Allan Observes: A TPDoEQ Special Edition
by Lady Norbert
A/N: Like volume III, I decided volume IV was too much for one chapter -- especially considering there are two separate viewpoints for Allan to snark about. So it too got split between two chapters.
20 March 1900 - Skinner claimed to see rabid gerbil in Amazon. Daughter and Sawyer in hysterics. Humidity must be getting to their brains.
21 March 1900 - Sawyer's birthday. Is now twenty-one to daughter's twenty, and feels justified in calling her "li'l sis." Rather nice endearment, wives charmed. Daughter slightly confused, but tolerating with good humour.
24 March 1900 - League planning to head to America after exiting Amazonia. Sawyer feels need to check in with boss and rest of group curious to see country which spawned optimist. Daughter meanwhile taking interest in stargazing, spends much time looking up. Am waiting to hear complaints of crick in neck.
25 March 1900 - Watched Skinner pretend to nap in library as subterfuge, trying to lure daughter close enough to kiss. V. amused to realize that both had same thought at same time, but knew daughter would never go through with anything so forward. Skinner had decency to feel guilty about ploy. Daughter attempted to convince Cockney thug to read classic literature about...well, another thug. Skinner not interested in book as much as in bookworm.
28 March 1900 - Sawyer joined daughter for evening's stargazing. Hinted that he knows about her feelings for Skinner, daughter refused to take bait. Told him how de Gaulle addressed her as "little sister" in Paris; said she has determined was not self's son. Could have told her that, but still dead. Daughter then made nice little speech about how Sawyer was self's son as far as daughter is concerned. Sawyer v. flattered. Affection between daughter and almost-son sweet to watch, wives keep going on about "what a nice boy he is."
2 April 1900 - League touring Washington, the city of white buildings. Sawyer met with American President, gave watered-down account of activities since joining League's company. President gave permission for Sawyer to remain with League, to "protect our country's interests abroad." League doesn't care why he's staying, just happy he is.
6 April 1900 - Lousy day, in general. Daughter distressed by attempt on Prince of Wales's life; self not so much, as never did much care for swotty womanizing twit. Aggrieved, however, by events at home of American President. First, poncy tour guide put moves on daughter, but not overly worried; told wives"Skinner will kill him if he tries anything." Then poncy tour guide stole fancy spoons from dining room, planted evidence framing Skinner. Skinner now stuck in jail for crime someone else committed. Worse, League not sure if innocent or guilty. Only daughter convinced of innocence, almost threw tantrum; noted idiocy in diary. Am amused, but concerned; would be insensitive of self not to be concerned over person who has saved offspring's life repeatedly.
7 April 1900 - Daughter slipped off to jailhouse to visit Skinner. Restrained emotions on both sides, though barely. Skinner v. grateful for visit, but made daughter promise not to come back. Once daughter out of earshot, guard harassed Skinner into explaining relationship with daughter; wives v. swoony to hear him refer to daughter as his "everything." Self not swoony, of course, unless being so involves slight case of nausea.
After returning to Nautilus, daughter convinced Sawyer to help her prove Skinner's innocence. Sawyer relented, more out of fear that daughter will get herself killed in process than anything else. Returned to White House, interrogated poncy tour guide and other gentleman. Sawyer now fairly convinced Skinner innocent. Could tell him that, if not still dead. Has convinced rest of League to help search for real thief.
Sawyer later went to visit, assured Skinner that daughter misses him. Sawyer v. astute, shares self's desire to smack their heads together.
8 April 1900 - Skinner still in jail, but mystery may yet be solved. Daughter's observational skills better than previously believed; spotted missing silverware in tinker's cart. Stolen items now recovered, but Skinner's innocence still unproven. Have full faith in Sawyer, however. Boy once solved murder, can solve this.
