Learning together (Closed for Led Astray)

[Led_Astray]

As the day passed, Adam found himself relaxing. The young royals seemed determined to put their guests at ease, and were quite happy to follow both Raveena's firm instructions and his own more tentative suggestions when setting up shots.

As his skill with composition and lighting came to the fore, he grew in confidence too, these were after all areas in which he knew what he was talking about, in spite of his youth. And thanks to the modern digital equipment he had no hesitation in snapping away constantly, not having to worry about film. The hard drive on his compact laptop clunked and whirred as it gradually filled with high-quality digital images.

By the end of the day he had hundreds of shots, which he knew he would have to spend most of the evening reviewing.

"Any more ideas for settings? Or are we done for the day?" he asked his boss.

 

[Asa]

I think for now we should end photos and dine

The queen answered before Raveena could she knew well the bulldog tenacity of this young woman as if almost by instinct.

We have not dined properly all day so it is time for dinner... now.

Raveena nodded agreeing. It was normal for her to go all day with out anything more than maybe a bottle of water or coffee. Phillipe normally dragged her back to necessity but this time the queen did.

 

[Led_Astray]

"Ah, ok... muttered Adam, dismantling his modular camera system, packing bits and pieces away in various compartments in his bag, shutting down the laptop and coiling up cables.

"I guess that means it's time for us to head back to the hotel?" he asked Raveena.

 

[Asa]

You will be dining with us then may return to your hotel.

Raveena simply nodded then smiled to him.

I guess we eat here first

 

[Led_Astray]

"Oh!" Adam looked shocked, and his confidence evapourated.

"I'm not, ah, really dressed for, ah, a royal invitation." He genuinely seemed uncomfortable with the idea - being from a country with a still existent class system he was, perhaps, more conscious than many of the import of the invitation.

"Um... its, well, um, I guess I don't really have a choice, do I?" he mumbled, looking at Raveena for support

 

[Asa]

My photographer feels he is not dressed for such a royal invitation.

The queen smiled walking over and patting the young mans cheek.

Then we will simply picnic here in the garden... very relaxed and informal... and it sounds more fun with our American and British guests here.

 

[Led_Astray]

“Right, ah, OK, it will be a great opportunity for some candid unposed shots, I guess.” responded Adam. “A 80mm AF f/2.8 lens, maybe with a box-shade depending on the lighting, I’ll need the digital viewfinder and a fresh SD Card......”

He busied himself digging out the required components of the expensive modular camera system, and was soon ready, more confident now that he had a camera to hide behind.

As he straightened, his stomach gurgled audibly. He flushed red.

“I, uh, must be hungrier than I thought” he said, apologetically.

 

[Asa]

Raveena shook her head with a faint chuckle watching him.

Relax... lets eat we have enough pictures for today okay.

She smiled reassuringly to him as she followed the royals over to the tables in the garden.

 

[Led_Astray]

"Well, if you say so..." replied Adam.

However, he made no move to put the camera away, simply slinging it around his neck by the wide webbing strap. He knew then he could use it as a shield to hide behind if he felt too awkward in this difficult social situation.

He followed Raveena over to the tables and found a seat that, as much as possible, put her between him and their distinguished hosts.

Not that that helped very much - she was almost as intimidating as they were, just for different reasons. He sighed quietly. Social situations - eating with strangers, being expected to chat - were always difficult for him. The high status of his picnic companions made it a hundred times worse.

He looked over at Raveena for reassurance, hoping not to make too much of a fool of himself.

 

[Asa]

Raveena just smiled a little to him. She marveled at the true difference between him and his father. He did not try to shut her up when she went off on guards and he was clearly at a loss for what to do or say now. It was sweet in a weird sort of way.

Relax Adam its alright we will get back to the hotel to take care of the shots you took today in a bit. Think of the Queen acting the way your father would if he were here to make sure we all eat like we should thats all this is.

 

[Led_Astray]

"Huh..." blurted Adam without thinking, a hint of bitterness in his voice. "Sounds like dad tries to look after you more than he does any of us kids..."

He sighed, wistfully. "But then, we always knew he cared more about his business than his family..."

He flushed, realising he had said more than he intended, and looked at the lovely woman sitting next to him, speculation in his eyes.

Unless his relationship with Raveena was more than just business...?

But he quickly pushed the thought away as unworthy. Besides, he had already learned that his current companion had thoughts only for the job - even if his philandering father had dared to try something he was sure she would have put him in his place in no uncertain terms.

He was grateful for the distraction when the food arrived...

 

[Asa]

Raveena's head whipped around at his words.

Let me tell you something about Phillipe. Yes he may have traveled the world photographing everything from war to fashion to God only knows what all. And yes that may mean he was seldom around all of you but it DID put all of "you kids" through the best schools wanting for nothing and giving you each every chance to to excel. Correct? You dare think that he did not want to be around all of you...

She took a calming breath noting that the royals had begun paying attention too.

In the 5 years that I have worked with him ALL I have heard is Adam this or the kids are doing this or did you read the article I sent you... I am so proud of them. When you terminated your very lucrative in your fathers eyes job to come work for him I thought he was going to literally be the first person to die of pride and excitement. SO do not EVER say anything like that about your father in my presence again.

