The Lounge's Summer Pool Party

[Britwitch]

Listens carefully and lets out a long breath at the end. Silence hanging in the air for a moment or two while she tries to find the words, just the sound of the ocean and the breeze can be heard.

"Thats, wow, that's quite the story." Her wine glass is set down and a hand runs back through her short hair. "I can see why you've been struggling to move beyond what's happened. But, as hard as it might be to see it when it's still so close, you are moving on and you have so much ahead of you to look forward to."

A hug is given, warm and tight, before he goes.

"I hope it wasn't too hard to share and I obviously hope it's helped in some way to let it out a little. Sleep well, handsome."

 

[thestruggle]

The heat wave has broken and now the breeze that blows through her part of the world is cooler, softer. Her dress matches this new shade of summer and a thin white sweater covers her arms, at least until the sun warms things back up a bit. She settles at the bar, pulling her hair back into an absentminded knot, and studies a notebook flipped open to a page of jotted thoughts.

 

[Noon_Shadow]

He slips in, padding back toward the pool from the pool house on his sandals, sporting a swimsuit design to honor his neighbors up north. He heads over to the bar to pour himself a glass of lemonade, but stops on the way as he spots Tess there. With a smile, he sneaks up on her-as stealthily as one can move while wearing flip-flops, which isn't particularly stealthy at that-and lightly grabs her hips before leaning forward, pressing a kiss to her cheek as his chest settles in against her back.

Hey there, sweetheart. Thanks for making sure to save me a brownie. He grins and gives a little squeeze on her hip before letting go, slipping around to the refrigerator behind the bar to pull out the pitcher of lemonade and pour himself a glass, with ice cubes. I hope the writing is going well. He nods down toward her notes.

 

[thestruggle]

She's mostly wool-gathering - with very little progress - and thinking about whether or not she's done enough work to have earned lunch. Noon's grasp on her hips makes her jump a bit, then, but slightly, a familiar unsteadiness that settles into a sunny smile.

Hiii! How are you? And of course! I've been testing those out, trying to find a way to just use powdered baking chocolate. Chopping chocolate is such a pain.

She tips her head back against his chest and wrinkles her nose at him playfully before he walks around to hunt in the fridge. The sight of the pitcher perks her up and she mournfully turns down the corners of her mischievous lips.

The writing is fine... I mean, nothing means no negatives, right? But awfully thirsty work. May I have some of that lemonade, pretty please?

 

[Noon_Shadow]

He nods at her, chuckling as he pours himself a glass of lemonade, tilting his head. I'm not sure I agree with that. Sometimes bad writing is more productive than none, since a good writer is strong enough to recognize the issues in bad writing and can work to correct things. He leans forward and looks into her eyes for a second, giving her a sweet smile. The hardest part is always getting started, isn't it?

He lifts up the pitcher teasingly, looking at it. Oh, you want some of this? Well... grinning playfully at her, then nodding ...since you were sweet enough to make sure and save me a brownie, I suppose I go out on a limb far enough to give you some. He grabs another glass, scooping a few ice cubes into it before pouring a glass for her and then setting it down lightly in front of her.

He walks back around the bar, brushing his hip up against her and giving her a little bump before he settles in to sit next to her. Besides, saying "please" is a sure path toward getting things you want from me. Winking and then resisting the urge to peek down into her notebook.

 

[21orca]

He nods at her, chuckling as he pours himself a glass of lemonade, tilting his head. I'm not sure I agree with that. Sometimes bad writing is more productive than none, since a good writer is strong enough to recognize the issues in bad writing and can work to correct things. He leans forward and looks into her eyes for a second, giving her a sweet smile. The hardest part is always getting started, isn't it?

He lifts up the pitcher teasingly, looking at it. Oh, you want some of this? Well... grinning playfully at her, then nodding ...since you were sweet enough to make sure and save me a brownie, I suppose I go out on a limb far enough to give you some. He grabs another glass, scooping a few ice cubes into it before pouring a glass for her and then setting it down lightly in front of her.

He walks back around the bar, brushing his hip up against her and giving her a little bump before he settles in to sit next to her. Besides, saying "please" is a sure path toward getting things you want from me. Winking and then resisting the urge to peek down into her notebook.

*I come up to the bar, grab a glass and pour up some lemonade. Then I take a sip*

OK, as someone who is just learning how to write, and enjoy it, how will I know that what I'm writing is bad? You say you should be able to work through it. Is there a point you just have to stop, and start over?

*Takes another sip of his lemonade.*

 

[Noon_Shadow]

He turns and then faces toward the newcomer, greeting him with a smile, then giving a little nod.

