Twenty-one Bells: [ACTION/VOICE]

[simplestgift]

[Archie has barely been around town lately, but he does appear in town this afternoon, dashing about to various shops and stores and picking up various one-use items and lots and lots of groceries. He seems to have one thing on his mind.

Later, he'll sit at the fountain and send out the voice message:]

This is Mr. Kennedy. If anyone is in need of me, I shall be at the beach house for most of the week. You can reach me there or on the journals.

Moreover, Mr. Hornblower and I are wondering if anyone would be interested in helping to build a ship. A sloop-of-war, to be specific, with room and ports enough for eighteen or twenty-two guns. I cannot claim we have a practical use for itm besides exploration, but it would be something to do. We have the plans drawn up, and all we need is enough hands to make it possible. We would be grateful for any help at all.

[After this, he'll be walking back to the beach house, where he's been babysitting Jack Sparrow since yesterday.]

Comments

[voice - 50%]

[captainhornblower]

Take it a day at a time. And take every day an hour at a time. And take every hour a minute at a time.

Give yourself time, if you need it. A few hours a day or a night to sort your own thoughts and have time for yourself.

[voice - 50%]

[simplestgift]

[He can remember that. Living moment to moment, expecting to die still but knowing it could wait till later. Eventually, he had started thinking about the next moment, and the next day.]

Of course. You're right.

[voice - 50%]

[captainhornblower]

All that can be done in situations like this, I'm afraid. [He was fond of planning himself, of laying out a long-term plan. But sometimes... one only had the short-term.]

[voice - 50%]

[simplestgift]

You remember those days well?

[voice - 50%]

[captainhornblower]

...I don't think I'll ever forget them.

[voice - 50%]

[simplestgift]

...What do you think of them now?

[voice - 50%]

[captainhornblower]

Every day spent at that place... feels like it was ten times as long. But...

[A slight chuckle, quiet rather than amused.]

But we survived.

[voice - 50%]

[simplestgift]

...Yes. Despite everything, we did. But that isn't what I meant, Horatio. I know how bad it was. I want to know what you think of it now.

[voice - 50%]

[captainhornblower]

Now...

[There's a pause.]

It's in the past. I won't ever forget it, and it will never be... "fine," but we made it through.

[voice - 50%]

[simplestgift]

[He isn't sure exactly what answer he expected, or really even what his question was.]

Sometimes I still go back there. But...

[But Horatio knows that. Horatio's nursed him through every March, except the last one.]

[voice - 50%]

[captainhornblower]

[There's a long pause, and a quiet sigh.]

It's hard not to.

[It's not as bad for him, and he knows it, but he knows the feeling of going back. Back to so many places, good and bad.]

[voice - 50%]

[simplestgift]

...March was very difficult, this year.

[voice - 50%]

[captainhornblower]

I... can't imagine. I'm sorry, Archie. [He knows it wasn't his choice, but... he can still regret not having been there.]

[voice - 50%]

[simplestgift]

No point in that, Horatio. There were many things happening.

[voice - 50%]

[captainhornblower]

It seems there always are, here. So many things happening at once.

[voice - 50%]

[simplestgift]

I want it to stop for a little, Horatio. A voyage would have been just the thing, if only it hadn't been spent taking care of Jack.

...The pirate, Jack.

[voice - 50%]

[captainhornblower]

You did the right thing, Archie, looking out for him.

[A beat. Might as well update him on the other Jack.]

I've put Captain Aubrey in W-- [he catches himself] ha--h'm [a slightly clearing of the throat] --in the extra room.

I don't think he'll stay long. Just getting his bearings.

[voice - 50%]

[simplestgift]

How is he?

[voice - 50%]

[captainhornblower]

[Finally, a proper chuckle.]

Adjusting.

It's... very strange for him. [As they can well understand.]

[voice - 50%]

[simplestgift]

As well it should be.

[voice - 50%]

[captainhornblower]

I think he likes the coffee maker, though.

[voice - 50%]

[simplestgift]

Of course he does, Mr. Hornblower. Do remember to eat something and not just drink coffee.

[voice - 50%]

[captainhornblower]

I will, Mr. Kennedy. I promise.

[A beat. He's... unsure. Prepared for a small disaster, actually. Not at all from Archie, but from the situation itself.]

He... mentioned cooking. Tomorrow evening.

[voice - 50%]

[simplestgift]

...Cooking?

[voice - 50%]

[captainhornblower]

...Cooking.