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

[keep_nothing]

I'm sure I will when you buy me two of them.

[ It's not a request, but at least she's smiling. Inanna was the one who wanted to solve the tension even if she's the one who pushed an in-person meet. She can take a little advantage of the situation. ]

[purple_reign]

[Inanna would have offered if she hadn't demanded anyway. They laugh lightly and add the sweets to their own order, giving her another look over their shoulder before they finalize it.]

Anything to drink?

[keep_nothing]

A small coffee, thanks.

[ And she's been here enough times that the baristas knows her order without even having to ask ("coffee" is a loose term for her particular brew of sweet and milk and a small amount of coffee). ]

[purple_reign]

You're quite welcome.

[They pay for the order and step aside to wait for it to be filled.]

It's the least I can do to thank you for meeting with me after all.

[keep_nothing]

[ She smirks a bit. ]

You're right, but I'm not going to rub it in.

[purple_reign]

If only your sons had inherited your graciousness, but then I wouldn't have had a reason to meet you. It's a lovely silver lining to the situation.

[keep_nothing]

[ She snorts lightly. ]

Miles can be gracious only when it suits him. Unfortunately he inherited more than three times his father's and my stubbornness to make up for the loss.

[purple_reign]

Unforunate is putting it lightly.

[There's an edge of weariness in their tone and expression now that they're reminded of the purpose of the meeting. They hadn't even had to deal with him for a month, but there hadn't been much time to actually enjoy the break or relax at all, and it shows.

They pick up their coffee and snacks once they're brought up and nod to a table in one of the corners.]

Shall we?

[keep_nothing]

[ Picking up hers as well, heading towards and sitting at the table they indicated. Once seated, she tries the macaron first, making a pleased sound and nodding her satisfaction at them. It gives Inanna a few more seconds to gather themselves for the discussion. ]

[purple_reign]

[Honestly this is about as gathered as they're going to get. Inanna takes a sip of their own drink to try to mask the downswing in their mood. It does, at least, give them a chance to school their expression into something more neutral.]

Are they as good as I said?

[keep_nothing]

They are! And they're so ... the only word I can think of is "dainty". I'll have to tell Aral to bring some home next time.

[ She sits back in her chair then, lightly sipping from her coffee and waiting for him to start. ]

[purple_reign]

"Delicate" is the word that came to mind for me.

[They prod their own macaron across their plate for a second.]

I know I explained as much as I could over the phone, but I suppose you have some questions for me anyway.

[keep_nothing]

Just one, really. Were you able to talk to your people since we last spoke about toning down the hostilities?

[purple_reign]

Ah—no...actually. I'm so sorry, I forgot. It was a...very busy month for us. [That was putting it lightly.] But we've all stayed away anyway. As I said on the phone, we really aren't interested in keeping up a fight. We just want to be left alone.

[keep_nothing]

[ She actually laughs into her cup at that. ]

Oh thank God for that, I was going to feel guilty if you had and I hadn't yet either.

[purple_reign]

Oh. [A beat.] Well. I suppose if everyone's left each other alone that's actually promising for us both.

[keep_nothing]

Or we've all just been too busy to remember to sneer at each other. Either way, it resulted in a cease-fire. Hopefully not a temporary one.

[purple_reign]

I really don't believe Persephone or Luci want to waste their time in fights. I think we can keep this up if Miles and Mark feel the same way.

[keep_nothing]

[ She makes a sound akin to an aborted laugh. ]

You forget that whole stubborn streak of theirs. Mark's not as bad, but ... [ sh trails off and shrugs. ]

I would hope that the distance and time passed would have calmed his nerves though. I can still talk to him, but I don't want to stir the pot either.

[purple_reign]

[They hum an understanding tone and reach up to rub at their face.]

I can understand that, but I thought leaving it alone would be fine the last time too and that...turned out badly.

[keep_nothing]

[ She thinks that over for a moment, gaze staring through Inanna for a moment while she slowly sips her coffee. When she puts her cup back down, her gaze is focused in front of her again. ]

Alright, I'll speak with him about it. I'm hoping the recent change for him has calmed him down, but it could really go either way; make him more mellow or make him a short fuse. It's better that I do talk to him, considering that.

[purple_reign]

[That's a familiar look; unsettling, really. It reminds Inanna of the way Ananke looked at them sometimes. They clear their throat and take another sip of coffee to disguise the fleeting unease again.]

Thank you. I'll hope for the best, of course. I actually talked with him for a little while before you came in, and I...think that it went well, but I don't know if his feelings about Persephone or Luci have changed at all.

[keep_nothing]

[ She raises her eyebrows. ]

He was here?

[purple_reign]

He was trying to order a drink when he spotted me

[keep_nothing]

Trying, huh?