The Starting Point (Techno Union Conference, Open to Faction, all others PM)

[Judah Dashiell]

He hadn't expected [member="Danger Arceneau"] to follow along. Waves lapped up to his knees as he was already starting away from the boat, half an ear on the redhead. Judah had forgotten about her kolto ventures. He personally found such a product interesting but dangerous. Something that would cause a company to hire extreme security. If a war was to break in the 'verse, a company that produced it would be a target from all sides.


While he was pondering the advantages and disadvantages of elite security and profit, a splash sounded behind him. Turning, the Trade Queen was clinging to the boat with a white-knuckled grip. During their time on Mon Cal, it was clear the woman didn't know how to swim. Why would she even dream of hopping in now?


Turning around, Judah sloshed back through the water to offer a steady arm of support. Hopefully she wouldn't drown them both. Just because he could swim now didn't mean a thing. Still a desert boy at heart.


"No, just those mining facilities. I have been considering building something else. Perhaps in the Silver Sanctum area. Why do you ask?"

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Judah Dashiell"]

With a measure of gratefulness, Danger slipped her hand upon Judah's own. His larger fingers went curling round, steadying her amidst the roll of the incoming waves.

"Oh... than--!" one managed to unsteady her and by the powers that be would see the next few seconds erupt in a sequence of comical events. Balance was key, and Ms. Arceneau seemed to lose all manner of grace when a larger wave crested. It went crashing behind and as such, sending her slamming against Judah with enough force for them to potentially be a tangle of arms and legs. Soft crashed onto hard, and were hands to slips well...

All natural indeed.

Salt water burns almost as bad as dry sand to the eyes and Danger gave a slight sputter.

So much for courage and adventure.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]


One minute he was taking her arm to help her navigate the seas and the next the Trade Queen had fallen into him, pushing them both into the water. The saddest part was the wave wasn't even that large. It had either knocked her off balance just enough, she had panicked, or seaweed touched her leg and caused the ensuing mess.


It was over in a flash and soon enough Judah was spitting out salt water and shaking his head like a shaggy dog, sending small droplets in every direction. It didn't take him long to find Miss Arceneau sputtering and wiping her eyes. Eyes fell on her form to make sure she was unharmed when his face turned a bright red.


He could offer his shirt, but it was equally wet. Wasn't going to help with any clinging issues the Trade Queen was experiencing.


Judah turned his back to her, as if to look for his sunglasses.


"So..you...uh...faring alright back there? Didn't hurt anything? Not drowning?"

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Judah Dashiell"]

Salt burned in the back of her throat, and she kept coughing. Now she was drenched, and just...

Ugh.

"Gorram it!" her curse would rip with a rather startling boom. It didn't help that gone was that class an in it's place a rather peeved Danger.

"Of all the goes se.." not to mention the thick drawl of her accent coming through. For anyone standing near her, they'd likely be surprised -- or amused, seeing as she would continue to sputter and precariously wade her way over to the shore. Like a drown naked Nexu, her beige blouse and pants were stuck onto like a second skin, the dark auburn whips of her hair plastered to her face.

No where in sight were her sunglasses. Likely a victim of the wave. It was all really ridiculous, all the more when she started flapping her arms trying to flick off the water.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

If Judah could see her reaction he'd be more than amused. Hearing it was more than enough to cause him to laugh at her predicament. Pretending to search for his sunglasses had paid off, the frames back around his eyes once more. Waves lapped at his knees every so often as his eyes scanned for the boat. Clearly being on the water was too much for [member="Danger Arceneau"] and their guide should probably take them back to the hotel. Or at least the Trade Queen. Judah was doing just fine out on the seas.


"Hey! Circle back over to Miss Arceneau, with those sea legs she's a hazard to herself."


A small nod from their skipper as there was some thought on how he was going to get close enough to shore of the small island to pull the woman aboard. Well, get her aboard without having her flop over in the water again like a drunken fish.


