The Chattery

[Harry Thorburn]

For those who don't know this game, you answer the question from the previous post, ICly, and post a question in return for another character to answer.

Do you ever wonder what's over the horizon?

[William Mowett]

If you mean at sea, yes. Especially when it comes to the enemy; you want to be sure whether that ship on the horizon is friend or foe.

Do you ever wonder what lies beyond our existence on earth?

[Bastien Prayon]

The next adventure.

Where do you keep your most valuable treasures?

[George Thompson]

Me most valuable stuff? On me, o' course - not that I've got much worth nickin'.

What's your fondest childhood memory?

[Edward Torrington]

May I tell a small story?

My parents had been invited to a house-party by Charles Lennox, the old Duke of Richmond, and as a special treat my brother and I were allowed to come along - with the strictest understanding, of course, that we were to mind our nanny and keep quiet. My brother was great friends with one of Richmond's nephews, and they were off doing some mischief outside under the watchful eyes of my father's groom, but I had elected to stay in the house. As I was the 'quiet' sibling, my nanny thought that it would be alright to leave my with a book, but ... well, I got curious. I was ten.

Naturally, when I found the door to a magnificent study standing ajar, I went in. There was a magnificent brass armillary sphere standing on the desk! I assure you, I behaved perfectly, not even touching it, and I only climbed on that chair because I still was rather small, and the frame I wanted to get a closer look at was hung up high, and the lines were so thin and precise - I even took off my shoes first!

Well, anyway, by then my nanny had noticed my escape and set off in pursuit; when she found me in his Grace's study, she immediately started to ring a peal over my head. Only, I was standing in my best stockings, on my toes, on slippery satin and hadn't heard her come in, so fascinated was I. Her screech gave me an almighty start, and I slipped and fell, barely missing the edge of the desk with my head and knocking it on the floor instead.

My mother tells me that I must have been unconscious for a few minutes, during which that silly nanny, thinking she had killed me, wailed and got hysterial and brought the whole party to the study. Fortunately I came around before my mother could worry much, and - still being young and indestructible - I was quickly on my feet again and tried very politely to apologize to his Grace for the commotion I had caused. That's when that silly woman started to screech once again - this time about my willful disobedience, and about punishing me, and his Grace and my parents would never have to look at me for the rest of our time here and so on. As angry as my father might have been with me, at this point he was close to murdering her, I think, but before he could do anything, the Duke held up his hand and inquired quite reasonably why I had been on that chair in the first place - nobody had thought to ask that until then. When I admitted to curiosity about the map on the wall, he went over, took it down and handed it to me - it was a study of the fortifications of Cherbourgh he himself had drawn when he had been there with Bligh. The look on my nanny's face was priceless, but ... my fondest memory is the hour or so his Grace spend explaining the map to me, and showing me the maps of his estate. I think that is when my love affair with map making began.

Well, enough of me now.

Who is the first person you will want to see when you return home?

[John Vickery]

Thank you for your remembrance, Captain.

I think I most want to see my sister. We keep up a correspondence as well as we may, but you will appreciate that it is very hard when it can take letters several weeks to travel between England and Spain.

What is your favourite way to spend an afternoon when you have no pressing duties to attend to?

[Bastien Prayon]

If I tell you that, my captain will instantly find pressing duties for me to attent to ... Well, in all honesty, I enjoy being human. If I can be human with someone soft and female and admiring my charms, it will be as close to paradise as ever I will get, but if I find myself in a tavern brawl or at a fiesta or even dozing in the sun ... well, as long as there is diversity and stimulation, I will be happy. Strangely enough, even getting shouted at occassionally for these exploits just add a bit more spice to life.

How long will you continue your present way of life?

[Étienne Saint-Hilaire]

Till I die, or till the war ends. Whichever comes first. Then... I may still wear the uniform, but I will no longer need to walk through Spain.

What is your opinion of the Spanish and Portuguese?

[Sebastian Sewell]

Nice food, good literatur, terrible politics. Admittedly an opinion formed on very limited exposure to them. Bad disciplin for people who claim to have discovered the Americas.

Would you rather live with a drunkard or a missionary?

[George Thompson]

I think I'm more used to drunkards, so I know what to do with 'em. Missionaries... I'd never hear the end of it about me mortal soul an' all that.

Where would you most like to visit, that ain't your home?

[Fingers Smith]

The whole world!

Izzit as big's all the Tars says it is?

[George Thompson]

It can take six months to sail to New South Wales from England, an' that's without turnin' round, so I've heard. An' then it's another six months to get home again.

Have you ever been kissed?

[Jacob Chase]

*smirks* Aye.

What's the furthest from home you ever been?

[Gabriel Cotton]

Spain. Which is where we'm at, ain't it?

Why'd you end up in the King's service rather'n stayin' safe at home?

[Tide Evans]

Got pressed after Crescent whaler was wrecked.

Will you go home again afte the war?

[Tom Oxley]

Dunno. Dunno if I want to, neither.

Where's home, for you?

[Martin Darling]

H-Home? I was b-b-born in Leicester. B-B-But I d-d-don't... n-n-never mind.

D-Do you like the A-A-Army?

[Gabriel Cotton]

It ain't the life I left behind, that's for sure, but I like it well enough.

What's your fav'rite mem'ry of Christmas?

[George Thompson]

Sat in front of the fire in the Ropemaker's Arms roasting chestnuts - Lil'd bought a whole sixpenn'orth at once for Annie an' me. You never seen so many of 'em all at once. Think everyone in the place had their fill, an' we had burnt fingers from where we'd peeled an' et every other one our own selves.

What makes you really angry?

[John Vickery]

Seeing someone mistreat those who cannot stand up to them, for whatever reason.

Have you ever had a very comical injury?

[Daniel Medhurst]

I was crossin' a stream once and slipped and twisted me ankle sup'm awful - swelled up horrible and I couldn't walk on it for nigh on a fortnight.

What's your very earliest mem'ry, ever?

[Edward Torrington]

I can't say for certain whether it is my earliest memory, but a very early memory I have is of my brother very eagerly trying to teach me how to tie a bow.

What do you dream about at night?

[John Vickery]

Last night, I dreamed I was back at my father's estate and all the stable-hands and estate workers were wearing uniform - Rifles uniform - and drilling, most industriously. I only realised it was a dream when my brother joined in, for he is a fellow most unlikely ever to wear regimentals.

Do you sing?

[Edward Torrington]

Since you did not qualify the question as to aptitude, repertoire and surroundings, I can in good conscience answer 'yes'.

If you could have right now a pint of good ale and a hot meal, or ten pounds, or the company of a person of your choosing for an hour - which would you choose?

[Gabriel Cotton]

I'll take the ale and hot meal, sir. Ain't much to spend money on out here, even ten whole pounds!

What's the first thing you'll do when you return home?