Learning together (Closed for Led Astray)

[Asa]

Oh yes if they are going to go Orchestra they should stick to the easy listening written for it.

She shrugged and glanced around the elevator noting the decor and the mirror and trim and the attempt at classic roaring 20s and 30s elegance and decor for the button panel and had to smile. They really were trying weren't they.

 

[Led_Astray]

"You like classical too?" asked Adam, turning to face Raveena pro. "Any favourite pieces?"

Then he winced at as particularly bad new tune began.

"Reallly? Chumba Wumba scored for violins? Oh come on..."

He laughs.

 

[Asa]

Not quite classical but more "big band" style music.

She laughed a little at his reaction to the song that started playing and just shook her head before the doors opened and she stepped off the elevator.

 

[Led_Astray]

Still chuckling, Adam followed Raveena into the hotel lobby and into the dining room. He was feeling a lot more comfortable with her now, getting to know her a bit, and she seemed friendly enough - hardly the demanding harridan his father had described. However, he resolved to keep this professional, knowing that unwelcome advances would utterly destroy any chance of a good working relationship.

Much of the dining room was cordoned off, with work still going on, (though there were no workmen here at the moment). But a table had been set, and there was a continental breakfast buffet all set up, giving the two guests a quite wide choice of what to eat.

"I could put on so much weight here, if i wasn't careful..." murmured Adam. "A full English breakfast every day..."

Sighing, he instead filled a bowl with corn-flakes and splashed milk over the top, and grabbed a glass of orange juice before taking a seat.

"So, boss.. what's the plan for today?"

 

[Asa]

We meet with the young royals show them where we want to take the pictures and see if they have any places in mind that they have not showed you yet and go from there.

Sitting down at the table she smiled asking for then explaining hashbrowns to them along with eggs and bacon and another cup of coffee.

 

[Led_Astray]

Adam nodded, and took a spoonful of his cereal.

"I'm hoping we get a chance to do some shopping today. I could use some clothes better suited to the climate. But that can wait, of course..."

He fell silent, took another mouthful, and tried to think of a topic of conversation that might interest his lovely companion.

He failed, and remained silent. He had never been good at "small talk".

 

[Asa]

Well then we will add that to the agenda for the day. Shopping

She smiled and ate her breakfast unsure of small talk either. This was strange she wanted to talk but sat silently eating.

 

[Led_Astray]

The uncomfortable silence grew longer, and whilst he could happily watch Raveena eating for hours, it was in many ways a relief when an apologetic cough came from the doorway, a uniformed guard - clearly one who had already learned not to cross the american lady - subtly announced his presence.

"Oh... ah.. looks like our ride is here." stammered Adam, standing and gathering his gear.

 

[Asa]

Shooting the young soldier a quick glance before going back to her food finishing up quickly she stood wiping her mouth off and turning picking up her stuff as well.

Lets go.

 

[Led_Astray]

With a nod, Adam chugged back the last of his orange juice and grabbed his bags.

He followed Raveena out of the building, wincing as he stepped out of the air-conditioned hotel into the heat of the morning. He couldn't see that it bothered his boss, though, so he said nothing.

His plans to gallantly hold open the limousine door for her were disrupted by the fact that the chauffeur was already doing so.

 

[Asa]

Stepping into the limo she smiled and sat back relaxing. Passing through the countryside though she saw proof of the fact that the royal family wanted to turn a blind eye to reality. fresh graves being buried in a larger number than old age and simple illness would account for. Nodding briefly to show him without commenting out loud. This was going to be a tough sell it best to any others in her field but then again they all thought she was crazy to begin with.

 

[Led_Astray]

During the silent ride, Adam became more nervous. Photo-journalistic instincts took over and he raised his camera to take some pictures of the grave-sites, but changed his mind.

He was, after all, here to do a job of promoting the country, not to expose its secrets. And getting caught with things like that on his camera... well, in a backwater like this, anything could happen.

He resolved to have a look on the amnesty international website when he next got the chance... to see what sort of record this country had with regards to justice and people disappearing.

Sitting perfectly still, head down, not even fiddling with his camera, he wondered why it had not occurred to him before.

 

[Asa]

Arriving at the palace she glared at the guards who attempted to help her from the limo. Luckily the Queen realized the young woman was not impressed with such militaristic types around she quickly shooed the away and motioned to her son to help her from the limo.

Forgive them My husband does not want anything to happen to our new princess' favorite American.

Raveena simply nodded to her

Far too much security for such a forward moving country but I will tolerate their presence when the young couple are with us... from a distance.

They both shared an uneasy nod to each other as the older woman quickly hurried away.

Well now where should we go first? What clothes have you chosen for today.

Raveena walked over to the young princess and spoke for a time with her.

 

[Led_Astray]

Feeling utterly out of his depth from the moment he climbed from the car, Adam tried to fade into the background and hid, almost literally, behind his camera.

Looking though the LCD viewfinder he began snapping shots of the prince, the princess, the decor, anything that looked interesting or photogenic.

Of course, this once again included several shots of his stunning lady boss.

He didn't notice the angry looks the nearby uniformed security men were giving him...

