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+---- Thread: [ME] don't go bacon my heart (/showthread.php?tid=11235)
don't go bacon my heart - Ronin - 05-01-2025
The world is going to shit, the void is creeping ever closer, his daughter has made a sacrifice to protect the greater good and will be putting herself in danger as a result, aaaaaaand it's Longheat. Know what that means?
Time to fire up the fuckin grill, that's what that means.
Not having sent out invites so much as he's slapped colourful fliers across the parts of Haulani and Kaiholo he frequents the most, Ronin is at least prepared for his BBQ in all the ways that count - i.e., the meat. And you name it, he's got it: barbecue chicken, pork and pineapple kebobs, plump shrimp skewers, juicy ramphire burgers, glazed ribs and wings - the list goes on. There's even some kind of shoulder of something wrapped tightly and baking in the embers of the cookfire, ready to be pulled later, along with endless corn corbs, baked potato skins, slaw and bell peppers stuffed with roasted veggies and rice.
The sun is just tipping off towards mid-afternoon where a few strips of shadow might provide some relief from the fierce heat of the day, and some brightly coloured parasols have been plunged into the sand near the smoking grill and crackling cookfire the Knight has set up. Dressed - obviously - in a pair of sky-blue swimming trunks and a red apron declaring that one must KISS THE COOK (though if you're not Remi and you try, a certain tentacled demigod might have words), Ronin might hope to have vast amounts of company, but honestly, if it's just him and all this food for the rest of the day, he's happy.
In the meantime, though, he flips a sizzling burger and peers over his sunglasses at the icebox by his feet, leaning down to grab up a beer to twist open.
Welcome to Ronin's Longheat Barbecue Bonanza! Come and pull up a chair, grab a drink, even bring something along to throw on the grill!
Most of all though, shove some protein in your face to fulfil the SE requirement. ;D
RE: don't go bacon my heart - Dantalion - 05-01-2025
Sun's out guns out - or in Danta's case, sun's out and he's not going to be seen in anything but his shark swimming shorts for the rest of the season if he can help it. Something about Torchline in Longheat brings out the worst best in him, reminding him of sweltering, hazy afternoons spent causing trouble, of skin pink with sunburn and the smell of smoke and salt on the air.
He hadn't told Asta that they were taking another vacation to Torchline until the morning of the trip, and even then he'd basically thrown whatever he first got his hands on into a bag and swept out of the door half dressed. Does he care that Kia is going to be on her honeymoon, and likely in the same place, and thus the Grounds will be left to fend for itself for a few days?
The answer to that, dear reader, is no.
His region isn't even close to the forefront of his mind, in fact, as he pads across the sand and peeps over his sunnies to spot a fucking barbecue nearby, some people already sat in the shade to enjoy a burger and a glass of something frosty and cold, and he turns to walk backwards to face the butcher as he gestures to it. [say]"C'mon,"[/say] he invites with a fanged smile. [say]"I want to put some meat in your mouth."[/say]
RE: don't go bacon my heart - Kaisel - 05-01-2025
Having seen the notice about the BBQ when leaving from his last mission here, Kaisel knew at once what he had to do. So donning his sandals, blue swim trunks, and his orange button-down shirt with popsicle patterns, Kaisel badgered the hell out of his cousin to come with him. [say]"C'mon, HURRY!"[/say] Kaisel demands as they get back into Torchline, fresh from the sail over. [say]"I don't know when it's gonna start and I'm not gonna miss it because you're too slow."[/say]
Kaisel stops as they near, hands on his hips as he takes a big whiff of all the roasting and delectable meats. [say]"Look at this spread!"[/say] he announces like someone who's discovered a land that's already lived in. Mouth practically watering, he glances back for his cousin, already deciding he's going to smash a fuckton of shrimp.
RE: don't go bacon my heart - Astaroth - 05-01-2025
The warmth of Longheat especially in Torchline is almost on par with the Climb this time of year. Torchline had the palm trees, the sea salt rather than sulfur in the air, the beautiful ocean tipped sunsets. So when Danta had surprised him with the Torchline trip as a vacation the morning they arrived, well… Asta was absolutely looking forward to it. Adorned in his usually Longheat Torchline attire – the billowy floral shirt and shorts to match, he’s left it open enough to see the scars of his chest peeking through.
