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]

"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."

[powerof_water]

"Adam Conant - mostly not a jerk?" Adam said, grinning at her a little. "Right? At least, that's what I aim for on a regular basis."

[vampire_shield]

Bella frowned. "No, Adam Conant. Wonderfully openminded and adventurous and never even in the same zip code as jerk." She poked his belly softly. "You're talking about my boyfriend there, so be careful what you say."

[powerof_water]

"Oh, well, I don't want to be caught badmouthing a vampire's boyfriend," Adam said, grinning back at her.

"I am never going to get tired of hearing you call me your boyfriend. So, you know, you can do it whenever you want."

[vampire_shield]

"Is that right?" Bella giggled and tightened her arms around him just enough for a good squeeze. "Things like 'I think my boyfriend should kiss me now.'?"

[powerof_water]

"Yeah, that sounds great," Adam said, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her softly. It was still in public, so he kept it mostly chaste, but it was enough of a kiss that anyone around would know that he and Bella were together.

[vampire_shield]

Bella sighed against his lips moved her body closer to his. Her fingers threaded into his hair. "Sounds great, and felt even better,"

[powerof_water]

"We're kind of obnoxious, you know." Adam didn't think it was necessarily a bad thing but he wondered if everyone else at the party would be into him and Bella basically making out in a corner.

"In the best ways."

[vampire_shield]

"I don't mind a little obnoxious if you don't." Bella said against his lips, and kissed him again.

[powerof_water]

Adam didn't think that anyone would care much about two teenagers making out at a summer party, even if one of said teenagers was actually an immortal, supernaturally beautiful vampire. Still, he kissed her quickly and tugged at her hands.

"Want to go to the maze? Less likely to get caught in there."

[vampire_shield]

"Did I mention that I like the way you think?"

Bella slipped her hand into his and tugged. "Lead the way."

[powerof_water]

The maze was a group of hedges, high and private, and Adam liked to walk through it whenever he got the chance. Right now, with his hand in Bella's, it seemed like the perfect way to spend a summer afternoon.

"I hardly ever get to see you in sunlight. I like it."

[vampire_shield]

Bella held her free hand up to the light. "You like seeing me like a glitter factory exploded all over me?"

[powerof_water]

"It's beautiful," Adam said, touching her hand a little. "And it's not what I've ever been told about vampires back home. You're perfectly unique."

[vampire_shield]

Bella gave him a shy sort of smile and looked away - the expression that would have held a blush in her human days. "I like being unique, I think, but I'm never really sure what to do about being called beautiful. I'm glad you think I am, though?" She offered the last, raising her eyes to his.

[powerof_water]

"Someone has to have told you that before," Adam said, utterly incredulous. "Because Bella, seriously."

[vampire_shield]

Bella heard a voice, faint and fuzzy, and smiled. "My dad. Charlie. I remember him telling me I looked beautiful. I can't remember the occasion, but I remember his voice."

[powerof_water]

"Have you seen him since you were a vampire?" Adam imagined it would be difficult to maintain a relationship with a human after you weren't one any longer but he didn't know with Bella's particular type of vampirism.

[vampire_shield]

Bella did the thing where her mouth opened, then closed again - like she'd known the answer, but when she couldn't find it in her memories, the words wouldn't come. "I don't remember, but I think I might have?"

[powerof_water]

"Hope so. It's hard to not have parents," Adam said. He never knew his. They were only stories told to him by his grandmother and he had no memory of his mother or father at all.

[vampire_shield]

"I don't really remember them," Bella said, then took his hands in hers, keeping the touch soft. "You don't either?"

[powerof_water]

"They died when I was a baby," Adam explained. "My grandmother raised me but she eventually just...kind of lost her mind. I ended up taking more care of her than she did of me but I know she loved me. She just wasn't all there anymore."

[vampire_shield]

"Oh, Adam," Bella responded and put a hand to his cheek. "I'm so sorry. That must've been very difficult to watch happen. And I'm sorry about your parents, as well."