Open | The Epicurians Present: The 1st of September Beach Bash!

[bleatingedge]

Who ► Leo & Anyone that wishes to join!
What ► BEACH PARTY!!
When ► September 1st
Where ► Δ Haggard Traveler's Reprieve
Content Warnings ► People will be drunk. Will add to if needed

[The time has come... for fun! Δ Haggard Traveler's Reprieve has been decorated with all the niceties that a beach party requires - docks for fishing, large umbrellas to hide from the sun, several tables with sets of chairs for sitting and conversing, and the most obvious addition: a massive roaring bonfire with a big cooking mesh over the top of it for barbecue cookin'!

Leo's wearing a fishing hat and aviators alongside his trademark loincloth-and-nothing-else getup for maximum dissonance. From his position on the other side of the bonfire, he waves a hand at those arriving.]

Welcome to the Beach Bash! Snacks and drinks are on the tables, bottles of sunscreen and crafting tables are under the umbrellas, and complementary fishing gear are at the docks for your convenience. Have fun, friends~

[Emperor Grunty is also here, should you wish to annoy him! He's currently laying in the sand with a reflector. What? Grunties need their sun too!]

Comments

[userunfriendly]

It's difficult to lose that much money so quickly even if you're truly incompetent.

[ Just look at Georges (affectionate). Michel shrugs slightly in acknowledgment, though. ]

You take it more seriously than I expected.

[dissimulative]

You'd be surprised!

[ Haha.............. Ha.................

Anyway. ]

Is it because I don't seem to be the serious type of person?

[ He grins. Oria is definitely kicking his feet in the air, anticipating Michel's response. ]

[userunfriendly]

[ What's that reaction... does he even want to know the story there. ]

Partially. And partially, that those in a position to have things given to them have a tendency to take them for granted. I would have understood if you resented it as well.

[dissimulative]

[ does he want to take another bite of the forbidden fruit ]

Well, you're right. I did resent it. I used to, but I'm over it now.

[ It sounds Oria really does mean it though. This kid has really strong willpower. ]

Ironically, this position made it so that I can't take anything for granted. I actually have attempts on my life several times a year.

[ He just says that like it's nothing. Yeah. Michel wouldn't have found that bit on the news, because... well, the family company shut them all up. ]

[userunfriendly]

[ It's impressive that Oria can say something like that and honestly sound like he means it. Michel respects that about him...

But that look isn't lasting long on his face when Oria keeps talking. ]

At the very least, can you not say that as if it's normal?!

[dissimulative]

But it is normal. For me.

[ Yeah........................... all the kids are fucked up, Michel. ]

Normalcy is subjective because everyone has their own standards. And this is mine.

[userunfriendly]

No. Acknowledging that it happens is refusing to look away from the reality of your situation. But accepting it as normal — speaking as though it's natural that someone wants you dead is another thing entirely.

[ It might sound like semantics, but he clearly feels pretty strongly about this. What the hell, Oria. Why are rich people like this? ]

[dissimulative]

I can accept a situation as normal and not take it like a bitch. Those two statements are different things. Of course it's natural for people to want to take a literal shot at me. My life is valuable--not even in a sentimental, egotistical, or moral way--it's an objective fact. While it's valuable, it's also a hindrance to some people. That's why they want me gone. They want me out of the competition for money.

[ Then he just sips his grape juice. ]

[userunfriendly]

[ God. It's too early in Michel's day for this. He stares at Oria for a while, not even going for his own drink.

It's logical, yes. He isn't going to be shocked at this point by what people can or will do. But he's surprised, yet again, that he can still feel anger over it. ]

I recognize the hypocrisy of my saying this... but I think you could stand to be more sentimental about it. [ Anyway. ] Fine. Objectively, do you think they'll stop once you officially inherit?

[ And to think, Sinclair had been worried about involving Oria in his troubles. ]

[dissimulative]

I'm not inheriting anything.

