“Oh you want attention? Then come to me.” | icb Edward is making a puppy meme sensual in Horatio’s general direction

The look that Horatio cast upon his captain in that moment was nigh identical to the expression he utilized to quell the shenanigans of Patrick Styles. As if that alone were not indication enough that he was thoroughly unamused by the older man’s particular remark, the fact that his ultimate response was to completely ignore him might as well have screamed his displeasure to the heavens, considering he had not once in the entirety of his career beneath the man shown him anything but the highest of regard and respect.

In truth, he didn’t really know what to make of it – but he did know that a remark framed in a manner such as that was by no means professional, which meant he hardly need concern himself with reprimand for refusing to comment on it. That he was wise enough to understand it was by no means an order was likely to his benefit, but at present he was admittedly rather incensed by the implication he was childish enough to require extra attention from his captain.

Stepping up to Matthews, he leaned in and inquired idly if there were any bets in place among the senior officers he ought to know of. Quietly, he was informed of several – none of which might explain such an unfortunate comment from the captain. Worried he had done something wrong now that he had been assured that his gullibility wasn’t being toyed with, Horatio hummed thoughtfully.

Thanking the man for the information, he chose to carry out his rounds, his posture stiffer than usual as a result of his internal examination of himself, attempting now to discern where he had erred so tremendously as to give off such a lamentable impression to Captain Pellew to warrant matters coming to this.

The end of his watch rang out, and Horatio found he was no closer to an answer than before. He was more irate and alarmed however, enough so that rather like a cat that had spurned the hand of it’s owner in a fit of pique, he found himself pacing before the captain’s cabin rather than retreating to the lieutenant’s berth as he ought.

Finally, the need to understand won out and he knocked, entering promptly on command and sealing the door behind him. Rather than bear reprimand for earlier, Horatio headed it all off by speaking without preamble.

“Forgive my interruption sir, this should not take much of your time,” He spoke quickly, the alarm in him threatening to make him visibly emotional, and that he could not abide. “I have spent the watch attempting, and failing, to find where I have erred in my duties to the point that my value in your eyes has plummeted so completely. As such, I believe it might be best if when we next make port, I be transferred to another ship. The Indy deserves the best officers available to the fleet, and you need to believe in them completely if this ship is to function the way she is accustomed to.” He raised his chin, refusing to shake apart his own resolve, though his hands trembled behind his back, “You can no more afford an officer you need to coddle than you can afford a sailor who does not pull his weight. I only ask that you allow me to continue my duties unhindered until we reach Portsmouth.”

⚓ keep my muse anchored (anxiety, nightmare, etc.) | Edward to Horatio

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Horatio was barely able to contain himself – if it were not for Captain Pellew’s firm hand on his shoulder, he doubtless would have voiced something regrettable and downright devastating for his career. It rankled at him, the way these men spoke so dismissively of the hard efforts of common sailors, how they so blithely overlooked the fact that many of those upon whom they relied at sea to survive had been forced into the service to begin with and they ought to count themselves lucky for loyalty won rather than arrogantly certain it was their bloody due simply for the good nature of their births.

Any cow could give birth, that hardly made it’s calf any worse or better than the rest. It all came down to luck and breeding in the end, whether or not it was healthy and fat for the slaughter it was set to, and it was no different for nobility, as far as he was concerned at this point. Setting his hands behind his back, he gripped his wrist tight enough to bruise and painted a smile upon his face, knowing that even his deep wealth of respect for Captain Pellew was not enough for him to stomach this ‘esteemed’ company a moment longer.

Thankfully, he was as of yet nobody of importance. Merely a lieutenant recently distinguished in battle – hardly consequential enough to cause any sort of stir by excusing himself early. Which he did, promptly and without fanfare, nor any particular heed to the fact his Captain’s grip tightened in a warning fashion when he started.

Drawing himself away from the man, he nodded his farewells on the way out, knowing that with his position, Captain Pellew would not be able to follow him for some time. By which point, Horatio did hope the fury in both of them would have worn off enough to keep their shared quarters from becoming tense with argument.

Pity Bracegirdle caught that blasted cold – he’s far more suited to this nonsense than I am, Horatio mused bitterly as he stalked back to the inn.

🔥 for an angry and relieved hug | Edward to Horatio

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“Sir?” Horatio had barely managed more inquiry than this before he found himself forcibly hauled up from where he sat and captured in an embrace that stole his breath away. ( Partly due to how tight it was, all truth told! )

Coughing slightly to mask his confusion, he returned the act automatically, though in truth his own grip was markedly less fierce. He wasn’t certain what had prompted this, though he was quite glad of the fact he had been awaiting the man in his cabin as commanded as he could only imagine what the men might think of such a sight!

The embrace did not immediately let up – and the longer it went on, the more Horatio found himself relaxing into it almost on sheer reflex. It wasn’t as though he had any fear of his captain, so much as it was altogether unexpected. And – if he were completely honest with himself – after the stress of all that had taken place on that damnable island, it was a comfort he sorely needed. He had, in fact, only just pulled himself together, and he did fear he might start crying again if this didn’t let up soon.

Barely refraining from pressing his forehead into the man’s shoulder and taking this support for what it was, Horatio found himself asking quietly, “Are you alright?” As though it were not he who needed this – for surely, something had to have driven Pellew to take such a drastic measure in the first place, and it wasn’t as though he had seen Horatio crying! ( Thank heaven for small mercies. )

Fan This Spark Into A Flame

Canon Base: Frogs & Lobsters, but in 1708 – 1711

Age: 22-25
Corresponds With: To Free The Sea Of Piracy

The admiralty devises a plan to halt the war by ferrying Habsburg Spaniards to a colonized island in Spain’s possession that – if taken – would grant England a prominent military base to engage the North American theater and pressure Spain through the crippling financial losses to treatise with England to stop the war. The island, naturally, being returned to Spain as part of the arrangements. In order to achieve this, Indefatigable would lead five ships in drawing the Habsburg supporters across, as well as a contingent of redcoats to support the unit in capturing the island by holding a strategic town from intervening or providing aid to the mainland’s fortifications.

Unfortunately, the dispatches detailing these plans to one of the captains set to take part in the endeavor were compromised. Despite this, the admiralty believed the island’s capture too crucial to ignore on account of a possible breach. Pellew – aware of the breach – attempted to exercise caution, which simply lead to the admiralty’s demand that the Indy remain in the bay during the assault in the event of defeat, while the other ships returned for new orders. The mathematics of defeat were clear in the command, and Pellew was forced to make his orders with the intention of success despite this fact. Assigning Horatio to act as liaison between a leader of the Spanish and the English major who would be supporting him in the town, Pellew was left to decide for himself the best course of action in the event defeat proved as imminent as he feared.

Ashore with the Spanish, Horatio found himself less than taken by their leader, who held a deep contempt toward those countrymen who would support France in gaining control over Spain. Due to this, he saw fit to exercise French justice on them, to illustrate the foolishness of supporting France and to further establish his whole control over the region through means Horatio could only describe as a reign of terror. Unfortunately for all, the news of the attempt to take the island had already reached the mainland, which laid a trap for the troops who were set to take on the larger city and her fort. This lead to a catastrophic defeat and the turn of attention to the town Horatio was tasked to hold with the assistance of the redcoats. Realizing that they were about to be surrounded in a place they had never been welcome or needed, Horatio and the major beat a hard retreat and were rescued in the nick of time by the Indy. The island remained in the possession of Spain and her opposition – and the Habsburg allies held no survivors during the assault, either taken out in the trap, or executed in the town on account of their leader’s cruel and vicious tactics.