Post by Elliot Walsh on Aug 28, 2021 16:20:24 GMT -5
[Intended to be a one shot, feel free to post your reaction]
Spring had certainly made it’s arrival, with the crisp air, blooming scents, and the melting of the snow. Spring also brought with her new beginnings, and this was a beginning that no was going to expect. If they were smart and observant, they would know it was coming. It was only a matter of a time, and the time was now. It had to be.
After their two-week voyage they’d taken after Yule, and the small trip around the island they’d taken several days previously, the Nagging Anne’s crew would be summoned for a meeting at noon sharp. Many would expect that it was ordered on a new job. That Elliot would be telling them about a new voyage they’d be having to make and that their shore leave he’d promised them was getting cut short. That, however, was not the sake of this meeting. No, it was an announcement.
Elliot had wandered the ship that morning. His steps were slow as he wandered the hull of the ship. Stopping here and there, to gingerly touch a wall, or to softly smile as memories took over him. He’d been quiet, taking his time. Soaking in every memory from the place that had been his home while at sea. He’d hummed quietly to the tune of “leave her johnny”. He then spent the next hour cleaning the Captain’s quarters. Something the real Captain should have staid in, Kit had been insistent. Elliot was merely the quartermaster. The first mate in technical terms, but he’d run the ship like he was the captain since Arden had left them for the past ten years.
Speaking of Arden, his old friend was heavy on his mind that day as well and asking him if it truly was time. Asking silently his ghost, if he believed his son was ready. Elliot knew in his bones it didn’t matter. He would have to be. His priorities had shifted, and Kit now had something he didn’t have before. A lass willing to be by his side. He was counting on her to help him through this.
When noon finally came, the old Sailor made his way out to the upper deck. Watching as his sailors gathered, and he came up to the railing. Setting his hands on it as he searched the faces. Taking each one in, and hoping beyond hope that a certain wiley fox wouldn’t be late. He hated repeating himself…
Elliot glanced up at the rolled-up sails. Tucked up nicely on the mast, and for a moment he closed his eyes as the soft breeze drifted its way around the ship. With a deep breath, and knowing it was now or never, he cleared his throat. Hardening his face as he looked down at those gathered.
“Yer probably expectin’ yer next job, but tha’ is not the case.” He called down. Elliot was never one for speeches, but he knew he had to pass along some last words of wisdom to the idiots below. “Ye see, I’ve summoned ye here today ta tell ye somethin’” He began. His bright eyes slowly meeting the eyes of everyone on board. “I started ou’ on this ship wit nothin but the love of a good woman.” He began. “And it was ‘cause someone had taken a chance on me. Believed in me in a way that I didn’ t’ink anyone could believe in o’nother human. Arden deGrey saw a rough and tumble sailor wit’ a history not worth repeatin’, and he told me when yet set foot on this fine ship, yer past will not define ye. Ole Anne, will nag ye into becomin’ the man yer suppos’ to be ‘cause that’s her magic.” He let the words sink in, while his eyes sought out the individual he wanted.
“I didn’ believe him o’course, that is until I stand here before ye, a man that I had n’ver thought was possible for me ta become. And It was ‘cause our founder believed I could be mo’re than that past. And I stand here righ’ now, believin’ in each and ‘ery man on this ship, and I’m proud to know what infuriatin’, little shites ye all can be. But yer hard workers, and my shites, and don’ let anyone tell ye different.” The pride was clear in his eyes as a smile curled Elliot’s face. “We o’ten sing our farewells ta our families when we drop the sails, and we begin our familiar travels back ta our sea mistress.” He said a bit softer, as Elliot’s tone began to change. “Well today, instead o’ singin’ my farewells to my family, I sang it ta my mistress.” He straightened, clenching his jaw as the reality of the situation began to sink in. He could see it on their faces as they put the pieces together.
“I’ve been ponderin this decision fer some time, and I don’ make it easy. But my time has come, Lads. It’s my turn ta leave ye.” The sudden uproar, of several sailors, made his gut twist and he motioned with his hands for them all to pipe down. He wasn’t done yet. “I’ve dedicated my life ta this job, and it’s cos’ me in way’s I don’t expect most of ye to understand until yer my age. But there comes a time when ye need to know yer limits. Stubborn and prideful as I am, I know when ta pass on the torch.” He said, clenching his jaw. “Which is why, yer real Cap’n is going te git off his arse, and make not only me proud, but his fa’her proud as well. And if I have to come back and kick his wee arse, then I will. But I believe in him, and I know his fa’her, and each of ye do too.” Elliot’s gaze would level on wherever Wesley deGrey was in the crowd. “I expect ye to give him hell, and turn him grey like ye’ve done to me.” Elliot swallowed a lump in his throat, feeling a swell of emotion as he looked out at the crew that had become his family.
“It’s been an honor servin’ with ye lads. Ye’ve done this old man proud more times than I can say.” His voice showed the emotion he was feeling, and Elliot reached up to halt a tear that wanted spill. “Now git back to work, all o’ ye!” He bellowed, waving his hands in dismissal before he turned on his heel and hurried back into the captain quarters. Closing the door behind him with a soft thud.
