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Post by Ladorak on Aug 31, 2011 23:20:56 GMT -5
Ladorak slowly wandered through the town, heading for the hill above that would take him back to the camp. Caden was back in his tent, though only by choice. He had insisted on not moving into the fort, and by the time he fell sick, it was too late. The town fell, and by that point, Ladorak didn't seek to move him without risk.
He was at a low point in his life... nothing but an insignificant speck as he walked through a big island, on an even bigger sea, on a huge planet. His ward was ill... he was ill, his mentor might be getting relieved, and for the first time in his life, he had never felt quite so alone before. It was like his life itself was choosing to abandon him in his most darkest hour. He wondered briefly if he should just pocket his engagement ring, and no longer wear it, though he kept it about him for now, even though it felt tighter than it did on most days.
Caden's illness had him worried, as any father might naturally do, and he knew he shouldn't overly concern himself with such things, but couple it with many of his crew being sick, and it was just too much. He cared for all of them, and seeing them in this sorry state, after they'd basically carried this island on their own was breaking him down, especially when Hood's words still rung in his ears. They might not even get any recognition for it. It stung him, and burned his eyes.
Losing Hood would really do it for him. He'd HAVE to act... to do SOMETHING to relieve this pressure, tension, and depression. Even if it meant justifiable killing of his old enemies... as much as he loathed the idea... it might help, even in the slightest. But first... he needed to get his crew out of here.
He decided to head for Caden's tent, as he needed to see how he was holding up. He'd then make the announcement that they were sailing with the evening tide, and work on getting everyone back aboard his ship. Blasted island... such a great place for glory and personal recognition, and all they'd got was disease and misery... and of course a usable naval base, as that counted for something... but Ladorak wasn't sure if it was worth all of this. They might all laugh about it later when it took them only five days to resupply instead of two weeks, but only time would tell. It probably would be worth it in a few months... or so he thought as he turned it over in his mind.
The stoat was starting to feel feverish and chilly, and knew he'd need to get some gin and tonic in him soon, or he'd be laid up in bed for the rest of the day. Blasted illness... he hated having it. Just another thing he'd be carrying with him for life now, along with the missing eyesight in his right eye.
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Caden was laid up with a relatively mild yet still deadly disease. Mild in terms of symptoms, but deadly in terms of death by dehydration. What little water he could have he made sure to get from collection barrels after it rained. Fortunately, they had had a pretty heavy storm a few days ago, and water was plentiful once again on this otherwise dry rock. It was mana from heavy as far as Caden was concerned, and was probably serving to keep him alive.
The albino had been stricken with dysentery, his first case of it that he could recall having. Fortunately, it usually did not have a very high fever or discomfort aside from stomach and some muscles, and it lasted no longer than a week in most cases. The lack of sanitation in the camp was really taking its toll, and getting back on the ship would be a very good thing.
As it was, Caden was in his fourth day of the illness, but counted himself lucky that he had this rather than malaria (which you had for life), or typhoid, which made you dangerously sick and had a higher mortality rate (35% as opposed to 15% for untreated dysentery cases). As it stood, Caden had to make frequent trips outdoors to do his business, but he was fine with that.
He looked up as Selvis entered his tent. "Oh... Selvis. Hello there." he said, rubbing his stomach. "Heh... seems the bug has caught me as well. Was hoping to avoid it... but couldn't quite dodge the bullet. And how are you then? How's the ankle?" he asked, grimacing a little at the unease passing through his stomach. He had a pot of water next to his bed, and made sure to drink from it as frequently as he could. In fact, every time he made a trip outdoors to take care of business, he'd refill the pot at the water cask... though to him, it seemed like a never ending cycle. The more he drank, the more he seemed to lose... but that was the nature of the disease.
"Stupid illness is making me rather embarrassed... if I'm not vomiting every fifteen minutes, I'm running outside behind a tree to relieve myself. Ugh... it's rather annoying... and unpleasant..." here he gagged, a paw shooting up to his mouth as he tilted his head just in case, but then managed to force it back down. "Ugh... see? I've managed to avoid puking in my tent so far... but this is far worse than any stomach ailment I've ever had before. I've run a small fever, but nowhere near as bad as Ocean had. Just makes me sleepy and uncomfortable most of the time. The nausea's the worst part. Can hardly keep any food down... and well, you notice I've lost some weight." he said, slapping his chest and running the paw down to his stomach. "Should have a few more days before I recover, least from what the doctor says." he explained, and rested back into his pillow as the nausea hit him again, and he returned to a more prone position to try and ride it out.
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Ocean looked up from the light doze he'd been in. "Oh... hey there Carrow. I find the breeze to be quite pleasant in the shade... it's so hot otherwise. I'm thankful my fever finally broke... was horrific, being locked in delirium all the time. Had that stupid cough too... still have it a little bit."
He yawned and stretched. "Mostly just tired now. Three weeks is a long time to have an illness... but typhoid does that to you... grips you for three weeks, then finally goes away. Most unpleasant experience I think I've ever been through. I NEVER want to get it again." he said, frowning.
"My muscles are so weak... I've been in bed for two of those three weeks after all... doing nothing with no exercise. I'm gonna have to get used to it again. I only hope the Captain will excuse me for a few days of intense labor while my muscles reacclimate themselves. So... how are you?" he asked, looking over at him.
"Now that I'm more lucid and not hallucinating... I suppose I can hold a conversation." he stretched one of his legs out now, slowly trying to get it used to movement and strain. He bent it a few times, taking it steady and slow as he did so.
