Anteros

Title: The Silver Razor: Portsmouth
Author: Anteros
Characters: Hornblower, Maria, Bush, (Kennedy)
Rating: G
Notes: Continuing the story of The Silver Razor. Another of those odd series / book hybrids. DKU. Sorry :(

( Hornblower had slept through most of the morning; that was good. The longer he slept, the less he would have to endure the cold. )

It's a beautiful day here. That's all.

Hello from The Far Side Of the World!

Arrived safely in New Zealand last weekend. I still can't figure out exactly how many days I spent on that damn plane but I did remember to text sarlania when I passed through Melbourne. I spent most of the flight watching Pirates of the Caribbean films on the basis that they were the only thing on offer with boats and sailors in; and reading charliecochrane's Lessons in Power which I thought was excellent.

Since arriving in the Bay of Plenty I have done a great deal of nothing. The main reason for this trip was to let daughter spend time with family so we haven't really done any traveling, we did the big tour down to South Island last time we were here anyway. Highlights of the holiday so far have been the gorgeous view of the Pacific from FiL's farm, daughter's birthday party, wine tasting at the local winery, and the discovery of an antique print shop with the most eclectic collection of prints I've ever seen. Partner and I spent a very dusty afternoon rifling through the collection and came away with a fine collection of boaty pictures and some very fetching prints of men in breeches. We also went to see a Super 14 rugby match tonight, the Hamilton Chiefs played the Natal Sharks in torrential rain on over on the west coast. It was a pretty scrappy game given that neither team could hang on to the ball because it was so wet but it was very entertaining to see some proper kiwi rugby and both teams had pretty players.

Low point of the trip has been mosquitos, sandflies and weird family dynamics, but the less said about that the better.

Age of sail related landmarks are few and far between here though I did spot a farm called Archie's Orchard just up the road and the 50 cent peice has a lovely image of Endeavour on it. Otherwise that's it. I haven't been idle though! I've fnsihed reading Escape from France which is amazing and inspiring and Flying Colours which is less so :/ and I've also written one and a half fics which I'll inflict on you when I get back.

I've only got occassional internet access here but I have managed to keep an eye on LJ and was imensely entertained by esmerelda_t's post about dreams on following_sea. I very rarely remember dreams of any kind and the only Hornblower character I have ever dreamt about is Mr Bush! (wtf?!) But what do you know, last night I actually dreamt about Horatio and Archie!! I was below deck on a ship with them, Horatio was doing up his jacket with Archie standing behind him, the ship lurched and I caught Archie round the waist to stop him from stumbling. They were both wearing 1920's style uniform jackets but still looked very smart. When I went up on deck the dream had turned into a film which partner and I were watching. I asked partner what had happened to Archie and he said he'd been eaten by a crocodile (!) The end. Don't even begin to analyse that one ;)

Hope you guys are all well, miss you all and will look forward to catching up properly when I get home.

Title: Pointless
Author: Anteros
Characters: Bush, Kennedy, Hornblower
Rating: R
Notes: Just what this fandom needs; gratuitous Retribution angst fic. The title says it all really. This is a poor intrlude to rosiespark's The Simplest Gift and Revelation. I wrote it not long after I recc'd these wonderful fics and it's been hiding in my drafts folder ever since. I suspect it should probably have stayed there.

( He sat and waited, book in hand, just holding it. )

Title: Wings
Author: Anteros
Characters: Bush, Kennedy, Hornblower, Wellard
Rating: G
Warnings: Stupid, stupid, stupid Hornblower / LoTR Crossover Crackfic
Notes: I'm blaming gayalondiel for this one, although nodbear's not completely blameless. Gaya said "when someone new comes along and asks who pushed Captain Sawyer. Which is a worthy question (for the uninitiated, it's the equivalent of whether Balrogs have wings)". That resulted in a stupid plot bunny. gayalondiel m'dear, you can have this as a slightly belated birthday present. Everyone else might want to just ignore it. I'm going to pretend it never happened ;)

( Lieutenant Bush found his quarry in the furthest recess of the hold. )

Title: Recant
Author: Anteros
Characters: Hornblower, (Kennedy), Bush
Rating: R
Spoilers: Mutiny & Retribution
Notes: No slash, no smut, no kink. Just good old fashioned angst. With added Bush for good measure. This is really a follow up to Impression which I posted way back in December.

( Captain Horatio Hornblower was standing on the weather side of the quarterdeck, hands clasped behind his back, one finger flickering restlessly )

I have just opened one of my brand new (to me) CSF books at a random page and what's the first paragraph my eye lights on? This is....

"Bush watched as Hornblower's capable fingers worked the parallel rulers across the chart; Hornblower had long bony hands with something of beauty about them, and it was actually fascinating to watch them doing work at which they were so supremely competent. The powerful fingers picked up the pencil and ruled a line.

"There's the point of interception," said Hornblower."

Good lord! That was a random book opened at a random page! Are they all like that?!

And there was me thinking F is for Fidget was nonsense ;)

More on my lovely new books later, have to dash.

Title: HMS Renown, 31st December 1801
Author: Anteros
Characters: Buckland, Bush, Hornblower, Kennedy
Rating:PG
Notes: A tiny thing posted in response to sarlania's following_sea New Year prompt. All these things are done in my part of the world to see in the New Year.

---

I

First Lieutenant Buckland is on the quarterdeck. The bell tolls the end of the first watch. Through the dark other bells from other ships toll and toll and toll, marking the end not just of the watch but of another year. Another year of service, another year without promotion. The old lieutenant descends the companion to see in the new year.

---

II

Second Lieutenant Bush is in the wardroom. He puts on his hat and greatcoat in readiness for the middle watch. Before he leaves he opens one of the small hinged panes in the wardroom window to let out the old year and bring in the new. He feels slightly foolish doing this but he has done it every years since he was a boy. Still, he is glad that he is alone in the wardroom, that no one else has seen this small act of faith.

---

III

Third Lieutenant Hornblower is in the galley bartering his spirit ration with the cook for a lump of coal. He has no idea what he will do with the coal, but Kennedy has told him it's important and so he will stop at nothing until he gets it.

---

IV

Fourth Lieutenant Kennedy is in his cabin, boots kicked off, jacket and waistcoat folded on his sea chest. He is lying on his bunk arms folded behind his head waiting for a tall, dark man to come and first foot him, thus bringing him luck for the rest of the year. God knows, they're going to need it.

Title: High Blue Day
Author: Anteros
Characters: Archie Kennedy / Horatio Hornblower, William Bush
Rating: PG
Notes: Hey look, another one! Fic number two. A "what if" fic this time. For everyone who was kind enough to comment on fic number one. Thank you so much. Part of this is heavily influenced by another piece I read recently but I can't remember where I read it or who it was by. So if something seems familiar and it's yours please do let me know so I can credit where credit is due.

( Caution had become second nature )