Still, he had business to do. Arceneau wasn't drowning, merely cursing and acting like a cat who fell into the bathtub. Small fish scuttled around his legs as he walked around the other side of the island and sandbar. It seemed like enough shallow water to work with....the island would be the hub for the fuel refinery. All tucked away to minimize environmental damage, naturally.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Judah Dashiell"]

"I can handle myself just fine!" Danger would insist, given half a grumble as her hair dripped water and she waddled onto the shore. Sand would squish in between her toes, seawater would lap at her calves and she made it inland.

A gust of wind was all it took to send her shivering, goosebumps rising in its wake. Gorram it. Not how she was expecting this to take, and her stubborn self was not about to take the easy way out.

"I'm alright," she insisted again, grabbing the thick ropes of her hair and twisting them. Trickles of water streamed down to the wet sand, and she gave a sigh. Glancing down at herself, she could only shake her head.

Figures.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

"Of course you can, looks like you're doing swimmingly."


Boyish grin erupted at his own terrible joke. Judah was picking his way through some driftwood laying on the 'beach' of the small island. [member="Danger Arceneau"] had her back to him, still trying to dry off. Hands went to the buttons on his shirt, undoing them one by one. As amusing as it was to listen to her struggles he was also sympathetic to her plight.


Soon enough his shirt was in his well outstretched hand as he edged closer. Eyes remained firmly focused on some unidentified object just past and over her locks of red hair. No doubt Judah was an amusing sight to see in its own regard but he was at least trying to be a gentleman about things. Ogling a business associate wasn't going to get him anywhere besides redfaced and embarrassed.


"Here, try this."

 

[Danger Arceneau]

Well, not one could deny that [member="Judah Dashiell"] was a gentleman. He caught her offguard with that simple action, her gestures calming as her arms fell to her sides. Glancing over her shoulder she drew to a pause, a slight expression of bemusement settling over her features and that freckled face.

"Thank you," her wind gone from her sails she found herself winding down from her tizzy. It was a curious thing, she mused to herself. And as strange as it was, it wasn't unexpected at all. It was, after all Judah Dashiell, with home grown manners and things done a certain way. Some may call it backwater; Danger called it uncommon valor.

"Reckon you're more used to the beach and all." she'd say a bit ruefully, slipping the longer, heavier shirt over herself. She'd be wearing layers, but at least it would look better than present circumstances.

"You find what you are looking for in them sand bars?"

 

[Judah Dashiell]

It was a long moment before he felt confident to take in [member="Danger Arceneau"]'s full form once again. Now it was hidden behind his shirt which could have easily doubled as some kind of dress for the Trade Queen. Hot sun beat down on his overly pale shoulders and back, unless he had spent several days with Makai outdoors he never did tan easily.


"Wasn't always used to the beach...I had to force myself to grow comfortable once Makai was born."


Eyes went back to the sandbars.


"Well....I guess so. Just had to make sure they were long enough and shallow enough for the growing system. Island is plenty big enough for the collection and refinery....everything will be fairly untouched beyond that."

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Judah Dashiell"]

A sigh would be heard coming from the woman, by now she figured she had to make the best of it. As Judah spoke, she began to section off her hair into three thick ropes.

"That cause of Saleucami?" that's where he was born and raised if she recalled correctly. The agriworld with scattered caldera oases. She had a slowly growing plot of land there herself. Having to tie in with PharmaTech to hopefully build up botanicals that were endangered or extinct. A farmboy thorough and thorough from what she could remember when it came to the elder Dashiell.

The mention of Makai brought with it a twofold reaction. One, well, she dearly loved that boy. Two, the reminder about his absentee wife. A faint scowl would run across her face, plaiting the thick length of her auburn hair into one thick braid. Whatever happened between a married couple was their own business, but it was no secret that Judah's wife had hightailed it who knows where -- or with whom.

No mother in their right mind would leave their child for so long. Much the less a husband like Judah Dashiell. That just made not a single lick of sense.

"What will you do in case of spills and such?" she could keep him focused on the business, but all the while, she was studying Judah as he would amble to and fro.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

While [member="Danger Arceneau"] was reflecting on his personal life, Judah was more interested in the task at hand. He wasn't too sure about the finer mechanics of the algae fuel. Of a particular concern was distribution. He wasn't in a position to compete with the major fuel companies out there and frankly he didn't want to. He was going niche to begin with.