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Post by Carrow on Sept 1, 2011 18:29:32 GMT -5
Selvis couldn't help but grimace slightly as well as Caden explained to him about his illness. He hadn't been aware of what exactly the pine marten had come down with, but it had clearly taken a toll on him. It wasn't anything too serious from the looks of things, but Selvis hoped his companion was back on his paws sooner rather than later.
The weasel used his crutches to help himself inside, giving his friend a sympathetic look that also carried slight frustration. "It's this damn island, Caden, that's been wearing all of us out. Can't wait to be shot of this place. You wouldn't hear me complaining if we were to leave today. I'd probably celebrate in fact... if I didn't have certain, well, limitations," he added, shaking his head. "I hate it here, I really do."
The albino marten then asked him about his ankle, and he brightened up a bit. "Oh, it's coming along well enough. I'm on the mend, maybe not as quickly as I'd like, but well, at least I can walk again to a certain extent - which is why I came here to talk to you the first chance I could get. I know you'd visit if you could, but since you can't, I thought I'd return the favour for all the times you've been there for me these last couple of weeks," he told Caden, smiling.
He frowned as his friend just about managed to keep from vomiting in his tent. Well, that was certainly unpleasant, just as the pine marten had said, and Selvis was forced to turn his face away for a few seconds until he was sure the threat had passed. When he was, he turned to face Caden again, going over to pat his paw gently. "Seems to me you've gotten through worse than this before, and I'm quite sure you'll recover soon enough. You said a few more days should do it. I hope so too.
"In any case, once we get back on the ship, you should have your appetite back. I'll be the first to admit I haven't really been able to eat as much as usual these past few weeks - sometimes I genuinely just haven't felt like it, but I'm getting better now, even if I have at least another week of using these things to look forward to," he said, sighing a bit before deciding to change the subject.
"Caden, can I admit something to you? I've been... thinking about things a lot the last few weeks. I don't know if you've noticed - then again I haven't exactly been able to hide it - but recently I've been feeling quite insecure and despondent, and I've needed to talk to you about it," he admitted. He needed to get this out in the open. After all, the longtail was firmly of the opinion that a problem shared was a problem halved, and he could definitely do with some support.
"It's been worse than I could ever remember... and I honestly wondered, what's wrong with me? Why couldn't I hold on to what I had last year? I think I know what went wrong. I tried to be as positive and caring to others as I could be, helping them whenever I could, and I'll still try to do that... but the point I'm trying to make is, I'd done so much work with others that I didn't know what to do with myself, and couldn't save myself after Florence... I'd never really had to before.
"I still don't know what I have to do to make myself feel happier about who I am, if I'm honest... because there have been times this year when I've questioned myself so intensely that I've almost cried... but well... maybe I could try and live for others instead. I've been told I'm good at helping creatures out... even if sometimes I've been more of a hindrance than a help, but you can't win them all I guess," he said, well able to admit he'd made plenty of mistakes.
"I'm not the shining beacon of positivity I used to be... but I can still be useful sometimes," he said with a sheepish smile. "I felt really lost, these past few weeks, but I'm getting better now, I'll try and make things better for me, and everybeast else I care about."
--
Carrow nodded when Ocean mentioned the relief the breeze was providing from the heat. He understood exactly where the ermine was coming from. "Yes, this is quite a respite from this blasted heat we've all had to put up with for the entire time we've been here," he responded, chuckling slightly. "I still can't seem to get used to it, but I've been keeping active since I got out of bed a couple of weeks ago, and keeping hydrated pretty much as best I can, so I should be in the clear. No relapse for me, I don't think," he said confidently.
"As for feeling tired, well, I had to live with that for years on end, so I can sympathise with you on that one," the mouse said softly, settling into his sitting position. "I have to admit, though, about your illness - I was never too worried about you. I always reckoned you'd make it through anyway, and you'll get over this as well. Don't worry. Give it a few more days and you should be back to your usual self again." The rodent was hoping the same would apply to himself. This limp was rather unpleasant.
"As for Ladorak letting you off the intense work, well, I don't see any reason why he shouldn't do that. You're not really in any fit state to do that kind of work, if I'm perfectly honest. Of course you'll pull your weight and do the best you can, you always have if I recall right," he told the ermine with a smile, "but you can't be expected to do that sort of thing in your current condition, stands to reason really, and Ladorak's a reasonable stoat. Again, don't worry about it. You'll be fine," he said reassuringly.
"I'm glad we're going to be able to get to talk for a while. I've missed being able to do that with you, and that's why I'm particularly glad to speak to you again," he said honestly. Ocean, like all the field mouse's friends, was the kind of creature you could rely on. "I've been alright, thankfully. Managed to avoid getting sick, somehow - didn't honestly expect that to happen, because I've never actually been able to do that at the best of times. The days I didn't show up at school, before I got pulled out, most of them were because I was in bed sick with something.
"I don't usually have much luck with that, so I'm thankful for my health, especially because so many creatures here are either injured or sick." He looked around and spotted Elle nearby. She was still busy, but she looked to be enjoying herself with something, so he'd leave her to it and hopefully get to have a word with her later. He returned his gaze to Ocean, frowning slightly himself. "I've been feeling homesick, though, and I wanted to talk to somebeast about it. I have something I want to get off my chest to you. Could I show you something?," he enquired, smiling at the mustelid, feeling rather grateful for his company.
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Post by Ladorak on Sept 2, 2011 9:26:57 GMT -5
"Well..." Caden said, trailing off a little as he rubbed his stomach. "I think the more correct assessment is that I'll recover my appetite when I recover from my dysentery." he said, wincing a little from his protesting stomach. "Wouldn't matter about getting back to the ship... though I must admit... life just seems much better whenever I'm out to sea." he confessed.
