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Post by Chørd on Jun 15, 2011 17:53:41 GMT -5
`JamesIt wasn't really sucking up to his superiors. Not really. Sure, James was sat at the edge of camp vigorously cleaning and sorting out his uniform, but it wasn't to impress any of the officers or to gain some extra praise. It was more of an attempt to get back in their good books - not that he was ever really in them in the first place.
He'd been surprised how dirty and unkept his uniform was when he'd decided to give himself a quick glance-over. His coat was a little frayed and tattered at the edges, and the colour was patchy in some areas where the elements had taken their toll on the dye, and his breeches seemed to be a magnet to dirt. As for his equipment pieces, they were in needed of polishing. His mother had set off into a rant when he announced he was going to find some spot in camp and set about fixing up his uniform, saying how it was about time he quit fooling around.
James didn't need telling that the army wasn't a children's playground. He'd grown up in the ranks with the same-old faces around him and, in the case of earlier that evening, coaxing him on too.
They'd been a pretty pair of birds, as James had put it; a fine couple of young ladies going for an idle stroll nearby camp, just in view of the few soldiers working. It must have been a good five or ten minutes James had stood with his jaw hung open before another private had dug his elbow in his ribs and dared him to call out to them. The wolf-whistle he'd directed at the girls not only caught their attention, but also an officer's.
He hated the officers sometimes, especially the ones who lived to make their men's lives a misery, but this one had been willing to overlook the incident after shouting at them and giving them sharp glares. It had been warning enough for the three soldiers that had taken a break from their duties to 'eye up the local wildlife'.
James frowned to himself as he examined his work so far, tongue poked out slightly in concentration.
"Scott!"
He looked around as his name was shouted, smirking when he saw one of the two privates with him earlier.
"I think she liked you, you scrawny brat," he teased and James beamed with pride.
"Me? Scrawny? You better tell the doc you're going blind, my friend, I reckon your eyes are messed up." He called back then turned back to the task at hand, wrinkling his nose as he picked up his musket and set about polishing it.
He went on undisturbed for a few minutes before a nearby noise, off-camp, caught his attention. He looked around for a moment, eyes narrowed suspiciously before getting to his feet and heading off to investigate, musket in hand. May as well see who was skulking about a British camp early in the evening.
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Post by kittykat on Jun 15, 2011 19:27:57 GMT -5
It was times that these that his British accent came in handy. Benjamin was a spy for the Patriots and a good one too. Never once had he’d been suspect and he honestly believed it all had to do with that accent. Putting on the red uniform and posing as a British soldier came naturally. At times he would wonder if he’d ever come across his father or if anyone would realize and he’d become a prisoner or war or worse, killed. He tried not to think about it too much, shrugging it aside and trying to focus on his mission. Benjamin’s current mission is to figure out anything about their strategy and report back as soon as he has anything that could be worth knowing.
He was currently hidden behind one of the tents, trying to listen in on the conversation inside and see if it was worth listening to. It was at that moment that he noticed someone coming toward him and he moved away from the tent. It doesn’t matter that he was spotted. Nothing to worry about since he was in uniform.
”Good morning.” He told him with a warm smile. Surely this soldier wouldn’t suspect him of anything. Although it probably looked strange that he appeared to be listening in. He didn’t feel the slightest best nervous after all Benjamin has done this plenty of times before. It was nothing new to him and he was confident in his lying abilities, should he have to lie.
[OCC: Sorry about the terrible post. Writer’s block came at the worse time possible. I’m sorry. =(]
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Post by Chørd on Jun 16, 2011 10:18:44 GMT -5
`JamesPushing his leather light infantry cap onto his head, James hovered along the edge of the camp, eyes scanning the surrounding scenery for any sign of movement that could give away who or what had snagged his attention.
Seeing nothing, and having wandered up and down the stretch of camp at least twice, he decided it must have been a petty animal that had distracted him. He shook his head, sighing exasperatedly. He was getting jumpy, and that wasn't good.
Opting to take a shortcut back to where he was before, he crossed past the officers' tents, frowning when he noticed a soldier crouched behind one, obviously listening in on the men inside. A Captain and some other officer, it sounded like, but either way James was sure the soldier was not meant to be hearing the conversation they were having - even if they were just bragging about their wealth and wives back in England or some victory in another colony.
"You ain't supposed to be doin' that," James approached the other man, ignoring his greeting. "Eavesdropping could earn you a lesson from the cat'."
