inbox;

[longitudinal]

WELCOME TO THE SALTBURNT NETWORK

USERNAME:
longitudinal

text ❖ audio ❖ video

quentin toma NOTES: sailor, navigator, loverboy, war-bringer. THREAT LEVEL LIKABILITY LEVEL SCANDAL LEVEL FASHION LEVEL WEALTH LEVEL

Comments

[longitudinal]

I suppose we would discover many things, wouldn't we? But you're right - a surgeon's expert hands probably hold nothing to mine. I've only pulled ropes and climbed ladders. More rudimentary, but more tricksy!

But I'd imagine you know exactly where to pull to bring a man to his knees, don't you?

[mygoodsir]

I think removing musket balls is rather tricksy as well. But I feel you are stronger than I.

In theory. Admittedly I could use more practice.

[longitudinal]

Is it really about physical strength? I don't think so.

But I would be happy to assist you - practice is very important for surgeons, isn't it? Imagine a navigator leading a ship when he hasn't had enough practice.

Thankfully I know my way around very, very well.

[mygoodsir]

One can always use more practice, it's true.

A talented man, then.

[longitudinal]

I like to think I am adequate at many things at the very least.

The real question - if I pull too much, do you think you could put me in my place?

[mygoodsir]

How do you mean, sir?

that icon is killing me

[longitudinal]

You don’t like to be pulled and pushed too much. What happens when you have a wily sailor who enjoys the rocking of the sea?

Sailors can be a fun bit of trouble, don’t you think?

boy needs his tea

[mygoodsir]

Oh yes, seamen are most enjoyable!

[longitudinal]

It seems we're in agreement.

And here you thought you wouldn't be one to catch my eye. But we both enjoy sailors, so it's settled.

[mygoodsir]

Indeed!

I'm sorry, what have I just agreed to?

[longitudinal]

I suppose you'll have to wait and see!

I told you that I'm quite tricksy, didn't I? Sailors are never straightforward but always reliable.

[mygoodsir]

You did, sir.

Hopefully I won't have to wait too long.

[longitudinal]

You could pick the day or I could simply surprise you.

Catch you unawares.

[mygoodsir]

I admit the thought of a surprise makes me slightly nervous. I'd have no time to prepare.

[longitudinal]

Then at your own pace.

We have all the free time we could want here. Koby will attest that I spend most of my time at the lake or in my bed. Well, when not with him.

[mygoodsir]

The lake is quite lovely. I enjoy walking about it.

I spend most of my time reading, and now watching films. There are ever so many. They've found ways to capture even under the sea with cameras! Imagine! Music, too, is so readily available. I fear even with all of our free time I shall never have enough for it all.

[longitudinal]

Then it sounds like we should take a walk together sometime.

This place has far more than I had at home. I do not understand the movies but I like the stories they tell. I enjoy the books more.

We could walk the lake then see one of the movies you have enjoyed best so far.

[mygoodsir]

I should like that very much. Only I must apologise if I am slow; although I am much recovered, I am not yet at full strength after a rather lengthy ordeal prior to my arrival here.

The 'documentaries' are the sort I love best. They are all true stories, with real pictures. There is an entire series that shows every place on earth you can imagine! Mountains and glaciers and jungles and deserts. It is all so very beautiful.

[Tim showed him BBC's Planet Earth. He still hasn't gotten over it.]

[longitudinal]

The slower the better. Then we may both enjoy the view a little while longer.

[ the view being one another of course. ]

I don’t know if I have seen that one. I have seen plenty of movies about pirates, though. They have such a funny concept of how ships work.

[mygoodsir]

A most positive outlook, sir.

Do they? It must drive you absolutely mad.

[longitudinal]

Every ship is different, but the movies are entertaining. Koby likes them and we've watched many of them.

But I think if they ran the ships as they do in real life? They'd sink.

[mygoodsir]

The things one does for love, I suppose.

Have you ever lost a ship, sir?

[longitudinal]

Love does make us foolish in the best of ways.

[ but the second question? it takes a moment for him to respond. ]

Never sunk a ship, no, if that's what you mean by lost. Have you?

[mygoodsir]

It would seem so.

Not sunk. But Erebus and our sister ship were ice locked for two winters. We had to abandon them, I'm afraid.

[longitudinal]

Sorry to hear that.

It didn't get so cold for the seas to freeze where I'm from. The ship I was on was seized by the Empire not too long before I came here.

I don't know what's come of it, yet.