Eighth Dispatch - [written]

[captainhornblower]

Wednesday, 31st August

I apologize that this cannot presently be done in person. I intended to rectify that as quickly as possible. However, since this journal is capable of sending this to multiple people at once, I do not feel as though I should delay any longer.

I want to thank those whom I have served with this last "draft," as you call it. I owe a particular debt and much gratitude to those of you who served on the Endurance. Our departure was sudden, or I would have thanked you by then. You did fine work, and I would consider it an honour to serve with you again.

I pray that all of you are no worse for the wear. Or that those injuries you suffered are on the fast mend.

Hornblower

Comments

[action]

[simplestgift]

I said you could make yourself something, didn't I? Quite generous of me, I'd say.

[action]

[captainhornblower]

Very much so, really.

[action]

[simplestgift]

[Archie pushes himself to his feet.]

I can help, Horatio. We don't have to settle for porridge.

[action]

[captainhornblower]

[Horatio chuckles faintly.]

Sit back down, Archie. I think porridge will do just fine for right now.

[action]

[simplestgift]

There might be ham in the, the fridge. [Lunch meat style, really.]

[action]

[captainhornblower]

A sandwich, then? I'll find it.

[action]

[simplestgift]

With a little mustard? [Sitting back down.]

[action]

[captainhornblower]

[A chuckle.] Of course.

[action]

[simplestgift]

Thank you. [He closes his eyes for a bit, then a thought makes him open them.] We've adopted quite a few odd tastes in food since coming here, haven't we?

[action]

[captainhornblower]

Well, it's been necessary. [This certainly isn't the Indy]

[action]

[simplestgift]

Perhaps it has. Or perhaps we need to become cooks. [He leans back against the couch, a beatific look crossing over his face as he remembers.] What do you miss most from back home? To eat, I mean?

[action]

[captainhornblower]

[What do you miss most from back home?

Even with the qualification, the question takes him a moment to truly think about. Too many thoughts crossed his mind, small flashes.

Places, ships, people.

But food. Food is what Archie asked about. Food.]

Steak and kidney pudding. [His voice is quiet, almost distracted.

And then, after a pause, his voice still not quite focused--] She's a good cook. I never thought about it before. But she's a good cook.

[action]

[simplestgift]

Maria.

[action]

[captainhornblower]

I ought to miss her.

[...But these thoughts would get him nowhere. Particularly nowhere he wanted to be.

So he turned to head into the kitchen. Best to distract himself looking for food for himself and for Archie.]

[action]

[simplestgift]

[Somehow, Archie is okay with Horatio not missing his wife. It means Horatio is doing less pining for home and more concentrating on staying here. It's selfish, but what can be asked of a dead man?]

Mincemeat pie. Don't know if it's what I miss the most, but it would be such a treat now.

[action]

[captainhornblower]

We need a proper steward.

[He manages an honest smile as he says it, pulling himself at least somewhat from whatever melancholy has a hold on him.]

A proper, English steward.

[action]

[simplestgift]

Or, as I said, we could learn to cook.

[A beat.]

That settles it. When we're on our feet again, I'll learn to make steak and kidney pudding. And mincemeat pie. We'll have a veritable feast, Horatio, proper and English. And perhaps a bit Scottish, if you don't mind.

[action]

[captainhornblower]

I don't mind one bit, Archie. [A further smile.] I certainly won't leave the whole task to you. If I can learn seamanship, I can learn to cook.

[action]

[simplestgift]

The library it is, then! ...Once we're on our feet. How are the sandwiches coming?

[action]

[captainhornblower]

Bread, ham, and mustard. Anything else you'd like on it?

[action]

[simplestgift]

It isn't mincemeat pie, but to me, it might as well be ambrosia. Bring it here, servant.

[action]

[captainhornblower]

[Horatio chuckles and makes his way back into the room, bringing a plate with two sandwiches. He sets it down before sitting beside Archie.]

[action]

[simplestgift]

[Archie grabs a sandwich and tears into it with a grimace of total Food Ecstasy.] I never thought a ham sandwich should be so good. [Although he ate...a piece of toast, yesterday, and not really anything today till now.]

[action]

[captainhornblower]

[Horatio is eating too, aware only after he takes the first bite that... yes, he was, in fact, quite hungry himself. He knew he had been hungry, but it takes eating something to realize how hungry.]

At least there's food enough that's simple to make.