#ruledthewaves

[terrorcaptain]

@ruledthewaves

With the news that he was to head to the Arctic for a third attempt at finding the Northwest Passage, Francis had withdrawn himself from the celebrations of the admiralty and had tucked himself away on the docks where Terror and Erebus were steadily being resupplied, just outside the celebrations.

When he spotted that he was not alone looking over Terror, he shifted to join the other figure. “She’s a fine ship. I can think of no other vessel I would rather be sailing on than HMS Terror.” He smiled, perhaps for the first time in a long while. “Are you part of the expedition?”

[therapardalis]

[ @ruledthewaves‌ from here.]

Arthur weaved his way through the milling crowd of stranded travellers, balancing two covered cups of piping hot tea acquired from a convenient international coffee chain that was such a guilty pleasure. Finally he made it back to Thera, who seemed to be content to stay planted by the large terminal window to watch the storm.

“Shame we can’t see more of it from this comfortable, climate controlled gate,” he stated casually, offering her one of the cups. “Or from a dark room by a warm fire.”

Winter always had him recall centuries of the first half of his life spent largely exposed to the elements, or the countless hours huddled behind earthworks, in wintery trenches or holes during various wars. He appreciated electricity and the luxury of a fireplace as each winter rolled around.

“We can at least be thankful we’re not at sea,” he added somewhat playfully. “God help us if we were. At any rate, here’s your tea if you want it.”

"Or out there,” Thera cast him a glance and a half-smile, “dancing in it, like days of old.” That was a little bit of an exaggeration, as Arthur would probably know; in ‘days of old’ when a storm could tear off a roof or ruin a year’s crops overnight, the weather was more to be winced at and the gods appeased.

She could tell how hot the tea was before she picked it up, the warmth meeting her fingers through the cup as soon as they got close. Cautiously she took it from him, and just as carefully set it on the nearest flat surface, peeling off the lid. Her lips and tongue tended to burn fairly easily, and any hot drink had to be given time to cool.

“Thanks. And I have to agree with you there. I loved sailing and there was always a bit of a thrill, but the novelty wore off after a while. At least a storm could push a ship on, and for that it was better than being becalmed - but otherwise it grew rather old rather fast. “Of course, it also depended on who you were sailing with.”

[bertievi]

@ruledthewaves continued from XXX

Socks hadn’t seemed like enough for Bertie, for whom Arthur cared greatly–and the rest of the immediate royals had also received knitted socks and their favored drink. Knitting and needlepoint were hobbies of his for well over two hundred years, skills he had learned mending clothes and such at sea, but he nonetheless took extra care that every stitch was strong and fine for the family that so dutifully looked after their people.

Arthur smiled too, the warmth showing through his keen, green eyes. He was well pleased to see his gifts so gladly received; that was one of many reasons that Christmas was his favorite holiday of the whole year. Good will shared amongst friends, family, and even complete strangers, soothed his old heart like a balm.

“Of course I ought to bother. I’m happy to do it. And they’ll last, I can promise you that.” Arthur couldn’t resist flashing a grin of his own. “I acquired the skill several centuries ago when I spent months and months at sea. The other sailors and I would sell our wares in port for extra coin. To be honest, if I learned anything during the Great War, it’s that we could all use a bit of extra warmth–especially during Christmas.”

The King was still running his thumb over his initials, apparently ticked pink with the socks, perhaps because it really was something of a personal gift just for him. Christmas was his favourite time of year for the promise of being able to function like any other normal family and out of public view, but he especially liked being allowed that freedom himself, where he could just be human for a bit.

“I -do not --doubt it.” He said with that same smile to Arthur as the other explained where the skill had come from. “I think I was --taught how --to sew my -buttons back on and --patch up any --tares in my uniform, but -nothing like this in -my -time at sea.” There was a little chuckle to himself for his learning of such things in the navy, but the mention of the war did give him some small pause, memories of the time creeping back.

“We -really -can use some -extra layers. --Cold feet are -hardly a -smart accessory -to anyone.” After carefully rolling up the socks he set them on the arm of the chair beside him and examined one of the sherry bottles next, though he did peer to Arthur quite seriously, “Your --gift is not -so -tailor made alas, though you -might be --thankful of that if you --caught a -glimpse of my -handy work for --such things.” With a crack of a smile, he nodded to a fairly large wrapped parcel still under the tree. “Happy -Christmas, Arthur.”

Inside the box was a black coat and cap ideal for sailing and a pair of woollen gloves for any day exposed to the cold. Though carefully selected, it more meant to hold the promise of a chance to go sailing soon.

[therapardalis]

[ @ruledthewaves‌ from here.]

If England was ever confused on anything, it wasn’t his identity; but that security of self despite a tumultuous history only came from growing numb to how often things changed.

“Oh, She certainly does, but it’s not the planet that’s inspired my ancient list of grievances,” he replied easily as he eyed Thera from his spot at his desk. The implication was that humans, while he was charged with representing them in spirit, were actually the ones to erode his patience. He rose from his chair and produced a key with which he unlocked a nearby cabinet–a thing at least 200 years old, ornately carved and lovingly polished.

