(Untitled)

[divine_mandate]

It's filling the days that presents the biggest challenge. Yes, there are the occasional outbreaks of mass hysteria, monster attacks, and general mayhem, but the average day feels endless when there's no work to be done. Where it had been relaxing at first, like a long overdue holiday, now it's begun to wear on her. Her mind feels idle. She

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[246th]

She's so close now that giving birth is nearly all that she thinks about. Being with Aidan has been a welcome distraction, but her back hurts all the time and she's having what feels like contractions. There's a part of her that's more than ready to meet her child but there's another part of her that's frightened.

When she sees Juliette, she brightens.
"Hi," she says, lowering her weight down onto a rock that's not too low to the ground. "You look very picturesque."

[divine_mandate]

She blinks the water out of her eyes and runs a hand through her hair then smiles when she sees the familiar figure. It only takes a moment before she swims close enough that they can talk without having to shout over the sound of the falls.

"Thank you. And you're looking..." Juliet's eyebrows knit as she looks at Martha's seemingly ever growing stomach. "Please tell me the date's coming soon. I mean you look lovely -- glowing -- but I have to imagine it's gotten more than a little uncomfortable by now. If you don't mind me saying."

[246th]

"It's definitely more than a little uncomfortable," says Martha, huffing a curl of blond hair out of her eyes. "I'm hot all the time, my back's unspeakable and none of the clothes I like fit."

She smirks.

"This child had better be perfect."

[divine_mandate]

Juliet laughs and rests her arms on the rocks, looking up at Martha while half-treading water. "I've been led to believe that mothers are predisposed to thinking their child is perfect, so I doubt you have anything to worry about in that department. But I'm sorry you don't have a bathing costume with you. The water is absolutely lovely."

She's about to add that it might help with the aches and pains, but she bites her tongue. No point in going on about it when there's nothing to be done. "Not that I don't appreciate the company. I'm pleased to see you."

[oscaroscaroscar]

As a general rule, Felix didn't swim. He did make the occasional exception when a daredevil mood struck him, but for the most part, his aquatic exploits were strictly limited to bathing, at least on the island where any manner of terrible tropical parasites and otherworldly creatures could be lurking beneath the seemingly-benign waves. When he shuffled off the mortal coil, he was refusing to have 'squid attack' sitting on the line where it listed his cause of death. That didn't mean he couldn't appreciate the scenery, though, and the waterfall in particular provided a pleasant enough backdrop when it wasn't too crowded with rowdy residents looking for a dip. The woman doing laps as he showed up with a blanket and a notebook in tow, at least in his initial opinion, certainly didn't qualify as such.

"Good afternoon!" he called cheerily as he spread his blanket out next to the water.

[divine_mandate]

She hadn't heard his approach, too involved in her own little world and the sound of the falls made it difficult to hear much of anything. But when he calls out to her she stops and waves hello before turning to swim close enough that she can be heard without shouting.

"It is, isn't it," she replies with a smile. "The location definitely helps. It's such a lovely spot. I hope you don't mind a bit of company, I'm not really sure what the protocol is around here."

[oscaroscaroscar]

"I don't know about the place as a whole, but my only protocol is to come as you are," said Felix, grinning amiably as he got himself nice and settled in. "Well, that and to always use a coaster, but that's hardly applicable at the moment. The point is that there's plenty of room."

[divine_mandate]

"Which is lucky for us. This is the loveliest spot I've found since I've been here, I'm honestly surprised it's not overrun." Juliet considers leaving him to whatever activities he had planned, but he seems friendly and he's not a complete stranger. Small community like this, she's bound to run into him again at some point and she's just going to have to accept that the kind of anonymity she's been used to is now a thing of the past. "Do you come here often? I'm finding myself making something of a habit of it."

[leftwithmybones]

"I'll tell you what. You're a sight for sore eyes," he says as he wanders closer to a woman that he hadn't been sure would make it past the first few hours on the island. "I mean, sure, most people look a lot better outside of being on death's doorstep, but you're really making a case for it," he teases gently.

[divine_mandate]

"I bet you say that to all the women whose lives you save." She smiles brightly up at him, more pleased that she would have imagined she'd be to see him again. It wasn't the first time she'd been injured in the line of duty but she can't remember ever feeling quite so fondly toward any of her doctors before. Possibly it's connected to the circumstances, but it might also simply be a matter of him being far more charming than any other medical professional she's met. Hard to say. "It is lovely to see you again, doctor. I'm not sure I ever thanked you properly."

[leftwithmybones]

"Wouldn't you know it, that number is actually higher than you might expect," he jokes in turn, offering her a gentle smile as he does his best to look her over without being too obtrusive. "And there's no need to thank me. A long time ago, I took an oath, and when you showed up here, there wasn't anything I would do except help."

[divine_mandate]

"I understand," she replies, noticing the appraisal but not minding in the slightest. "Doing what's right because it's the right thing to do, not because you expect any reward. Doesn't mean a bit of gratitude isn't appreciated once in a while, though."

They may come at it from very different places but she understands far better than she can say, really, what it means to swear an oath. Her entire life dedicated to doing what she believes is necessary for her country. Making painful choices, decisions that require sacrifice for the greater good. Usually with others doing the sacrificing. And always believing she not only has the duty, but also the right. Never doubting the path.

It's not, however, a topic for casual conversation. So she lets it be, maintaining her smile and smoothing her hair back from her face. "Have you brought your swimming trunks so you can join me? Or are you content to simply watch?"