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Post by Ladorak on Oct 3, 2011 23:52:42 GMT -5
"Alright... well if you think you can stay up, let's make it an outing." the pine marten declared, nodding as he proceeded to lock up the chests. "Alright, everyone clear out! Nothing to see here!" he shooed his subdivision away, as they weren't supposed to be in the gun room after hours.
"Alright... let me return these keys, and we'll go set up in the lower gun deck." the marten suggested, nodding. "Hey Selvis... go do what you have to do, and we'll meet you on the gun deck." the albino told his long tailed companion, and soon exited the gun room along with everyone else.
"I'm gonna miss sleeping there... but the cockpit is pretty good too." the marten commented. No "windows", because the gun ports didn't exist on the orlop deck, being below the waterline and all, but the extra space suited him just as well.
Pawing the keys over to the Corporal that had been keeping an eye on them, the Corporal nodded and moved off, going to locate the Master at Arms in order to give him the spare set back.
"Well then... that's out of the way. Shall we settle in between two cannon? Er... guns, excuse me. They aren't cannon on a ship." he corrected himself, sticking his tongue out a little bit. "Wouldn't want to set up in the middle of everyone after all amidships. I suppose we might get away with sitting on a hatch, as I doubt we'll be using them anytime soon... but still, between the guns probably works best."
Noting that some gun training was going on toward the bow, the marten decided to stick well aft of that. "Hmmm... we're gonna have to listen to the gun going off every so often... as it looks like Quarter Gunner Norwich is getting his Gun Captain training... well good for him." the marten shoved his paws in his pockets, and picked a spot in between two guns on the larboard side... as that was the side away from both Toulon and the gunnery practice, which was taking place on the starboard side of the ship.
"Maybe the upper gun deck would've been the better choice... though we'll be hearing that gun regardless... just not the shouting of the orders if we went one deck up. We could run that idea by Selvis when he returns." Consequently, Caden did not sit down, but instead settled for leaning against the hull of the ship, using it for support as he waited for the long tail's return. "Oh yes... it's your Birthday around now... heheh. We'll have to celebrate that in our own way. Has it come and gone yet? Or is coming up?" the albino queried, some light entering his eyes now.
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Post by Carrow on Oct 4, 2011 12:51:01 GMT -5
Selvis definitely thought he could stay up. If anything, his slight tiredness was being overridden by his desire to put on a small show for his friends. He was feeling energised by this point, buoyed by the fact he had just put in some good work and had earned his break. He was not going to let this opportunity pass him by. The longtail couldn't help but smile at Caden as he cleared everybeast else out of the gun room. He certainly had a way about him: warm and likeable yet still able to exert his authority, even at this early stage.
Once again, the marten reminded the weasel of Ladorak. He nodded back at his friend when he was given permission to go down below. "Thank you, sir - I'll be a few moments, but I'll make sure not to keep you waiting for too long - I know how excited you are about my performance after all!" Chuckling, he gave Carrow a reassuring smile, knowing the mouse was most likely on tenterhooks at this stage, before starting towards the stairs leading down to the orlop deck. He knew he'd need to be careful on them.
It had been months since Carrow had heard from Archie, and it was frustrating for the rodent knowing that he was so far away from his carer. Selvis was luckier than him in that respect, though the lack of a letter for his weasel companion struck him as slightly strange. He hadn't been expecting Selvis to go so long without receiving correspondence - the longtail was much closer to home than he was - but then again the exchanges between himself and Archie hadn't exactly been regular as clockwork. They'd both find out soon enough anyway.
For now, the field mouse contented himself with Caden's company. There was no point worrying about whether he'd received a letter yet. He'd cross that bridge when he came to it. Besides, if it wasn't today, it could just as easily be tomorrow. He heard his companion's comment about the cockpit and smiled. "I've gotten quite used to my hammock by now, so if I was offered different sleeping quarters I'd have a hard decision to make." Since he'd started sleeping regularly, the mouse had become quite fond of his hammock.
He shrugged good-naturedly as Caden suggested they settle down in between the guns. "Anywhere's good to me, Caden, if I'm honest, but yes, as said, that works best. We do that often enough anyway, so it's better to stick to what we know, I guess you could say. It makes a nice place for getting some rest as well, in fact. I know you want to get some shut-eye later on, so we may as well go there now." It was more convenient, in the mouse's eyes, but he'd also noticed that there was gun training going on towards the bow.