9 April 1900 - Sawyer and daughter returned to White House again to speak with poncy tour guide. Twit flirted with daughter again, daughter repulsed. Sawyer used unpublicized information to trick poncy tour guide into confessing to crime. Skinner back with League, had nice reunion. Rest of League in possession of working eyeballs and therefore able to see clearly how Skinner looks at daughter and vice versa. Ship's betting pool growing; more than twenty of Nemo's crewmen now placing wagers on how long before one of them cracks. Have gotten a few more interested observers to join self's betting pool as well.
11 April 1900 - Skinner escorted daughter to church service as way of saying thanks for believing in him. Daughter v. appreciative, both obviously enjoyed long slow walk back to ship. Skinner made crack about others suspecting them of eloping, shocked daughter by suggesting they actually do. Daughter too startled to realize Skinner actually was hoping for affirmative answer; thief pretended to be joking.
Daughter's mother had temerity to suggest self is approving of Skinner as potential son-in-law. Was quite perturbed and blamed lack of sarcasm on nasty head cold. Wife contradicted, saying that, as am dead, am incapable of getting sick. Wife v. absurd; am perfectly able to observe when not acting like self.
15 April 1900 - Daughter and League on train heading west, en route to Sawyer's hometown of St. Petersburg. Boring. Have meanwhile been introduced to Sawyer's friend Finn, murdered by Fantom. Was Sawyer's reason for joining League. Nice chappie, not v. literate but good-hearted. Gets along well with son.
18 April 1900 - League arrived in St. Petersburg, was greeted by Sawyer's cousin Mary. Sweet girl, by look of things and according to Finn. Town threw sort of welcoming bash for League, v. nice.
21 April 1900 - Wives v. distressed by antics of deputy mayor Everett. Was not certain as to why until read over daughter's shoulder as she updated diary. Everett v. overbearing, tries to spend too much time with League and especially daughter. Assured wives nothing to fear; Skinner will kill him if he tries anything. Am not being facetious this time, as Skinner looks like he really wants to kill.
26 April 1900 - Daughter v. agitated by local gossipy biddies speculating on daughter's relationship with deputy mayor. Daughter blushes v. easily, went back to hotel for friendlier company of Sawyer and Skinner. Gentlemen let daughter believe she lied well about cause of upset. Daughter likes Everett more than League does, enjoys flattering attentions. Am suspicious of Everett's real designs. Skinner will kill him if he tries anything, and am glad.
27 April 1900 - Daughter went on semi-romantic evening stroll with Everett; thought Skinner might self-destruct afterwards. Began to fear daughter was buying into Everett's load of tosh, as twit was inquiring about relationship with Skinner and other personal details. Daughter suitably affronted, however, when twit questioned her future aspirations; returned to hotel in mild huff. Cannot afford to be too relieved, as daughter seemed pleased when Mina expressed opinion that Everett likes daughter. Think daughter should make up mind; would tell her so, but still dead.
28 April 1900 - Everett apparently worried that daughter was offended by questioning, sent bouquet of flowers to breakfast table. Skinner attempted to kill napkin. Skinner should open big invisible mouth and say something, really. Daughter and Skinner still circling each other like lovesick vultures. V. annoying to watch. Feel sorry for rest of League.
30 April 1900 - Whole town excited about big to-do Sunday night. Large ball to be held in St. Petersburg dance hall, League planning to go. Sawyer more or less browbeat Skinner into agreeing to seize opportunity to win daughter away from poncy pouf Everett. Mina v. graciously teaching Skinner to dance, exhibiting greater patience than self knew lady vampire to possess.
League members either love Skinner (and/or daughter) more than they care to admit, or hate Everett more than self realized. Suspect combination of all factors.
2 May 1900 - Daughter and League attended ball. Skinner decent dancer, Mina good teacher. Daughter v. starry-eyed. Daughter overly-romantic bint like her mother, but Skinner not much better. Stood naked in hallway to deliver anonymous rose to daughter's room. Skinner naked around daughter a lot, come to think of it.