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Isabela of Rivain ([info]rivainipirate) wrote,
@ 2011-04-15 22:22:00

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Isabela was walking down the street in a city called Washington, or so the portkey had told her when it had dumped her there. It felt strange to be in a proper city, let alone one so modern. She felt out of place and exposed - especially since she had no weapon bigger than a flick-knife in her boot. But at the same time, the place was pretty. She ducked into what looked like a bar, offering food and beverages - she was disappointed not to see whisky on the menu, but oh, well. She stood at the counter, debating what to order, not sure what half of everything was.


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[info]doesntblink
2011-04-16 03:41 am UTC (link)
A man was seated at a table in the corner, kept company only by a glass of clear fizzy liquid and a few manila folders. He was reading and shuffling through papers contained within them, signing periodically, completely focused on his duties. He didn't notice the woman walk in. He barely noticed the waitress approach him to refill his drink.

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[info]rivainipirate
2011-04-16 03:56 am UTC (link)
She backed up to let someone go by her, still thinking about her food, but apparently it was a step too far; she heard the clink of glass as something fell over and the side of her arse hit a table. "Oh, Maker, I'm sorry." Isabela cursed under her breath as she turned around to try and fix whatever she'd knocked over.

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[info]doesntblink
2011-04-16 03:58 am UTC (link)
It was just the pepper shaker. Hotch shook his head and picked up the piece of paper, waving it a bit to clear it of debris. "No harm done, Miss." He offered her a small half smile. "You appear a bit lost?"

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[info]rivainipirate
2011-04-16 04:05 am UTC (link)
Isabela read him in half a second: serious, dedicated and mostly humorless. Though quite attractive. "Oh, good, didn't want to mess up your papers." She'd been in fights before over spilled drinks. She did smile, though. "I've never been to this place before. Washington, I mean." Captain Jack had told her that her accent would seem "English" to people from this world, and she could run with that. "I'm sure it's obvious that I'm not from here."

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[info]doesntblink
2011-04-16 04:07 am UTC (link)
"It is, but your accent is unlike any English accent I've heard before." He moved to offer her a seat if she wanted one. "And it's fine, I've got copies of all of these things back at my office. I suppose I should thank you for reminding me to eat."

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[info]rivainipirate
2011-04-16 04:17 am UTC (link)
She had to work to remain poker-faced; either he wasn't well-travelled or he was incredibly observant. Isabela sat and crossed her legs; her skirt was short, but from what she could tell, not inappropriate for this time. In other words, it was about a foot longer than Isabela would have worn in Kirkwall. Sigh. "Well, I'm glad you have copies. And I'm rather good at remembering to eat and drink." She smiled. "I used to work in a position where I had to look after a lot of people at once."

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[info]doesntblink
2011-04-16 04:20 am UTC (link)
"It's important to never have just one copy of anything in what I do." He smiled lopsidedly at her before motioning to a waitress for a menu of some sort. "What is it that you used to do? ... I'm being rude, my name is Hotch, Aaron Hotchner."

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[info]rivainipirate
2011-04-16 04:30 am UTC (link)
Luckily, she and Jack had brainstormed a cover story. "I was a tour guide, actually. Looking after ships and crew, and then tourists." It explained her knowledge of ships, at least. "I grew up on the sea, and spent some time on sailing ships. And you can call me Isabela." It belatedly occurred to her that she hadn't come up with a last name. Shit.

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[info]doesntblink
2011-04-16 05:04 am UTC (link)
"Tour guide." He gave her a raise of his eyebrow, but said nothing else. "Isabela, please, just call me Hotch. And will you allow me to buy you lunch?" He looked at her hands and smiled. "I don't think you're accustomed to men doing things for you." Her hands were calloused enough where he assumed she did some sort of manual labor. Perhaps with rigging. The sailing thing didn't seem like a lie.

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[info]rivainipirate
2011-04-16 05:09 am UTC (link)
She laughed. He was observant. Damn. "No, I'm not, at all. But I would appreciate it. It's kind of you. Do your work colleagues call you Hotch?" It would explain why it was his default. Aaron was a perfectly average first name, but for some reason he didn't want her, a stranger, to use it.

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[info]doesntblink
2011-04-16 05:11 am UTC (link)
"Even my mother calls me Hotch." He chuckled and handed her a menu once he was given one, moving to take a sip of his water. He was technically on the clock, so he didn't want to drink. "Don't abstain on my behalf," he chuckled, nodding at the drink menu.