Shane O'Sullivan Marcel Durand
Spring had certainly made it’s arrival, with the crisp air, blooming scents, and the melting of the snow. Spring also brought with her new beginnings, and this was a beginning that no was going to expect. If they were smart and observant, they would know it was coming. It was only a matter of a time, and the time was now. It had to be.
After their two-week voyage they’d taken after Yule, and the small trip around the island they’d taken several days previously, the Nagging Anne’s crew would be summoned for a meeting at noon sharp. Many would expect that it was ordered on a new job. That Elliot would be telling them about a new voyage they’d be having to make and that their shore leave he’d promised them was getting cut short. That, however, was not the sake of this meeting. No, it was an announcement.
Elliot had wandered the ship that morning. His steps were slow as he wandered the hull of the ship. Stopping here and there, to gingerly touch a wall, or to softly smile as memories took over him. He’d been quiet, taking his time. Soaking in every memory from the place that had been his home while at sea. He’d hummed quietly to the tune of “leave her johnny”. He then spent the next hour cleaning the Captain’s quarters. Something the real Captain should have staid in, Kit had been insistent. Elliot was merely the quartermaster. The first mate in technical terms, but he’d run the ship like he was the captain since Arden had left them for the past ten years.
Speaking of Arden, his old friend was heavy on his mind that day as well and asking him if it truly was time. Asking silently his ghost, if he believed his son was ready. Elliot knew in his bones it didn’t matter. He would have to be. His priorities had shifted, and Kit now had something he didn’t have before. A lass willing to be by his side. He was counting on her to help him through this.
When noon finally came, the old Sailor made his way out to the upper deck. Watching as his sailors gathered, and he came up to the railing. Setting his hands on it as he searched the faces. Taking each one in, and hoping beyond hope that a certain wiley fox wouldn’t be late. He hated repeating himself…
Elliot glanced up at the rolled-up sails. Tucked up nicely on the mast, and for a moment he closed his eyes as the soft breeze drifted its way around the ship. With a deep breath, and knowing it was now or never, he cleared his throat. Hardening his face as he looked down at those gathered.
“Yer probably expectin’ yer next job, but tha’ is not the case.” He called down. Elliot was never one for speeches, but he knew he had to pass along some last words of wisdom to the idiots below. “Ye see, I’ve summoned ye here today ta tell ye somethin’” He began. His bright eyes slowly meeting the eyes of everyone on board. “I started ou’ on this ship wit nothin but the love of a good woman.” He began. “And it was ‘cause someone had taken a chance on me. Believed in me in a way that I didn’ t’ink anyone could believe in o’nother human. Arden deGrey saw a rough and tumble sailor wit’ a history not worth repeatin’, and he told me when yet set foot on this fine ship, yer past will not define ye. Ole Anne, will nag ye into becomin’ the man yer suppos’ to be ‘cause that’s her magic.” He let the words sink in, while his eyes sought out the individual he wanted.
“I didn’ believe him o’course, that is until I stand here before ye, a man that I had n’ver thought was possible for me ta become. And It was ‘cause our founder believed I could be mo’re than that past. And I stand here righ’ now, believin’ in each and ‘ery man on this ship, and I’m proud to know what infuriatin’, little shites ye all can be. But yer hard workers, and my shites, and don’ let anyone tell ye different.” The pride was clear in his eyes as a smile curled Elliot’s face. “We o’ten sing our farewells ta our families when we drop the sails, and we begin our familiar travels back ta our sea mistress.” He said a bit softer, as Elliot’s tone began to change. “Well today, instead o’ singin’ my farewells to my family, I sang it ta my mistress.” He straightened, clenching his jaw as the reality of the situation began to sink in. He could see it on their faces as they put the pieces together.
“I’ve been ponderin this decision fer some time, and I don’ make it easy. But my time has come, Lads. It’s my turn ta leave ye.” The sudden uproar, of several sailors, made his gut twist and he motioned with his hands for them all to pipe down. He wasn’t done yet. “I’ve dedicated my life ta this job, and it’s cos’ me in way’s I don’t expect most of ye to understand until yer my age. But there comes a time when ye need to know yer limits. Stubborn and prideful as I am, I know when ta pass on the torch.” He said, clenching his jaw. “Which is why, yer real Cap’n is going te git off his arse, and make not only me proud, but his fa’her proud as well. And if I have to come back and kick his wee arse, then I will. But I believe in him, and I know his fa’her, and each of ye do too.” Elliot’s gaze would level on wherever Wesley deGrey was in the crowd. “I expect ye to give him hell, and turn him grey like ye’ve done to me.” Elliot swallowed a lump in his throat, feeling a swell of emotion as he looked out at the crew that had become his family.
“It’s been an honor servin’ with ye lads. Ye’ve done this old man proud more times than I can say.” His voice showed the emotion he was feeling, and Elliot reached up to halt a tear that wanted spill. “Now git back to work, all o’ ye!” He bellowed, waving his hands in dismissal before he turned on his heel and hurried back into the captain quarters. Closing the door behind him with a soft thud.
Shane O'Sullivan Marcel Durand