He listened to Selvis's words now, and closed his eyes a little, taking it all in. "Who ever knows what it'll take to make them fully happy?" Caden asked, half groaning a little. "I mean... you can look at it one of two ways. You'll either never know the answer to that... or you couldn't think of a reason in the world WHY you'd be upset." he said, still rubbing his stomach and trying to keep its contents settled.
"You've got a job, three meals a day, friends to live for and work with, and the sense of adventure and travel that only comes with being on a warship. So... what's there to be sad about? You can't figure yourself out? Do you really need to, when your life is basically as structured and ordered as it it?" he asked, moving a little to grab the pot and take another drink.
"I think you can look at your life right now as a pretty good start. That ought to help, eh? I'd say a sailor is definitely a part of your identity. Moving into Corporal whenever you can manage it, too." He reminded him. "Can't be of faint of heart for that." he added, smiling a little.
"I think... that living for others and yourself is equally important. The crew makes up the ship's operations, and we all work together to see that happen. So yes, you live for yourself and others while at work." he stopped now as he noticed Ladorak pulling the tent flap back. The stoat looked a little haggard, and the marten knew why. His malaria had to be acting up.
"How is everyone?" the stoat asked. "How's my Midshipjack doing?"
"Surviving... I guess. How are you?" the albino asked back.
"Hm... the same I suppose. Make sure you drink plenty of water, alright? Doctor says dehydration is the most dangerous thing with dysentery."
"Yep... am doing so, sir. How's your fever?"
"Acting up... going to need to get some tonic in me soon. I hope you're ready to leave... because we've been given orders to sail on the evening tide." the stoat said, starting to smile. "So start packing up if you can. We're out of here. Heading first to Genoa, and then to Livorno... meaning we'll probably be heading to Florence again."
That WAS good news! Caden couldn't help but break out into a smile. The relief he felt already started making him feel better. "Fabulous!" He said.
"You may board the ship at your leisure. I'll be having boats constantly taking supplies and sailors back and forth from this point on, but just make sure you're all back before 6 PM." he said. "I'll pass the word around."
"Yes, sir." Caden said, nodding as Ladorak left. "Hey! Great news, eh? Heading back to Calgary... our old haunt." He chuckled. "Mind helping me pack? Once we're done with Elle's and my things, I can help you get your stuff ready, too." he offered.
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Ocean leaned back against the tree, pushing his other leg out now to begin stretching that. "Well... to be honest with you, you're probably right. I just hope whatever damage was done between myself and Ladorak, courtesy of a certain weasel of course... shall not hinder our relationship any further." the ermine commented. "Ladorak... knows something about me... something I haven't told anyone else... but he also doesn't know everything just yet. I figure I should tell him at some point. His fiancee seems to think what he DOES know about is something I can control... but it really isn't." he said, shaking his head.
"It's never that simple. Maybe I should tell you first... about the other thing that is... before telling him. He missed it during the screening because I didn't make it public. Though you're right... he really does look out for his crew whenever he can." he was bending the knee of his other leg now, flexing it and stretching it in order to get it used to movement.
"What did you want to show me?" he asked, clearing his throat a little. "Perhaps... if I feel up to it... we can swap secrets." he said, smiling in a small way.
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Post by Carrow on Sept 2, 2011 18:22:57 GMT -5
Selvis nodded. "I have to agree - there's no place I'd rather be than out at sea. it's the one place I've gotten used to being around the most, and I prefer it to being on land. I thought it'd take me a while to find my sea legs, but it didn't." Not to mention that the last four times I've been on land, something terrible has happened to either me or somebeast I care about - small wonder I prefer being on the ship, he didn't add. He didn't need to say it, not when he was trying to make himself feel better about things. He fell silent a moment as the pine marten responded to his admission. Caden was quite good for offering advice, and nothing was different about the words he spoke now. They helped the weasel quite a good deal, and even brought at smile to his face. "Thank you for reminding me of all this, Caden, really; I've been focusing on the downsides a good deal more than usual as of late, but then again I haven't been in the best of places lately so I suppose it couldn't be helped. "I'm getting better now, as I said. You wonder if I need to figure myself out, and I guess you're right in any case because I kind of don't. I've just really been thinking a lot about that recently. You probably wouldn't think it, but I get introspective when I'm upset. The only reason I even got like that because I had broken my ankle. It brought me down a lot and made me think of less pleasant things. Now I'm on the mend, though, I can try and put that behind me, because I know I can move on. Things are better now, after all. "I know I have a job and enough food, and I'm thankful for that, but somehow I don't think any of this would matter if I didn't have friends as great as you, Carrow and Elle. I have meaning now because of the three of you after all. I was as good as without purpose before I met you, and it's not hard for me to admit it anymore. While I'm not sure I'll ever be as confident in myself as I was before all that happened last year, generally speaking my life is better now than ever before." His smile widened a little. "Thanks, Caden. This means a lot. Sometimes, when I'm upset, I can't see things for what they are. I've struggled with that, but you're really helping me at the moment. I'd like to say that you can talk to me about things like this as well, if you're feeling upset. I'd like to help you out, whenever possible. "I didn't realise, before you talked to me on the Orion, how good of a friend you could be, and how much I'd like to start spending more time with you. We're doing that now, though, and you've helped me a lot since we landed here. I appreciate all that, Caden, and sorry I didn't show it very much before," he said softly, finding that the pine marten was being an even better friend to him now than Carrow had been - and feeling eternally grateful to him for being given