party post } { which one can say of any attractive woman with half a brain.

[emouvoir]

In the height of summer, Daneca is in charge of planning the annual movie in the park. The set up is simple, all she has to do is find the supplies and figure out what movie to show. Which is why in late August, the sun starts to set. (It doesn't really "set", but Daneca calls in a favor with a certain god of the sun to dim the bright summer light to something better.

Something with ambiance.)

Stalls of food and merchants renting and selling blankets ring the park by the lake, lit by fairy lights and Chinese lanterns, and the screen is nestled beneath a pair of looming oak trees that offer a bit more shade for the movie. It's a double feature this year -- The World is Not Enough and Casino Royale. Someone couldn't decide between Pierce Brosnan's James Bond and Daniel Craig's James Bond and someone -- cough, Elena -- offered the brilliant compromise of "why not both?"

Both. Both is good.

So tuck in. Enjoy yourselves! Enjoy shirtless Daniel Craig, you know you want to.

Comments

[bravebartender]

Cami has the reflexes of a champion and when she sees that tray starting to fall she's quick to reach out and support the corner back up into a level position again. She's lucky she was close enough, because she definitely does not have vampire speed at her disposal, but not a single kernel was lost to the monster of the ground.

"You need a hand?"

[impetere]

And that sister will wander over from petting said puppy (it was a really cute puppy), and she's now returning to her date only to find her massive brother sitting on their blanket like he belongs there. She stares, dumbstruck for a moment as the panic rises in her chest, before she manages to force out the words.

"What are you doing here?"

[grumpypuppy]

"I actually came to spend some time with you." Which was actually true.

[theminotaur]

Ugh Derek no.

Her immediate assumption is still that the date is ruined and now she's pretty sure it's over. Which is fine. It's not a big deal. It's not a once in a summer event or anything. Glancing at Cora, Abigail shrugs, offering a small smile.

"We can hang out later."

[impetere]

Cora glances back and forth between them anxiously, because on the one hand, Derek actually wanting to spend time with her is something she's been wanting for a while. But at the same time, this was supposed to be her and Abigail's time together. It's really uncool to have your big brother crash your date.

So in that turmoil of not wanting Abigail to leave and being exasperated with Derek's timing, her response comes out as: "Now?!"

[grumpypuppy]

Derek isn't an idiot - he watched them both a moment, not really understanding the whole why of the moment, but getting the frustration at his presence being unwanted.

"Perhaps another time." He stood up, fixing his shirt and turning to go.

[theminotaur]

"No! Sit." Her tone is sharp and firm and it wouldn't be a surprise if a dog somewhere nearby planted it's butt in the grass. She's not a scary wolf, but she's used to being listened to, so she doesn't look like she's willing to take no for an answer from either or them. "Both of you, sit. You're staying."

Her hand drifts to Cora's back to push her forward a little on to the blanket. "We're both staying."

It's going to be awkward as fuck, but she can suffer for Cora's benefit.

[revenant]

"Hmm. Let's leave it to spontaneity, see if it ever comes up naturally."

She likes that option best. Even now that they've pulled back from their kiss, Sarah remains near to him, her smile-clad lips hovering over his own. The movie plays on in the background, with explosions and music cues galore, but she's hardly paying attention.

"What else can you do that I don't now about?"

Sarah can't help but wonder now.

[rumpot]

Rafe brightens at the sight of her. He reaches for her hand, fingers twining with hers, and he gently tugs her down to the picnic blanket with him, never once breaking their kiss. His all too warm lips press against her own, soft and slow and heated all at once.

"I'm starting to think they'll just take any excuse to host events at this point."

[revenant]

Sarah tips her head to the side, considering this very valid point. She leans back along with Hana, until they're laying on the blanket side by side. Shh, the visual is the cutest. "Okay, let's assume that in this hypothetical world, hypothetical!Hana is all about trouble."

[eluding]

Ethan leans against his elbows on top of the booth when Gin approaches next in line. There's no one behind her so he is in no hurry, and well, Helloooo there. He recognizes her immediately since he has been paying very close attention to all the other booths and those running them. Also, she's gorgeous. What was that about not flirting? What?

"Absolutely," he answers easily, lifting his eyebrow as he sees how her arms are folded across her chest. She does seem a bit unhappy about ordering a funnel cake. "You're the absolutely beautiful lady running the booth down the line, aren't you?"

It's asked with a tiny, curious smile tugging across his face.

[eluding]

Ethan leans against the other side of the booth. His smile tugs into a wide, bright thing at the sight of Cami.

"If you think it smells amazing, you absolutely have to taste it too," he says. "I've come up with not-your-average funnel cake toppings, because I can never do anything simply."

