made waves with some friends I know

[fightlikehell]

 

The season is a'changing, the weather is warmer. The forecast calls for high temperature, low humidity and a light breeze. A near perfect day. What better reason to gather the friends and have a good time with a bonfire? Grab a beer, have a seat. Cheery tunes fill the salty air. There's plenty of room and so much to eat.

Matt Murdock is actually dressed for the beach. Still likely more than usual. He burns so easily. There's no way he could have done this alone. Anyone who is anyone in Nexus knows that there is that distinct Verity Willis touch on everything. If the sounds and the sights don't get you, it is going to be whatever Clint has on the grill. That man is magic.

[ooc; Come on in, guys and gals! Hop threads, twist time for sooner, later and all things in between. It's a real party. Don't be shy!]

Comments

I think we all know what Ver wants to be touching when Matt's dressed like that. :P

[brave_heart_verity]

It was all Matt's very good idea, and Verity will insist he take all the credit due. But yes, she's been helping, the way a good girlfriend does in these situations. Clint's grilling, but Ver did the food prep and baking and a fair bit of the planning. Matt seems to think these things just happen; maybe, for him, they do. It worked this time, so the anecdotal evidence continues to suggest a strong trend in the line of people wanting to see the handsome wounded duck smiling.

Lucky bastard.

Verity is dressed for the sun; like Matt, she has pale skin and a little bit of an issue with the sun. That's what hats and sarongs are for. And sunscreen, which would help Matt too if he'd "Stop wiggling! It's not that cold."

It is absolutely that cold it's stored in a cooler after all.

And he will be oh so delighted for any touching if it's coming from her. You've seen her right?

[fightlikehell]

Ideas alone don't sum up how much preparation went into this little jaunt. Since he's a strapping lad, he gladly hauled whatever materials to the spot. The firewood, the tables. His good idea came out this way through the lens of her planning and attention to detail.

"It's not cold, it's freezing," which means it takes several attempts to be anything close to still. Matt clenches his teeth that want to shatter.

"What's the SPF on that stuff?" Because now he'll smell like it. Since he can't run away he'll have to fit his hands on her shoulders.

I can't think of a non-tasteless reply to that.

[brave_heart_verity]

It's only fair he does half the schlepping since it was, after all, his idea. Ver wouldn't have made him carry things all the way from their apartment; that's what taxis are for. They only had to carry things down to the cab and then down to the beach; there'll be less to carry back.

"Is it?" She sighs and stops, rubbing the sunscreen between her hands to warm it up before trying again. "How about how?"

"It's SPF 50." It doesn't smell terrible to her, but his nose is so much more sensitive... "And I have aloe and shea butter for if you get a little burned." Both of which, he knows, have been generously dosed with lavender oil.

[maydayqueen]

"--and it can't be so wrong if I'm comfortable with people seeing me this way." The May Queen is ready for the beach, so ready! Bikini, a crown of lady's mantle and African lily, a basket of goodies (not of the baked good variety, she has a feeling Matt would not trust those for some reason), and of course, her constant companion.

Frea loves and adores Brienne, but sometimes, having such a modest companion can make life more difficult. The May Queen is many things, but modest is not one of them. Not in the ways Brienne would understand it.

"Anyway, I'm wearing something over it. So everything's fine." Because a tunic so sheer it's practically see-through makes everything better. (At this point she may just be trying to mess with Brienne.) "And if I'm going to wear something to please you, you should wear something to please me."

:D

[fightlikehell]

Half the schlepping, all the schlepping. Whatever it takes to pull his weight with no pun intended. After setting up and taking in what they've made he already is very, very pleased.

If the goosebumps on his skin don't say anything than his nod does. "Okay...better." Matt is glad he brought a shirt and a Columbia sweater for after the sunsets. Warm or not that breeze hits. And he didn't think over just how much sunblock would be protecting his lily white self. "Thank you."

"Does this mean I get to help you out too?" Slick her up with all the lotion that somehow already smells nicer with her skin rather than his. It's difficult to give your girlfriend compliments about appearance but he can tell when she feels good. And in her oh so glamorous hat and wrap, she is beautiful.

[oathstokeep]

"Your comfort is paramount. That is not what I was trying to say," not even a whole day in the sun and with her newest and dearest friend and Brienne is red in the face. No, that's not a burn. Tucked up under her arm is a thick blanket, Oathkeeper is there because Brienne takes it everywhere with her. And one never knows about what happens by the sea.

Pirates obviously. Let's not drip and fall into the countless times Frea has told her such things aren't done that way here. There are more pressing matters to dissect.

"...it looks like a shift. Over does not mean covered." What about her virtue? What about uncalled for attention from men? Okay, that's another reason why Oathkeeper is here. What kind of a guard would she be?

