The Lounge's Summer Pool Party

[LitShark]

*Fixes Vail a drink and garnishes with a wedge of fresh cut melon and fixes Angel a plate of similar wedges, delivering them around with courteous smiles.*

 

[Britwitch]

"That melon smells wonderful. Any chance I could steal a piece?"

Brit giggles while fluttering her lashes shamelessly in Shark's direction.

 

[LitShark]

"That melon smells wonderful. Any chance I could steal a piece?"

Brit giggles while fluttering her lashes shamelessly in Shark's direction.

*Absolutely cannot resist the witch, least of all when she's without shame.*

Of course, but I may insist that you join me for some of the Scotch as well.

*Winks as he delivers slices of watermelon, waiting for assent before uncorking the bottle.*

 

[Britwitch]

"Sounds good to me."

She smiles warmly up at him, balancing the plate with her melon on her knees and shifting to the side in case he wants to take a seat.

"I'm not overly experienced with Scotch but that which I've had, I've certainly enjoyed."

 

[LitShark]

"Sounds good to me."

She smiles warmly up at him, balancing the plate with her melon on her knees and shifting to the side in case he wants to take a seat.

"I'm not overly experienced with Scotch but that which I've had, I've certainly enjoyed."

*Retrieves the bottle and glasses, takes up the offered space beside Brit, uncorking and offering the cork for her to smell.*

I've spent too much time at college, everybody's all about Fireball and SoCo. Makes a man long for the finer things in life.

*Pours two fingers into each glass and clinks mine to hers, forgoing ice for the time being.*

To the written word and the power therein.

 

[Angeleyz]

*nibbles on a wedge of watermelon and had to catch an errant drip of juice with her finger as it makes its way down her chin*

yummy... Thankee.

*is tempted to ask about her experiences with Irish folks but refrains*

 

[Britwitch]

She inhales the scent from the cork, rich and almost smokey in aroma.

"As a child I remember being dragged around distilleries in Scotland and being bored stupid. I always did love the smell of it though!"

The glasses meet and so do their eyes.

"Sounds like a fine thing to toast to in my humble opinion. To the powerful words within us all."

A sip and an appreciative sigh.

"Damn, now that's good!"

 

[LitShark]

*nibbles on a wedge of watermelon and had to catch an errant drip of juice with her finger as it makes its way down her chin*

yummy... Thankee.

*is tempted to ask about her experiences with Irish folks but refrains*

Of course, you're welcome. Will you be joining Brit and I on the illustrious BDSMU Faculty Docier?

*Casts a smile toward Angel*

 

[LitShark]

She inhales the scent from the cork, rich and almost smokey in aroma.

"As a child I remember being dragged around distilleries in Scotland and being bored stupid. I always did love the smell of it though!"

The glasses meet and so do their eyes.

"Sounds like a fine thing to toast to in my humble opinion. To the powerful words within us all."

A sip and an appreciative sigh.

"Damn, now that's good!"

*Joins her in the sip, better than I expected. Strong notes of peet and a heady mesquite finish.*

We should all read selections from our various non-Literotica projects. I know I'd love to hear some of Brit and Vail's solo work.

*Sips again, smiling around at the collection of talent.*

 

[Britwitch]

Grins as he makes reference to BDSMU and then blushes slightly as solo projects are mentioned again.

"That's very kind of you to say. I know I could easily read Vail's words all day!"

 

[LitShark]

Grins as he makes reference to BDSMU and then blushes slightly as solo projects are mentioned again.

"That's very kind of you to say. I know I could easily read Vail's words all day!"

*Smiles at the blush in Brit's cheek, lightly running the back of my hand holding the glass across her cheek.*

I'll start, if it please the poolside.

Truth Be Told

What is the sound of a heart breaking?
What can you say to violence?
How can you speak reason to a world
Where everyone is shouting?

The answer to all is silence.

I wrote that during my 10 week vow of silence in winter.

 

[Britwitch]

The blush deepens at the feel of fingers against her warm cheek and then her eyes widen at his words.

