Twenty-two bells: [WRITTEN/ACTION]

[simplestgift]

[Filtered from known villains and Grell, 100% unhackable]

[The handwriting is disguised and the picture is obscured.]

For the benefit of the new feathers: if you feel unsafe somehow in your own home, you may go to the Welcome Center and be placed in a safe house until you can get back on your feet. There does not have to be a reason. Even if you have returned from a kidnapping and do not wish to be alone, this is available to you.

[/Filter]

[Later, another written message, without the picture obscured.]

To anyone who volunteered to help build the ship:

We will begin work on Monday, at eight o'clock in the morning.  We will meet at the fountain and walk from there.  It'll mostly be cutting and transporting lumber at first, I'm afraid, and that includes building a cart to transport the lumber in.

Thank you,

Lt. Kennedy

[Then, written more hastily a little while later:]

If anyone has stories about Dr. McCoy, I should like to hear them.

[Today, Kennedy is stopping at the grocery store and the smithy, hoping someone with experience at the forge will be up to the challenge he has in mind.

Tonight, he is back to work at Cloud Nine, mostly waiting tables and looking fairly miserable. It's his first night of work since Dr. McCoy left, and since he dislikes the job anyway, he's not doing great at it tonight.

Before he goes home, he will stop by house 7. He will be home late.]

Comments

[simplestgift]

I meant, I cannot tell him. I don't often talk about...

[Blink, blink.]

...these things.

[herotypical]

You don't have to tell him. You just have to understand.

[simplestgift]

And he does not?

[herotypical]

I could always accidentally divulge the same secret to him but I'd really not rather betray your trust.

[ flatly. ]

[simplestgift]

You could accidentally divulge, but it would only put him in the same position I'm in.

...I could always take the slow route and try to make friends, but that would be very slow indeed. So slow it may never happen.

[herotypical]

At least you'd be in the same position, though. There's something to be said for that. No one's got a step above the other.

[simplestgift]

[True. Then...]

Very well. You have my permission to accidentally divulge. But do make it subtle.

[herotypical]

[ buffy summers. matchmaker for dead people. true facts. ]

You're...sure? I mean -- only if you're cool with it, Archie.

[simplestgift]

You believe he can be trusted with it?

[herotypical]

...I'd trust him with it, if your shoes were my shoes.

[simplestgift]

Then tell him.

[herotypical]

Aye aye, lieutenant.

[simplestgift]

[He clenches his fists and blinks rapidly a few times, then lets out a breath and relaxes.] Did you know one of the more pleasant things about this place is that I'm not obliged to be in the navy any longer?

[herotypical]

[ a flicker across her face. ] I was only... [ it had been a foolish attempt at levity, then. she ducks her head. ]

Sorry. Yeah -- I mean, I can see why you'd feel better off without it.

[simplestgift]

No-no, Buffy, it isn't what you said, it's...him, I suppose. When I'm around him, it's like I'm back there.

[herotypical]

Then maybe...maybe knowing will change it. Him. When he realizes that you're not -- not anymore.

[ she leaves a lot of words out. ]

[simplestgift]

...Perhaps. Perhaps it's a bit of home, the naval way, and he doesn't want to let go.

[herotypical]

As far as I've been able to piece together between him and Jack, James was deeply ticked off by a lot of things about the naval way. A good man in a soured system, trying to believe in what it could've been.

[simplestgift]

[Archie lets out a sudden, sharp breath. Not like a laugh, but like releasing air that's been held in a long time.] Like Horatio. And Pellew, and Bracegirdle, and Bowles, and a few more I could name. Some of the best men I knew.

[herotypical]

I'm pretty sure he...whatever happened to him? I'm pretty sure it has to do with fixing something that was broken. He mentioned -- hmm. Something about the navy no longer being the seat of power for good men.

This is strictly off the record, by the way. Pretty sure he'd be cheesed off if he knew that I was the one telling you this.

[simplestgift]

Assuming it ever has been the seat of power for good men. The seat of power for men who would like to believe they are good, certainly. Good men in the navy exist, as they do anywhere else. But they can't be everywhere at once, being comparatively few and all.

[herotypical]

I didn't grill him on the fact, considering what he was actually talking about was...well, you know.

[simplestgift]

Was...oh. [Yeah, oops.] Well. Nearly every good man I've ever met has something he won't forgive himself for.

[herotypical]

Keeps us honest. I guess.

[simplestgift]

Humble. Although sometimes, it could well be simple stubbornness. Denying that you're powerless. Horatio still hasn't forgiven himself for not shooting Simpson when he had the chance.