|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 1:32 pm
"We've got the grill set up over behind the tables over there," Antony said. "There's a few coolers full of food behind that. We've got a couple of vegetarians coming today, can you do both meat and tofu burgers?" he asked. "I know the Deakons are. They might have brought some fish and things, as well."
"I'm Antony, by the way. And you are?"
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 1:53 pm
Becca crinkled her nose slightly at the idea. She couldn't understand vegetarians. But, they were humans, she wasn't going to blame them for it, she supposed. She'd cook the odd substitute stuff...it wasn't like she couldn't. "Sure, sure," She agreed readily, nodding her head, "Just call me Becca."
"I'm Jamie!" Jamie added helpfully, wondering vaguely what Tofu was. His mother didn't seem to like it, by the look on her face. Oh well, he was bound to find out sooner rather then later, especially if he'd be helping out a little.
"Are we cooking to order?" Becca asked.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 1:58 pm
"If you want to," Antony said. "If you'd rather just cook what you want and offer what you have, I doubt anyone would have a problem with it. If you need anything more you can tell my Father and he'll go get it. He's the black skinned man with the tail over there," he added, pointing at Shade. "He's the gym coach at Liberty."
Shade glanced up as he noticed Antony pointing, and jogged over. "Done with the stage. I can--"
"Take over," Antony said, handing over the clipboard. "This lady here just volunteered to do the cooking."
Shade grinned at her and Jamie. "Then it's very nice to meet you," he said, offering his hand.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 2:12 pm
The two newcomers to the party seemed to fit perfectly into the beach scene. Stasia in a black two-piece, loose denim shorts, and an open white button up, while Nataya was in a little purple one-piece with a lilac sarong wrapped around her waist. Their mission? Decorate this place until it looked totally wicked. That wouldn't be too hard, right?
"Nattie, if it's too heavy, I can carry it for you...." Anastasia said, looking down at the little girl beside her. She herself was carrying a large back-pack, so stuffed it seemed the seams would burst at any moment, and a rather large box that was taped shut.
"No! Nat-yah wants to help." Nataya said, grinning up at her Mommy as she carried a box almost as big as she was. She was having some trouble with it, but...but she wanted to help! She tightened her grip on the box, doing her best to keep up with Mommy as they headed over to an empty table to set the baggage done.
"Okay, baby, remember what you're going to do?" Stasia asked, smiling down at her little girl as she ripped the tape off of the box, starting to set silk hibiscus(sp?) flowers out on the table, sorting them by color.
"Nat-yah put f-wow-ers on tables." Nataya said, grinning as she began picking up the fake flora as her mother sat it out. She ran off, giggling as she headed towards the other tables. She was helping Mommy do big girl work!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 2:15 pm
Becca thought it over for a brief moment and decided cooking to order would be easier. It would ensure food wasn't wasted and then she could hold off on that tofu stuff until someone asked for it. Yes, that seemed like the best way to go. "Right, thanks," she nodded to Antony.
"Stage for what?" Jamie asked curiously, following after Antony for a moment.
Becca blinked at Sheba, mildly surprised to see another non-human around. But then, it wasn't that strange. This was gaia after all. She shook his hand firmly, replying in turn, "You too."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 3:00 pm
"The name is Shade," Shade said. "In case Antony didn't mention it. But if he's told you everything you know you can get started whenever you want. Trust me, we never stop a cook from cooking, but a few people have stopped me."
"The stage is right over there," Antony said, pointing to where Chris was singing ridiculous songs from the fifties. "They're having karaoke. I think there's going to be some other things to do as well. I was actually going to go swimming first before joining any, though."
Shade caught sight of Nataya and her mother, and grinned, waving at them. "Thanks for the help!" he called over to them. "This place is going to look great!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 3:13 pm
"You're welcome!" Nataya called back, smiling brightly at the growed-up. She went around to each table, climbing up on a chair to put three of the flowers in the center before climbing back down. After about five tables, she ran out, running over to their "workstation" to get more flowers. She grinned up at her mother before running off again.
"No problem!" Stasia called back, chuckling. "And it sure will, once we're through with it." She opened the other box, pulling out a long, long string of silk leaves and flowers, matching the table decor. She headed over to the stage; these would look perfect draped along the front of it!
Nataya put flowers on the last table, heading back to where Mommy had been. They still had lots of flowers left! She picked up as many as she could hold, then started to walk off. She was going to set these all around and make everything prettyful! She grinned, humming softly as she went about her new task.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 3:32 pm
Cook? She wasn't sure she'd call herself that, but it hardly mattered. That was the role she was filling today, anyway. She nodded, "Alright, I suppose I'll go do that then." The sooner she got the grill going the sooner she could fill requests when they came.
