milliways_bar | (no subject)

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There's a reasonably content sailor out by the lake this afternoon.

Edmond has not spent much time outside, since arriving, but that's all going to change. You see, he's discovered where the boats are moored and is currently sitting on a rock nearby, enjoying their proximity.
He's still a little shaky on borrowing procedure, however, so he's unsure about taking one.

Perhaps he'll swim instead, or maybe just sit. It's a nice enough day for anything.
If you know more than him, or are just interested in company, you're more than welcome to join him.

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If it is company he wants, Easter is also nearby, sunning herself on a handy flat bit of a boulder.

Edmond's not usually the most observant of people, but today he's in a good mood and not sulking nor keeping to himself as he has been. This being the case, and having noticed the woman nearby, he decides to make conversation.

They say misery loves company, but the same is often true of happiness. Today both apply to Edmond, which is why he doesn't consider that he might be disturbing her.

"Good day, ma'am, it's a lovely weather, isn't it?"

Easter is always in the mood for company, even when she isn't in th sunniest of moods. She glances over and smiles broadly, bright green eyes sparkling.

"Hello there. It is quite lovely out here, yes."

True, she's not exactly wearing much of what one would consider decent for his time. Actually, she's not wearing much of anything at all; what's the point of sunning yourself, if the sun can't get to you?

It is certain that he noticed the attire, if it might be called such, when he turned to address her, but the greeting was delivered before he had time to think better of it.

Of course, he averts his eyes again, looking back at the lake. She might not be uncomfortable, but he's still rather modest and polite.

"I did not mean to disturb you," he offers by way of apology. "I simply have not spent very much time out here, nor am I acquainted with many people. I thought to change that."

Really, her bathing suit isn't all that indecent for the time she comes from, but she does notice his look, and his own clothes, and with a soft laugh, pulls a towel around her, tucking the corner in firmly.

"You're not disurbing me at all. I love company. I'm Easter, nice to meet you."

She offers him her hand to shake or kiss, she's equally used to both.

Now he's effectively preventing her sunning, but he is far more comfortable, and she claims that it's no bother, so he lets it be.

"That is not a name I have heard before," he admits, Then, offering a smile, he adds, "I am Edmond."

As for the hand, he hesitates before deciding simply to shake it. He's been around long enough to learn that custom, and after the discomfort with the bathing suit, it seems the polite option.

"Edmond... French?"

She tilts her head a little, listening to his accent.

"Easter is a very... Celtic name. It doesn't surprise me that you've never heard it, if you are from anywhere in France other than the very northern coast."

"Yes, ma'am." Edmond smiles at the recognition.

"But from the far southern coast, actually. Marseille, on the Mediterranean. Have you been to France?"

"No."

She sighs softly.

"I've never been outside America, except for here. Though there are enough places in America that it's almost like seeing a new country from end to end, and so many people come there from all over."

"Oh, well I've never been there," he replies.

"Though I have traveled quite a bit. Of course, all of it around the Mediterranean. In fact, I've seen very little of France itself, and heard only little about your country."

"I suppose that makes us even then."

She smiles, pushing a lock of hair back from her face, revealing the forget-me-nots tattooed around her left wrist.

"You were a sailor then?"

Edmond eyes the tattoo. It seems America is a rather unusual place.

"Was," He repeats glumly. "Will be again, if I ever get out of here."

It is more from her Celtic origins than anything from America. She's had the flowers far longer than it's been fashionable in America to have such decorations.

"You will. No one stays here forever, even those that wish to."

"It does reassure me to hear it, but soon I always begin to doubt. I had already been away from home for several months, and again as many since arriving here." He has to get in his daily dose of self pity, don't mind him.

"I could not imagine wishing to remain here."

"Sometimes time does not move at all for those while they are here. It is known for some to only have moments pass no matter how long they've been away."

She pats his hand and glances out over the water again.

