Gathering: Summer Party

[concierge]

Outside of the Nexus Hotel, waiters and hotel staff had begun to set up the umbrellas and the tables in the middle of the day. Soon, it became clear that something was happening in the shadow of the Nexus. White tablecloths were draped on the tables and drinks and food were brought out with the help of several waiters and servers, staffing tables with hot and cold foods beside bartending stations. Summery drinks in bright, neon colors are laid out one by one and soon, the afternoon light casts a radiant look on the scene.

Music plays faintly in the background and a note at the front desk invites all the Nexus guests to head outside and join in on the summer party, which promises to continue going as long as there are people to stay and continue keeping the warm atmosphere rolling.

On the lawn, social games had been set out -- lawn bowling, croquet, and tables were set up with chairs for anyone who didn't quite have the will or the spirit to get into such games. Soon, a small number of people had begun to mill around, but as with all parties, there's always room for more.

Comments

[vampire_shield]

Bella raised a single eyebrow then her mouth turned up to match it. "Oh you can, huh? And what did you have in mind? Because I really, really like the direction you're thoughts are going."

[powerof_water]

"Maybe just hanging out? I didn't really think this through," Adam admitted sheepishly. "So I don't have many ideas aside from 'Look at Bella sparkling in the sunlight,' but if you've got something you want to suggest, feel free. I'm open to any and all suggestions on how to make this party better for you."

[vampire_shield]

"You could start by kissing your sparkling girlfriend hello," Bella suggested primly, an impish smile on her pale face.

[powerof_water]

Adam laughed and cupped her cheek before leaning in and kissing her softly. Her lips were cool to the touch and her cheek was like marble beneath his palm but it didn't matter. Bella was still the most beautiful creature he'd ever seen in his life and Adam thought he was pretty damn lucky that she did things like refer to herself as his girlfriend.

Pretty, amazingly lucky.

[vampire_shield]

Bella made a little sound of happiness against his lips and let her body press in close to his as the kiss went on, and she savored every second of it. "Now that's a perfect start, but I'm hoping not the only kisses I'll be getting tonight?"

[powerof_water]

"Oh no, all signs point to more," Adam promised. "But I think we'll have to get away from the crowd if we want to go too crazy. I don't know if there's any morality police out here and that kind of thing is frowned upon in polite society."

[vampire_shield]

"Hmmmm," Bella answered with a little purr to her voice. "What exactly did you have in mind, Adam?"

[powerof_water]

"More kissing?" Maybe more than that but Adam didn't dare to mention it out loud where other people could hear. He, unlike Bella, had to speak in normal tones of voice.

"So there's something I wanted to give you."

[vampire_shield]

Bella, already grinning over the idea of more kissing, cocked her head at him curiously. "What's the occasion?"

[powerof_water]

"Just because," Adam said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a stone made of chalcedony, worn smooth. It had swirls of pink and blue and gray in it, all together, and he offered it to her in his palm.

"You don't exactly need it. It's a chalcedony rose and it's meant to protect you. It's what witches give to people they care about...but I thought it was more about the sentiment than the need."

[vampire_shield]

Bella took it and cradled it in her hands, very careful to not exert any force against it. She wasn't going to risk crushing something so lovely. "I love the gift, and the sentiment behind it. I'll treasure it always, thank you."

Because the situation seemed to call for it, she rose onto her toes and kissed his cheek lightly.

[powerof_water]

"You're welcome," Adam said, blushing a little out of pride that she had liked his gift. It was one he had only ever given to one other person in his life and that had been more because Cassie honestly needed it than something like this.

"I guess we could get it set into a necklace or something, right? Then it would be easier to keep up with."

[vampire_shield]

"As long as I remember to put it in my pocket when I hunt," Bella said, and made a mental note to do just that. "I can just see it snagging on a branch or something in the middle of that forest and I'd hate to lose it, especially that way."

[powerof_water]

"It would find its way back," Adam said with a smile. "I charmed it so it should try to stick with you, otherwise it wouldn't be very good at protecting you. Benefits of dating a witch, I guess."

[vampire_shield]

"One of many, I think. Including being resistant to frostbite," Bella said, and added a teasing wink into it before looking at the stone again. "And now I feel like a complete jerk because I don't have anything for you."

[powerof_water]

"I didn't give it to you so you would give me something back," Adam protested. "It was just a gift because I care about you, Bella, and not something I gave you because I expected you to turn up with something to give me right back. Don't worry about it."

[vampire_shield]

Bella smiled and raised up onto her toes to kiss him lightly. "I was teasing you a little, Adam. Probably a sure sign I don't have much of a sense of humor, but...I care about you, too, Adam. You've become the reason I'm happier here than I ever remember being anywhere else."

[powerof_water]

"See? I'm good for something," he said, kissing her back. He took her hand in his, twining their fingers together. "Someday, I want to go with you when you're hunting. I know I can't do anything to help you but I just...I want to see it."

[vampire_shield]

Bella bit her lower lip, more out of habit than anything so human as an itch or chapped lips. "We'd have to be careful about that. Very. Maybe bring Nick along or something in case...," She was thinking out loud and stopped to look up at him. "When I'm hunting, I'm thinking about food. Having a human there...," she trailed off, not wanting to even think about what could happen.

[powerof_water]

"And I start looking a lot like dinner?" Having Nick there did not really make it the romantic thing that Adam thought it might be but he could definitely understand Bella's concern. Adam did not want to be the cause of any concern or guilt on her part.

[vampire_shield]

"It's not that I'd think of you that way when we went in, but if my mind was set on hunting and I smelled your blood?" Bella considered. "If there was some way you could use magic to mask your scent entirely, though? That might work."

[powerof_water]

"I'll work on it. I know a few shielding spells to keep me hidden from divination," Adam said, musing out loud. "So in theory, I might be able to do it. It's something to keep in mind."

[vampire_shield]

"We can test it pretty easily, and without a whole lot of risk," Bella offered. "If it works here, and I can't find your scent, it'll work there, too. I just..."

She ducked her head a little. "If it does work, and you do come with me, don't get disgusted or anything, okay?"

[powerof_water]

"I'm not going to be disgusted. You are what you are," Adam said, "And I would be kind of a jerk if I didn't understand that when I'm asking to come see you in your element."

[vampire_shield]

"Okay, then. We'll see if we can make it work." Bella nodded, smiled, and then raised on her toes to kiss him. "Thank you. For saying that."