[ His pride won't allow anyone to say that it's an inheritance. ]

And it's not really a secret that my family has been against a certain terrorist group for decades, so... probably not, no. I like living though, so don't get me wrong.

[userunfriendly]

[ That's fair enough. He tips his head to the correction in concession. ]

When you take over, then.

[ A whole life lived looking over his shoulder, not by necessity, but by choice... It puts his own difficulties into perspective, at any rate. ]

To be honest... I feel exhausted just thinking about it. Is that really the scale of problem a family takes on?

[ When you have a family like that, maybe so. But it's a relief that at least Oria isn't as cavalier about dying as he sounded for a moment. ]

[dissimulative]

It has to be. It's easier for people to formulate opinions over groups rather than individuals, so they'll look at my family as a whole, and not as who we are as a person separately.

[ He holds out a bbq rib to Michel. At least he isn't stuffing it into his mouth like last time. ]

That's just how people are in general. Of course we want to be the exception individually, but it is what it is.

[ Anyway, that's enough of cynicism regarding human nature. ]

Did you want to ask me anything about what you read though?

[userunfriendly]

[ Well, that part isn't wrong. Michel lets out a sigh of provisional agreement and eyes the bbq. It's really too early in his day for this. But a food offering from Oria feels like a gift with weight, so he reaches out to take it. ]

You're — well, unsurprisingly cynical for your age.

[ That kind of position would do that, wouldn't it? Eighteen is something of a blur to Michel. But he doubts he was much more optimistic. Absentmindedly, he nibbles at the rib. ]

Not about what I've read. [ Is there any use in point-blank asking "were you involved in your ex's death?" ] How did you meet Sinclair?

[dissimulative]

Oh, so you know Vogel in real life too?

[ That's what he'll assume instead of terrible mirror shenanigans. ]

We met at a fancy business party. Our families attended. There are rarely any people who are around my age, so he was easy to find and we talked!

[userunfriendly]

[ If he were prepared to lie, that would honestly be preferable to having to explain to Oria how he ended up trading memories not one, but five separate times... ]

No, he only mentioned it to me, and I was curious. [ True! ] Although it's not surprising, considering your families.

[ He's not completely unfamiliar with the whole rich family social milieu, unfortunately. ]

1/2

[dissimulative]

Yeah. My dad is interested in investing into technology these days, so our families' interests happened to coincide at the time. Good thing too, because I would have been bored out of my mind by myself.

[ He's only there for free food. Everything else is obligation. ]

[dissimulative]

[ He's sitting here, thinking.......................... ]

He was cute back then too!

[userunfriendly]

I had the impression that boredom was the goal.

[ Like... some kind of gauntlet rich families do for fun. He's not sure. He's too distracted nodding agreeably at the second part before he thinks for a moment and— ]

"Cute"? You just said he was your own age.

[ Isn't that kind of condescending? Even though it's not wrong. ]

[dissimulative]

People can be cute regardless of age, Winter.

[ It's a compliment?? ]

[userunfriendly]

[ Sorry, some obnoxious huge-breasted man in the hot springs made it sound like an insult and now he has to re-calibrate his everything. ]

For "someone you fancy," apparently...

[ He's not muttering, he's just turning this over in his thoughts. ]

1/2

[dissimulative]

Hm?

[ Wow. That man deserves a scolding. ]

You don't have to fancy people to call them cute, like...

[dissimulative]

[ Oria looks over at the rest of the beach party. He sees Leo, Hien, Matoba, Tylor, Hector, Mithrun, Levi...

... ]

... Anyway.

[userunfriendly]

[ Following Oria's line of sight to assess that crowd... and then back to Oria.

He rests his case. ]

...He was right?

[ Terrible news. ]

[dissimulative]

I don't know who you're talking about, but look! Swallow is always cute and cool in her outfit.

[ THERE!! Someone he doesn't fancy but thinks is cute!! ]

[userunfriendly]

[ He has to think long and hard about that one... But there's goth solidarity there. He'll allow it with a nod. ]

Fine. [ A beat. ] As cute as Vogel?