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

[asharpertongue]

Smiling, Lara nodded. "What did you have him do?"

[littleredsiren]

"Just stuff like making him touch his nose and stand on one foot," she shrugs.

[asharpertongue]

Sighing, Lara shook her head, huffing a laugh. "Next time try the other side of your power. I know you can do it and I'm fairly certain he'd jump at the chance."

[littleredsiren]

Iris flushes. "Lara! I could never! He's my friend! It's different with Michael... He's into that kind of thing and there's no other relationship there..."

[asharpertongue]

"And you think he'd prefer you doing that kind of thing with strangers?" Lara asked, arching an eyebrow.

[littleredsiren]

Iris can practically feel the blood rushing to her face now. "Y...es?"

[asharpertongue]

Lara just raised the other eyebrow because she knew that Iris didn't believe what she was saying any more than Lara did.

[littleredsiren]

"What?" she mumbles, embarrassed. "Okay, I don't think he'd want me doing it with strangers, but that doesn't mean he wants me to do it with him."

[asharpertongue]

"Have you asked?" Lara asked gently.

[littleredsiren]

Iris stares at her, baffled. "How do you ask someone something like that? 'Hey, Jason, can I test out my sexual powers on you?'"

[asharpertongue]

"Yes. Exactly like that. I suspect he likes the direct approach. And it leaves no one in any doubt as to what might happen." Lara shrugged.

[littleredsiren]

"I'm like... ninety percent sure I'd pass out from embarrassment before I got halfway through asking, Lara..."

[asharpertongue]

Lara sighed. "Maybe I should just do it for you. I should assess him really if he's going to be one of your test subjects. Make sure he's worthy." She looked around for him. "Is he with Eli?"

[littleredsiren]

Iris shakes her head frantically. "I'm not telling!"

[asharpertongue]

Lara pulls out her phone and sends a text to Levi. A second or two later she gets one back with Jason's current whereabouts.

"Levi says they're over by the food." Lara said, smiling and getting up.

[littleredsiren]

Her eyes go wide. "Lara!! You're not really going to, are you?!"

[asharpertongue]

"Of course I am. Someone needs to help you practice and if you won't ask him, someone you trust, I'll do it for you." Lara said stretching lazily.

[littleredsiren]

"But I caaan't!" she whines, looking pathetic. "That's such a weird thing to ask your friend!"

[asharpertongue]

"It's because he's your friend that he's the perfect person. You trust him. He trusts you. You need to practice and you won't allow yourself to hurt him so it's literally the safest kind of practice." Lara smiled softly. "I'll leave it alone if you promise to at least try and broach the subject with him."

[littleredsiren]

Iris squirms in her seat uncomfortably. "I'll try, okay? I doubt anything will happen, because I don't even know where to start, but I'll try."

[asharpertongue]

Lara looks at her and then looks deeper. Iris won't ask. She'll try and then get bashful and nothing will be accomplished.

She shook her head. "Hmmm. No. I think in the long run, my way is better." With that she strode across the sand to find Jason.

[littleredsiren]

"Lara!" she calls after her, then freezes as half the party turns to look at her. Sitting down, she feels her face burning. She's never going to be able to make eye contact with Jason again.

[jasonwright]

Jason's....overwhelmed by Lara's chat with him. And he barely has time to process it before she's grabbed him by the arm and pretty much guided him to walking toward Iris. She's sitting on a couch by herself, clearly nervous and uncomfortable. He quickly glances around to find Alfredo is still playing with the kids along the beach. Good. No distractions? But, maybe Iris would feel more comfortable with the dog around...

Stopping in front of her, he shoves his hands in his pockets. "Hey."

[littleredsiren]

Iris can feel her face burning and she kind of wants to cry, she's so embarrassed. She looks down at the remains of the drink Lara'd given her, picking at the rim. "Hi..."

[jasonwright]

And that look breaks him. It's immediately not about him, his confusion, or if he might be embarrassed, but about comforting Iris. He sits down beside her, giving her a soft smile. "Are you okay?"