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Post by Carrow on Jul 14, 2011 7:44:32 GMT -5
Carrow gulped a bit. A night attack? Well, he wasn't too sure about that. His night vision wasn't the greatest. Who's to say he wouldn't trip and fall accidentally and do himself some damage? He couldn't trust his own footpaws even when it was light, so the chances of him being able to get around properly when it was dark were already greatly reduced. He tried not to let his apprehension show, however.
The mouse tried to focus on other things instead, and felt his gaze being drawn to the sight of Ladorak's sword. His eyes widened; it was quite the impressive weapon. "Ah, you wield a sword, do you sir?," he asked with a slight smile. Even if weaponry made him a little uncomfortable sometimes, the rodent couldn't help but be impressed by the sight of the blade. "I've never seen such a thing before... you must be quite skilled to be able to use such a weapon," he complimented the older mustelid.
Ladorak then told them that firstly they might need to take lives, and secondly that any killing done would be up close and personal. This stopped Cerinus Apodemus right in his tracks. The truth was he wasn't ready for that... and there was absolutely nothing he could do to cover it up. He knew he'd probably disappoint Caden by saying this, and he didn't really want to back out and leave him, but there were some things he just didn't feel comfortable with, and using violence like that was one of them, so how could he be expected to kill another creature?
He wasn't sure if he'd ever be able to live with himself if he did that. Maybe in a few years, as he knew he'd changed a lot... maybe then he might be able to take the plunge... but there were no two ways about it: he just didn't feel as though he were ready for it, and when Caden looked over at him and asked him if he was OK with it, the mouse chose not to lie to himself and say he was fine while his insides were twisting themselves into knots. He chose to tell the truth, but even so his voice was quite shaky and hesistant when he spoke.
He shook his head. "As much as I'd like to tell you that I'm alright with that prospect, I have to be honest with both of you and admit that I'm not. There are some things that, right now, I can't see myself being able to do, and taking the life of another creature is one of them. It's not something I feel comfortable with and... well, I know I've been indirectly responsible for whatever injuries or fatalities we've inflicted on the crewbeasts we've fought... but this is something entirely different.
"I'm sorry. I can't help but feel I'm letting both of you down by saying this, as well as Selvis and anyone else who volunteers for the attack, but... I can't do it. I don't know whether this makes me seem like some sort of coward or not, but I hope neither of you think any less of me for this... there are creatures who can kill and those who can't, and I see myself as among the latter at the moment..." He trailed off, whiskers drooping sadly. He hadn't bargained for this. Maybe it'd just be best if he pulled out.
--
Selvis had promised himself that he wouldn't let go of Ocean no matter what happened to the ermine, and he held onto him when his side started actng up, trying his best to reassure him with his presence, keeping up a conversational tone as they made their way down to the beach. "Of course, Ocean, I understand. I'm sure we'd love to have you along, but you're only doing what's best for yourself. There's no reason why you should over-exert yourself at the moment. If you don't feel you're ready for it then we shouldn't try and convince you otherwise."
The weasel hadn't been expecting that his fellow mustelid would have another hallucination, though, but even then he was prepared. When Ocean started struggling in the grasp of the longtail and stoat, Selvis simply held tighter until Ocean came back to himself. It soon passed, and as the ermine returned to his senses, the first thing he heard was the Ferlusanian's soft voice. "Easy there, Ocean... easy... 's alright, you're with us... you're safe," he said gently.
He continued trying to assure the ermine that he was alright as Ocean explained the hallucination, patting his shoulder a little and hoping his comforting gestures were having an effect. "I'll put that down to the fever, no question - I can't think of any other reason why you'd be feeling this out of sorts. It wouldn't really make any sense otherwise, you see. You've been suffering from this for a few weeks, so it stands to reason that it should start to affect you like this. You're going to be alright, though, don't worry."
He cast his mind back a moment to what Warwick had asked him before he'd needed to deal with Ocean, and nodded resolutely. "Of course, Warwick, sir," he responded confidently. "I don't mind whatever I might need to do in a situation like that; while I can't say I've ever needed to kill anybeast before, I know it will probably come to that in the assault, and as far as I'm concerned, it's kill or be killed," he explained. "So I'd be willing to go through with it if I had to."
