GRAND RELAUNCH BARBECUE

[heloise]

Who: EVERYONE
What: Awesomeness Committee BBQ party
When: Saturday, July 6
Where: Castle lawn and pool


So many days into summer and not a single pool party yet! Today castle residents may hear some noise wafting from the lawn and pool along with that distinct smell of the barbecue roaring. Oh yeaaah, Barney Stinson's got you covered, Paradisa!

The lawn area has been decked out all in colors, with the grills to one side and the chocolate fountain to another. For those more inclined to chill out and soak up the sun, there are picnic rugs rolled out on the green grass among any kind of game you could wish for. The pool itself has a few floating beds thrown in and all sorts of toys, with a changing tent set up just nearby for anyone who decides they want to get wet and wild after all!

All the fun is for forgetting recent horrors the residents have been through. So once the sun goes down, there will be a time to write down all unpleasantness, and set it to fire. But be careful not to stay out too late; the Castle may have a different idea of Cinderella once midnight strikes.


THE BARBECUE | LAWN AREA | THE POOL | PAPER LANTERNS

Comments

[thraxios]

[Since he found out about the occasion, and about Lucrezia's hand in it, Gideon has intended to say hello to her at the barbecue. It's only polite to compliment the hostess on her successful gathering.

The barbecue is a mess of people, however, and there are enough other distractions that he doesn't come across her until he's walking past a pool of sparkling water. He kneels down next to her, frowning a little at the water's odd scent, and writes out a hello.]

I've seen no gypsies, but it seems to be a success nonetheless.

[heloise]

[ Here's a familiar face, quite a relief, she has always been one to gravitate to those that make her comfortable and his silence, somehow, does so. Grinning at the sight of him, she gestures for him to sit beside her. Quiet company is good. ]

I doubt even gypsies can improve it.

[thraxios]

[Gideon sets his tablet down for a moment so he can roll his trouser legs up; as refreshing as the water looks, he suspects he'll enjoy it more if his clothing isn't soaked to the knees. With that managed, he sits next to her, letting his legs dangle over the edge, and picks up his tablet once more.]

You've done a fine job organizing it. Have you had time to enjoy yourself, too?

[heloise]

[ She watches with some amused curiosity, when she had dunked her dress into the water with much less care. It will be dry again or she can easily ask for a new one from the Castle. ]

It feels happy to be around those who are.

[thraxios]

[Gideon can be finicky when he has the luxury. :C He smiles at her answer--it seems rather diplomatic to his ear--and nods.]

I'm given to understand that being able to relax during a party one's hosting is a good sign.

[heloise]

[ That just draws a laugh out of her. Parties are easy when there are ghosts and servants to do all the work, especially when none would call her a perfectionist when it comes to these things. So long as everyone else is having fun! ]

Quite so. But have you enjoyed the food and the games? That would be the truer measure.

[thraxios]

I tried the horseshoes.

[He shrugs, his smile growing a little sheepish.]

I don't have a future in the sport, but it was a fine diversion. And yourself?

[heloise]

[ Isn't he quite charming? She bites back a grin and kicks up some water playfully. ]

I tried the meats and took a drink from the trench. [ The beer trench, aw yeah.

She thought to swim too but that will take too long and she doesn't mean to stay too late. Someone's waiting at home. Still, she turns to him with the most mischievous smile before moving to shove him into the water. Yep. ]

[thraxios]

The trench?

[He didn't bother to give the food and drink a look, so he's not entirely sure what she means.

...And then he's unbalanced, toppling into the water with a closed-mouth noise of surprise. He rights himself after a moment, glad that the water isn't deep, and surfaces, pushing the dark curls of his hair away from his eyes as he blinks up at her with a bemused expression.

After a moment or two, it changes to smile, and his shoulders begin to shake. It might be silent, but he's laughing as he climbs back out.]

[heloise]

[ Lucrezia knows better to then quickly get to her feet and step away from the pool, though close enough to ensure that he can swim. A murder would not make a good party. And she laughs when he does, inching closer, still wary. ]

Ah, my friend, it seems you are in need of a hand to step out of the pool.

[ The question is, will he decide to pull her in with him? ]

[thraxios]

[What people are able to do to Gideon and what Gideon's able to do to other people aren't always identical in his mind. And so Lucrezia remains dry--well, aside from what she's already dipped in the pool. Better not to assume that tit for tat is welcome here. Hopefully the sun will dry him soon.]

We're lucky I write on wax and not paper. [He smiles, brushing off what water he can from the wax and wood.] My conversations would be over for the day.

[heloise]

[ With no sign of him preparing to pull her in, she crouches by the side and offers him both hands to help him out of the pool. ]

You must learn to speak with your hands, then none can silence you.

[thraxios]

[He accepts her assistance with a nod of appreciation.]

Fewer would understand it than understand the written word.

[heloise]

[ And up she pulls! ]

I would learn it for you. You must have all your friends learn it.

[thraxios]

[He looks a bit like a drowned cat when pulled out of the water, the dark curls of his hair sticking to his skin. But he's in fine enough spirits, amused by Lucrezia's continued insistence that he could bend the world to his will if he liked.]

And when I must speak to strangers?

[heloise]

[ Because that is the same code she, and her family, holds to. A man can do whatever he wills. ]

Then they must learn your language before they may enjoy your charms.

[thraxios]

I'm not sure I am such desirable company as that.

[It's a joke of sorts, but there's a grain of truth to it. Gideon has always found himself being bent to the whims of the rest of the world. It's difficult to imagine being able to demand such luxuries of others.]

[heloise]

[ She reaches to push back any strands of hair stuck to his forehead. ]

They need not know that.

[thraxios]

Should I take that as an insult?

[He's smiling--he doesn't mean it seriously. But he is a bit wary of the way she's just touched him, going still when she smoothed the hair back from his face.]

[heloise]

[ She notices that he has grown tense, but that hardly stops her from finishing the task at hand. She smiles to herself once satisfied. ]

Would you?

[thraxios]

Not necessarily. [His posture grows slightly more relaxed when she lets her hand drop from his face.]

[heloise]

Perhaps you should not.

[thraxios]

I'm amenable enough to that.

[heloise]

[ She smiles, standing up now to fetch him a large towel. ]

You thought against pulling me into the pool.

[thraxios]

[He follows her, taking the towel and wrapping it around his shoulders. When he has a chance to slip out somewhere by himself, he'll see about toweling himself off.]

So I did.