Re: An Officer's Room in Belem

**Jonathan Padstowe** Wed Oct 22, 2008 8:29 am

"Of course not! Whatever gave you that idea?"

Guest Wed Oct 22, 2008 8:32 am

"It must have been the limbs, the bodies, the faces, the minds, the personalities... Those qualities of humanity can be so very misleading."

**Jonathan Padstowe** Wed Oct 22, 2008 8:40 am

"Ah." Nodded his head sagely. "Yes, an easy mistake to make."

Guest Wed Oct 22, 2008 8:42 am

"What is it you think makes a redcoat inhuman then?" Stephen thought that many Irishmen could answer that question, but not in the easy, light tone that was staving off their real purpose. They had enough problems.

**Jonathan Padstowe** Wed Oct 22, 2008 8:58 am

"We just stand where we're told and look pretty in our shiny uniforms."

Guest Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:00 am

"I seem to remember being told about the odd battle as well..."

**Jonathan Padstowe** Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:05 am

"In those we ride around looking pretty in our shiny uniforms so the French have some moving targets to practice on."

Guest Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:13 am

"That is only the officers though?"

**Jonathan Padstowe** Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:20 am

"Yes, we are the only one that ride around - apart from the cavalry. The infantry walk prettily."

Guest Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:21 am

"And provide a bigger target for the artillery?" There was a darker edge to Stephen's voice now; the jest was wearing thin. He stood up, gasping as he did so too quickly, and brought a hand to his side.

**Jonathan Padstowe** Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:30 am

Padstowe's brow creased with concern.

"Are you alright?"

Guest Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:33 am

"Just... my side. I stood too quickly." He bent down more slowly to rifle through his knapsack, looking for brush, soap and razor.

**Jonathan Padstowe** Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:41 am

Padstowe watched the doctor's pained movements for a moment then, deciding that he was indeed inno immediate danger, carefully braced his right arm under the blanket to see that, if he could move his legs, whether he could inch his way up the bed.

Guest Thu Oct 23, 2008 5:58 am

Stephen balanced the mirror against the wall on the bedside table, and quickly sharpened his razor. "Jonathan. Will you promise me something?"

**Jonathan Padstowe** Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:02 am

Padstowe paused in his efforts.

"I would hope that I could promise you anything, Stephen."

Guest Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:04 am

Stephen smiled. "Then I will ask that you eat whatever they might bring you. Please. It grieves me to see you so thin."

**Jonathan Padstowe** Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:11 am

Padstowe blinked. He had always been thin.

Guest Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:14 am

"Please, Jonathan. This anorexia is a symptom of desanguination but it worries me extremely, and eating is the only way you will regain your strength."

**Jonathan Padstowe** Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:19 am

"I would never have described myself as annorexic," Padstowe said flatly. "And you have not been eating either."

Guest Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:24 am

"Anorexia is a term describing a loss of appetite, from the Greek, which I mark quite clearly in you. And this is not about me; I have been eating plenty."

**Jonathan Padstowe** Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:28 am

Padstowe frowned. He had never been up on his Greek, and he found it repulsive to eat when he did not feel like it.

"But I am not hungry."

Guest Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:29 am

"And thus I term you anorexic, for you lack appetite. But that does not matter. You must force yourself to eat."

**Jonathan Padstowe** Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:43 am

Padstowe looked down at his blankets, a troubled expression on his face.

"May I just have a cup of tea, please?"

Guest Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:45 am

"You may have a cup of tea, but in addition to food, not instead of it. You will not do this one thing for me, Jonathan?"

**Jonathan Padstowe** Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:51 am

It was clear to see that the captain was not happy about it. He had gone from looking troubled to miserable, but seeing as it seemed there was no escape he nodded his head.

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