The Lounge's Autumn Escape

[DesEsseintes]

Thank you, no, Ms. Serpentine. I'm sure it was quite delicious: frankly, I'm surprised Starry didn't squirrel it away as soon as it appeared.

 

[Essie1]

Walking out and lighting the campfire, rolling out a swag, pillow and sleeping bag, climbing in and staring into the flames, trying to relax after what can only be called "A Day".

Listening to the fire crackling, the trees rustling in the wind, the lake gently lapping against the shore, enjoying the faint smell of homemade apple pie still lingering in the air.

 

[DesEsseintes]

<Waves to Essie; takes off shirt and trousers and dives into lake. The waters are deep and cold and still. After some minutes, he has reached the island, and begins to build a driftwood shelter with precise, unhurried movements.>

 

[Essie1]

Heavy eyes drifting shut, hugs Ted close (for he has dared to join the Autumn Lounge, clad in his birthday knitted hat and scarf from his beloved Miss Starry) and begins the deep breathing of sleep, lulled by the fire crackles and various insect choruses from amongst the trees.

 

[Essie1]

Sits up by campfire, shivering and coughing a bit. Must have caught a nasty cold from the recent storms. Gratefully accepts another blanket and a steaming mug of hot lemon tea (with a shot of whisky) from Monroe. Snuggles down in sleeping bag and blanket cocoon, hoping someone will come along and distract her with something cheery.

Like more pie. That would help.

Even Enya mig...

No, just pie.

 

[saysalice]

wanders into Brit's charming little Lounge retreat, as an escape from her real world autumn, in which there is snow (grumble)

carrying a snuggly afghan under one arm and a well-loved bear of her own under the other, she smiles when she sees Essie, and makes her way over to the fire, pausing just long enough to solicit Munroe:

"Could I get a biiig coffee, with just a little bit of Bailey's stirred in, please? Thank you."

grinning at Essie

"Never too early for an imaginary drink, right?"

she settles down next to her, pulling the afghan snugly around her shoulders, propping her bear up on her knees so he can see the pretty fire

"So, I should be writing...I should be cleaning or knitting...I could use at least another three hours of sleep...but I saw you here, and thought you could use some company. I hope it's okay."

she turns her bear to wave at Ted

"This is Bogart. He likes to think he's badass, but really, he's just a big softie."

moaning appreciatively as Munroe reappears with a steaming mug of coffee and a plate of chocolate chip cookies, still warm from the oven

"Munroe, marry me...seriously. We'll move to Utah, it'll be great. Bet'cha it's not snowing there!"

taking the whole plate of cookies and setting it between herself and Essie with another grin

"Teddy bears' picnic?"

 

[Britwitch]

runs in, hugs an Alice madly

Oh! Hello you!

I have...busy...too much...but, back in a bit...hopefully!

hugs Essie, and Munroe too, and then dashes back out to her editing

 

[DesEsseintes]

<The rudimentary shelter at last complete, with a roof laid with fronds of fir branches filtering rather than blocking the water, Des Esseintes sits on his tiny island, and settles himself down to ponder. The little fire is mirrored in the water, and time seems to pass swiftly so that the moon slides unwillingly across the sky. The stars hold their slow pattern, and their silence is a benediction to the tired man. In the distance, over the lake, a larger fire waves across the darkness, and shouts of laughter ripple in the friendly chaos of company. Part of him longs to join, but a deeper part needs this space to remain unfilled, for now.>

 

[StarryEyed665]

Is lured in by the faint scent of apple pie

Whoops, it has been so nice and warm these past few days, I kept accidentally wandering into the Pool by mistake! But I feel the chill now. And have come to spend time with friends and bears and-

WHERE'S the pie

 

[TheAntiRebel]

bring out a kayak, starts kayaking around the lake.

 

[Essie1]

Looks round, thinking she heard someone bemoaning the lack of pie.

No pie left but we do have some rather decadent chocolate chip cookies left... *whispers* not for very much longer...

