Thirty-Six Bells: [Written/Action]

[simplestgift]

[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!

Comments

[action]

[simplestgift]

I wouldna walk in silk attire,
Nor braid wi' gems my hair.
Gin he whose faith is pledge wi' mine.
Were wrang'd and grieving sair.
Frae infancy he lo'ed me still.
And still my heart shall prove.
How weel it can those vows fulfill,
Which first repaid is love.
I wouldna walk in silk attire,
Nor braid wi' gems my hair.
Gin he whose faith is pledge wi' mine.
Were wrang'd and grieving sair.

[The clear, if not quite steady, tenor rides a ritardando to a halt at the end.]

Re: [action]

[thedicearecast]

[The end trips her up somewhat, if only because she doesn't expect the slowed tempo. For the most part though, she keeps up pretty well.

When she's sure Archie is finished, she looks to him.]

What's the song about?

[simplestgift]

It's about choosing love over riches. Just a little song I learnt in my childhood.

[thedicearecast]

[Amelia nods slightly, then after a moment, begins to softly sing a song from her world.]

So... On the first celestial evening,
a pebble from somewhere drops upon the world.

So... On the second celestial evening,
all the children of the pebble hold hands and compose a waltz.
Sound life.
Sound life.

So... On the third celestial evening,
the children of the waltz make waves upon the world.

So... On the fourth celestial evening,
all the children of the waves splash on the shore.
Sound life.
Sound life.

[simplestgift]

[Archie listens but does not join in, enraptured.]

That's beautiful.

[thedicearecast]

[Amelia looks a bit surprised to hear it, but then again, she doesn't sing often at all.]

Thanks.

Want to hear the rest of it?

[simplestgift]

Yes, please.

[thedicearecast]

[She nods, then pauses for a second to remember what day she's on.]

So... On the fifth celestial evening,
the world is struck by those fragments again and again.

So... On the sixith celestial evening,
by the signal, the travellers are brought together.
Sound life.
Sound life.

So... On the seventh celestial evening,
the ship braces through the sky.

So... On the eighth celestial morning,
a song from somewhere reaches my ears.
Sound life.
Sound life.

Then... Beyond the brand new sky,
everything the song recorded echoes up in harmony.
Sound life.
Sound life.

[simplestgift]

[By the time she finishes, he is gazing into the water, withdrawn. He does not really understand the song, but it still moves him deeply.]

[thedicearecast]

[Amelia lets the song trail off into silence, then looks a bit awkward for a moment, as if she's not sure what to say next. She turns her back to the railing, leaning against it, but not risking looking into the water.]

It's cold out.

[simplestgift]

[He nods agreement.]

What is the song about?

[thedicearecast]

[Amelia shrugs a shoulder.]

Life, I guess. It's an old song.

[simplestgift]

[He nods, not sure what to say next.]

Are you warm enough?

[thedicearecast]

No. But I'm from a desert.

[She's got to get used to it. Amelia knows winter is coming.]

[simplestgift]

Then let's get you below, into the galley.

[thedicearecast]

[A frown.] I'm just getting to a point where I can walk around up here without being sick.

[simplestgift]

Staying amidships often helps, I understand. That's as dead in the middle as you can, where the movement is less.

[thedicearecast]

Yeah. I learned that last time. I don't want to be stuck there again.

[Even if she hates being cold and sick, she'll risk both to avoid being trapped below decks.]

[simplestgift]

[He nods, distracted.]

When Horatio and I first met, he was seasick within minutes of coming aboard. Never stopped him from being a damn good seaman.

[thedicearecast]

[The way Archie doesn't seem to be entirely there when he speaks makes Amelia wonder if he's thinking about more than what he's saying.]

Yeah?

[Well. Might as well make the comparison, even if Archie isn't already doing it himself.]

So whatever you're lacking doesn't mean you won't be a good husband.