fandomtownies | Caritas; Wednesday [02/19].

It was all, clearly, Apu's fault, but Summer had a natural suspicion and dislike for anyone leaning too heavily into a random holiday, especially anywhere that wasn't T&C, because, come on. She had to deal with that enough one a regular basis ~~especially since she was definitely posting all the time still~~, why did other people also have to torment her so? And she knew that Tino and Apu did hang out sometimes (allegedly), so some cross over was expected, but that didn't mean she had to like it.

So she was wary when she came in and saw that Tino had set things up for a Tug-of-War contest in the back room for International Tug-of-War Day, but when she saw what he'd actually done to set it up?

"Ohmygod," she said. "You made the pit filled with jello?"

Hold on a moment. Give her a second. Summer was suddenly feeling some emotions that she did not know how to handle, especially the fact that she was pretty sure two of them were flattered and touched.

Featured Cocktail
Mint Chip Cookietini

Featured Jello
Boston Cream Pie
Blackberry Bourbon
Bacon Wrapped Melon

Caritas is open!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hormones weren't raging this week so it was safe to come back. Assuming she wasn't dragged into jello tug-of-war.

"Hey, Summer," she said, taking her seat.

Yeah, it was generally never fully safe to come back, especially on a Wednesday. But Summer was sure glad that people still took that risk anyway.

"Hey, Rey," she replied back, with a bit of a grin. "Feeling a bit better this week?"

A wholly unnecessary question, she was sure.

"Much better," she confirmed. "There's a reason I don't really go out that week."

Because everyone was hot, see.

"Yeah," Summer allowed, her expression a sympathetic one, even if, currently, she definitely didn't get that vibe in a bold refusal to acknowledge any years in which that absolutely was the vibe, "it's definitely not for everyone, but we thankfully have a while before we need to worry about it again. And, instead, we've got a sweet school trip to look forward to."

"I do not feel prepared for it. But yes," Rey agreed. "I'm guessing you haven't been there?"

"Not Barbados specifically, no," Summer shrugged her shoulders, "but some of those Caribbean islands? Probably."

You'd think you'd remember that, but, well, she'd been to a lot of islands, okay? She even tried to convince her ex to buy her one. Like it being underwater half of the year was really a deterrent, Barry, come on.

"But what's there to be prepared about it? I would say loading up on sunscreen and cute sexy swimsuits, but you're from a desert planet and you're adorably modest."

"I do not own a single sexy bathing suit." You were lucky that she owned one at all. "I am very good about sun protection, though."

You put on even more clothes to protect your skin, right?

"Hello, Rey," Stark said. "Doing all right?"

Until jello pits became involved, at least?

"I'm doing good this week," she confirmed with a smile. "How are you?"

"Good," Stark said. "This week is calm and I like that. And next week we'll be somewhere warm..."

"You say that like you're tired if living in a frozen tundra," she teased.

Which was a little out of proportion but okay, Rey.

"I am," Stark grumbled. "This winter just keeps...wintering. I'm excited to be somewhere with sun and warm and no ice except for drinks, maybe. You're going on the trip, aren't you?"

"I am, and I'm sure several people will be very proud."

Was she going for the sole reason that she didn't want Liliana looking disappointed in her while calling her 'darling'? Yes.

"I'm sure it'll be fun."

"It will be warm," Stark repeated with a grin. "So it will be more fun than here. And you'll come to Summer's room party?"

It didn't matter that for a while now they'd been in their shared room. They would always be Summer's room parties.

"I'm glad you're going."

"Me too," she said. "I should be at the room party. It's not like u have other plans."

And would she go if it wasn't Summer? Probably not.

Summer was the key element. Any other room party paled in comparison. And frankly almost never existed.

"Good, good. But you might find something more exciting to do. You never know."

"I'm sure. There's always something new on these trips," she said. "I haven't looked into it yet, though."

"I just saw beaches and sun," Stark said. "I haven't looked at it more than that but I always enjoy these things. More now that I worry less about being unfamiliar places than I used to."

"You didn't like unfamiliar places?" she asked.

"I worried more about standing out too much, before. It's better now. I still worry, a little, but not nearly so much as I used to. I know I have people nearby who would help if I needed it."

She almost asked how he'd stand out. She knew enough people who looked like him.

"Yeah, none of us would ever let anything happen to you," she assured him.

Cool metal masks just weren't common on Earth for some reason. Or maybe people randomly missing half their faces weren't.

"I know that. I'm lucky in my friends."

It was only recently he'd ever allowed himself to use the word lucky as a personal descriptor.

"Thank you."

Caritas; Wednesday [02/19].

Re: The Bar - 02/19.

Re: The Bar - 02/19.

Re: The Bar - 02/19.

Re: The Bar - 02/19.

Re: The Bar - 02/19.

Re: The Bar - 02/19.

Re: The Bar - 02/19.

Re: The Bar - 02/19.

Re: The Bar - 02/19.

Re: The Bar - 02/19.

Re: The Bar - 02/19.

Re: The Bar - 02/19.

Re: The Bar - 02/19.

Re: The Bar - 02/19.

Re: The Bar - 02/19.

Re: The Bar - 02/19.

Re: The Bar - 02/19.

Re: The Bar - 02/19.

Re: The Bar - 02/19.

Re: The Bar - 02/19.

Re: The Bar - 02/19.

Re: The Bar - 02/19.