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Post by christophe on Mar 29, 2010 3:17:47 GMT -5
Where better to ask about the local waters - boats and orcas included - than the local harbour office. Located on the far end of the Santa Monica Pier, it shouldn't be too hard to locate the place. In fact, it was pretty obvious and Christophe ducked inside the building in the hopes of obtaining some information...
* * *
Ten minutes later he'd finished and re-emerged with a couple of leaflets. One telling him about boat hire and the other detailing the various shipping channels in the locality, along with approximate markings of the most recent orca sightings. The trip had been very productive indeed and well worth the time it'd taken out of his evening.
There were several rental and charter companies nearby and Christophe had a feeling more legwork was to follow as he'd need to get costs from each of them. After all, it wasn't like he had an endless supply of money and he'd need to strike up some kind of a deal. With that in mind he opted for the smallest of the trio... a company simply called Santa Monica Boat Charter. Nothing grand like the other two - Ocean Blue Rental and Hornblower Cruises. The smaller one might be willing to take payment - or some of it - in the form of labour. Christophe knew his way around boats and that sort of a deal had worked well up in Vancouver. Hopefully it would do the same here.
* * *
A full hour later and a smiling Christophe Broussard could be found making his way back along the harbour path. The man (elderly and yet still full of life and energy) had been only too happy to allow Christophe the use of a small boat in exchange for a few hours work a week. His previous helper had recently got married and so had asked to reduce his own hours. Christophe's timing couldn't have been better.
"Time to celebrate," he murmured to himself and he veered off to his left and towards a nearby cafe...
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Post by Genny Bailey on Mar 30, 2010 12:47:36 GMT -5
Genny went downtown after school as she needed a new pair of workshoes. She found them and sighed as they were more expensive than she expected, but she needed them and really had no choice in the matter. She decided to stop at a cafe after to people watch and she had skipped lunch. Getting into line, she decided the guy in front of her looked vaguely familiar and she reached out to touch his shoulder lightly. "Hello. I am sorry to bother you, but are you Christopher from Gould? My name is Genny and I am a friend of Lia's and she spoke to me of your interest in Marine Biology. This is a serendipitous meeting for I was going to attempt to call you this evening, would you like to try to get a table together and I can explain better, so at least you won't think I am stalking you?" She smiled and stepped back so he could give the cashier his order without her breathing down his neck.
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Post by christophe on Mar 31, 2010 5:27:47 GMT -5
"Yes, I am Christophe," he replied with a friendly smile. He couldn't quite place her face but if she was friends with Lia then he was happy to get to know her as well. "You were going to call me? How fortunate that we met like this then," he added with a short laugh. "Permit me to buy your lunch. I would count it as an honour." A small dip of his head accompanied his words. Christophe Broussard had most definitely been reared to behave with old-fashioned courtesy.
They headed across the room and to a window table where they sat opposite. "So tell me, Genny, friend of Lia's, what were you going to call me about?" His dark eyes glinted with good humour, making sure Genny knew he was partly teasing her. "Hopefully it is something related to my passion as I am very keen to get out on the water as soon as possible. I have spent the morning in speaking with the harbour patrol people and have managed to get the use of a boat in lieu of payment for my help around the boatyard just down the beach from the pier. So far it has been a most agreeable of profitable day. Now all I need is someone who knows the local waters..." He looked at her before taking a sip of his coffee. "I don't suppose..." It was well worth asking... right?
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Post by Genny Bailey on Mar 31, 2010 8:13:23 GMT -5
"Yes well, Lia did tell me of your interests and I do have something to offer you that might interest you that is related to that. First though I need to know if you have a wet suit? I work at the aquarium and I know of a job opening at which I have procured you an interview for. I believe that if you have a wet suit, you will be a shoe in for," Genny explained, she hoped in a coherent manner. She ordered an egg salad on a croissant and a cup of tea with a slice of lemon. "Thank you, but you don't have to pay since you are between jobs." She began to dig in her jean pockets for her small wad of cash. "The job pays well, but it is hard work. He is interested in you as you have experience with Marine Mammals. We have a hard time getting someone willing to maintain the orca pools, because of anxiety. People can't seem to set aside the whole 'Killer' whale identity. Also they have several pontoon boats they are ready to recycle. He might be willing to sell you one on an installment basis with payments from your paycheck. He is a very nice man to work for and if this is your main focus they do always try to promote from within and they have lots of ties to the university Marine Biology Department."
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Post by christophe on Apr 1, 2010 6:19:11 GMT -5
"A wet suit? But of course. I used mine on a daily basis back up in Vancouver. Never a day went by without me heading out on the water," Christophe replied with a somewhat wistful smile. He seriously missed that part of his life. The salt-laden air... wildlife... open spaces.... Room to breath. To think. "Why's that?"
He listened intently as Genny told him the reason behind her question and the French boy had to fight hard to prevent his lower jaw from gaping wide open in shock. An interview? Not only that but...'Working with orcas?" How impossibly fantastic was that? "I can't believe it!" On impulse Christophe jumped to his feet and leaned across the table to drop a kiss directly on the surprised girl's lips. "Merci! Je ne peux pas vous remercier assez! I cannot even begin to express my gratitude. Lia will be shocked beyond belief." That said, he knew he had a certain obstacle to deal with first... namely that interview. But if Genny was right and that the aquarium was struggling to find someone to work with the gentlest of giants then luck might be just on his side.
