Because I ain't dead yet....
This short fic's been sleeping since forever on my hard drive. So in an attempt to kick some life back in this journal (there wasn't much to begin with), I'm posting it here tonight. Hopefully I'll find some time to ramble about my life later on. Right now I'm using all the free time I have to keep in touch with lovely friends and family. Otherwise I work and work and work (but I like it, at least).
Anyway, enjoy.
Fandom: Aubrey/Maturin series and Temeraire series crossover
Rating: G
Characters involved: Laurence, Jack, Stephen, Sir Joseph Blaine, Heneage and Temeraire
Word count: 1103
Spoilers: I don't think so, perhaps a tiny one for Black Powder War, but nothing too important.
Author’s note: I am aware that Heneage’s brother is probably not First Lord yet when this scene occurs, but bear with me, this is fiction after all.
“ He is not happy, you know”, said Laurence, ending the comfortable silence that had settled while the four men enjoyed Black’s finest port.
- Why not?” asked Jack, “ Temeraire has done so much for England! Without him, we would have been in a tight spot more than once against Boney….The service is hard, yet surely doing his duty should satisfy him?
- Oh, as to that, he is quite content, I assure you, Temeraire is anything but shy, and ever since Lien has sided with Bonaparte, he has surpassed himself ” retorted Laurence, “ No, I was thinking more of his campaign for the rights of dragons….
- Ah that. I take it it isn’t going well then?
- From the coverage from the press it hasn’t received, it’s not hard to deduce”, pointed Stephen. Laurence only nodded dolefully. “ And the tiny amount it got was not positive at all….
- Do not take that Lacombe fellow too much at heart, he is a scrub, and has not much influence in the Royal Society. Why, I’m pretty sure Sir Howe will trash him as he should in the next issue”, said Stephen.
“ And pray remind dear Temeraire that he has the Surprises’ affection. Ever since he helped us capture that pretty little frigate, the men have been fairly worshipping him” added Jack, also trying to cheer Laurence up. But he spoke no lie: the Surprises, after a short period of unease, now loved the dragon very much. Not only had he saved the Doctor, but he saved them and allowed them to escape with their prize.
“ Yes” Laurence smiled briefly. “Temeraire sure does love the handsome poem Mowett wrote of La Bohème’s capture, he reads it quite often. But, lately, it was not enough anymore. I fear he feels that the dragons don’t get the credit they deserve, and most of the population, unaware of their devotion to our country, still fear and mistrust them. For most, dragons are mere beasts.
- Perhaps I should speak to Melville”, ventured Heneage, “ We are already close with the Aerial Corps, and surely the Navy’s support will have a favourable impact on the public opinion. Although”, he added ruefully, “perhaps it’s not such a good idea right now….”
There was an awkward silence, as everyone tried very hard to forget Heneage’s latest caper with a pretty, but very married, Polish lady, and the First Lord’s wrath upon learning that his brother had once more disgraced himself.
“ I might have an idea”, said Stephen, looking every inch the conspirator, to everyone’s but Jack’s amusement, “I know some people who might be able to help us lift dear Temeraire’s spirit. It is unbearably sad to see such noble creature so dispirited.
- Ah, you mean to call upon the Duke of Clarence” assumed Heneage, all too glad of the diversion.
“ No, I had not thought of His Highness”, said Stephen, rising, “But I shan’t tell you more until I speak with my friends. I do not wish to give you false hopes”, he added for Lawrence. With that said, he bid them gall ood night, and hurried towards St James Park.
*************
“ A conference?” said Sir Joseph thoughtfully, “Yes, I believe it can be done. Although we will have to find a place to hold such an event. The halls of the Royal Society could house a dragon, but I doubt he could pass through the doors.
- Indeed. I thought we could arrange something in Bath, outdoors. Surely the Great Bath could do, it has no roofs. Or we can go someplace near the city….
- It’s a good idea! Our dear members are always eager to go to Bath at this time of the year. Not that they will need any further encouragement once they’ll know the identity of our lecturer!
- So I take it you do not mind using your contacts to organize the event…..