For the moment he was unaware that Carrow had the exact opposite opinion. The weasel had to be honest: he'd never thought Carrow the type that was able to kill, and briefly wondered how the rodent would react to that prospect. Selvis had no issue with it, though. They'd arrived at their destination, and no sooner had Ocean suggested he literally test the waters, than Selvis was removing his shirt, ready to go in. He knew it might seem a little cold at first - even if he hadn't done it for close to three years - but was well able to get used to it.
"You're quite welcome, Ocean. Of course we'll see what it's like first. No need to be apprehensive about it; you can go as far as you're comfortable with and no further." As Selvis had taken his shirt off, and was now working on removing his pants, it was clear he intended to go about things properly, but he wasn't expecting Spender to reappear all of a sudden. Not that it changed anything, but he noted the ferret's comments. Maybe having Spender there would encourage Ocean slightly?
The weasel waded out, a wide smile on his face. Ahh, it was just as bracing at the start as he remembered. He paddled out, splashing a little, clearly in quite a playful mood now. He struck out a little further, being quite a confident swimmer, waving to Ocean. "Speaking from experience, the worst part is getting in! It may seem a little cold to you at first, but you get used to it rather quickly. Besides, it could help you to cool off a bit, eh?," he called to the ermine. He was already becoming accustomed to it himself, and was now waist-deep in the water.
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Post by Ladorak on Jul 15, 2011 0:06:04 GMT -5
Caden looked over at the mouse, but figured it was best to let Ladorak do the talking, and shifted his now shaded eyes back forward. Ladorak of course contemplated this, and adjusted his hat on his head, letting the brim hang way over his eyes, keeping them well out of the sun. The bicorn was worn with the ends front and back, aligning with his snout, and not side to side; this was per tradition in the Navy of course, and the Army tended to wear them side to side.
"You do realize you'll have to do it eventually... as you really did pick the wrong career otherwise." the stoat finally said. "If we're ever boarded, every crew member is expected to defend the ship... punishable by death otherwise. Not that I'm trying to scare you... nor would I report you for shirking your duties... but you'll have to get used to it at some point... because if you keep putting it off for personal reasons, eventually it's going to sneak up on you, and then you won't have time to get used to it... or to adjust." he explained.
"You see... there aren't any options if you're boarded. Likewise... you shouldn't be on the boarding party if you can't kill, either. Your actions have already taken lives... whether you can see them or not. Erased someone who had an entire life's story behind them. But they joined the Navy just like you did... knowing full well the risks that accompanies that. That's what war is all about. It's nasty core revealed. This one is no different. You'll need to adjust quicker than you're doing, I'm afraid. I understand if you want to sit this one out... but don't put it off so long that it catches you completely off guard." He stated. "You won't want that at all. You either won't be ready... and become the victim, or you'll take a life so unexpectedly that it will throw you into complete shock... as the first time is never easy... ESPECIALLY with no preparation. That's my recommendation to you."
They were nearing the booming guns, the heavy artillery throwing their shells to burst against the walls of Fort Mozello. The walls were crumbling in spots, stone and bricks falling to the earth in clouds of dust, and daily they were being hammered in, until a breach could open the way into the fort.
"That's where we'll be going in a few days. Maybe a week... maybe longer... but either way that's where we're going. We're going to capture the fort in order to command the citadel, which will be under these fort's guns. So... take a good long look... and then make up your mind. We'll support your decision either way... but just study it. Our artillery won't be firing for the assault obviously, but you get the general idea at least." the Captain finished, and motioned to the battery and its crew. Sometimes they'd get hit if a returning volley from the fort struck the sandbags and logs, but for now they were all standing, and all were working the guns.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ocean gulped, and heard Spender behind him betting him a shilling that he couldn't soak his ears. The ermine felt like punching his brother for that, but couldn't really pull that one off in his current state. It wasn't getting any better for him. He held his side, and watched as the others went in.
