Twenty-two bells: [WRITTEN/ACTION]

[noprevaricating]

[Filtered from known villains and Grell, 100% unhackable]

[The handwriting is disguised and the picture is obscured.]

For the benefit of the new feathers: if you feel unsafe somehow in your own home, you may go to the Welcome Center and be placed in a safe house until you can get back on your feet. There does not have to be a reason. Even if you have

Comments

[abidinglaw]

[Early that evening Admiral Norrington catches sight of Archie on his - James's - way to the square. The admiral is carrying a rake over his shoulder, and wears the clothing of a civilian. He quickens his step when he notices the lieutenant. Almost as though he fears the man will bolt.]

Lieutenant Kennedy! A moment of your time.

[abidinglaw]

[Norrington follows, but not without first buttoning the black jacket against the wind. He has never weathered a winter in Luceti before. How cold, he wonders, will it ultimately get?]

[noprevaricating]

[It's not a long walk. Archie opens the door for the admiral when they arrive.]

[abidinglaw]

Please, after you.

[The admiral says, reaching out to hold the door by its outer edge. He can be haughty at times, yes, but he is a guest in this place - and on top of that, he had requested to be here.]

[noprevaricating]

[Color Archie surprised. It would be really, really stupid to start up another argument over something as ridiculous as who goes first, so in he goes, swiftly heading to the kitchen to begin the tea. The house is in impeccable order, since two navy men live here and they're used to the "cleanliness or gruesome punishment" rule.]

Make yourself comfortable.

[abidinglaw]

[That? That would take some doing. When had he ever been comfortable? And what about this was comfortable? But he takes a seat all the same and occupies himself with looking around the lounge-esque-area to see what he might see.]

[noprevaricating]

[Most notably, he'll see a mural on the living room wall of a forty-four gun frigate with the name Indefatigable across her stern. Very little is left lying about--a stack of books on top of a shelf, some from beyond Norrington's time, some which should be familiar. A small model of a sloop-of-war, only partway done. Otherwise, it's clean in here.

Archie starts the hot water and pulls out the teapot. He got so strongly in the habit of don't talk to the superiors with Sawyer that he's struggling to come up with small talk.]

[abidinglaw]

[It is the mural that draws his eye. Silence does not worry him, though. If he speaks then he suspects that he will break whatever spell is keeping them from drawing their swords on each-other. Perhaps it is the work of a shift.]

[noprevaricating]

[In due time, Kennedy comes in with a tray. A small teapot--empty--two cups, cream, sugar, a small strainer, and a few sweets. He sets it down on the coffee table and heads back to the kitchen, soon emerging with the large teapot--full--and holding it very carefully. After setting it down, he picks up the lid on the smaller pot, sets the strainer inside, and pours tea into the small pot. He then sets the strainer into Norrington's cup and fills it from the small pot.

At no point does he look at the admiral.]

[abidinglaw]

Did you serve on her? The -- Indefatigable?

[In that brief pause he looks over at the mural to make doubly sure of the name. It would have been an embarrassment to them both if he had mis-spoken. Now he reaches over to take the cup that Archie has so thoughtfully filled for him, but he will not touch it until Kennedy gives some sign that he may.]

[noprevaricating]

[Archie glances at the mural while he fills his own cup.] As a mid. Transferred to her when the war began. She was the finest ship I had the pleasure of serving aboard, with the finest captain. There. [He sits and picks up his own cup.] Help yourself, sir, no need to stand on ceremony.

[abidinglaw]

[There, he lifts the cup gently by the handle and supports the bottom with the fingers of his other hand. In this manner he conveys it to the surface in front of him and sets it there after a brief and noiseless sip.]

By all accounts a worthy looking vessel.

[Another sip. He draw his eyes back up to the mural]

And fierce. When was she commissioned? And how many tonnes, all told?

[noprevaricating]

I can't tell you when her first commission was, back when she was a ship of the line. She was cut down in '93. Took down a seventy-four almost on her own, and I bet we could have done it even if the Amazon hadn't come along. Pellew was her captain, fierce and bold. A good man.

[As he speaks, a proud smile makes its way onto his face.]

[abidinglaw]

We? You mean to say that you were aboard when she confronted a seventy-four gunner?

[noprevaricating]

Captain Hornblower and I both had the honor, sir.

[abidinglaw]

And the Indefatigable had what? Sixty? At the most?

[He was studying the mural closely, now, leaning forward. It is clear whether he thinks the boy a fool or a hero.]