- Do not be silly, dear Maturin! For once, I will be able to oblige you for the countless…the priceless..” Sir Blaine’s words faltered when he saw Stephen’s unease at being praised such. “ Well, I will make the arrangements necessary.
- Do you think we should invite the press?” ventured Stephen.
- Yes, but not all of them. I will contact a few journalists that I know, who aren’t too ruthless and corrupted. Leave it to me. Oh Maturin! What a grand thing it will be!” Blaine’s skin coloured an healthy pink, “ Natural science will never be the same, I am sure!”
***********
“Oh Lawrence!” wailed Temeraire, “What shall I ever do? What shall I say to them?”
Lawrence looked at his friend fondly. He suspected that if he had been able to, the dragon would have wrung his paws. Instead he tore great gouges in the ground with his talons, slaying mercilessly the buttercups that dotted the field.
“Do you think a discourse on mathematics would please them? Or Chinese poetry perhaps? Would it be interesting enough? What do you think Lawrence? Won’t I bore them?
- I think”, said Lawrence gently, cutting through the endless stream of questions, “that you should address them on the subject that you know best: you.
- Me? I do not understand!
- Dragons, Temeraire, dragons. Talk to them about what you are. After all, to quote Aubrey, are you not the wonder of the world?”
***************
….and, because of that, the bond between a mother and her children last for all of their life. Thank you for your attention.” Temeraire bowed his head slowly. “I will now happily answer any question you may have.”
Silence greeted his last words, only broken by the occasional chirping of some nocturnal insect, of the crackling of the numerous torches. He looked at the silent crown standing before him, unsure of what to do, doubt and uneasiness marring his noble features.
But then the gathered scientists seemed to shook themselves out of their trance, and what began as a timid applause soon transformed into an ovation. Hands were raised in the air as everybody tried to get his attention, and, when that failed, the more impatient voiced their questions in the loudest voice they could muster.
“Well,” screamed Lawrence over the din, “ I think we may call this a success!
- Yes”, answered Aubrey, the sound of a crowd of screaming scientists barely a challenge for a voice which could be heard through the foulest gale, “ it is! But I suggest we give a hand to the Doctor…the gentlemen are getting overenthusiastic!”
Anyway, enjoy.
Fandom: Aubrey/Maturin series and Temeraire series crossover
Rating: G
Characters involved: Laurence, Jack, Stephen, Sir Joseph Blaine, Heneage and Temeraire
Word count: 1103
Spoilers: I don't think so, perhaps a tiny one for Black Powder War, but nothing too important.
Author’s note: I am aware that Heneage’s brother is probably not First Lord yet when this scene occurs, but bear with me, this is fiction after all.
“ He is not happy, you know”, said Laurence, ending the comfortable silence that had settled while the four men enjoyed Black’s finest port.
- Why not?” asked Jack, “ Temeraire has done so much for England! Without him, we would have been in a tight spot more than once against Boney….The service is hard, yet surely doing his duty should satisfy him?
- Oh, as to that, he is quite content, I assure you, Temeraire is anything but shy, and ever since Lien has sided with Bonaparte, he has surpassed himself ” retorted Laurence, “ No, I was thinking more of his campaign for the rights of dragons….
- Ah that. I take it it isn’t going well then?
- From the coverage from the press it hasn’t received, it’s not hard to deduce”, pointed Stephen. Laurence only nodded dolefully. “ And the tiny amount it got was not positive at all….
- Do not take that Lacombe fellow too much at heart, he is a scrub, and has not much influence in the Royal Society. Why, I’m pretty sure Sir Howe will trash him as he should in the next issue”, said Stephen.
“ And pray remind dear Temeraire that he has the Surprises’ affection. Ever since he helped us capture that pretty little frigate, the men have been fairly worshipping him” added Jack, also trying to cheer Laurence up. But he spoke no lie: the Surprises, after a short period of unease, now loved the dragon very much. Not only had he saved the Doctor, but he saved them and allowed them to escape with their prize.
