The Boat That Grounded Offshore
TBTR Sequel
Part Seven
James and Meowth waited in line at the harbourmaster's office, the cat Pokémon snuggled into the blue-haired man's coat which was pulled tight around his body against the lashing winds.
The ferry should have left an hour ago and they had been queuing up outside the harbourmaster's office for two hours already, waiting for news along with everyone else.
James sighed as wet hair blew into his eyes again, this time not bothering to brush it away. "Wish the guy would make a decision already."
A grey-haired man mumbled in agreement behind him and James threw him a tired smile. Turning back to stare at the office door, James noticed a small group of youths start to leave, obviously giving up, too cold and tired and wet to care about their holiday to a distant island anymore.
James watched them creep up the hill back to whatever rundown motel or one star hotel they'd stayed at, when the metal door swung open and a broad shouldered, white-whiskered man appeared in the doorway.
Keeping the door still with his foot, the man coughed, drawing everyone's attention to him.
"Sorry for the wait," he called out, lifting a clipboard above his head and waving it slightly. "I'm the harbourmaster. You can call me Tim."
Some kinder, more patient people murmured a response while others just stared, waiting anxiously for his final report.
He lowered the clipboard. "As you can see the rain has let up, but the winds are still going strong. I've been in contact with the guys over at the island and the storm seems to spread out across the sea and they've had it as bad." He tapped the end of the clipboard against the metal door. "However, going by the weather reports, the storm should fully pass us by two this afternoon, and if the wind keeps up going in this direction, it should have passed the island by time of arrival as well."
The small crowd was still silent, looking at the man expectantly.
"I would like, as so would the guys over on the island, for the ferry to leave here today. I'm sure you lot share the same sentiments." Tim smiled, his lips curling under his long pale whiskers. "So if the weather follows the predicted patterns for the rest of the morning, we'll depart at three this afternoon – and hopefully entirely miss the storm at sea."
There was a collected sigh of relief until a tall muscular man at the front of the crowd spoke up. "We'll arrive at night then? In the dark?"
Tim swept his gaze over the crowd until he stopped on the man. James recognized him as the man he had seen leaning against the office wall when he had joined the line outside. It appeared as if he had been waiting since very early morning, rain had still been dripping down his face when it had already stopped long before.
Now the man looked relevantly dry, if not windswept and annoyed.
"You would arrive at night, yes." Tim replied.
The burly man puffed out his chest. "I've sailed these waters for years as a fisherman before I moved to the mainland and-"
Tim held up a hand, immediately interrupting him. "The ferry will arrive safely. I'm the harbourmaster here, and I wouldn't risk anyone's safety."
The man didn't look convinced but he didn't respond, instead jerking his face away to glare angrily at the dirty grey waves slamming against moored boats down in port.
Tim's smile returned, his whiskers trembling again as his lips disappeared under the wiry moustache. "Now, if there's any more questions?"
A woman raised a dainty hand. "What if the weather doesn't follow the predicted patterns?"
His smile didn't falter. "The ferry will be delayed until tomorrow. I can promise you we will try our best to get out of port as soon as we can, but not by endangering anyone here."
James frowned. The ferry will leave today. I have no doubts about that. The only reason it wouldn't is if the storm blows the sea straight on top of the harbourmaster's office and washes him away.
It was obvious the man didn't care one iota about anyone's safety. Those too clear eyes, and how clean and tidy he looked…he had obviously slept well last night and had spent plenty of time preparing himself, dressing smartly in an ironed shirt and tie, backcombing his white hair and oiling those damned whiskers.
I highly doubt he's even contacted the man who runs the dock back on the island. He's probably been sat in there with a mirror until five minutes ago when he glanced at the weather reports.
As if to prove James' thoughts, Tim raised the clipboard again, this time to point at a young man who had a question about getting a refund. The harbourmaster looked most displeased. But what caught James' eye was what was clipped to the board.
Narrowing his eyes and leaning forwards to get a better look, James realized that a single slip of paper had been attached. It looked like a printed out weather report from the internet, fluffy drawings of clouds and large digits stating temperature and wind speed. Is that a game of tic-tac-toe in the corner?
A jolt ran through his body as Tim's too clear eyes snapped to meet his, bushy eyebrows lifting curiously.
James blinked, and turned, blending back into the crowd and moving swiftly between the people around him. As he walked away, heading in the same direction as the group of youths had gone, Meowth rubbed his head against his cheek. "W'ere we goin'?"
"Get a coffee somewhere," he mumbled in reply. "I'm bloody freezing."
The cat Pokémon grumbled, sinking deeper into the warmth in the crook of James' neck, surrounding himself as much as he could in the coat collar.
