simplestgift | Thirty-Six Bells: [Written/Action]

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Thirty-Six Bells: [Written/Action]

[Written:]

In light of my new duties as first lieutenant of the LES Britannia, impending matrimony, and being bloody terrible at running a foodhouse, I shall soon retire as the owner of Cloud Nine. I'd like to continue to work a few shifts, of course, but the club will need new management. Which brave soul will shoulder the task?

-A. Kennedy

[Action only: He is enjoying the last night of the voyage, simply meditating upon the lovely roll of the ship beneath him. It's chilly out, and he can see his breath, but he doesn't mind, wrapped up tightly in his heavy wool greatcoat. Softly he sings a song swallowed by the night, evidenced mainly by the mist of it in the air around his lips.]

The maiden, oh, the maiden oh.
The sailor loves the maiden, oh!
So early in the morning,
The sailor loves the maiden, oh!
A maid that is young,
A maid that is fair,
A maid that is kind and pleasant, oh,
So early in the morning,
The sailor loves the maiden, oh!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I wasn't asking, only speculating. He hates Horatio--something I understand is someone else's fault besides Horatio's or probably even the Navy's. I don't need to know what happened to understand that much.

[ she could do some speculating of her own. horatio? well -- that one took more guesswork.

but she's certain of other demons. grandmother sparrow in particular. ]

He's been doing so well, lately. Mostly. I'm proud. You weren't here when he was at his worst for the longest span of time -- though I dare say you saw a glimpse of it around this time last year.

Most people don't know about that badness. They call him crazy like it's no big deal. Like it's funny to them.

It isn't funny. During the Seven Days, as he calls them, I certainly hope you didn't hear me call on Horatio begging him to tell me what he did when it was me in Jack's situation. I don't believe Jack is mad. It's a word many use too often to excuse themselves from action, as if he's a hopeless cause.

His mind's not always working like a healthy mind does. Does that make him mad? I dunno. But, on the whole, he's been more sane since he came back after living two years at home.

[ she keeps it vague. she isn't to tell archie that jack hears voices. or that, now, he hallucinates their impossible daughter. or that jack used to have to fights urges to kill her. ]

But I've always made it a point not to write off cases like his as hopeless.

Thank God for women like you.

If you wanna thank anyone? You can thank Hank Summers for enrolling his eldest daughter into a mental hospital at the first sign of trouble. Really teaches a girl the virtue of understanding.

[ and because -- once again -- she can't let her words hang on the personal: ] Jack will come down on your side of things. You can be sure of that. Something tells me he likes weddings. And he has an interest in seeing both you and your bride-to-be happy.

And I'm sure Horatio will be easier to convince once she is living in thirty-six. Surely he'll be half in love with her himself before long.

[ she risks another wry joke: ] Remind me to show you Three's Company sometime.

[A laugh.] I fear I've lost track of all the things I am to remind you to have me watch.

...I only mean that I sincerely hope you don't end up in a wacky comedic triangle. I am now officially living in one of those at Seven and it turns out they're not as fun as the stories make them sound.

Oh? What seems to be the problem?

Spike's moved in.

Oh. Also? Spike's back.

I saw that he had returned. I didn't know he'd moved in. Is that wise?

Probably not. But I didn't really make the decision. He just -- isn't leaving.

[ it sounds laughable. a slayer, surely, could just kick him out. ]

He probably just doesn't want to admit that it's downright terrifying being new and alone, here.

There isn't a friend who'll take him from you?

He still thinks he's going to escape this place. Getting cozy with strangers is not high on his priority list.

But having a place to stay that won't trouble you? Although expecting manners of a vampire doesn't seem a fruitful task.

Troubling me is usually exactly where Spike wants to be. He's...[ she can't say harmless ] well aware of his limits. But I can't help thinking it's to my benefit if I keep him under my roof. The only other friendly faces in this town who aren't living under Seven are...

People I don't want to see him falling in with.

...I suppose you can control him, if you must.

It won't come to that, but...

If I have to? Yes. He's well aware that I'm prepared to put a stake in his heart if it's called for. And he knows that if he makes one wrong move, he's out on his ass faster than he can say weetabix.

Say w...never mind. No chance at all of him hooking arms with this Drusilla?

[ drusilla has hinted at...

but buffy doesn't believe...

but she also can't quite confront him about... ]

If he does? He's out. I won't...I won't stand for it.

[ she wishes she could say it wasn't a little bit because she'd be jealous. ]

By that point, it'd be a little too late, I'd imagine. [Drusilla unnerves him more than he'll say. She chased him for hours through the woods, always murmuring about his beauty, and how she would turn him into one of them.]

Too late? Hmm. Maybe. I don't think he'd suddenly up and abandon his soul over it. But I'd be through with him.

...Very well. [A pause.] Thank you for...for being frank with me, earlier.

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