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.

[keep_nothing]

[ She's a few minutes late, the porter heckling her because of her unregistered status more than usual today. But she slides in as Inanna recommends the menu, just taking a moment to look them over.

But damn why did Miles have to pick a fight with this prime example of Betan sexuality? The comm message they shared doesn;t do them justice at all. She allows herself to stare a bit before shaking her head a bit to clear her ingrained Betan imagination. ]

Vanilla lavender, huh? Don't mind if I do.

[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]

[Inanna looks just as pleased to see her, taking a moment of their own to give her an appreciative look and flashing a bright smile when she answers back.]

I'm sure you'll love it.

[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.

[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.

[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?

[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.

[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.

[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]

[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?