Archie Kennedy (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
onecertainly) wrote2014-06-10 11:46 am
onecertainly) wrote2014-06-10 11:46 am
001. it's the way you name your ship | video
[ The video feed begins and a young man stares curiously into the camera. He has the distinct look of someone who's just climbed out of their deathbed and hastily tried to make themselves look presentable -- if there is a distinct look for such a thing -- and that would be because that's exactly what he's done.
Still, despite his obvious weariness, his expression is almost cheerful. ]
L-- [ No, not Lieutenant. Not anymore. ] Archie Kennedy. Warden Kennedy, I suppose. [ He raises his hand and it sort of lingers in the air because it strikes him that he has no idea if he should be saluting or not. Do wardens salute? Do convicted mutineers?
Likely not, so he lets it drop back down to his side. ]
This Admiral, he's -- [ There's a pause as he considers his next words carefully. He can't be too forward about his opinions of this mysterious figure, not so soon after the Renown. There's no telling who could be listening. Also, first impressions and all that.] -- well. He must be an interesting fellow to command such a vessel.
Does the entire crew dress as they please? If I must report to someone to receive uniform, I'd be obliged to learn at the very least his name. The one I'm wearing hardly seems appropriate. [ It's difficult to tell by the angle of the camera but he's wearing an old-fashioned naval uniform. It doesn't strike him as the correct attire for a warden. ] Thank you.
Still, despite his obvious weariness, his expression is almost cheerful. ]
L-- [ No, not Lieutenant. Not anymore. ] Archie Kennedy. Warden Kennedy, I suppose. [ He raises his hand and it sort of lingers in the air because it strikes him that he has no idea if he should be saluting or not. Do wardens salute? Do convicted mutineers?
Likely not, so he lets it drop back down to his side. ]
This Admiral, he's -- [ There's a pause as he considers his next words carefully. He can't be too forward about his opinions of this mysterious figure, not so soon after the Renown. There's no telling who could be listening. Also, first impressions and all that.] -- well. He must be an interesting fellow to command such a vessel.
Does the entire crew dress as they please? If I must report to someone to receive uniform, I'd be obliged to learn at the very least his name. The one I'm wearing hardly seems appropriate. [ It's difficult to tell by the angle of the camera but he's wearing an old-fashioned naval uniform. It doesn't strike him as the correct attire for a warden. ] Thank you.
no subject
Granted, he had only served with Bush for a short time and doesn't know the man that well but he would have thought after all they'd gone through --
But Archie had never paused to consider what effect his false confession would have on his name. Oh, he knew of course, but he was going to be dead -- what did it matter? There hadn't been any reason to dwell on it.
So only now, given his second chance, does he begin to realize what it means to be marked a mutineer. ]
Apologies, Captain Bush.
[ The captain thing is still odd. If Archie had looked a bit closer at the little screen he may have noticed the changes in Bush, how much older he looks, but he's too overwhelmed with other things to pay any mind. ]
You mentioned Mr. Hornblower. Surely you can't mean he's here, sir?
Private
He's here, all right, and already managing an inmate of his own. A slippery American, but Hornblower will see him straight.
He gave me to understand you were ... wounded. Laid up in Kingston. [Bush's honest face betrays his euphemism, but if Kennedy is from before, he wants not to alarm him.]
I was wounded similar before I came here. During an action up the Seine, near a town called Caudebec.
But he wasn't, if you are worried. In perfect health, many wardens are. It is only the inmates who are uniformly in dire straits when they come here.
Private
Thank God -- and it's us three, no one else? Because I swear if that great sodding fool Buckland is here I'll -- [ Wait. It might not be best to talk about strangling a superior and throwing him off the damned ship to a captain who barely knows you. ] -- I fear I might speak to him in a manner that is unbecoming of an officer.
[ Better. ]
Do you think Horatio will see me? If he's settled here...then, I don't want to impose.
[ He can't imagine the effects of having one's dead friend come bursting back to into one's life might have on a man. ]
Re: Private
He is the man you knew, Hornblower-- not quite the one who served with me. I can tell them apart, y'see, for the man I met on Renown had a stain on his hand, a powder burn. This man doesn't. He's your friend and he'd like nothing more than to see you.
Mister Kennedy, he is here on your behalf. Don't for a second think he'll be less than delighted. I won't be able to bear it if the both of you are riddled with self doubt.
no subject
[ Two Horatios, two Bushes, apparently even two Bucklands. But only one Kennedy. It doesn't make sense, any of it.
Archie doesn't bother to finish the thought. He's certain Bush doesn't know the answer either. Besides, does it really matter? Horatio is here, somewhere. His Horatio, the one who knows him. ]
Never mind. You say he's here on my behalf? [ That's right, the deal. He mutters: ] Of course he is.
[ So quick to give. ]
How long has he been here, then?
Private
He had to find his sea legs same as me. It is shocking, what people get up to, and wear, and say, and the constant supply of fresh water and fresh food--
But you will find your feet too.
Private
[ Archie wonders if he'll find his way aboard the barge as easily as Horatio or Bush. When he'd accepted the offer he hadn't been quite prepared for the vessel's eccentricities. ]
I hope so, Captain. Should be easier than eating turnips, I think.
[ Oh wait you probably don't know that joke but that's okay. ]
Re: Private
I am sure he is only taking the time to make one of his extraordinary plans. I expect he will have entirely overturned the system of management here and replaced it with a better by this time next year.
Mister Kennedy-- as his friend, will you try to persuade him to ask for better quarters? We can all have a great deal for the asking and it irks me that he feels himself only entitled to a Lieutenant's berth when he could have -- well, what he deserves.
And if your quarters aren't comfortable for God's sake ask for better; the admiral can spare it and he asks more of us than His Majesty ever did.
Private
[ Archie decides that this Other Bush isn't so bad. In fact, he and the Original Bush (calling him the "real" one doesn't seem kind) appear to be close enough in most ways. ]