yet another chance. The aftermath of the Glorious First of June had left him broken and depressed, and now he was ready to turn over a new leaf. Ladorak entered the tent then, and even though the stoat looked slightly out of it - Selvis, who had seen him like this before, knew it was because of his malaria - the weasel perked up a little more when he spotted the stoat Captain, responding honestly to his question. "I won't lie, sir: for a number of reasons it's been a tough few weeks for me, but I'm walking around again and possibly even starting to get back to my old self, so I'm doing well." He smiled at the stoat, just about to ask about his malaria, but Caden got there first, so the weasel let them converse for a while. His tail shot up into the air as he heard the Captain reveal that they were sailing in the evening, and he felt his heart soar. YES! While he might not have been sad anymore, he was still tired of this place and couldn't wait to leave. He nodded at the stoat's instructions, and when Ladorak left, it properly sank in for the weasel and he punched the air in celebration. "It'll be nice to visit Florence again - all things considered it was rather an excellent Christmas we spent there last year," he said with a smile. "Sure, I can help you pack! I'd be glad to in fact. Now, what do I start with?," he asked his companion, his eyes sparkling slightly. In just a few hours he'd be back on the ship - brilliant! -- Carrow's face darkened at the mention of Willard. Whatever progress he had been helping the weasel to make before they had landed at Calvi - with Willard refusing to leave his precious Agamemnon of course (and Carrow didn't think he had either the skill or patience to alter that aspect of the weasel's personality) - he still found it impossible to forgive him for what he had done. He'd almost driven Ocean to desertion, and Carrow would have been quite upset if the ermine had been pushed that far. He hated the thought of losing him after all. "Willard's far too much of a goody-two-shoes for my liking. I'm uncertain as to whether he's such a stick-in-the-mud that he'll never change that, but I have my doubts, even if I do hope he sees the light someday, for the continued sanity of everybeast who bothers to give him the time of day, including myself. I've been trying to help him, but only time will tell if this has any effect." He sighed. "I don't want to talk about him anymore, even if it does seem I'm fighting a losing battle with him... anyways, you want to tell me something as well? Alright, that's just fine. I can keep a secret better than you might think a creature like me could," he told the ermine, smiling himself. He'd kept one for five years after all. "You can rely on me. I wouldn't mind swapping secrets with you. Mine is a secret I've only kept for this long because I haven't found a way to talk about it before now.... but well," the field mouse said, reaching into his pocket and withdrawing and unfolding the letter, genuinely surprised to see it hadn't burned a while through the place which it had lain dormant for nigh on two months, "this should help you understand. I copied it out because I wanted to show it when the time was right," he admitted as he pawed it over to the ermine. The letter was written in heavy font, heavier than usual for Carrow's paw-writing; the rodent knew that this was because he'd struggled to write it at all and had needed to be extra careful to avoid making any mistakes. Gibraltar, June 16th 1794
My dearest Archie,
How are things at home? I'm sorry I haven't been able to write in so long, but I've been extremely busy, as you'll hear about in a moment. This Pastreus Lepora creature sounds rather nice. I should very much like to meet him someday, if he's anything like how you've described him. I'm glad to hear you seem to be doing better now.
You wouldn't believe me if I told you, but I've actually been in a fleet battle quite recently! I was on another Welkin ship, the Orion, for a few weeks, and the experience of that kind of combat is something I'll never forget as long as I live! I've also been involved in a siege as well - we took Bastia last month, and not before time, I have to say.
I've been practicing those techniques you taught me - both on myself and on others! I successfully put Caden under while we were on the Orion - he needed a paw sleeping so I offered my services. He was quite a good subject for somebeast who hadn't experienced it before.
On that note, I've also been trying to work on Willard Waters. He's been having quite a rough time of it recently, but the only reason I helped him was because Marten Pyne (guess what species of creature he is!) and Tally, the mousemaid I mentioned before - and who I've started developing feelings for - wanted me to help him somehow. So they suggested I try and hypnotise him. It went well enough, I suppose, but now I have to schedule sessions with him to make sure he doesn't revert to his old self.
I didn't think he was entirely deserving of my help. Far be it from me to refuse aiding a creature in distress, but I'm finding it hard to forgive him because of certain things he's perpetrated against a certain member of our crew that I'm not at liberty to go into here. hopefully I actually end up helping him in the long run. Maybe he's too stubborn to really change - and to be honest I've been thinking that lately and am almost convinced I'm right - but he needs it, for his own sake. It's better for everybeast that way.
I've also been thinking a lot about you lately. I've missed you very, very much since that last night we were together, last year. I've read over the letter I got in February, countless times, and I'll probably read it more times before I'm done with it. Some nights I sit here and worry about you, feeling more homesick every minute. I don't want to leave and come home because this life is almost all I have left, but if we could be together it would provide me with such relief.
I'm not lonely. I have great friends and am incredibly thankful for that, but I miss you terribly... I never realised I could miss any one creature so much. I would do anything to see you, but I don't know where we're going so I can't ask you to come visit. I just hope it won't be all that much longer before I can be with you again, even for a little while.
Please take care of yourself, and I look forward immensely to your response.
Fondly yours, Cerinus Apodemus.He smiled in a bittersweet kind of way, glad to be reminded of her again, but sad to have to reveal just how very much he missed his long-tailed weasel carer. She'd known him for almost ten years before he'd left, after all. The letters were just about enough to comfort him. He looked at Ocean, tears gathering in the corners of his eyes as he wondered what his friend had to say.
