(no subject)

[dunnage]

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

Comments

[dracobin]

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.

[dunnage]

[ 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.

[dracobin]

[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.