He followed his companion over to the larboard side of the ship. "Ah, so that's what Warwick's been up to. I hope it goes well for him," he said, smiling slightly. He didn't get to spend all that much time with the stoat as it was, but when he did, the mustelid was always good company. Perhaps he'd be able to catch up with him later on, though he wasn't entirely sure whether or not they'd be on First Watch together. Again, the field mouse would find out when the time was right.
"That's a good idea, mate, although we'll have to see what Selvis thinks when he gets back, of course - though, heheh, did you SEE the look on his face just then? Something tells me he won't mind where we set up just as long as he gets to show you his talent!" Carrow felt much the same way about inducing his pine marten friend later on, though that would be sorted out in due course. "As for my birthday... you know, sometimes I find it hard to keep track of dates. I don't keep a diary or anything, but that doesn't matter much.
"It's come and gone, but then I haven't usually celebrated it on the 2nd of October anyway. When I was with Archie, we always celebrated it first chance we got in October... though she made sure it was in the first half of the month, there or thereabouts. Didn't want me to think about certain other events that happened around then, I'm assuming, and I don't blame her. October's always been a strange month for me. I celebrate my birthday and commemorate the death of my father in the space of a few weeks. Odd, isn't it?"
He brushed away those thoughts, wanting to concentrate on the good things that he associated October with for now, if he could help it at all. "I'd quite like it if we could celebrate it somehow. Things were easier for yours this year as we were on land on the 12th of May. Selvis's was late, and so's mine, but like I said, I'm used to it. Sometimes it can't really be helped, after all," he commented, smiling as his paw went instinctively to the magpie pendant around his neck. The mouse stroked it slightly, looking out to sea a moment before returning his gaze to his companion. "Ladorak turned 36 recently I believe. How did that go?"
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Post by Ladorak on Oct 4, 2011 22:15:55 GMT -5
"Well you know Carrow... it's not like we Midshipjacks DON'T sleep in hammocks in the cockpit." the marten said wondering if perhaps Carrow was under the impression that the Midshipjacks slept in something else. "I still sleep in the original hammock I've had since coming aboard this ship." he explained.
He too looked out to the sea, noticing the absence of the Ferlusanian ships. It was only this time last year that they had been off and on near Toulon. The Ferlusanians had been with them then, their elegant ships floating like castles upon the water. Without realizing it, Caden was running his claws over his own "star", around the same time Carrow was touching his pendant.
"I really miss those sights." he said, murmuring to himself as he turned back to the mouse. "Ah... sorry. Just reminiscing about the time the Ferlusanian fleet was with us last year. Amazing ships they had. I could KICK myself for not having gone on one in my spare time. Stupid mistake really... I hope I can at least get myself aboard one sometime soon." he said, shaking his head. "I guess I should've asked Ladorak though, in retrospect." the albino stated, biting his lower lip.
"Oh heheh... sorry. Yeah... I think I DID wish you Happy Birthday on the 2nd, come to think of it." the young Midshipjack said. "Certainly hope to make up for it today though. I'm sorry... but I had to spend my first Birthday in the navy at sea too... we were just really lucky last year. Not sure we'll get so lucky again. At any rate..." He trailed off now, as Ladorak was mentioned. This brought a smile to his lips, as the marten once again ran a claw over his star.
"Yes... it was his Birthday on the 29th. We had a nice supper in his dining cabin. I said I'd get him something in Florence, though he waved me off... the good stoat." the albino rolled his pink eyes at this. "Turned 36... you're spot on. Heh... he treats it as getting older, though he's still youthful as ever, in my opinion." here another smiled was cracked, and the marten briefly closed his eyes. "He's getting a little worried about Admiral Hood, though. The Admiral said he might be taking the long boat home... if you know what I mean." he regretfully stated, reopening his eyes.
"Getting relieved that is... but he isn't sure just yet. Ladorak is worried about Hood's second, Hotham, taking command of the fleet. While an amiable sort, Ladorak's described Hotham as uninspiring and..." He lowered his voice here, as he probably wasn't supposed to be talking about the Admiral behind his back like this. "Er... I guess I shouldn't say much more than that." he said, pursing his lips. "Might be taken as treasonous in some circles." He went back to leaning against the wall, sighing a little as he waited for the mouse to respond. "Don't repeat what I said... about Hotham or Hood. We'll just wait and see what happens." He locked eyes with the mouse, just to be sure he had gotten the message.
