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Dear Mr. Toma,

You will no doubt be surprised at receiving a letter from me as we have had few opportunities to exchange pleasantries, but it is with honourable motives that I intrude upon you. I do also hope that you will forgive my frankness in this matter.

It has been expressed to me by several people now that those bound in love here may have dalliances with others; indeed it is quite common. I believe personally that such relationships must be entered into with the blessing of the most beloved partner.

It is in that spirit that I humbly beseech your blessing to pursue Koby's affections.

I possess a rather humble station in life, and have naught to offer him but every kindness of which I can conceive. To you, I may only say that I consider myself a man of honest character and that I am happy to answer any inquiries you may have. I do hope that you are to look favourably upon my request, but naturally I shall respect your wishes on the matter.

With deepest respect and admiration,
Yours,
Harry D.S. Goodsir

Hello there. You write letters like many back home wrote so it was a nice surprise to see this on these little phones we've been given.

It's nice to meet you - I don't think we've met, because I'd remember a pair of eyes vying for my Captain.

I kid, of course. There's nothing for you to ask me, however. I don't own Koby, I don't control him. I love him. That much you should know. And you should know that if you do anything to harm him then you will be met with a wrath larger than even the sea on a stormy turn.

But if Koby wants to be with you and you want to be with Koby, it's up for him to decide. If you feel so inclined, you could even join our bed on occasion - maybe that's what I should have requested in return. 😊

Do I? I am afraid I am a few hundred years out of date, but it is the manner in which I am used to communicating.

We've not, no. I have seen you but had unfortunately no opportunity to introduce myself. Which is a pity, as I was told you are a seafaring man, sir. I've the greatest respect for sailors.

I did not mean to imply Koby is not master of his own decisions, merely that I would hate to enter into a courtship without the consent of his true love. I would feel very strange about it.

I cannot promise that I will never hurt Koby accidentally, but I can promise I would never deliberately do so in any way. If that should happen, I will naturally expect swift retribution.

That is extremely flattering of you, sir, but I cannot imagine I would be a particularly worthy addition. To be perfectly honest I've no idea what Koby finds intriguing about me at all.

I've spent my whole life on a ship. Are you a sailor yourself? I happened to be a navigator for my ship.

If Koby likes you it says a lot - you must have a good heart under all the fancy words. I was never keen on writing letters. Too busy making maps.

Promise to do right by him as well as you can and I think that's something any honest man can ask for. But you would make a fine addition if Koby thinks so - our bed's quite comfortable. Well, unless he steals the covers - he does this often.

Nothing so adventurous, I'm afraid. Merely a ship's surgeon. I sailed aboard the Erebus, for the Discovery Service.

A navigator! Oh that is most impressive. I was fortunate enough to have longitudinal calculation via lunar distance explained to me. Terribly fascinating stuff! Such incredible complexity.

That I can and do promise. As to the latter, I am not confident I would be to your taste, sir. But I am very, very flattered all the same.

Merely. A ship's surgeon is the lifeline of the crew. I have a few scars of my own that were patched up by a good, steady hand. Don't underestimate yourself. Every man on that deck is as important as the captain.

Or so my Captain said.

[ his father, for one. koby, for another. two captains that take up so much space in his heart. ]

You'd be surprised what sailors enjoy, actually. I wouldn't be so quick to think anyone isn't my taste, good sir. There are many longitudinal calculations to be made, after all.

I always tried my best to live up to that responsibility.

One never does forget their Captain's words. I rather think they have a way of burning into your heart.

Perhaps. But I have met Koby, and Mr. Laughlin. If those are indicators of your most excellent taste, then you would be quite disappointed. I am 37 years of age, short in stature, hirsute, and of nervous temperament.

Burning into your heart. I like that. My father was the Captain on my ship. He has very much stayed burned into my heart.

I would go to war for Koby and Tim. You’ll feel the same in time. But bold of you to think that I only have one desire, one interest. I’ve sailed to many ports, of course. And I have sampled many that each port has to offer. Most are dear friends now.

But if you insist, it will be quite entertaining to prove you wrong. I enjoy a challenge - one that’s stubbornly won.

Your father, yet! That is most extraordinary. I can only imagine the unique challenges that would present, but I feel the rewards must have been extraordinary.

In no time at all, really. Mr. Laughlin has become very, very dear to me over these past weeks.

I cannot say it will be worth the trouble, but I admit to some stubbornness.

Hardly any challenges at all. He was a kind man and ran his ship like it was our family home.

Tim reminds me of home sometimes. Reminds me that the earth is still under my feet when I feel like I'm lost at sea. Koby reminds me that he waves won't swallow me up and everywhere I look, he's the north star waiting for me. Hold them close.

But for all that they're both stubborn enough that one has to get very creative when they pout their lips and dig their heels in. So I think I'd be more than a match against your stubbornness.

I admit I cannot begin to imagine. But it sounds ever so delightful. Your father sounds like a remarkable man. Are you an only child, sir?

You understand, then. How it feels to have someone so integral to your world that you can scarcely remember how it feels to have not known their light.

Ah, but they are young yet. I've several years experience in heel digging.

My father adopted me.

[ it's easier than telling the story as it really is. ]

Your stubbornness has you right about one thing, yes. I do not know what life would look like without either of them.

And in spite of that, I enjoy a challenge. Dig your heels in and see how hard I can pull, won't you?

Ah, that is in some ways more remarkable yet. It speaks of a choice to love.

Truly, I hope they remain with you always.

Somehow I think you understand that pulling is not always the best method. You seem a canny sort.

I hope they do, too.

[ it's easier than to think about his father - to dive into that choice of love and all it brought with it. that his father took him in and his father's wife left him for his choice to command his ship with nothing but a street whelp under his arm and come home when he could. ]

Canny? I'd like to think so. Pulling is only a means of distraction. Catch your attention, keep you distracted. That or I could just keep pulling - there are many who like that, too. Tell me, should I coax you with sweets and apples, or shall I pull the leads until you kick back? Both are very appealing, you know.

I'm to tell you, am I? It rather seems like that might ruin your fun.

It takes an awful lot to make me kick back. I don't like to do it.

If you're not interested in telling me, then you could show me. Or should I try and figure it out on my own? I'm quite good with my hands, sir, so be careful what you wish for.

I won't pull too hard, then. Only as hard as you'd like to pull me. I can be quite stubborn, too.

[ pot, kettle, etc. ]

As am I. A surgeon must be. I suppose we would discover who has the more precise touch.

I am beginning to see that.

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?

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.

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.

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

A talented man, then.

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?

How do you mean, sir?

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?

Oh yes, seamen are most enjoyable!

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that icon is killing me

boy needs his tea