 

[Asa]

Raveena did notice the angry looks and quickly lost her polite demeanor as she now addressed the guards in their native tongue.

IS there a problem? To do the job your queen and the rest of the royal family want me to do I require a photographer who will take pictures of both posed and candid moments and that may well include any of you... Got it? You don't like it you deal with your queen about reassignment or get over yourself and let us do our job.

Dismissing them she turned back to the prince and princess who were busy stifling laughter as they smiled to her. The Prince finally speaking up

Father was right you are in no way an american to be trifled with. Please forgive our soldiers they can not let go of the distrusts of the past as quickly as the rest of out country.

Then he looked to them as he continued to talk to her.

They will mind their tongues and attitudes or I will reassign them to guarding the rocks in the fields.

 

[Led_Astray]

Adam's eyes widened with shock as Raveena displayed her wrath to the soldiers.

He didn't understand the words, but her body language and tone of voice - and the subsequent reaction of the guards - made it clear that she was berating them, and he had no idea what for.

Oh hell... she has quite a temper... he thought to himself, snapping a few more pics. No wonder dad warned me off... I'd hate to be on the receiving end of that!

He grinned nervously at his boss.

"Uh, everything OK?"

 

[Asa]

Your snapping random shots was making them nervous and unamused so I told them to get over themselves or answer to their queen but either way they would back off and let you and I do our jobs.

She smiled to him patting his shoulder as she moved to show the Princess and the Prince where she would like to take the pictures first.

 

[Led_Astray]

She is just so damned confident... I wish I could be half that bold... thought the young photographer as he followed Raveena across the room.

Shyly, he inclined his head slightly at the royal couple, then addressed the real person in charge.

"Do you want me to set up the full rig now?" he asked Raveena

 

[Asa]

A few pictures here yes would be good.

Nodding she directed where she wanted the young couple to stand or sit and quickly made sure the jewelry she had made foe each outfit and dress was perfectly displayed and their assignment truly began.

 

[Led_Astray]

All traces of nervousness gone now that he was engaged in his professional role, Adam quickly and professionally set up his equipment. A number of compact yet powerful lights appeared from his bags and the high quality modular digital camera was rapidly set up on a small tripod, and wired up to the laptop, so that both he and Raveena could view the composition of shots before they were taken.

Throughout the shoot he could be heard muttering about exposure times, lens types and colour filters, and often stopped shooting to completely swap out the lens on the camera depending upon whether a close up or wider shot was required. But he was always quick and efficient, obeying Raveena's instructions rapidly and without question.

As a result, the shoot went exceptionally smoothly.

 

[Asa]

Once this shoot was over the Princess invited them to have lunch with them before the next session curious what the young photographer thought about sunset pictures in the ruins near the waterfall.

Brow raised Raveena looked at him as there were no pictures that she saw of ruins near a waterfall. Though she did note the the lingering guards seemed to go on edge.

 

[Led_Astray]

"Ah... well..." muttered Adam, suddenly feeling on the spot. His shyness returned.
He didn't want to get anyone in trouble.

But one look at Raveena and he knew that he couldn't get away with non-committal answers.

"Um... I know it was on the list of locations to scout... but my security escort wouldn't let me get anywhere near it. They, ah, wouldn't say why."

He looked down at his feet, expecting to be berated for his failure.

"Sorry." he murmured.

 

[Asa]

Raveena translated to the young Royals as the Princess turned to a guard demanding to speak to the captain immediately in front of the Queen as well. Raveena had to turn her back briefly to stifle a smirk at the normally calm sweet Princess getting what she suspected was the closest to mad the young woman had ever been. Turning back around she simply awaited the judgement on the location by the queen and the princess after their talk with the captain of the guards.

Well then... How about we put that location off till tomorrow and your soldiers check it out and camp out there tonight and we can go at sunrise

Glancing around to see if that would ease everyone.

 

[Led_Astray]

Adam continued taking some candid shots, capturing the princess at the height of her anger, looking stunning as her eyes flashed with fire.


The young photographer was impressed by what happened next- not only was Raveena adept at getting what she wanted by her intimidating, no-nonsense manner, but she was also demonstrating very impressive skills at diplomacy.

of course she is he thought to himself.She didn't get to be as well respected in the industry as she is without all kinds of management skills.

He found himself chipping in without hesitation.

"If we can set out before sunrise, it would be even better. Get the first few shots as the sun comes up, might give us a whole different interplay of light and shadow compared to the sunset. If I hit it with a 150mm leaf shutter we should get some amazing ambient lighting effects... "

Aware that everyone was looking at him, he trailed off.

 

[Asa]

I like that idea now to get the soldiers to make it happen

Smiling sweetly as she looked to the Queen who also seemed most impressed with her lack of fear in dealing with and handling males.

Yes One command unit will travel there today and you all will join them just before sunrise tomorrow. Is that clear Captain.

The gruff grunt of compliance from the captain was met with a please try me gaze from both the queen and Raveena as he turned and hurried away barking orders all the way.

There... we have a very early morning tomorrow so something light for today just around the palace and gardens.