With your commission comes command of B Company of the Cardinal's Guard.

In reply to Maitresse de Jeux (msg # 5):

commission. I have power! Uhm, I meant, good to know. ;)

Antoine, with a newly inked commission in the Cardinals Guard, not to mention a Captain’s rank. “ Well cousin, we are on our way. I have my foot in the door, to the halls of power. Perhaps only a foot, but it is but the beginning. Now let us go and sample some wine.”

Alain admires your dashing new uniform and gladly accompanies you in pursuit of liquid refreshment. You devote yourself to practicing the rapier with your fellow Guardsmen the following week. How much coin do you intend to take with you to the bawdyhouse when you and Alain go carousing to celebrate your good fortune with necessary female companionship?

 Well, he is young, somewhat arrogant, and wants to show off to his cousin. Is 75 Livres to lille?

Female companionship and liquid refreshment both cost your Social Level in livre. Showing off would consist of providing Alain with comparable companionship and refreshment. This would still leave you with 35 livre should you wish to gamble.

 Sounds like a plan. Gamble with the remaining  coin. Please.

You will want to a default minimum bet and a betting limit. For example, you might choose 10 as your minimum bet and 5 as your betting limit. You then gamble until your funds drop to or below your limit, or you opt to walk away with your winnings.

 Sounds good to me.

 I do have a question about the cousin, can anything be done to help out his station in life? Would he be willing to become an Aide de camp to Antoine? Purchase him some rank, perhaps as an Ensign, to start.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:36, Wed 17 Mar 2021.

An aide-de-camp serves a general or flag officer. A batman serves a lesser officer in comparable fashion. Alain would be honored to serve as your ordonnance ('orderly'). Your monthly pay covers his upkeep as well as your own. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman_(military)

You settle down for a night of lansquenet, losing your first game but doubling twice and winning your second. You have made 25 livre, bringing your total purse to 60 livre (and gaining 2 SP in the process). Do you wish to continue, or step away with your winnings?

 ~ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lansquenet
 ~ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_playing_cards
 ~ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...suited_playing_cards

 Call it a night.

As you and Alain depart the bawdyhouse to make your way home, you witness a trio of louts harassing a cloaked woman. They push her roughly back and forth between them, eventually knocking her to the ground. The hood of her cloak falls away and you catch a glimpse of the woman's face. You literally gasp, so breathtaking is her beauty. Alain grasps your left wrist and gasps as well, though at her beauty or the treatment of these brigands you cannot say. What do you do?

  As the cousins had just departed the “Establishment” and wound their way home,  sounds and the cries of a lady in distress. He spotted three rascals, as they molested a lady, in a very ungentlemanly way. Being noblesse d'épée, and a Gentleman, he knew what he must do. “Monsieur’s, I do not think the  Mademoiselle finds your company agreeable. Be good little gutter rats, and scurry back to whatever pile of refuse you came from. Or if you prefer”… The sound of steel being drawn from leather was heard….” You can dance with me.” Said as the Rapier caught the moonlight and danced upon its length.

You and Alain draw swords and rush the three thugs. You give the first cause to regret the encounter, wounding him in the right shoulder. The second has your cousin in a bad place until a sudden reversal gives him the upper hand. The third leaps at you as his comrade stumbles back, but only succeeds in impaling himself on your blade. The second disengages from Alain and flees, dragging the first along with him. The third sinks to the ground with what is likely a mortal wound, and the fight is concluded. The woman  averts her gaze from the bloodshed. What do you do?

 Antoine, once the riff raff had been dispensed with, would see to the welfare of the Lady. He would inquire as to her well being, and help her to her feet. His cloak would be placed around her. " You are safe now Mademoiselle. Is there a place of safety, I might escort you too?"

This message was last edited by the player at 08:22, Wed 24 Mar 2021.

Alain sees to it that the ruffians have indeed scuppered off rather than gone to recruit nearby cronies, leaving you briefly alone with the woman. As you help her to her feet, you note that her clothing is of a quality more suited to someone of the first or second estate than the third despite its somewhat somber hue. Somebody of gentle birth or religious devotion, perhaps, or in service to another of that rank. She avoids meeting your eyes. "I am grateful, good sir, for your kindness. The hostel at which I stay is but one block over. You needn't trouble yourself further."

---

~ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estates_of_the_realm

 Antoine could not but take in her beauty "Nonesence, Mademoiselle. It is not safe upon the streets at this late hour. I could not call myself a gentleman, if I did not see you safe to your destination." Said as he offered her a slight smile. " Shall we go?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:16, Thu 25 Mar 2021.

The hostel of which the woman spoke proves to be closer to three blocks distant. She rings for entrance and is greeted by the night porter, an older woman of humble trappings but aristocratic mien. "We thank you, sir, for seeing our Christine safely home. Goodnight, and God be with you," she says as the young woman crosses the threshold. The older woman withdraws and the door begins to close.

  As the Hostel’s door began to close, a booted foot retarded the progression of the door.” Your pardon, Madam, but I must ask a couple of questions. The first, why was the Mademoiselle out  alone at such an hour?  I came upon her being  paid attention too, by some rogues, with vice upon their minds. Why no escort?” His expression was neutral, as he regarded the older woman.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:35, Tue 30 Mar 2021.

"Few are the women afforded such luxury," replied the older woman, "when a man covets what they possess."

 The nobleman raised an eyebrow. "And as to the reason why she was out and about, in the Stygian embrace of night?" asked Antoine. Then he added, "I took a life... if not two... to defend her honor this night. I feel I have the right to know."
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:17, Sun 04 Apr 2021.

The older woman snorts at Antoine's words. "Women have rights as well, sir," she retorts in a tolerant, indulgent tone. "This is not the hour for philosophy, however." Smiling, she suggests, "Perhaps you might call for tea, some afternoon next week." She however cautions you. "Christine may not wish to see you. Will you accept her wishes, if so?"

  As it was obvious, he would receive no satisfaction to his inquiry, Antoine slowly sighed, then nodded.” I thank you for the invitation, and gladly accept, Madam. If you or the young Lady have further need of my serve, I can be reached at my office, in the Foot Guards complex. Allow me to present myself, I am Antoine de Carreau.  I have the honor to be a Captain in his Eminence’s Guard.”

 With a formal bow of a Courtier, Gerard smiled to her.” I wish you a pleasant evening.” With that, He turned with a swirl of his clock, and walked down the street, his spurs catching the moonlight to dance as he moved.

 He collected his cousin, with the intention of returning to their lodgings for the night. The saints willing, on the morrow he would attempt to scale yet another hurdle on the glory road, an attempt to join a club worthy of his station.

It is a relatively simple matter to secure membership at Le Marais, with monthly dues of a mere 20 livre. The club provides you with 6 SP per month, so you are handily over what you need to maintain your social level. You spend the remainder of your week writing missives to your mother and sisters, knowing they will be eager to learn you are settling in well. And with that, your first month in Paris draws to a close.