2019-08-02 - Sometimes Relationships Can Look Like Shipwrecks

(TXT to Isabella) Vivian : (sometime late in the day on Aug 1st) Isabella, I've a difficult question to ask you.

(TXT to Vivian) Isabella : Vivian? What is it?

(TXT to Isabella) Vivian : We went to help clean Lilith Winslow's loft, and after it was suggested people leave Byron refused. When I suggested we should really give her space he tossed his keys at me and told me he'd call me when he was ready to leave.

(TXT to Isabella) Vivian : He's not called yet. I am just planning for eventualities, but might I sleep on your couch for a night if things get to this point? I realize the position this will put you in.

(TXT to Vivian) Isabella : Vivian I...of course. You can stay with me for as long as you like. I don't want to seem like a busybody but why do you think Byron didn't want to leave? Why did Lilith need space?

(TXT to Isabella) Vivian : Lilith's father died recently, she was drunk and said that she was tired of people being there. The others had left already, and I'm not entirely sure what motivations Byron had. Possibly the fact a Mister Alistair was there, possibly just stubborn refusal to leave a friend. Potentially a different quality to their closeness than I'd previously thought.

(TXT to Vivian) Isabella : Byron and Lilith were close when they were children, and it's a small town. And he's always been the sort to look after his people, especially when they're visibly struggling or they're potentially in over their heads. He offered his help and involvement to me without even batting a lash, and he and I were over a decade estranged. I know that you're probably uncertain, and it's not like I'm an expert at this kind of thing - you probably know more about this stuff than I do. But I think maybe give him the benefit of the doubt this once until he decides to squander it.

(TXT to Vivian) Isabella : Not going to lie though, if I was in your position I'd probably be jealous as hell and he would know it right away. But that's my issue and my temper. You're a calmer personality than I so you would probably not make the same mistakes I would.

(TXT to Isabella) Vivian : I'm not jealous at all. If that is where his true feelings are then that is where his true feelings are, and it doesn't really serve a purpose to be jealous.

(TXT to Vivian) Isabella : I won't press it but I hope you know that you do have a right to be angry if that is the case, right? You're the one who's told me about the entire...processing thing so you can let go of something.

(TXT to Isabella) Vivian : Do I really? Byron didn't ask me to come here, didn't even know I was. I intruded on his life without making certain of the situation.

(TXT to Vivian) Isabella : He referred to you as his girlfriend to me. I'm certain he's done that to others also. Do you intend to talk to him at least once he does come home?

(TXT to Isabella) Vivian : Of course I'll talk to him when he comes home. Otherwise I'd have already just left, but if things go badly I just wanted to be sure I had a place to land. I don't exactly have many friends here, and the ones I do have are his.

(TXT to Vivian) Isabella : Okay. I hope you know that I'm also your friend. I'm friends with the both of you. I can't blame you for being skeptical about my objectivity but I'm here for you if things do get hard.

(TXT to Isabella) Vivian : I believe that we are friends as well. Which reminds me, I'm going to try and get your gun back from Miss Jones. She's put it away safely in her safe.

(TXT to Vivian) Isabella : I'm glad you told me before I decided to call Captain de la Vega to report it missing. I tried to go back to the hotel to retrieve it but it's no longer there. It would be good to have in the event you do end up staying with me and I'll have to fight off roaming marauders or something to keep us both safe.

(TXT to Isabella) Vivian : Roaming marauders? Hopefully they don't try to invade the houseboat. Between your shooting at them and my talking to them I imagine they'd rue the day.

(TXT to Vivian) Isabella : But of course. We can start our own crew. All we need are a couple of cannons and a parrot.

(TXT to Isabella) Vivian : We could go find ship wrecks, dive for Spanish gold. Which I'm only assuming is a valid thing from Hollywood.

(TXT to Vivian) Isabella : Actually I can tell you all about Project Black Swan over brunch, which did involve a real life dive for Spanish gold.

(TXT to Isabella) Vivian : Project Black Swan? That sounds very much like a secret op from a government agency.

(TXT to Vivian) Isabella : Normally when a marine exploration company catches wind of a shipwreck that may contain a significant hoard, they assign project names for the expedition to ward off competitors and...well, actual pirates. Project Black Swan was one of Odyssey's. It's a fascinating tale about the search of a long lost Spanish warship and its not insignificant treasure, followed by a devastating legal battle which nearly sunk the company because after all that effort, they didn't manage to keep what they found.

(TXT to Vivian) Isabella : The estimated value of the recovered hoard was $500 million

(TXT to Isabella) Vivian : That is a whole lot of money.

(TXT to Vivian) Isabella : ::laugh emoji:: These quests often have to be. The capital spent for these expeditions aren't insignificant either. Rounds and rounds of financing are involved.

(TXT to Vivian) Isabella : Anyway, I can regale you with it when I see you in person. Let me know if you need a place to stay for a while, alright?

(TXT to Isabella) Vivian : I will. As soon as I know.

(TXT to Vivian) Isabella : Okay. I'll talk to you soon.

(TXT to Isabella) Vivian : Thank you.

(TXT to Vivian) Isabella : Anytime.