Tenot Chews Out a Pair of Petty Officers and Drinks

Waveclipper

Captain's quarters of the Waveclipper, docked at the Sternsiegel
01:03 Marine Standard Time


“…How could it be so difficult?”

The two sailors in front of him, both clad in the proper signory of Petty Officers, shuffled uncomfortably.

“Is this your first time serving such lofty aims, perhaps?”

Tenot leaned forward, pressing into the two sailors as they stood before the desk at the center of his captain’s quarters. He didn’t exactly appreciate being awake so late into the night, much less so far away from where Saint Timothy was stationed, but he knew it couldn’t have been helped. The young Noble had already proven more proactive than his contemporaries, and Tenot couldn’t afford to simply write off their mistake, for their own sake.

“Do either of you understand the consequences of failing our noble liege?”

His question weighed on their shoulders and drew their eyes comfortably to the floor as he leaned back, drawing a long bottle with the phrase ‘Commoner Water’ scribbled over the label. A carryover from his previous assignment, a Celestial who lacked Saint Timothy’s own perceptiveness. The knight reached back into the compartment on the right wing of his helmet, digging his fingers into some unseen mechanism and pulling the helm up as he brought the bottom of the flask skyward.

The beleaguered marines would hear the sound of a deep gulping, followed by a resigned sigh as the armored figure shook his head at the two failures in front of him.

“Both of you, take purchase below deck. You are not to reveal yourselves until I return. If one of my squires should chance upon you simply tell the gentleman you were riffling for weavils. Use that precise phrasing, and they should understand.”

Surprised and visibly relieved at the momentary stay of fate, the older of the duo made to withdraw almost immediately. The younger of the two looked back up to face Tenot directly, his arms pressed tightly to his side.

“Sir, permission to speak?”

The senior sailor flinches as he hears his partner piping up, but begrudgingly turns to stand beside him, jaw clenched as he considers the strong words they’ll have after the meeting.

“…Granted.”

“We acted in full accordance to Marine doctrine. On our way to deliver the invitation we came across a suspicious individual who we suspected may have been colluding with the Revolutionary Army. We attempted to apprehend him, but lost the package containing the letter in the process.”

Tenot was quiet for a moment, before looking back up to them.

“…I see. And you believe this absolves your failure?”

“I do.”

“And do you believe Saint Timothy would agree?”

“…”

The junior went silent.

There was a reason neither Tenot nor the subordinates who retrieved him had yet to ask for an explanation.

After a short pause his partner raised his head to intervene.

“Sir, I’m prepared to assume responsibility as-“

But was interrupted.

“I’m unsure myself, but understand that most Nobles wouldn’t.”

The sailor’s eyes shot up at that.

“But, sir, it could have been a threat on his own life! We could have-”

The knight's tone was even, almost tired as he interrupted again.

“You could have genuinely infuriated him, if he were of the same breeding as the Nobles I’ve served before. These are people who have never had their lives threatened. They can scarcely even conceive of a thing like ‘assassination’. If our Saint weren’t such a strange one, or had even worded his commands differently on a whim, both of you would be killed for this."

Tenot leaned back for another draw of wine, before speaking again.

“Most Nobles lack prescience of mind. They don't think, they simply see and indulge, and this makes them simple to maneuver around. Simple to appease. Saint Timothy... if I didn't know better, I'd think someone was trying to groom him for the Five Elders."

Tenot swished his bottle, looking up to a row of neatly arranged wine glasses on the counter and chuckling lightly before continuing.

"As for the Revolutionary Army… merely a sad joke. Made once every few decades, by men too punch-drunk to see why it made people smile to start with. Pay them no mind, and if it comes up again, reach for your Transponder."

“…Sir? Is that all?"

Tenot waved toward the door.

“I’ll have someone file a report in the morning, and something painful for you to do when you wake up. Dismissed."

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Pub: 20 Nov 2023 00:44 UTC

Edit: 20 Nov 2023 00:46 UTC

Views: 185