1st Order [Voice]

[wouldntbetonit]

what in the --

[Give him a moment. He just figured out how to use this monstrosity.]


I'm -- ah -- not sure if anybody is listening to this. This is a message to Luceti. [He pronounced it wrong. Whichever way you pronounce it, Lucetians, he did it wrong. Judge him and his lack of talent with foreign words.]

There is a ship in port, The Britannia. Quite a beauty, I have to commend Mr Kennedy for the design of her. Unfortunately she's come to be rather understaffed, so if there are any men who are interesting in crewing her....I'm sure her captain would appreciate it greatly.

That is all...back to your business.

[If William Bush could have it his way, he'd start a press-gang right here, right now. But that required a navy and men to help. So asking nicely would have to do.]

Comments

[simplestgift]

And for the ship's. I'd rather she not languish at anchor because my crew went off in a huff. One of the women he insulted could turn the capstan practically on her own, I'd hate to think what she might do to him if he went too far.

[action]

[wouldntbetonit]

Damnit, Kennedy you can't go and simply forget these things! You might have had a penchant for mutinous behavior and, God help me, I may very well have one of my own but I can't stand by and see the Articles be tossed to the wayside like that for the sake of numbers in crew!

[And here we come to the crux of the matter - that Bush is, essentially, a traditionalist in the worst sense. He'll stick to the book as much as he can but when it suits the greater good he'll turn the other cheek. Only here a few days and Bush is already trying to instill something familiar. Change isn't going to be easy for him and he will dig his heels into the ground every painful step.]

[action]

[simplestgift]

Find and read aloud to me where the Articles forbid women in the service and I shall issue a full apology, then. Press gangs ignore the law more than I have.

[He doesn't bat an eye at the accusation of mutinous behavior. If anything, after a year of separation from the Navy and friendship with a pirate, he swells with pride.]

[theoniongirl]

[she's really not sure whether to be relieved or not. It was good to know Horatio hadn't suddenly decided to alienate half his crew...but she couldn't imagine he'd be very happy about the outcome, if he hadn't been the one to start this.

She doesn't even tell him not to call her ma'am. She can only imagine how overwhelmed he already is with the people responding.

Gently] You've already mentioned the Britannia is understaffed. Maybe it would be best to take a break and...see how he'd like to handle this.

[before it got too out of control]

[Voice]

[temzan]

Oh? From the way you talk, I would have thought you would have more of a position to issues orders.

Does your captain share your thoughts then? [Slyness in her voice and in her unseen smile.]

[Voice]

[wouldntbetonit]

As first lieutenant it is my position to issue orders, but to follow the captain's as well.

[Oh God the twitch is palpable when Bush realizes no he didn't speak to Horatio about this before he did anything. He just assumed.]

No ma'am.

[wouldntbetonit]

I'll take that into consideration, ma'am.

[He's much too manry to say 'Good God you're right!', so this is the closest one can get atm.]

[wouldntbetonit]

[........derp.]

I have to call you something... [-- ma'am.]

[Voice]

[wouldntbetonit]

Of course, ma'am.

[He'd tip his hat if he could see you.]

[wouldntbetonit]

[--Twitch. He's growly now, Sanji.]

I'll ask you not to use that tone.

[action]

[wouldntbetonit]

They're not the same Kennedy! Women ain't supposed to have that hard life.

[And that's what it all boils down to: women are soft and supposed to stay on land with the babies while the menfolk go off to war and die. That's just how the world works.]

[action]

[simplestgift]

Yes, and it was men who declared them so. Perhaps we'll let them decide for themselves, once in a great while?

[Voice]

[temzan]

I would be interested in hearing what he thought about your recruitment policy then. I used to travel extensively on a ship, so I'm no stranger to its dangers, but if you both don't want me I wouldn't want to waste his time.

Is the Captain in Luceti?