[luceti] - Appointments

[captainhornblower]

Messages and meetings for Cpt. Horatio Hornblower.


(Please title and date as appropriate.)

Comments

[simplestgift]

Good. [Archie slept fitfully, but worrying Horatio over that is needless.] If only I believed you.

[captainhornblower]

Now, Archie. Why would you ever doubt me?

[simplestgift]

I don't. I read it clear as day on your face. You're better, but not well.

[captainhornblower]

I'm not the one who needs to recover.

[simplestgift]

I think there's plenty of sleep to go round.

[captainhornblower]

I'll make sure to get my share.

[simplestgift]

[A quiet nod.]

Come back after. I'll make sure you eat as well.

[captainhornblower]

I'm quite awake, Archie, and not hungry. I'll sleep later.

[simplestgift]

Then at least sit down. I'm afraid you'll fall over, the way you look.

[captainhornblower]

[A chuckle. Horatio does, though, sit, offering Archie a smile.]

Better?

[simplestgift]

Don't patronize me, Horatio. You're exhausted.

[captainhornblower]

I'm tired, Archie. Not exhausted. [No. "Exhausted" is the right word. So is "stubborn."

...But he did just admit he was tired, at least.]

[simplestgift]

[captainhornblower]

[He's going to pretend he didn't realize what he said.]

[simplestgift]

[A sigh.] Have you been home.

[captainhornblower]

[... ... ...]

No.

[simplestgift]

...I can help you clean up, there. It is my mess.

[captainhornblower]

I can manage that just fine, Archie.

[A pause.]

You know, I was thinking. It's a nice place, but... Small. Hardly uncomfortable, after ship quarters, but...

What would it hurt to, here, have more room? Especially if you'd like to make entertaining Miss Jilly and the others a habit.

[simplestgift]

[Archie glances up carefully. Horatio is being polite about asking him if he'd like to move out. Asking him in a way that preserves his dignity. The dignity he's not too concerned with around Horatio, but actually admitting he'd rather not even look at the old place again is practically impossible.]

Horatio.

[He stops himself before he says "Don't patronize me" again, because he knows what his friend is doing.]

Where would we go?

[captainhornblower]

[I don't want to go back there either.

He manages a smile.]

There are houses.

Bit more suitable for a pair of officers, really.

[simplestgift]

[He picks up the quiet signal and relaxes.] Very well. You find us a nice little house and we can move in the moment I'm cleared for it.

[captainhornblower]

[He smiled a little more and nodded.]

I will.

[A chuckle.]

I hope Miss Jilly will not be too cross about the painting on the wall. It is a shame to leave that.

[But a neccesary sacrifice.]

[simplestgift]

Perhaps she could paint another.

[captainhornblower]

If she's agreeable to it, I think that's a capital idea.

[simplestgift]

You could have input this time, Mr Hornblower.