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[info]rivainipirate
2011-04-16 05:17 am UTC (link)
Isabela laughed in delight. "And here I didn't see whisky on the menu. Thank the Maker!" Something made her fudge just a bit. "Sometimes one just hits the spot, I find. Especially when one's been outside most of the day." It was true, but for some reason, she didn't want to let on just how much whisky she normally drank. She had been outside most of the day; she'd been walking around Tortuga, exploring, before she'd decided to hop portkeys.

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[info]doesntblink
2011-04-16 05:18 am UTC (link)
Huh. Definitely not British. He leaned back and folded his arms. "You were brought here by the vortex too, weren't you? It's okay, me too, you can talk about your home. I won't think you're crazy." That, and she was ... abnormally pretty.

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[info]rivainipirate
2011-04-16 05:33 am UTC (link)
Well, if he could tell, no sense in hiding it. Isabela cocked her head to one side, amused. "I've been able to fool most people. You're quite annoyingly observant. I didn't know how many people were in my situation, and I do try to avoid looking completely mad in public." She broke off when a serving girl came over and they ordered food and drink; Isabela opted for a beer and a bowl of thick, hearty soup. "My name really is Isabela, and I really do spend most of my time outside on ships. Just, well, as a pirate." A wry grin broke through her features.

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[info]doesntblink
2011-04-16 05:39 am UTC (link)
"It's wise to do that around most, but I was brought here the same way and my job revolves around observing people." He smiled and took off his jacket after he ordered a burger and a diet soda for himself. "Really? A ... swashbuckling, plank walking sort?" He dealt more with the digital kind of pirate.

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[info]rivainipirate
2011-04-16 05:52 am UTC (link)
"What do you do that requires observing people? You're far too dour to be a proper thief." Isabela chuckled, hoping he wouldn't get offended. "Indeed; I was a proper pirate, captain of the Siren's Call. In a real ship, with sails and rigging, none of these machines to make them go."

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[info]doesntblink
2011-04-16 08:33 pm UTC (link)
He smiled, nodding a bit at the pictures. "I'm a behavioral analyst at the BAU in Quantico. ... essentially, I try to see what makes murderers, arsonists, terrorists... well, what makes them tick. Understanding them makes them easier to catch sometimes." He hoped she wouldn't look through the sheaf of photos. They bothered most people.

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[info]rivainipirate
2011-04-16 08:49 pm UTC (link)
She did look down at the papers, seeing a few, but the one on top didn't bother her. She'd been a pirate. She'd castrated someone, and she'd seen her share of blood. "I don't know entirely what that means" - where or what was Quantico? - "but all humans have patterns. Non-humans have patterns, too." The job made sense, though she'd never imagined anyone would actually get paid to do that. "You're basically ..." She gestured idly. "A sort of guard?"

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[info]doesntblink
2011-04-16 08:55 pm UTC (link)
"You could say that." He smiled, taking a sip of his seltzer. "You must think that this world is terribly strange, especially if you come from a time that had pirates. If you have any questions, please ask."

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[info]rivainipirate
2011-04-16 09:14 pm UTC (link)
The girl came over with her beer, and she popped it with one of the rings she wore. "There's quite a lot I don't understand," Isabela admitted. "Though I've met others who share my line of work, which is nice." She smiled on thinking of Jack and Anne. "I've been trying to find work so I can build myself a ship - apparently there are people who still build them proper. If I have a ship, I can manage." It was basically true; it was her home. Where she felt most comfortable.

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[info]doesntblink
2011-04-16 09:17 pm UTC (link)
"What will you do once you have it? There's simply not a lot to pirate any longer. Most people do it over computers now, actually." He sipped his cola before starting in on his burger.

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[info]rivainipirate
2011-04-16 09:19 pm UTC (link)
"What's a computer?" She shrugged, crossing her legs and smoothing her skirt. "I don't necessarily need to be a pirate. I just need to be on the sea." There was longing in her voice; she knew it and didn't care.

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[info]doesntblink
2011-04-16 09:22 pm UTC (link)
He rifled through his bag and pulled out his laptop. "This is a computer. They don't all look like this, though. I liked sailing when I was younger, my dad had a little boat we used to take out fishing on Sundays."

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[info]rivainipirate
2011-04-16 09:48 pm UTC (link)
It looked like a box made of some strange material. "How could you be a pirate using that?" Isabela sounded amused. Was he having her on? "Sailing is like nothing else, for me. It's the place where I feel the most free. Even when I wasn't captain."

