A Nautical Tour
Oct. 19th, 2013 04:31 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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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.
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)"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 09:27 pm (UTC)"It's a marvelous day for a sail." Lunch was being served, but she'd eaten a huge breakfast in the cafe. "I was expecting it to be chillier out on the water, but I don't suppose Nevada has ever experienced chilly conditions."
Re: A Nautical Tour
on 2013-10-19 10:41 pm (UTC)"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 01:36 am (UTC)She gestured in a northerly direction with the glass of water in her hand, then pointed back at the shoreline, where the buildings that comprised the resort waited. Being that the tourist season had just ended, there were few occupied rooms at the motel. It was quite an improvement over where she'd stayed when she first arrived in Las Vegas.
"Have you just come across the pond, or are you more familiar with America?"
Re: A Nautical Tour
on 2013-10-20 02:15 am (UTC)"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 04:41 am (UTC)"I'm actually freshly emigrated," she told the man at the helm. "A colleague of mine said a teaching position had just opened up at the university, and that I'd be on the fast track to tenure if I was able to get in. They needed someone well-traveled, with experience with native cultures. And published, of course."
She shouldn't bore the man. She was playing Place The Accent, trying to figure out what county he was from. The smell of the lake was fresh in the slight breeze. Yes, it was a fine day for a sail.
Re: A Nautical Tour
on 2013-10-20 05:01 am (UTC)"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 05:48 am (UTC)She should have read up on Cottonwood Cove before this, but she hadn't been ready to discover things she liked about the area when she first arrived. It would have been an excellent place to come for swimming in the hot months.
"This must not be your first time at the helm," she said, noting the practiced way he guided the boat. "Have you worked for the resort long?"
Re: A Nautical Tour
on 2013-10-20 06:53 am (UTC)"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 2013-10-20 08:25 am (UTC)The longer Julianna talked to the Irishman, the more she got the feeling that she'd seen him somewhere. Not terribly recently, and they hadn't spoken before this, but it was nagging at her. He was too old to be one of her students. It wasn't as if Las Vegas was lacking when it came to good-looking men. The Watcher took a contemplative drink of her water.
"I'm having the strangest sense of deja vu, and I have no idea why."
Re: A Nautical Tour
on 2013-10-21 01:50 am (UTC)"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 06:20 am (UTC)She was distracted when Clarissa, her teaching assistant, tapped her on the shoulder and offered her a plate of food from the buffet. Julianna thanked her for taking the trouble, nibbled on a piece of French bread as she turned back to face the skipper.
His fair hair had just caught the sun, turning it an even lighter blond, and the memory clicked into place. She'd seen him from the dance floor at the Skylark, standing head and shoulders above most of the women and some of the men. The 'a-ha' moment caused her expression to relax and become more open as the mental knot unraveled.
"I was right. I have seen you before."
Re: A Nautical Tour
on 2013-10-21 07:19 am (UTC)Re: A Nautical Tour
on 2013-10-21 10:17 am (UTC)"Yes. It's your height, it makes you quite noticeable. I haven't known many Irishmen, but the ones I have were short and bandy-legged." A pause while Julianna ate some more bread.
"If you saw me at the same event, I'm afraid I was not...at my best."
Re: A Nautical Tour
on 2013-10-21 10:57 am (UTC)no subject
on 2013-10-22 07:03 am (UTC)"I'd imagine that you don't get out on the water as often in the cooler months," she said contemplatively. "As you said, it does get chilly at night, and with the sun going down earlier the days will be much shorter soon. I regret that I probably won't see snow for the holidays."
She'd finished her water, and she put the glass aside to be refilled in a moment. When she was certain she wouldn't distract him from his task, she extended her hand in his direction, because her natural formality told her that the offer of a handshake mattered.
"Julianna."
no subject
on 2013-10-22 11:50 am (UTC)"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.
no subject
on 2013-10-23 05:53 am (UTC)"I just might do that," Julianna said when she'd taken her hand back. "I'll have some off time from classes when Christmastime comes, and I'll be ready for it my then. I love teaching, but everyone needs a break now and then."
It seemed as if the outing were about to come to an end, and the Watcher decided to leave the Irishman to his duties and not get in his way. She would have to remember to bring a light sweater down to the shoreline for her walk.
"It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Cian," she said with a smile. "Hopefully next time there'll be a bar so you can get a drink after ferrying the fuddy-duddies from the university back and forth."
no subject
on 2013-10-23 06:13 am (UTC)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.
no subject
on 2013-10-23 06:22 am (UTC)