First Dispatch - [written]

[captainhornblower]

October 13th,

I don't understand. I had hoped that if I took up this book and put my quill to the paper, I could write out those thoughts that disquiet my mind, but I find they are too numerous and tangled within one another to offer any sort of order in which to begin. I have read the so-called guide offered by this strange, bewitched book. Everything around me still seems impossible or a dream, at the least.

I am aware no one can tell me when I will be able to return to England, but my absence disturbs me still. I've an important engagement to attend, and the idea that I shall not miss it does not settle easily.

I suppose there are worse fates than this, however, and far worse prisons. [Spanish war prisons and debtors' prison, for two examples his mind provides.] I shall have to bide.

H. Hornblower

Comments

[written]

[selphie_t]

Sometimes, you just have to see things for yourself. The guide can only give you so much information.

At least it's a pretty prison, right? Serene? Peaceful? Maybe a little boring sometimes?

[written]

[captainhornblower]

[He was warned this would happen. It does not make it any less strange that the book writes back to him.]

As I said, there are worse prisons. However, I have not been here long enough to remark on most of its qualities.

[written]

[selphie_t]

Very true! We can eat as much as we want here and sleep all day if we wanted.

New to Luceti?

[written]

[captainhornblower]

I am, as I have said.

[written]

[selphie_t]

Gotcha! Well, once you get used to it, it's not all bad.

[written]

[captainhornblower]

I don't believe I've offered much in the way of complaint so far. If I have, that was not my intention.

[written]

[selphie_t]

I don't think you're complaining at all, Mr. Hornblower.

[whatwalls]

Wow, you write like, way formal. I guess you must come from like a bajillion years ago, huh?

Anyways, I totally get the whole feeling-like-you're-dreaming thing. But you gotta just say 'Whatever!' and go with the flow, you know?

[Good day to you, sir, and have fun trying to parse twenty-first century teeniebopper lingo!]

[captainhornblower]

[He makes out... maybe half of that. The easiest thing to reply to is the reference to when he's from. He's figured out that this isn't the world he knows, stunning as that is. So--]

The year, last I knew, was 1803.

[whatwalls]

Gosh, it's so weird having people from different times all together in one place. I talked to one guy who's from 2258; how crazy is that? And me, I'm from the 2000s.

[captainhornblower]

[Two hundred years. It didn't seem possible. Nothing else here did either, so it was one more thing that made no sense.]

A curious thing, Miss, certainly.

[whatwalls]

[She pauses to consider for a second.]

Wow, so technically, you're like hundreds of years older than me, huh?

[captainhornblower]

I suppose so, Miss, all things considered.

[ written ]

[herotypical]

[ with a name and a stilted writing style like that... ]

Horatio! -- You're here. I didn't expect that.

--BUFFY

[ written ]

[captainhornblower]

[...............Who is this and why are they addressing him so informally.

Does he know an Elizabeth? He can't recall one. Still, he'll be polite.]

Ma'am,

I did not expect to find myself here either, I must admit. I am still getting my bearings.

[ written ]

[herotypical]

What -- north and west and east and south?

[ written ]

[captainhornblower]

I suppose I meant it somewhat more metaphorically. This place is still exceedingly strange to me.

[ written ]

[herotypical]

Still?

[ written ]

[captainhornblower]

I'm afraid so. It's been nearly a week, but I admit that the strangeness of this place is rather daunting.

[ written ]

[herotypical]

...You don't remember.

[ written ]

[captainhornblower]

Pardon?

[ written ]

[herotypical]

You and me have friends in common. Although I suppose you don't remember me.

[ or most of the friends. ]

[ written ]

[captainhornblower]

[The second time someone has seemed to know him. It's no less troubling, certainly.]

I'm afraid I don't, ma'am, though I'm very sorry not to. [It's extremely worrying, really, since she wrote to him so familiarly at first. That's something he ought to remember.] I'm afraid I can only offer my sincerest apologies.

[ written ]

[herotypical]

No apologies necessary. Not your fault.

[ should she even dare name him...? ] I know it's a little unbelievable, but I can prove it. If you want me to.

[ written ]

[captainhornblower]

I take you at your word, ma'am. [Anything less was unbecoming.

Though...] I am curious, though. This place seems most remarkable.

[ written ]

[herotypical]

Remarkable is one word for it. [ ... ] Can we meet up?

[ written ]

[captainhornblower]

Of course. Where and when, ma'am?

[ written ]

[herotypical]

Good Spirits. The bar. And ASAP.

[ written ] --> [ action ]

[captainhornblower]

Yes ma'am.

[And, true to his word, Hornblower leaves almost immediately for the pub by that name.

It's strange. All of it. Especially this. A woman who knows his name, who would refer to him by his Christian name and call herself by a nickname.]

[herotypical]

[ and when he shows up, she recognizes him. lifts a hand, even, to point herself out: the blonde behind the bar, slinging shots and scrubbing down glasses. ]

Can I get you something?

[captainhornblower]

[A barmaid. A very strangely dressed barmaid. Well. That's... something.

Still, Hornblower approaches, gives a bit of a bow, and removes his hat.]

Thank you, ma'am, but I don't think so. Not right now.

[herotypical]

I can't even sell you on a soda? Lemon water?

[captainhornblower]

[Hornblower shifted, making a soft sound almost like clearing his throat.]

A lemon water would be nice. Thank you, ma'am.

[herotypical]

[ luckily, the lemons are pre-sliced. she slides one into a glass of water and hands it over along with a paper napkin. ]

Buffy Summers. Only a very small subset of people call me ma'am. And none of them are men.

[captainhornblower]

[Not entirely what he's used to. Not at all. But Hornblower takes a drink of the water.]

Miss Summers, then.

[Yep, Buffy. All that hard work, gone.]

[herotypical]

...Is there no way I can't just bribe you into calling me Buffy?

[captainhornblower]

Ma'am? [It's an immediate reaction to a surprise.

After all, most young women would not want to be addressed so informally, and that's... jarring, at the very least.]

[herotypical]

I'd really rather prefer it, is all.

[captainhornblower]

I--

[How is he supposed to reply to that? Hornblower starts and stops himself a few times before he makes the sound again, like clearing his throat.]

I... apologize.

[herotypical]

Our mutual friend learned how to cope with my preferences. You should, too.

[captainhornblower]

Upon the first meeting?

[A quiet, calm, politely toned question... but a challenge nonetheless.]

[herotypical]

No -- rather, on the first meeting I believe he conspired against me with my younger sister. But that's really kinda worse on the totem pole of politeness, isn't it?

[captainhornblower]

Then, perhaps, Miss Summers, you will be so kind as to give me some time, as it seems you gave our "mutual friend"? It is a strange -- rather difficult, as a matter of fact -- request.

[herotypical]

...His name -- [ don't you dare say 'was' ] -- is, uhm, Archie. Archie Kennedy.