Draft Log #3: During v. 2.0

[lucetimods]

Who: Everyone on the draft
What: Day 3-5
When: August 27th-August 29th
Where: ONCE MORE INTO THE-- ...BEACH
Summary: Like it says above. The draftees reach the beach.
Rating: V FOR VIOLENT BEHAVIOUR!!


Once again, That Handy Useful Information Link. Also a link to the previous draft log!

Comments

[captainhornblower]

We met when I was seventeen.

There have been some absences, times when we've not had a choice but to part ways. Other than that, though, we have served together since then.

[Questions, he can answer. Or evade if need be.

His own questions... He certainly has them. But, for now, he is watching the woman out of the corner of his eye, considering them carefully.]

[herotypical]

And how old was he? [ she knows archie's age -- it might help her glean some sort of timeline out of this. all tangled up in the very middle was the nest of awkward that was archie's death. she's at least trying to circumvent that land-mine.

otherwise she walks rather casually. her scythe is up on her shoulder now. although her stride is nonchalant she clearly has an eye out for the fringes of the treeline. cautiously cool. ]

[captainhornblower]

Seventeen as well.

[He... might have an idea of what she's doing, but he will not be the one to talk about that.

Of course, if she knows how old Archie is and asks his age, that might cause more questions. But this environment is strange enough... perhaps it won't be questioned.]

[herotypical]

[ just a slight nod. she will have to think a little harder about how to proceed from this knowledge. they're meant to be the same age, at least. but she'll bide her time before asking just how old horatio is now.

so instead she continues their little stroll -- saying nothing for the time being. ]

[captainhornblower]

[There are a hundred things to ask. But safer topics are a comfort at an unsafe time.]

Archie speaks highly of you, Miss Buffy.

I'm glad to have finally met you.

[herotypical]

...He does, does he? [ her smile is friendly. the farther they get away from that little fight, the more her austere tone melts away. ] He once told me that everyone was afraid of me, you know.

But the gladness goes both ways. I'd bet my bottom dollar that he speaks highest of you.

[captainhornblower]

...It would not be folly, I think, to be afraid of you. Which I do not mean to offer any offence, of course, Miss Buffy. [But after what he had seen? He could understand fear, yes.]

And I do believe that Mr. Kennedy... does me too much credit. I do my duty, as any man would.

[herotypical]

...He was dating my sister, of course. The fear was probably beyond warranted.

[ if her voice trembles at her own mention of dawn then she quickly aims to cover it up: ] Honestly? I think it's those who crack to it and do their duties that probably deserve every crumb of credit they're given.

[captainhornblower]

[His voice drops low. He would not broach the subject himself, but it has been referred to.]

I... am sorry. For your loss. It means little, I am sure, but it is all I can offer.

[herotypical]

Save your sympathy for Archie. I'll see her again -- eventually. Some day.

[ with a quiver: ] Or she'll be back. She's been and gone before.

[captainhornblower]

I've offered it to Archie, and you deserve it just as much.

[herotypical]

...Did you have the chance to meet her, Captain?

[captainhornblower]

Not properly, no, and I regret that, certainly.

[herotypical]

Maybe next time, then.

[captainhornblower]

I would like that.

[herotypical]

[ and then the slayer seems to hesitate even more then before -- for what she's about to ask is awfully difficult for her. it isn't that she tries to deny her affection for archie or anything of the sort but...but ever since that luceti valley shift had them signed off as siblings, she feels troubled by her doubts over how much of it is genuine and how much isn't. ]

A-and how's he holding up? It's...God, it's so not easy losing someone you -- someone you care so much about and they're from a whole other time. World. [ she'd lost jack so recently and had thankfully gained him back so quickly. ]

[captainhornblower]

[It takes Horatio a moment to answer. He sorts through his thoughts and ducks his head.]

I... cannot speak for him, of course, but...

I would say he is doing... as well as could be expected. He... has lost someone dear. Whom he may never see again. He... has taken it better than most. [Better than I did, when I was in a similar position.

He could not shake his memories of Archie's death.] This...

I know this war is not popular, nor should it be. But I do believe that this battle is good for him. It's... familiar. And it's exhausting. [A good, hard battle... could wear one out enough to improve morale. He'd seen it before.]

[herotypical]

Mmhm. I told him as much. Better to exhaust himself like this than in other ways.

[captainhornblower]

The worst time to suffer such a loss is when one is idle.

[herotypical]

So -- thanks. For keeping him anything but idle. I should've...I mean, when I was in his shoes? He did a lot for me. But you're here. It's best left in your best friendly hands. I think.

He's a good man. [ man. normally, despite being younger than archie, she calls him a boy. ] I don't think he'll ever believe that I believe it, though.

[captainhornblower]

The best man I know. But... as you've said. [He allows himself to smile just a bit.] I don't think he'll ever believe it of himself.

[herotypical]

...And Dawn loves him. Loved him. I don't like having to choose a tense about it, really. But a sister could tell.

[captainhornblower]

I'm... very glad to hear that. He... I feel quite confident, so long as it remains between the two of us, that he loves her quite dearly.

[herotypical]

[ buffy believes she knew that as well; after all, a sister can always tell. hmm. ]

They were adorable together. So sweet you'd swear you'd get a cavity. But...hey, I don't mean to rain on this parade of obvious fun and happiness. [ sarcasm. ]

[captainhornblower]

Perhaps, as you said, she will return. This...

This place has done stranger things.