Tweak

InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "i don't do kissing."

paxnarrator (paxnarrator) wrote in paxletalelogs,
@ 2017-06-21 08:45:00

Entry tags:

ares, chernobog, coyote, event post, freyr, hades, hel, hermes, loki, maui, pan, persephone, tyr, uke mochi, xochipilli

hot summer streets
Who: EVERYONE.
What: Pax Letale pool party.
Where: Pax pool.
When: Wednesday, June 20; in-game time, 7 p.m.
Notes: Hey guys -- you know the rules. Tag/label your posts, ask for permission coming into threads, etc etc. Any questions, toss 'em at the the modbox.

Despite the mildly warm weather, a pall seemed cast over the planned festivities. All throughout the day, clouds had swarmed the skies, covering the apartment complex in shadow. The passing of the sun did little to aid in this, though as it grew closer and closer to the established party time, the pool area was made ready for its assumed guests.

A sickly green light emanated from the pool itself, the glow growing stronger as the darkness encroached. Strung lights hung from the covered sitting areas, their colors punching through the darkness without shame. Music scattered itself, blaring softly from a nearby boombox that was controlled by an unseen hand; nearby, a table was laden with as expensive of foods as had become expected from these types of social situations: shrimp cakes, lobster sliders, three-queso dip with accompanying chips, and more. Perhaps to the guest's chagrin, there were no alcoholic beverages to be spoken of, but those who decided to BYOB would not find it difficult to do so. Otherwise, a flavorful fruit punch was on hand for thirsty attendees.

As the hour grew nearer, people started to collect outside of the pool, helping themselves to food, some sitting at the pool's edge with their feet dangling in the water. The music, which had been alternating between old summer time hits and the latest pop ballads, began to croon out a familiar tune, though only those listening closely might have heard any true malice in the lyrics.

Hot summer streets
And the pavements are burning
I sit around
Trying to smile but
The air is so heavy and dry...

...it's a cruel, cruel summer...

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Re: Daniel/Chris/Kal - sitting area - 7:30 p.m.

coyoti
2017-06-22 05:55 pm UTC (link)

"You two playing video games or something behind my back?" Chris' words were slightly muffled by food in his mouth, which he quickly chewed and swallowed. Truthfully, he had a decent idea what they were talking about, but he also wanted to quickly distance himself from such talk as much as possible. And now that Kal was here, he wouldn't be leaving Daniel entirely alone; it bothered him to admit it, but his friend's appearance provided a decent enough excuse for him to step away for a moment.

"You know what, stick a pin in that for a minute, I'm gonna go get more of these skewers; since you're so intent on entertaining him anyway," Chris added quickly, rising to his feet, his words directed at Kal as he waved a hand at Daniel. "Just make sure that if someone jumps in the pool, they direct the splash at him; might as well make you a real wet blanket," he teased at Daniel, before collecting his plate and walking off in the direction of the food table. So what if he happened to be taking a longer route that would cross paths with the redhead he'd spotted earlier?

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Re: Daniel/Chris/Kal - sitting area - 7:30 p.m.

manaiakalani
2017-06-22 06:02 pm UTC (link)

Kal shook his head, laughing under his breath as his friend walked away. "God you'd think he'd be a little happier to see me after I've been gone all month," he complained to Daniel, despite a smile still clear on his face. He leaned forward and gently hit Daniel's shoulder. "But how are you doing? How's that beat up leg?"

He glanced down at the cast and his smile turned into a smirk. "I mean, at least you're getting around in your dreams, huh? Sorry about cheating, by the way. I mean... I'm not too sorry." The smirk returned to a broad smile and he got to his feet to steal Chris's chair.

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Re: Daniel/Chris/Kal - sitting area - 7:30 p.m.

thouros
2017-06-22 08:48 pm UTC (link)

Laughing, Daniel threw a half-eaten potato chip at Kal. It landed pitifully short, further testament to the differences between reality and dreams. He wrinkled his nose. "Yeah," he said, "I can tell. Shame you cheated as bad as you did. I almost didn't want that dream to end. Not as good as some I've had..." With no-one to see but their mutual friend, Daniel allowed himself a lecherous, overlong look at Chris's retreating backside. He looked back to Kal with a wink and a meaningful grin. "But y'know. Still nice to dream about bein' all ripped up and walkin' around without crutches. And glitter. And stickers."

