Appointment's Post

[talentsgirl]

For all your "Getting in touch with Molly" needs. Any extraneous voice, action, or written posts, flowovers, invitations (present drop offs, etc) can go here! Please label the thread using the following format:

[written, March 11]
[voice, June 6]
[action, December 15]

Comments

[greenjacketed]

He chose not to ask about what had happened...

Sadly, though, it left him only able to parrot himself: "...S-sorry. For his sake. And yours."

[talentsgirl]

"Well..." her smile was faint now, soft and reminiscent. "It was pretty horrible. But he's free now to be at home, and he wasn't killed. So it really worked out for the good."

[greenjacketed]

"Must be a hell of a time, being apart. If you're used to havin' him around, now."

[talentsgirl]

She shrugged a little uncomfortably. "I miss them all. But it's... things were pretty tense back home, so I'm just trying to look on the bright side."

[greenjacketed]

"An admiral trait in any would be sergeant."

[talentsgirl]

"Really? I thought it was all about having a loud yelling voice."

[greenjacketed]

"That too, for certain."

He thought about his words for a moment, then -- while clearing his throat: "I were a sergeant, once." Considering their earlier conversation about corporals and privates and ensigns, he wasn't sure whether the confession would sink in. A sergeant's only a man among the ranks, he'd said.

[talentsgirl]

Molly tilted her head to the side, considering. "Really? How long ago was that?"

[greenjacketed]

"Just about ten years ago. And I wore the stripes for three years, when I had'em."

[talentsgirl]

"Did you like being a sergeant?"

[greenjacketed]

His instinctive reaction is a sudden shake of his head. Sudden and telling. But then: "It's better being an officer. It must be."

[talentsgirl]

"You sound like you're not sure," she said gently. And then she shook her head. "You don't have to tell me."

[greenjacketed]

His face was grim for a moment. "The man who gave me my commission called it a bad turn. I won't say that I agree with him every day, but...ah, lass. We are what we are. We make our beds and who are we to complain when we lie in'em?"

[talentsgirl]

"Human," she said with a wry quirk of her lips. She glanced down at her nearly finished tea cup and began to stand. "Are you done with your tea? Would you like anything else?"

[greenjacketed]

"I'm alright, Molly. Well and alright." He smiled. "It was lovely. The second mug; not the first. Much obliged."

[talentsgirl]

She smiled as well, "Thank you for the flowers."

[greenjacketed]

He rose stiffly from his chair -- furnished now with a little more intel, he could retire to his apartment and think on how best to next approach this wild-haired woman. When he expected savagery, he was met with unprecedented kindness. When he expected genteelity, he was meet with brassy boldness. It kept him on his toes. He liked it. But he wondered how much of it was her and how much of it was her time.

He delivered his mug to the sink, giving it a good washing out before upturning it on the counter. He had learned how these sinks worked, at least. "It were nothing. Pretty plants for a pretty woman." Even his smile was stiff.

Sharpe turned. "I...hope to see you again soon."

[talentsgirl]

Huh. A man who cleaned up after himself. One of life's rarer gifts. She smiled at him, "I'll see you out."

[greenjacketed]

Officer he may be, but he didn't depend on Harper that much. And when you're marching with just one canteen to your name -- unlike the officers who march with chest upon chest of dinnerware and creature comforts -- you know to keep your things tidy, or you'll regret it.

He paused to smile back at her from the doorway. "If you did, I wouldn't complain."

[talentsgirl]

"Well all right, then," she moved to pick up the flowers, not wanting to make the double trip back or for them to be picked up by someone else, and moved to join him in the hall.

"Thank you for letting me know you were all right," she said, smile dimming slightly. "These missions are a little frightening."

[greenjacketed]

Sharpe smiled. "They're not so bad. I've been sent on worse. As I said, we saw little action. Good thing, too. If we'd come across a considerable force, we wouldn't be able to do much as only two men -- don't matter our skill."

[talentsgirl]

"Mmmm, I don't know. I've been surprised a few times at what just one or two men could do." She smiled at him, "But I'm glad you're back safely."

[greenjacketed]

"They gave us points, eh?" He informed her as they walked. "Not sure what good they are or what a man can purchase with'em. But there you are."

[talentsgirl]

"Well, maybe something will come up and they'll be of use."

whoops! prose.

[greenjacketed]

"Say you went on their missions, Sergeant Carpenter. What would you save up for?"

Smoooooth, Sharpe. So smooth.