"Athos!" Porthos boomed, his voice carrying across the crowded tavern.  "Athos, my friend!  Come, and have a look!  Is my new baldric not magnificent?"<br/><br/>Athos looked up from his wine, as indeed did many of the other patrons.  He scrutenized his friend, gesturing for him to take a seat as he did.  "It is," he was forced to agree.  "Fine leather, and chased with gold.  It is not to<i>my</i>taste, but you wear it well."  In truth, he considered it gaudy.  But he did not lie.  Porthos carried himself with a boistrous dignity and broad grace that made him able to wear such things without seeming ridiculous.<br/><br/>Porthos beamed, pouring himself a cup of wine.  "I am glad to hear you say it, my friend."<br/><br/>"How came you by it?  I had been given to understand that you were without means, after gaming three nights past."<br/><br/>"Ah, as to that... shall I tell you?"<br/><br/>"You perceive, Porthos, that I am all in attendance upon your words."<br/><br/>"Then I shall tell you."<br/><br/>"And I thank you."<br/><br/>Porthos took a drink.  "I was out walking with..."<br/><br/>"With..?" Athos prompted, smiling.<br/><br/>Porthos gestured dismissively.  "It would be indiscreet, I fear, to give her name."<br/><br/>"Ah, I see."<br/><br/>"Well, as I say, I was walking with Madamoiselle<i>Coeur de mon Coeur</i>, and she happened to remark upon how fine a figure of a Musketeer I happen to be."<br/><br/>"And she spoke well."<br/><br/>"Do you think so?"<br/><br/>"I do indeed."<br/><br/>"I am gladdened to hear it, Athos.  The lips of love may lie, but an old friend speaks only truth."  Porthos finished his glass, and poured another.  "So, in the interest of justice, I was sadly forced to contradict... her."<br/><br/>"No!"<br/><br/>"Yes!  For, you will understand, I at that time still wore my plain baldric.  Which despite the attentions of my lackey was scraped and worn."<br/><br/>"I see," Athos said, sipping his wine.<br/><br/>"Well, there was nothing for it.  Madamoiselle<i>Coeur de mon Coeur</i>would not rest until she found a baldric that would suit - and I report only her words here - the most handsome of Musketeers."<br/><br/>"Then this baldric was a gift from Madamoiselle<i>Coeur de votre Coeur</i>?"<br/><br/>"It was."<br/><br/>"And what did you, when you received it?"<br/><br/>"Why, I thanked her?"<br/><br/>"And then?"<br/><br/>Porthos smiled.  "I thanked her a second time, and left her in the arms of Morpheus."  He went to pour another glass, only to find the pitcher empty.  "But hold!  We have grown thirsty with speech, and we have no wine.  I shall attend to this!"<br/><br/>Clutching the pitcher in one hand, the big Musketeer made his way towards the tavern host.  Athos smiled slightly, then sipped his wine once more.