[luceti] - Appointments

[captainhornblower]

Messages and meetings for Cpt. Horatio Hornblower.


(Please title and date as appropriate.)

Comments

[captainhornblower]

Damn it. What happened? [But it's not a question for Jack. He's asking himself, trying to see the situation, play it out in his mind. Yet he cannot find what would have made Archie freeze.

He sighs. What to say to Sparrow... That's the question.] You'll have to be patient with him.

[all7seas]

I'm HIGHLY patient, man! I've not once lost patience with Kennedy. If it helps, he seemed to right himself momentarily. It gave me a turn, though, seeing him that way. I've seen other men come to that but only after times of horror.

[captainhornblower]

I-- I'm sorry. I didn't mean to imply you aren't patient with him. [...An apology from Horatio Hornblower. He must be tired.] It's... [But Jack's phrased it perfectly.] It's that. It's just that.

"After times of horror."

[His voice drops even more. He doesn't have to say it to Jack. Sparrow knows it as well as he does. But it still bears repetition.]

Some horrors don't go away as quickly as others.

[all7seas]

[There is a grunt at that. Jack knows Kennedy spent time in prison. Perhaps that was all it was.]

Right. Then what should I do if it happens again? [When it happens again?]

[captainhornblower]

...Wait.

Speak low and quietly. Say his name. Remind him that you're there. That he's not alone.

And then?

If he seems to need you to be silent? Be silent.

If he needs you to talk? Talk.

[all7seas]

......So in other words, treat him like a trembling baby fawn.

[It's a half-hearted joke; Jack is more worried than ever, now.]

[captainhornblower]

Treat him with respect. And patience.

[He can't even be angry now. Or even annoyed.]

Let him... Let him be whatever he needs to be, and be whatever he needs you to be.

[all7seas]

[Oh, bugger. He is never going to live this down. But for Archie Kennedy?





Bugger.]

Right, fine. Whatever he needs, whatever he needs, whatever he needs. I'll be it.

[captainhornblower]

...Thank you.

[all7seas]

Don't.......no thanks necessary.

[captainhornblower]

I... I do appreciate it, Sparrow.

[all7seas]

Aye-----I know it, Hornblower. He'll be to rights eventually.