The crow charm sits on his wrist easily, glinting all kinds of crimson beauty as he takes in the group gathering with smoke and the scent of charred meats. Tearing his gaze away from the scene to land on his lover in his shark shorts, a low laugh leaves him paired with the roll of his eyes, hidden behind the sunglasses on his own face. “[say]Oh?[/say]” He retorts, absolutely following Danta toward it. “[say]You should be quite careful with what you put in there, darling.[/say]” It’s a haughty return, one that’s paired with the arrogant readjustment of his sunglasses, before he winds an arm around Danta’s shoulders once he’s turned him back around to approach the barbeque, spotting a familiar enough figure running it who receives a sharp toothed grin.
RE: don't go bacon my heart - Melita - 05-01-2025
It took very little to lure Melita to any sort of food flare and fanfare, so the fliers were more than enough to have her beelining for the aroma of barbeque and smoked flavors. Her head snapped upwards at the delightful smells, already pinning her hair back from her face as she skipped in. [say]“This smells amazing!”[/say] She cackled with glee towards Ronin, opting to be a polite interloper and drop off some bottles of wine and Hel meat, in case there was anything else they wanted to fire up.
Waving to Dantalion and Astaroth as she began filling up her plate, she bee-bopped around to an duck-decored parasol (obviously), striving to figure out where to start (because um the potatoes? But also maybe the peppers, or the ribs and chicken or…).
RE: don't go bacon my heart - Theea - 05-01-2025
I’ve only just arrived in Torchline—barely off the skyship, still dusted with the scent of wind and wood—but I promised Flora I’d find the Hanged Man first thing. I’ve been winding through the sun-bleached streets ever since, wide-eyed and half-lost, hot, but determined. I'm just starting to think I’ve gone in the wrong direction again when something catches my eye: a flyer fluttering lazily against a post. I freeze, half way through stuffing my jacket into my backpack. I stare at the paper for a moment too long, half expecting the letters to rearrange themselves into something more reasonable. But they don’t. My heart starts thudding, loud and fast and a little giddy with excitement.
It can’t be this easy.
Still, I follow the scent of delicious smoke curling through the streets, my feet moving faster than my head can keep up with. I make it down to the beach and spot a small crowd beginning to gather—strangers laughing, lounging, milling about with plates and drinks in hand. My nerves twist hard. I stay at the edges, trying not to hope too loudly.
And then I see the host.
At the grill, flipping food like he doesn’t have a divine resume longer than my life, is a man in sky-blue trunks and a KISS THE COOK apron.
I almost laugh. Not because it’s funny—but because I’ve spent seasons imagining how hard this would be, how many obstacles I’d have to leap over to even get near them. And yet—there he is. Just a guy with a spatula.
My mouth is suddenly dryer than a bone, and I wished I'd waited and gone to find Flora first. Swiftly, so I don't draw more attention than I already do with my travel clothes and all my belongings, I head for a plate and pile on a couple of chicken wings, eyes flickering constantly back to the grill, waiting to see which powerful person here was Remi.
RE: don't go bacon my heart - Sohalia - 05-01-2025
[say]"Flora, wait -"[/say] Soh hissed as her best friend marched along. The pair were arm in arm, their heads tucked together like sisters, engaged in a whispered argument that Soh was sure she was going to lose. Her golden waves were tied up in a high ponytail that showed off the curve of her neck; she wore a simple tank top and a pair of jean shorts, and she carried a pair of sandals in her free hand.
[say]"But what if he does show up?"[/say] she continued in a whisper, her heart fluttering painfully in her chest. [say]"I mean, we didn't even finish talking before. How am I supposed to know what to say or do or -"[/say] She cut herself off with a huff, her gaze already flitting over the crowd assembled around the barbecue, looking for one particular Dragoon and unsure if she was hoping he was there or wasn't. [say]"This is a terrible idea,"[/say] she muttered.
