She’d been feeling better the last day or so. Whatever fucking bug she’d caught had finally kicked the bucket, and she was celebrating by laying on a towel under a huge umbrella on the beach. The water was calling her, but so was the blessed ability to lay flat on her back without someone trying to hover over her damn shoulder, or throwing up. Aisling sighed, content.
Maybe she could take a nap. She’d put on sunscreen in the event the sun moved while she slept; she wouldn’t get burned. Or at least not too badly. Closing her eyes, she focused on the laughter and the lapping of the waves.
Chloë came to the beach on her own, and it was probably one of the few times she wasn't walking around with Zevran. Rhys found her weakness for children, and yet she didn't care. She didn't meant for it to happen, but Zevran was both a sweet and amiable child. So yes, she completely adored him and Rhys didn't seem to mind that since it meant he didn't have to worry about care for the child.
"Hm, finally some peace," Chloë said, making sure not to stand in the other woman's light, but not sitting down just yet, "You sure you won't burn?" Chloë didn't burn really, she lightly toasted but never went completely crispy.
Ash opened one eye and squinted up at Chloë. “I’ve got sunscreen on,” she replied. “Besides, the umbrella should hold until the sun moves.” She grinned. “And unless some fucking bomb decides to hover over me, pretty sure that I’m safe.” The mime nestled back into her towel, scooting a little for the machinist to join her if she wanted.
“You here with Rhys, or did he let you wander off on your own today?” From what she’d been hearing, the two had been tighter than usual lately. And Rhys had been suspiciously off the radar, which was always a matter of curiosity. If he wasn’t working the streets, then maybe he was sick? Wasn’t like him to miss an easy mark, and with the spurts of panic, the marks were laughably easy. Hell, she was sure Sky wouldn’t get caught these days, and that was saying something.
Chloë took the seat offered for now, figuring it'd be nice to get out of the sun before she burned. Even if she wore sunscreen, the bright light didn't take kindly to her. "I work with him," Chloë said with a hint of amusement, "but I'm on my own today. Though I'm sure he's around here . . . somewhere." She waved a hand in another direction. If Rhys were there, he likely was helping another woman put on sunscreen and working that Ordalian charm on whoever she might be.
"Though he might have stayed behind," she shrugged, if he hadn't gotten someone to look after Zevran. She was normally the go-to person because he didn't have to go-to ask her, she willingly volunteered, or just told him she was going to do that. "I want to enjoy the beach, I didn't go last year, or the year before that," she said, "I'm not really one for this sort of thing." But there she was anyway.
“Wasn’t implying otherwise,” Ash said, stretching. “But it’s always good to take a day, relax. I skipped last year. Work or something - can’t remember.” A shrug let Chloë know that whatever had kept her away the year before was unimportant. She opened her eyes and surveyed the people around them. Groups and individuals milling about, enjoying the sun and breeze.
Calm.
Almost like shit hadn’t been happening every other week.
“Been up to anything of interest? Heard you were carting around a kid at Albrecht’s engagement party.”
"Oh, just the usual business, and trying to survive Emillion, the latter is proving harder than usual lately," Chloë said thoughtfully, tapping a finger on her chin. She had contemplated moving away, but that was so much work, and well, now Zevran was around. That was plenty of incentive for her to stay.
Speaking of Zevran . . .
"Oh, yes, that's Zevran." she said, "I was looking after him for a friend. He's adorable, isn't he?" Chloë smiled brightly. That baby was one of her favorite things to talk about.