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Post by Carrow on Oct 5, 2011 9:46:43 GMT -5
Carrow nodded, smiling a little as he responded to Caden's explanation. "Heh, well, I knew that, but for me it has just as much to do with the location of my sleeping quarters as much as what I'm actually sleeping in. I'm very used to sleeping on the lower gun deck, so if I ever had to move I'd have some adjustments to make. It wouldn't be that hard for me to pawdle, though.
"On a related point: I did wonder, briefly, if those hanging cots that are being used in the Sick Berth could be made use of somewhere else, as unlikely as it sounds," he commented with a small chuckle. "I'm used to sleeping in a cot, of sorts, now that I think about it - maybe that's what put those thoughts into my head, heheh."
Carrow was in a slightly contemplative mood; not introspective as could sometimes be the case, but he had a couple of things on his mind, and maybe he'd get the chance to talk to Caden about them sometime today. It all depended on whether he wanted to be forthcoming about them or not. He listened as Caden told him about his regrets at not being able to go aboard a Ferlusanian ship last year. He patted his friend's paw, his eyes shining.
"Well, you know what they say, Caden: Never say never, whatever you do! I don't think your chances of doing that have been written off just yet," he said gently. "We'll just have to see what the future brings, I suppose... but now that you've brought it up, if you could go aboard any Ferlusanian vessel, which one would it be, and why? Oh, and maybe apart from the Santissima Trinidad?," he added mischievously. They both knew how fond the pine marten was of that particular ship.
"No need to apologise about something neither of us had any control over, by the way," he playfully chided his companion. "You can't win them all, now can you? Some things will go better than you expect, others won't turn out for the best, but well, we spend most of the year at sea anyway so we just have to make do. As said, I'm used to it, and I'm grateful that we can in fact celebrate it at all, so I appreciate you wanting to try and make it up to me," he told his friend with a smile.
"Ahh... Ladorak's birthday was on the 29th. Now I remember. Maybe you could still get him something small in Florence if you want?," he suggested. "It's nice to commemorate others' birthdays like that, and even though he might not feel it necessry for you to buy a present for him, I'm sure he'd still appreciate the gesture." He smiled again, but his smile faltered slightly as he heard Hood's name mentioned. "I... yes. I have heard that he might be getting replaced, and that's something I'm unsure about.
"Hood, we know, but Hotham, we don't. I'm sure we can adjust if he does get replaced, but I can see why there might be apprehension about that occurring, especially if those under Hood's command have gotten used to him overseeing things." His face was impassive as Caden mentioned some of what Ladorak thought of Hotham. It wouldn't be good to have any 'uninspiring' Admiral at the helm, that was for sure.
The mouse nodded again as he was told not to repeat what Caden had just said. "Oh, of course. Of course. That'll stay between the two of us. I wouldn't want to get anybeast in trouble because of that, after all. My lips are sealed. Besides, all we can really do is wait and see, as you said. You can rely on me, mate; I won't tell a soul."
The rodent had gotten the message just fine. Speaking of getting messages... "While we're here... might I be able to ask your advice on something? I haven't been able to gauge the right time to say anything about it, but I need a paw with it, so any help you could give would be appreciated."
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Post by Ladorak on Oct 6, 2011 0:07:19 GMT -5
"Well the officers use them." Caden quickly pointed out, about the hanging cots. "They're for the Lieutenants and Captains to sleep in, though the Sick Berth mostly uses hammocks... not too many hanging cots in there, though there are a few." he commented. "But yes... mostly the Lieutenants and Captain sleep in those. Without a mattress... those things would kill your back." he said, referring of course to the bottom being nothing but a board of wood. "But... with a mattress... they'd probably be nice, yes." he nodded here, and continued listening to the mouse.
"Hah!" Caden laughed, eyes sparkling. "Well... actually... the Santissima Trinidad wasn't my first choice." he said, laughing a bit more. "I guess that's such a surprise though, isn't it? I was more interested in some of their three deckers... but where do I start? Any of the Santa Ana class, I guess they're called. Maybe the Real Carlos, or the Salvador del Mundo, or the Reina Luisa... Mexicano I don't know. Any ship really from that class." he said, smiling widely. "They're just all so beautiful. Hard to pick. I just want to experience a three decker, heheh. Would rather it be a Ferlusanian one."