James finally found a shabby yet somewhat cosy café a ten minute walk away from the port. He pushed open the door, glancing up as a bell rattled emptily above his head.
"Welcome!" a voice greeted. "Take a seat anywhere you fancy."
The café was small, the counter a beaten up thing that looked like it was made up of driftwood. The tables were old ship wheels with scratched glass placed on top, all held up by mismatched legs as if someone had dug around in a tip and found a dozen tables and hacked them up until only the legs were left. The seating choices ranged from off-white leather stools to elaborately carved wooden chairs with fading cushions.
James chose the table in the most distant corner and perched on a wonky stool. Meowth jumped off his shoulder and landed gracefully on the glass tabletop, studying the ancient wheel underneath with wide eyes.
Fortunately, the place was heated and James shrugged off his coat and laid it on the green plastic chair beside him. The place was also empty of any other customer.
The voice that had welcomed him suddenly spoke again. "We have a nice choice of hot drinks. They're all written up on the chalkboard."
Sure enough, behind the driftwood counter a large blackboard spanned the entire wall with elegantly scrawled drink names in large type, a small selection of food options at the far end, all with prices visibly printed alongside.
Someone's definitely taken the time. James let his eyes run down the list, the corner of his mouth pulling up into a slight smile as he read the names of teas he'd never heard of before.
He looked up at the owner of the voice. A girl Lisa's age was waiting for his order, long black hair brushing against her hips as she shifted her weight. Long fingers clasped onto a notepad in her hand, one of those half-sized pencils in the other, poised ready above the paper. Under the black formal shirt, the girl's stomach was round and above the stiff collar, the faint outline of a double chin as she bent her head to look at him.
There was something warm about the girl, something that reminded him of Lisa back home even though she looked nothing like her. She had the same innocent yet mature glint in her eyes, that same passion for life and enthusiasm for the things she loved. This is the one who's taken the time. James felt his expression soften.
"Just an Earl Grey, please." He said, going for a name he actually knew and had tasted before.
After a rapid motion of the short pencil, the girl's eyes flicked towards Meowth. "Will he like anything to drink?" she asked. "A bowl of milk perhaps?"
To the girl's awed surprise, Meowth answered for himself. "Bowl of milk would be great!"
She recovered quickly, an overjoyed grin spreading across her face. "Awesome. Earl Grey and bowl of milk it is then."
Spinning on her heel, the girl returned to her place behind the counter and the clinks of pottery and the rumble of steam rose from the other side of the café.
"You made a good choice, Jimmy boy." Meowth's fangs glimmered in the warm glow of the café.
"Of course I did." He frowned, taking hold of the Pokémon's tail and giving it a light tug which drew an irritated yowl from him.
James smirked as Meowth held his tail against his chest.
As the girl returned to their table carrying a tray, James leaned back. She placed a white and blue striped pot and jug before him, followed by a cream coloured cup and saucer. Then she carefully set a bowl of milk before Meowth, wisps of steam rising from the pale liquid. "I warmed it up," she said. "Thought hot milk would be best on a day like this."
"Thank you." They replied simultaneously.
That overjoyed grin on her face once more, the girl stepped away and bowed. "Take your time and enjoy."
The girl then went back to the counter and disappeared behind it, sitting down on a chair with a ragged-looking novel.
"Jessie would 'ate it 'ere." Meowth whispered as he bent down to lap his milk like a real cat.
"I'm not sure about that." James murmured as he poured hot tea into the cup. I think she'd love it here. And for the same reason as I do.
He chuckled under his breath. Maybe this is what an old man feels like when every young girl reminds him of his daughter.
"Or maybe I'm just getting soft."
Meowth glanced up at him, confusion flashing in his glowing eyes. "You've always been soft."
"Why, thank you, Meowth."
-#-
Meowth was balancing on James' shoulder, leaning forwards precariously as the man passed a handful of coins over the driftwood counter into the palm of the girl.
"'hanks!" Meowth grinned at her.
The girl smiled. "You're welcome."
James pocketed the change she gave to him. "Is it always like this?" he asked, gesturing towards the quiet café.
"Ah, no," she laughed. "We had the usual folk this morning but today everyone's hiding inside from the storm or repairing the damage the wind did. Some homes were flooded last night."
James nodded and Meowth glimpsed the relieved smile on his lips. 'e was worried t'at tis place was strugglin'.
As they walked over to the door, Meowth snuggled back into the man's coat, preparing for the biting cold outside, James turned, looking back over his shoulder. The girl had settled back down in her seat behind the counter, that dog-eared book held open in her hands. "What are your thoughts on the harbourmaster?"
She blinked, lowering the book in her lap. "The harbourmaster?"
"What do you think of the guy?"
