Twenty-sixth evolution of sail: Happy christmas

[shakenandlimp]

[Public]

Anyone who has no celebration of their own planned, I mean to set up some of Mister Napier's old gaming things in the pub-- cards and dice and what have you. I should be pleased to have you join me.

[Text - Kennedy and Hornblower]

Perhaps you did not know Lt. Bush long enough to miss him on Christmas, but I do miss my old sailing friends. As we are agreed that each of us is not the other, would you still join me for a late supper tonight

Yours,
Wm Bush



Dear admiral

Everyone aboard is to have a few shillings, a bag of oranges, and some sweets. If they are not banned from liquor also a small flask of brandy.

Give Horatio a damned bathroom with a decent shower. Not one of those shoddy ones with no rails and seat-- a decent one like Iris and I have. Also things like Cmdr. Hornblower had for furnishings, oakum stuffed cushions and sailcloth curtains.

If Kennedy has not got one, him as well. Ask Duke if he should like a better one.

Anya to have a toy mouse.

Comments

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Not one for group festivities, are you, William?

[shakenandlimp]

On the contrary, I am pretty fond of'm. Which is why I am inviting folk to them.

[Bush scowls at Scorpius, not sure if he's being facetious or not.]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Sometimes it's hard to tell. Scorpius is in a darker mood than usual following his warden's sudden absenteeism, but seems to be taking out his frustrations by talking to others]

All 'folk'?

[shakenandlimp]

[Bush wants nothing more than to tell him to go to hell. But he is going to damn well be damned civil dammit.]

Most folk. But there are only a few left aboard I wouldn't dice with under any circumstances, and their number doesn't include you.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[He's finding it fun, to find Bush's buttons and gently poke at them. It's juvenile and doesn't take much thinking, but it passes the time]

Ones that would threaten your life, I presume.

[shakenandlimp]

Not mine.

[It's a short, cut off sound.]

But Mister Lecter has left us.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[That sudden cold, angry look? Yeah, it looks pretty murderous. Scorpius' lip curls]

So he has.

Fortunately for him.

[shakenandlimp]

[The look they share is probably the most understanding and empathic that they ever have and ever will.]

So. Are you one for group festivities?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[It ends pretty quickly, but it's there, and it gets Scorpius to knock off the pointless needling. There are certain things he doesn't like to mess around about, and what's happened, he considers a personal failure on his part]

Not usually. It may surprise you to know, but I'm somewhat of an outcast, even within the ranks of my army.

[shakenandlimp]

Then why did you ask?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Simply because I am not invited does not make me any less curious about what's behind closed doors.

[shakenandlimp]

You are invited, if you like.

[Damned civil dammit.]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Out of obligation, Captain?

[shakenandlimp]

Quite.

[And there are the boundaries of his civility.]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Then I will not impose my presence on your goodwill. Especially not for any holiday I celebrate or have any sentimental attachment to.

[shakenandlimp]

I would not have thought you to have a sentimental attachment to Christmas.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Peacekeepers have few holidays - Scarrans even less. We tend not to like distractions from our work.

I've never heard of Christmas until my arrival here.

[shakenandlimp]

Many of my Christmases were spent at sea. A 'merry christmas' was about the extent of the celebration, and an extra tot of rum if the weather was clear, the enemy was well away, and the Captain was lenient. We never let it interfere.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

You sound as if you have a Peacekeeper work ethic, William.

[shakenandlimp]

[He lofts a brow.]

I would say the Peacekeepers about have a naval one.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

I know a captain or two of my own who might beg to differ on that point.

[shakenandlimp]

If we both had men here, we could run drills to see who was the better. But we haven't.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

No. And what point would it serve, ultimately?

[shakenandlimp]

Professional satisfaction.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

You enjoy being the best.

[shakenandlimp]

To know that things are running their finest, yes. A contest is excellent for firing up the men to do their utmost.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Are those days entirely behind you, now?

[shakenandlimp]

Not a bit of it. Except the having men under my command, for the time being.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

I take it when you leave the Barge, you will return to do what you've always done, then?

[shakenandlimp]

Not quite. Sailing again, I hope, but not for His Majesty.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

For yourself, then?

[shakenandlimp]

On the ship of a friend of mine. He's promised me a berth.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

How ambitious.

[shakenandlimp]

Is it disapproval I hear?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Only a disappointment that your talents should be wasted on acting the underling.

Private - I am sorry that this is the latest of the lates, but I ould love to spam this supper???

[sssiiiiirrrrr]

Sir... Perhaps I ought to have expressed this to you sooner, but in a months time, we shall have served together on this vessel for a full year.

To this end, I hope you will not think that if I wholeheartedly accept your invitation, I do so wishing you were some other dear friend.