Open Log: Big Blue Wet Thing

[goingtobeunwell]

Terrors waking that morning will find a few things amiss with the ship: 1. it's hot and humid inside their cabins, and 2. the ship itself is rocking.  Swaying, in fact, as though the ice beneath them has melted and the ship is moving. Which it is, actually, and quite quickly too. 

The holes in the side of Terror have been repaired, the rigging put up on the masts, the dual wheels of the helm moving as the ship races through the waves on its own. Up above the sun is shining brightly. 
H.M.S. Terror is sailing once more, destination unknown.

Comments

[una_persson]

Una grins at the sight of the overexcited Goodsir gesticulating and pointing at something in the water to whoever happens to be within earshot. "Good. I'm glad for them both—and I do believe you're right about Jopson. That will be pleasant to see. I'd ask how you're doing, but judging from the smile on your face, I think I have my answer."

[goingtobeunwell]

"I'm the reason he's here, Una," Crozier admits suddenly. "Thomas. I had no say in my own crew for this expedition, but I requested Jopson as my steward. He almost wasn't aboard for all of this, and I think on that fact so often it makes me ill."

He could have had a life, he almost says.

"So if I can elevate him, and celebrate his talents, by god, I will. And that makes me happy. No matter what becomes of us, if I can do that much I will be content."

[una_persson]

"And he came with you, willingly," she reminds him, guessing at certain things he can't or won't say. "And I'm glad that you have this chance for him. I imagine he'll do very well."

[goingtobeunwell]

Crozier smiles sadly, then shakes his head. It's hard to linger in a melancholy state when the sea air is filling his lungs.

"And what of you? Are you pleased with our current situation, Una?"

[una_persson]

"I am," she says. "Particularly since—in all honesty, Francis, I was expecting the worst when the cracks started appearing in the ice. If there's a hammer that's going to drop, I don't think it will be today. And hopefully not for some time."

She's smiling and cheerful enough, but even she can't completely hide the fact that she doubts this free and easy situation will last forever.

[goingtobeunwell]

"Between you and I, I expected us to have navigate the straight in the whaling boats," he tells her quietly. "I never thought we'd be given this. I understand the caution though."

[una_persson]

"Well," she says, "chin up for now, I'd say. We may as well take what we've been given while we can." She looks up again at the masts. "I think I fancy a climb, see what I can see. Anything I can do for you whilst I'm up there?"

[goingtobeunwell]

Crozier laughs. "No, I'll be up later. Call down if you see anything interesting?"

[una_persson]

"Shall do. Enjoy yourself, Francis." She grins, gives him a jaunty salute, and heads for the rigging.