Oxford, England, 7pm - The Bridge

[mparkerceo]

The line to get into The Bridge was snaking around the block, so Parker, Elizabeth, Nourhane, Selim and River were amusing themselves trying to figure out how to get around the bouncer and get inside already.

"Bribery, bludgeoning, or blackmail?" Parker asked River. "Which do you prefer?"

[for moonbrain_tam]

Comments

[moonbrain_tam]

"He dreams of a girl named Charlotte," River said cheerfully, looking excited. "Waiting for her to show up. We could be her friends."

[mparkerceo]

Parker brightened. "You are genius. Perfect." She turned to Elizabeth and Nourhane, and tapped their shoulders. "Hey. Follow our lead!"

Without waiting for an answer, she marched up to the door, and smiled at the bouncer. "Hey. Charlotte said she'd be here soon. She was hoping you'd be a babe and let us in so she could meet us inside?"

The bouncer's eyes immediately lit up, and he asked, "She told you about me?"

[moonbrain_tam]

Parker would be better at doing the talking, but River could always help. She giggled and glanced at Parker. "We know all the details." There weren't that many details to know yet, but still.

[mparkerceo]

Grinning back at River, Parker turned to wink at the bouncer. "We promise to pass on a good word to her." She drew an X over her heart. "Cross my heart." And hey, if they ran into her, they would. Probably.

"Okay, but make it fast." The bouncer unhooked the velvet rope and shoo'd them in, to the boos of a few people further down the line. "Quiet down!"

Elizabeth was giggling, and Nourhane shaking her head and rolling her eyes as they hit the atrium to hang up their coats. "How do you know these things?" she asked Parker.

Deliberately not looking at River, Parker grinned. "Sources. Lot of them. Come on, let's grab a table before they're all taken."

[mparkerceo]

After three or four hours of dancing and drinking, Parker was taking a break and talking world policy with Selim-- not seriously, more a comparison of vacation destinations than anything else. Nourhane joined them and collapsed into Selim's lap, looking tired. "Only a little bit more. I am becoming exhausted."

Reflexively, Parker looked up to check on the others, especially if they were going to leave soon. River was still dancing, a chain of people spread out around her, and Elizabeth was...

Where the heck was Elizabeth?

Frowning, she stood up, and scanned the room.

[moonbrain_tam]

River had been lost in the dance, her mind flowing between the people around her. They were surprised that she could guess their thoughts like that; knowing their nest step before they knew.

Then Parker's concern cut through all that and River froze, instantly changing her focus. Scanning the room, she searched for Elizabeth.

[mparkerceo]

Parker was starting to get worried, and had stepped away from the table, looking around for Elizabeth. Not on the dance floor. Not near the door. The bar, maybe?

From a vantage point Parker couldn't see, Elizabeth was leaning against the bar and laughing, dizzy and a little drunk, smiling at the older man who'd bought her last drink.

[moonbrain_tam]

Leaving her surprised dance partners behind, River headed directly for the bar, pushing aside those standing in her way. Elizabeth's mind was muddled from intoxication. Alcohol, yes, but not only. That was clear when she sensed the thoughts of the man next to her.

Sunday morning, near the Isis River

[mparkerceo]

Parker had packed a picnic brunch, and given River her biggest hat and sunglasses to cut down on the glare. She wasn't sure how the other girl would be feeling this morning, after the events at the bar; hopefully, not too bad.

"How are you doing?" She tilted her sunglasses down. "Selim and Nourhane were worried about you. They left early. Elizabeth was still lying in bed, but said to thank you. The guy was trying to get her to leave with him."

Re: Sunday morning, near the Isis River

[moonbrain_tam]

River was surprisingly cheerful considering last night's events. "Elizabeth should avoid alcohol," she observed. "Makes her too vulnerable." Still, this was another day, everyone was safe, and there was a river to boat on. River placed a hand on her head to keep the hat on while she spun around.

This was her last day with Parker. It was going to be good.

Re: Sunday morning, near the Isis River

[mparkerceo]

"Which is what I told her, but I think the hangover is doing more convincing than either of us," Parker said as they approached her favorite bridge. "Oh! This is where I took those photos I sent you, my first day here." She trailed her fingers along the railing, and grinned down at the Oxford and Cambridge rowing teams, jockeying for position as they shot across the water. "See? Great scenery."

Re: Sunday morning, near the Isis River

[moonbrain_tam]

"Boys, river or combination?" River smirked and waved to the rowers. Then she fell silent, staring down at the water moving slowly, eyes caught on a twig floating past them.