So... hot... maybe the water would do him some good. Spender was getting ready to head in, and Ocean sighed. He started removing his shirt as well, figuring it was better to at least try. They had come all the way down here after all... it would be a waste to not at least get his ankles wet.
Heading over to the sea lapping at the sand, he stuck his ankles in, and then decided to head in with this pants on. They would dry in under ten minutes in this heat, and it might help him stay cool after he got out. He shivered at the feel of the water, but it did feel a bit good in helping him cool down, and he started walking in further, letting the waves strike against his knees, and then he was past the small breakers and out into the water proper.
It was traveling up to his waist, but he moved slowly. A whole shilling... was it really worth this? More than the money, the ermine was at least feeling cooled by the water, and to him it was relief, despite his malaise. "How deep is it out there?" he asked the two of them, noticing Selvis was already conducting some strokes. "See... our ship is out there..." he pointed in the direction of their 64. "And... I know we anchored in over 300 feet of water... and that's a little disconcerting, I must admit. You... reach the drop off yet?" he asked, letting the water wash around his waist, but not heading out any further just yet.
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Post by Carrow on Jul 15, 2011 7:11:29 GMT -5
Carrow wasn't sure how to respond. Caden wasn't saying anything, much to the mouse's surprise, which led him to believe that he probably had let his pine marten companion down after all. He didn't really feel like responding to Ladorak at the moment either. Of course, he knew he'd have to do it eventually, but the fact remained that he didn't see himself as ready. He knew that his position might change over time, but right now he just didn't feel capable of taking another creature's life.
Finally he forced himself to speak, but his voice was soft, indicating he didn't really sound all that sure of himself. Whatever about the progress he'd made over the last few months, right now he wasn't very different from the Carrow who had joined the ship last year. I probably did pick the wrong career anyway, he thought miserably. I'm sure I don't even know enough to pass whatever exams I have to take next year...
"I know, sir," he said in a dejected fashion. "I know all that, and I'm well aware I'll have to do it at some point... but I don't think the timing is right. I'd obviously want to defend the ship anyway if we were ever boarded; not out of a sense of obligation but because I'd want to do my bit. If such a time ever arrived, maybe then I'd be a little more prepared... but I have to be honest, I'm not sure I have it in me, at least not now."
Caden was still silent. Carrow looked over at his friend for a moment but it didn't seem like he wanted to say anything just yet. Then the mouse remembered he'd have to go back and tell Selvis later, which just made things worse. He didn't like admitting these things to anybeast. Maybe it'd get better for him in time, but he felt that it was better he did this than went along anyway and froze up. In the heat of the moment he knew he'd bottle it.
"Maybe I'm not cut out for things like this," he admitted. "I've never really been sure. I know I can't put it off forever, or I'll just feel much worse when I do eventually kill somebeast. I'm not fooling myself, though: I know it's kill or be killed in a war, and I know also that I've technically already taken lives - but I just can't deal with up-close-and-personal killing. Not yet. That's the real issue here, as far as I'm concerned. I'm not sure I need to give it much further thought, sir," he told the stoat, sighing heavily.
He tried to catch Caden's eye again, but found that he felt ashamed of himself all of a sudden, and try as he might, the rodent couldn't hold his companion's gaze. He looked down at his paws, blushing fiercely before looking where Ladorak suggested. Even though he felt awful he was going to try and remain dry-eyed if he could help it at all. "Apologies, Captain Fugate... and sorry, Caden, but I'd prefer to stay put," he addressed the mustelids, looking between them now and shuffling his footpaws awkwardly. He felt terrible about all this. Completely terrible, but he felt he just couldn't face the alternative. It was too soon.
--
Selvis had heard that Spender had made a bet with Ocean. That was in really bad taste as far as the weasel was concerned. He could see that Ocean wasn't comfortable around water at all, so this idea made him frown a little in distaste. Spender, as usual, was seeing things as a big game, when it would have been clear to anybeast else that the ermine's apprehension towards water was real and profound.
