falling a step behind; { introducing Eva }

[Nikolaas Lars Hasbrouck]

Scratching his head in embarrassment, although he didn't really feel he should be embarrassed about anything like that around these two...maybe he really was smoking a bit too much these days...
"Ah..I'm terribly sorry. This seems to be a re-occurring thing today...whatever God of faith that exists up there must really love seeing me make a fool out of myself..." a small nervous laugh slipped from his lips as he tried to determine why these two women seemed so very familiar. Nikolaas wanted so very badly to ask the petite woman if she too had the odd sensation of dèjà-vu around them as he had around her and Eva...

Knotting his eyebrows into a slight frown at Eva as she tried to leave, she really didn't look too good, even he could see that. "oh no you don't young lady" he closed the small distance between them with two large steps and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You don't look well at all, no way am I letting you wander out in that weather in such a state" he gestured out the window, raindrops already having wetted the sidewalks and almost emptied the streets of people. "If you need a place to stay, I have spare rooms" He smiled slightly, genuinely worried about Eva and her current state.

[D'Madame Doktor]

Caroline smiled politely, wringing her hands over the umbrella and not looking up, trying to figure out a way to leave in as appropriate a fashion as possible. “Ja, fools of us all,” she murmured, staring at the wood grain pattern in the floor. Her heart was torn—she wanted to talk to these people, these fascinatingly familiar people, but at the same time she was terrified. Of what, she could not identify, but there was an urgent sense that staying too long around these two would cause everything to change again. Make everything unsafe again.

‘Again? Why again?’ The Luxembourgish woman resisted the desire to tremble, maintaining a sense of composure. Just as she was about to announce her own departure, Eva’s comment reached her ears. The brunet looked up sharply, her concern for the other woman spiking once she took in the other’s pallor. Her mouth formed a firm line, and she was about to protest when Nikolaas beat her to it.

Caroline nodded, relieved for the other’s support, and bustled up to the other woman, “You really don’t look the picture for traveling, dear, if it is not out of my place to say.” She paused, and then lifted her bag, setting it on the counter and patting it, “In fact, if you are ailing, I happen to be a doctor. I’m sure there is something here that can help you. At least bring your color back.” The European woman smiled encouragingly. “And, so we are not perfect strangers, my name is Caroline.”

Caroline paused then, glancing up at the tall man suddenly. There had been no introductions, so, how had she known…?

[Miss Belgium]

Just the sound of the word ‘no’ and Eva immediately stopped in her tracks, straightening up considerably once she felt that hand on her shoulder. It was an almost mechanical response, as if she was used to doing this all the time – complying with the older man’s (was he older? He seemed young; but she could not be sure, so…) demands, no questions asked. She even offered a curt nod before reality hit her and she realised she did not have to do as she was told – but as her gaze settled on the window, she realised that it would not matter either way; if she went out now, chances were the rain would get to her. Eva did not want to get sick now, though every few seconds it seemed like a far better alternative to all the symptoms being caused by this strong feeling of anxiety.

”That is very kind of you, but don’t feel obligated to…” Once again, her protests, if a near interruption of Nikolaas’ speech could be considered as such, died down in favour of Caroline’s own voice reaching her ears. She shook her head, a weak sort of affirmation that perhaps Eva was really not that well. She offered the tiniest smile, almost resisting the urge to laugh softly in response, as if she knew this story from elsewhere – as if she had been faced with a similar situation, at least where a good, mildly happy sibling get-together was concerned – and looking back, she had. Perhaps she was thinking of her siblings back home, though she would quickly admit to how different this felt. One minute it felt comfortable, but the other she was almost afraid of what would happen. Afraid any of the three of them would raise their voice or a fight would somehow ensue. ”I appreciate your concern, really.” There was a small pause in Eva’s speech and she nodded, a tiny, reassuring smile tugging at the corner of her lips – almost as if she felt the need to convince either of them that she was alright, even if that was not entirely the case. ”It is a pleasure to meet you both, Caroline, Nikolaas.” Uttering their names like this, together, she could not deny how they rang a familiar bell. Why, however, she had no idea. “My name is Eva.”

[Nikolaas Lars Hasbrouck]

Something in the back of his head told him that Eva didn't really like being fretted over too much, but he couldn't help it. Something about her just made him want to protect her, make sure she was alright...the same went for Caroline. Both of them had that familiar feeling...suddenly he had an image of standing in front of the two, in a trench, bullets whipping past over them...but just as suddenly as it had appeared, the image was gone...He blinked a few times, trying to make sense of what he had just seen, failing he simply pushed the thought away...he had more important things to worry about.

"It's no problem...you're here anyways, might as well make yourself at home, ja?" he looked at the two women. Perhaps Eva was just hungry?
An idea hit him.
"Well...I'm starving, been a while since my last meal. Would you two care to join me? No fun eating alone anyways" He grinned happily at them, wondering if he could perhaps get some information out of Caroline over dinner. If she was a Doctor, she perhaps knew what was causing those 'flask-backs' of a life he didn't know, yet still felt was so real. There was also the small chance Caroline had the same feeling of familiarity to them, as he had to Eva and her... "Some food might help you feel better Eva...what do you say Miss Caroline?"

[D'Madame Doktor]

Still puzzling over the fact that she felt as though she already knew the other’s name, Caroline hummed lightly in response, smiling faintly upwards at Eva. “By your expression, dear, I fear the pleasure is mostly ours, but, ja, it is.” Ah, that was strangely forward; usually, it took the Luxembourgish woman a while to be so comfortable teasing others. Then again, some much about these two was just so peculiarly familiar…

Caroline blinked up at Nikolaas once he made his suggestion, surprised by the offer. “Dinner? An mech?” She was sure that Eva, at least, should stay, but for herself…the doctor fluttered one of her hands from side-to-side, blushing faintly and shaking her head, turning her gaze to his feet, “Oh, neen, neen, I couldn’t possibly—it would hardly be pro-”

Just then, a crack of thunder sounded over the dock, rumbling over Tortuga and shaking the windows. Caroline flinched, unpleased, peering around Nikolaas to the view outside. The sky had just broken over the street, letting out a powerful torrent of rain. The trees swayed and drooped in the wind, and the unfortunate souls still out there were quickly drenched.

Not looking forward to the prospect of facing the sudden island storm, Caroline drew her hand close to her face, adjusting her glasses in a sheepish gesture. “Ah…perhaps, at least for a drink, ja?” She glanced between Eva and Nikolaas again, her other hand fingering the umbrella nervously.

Well, at least she might have the opportunity to figure out more of what was going on…

An mech = For me?
Neen = no