“ Yes” Laurence smiled briefly. “Temeraire sure does love the handsome poem Mowett wrote of La Bohème’s capture, he reads it quite often. But, lately, it was not enough anymore. I fear he feels that the dragons don’t get the credit they deserve, and most of the population, unaware of their devotion to our country, still fear and mistrust them. For most, dragons are mere beasts.
- Perhaps I should speak to Melville”, ventured Heneage, “ We are already close with the Aerial Corps, and surely the Navy’s support will have a favourable impact on the public opinion. Although”, he added ruefully, “perhaps it’s not such a good idea right now….”
There was an awkward silence, as everyone tried very hard to forget Heneage’s latest caper with a pretty, but very married, Polish lady, and the First Lord’s wrath upon learning that his brother had once more disgraced himself.
“ I might have an idea”, said Stephen, looking every inch the conspirator, to everyone’s but Jack’s amusement, “I know some people who might be able to help us lift dear Temeraire’s spirit. It is unbearably sad to see such noble creature so dispirited.
- Ah, you mean to call upon the Duke of Clarence” assumed Heneage, all too glad of the diversion.
“ No, I had not thought of His Highness”, said Stephen, rising, “But I shan’t tell you more until I speak with my friends. I do not wish to give you false hopes”, he added for Lawrence. With that said, he bid them gall ood night, and hurried towards St James Park.
*************
“ A conference?” said Sir Joseph thoughtfully, “Yes, I believe it can be done. Although we will have to find a place to hold such an event. The halls of the Royal Society could house a dragon, but I doubt he could pass through the doors.
- Indeed. I thought we could arrange something in Bath, outdoors. Surely the Great Bath could do, it has no roofs. Or we can go someplace near the city….
- It’s a good idea! Our dear members are always eager to go to Bath at this time of the year. Not that they will need any further encouragement once they’ll know the identity of our lecturer!
- So I take it you do not mind using your contacts to organize the event…..
- Do not be silly, dear Maturin! For once, I will be able to oblige you for the countless…the priceless..” Sir Blaine’s words faltered when he saw Stephen’s unease at being praised such. “ Well, I will make the arrangements necessary.
- Do you think we should invite the press?” ventured Stephen.
- Yes, but not all of them. I will contact a few journalists that I know, who aren’t too ruthless and corrupted. Leave it to me. Oh Maturin! What a grand thing it will be!” Blaine’s skin coloured an healthy pink, “ Natural science will never be the same, I am sure!”
***********
“Oh Lawrence!” wailed Temeraire, “What shall I ever do? What shall I say to them?”
Lawrence looked at his friend fondly. He suspected that if he had been able to, the dragon would have wrung his paws. Instead he tore great gouges in the ground with his talons, slaying mercilessly the buttercups that dotted the field.
“Do you think a discourse on mathematics would please them? Or Chinese poetry perhaps? Would it be interesting enough? What do you think Lawrence? Won’t I bore them?
- I think”, said Lawrence gently, cutting through the endless stream of questions, “that you should address them on the subject that you know best: you.
- Me? I do not understand!
- Dragons, Temeraire, dragons. Talk to them about what you are. After all, to quote Aubrey, are you not the wonder of the world?”
***************
….and, because of that, the bond between a mother and her children last for all of their life. Thank you for your attention.” Temeraire bowed his head slowly. “I will now happily answer any question you may have.”
Silence greeted his last words, only broken by the occasional chirping of some nocturnal insect, of the crackling of the numerous torches. He looked at the silent crown standing before him, unsure of what to do, doubt and uneasiness marring his noble features.
But then the gathered scientists seemed to shook themselves out of their trance, and what began as a timid applause soon transformed into an ovation. Hands were raised in the air as everybody tried to get his attention, and, when that failed, the more impatient voiced their questions in the loudest voice they could muster.
“Well,” screamed Lawrence over the din, “ I think we may call this a success!
- Yes”, answered Aubrey, the sound of a crowd of screaming scientists barely a challenge for a voice which could be heard through the foulest gale, “ it is! But I suggest we give a hand to the Doctor…the gentlemen are getting overenthusiastic!”