[Now that was a delightful smile to pursue, although he had to wonder what the corners looked like when they were not rehearsed. Jonathan usually liked to use his modesty ... but he would take a moment to simply show off one of the few talents he did not simply 'dabble' in.]
[He found the tune, before he let his tenor rise high into the lyrics of 'Hark, The Herald Angels Sing.']
Hark the herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King! Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled" Joyful, all ye nations rise Join the triumph of the skies With the angelic host proclaim: "Christ is born in Bethlehem" Hark! The herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King!"
that's why i was fudgin' it. i had enough fun the last time they sang together
[ Hewlett almost loses himself in awe. The man, needless to say, is quite talented at singing. It is the type of voice that would tempt a ship to rocks, to spill secrets without realizing.
His thoughts are not hidden. Hewlett is hardly one for censorship of the self unless absolutely necessary. ]
Splendid!
[ He joins in for the next verse, humming lightly. A few of the soldiers around them have as well, but none linger too long. ]
[He smiles broadly, before leaning on the umbrella to go through the next verse, then standing straight again as they have others singing along with them now.
He lifts his finger to conduct them like a symphony, his eyes twinkling mischief, before he finishes with a flourish and takes a bow. Then he very solemnly bows to Richard in turn, before giving him his most brilliant smile.]
Very nicely done, Mr. Hewlett, yourself. You have a fine ear and sensitivity.
[ Hewlett, of course, must provide applause for such a performance. He is not the only one and gives a small bow for himself. Any apprehension toward Andre is slowly beginning to fade... It's very difficult not to enjoy his presence. ]
I do believe you were the star of the show, Lieutenant Andre.
[ He removes himself from the piano before he's hounded again by a soldier for another rendition of a carol. ]
[As was his habit, he waved off the applause with a modest little headtilt acknowledging it all the same. Then he turned to Hewlett, leading a round of applause for the man.]
Poppycock. I believe we made a fine duet, Major Hewlett.
[Both eyebrows tilted up at that, but the brilliant smile makes a return.]
I would be delighted.
[He dips his head, allowing the other man to go first. Senior officer, all that.]
[Andre gave him a curious look at the forced smile - dear me, the man did rather run like Cornish winters.
He followed after the other man, his lips curving up at the corners.]
Oh yes ... I do like a busy city. Mostly for the art, and the culture, but there is something to be said for the people. You get to meet so many interesting new folk.
[He sipped from his own, a quiet smile on his face as they walked.]
Now that is a shame -- the Good Book is many things, but it does lack the poetry of Chaucer.
[On the contrary, Andre would have to say he was fascinated. What a strange man - charming yet closed off. Literate, yet he was in the boonies of New York. Curious.]
Well, it is an effort but one does what one must. I do miss riding however... New York truly has no place to really open up one's steed.
[ Lips pushed to the side as he has to properly consider this. All are quite good in their messages, their meanings. ]
The Knight's Tale, as common of an answer as that may be. The perils of love are not to be forgot. [ He points out with an actual point of his finger before another gentle sip of his drink. ]
[ Hewlett actually manages a chuckle over the rim of his glass. ]
I do mean this in the best possible way, Mr. Andre...
[ He leans closer. ]
I suspected both were true.
[ Hopefully that tease will not go too far, but he does feel like he can make it. All in good fun, not entirely serious. Something about this man draws you to him... Hewlett already finds himself coming out of his shell. ]
[Andre leaned in closer to hear the comment, and then he burst out in a hearty laugh as he put his hand on Hewlett's shoulder and squeezed for a moment.]
Well then you have me at a disadvantage. I am entirely unsure what to suspect of you.
[He moved them back through the halls - perhaps not privacy but distance seemed to work best.]
Truly, I do not know how someone like yourself got assigned to Setauket.
[ And perhaps for now Hewlett would like to keep it that way. Really, though, the notion of there being anything more than what's presented seems like such an odd idea. Richard gives him an almost innocent look in return.
Ah, but that. You can almost see his mind trying to best spin this in a positive light. ]
My strengths lie in morale, in the workings of the everyday village. Wars are not only won with battles and gunfire, but with the heart of the people. We have lost the faith of the people and I aim to keep it where it remains.
[ Despite even Richard knowing half of that is an excuse, part of him fully believes it. ]
[Andre felt his lips twitch at that fine bit of a spin. Truly, he could hear Richard willing him to believe it through his words. Which probably helped with keeping Sektauket a peaceful little haven.]
Now that is interesting ... how would you suggest we get the faith of the people back?
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[ And now Andre truly does have Richard's interest. He has always been fond of talent.
Hewlett begins to play a wholesome tune for him to sing along. Nothing too exciting or the whole room will join in and then he couldn't be heard. ]
Please, do so.
[ Another fine smile, polite. ]
seriously do you know how hard it is to find a carol that is definitively written before the 1800's?
[Now that was a delightful smile to pursue, although he had to wonder what the corners looked like when they were not rehearsed. Jonathan usually liked to use his modesty ... but he would take a moment to simply show off one of the few talents he did not simply 'dabble' in.]
[He found the tune, before he let his tenor rise high into the lyrics of 'Hark, The Herald Angels Sing.']
Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
that's why i was fudgin' it. i had enough fun the last time they sang together
His thoughts are not hidden. Hewlett is hardly one for censorship of the self unless absolutely necessary. ]
Splendid!
[ He joins in for the next verse, humming lightly. A few of the soldiers around them have as well, but none linger too long. ]
Frigging seriously
He lifts his finger to conduct them like a symphony, his eyes twinkling mischief, before he finishes with a flourish and takes a bow. Then he very solemnly bows to Richard in turn, before giving him his most brilliant smile.]
Very nicely done, Mr. Hewlett, yourself. You have a fine ear and sensitivity.
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I do believe you were the star of the show, Lieutenant Andre.
[ He removes himself from the piano before he's hounded again by a soldier for another rendition of a carol. ]
Would you care to join me for a drink?
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Poppycock. I believe we made a fine duet, Major Hewlett.
[Both eyebrows tilted up at that, but the brilliant smile makes a return.]
I would be delighted.
[He dips his head, allowing the other man to go first. Senior officer, all that.]
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Is there a blasted quiet corner in this manor? ]
You must enjoy it here in New York. So much hustling and bustling.
[ Completely the opposite of his little Setauket. ]
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He followed after the other man, his lips curving up at the corners.]
Oh yes ... I do like a busy city. Mostly for the art, and the culture, but there is something to be said for the people. You get to meet so many interesting new folk.
[He tilted his head.]
You prefer the serenity of the country, yes?
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[ A swirl of his glass. ]
Charming really, but none have any interest in the humanities save for the Good Book itself.
[ He doesn't seem disingenuous... ]
Do you find it easy to get along? Despite that.
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[He sipped from his own, a quiet smile on his face as they walked.]
Now that is a shame -- the Good Book is many things, but it does lack the poetry of Chaucer.
[On the contrary, Andre would have to say he was fascinated. What a strange man - charming yet closed off. Literate, yet he was in the boonies of New York. Curious.]
Well, it is an effort but one does what one must. I do miss riding however... New York truly has no place to really open up one's steed.
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Do you enjoy riding, Mr. Andre? You should see my fine Beucephalus.
[ He's like a different man now. Every smile sincere, as if he were talking about a very dear child.
]
Unlike any other.
[ Chest out, lips pressed together, a proud father indeed. ]
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I adore it.
[He smiled in turn, encouraged by that smile. Also that proud attitude.]
I should very much like to. Do you have him stabled here, or is he back in Setauket?
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Unfortunately, my companion had to stay in Setauket.
[ A pause, a look over of the... very fine young man. ]
Perhaps if you ever find yourself near there... We could take advantage of the open country air.
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Ah, that is a shame. I was hoping to take a tour of the stables, with him as the central attraction.
[He swirled his glass again, sipping his wine, before his blue eyes glanced over at the other man.]
Why, thank you for the invitation. I shall be delighted to take you up on it.
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[ Which it could hardly be called even that. By God, there really were so few people that could appreciate culture. Even his soldiers. ]
You mentioned Chaucer?
[ Odd how he finds himself wanting to keep conversation with this young man. ]
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[Because now he is intrigued enough to make it his business to go to Seuktaket. A cultured man like this, stuck out there? He had to know why.]
Indeed I did. One of my favorite writers.
[He offered a quiet smile.] Which Tale was your favorite?
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[ Lips pushed to the side as he has to properly consider this. All are quite good in their messages, their meanings. ]
The Knight's Tale, as common of an answer as that may be. The perils of love are not to be forgot. [ He points out with an actual point of his finger before another gentle sip of his drink. ]
Your own?
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Well, it is the answer because it is considered the best, naturally. [He watches that finger as well, and then smiles into the drink.]
The Nun's Priest's tale. Pride and wit should not mix.
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[ And one that he frequently forgets about. He supposes some of it must come along with the job title.
Hewlett still slides him a wide grin. ]
And certainly wit.
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[He paused, smiling, before he murmured.]
I wish I had more of it.
[Then he smiled into his glass as he took a sip. That wide smile is his reward, and he grants one in turn.]
Wit I have no shortage of.
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I do mean this in the best possible way, Mr. Andre...
[ He leans closer. ]
I suspected both were true.
[ Hopefully that tease will not go too far, but he does feel like he can make it. All in good fun, not entirely serious. Something about this man draws you to him... Hewlett already finds himself coming out of his shell. ]
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Well then you have me at a disadvantage. I am entirely unsure what to suspect of you.
[He moved them back through the halls - perhaps not privacy but distance seemed to work best.]
Truly, I do not know how someone like yourself got assigned to Setauket.
no subject
Ah, but that. You can almost see his mind trying to best spin this in a positive light. ]
My strengths lie in morale, in the workings of the everyday village. Wars are not only won with battles and gunfire, but with the heart of the people. We have lost the faith of the people and I aim to keep it where it remains.
[ Despite even Richard knowing half of that is an excuse, part of him fully believes it. ]
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Now that is interesting ... how would you suggest we get the faith of the people back?
[Because he is honestly curious.]
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[ Again, sincerity, almost kindness. These rebels stand no chance when they have the King - God - on their side. ]
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