RE: don't go bacon my heart - Flora - 05-01-2025
[say]"You’re spiralling,"[/say] Flora said breezily, even as she matched Sohalia ’s urgent pace with narrowed eyes and a white-knuckled grip on her hand. Her curls were scraped into a high, wind-snatched bun, gold hoops catching the sun, a gauzy turquoise wrap tied over a cherry-red bikini. Flip-flops smacked lazily against her heels as they crested the final dune above the beach, the scent of grilled heaven already drifting their way like temptation incarnate. [say]"And you’re going to sweat through your nice top if you keep panicking."[/say]
She didn’t have to look to know what—or rather, who—was about to become the problem. Kaisel ’s unmistakable voice carried on the breeze, and where there was Kaisel, there was
Without missing a beat, she halted just shy of the sand proper, turned to Soh, and tugged the sunglasses right off her face. [say]"Right—first thing we’re doing is swapping glasses. Mine are darker, so if you pretend to look at me, you can steal looks over towards them and no one’s gonna know the difference."[/say] She handed over her own shades and settled Soh’s lighter lenses over her face with a wink.
Reaching for Soh’s hand again, she smiled—bright and just a little bit wicked—as they approached the scent of fire and smoke and reckless decisions in swim trunks. [say]"But honestly babe, you're going to be fine. Promise."[/say] Flora was about to say something about how she could channel Remi to just drop onto of Koa, when her gaze snagged on a flash of movement near the food tables. It wasn’t just the unfamiliar face that caught her attention, but the way the girl hovered—like she was trying not to shrink, even though the weight of her nerves practically shimmered off her like heat mirage.
[say]"
Without waiting, she grabbed Sohalia’s hand and veered off-course, dragging her best friend across the sand with the single-minded determination of someone on a mission. [say]"Crisis postponed,"[/say] she muttered, flashing Soh a wink. [say]"We’re making a pit stop. You need a distraction, and she’s brand new."[/say] Closing the distance with a grin that was all sunshine and queenly ease, Flora approached like a wave crashing into warmth. [say]"There you are,"[/say] she beamed, tossing an arm around Theea’s shoulders like they’d known each other for years. She turned slightly, tugging Sohalia forward with her free hand. [say]"This is Sohalia, my best friend. Soh, this is Theea. We love her."[/say]
RE: don't go bacon my heart - Remi - 05-01-2025
The moment the scent of grilled meat reaches the breeze, Remi appears as if summoned by divine right (or maybe it’s just because he follows Ronin like a compass when left unsupervised). Barefoot in the sand and already sun-warmed from the walk down, he squints toward the cookfire with the unmistakable look of a man who's both exasperated and deeply, helplessly in love.
[say]"You know,"[/say] he drawls as he sidles up beside Ronin, lips quirking as he eyes the apron with dramatic distaste, [say]"if you didn’t look so good in that thing, I’d be tempted to shred it into ribbons and use it to tie up an umbrella over the icebox."[/say] His arm slides casually around the Knight’s waist all the same, and he presses a kiss to Ronin’s shoulder in lieu of branding him on the grill like one of the ribs.
Casting a glance across the beach, Remi lifts a hand in a warm wave toward Melita, before nodding in Dantalion and Astaroth 's directions. Then, further along—Flora. He raises a brow toward his daughter and her growing cluster of friends, offering her a small, knowing nod before he ruffles a hand through his own curls as if to shake off the weight of how much she’s grown, and how little he can do to protect her now.
[say]"You want me to grab you something cold to drink?"[/say] he asks Ronin, his voice light and teasing as he glances toward the cooler (aka the domain of Sugar and Spice). [say]"Or are you running on apron confidence and meat alone today?"[/say]
RE: don't go bacon my heart - Theea - 05-01-2025
The second I hear my name—“Theeeeeea!”—I nearly drop my plate.
I spin, half-expecting some kind of mistake, only to see a familiar blur of turquoise wrap charging through the crowd. Flora. She’s like sunlight crashing over the sand, all confidence and color and momentum, and suddenly, I can breathe again.
Relief washes through me as her arm slips around my shoulders like it belongs there. I didn’t realize how tightly I’d been holding myself until that moment—trying to look normal, composed, like someone who belongs at a party hosted by demigods.
