First Weevil - [ACTION]

[straightatem]

[Well, Captain Aubrey has been in Luceti one night, arrived by the good will - or not - of Captain Sparrow and Lieutenant Kennedy and survived by the grace of Captain Hornblower's hospitality. Hazzah

Comments

action

[slaying]

[ give her a moment to outright stare. that's horatio, sure. she recognizes him. who's the guy with him? she slows down as she passes the fountain.

and maybe she clears her throat. and maybe she wrestles with herself for a very long time on whether to say anything at all because hot damn she should just go home and cry some more. that's what she feels like doing.

but buffy summers had long ago resigned herself to rarely ever do what she felt like doing. ]

H-hey. Horatio. And Horatio's...friend?

action

[seventeensir]

Miss Buffy.

[...There may even be something like a very, very small spring to Horatio's step.

Not so much for Aubrey's company, not really. He appreciates that, but what has him in such a mood today is the previous evening's conversation with Archie.]

Allow me to introduce you to Captain Jack Aubrey, of His Majesty's Surprise. Captain Aubrey, Miss Buffy Summers.

action

[straightatem]

[Female creature! All at once Jack goes from marveling at all the things he could possibly marvel at; to standing straight and smiling broadly. Once properly introduced, Jack inclined his head in a little shadow of a bow. He seemed to be adjusting to the whole 'wings on your back, strange new world' deal rather well.

The pants she's wearing throw him off a bit though.]

A pleasure to meet you I must say, Miss Summers!

[He seemed to be ignoring how ridiculous he looked in clothes that were a few sizes too small for him. ]

action

[slaying]

Captain Jack, you say?

[ a tired little expression before she manages to force out a smile and a pun: ] Well that's a -- hah -- surprise. Or not. Jacks of the captain variety are a welcomed staple of the place.

Hi. And -- God I know Horatio will never stand for it but, please, just call me Buffy.

action

[seventeensir]

Captain Jack Aubrey, yes, Miss Buffy.

[He is trying very, very hard not to give any facial expressions regarding being constantly referred to by his first name. It's strange to hear. Generally, only Archie and Maria did such a thing, William Bush at times.

He's getting used to it. But it's still damned strange.]

action

[straightatem]

[She punned. Oh lord. Jack laughed at once, puns being one of his most favorite thing in the world. It was good to hear something truly funny.]

Surprise! Hah! Indeed. Wonderful wit. [And thus, the strange way she dressed was completely ignored.

Something else though, was not. He tried not to look slightly disappointed.]

Forgive me for asking, but -- are you two sweethearts? [Way to be subtle.]

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[slaying]

[ a satisfied smile -- so few people acknowledge her wit! -- soon melts away into horror. ]

Wh-what? Me? Him? God no. Not that...no offense, Horatio. But jeez, I'm...there's this other captain and he...well, I think he..

[ she looks so stunned. and lost. and even a little sad. ] Why? Did I do something wrong? Say something...?

action

[seventeensir]

[Excuse Horatio. He's... going to be half coughing, trying not to add his own frenzied protests. He'd likely insult Buffy, unintentionally.]

No, no.

You see, Captain Aubrey... [His look? Is one of utter sympathy.] Miss Buffy is from a... Well, I explained how not everyone is from where we are? Where Miss Buffy is from, even casual acquaintances use Christian names.

[He looks at Buffy with an apologetic look.] Where Captain Aubrey and I are from, such addresses are generally limited to very intimate friends, family, or sweethearts.

action

[straightatem]

[One moment. ...he needs time.

Ah. There. It registers. And Jack looks completely bashful, momentarily ducking his head before speaking and he smiles out of embarrassment.]

Beg your forgiveness, Miss Summers. Captain.
It was crass of me, certainly, to dive upon a conclusion such as -- such as that.

[By 'dive' he means 'jump to'.]

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[slaying]

As long as we're all straightened out now about who's sweet on who then I think we'll all survive the conclusion-diving.

action

[seventeensir]

Yes, I believe we shall.

[Even this? Cannot deflate Horatio's mood. Which is a very quiet good mood to most people, but, for him, it's high spirits.]

action

[straightatem]

In which case, Miss Summers, permit me to become better acquainted with you before I begin to use your Christian name.

[Innocent half-flirting? You bet.]

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[slaying]

...And in that case? I'll gladly stick with Aubrey. I don't have to say mister, do I? [ at this, she looks to hornblower for counsel. ] Because that kinds makes someone sound like a teacher. And that's just weird.

action

[seventeensir]

"Captain Aubrey" would be best. Lieutenants and under, for instance, "Mister Kennedy," one would address in that manner, but a captain is best called either by his rank and surname or "sir."

[He politely ducks his head, nodding to Aubrey.]

However, naturally, every man is different. I would not think to presume, sir, to say what you would prefer.

action

[straightatem]

Title or no, if you find one more comfortable to use than the other I won't implore you to use "Captain" or "sir". If it's my understanding that's correct your ah...world, is it? Speaks more plainly. It's strange, but if that is indeed your custom it don't signify.

[Translation: Aubrey is fine.]

action

[slaying]

I don't require those not in my organization to use my title for me so -- hey, I'm all well and good to sticking with Aubrey if it's all the same to you. Not that being a Captain -- the both of you -- isn't a pretty damned cool thing. But I'm not in the navy. Neither of you are my Captains and I'm not your General. Ergo, I think the titles are kind of a wash-out at this point.

Except for fun and teasing. That's completely different.

[ not that buffy was even a general in the strictest of senses but, ah, she digresses. ]