23rd morning - arrival

"I though he probably... died. It's good to know he didn't. He has an unfortunate nature, sir, but he surely deserves a chance from the life."

He didn't really wanted to defend the other boy, but he did not bear malice towards him, and he thought De Guarde was not born to be so bad. He was in a troublesome age and Glen knew that many boys were just unbearable in these years. He never was like that - but he was a little bookworm, besides, he would never, ever dare to rebel against his father or hos superiors.

"..Hardly." The midshipman was short at words. He may not have been inclined to share the misfortunate events that did not rest well on De Guarde's profile, nor did he feel he should be excused of them.

"Know, Mr. Hamilton. Never seek an excuse for the deed you have done wrong." A lesson well taught. He lifted his gaze again and nodded towards the marine drummer. "Oxley, come here."

He hadn't been earwigging. Not deliberately, anyway. So why did the young gentleman want him again?

He stepped forward, feeling uncertain, and saluted. "Sir?

Mr. Chandos stepped to the side excusing himself to the young middie.

"Oxley." He began. "What exactly did Lieutenant Bush say?"

Fletcher had been surruptiously watching from a distance as the new midshipman had arrived. Another one, and in such a short space of time... Fletcher sighed. Hamilton - that was his name, or at least the one he'd overheard - was older than him, and looked even more uncertain of his surroundings than a landsman. How he missed Peter already... He hoped that this new addition to the berth would at least be peaceable.

"He said... he said he'd be up directly, sir," he said. "Mebbe he just couldn't get here as quick as he thought, sir?"

"Thank you." Chandos nodded. He looked at the marine drummer. It wasn't often that the midshipmen and drummers would fall into conversation.

He looked at the midshipman, slightly confused. Misted Chandos and Mister Kinsella were the two people on Terpsy who were closest to him in age, yet for all the interaction he had with them, they might as well be on the Moon. He didn't really have much to do with the young gentlemen - he had more to do with the ship's boys than with the middies, after all.

"Was there... was there anythin' else, sir?" he asked, hesitantly.

Mister Chandos looked as if lost in his thoughts. He glanced at Oxley. "...No, you may go." He couldn't share a piece of his mind with a drummer.

He smiled. "..dismissed."

He nodded, frowning a little in confusion. "Aye, aye, sir," he said, and stepped back to his place, wondering what Mister Chandos was thinking about.

He waited calmly. His only hope was the officer won't repeat the already answered questions, but he knew they liked to ask things. A lot. And he felt the suspicion. Something he must blame Confidance for.

Chandos returned to the new midshipman and nodded. "Shouldn't be long now." He nodded to the boy and crossed his hands on his back, noticing the familiar outline of the lieutenant.

Though not the lieutenant they were expecting. Leat strode out from the shelter of the quarterdeck, wondering why it was that meeting and greeting today seemed to have fallen solely to him. He'd have words with Bush later; somewhere perhaps where Deverel might not hear. He did not know what to make of their new messmate yet, but in Leat's not unlimited experience the calling for a drink immediately Deverel set foot in the wardroom did not sit well with the young lieutenant. True, George had been a somewhat dour companion, but at least he was steady and mindful of his duty.

"At ease, Kinsella, Chandos," he said brusquely as the three Midshipmen present stiffened to attention at his swift approach - Fletcher was not all that far away either, nor was Slater, watching surruptiously. Understandable, perhaps, as they were doubtless as wary of their new messmate as he was of his. He looked down at the new arrival with expectant gravity - all the prompting that should be necessary.

He saluted as he saw the officer nearing. He didn't dare to speak first, however.

Green, and thoroughly wet behind the ears, Leat reflected as he was met by a stare that more belonged to a frightened rabbit than a boy of twelve. He'd obviously not twigged that it was his duty to introduce himself, though someone aboard his old ship should have explained that to him before he left. The last thing Leat needed was timewasters.

"We're not here to stand all day staring, Mister," he quipped, after no introduction was forthcoming. "I assume you have a tongue in your head? Let's be having your name."

Mr. Chandos glanced at the new midshipman. He better introduce himself quickly as Lieutenant Leat had neither the time nor the patience. He kept his tongue however. It was Mr. Hamilton's turn and job to introduce himself. Helping him might only do the opposite.

Still he did nod encouragingly to the boy urging him to be quick about it.

"Glen Hamilton, sir. Midshipman. From His Majesty's Ship Confidance."

He was easy to frighten. After spending nearly two years in that living hell on Confidance, and eleven year with his malicious father, he couldn't possibly imagine that an authority figure could be other than cruel.

Leat raised an eyebrow. Well, step one of procedure had been observed.

"And your credentials, Mister Hamilton?" he prompted.

"Here you are, sir."

He handed the papers.

Leat took the papers and glanced them over, and was secretly relieved that yes, the boy had brought the right things with him, including a letter from his previous captain to Captain Bolitho. He nodded, and handed them back.

"I am Lieutenant Leat, 2nd lieutenant. Mister Bush is the Premier, and we were joined yesterday by Mister Deverel, who is third. You will meet Mister Bush when you report to Captain Bolitho. Mister Chandos here will show you to your berth. And Mister Chandos, when Mister Hamilton's dunnage is stowed kindly accompany him to the captain's cabin."

"Yes, sir." Chandos gave a curt nod of confirmation. He glanced at the young upstart that should be joining their ranks and felt relieved he had not presented himself terribly infront of their lieutenant. He was a midshipman of the Terpsy or very soon to be, and as such he would have to do better than his earlier predecessor. Much to impress.

"Get to it then," the lieutenant replied crisply. After De Guarde's initial example Leat intended to start as he meant to go on. "About your business, gentlemen."

He turned and left the Midshipmen to their own devises, crossing to the larboard side where shouts of the powder hoy coming alonside could be heard. This would require close supervision, and with Bush busy and Deverel still an unknown factor, it would be down to him to oversee.

"Aye, sir." He saluted again as the Liutenant left.

"Mr. Chandos, sir, I'm ready." He turned to the elder midshipman.

Chandos saluted the lieutenant briskly and turned on his heel. He glanced at the young Mr. Hamilton and nodded. " Follow me."

His eyes skimmed across the deck. Have him sorted then sent to the captain. It was nearly time for breakfast, and the boy was in to meet the other midshipmen soon as well.

"Where you will be staying. " He nodded as they entered the midshipmen's berth.

The berth seemed to be clean and in order. Unlike the one on Confidance. In general, this ship was so... normal.

"Aye, sir. How many are we now? I've heard you lost some midshipmen lately."