I generally like to flatter myself as a good judge of a man's character, even after knowing him for only a very short while. The first few words you exchange with him can entirely sketch out who he is and what one's interaction with him will be like, or so my past experiences have shown me. As I embark on my new ship, though, I find myself surprised, maybe even a little confused, for the men of this ship, of this /Renown/, have determined to be little more than a puzzle.
True, Buckland, the first lieutenant, seems to easily wear his character on his sleeve, though in his case, it is to his own misfortune. Captain Sawyer is...far from what I expected, but who are we to judge our captains, let alone one such as him? Whatever his faults, he does not deserve the haughty scrutiny his other officers seem intent on bestowing on him. Like Kennedy, for example. A high-and-mighty, hot-blooded aristocratic brat, certainly, far too used to getting his way and letting his tongue flap incessantly whenever he pleases. How he managed to get this far, and, more importantly, how he ever plans to go farther, I do not fathom to imagine. Perhaps if he is lucky, someday someone will be kind enough to teach him what the British Navy is really about.
But it is Hornblower who is the true enigma. Quite adept at hiding himself behind a mask, he is, but not enough to hide the fact that it /is/ a mask. He is good friends with Kennedy, that much is clear, though how one so practiced in restraint could be so close to someone who seems to barely understand the meaning of the word, I cannot comprehend. I have little idea of what it is Mr. Hornblower is restraining, though. Fear? Doubtful. He is obviously far too capable an officer for that, whatever else he may turn out to be. Arrogance or pride? Perhaps, especially considering how he seems to outdo everyone around him, even those who are senior to him. Or is there some other idea that he is trying to hold in check? Despite his competency as a lieutenant, it is clear that he does not care for the captain. Perhaps he is merely wiser than his friend, knowing better than to so obviously express his disapproval. For once, I must admit my ignorance to the workings of this man's man. Perhaps, if I am lucky, time will tell.
True, Buckland, the first lieutenant, seems to easily wear his character on his sleeve, though in his case, it is to his own misfortune. Captain Sawyer is...far from what I expected, but who are we to judge our captains, let alone one such as him? Whatever his faults, he does not deserve the haughty scrutiny his other officers seem intent on bestowing on him. Like Kennedy, for example. A high-and-mighty, hot-blooded aristocratic brat, certainly, far too used to getting his way and letting his tongue flap incessantly whenever he pleases. How he managed to get this far, and, more importantly, how he ever plans to go farther, I do not fathom to imagine. Perhaps if he is lucky, someday someone will be kind enough to teach him what the British Navy is really about.
But it is Hornblower who is the true enigma. Quite adept at hiding himself behind a mask, he is, but not enough to hide the fact that it /is/ a mask. He is good friends with Kennedy, that much is clear, though how one so practiced in restraint could be so close to someone who seems to barely understand the meaning of the word, I cannot comprehend. I have little idea of what it is Mr. Hornblower is restraining, though. Fear? Doubtful. He is obviously far too capable an officer for that, whatever else he may turn out to be. Arrogance or pride? Perhaps, especially considering how he seems to outdo everyone around him, even those who are senior to him. Or is there some other idea that he is trying to hold in check? Despite his competency as a lieutenant, it is clear that he does not care for the captain. Perhaps he is merely wiser than his friend, knowing better than to so obviously express his disapproval. For once, I must admit my ignorance to the workings of this man's man. Perhaps, if I am lucky, time will tell.