He popped another chip in his mouth as he looked forlornly down at his cast. "But whatever. Anything else weird happen to you since you've been back home?"

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Re: Daniel/Chris/Kal - sitting area - 7:30 p.m.

manaiakalani
2017-06-23 01:59 am UTC (link)

Picking up the half eaten potato chip and flicking it back at Daniel, Kal settled back onto the chair and kicked his feet up. He looked about the pool, noting the few people he had met before and also noting the people who were not yet present.

His gaze followed Chris for a moment, noting that he was speaking to the girl who owned the bakery. "Nothing, really. Just that weird ass dream. I knew immediately it was you. Sure as hell haven't had the type of dreams you're talking about. Why, anything weird happen with you? I'm assuming life is a little boring right now with your leg. When do you get that fucking thing off again?"

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Re: Daniel/Chris/Kal - sitting area - 7:30 p.m.

thouros
2017-06-23 11:25 am UTC (link)

"Not soon enough," Daniel sulked. "Few more weeks. I'm hopin' I healed well enough to not need a lot of PT, but we'll see. You're gonna have to go easy on me in the gym for a while. On leg day, anyway. I've been keepin' up with arms as best I can." He shrugged, and returned to his well-spiked drink. "Nothin' weird or remotely interesting here though. Chris actually dragged me out here 'cause I've been holed up doin' nothin' but work, really. I just hate luggin' this stupid thing around, you know?"

Daniel found his gaze returning to Chris and Alice; he had not known they knew one another, but in a building this small, it seemed impossible to be otherwise. His briefly creeping sense of jealousy soon faded, and he returned his focus to Kal.

"So how was... wherever you went in Africa? And am I gonna see more pictures or what?" His face lit up. "Oh, and we need to talk about how we're gonna get Chris out camping or mudding or somethin'."

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Re: Daniel/Chris/Kal - sitting area - 7:30 p.m.

manaiakalani
2017-06-23 12:05 pm UTC (link)

"It was great! We were documenting the river life, both animal and human, to help protect the area. We kept switching between boats and Jeeps. We'd camp on the side of the river or stay with villagers along the way. There's actually been different expeditions down the river since 2015..."

Kal had many smiles and this one was soft, maybe even a little shy. It wasn't often that he got carried away talking about his job, really showing the heart of his love for it. Kuku and Chris knew, of course, but he kept his true adoration for what he did otherwise close to himself, at least until today sitting by a pool with a man who became his friend and couldn't get in the water due to his leg. "You know, maybe we can get Chris to leave if we press how weird things have been. He kept trying to talk me out of going to the spa, so the strange shit obviously doesn't sit well with him even if he doesn't like to admit it.

"Maybe if people started turning into their deities it'd shake him loose." He looked toward Chris again and gave a smiling nod to Alice who looked their way. "Then again, when my necklace turned into a huge hook during the floor change, he didn't run for the hills. Maybe it's not enough. Maybe we should kidnap him and throw him in a mud pit."

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Re: Daniel/Chris/Kal - sitting area - 7:30 p.m.

thouros
2017-06-23 01:44 pm UTC (link)

Daniel beamed in answer. His mood seemed to lighten with his friends' continued cheer. Silently, grudgingly, he admitted he liked feeling happy far more than sulking in the darkness of his apartment. "Damn, man, that sounds awesome. I mean crocodiles aside, obviously. I don't think I could do that work, but I definitely like hearin' about it. And gifts when you bring 'em..."