Nodding to the royals she smiled and calmed enough to finish eating her food.

 

[Led_Astray]

Adam raised his hands in surrender, shocked at the intensity of Raveena's tone.

"Alright, whatever you say, boss." he said, emphasising the last syllable, a trace of bitterness in his words.

He turned to the food, studiously ignoring her. He was clearly not at all happy with her words. Angry, in fact, but he was keeping a tight lid on it.

I should have known... she's just the same as him... he thought to himself, inwardly seething.

 

[Asa]

She could not fathom so much anger towards someone who had done everything he could for them. Unlike her father who had wanted a football throwing arm attached to a son not a world renown designing mind firmly in place in a daughter. Phillipe was all she could have wanted in a dad but never had but how could she relate so much to someone so much older and have no understanding at all to someone closer to her own age. Was she really such an old soul that people her own age baffled her beyond belief.

She said little else even when they got back to the hotel she simply sat down to go through the pictures and then try to rest and see what passed for tv around here.

 

[Led_Astray]

The rest of the meal, the journey back to the hotel, and the setting up of the laptop so that Raveena could review the pictures... all were done in awkward silence.

Finally, Adam had had enough.

"I'm going to bed." he announced. "We have an early start tomorrow."

Without waiting for a reply he retreated to his room.

 

[Asa]

She could not understand him or his anger towards Phillipe.

Be glad yours cared and encouraged you in your choices in life.

Her eyes never left the pictures moving the ones she wanted for the Royals final layout and some she wanted to use for publicity and special event displays.

 

[Led_Astray]

This night, Adam remembered the air-conditioning. He slept deeply, his night full of dreams but in the morning he could remember nothing of them except for a vague sense of loss, of longing

It was still dark outside, the glowing digits of his portable alarm clock telling him he needed to rise anyway, to be ready quickly if they were to be at the shoot before sun-rise.

He dressed in darkness before stepping into the lounge, kicking himself for making two mistakes the night before...

The first being getting onto the subject of his father, and thus angering Raveena. of course, he had had no idea that she would be so fiercely protective of him...

The second being not letting the kitchen know they would need early breakfast.

He looked around the lounge, wondering if he was up first or whether his boss had beaten him too it.

 

[Asa]

She was sound asleep on the couch where she was the night before looking over the pictures. A long cold cup of coffee sitting on the table as well as a few hand written notes and sketches scattered around her.

 

[Led_Astray]

Adam stopped... Raveena looked beautiful, asleep. Gone was her attitude, replaced by a vulnerability that made him want to hold her...

He shook his head, savagely. What the hell am I thinking... She'd damn near bite my head off if I tried anything like that...

Instead he brewed two cups of strong coffee, and set one down on the table next to her, taking away the cold one. Then he sat down in a chair at a safe distance.

"Raveena..." he called softly. Then again, louder.

 

[Asa]

She jumped a little but quickly remembering she was on an assignment and glanced over to him.

Hello... Sorry guess I dozed off. Or let me guess its morning and I slept on the couch again.

Shaking her head she saw that the coffee was hot and reached for it before standing to go to her room to get changed and ready for the new day. She didn't really say anything about the night before or anything really. She had to get her mind back in the game and the job after her comment to him last night and the memories that invaded her dreams because of it.

 

[Led_Astray]

"You are welcome..." murmured Adam under his breath as Raveena disappeared, taking the coffee with her.

He quickly shut down the laptop and stowed it in its travel-case, making sure the spare battery was also charged and in the case - it could be a long day away from power-sockets.

Then, with all his gear gathered, he waited by the door.

 

[Asa]

Walking back out in black BDUs a black tank and billowy grey button up shirt like a jacket.

You do a better job on the coffee than your dad does thanks. So any word if our transport is downstairs ready or do we have a little time to make sure that last nights problems will not affect today.

 

[Led_Astray]

"There will be no problem." responded Adam, distantly, not looking at her. "I'll do my job, and let you do yours.

He picked up his bags.

"I'm going to wait in the lobby, see if there is any food..."

 

[Asa]

Ohhh HELLL NO I will not put up with this attitude and forced civility Crap... pull this and I will fire you just as quick as I did your father the first 3 times we worked together.

Her temper flashed again she was not about to deal with BS like this she would postpone this entire thing till Phillipe was free to help her if she had to then put up with this pompous little ass. God this kind annoyed her

 

[Led_Astray]

"Bullshit!" declared Adam, loudly, now angry, turning to face Raveena.

"You can boss me around as much as you like when it comes to work, but you don't get to lecture me about my father. Where the hell do you get off? What the hell do you know about my family life?"

Screw it... thought Adam. I don't have to put up with this moody cow, so I might as well say what I feel.

"Oh, wait - you probably know lots about it, since Dad seems to have spent a hell of a lot more time with you than he ever did with us."

"So, go ahead and fire me. I don't bloody need this job, I did it as a favour to Dad. YOU can explain to the royals that you are having to postpone the shoot because your hero-worship of "Phillipe" is more important than their publicity campaign."

Taking his gear with him, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him. By the time he reached the lobby, he had cooled down considerably but had no regrets about speaking his mind. He managed to find a member of staff and get them to bring him a cold ham roll, which he munched as he waited to see what would happen next.