He grinned to show he meant it in a non-threatening way, and took the opportunity to take a better look at the man. He definitely didn't recognise him, but he had a British accent and a British uniform, and thus he was probably from another company in the regiment. Or he may just be new, which may explain him not knowing that hiding behind an officer's tent and listening to their conversation was considered extremely rude and punishable. But who was he to tattle, anyway? He'd done it himself, and he wasn't about to get a fellow soldier in trouble.
"So...hear anything good?" He asked, grinning devilishly. Whether or not the other man decided to deny eavesdropping, he didn't care. He knew he had been, and that was good enough for him. "I'm Scott by the way. James Scott. Haven't seen you round before - you a new recruit, eh?"
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Post by kittykat on Jun 16, 2011 13:53:28 GMT -5
It was rather embarrassing to be caught listening in. That has never happened before but it was his own fault for listening in right in the morning too. He should’ve waited until dark but by that time they were probably going to be finished going over their plans. It was a relief to see that the soldier that spotted him eavesdropping didn’t mean anything by what he was saying. He could’ve easily turned him into the captain but instead, he met somehow that was more curious to know if he heard anything.
He chuckled and shook his head. ”Nothing interesting.” It was true. They weren’t talking about anything about strategy it was only small talk but it could’ve turned into something more if Benjamin listened in. He was waiting to hear something worth while but that was going to have to be put on hold now.
”Benjamin Lamport. I just joined today. I was…curious to know if they were talking about me.” He looked away from him, trying to appear as though he was embarrassed. ”I’m not the best…um…with my gun. I feared they were talking about it.” He continued to avoid eye contact for a little bit longer before finally looking back at him and giving a nervous smile. ”I do hope you don’t tell them. Then I’ll really be talked about. I-I know that I shouldn’t be eavesdropping…especially on the Captain but I had to know.” He was an experienced liar, this was nothing to him.
Benjamin cleared his throat and gave him another nervous smile. ”It’s nice to meet someone. I haven’t made any friends yet. I’ve been…distant actually and I just joined. Perhaps we could become friends?” It was very forward but it was possibly a friend could be what he needed to get more information on the inside. He didn’t appear to be anyone important but still, this could be just the thing that he needed. ”Uh…sorry if that came out as odd…I just…uh…sorry.”
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Post by Chørd on Jun 16, 2011 15:47:35 GMT -5
`JamesJames couldn't help but feel, and look, crestfallen when it turned out nothing interesting was being discussed. It hardly surprised him though.
"Shame, that," he sighed, shrugging indifferently. Even the slightest gossip about what was going on with an officer's wife was worth spreading around with his mess-mates.
Still, life goes on. It wasn't the end of the world, after all.
"I figured you were new," James nodded knowingly, rocking on his heels slightly. "You look a little lost. Don't you worry though, you'll be set straight in no time."
He frowned at the other soldier's apparent embarassment. Not the best with his gun? Well how hard could it be to simply load and fire? Granted, he himself took nearly twice as long to reload as other soldiers, and that time increased greatly if there was a bayonet fixed to the muzzle, but he had a brilliant aim - especially for a musket.
He waved his hand dismissively when Benjamin had finished his explanation. "Don't worry. I doubt they were talking about you. And I won't squeal on a fellow soldier," he promised, adding a broad smile for good measures.
He had to feel sorry for the poor bugger. He looked in his mid-twenties, or near enough, so he wasn't a particularly young recruit. And he looked nervous too - not nervous simply because he was new, but naturally nervous...and shy. That wouldn't do at all.
Well, he'd just have to show him how things rolled, wouldn't he?
"Don't worry mate," James grinned. "Can I call you Ben?" He didn't wait for a reply before continuing again, turning to walk off and signalling for Benjamin to follow. "I'll make sure you don't get eaten alive."
He paused in mid stride, eyes widening slightly before he spun on his heel to confront the man again, one eyebrow raised questioningly. "You don't happen to have any alcohol on you, do you? Haven't had a decent drink of liquor for...longer than I'm happy with, and I'm a tad thirsty."
He smiled innocently - or at least, as innocently as he could manage. He adjusted his firearm against his shoulder, settling it into a more comfortable position.
He glanced at his musket, then back at Benjamin, an idea coming to mind.
"Say...I could help you with your gun problem, if you like," he offered. He didn't mind teaching a comrade the basics - not that he was a master at it, at all. But it was the thought that counted, right?
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