onecertainly | 001. it's the way you name your ship

[ 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.

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I gave him my word that I would try, and now I have. I won't mention it again. In fact I expect I might be visiting you more often than you'd care to see me, once I start feeling homesick for a proper ship.

[ When you get used to sleeping in a hammock in a cramped room with other guys also sleeping in hammocks, a spacious room with a cushy bed is kind of hard to readjust to. ]

For my cabin they've exactly replicated the bedroom I had as a boy -- the same one I'd use if I visited my family. There are even five notches carved into the desk that I put there once during some childish fit of boredom. I don't know how they do it; it should be impossible.

I'd be glad to have you. You couldn't possibly exhaust your welcome with me.

[You're alive. You're alive, and you're well, and Horatio will never ever stop being grateful that he gets to sail with you again. You could be waking him on the hour every hour and he'd still be happy to see you.]

It's chilling, sometimes. To know that something... somehow, has watched us so closely and for so long. I can only guess how the inmates feel at having had their whole lives recorded.

[ Archie agrees with the sentiment. Beneath the excitement, the happiness of reuniting with Horatio, he feels a sense of dread. He worries that he's done something wrong, somehow, by coming here. ]

The Admiral's intentions seem pure enough but I can't escape this feeling that we're fools for accepting his invitation.

[ He looks away, out towards that impossible body of water in the distance, and tightens his jaw, clearly anxious. He knows they have the option of leaving but that's not an easy decision in his case. ]

Remember what I said to you when you first came aboard the Justinian? [ He looks back at Horatio with a faint smile. ] "Welcome to Purgatory." I worry those words ring truer here.

[ Maybe it's because he's new, or because he shouldn't even be here at all, but it's an unsettling notion that's plagued him from the moment he was offered passage aboard the Barge. ]

[Perhaps in a way, it's easier for Horatio. Once he knew that coming to the Barge... that earning his deal was a possibility, it swiftly became the only possibility. Whatever fears he may have around the nature of the Barge, he suffers no doubt about whether he's done the right thing by coming here.]

I think that this place is many things to many people. Perhaps it is purgatory to some, perhaps it could be hell, even. To most of the people here though... I do believe that it's something more than that.

[He hesitates for a moment, then shakes his head.]

It's a second chance, Archie. Perhaps it's all a trick, and we're being played for fools here, but as long as there's a chance...

[And no, he's not talking about the inmates.]

A chance.

[ Archie echoes Horatio, thoughtful. Yes, he understands, and he can guess what Horatio asked for. It's a thing that, as far as Archie sees it, is neither possible nor plausible but he won't say that, no. At least not today. ]

Bush tells me you're here on my behalf. Thank you, Horatio. Truly. [ Then he gives a short, light laugh, because he doesn't trust himself not to embarrass himself with emotion otherwise. It's a difficult thing, he thinks, returning from death. ] I should have expected you'd be too stubborn to let things be.

[Horatio isn't really surprised that Archie figured out what his deal is, but he's a little taken aback by the fact that Bush has had time to confirm his suspicions. He has to bite his tongue to keep from stuttering out the beginning of his reply.]

You shouldn't thank me for it. I owe you my life as it is, and god knows there's every chance I'll fail miserably and keep you stuck here forever. Or worse.

[There's something else. Something that occurs to him as he reflects upon the fact that he already considers coming to the Barge to be justified. Because even if he fails? Even if Roderick gets worse, and Archie lingers, and one day Horatio just disappears (as so many wardens clearly do)? There will still have been this. A few, impossible hours with someone who should have been lost forever.]

Besides all of which, I believe my motives here are fundamentally selfish ones. I missed you, Archie. And I want us to continue serving together until we are both old men.

[And he really, really can't look at you now, Archie. Because if he does then there's no hiding the fact that he is crying.]

[ There are a great number of things Archie wants to say to that, most of which boil down to "Shut up, Horatio."

More specifically, "Shut up, Horatio, I don't care if I'm stuck here forever if it means sailing with you."

Finding the right way to say that is difficult, but when he finally feels he has he speaks again. ]

You may think it's selfish but I -- [ He stops, clears his throat quietly for fear of his voice cracking. ] -- I have never felt so honored.

[ He reaches out and places his hand on Horatio's shoulder. ]

No matter what comes of this place I hope you remember that.

001. it's the way you name your ship | video

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