Well, in my experience, people who write tend to be their own harshest critics. You'll recognize some mistakes, the things that make you blanch, as long as you reach your own words carefully. How do we identify bad writing? We could actually start up a little writer's clinic here. That was the basic premise behind Brit's monthly (or semi-monthly) writing challenges. But, for someone who is very engaged with that idea in principle, I've been extremely unsupportive in practice.

One of the keys to understand what you do as a writer: Do you have a tendency to overuse certain phrases? Do you write sentences that make no sense because your mind wandered halfway, leading to awkward segues? Do you write descriptions that actually don't make good visuals? All of these are my own problems.

He nods, and then winks at Tess. Honestly, the only way to really get used to more quality writing is to write a lot. And to read a lot, and decide what kind of nuances you like and don't like.

 

[thestruggle]

She makes a face at Noon for his good sense.

Ugh, but see, the other way means that I can do nothing and feel like I'm actually helping myself. No? You're not gonna let me, are you?

Glumly, she reaches for the leftover brownies wrapped in foil and breaks off a corner. The chocolate in her mouth is a pleasant distraction from the disjointed scribbles on her paper. As he teases her about the lemonade she removes her sandals and then tucks her feet underneath her on her stool, leaning forward on the counter. Her reward for her pretend-fatigue is the reassuring glug of juice in a glass and she beams.

Yayyy! Yes, it's a very fair exchange. Brownies for lemonade. I think we've both come out ahead.

She takes a drink and settles back in her seat, giggling at his hip bump and clutching her glass with both hands.

Oh, really? Why do I feel like "please" is really just a formality and you'll end up doing what you'd like anyway? Thanks for the lemonade, Mr. Noon.

Hi, Orca ~

 

[Noon_Shadow]

He shook his head at Tess as the corners of his mouth turned up in a small smile. His eyes automatically had slid down to her chest as she leaned forward over the bar, making his eyes glint with amusement, along with a little bit of something else, disappearing by the time he was seated next to her. Of course not. I'm definitely not going to go easy on you. And I doubt you'd want me to go easy on you even over little things. He takes a sip of his lemonade at the same time that she does and smiles at her question.

He slides his hand off of the counter and then drags it down beneath to rest against her thigh. He smiles as he digs fingers into soft flesh. Well, perhaps you feel that way because you pay attention and are very perceptive, little one. He strokes her leg softly before gripping down tightly once again, rough fingers against smooth skin. He leans toward her slightly. But it still pays to observe the formalities, regardless. There must be some propriety, after all.

 

[thestruggle]

She fidgets in her chair, thinking that his own intuition is annoyingly accurate.

Oh, fine. I've always gone for the hard way. Maybe that's masochism for you.

Watching first their coordinated sips, her gaze travels to the progress of his hand as it shadows her skin. At the first clench of his fingertips her hand hitches on the glass, which she returns to the safety of the counter.

Who, me? Well--

She swivels from side to side on the helpfully loose chair, feeling grateful for the ability to deflect - even momentarily - the intensity of his focus. Trapped little bird. She bites down on the tender vulnerability of her lower lip, feeling the vicious curve of her teeth even as his palm soothes the lividity left there by his grasp. Trying again for the coquette she had been only a moment ago, she smiles winsomely.

I try to pay attention! A-and formalities. Oh, gosh, those sound like rules. And I like chaos.

 

[Noon_Shadow]

His body turns toward her slightly, paying closing attention to her shifting as his fingers loosen their grip on her skin and start to pet it soothingly. The rod...and the carrot. He takes another sip of his juices as he listens to her.

Indeed. I've often thought that you might enjoy having me very rough on you. He grins wickedly behind his glass before draining the rest of his juice and setting back down, leaning in a little closer to her.

But good of you to pay attention. Often, the greatest obstacles arrive at a moment when we have lost our focus. He nods as his hand slides off her leg. Especially in writing, don't you think? And a little masochism goes a long way when it comes to making words bend the way you need them to. I am certain that if you whip yourself thoroughly enough... he reaches up and strokes her hair softly for a moment, running his fingers through it lightly ...that you'll be very well rewarded for your efforts.

He then grabs her hair, getting a rough handful of it as he slides off of his seat, standing next to her and looking down into her face, tugging her head back to look up at him as he maneuvers behind her. And I find the best way to let little ones like you do their best is by firmly instituting clear rules, and getting you to work quickly. And to appropriately punish any transgressions.

His chest is pressed once more against her bak as his eyes glare down, wickedly gleaming as the watch hers.

 

[21orca]

He turns and then faces toward the newcomer, greeting him with a smile, then giving a little nod.

