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

cora | ota

[impetere]

Cora has set up the blanket for her and Abigail under a tree towards the back of the area that's been designated for the movie, mostly more for the other patrons than it is for her. She tends to ask a lot of questions regarding what's going on during the movie, and apparently that is "annoying."

Whatever.

Still, it's a pretty large blanket with a variety of priority movie snacks, the largest of which being the bowl of popcorn that will probably sit between them. There's also two large sodas of some kind, and Cora will probably wind up eating most of this. Werewolf metabolism. Still, she wanted to make sure they had options, especially since it's a double feature.

She'll pretty much stay where she is, and won't turn away anyone who wants to approach her, but if you're not wandering her way, she can also be found getting refills in the intermission between shows for the popcorn and sodas.

[grumpypuppy]

Derek isn't really there for the shirtless Daniel Craig. When the sunlight started to dim, his curiosity got the better of him and he wandered over to edge of the field to see the movie night set up. He kept to himself for the most part, leaning against a tree and watching the first movie as his eyes just took in the people around him.

Then he saw his sister and the large pile of snacks that she was eating. He waited until she and her friend got up to go get refills before making his way over and just helping himself to some of the candy as he sat on the blanket.

Totally keeping people from stealing your space, little sister. By... stealing your space for a bit. And you candy. You're welcome.

[theminotaur]

Abigail returns to the blanket first because Cora stopped to pet a dog presumably, so she is the first person to see Derek just... chilling on their blanket. Like he owns it. (He doesn't! It's ...actually Alek's and she borrowed it, but shh!)

"Uh."

GET OFF MY BLANKET, WHY ARE YOU ONE MY BLANKET, THIS DATE IS RUINED, EVERYTHING IS AWFUL, I QUIT LIFE, AHHHHHHHHHHHH.

"Hi."

Perfect.

[grumpypuppy]

To be fair, Derek doesn't know this was a date. If he did, he would have been over here earlier.

"Hi." He's just going to casually nibble on a gummy worm. "I'm waiting for my sister." Because that explains it all, right?

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[grumpypuppy]

He looked over at Abigail and smirked, reaching for a handful of popcorn. "I like her."

[impetere]

Cora smirks a bit, glad for that much at least because she likes Abigail too. A lot. "His intimidation tactics usually involve physical violence. I've seen him with Stiles." And there's a pointed look at her brother because no. Nope. Never.

[grumpypuppy]

"Yeah, but that's because it's Stiles." Derek was raised not to hit girls, thank you. Usually because they were all more powerful than him, but point still stands.