Beneath The Mask

chapter 27 RD

C:
::friday after work she's rusging around to get the last of her things packed, terribly excited: :
::she's going to another country: :
::with james::
::finally is sure she has everything::
Bye ray! See u sunday
::hugs her::
R:
Bye have fun
C:
::eyes bright::
I will
::grabs her stuff and gets in the cab::
::im assuming they meet up at the airport::
J:
Hey
All set?
C:
I think so
::smiling bright::
J:
::pleased to see her happy::
::walks her in::
::once they get through the airport, they board the plane::
C:
::quite excited::
::takes the window seat::
this is the first time on a plane since I was....I think 12.
J:
::smirks::
This trip os overdue then
C:
::looks over at him with a grin::
Its also the first trip on a plane that I've actually looked forward to
J:
::smiles::
C:
so tell me now. What's it like in Dublin, Ireland?
::clearly he has her full attn::
J:
It rains a lot
::smirks::
But its very green.
C:
I love the rain
J:
::smiles::
Its also near the coast so its just a short way to the water.
And fresh seafood.
C:
::smiles::
If I hadnt kniwn any better I'd say ur trying to make me hungry
J:
::chuckles::
No I'm not.
If I was I would have told you about the fish restaurant just on the coastline and the great ice cream shop on the beach
C:
::laughs::
C:
::flight attendant starts her spiel::
::in a low voice::
I used to have this thing memorized word for word. I got so sick of hearing it all the time
J:
::chuckles::
C:
::the attendant finally shuts up and the plane takes off::
::she watches out her window as the plane takes off::
....I never dreamed I would see the world from the above again
::said idly::
J:
Why not?
C:
...I only ever got on a plane to go to my biological father's house. I never had the desire to go anywhere, least of all there. So when I stopped seeing him, I stopped getting on planes. Never occured to me to get on one since.
J:
Except for a few weeks ago
::smirks::
C:
That one doesnt count
J:
::chuckles slightly::
Why not?
C:
It was an emergency, it was far from planned
::she's equally serious and messing with him:
J:
Happened nonetheless
C:
Regardless, it wasnt exactly an enjoyable trip
J:
Point taken
C:
But i've always looked forward to the trip back home.
....
...i wonder if maybe this once i'll want to stay...
J:
::smiles a little::
C:
::holds his hand and watches out the window::
::perfectly content::
#unless u have something, we can skip to arrival#
C:
::they get off the plane and grab their luggage::
::kinda holding her breath in anticipation of what dublin looks like::
C:
::kinda taken by surprise: :
this isnt what I usually imagine when I think of Ireland.
J:
Yeah most people think of the countryside
Which isn't far either.
::though they are in the 'city' the air is still fresh and crisp::

C:
especially since u said green and sea-side
::slight tease::
J:
::chuckles::
Which we can see after we find a place to put the luggage
C:
::chuckles::
Sounds like a fair plan
#im assuming James has all of the arrangements made aka transport and lodging?#
C:
::gets in the hotel::
This is a nice place
::looks out the window::
And a nice view, too
::plsd with his chouce of lodging: :
J:
Glad you approve
::smiles::
C:
::gets her stuff situated::
So whats first on the itinerary?
J:
Your choice
Want to stay in town or do you want to see the coast?
C:
Hm...
::srsly thinking on it::
...how about the coast?
J:
::smiles::
Sounds good
::will take her there::
::its not too far::
C:
::takes a deep breath of the salty air::
::the sun is already setting, making for a beautiful scene::
::seeing and hearing the waves crash upon the rocky shore::
....this is beautiful
J:
::highly pleased to see how she's enjoying it::
C:
its a shame my previous flight experiences prevented me from doing this a long time ago
J:
Never too late to start though
::smiles::
C:
::takes his hand::
Thank u for teaching me that
J:
You're welcome
::genuinely happy::
C:
If Ireland is ur home, and u've likely been to many shore lines, why did u choose to share this spot out of all the sea-side?
