way.

[He shoots Cullen a text with RR-1's office address at PG headquarters.]

[happiertimes]

Is there anything I need to bring with me besides myself? Some sort of special attire?

[deploy]

You could bring a light snack.

[happiertimes]

Do you, by chance, enjoy tiny cheeses?

[You can thank Alistair Theirin for that question being asked, Sheppard.]

[deploy]

Who doesn't?

[happiertimes]

No one that I can actually think of, but it can be an important question to ask as well.

[And Sheppard's answer is as good an indication for Cullen that he would be okay working with the other man.]

[deploy]

Good suggestion. I'll remember it for next time.

[He seriously will.]

[happiertimes]

Glad I could be of service.

[He thinks. Maybe. Who the hell knows?]

Until tomorrow morning, Sheppard.