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Post by Evangeline on Nov 19, 2008 13:04:49 GMT -5
<<< New thread! >>>
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Post by ebonyviper on Nov 19, 2008 13:10:53 GMT -5
(((((OOC: Okay, cool. But, I'm a little stuck on ideas now.)))))
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Post by Evangeline on Nov 19, 2008 13:26:15 GMT -5
<<< How about another little time jump, to the evening? >>>
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Post by ebonyviper on Nov 19, 2008 13:31:30 GMT -5
(((((OOC: Sure, I'm fine with that.)))))
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Post by Evangeline on Nov 19, 2008 13:52:02 GMT -5
In the evening, the smells of barbecued beef and lamb wafted over the beach sand as the humans took advantage of a fresh package of meat from the Mountain's farm. It had been brought by the same reefer truck that hauled back a load of shellfish later. Everyone was glad to see some red meat for a change.
The watercraft, all of them, hung out in the bay, discussing that day's happenings and what was to take place the next day. Randy and Erika were batting a netball back and forth, a playful preliminary to more private games later.
Kendall spent his time keeping the kids entertained, so that Ebony could have uninterrupted time to work on her painting.
After the rush of crowds was gone from the area of the CG station, Stokes took his eight-hour pass and started off to the cove.
Bree shared a quiet meal with Shale, her family, and Juno and her boyfriend.
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Post by ebonyviper on Nov 19, 2008 14:10:51 GMT -5
Raven walked among the campsite, the smell of cooking meat intriguing him. He had never had this kind of Earth food before.
Delfina was spending the evening in her tent, writing down what had been happening so far while they were here. Her old, faithful husky, Shadow lay beside her patiently and quietly, staying still even though she was getting that strong scent of cooking meat wafting to her nose.
The twins, Kestrel and Falcon, were playing with their father while Artemis was sitting by the entrance to her parents' tent reading her library book.
*****
Freda was resting quietly at anchor, the excitement of today's events having tired her out. But she was awake and waiting because she knew that Stokes was coming for a visit soon.
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Post by Evangeline on Nov 19, 2008 14:50:23 GMT -5
The CEO of TerraSearch, one Peter Vilinsky, had a palatial summer residence just outside of Villa Hermosa, which had once belonged to an old-time newspaper tycoon. It had complete docking and boathouse facilities which now, for the time being, housed the racing team after the day's events. A victory party was in swing in the house itself, but Vilinsky was in the boathouse now, looking over the 'shoulders' of the team medics as they examined a bruise on Dagmar's port hull.
In the forty-second lap of a fifty-lap race, Dagmar had struck a submerged log that had been on the bottom of the bay for some time, but for some reason refloated to the surface and had been missed by the safety boats. The blow had been glancing, otherwise it could have wrecked her. The skater, high on adrenaline or whatever passed for it in this world, took the hit in stride and went on to win the race, forty yards ahead of her nearest rival. But even the slightest injuries were taken seriously in this high-stakes sport.
Vilinsky, a light grey Grand Cherokee, kept a game face as he viewed the ugly five-foot bruise. Dagmar was suspended from the boathouse ceiling in a sling to facilitate a complete examination, and sat there with a resigned look in her light brown eyes. A forklift applied waterproof ointment to the bruise area, causing the skater to wince when he pressed too hard. "Take it easy, Mort." the coach warned. "We still don't know if any ribs are cracked, and the doc still has to get back to us on that."
"Just about done." the forklift moved back.
The coach turned back to the team manager and sponsor. "The X-rays should be back in an hour, gentlemen, then we'll know for sure if there's any more damage. If all it is is a bruise, a couple of weeks of rest should get her going again."
"I don't think it'll hurt her championship prospects." the team manager, a Dodge Ram, concurred. Those races were still months away. "But resting her now would be the right thing to do."
Vilinsky nodded, his gaze going back to Dagmar and locking eyes with her for an instant. How did she feel when she was talked about as if she wasn't there? His current girlfriend, the supermodel Hannah Moorehead, disapproved somewhat of his involvement in racing, considering it close to a blood sport. Today, with one wipeout and Dagmar's close brush, hadn't cured her of that notion. The argument that these boats were as primed to race as a wolfbike was to chase its prey meant little to her. Even now the Aston Martin woman stayed just outside the ground entrance to the boathouse, peering impatiently through the doorway. Vilinsky sighed and nodded to her. Soon.
"I would agree." he spoke up finally. "I think after taking three cups and breaking the top five this season, Dagmar's entitled to a little break. I would prefer her to stay here for the duration, as the next two races are also on the west coast and it'd save a lot of unnecessary trucking about." He laid his antenna against the skater's hull, as if to steady her. "Do we have to wait on the doctor, or can we set her down now?"
"We can let her down." the coach waved an aerial to another forklift at the control panel. There was a machine whine as Dagmar was slowly set back into the water, to her visible relief. The slings were removed and a night sheet fastened on. The bruise gave her some discomfort, but she was starting to resent the spun-glass treatment, however well she masked it.
I know what you're thinking. You have my sympathies, Vilinsky thought as he caught Dagmar's gaze again. He gave her a small nudge, acknowledging that she had a mind and feelings. For tonight, a quiet meal, a rubdown and some mild painkillers would be the coach's remedy for today's hurts. Vilinsky, on the other hand, had obligations, as Hannah's presence outside the door reminded him. "Coming," he turned back to her. Many of her circle of friends were here tonight, and Hannah wanted him with her when she met them.
