25th May Coming early

"Somehow, I doubt this will ever catch on in London," Vickery said with a grin. "I wonder sometimes how many officers took a commission simply to get away from society balls and dinners and enjoy a simpler way of life."

"God help us if it does," Blackwood returned. "I shudder to think how fashion might adapt to fit."

It might make London a place to avoid during the Season, he thought wryly. That would be something to behold. "If there are such officers in this army, I have scarcely encountered them. But for a small few exceptions."

"I think I would retire to the country and rusticate." He shrugged. "Lisbon society may not be what we are used to, but they do like their balls and routs and parties. I think most people were glad to get away for the campaigning season - it was nearly impossible to arrange to have a quiet evening to oneself." He indicated his jacket wryly. "Well, it was easier for some than for others, of course. A Rifles officer will hardly compare with a smart young Guardsman or a cavalry officer, after all."

At that, Blackwood chuckled. "A fine plan, if that is an option." He poked deliberately at his own jacket. "In some circles, I would say that is true. In others... Rifle green is a noteworthy novelty."

(OOC - oops. )

"The novelty does wear thin when the Portuguese irregulars expect all British soldiers to wear red." He leaned forward to poke a stray stick back into the fire.

On the other side of the small blaze, Cotton hooked the lid off the pot with a stick, and spooned generous portions of stew onto two tin plates, moving around the fire to offer them to the officers, looking slightly nervous as he gave Vickery's spoon to the visitor and his own spoon to the Rifles officer, for want of anything better.

If they'd had the Captain's baggage up with them, he'd have had access to the Captain's own spare tinware and cutlery, but he didn't and had to make the most of it.

"True." Blackwood could not honestly sympathise with that, owing to the difference in uniform, but he could understand it. "Thank you," he said to Vickery's man, accepting both the plate and the spoon with a nod.

"This one Frenchman you encountered; he did not offer any explanation as to why he was so far from his fellows?"

"He seemed to be the last survivor of a group of prisoners who had somehow escaped and were trying to make their way back to the rest of the French army."

It was unfortunate that they had managed to escape, but doubtless they had seen it as their duty. Yet they would have been safer remaining as captives, especially with the mood the Portuguese irregulars were in. Still, that was something that maybe the rest of the French army would learn.

He had a mouthful of stew. There was beef there, of course, and something else. His riflemen seemed to be getting good at catching rabbits.

OOC - Fail. So hard!

IC -

"Ah. Where there have been a few, perhaps there are more not far off."

Escaped prisoners. He had heard nothing of that, which was a trifle surprising. Well. One had been recaptured and sent back, which would no doubt prove of some use. That fellow was probably very thankful to have been caught up again anyway, if it meant being spared a grisly end at the hands of Portuguese guerrillas.

Blackwood blew some steam away from the first spoonful of stew before sampling it. A moment's savouring was all it took. "My compliments to your cook," he said, nodding with approval.

(OOC - you don't fail so badly at me!!)

Cotton went pink with pleasure at the compliment, and found he was glad it was dark. Quite how Maggie was going to take the news that he could cook, he didn't know, though he'd gladly give this particular chore over to her.

"D'you want anythin' else, sir?" he asked Vickery, who shook his head. "I think we would both appreciate a cup of tea. And then you should go and find your own food before it gets cold."

"Yes, sir," Cotton replied, returning in a few moments with two tin mugs brimful of tea. He offered one to each officer before retreating to the fire that his mates were gathered around.