"I COULD get him something in Florence... yes." the marten nodded.
"Oh thanks." he said, sighing in relief. "Just... keep it under wraps. Probably better for morale that way." in regards to Hood and Hotham. "Hotham might not be a good choice, but if he isn't... everyone will know if he DOES get the post... in time." the marten said, looking down at the planks in the deck.
He looked up as he heard Carrow's lower voice though, and a look of concern crossed his features. "Oh? What's that?" he asked, shoving his paws into his pockets "What's the problem?" he asked, growing more serious now. He rather didn't like it when his friends were upset over something, as he had to keep morale up, after all.
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Ocean climbed the stairs to the forecastle, an armload of clothes in his paws. He was dressed in "civilian" clothes now, having changed out of his slops so he could wash them.
Approaching the steeping tub, Ocean tossed his clothes downward, watching as the sun sank directly ahead of him, as the bow was pointed west. It was brilliant, throwing off reds and purples as it splashed the sky with its dying color. He dunked his arms down into the sudsy water, and began to run his shirts over the washboard, the rough journey jarring him a little, but he kept at it, as he needed to get these cleaned.
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Post by Carrow on Oct 6, 2011 18:10:26 GMT -5
Carrow had to admit he hadn't actually known about the Lieutenants and Captain sleeping in those hangings cots, and his eyes sparkled now as he thought of the Captain using one. "Oh really? Wasn't aware of that. Fancy Ladorak bedding down in one of those things! If I hadn't heard this from you I wouldn't believe it!" He nodded as the marten told him more about the cots. "Yes, of course sleeping on a board of wood would damage your back - but well, a mattress, that'd be more than nice, mate! That would probably make those cots the nicest things to sleep in that I could possibly think of!"
The mouse's eyes widened slightly as he heard Caden's response. Well now, he couldn't exactly say he'd been expecting that answer! "Hehe, is that so? I knew you could see why I would think that, though. It's certainly quite an impressive vessel, and I know you're fond of it!" His ears twitched slightly as he listened to his companion telling him about other ships he would like go aboard, and was certainly in agreement about the Ferlusanian three-deckers. "You're right there: I certainly wouldn't say no to experiencing one of those ships if I were offered the opportunity."
As his pine marten companion began to warm to the idea of getting his stoat guardian a present, Carrow's eyes lit up, and he rubbed his paws eagerly. "Yes, you certainly could, and if you like I could give you a paw with thinking of the gift! I have an idea right now in fact: maybe you could get him a monocle? He's mentioned something about wearing one before, and I'm of the opinion that it would suit him well. Actually, the more I think about it, the more I like the idea. If you don't want to go with that, then we can put our heads together and see what else we can come up with, of course - best to keep our options open after all."
The rodent smiled at his friend as the topic of Hood's possible successor was dealt with. "That's no problem. We can keep that between ourselves, as said. I wouldn't want to let anything of that sort spread around the ship and affect morale, especially not when it's so vital that it be kept up. We'll have to wait and see what happens - and besides, it might not even occur. We'll cross that bridge if and when we come to it, I suppose you could say."
He shook his head slightly as he saw Caden frown in response to his query, noting the marten's countenance growing more serious. "Well, it's not really a problem, as such, mate. There's no need to get too concerned; it's more something I've been thinking about lately and wanted to ask your advice on. It's to do with Tally. A few months ago, I told her I loved her, but recently I've been less confident about my role in our relationship and need a paw reasserting myself.
"I've been plagued by self-doubt as regards my relationship with her. This is my first time, you see, and I'm... well, I'm a bit scared that it's going to go wrong somehow. I think as highly of her as I ever did, but I've been doubting myself as of late, like... maybe I'm not the right mouse for her? I feel slightly ashamed for even thinking like that, but well, it happens. Do you think there's anything I could do to help myself? I've had problems with confidence in the past, as you know, but not in this sort of way," he said softly, shuffling his paws nervously.
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While all this was going on, Selvis was in the process of making his way to the Purser's store. He was going slightly slower than he would have liked, but then again he had needed to be extremely careful with walking. On the upside, however, the longtail no longer felt tired. It was swings and roundabouts, really - he couldn't shake his cautious approach even now that he'd recovered from his broken ankle, but at the same time it didn't bother him at this point in time.
