Seventh Dispatch - [voice]/[action]

[captainhornblower]

[Horatio Hornblower's voice is very calm, very quiet. It sounds... not even curious. He is almost stating a fact, rather than asking a question.]

Lieutenant Bush's things are gone.

Why? What is the meaning of this?

[His housemates... will find him in his own room now, seated at his desk, the journal lying open in front of him-- if they dare disturb.]

Comments

[Voice]

[boomchucka.livejournal.com]

You sure?

[She may not know you very well Horatio, but she knows your type very well. In fact, she's good friends with one.]

[Voice]

[captainhornblower]

Quite.

[So, so far from being "okay." But he won't admit that.]

I merely... [a pause, and he makes a sound, almost like the clearing of his throat, but not quite] ha--h'm.

I was merely concerned for the well-being of my missing lieutenant. Knowing... that he is safely back where he came from and where he well belongs... I can be at ease.

["Ease" is probably what he's farthest away from.]

[Voice]

[boomchucka.livejournal.com]

[Mister Hornblower, you are not believed for an instant. You strong, silent types are all the same. Consider yourself lucky that she isn't going to pry. Your withering look from the other day is remembered with crystal clarity.]

Well, that's one of putting it.

[Voice]

[captainhornblower]

Thank you, Miss Selphie, for what you have told me. I appreciate it.

[Voice]

[boomchucka.livejournal.com]

[And she's been shut out.]

[Voice]

[boomchucka.livejournal.com]

You're welcome, Mister Hornblower.

[Voice]

[captainhornblower]

[He does that. Often.]