Prescribed Recreation part 3: Chillax'n with a Vengeance

[fleurdesel]

Who: House 44, House 46, House 3, Saori, Steve Rogers, and whoever wanders in
What: Movie night on the beach
When: September 9th, in the evening
Where: The Beach
Summary: After an unfortunate tussle with a Chaos God, work on a farm, a swarm of refugees and stress piled upon stress, sometimes all anyone wants is to sit back and watch classic movies.
Rating: PG for possible adult language
Something that everyone could agree on was this: the past three weeks had been several shades of stressful. What they needed, what they all needed was something mindless and relaxing shared in the company of those they care for in a neutral environment. The beach works well enough, and it's not that far a trip for anyone involved.

Comments

[redjacketthief]

I know--I was trying to keep the mood light.

[He sighed.]

It's a pity that a woman as vibrant as you has to die by that bastard. I'd kill him myself, if I could.

[fleurdesel]

It's not so morbid a thought to me anymore. All I have is here. I suppose I should be taking greater care in who I associate with but...[She shrugs and looks across to Lupin. Manages a faint smile.]

It'd ruin it if he died. He needs to live a beaten, broken man. It's not right, what I did. It's not just. I shouldn't have gone to the compound in the first place. But what happened, happened. All I can do is make the best of what time I have here and pray I don't pull the trigger when I return.

[redjacketthief]

Your friends here are good enough. They'll pull through for you no matter what.

[He smiled back.]

No one will blame you for that either, Adele. Sometimes the best justice is the one that hurts the perp the worst. From what you say? Not even what you gave him will be enough to complete his misery.

[fleurdesel]

Promises, promises. [The half smile grows.] As long as they are kept I have nothing to fear.

It...doesn't matter. Thinking about that night leaves me angry, yes. Thinking of him has me frustrated. But I don't...I don't hate him as much as I once did. He's not worth hating.

[redjacketthief]

Even if you don't understand what I do sometimes--and there will come a time--just know that I'm always in your corner.

[He stretched out an arm to offer her a half of a hug.]

That's good then, if you can let that frustration go. You can focus on more important things now. Like smiling.

[fleurdesel]

It's less a question of understanding at this point, Lupin, and more a question of tolerance. I've known men like you most of my life. And while they have always and ever meant well it doesn't make it hurt any less when they break their word, because they always seem to. I'm accustomed to it but so very, very tired. Just once I would like it if a scoundrel would keep his word.

[She leans against him, companionable, if tired.]

I'll smile more once I have something in particular sorted out.

[redjacketthief]

Then no matter how intolerable, remember that I'm always in your corner. Though, please. Try to remember that I'm not as good a man as everyone gives me credit for. This place...stagnates the mind.

[A sigh. She wasn't going to hear him.]

...What sort of thing do you need sorted out?

[fleurdesel]

No. I think I'm one of the few that's aware of it. All it does is make the fact that you've made a promise all the more vital, Lupin. [The sigh is echoed. He wasn't listening either.] Then find something new to learn or look at the bigger problem from a different angle. This place is a puzzle. I'm still trying to sort out why the wings behave as they do in regards to our health. 'Magic' is bullshit. There's a reason. I just...need to find it.

...how to...go about telling someone something when I'm not certain of their reaction. Or feelings on the matter.

[redjacketthief]

...

It's not enough.

[He's been still and quiet for too long...

But, again, she wouldn't get that.]

...

Why not just go tell them and not think so much about it? Thinking too much will make the actual doing that much harder.

[fleurdesel]

Nothing ever is. Restraint. Accountability. Not something criminals have much use for, I know, but it's learn to adapt or go mad. I'd rather you didn't go mad Lupin. I'll...find something for you to puzzle out. I'd recommend learning a new language but there's no point here.

[She pinches the bridge of her nose. It'd be the easiest answer- and it's the only one that's not available to them.]

Because I'm not at all certain how to approach Ben about this.

[redjacketthief]

'My mind rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work.'

[Paraphrasing the great Sherlock Holmes, but Lupin understood it. Madness was an inherent element of his family line. That was why so many turned to thievery and unsavory life styles.]

...It involves Ben?

[fleurdesel]

I'll build you a pretty puzzle, then. Like I did for Gambit for his birthday. Will that help?

[She pinches his side, gently. A subtle apology.]

It...involves Ben. Rei had another vision and it's given me much to consider the past few days.

[redjacketthief]

[The pinch earned a weak smile.]

It will take the edge off, but it's no solution. There is no solution here--I can't take it much longer.

--Why are you still listening to her visions, Adele? Last time you did, you were a mess for weeks.

[fleurdesel]

Just...come to Luke or I before doing something drastic. Please?

...

Because they've some measure of truth to them...and besides, this time the vision was much more pleasant.

[redjacketthief]

I'll come to you, but I make no guarantee that it will be before I do anything. You'll be in the loop, but you won't necessarily be the first to know.

...I'm feeling like I did back in January.

[It wasn't a good thing, he knew.]

What was the vision about if it concerned Ben, then? And why does it have you confused?

[fleurdesel]

...you have a boom shack for a reason. I wouldn't recommend mixing anything when you can't use both hands, however.

[She massages her forehead and bites her bottom lip.]

We were holding hands and walking into a cave.

[redjacketthief]

You wanted to be kept informed, so I'm doing just that. Don't be too surprised if something happens. I don't even know what it will be yet.

[He squeezed the bridge of his noes, trying to not think too hard. This was supposed to be a relaxing day. Instead, he chose to listen to Adele's story.]

...walking into a cave. Huh.

[So many implications involved with a cave.]

[fleurdesel]

I'll get a fresh bottle of iodine for the house. [She snorts a laugh. Keeping him sane and safe? Impossible. Keeping him in one piece was the most she could hope for.]

She gave me a charm to give me luck in love.

[redjacketthief]

Don't think iodine is going to help, Angel. [But it earned a smile--before he lifted his brows in curiosity.]

Why love? And why Ben? He's a stick in the mud!

[fleurdesel]

He's dependable. A good man, a kind man. And he's not as boring as you think him to be.

[redjacketthief]

['Dependable', 'good', and 'kind' only spelled out one thing for Lupin.]

Convince me. That's a recipe for boring.

[fleurdesel]

I shouldn't have to justify my emotions to you Lupin.

[redjacketthief]

No--but he's boring.

[fleurdesel]

He won't become an alcoholic, gamble me into debt, and sleep around on me. I think I'll take the boring.

[redjacketthief]

...

[No arguing that.]

Call me if you want to be rescued from the boredom.