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Post by Ladorak on Sept 4, 2011 1:27:15 GMT -5
((Sorry for the short post, but I've been so swamped that it's all I can manage for now. I was gonna add a Ladorak bit but... no time so... next post I guess.)) "Well, let's start by getting my bedding rolled up, and then some of my books packed, and we'll take down the tent." the marten said, pushing himself up slowly to a sitting position. "Maybe if you could do my bedding... that would be great." Caden suggested. "And I could pack my books, then both of us could take down the tent. I could help you with that, as I don't want you doing all the heavy work after all. I'll try and get Elle's things packed too." the marten said, moving over to his books and starting to shove them into his haversack. "Yes... I'm really looking forward to Florence again. I LOVED the Pitti Palace, and I'd certainly like to stay there again!" the marten commented, chuckling to himself now as he began working on a few of Elle's things as well, making sure to treat them delicately, and putting them into their proper place in her bags. "I know it wasn't the best time for you... but just think of the luxury!" he exclaimed, starting to smile now in spite of his fever and stomach. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ocean read the letter slowly, looking over each word, and realizing that Carrow was quite the learned writer, much better than himself. It was eloquent, and reminded him of possibly a book he had read, or something similar. His face darkened though when he was reminded of Willard. He paused when he got to that point in the writing. "Hmph... Willard... you know Carrow... I'm starting to think that maybe it was better if I HAD deserted. I've been starting to think I won't make much of a difference anymore, now that my career has been essentially wrecked by that weasel." he spat. "So here we sit... all this crap piling up on me, and me with nothing to show for it. I don't think he could ever make up for that." he shook his head sadly. "Getting caught and shot or hanged would have been a better fate than a possible disgrace through court martial if we ever reach Welkin again." he frowned in a distressed fashion, and leaned back against the tree to continue reading the letter. "Alright... let's see..." he said, reading silently to himself, his eyes roving back and forth as he read the letter in its entirety. "Not bad Carrow." he said, looking up from it as he pawed it back to the mouse. "Not bad at all. You write very well... certainly better than I do." he said, smiling a little. "It's a gift I think, when so many our age can't read and write. Heh... well then... I suppose I should move onto... oh yes, did you want to discuss your letter?" he asked, remembering his manners. "Anything at all you wished to go over?" the ermine pressed. He did however notice the tears forming in Carrow's eyes, and his brow furrowed. "Is something wrong?" he asked.
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Post by Carrow on Sept 4, 2011 18:30:55 GMT -5
Selvis smiled at his pine marten friend. "Thank you for being so considerate, Caden. I would gladly do some more of the heavy work if I could manage it, but in my current state I can only do whatever I can, so thanks. I appreciate you offering to give me a paw with my things - though we have a short way to go to the Sick Tent to retrieve them. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it, though. For now..."
Without further ado, the longtail began rolling up his fellow mustelid's bedding, after moving as close to the bed as he could possibly manage without actually being on top of it. Selvis was playing it extremely safe because of his injury, but found, once he had settled, that there was little difficulty involved in the task itself.
"I have to say, it's nice that we have a chance to work together like this. Even with my busted ankle and your sickness, we're still going to do a good job," he told his companion with another smile. "Besides, I know the sooner we get all our things sorted out, the sooner we can get back on the ship and get the hell away from this island. I've spent so much time on land over the last two months that I've almost forgotten what the feeling of a solid deck beneath my paws actually feels like," he admitted, chuckling a little, as he continued to work.
The process was taking a little longer than it normally would have, but then again Selvis wasn't on top form. "It'll be nice to be back in Florence. I loved the place, and hope to do a little more exploration this year. I feel I didn't get to do enough of it last year - though then again I wasn't really in the best of form for it, so that's understandable.
"I'm sure I can make up for what I missed out on, though - and that's another thing I have to agree with you on, matey: the palace was a great place to stay!" He smiled a little; Florence had been both the best and worst of times for him. "I'd never have seen anything like it I hadn't joined up with you lot.
"I really enjoy all this travelling we do - that was one thing that always appealed to me about being a sailor, even when I wasn't thinking about experiencing it for myself. Being able to see the world and rack up all sorts of new experiences. And there... we... go... I think... ergh... right. THAT should do it!," he exclaimed softly, smiling as he gestured down at the rolled-up bedding. Looking over at Caden, the weasel was as eager to help as ever. "Need a paw with that?," he asked.
--
Carrow stroked his chin thoughtfully, sniffling a little as he tried to get his emotions under control. "Ocean... you said something earlier about Ladorak knowing something about you, and Molly seeming to think you can control this thing that they both know about... but you can't, like you said, right?," he asked the ermine, furrowing his brow slightly in thought as he tried to piece together what he was going to say.
"You should get a chance to explain your side of the story, Ocean. If you haven't already, you should really ask for one, because it seems to me that this is a tad more complex than Ladorak thinks... or indeed, more complex than Willard thinks, though that wouldn't be too hard," he commented with a small chuckle. "He seems to describe to the kind of black-and-white thinking that I just can't stand.
"I'm going to make things clear, right: Willard... I'm honestly not sure what his motive was. Knowing him, he probably thought that ratting you out was for the good of the ship, but I don't really think it's that simple. He couldn't possibly have acted like that and told Ladorak what he did, without knowing that he stood a good chance of damaging your career.
"So he had a choice. He could have done the honourable thing and perhaps asked to hear you out, until you explained the full story to him, because he doesn't know everything about it and it seems to me he just acted on impulse. He didn't, though - it seems he fully knew what would happen to you once your secret was out, but went ahead with it anyway. That, to me, is absolutely despicable," he said with audible disgust in his voice. "No wonder you hate him. I don't really like him either, to be honest, and only did what I did as a favour to Tally and Marten, as said. I wouldn't have bothered with him otherwise."
He patted Ocean's paw in a comforting manner. The corners of his eyes were filled with unshed tears, but he was going to try and support the ermine first. That was more important to him at this stage. Ocean was still having a hard time with his situation, and the field mouse's blood boiled as he thought of Willard's betrayal of the older mustelid. That's how he saw it: betrayal. There was no way around it. "I'm sure it'll work out if you get an opportunity to speak your piece. Your honesty can't be used against you after all."