Something that did concern him slightly was the fact that he felt just a little anxious about his upcoming performance. He was out of practice, in a manner of speaking, but at the same time he knew that he could only do his best. He was comforted by the fact that his companions would most likely enjoy whatever he could do, and this thought helped calm him slightly as he approached the store. He knocked, waiting for a response from inside, his insides twisting into knots. He hoped desperately that today would be the day.
"Yes?," he heard a voice call from within, and wasted no time in responding to the query. "Hello, sir. It's Seajack Selvis Frenata, and I'm down here to ask if there are any packages there for either myself or Cerinus Apodemus. We're both expecting deliveries - we have been for the last couple of weeks, in fact. Could you check to see if anything might have arrived for us, please?," he asked politely, his paws trembling a little from nervous excitement.
"Apodemus and Frenata, is it?," the older mustelid immediately responded. "I have in fact been holding some things for the two of you all day, and was in fact wondering when one of you would come down for them!," he told the weasel with a soft chuckle. Selvis breathed a huge sigh of relief, smiling from ear to ear as the ferret took the items and passed them over to him. He took them, taking a moment to compose himself before responding to the ferret.
"Thank you very much, sir! My friends are waiting for me up above, so that means I have to get going pretty much straight away, but..." He trailed off, glancing at the packages he and Carrow had received (his one was on top), as he saw the Purser hold up a paw, stalling him. It seemed that he wasn't quite done with Selvis. "Yes?," the longtail asked him, wondering what this could be about.
"Jal Frenata, there appears to be something else here for Apodemus," the ferret told him in a soft voice, pawing him a letter. Selvis took it, nodding his thanks, before studying the paw that the address was written in. Hold on a second... it didn't look at all familiar to him, and he wondered from whom it could possibly be. It didn't look like Archie's, and Selvis recognised her paw. Just to check, he checked the paw on Carrow's package, and furrowed his brow - it didn't seem to be anything like the weasel hypnotist's writing. Perhaps Carrow would be able to clear things up?
Raising his eyes again, he met those of the Purser. "Thanks again, sir!," he exclaimed, before turning and leaving, starting back towards the lower gun deck. He realised there must be something else in his own package; otherwise a simple envelope would have sufficed. Curiously, he shook the package... and heard something clack against something else. His eyebrows rose as it dawned on him that his parents must have come through on their promise to pick out Carrow's present. What could it be?
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Post by Ladorak on Oct 7, 2011 10:14:08 GMT -5
Caden had to admit, the thought of a hanging cot did appeal to him. It probably was rather comfortable after all, and Ladorak probably enjoyed making use of it very much. It certainly seemed like a rather comfortable place to sleep.
The mouse mentioned the ships, and Caden had nodded again, though hadn't particularly responded, as he felt they could start moving on to other things now. Ah... the monocle? How had that happened?
"Well truth be told..." He said, still keeping his paws in his pockets. "That's exactly what I intended to buy him... but I held off, cause he said he himself was still considering it. It's one thing to keep up appearances by wearing your spectacles, but another entirely to admit you have a bad eye by wearing a monocle. Although... many of the gentry just wear them to be fashionable, so it's not necessarily saying your other eye is bad." he confessed, unsure of how he really saw it. "I guess Ladorak likes giving the impression that he still has both eyes by wearing his spectacles. I really don't know." the marten shrugged.
"Of course... there is the question of cost. If one wants a custom made monocle, so that it's more comfortable to wear, one has to pay a pretty penny. They're not cheap after all. They're marketed for the upper class." he explained. "I just thought of it as something practical for him, since well... he really can't see out of his right eye anymore, and can only detect when he's in light or dark areas with it. So yeah... thought it would suit him." the marten shrugged, frowning a little.
He was quite glad that the Hotham talk would be kept to a low, and Caden beamed at the mouse, saying "thank you" without actually saying it. He nodded now, and proceeded to listen to what he had to say about Tally.
Ahhh... romance. This was not a topic the marten was particularly well versed in, unfortunately. He hadn't even managed to tell Elle "I love you" even once... though he'd come very close almost a year ago in Florence, and also in Naples. But that had been then... this was clearly now. Things had progressed slowly... mostly because he considered himself too young to be actively pursuing a relationship with Elle, and also because they still had to keep her identity a secret.