"Powerful words indeed."

She pauses, repeating them to herself again.

"That was wonderful. Truly! Thank you for sharing that. All of my projects are...rather more wordy than that."

She laughs.

"But I could share an opening paragraph or two with you all, if you'd like?"

 

[LitShark]

The blush deepens at the feel of fingers against her warm cheek and then her eyes widen at his words.

"Powerful words indeed."

She pauses, repeating them to herself again.

"That was wonderful. Truly! Thank you for sharing that. All of my projects are...rather more wordy than that."

She laughs.

"But I could share an opening paragraph or two with you all, if you'd like?"

Yes please!

*to Vail*

You've been volunteered to read an excerpt. *big grin*

 

[Britwitch]

"Well..."

she sits up a little, flicking through her notebook to find the piece she wants, and clears her throat

"...it's the start of my current novel project and...well, I'm rewriting it at the moment so it's a little rough but, anyway...here you go..."

another clearing of her throat, a nervous smile, and she begins to read


"This is ridiculous." His breathing was slightly laboured as he tried to drag his case behind him. The little wheels designed to glide smoothly and soundlessly through the airports and high class hotels of the world were struggling against the gravel currently beneath them. "Whoever heard of a station without a taxi rank? In this day and age?!" He was talking to himself, grumbling more than anything else. He paused, to try and catch his breath and to shove a hand into his pocket. Fishing out his phone, he swiped the screen to unlock it. After a second or two a muffled expletive left his lips as he locked the device and thrust it back into his pocket. Without signal it was little more than a high end clock.

"Oh, I hate this place!" Booted feet continuing their stomping journey down the road, his suitcase resuming its battle behind him, he started walking once more. That he was surrounded by scenery that would easily stop most people in their tracks was irrelevant. He couldn't care less for the moors that stretched around on either side of him, making the road ahead a thin ribbon of grey through the gently bobbing bracken and lilac-toned heather. The mountains that rose up almost angrily from the rolling hills and the distant loch sparkling in the sunshine could all vanish for all he cared. The ground could open up and swallow the lot into the bowels of the earth. It didn't matter.

Callum Murray didn't want to be there.

 

[LitShark]

"Well..."

she sits up a little, flicking through her notebook to find the piece she wants, and clears her throat

"...it's the start of my current novel project and...well, I'm rewriting it at the moment so it's a little rough but, anyway...here you go..."

another clearing of her throat, a nervous smile, and she begins to read


"This is ridiculous." His breathing was slightly laboured as he tried to drag his case behind him. The little wheels designed to glide smoothly and soundlessly through the airports and high class hotels of the world were struggling against the gravel currently beneath them. "Whoever heard of a station without a taxi rank? In this day and age?!" He was talking to himself, grumbling more than anything else. He paused, to try and catch his breath and to shove a hand into his pocket. Fishing out his phone, he swiped the screen to unlock it. After a second or two a muffled expletive left his lips as he locked the device and thrust it back into his pocket. Without signal it was little more than a high end clock.

"Oh, I hate this place!" Booted feet continuing their stomping journey down the road, his suitcase resuming its battle behind him, he started walking once more. That he was surrounded by scenery that would easily stop most people in their tracks was irrelevant. He couldn't care less for the moors that stretched around on either side of him, making the road ahead a thin ribbon of grey through the gently bobbing bracken and lilac-toned heather. The mountains that rose up almost angrily from the rolling hills and the distant loch sparkling in the sunshine could all vanish for all he cared. The ground could open up and swallow the lot into the bowels of the earth. It didn't matter.

Callum Murray didn't want to be there.

*Beams and applauds without irony.*

Remarkable and beautiful as always Brit--I relate to the struggle of dragging rolling luggage through gravel. Seems like the sort of thing that ought to be anticipated by designers. How can I get a copy when it's finished?

*To Vail*

Preferably from your in progress novel, but anything you're working on in solitude will do.

 

[Angeleyz]

Of course, you're welcome. Will you be joining Brit and I on the illustrious BDSMU Faculty Docier?