He nodded as Ocean complemented his writing skills. "Thanks, mate; it means a lot. The only good thing I took away from my time at school was an idea of how to rite properly, and then Archie's homeschooling helped me improve further. I wrote better than I spoke, back then... due to me being a nervous wreck," he admitted with a shrug. "Sometimes I think I still do, in fact. So thank you." The rodent nodded again when the idea of him discussing his letter was brought up.
He was about to speak when Ocean noticed the tears in his eyes. There was no point trying to cover them up, so, sighing a little, the mouse wiped them away and shook his head. "Not as such, no... but it's only hit me recently that I may never see Archie again. The letters I get from her are just barely enough to cure how sick at heart I feel when I think of her sometimes. I'd known her for ten years, and even though I have the letters... and the memories... I just... I just miss her so much..." Just like that, the field mouse started weeping softly, moving up a little closer to Ocean as he sought comfort. He felt more complete than he'd ever felt before, but the weasel's absence weighed on him in such a way that it could only ever be alleviated slightly. Nothing had changed - he was still desperate to see her again.
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Post by Ladorak on Sept 5, 2011 1:16:34 GMT -5
Caden remembered then about Selvis's ankle, and he felt like smacking himself for being so stupid. Of course, he shouldn't have asked Selvis to help him in the first place, and watched with some trepidation as Selvis carefully rolled up his bedding.
Waving his paw in a dismissive manner to Selvis asking if he should help with the possessions, Caden smiled and shook his head. "Nay, that's quite alright. You see, these are Elle's things... and I think I got this part covered." he said, winking at him.
"Incidentally, I probably shouldn't have asked you to help me. I forgot momentarily about your ankle. Stupid of me, really." the marten apologized with another shake of his head. "But thanks... I do appreciate it." he said, moving on to Elle's bedding. "The tent well... let's see... if you could perhaps stay in here and collapse the stick from the inside, I could begin taking it down from the outside. That way, you won't have to stand up." the marten suggested.
He picked up the two haversacks once Elle's bedding was stowed away, and carried them out into the bright sun. "Hoo... still hot as ever outside." He squinted, being rather photosensitive after all. Setting the bags down, he went back within, and got his own possessions out next. "I should help you with your tent too, whenever you're ready." He offered, sitting down on the ground briefly to let his stomach settle. "Ugh... well... I think that feels a little better." He pulled out his tinted glasses, and looked them over. "Gonna need these for going outside." he stated.
"So... ready to leave this place, eh? I must admit, it'll make a good base with which to blockade Toulon from, but yes... I think I've had my fill of this place for now. Heh... you mentioned exploring new places... what other countries would you like to see?" he asked, sitting back and resting on his paws behind him. "And speaking of which... you ever been to Welkin?" He inquired further, smiling.
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Ocean's face darkened again. "You're absolutely right. He didn't even consult me... but that's the thing about him. He's just so blasted selfish that he doesn't even THINK about the other person's feelings. It's only about him... exclusively. That's probably the thing I can't tolerate about him. I admit, we all have selfish streaks, but he gives it new meaning. He can't bear to leave his precious ship EVER to support his brothers in arms who are fighting, bleeding, and dying on a foreign island. No... instead he chooses to comfortably live on the ship while the rest of us break our backs in sieges."
He spat again, doing it away from Carrow before looking back over at him. "If you ask me... he's shameful to the rest of us. Yes, we needed a crew on the ship, but he could've rotated for at least ONE of the sieges. I swear... I've never met a more self-centered mustelid. Either way... getting back to your point... I'm afraid my honesty is no match for not following the rules... which I technically am guilty of doing." the ermine said with a sigh.
"I may have deserved to be reported... but he could've talked to me about it first, like you said. Just shows he doesn't care a whit about me... like he claimed he did. So my situation has gone from bad to worse. I suppose... I shall have to try and explain myself to the Captain before we leave. I could try and get a better pawdle on my... urges as well but... was never able to effectively put them off completely. So I'm afraid I have nothing new to tell him that he probably doesn't already know about me. It's what's so frustrating about this whole affair." he said, shaking his head in disgust.
It was then that Carrow brought up Archie, and how much he missed her. Frowning, Ocean closed his eyes and let the mouse get a bit closer as he started to cry. "I'm sorry you feel this way." he said, inhaling a little as he thought about how best to address this. "I'm positive that you will see her again though. It's tough... being in the Mediterranean Squadron. We're so close to home and yet so far." his voice was a little hoarse, but he managed.
"The Channel Fleet would be much easier... as we'd be spending most of our time in port, on blockade duty. But even with a decreased chance of heading home every so many years, we aren't on the West or East Indies station... THAT would be far." he said, opening his eyes again.
"We'll be back someday... and just think... it'll make your homecoming even better, will it not? You have someone to keep you going and to fight for. I... heheh... rather do not. My family situation is... complicated, but I would never go home as long as I lived. My foster parents... the Cielciosks... Spender's folks... I might visit, if I get the time, but I also have another, more permanent place to return to as well. I doubt I'll be spending much if any time in Welkin during my 'off time' as you might call it." he somewhat explained, chuckling.
"Yes... anyway... I'm sorry you miss her.. but it's natural to feel homesickness... and I bet you get rather jealous of those Channel Fleet buggers, spending most of their time in Welkin. You COULD of course always transfer... though I'm sure you wouldn't want to. You strike me more as the type to stick with your friends first, and visit your family when you can. Am I at least... somewhat correct in this assessment?" he asked.
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Ladorak was working in his small office in the fort, writing an official report on the siege with a quill when he sensed the light change. His right eye was closer to the door, and thus he more sensed rather than saw. Looking up to the entrance of his room, the stoat squinted in order to see the Admiral standing there. He was about to get out of his seat and come to attention when the opossum waved him off.