He caught himself considering the few conversations he and Chris had shared about the building and its oddities. He had avoided open discussion of these things, for the most part, even following Daniel's injury. That he had avoided the spa, pressed others to do so, and insisted on Daniel's not delving too deep into the mysteries of the building, had thus far not raised any red flags for Daniel. It seemed like simple caution, or perhaps earnest skepticism. But the longer it went on, the more questionable it became, and Daniel could not help but wonder. "Yeah... maybe we should," he said. "It's gonna take something that intense, I think. He didn't even want me talkin' about that stupid room I got hurt in. Maybe some time away from here is what he needs to get a more normal perspective about things. Realize this isn't how shit's supposed to be..."

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Re: Daniel/Chris/Kal - sitting area - 7:30 p.m.

manaiakalani
2017-06-23 02:12 pm UTC (link)

Kal was nodding before Daniel finished speaking. "Yeah, I don't even know if he realizes how freaked he is over it all. He kind of wants to plug his ears and pretend it's not happening and yet he's sort of paranoid by it all. Maybe everything else that's going on... you know, with his job and what not... it's just hanging on him."

He frowned, looking over at his friend with concern. "We really need to kidnap him and drag him away. You know, I can bring friends or family on trips every now and again and he refuses to go with me, says he can't leave the area because of work. But I really think it'd do him some good. I mean, hell, maybe the three of us can just take a long weekend in Mexico or up in Yosemite. You know, once your leg is healed and we'll keep it easy for Chris."

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Re: Daniel/Chris/Kal - sitting area - 7:30 p.m.

thouros
2017-06-25 08:17 pm UTC (link)

Chris's work was never truly far from his mind, but Daniel worked to at least keep it from the fore. The mention of it now made his smile wane, his posture slump. But he nodded all the same, no more willing to admit to this feeling than he did to how often he thought of it.

"A few more weeks," he said again, "and we'll do it. Just tell him we're takin' him to the beach or somethin'. Make arrangements for his kuku and steal him away. Yosemite sounds killer, actually..."

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Re: Daniel/Chris/Kal - sitting area - 7:30 p.m.

manaiakalani
2017-06-26 12:50 am UTC (link)

"We can get a cabin for you lovebirds, I can camp in a tent in the valley, and we can just cruise around on bikes. We can rent a wagon to drag behind my bike and we'll throw Chris on it. Driving Miss Daisy and all that. We just have to keep him drunk enough that he's consistently in a good mood." Kal grinned and let out a barking laugh. He leaned forward conspiratorially, his eyes sparkling with the evil deed of planning.

"Don't tell him though, we should get our research, do what we can, then when the weekend comes just spring it on him. We can even lie, say that we need him for separate things both days to make sure his weekend is packed before we whisk him away. It'll work out perfectly and we'll all be away from everything."

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Re: Daniel/Chris/Kal - sitting area - 7:30 p.m.

thouros
2017-06-26 07:02 pm UTC (link)

Daniel laughed. It seemed a fine plan, though it lacked any mention of how they would handle Chris' rage when it came. And it certainly would, whether he was distracted by a "lovebirds' cabin" or not. Daniel doubted the wisdom of their little scheme, though it was fun to think about. For now, he could play along.

"All right," he said. "I'll text you the second I find out my cast is comin' off. And then the plotting begins."

[OOC: could close soon?]

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	Re: Daniel/Chris/Kal - sitting area - 7:30 p.m. manaiakalani 2017-06-26 09:02 pm UTC (link)
	"Excellent," Kal leaned away, relaxing again. "Don't worry, we'll get this figured out and it'll be great." He waved lazily at Chris who finally seemed to be returning to them with a plate laden with food. "I should've asked him to get me food as well..." Kal murmured as he smiled contently. [OOC: if you'd like to close in your next tag, my dear!] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: Daniel/Chris/Kal - sitting area - 7:30 p.m. (closed/complete)

thouros
2017-06-28 04:28 pm UTC (link)

"There's still time," Daniel said, laughing softly. "Social butterfly looks like he's makin' the rounds. Weird."

And it was strange, even to Daniel, who so often overlooked his significant other's strange doings; but the thought of time away, of going somewhere neither of them would have to be so mindful of their behavior, was too appealing for him to think overlong on such things.

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