*Casts a smile toward Angel*

*smiles apologetically*

Sorry, I had to poof from the pool and y'all's company to rescue kids from their grandparents' house.

I'm having to sort through my credentials to see if I even qualify for such an illustrious staff. I'm afraid I'm more suited to be a counselor in training than a fully qualified TA, but ifn I can pull all the right paperwork together....

 

[Britwitch]

*Beams and applauds without irony.*

Remarkable and beautiful as always Brit--I relate to the struggle of dragging rolling luggage through gravel. Seems like the sort of thing that ought to be anticipated by designers. How can I get a copy when it's finished?

*To Vail*

Preferably from your in progress novel, but anything you're working on in solitude will do.

beams proudly

Thank you very much, very glad you enjoyed it. I'm hoping to try and look at publishing it, one way or another, later this year so will keep you posted on how that goes. If you really do want to read more of it, I am looking for some informal readers.

grins winningly

No pressure though, I know how busy you are.

*smiles apologetically*

Sorry, I had to poof from the pool and y'all's company to rescue kids from their grandparents' house.

I'm having to sort through my credentials to see if I even qualify for such an illustrious staff. I'm afraid I'm more suited to be a counselor in training than a fully qualified TA, but ifn I can pull all the right paperwork together....

Not to worry, lovely, it happens to us all at some point! And am sure you can do it.

Brit winks

Oooo...no, not to be a party pooper, but there's a reason its stuff I'm not working on here.

Not to worry, Lady, I understand.

 

[Britwitch]

Though you know how much I love whispering words in your ear

And whispered words can be among the most powerful of them all.

 

[Angeleyz]

*continues nibbling on watermelon, lazily moving her feet in slow, opposing circles*


Well said...

 

[LitShark]

*To Angel*

I wouldn't have recruited you if I didn't believe in your talent. I also think that you and fr33k would have wonderful chemistry. But no pressure.

*To Vail*

It's understandable. Just know that your writing is beloved by all.

*To Brit*

I'd be delighted to read whatever you can give me. School's over for me and I'm adrift without purpose. I need some good reading material for my forthcoming international travel spree.

*Finishes the last of his Scotch and sets the glass aside to drape his arm around Brit's shoulders and lightly kiss her cheek.*

Speaking of, I really need to stop procrastinating moving out of my room. It's a stye and I need to be cleared out by the first. *sigh* I'll check back if and when I get a second.

Farewell everyone, I'll be back soon.

*Makes an exit, leaving the melon and whiskey for any who desire it.*

 

[Angeleyz]

*hopes that her tan hides the blush that is likely forming*

Thank you for the encouragement, LitShark... I will certainly give it some thought, and maybe speak to Fr33k about it if he's online at the same time.

Enjoy your cleaning...

 

[Britwitch]

"In that case, I'll sort out sending you some stuff in the not too distant future."

She returns the kiss to his cheek quickly and sweetly before he goes. Calling after him,

"Good luck with the packing!"

She finishes her glass of whisky in a similar to the man who just left her side and rises from the lounger.

"Sadly, it's also time I said goodbye for a little while. It's way past a witch's bedtime here and I should go and see if my little beach hut is in any condition to stay in too."

She grins at all who are assembled.

"Have a lovely time, while you're here, I really am thrilled to see the place so busy already. Thank you, for stopping by and hopefully I'll see you again soon. Goodnight from my part of the world!"

Kisses are blown happily in all directions before she skips away from the deck with her notebook under her arm, her plate of melon in one hand and a key now dangling from the other.

 

[Angeleyz]

Sweet dreams, Brit... When your head finally reaches your pillow.

*leans back on her elbows and looks out over the gently rolling waves*

 

[Britwitch]

Sunrise.

No better time for a swim.

Towel and bag are flung less than gently onto the same lounger she sat on the night before while bare feet run across the decking and then leap into the air.

There is a relatively small splash as she enters the ocean, a far louder gasp given when she surfaces courtesy of the cool water. Lazily she swims among the waves, watching the sunrise.

