Beach BBQ [Open]

[asharpertongue]

Levi's idea for a beach party had been a good one. After the past few weeks they both needed to blow off a little steam and Lara had taken to the idea like the proverbial siren to water, inviting all her employees and friends. Levi had put the word out at the police station and among his closer friends so between them a decent crowd was forming.

The tables lining the beach were piled high with food and drink, a DJ was already in full swing and people were drifting over to the large bonfire for warmth as the chill started to cut through the summer evening. A few of the Heart of Gold employees had brought their kids along for the festivities and a friend of Lara's was performing little glamours and tricks to keep them entertained. Large clusters of huge pillows were dotted about the beach just a little way from Levi's house and lanterns and firelight bathed the whole area in a warm glow.

Maybe Lara had taken it a little far but she liked to treat her friends and everyone could use a little R&R.

OOC: Levi and Lara's friends have been officially invited, but everyone else feel free to wander in at your leisure~.

Comments

[elidixon]

Eli has a big smile on his face when he sees Jason walk over. He manages to sneak in for a hug attack, realizing that it's been awhile since he's seen Jason around. "I got a little hung up, but I'm here now. Iris tells me you've eaten enough for the both of us," he smiles.

[jasonwright]

He returns the hug, patting Eli on the back. "Don't worry, I left some food for you as well. It's pretty damn good. Haven't had a burger that good in my whole life."

[elidixon]

"I guess you're happy with the party then," Eli says, laughing. Everything did look good tonight, and it was a good turn out. "So what have you been up too? I feel like I hardly see you."

[jasonwright]

"It's much better than that ball we went to, that's for sure," he smiles. "Working, you know. Oh, and I met my brother. He was around for a few days."

[elidixon]

Eli tilts his head at him, eyebrows raised. He really hadn't heard from Jason in a while then if he suddenly had family members showing up in Siren Cove. He knew he'd showed up to town on his own, a drifter or sorts. "Woah, that's heavy. How did it go? Was it good seeing him again?" he asks.

[jasonwright]

He knows he hasn't opened up to Eli about his family before. If the meeting had gone worse, he would have kept going on as if his family never existed. But since he and John were reconnecting, his brother promised to visit again and wanted to meet more people in Jason's life. It's only a matter of time before he needs to open up a bit more. "Interesting. To say the least. It didn't start off well, but Iris intervened and we actually...talked. So yeah, it was good."

[elidixon]

Eli laughs, shaking his head. Not surprised at all to hear Iris's name come up. She was great at smoothing over situations, with her genuine kindness. "That's good. I hope you plan to stay in touch?"

[jasonwright]

"I plan to, yeah," he says, scratching his head. "I feel bad for John though. He'll have to either cut ties with me or our parents."

[asharpertongue]

Lara strode up to where Eli and Jason were talking, smiling sweetly as she stepped up next to them.

"Excuse me Eli...I need to borrow Jason for just a minute." She said, taking Jason's arm and tugging him gently a little distance away from Eli.

"Forgive my interruption, Jason, but I have an unusual request on behalf of a friend."

[jasonwright]

Jason looks confused but follows Lara, never one to say no. "Uh, sure. What's going on?"

[asharpertongue]

"Nothing bad, I promise. It's to do with Iris. I understand she's been practicing her persuasive skills with you and Eli and others. I wanted to ask, how have you felt about that?" Spreading her hands, Lara smiled. "Honesty would be appreciated."

[jasonwright]

"It felt weird, I mean just the sensation of it, but comfortable. I trust Iris and I'm happy to help her practice." He answers honestly, scratching the back of his head.

[asharpertongue]

"Are you?" Lara said, tone sharper, eyes more assessing. "Because to truly understand her heritage she's going to have to practice using all of her powers. Potentially with strangers." She could see by the line of his shoulders that he didn't enjoy that idea and softened her tone, smiling. "Of course, I don't want that for her."

She waved a hand down the beach back towards where Iris was chewing on her nails. "Traditionally, another siren would be training with her from an early age when they both came into their powers. Obviously Iris was robbed of that chance and now we're having to...improvise." Lara watched the information sink in with Jason and left the unasked request for him to help Iris hang in the air. She would persuade him if she had to but she wanted him to come to this decision himself if at all possible.

[jasonwright]

"So who's supposed to help her now?" he asks, because strangers are out and she obviously didn't get to train with another siren growing up. Which left...her friends.

"She's mentioned the...sexual side of things," he scratches his head. "I don't think she should practice with a stranger, that doesn't seem right for her, but if she wants that, that's her decision. Otherwise that just leaves Eli, Kennedy, and...me." He's confused. He's not sure exactly why Lara's approaching him about this but looking at Iris' anxiousness, he's starting to have an idea. "How can I help her with something like that? She should like the person."

[asharpertongue]

Lara smiled at Jason and looked pointedly at Iris before looking back. Jason was a smart man. He'd understand.

"She's a shy girl." She said simply.

[jasonwright]

Jason looks at Iris then back to Lara and shifts because...he's a idiot. "I...really had no idea. She's so nice to everyone."

[asharpertongue]

"And you're a good man who doesn't take advantage of nice girls in their innocence." Lara said warmly. "If you were anything else then you and I would be having a very different conversation."

Smiling, Lara looped her arm through his again, walking slowly fifty yards from Iris and closing. "She needs someone she can trust, someone she can genuinely be free with. Someone who won't hurt her. She's chosen you. You're free to say no, of course, but if you're going to then do it now, please, and do it gently."

Lara doubted very much that he would. She could see the realisation taking root and the affection in his eyes for Iris growing with every step they took closer.

She let him walk the final few yards alone, letting go of his arm with a reassuring smile. This was for them to work out now.