Still left the question of getting the fuel in hands....


"Well yeah, 'cause of Saleucami. There are spots with water but most of its just desert. We happened to live in the desert part....Ma said water was too valuable to waste swimmin' around in it."


Hand reached up and scratched a scruffy beard.


"A small spill won't have much effect. Large ones could cause a fish kill or damage local corals. Containment systems would have to go in place then....absorb the algae right off the sea.....or....worst comes to worst, algaecide could be used. There are some on the market that don't harm animal life."



"How about we get back aboard? I have something to discuss but I dont think standing here dripping all over is the best time."

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Judah Dashiell"]

"Been working on a new concept for ocean cleanin'" Danger would tell Judah as she flicked the thick braid over her shoulder. It was a new technique, at the very least, to help collect the worst of the floating debris and garbage most of the polluted bodies of waters saw scattered across worlds. With luck, they would be able to tie in a new filtration system as well. It was a work in progress, but it would utilize the ongoing sustainable green energy campaign they were doing. Her nose would crinkle, the sun a bright spot over head. It wasn't the sun nor even the drying salt on her that bothered her.

Just the damp.

Another grimace, then her hand came up to shield her eyes. "Oh?" he had something to discuss? Just what could it be? Interest piqued, she wiggled her bare toes in the wet sand.

Well, he had a point, she'd think with a sigh.

"Alright." the proud woman said, moving back towards the water, but with a bit of a wary expression on her face. The last time she was at the beach, Makai had taught her how to catch crabs. Finky little critters, they had a heck of a pinch. I wonder if there are any 'round here.

She cautiously would look into the crystal clear water as she wadded on through.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]


"Ocean cleaning? Look at that, I take you out on a boat one time and here you are, working on water farin' technology."


Boyish grin flashed in her direction. He was clearly teasing about her time out on the yacht, her uneasiness with all things glimmering teal liquid. Ocean cleaning had caught his interest though. There were many worlds out there with either polluted oceans or with toxins beyond the control of that of the citizens. Judah was interested in learning more, after all, most of his business tended to focus on water in some shape or form.


"Its something we shall have to discuss at lunch....might be something I could use one day. Either as a fail safe back up plan for the algae or to use on planet. Almost feels sometimes like we're terraforming planets out there with all this technology."


Their skipper had circled back around and picked them up. The island would suffice so Judah waved a tour of the rest of the properties, planning on 'signing the dotted line' as it were on the one. They were headed back to the resort to change and discuss business in a more civilized manner. The business expo was still in full swing so they were quite a sight coming back through the lobby, dripping on expensive furnishings and leaving puddles in their wake.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Judah Dashiell"]

Well one tries to keep one's reputation untarnished.

However, one can't expect to predict all venues. More importantly, when dealing with an ocean. They made quite a sight, prompting a few murmurs and raised eyebrows. Danger didn't pay it any mind, instead she'd merely gesture to the elder Dashiell to continue on forward towards the turbolift. Folk were gonna run their mouths whether she did anything or didn't. The Holotabloids were likely have a riot with this one.

Once the hiss of the turbolift door closed, the redhead gave a sigh. She lent back against the turbolift wall, feeling the slight lurch and upward acceleration towards their level.

"Hopefully you got all the information you'd need." she'd add, eyes half hooded and her arms crossed under her breasts. The woman was a sight. Some of her hair was escaping her braid, frizzing along the sides of her face. Makeup was gone, either due to the saltwater or the sun, revealing a light scattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose and cheeks.

All in all, she gave quite a different sort of impression. One would be trouble to believe this to be the Queen of Trade.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]


Judah could help but laugh. Cool chill hit him, realization coming back that he wasn't wearing a shirt. It only made the situation entirely more amusing, although Miss Arceneau didn't seem to find it all too funny. He couldn't help it. There wasn't too much he could laugh at it in his life recently and the plight of one Trade Queen made for some real entertainment.


He stood in the corner of the turbolift, a small shrug lifting up his shoulders.


"Well....I didn't get the water temperature but....what would you say, warm? Almost like bath water out there."