::she's hoping for insight to his past::
::hoping he'll share some special memory/s::
J:
I used to come out here a lot after we moved back from England.
C:
really?
What about this place do u like so much?
J:
I don't know.
Your thoughts can just flow out here you know?
C:
::smiles::
So u came here just to think?
J:
Pretty much
C:
It's a lovely place to do so
::looking back out over the water at the fading sunset: :
Its like me taking a walk in a forest.
J:
Did you do that often?
C:
Not as often as i'd have liked.
But there's something peaceful and calming about being in a forest, away from people. It clears my mind.
J:
::nods::
C:
Urs, too, I take it?
::slight smirk::
J:
::chuckles::
C:
How far did u live from here?
J:
::turns around::
...about 20 minutes that way
::points::
If i took the short cut
::smirks::
C:
::smirks::
Maybe u could show me the short cut sometime
J:
::smiles::
If you think you can handle it
c:
What is that supposed to mean?
::tease::
I climbed a rope and jumped a fence at 2 in the morning; how hard could it be?
J:
::chuckles::
C:
::succumbs to a chuckle and looks up::
Thats alright.
I havent seen so much sky with so many stars in it in a very long time.
J:
::looks at the sky for a while::
...
Hungry?
C:
honestly?
Yes
::chuckles::
J:
::laughs::
Lets go then
C:
::follows him::
Where are u taking me to?
J:
Little family place
C:
::smiles::
::he *might* detect that she is surpressing something that is behind the smile::
#add#
Sounds nice
J:
::smiles a little::
::looks at her and kinda lingers::
....what?
C:
Nothing, i just said it sounds nice
::but that something is still there::
::cuz mentally, she's stuck on the fact he's taking her to a *family* restaurant::
J:
...
::leaves it::
::they'll get there before too long::
::there's plenty of people there::
::friendly atmosphere::
C:
::takes a gander::
pleasant place.
reminds me of this one franchise my family would go to whenever we went on a road trip
J:
::chuckles::
Sounds like a nice memory
Though this place is family owned so I doubt you'll find it elsewhere
c:
::laughs::
Im pretty sure you're right about that
J:
::smiles::
::they get a table and sit::
::the girl speaks with a genuine Irish accent::
C:
::she notices but it doesnt phase her::
::she's been around too many ethnicities::
I'll take some tea, please
#should they recognize jim? Lol, that'd b funny if they did. Jim, in Ireland, with a girl, having a laye night dinner#
Waitress:
How's the evening coming?
J:
::smirks::
Good thanks
Waitress:
Great
And where are ya coming from?
::being friendly::
C:
France
::pleasant right back::
#if u havent re'd add#
...It's my first time out of the country
Waitress:
Oh well its a pleasure to have you
Can I get a couple of pints for you two then?
C:
::having a feeling she's meaning alcohol::
...would u happen to have some hot tea?
Waitress:
Oh sure
Plenty of cha in the house. I'll get some for you.
::smiles and goes::
C:
::cha?::
::she's heard accents, but not the slang::
::James cn prob see her somewhat lost look::
J:
::smirks::
C:
I think I'll let u order my food. I'm sure u know what is best here
::awkward half smile::
J:
Sure
::smiles::
No need to feel awkward, Cameron
::just enjoying the evening with her::
C:
Oh no, it's just the culture clash is all.
::and its true::
::if it werent for the cultural slang...::
::smiles a bit less awkwardly::
::she could actually almost see living here::
J:
Oh don't worry. You fit right in.
Waitress:
::returns with hot tea, cups, and milk::
J:
Thank you
Waitress:
You're very welcome
J:
This is 'cha'. Just
tea. Irish tea. Strong tea. ...very strong.
C:
I assume the milk is to tame the flavour?
