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

[voice]

[all7seas]

Why did Spike? Dunno. I've tried to keep my mouth shuttish about the whole affair.

[voice]

[simplestgift]

From what I understand, he simply invited himself. Does Kirk remember her?

[voice]

[all7seas]

No. Nor myself. But he knows Bonesy.

[voice]

[simplestgift]

So why would he choose to move in with Buffy?

[voice]

[all7seas]

Because she'd invite him. Alone and friendless and new? Invite him in.

[Because as far as Jack was concerned with Spike, he'd been invited. Not being kicked out immediately was invited.]

[voice]

[simplestgift]

She doesn't do that with everyone. You're being jealous.

[voice]

[all7seas]

True. She never did it with myself, did she? [There is a sigh and the sound of rum being swallowed -- the swish of a half-empty bottle.]


Suppose I could always go back to Cullen House should he become unbearable.



MORE unbearable.

[voice]

[simplestgift]

What is he doing?

[voice]

[all7seas]

What, apart from threats and keeping his blood in the refrigerator?

[voice]

[simplestgift]

Does Buffy know about the threats?

[voice]

[all7seas]

Something tells me that wouldn't matter very much. She's set on it, she is.

And I keep out of his way.

[voice]

[simplestgift]

Good God, Jack. Don't ever rely on "somethings." You know certain sure how things go when you hide something from Buffy. Remember what you always tell me.

[voice]

[all7seas]

Lad -- I've hidden nothing from Buffy where this is concerned! She knows what he's about better than anyone else.

Sometimes a sailor just needs to wait for the wind to change.

[voice]

[simplestgift]

What sort of threat is he making?

[voice]

[all7seas]

I stay out of his way? My wings remain attached.



He's a bastard. He was much more better the last time he was about and we two drank and made fun of Angel.

[voice]

[simplestgift]

Perhaps he'll calm down a bit once the shock wears off. Only don't be jealous.

[voice]

[all7seas]

Easier said! What if Wi---

[What if William Turner were to show up? No. He couldn't say it.]


I'll take that into consideration, mate.

[voice]

[simplestgift]

[If William Turner shows up, Archie will just have to put himself into a coma until he's gone again. No, actually, Elizabeth can handle a situation like that. Archie will just have to keep his head down until he gets the all-clear.]

This has happened to you a good many times, Jack. Has Buffy once betrayed your trust?

[voice]

[all7seas]

Guess we've different ideas of loyalty. Maybe that's it.

[voice]

[simplestgift]

Perhaps we don't. Perhaps she's loyal to many, in different ways. Just because she loves you doesn't mean she'll abandon a friend.

[voice]

[all7seas]

[That is all true. He can argue against none of it.]

Right: picture someone you despise. Now picture Elizabeth allowing him to live with you.




Does that help at all?

[voice]

[simplestgift]

[But who? Lieutenant Buckland? Randall? Randall, most likely.]

Well, if he is a friend of hers...

[voice]

[all7seas]

Mmhmmm. You'd have no problem at all with it, then. I see.

[voice]

[simplestgift]

That isn't it at all. But I'd be able to trust there's something she sees in him.

[voice]

[all7seas]

Sorry.


Used to bein' the captain, me. And I don't keep sorts like that on board.