He prefers complicated when it comes to cooking. It means he has more to do with his hands. It means he is more focused on the task at hand instead of the hundred or so things he is always running from.

[grumpypuppy]

And he will look at the other girl, then his sister, and then back at her. There was a tiny part that was tempted to leave just because it was not what the other one wanted... but he didn't. Mostly because he was true in wanting to spent time with Cora, and now he was curious who her friend was.

"Only if you're sure." And he will settle down back on the blanket. Cora can be in the middle though.

[sasspot]

Noah smiles back at her, stepping up towards the line so he can get one for himself and for Sarah. Steggy follows close at Hana's heels, purring and appreciating the attention. "Pretty much. No dragging needed though." He's happy to go wherever Sarah will be. He sends her a tiny knowing smile then. "Is that what you did with Rafe?"

Rafe's one of his best friends, and he knows how head over heels the guy is for her.

[sasspot]

Noah sends her a slow, wide smile at what she says, because he likes that option best too. He likes the spontaneity of it, and he leans in as her smile hovers right over his own. He leans in, capturing her mouth as his hand drags up the side of her body, breathing her in with that smile on his face.

He pulls back slowly to meet her gaze.

"Don't you want to leave that to spontaneity too?"

He asks before he sends her a little mischievous wink of his, nudging her in his amusement. "And what about you? How do I know you don't have some hidden talents up your sleeve?"

[impetere]

Cora glances over to Abigail because she knows that this is going to be so, so awkward, and she doesn't want to ruin their date with her brother. But she also doesn't want to hurt Derek either so this is the most effective compromise, even if it is also the most uncomfortable one.

Her eyes stay on Abigail as Derek speaks, wanting the answer to the same question, but not wanting to repeat it.

[theminotaur]

"I'm sure!" There is the slightest hint of exasperation in her tone, but she flops back down and grabs her box of snocaps and her sketchbook, seeming to settle in as proof that she is sure. She's sure, it'll be fine.

Maybe Alek will swoop in and rescue her, we just don't know.

For now she will hang out as the awkward third wheel to her own date because this is Abigail's life, this is what she gets. She'll just draw while they talk. Definitely not going to draw Derek like one of her French girls though. Maybe a portrait of Ethan back there at his booth flirting with anything that breathes.

She's pretty sure he'd love a picture of himself that he could frame, bless him.

[inferus]

Ben is about to assure Cami that he's got it all under control when the popcorn sways from side to side so perilously he's genuinely surprised it didn't topple over completely. He smiles sheepishly in her direction, not that she might see it, his face hidden by stacks and stacks of food.

"... Yes, please."

[promesas]

Don't mind if Teresa joins you, Cami.

Running one of the most popular bars in town means you get to know pretty much everyone, including Teresa, who stops by every now and then to socialize. Well, that and she loves babies. She wonders how much of the town's draw to Rousseau's is for the drinks, and how much of it is Hope.

"He's so dreamy," she sighs by way of greeting. She sprawls dramatically on the spot next to Cami, clutching a bag of Twizzlers to her chest. "I miss kissing."

[grumpypuppy]

Derek was quiet a moment, and then sighed. "I really didn't mean to interrupt, Cora," he said softly. "I was just... I was just thinking about those stupid movie nights we used to have as kids with Peter's video collection on Friday nights. It's been a long time since I've sat and watched a movie. With anyone."

[impetere]

She closes her eyes for a moment, because she remembers those nights too. Barely, but it was there. She takes a breath before she looks up at him again. "I just wish you would have said something." She pauses again, playing with her fingers before glancing back to Abigail and then back to her brother again.

"This isn't just ... friends hanging out."

[theminotaur]

Oh did she just...???? Is she..? Abigail's pencil stills and she looks up at Cora like DID YOU JSUT???? but she doesn't say anything. It's their life, but it's not Abigail's place to tell Cora's brother about it.

[grumpypuppy]

"I didn't really think ahead. I just thought... well, yeah."

Derek looked at her a moment, and then his eyes raised in the OH fashion. He then looked at Abigail, then then back at his sister with a hint of a smile.

"Do I get to play big brother and try and intimidate her then?"

Oh my god, Derek Hale made a joke. Don't die, Cora.

[impetere]

That joke earns him a look because no, Derek. Not that she thinks he can because Abigail has had far scarier people in her life than Derek but because he shouldn't. He should trust his sister's excellent judgement.

In theory.

"No. You don't."

[theminotaur]

"He can try." Just, casually mentioning that. It might be comical. Abigail's seen both Hale families wolf out, werewolves aren't exactly on her list of things that are scary anymore.

Also, you know, Hannibal. Hannibal existed in her life for too long, she's an old, jaded hag now. Faye is one of her friends, her girlfriend is a werewolf, she had tea with the Devil.