Of course, the longtail realised that, in a way, Spender was trying to get Ocean to confront his fears head-on. He knew that the ferret didn't see it like that, though - having fun at the expense of others was something he was known for, after all. He knew that if he had been in Ocean's position he would have punched Spender's lights out regardless of how he felt otherwise, but the ermine wasn't in good enough condition for that.
The mustelid saw that his prediction had been proved right. The cooling effect of the water seemed to be helping Ocean, and that was all Selvis could really have asked for. He wanted to see the ermine obtain some relief, that was all; it wasn't about silly bets or anything of the sort as far as he was concerned. If Ocean found himself down a shilling in a few moments, but soothed by his dip, Selvis was sure he wouldn't mind losing the bet.
He wondered whether Ocean would take Spender up on it, though. As it was, the weasel wasn't about to bring Ocean out of his depth. He stayed right where he was. "Doesn't seem particularly deep, at least not here. I certainly haven't reached the drop off point anyway. Ocean, listen - you don't need to go out any further than you want to. If you want to listen to Spender and go underwater even for a second, that's your call, but I won't have you doing anything you're uncomfortable with, not in your condition.
"That's not the point anyway. Is it helping you any?," he asked, smiling a little as he struck out a little further. Now the water was travelling up past his waist. He was perfectly used to it at this stage; old habits died hard, he knew, and he'd been well able to adjust once he'd gotten his feet wet. The three years that had elapsed since he'd last done this didn't seem to matter at all as he started a steady front crawl, watching Ocean, wanting to keep an eye on him just in case.
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Post by spender on Jul 15, 2011 23:14:55 GMT -5
"What is your name?"
Spender bristled, torn between two ideals: On the one paw, here seemed to be a creature unsuspecting, a stranger to Spender's own blackened past. How he would like to be friends, to play with another closer to his own age, who did not yet have any troubled dealings with him!
And on the other paw, here was an officer, a breed of creature that demanded difficulty: to be called 'sir' at every mention of them, lest you suffer the wrath of the belaying pin or rattan. How could he remember who and who was not deserving of the title, when he could barely remember his left from his right, or his one from his two? And again, someone closer to his own age—sure to be more mature than even Carrow, whom Spender suspected was the youngest, and yet far above his own mental capacity. The gap between he and his peers only seemed to widen with each passing year. Spender was partially certain Warwick would not find him continually funny; whatever he had said about crickets that amused the stoat was surely a fluke.
So here was his choice: To say his name, and all the baggage that came with it, and have Warwick remember it and cast punishment on him for future acts... or to make up a name, become a new creature, unsullied and untraceable.
"Oh, my name's... uhm... my name's... er... oohhh, I'm Shark. Rah," he added—such a menacing roar!—as he tipped forward into the water, splashing Ocean lightly.
So dubbed, 'Shark' began to shark about, paddling fiercely with his forepaws as his buoyant backside rose up. His footpaws dangled, fierce little rudders with his claws splayed; his tail streamed out along the surface. His head bobbed up and down, seeking the underwater world one moment, then nosing above to breath in the next. He circled around Ocean, eying the white stoat's progress.
"See?" he said, paddling in front of him with his head raised up. "Nothing's gonna bite. 'Cept me!" He dived suddenly, clawing along the sand back towards the shore. He delighted in the little puffs of sand spraying up and drifting down slowly. He imagined they were mortar rounds piercing the earth; all the little pebbles were soldiers spinning madly away into the air.
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Post by warwick on Jul 15, 2011 23:39:47 GMT -5
"Sharks don't roar! Er, I hope. I think," Warwick fussed the back of his head with one paw, treading water with ease. He waved and beckoned at Ocean eagerly. He felt that the moment Ocean had a nice long swim, all these heat trouble would disappear and he'd be all right again. Maybe even well enough for the coming assault!
"Come along there, lively now! Drop off... squeak... drop off, who's dropping off? You'll be fine, Ocean, really!" Warwick in all honesty did not understand how one could be afraid of the seaside. Certainly, he had read books about the creatures in the deep known to natural science. However, with no pictures to go off, his impression of such things as sharks was more akin to very angry looking trout.
