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[unpolitic_jack]

Hello! Captain Jack Aubrey, pleased to meet you all. I'm told that there's a series of books about me and my particular friend Doctor Stephen Maturin, written by a gentleman named Patrick O'Brian. It's twenty one volumes long, which seems excessive, particularly since they seem to be hefty volumes (rather like myself, ha!) and I'd say I didn't

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[sweariwontdie]

I'm French but I live in England.

*bows* Armand St. Just at your service, is it Capitain Aubrey?'

[unpolitic_jack]

Sensible of you! *grins*

*bows back* Pleased to meet you, Mr. St. Just. Yes, it'd be Captain Aubrey.

[sweariwontdie]

My sister married an Englishman. Maybe you've heard of him. Sir Percy Blakeney.

Being in the British Navy must be interesting for there to be so many books. There's you and that Horatio Hornblower, though I've only met his friend, Archie Kennedy. I love ships and being at see but I don't know anything about it. One day I'd like to do something other than sail back and forth across the channel.

[unpolitic_jack]

*looks completely blank* Not Navy, I take it?

*brightens - things he knows!* An excellent ambition indeed, sir! An excellent ambition. Channel crossings can be tricky, depending on the time of year, but they're not quite the thing for a real taste of the sea.

[sweariwontdie]

I'm afraid not. My sister and I were too close for me to think of going off like that. I was studying law, but that's not doing me a lot of good in England.

*smiles*

The thing is, I'd like to sail on a ship much like yours, but passenger traffic is rare. What do you think?

[unpolitic_jack]

*considers* There's always taking a position as a clerk with a ship - merchant men are almost always on the lookout for an honest man with a clear hand who can write.

[sweariwontdie]

I hadn't thought of that. *considers* Neither Victoria nor Marguerite would like that. Would I be stuck doing that always?

[unpolitic_jack]

*laughs* Never! I suggested it because there's nothing easier than to leave a crew when you're simply there to keep records. Most merchant vessels sign you on for a certain term, a single voyage or so, and then give you the chance to stay or go as you see fit. It's a fine way to get a feel for the seafaring life - just taking a trip of a few months with a perfectly ordinary ship.

After that, if you decide you like it, well, that's a different story. But I believe quite firmly that when it comes to sailing, you should know what you're getting yourself into. And the only real way to know that is to try your hand.

[sweariwontdie]

I shall consider that then, Captain Aubrey. If I'm to go off on any adventure, I'd have to make sure that my sister and my lady friend were supportive. My sister, you see, is expecting her first child, and I'm to be the godfather, so I have to be available for the christening.

It's been wonderful meeting you. I hope to see you around here more often.

*smiles*