prelude to a bloody stupid duel

[prone_to_dying]

Archie was rather determined not to make the same mistake with Horatio as he had with William. Namely to go along with this new idea of having a duel. Granted, they were on their way there and he'd agreed to be Horatio's second, but that was only because he couldn't stand the idea of his best friend sharing this horrible idea with either Ray or

Comments

[strandedseaman]

"On the contrary, Archie," Horatio said tightly. "I have heard every word. There is nothing more to discuss. This Leoben has impeached Constable Fraser's honour, and since he will not defend it himself, I must do it in his stead." Of course, that was only half the reason, but he'd be damned if he was going to let on that Archie had the right of it. Horatio's pride had the better of him, and showed no signs of letting go.

[prone_to_dying]

Archie sighed. "Which in layman's terms just means three things." He held up three fingers to illustrate his points.

"One. You're a stubborn git. Two. You can't stand the thought of me ever being right about anything. Three. You think he's a bastard so you might as well run him through even though he didn't really do much."

[strandedseaman]

Horatio came very close to scowling, then seized the only statement upon which he could truly defend himself. "Of course I won't run him through. The man doesn't even have a sword. We shall have to come up with some other weaponry." Which left...what, exactly? Bamboo? Projectile coconuts?

[prone_to_dying]

Archie did roll his eyes at that. "Like what? Spittle? Fisticuffs? Wearing a bonnet until he truly understands just how horrible he's made you all feel?"

[seer_of_god]

Leoben found himself eyeing the jungle with interest. He kept pacing and wondering why the frak he'd been suckered into this. But Horatio was irritating. Leoben was irritated. He still didn't have a weapon.

[wormholed]

John was stomping merrily down the path from the Compound, whistling something that might have been the 1812 Overture. "Na na na na, na na na, NA NA!" he belted out, then stopped abruptly as he noticed one very agitated homeboy on the edge of the trees. "Leoben? Whatcha doin'?"

[seer_of_god]

Leoben didn't stop pacing although he did wave absent-mindedly. "If someone who was dressed like a pilgrim demanded his satisfaction from you would you think they meant dueling?"

[wormholed]

"Uh..." At a loss for words, John merely approached his friend. "You got propositioned by a pilgrim? Did they brandish a cornucopia?"