"When do I go for the interview?" he asked, excitement barely contained.
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Post by Genny Bailey on Apr 2, 2010 21:16:04 GMT -5
"The interview is tomorrow at 4pm at the Aquarium with Dale Anderson.Dress like you are ready for hard work, it will impress him more than a suit and he might want you to start right away." Genny fought to keep calm. It had thrown her that her first kiss came so unexpectedly and was from one of her best friend's boyfriend. Just tell him about your work in Canada and be yourself. He is very nice and he is going to be hoping that you are right for the job.
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Post by christophe on Apr 3, 2010 2:28:16 GMT -5
The French youth listened carefully as Genny told him about the impending interview. Tomorrow. So soon? Actually that was for the better as it gave Christophe much less time to grow anxious about it. That said, it took a lot to disturb the serene boy as his temperament ensured he rarely - if ever - worried about stuff like that. Far from an obstacle he saw the interview as a stepping stone. One that would see him able to work alongside his beloved orcas.
"I am so grateful for this, Genny," Christophe repeated. "It will be hard to concentrate tomorrow during classes and I so hope I am what Mr Anderson is looking for. At least I know all there can possibly BE known about orcas!" he added with a laugh.
Today was perfect.
Two jobs.
One that would see him have the use of a boat and the other was one straight out of his dreams. Sure, he preferred to see the creatures out in the open water but the endless possibilities thta lay before him were enough to steal his breath. How else could he even hope to be able to study them so closely. Even touch them! It was too much to take in.
"Will you also be at the aquarium tomorrow, Genny?" he asked. Maybe Lia would like to come with him? Not so much for moral support but to see Genny and have a look around the facility.
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Post by Genny Bailey on Apr 10, 2010 2:26:58 GMT -5
Genny grinned and winked. "I will be working in the Lab, Christophe. I would like to hear how it goes. Be sure to tell Lia, she will make a good luck charm for you I bet, she couldn't stop talking about you. I think you have completely turned her head," Ginny said with a knowing look. He was a handsome young man and the French accent was enough to make any girl's knees grow weak. Genny took a deep breath and looked away. She was not about to fall for Lia's love interest. She didn't have enough friends that she wanted to turn a good one against her.
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Post by christophe on Apr 11, 2010 3:42:55 GMT -5
"Bon. Then I will look for you after I have finished talking with Mr Anderson. And tonight I will be reading up as much as I can on the aquarium and in particlar the orcas housed there. Maybe I can blind him with my knowledge if all else is failing, ne pensez-vous pas?" Christophe added with a laugh. "But I think I will see if Llyria can come. I know she'd like to see you and she loves anything to do with the sea. She wanted to visit the aquarium as well and so I am sure she would have a fun time. Perhaps afterwards we can all go and get a coffee or something? That time it will definitely be my treat!" he said with an uneven grin. "For now, though, I suppose I should head home but before then I think I will stop at the tourist information booth and grab some leaflets about the aquarium." Christophe was taking this interview - and potential job - very seriously. He wanted it so badly that leaving anything to chance - or fate - just wasn't a viable option. He got to his feet. "I know I have said this already but thank you for this Genny. I will be eternally in your debt and if I can ever repay you please promise me that you will shout." He wandered outside and pulled out his phone... 'Llyria... I have an interview tomorrow after school. At the aquarium. Would you like to come with me? According to Genny (she got me the interview) I might need a good luck charm and you are to be it! Please come... Tof' (tag for a wrap - or wrapped? I'm fine with either  ) |
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Post by Bree Marcus on Apr 11, 2010 11:37:41 GMT -5
Lia just happened to be on her way out to pick up ingredients for dinner when Christophe called. She answered her phone and almost squealed at his news. “That is wonderful. I am very happy for you, Warn Genny I am going to hug her very hard when I see her next. I would love to go with you and I will make you a charm tonight that will ensure you get the job and keep it. I just need to stop and get a few things like orchid root, smokey quartz and various other items for your mojo bag,”Lia said with a giggle, thinking of Austin Powers and thinking Christophe didn’t need help with that kind of Mojo. “What is your favorite color?” Lia pulled into a shopping center that had a New Age store as well as a fabric store. Going to the fabric store first she found a gorgeous bolt of lilac silk and had them cut a length of it for her altar cloth. She then got a smaller piece in the color that Christophe named as favorite, matching threads and string for a drawstring finished her list for that store so she went to the cash register.
Heading to the New Age store, Lia headed to the counter where they kept the semi-precious stones and picked out adventurine, smoky quartz, green tourmaline as well as a gorgeous tree agate and a beautiful piece of jade. Next she pawed through the orchid roots until she found one that appealed to her. A silver kanji representing prosperity and a few oils and she was ready to leave. “This is going to be great. Would you like to come over for dinner and then I can give you this as soon as I have finished it? We’re just having pasta, nothing fancy.”
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