Smirk broke out at the end of his sentence, more teasing. The island would do well enough. Judah wasn't going to pay for a large plot of land when most of it wasn't going to be used. Most of the island would remain untouched, save for some of the equipment that wouldn't take up more than a small footprint.


Ocean-blue eyes stopped to appraise the redheaded Trade Queen.


"You feel the need to hide those freckles behind a smattering of makeup?" Eyebrows knit together, as if he was thinking something. "You look just as beautiful without it, perhaps even more so. Just sayin'.....you shouldn't hide who you are, but I suppose business demands it, doesn't it?"

 

[Danger Arceneau]

Most men wouldn't dare do what [member="Judah Dashiell"] did just then. Then again, most men and women wouldn't dare try to cross that line in that sand of propriety.

But Judah Dashiell did. He went and boldly walked right over it. With a cheese splitting grin and that mop of curls.

Danger glowered.

Which was made all the more comical by the sight Judah beheld. The rush of vexation would hide the embarrassment, and one could see the wave of red rush up over her chest, neck, and finally settle on her face.

Thankfully for them both, the turbolift would slide to a halt.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

It was hard to tell if [member="Danger Arceneau"] was angry, embarrassed or a mix of both. There might had been a lined crossed but sometimes it was hard to tell. Moments in their friendship had gone from strictly professional to quite candid to everything between. Sometimes it was difficult to see where the line was drawn and when it blurred.


"My apologies Miss Arceneau, I meant no harm."


Turbolift doors opened and he held the sliding doors, allowing her to escape first. Hopefully he didn't cause irreparable damage to their working relationship, after all, lunch was supposed to deal with a proposal he had. Hands fished in soggy pants for his key card, pleasantly surprised to find it still worked even after its dip in the salty ocean.


"Are we still on for lunch?"

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Judah Dashiell"]

He just had to say it just like that. Apologize so. Truth be told it wasn't his fault. It was her own mind and issues jumbling things together, making things confusing.

She sighed.

"Aye we are," came the low sigh, green eyes turning to stare at him. Her mind raced, and for the moment, she considered every bit of possibility. The here and now and what came after. Where they'd been and where they'll be.

Before she tripped on her nerves, she said it then. Might as well. It had been a long time coming. He deserved it after all this time.

"Thank you... Judah." the low rasp would float over not only her gratitude, but his name. "For the compliment."

A pause.

"And I'm sorry, for getting vexed so."

An apologetic smile.

"I catch you at lunch."

 

[Judah Dashiell]

Head dipped in mild embarrassment. He never should have crossed over the line and [member="Danger Arceneau"] was the one apologizing. It was odd to have her use his first name. When they had first met he had tried hard to get her to use Judah instead of Mistah Dashiell and had failed miserably so. It was odd to have her use it now, unexpected.


Eyes questioned the sudden change but he dared not voice any thoughts on the matter. It was best he toe back in line for the moment and not open his mouth. It only seemed idiotic statements floated out as of late.


"No need to apologize....its my fault." A short nod in her direction before he disappeared. "I'll be seeing you shortly."


Disappearing into his own suite, there was no real timeline for their meeting. Judah suspected he would give her an hour or more to return to her normal state. At least, this was the plan. No one wanted a knock on their door half-way through getting ready. After showering and returning to his regular state of dress, he lounged around watching Doctor What. Makai was going to be disappointed he had skipped ahead in their regular viewings, hopefully he could act surprised enough to convince the boy.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Judah Dashiell"]

He was gone before Danger could say anything else. But maybe it was for the best. The redhead stood there, frowning for a moment. Thoughts went racing through her mind. Of he. Of She. Of everything that came in between. Her lips drew thin, and she took a deep breath, shoulders shuddering a bit.

Shaking her head, she entered her suite. The soft click of her door sliding shut resonated down the hall afterward.

Hours later, each freckle was hidden away under a layer of powder, her eyes lined with kohl, and her lips stained a cherry red. She wore another summer dress, black heels, and her hair was flowing down her shoulders and her back in soft auburn waves. It was night and day, and one would be hard pressed to believe this was the same woman from earlier.

Standing in front of the mirror, Danger would carefully slid in single caret Corseca studs into her ears. Simple, but classy. This was the woman she woke up to every day... and day out.