[8] - backdated to pre-Rex; San Diego

[savethedarkness]

[Private]

[reading Bond's report over confirmed what M had read to her mounting horror over the journals on the cruise ship ... and more. she spent most of her first comfortable morning on land with a breakfast tray from room service, sitting on the balcony of her room in the open air and flipping back and forth between the freshly penned - if cheeky - report, and Zelos' all-encompassing treatise on Paradisa.

she scribbles a few notes:]

- InGen
- Lastlook
- Winchester
- Fairfield
- Missing books
- possible ally?

[immediately after that, she stops, stares out at the horizon for a moment, then turns her attention back to the page with a sharp, determined focus and writes out a filter, carefully]

[John Hammond, or anyone who could bring this to his attention]

Dear Mr. Hammond,

We've not met, but if you are able to read this, as I surmise you may be - we have at least a common thread running through our lives. I won't mince words, as I'm sure you're a busy man. Some colleagues of mine have been to Isla Sorna, and there are remnants of your work there. Since your name was not mentioned, but that of your company was plastered all about, I thought you may have a right to know. If you wish to discuss details, please filter your reply to the name I have signed.

I assure you, I have no intention to come and root you out, or cause harm to any who may be residing with you. The hostile, armored outlanders who seemed a threat to both yourself, and the people I keep watch over, have mostly been killed, and I for one see that as a blessing. If you would rather keep to your own life and leave us to ours, I have a healthy respect for that sort of thing - but I see nothing wrong with a free exchange of information. As a man of science, I hope you will agree.

Sincerely,
M of M16

[that little gamble being made, she sets her journal aside and takes her time to finish her breakfast, even taking the time to read the newspaper that was delivered. it's all old news, really, by her standards, but it's good to even have the vestiges of a familiar routine. once she's done, she dresses for the day and opens the journal again]

It seems we have the day free, in a city that's at least passingly familiar to me. I've been to San Diego on buisness on one or two occasions, and I'm in a mood to get to know the city on a more casual level. Would anyone care to join me?

Comments

[deductiongeek]

Natural history or science. [He says this decisively.] I've had more than enough of art museums for a while.

[savethedarkness]

I sense a story. ... How about science? I've always been rubbish at it, you can explain some of it to me and I'll get you lunch for your pains.

[deductiongeek]

I could do that. I've watched lots of television programs about science.

[Said with a sense of the irony in saying this. Television really made for a convenient excuse for his knowledge. No one questioned a kid repeating things from a television program, and no one had ever pointed out that no one had ever seen him watching television on his own.]

[savethedarkness]

Not sitting too close to the set, I hope. You'll ruin those young eyes.

[deductiongeek]

Don't worry! I'm very careful about that. I always make sure to stay a safe distance.

[Because he hardly ever watched it.]

[savethedarkness]

You always are a rather sensible young man. ... Shall we meet in the foyer?

[deductiongeek]

I'm already there, actually.

[He'd been occupying himself by watching people and practicing his observational skills.]

[savethedarkness]

Of course, how daft of me: where else would you be? ... Mind giving me a little time to freshen up?

[aka, she has to put her face on so she doesn't look quite as old as she is. makeup is a woman's best friend]

[deductiongeek]

I don't have anywhere I need to go.

[There really weren't many things you could do in a hotel when you looked seven.]

[savethedarkness]

[soon enough, then, she shows up in the lobby, looking more casual than Conan has likely ever seen her ... the perfect picture of a woman taking a relative out to see the sights. she's hardly about to treat him as such, of course, but she knows the importance of looking a part]

Shall we, Conan?

....Is that a cap from Exotic Marigold Hotel?

[deductiongeek]

Sure!

[He slides off the lobby chair and moves over to join her, sliding into his own role of the excited child on vacation. No one could accuse Conan of missing such a obvious cue.]


Where are we going first?

yes! I still need to see it though

[savethedarkness]

I thought perhaps a nice lunch first, maybe at a cafe on the water where we can watch the ships come in....

You should! It was wonderful. I'm getting tempted to rewatch it now.

[deductiongeek]

Mmm, that sounds fun! Is anyone else coming?

I know our library has it, I'll try and borrow it

[savethedarkness]

No one I've invited, but if you've a friend or two you'd care to have along, I won't object. And if we run into anyone we know, they're welcome to join us.

You're going to send me on a rewatch of all things Judi Dench, aren't you

[deductiongeek]

No, I haven't asked anyone. I think lots of people are out doing things already!

[And if she asked, he could tell her what everyone who had passed through the lobby was going.]

not a bad goal to have, that

[savethedarkness]

It's certainly a lovely enough day for it. Come on, then. I'll hire us a car, and you can tell the driver where you'd like to go for lunch.

[deductiongeek]

Okay! [He stuffs his hands in his pockets and looks up expectantly.]

The people at the desk said you could catch taxis just outside.

[savethedarkness]

Oh, come now, Conan, this is a special occasion. I'm not going to just call us a taxi.

[aka, MI6 directors do not take bloody taxis. she steers him toward the concierge desk, where she hires them a Town Car with a driver]

If we're going to do this vacation properly, we are going to do it with style.

[deductiongeek]

[Conan stifles a protest at this news as he is ushered along into the town car. Once this kind of thing had been common. Well, not common. His mother had always preferred to drive herself. Preferably on motorbikes or sportcars.

But since being trapped as a child and going to live at the Mouri agency, he had learned to always avoid notice. It was a habit now. The idea of going out in a car like this was already making his paranoia rise.

But it would be even more suspicious for a child to protest such a treat, so he pastes an excited smile on his face and goes along with it.]