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

[jasonwright]

"Yup, thank god for Michael," he says, still staring at the water like he sees something swimming around. He doesn't. It's too dark now. "So what, are you supposed to practice these...seductive feelings?"

[littleredsiren]

"Yup!" she shrugs, braiding her hair idly as she talks. "Eventually, I guess, I'll actually have to, y'know... Do the deed. You can only seduce so much when you've never been seduced, really. But for now, it's just flirting a lot and kissing."

[jasonwright]

Yeah, his face is burning now and he starts swimming to distract himself. "You make it sound like orientation at a new job."

[littleredsiren]

She shrugs, kind of amused at how embarrassed he seems. This is such a turn around from the usual state of things and she's kind of enjoying it, if she's being honest.

"I mean... I kind of is, isn't it? Just, a job I didn't choose and can't ever leave," she giggles.

[jasonwright]

Jason's thinking Iris seems way too into this conversation, especially for someone who's always been so shy before. He's honestly pretty sure her kiss with Michael was difficult for her, so he's aware right now that she's enjoying his discomfort. "Maybe you should just pretend you know that side of things, huh?"

[littleredsiren]

She tilts her head curiously. "What do you mean? Like, a 'fake it til you make it', kind of thing?"

[jasonwright]

"More like, fake it til you find someone you actually want to do the deed with and not just because you need to connect more with your siren side?"

[littleredsiren]

"Well, I mean..." Now she's blushing again. "That's the plan, hopefully, but considering the whole 'can't seduce my way out of a paper bag', that seems like it's going to be a long time coming."

[jasonwright]

This is an awkward conversation, but here it is. "Good. I mean, you don't have to seduce someone. They can just like you for you and still want to have sex with you," he says, looking away when he says 'sex'.

[littleredsiren]

A nervous titter slips out of her chest and she claps a hand over her mouth. "I don't... I mean, no one's gonna like me that way unless I make the first move," she admits. "I'm too... innocent, or whatever. No one sees me like that. So I need to learn how to be more... you know."

[jasonwright]

"You don't know that," he says, shaking his head with a slight grin. "You're a very pretty young woman and your innocence is...attractive. It's not a bad thing, promise. It's nice. I mean, yeah, you apparently want to get in touch with that side of yourself, and that's great. That's awesome. You can still be Iris and sexual, I mean," he scratches the back of his head awkwardly. "I'm talking too much."

[littleredsiren]

Iris can feel herself blush harder at his comment on her innocence, her entire face going red, right up to the tips of her ears. "This is a very odd conversation," she admits, kind of wondering if she can just let herself sink under the waves to stay forever. "I'm sorry I brought you into it. I don't get to talk to many people about this, clearly, and you're a very comforting person to talk to."

[jasonwright]

"Alright, alright," he says, holding his hands up with a smile. "Apparently we're the worst at this. I like talking to you about all kinds of things so. On the count of three, we dunk ourselves, get rid of the embarrassment, and then we can talk about anything, deal? Whatever you want."

[littleredsiren]

Iris nods, a tiny smile forming. "Okay. Dunking and then talking like actual people who aren't really weird."

[jasonwright]

"I don't think that's going to happen, but worth a shot. You actually going to dunk or leave me hanging like a fool?" he grins.

[littleredsiren]

"You'll just have to see, won't you?" she grins, mischievously.

[jasonwright]

"Hey, just remember I trust you enough to let you influence me," he says, giving her a pointed look. "Okay, 1....2....3...." As he hits three, Jason drops under the surface of the water, enjoying the sensation cooling down his red cheeks.

[littleredsiren]

She sticks her tongue out at him playfully before letting herself sink. The coolness of the water slipping over her skin clears her mind and she feels less embarrassed almost immediately. Things just seem easier underwater, somehow.

Surfacing, she pushes her hair out of her eyes and waits for him to emerge.

[jasonwright]

Jasons surfaces shortly after Iris, shaking his hair out of his face like a dog. "Better?"

[littleredsiren]

She laughs, holding up her hands to protect herself from the drips that fly out of his hair. "Better. You?"

[jasonwright]

"Much better. I can talk about anything in the world now," he smiles brightly.

[littleredsiren]

"Yay!" she laughs. "Do you have anything you want to talk about? I feel like this whole conversation has been me, me, me."

[jasonwright]

"Um," he thinks, looking up at the sky. "Not really? Your siren stuff is way more interesting."

[littleredsiren]

Iris swims over, poking him. "Come on. Nothing? Really?"

[jasonwright]

"I'm not a very interesting guy," he shrugs. "You know about my family drama, that's about it."