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

[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.