captainhornblower | First Dispatch

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First Dispatch - [written]

[The penmanship is formal, letters close together but not connected. Each letter is made of strokes, an almost calligraphy style-- which translates into broken letters with a modern pen.]

Thursday, 10th January, 1805

[A hastily scrawled question mark appears above the date a moment later.]

My precise location is unknown. [A long pause before more words are written.] My general location is unknown. My ship and men are missing. ~~God help me, what has happened?~~

[Notes appear in the margins, wind direction and estimations of its speed. The word 'drift?' and the beginnings of a mathematical formula are etched into a margin.]

I do not know how I came to be where I am. [Another margin note: 'wings???'] I cannot expect this to even be found, but I will record my observations. It is all I can do, and I must do something.

Currently on board vessel. [Another note in the margins:
'unoccupied
single mast
no flags
enemy?
ally?
neutral party?
abandoned?']

~~May the Lord have mercy on me.~~

[The signature is larger, even more carefully penned.]

Hornblower

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Archie! [He throws an arm around Archie's shoulders again, and... yeah. Hand moves to ruffle his hair. ...He'll worry about having gotten short with her later.] Pretty girl, then, I take it. Must be smart, to have gotten you.

[He has to say it. He's sorry... except not.] Actress?

[He may be able to contain his joy, but Jilly has no such reservations. The sheer relief and happiness in her voice conveys her smile, even if the video function is most definitely turned off. (Honestly, that was half because she always forgot how to turn it on).]

You have seen him! Oh, thank god... I'm really not sure I could have talked around that if you hadn't.

[if Archie's enthusiasm wasn't enough for you, Horatio, have another incredibly cheerful voice to add to it] Have you been here long? You haven't, right? I'm pretty sure it hasn't been that long since I checked the journal...

[a note of doubt creeps into her words at the end, though. How long had it been?]

One would think that wings would indicate death, joining the ranks of the Heavenly Hosts. But those should be large white wings, if paintings are anything to go by, of course.

And they most certainly should not hurt.

I certainly hope you're right.

[Forgive him. There is far too much formality trained into himself. His tone lightens even more at the unconcealed happiness in her voice, but he remains calm.]

Another friend Mr. Kennedy has made, I trust?

[He is so happy Archie's made friends. God knows Archie deserves it.]

Not long at all, Miss.

I have a pretty decent track record.

[ she sounds more confident than smug, but still. really, dawn? ]

Just what I thought, right to the letter! Apparently it's more like we've left Earth entirely, and wings are just required on this planet.

The tattoos on the back of everyone's neck, I'm not sure what to think of. They're something of an eyesore.

I've read about those. In the guide. I have not yet attempted to see mine, and I can't say I've seen anyone yet to look at theirs.

[But he does not like the idea, not in the slightest.]

[that gets a laugh, bright and bubbling, before her tone turns slightly teasing.] Mr. Kennedy is definitely a friend.

[The formality is amusing, but it's also something to savor. Like Archie's expression when listening to the cassette recording of the fiddle. It's a mark of an era that she'd normally only know through books and shows he's as much from another world as the people here who'd never even heard of Earth. It fascinates her.]

I actually have him to thank for getting me out of the snow, when I first arrived.

Better. She loves theatre and literature and can talk about it with the best, without any of the tempestuous moods of an actress--our mutual friend excepted, of course. [He wonders if Horatio has seen Kitty Cobham recently. He'll ask later.] She's brighter than I am, certainly. And as for looks, you'll not see a lovelier woman in all the world--and this world has many, many beautiful women. [The last is said with a knowing chuckle, like he's already sifting through a few choice matches for Horatio.]

It's not hard, if you have a pair of mirrors.

If my hair was longer, I wouldn't mind it so much, but if I'd wanted a bunch of black bars on the back of my neck, I'd have painted them on myself.

[Horatio has to laugh.

Being able to speak with Archie was a blessing enough, but to hear of all this? He can only tighten his one-armed hug around Archie a bit before loosening it but never releasing Archie's shoulder.

Archie's smile means that all is right in the world, no matter what else may come.]

She sounds remarkable, Archie. [A bit mischievous of a smile.] Quite possibly good enough for you, though I do reserve full judgement until I meet her. [As if he'd ever say anything against a girl Archie was so obviously fond of, but he can tease.]

Out of the snow?

[Try as he might, he can't help the fondness in his voice.

Talking about Archie always brings it, but it comes out even more knowing he is talking about a friend who is just down the hall or simply in another room. A man he can sit and talk and laugh with.

Not one he has to mourn.]

That sounds like Archie, certainly.

I think the pirates came first, actually, if we're quibbling. Are we quibbling?

I should like to know what power in this place thought such a thing appropriate. I certainly do not approve.

I do not care which came first.

I kind of showed up in the middle of a snow storm. [she'll leave off the part about waking up in a snow drift] He gave me his coat until we got someplace warmer.

It wasn't until later I found out he'd only been here a few days more than me... and was already rescuing New Feathers from the weather.

[it's wonderful to hear that fondness in Horatio's voice. She knows how long Archie has waited, and he deserves that] I'm glad you're here. Archie's been talking about his wonderful friend Horatio since I met him.

[that teasing tone comes back, quick with laughter] It's a little like meeting a celebrity.

The question is whether I'm good enough for her, I'm afraid. My dear Horatio, she's beautiful and intelligent and can even hold her own in a fight. She'll be glad to know you're here--her sister can bend iron bars with her hands, and Dawn has been feeling the threats on my life if I should ever hurt her are becoming a bit one-sided.

[Archie, quit trying to break your best friend's brain!]

Listen, mate: when you leave my ship, as you are to do immediately, you will leave her in prime condition, savvy? Or you'll answer for it.

According to that guide they pass around, some group called the Malnosso. I'm still not clear on who they are, but it sounds like you can direct your complaints their way.

[His voice softens, warms even more.]

Yes... That's very much Archie. I've never had a better friend or met a better man.

[And at her laugh, his tone lightens again. He even chuckles.]

I don't dare ask what stories Archie has told you, but I will say this, Miss-- I am sure a great many of them have been quite exaggerated.

[...Congratulations, Archie.

Horatio is now staring at you, speechless, stunned. He doesn't know how much to take as kidding. Most? All? He also does not know how to respond to this kidding.

"Beautiful" and "intelligent," easy. "Hold her own in a fight"? Odd, but Horatio has heard of women disguising themselves as men in the Army and Navy, so he can potentially buy some combat ability. Slightly. Barely.

...But the rest?

He'll just stare.]

Your ship?

My ship.

I don't take orders from pirates.

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