Open - different responses depending on the reply

[a_time_slip]

For the past half hour, Janie had been sitting on the beach, watching the waves.  Water both fascinated and scared her, which is why she was at a safe distance.

She wasn't unhappy, but she had doubts about nearly everything in her mind.  She wasn't sure if the yellow boat parked a few hundred yards away was a safe idea or not.

Comments

[unstuck-in-tyme.livejournal.com]

"If you're looking at the water, then something's bothering you," Robert said, settling beside her.

[a_time_slip]

"Daddy!" she smiled "I didn't expect to see you! I- yes. I'll be okay."

[unstuck-in-tyme.livejournal.com]

"You sure? Because you don't look so sure," Robert said with a grin. "What's on your mind?"

[a_time_slip]

"Mistakes. I've- well, Forgetting about that, did you see my boat?"

[unstuck-in-tyme.livejournal.com]

"The big yellow thing? Yes ... it's nice. Does it have some sort of guidance system for you?"

[a_time_slip]

"...I don't need it." she admitted. "It's just for show, something where I can have a bit of company."

[unstuck-in-tyme.livejournal.com]

Robert nodded. "That can be a good thing."

[a_time_slip]

"Yeah. But not ex boyfriend company."

[unstuck-in-tyme.livejournal.com]

"I wouldn't know," Robert said, "but I'll take your word for that."

[a_time_slip]

"Because they're too confusing! Or they're evil, and I've had enough with evil people from my past popping up! Life needs to throw me a new plot."

[unstuck-in-tyme.livejournal.com]

"I've had enough of evil people from the past, as well," Robert agreed. "It's why retiring to an island seems like such a good idea ... "

[a_time_slip]

"I need people. I need to do something and not just sit around. It's not fair to Lynn, is it?" She grabbed a handful of sand and watched it drift through her fingers. "My life is too dangerous for her."

[unstuck-in-tyme.livejournal.com]

"Maybe. But she's a lot like you and she'd get bored just sitting around, the way that you do."

[a_time_slip]

She returned, outfitted with a couple more weapons.

"We're taking the boat?"

[unstuck-in-tyme.livejournal.com]

Robert eyed the yellow cabin cruiser.

"It's a bit obvious, isn't it? What did you name it?"

[a_time_slip]

"Obvious?" She sighed and walked over to it. "What would you have picked? And no, I didn't name it. I had enough trouble naming my own kid."

[unstuck-in-tyme.livejournal.com]

"Well, any boat needs a name," Robert said, walking beside her.

[a_time_slip]

"Why? It's not going to respond to it. The boat does not need a name."

[unstuck-in-tyme.livejournal.com]

"Every boat has a name," Robert said. "It's tradition. Call it the Lynn, or something."

[a_time_slip]

"I'm not naming a boat after my daughter!" She did, however, try to think of a name. "The... hmm."

[unstuck-in-tyme.livejournal.com]

"A lot of people name them after their kids. I had a boat called the Janie for a while."

[a_time_slip]

"...Why? Did it sink?"

[unstuck-in-tyme.livejournal.com]

" ... I sold it to someone who promptly renamed it the 'Wet and Wild.' It happens."

He climbed over the railing and took a quick look around. "It's nice enough, anyway."

[a_time_slip]

Janie looked at her father like he was insane. She opened her mouth to say something, closed it, and shook her head.

"Riff Raff." she said, finally, jumping easily over the railing.

[unstuck-in-tyme.livejournal.com]

"Rift Raft?" Robert countered.