Three years it had been... three years since he'd first met Ladorak. So much had happened in that time. He'd been forced to grow up awfully fast... but such was the way of the world. The Navy had certainly helped with that... a lot of responsibility, but good ones too. He never felt as if he were swamped or in over his head.
"Wow... um... you and Tally?" he asked, raising his brows. He probably should've seen that one... but Carrow had said he LOVED her? But he was just a stripling, wasn't he? He was already saying he loved her... this caused the marten to shuffle his paws, but he was also extremely happy for the mouse at the same time. This could be just the thing he'd need to help his confidence out.
Though of course... it seemed as if confidence was the very issue he was dealing with. "Ah... I see... so you aren't sure if you're the right one for her or vice versa. Well... Carrow... I have to admit, you caught me on a topic I'm not extremely well versed in." he said, shaking his head, and lowering his voice. He lifted a paw out of his pocket, and placed it on the hull of the ship, leaning against it now as he turned things over in his mind.
"I... er... you see... I haven't even told Elle those exact words that you told Tally. I must say you've got me beat when it comes to running that race. I guess I've just been... too afraid, so far. She KNOWS how I feel... and I know how she feels but... well yeah. We never outright stated it to each other just yet. It must be an inherent flaw of mine." the albino shrugged here, a troubled look crossing his features.
"Maybe you could ask Ladorak? He's been in several relationships before, after all. But if I had to say something... I'd say... just... you know, do your best?" he asked, shaking his head, as he realized he probably sounded awkward. "You can't ever know, I think. But you can easily get caught up in it, and you feel like she's the one. That's how I feel about Elle. So maybe you should just... keep doing what you're doing. If you treat her right and she rejects you... you know it's on her because at least you did everything right... agh... that didn't sound like advice." he said, shaking his head again.
"Ugh... I'm not very good at this." he pushed himself off of the hull, and straightened himself out, so that he was more standing before Carrow now. "Um... hmmm. I'd say it's like anything else in life... you just go with it. If it works out, absolutely great for you! If it doesn't... well some things just.. don't. Sorry... I realize I must sound really stupid and not what you were hoping for." He said, shaking his head again with a sigh. "I just... don't have any experience with that kind of thing... and I'm trying to think of how it would be between me and Elle... but much to my sinking dread... I realize I've just been too afraid to really... have your courage." He said, his face falling a little.
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Post by Carrow on Oct 8, 2011 8:26:35 GMT -5
"I'd be more than willing to help you out in choosing a present for him, as said," Carrow responded softly. "Whether it be a monocle or something else entirely, if you need a paw I'd quite like to work with you in picking out his gift. If it came down to a question of cost, I'd be happy to put some money towards it as well - at this rate we won't really need to make a final decision until December, and we should have our prize money then, right?
"There's no rush, though - if we take our time with this, and put some real thought into it, I'm sure we'll come up with the best possible present we can. I'm sure, if you wanted to confer with us, that Elle and Selvis could throw in their tuppence worth as well. As I say, though, easy does it. It's maybe something we can work on in due course, eh?"
Carrow was of the opinion that Ladorak deserved a very nice present for being such a good Captain and all-round gentlestoat, and if he could help with that in any way, then the field mouse was going to. He listened as Caden responded to his worries about Tally. He had no idea what to expect as a reply from the marten, but knew his friend would try and be helpful in any case - the rodent really needed it.
He smiled as Caden admitted he wasn't exactly a specialist on the topic of romance. "It's quite alright, mate - if you say you're not great with offering advice on things like this, then let me assure you that I'm in the exact same position as you, but I know you'll try and be of assistance anyway. You're good for things like that, I've noticed," he complimented his companion, his smile widening slightly.
He shook his head, patting his friend's paw as he referred to what he considered an 'inherent flaw' of his. "It's not a flaw at all, Caden. You know how she feels, and vice-versa, like you said, so maybe this isn't the kind of thing that really needs to be spoken aloud. I told her when I did because I needed to get it out there into the open, as I wasn't sure how she felt about me. I thought that if I opened up somewhat, she'd understand.
