Preparations

[Enrico Stapleton]

It was a bright day and the sun was so luminous that the light from the shining outside sky was pouring in through the windows where Enrico sat sitting and reading his favourite author’s plays. He was a sucker for his favourite author’s plays that he could recite every line and he knew the plays (even the sonnets), inside and out and from back to front. He was feeling much calmer than he had in weeks but in the serene solitude he felt somewhat lonely despite having a good book in both his hands.

He hadn’t felt ill in the morning and he had a good night’s rest which was important to him as he suffered from nightmares as well as sleepless nights from time to time. He considered himself lucky. And he knew that on a sunny day that he was feeling so well, reading a book wasn’t the most productive thing he could be doing but it was still quite enjoyable. He could have been enjoying the sun, talking to others, doing some amount of work for the ship, or go out and do something fruitful in Wiltown before he was off to be on sea for a never ending voyage. The HSM Defiance was stationed and preparing for leave.

[Florian Forester]

The sun was out amongst a gathering of bulbous white clouds which floated above the Defiance in the bright blue sky, the day was warm and gifted with a strong, yet refreshing, cool breeze rippling through the sails. Such fine weather but Forester was curled in deep sleep. The sun was streaming through the dusty drapes of the midshipman’s berth and fell upon Florian’s eyes, the boy turned over in his hammock, hoping to block it from awakening him. For several moments, he lay there, silent with his thoughts and consciousness slowly returning to him – he was no longer asleep.

Sighing, he lifted himself and rubbed his eyes, his bed swung from his movement. Florian cleared his throat and pulled himself from his bed, his bare feet touched the cold wood below him. He could feel the movements of the ships swaying in sea water. In the nearby hammock sat the other midshipman Enrico, reading a book.

“What are you reading?” he asked curiously as he grasped his boots where his socks lay hidden within.

[Enrico Stapleton]

”What are you reading?” Enrico heard. it had startled him so he gave a slight jolt. It was the voice of none other than Florian Forester. All the other midshipmen had left, Enrico was the only one in the room awake and reading while there had been another who was a sleep but now up and Adam.

Enrico knew Florian. They had spoken before but yet for long. Enrico didn’t think Florian frightening or creepy-looking like some of the others on the ship, so he felt a tad bit safer around him.

“Godfrey’s play by the name King Oswold,” Enrico commented as he turned the cover to face Florian’s eye sight, “One of my favourite medieval writers. Have you read any of his works?”

[Florian Forester]

His feet slid into his buckled shoes, he had spoken instinctively, almost as if he had forgotten his own shyness. The very thought made him bite his lips in anticipation, he had met Enrico earlier and as midshipmen, they had found themselves in the other’s presence countless times for the duration of their short time on the Defiance. Florian found him to be easy to get along with; there was nothing that Florian could read in the other’s body language and voice that would drive him away.

Enrico’s response was friendly enough, Florian smiled as his eyes glazed over the play’s cover. He nodded his head shortly, “Yes, I’ve heard of Godfrey. In fact, I’ve read quite a few of his works.” Florian bent over to pull his stockings up. He had been fairly exhausted the previous night and hardly dressed out of his garments.

“Has the cook arrived yet?” he asked, and upon making the inquiry, he felt his stomach moan with a dreadful desire for consumption.

[Enrico Stapleton]

Enrico smiled when Florian had responded to him. So, Florian Forester knew Godfrey and his works! Excellent, Enrico was glad for now they had something to talk about – not that they wouldn’t had Florian didn’t know who Godfrey was, but Enrico had a passionate love towards Godfrey’s writings. Enrico thought Florian a pretty decent guy, he seemed friendly and relaxed which were both good traits!

Enrico watched as Florian put his socks and shoes on, and then it dawned upon him. “Oh!” He said quickly doing the same and changing into his uniform. Enrico wasn’t quite finished changing his clothes when Florian had asked his a question.

Has the cook arrived yet? Enrico’s stomach grumbled at this. He knew he wasn’t going to get the typical golden eggs, toast, and bacon that he got for breakfast at home but he marked it as his duty, in his mind, to eat everything… before anyone else ate it ‘for’ him.

“No, I don’t think so.” Enrico answered trying to search his memories and shaking his head. “We should probably go to the messdeck, just out the door and down the hall.” Enrico motioned for Florian to follow him, Enrico went the exact route he mentioned and he had finally made it to their destined room. There were about three other midshipmen – who Enrico knew not of who they are. He turned back to look whether Florian had followed him or had gotten lost.

“Hungry, aren’t you?”

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