Well, in my experience, people who write tend to be their own harshest critics. You'll recognize some mistakes, the things that make you blanch, as long as you reach your own words carefully. How do we identify bad writing? We could actually start up a little writer's clinic here. That was the basic premise behind Brit's monthly (or semi-monthly) writing challenges. But, for someone who is very engaged with that idea in principle, I've been extremely unsupportive in practice.

One of the keys to understand what you do as a writer: Do you have a tendency to overuse certain phrases? Do you write sentences that make no sense because your mind wandered halfway, leading to awkward segues? Do you write descriptions that actually don't make good visuals? All of these are my own problems.

He nods, and then winks at Tess. Honestly, the only way to really get used to more quality writing is to write a lot. And to read a lot, and decide what kind of nuances you like and don't like.

*The newcomer takes another sip of lemonade and realizes how much he has to learn*

Thanks, that is one of my problems is not only reusing phrases, but using the same word to many times. I've always been around numbers, and it's just so different. Thanks for the advice!

And hey Tess! May I call you Tess? I'm Orca here, but if you wish, just call me Rod.

*Orca decides to eat a brownie, and take a walk in the beach.*

 

[prettyserpentine]

Bouncing in to the poolside area, she twirls around, showing off her cute baby doll dress and her new twisty-curly haircut.

Good evening, or afternoon depending on where you are, everyone!

blows kisses to everybody

 

[Noon_Shadow]

He smiles, catching the kiss from PS from his encampment at the bar. Hey there, PS. You're looking lovely, as ever. He winks at her playfully and then heads over to give her a quick hug and squeeze before he sits down on a lounger by the pool.

How goes your evening?

 

[TinyDuchess]

*Walking quickly enough to be in a hurry but not so much so to draw too much attention; though the flip flapping of my flip flops do more than enough to announce my presence. Spotting my buddy (everyone should have a buddy when on an outing) and waving excitedly. Coming to a perky stop just in front of her.*

Hi Pretty! I know I'm late... story of my life.

 

[prettyserpentine]

Good! I'm so glad to be out of my scrubs and have gotten a shower and to finally... finally... gotten to take off my shoes after the last 14 hours.

flounces to a bar stool and sits down, curls bouncing and ruby red toes wriggling as she hails the bartender

I'll have a Cosmo pleeeeeease!

 

[prettyserpentine]

squeals and gives TD a hug

Make that two cosmos! Hi gorgeous you, it's been too long. I'm so excited to see you.

gives a Duchess a kiss on the cheek

 

[Noon_Shadow]

Shrugs lightly and then smiles, pulling himself away from the pool long enough to walk back over to the bar. He hadn't planned on tending bar tonight, but he felt like being a gentleman. He slipped behind the bar and started examining bottles of vodka until he finds the top shelf, pulling out a pair of martini glasses and preparing to mix their drinks.

He gives a smile to TD as she comes over to be greeted by PS' kiss. He adds a drop of lime juice as he finishes mixing the beverages and lifts one in each hand, lifting each to sit atop the bar. There you go ladies. Two Cosmos. Now what does TD want to drink? He gives PS a teasing wink.

 

[TinyDuchess]

Giggles and kisses a pretty cheek while giving PS a tight hug.

Oh goodie alcohol!!! Grinning conspiratorially

I've missed you too! I'm loving your dress! By comparison I feel somewhat under-dressed. But, oh well!

*leaning against the bar, then sending a wave and a wink in Noon's direction.*

In my humble opinion the best part of any day is when you get to take your shoes and your bra off.

 

[TinyDuchess]

Oh! Silly me to think one of the cosmos was for me. *shrugs* Guess I'll just have to have two as well!

 

[prettyserpentine]

Her eyes widen and she gasps dramatically

How bold! But thank you. I'd be a jabbering mess if I drank two of these on my own.

offers one to TD

Pour yourself something, Noon. I feel a toast coming on!

 

[TinyDuchess]

* graciously accepting the drinking from PS's hand. Unable to resist taking the smallest sip*

Yes Noon, get yourself something while you're back there... It isn't proper to let ladies drink alone.

 

[prettyserpentine]

takes small, polite sips of her drink

Yeah, cos we're totally ladylike.

winks and giggles

 

[TinyDuchess]

* Sips some more, before turning to PS* What shall we toast to? Other than bare feet...

 

[prettyserpentine]

Let's toast to the wonderful thing that is friendship. And love. And people with broad shoulders that bear tears well.

Let's toast to you, my wonderful Duchess.

toasts and gives a kiss on the cheek again

You're incredible.