"Sit down... please Fugate. We're not on duty after all. No need for formalities. I've simply come to give you a possible parting gift. I have the power to grant it, and I may as well give you SOMETHING for your services." Hood explained, to which Ladorak raised a brow.
"Sir?" he asked.
"Fugate... I know you've been after a bigger command for years." the stoat's heart started to race as the opossum laid out his words. "I remember I offered you command of the Leviathan at Crittenden, but you turned it down. Well... I'm making you an offer again. I may not be able to make the Admiralty recognize your efforts... but I CAN promote you to a larger ship. How would like command of the 74 gun Captain? She's a fine ship, and I've had my eye on you taking command of her for some time now. The Captain would serve you well, and be just the size you've been after."
Ladorak set his quill down, grinning from ear to ear as he thought about it. Oh the prospects! A bigger ship, and one that didn't leak every two to three months and require a refit in just about as much time! That would be something he could enjoy! But here he paused. His reasons for refusing last year were his losing his crew... as he'd be unable to transfer them after all, save for a select few... and as the majority of the ones he cared for had not made officer positions yet, it would be harder to transfer them.
He mulled it over in his mind, looking off to the floor and not at his desk.
"Well? Will you accept this gift from me?" Hood asked. "The Captain is under temporary management, and I don't think her commanding officer will be with her more than I or... my replacement, should I leave, see fit. What say you?"
Taking in a deep breath, Ladorak looked straight at his commander. "Sir... I must respectfully decline your offer... once again." he said, smiling. "I can't leave my crew behind... and even though I could definitely have a better ship than the Agamemnon, I'm not going to just leave them. We're a tight knit group... and I've come to care for them a great deal."
"Say no more, Captain Fugate." the opossum held up a paw. "You're a rare breed, Captain. You burn with ambition, greater than any I've got under my command, yet you're probably the most humble of all of my officers. You will not jump at the chance for promotion if it meant separating yourself from your devoted crew. You truly are my greatest officer, Fugate. Brave to a fault, dashing, powerful, intensely ambitious, yet not above selling out his own ship for glory or more comfortable quarters. Well... more power to you, good sir. It's been a pleasure serving with you."
"And may it continue to be a pleasure." Ladorak said, hoping that Hood would not be departing and that this whole nasty business would just blow over.
"Indeed... well... don't ever say I didn't try to get you a bigger vessel." the Admiral commented, and gave his subordinate a wink. "I bet your crew will go wild once they hear you've yet again turned down a promotion. Ahem... well then, godspeed on your voyage, Captain."
"And on your career... Admiral." Ladorak said, saluting from behind his desk, to which the opossum merely waved him off, and departed. The stoat retrieved his quill, turning it over in his claws, before bringing it back down to the parchment to continue scratching away.
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Post by Carrow on Sept 5, 2011 17:28:45 GMT -5
Selvis felt well capable of doing this kind of work, even if he was trying not to over-exert himself, but he was adamant that, regardless of his condition, he'd help Caden with getting his things sorted as best he could, because he was quite sure that if their positions were reversed, the pine marten would do the same for him.
He nodded, smiling as his companion mentioned Elle. "That's fair enough. It's not a two-creature job by any means, but I like to be of service anyway." His eyes sparkled a little as Caden apologised for asking the injured longtail to help him. Selvis shrugged in response, stretching a little before replying to his companion.
"No problem at all, mate. You didn't hear me complaining, did you?," he asked the albino marten with a sly wink. "Besides, it's already done now, and if anything I've just proved something to myself: even though I'm still quite far away from top form, I can still be of use. Injured ankle or not I probably would have offered to help you anyway. You know I'm like that after all," he quipped, smiling warmly at his fellow mustelid.
"I'll do that with the tent, sure - and I'll take whatever I can get if it allows me to sit down a moment. I still have to make it back to the Sick Tent after all." He st down, smiling still as he watched Caden take Elle's things from the tent. Once the marten had stepped outside, Selvis set about collapsing the tent stick. He'd only done this once before on Bastia, but found it no problem at all.
Nor did he think much of the heat. While Carrow was still struggling, Selvis had become accustomed to it at this point. Soon, the stick was collapsed, and Caden was free to start taking down the tent. "Thanks for offering, mate; I'd really appreciate the help. let's get this one sorted out first, though, and then we can see to mine."
He made his way outside, smiling at the marten's question. "I can't wait to be off this island. If I never have to come here again, believe me it'll be too soon. As regards exploring - I don't have any particular preferences, because I'd seen so little of the world before I left Crittenden last year. It's all new to me, so anywhere will do just fine.
"Some of the more distant places in the world would be nice, if I had to pick. As for Welkin, well... I've never been to it, no, but I know I'd very much like to visit it someday. It's a place I've heard a lot about from yourself and Carrow, but experiencing it for myself would be wonderful. I'm not sure what exactly I'd like to see whilst there, but the prospect of visiting it sometime... that really appeals to me. And now I must ask you, mate: anywhere in particular YOU'd like to visit?," he asked his companion, his head full of thoughts of travel.
--
Carrow was still struggling with getting his tears under control, but shook his head despairingly as he thought of Willard's hypocrisy. "He's the worst kind of hypocrite, content not to do anything to fight for the causes he so passionately believes in and never seems to stop talking about. He needs a backbone. I mean, fates curse it all! What gives him the right to stay put while most of the creatures on land here are either sick or injured? He doesn't deserve to be a member of our crew if he won't suck it up and join the rest of us."