Dawn was helping to get things ready for the meal. It was going to be a serve-yourself affair with everything laid out buffet-fashion. "Hey, Raven." she called out as she sidestepped the hopeful-looking Kelpie dogs that belonged to the cook. "Things are just about ready here. Could you tell Delfina for me?"
Stokes avoided startling anyone with a horn blast as he approached, but blinked his running lights to alert the others of his presence.
Kendall tossed a frisbee for Falcon and Kestrel. "Catch!"
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Post by ebonyviper on Nov 19, 2008 15:18:59 GMT -5
"Oh, okay," nodded Raven, "Sure thing. I'll go get her."
The alien went off to find Delfina. A few minutes later, he was back with Delfina in tow and Shadow loping happily ahead of them. The dog was hungry.
*****
Freda turned at noticing the flashing lights and smiled when she picked up a familiar scent. Stokes was here. She blinked her own running lights in return.
*****
Falcon took a running leap and caught the frisbee, threw it to his twin brother, who then tossed it back to Kendall.
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Post by Evangeline on Nov 19, 2008 15:36:34 GMT -5
Dawn had carved out a nice, marrow-rich beef bone for Shadow, and set it down in front of her. "Everybody help themselves." she announced, gesturing towards the stacks of plates at the buffet.
Kendall was about to go for the frisbee, but froze in his tracks as a small black shape leaped into the air and siezed the disc in its jaws. The Kelpie landed and danced away with his prize every time someone approached him, and seemed fiendishly attuned to exactly how far he could go with cars.
The NSX sighed. "Anyone got any bones for this dog?"
"Hello." Stokes smiled, happy to have a chance to spend some time with Freda.
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Post by ebonyviper on Nov 19, 2008 16:10:11 GMT -5
Shadow fell on the food offered to her immediately, growling and baring her teeth at one of the Kelpies that came close.
Delfina took a plate and started to serve herself.
Raven hesitated for a moment, then followed suite. This meat smelled to mouth-watering for even him to ignore.
*****
Inside her tent, Ebony sat back for a moment to view her nearly finished painting. She needed to take a break and set her painting tools down for the time being and headed outside to see what was up.
*****
"Hey, it's good to see you," smiled Freda.
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Post by Evangeline on Nov 19, 2008 16:49:55 GMT -5
Dawn came and threw another bone for the Kelpie that had Kendall's frisbee, and retrieved it for the thankful NSX. She waved to Ebony as the Viper emerged from her tent.
"Likewise." the cutter replied with a nuzzle. "I'm happy just to be here, hangin' out."
Dawn returned to the serving line, laughing at Shadow. "She hasn't lost her spirit."
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Post by ebonyviper on Nov 19, 2008 17:20:00 GMT -5
Ebony waved back, yawned, and sniffed the air. Artemis came up to her and nudged her for her attention, showing her the book.
*****
"I'm happy you're here," said Freda, returning the nuzzle, "It's a beautiful evening, isn't it?"
*****
"Nope," Delfina answered, piling her plate with meat, "She's just as spry as ever."
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Post by Evangeline on Nov 19, 2008 18:53:59 GMT -5
"And not every dog is starting a new breed." Dawn went to serve herself. The initial cross between Shadow and a Belgian Malinois belonging to the Jellineks provided some of the foundation for the Ash Mountain line, combining Husky and Malinois stock to create a new breed of working dog. It would take a few more years to get stable characteristics, but they were already proving to be good sled and pack dogs for the high country.
"That it is, Freda." Stokes looked up at the sky, where the last of the sunlight was fading away and the first stars were coming out. "To think that people have been looking at those same stars for thousands of years."
Kendall noted Ebony's emergence, knowing that she generally didn't stop until the work was done or nearly so. "So how's it looking, Ebs?" <<< Here's a Husky/Malinois cross on this German page. www.fellschnauze.de/ Pretty blue eyes!>>>
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Post by ebonyviper on Nov 19, 2008 19:35:09 GMT -5
"She was only a year-old when I rescued her from being put down by the local animal shelter where I used to live," said Delfina, going to sit down at a nearby table.
Shadow had been abused and starving when the shelter took her in, but her health had been deteriorating and the shelter had been on the fence between putting her down and letting her live. That was when Delfina had come in, looking for a dog, Shadow wagged her tail for the first time in many months. Delfina decided to take the husky right then and there, nursing her back to health. Since then, Shadow was a constant companion to Delfina.
The husky finished her meal and trotted over to where Delfina was sitting and curled up next to her feet.
*****
"They're fascinating," said Freda, looking up at the stars herself.
*****
"It's nearly done," said Ebony, "I just need a break for a rest and dinner."
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Post by Evangeline on Nov 19, 2008 19:56:38 GMT -5
"May I have a peek?" Kendall asked.
"I remember you saying that before." Dawn said. "And she had been abused? It's not nice to say so, but there were definitely some people in the world who needed to be removed from it."
"And the light we're seein' now is probably already hundreds of years old." Marty cut in. "Thousands, even."
Randy and Erika, in the meantime, nibbled each other affectionately. That unreachable place just behind the aerial was a favorite sweet spot.
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