tushanshu | (no subject)

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I have heard the Arguments that Time has stopped at Home, and while the Idea brings me slight Peace, I do not believe I can rest here without Consequence.

Inaction is as much of a Crime as active Treachery, and I wish to Help in any Fashion I may. I am able bodied, well used to working in open Seas and under Orders. You shall find my Complaints very few in number, under Condition that any Action asked of me is given fairly, and does not impugn on the Rights of God’s Creatures or against Country.

If I may also inquire, I am still hopeful to locate a dear Friend of mine, a Dragon by the name of Temeraire— or perhaps Lung Tien Xiang. He is of black coloring with blue markings, in the Heavy Weight class and distinguishable by a unique facial ruff and tendrils. If he is occupied, or perhaps if I am gone when He arrives, let Him know that He is missed, that He must take care of Himself, and that William Laurence asks only for Him to be happy, even if He is not near.

Cpt. Wllm Lrnce

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This particular Emperor is very strange; I do not think I have met anyone like her before. We have yet to learn how we have come to be here, or what it is she requires of us, but she is perfectly open to speaking with us in the meantime, and she does not try to hide behind her manners, as Lien does.

[He settles down, making a faint, thoughtful noise.] Well, it is not as if I require a full crew at present, seeing as I am smaller. But Bryn has helped me put my harness on once already, so she has a better idea of the process than most; and Combeferre is training to be a doctor, so there is no reason why he might not make a good dragon-surgeon; and then there is Gavroche: he is a born runner if ever I saw one.

[WHOOPS that's two out of three. The thought occurs to him after a moment, because he quickly adds,] They are French, but they do not like Napoleon, at all, and Gavroche is only about Emily's age; he says he was killed, before he came here.

[better play the pathos card]

[ Emperor, and a her. Well, that's certainly unexpected. He tries to match the names to faces, noticing with slight dawning horror that most of them were French.

French Republicans, but French nonetheless. There's hesitancy in his voice, because he's not entirely sure he's ready to deal. He's having enough trouble trying to come to terms with Temeraire's new French friends, and welcoming them in as crew felt almost too sudden. ]

I shall ask them, if it pleases you. But I only ask that you to give it some thought before a decision is made— a ground crew will be necessary, but you have the advantage of knowing these friends far better than I do.

[ he gives Temeraire's head a one last stroke, before leaning back to look up directly into his eyes ]

If Gavroche is the same age as Emily, however, it would be terribly careless of me to wait to form my own opinion on the boy. I cannot pay him, but I'm sure we could look out for his welfare, if he will have us.

Oh, of course; it is only natural that we wait a little, and in any case it is not as if we are in dire need of a crew at the moment. Whatever the Emperor has brought us here for, it does not appear to be fighting, and I cannot say the wait will be altogether unpleasant, now that you are here. Is your apartment very large? If it is not, I have space in mine: it is three stories, but M. Javert helped me take out the floors, so that I might have more room. [yeah more French names SORRY LAURENCE. He looks a little hesitant, then adds:] That is to say, if you would like to stay with me?

As for Gavroche, I do not know what he might accept by way of payment, as he seems quite content where he is at present, and might see our offer as unwanted charity; but I think he would be quite pleased to serve aboard a dragon.

[ Laurence laughs, this time with a little more feeling. ]

Temeraire, I should like nothing more.

[ He had no attachment to this new place, after all. The architecture was not to his liking, and even if the suite had come with the blessing of George III, he would not have liked to live so far away from Temeraire. ]

I have the luxury of owning little here— and I would like to see this new home of yours. If it is more comfortable than a pavilion, we may take the idea home with us and have a new idea for Iskierka to borrow.

[ steal, really, but semantics. He turns back to peer into his own barely lived in suite: eyeing with a slight shudder a console full of French replies, and finding nothing he cared to pack. ]

If that is the case, then I will not insist. I will merely ask if he wishes to join us in service, and tell him if he has any requests, I will do my best to meet them.

[Temeraire brightens at once, nudging Laurence affectionately once more before permitting him to check his console.]

It is certainly a great deal more convenient than a pavilion; it is very pleasant to be able to live in the city, so close to everything, and to venture out to a market or a bookshop whenever one pleases. I suppose it might be a little difficult to build something similar in London, or Dover, especially as I will be my proper size, but I see no reason why we should not attempt it, at least.

[His expression falls slightly, however, as Laurence returns empty-handed. It had been one thing to go without his talon-sheaths, when he had his breastplate and chain, and was already the most impressive (not to mention only) dragon on the turtle. Now that his captain is here, without any robes or gold to call his own...]