They slow in their stroll and Brienne's brow furrows. "I thought you said this was a pleasing choice." It is one of Frea's suggested choices... that has been promptly covered up.

[brave_heart_verity]

Half the schlepping. She's not a monster. Besides, what kind of fun is he gonna be if he's worn out before the party even starts?

The goosebumps are telling, but so is his tone and the way he starts to relax into her touch. She's quick to make sure his coverage is even, but after that, it probably doesn't need so much massaging into his skin... "You're welcome." There are blankets and things for later. But that's hours away. He's going to be lucky if he gets to keep his sweater.

"Of course." That's half the fun of doing this for him: the pleasure of anticipation. Knowing he appreciates her efforts on some level is all she's looking for; whichever of his senses she pleases, she'll try to keep it up. The fact she can do that and be glamorous is a bonus.

[fightlikehell]

Heavy lifting couldn't possibly be nearly as sapping to him as a good night out after a solid eight hours of work. Nexus, Verity, the whole arrangement here and now is not sapping. But he does appreciate that consideration. Matt is usually a quiet sort so the socializing will be what will wear him out in the end, happily so.

His lips curl to a smile. Massaging is warming too. And he isn't about to complain. As far as he knows her selection of block is just thick and needs a lot of blending. It's gotta last. Reapplication won't be a problem. "Am I good?" Matt turns his head to help any examination. Ears, neck, chest, stomach, arms.... all that needs her diligent care.

[maydayqueen]

If it were a burn, Frea could help her get rid of it.

Technically, she could help with the blushing, but they both know that's not going to happen.

No pirates, and more's the pity; she'd rather like to meet a pirate. The fun, story-book kind. A Captain Hook or somesuch. Actual pirates would be less fun and more work. Not fitting for a party at all.

"I think it is a shift." Someday, Brienne may figure out that Frea dresses like this because she wants the men to look at her. And the women. And the everything. It'll be a whole different debate when that happens. Maybe she'll learn to appreciate the view. Or maybe not; it's nothing she hasn't seen before. For now, Frea just sighs at Brienne's comment about her shift, a sound that somehow conveys a hint of laughter and a lot of affection, given it's mostly breath.

"You look beautiful. But there's a little something missing." Frea reaches up into her crown and plucks out a stem of lilies, which she tucks behind Brienne's ear. "There."

[oathstokeep]

So her face shall stay in some berry hue. Her tactic thus far has been simply ignoring it. And Frea only seems to cheer and grin, Brienne is sure her mood would be just as light even without making her flush. So why talk about that.

Any pirate here will hopefully not be ironborn. A story-book kind would be a very fun change of pace. And oh so welcome to the party. Beyond them the canopy and layout is welcoming. It tugs at the strings of Brienne's heart.

Oh she does appreciate the view. Knowing that she is a lovely woman also leads Brienne to believe that it is not befitting to look so frankly on her. "If it pleases you not wear it, I shall not say another word more." This whole concept of getting close to naked is more difficult in practice than when it was first explained.

Habitually she bites her tongue against refusing her compliment and smiles. "Oh--" No one gives her flowers, no one with a straight face. "Thank you."

Fire: 4, Barton: 5

[aw_hawkguy]

The sizzle of the grill is summer magic, and Clint has three going--a little kettle grill for anyone who needs their food kosher, a bisected barrel full of steaks, burgers, bratwurst, and discorporated fragments of chicken, with another barrel grill for mushroom tops, tofu dogs, and grilled spring corn on the cob. "Step right up," Clint calls, flipping a spatula among his fingers, "and get'cherself fed!" Nearby, Lucky the Pizza Dog lounges in the shade, panting contentedly and waiting for something meaty to get dropped.

:o

[fightlikehell]

The cocktail of smells are going to keep at least Matt hungry. This is going to be one of the many trips he's taking back to the grill and the grill master. "Jeez, you sure one case of beer is going to do you?" He knew the guy was into it, but this is incredible.

[brave_heart_verity]

Then chalk it up to her feminism. She won't fall into the 'big strong man does hard work, weak little woman looks cute' dynamic so easily, even when she doesn't feel like taking yet another trip back and forth to carry down another cooler. They'll be a team. It's how they work best.

One of the great things about a beach party is that neither of them has to be 'on' all the time. There's plenty of solitary, quiet things to do when they need some downtime from socializing. The party will still be there when they get back to it. All that water is just begging them to come for a swim, after all.

He knows perfectly well it's not required, which should make it all the sweeter. "Always." She catches his chin in one hand to hold him steady for a kiss. "Mm, but you meant with the sunblock. Yes."

[maydayqueen]

"CLINT!"

