The Captain surveyed the room and everyone in it; his eyes swiftly darted from one ghost to the other. As he listened carefully to Katherine retrace her suppressed memories of her sister, his concerns grew. Kitty was deep in thought, while Alison and all the other ghosts, well most of them, listened sympathetically. She spoke about a dress, and something about moths destroying said dress, although everyone knew it was Eleanor who destroyed it. Everyone apart from Kitty, of course.
Katherine continued her story, yet she still was blind to her sisters wickedness. She recalled how her father was going to let her borrow her mother's dress.
"Ha! Well, that was bally good thinking of your father!" The Captain piped up, interrupting Kitty. A murmur of agrees echoed throughout the hall. "Those stupid moths!" Mary added as she flailed her arms about slightly. Suddenly, Alison spoke up again. Looking at Kitty, she leaned forward in her seat. "Kitty, do you... do you think it was a coincidence that you sister-" She began to say softly, in almost a whisper, before being cut off by the ghosts all speaking at once, a panicked look on most of their faces. "Yes, well, it's funny how, how things work out sometimes!" the Captain said, clearing his throat vigorously. Everyone turned towards him, his throat clearing clearly caught their attention. "Was...was there something you wanted to share?" Alison looked right into the Captains eyes and smiled a genuine smile, nodding as if to encourage him to say something.
But, what did she want him to say? He didn't even know himself. Well, at least that's what he told himself. Deep down, he knew what she wanted him to say. After a short moment of awkward silence, he nodded his head and cleared his throat slightly. Not that he had to, he was a ghost after all, but yet he did it.
"Well... I..." He paused. Was he really ready for this? What if it all went wrong? What if he had to spend the rest of his, well, death, with people who didn't support him? "I'm... unable..to think of anything that would merit sharing.. Perhaps Thomas could.."
Staring at the floor, a wave of disappointment washed over him. He felt like a coward. Why couldn't he say it? It's just a few words, why couldn't he say them? Slowly, he looked up at Alison. A soft smile was planted on her face. It was like she was trying to subtly comfort him, and he truly appreciated it. Alison was the only person who, to his knowledge, knew about his attraction to men. And she was incredibly supportive.
Thomas finally finished his rambling with a saddened sigh, and him talking gave captain some time to think. He was going to tell them. What was the worst that could happen? It's not like they could kill him...
"Actually.." The Captain began, sitting up. "Perhaps there is something i'd be willing to share..."
The other ghosts looked at him with a rather confused look on most of their faces, yet there was a small grin on Alisons.
You see, it wasn't Kitty's or Mary's or even Thomas' opinion the Captain was scared of receiving. It was Julian and Lady Button's. Especially Lady Button's. She had been one of his closest friends for many many many years, and he didn't want to lose her over something like this.
"I'm a homosexual.." he sighed. Not being able to bring himself to look at Lady B, he instead directed his gaze towards Alison, who gave him a proud smile. "That's amazing Captain! We all accept you, don't we?" She turned to look at the other ghosts, who nodded excitedly. Kitty stood up and headed towards Captain, wrapping him in a tight hug. "Ah, well thank you Katherine!" He spoke, not sure how to react. He'd never really been hugged before. After a moment, she let him go and he cleared his throat, finally looking over to Fanny.
Her face was unreadable. She looked disgusted but also accepting. Distraught but proud. The Captain took a deep breath. "So..."
"I'm surprised." She began. "Someone like you. I wouldn't have expected that..." She couldn't bring herself to look at him in the eyes. "After all these years of knowing you. Of being your friend." Captain nodded, his heart sinking. Lady B noticed, and began speaking again.
"I will try my best to support you as much as I can, though.."
This made him smile. He knew that she wasn't the most supporting of the community but, her trying her best to support him made him incredibly happy. "Thank you, it means a lot Fanny."
"That was really brave of you Captain," Julian spoke up. "I'm proud of you."
Captain was rather surprised at that reaction. He was expecting a comment making fun of him, but instead he got a genuine, accepting comment. His smile widened as he cleared his throat. "Thank you, Julian. I appreciate it."
(835 words)
A/N: WOOP WOOP I FINALLY FINISHED THIS PART!! It took me a lot longer than it probably should've but,,, oh well! If any of you have any suggestions for what I should write, please please let me know! :)
