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[personal profile] st_clare in [community profile] birthright_rpg
Julianna liked the water.

In London, she used to walk down by the Thames, even in the dead of winter when the weather was frigid. It was not frigid in Nevada, even though October was more than half over, but it was only in the upper seventies today, which made it pleasant. The sky was a clear, cloudless blue. She had a room booked for the rest of the weekend so she could work on a paper. It wasn't precisely the same thing as visiting the countryside, but it was quieter than the city and the rates were reasonable. It might even be a good place for a tryst.

The day's outing had been planned by the teaching staff at UNLV, and Julianna had decided to go after some deliberation. It might be easier for her to socialize on the deck of a boat than at an event at the school where she was tacitly expected to be in costume. So far, she'd succeeded in making idle conversation, even without a drink in her hand.

The Watcher drifted away from the knot of people she'd been conversing with, stepped towards the helm of the boat. In the summer, the temperatures would soar again. She would walk down by the water's edge when the sun went down, once everyone else was gone. It would remind her vaguely of home.

A Nautical Tour

on 2013-10-19 10:41 am (UTC)
cian_oneill: (Smile - white tshirt)
Posted by [personal profile] cian_oneill
Cian steered the 70' houseboat toward the mooring, checking the boat's run with a reversing thrust of the engines, then slipping them into idle. He quickly headed out onto the foredeck, collecting the boathook on the way to pick up the mooring's rope and fasten it firmly with a few flicks of the wrist. Once sure it was secure he returned to the wheel and after checking all the gauges, pressed the kill button, and the motors fell silent. Even though they were hardly an intrusion upon the conversation and laughter that had been flowing around the vessel that morning, it was still a noticeable quiet that seemed to draw all conversation to a momentary halt, the silence washing across the decks and stillness enveloping them for a brief heartbeat, before the small dinner gong was struck by the waitress who had been preparing lunch. Instantly the conversation levels were reignited and Cian turned to give Sylvia a grin and wink only to find a woman standing there, between him and the galley area.

"Afternoon ma'am, how are you enjoying the day so far?" he asked conversationally. He could see Sylvia starting to guide the others to the large selection of fresh salads, breads, cold cuts and seafood that was prepared and ready for the lunch.

Re: A Nautical Tour

on 2013-10-19 10:41 pm (UTC)
cian_oneill: (Smile - white tshirt)
Posted by [personal profile] cian_oneill
"The nights c'n be a little cooler, even in the warmer months," he replied, recalling the cool night air he'd breathed during his run in the desert just the night before.

"But in here, in these coves, it can get warm," he added, as agreeing with the clientele was always a good idea.

Re: A Nautical Tour

on 2013-10-20 02:15 am (UTC)
cian_oneill: (Smile - white tshirt)
Posted by [personal profile] cian_oneill
Cian's eyes darted to confirm that the waving glass was just holding a clear liquid, water from what his nose could detect, rather than a cola beverage that would make for a sticky mess if she lost a grip on it.

"Been here f' a good few years now, ma'am, but m' heart lies wi' m' family back home," he told her, aware the clients, especially the ladies, liked that sort of sentiment. Even though it was basically the truth.

He saw Sylvia waving to catch his attention, signalling she'd made him a plate of food and was putting it in the fridge for him when he was ready to eat.

"Have y' been here long y'self?"

Re: A Nautical Tour

on 2013-10-20 05:01 am (UTC)
cian_oneill: (Smile - white tshirt)
Posted by [personal profile] cian_oneill
Cian threw a very quick glance outside as the large houseboat swung a little on the mooring, the view outside shifting slightly to show a different part of the private, deserted cove to any who were looking outside, or sitting up on the upper deck.

"So what is i' y' teach?" he asked, trying to remember which school of the university had booked the social cruise, but not able to recall.

Re: A Nautical Tour

on 2013-10-20 06:53 am (UTC)
cian_oneill: (Smile - white tshirt)
Posted by [personal profile] cian_oneill
"About a year," he told her after a brief moment of thought. "But I've b'n working on boats for a few years," he volunteered, studying the woman for a moment as he spoke. Skylark. The name of the casino and the opening party he had attended suddenly leapt to mind, and the scene on the rooftop was where he'd seen her before. His face betrayed nothing of his realisation, as he finished listing the types of vessels he had skippered.

"I usually skipper the university's trips," he continued, "but this is th' first one I've seen where there's no open bar," he added, wondering still what was going on with that.

Re: A Nautical Tour

on 2013-10-21 01:50 am (UTC)
cian_oneill: (Smile - white tshirt)
Posted by [personal profile] cian_oneill
"Well, we always carry a fully equipped bar, if anyone changes their mind," Cian slipped in, then shook his head. He had heard the exchanges between her and the two younger ones with her that night on the roof of the Skylark, especially when she had said the name 'Rhiannon', but she had been engrossed in her young companion and the verbal battle with the other two, and the bar, so knew there was very little chance she had seen him there. And she hadn't said it was him she recognised, just that she had a feeling of deja vu.

"If y' haven't been here on the lake before then I can't say," he replied, "perhaps y've been on a boat like this back home?"

Re: A Nautical Tour

on 2013-10-21 07:19 am (UTC)
cian_oneill: (Smile - white tshirt)
Posted by [personal profile] cian_oneill
"Have y'?" he replied, picking up his bottle of water and taking a swig from it.

Re: A Nautical Tour

on 2013-10-21 10:57 am (UTC)
cian_oneill: (Smile - white tshirt)
Posted by [personal profile] cian_oneill
Embarrassing clients was a definite no-no, and Cian wasn't about to do anything like that. He shook his head, smiling. "We all have moments in our lives we wish 'd gone diff'ren' t' what they did," he offered, "I know I have."

on 2013-10-22 11:50 am (UTC)
cian_oneill: (Smile - white tshirt)
Posted by [personal profile] cian_oneill
Whenever the boat was moored securely Cian was able to relax and ensure the clients were being catered to, and entertained, Sylvia more than capable at taking care of the catering. He was sitting, relaxed, in the skipper's chair, something he did to lessen his height and allow the clients to feel more comfortable.

"Cian," he returned, shaking her hand.

"Y' should think o' headin' over to Lake Tahoe. Good skifields there, and plenty of snow come Christmas time.

on 2013-10-23 06:13 am (UTC)
cian_oneill: (Smile - white tshirt)
Posted by [personal profile] cian_oneill
"And yours," he replied. "Hopefully the next time you come it will be a little more like the usual cruises, with some music and a bar and people enjoying the water while the weather is still warm enough."

Sylvia had noticed the conversation ending and quickly grabbed his plate of food out of the fridge, walking across the large open cabin to put it within his reach, along with a can of soda.

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