Warwick paddled up and down, keeping his head bobbing above the water. He had seen his father swim in the river, doing an elegant paddle that the young stoat had tried to imitate. Forelimbs ahead, then pull back, hind legs splaying like a frog's. And repeat. It was slow but less splashy than your average stoat-paddle.
"Well, show mister Sharky here how an esteemed and stoatly sailing jack deals with overgrown haddock!" Warwick jested. Shark was a bit of an odd name for a mammal. But then, Warwick had just met an Ocean, so he had no reason to suspect a deception, or indeed, why the ferret would even want to deceive him.
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Post by Ladorak on Jul 16, 2011 15:00:38 GMT -5
Ladorak shook his head, and smiled a little. "Carrow, the time is never wrong if you yourself have the choice to make about whether or not to participate. It's when combat catches you by surprise, and you're forced into killing... THAT'S when the time is wrong. Keep that in mind." he said. "At least you have the luxury of choice in this instance, and calling it on your terms. You get to prepare yourself mentally, physically, and even choose your weapon. You won't get any of those opportunities when caught by surprise." he reminded the mouse.
"As for apologizing... you don't have to. You shouldn't apologize for something that makes you who you are. That's not right. If you truly don't think this is the right time, then it's not the right time." He drew his lips tightly together, and looked out over at the distant walls of the fort as the shells burst and exploded against them. "I'm going to head back... and get ready to assemble the jacks to start calling out for volunteers. By no means feel pressured to join if you aren't ready. Top of the day to you both, and I'll be seeing you around." the stoat turned to depart, saluted them, which Caden returned, the stoat was off. Caden stayed by Carrow as Ladorak walked away.
Maybe this was his chance to try and help Carrow out, as it would be better than Selvis doing so, at least in the marten's mind. It wasn't that he still resented Selvis, but he knew that if he did nothing here, Selvis would step in to fill the void and Caden would once again be out in the dark.
Caden shuffled his footpaws, and clasped his paws behind his back. "I'm sorry to hear that you won't be joining us tonight. But it's like Ladorak said. You shouldn't do anything you aren't ready for. I feel a little disappointed that we won't be fighting side by side, as I'm not sure Ocean will be entirely up for it, but I guess Selvis will be. No idea what Spender's going to do... nor do I really care now that I think about it." he said, shaking his head.
"But I just want you to know that I'm OK with your choice... alright? No harm done. You aren't letting me down or anything. Not all the crew are part of the boarding party after all... so it's alright. Don't get wound up over this. It's really OK." the albino stated, and gave the mouse a nod, coupled with a small smile.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ocean shook his head in a tired fashion. "It's alright Selvis... he's not going to pay me that shilling anyway... because you see, he's already forgotten that he's made the bet." As Ocean explained, he felt himself get splashed slightly by Spender as the ferret dove in behind him. "Therefore, there IS no shilling on the line."
"That's not what I'm scared of." he told Spender flatly as the ferret circled him, stating nothing would bite except him. He was already feeling a little wobbly at being THIS far out in the water as was, and took only very slow steps from this point on.
"I... guess it's helping." he said, and held his nose as he went straight down, closing his weary eyes and letting the salty water wash all over here, thereby "winning" the bet, though as he knew from earlier, Spender had most likely already forgotten. Coming back up, he felt relieved that he had done that. "Yes... much better. If only I could tolerate this a bit better... I might stay out here all day." he said, chuckling weakly.
He hesitated, hovering on the verge of kicking himself off and attempting to swim. He finally fell forward, dragged by the current, and started stroking as best he could. "Ugh..." he said, feeling that creepy, weightless feeling one got in the water. He was hovering now, and that was what was most discomforting to him. "I guess there's really nothing to be afraid of... just my own inner doubts." he said, coughing a little as he rolled over onto his back and felt that pain in his side again.