 

[LitShark]

from Antisocial: Early Adopter Edition

Tonight, on KNC, the world premiere of the first Real-Watch show of its kind—The Blindest Side.

As the announcer boomed through his voice-over, a collection of young boys and girls, aged about 10 to 14 rose up through the floor, all demographiced brown or black and all looking determined.

In the most heart-wrenching premise ever devised, TBS will pit sixteen Lower Tier foster children into athletic competition for the most meaningful prize ever given away in HoloWatch history—adoption into a stable, educated, Upper Tier household. A home for children who have never known one, a life-changing opportunity for one lucky youngster—The Blindest Side. In tonight’s episode—

A jumble of blended scenes all burst to life at once across the holoplane, in one quadrant two kids were jousting on small, rounded platforms, each delivering bone-jarring haymakers with their padded pugilist sticks. In another quadrant, two kids in football pads collided at full speed, the impact through Sam’s Kony SurroundBlast speakers made his Beast can rattle on the table. Another portion of the plane was devoted to a pair of girls throwing punches in Mixed Martial Arts gear and another piece of the picture was devoted to a taller girl rejecting the jump shot of a girl shorter than her.

Hosted by Grunge MacRoughneck, Grunge was getting more work than ever, now that he was a crossover sensation, marketing execs loved talent that could cross Demos, the sixteen contestants meet their would-be parents—

“I want you all to meet Hal and Sheila, they’re going to be adopting one of you into their home,” Grunge was telling the kids.

“Nice to meet you, Mom and Dad,” a young boy with dreadlocks proclaimed, much to the dismay of his fellow contestants.

“I thought, what a cocky fuck he is,” a floating head said from an inset hologram, “I couldn’t wait to shove that fucking smirk down his throat.”

And at the end, the announcer came back as the scene shifted to a later hour, MacRoughneck addressing the kids again, someone gets sent from home.

“I’m sorry, but it’s time to get your bags and leave home.” MacRoughneck muttered solemnly, making it impossible to tell who he was addressing with downcast eyes.

Tune in tonight, for heartbreak and excitement—The Blindest Side—#TBSonKNC.

***​

Grunge MacRoughneck was day-drinking with a vengeance, not at all pleased with what the rest of the day had in store for him. Doing promotions and photo ops with the cast of The Blindest Side had been one thing—the kids were all great—but actually following through on the sick premise that the producers were planning on carrying out on LiveStreamed HoloVision was another thing entirely. It was a tried and true formula for generating RealWatch tension between otherwise rational and likeable people—every episode, someone’s got to go. But now, on the morning of the first Competition Day, Grunge was having doubts.

In one hand, he held a bottle of top shelf Scotch by the neck, in the other hand he was cradling his embedded XG phone to the side of his face, he almost looked like he was leaning on his hand.

“I don’t care about the money, Glen. I don’t want to do it.”

“Grungie! Grungster! Grunginator! It’s already done, you’re doin’ it, it’s practically done already. The money’s in the bank, I already spent my commission, just put your game face on and get the thing done. You’re doing a good thing.” Glen told him again.

“Glen, I’m not going to tell some fucking orphan kid that they’ve got to go back to the orphanage because they played bad in a pickup game—I’m just not going to do it!”

“Look, Grungisimo—you’re in a dressing room, on set, it’s show time. You’re a crossover sensation now, cross-tier tourism is the latest thing and you’re at the forefront of it. You’re a trendsetter! Focus on the kid who wins—not the losers, who cares about them? The kid who wins is going to have a new life—an Upper Tier family. Focus on the good.”


“It’s kinda hard to focus on the one kid we’re giving a life when we’re taunting fifteen others with a decent life, then yanking it out from under them at the last second and pretending it’s their fault.”

“Mister MacRoughneck, they’re ready for you on set.” One of the P.A.s shouted from outside Grunge’s dressing room.

“Go make magic, Grungie-boy.” Glen said before the call was terminated by Grunge closing his fist.

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll be there in a second.” Grunge called through the door, taking a long pull from the bottle before going out to face the music.