Settling Ted and Bogart on her lap, while Alice is otherwise occupied, wraps arms round them and munches on a cookie

Now, the thing is, lads, sometimes you just have to have a day to do bugger all, sit back and enjoy cookies. Just enjoy the serenity...

 

[Britwitch]

stops by the woods to take a little break from the delightful madness that is her real world at the moment

a glass of mulled wine and a seat by the water is a delicious escape

 

[DesEsseintes]

stops by the woods to take a little break from the delightful madness that is her real world at the moment

'The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.'

It seemed appropriate. Hope the madness mellows into mere eccentricity soon.

 

[saysalice]

grabs the prettiest witch on her way past, and pulls her in for a quick hug

sees Bogart chumming with his new pal Ted on Essie's lap, and smiles

gets up slowly, reluctant to leave

Real world is calling, but if I leave my best bear here (in very capable hands), that means I'll have to be back, right?

Sooner rather than later, I hope.

she waves

 

[AsianGirl93]

*sits on the pier with feet in the water*

Pictures in the first post of this thread are so beautiful. I would love to go on a vacation to a place like that. :\

 

[DesEsseintes]

<Raises hat to AsianGirl and inclines head in respect. Then buries nose back into House of Leaves. His own house of leaves is already mouldering genteelly on the little island.>

 

[TinyDuchess]

Did somebody ask for pie?

Just thought I'd leave these here in case anyone was still hungry. I tried not to get too fancy. There may have been some taste testing going on.

 

[fr33ks33k]

*Looking up from his writing, he realizes that several days have passed. And yet, his notebook is no more full than when he started, though there are pages upon pages of his work, scrawled in a script that only he could probably decipher. He stands and stretches, working tired muscles back into function. Newcomers and people he's seen both mill about, the scent of dried leaves and pies wafting through the air. He reaches down and retrieves his bottle of Yggdrasil, drinking deeply before returning it to the stump it had been resting upon. Straightening his duster and smiling in greeting to those he has not yet done so for, he sits back down on the fallen log that has served as his chair and returns to writing in his notebook*

 

[Essie1]

Walks over to Fr33k and picks up the abandoned bottle. With a silent gesture, asking permission to have some and receiving a guarded nod in return, takes a long swig and winces. Takes a deep breath and another swig, then one more for luck. Wiping the mouth of the bottle clean with her sleeve, she returns it to its resting place and totters unsteadily down to a small grove of trees overhanging the water's edge.

Sitting down on a blanket of moss and leaves, hugs her knees and starts to skim stones and chat to a passing swan. Whom she names Beryl. But the swan doesn't talk back, just listens attentively. As nice swans do.

 

[DesEsseintes]

Did somebody ask for pie?

Just thought I'd leave these here in case anyone was still hungry. I tried not to get too fancy. There may have been some taste testing going on.

How ravishing! And the pies look lovely too.

Essie, do you know Her Grace the tiny Duchess? Shall we have some tea?

 

[TinyDuchess]

You're such a flatterer Des *blushing shyly* Of course I'll have tea with you.

 

[Essie1]

Waving hello at the Duchess and Des, mumbles something about tea probably being a good idea. Attempts to stand up but discovers her legs are drunker than the rest of her, so joining the tea party may be a bit of an issue...

 

[StarryEyed665]

Pie! Oh, thank you thank you! They look yummy! As does the tea!

Stops her excitement momentarily to assist Essie to the tea party

Alright, let's dig in!

 

[Essie1]

Thanks ever so, Starry. You do not know how good it is to see you, my sweet.

Gives Starry a warm hug and rub on the back.

I must say, Tiny D, your pastry latticework is exquisite. Just the spot to soak up some of the... whatever it was I drank earlier *hiccup*

 

[DesEsseintes]

Marvellous. Who'll be mother?

I do like a proper old-fashioned tea. Delicious cake, Duchess. Your cook really is a gem.