"It's taken a little time to sink in for both of us, but what I'm saying is that you both basically know the feeling is mutual, so it doesn't need to be expressed in words. You and I both know that sometimes words can't capture everything. Gestures can sometimes be even more powerful. You don't need to tell her that you love her because you both already know it, that's the way I see it."
The mouse nodded as Caden suggested he speak to Ladorak. Matters of the heart was not among Carrow's strong suits, so he figured that any possible advice he could get would be helpful. "I think I shall do that, yes. Maybe he feels more certain about things than you might, but I wouldn't worry about it," he told his friend gently. "Any and all advice I get is sure to help me.
"And yes." He nodded again. "I might be unsure about things myself, but in the end I suppose all I can do is my best. I'm inexperienced in these things, but I really do feel like she's the only mouse for me right now. Life is a long time, and we might not be able to stay the course - I don't know. You're right, mind - if it doesn't work out, then I guess it just doesn't work out." Would he ever find another if he lost her, though? That was an entirely different question.
"Here, what's all this?" Caden was underestimating himself a little, it seemed, and he received another on the paw from the mouse as he tried to keep his friend's spirits up. "It wasn't all courage - in fact I don't think any of it was. I just went with my gut. I explicitly told Tally that I loved her because I knew she needed to hear those words from me. Between you and Elle, maybe you don't need to tell her the same thing, as such, but if it makes you feel better, you should, because you know it's true.
"I was only 'hoping' for you to do your best,, mate - you should really give yourself a little more credit," he murmured. "You're telling me to do that with the relationship, and I can see that you're doing the same thing with offering me advice. I really appreciate it - by our own admission, neither of us know very much about this, and I don't have any experience either, but we'll learn as we go along.
"Cheer up, Caden!," he encouraged his companion, meeting his eyes. "You're not anywhere near as clueless about this as you think you are. For what it's worth, I really appreciate your help. This isn't something I can figure out on my own after all. If I get a spare moment later on I'll go to Ladorak and see what he has to say." The mouse offered his companion another smile. Whenever he thought about himself and Tally he was usually filled with doubts, but he could think a little more clearly about things now.
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Post by Ladorak on Oct 8, 2011 10:04:26 GMT -5
Caden took a moment to consider this. He didn't feel all that brave or like he had done something right. As it stood, he still felt "clueless" when it came to romance. He did his best to cheer up as the mouse tried comforting him through patting his paws. "Well... I suppose you're right." he said, nodding now. "But... isn't going with your gut instinct the same as raw courage?" he asked.
"Carrow... going with your gut IS brave. Sometimes, that's all you can do in battle. That's what Ladorak always told me at least." the albino offered, smiling in a genuine fashion now. "He always told me that if you're in an uncertain situation, especially in combat, don't hesitate. Do what your gut tells you immediately. You can present a strong face to the enemy, and bluff him into thinking you're much stronger than you really are, and by the time he figures it out, you may have already forced his surrender." He recited the stoat's words to him as if recalling them from some text book, but he also spoke with sincerity as well, as he believed his guardian's words to be true.
"So I think you were incredibly brave... to do what I could not. You took that step before I could ever take it." he said, nodding. His thoughts were turning once again to the stoat Captain of their ship however, and he decided to conclude this part swiftly, as he wanted to get back to the issue of addressing the Captain's present... and steer clear of topics he wasn't as well versed in. "You just have to go for it I think. Yes, you open yourself up to disappointment, but that's the risk with falling in love, I guess. If it's not a risk worth taking, don't take it. But if it is... be ready for anything. Rejection or success walk paw in paw I think, especially when it comes to love." he outlined.
"But getting back to what you were saying about a present... maybe we COULD get a monocle for him. I was picturing him a lot just now... mostly because I was relaying to you what he relayed to me. I could just see him sitting behind his desk, and going through all of his paperwork and logs... and I pictured him with a monocle... and I have to say... it's not as strange as I at first thought it to be." the marten said with a smile. "It would be rather practical for him too. I understand he wants to just keep up appearances, but why not get him something he could use from now on in an applied manner?" the albino suggested.
"Overall, I'd say it's a good idea... and I wanted to comment on your statement of him being a good Captain and gentlestoat. He's more than that to me... he's my dad." Caden said, leaning back against the side of one of the guns. "He's a stoat that I..." and he paused here, realizing how much he'd changed from the snot-nosed 11 year old he had been only three years ago. "That I care deeply about. I respect him and... love him too." He folded his arms across his chest now, using the gun for support. The black iron was biting cold... it burned through his coat, despite its thickness, but he liked it as well. Cold like this reminded him of Autumn... his favorite season, which they were currently now in.
