The Lounge's Summer Pool Party!!

[Niceandbrutal]

Essie! Thank you so much for the lovely gift.

 

[Essie1]

Smiling, glad that NB liked his present.

Looks over to see very sad Monroe polishing glasses and watching small TV on bar. Hearing the news, shares big hug with Monroe and persuades him to come and sit on the shore for a bit, throwing stones into the ocean and taking time out to appreciate the little things.

 

[StarryEyed665]

Mornin' Ess, Monroe.

Goes over to offer both a tearful hug.

Don't know about you guys, but I'm feeling a movie marathon coming along. Hook, DPS, GWH, Doubtfire. And plenty of tissues.

 

[Essie1]

Hugs Starry back, shifts over so she can join them.

Hey beautiful, come sit a while. That's a lovely idea to have a movie marathon. Maybe also give a loved one a hug, or get in touch with someone you've been meaning to for ages but keep putting it off. It's always nice to know someone's thinking of you.

Wraps an arm around Starry, leans on Monroe's shoulder

A time to weep, a time to laugh - important to remember both today, I think.

 

[Essie1]

As the sun sets over the ocean, stands and strides into the water a little way, placing a lit genie lantern in the waves and sending it sailing gently towards the horizon

The smoke will send our wishes and love into the heavens and the light will guide his path.

https://encrypted-tbn3.***********/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRROUeMs6RNhHgNNn4wZraDDqrTUiQ7jzqMBZhWShGeh_QDwQOj

 

[StarryEyed665]

Moved over to the lounger groggily, immediately collapses.

God, I literally had three hours sleep last night. (But still managed to write today! Hooray!)

Time for night-night.

Loud snoring follows.

 

[DesEsseintes]

<Sits at charming rosewood escritoire pilfered from the long-defunct Room of Des Esseintes, with loose-leaf Darjeeling sitting happily in a silver teapot, pulls out pen and journal and, at long last, sees the prospect of a tiny bit of private writing time hove shimmeringly into view. After the storm, the water ripples with suppressed energy, and its dance with the sunlight slows to an endless adagio.>

 

[StarryEyed665]

Removes headphones to wave and beam at Des, still sprawled across the lounger.

Evening! I trust your writing is going well?

 

[DesEsseintes]

It went splendidly, thank you, and almost persuaded me that I am not a complete hack. I even managed to get back to the lovely Brit on some great writing she sent me, after almost a fortnight (shamed face). Now to finish one story, edit a final chapter of my novel, fill in details on a couple of other chapters, start my children's novel, complete drafting three poems and then I might be ready to have a go at the August Challenge!

How is your own writing going, dear Ms. Starry-Eyed?

 

[StarryEyed665]

Busy busy busy you are!

I look forward to your entry I started an attempt, so that may or may not be posted soon. I did finally finish my first Tipton post though, so that's something. Probably the first thing I've finished in like two months. :/

Mm gonna get some hot chocolate. Would you like anything?

 

[DesEsseintes]

Hot chocolate would be perfect, thank you. Perhaps with just a dash of brandy.

I shall have to seek out your Tipton post - I don't think I've ever read a 'fiction' post by you. Bravo!

 

[DesEsseintes]

OK, I've now read it. Bloody hell. You can write, can't you!

The English teacher in me wants to give that an A*. The 0.1% of me that isn't a patronizing old gizzard wishes merely to say thank you, and bravo on your start.

 

[StarryEyed665]

Returns with both drinks, blushing heavily at the praise.

Aw, Des, thanks! You've cheered me up! I can only hope whoever has marked my coursework is half as generous as you. sigh

 

[DesEsseintes]

If they have half my insight, empathy, brilliance and wit, they'll be bound to.

<Notices Starry's trembling lower lip.>

Ah, I see. Yes, that does seem unlikely. Well, I'm sure you fulfilled all the criteria too. When do you get your results? Is it Thursday of next week?

 

[StarryEyed665]

Gulp

Err, more like . . . in eight hours. =D *_*

 

[DesEsseintes]

Well - for at least the next eight hours you can assume that you passed everything with flying colours, can't you? Congratulations! You must be so proud. Monroe, the Krug and two flutes, please. Thanks.

 

[prettyserpentine]

wanders out in her fluffy onesie, glass of water and headache tablets in hand, curling up on a lounger with a blanket and gently rubbing her forehead

Starry my darling, you'll do great. I'm excited to hear how you get on with your results. I have all the confidence in you, you worked hard.

raises her glass of water in a toast and pops her headache pills

Then you can get a great job where you don't have to watch CCTV footage all day and ruin your eyeballs...

 

[StarryEyed665]

Giggles at Des, accepting the alcohol gratefully, before turning to kiss Pretty's head.

Sorry 'bout the headache.

Would you like a massage? Not to boast, my skillz are unparalleled, truly.

 

[DesEsseintes]

wanders out in her fluffy onesie, glass of water and headache tablets in hand, curling up on a lounger with a blanket and gently rubbing her forehead

Starry my darling, you'll do great. I'm excited to hear how you get on with your results. I have all the confidence in you, you worked hard.

raises her glass of water in a toast and pops her headache pills

Then you can get a great job where you don't have to watch CCTV footage all day and ruin your eyeballs...

Sorry to hear you have a headache, Ms. Serpentine: hope it clears up soon. I concur with your wishes for Starry, but don't forget watching CCTV footage is an important job, with potentially fatal consequences.

 

[Essie1]

Emerges from beach hut with a tray of freshly baked red velvet cupcakes, putting them on a table on the pool deck with a little sign

Because we all need a treat - Essie

before slipping into the pool to do some lazy laps.

 

[Britwitch]

Wanders in, a little lost and orders a stiff drink from Monroe. Sweet enough to pretend he can't see her red rimmed eyes or slightly flushed face, he mixes her drink with a smile and asks gently about her weekend plans.

She'd almost forgotten she had any.

A birthday night out with the girls at the weekend, and a concert with a picnic in a pretty park tomorrow.

A heavy sigh.

Should be fun.

She frowns and eyes her drink.

It will be fun.

A nod and she downs the drink in one.

Life's too short. Right? And while one of those the world lost this week never knew me in any way at all, the other wouldn't want me moping about, I'm sure.

A slightly watery smile and a tight hug for the barman before Brit wanders off down the jetty that leads from the side of the decking to sit and watch the rising moon and look for a star to wish on.

 

[prettyserpentine]

takes a seat at the end of the jetty, the night has passed and the sky is a peaceful and calming shade of blue

nothing more needs to be said that hasn't been said already, so we just sit, silently

 

[Essie1]

Brings the cupcakes down to the jetty, with a bottle of wine.

Drops kisses on Brit's and Pretty's heads and joins them to sit and enjoy the quiet company of friends.

Silently slips a small parcel into Brit's bag complete with carefully printed gift tag "From Ted" while she's not looking, for her lovely chum's birthday. Hopefully it will make her smile.

 

[Britwitch]

smiles to find herself with friends

Thank you, ladies. It means a lot.

a sincere hug for each and a supreme effort not to peek at her gift until the morrow

And now, for a swim I think.

a few moments later there is a splash as she dives neatly into the pool and after surfacing, floats for a while. Just looking up at the sky

 

[Niceandbrutal]

Robin Williams, Lauren Bacall AND my grandmother in one week. This week officially sucks, birthday or no birthday.