Open

[purple_reign]

WHO: Inanna and YOU
WHERE: Heropa and other cities
WHEN: Throughout February
WHAT: Catch all w/prompts
WARNINGS: Discussions of death, trauma, depression

OTA - Beaches near Heropa
[Looking for a break from the chilly temperatures of Maurtia Falls, Inanna's come down to Florida for a relaxing visit; not too far from Heropa. They won't be staying for long, but someone lucky enough could spot them out on the beach. It may still be too cold to go swimming, but it's just pleasant enough to lay back and soak up the warm sun. Even better is when the sun begins to set over the horizon, lighting the ocean up with rich orange and pink tones while the first pinpricks of stars begin to take their place in the sky.]


Semi-open - Heropa - The Lucky Cat Cafe
[And as long as Inanna's in the area, they may as well stop by a local business for a bite to eat. And maybe they have a little business to attend to with some of the staff here that they've been putting off. That doesn't mean they're entirely preoccupied with whatever that business is, of course. In fact, if they spot anyone lingering too long on the menu they'll take the chance to try to strike up a conversation.]

You should try the macarons. The vanilla lavender is amazing.

[And then there's the actual reason they're here—the Vorkosigans. Inanna made sure to send a text ahead to Cordelia to make sure she'd know when they were planning to stop by, but that doesn't guarantee that other members of the family won't find them first.]

[[OOC: If you want to use this for the Valentine's event just note it in your top level. I am 100% happy to roll with anything, but Inanna specifically won't be affected. Likewise if you want a specific thread that doesn't fit the open prompts you can hit me up at jiora for a top level or just comment with a starter of your own. ♥]]

Comments

Lucky Cat

[dendarii]

[ Indeed, Miles is here first, arguing gently with person making coffee. There's a list behind the counter with all of Miles' known allergies, and here he is stubbornly ordering a drink with some of his favorites in it. His neck is already covered in itchy red welts courtesy of that goddamned swear-in perfume. He can't seem to wash it off. And it's making him damned moody. Euphoric one moment, bleakly annoyed the next. Like right now. ]

Just make the order. I'll take full responsibility for it.

[ He rubs again at the hives on his neck. And looks over to see ... ah. ]

Hello, Inanna. What are you doing here?

[purple_reign]

[Just their luck. They sigh around a mouthful of food and plaster a smile on their face; relaxed, charming, and just a little tired.]

I'm waiting for a lunch date, and I thought I'd have a snack before she arrives.

[dendarii]

[ Miles feels just as enthused to see them too. ]

Oh? Who's the unlucky woman?

[purple_reign]

[It's so strange to be faced with such an aggressive person. Inanna had certainly had their critics, but nothing quite like Miles. It's much more reminiscent of all the things they'd been afraid of before being awoken to their divinity, and that makes it difficult to smile so easily through it. There's an uneasy tightness to their expression.]

Lady Cordelia. She insisted on it herself.

[dendarii]

[ Miles would surely be sympathetic if not for his own self-centered approach to this particular problem. He stares openly at Inanna for a moment. ]

Why do you want to talk to my mother? Hell, why does she want to talk to you?

[purple_reign]

The answer to both those questions is because we're both incredibly charming people. And because it would be nice if we could come to an understanding about the continuing issues between us.

[dendarii]

By pulling my mother into this. Yes, what a fantastic idea.

[purple_reign]

Your mother who has a bias in your favor and who's willing to have a conversation with me. I doubt that you have anything to worry about.

[dendarii]

[ Miles makes a face. ]

You clearly haven't talked to her. I guarantee she doesn't take my side without reason.

[purple_reign]

Well, I did explain all the reasons you have to dislike us, so I'd be quite surprised if she weren't sympathetic to you.

[dendarii]

You really don't know my mother.

[purple_reign]

[Were they misjudging her? It's honestly hard to tell with how bad Miles seems to be at reading people, but surely he'd know his own mother better than Inanna did.]

Do you really think she wouldn't consider your best interests first?

[dendarii]

[ Look. Miles is surprisingly shitty at reading a lot of people. ]

All things being equal, certainly. But I don't expect sympathy from her on this.

[purple_reign]

[Something in Inanna's face twitches oddly. They're concerned, and for once in their life they're actually frustrated with the feeling. They don't like Miles, they aren't sure they even want to like him at this point, but for him to have this much doubt in his own mother... It's familiar in a sharply painful way. Cordelia hadn't seemed like anything but a caring mother on the phone, but 10 minutes versus a lifetime with her didn't carry much weight.

Inanna sighs, biting down on the inside of their cheek.]

Is it always like that?

[dendarii]

[ Mostly it's an admission of guilt, really. Cordelia would completely have Miles' back if he deserved it ... and also if he didn't, but not without some meaningful glances, at least.

He sighs softly. ]

No, no. She's just very honest. And none of us get spared, really. I love her dearly, but if I talk to her about something I tend to be in for some psychoanalysis.

[purple_reign]

[Ah, is that it? Inanna relaxes again.]

Then it sounds like she's exactly who I should talk to for this.

[dendarii]

I guess.

[ He grumbles and swipes his hellish concoction from the server before they can take it back. ]

[purple_reign]

You really just want to keep hating me instead, don't you?

[dendarii]

It's much easier that way. And more fun.

[ But ... well, he's tired. And itchy. And it's less fun the longer it goes on, and he had a single sympathetic feeling for Persephone the other day... ]

[purple_reign]

...Fun.

[The tone of their voice is dull, nearly unreadable. He thought all this pain and stress was fun? It leaves a strange pulsing sensation at both temples; a rare throb of real anger.]

[dendarii]

[ Miles just shrugs slightly. That had come out wrong. Or maybe he's thinking wrong to begin with. Both. ]

You don't get any grim joy at all out of having someone to hate? Someone you feel really deserves it? Surely I've provided some inkling of that.

[ An inherent confession in that statement. His tone is nearly apologetic. ]

[purple_reign]

[They frown in confusion and...something like sadness?]

I don't hate anyone. I don't like you, but I don't... I can't even hate people who've hurt me many, many times worse than you.

[dendarii]

... Like who?

[purple_reign]

[They're quiet for a long moment, considering him and weighing their answer carefully. There were a handful of options, all rather personal and quite painful in their own ways, but Inanna had to choose one now that they'd opened this line of questioning.]

...My murderer, for one.

[...And maybe it felt a little nice to give an answer that carried such a weight with it, heavy with the declaration of so many of the burdens Inanna had already been carrying before Miles barreled his way into their life.]

[dendarii]

[ It certainly has an effect on Miles. Guilt flashes through his expression for a moment as he winces bodily. ]

Ah. My ... condolences.