The Returned Captain

A Fallen London Roleplaying Blog

[caseybanning]

The New Recruit

((a roleplay log from myself, @captainjanegreene, @ghosttmachine, and @zackoak from about a year ago, whoops. no big content warnings except maybe for a hand injury. not sure if Fay has their own RP blog?))

~

MONTHS IN THE PAST

The Dire Warning rests at dock, taking on cargo and crew for its next journey.  Visible on deck is its infamous captain.  Jane Greene was, legally speaking, perfectly within her rights to step into London, but, practically speaking, could not do so without inviting every other kind of trouble imaginable.

–

Make sure the blacksmith actually finishes this time,“ Casey’s exhausted voice carries, coming up over Tallulah’s deck. The captain, a scraggly-bearded fellow smelling of salt and tobacco shook his head.

"No second chances at zee. I’ve got a man who can finish in half the time.”

Casey frowns, stopping at the bow to run their hand over the broken railing. “Fair enough,” they concede, looking out to the docks. Zailors were milling about, quickly carrying cargo to and from the ships, boiling steam churning up from the pipes as one readies to head out, a familiar tall figure a couple ships down watching–wait, what?

–

Fayçal wanders the docks, scanning the ships and those accompanying them. They were searching for someone that met the description they had been given. They had been told that the captain they were looking for was rarely in London for long, and as such, were beginning to lose hope that they would find her. That is, however, until they saw someone that fit her description entirely that they had no doubt in their mind was her. They began making their way through crowds of zailors towards her ship.

Keep reading

[captainjanegreene]

At Long Last

@caseybanning They wavered, still looking away from Jane with an expression of unease. “They received a fair bit of education the first night they were here,” They said, and then shrugged. “The last time they saw me on the Surface was when I was still presenting… well,” They swept an arm out to gesture to Jane’s outfit. “We didn’t reach a full understanding, but they are tentatively trying to remember to call me by my name now.”

Casey smiled again, albeit a bit strained. “It’s not painful, it’s just new. Not any more painful than it could be. We both know that.”

“I suppose that’s true.  I hope after seeing more of London they’ll understand how little something like this…”  She gestures at her own dress, and nods at Casey. “…matters in the grand scheme of the cosmos.  Certainly not worth judging, compared to everything else out there… Compared to how important it is to love the people in our lives for who they are.”

She briefly embraces Casey in a hug, bending and kissing the the side of their head… proving a bit too tall to bend further with any grace.

[caseybanning]

“We’ll very well see…” Casey’s face softened, practically melting at the kiss from Jane. “It’s also quite possible they’re only willing to consider accepting me as I am because I’m still married to man. My aunt prefers the company of women, and it’s a bit of an unsaid piece of knowledge in the family. Here, she thrives.”

They look up to Jane, giving her a much more confident and level gaze. “I’m not sure they’re so open to understand this curious brand of fidelity.”

[captainjanegreene]

“Well, I’m already maintaining a low profile here for Elizabeth’s sake.  From the sound of it, they seem like the type to either come up with an alternative explanation for my presence or just ignore me, provided they don’t catch us in a passionate embrace in the hallway or something.”  She winks at Casey.  “I’ll try to resist the urge.”

[captainjanegreene]

At Long Last

@caseybanning They wavered, still looking away from Jane with an expression of unease. “They received a fair bit of education the first night they were here,” They said, and then shrugged. “The last time they saw me on the Surface was when I was still presenting… well,” They swept an arm out to gesture to Jane’s outfit. “We didn’t reach a full understanding, but they are tentatively trying to remember to call me by my name now.”

Casey smiled again, albeit a bit strained. “It’s not painful, it’s just new. Not any more painful than it could be. We both know that.”

“I suppose that’s true.  I hope after seeing more of London they’ll understand how little something like this...”  She gestures at her own dress, and nods at Casey. “...matters in the grand scheme of the cosmos.  Certainly not worth judging, compared to everything else out there... Compared to how important it is to love the people in our lives for who they are.”

She briefly embraces Casey in a hug, bending and kissing the the side of their head... proving a bit too tall to bend further with any grace.

