28th metal . voice

[godsays]

The Admiral makes you a warden before you finish learning. Finding out what's right and what's wrong.

Is that because you never stop learning?

Comments

Private

[godsays]

Don't. Stay away from him. Don't let him near you.

: Private

[shakenandlimp]

Zane, has he done something-?

Private

[godsays]

You know we can't hold people responsible for what they do in breaches or floods.

Re: Private

[shakenandlimp]

Aye. Because it ain't us, it's like being drunk or brain fevered.

Did he hurt you?

[Bush finds that he's fretting; things are beyond his control in a way they haven't been since he was a midshipman, but he is grown and Zane is... well, he is fond of the tormented young man and wants to be of some use.]

Private

[godsays]

It would be easier to say all the ways he didn't.

But he's bad. I know he's bad. Here, too, not just there.

Re: Private

[shakenandlimp]

Zane-- you can't be sure of that.

But I shall keep my distance, don't fret. I can do that.

...do you young folk share evenings? You look so low I hope you have company.

Private

[godsays]

I can. But what I was told, I was told in confidence.

[ And he wants to keep promises, now. ]

I might be better alone today.

Private

[shakenandlimp]

You will be walking the quarterdeck all hours and forgetting to eat next.

I'll take care. When you are feeling like company, come by my cabin to share a drop, poor lad.

Private

[godsays]

There are people who'll remind me.

I did things too - bad things.

Do you think I should apologize to those people?

[ He is genuinely asking advice. ]

Private

[shakenandlimp]

From a breach?

That's a hard thing to know. Better to leave it be, I thin.

Private

[godsays]

...all right.

[He still isn't sure.]