Nineteenth evolution of sail - on the beach

[shakenandlimp]

I know it has been the done thing for wardens to stay a while even with no intention of finding another deal. And so I am going to stay for a while.

[Private text to Horatio Hornblower and Zane Venture]

I am not staying because of the fine accommodations or because I have anything to fear when I return.

The only thing that keeps me is my debts to my crewmates and the hope that I can still be some use to them. I offer any service I can render.

Your servant,
Wm. Bush

[OOC: Bush is flood affected and doesn't know yet. Come get some Honesty]

Comments

[routemistress]

Oh good! I didn't like to ask, but I were 'oping you'd stay.

[shakenandlimp]

I'd have missed you pretty badly, if I did go.

[routemistress]

[Iris always smiles by default, but she has a way of lighting up when she's pleased.]

Really? I reckoned you'd forget me as soon as you were back out there.

[shakenandlimp]

Iris, I'd be astonished if anyone had ever managed to forget you.

Private text

[sssiiiiirrrrr]

I am grateful to you for that, Sir.

I am most pleased to know that you will be remaining with us.

Private text

[shakenandlimp]

The Admiral's recent announcement means that some strange flood has begun. I have no memory of the last one but you have seen how odd they can be. This one seems a bit more subtle but be cautious until we know what it is to be.

Private text

[sssiiiiirrrrr]

I was unaffected by the last one. It made people older, younger, and changed them in other odd ways. I don't believe I have been changed by this one either, but I don't suppose I'd be able to tell if I had...

Private text

[shakenandlimp]

No they can be very subtle. You I believe were asleep through a very subtle one before. I hope that it isn't the same.

Private text

[sssiiiiirrrrr]

You needn't say that as if I chose to sleep through it.

Re: Private text

[shakenandlimp]

I have never known you to sleep through anything by choice. Much the reverse. But nobody chooses the coma and it was a bad flood so I was not displeased to see you safe.

[strangehistorian]

We'll enjoy your company, certainly!

[shakenandlimp]

I will try not to hang about too much underfoot.

[deshabille]

Good. I'd miss you if you left. Not just because you'd die but because I wouldn't be able to bother you anymore.

[shakenandlimp]

And I would miss you. Even if I could go on sailing, the bothering wouldn't be as good. Fresh midshipmen and volunteers do bother past endurance, but they do it from incompetence, not malice. It would be disappointing.

[deshabille]

I'm both competent and occasionally malicious so it's really no surprise I come as a nice change.

Do you really intend to die? You meant that seriously, didn't you?

Private

[shakenandlimp]

Yes.

I cannot see that I deserve to change the course of life and death that way. The thing is done and it makes me too uneasy to undo it.

[He would have answered that honestly anyway; he does not notice the flood.]

Private

[deshabille]

I don't believe most men when they say things like that. Too damn noble. But I was pretty sure you meant it. Had to make sure, though.

What do you think death is like?

Private

[shakenandlimp]

I don't know. There is heaven, you are meant to believe in, but I never did. I suppose that is blasphemous of me. But there's also Fiddler's Green, which is heaven for sailors-- plenty for all, and fiddling, and dancing. It may not be meant for officers but I'd rather go there just the same.

Some days I have looked at the dead sewn up in their hammocks and tipped into the sea with their burial rites and I think perhaps death is only very, very quiet.

But at least I know from Jones that there is really a ship that comes to sailors and takes them to whatever end.

Private

[deshabille]

Do you think you'll find him again when you go to be dead?

-- And for the record you're not much of an officer at all. You do things for yourself and occasionally put your pants on the right way round, which means you're sergeant at highest. Well done.

private

[godsays]

You really were thinking of leaving?

[ It hadn't connected as real, somehow. A toothless threat. ]

Re: private

[shakenandlimp]

[He is surprised to see a response from Zane at all, but remains civil and not over-familiar.]

Jones graduated. I had my doubts I was needed any longer.

Re: private

[godsays]

You said that. I just didn't believe you.

private

[shakenandlimp]

Why would I have lied?

Re: private

[godsays]

I couldn't imagine you gone.

[ And that is shocking. Not the statement, but that he spoke it aloud. It feels like a swift hit to the stomach. ]

Re: private

[shakenandlimp]

...I am surprised to hear it. [Surprised, confused, and made cautious by confusion.]