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[info]doesntblink
2011-04-16 09:53 pm UTC (link)
"Well, most people store their... er... coin in places called banks. And the information about the money and who has it is in things like this. Now, computers can talk to each other, so if you figure out the code - sort of like picking a lock - you can take other people's money." He shrugged, amused at having to explain online theft. "Sailing is peaceful. I can understand getting lost in it."

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[info]rivainipirate
2011-04-16 10:04 pm UTC (link)
That made sense, at least to a reasonable degree. "I can understand that as a way to just get coin, but it was never just coin we were after. Half the fun was in storming mercenary camps in the middle of the night." Isabela chuckled. "You'll probably come over all serious at me, but if it's your life or theirs, you're going to kill them, and you might as well have fun doing it."

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[info]doesntblink
2011-04-16 10:13 pm UTC (link)
He was quiet for a moment, remembering pounding Foyet's head into his living room floor. He had to visibly shake himself to escape the memory. "Yes. I would defend myself if I had to."

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[info]rivainipirate
2011-04-16 10:29 pm UTC (link)
Isabela wasn't a fool. "Sorry." She obviously hadn't done it on purpose, but she'd clearly brought up an unpleasant memory. Their food arrived, luckily, so she had an excuse to be quiet for a moment. After a while, she just spoke. "I ran off to sea after my mother gave me to a brute of a man for ... a bit of coin and a goat, if I recall." Her tone was matter-of-fact. "The only people I've ever truly enjoyed killing are the ones who tried to rape me." Well, that wasn't entirely true, but those were the only ones she took a personal satisfaction in.

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[info]doesntblink
2011-04-16 10:54 pm UTC (link)
"It's not your fault." He offered her a french fry, figuring that she'd never had one before.

But upon finding out her life, he turned to her and took her hand into his. Squeezing gently, he met her eyes. "Good. Don't let them hurt you, and it sounds like you did what you had to."

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[info]rivainipirate
2011-04-16 11:18 pm UTC (link)
She hadn't expected that, and if she had, she'd probably have yanked her hand away, but his tone was so sincere that she let it pass. He wasn't mocking her. And his eyes were very handsome. So was he, really, in a stern sort of way.

Luckily, she was able to keep her tone even and neither laugh nor get upset. "I learned rather early in life that I had to defend myself. I just had to learn how." Isabela smiled a little, though it turned to mild confusion when she saw the food ... thing. "What's that?"

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[info]doesntblink
2011-04-16 11:23 pm UTC (link)
"I know you're not the sort of woman to need a man, but if you ever need anything, you can call on me. We people brought here need to stick together, right?" He smiled broadly for the first time since having met her. "Oh, nobody's made you have a french fry yet? They're probably the best invention since the wheel."

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[info]rivainipirate
2011-04-16 11:38 pm UTC (link)
His smile was charming, she had to admit. Isabela smiled right back, letting her eyes join in this time. "I've been staying with pirates. Their idea of good grub is leg of mutton laid in the sun for two days." The soup was amazing - the server had called it beef barley - but she was always on the lookout for more. Jack, bless his heart, was no cook. She took the 'french fry' and took a bite, blinking when she recognized the taste somewhat. "Oh! Is that potato?"

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[info]doesntblink
2011-04-16 11:40 pm UTC (link)
"It' good that there's people that you can relate to. Otherwise I imagine it would get lonely." Hotch grinned and nodded. "Try it in the red stuff, that's ketchup. Otherwise known as savior of poorly cooked foods."

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[info]rivainipirate
2011-04-16 11:57 pm UTC (link)
"I've always managed to find friends, somehow." Isabela smiled a trifle seductively, but instantly wished she hadn't. This one was straight-laced; her normal routines likely would have no effect on him, or even drive him off. At the very least, she wanted to know him more. He interested her. Wordlessly, she dipped the french fry in the red sauce, raising an eyebrow when she liked it. "Mmm."

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[info]doesntblink
2011-04-17 12:04 am UTC (link)
Hotch couldn't help but chuckle. "I'm sure you have." He couldn't help but smile and return to eating, his eyes knowing when she enjoyed the ketchup. "See?"

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[info]rivainipirate
2011-04-17 12:16 am UTC (link)
She felt stupid, but damned if she'd show it. "That's quite good. What was it called again? Ketchup?" She'd have to remember. They ate in silence for a bit until she decided to try again, to maybe make a better impression. "So, do you live near here? I've a place in Louisiana, but I've also been spending a bit of time on an island called Tortuga."

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[info]doesntblink
2011-04-17 12:18 am UTC (link)
"Yes, though I think in the United Kingdom it's called catsup for some reason." He smiled and nodded to her question. "I do, in a town called Quantico. It's in Virginia, just south of here. I'm here on business. Are you headed near there? I could always give you a ride."