He floated there, looking up at the sky and listening to the distant sound of the exploding shells. "So... what do you think about Caden making Midshipjack?" he asked. It had been pretty early for the albino, and Ocean knew that he himself was trying to become a Master's Mate, but Caden's promotion had still surprised him. He wasn't sure if Warwick had met Caden yet, but decided to ask all the same. "You met our newest Midshipjack yet, Warwick? Caden Fugate... the albino pine marten." he explained, undergoing another coughing spell before he settled back down again, and began something called an inverted breaststroke, lazily pushing himself forward, but trying to go in a circle so that he wouldn't head further out.
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Post by Carrow on Jul 16, 2011 18:12:19 GMT -5
Carrow didn't bother responding to Ladorak as he spoke, as there was really nothing more the mouse felt he could say. The stoat was offering him good advice, as he always did, and the rodent didn't feel as though he had much, if anything, to add to the Captain's counsel. He certainly raised a good point: the fact remained that Carrow had not been properly prepared for this. He felt confident that if he had time to build up his inner strength, when the next opportunity came around he might consider it more of a possibility that he would take part.
Ladorak then told Carrow he was heading back to camp, and this received a nod in response from the mouse stripling. "OK, sir. I'll see you later," he said softly, returning the mustelid's salute and smiling a little, even though he felt a little taken aback by the position he now found himself in. It wasn't that he didn't feel like smiling; this development had done little to dampen his spirits, but he'd been caught out nonetheless.
He noticed that Caden was sticking by him. Ah, good old Caden, he thought, his smile widening for a moment. It seemed that his pine marten companion did indeed have something to say, and had been letting Ladorak go first merely out of courtesy. He really appreciated Caden being there for him, as he'd felt rather conflicted about things (and still did, to a degree), but Caden's words helped him quite a lot.
"Thanks, Caden," he responded softly, returning his companion's smile. "I'm glad that you understand my situation. I feel kind of like I've been caught by surprise by all this. Who's to say I won't volunteer in future?," he wondered aloud, eyes brightening a little. "It's a question of when and not if, I suppose you could say. Right now, though, I'm not prepared, and I can count myself lucky I even get the chance to do that, as Ladorak said."
He shook his head a little then, to express his disappointment. "I'd really love to come along with you as well, but I just can't commit myself to something like that yet. Ocean... I really hope he's well enough to join. You'd do well having him along. Selvis hasn't told me exactly what he's doing yet, but I reckon he'll coming along with you. This sounds like something he'd be really interested in. He's very enthusiastic about these things when the mood takes him, I've noticed," he commented, still smiling, though inwardly he was a tad worried about how Selvis would take his decision to back out.
"I don't know about Spender really... but I can't say I'm too bothered. He hasn't indicated he's too fussed one way or the other, or at least I haven't seen him do it yet," the mouse told Caden with a small chuckle. "I'm glad you're OK with it. For a minute there I really did think I was letting you down, but I'm happy this isn't the case. There will be other times, I'm sure. I'll be able to deal with this - it's not going to knock me out of my stride, don't you worry," he assured the pine marten, his smile growing. "What say we head back and see what the others are up to before Ladorak calls for volunteers?," he suggested.
--
Selvis had been studying Spender's antics, well aware that he could have blown his cover straight away if he'd wanted to. Spender had been irritating in the past after all, and had the weasel been feeling in any way spiteful he would have called the ferret out right away. As it was, though, he didn't mind, knowing the truth would come out eventually. He had a fair idea of what Spender was up to. Warwick was an officer after all, so it didn't take much figuring out.
He also realised that Ocean was most likely right. Once Spender thought of a new idea, he seemed to quickly lose interest in the previous one. He nodded back at Ocean, smiling mischievously. "You're probably right, mate - but well, you never know." He watched as his fellow mustelid dived and soon resurfaced. Well, better to be safe than down a shilling, he thought, his eyes twinkling. "Well, Ocean, you certainly seem as though you could get used to it. You're doing pretty well for a creature who's not good with water," he told the ermine, smiling.
His smile grew a little when Ocean admitted that he didn't think there was anything for him to be afraid of. He was starting to see sense, anyway. There was nothing for the ermine to worry about, certainly not here, and as he began to float on his back, Selvis could have sworn that he seemed almost content with the way things were panning out for him.
