Eleventh Dispatch - [written]

[captainhornblower]

Wednesday, January 11th

The absence of need here will never cease to amaze me.

It has a price, of course, but food and housing are provided. No one risks starving, no one goes without shelter or clothes, no one need fear the bailiffs or prison for debt.

No one has cause to work here save a want to do so.

I do not think I shall ever be used to it.

By the by, I suppose it cannot hurt to ask. I am not suited for idleness, yet there is little I can do save my work for His Majesty's Royal Navy. I should like to know, though, if any places here are in need of an extra person. I cannot promise to accept, but I should like to know what is requested.

One can, after all, do only so much work on a ship that was nearly perfect from her birth.

Hornblower

Comments

[action]

[simplestgift]

[Archie glimpses the entry in his journal. To reply, he simply looks up from the couch.]

We could always use more servers at the club, but I doubt it'd be to your liking. We have music every night.

[It's one of the few redeeming qualities about working there when he's waiting tables. It's better the nights he works the bar.]

[action]

[captainhornblower]

[Horatio smiled over at Archie.]

Music every night. Sounds perfect.

[It isn't an insult to the suggestion.

They simply both know his opinion of most music. Some, he tolerated for its simplicity. A single tune did not irritate him as much as three or four sounds vying for attention.

How anyone could sit through a concert was beyond him.]

I should probably find some way to occupy myself, though.

[action]

[simplestgift]

[A beat.]

You could learn to cook.

[Hint hint.]

[action]

[captainhornblower]

[He laughs.]

I could. Might poison you in the process, though.

[Written]

[shadedsunlight]

Is there anything in particular you would like to do or would have interest in?

[Written]

[captainhornblower]

I am an officer in His Majesty's Navy, and I play cards. My interests and skills do not extend much beyond that.

[Not that he finds applicable.]

[Written]

[shadedsunlight]

Have you considered picking up a new skill or hobby?

[Private]

[all7seas]

Hornblower? Need to speak with you.

[Private]

[captainhornblower]

Whenever is convenient for you, Sparrow.

[Private]

[all7seas]

Now's convenient. Where is the question?

[herotypical]

[ she almost suggests that she speaks to her other bartenders at good spirits -- but then she wonders if that's the sort of thing horatio'd even like. nah.

best to just keep it a social conversation.

she scribbles back. playfully: ] There's always the clothing shop.

[captainhornblower]

...The clothing shop?

[herotypical]

Horatio Hornblower, haberdasher. It has a ring to it.

[voice]

[theoniongirl]

In a place like this, it might be best to think of something you'd want to do and create it. It's kind of a chance to try new things.

[voice]

[captainhornblower]

I think, Miss Jilly, nearly the entire population of Luceti would have my head if I tried to start a navy.

[voice]

[theoniongirl]

[this is her sounding amused] I said trying new things, Horatio. I don't think that counts.

written

[relictusdeus]

[With elegant penmanship:]

And who, may I ask, is this Hornblower who desires to make himself useful? I should like to see the face of a man who so generously offers his services, for I am most certain I have something for him. Work, that is.

written

[captainhornblower]

Captain Horatio Hornblower, of His Britannic Majesty's Atropos, most recent of His Majesty's Hotspur.

[...well, he was asked who he was.]

written

[relictusdeus]

Ah, a captain, are you? How nice.

[voice]

[makeitquick]

What 'bout fighting, any good there?

[voice]

[captainhornblower]

I should suppose myself decent enough, Miss. I've survived twelve years at war.

[voice]

[makeitquick]

'Sidered trying to get better?

[Written]

[fleurdesel]

[In this much Adele manages to stray from the stereotype connected to doctors and surgeons, her handwriting is fluid if economical, full of an efficient grace.]

If you are of a mind, Monsieur Hornblower, I would greatly appreciate assistance in rectifying a grave offense against my comfort and my retinas. [Normally Adele was happy to accept any small comfort in this strange world, but the sofa. That damn sofa was obscene and uncomfortable and she must be rid of it.]

[Written]

[captainhornblower]

["Monsieur."

Wonderful.

Just bloody wonderful.

At least his hesitation doesn't come through in his writing.]

What is it that troubles you?

[Written]

[fleurdesel]

A chaise. No, not a chaise, a sofa? A futon. A loveseat- it matters not what it strives to be, for it has failed. Horribly. It is an atrocity. [Adele pauses to calm herself, glaring across her modest apartment at the upholstered thing nestled by the far window.]

Please forgive my vitriol Monsieur. I simply wish to be rid of this offensive bit of furniture, yet lack the strength and stature to move it on my own.

[The night prior and the entirety of the afternoon Adele battled the damned thing, dragging, tugging, shoving, wedging, levering, and but no amount of effort would get it to budge.]