Twenty-four bells: [Action]

[simplestgift]

[Luceti. Even the name is beautiful.

It's quiet here, but not silent. No cannonfire, no stomping feet or shouting men. No bars or guards or grey stone walls. Everything is lovely and serene and everyone is pleasant. Well. Nearly everyone, but that's okay.

In Hornblower's company, Kennedy stops by the bakery and selects, for some reason, cheesecake. He's never had it--not that he can remember, at least--and it is absolutely the most beautiful thing he can imagine. Chocolate cheesecake, smooth and rich and flavorful with a drizzle of raspberry syrup. He tastes it and doesn't just eat it.

They visit the tea shop and he is floored. They visit the clothing shop and he finds a new linen shirt, already made. They visit the library and...

And...

O the glory of the library. It's as if this town was created for his rehabilitation.

Hours are spent in the library until he learns he can take books out. Even then, he very nearly doesn't leave.

On the way home, he asks to be alone for a moment. When given the chance, he walks the woods close to the village. At twilight, he sits at the fountain, staring into space with utter blankness because he knows the pleasantness of this day is going to end.

He doesn't realize it when the moon rises and he's still sitting alone in its pale light.

OOC: Kennedy's replies will come from babymid_archie. Meet him absolutely anywhere during the day or at night. Depending on when and where, Horatio will tag in as well, so remember to specify when/where in your tag. Share his rapture or cheer him up. Possible triggers--character is hella post-traumatic.]

Comments

[herotypical]

Vulgar?

[ surprised laughter. buffy is usually criticized for prudishness amongst her kind, not vulgarity. ] I'll -- how about this? I'll try and be less vulgar. Scout's honour.

[unneeded]

I take it you didn't hear me when I said I grew up among sailors.

[herotypical]

I didn't have to hear you because I already knew it. Besides -- somehow you still manage to continue to be shocked by me so I'm thinking these sailors couldn't have been all that monocle-popping.

[unneeded]

...Not shocked. Disappointed, and occasionally bewildered. [A shy glance.] Not very disappointed.

[herotypical]

Oh. Please. Come on, Midshipman Kennedy. I'm a big girl. I can take your disappointment.

[ a half-smirk. ]

[unneeded]

Please. Just Mr. Kennedy will do. [And, realizing he is already to use her first name, he stammers:] O-or Archie.

[herotypical]

Archie it is, then. Fewer freaky associations with dead presidents and mouthy Slayers, that way.

[unneeded]

[The look on his face says it all: does she always make references and expect people to get them?]

Dunno how you could have only two associations. There's loads of us.

what is american history.

[herotypical]

[ hey. some people like her greek-to-them way of speaking! some people even love it -- appreciate it -- value it. harrumph. ]

Kennedys? Well, sure. There are lots of Kennedys. A whole freaking dynasty of them.

Short, mostly. Or at least, WRITTEN American history is.

[unneeded]

Am I expected to know what you mean?

i still don't know any of it.

[herotypical]

...Not really. If it makes you feel better, you could try talking ship-talk at me? I always get a little lost when it comes to that.

[ though archie was helping her along -- and she's grateful. ]

And I'm iffy on Canadian history, so.

[unneeded]

[An ironic chuckle.] And I've forgotten much of it.

but at least you don't play a canadian. ;D

[herotypical]

What about, uhm...the floor? The floor of a ship?

[ well now she's just playing dumb blonde. ]

No, I play a Scotsman who plays an Englishman, kinda, and I've researched his history SO THERE

[unneeded]

...You mean a deck?

rofl well at least i knew enough to cling to the kennedys reference.

[herotypical]

Exactly. A deck. Thanks.

You done good.

[unneeded]

That's simple enough, isn't it?

[herotypical]

Apparently not. Anything I know about ships? I learned it from sailors since showing up here. Maybe I'm still a little rusty.

[unneeded]

You probably know something else, though. Starboard and larboard, fore and aft, bow and stern, things like that?

[herotypical]

A few things. Only what y--Jack's taught me.

[ best not to confuse the poor lad further, she expects. ]

[unneeded]

...It isn't inborn knowledge.

[herotypical]

What? You don't got salty sea water in your veins just by default?

[unneeded]

That would make me a different sort of being entirely.

[herotypical]

And what sort of being is that?

[unneeded]

I dunno. A selkie, I suppose. Although I don't really know what they have for blood.

[herotypical]

If they're like any other creature I've met? Then they'll have blood for blood. Sure -- it might not be red. But it'll still be blood.

Except -- of course -- for when it's salt water.