Much deserved fun

[a_time_slip]

Instead of popping up in Julian's place uninvited, Janie knocked on his door a few minutes after she got the last note from him.

She knocked, and waited for him to get to the door.

Comments

[lostinthefog]

"Which is quite convenient, I think."

He shrugged, looking a bit sheepish. "It's the country I used to think my family came from. I even learned the language, though I've never had much opportunity for using it. Well, at least it's supposed to have a beautiful landscape, and I'm all curious about the polar lights and the long nights."

[a_time_slip]

"I never knew that." she said, after listening to him "Well, we've got all the time in the world to do whatever you want once we get there. That's something else I haven't done, taken time to really see polar lights. I'm glad you chose Norway!"

[lostinthefog]

"It's nothing I tell people usually." Not anymore, anyway. Janie's enthusiasm made him smile, however. "Really? I'm glad then. I don't have any plans, actually, just ... yeah. Watching the polar lights, bit of the landscape. Maybe visit a nice restaurant? They do have good food there, I've heard."

[a_time_slip]

"I think we all have things like that." Janie said, pouring herself a soda "I approve of those plans, and I haven't been out to a nice place to eat in... ages. Usually I stick to diners or fast food."

[lostinthefog]

"Me neither, usually it's fast food or leftovers from the bar for me, too. Alright, we'll find a nice place to indulge ourselves. Do you like fish?"

[a_time_slip]

"I- um, not really" she said. "I have a phobia of them, and don't really eat much of it."

[lostinthefog]

"Ah, right, you said so earlier. Okay, no fish then. That's good, actually, because that way we won't risk stumbling across the rotten variety. There's lots of other tasty things, I'm sure we'll find something."

He pondered about other Norwegian dishes until he realized something.

"Uhm. But with this phobia ... why did you choose a boat?"

[a_time_slip]

"Rotten?" she asked, suddenly worried food poisoning. "It was the best machine I could think of."

[lostinthefog]

"Well, not exactly rotten. More like fermented. It's called rakfisk, and supposed to be a delicacy. The smell makes your eyes water. But it's the only dish like this they have, I think", he added quickly.

He nodded, to him, it still seemed a good choice. "I guess we're safe from them on this boat anyway."

[a_time_slip]

"Is that something you want to try?" asked Janie "Because you can. I don't have to eat it if you try it."

She nods to Julian. "It's safe, one of the safest places you can be."

[lostinthefog]

"Hell, no. I could barely stand it when my sense of smell wasn't as good as it is now. We should definitely go for the reindeer steak instead."

Julian smiled a bit, considering that. "You know, that feels really, really good for a chance."

[a_time_slip]

"Thank you." she smiled, sincerely. Reindeer steak sounded much, much better than smelly fish.

"It does. I'm really tired of being in danger"

[lostinthefog]

Which was exactly his opinion, too, so his smile seemed rather relieved.

"Tell me about it. Is there any chance we never have to leave this boat again?"

[a_time_slip]

"Not that I've had reindeer steak before... it's tasty, correct."

She considered what Julian said before answering. "We could, but I don't like the idea of hiding and giving up. I'm pretty sure they'll continue their- whatever you call it."

[lostinthefog]

"Yes, it is. Especially when it comes with berry sauce. At home, we had it a couple of times."

He sighed and nodded. "It's a war, isn't it. I'm sure, too, that it wouldn't stop if we were gone, but ... oh, you're right. It would be hiding and I don't want to do that either. Let's just enjoy this little break, shall we?"

[a_time_slip]

"You'll have to make sure I order it properly." she smiled, looking forward to dinner "And yes. We're going to enjoy this break, no matter how long it takes."

[lostinthefog]

"I will, even if my Norwegian is all rusty. But I'll make sure we'll have a great dinner without any rakfisk, at least that I can do."
He smiled right back, it was something he looked forward to as well. "Good food and no danger. That's going to be one of the best days of the year."

[a_time_slip]

"It really is." Janie glanced at the controls "Let me know when you're ready to go. We're not that far away."

[lostinthefog]

He nodded and took a last long look outside, enjoying the sight.

"Alright ... I think I am."

[a_time_slip]

She typed a few things in, and the boat slowed down gradually until it stopped.

"We can go back the same way if you'd like. It's up to you."

Janie grabbed a jacket, then waited for Julian to climb out of the boat.

[lostinthefog]

"Sure, I'd like to. This was amazing."

Julian put on his sweater and left the boat. He went a few steps further to make room for Janie, then stopped, taking in his surroundings, the view as well as the unfamiliar smells and sounds.

[a_time_slip]

Janie started to get out, then ducked back on the boat to put on a warmer jacket. The second time she climbed out, the boat seemed to disappear a second later.

"Oh wow, this looks amazing. I thought it would be just snow..."

[lostinthefog]

He rubbed his arms against the chilly air and turned around, a wide smile on his face.

"No, not this time of the year. Except for the tops of the mountains, I suppose." Said mountains were not too far from the water and all around, forming a quite pleasant landscape. And there was a faint shimmering on the sky, likely announcing the first polar lights.

[a_time_slip]

She took in a deep breath, and looked at the landscape and the sky, taking in every detail.

"This is picturesque. Thanks, Julian. Hey, look at the sky..."

She pointed to the shimmering.

[lostinthefog]

"Thank you for bringing me here."

He raised his gaze to see what Janie was pointing at, just in time to see the greenish shimmer getting slowly larger, constantly moving, shifting, changing.

"Wow", he muttered for the second time today, and probably not for the last.