[luceti] - Appointments

[captainhornblower]

Messages and meetings for Cpt. Horatio Hornblower.


(Please title and date as appropriate.)

Comments

[captainhornblower]

[Best not to finish that first statement, Archie. He'll just deny he was asleep.

...It's also probably a good thing that he isn't in the room right then to hear the request face-to-face Because the look he gives the journal is one of utter bafflement.

Of course, he's seen the balloons. But to... Is he being asked to deliver them? A task much more suited to Jilly. Or anyone else. But it's Archie asking.

So after a moment of just staring at the journal, he nods, even if Archie can't see the gesture.]

Of course. I'll be right in to collect them. [Why me?]

[simplestgift]

[Because Selphie's cute and positive and you need more acquaintances like that, Horatio. Also, Archie might adopt her with or without your permission.]

Thank you.

--> [action]

[captainhornblower]

[A few moments later-- after a knock at the door to announce himself-- Horatio enters the room.

He might still have that What are you thinking? expression. Just a little bit. But he does his best to smile at Archie and approach the balloons.]

Blue and yellow, yes?

[simplestgift]

Blue and yellow. [Confirmed.] You know, contrary to what your expression tells me, this is a more pleasant task than mucking out the manger.

[captainhornblower]

Only you would ask me to do such a thing, Archie. [And I would only do this for you.

But he manages a smile as he separates the balloons.] Do you know what room she's in?

[simplestgift]

[Have a winning smile at the first statement, then...oh. Um.]

Well, no. I've only ever talked to her on the journals.

[captainhornblower]

[...Of course. Can't make this easy, can you, Archie?]

Well. [Another smile.] I'll manage.

[simplestgift]

Horatio. [Before you can leave.] Make sure you get some sleep, after. I didn't mean to wake you.

[captainhornblower]

[He stops, looking back at the bed and offering a smile.] You didn't, Archie. No need to worry about that.

[simplestgift]

[Archie only nods, because Horatio will do what Horatio does. It's been a reprieve having him in the room for a short time. The walls are feeling close, and being shut in for so long is fraying his forced good cheer quite badly.]

You don't suppose you could ask the doctor if I could sit outside for a little?

[captainhornblower]

I'm sure we can manage that, Archie. [No matter what the doctor says.

Though Horatio will start by asking for permission.]

[simplestgift]

Please. I think I'll go mad if I can't escape for a little, Horatio, I do.

[captainhornblower]

I promise.

[A more mischievous expression came to his features-- the look of a midshipman on the Indefatigable.]

One way or another, Archie.

[simplestgift]

[A flash of smile blazes across his face for a moment, but settles into resignation.] I told him I wouldn't try to escape.

[captainhornblower]

[Horatio has to grin, more to make Archie smile than anything else.] One cannot expect an injured man to put up much struggle against the enterprises of one who is uninjured. [A bow of the head, ever so slightly.] And I have offered the good doctor no such promises. [Whether or not he'd actually do such a thing... questionable. But the thought might bring that same smile back, and that's all he really wants.]

1/?

[simplestgift]

2/3

[simplestgift]

3/3

[simplestgift]

[The thought of Horatio kidnapping him and taking him outdoors against the protests of a howling McCoy is just too much. There's also an overwhelming pride in his friend and a massive relief that he'll do something and something will get done.]

No. You have not.

[captainhornblower]

[He pats Archie on the arm, giving a nod.]

We'll see that you get some fresh air and sunshine.

[simplestgift]

[His eyes slide closed in relief. If anyone is more righteously stubborn than Leonard McCoy, it surely must be Horatio Hornblower, the greatest of all men.]

Thank you.

[captainhornblower]

I'll check back in after I drop off these [a nod to the balloons] and speak to Dr. McCoy. [Hopefully either getting permission or dodging giving a promise not to take Archie outside himself.]

[simplestgift]

I'll be waiting. [A grim smile.]

[timeskip, yay~]

[captainhornblower]

[About an hour later, Horatio Hornblower slips into the room, relieved of the balloons but puzzle book in hand.]

I haven't yet found Dr. McCoy, but Miss Selphie sends her thanks for the balloons and sent me with this in return.

[He chuckles, approaching the bed and offering the book.]

She said it might help with the boredom.

[simplestgift]

[Archie takes the book with a little smile.] What a dear! Thank you for stooping to play messenger-boy, Captain. [He flips through the book, not quite understanding the puzzles but sure he will learn.] She seems well?

[captainhornblower]

A blow to the ego, certainly. [But his tone's light.] Though I suppose it could certainly be worse.

[He sits at the foot of Archie's bed.] She seemed to be, yes. Said she was doing better. And asked about you.