The girl raised her chin, looking up at the ceiling as if the answers were written there. "Hmm…" She closed the book on her thumb, saving her page for later. "I don't really see him much. I don't go by the port nor does he pop in here. But if I had to say…he's loves his job for the money."
Meowth watched James from the corner of his eye as he nodded knowingly.
"Why do you ask?"
"I just wanted to know if my impression of him was correct."
The girl slipped a finger under her shirt collar, tugging at it slightly. Meowth saw the glint of a metal chain around her throat. "You're passing through town to use one of the boats." She said, stating not asking. She removed her finger from her collar and pointed upwards at the large oval clock on the far wall. "Were you leaving on this morning's ferry?"
"It got delayed till three." The clock declared that it was quarter to.
The girl didn't look impressed. "Three? It's still going to leave today?" She shook her head. "Be safe. It would be nice to see you again."
The duo bowed their heads and smiled at her.
They left the café and started on their way back to the port. Meowth curled up around James' neck, trying to hide away from the wind as much as possible. "W'at was wit' the questions?"
The blue-haired man didn't respond for a few minutes, the two walking through the wind that whipped mercilessly at them in silence. While the weather had lessened since they had stepped inside, the wind still nipped at their faces. "I have my doubts."
"'bout the 'arbourmaster?"
"About the whole thing." He stopped and looked ahead. From where they were standing they had a clear view of the port down below.
"We still gonna go?" Meowth asked, not really wanting to wait much longer.
James angled his head so his cheek rubbed against Meowth's fur, the Pokémon relishing the warm touch in the freezing temperature around them. "We're going. We can't let Jessie wait much longer. Plus…" he reached under his coat and clicked off a Pokéball from his belt, holding it out before him. "We have to get this to Lisa for her birthday. We can't miss that."
"Nah, we can't." Meowth purred in agreement.
Arriving at the port, they found the harbourmaster standing in front of one of the docks, still clutching onto his clipboard. The crowd from this morning had diminished to only a few and, by the straight line of whiskers and lips, it was obvious to tell that the man was most disgruntled by that fact.
James joined the crowd, Meowth raising himself up to stand on two legs on his shoulder, a paw on his head for balance. He recognized some of the faces – the man who had asked about refunds, the dainty woman, the grey-haired man, and the burly man. A family of three huddled together in the centre of the group.
"This it?" Tim frowned, looking disgusted at the part of eight and a Meowth before him.
"Seems like it." The burly man growled, folding thick arms across his chest. His skin was speckled blue and purple, as if he had never left his position outside since this morning.
"Fine, fine." Tim sighed, waving the clipboard with its single piece of paper attached. By now, the white was splotched with wet patches where sea spray and stray droplets of rain had been carried in the wind onto the paper. "Everyone follow me."
He led the party down the dock until they reached the familiar-looking ferry, Meowth immediately setting eyes on the captain with his faded cap pulled low and ginger stubble on his chin.
As they queued up to board, Meowth realized that whatever had been on the clipboard before had been replaced with a list of names and the harbourmaster ticked them off as they passed, stepping onboard, everyone initially swaying under the rolling ferry. Even in port, the storm further out at sea made the waves swell and pitch the moored ships side to side.
Everyone went inside and found seats, Meowth leaping off James' shoulder to sit by the window and glare through the glass at Tim and those horrible oily whiskers. I'd love to cut 'em off. He curled his paw, claws glinting threateningly.
"Try and hide your feelings more," James said, pulling at his tail as he sat down in the seat beside the window. "He'll drown us right now if he sees you looking at him like that."
Meowth huffed and moved away, swiping James' hand with his tail before jumping onto the row of seats in front.
And after another twenty minutes, the captain and harbourmaster finally finished discussing business and Tim was walking back up the dock to return to the comfortable warmth of his office. Meowth's glowing eyes watched the captain as he glared openly at the man's back, and saw the unease as he pulled his cap lower over his face, turning to shout orders at the two other men who worked on the ferry. Looks like 'e shares James' doubts.
And then the horn sounded and the ferry was pushing out of dock, leaving Tim the harbourmaster and his port behind.
"Shoulda stayed for another bowl of milk." Meowth mumbled.
James chuckled dryly and humourlessly. "Maybe so."
A/N
And there we go! Everything's been set up - we have problems on both sides! One the first story, The Boat That Rocked, it was really problems following James and everyone got mixed up in it and BAM yeah. This time we have two different problems that will effect each other.
Oh how I love the pain that will come.
Pointless additive of info:: (( Both Jessie and James consider themselves a family with Lisa - and Lisa is kind of the keystone between the two and is a major part of their lives. ))
Anyway, thanks for reading! Love you all!
Atkar.