That's all the warning anyone gets that Frea is incoming. If her aim is true, she'll land on Clint's back, arms and legs wrapping around him like a monkey, in a move that's both hug and insistence in getting a piggy-back ride.

If she misses, she's taking one of those grills down with her. Don't let her miss, Clint.

Well, he's gotten up more than the fire's put him down, so...

[aw_hawkguy]

"If that's an offer of more," Clint replies, his grin audible, "I'll take you up on it. What'll ya have? I've got brats, I've got dogs," Lucky barks, "I've got burgers, I've got just a gorgeous flat iron just about to go on. I've got rabbit food, too, if you're a health nut. What'll it be?"

[aw_hawkguy]

The sudden weight on his back pitches Clint forward--he's had just enough warning that he can catch himself on the handles of the grill he was looking over, his face inches from the hot metal and sizzling meat. Alas, the tongs he was using and the burger they held have become casualties, but Lucky is there and happy to help remove all evidence of the flub.

"Uhh, hi," he manages, straightening up. "Missed me?"

[maydayqueen]

See? She's helping.

"Mm-hmm." Her arms tighten to give him an affectionate squeeze. "But fortunately not this time. You okay?"

If only she had a little more forethought. Or a better understanding that not everyone's as strong as she is. On the other hand, it's kinda his own fault for bragging about being a hero.

[aw_hawkguy]

"I'm fine, I'm fine. 'S nice to see you." At least he managed to save face, if not the burger.

"What's your pleasure?" Clint, you goon. "To eat, I mean."

Impressive doings here, dude.

[fightlikehell]

"Oh it is," he was going to insist anyways. "Uh. How about some rabbit food then a bratwurst. And a burger with one bun." Cutting carbs to eat more protein. And then playing the balancing game added with beer. Murdock, why do you try.

"Please tell me there's some kind of ironic apron to go with all of this."

[maydayqueen]

Frea's mood is rarely less than cheerful when Brienne's around, and frequently more. Blushing, not blushing, awake, asleep, it doesn't seem to matter much. The particular kind of good cheer she's in depends very much on her companion's moods and behavior, however. It's a subtle sort of balancing act, acting and reacting to each other, that they're practicing.

The fact Brienne looks so pleased with the party softens the teasing edge on Frea's smile. A little taste of home, maybe?

"I do appreciate your opinion, Brienne," she offers quietly. "And I'm glad you're looking after me. Thank you." Uh oh. Look out. That's a kiss incoming and it's aimed at Brienne's berry-red cheek.

"You're welcome." She'll take a moment to admire everything and especially that smile. "So, what first: food, swimming, dancing?"

[maydayqueen]

"It's good to see you too." She's not getting down yet. He's going to have to either ask or give her something better to do with her hands.

He shouldn't ask her suggestive questions like that after turning her down. Really, Clint. "Hmm. Everything looks so good. What do you recommend?"

[fightlikehell]

Feminism, favoritism, whatever it is, Matt is glad. Though he would always practice under those that can help should, and those that cannot help will find other ways to contribute. As a team they can carry more together. That last cooler was nothing.

The real host is the food and the beach itself. Solitary times together to sit and canoodle and with others? What an idea this is.

Matt stays steady and has to try and stifle his grin as he gets a kiss and gives one right back. "No red suit in the sand. I'm not that guy," he jokes gently against her lips. "You going to stay covered for now?" He touches on the thin, flowing fabric.

[aw_hawkguy]

"Aw, Murdock, no! Not the rabbit food!" He sighs. "Tofu dog or portabello cap? Or I can forgive you if you say corn on the cob." Don't cut carbs, Matt! Carbs are energy! Power-loading protein just means your body breaks it down into carbs without you getting to enjoy cake, and then doing bad things to your kidneys (which get punched enough already). "Burger with one bun. You want one'a the ones with bacon in? Cheese on top? Either-or?"

"Hey, nothing ironic about Cap. Uh, Captain America--have you met him?"

[fightlikehell]

He shrugs and gives a sheepish grin before taking a sip from his bottle. "Corn and a portabello cap, uh go ahead and put it on the burger with the bacon. Cheese too." Just picking and choosing. He'll be back for more carbs. Trying to layer it up, provide a solid cushion for how much he'll be drinking and burning today. You saw that net.

"I haven't met him in person, no."

[aw_hawkguy]

Well, now that she's stable on his back, her weight isn't a problem. She can stay for a while, if she likes--he's in no hurry to chase her off. Of course, if Clint Barton could ever communicate effectively with women, his life would have been very different a long time ago.

"Depends on what you like. I like flavor, so one'a those burgers with bacon in has got my name on it. Gonna melt some cheese over it, it'll be great."