[captainjanegreene]

At Long Last

[caseybanning]

@captainjanegreene :Jane happily takes Casey’s arm, though the height difference between the two of them makes the positioning a tad awkward.  “Please, London has nothing to fear where I’m concerned.  I’ve been tamed by the Zee.  Reformed, even.  Some might go as far as to call me respectable.”  There’s a sly grin on her face as she says it.

“So, who shall we be dining with tonight?  I was hoping to see Roland and Elizabeth, of course, but I heard that you also had family in town…?”  The question is as gentle as Jane can make it.

Just as easily as they seemed in good spirits a few moments before, the mention of family causes a subtle change in their demeanor. The cheerful expression on their face flickers briefly, their eyes skirting away as they tried to quickly think of how best to describe the situation. 

“I do, yes,” Casey replied rather awkwardly. “Both of my parents finally made a trip down here. We only just saw each other for the first time in years a night or two ago.” The arm they had looped around Jane’s falls a bit, taking her hand instead. “Aunt Mary was put to the task of showing them around the city this afternoon to some of the more agreeable locations of interest they may enjoy.” 

[captainjanegreene]

Jane’s flesh hand squeezes Casey’s gently, a silent acknowledgement of their pain, while her mechanical hand shifts to Casey’s shoulder.  It’s weighty and cool to the touch. “If they’ve been discourteous to you for any reason... well.  Hopefully they can be educated.  I know all too well the kinds of things parents can do to their children.”  There’s bitterness there, resignation, guilt, perhaps even the tiniest spark of hope.  “Regardless, I have no wish to compel you to speak about your circumstances if it would bring you pain.”

[captainjanegreene]

At Long Last

Jane had abandoned unpacking her cargo for the moment.  Her attention had been stolen by the window in her new study.  She hadn’t been certain if she’d wanted one, paranoia insisting it was just another entry point for assassination attempts, but the Bannings had come through with the armored shutters.  She could look out at the spires of the Bazaar, and the city beyond, freely.

She wasn’t completely certain how she felt about that either.  London had never treated her gently, but it was also the home of all the things she loved most in the world.  Certainly her daughter had thrived here, finding love and influence and having the freedom to carry out good works.  Casey was here as well, and though Jane knew better than anyone how ambiguous their relationship to the city was as a whole, it had treated them better than the rest of the Neath.  And of course, the great menagerie of companions and pets that she had previously left in Elizabeth’s care was here, and had been happy to receive her return.

Jane supposed that she would have to take comfort in that.  Her old connections, old allies, were all but withered on the vine; she had been forced to leave the city with some amount of haste, and it was only with great care that her public return had been allowed by her enemies.  It rankled, but she would need to let those enemies be for now.  She was here to look after and support her daughter while she was pregnant, and support her after the birth.  It struck her that, for the first time in decades, she would be able to be a genuine maternal presence in Elizabeth’s life.

She dashed the tears away from her good eye, and returned to unpacking.  She had already arranged for the storage or sale of the more dangerous items from her collection with Roland.  What was left was knick-knacks and baubles.  Weapons, some outfits.  Fashion had always been a tertiary concern for her, but she had still accumulated a trunk full of formal wear, suitable for the courts of either the Khanate or the Continent.  Much of it had been discreetly modified, either to accommodate her prosthetic arm, or to conceal further weaponry.  A coral-carved chess-piece gave her momentary pause, before she set it upon her new desk.  Perhaps she could have a game or two with Roland later.

Finally, she reached the bottom of the trunk, and the flask.  As she grasped it, she thought back to her time at Zee.  By all rights, she shouldn’t have survived it.  She was cunning, certainly.  Tough and willful, provably.  But the Zee had claimed many with such virtues.

She could certainly credit the contents of the flask with saving her life many times.  But its presence here and now…

She stowed it back away.  Perhaps she should speak to Roland about storing it somewhere safer.  Later, though.  Once she felt that she could get by without it.

She turned to the window and closed the armored shutters, bolting them closed.  It was almost time for dinner; for the first time in years, she could settle down with Casey and Elizabeth and Roland, without her imminent departure casting a pall over proceedings.

In spite of herself, she smiled.

[caseybanning]

So recently after such a disastrous meeting with their parents, having now an additional person Casey loved back home–finally, after too long–was still surreal to grapple with. In the back of their head, they tried to picture precisely how flushed with anger their father’s face would get over this development. 

No matter. What matters now is helping her feel comfortable and safe. 