He slammed a clenched paw into his open palm, sickened by the injustice of it all. "A cowardly weasel who won't fight for what he believes in, or an ermine who's going to suffer for a mistake he made but couldn't fully control? I know which of the two of you I'd rather have serving alongside me. You're a better member of our crew - and damn it, a better creature - than he will ever be.
"Regardless of any of this, I don't think you should give up hope yet. Ask for a chance to speak your piece and then see how things turn out. Try and restrain yourself when you get these urges as well. It might be hard at first but I reckon it's something that's worth doing. You might get somewhere with it, you never know. I'd be willing to help you out as well, somehow," he told Ocean with a small smile.
As Ocean moved on to discussing how Carrow missed Archie, the mouse sniffled again, resting his head against Ocean's side a moment with a contemplative look on his face. "That's the worst thing, how we're relatively so close but still so far away. I'm a couple of thousand miles away from her now... but well... sometimes it helps to think we see the same moon and stars every night before we sleep, even though I know how very far apart we are."
He smiled a little, once more in a bittersweet sort of way. "You're right - we should make it back someday, and hopefully she'll be there waiting for me. I almost can't bear the loneliness sometimes, but that's one thing that keeps me going: the fact that I stand a chance of seeing her again someday.
Ocean continued speaking, and Carrow nodded a little, smiling through the tears that continued to fall. "I'll give you that one, mate - I don't get jealous of many things, but if I'm jealous of any creatures, it's those in the Channel Fleet. If I hadn't thrown my lot in with you lot here, that would have been my second option.
"I will say this, though - you're absolutely spot-on in this assessment of my character, so well done," he told the mustelid with a small chuckle. "I won't transfer for anything, because if I had to choose between spending more time with Archie and staying with my friends, it'd be the latter every time. Nothing is worth leaving any of my companions here. My friends come first, and I don't ever see that changing, no matter how much I miss Archie and want to be with her. Believe me, I don't want to give up anything I have - everything being on this ship has brought me is completely worthwhile."
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Post by Ladorak on Sept 5, 2011 23:04:00 GMT -5
Caden noticed Selvis moving to take down the tent, and he pushed it down from the outside, collapsing it and rolling it up as Selvis spoke. "Wow... NEVER been to Welkin! Well I'm relatively new to it myself. Lived there for only about two years after all." he commented in a knowing manner. "Still though... it'd be interesting to get back home. I know for a fact that you'd probably like living with us... well of course, provided you had to. As of right now, you don't have to." he was referring of course to the state of affairs between Ferlusan and Welkin, and how they were still amicable.
"Hmmm... as for places I'd like to see... Stratospheros, the capital of Kostritz, would be nice I think. After all, if Florence was any indication what a Kostritz city is like, I'm sure their capital would be quite the sight, and I hear it's a cultural center as well, something you don't tend to see in many other capitals. Serline, the capital of Gradvar is just so... Gradvarian from what I read. So many entrenched places that refuse to change... but I guess I can understand that too."
He got up now, and stretched a little, yawning before he dropped his paws back to his sides. "Well... what needs to come out of your tent? I'm half tempted to head down to the beach now and get my stuff loaded and back onto the ship, but I can help with your place first. How much do you have?"
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Ocean let the mouse rest against him, and he nodded in understanding, as well as some thanks. "I guess it's all I can do." the ermine commented, referring to speaking to the Captain. "But yes... I can't say I envy your position... and oh... it's only about a thousand miles... I checked myself. Take off an extra thousand from your assessment." he said with a grin.
"Say! Looks like they're packing us up!" he said, noting that the sailors were beginning to take their tents down. "Alright! It's about time! I guess we're sailing today, then! Well I'm looking forward to that! I don't have much to pack... as I didn't bring much with me in the first place... what have you got? And who were you tenting with again? Selvis? I couldn't recall." he asked as he slowly got to his paws, pushing against the tree for support before resting his forepaws on his knees and letting out a breath or two. "Ugh... there we go... heheh... I think I'll be resting a bit if I can help it once we get back to the ship. Need any help with your things, or are you good?" he asked.
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Post by warwick on Sept 6, 2011 0:51:44 GMT -5
Warwick waddled rear-first into the tent, carrying a large basin of water. His red neckcloth flapped in an amiable breeze that was a relief with the tent's shade. Lester was taking a nap for the moment, so the young stoat was in charge of looking after all the tools, beds, patients and alcohol. Those last two were especially time consuming to take care of. Warwick hiccuped. Grog rations were the best thing ever. Except for apples. Apples were good. Juicy, red, perfect for this kind of weather.
Warwick plopped down next to Spender and grinned. The water was wonderfully cool in his lap. He wanted to leave it there but he had to do something... oh yes. He dampened a cloth in the basin and wiped at the ferret's forehead. He left it on to cool Spender's brow and giggled. Sniff. Sniff. This was going to be good. Sleeping badger, breezy tent, mediterranean holiday destination and now this.
Warwick scooted up to the ferret and put a paw to his own mouth as he stifled another little chuckle. "Spender. Spender. Sniff... heheh, guess what?"
The stoat hiccuped and patted his stomach with one paw. With the other he dipped into the water and pulled out an apple. Its red skin shone with the cool, clear water, its solitary green leaf and ripe colour the picture of perfection. Warwick had already had... a few. Apple trees, abandoned by villagers fleeing the siege. Houses, stables and orchards had been left unoccupied. Having missed the assault and being somewhat useless for the time being, the restless stoat had taken a wander through the properties around their location.
"Shh... hic... I'll show you where they grow later," Warwick stage whispered. He dangled the fruit over Spender's nose and started sniffing and giggling again. Taking apples was naughty. That was the sort of thing you got caned for on his father's property in Welkin. That just made it all the more hilarious to a slightly tipsy stoat on a hot afternoon with nothing much to do.
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