"You know... I've never told anyone this... not even him... but there's something I love doing more than anything with him these days. Ever since I saw him get hit in the face and chest with those rock fragments at Calvi... I've been enjoying something. Every time I hug him, or he hugs me... I listen to the sound of his heart, beating and 'dubbing' away in his chest. It's just such a... comforting feeling, hearing that sound. It's life... life and the essence of it. I love listening to it, and knowing he's alive and there for me. It's something I hope to hear for a very long time, yet." the marten commented, closing his eyes now, a serene smile spreading across his face as he just imagined that deep, rhythmic bass sound, filling his ears and comforting him as he stood there, temporarily losing himself in that very moment, and forgetting his surroundings.
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Post by Carrow on Oct 9, 2011 11:50:37 GMT -5
"Perhaps you're right, Caden," Carrow responded gently. "I guess I did something I felt comfortable about going through with and didn't see it as being particularly courageous at the time. Mind you, I had a pretty powerful sleeping draught inside me at that time, and, well... I don't know. I was struggling to think clearly, but the one thing my mind had fixed itself on was that I really did love Tally and wanted to show that.
"In the heat of the moment, we may sometimes act differently to how we normally would, and I think that was the case for me. If I had a chance to do it over again, though, I wouldn't change a thing, because she's one of the creatures I love with all my heart, and I don't regret trying to show her that. While I'm still not entirely certain whether or not she loves me back... well, I'll find out sometime I guess," he said simply, shrugging a little.
"Thank you for thinking what I did was brave, all the same. I'm sure you'll find it within yourself to do likewise, but I think it's only a matter of time. I felt comfortable with openly saying those words, and I know you will as well, so don't let yourself get downhearted about it. I think you and Elle are made for each other, if you want me to be perfectly honest about how I perceive your relationship. Both of you are perfectly compatible, and even though you might consider yourself too shy to tell her exactly how you feel, I'm quite certain she feels the same way. It'll happen - with you two, it's a question of when and not if."
He smiled when Caden raised the prospect of getting Ladorak a monocle. "Like I said, I think it suits him rather well. It's a practical gift I believe he could get quite a bit of use out of, but if I were in his situation, I'd just go for it. The idea of keeping up appearances doesn't mean anything to me, because it's never something I've tried, or indeed, needed to do. Maybe it hasn't sunk in for him yet. I know these things take time, but thankfully, time is what we have to mull over choosing the present.
"I'm glad you think it's a good idea, mate," he told his companion, smiling a little before falling silent and listening to what Caden told him about what he thought of Ladorak. The marten's comments made his smile widen, and he felt tears moisten in the corners of his eyes when his friend told him about what he liked to do with the stoat Captain. This remark brought back a lot of memories for Carrow, and he sniffled, wiping his eyes before shaking his head slightly.
"Sorry about that, but what you've told me about what you enjoy doing with Ladorak, well, it reminds me of what Archie used to do with me sometimes when she was trying to calm me down or help me to relax. Sometimes she wouldn't even need to induce me for that - she'd sit down and place me on her lap, and when I leaned against her chest, I could hear her heart beating as well. It was very gentle and soothing to me," he responded. "Even in my darkest times, she was always there for me, and I'll forever be grateful to her for that.
"I can certainly appreciate how much that must mean to you, Caden," he said gently, noting the serene smile on his companion's features. It was no wonder he thought so highly of the stoat. Carrow did too, of course - the mustelid was the father figure in his life after all. "He's good for things like that. He's the kind of creature who watches over everybeast, whether we notice it or not. I'm glad he can be there for us... and sometimes I wonder if he knows what we think of him," he added with a small chuckle.
Selvis, meanwhile, was ascending the stairs to the lower gun deck. he had been tempted to peek inside Carrow's package and see what his parents had purchased for the mouse, but held off as he wanted it to be a surprise for both of them - it'd make things more fun that way. He gained the stairs, then approached his companions, waving at them and holding up the two packages. He wasn't sure whether he wanted to open them now or wait until after his magic show, but that could wait for the moment.
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