Their footsteps down the hall to Jane’s room were soft on the stone tile, but their knock on her door would be loud enough to get her attention. They’re wise enough to know not to just throw open the door.

“Jane?” They called out. “When you’re ready, we’ve got the table set for dinner.” Casey pauses. “Black tie only, I’m afraid.” They said, taking on a stuffy upper-class tone to their voice. “I do hope you’ve brought your formal wear.”

[captainjanegreene]

There’s muffled but hysterical laughter from the other side of the door.

Jane retrieves what is probably her favorite dress.  Its ornamentation is vaguely Khanate in appearance, but the dress as a whole is aggressively dark and modest.  It’s also relatively simple for her to slip into; Jane had never been fond of clothing that took an entire other person’s assistance.

Before too long, she opens the door.  Aside from a silken black ribbon beneath the dress’ collar, she wears no accessories.

“I’m afraid it’s probably several months out of style.  I hope it won’t be too much of a burden to look at it through dinner.”  She smiles down at Casey, mirth lending some color to her cheeks..

[caseybanning]

“Hm…” Casey sniffs, trying their best to give her an expression of stiff-upper-lip as their gaze swept over the gown. “It will do, I suppose.” Despite efforts, they can’t help but giggle at last, offering the crook of their arm out for Jane to take. 

“You clean up rather nicely, Captain.” They said. “London herself quakes not just because Ms. Greene has returned, but returned in style.”

[captainjanegreene]

Jane happily takes Casey’s arm, though the height difference between the two of them makes the positioning a tad awkward.  “Please, London has nothing to fear where I’m concerned.  I’ve been tamed by the Zee.  Reformed, even.  Some might go as far as to call me respectable.”  There’s a sly grin on her face as she says it.

“So, who shall we be dining with tonight?  I was hoping to see Roland and Elizabeth, of course, but I heard that you also had family in town...?”  The question is as gentle as Jane can make it.

[captainjanegreene]

At Long Last

Jane had abandoned unpacking her cargo for the moment.  Her attention had been stolen by the window in her new study.  She hadn’t been certain if she’d wanted one, paranoia insisting it was just another entry point for assassination attempts, but the Bannings had come through with the armored shutters.  She could look out at the spires of the Bazaar, and the city beyond, freely.

She wasn’t completely certain how she felt about that either.  London had never treated her gently, but it was also the home of all the things she loved most in the world.  Certainly her daughter had thrived here, finding love and influence and having the freedom to carry out good works.  Casey was here as well, and though Jane knew better than anyone how ambiguous their relationship to the city was as a whole, it had treated them better than the rest of the Neath.  And of course, the great menagerie of companions and pets that she had previously left in Elizabeth’s care was here, and had been happy to receive her return.

Jane supposed that she would have to take comfort in that.  Her old connections, old allies, were all but withered on the vine; she had been forced to leave the city with some amount of haste, and it was only with great care that her public return had been allowed by her enemies.  It rankled, but she would need to let those enemies be for now.  She was here to look after and support her daughter while she was pregnant, and support her after the birth.  It struck her that, for the first time in decades, she would be able to be a genuine maternal presence in Elizabeth’s life.

She dashed the tears away from her good eye, and returned to unpacking.  She had already arranged for the storage or sale of the more dangerous items from her collection with Roland.  What was left was knick-knacks and baubles.  Weapons, some outfits.  Fashion had always been a tertiary concern for her, but she had still accumulated a trunk full of formal wear, suitable for the courts of either the Khanate or the Continent.  Much of it had been discreetly modified, either to accommodate her prosthetic arm, or to conceal further weaponry.  A coral-carved chess-piece gave her momentary pause, before she set it upon her new desk.  Perhaps she could have a game or two with Roland later.

Finally, she reached the bottom of the trunk, and the flask.  As she grasped it, she thought back to her time at Zee.  By all rights, she shouldn’t have survived it.  She was cunning, certainly.  Tough and willful, provably.  But the Zee had claimed many with such virtues.

She could certainly credit the contents of the flask with saving her life many times.  But its presence here and now…

She stowed it back away.  Perhaps she should speak to Roland about storing it somewhere safer.  Later, though.  Once she felt that she could get by without it.

