paradisalogs | Tropical Distractions

Who:Fred, friends and YOU
What: A bonfire and evening to enjoy with friends
When:Second evening after arriving
Where:Down at the Beach
Rating: PG?

All things considered, it didn't seem that threatening. But Fred would never sit all that well with being yanked into unfamiliar settings without permission, and this was no different. After the rising waters, they first few hours on the ship had been especially difficult. It brought back too many specific memories. Still, a lot had happened between then and now -- and after a few hours it at least felt like she could breathe again.

And there were things that held some appeal.

Like the beach. There were memories as well, much more pleasant memories. And unlike the four seasons room, which always felt a little less than real? Fred couldn't help but think all that water actually lead somewhere. The air certainly tasted real enough, hot and sticky on her tongue. Everything soon started to carry the slightest whisper of salt.

She'd spent the day with Wesley exploring, and somehow they'd tumbled their way into fishing. It was something she hadn't actively done in years, not since summers with her folks on the Gulf. But it all came back to her, and soon they'd caught more than she knew what to do with. Fred didn't recognize the species, but the locals assured her they were edible enough. One idea tumbled into the other, until a sturdy bonfire was lit against the fading afternoon light. A dozen fat fish sat wrapped in palm leaves around the base of the fire, and a cooler rested nearby filled with a variety of fruit and drinks.

All that remained was to jot an invitation in her journal to anyone that might be interested.

Fred moved to settle into one of the higher dunes, watching the tide as it came in again. She was still in her suit, a simple sarong knotted at her waist. It might get cooler later, but for now she was content to catch the last of the sun on her shoulder and enjoy the sound of the waves.

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[Fred releases Wesley's shoulder, moving to sit next to him and leaving Elektra on the other side. Her head tilts forward to flash a smile at her friend]

...I'm going to let Wesley take this one. I already got one look.

[For all her playful words something serious pulses just underneath]

[Wes takes a slightly nervous breath and then reaches into his pocket and pulls out a slightly crumpled, rolled up ziplock bag. He hands it to Elektra, who will find there's a camera picture inside of a little blue-eyed infant baby girl, and a piece of blotting paper with little red and yellow paint imprints of hands and feet.]

This is Patricia. Our daughter.

[Elektra studies the picture carefully before glancing at the pair.]

She's beautiful. [There's something softer about Elektra as she says it. Family was one of the few things capable of bringing out a gentler side of her. Elektra's fingers go over the prints with a great amount of care before she speaks again.]

Why are you showing her to me now?

[Again, Fred's gaze flickers only to connect with Wesley's before it settles over the image as well. She hadn't managed at the well before with Patricia's initial arrival. Ultimately she'd hid herself away from the entire situation and how it made her feel, leaving Wesley to take care of her on his own]

That really is the question, isn't it?

[Well, here goes...Wes smiles proudly and reveals what they've been conspiring to ask her.]

Elektra, we can't think of any other person whom we'd trust more to protect and watch over that which is most precious to us. Fred and I were hoping that you'd do us the great honour of becoming Patricia's Godmother.

[There's a flash of surprise in her eyes at first. She thought to ask why, but that much is obvious. They are friends. As much as Elektra beat herself up over the past she knows she wouldn't do Fred or Wesley wrong. Their child would be safe with her. This left her feeling touched for lack of a better word.]

... Sure.

[Somewhere in the course of Wesley's asking, her arm has moved to slip around his waist]

Not that I'm planning on disappearing this time round.

[If there was a 'this' time. The castle had a way of turning things upside down. Fred looks over to Elektra]

This is when I get to say thank you.

[He allows himself to beam from ear to ear. It's brief, and not very often, but when he does grin, one can see that he has very white and straight teeth. It's almost a little on the horsey side, making him appear younger and more boyish than he really is. A flash of the man whom he once could've been if certain things had gone differently.]

Thank you, Elektra.

[Elektra can't help smiling too. If one didn't know any better they'd think it was almost shy. She's overwhelmed with so many different, but positive feelings about chosen still.]

You're welcome. Just try not to let me actually take the job, okay?

[It's the sort of grin that makes Fred want to kiss Wesley more than a bit senseless. He's lucky Elektra is there, saving somebody yet again. The sound of her friends voice finally jerks Fred's gaze off of him.

Her attention is turned]

Understood. Honestly, right now the main duties probably entail smacking me over the head if I go off and try to leave Wesley managing on his own again.

[It's light and quick, deceptive to how difficult the admission is. But Fred suspects Elektra will understand]

That, and maybe a play date or two.

I managed, but yes, this time I'm hoping things will be a bit more settled.

[He gives Fred a soft teasing smile, well aware of how difficult it had been for her last May. Hopefully they were both in a better place now to undertake parental duties. He couldn't wait to see Patricia again and he prayed the Castle would not deny them another visit.]

Play dates sound like fun.

It sounds like you both are planning to turn me into a part time soccer mom.

[Elektra gives a mock exasperated smile. She didn't miss Fred's message. If it came down to it, she would do everything in her power to keep everyone together. This was a more pleasant subject to focus on especially when this whole thing brings up the memory of Helen; the girl Elektra was waiting for.]

[Fred laughs at the image. Her nose stings a bit with it, and briefly she wonders if she's gone and gotten sunburned]

Do you promise to drive a minivan?

Tropical Distractions

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