Then Ocean asked him how he felt about Caden making Midshipjack, and the longtail was ready with his answer. "Captain Fugate certainly made a good decision with that one, let me tell you that much, Ocean!," he exclaimed, ceasing his front crawl and starting to float on his back instead, as it seemed to be working out pretty well for Ocean, and if he had to be honest, he'd certainly missed being able to it himself. It was quite peaceful and soothing, particularly to the weasel, who had been anxious more often than usual over the last while.
"He's certainly capable; his performance on the Orion confirmed it, I think. He's in with a very good chance of making Lieutenant now and if he keeps things up, which I'm sure he well. You're aiming for Master's Mate, if I recall right. How's that working out for you?," he asked eagerly, enjoying the opportunity to catch up with his ermine friend, who had been a tad reclusive in recent times, but he'd been going through a rough period so Selvis couldn't really blame him - especially when he was prone to being likewise himself these days.
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Post by spender on Jul 18, 2011 0:59:09 GMT -5
As the conversation turned to, of all things, Caden's promotion, Spender began bobbing further and further away from the group. He was not the least bit interested in the pine marten, and found such talk as dull as a mathbook. Honestly, didn't they have enough of Caden while on duty?
This reminded him, however, of something else, and he immediately departed the water, struggled back into his trousers, and, ignoring the vague questions from his companions, went back to camp.
He had a ball to fetch! He would make the water fun again!
And as Spender slowly vanished up the hillside, a little coracle floated towards the remaining three jacks, drifting slowly along in only two or three feet of water, very near the shore. Inside the coracle was a little pink umbrella, with frills, and under the umbrella was a little yellow smock, with more frills. If you looked hard enough through the frills, you could almost see a little orange mousemaid, with a white splotch of fur on her head. She looked terrified, clinging to the umbrella as if dangling from a rope over a bottomless pit.
Her coracle spun around lazily as something behind it occasionally went "plonk". When it grew close enough, the head of a lovely stoat jill popped up, blinking. She bobbed down again, struck her forehead against the little boat with another "plonk", and then stood up.
Molly looked miserable. It probably had to do with her neck-to-foot shift—dark red, of course, because Molly's entire wardrobe was colour-coded in reds. Any cooling effect from the water was offset by the dark colours absorbing the sun's heat, and the fact that only her head, tail, and paws managed to peek out of her swimwear.
"Oh," Molly said. Her eyes darted at the jacks, admiring their youthful shapes. She lingered on Warwick the longest, not recognising him. Ocean she was familiar with. Still, all of them a bit too young for her. Now if only Luxe or Quilliam had been there...
"Seems someone's got their heads on their shoulders," she continued, grinning. "Only three of you? I thought there'd be more, or are you evading something?"
"Hi Selfis," Tally crooned, waving a little paw worriedly, until her coracle spun her around to face the shore again. "Hi Ocean." She waved again, and again spun out of view. "Hi Molly."
She looked dizzy.
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Post by warwick on Jul 18, 2011 3:33:14 GMT -5
Warwick stared. It was not terribly polite of him to stare, but stare he had to. There were two females riding the waves. He blinked. One of them was wearing a dress. In the water.
"My dear jill, please. This is rather... sniff... unseemly. There is a war on, you know," Warwick said haughtily. What the siege behind him had to do with their day at the seaside, he was not sure. In Warwick's mind, cannon and jills simply were not made to mix. That much he did know.
"This beach is needed by the Welkin Navy. You two could be in a spot of danger, don't you know?" Warwick nodded seriously and squeaked. He presumed both of the females were civilian islanders. Islanders that really, really must have been living under a rock until now not to notice the enormous siege going on that might interrupt their outing.
"I'm afraid I know no Midshipjack Fugate, Mister Sleet. Sniff... It does not do to make personal remarks about your superiors. Just a little more decorum, seajack!" Warwick coughed. Oh dear, now he was getting seawater up his nose. The stoat sinuously paddled his way back where he could stand more easily. "There now, not so much of a fuss, this swimming business. Feeling any better?"