She turned to the window and closed the armored shutters, bolting them closed.  It was almost time for dinner; for the first time in years, she could settle down with Casey and Elizabeth and Roland, without her imminent departure casting a pall over proceedings.

In spite of herself, she smiled.

[caseybanning]

So recently after such a disastrous meeting with their parents, having now an additional person Casey loved back home–finally, after too long–was still surreal to grapple with. In the back of their head, they tried to picture precisely how flushed with anger their father’s face would get over this development. 

No matter. What matters now is helping her feel comfortable and safe. 

Their footsteps down the hall to Jane’s room were soft on the stone tile, but their knock on her door would be loud enough to get her attention. They’re wise enough to know not to just throw open the door.

“Jane?” They called out. “When you’re ready, we’ve got the table set for dinner.” Casey pauses. “Black tie only, I’m afraid.” They said, taking on a stuffy upper-class tone to their voice. “I do hope you’ve brought your formal wear.”

[captainjanegreene]

There’s muffled but hysterical laughter from the other side of the door.

Jane retrieves what is probably her favorite dress.  Its ornamentation is vaguely Khanate in appearance, but the dress as a whole is aggressively dark and modest.  It’s also relatively simple for her to slip into; Jane had never been fond of clothing that took an entire other person’s assistance.

Before too long, she opens the door.  Aside from a silken black ribbon beneath the dress’ collar, she wears no accessories.

“I’m afraid it’s probably several months out of style.  I hope it won’t be too much of a burden to look at it through dinner.”  She smiles down at Casey, mirth lending some color to her cheeks..

[captainjanegreene]

At Long Last

Jane had abandoned unpacking her cargo for the moment.  Her attention had been stolen by the window in her new study.  She hadn’t been certain if she’d wanted one, paranoia insisting it was just another entry point for assassination attempts, but the Bannings had come through with the armored shutters.  She could look out at the spires of the Bazaar, and the city beyond, freely.

She wasn’t completely certain how she felt about that either.  London had never treated her gently, but it was also the home of all the things she loved most in the world.  Certainly her daughter had thrived here, finding love and influence and having the freedom to carry out good works.  Casey was here as well, and though Jane knew better than anyone how ambiguous their relationship to the city was as a whole, it had treated them better than the rest of the Neath.  And of course, the great menagerie of companions and pets that she had previously left in Elizabeth’s care was here, and had been happy to receive her return.

Jane supposed that she would have to take comfort in that.  Her old connections, old allies, were all but withered on the vine; she had been forced to leave the city with some amount of haste, and it was only with great care that her public return had been allowed by her enemies.  It rankled, but she would need to let those enemies be for now.  She was here to look after and support her daughter while she was pregnant, and support her after the birth.  It struck her that, for the first time in decades, she would be able to be a genuine maternal presence in Elizabeth’s life.

She dashed the tears away from her good eye, and returned to unpacking.  She had already arranged for the storage or sale of the more dangerous items from her collection with Roland.  What was left was knick-knacks and baubles.  Weapons, some outfits.  Fashion had always been a tertiary concern for her, but she had still accumulated a trunk full of formal wear, suitable for the courts of either the Khanate or the Continent.  Much of it had been discreetly modified, either to accommodate her prosthetic arm, or to conceal further weaponry.  A coral-carved chess-piece gave her momentary pause, before she set it upon her new desk.  Perhaps she could have a game or two with Roland later.

Finally, she reached the bottom of the trunk, and the flask.  As she grasped it, she thought back to her time at Zee.  By all rights, she shouldn’t have survived it.  She was cunning, certainly.  Tough and willful, provably.  But the Zee had claimed many with such virtues.

She could certainly credit the contents of the flask with saving her life many times.  But its presence here and now...

She stowed it back away.  Perhaps she should speak to Roland about storing it somewhere safer.  Later, though.  Once she felt that she could get by without it.

She turned to the window and closed the armored shutters, bolting them closed.  It was almost time for dinner; for the first time in years, she could settle down with Casey and Elizabeth and Roland, without her imminent departure casting a pall over proceedings.

In spite of herself, she smiled.

[captainjanegreene]

The Returned Captain, Jane Greene.  Her long and repeated voyages across the Zee have come to an end for now.  Perhaps, in time, she might find some measure of peace.

(Art by the impeccable orz pekliczko,  [email protected] )