"For those that come from places in strife, or those who come here between their deaths and their final rest, it is not so strange to want to stay."

"So I have been told, but it does not ease the waiting."

He blinks, them smiles wanly, at the hand-pat before replying to the latter statement.

"I do not believe that I have met any of the dead, since arriving, and were my country peaceful, or at war, I would return to my betrothed." And now the truth comes out. It's not that he dislikes Milliways, but that he misses Mercédès.

"It is possible that you have and simply did not know it. Most of them try to live as normally as they can. They don't go around advertising the fact."

She smiles.

"Your betrothed is a lucky woman to have one so devoted as you."

His brow furrows as he considers this. "Yes, I guess it is possible." It's a little unnerving, admittedly.

But he smiles as well, at the compliment.
"Thank you, ma'am, but I am certain that anyone would do the same for Mercédès." Perhaps this should worry him, but he's naive and trusting. Not at all the suspicious sort. Besides, if time is not passing... "We will be married soon, I believe, now that my future and career are guaranteed." Or all but guaranteed really.

"Well that is good news, my dear. Here, give me your hand."

He does with only the slightest bit of hesitation, and she takes it in both of hers, raising it to her lips for a moment. The light kiss may tingle oddly for a moment, though it is not at all unpleasant.

"You have my blessing for the both of you. I hope your marriage is a happy one."

Edmond raises an eyebrow at the kiss and subsequent tingling, then blinks a few times, and finally smiles.

"Why thank you." He'd ask why she did that, or how it was supposed to help, but it would seem rude, and just a little hypocritical, so he contents himself with just looking a little puzzled.

"I'm sure it couldn't be anything but joyous." Confident? Naive? Probably a little too much of both.

She's used to questions, she expects them. She's actually a little surprised when he doesn't ask.

"If what I've seen of you so far holds true for other parts of your life, I can't see how it could be anything but."

She likes confidence, and naivetee simply intreigues her.

Well, he wouldn't walk into a church then ask if their blessings actually work, or why they think they can help, so he's hesitant to ask in this circumstance. For all he knows- she could be a priestess herself. ...Or, you know, a goddess.

Flattery will get him every time. "It may be difficult, as I am away from home for so long, but she will be well taken care of -and my father as well. But I thank you again for your well wishes."

He's just not counting on Fernand attempting to court his fiancée, or the jealousy of his neighbor and supercargo.

"But might I ask, what is it that you do?"

"Ah, the life a a sailor's wife. It is a trying one my dear, make no doubts about that."

She smiles indulgantly.

"I don't do a whole lot these days, but once I was responsible for making certain the sun rose every morning, and that spring came, and that the flowers bloomed and bore fruit..."

He smiles sadly at the first comment. "The choice is hers, of course. Many say that she should marry within the Catalans, as is tradition. So, truly, I do not know how I got so lucky."

And at the next, he is surprised again. "I see." Well that certainly helps to explain the blessing, but... "Who is responsible now?" A reasonable question, no?

"Love is a wonderful thing, is it not?" She's never really had a lasting love. Mortals fade so quickly, no matter how she wishes it wasn't so.

"I still like to watch, keep an eye on things, but mostly it happens on it's own now. People just don't believe the same things they used to."

A slightly crooked grin is his reply to the first. Then he considers her answer for a moment before replying. "Then you're saying that what people believe affects what is?

Most believe the reverse, I should suspect, and insist that they believe what they do because it is the truth, the way things work." Kind of casts doubt on organized religions. Of course, god is something he'll question soon enough anyhow.

"That, my dear, depends entirely on what you think is the truth. If the truth for you is that the Dawn is a woman, then that is what you believe. If the truth for you is that the sun is a giant ball of burning gas, then that is wat you believe. I'll let you decide which truth is yours."

"But somebody must be wrong." That is to say, they can't all be right. But he just shakes his head, not wishing to press the issue. He's hardly the most qualified to argue, after all.

"I will have to consider it more, I think."

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