There was a time to be relaxed and a time to be Proper, Warwick felt. In his time in the Navy, the time to be Proper was on duty, when discipline had to be tight and a crew efficient. The time to be relaxed was like this, on shore. However, in the presence of civilians or indeed any mammal observing the Navy at work, Warwick liked things to be Proper. For one, they all were representatives of the Navy, willingly or not. They bore the Navy's reputation across the seas and the stoat was going to do his best to make sure that it was a good reputation.
More importantly, Warwick needed to assert his own reputation. Being called Warwick was all very well and good, it allowed the stoat to think he was consorting with gentlestoats instead of rough and ready seajacks. But it was only a pawstep from first-name terms to other informal behaviours like that Shark fellow's 'Squeaks'. All in fun, surely, but it would not do for Warwick to be seen as submissive in such a relationship with his fellow crewmembers.
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Post by Ladorak on Jul 18, 2011 9:35:24 GMT -5
"Indeed, we shall head back, but I'm not sure Ocean's going to be up for it, in all honesty." Caden confessed. "He doesn't seem all that well, though I do hope he improves soon. As said... I don't fault you for not joining us... you can't be expected to change who you are over this." he stated.
They were drawing back to the tree where they had last left everyone, but not a creature was to be seen. "Huh... that's odd. Think they all went back to their tents, or something? It's certainly hot enough for it." the albino stated, scratching under his chin a bit. "We should probably try to track them down at least, as I should start getting them assembled for the volunteering." he paused as he noticed Spender cresting the ridge they were on, several hundred feet away, and the marten looked over at Carrow.
"While Spender is the last seajack I'm going to ask for anything, you don't think they... went down to the beach, do you?" he asked the mouse. Was it possible that they had even roped that Quarter Gunner into going as well? But then again, it WAS Spender... and he could just be off on his own, as usual. "Wait here." the albino stated, and began jogging over to where Spender had just come from, skirting the ferret by a good number of yards and pretending not to see him.
Reaching the edge of the cliff, he peered down to see their ship and the sea below. He could see figures bobbing about down there, and felt pretty certain that was them. "Hey Carrow!" he called back. "They're down there, alright. Let's go and see what they're up to... aside from cooling off." He said, grinning. He waited for the mouse to join him before starting down on the cliffside path.
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"Ehhh... I guess I'm still on track. I don't... really know where I stand." Ocean said in a pained voice. His side was really bothering him. "I haven't heard anything about the incident since May... Captain Fugate hasn't said anything... nothing at all."
He had to remind himself that Warwick wasn't really as familiar with them as they all were with each other, and his formality was only to be expected. His head burned, and he closed his eyes and dunked it a little in order to cool it down again.
"Right, sir." He muttered. "I'll try not to discuss it so... openly." he said. Of course, Warwick couldn't be expected to know just how close a few of them here were to Caden. Ocean couldn't say he had what Selvis had when it came to the pine marten, but he was still used to calling him by his first name, as not even two months ago he'd been made a regular seajack.
It was then that Molly decided to enter the scene, with Tally. The mousemaid floated in a small boat, but the jill was completely in a dress, drenching it and pushing the craft. He coughed a little, choking when he noticed her. But he tensed up as he heard Warwick telling her to essentially scram.
"Uhhh..." He pushed himself on his back towards the Quarter Gunner, and began speaking under his breath when he was right alongside. "Begging your pardon Jal Norwich, sir." he said, using the mustelid form for "Mister" that they used between each other, emphasizing it the same way Warwick had. "But that jill is the Captain's fiancee. You might want to... ahem... you know, sir." He said, motioning at him with his eyes.
He let his bottom half sink downward into the sea, coming into a more upright position as he began to unsteadily tread water as he looked in Molly's direction. "Good afternoon, Jis Serra." a few more hacking coughs followed. "What... what brings you out here, today? Ho'w's your health been? And how's the Captain been doing? Well, I hope, despite the heat."
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