She breathed and seethed out her gasps until she stopped by the pool. The smell of thick chlorine filled her brain and she looked up to the upper decks. There stood an older man in the richest of dark brown skin and a beard of black and pale grey ends that made him look like a porcupine had latched to his face. His clothes were even more crisp and refined, it was a midnight blue suit with bright silver stitching.
The man was actively marinating three girls in some exploit of bravery and nonsense and his super pretty audience ate it up, laughing, chuckling, wriggling eyebrows, showing teeth, things mother was better at reading.
'My oh my' were they beautiful. And just like mother, would never run from it, a stiffness to the skin that said their flesh was more firm than marble, and plunging necklines that looked like some swordsman had tried to split them in half and only got their clothes up to their belly button.
The boasting tale hit a high point and they burst out laughing. Then he turned, eyed the room and their gaze connected, eyes locking for just a moment and she turned away.
"Yup, good news, I just saw someone. There'll be a face to meet us soon. Oh look at that! That's Emilion Garcia! Sadly he's not the familiar face. He plays tennis. No way he remembers me. Look at this."
She pulled out her own screen and finger waved until she found a tennis tournament which had the family in the stands. Then another photo where an even younger Griffen got a signature from the man.
"It took the entire tennis open to get this. Ten matches and mom only got 6 of the signatures she wanted. You guys ever go to a fancy restaurant and there's like a wall full of people? My mom has a whole office full of that."
Kate didn't really read their reactions, the whole idea being that she was being nonchalant, glib even. Because it wasn't truly bragging, it was complaining. And she'd complain, with no acting required. Thankfully a familiar voice called out.
"Kate! Sweetness!"
Kate blushed because even if she'd given the signal there was still something horrifying about her name being shouted out by an entire room full of people.
The old porcupine appeared as if by magic, he swanned in as if he'd been wearing a cape. He was the star of some unseen but grand show. And goodness was it popular! Kate didn't know when and how but they must have all fought to get tickets. And there he was, the master of the show, gracious enough to give them a quick wave.
Principal family recognized him immediately, they gushed! Speechless as he scooped up their hands like he was teaching them how to pray, lingering just a fraction on Ms Principal before hugging Kate who'd become the victim of infinite kisses on the forehead and cheeks with a lippyness that left wet spots all over her face.
"I can't believe how much you've grown!" H declared to Kate while making sure Pluto could still hear.
"Kate, you know Ian Aimes?" Asked Ms Principal, who was still flustered.
"You don't know the story? I clearly don't tell it enough during interviews." He stopped as if realizing the high 'value' of the people he was talking to. "Oh I'm so sorry! Even now I'm only telling half the story. I was a grunt at Jupiter Station and my goodness did this girl's mother save my life. I pray to make a movie out of it-"
"Aimes you flamboyant bastard, you're still spreading yourself like the bowl of pudding you are!" Came Mother's voice, commanding in a terrifying way.
"My goodness commander! You know we're both out of the service." He said winking at the others, especially Kate.
That made her feel funny because it was a little too supportive. Like he'd seen her weird moment and responded immediately.
Good for the mission, bad for her pride.
"Then why are you standing at attention? Because you don't leave the service, they just stop paying you."
They grinned and went from a handshake to a hug.
"I have to introduce you to my new friends! We headed upstairs? Naturally. Kids, there's fun to be had everywhere, just not there. That's where the grownups live." He said with the playful conspiratorial hand to mouth.
The pair swanned, arm in arm in arm while dragging Ms and Mr Principal along. There was a flow to the movement which was wonderful until reality punched Kate in the gut. She was alone… with the kids.