“What’s your opinion on Spanish wine?” he asked, peeking from round the opened cabinet door. “Speaking for myself, it feels to me like the two of us are dubious about this whole arrangement. Doesn’t mean we’ve got to be miserable,” he went on, producing two small goblets; although he didn’t set them on his desk just yet, because doing so would be far too presumptuous.

He should know better than to get her started on ‘human beings’. Or not, given that they were only of new acquaintance, but the species and their less ... appealing side could rouse the kind of vitriol that had anyone sensible backing away. And not just for the present small annoyances of the assignment for her and the waiting for him.

She did, however, have to allow him one thing; he took damn good care of his antiques. Thera wasn’t a book-learned expert, at least not about that, but she’d lived long enough to know ‘the real deal’ by sight. That cabinet, for example. The armchairs. His desk, though hers seemed to be a more modern facsimile.

And those goblets, first glance seemed to say, though she was a little more distracted by the question than he might expect. “Rioja?” She chuckled lightly, memories stirred that were possibly older than those surrounds. “I had a very good friend who introduced me to it, for which I’m grateful. Until then, I was almost totally on the French side.”

[therapardalis]

bold everything your muse has done! ( repost, don’t reblog ) Italics = yes, but not in the way the meme writer probably means ;)

broken a bone | gotten stitches | had a near death experience | killed someone | tried and failed to kill someone (temporarily) | invented something | been hung over | kissed someone | slow-danced | been in a long-term relationship (do BFFs count?) | experimented with their sexuality | had a kid | gotten married | traveled to another country | been in a play | received an inheritance (regularly, from herself) | been in a car wreck | lost a loved one | been dumped | dumped someone | smoked | gotten high | been slipped something in their food/drink | won a contest | won an election | joined a sports team | gone skydiving | gone hunting | been in a band | had a job | been fired | been in a wedding party | owned a pet | seen a ghost (hi Armando) | skipped class/work | learned an instrument | gotten a noticeable scar | sued someone | been robbed | been mugged | been kidnapped | been brainwashed/hypnotized | gone more than one day without eating  | had a recurring nightmare | been bullied | bullied someone | seen someone die | been tied/chained up | cursed someone | stabbed someone | saved someone’s life | cheated on someone | been cheated on | had a stalker | been betrayed | been in a fight | been arrested | been to a funeral | had surgery | broken someone’s trust | gotten a piercing | gotten a tattoo | used a fake name | been tortured | been abused | been blackmailed | had an attempt on their life | gotten away with a crime | gone on a road trip | been in love

tagged by: @ruledthewaves tagging: @strikelikeahawk, @grcatgospcl (for anyone), @ghostlyhunter, @cyborgkaleesh, @flyjacket, @lucxsnorth, @rxsmyers (and/or for Vivian, I just can’t @ her :p ), @masterofthelivingforce, @princesilvertongue and anyone else who’d like to!

[therapardalis]

"I thought International Cat Day was already in August..." (from ruledthewaves)

“It is.”

[Holiday meme from @ruledthewaves.]

[bertievi]

“ i’m worried about you ” (from ruledthewaves)

@ruledthewaves

Albert’s deteriorating health was becoming more and more obvious in Palace circles, while he understood that very soon he would be requiring surgery to remove blockages in his lung, he hardly thought his condition worth worrying over. Sure he was feeling particularly rough in recent months, but that was to change soon.

“The --doctors say the -surgery will -help and I will -be back -to as I was in -no --time at all.” He dismissed, though he did so gently, smiling at Arthur kindly all the while, “You need -not -worry, this is a --temporary illness, I --have been assured as -such.”

[asecondsmile]

&& guaranteed delivery || a starter for @@ruledthewaves​

             Gamble’s never been what one might call choosy about his work.

Sure, there’s only so much condescending-to he’ll scrub under, and groveling isn’t a mask he often wears, but if a thing sounds worth his while...there isn’t much he won’t do. Consequently, there isn’t a lot he hasn’t done.

So when Major Andre says he has a job “A bit outside your usual fare, but suited to your...particular talents, nonetheless” a simple package-retrieval isn’t high on his list of expectations. Seems a step down from infiltrating the rebel camp, but it’s easy money. And anyway, a ‘respectable’ assignment every now and then only helps with reputation.

He’s early to the retrieval point, and checks and checks again for any sign of trouble before settling out of sight to wait.

     “Lieutenant,” the Major had warned, “This- - -package. It is to be guarded with. your. life, do you hear? It must arrive unharmed”

That adds some mystery. The man never would tell him just what the package is that makes it so damned important, nor why it needs a special courier to pick it up. Far be it from Gamble to question the ways of those on high. 

His curiosity does flare when, hours later, the envoy arrives- under the close watch of Gamble’s pistol. Stepping out from his hiding place, gun still trained in case of a trap, he approaches. “I was told ya'd have somet’in for me, but uh,” a lingering glance up and down, “ya seem a touch empty-handed.”