simplestgift | Twenty-one Bells: [ACTION/VOICE]

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Twenty-one Bells: [ACTION/VOICE]

[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.]

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It will be! And if he cannot cook, Horatio, we'll only drink more port! [Everything will taste better the more they drink, anyway.]

Best bring more than one bottle, Archie. If I remember what I've heard about Aubrey [their paths crossed only once, and even then, only briefly] is true, he will be very grateful for drink and plenty of it.

I'll bring the finest brandy as well! You've heard of him before, then?

We met briefly. He was captain of the... of the Lively, and Hotspur was part of a squadron with Lively.

Very brief-- I can't say we said more than a few words to one another.

And he remembers you?

My name, that we met in that engagement but did not see action together. I would not imagine he remembers more than that.

And he is dining with us tomorrow night! In our home, Horatio, as a guest, with proper food and proper company! [Seriously, he might just cry tomorrow, and he might not be able to sleep tonight. All these days running together, and finally something happens that he can look forward to.]

That he is.

My God. A proper dinner. A fellow Navy man, a man of our time. We won't be wondering about conversation topics, hoping not to offend by mistake. [Someone he knows how to handle, how to speak to. Even if the Navy isn't talked about or the politics of their time, they can at least have a general idea of where they stand, what to say, what not to say...]

I shan't sleep tonight, Horatio.

I'm not sure I will either, Archie. And, for once-- for the best of reasons.

I shall drink a toast tonight to Captain Aubrey--finest man alive save one.

You are too kind, Archie, though I am sure he will appreciate the praise.

[Archie is actually rubbing at his eyes.] If only Dawn were here, Horatio, then she could wear the gown--

[But it isn't grief this time that makes him stop, just a sudden wonder. Dawn isn't here, and he's looking forward to something.]

That would have been nice, Archie. [It's gentle, kind, and warm.]

Good God, Horatio, my uniform! It's in shambles! [That's an exaggeration, but still! It needs cleaning, pronto!]

A bit of sprucing up, and it will be perfect, Archie. [Of course, he'll be fussing over his own.]

I'm hoping that while shopping tomorrow, Captain Aubrey's uniform will have shown up in the shops.

If it isn't he could always wear what you found for the voyage. [You know, the yards of fabric you were drowning in?]

Still too small.

[Too large for the very skinny captain... and too small for the very ~~portly~~ not-skinny captain.

How much seniority does he have? Assuming he has it at all, of course.

Senior post-captain, so at least three years seniority. I asked so I don't find the wrong uniform-- unlikely that there'd be more than one uniform appearing here, but one never knows.

Two shining epaulettes. Good God, Horatio, and only we and few others knowing how much respect they command. Such a world.

That's the part that still... baffles me. That so few others here understand what those epaulettes and the gold braid really mean, what they stand for.

And so many of them from our world, Horatio. But we're in their past. Do you suppose they think we're unimportant?

I... I suppose they see us... [It's a strange thought, but this is a strange place.] I suppose they see us as we might see soldiers of Alexander. Perhaps not... entirely unimportant, but... [he's searching for the right word, and finally finds one that answers] relics.

Relics. [That's kind of depressing, but doesn't really take down his "PROPER DINNER TOMORROW WOO" high.] Obsolete.

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