So you did not come with anything, at all? That is a great pity--but I know of a good clothier in town, who charges very reasonable prices, so you shall have clothing at once. And then of course we might set about acquiring some capital; if the Emperor will not bring ours with us, it is only fair we take our own.

It would take a King's ransom to afford enough land in London, I fear.

[ Laurence gives Temeraire a slight embrace, before shaking his head slightly. He supposes his trunk would have been too much to ask for, and all things considered, he'd best get used to going possession-less. But he had his coat, his sword, and the only companionship he'd truly ever need.

It was easy enough to see it bothered Temeraire, and he added quick enough: ]

I am sure in time I will gather new possessions, enough to the point we'll run out of room to store them all.

[ fallacy: appealing to magpie tendencies ]

Until then my dear, I am perfectly content with what I have. Shall we go?

Well, we do not have to live in London, in that case: Dover would suit perfectly, as well. [A pause as a sudden thought strikes him.] Or perhaps the King himself might give it to us, out of gratitude, in exchange for our bringing the cure back?

[It is almost harder to get Laurence settled on his back, unaccustomed as he is to riders given his altered size, but they manage well enough, after a fashion. And it is not unpleasant, at all: not when it reminds him of simpler times, when he was smaller, and all they had to worry about was returning to the Reliant in time for supper.]

It was not at all difficult to find nice things for the city, when I arrived, but now the rationing has made things much more complicated, and a good-sized catch of fish is worth much more than a necklace or a bracelet, these days.

It was only my duty towards King and country, and I would set a poor standard if I accepted a reward for simple duty.

[ he considers if he should tell Temeriare now— time would not make the truth any less bitter, nor the crime any less severe. It did seem a shame to ruin a happy reunion, so for now, he stays silent, quietly thinking himself cowardly for not coming forth with the true. ]

But you my dear, have made no such oaths. And perhaps together, we may make more than what we could separately, here.

But it is your duty to take ships, as well, and you receive prizes for that; I do not see why you should receive nothing at all for doing something so much more important than taking a ship.

[He pauses, then shakes his head.] You are right; we are a long way away from England, now, and I am content to stay here as long as we are needed, so long as you are here with me.

[The flight to his own residence is a short one, and he descends with a quiet rustle of wings, eagerly nudging Laurence inside ahead of him. Javert's construction team has done themselves proud; the renovated apartment is spacious and open, with railings lining the vestigial floors, which surround an open central area containing a well-used firepit. There is a stairwell still preserved, and a few doors are still visible on the remnants of the second and third floors, leading to unused bedrooms, any of which might suit Laurence.

The apartment itself is surprisingly spartan for something belonging to Temeraire; a few piles of seashells and polished rocks are carefully arranged here and there, there are the beginnings of a small library along one wall, and he has painted his name in English and Chinese along another, but he looks almost guilty as he surveys the room now.]

I am afraid it is not very impressive; I do not have much in the way of capital at the moment, as it cost a great deal to knock holes in all the ceilings, and I am paying for a kedan merchant to teach me to read their language. But in a little while I shall have both out of the way, and then I might go about making this place a little more respectable.

[ the workmanship is impeccable in his eyes, sturdy and spacious, and charming in it's sparse decoration. He supposes it's rather empty for Temeraire, who had developed a rather distinguished taste in accessorization, but it suited Laurence. ]

Sooner or later we must return home, Temeraire— or at the very least, I must. I would not dream of forcing you away from where you were happiest.

[ he remembered saying the same in China, and he supposes Keeliai with its aesthetic reminded Temeraire heavily of it. There's the same feeling of worry, the slight doubt that he could lose Temeraire to someone or someplace else. Laurence refused to lose himself in thought, and instead turned his attention to the bookcase, silently running a hand across the various spines. ]

Do not fret; together we may pull in a tidy salary, and from there our fortunes will only improve. We have always made our home where we could, and I see no reason why we should change our habits here.

[He draws his head back a little at that, a hint of reproach in his expression.]

You would not be forcing me, at all: not when I am happiest when I am with you.

[And pleasant as Keeliai is, there is little tying him to this place, except perhaps the few friends he has made here, none of which he can regard above his captain. In any case, if they might lay hold of whatever technology has brought them here, and figure out how it works, then surely they might be back to visit whenever they like--

But that is a different matter for a different time. He continues in a slightly brisker tone of voice as he watches Laurence peruse his books (mostly scientific texts and handwritten field journals, though there might be an inflammatory pamphlet or two, courtesy of the Amis):]

Besides, it is not as if we can return home at the moment, when we appear to be here at the Emperor's beck and call. And you are right: we might enjoy what time we have here, but in the meantime you must find some means of employment.

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