J:
::nods::
::pours milk in the cup *first*::
C:
::smiles::
Thank u, James
::tastes it::
::contemplative as she decides about this Cha::
...its different
::another sip::
...I think i kinda like it
J:
::smiles::
## add
J:
Glad.
You know tea is the second most popular drink in Ireland?
C:
I did not know that.
I know its my number 1 drink besides water, tho
::chuckles::
J:
::chuckles::
Waitress:
::comes by::
How is it?
C:
Its different, but i like it
::said with a pleasant smile::
Waitress:
::smiles::
Good
What would you like to eat then?
C:
Whatever Jim gets for me
::clearly she trusts him completely in this::
J:
::smiles::
Um...
How about the stew and colcannon
Waitress:
Good choice
C:
:: like ok, Geronimo: :
#sry, not much for u to go on there#
J:
::ok so blah blah blah::
::she can either ask about his progress on the kidnappers or we can skip to the food::
::my vote is skip to food::
::yeah cuz
I want mycroft to bring it up::
::so the stew and colcannon come::
::it's like a fluffy white stuff with thick stew on top::
::also the waitress gives t
hem bread::
C:
::face shrug::
Now this is interesting
::picks up a fork hesitantly, not entirely sure how one goes about eating such a thing::
::the stew is richly flavored::
::the white stuff is like mashed potatoes but with a mix of flavors of potato, vegetables, spices::
::all creating a very
unique yet satisfying flavor::
C:
::when she finally tastes it her face shows her pleasant surprise::
Wow
this. Is fantastic
::chuckles and takes another bite::
J:
::laughs, pleased::
C:
I should have u order my food more often
::half srs::
J:
I take it you really like it
C:
::fakes a srs look::
Actually, i hate it.
J:
::laughs::
C:
::grins::
#id rly have nething. If u want the owner to come in, go ahead#
Owner:
Hello
How is everything here?
-....jim is that you?
J:
Hi
Owner:
Hey
::pleased::
How are you?
J:
Good thanks
Owner:
And who's the lady friend?
C:
::smiles::
I'm Cameron
Owner:
Hello
My name's Brian
Pleasure to meet you
C:
likewise
C:
Nice place u've got here
B:
Oh thank you
How's the visit? Oh your folks were just here not a couple days ago. They said u were overdue for a visit
Have you been to see them yet,
jim?
J:
No not yet
B:
Ah. Waiting to introduce the young lass
::chuckles::
C:
::slight embarassed chuckle::
#add#
So far the visit here has been wonderful
B:
Glad to hear it
::smiles::
Enjoy the rest of your meal
Nice seeing you
::has to be moving along::
C:
I will, thank u
::smiling::
::when Brian is gone::
...I dont see how ur gonna get out of seeing ur parents now. Seems like its a small town, and he'll like tell ur folks u've been here with a 'young lass'
::demeanor is easy::
::she doesn't mind stopping by::
J:
::smiles a little::
Yeah most likely
We don't have to if you're uncomfortable though
C:
I don't mind going
::smiling::
I mean, really. How bad could it be?

J:
::smiles::
Alright
C:
Besides.
I really want to meet ur mother.
J:
::chuckles::
#im guessing there isnt much left so#
c:
I'll have to make sure to put on my Sunday best
::as she finishes up her dinner::
::happy, satisfied, and content::
## yeah lol
J:
::smirks::
::is pleased::
## what time to you think it is?
## lol
J:
::takes her back to the hotel::
C:
::standing in the doorway that joins their rooms::
Thank u for this wonderful evening, James
::100% genuine::
J:
::smiles::
My pleasure
C:
I'll see u in the morning
::hesitant:;
::but then kisses him anyways::
J:
...goodnight
C:
::smiles::
Goodnight
::she finally closes her door and gets into bed::
::floating on cloud nine::
::sleep doesnt come easily but she doesnt mind::
::she's too happy to care::
J:
::happy::
::goes to bed::
## lol not muc