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

[legendthatwas]

"By that you mean a demon," Martha asked, or maybe it was less asking and more a statement. "I...it's rubbish that you can't really go home, Nick, that that's the choice you'd have to make even if you did. I know, life's not fair, but that seems a pretty raw deal."

She turned, smiled at him, softly--not pity, just concern.

[malachai]

"I'm always a demon. But if I came back, I'm afraid the demon would be in control and that would be all kinds of not good for any human, especially humans close to me." He leaned over and gave her hand a little squeeze. "I've been handling so many raw deals, I should be a sushi chef." He smiled a little. "I can cope with it."

[legendthatwas]

"More like 'superdemon', then, maybe?" said Martha with a small wink and a wry crook of her lips. She squeezed Nick's hand back and cocked her head a little. "You can, but you shouldn't. It's rubbish--though can I also confess you've made me want sushi?"

[malachai]

That pulled his mood from borderline brood to full on laugh with his head thrown back. "I have to say, that is the first time I've ever inspired anyone to fish and seaweed."

[legendthatwas]

Martha laughed as well, unable to keep from doing so at the sound of Nick's amusement. "Only the first time?" she asked. "Well, I blame you for using the wrong kind of metaphors. Or maybe the right kind."

[malachai]

"I'd say it depends on whether or not you're hungry when the metaphor is used, or if you like sushi. Lots of variables in there," NIck quipped back, smirk still on his face.

[legendthatwas]

"I'm hungry and I do like sushi," Martha replied, and winked. She reached over and squeezed Nick's hand once more. "I take it you don't play croquet or lawn bowling or whatever sort of Alice in Wonderland stuff that's going on?"

[malachai]

"Considering I hadn't been anywhere near sunlight the last three years I lived in a place where this kind of thing happened? No. Definitely not my thing. I only drifted in here out of curiosity. You? Aren't these kind of games a thing in England?"

[legendthatwas]

"Oh, yeah, if you're a rich sort of poncy person who dresses up for your afternoon tea," Martha replies, smirking. "I'm here being curious as well, to be honest. Definitely not my thing usually."

[malachai]

"So what do you do for fun back home?" Nick asked, truly curious. "Club scene?"

Somehow, he didn't think so, but he thought it was worth a guess.

[legendthatwas]

"Not so much," said Martha, laughing at the idea. "Occasionally I'll go to one, but not really these days, working weird shifts. Just tend to go down the pub with friends or family, talk a lot of rubbish. Not a very exciting or sexy existence."