Day 8 - Juice

It is half past nine and I am standing with mum and Flame at the local transportation centre waiting for Cecil. I stifle a yawn, because it is way to early for this while Flame is blissfully asleep in my arms. Mum is going on about how great it is I'm taking an interest in culture and mythology and traveling is such a great way to get new experiences and meet new people and so on. I zoned her out a while back.

Finally Cecil arrives and I hoist my bag on my back and take my garment bag from mum. She chats for a bit with Cecil, who manages to look not only comfortable but also interested despite mum's ramblings. I try to pay attention, because it is probably important, but I can't focus. Finally mum gives me a hug and a kiss and she leaves.

"Shall we?" Cecil says and gestures towards the check in desk. I smile and he guides us through.

~x~

The check in process was long and tedious and the transportation quick and insignificant. We arrive in Dublin at ten and drop off our stuff in a hotel by half past. I don't have time to take in the room before Cecil is pushing my back out again, explaining excitedly about showing me around. Flame has also waken up and is curled around Cecil's shoulders.

We have an early lunch before going over to the NALMC HQ, where we spend the rest of the day with Cecil showing me around, mostly the ancient creatures department that he used to work for. He introduces me to a lot of his colleagues and they all seem like nice people, although they should probably go out a bit more.

Around five we go back to the hotel and I take a small nap because I slept like shit and we've been walking around the whole day and if Cecil expects me to stay awake for any longer than until 10 I need to get some energy. The bed is big and soft and I fall asleep almost instantly.

~x~

I wake up and stare at the unfamiliar ceiling for a bit. I check the time from my phone: half past six. I stretch as I sit up.

"Oh, great, you're awake," Cecil says as he emerges from the bathroom. He's wearing a beautifully fitting three piece suit and I just stare at him for a moment. "You should get dressed too, we need to leave in a bit." He smiles at me and I stutter something and lock myself in the bathroom to change.

I come back out ten minutes later after I've changed. Flame jumps to my lap and I catch her with a laugh. Cecil is oddly quiet and he's wearing a weird expression. I frown.

"What?" I say and he seems startled. Then he coughs and turns away. I could swear that his ears are red.

"No, nothing. You look great, let's go." And he's out the door. I look at Flame with a grin and she grins back before climbing onto my shoulders and we're off for Howth.

~x~

The hall is huge. And I mean huge. The ceiling is at least ten meters high and made of glass, which creates the illusion of being even higher. The back wall is also made of glass and it's giving us a lovely view of the village next to the building. There is also a stage on the left side of the room.

There are dozens of round tables around the room, seating around ten each, and the whole hall is bustling with smartly dressed people. I have to stop and stare when we enter the room.

"Impressive, isn't it?" Cecil asks from beside me and I have lost my ability to make words so I just nod. Flame sings softly on my shoulder.

"You remember to be nice, Flame," I say a bit breathlessly. "Stay close to me or Cecil, ok?"

"Come on, let's go find Rachel," Cecil says and takes my hand. I am surprised both by the sudden touch and the fact that I hadn't realised Rachel would be here too. I probably should have, she is a NALMC employee as well.

We do find her at a table and I am even more surprised to find Leea sitting next to her. Flame immediately jumps into her lap.

"What are you doing here?" I ask. Not squeak, ask. Leea gives me a bright smile.

"Rachel invited me as her plus one," she says and Rachel clicks her tongue and grins.

"Oh," I say, because I don't know what else to say. We take our seats at the table next to the two of them.

Several waiters walk around the room and they serve us drinks. I am old enough to drink, but I still chose the nonalcoholic option, which is a juice of some kind. It is very good, fruity and refreshing. Cecil tells me it's paopu juice. I have never heard of that before.

There is food and chatting and an orchestra on the stage, and Cecil introduces us to a bunch of other people. We laugh and talk and eat and have a great time.

It's nearing midnight when the lights are turned off.
_____________________________________________________________

This is so late I know, I had zero time yesterday. I'll write today's and tomorrow's thing tomorrow. Gotta go bye.

Pie out.

EDIT ON 18.03.2018 lol
After almost three years I finally finished this! Amazing, I know, I'm so good with schedules!