[say]“Flora! I didn’t think I’d find you this fast,”[/say] I say with a crooked grin. [say]“I was still heading for the Hanged Man when I saw the flyers.”[/say]
She’s tugged someone along beside her—elegant, blonde, and looking tense as could be. Flora introduces her as Sohalia, her best friend, and I smile automatically at her too, shifting my plate to one hand so I can offer the other.
[say]“Hi! Sorry, I’m fresh off the skyship, lost in just about any social situation.”[/say] My laugh bubbles up a little too nervously when I glance up at Flora. [say]“You’re right in time, I was juuuust about to hide under a table with my snacks.”[/say]
RE: don't go bacon my heart - Vesper - 05-01-2025
Vesper slips onto the scene like a long shadow stretching across hot sand—quiet, unannounced, and sharply defined. His shirt is linen and barely buttoned, loose over swim trunks dark enough to match his mood but light enough to pass for casual. The silver star by his left eye glints faintly in the blaze of midafternoon sun, and the breeze off the surf pulls soft salt through his constellation freckles, scattered faintly across his collarbones like stars melting under heat.
A cursory glance takes in the crowd—who’s here, who’s armed, who’s interesting. No one is. Not at first. So he lets it go.
He doesn’t announce himself to Ronin. Doesn’t need to. The smell of seared meat and wood smoke is invitation enough, and within moments he’s helped himself to a plate. Deviled eggs, halved with clinical precision, and a skewer stacked with charred shrimp, seared pineapple, and flowery vegetables that look far too pretty to trust but smell divine.
He crosses to the shade of a nearby parasol, the kind that's bright enough to be a warning flag. Shadows lap at his heels, low and loose, content to stay dormant for once. One hand toys absently with the rings on his fingers, while the other lifts a bite of egg to his mouth. The heat rolls in waves, and Vesper doesn't mind it—LongHeat presses against his skin like something alive, but it's real, grounding.
He eats in silence, eyes scanning the crowd. Not for trouble. Just for Nova. Caly. Jack. Even his newest brother; anyone who might warrant something more than a glance. Until then, he's content to be a spectre in the shade, all quiet edges and lazy smirks, watching the world flicker around the fire.
RE: don't go bacon my heart - Hadama - 05-01-2025
Hadama arrived alone and shirtless, as was customary for one half of Torchline's ruling team. As he swam up onto the beach and swapped out fins for legs he revealed his favorite pair of business casual swim trunks: navy blue and covered in flaming pineapples. His expression was as serenely stoic as ever, his steel-silver hair pinned back in a loose braid, his accessories glinted in silver and gold from the dark canvas of his gold-scarred skin. He squeezed the sea from his hair and nodded in greeting to his friends already gathered for the party, of which there were already many - along with several new faces, he was quietly pleased to note.
But first he approached the grill to deliver a freshly filleted slab of mahi mahi as long as his arm to the master of the barbecue. He inclined his head to Remi and then looked to the Bastion's husband, studying Ronin's apron with a thoughtful look on his face.
"Ronin. Could you tell me where you acquired that from?" A politely bland inquiry as he chose a skewer of rhampire meat from the assembled offerings.
RE: don't go bacon my heart - Nova - 05-02-2025
Of course it's not a party until Nova arrives.
She's only fashionably late because she insisted on weaving rainbow ribbons into the brim of her hat, adding a little bit of glitter for some extra pizzazz. It goes perfectly with her vibrant pink and orange bathing suit that peeks out from the shear white cover dress she wears. It even compliments the teal strip in her blonde hair (because rainbows go with everything and she won't hear otherwise).
Music and laughter have her humming, rays of sun giving her skin a budding tan, and familiar faces at every turn. She starts to wave at a few -
RE: don't go bacon my heart - Sohalia - 05-02-2025
Flora was right. She was spiraling. She needed to get a grip. As Kaisel had so recently pointed out, she was the Luminary, and she was fierce, and she was done letting the confusing emotions of a boy dictate how she ran her life.
Right. Keep telling yourself that, Soh.
After trading sunglasses, Flora tugged her along - and promptly got distracted. With a cry of delight, she dragged Soh after her to greet someone Soh had never met. The girl had dark hair and gorgeous blue eyes, and despite her tension, Soh offered a friendly smile. Taking