Jack looked around the room nervously. Darby spoke to him in a low hushed voice, "You've already met Miss Madolyn Browning," Jack glanced across to the dinning booth Madolyn was sitting in with the rest of her Foundation of Archeology colleagues and nodding his head to Darby. Darby continued speaking quietly
"And it looks like Mr. Harvey Weinburg is also on our train," She nodded her head in the direction of an elderly looking gentleman, who was on the portly side and who, to Jack, looked to be rather grouchy, judging from his expression. Darby added
"Of all the archaeologists going, he has the most field experience, no matter who finds the tomb it has been discussed that he will be the manager to help over see the dig." Jack was mentally making note of this as Darby went on
"Over there is David Robbinson, I've read a bit about him, besides Mr Weinburg he has the most field experience of the archeologists I've seen so far, like I've said we have a lot of competition to find this tomb, we need to stay on our toes" Jack nodded and thought to himself 'I feel like I should be writing this down." Darby and Jack walked to the nearest empty booth and sat down, taking seats across from each other. The booth they picked was right next to Madolyn's, who narrowed her eyes at seeing Darby so soon again. When Darby saw Madolyn glaring at her Darby smiled and waved with a friendly smile on her face, which only annoyed Madolyn, she quickly looked away and scoffed at Darby's chummy attitude towards her. Having made herself comfortable in their booth Darby turned her attention to the menu as she began to look through it and said to Jack
"Mr. Clemins we should get some food, it might help settle you after your seasickness and hopefully prevent your train sickness." She smirked quietly while the menu covered half of her face, trying to keep herself from giggling. Jack, embarrassed, blurted out
"I-I don't get train sickness!" Darby bit on her bottom lip to stop herself from breaking out into a laugh at his outburst and said in a soft, controlled tone
"Alright Mr. Clemins, I will believe you, no need to shout." Jack let out an exasperated sigh but suddenly realized how loud he had just been and glanced around feeling self-consciousness, peeking to see if anyone had noticed. Darby hid her face completely behind the menu and began to laugh quietly, not able to hold it back any longer. She recovered quickly and said
"Oh, how about some tea Mr. Clemins? I do love tea! Perhaps peppermint?" She put down the menu and smiled across the table at him. A wave of heat rushed up Jack's neck as he struggled to deal with the charmingness of her smiling at him. Just then someone interrupted them beside their table saying
"Excuse me, are you Miss Darby Herrington? I've heard a lot about you Miss Herrington and it is such an honor to meet you! Allow me to introduce myself, My name is David Robbinson." They turned and looked in the direction of the speaker, he had dark blonde hair and warm brown eyes with a very friendly air about him, he spoke as if he was delighted and very happy to meet her. Darby looked at the man for a moment and then smiled back cheerfully and greeted him saying
"Oh Mr. Robbinson, you are too kind! The honor is truly all mine, I have read about you and your team before in The Archeology Journal." The two then shook hands good-naturedly. Darby then asked
"I know I've read about you before in various published works but how have you heard about me?" Mr. David Robbinson smiled brightly and replied,
"Well you are the first lady to join the field of archeology so of course I've heard about you!" Darby smiled back agreeably and said
"Ah! I see, well actually there are two first women, the other one is sitting right over there, Miss Madolyn Browning." David turned to where Darby had pointed and saw Madolyn and said
"Oh I didn't realize! How do you do Miss Browning" he walked over and to Madolyn and offered his hand. Madolynn was upset to be overlooked because of Darby but said
"Nice to meet you Mr. Robbinson. I don't usually like to be grouped with Miss Herrington but it is true, we are both technically the first women in archeology, we graduated together." David very considerately said,
"Oh my apologies! What a pleasure to meet both of you lovely ladies!" Madolynn scoffed under her breath and said
"Thank you, but it is a stretch calling Miss Herrington a lady." Darby giggled as if Madolyn had just told a very good joke and then put her hand on her chest taking a deep breath and sighed saying,
"Oh Madolynn, I am so glad we can share this first expedition to together." Madolyn was now seething with anger but was struggling to keep it in check in the presence of their new work acquaintance. Madolyn peeked over at David Robbinson and the faintest of blushes crept on her cheeks, he was a very handsome man and a few years older than them, she wanted to make a good impression on her new colleague and so she decided that she would pretend to get along with Darby, a lady who fights with others is never attractive. So Madolyn looked back at Darby warmly and forced her best, delicate and lovely lady smile on her face. Mr. Robbinson beamed happily at the two young ladies and said,
"We are all here together and I am sure we will get to know each other very well, so please call me Davy instead of Mr Robbinson." Darby smiled back at Davy and said
"Alright Davy, if you insist, I am sure we will all get along wonderfully." Jack who had been sitting watching all this was a little taken back at this development, he widened his eyes and thought to himself 'First name basis already? They've only just met.' Meanwhile at the table next to them Madolyn was also very surprised but instead she was squealing on the inside with a small blush thinking 'Wow! First name basis!' And she stuttered out
"Y-yes D-Davy I am sure we will all get along!" Darby smirked softly, seeing how flustered Madolyn was and the little blush on Madolyn's cheeks, she knew that Madolyn must be feeling very smitten with Davy. Darby suddenly realized that she had forgotten an introduction quickly said
"Oh! Also this is my assistant Mr. Jack Clemins." and gestured towards Jack sitting across from her. Jack stretched out his hand to Davy and they both politely shook hands saying,
"How do you do." Davy then nodded to everyone and said
"It was lovely meeting you all, if you'll excuse me I need to go find 'The Little Gentlemens', until later then!" and he walked off and exiting the dining car. Jack thought to himself as Davy left 'He seems very nice.'