Wait, what? He didn't even know why he'd said that.

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[info]rivainipirate
2011-04-17 12:33 am UTC (link)
"Ah, it's a town." Isabela chuckled. "I'd wondered." She wasn't entirely sure why he'd said that about a ride; it wasn't a come-on, of that she was sure. But she did want to see him again; she enjoyed his company. Was that furrow in his brow confusion or nerves?

Eventually she split the difference. "I was rather intending to go wherever the port-key takes me. Figure I can do more exploring before I set down to find work. But," her eyes looked down, an artful sort of lilt, "perhaps you could suggest good places to go? Or even tell me about them over drinks sometime."

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[info]doesntblink
2011-04-17 12:43 am UTC (link)
He laughed at that, a rare used but still servicable sound. "I'd like that. Though I do hope you're not trying to seduce me for profit. I don't make that much every year, I'm divorced, and I have a young son. Not your type of mark, I'd wager."

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[info]rivainipirate
2011-04-17 01:02 am UTC (link)
It sounded rarely used. "I'm not a whore." Isabela laughed; she wasn't offended, she'd been called worse. "That's a bloody hard profession and I don't have the stomach for it. All tricks and charm. Pirates at least come right at you. Usually with a cannon. Even when I used to be a cutpurse, slash" - she made a cutting gesture - "and run. All straightforward." She smiled, but she could tell it was her flirty smile. Stop that. To fix that, she asked, "What does 'divorced' mean?"

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[info]doesntblink
2011-04-17 01:19 am UTC (link)
"But I'm sure you weren't above being beautiful and witty to charm a man out of a deal." He smiled as well, leaning back. "Well, it means that I was married, but she left me. It's legal, it's like we never were married. It's good for it to exist, that way women who aren't happy can leave their husbands without having to kill them or be killed." He tried to make light of it, since he'd never really gotten over Haley's leaving.

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[info]rivainipirate
2011-04-17 01:27 am UTC (link)
She could tell it bothered him. Instead of asking more, she just shook her head. "That would have put the Antivan Crows out of business." Isabela laughed at the idea of how bored Zevran would have been. "They were a group of assassins for hire, and quite a lot of their business was separating husbands from wives. Where I'm from, most people follow the religion of the Maker, and His bride, Andraste, and the clerics always preached that since the Maker was happy to keep Andraste at His side, we should all do the same in who we marry. I'm rather lucky my husband died." Well, Zevran killed him - she still owed him a few sovereigns for that.

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[info]doesntblink
2011-04-17 01:31 am UTC (link)
"Religion here says that marriage is a sacrament as well, but most of them are accepting that sometimes people mess it up." He looked a bit sheepish, and cleared his throat nervously.

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[info]rivainipirate
2011-04-17 01:44 am UTC (link)
Shit. "I wish we'd had such a thing." Despite the loss of business. She did. "I get the feeling I should be going, though." Best to not wear out her welcome.

Isabela rose easily, hoping he'd still meet her for drinks sometime. She liked his attitude. And his eyes, and his smile. Though she supposed it was rather like being with a widower ... she'd have to tread carefully.

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[info]doesntblink
2011-04-17 01:45 am UTC (link)
He looked up at her. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to give you that feeling. She's the only - " The only woman he'd ever been with. "If I give you my card, will you call me sometime? I hear a pirate's word is their bond."

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[info]rivainipirate
2011-04-17 02:06 am UTC (link)
Isabela understood, and didn't say anything. She would have teased most people, but not him. "Sure, I'll call. I just learnt how to use that thing." She grinned. "I think I can manage it. Especially for interesting company." That wasn't even flirting, just true.

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[info]doesntblink
2011-04-17 02:08 am UTC (link)
He reached into his wallet to pull out his card holder, handing her one - but not before scribbling down his personal cell phone number on the back. "Any time, I'm usually awake. I haven't had more than four hours of sleep a night since I started this job." He smiled and stood up to shake her hand, snagging the bill before she had a chance.

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[info]rivainipirate
2011-04-17 02:26 am UTC (link)
"Watches on a ship are six hours. I know the feeling." She'd never broken the habit; never needed to. She noticed his quick move in laying the bill down, and laughed. "The next one's on me." Isabela shook his hand, still smiling.

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[info]doesntblink
2011-04-17 02:27 am UTC (link)
"I'll hold you to it, Captain." He smiled and went to the bar to pay the tab, acutely aware of her eyes on him. He was glad he was in his nicest suit.

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