"Karaoke?" Jamie repeatedly thoughtfully, looking out at the stage. Mmm, maybe he'd have a look at that. It seemed a little bit different then normal singing. After all, the other kid seemed to be staring into a screen as he went. So Jamie scooted over to the stage, completely forgetting for the moment his promise to help his mother. There was just too much to see.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 9:25 pm
It was rough being the technical organizer of such a large party and just one more reason came over the dune in a flurry and tumble of sand. Ignacio practically rolled his way down, scattering sand everywhere in his haste, until he came closer to the others milling about. Then, as if sensing the impending IGNACIO from his father, he slowed to a halt and waved at Shade cheerfully, all toothy grin and bright eyes. He seemed even more excited and manic than usual today as he dusted off his forest green swim trunks. "Hiya, Shade! We're here. Dad brought the stuff 'cause I made him. He almost wimped out but I told him the little kids would like it so he gave in. I think he likes little kids more than he say she does. I can't tell Nana that." Pausing for a breath, he looked around and spotted some familiar faces. "Okay. I'll catch you later, Shade!"
Devon barely managed to sidestep as his crazy son spun and ran off in another direction. Reaching Shade, he sighed and adjusted the backpack dangling from his shoulder. It looked heavy and had strange distortions in the fabric as if jammed full of odd shaped things. Devon hiimself had made a vague nod towards the setting and wore baggy cut-offs and a tank top. There were many tatoos on display. "Hey, man," he drawled. "We still up for face-painting?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 10:38 pm
"Gaaay," said the small redhead who had popped up next to him; although all the Darnells were there -- there was Beatrix and Wisp, coming up the beach -- they had split into factions; Wisp was obviously not talking to any of the Deakons and possibly not anybody associated with the Deakons, and was too distraught to speak to Antony who was older or Iggy who was in the Band of Doom. "You should do rad-a** tattoos, Mr. Garcia. I want a skull vomiting snakes."
What with that tasteful admonition in mind, Jace ran off after Iggy. It was Beatrix who caught up -- wearing a fairly Beatrix sundress and a large floppy sunhat, Thwomp rolling around the crown, though Wisp in her tank top and shorts was hanging behind and fidgeting with her fingers miserably. She heard Chris sing, brightened up, then remembered she was furious and sulked again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 7:03 am
"We're definitely up for face painting," Shade said, grinning at Devon. "But I hope it's waterproof or they decide to do it after they swim, because if it's not you're gonna have a lot of repeat customers. There's a few empty tables over there, if you want to set up."
He paused, noticing the look on Wisp's face. "Wisp over there has a special ability," he told Devon, loud enough that the girl could hear. "She can draw on anything with just her fingers, and it leaves pictures that don't come off until she takes them off. I actually still have one on one of my basketballs, don't I, Wisp? She might be useful to you."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 4:27 pm
Nataya looked around a bit, then ran back to her mother who, by now, was placing candles on the tables. "Mommy, can Nat-yah go play?" she asked, setting the remaining flowers on the table. Everything looked like so much fun! She wanted to go see it all!
Stasia smiled down at her, ruffling her hair gently. "Of course, baby girl. Mommy just has a few more decorations to put up, then I'll be sitting over there, okay?" she said, point to an area near the shoreline. She was going to work on her tan today and just enjoy the beach.
Nataya grinned, hugging the halfling's leg. "F'ank you, mommy!" she said, giggling before running off. She paused for a moment, looking around. That's when she smelled it; food. And it smelled yummy! She made a bee-line for the grill, skipping along the way.
Stasia chuckled, shaking her head as she continued to put the last of the decorations up. Ah, to be a child.....she missed those days. She watched, making sure she knew where the little fairy was before allowing herself to concentrate back on her work. Kids would stay in one spot, right?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 7:44 pm
Devon glanced over at Wisp and, seeing her downturned face, he grimaced. Another quick look at Shade didn't help him at all. Cursing faintly under his breath in garbled Spanish, Devon turned to the little girl and nodded. "That true?" he asked. "Wanna help me with the face painting?"
Might as well, he thought. He could already hear Ignacio's hollers of excitement fading in the direction of the water. There was no way he was going to keep track of the kid now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 9:14 pm
The little blonde girl looked up at him and thought furiously, and nodded; Beatrix looked on in approval and patted her head. "I'll come and get you soon, Wisp," she said, "we can't have you bothering Mr. Garcia."
"Okay," said Wisp, "okay, I'd like that." Her sorrowful blue eyes would have filled a whole bunch of calendars of sad-eyed child calendars.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 8:53 pm
"Not a problem," Devon reassured Beatrix. Then he turned back to Wisp and nodded. "I'm Devon, by the way. I don't think I've met you before." He motioned with his hand, indicating she was to follow him over to an empty table with a couple chairs. "I'm Iggy's dad. That nut that went running off, y'know?"
He set down his bag on the table and unzipped it. Next he began setting out brushes and little tupperware containers containing shots of bright colors. "You draw?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
