irisxanthe

[irisxanthe]

Things can be better in some places, that's what it is. That's not as pretty. Some parents are so stressed or so preoccupied with their own lives that they don't know how to manage children. But also...they need to focus on the children first and foremost. I bet, but you've got to keep your place looking normal.

Exactly. The skies are always sunnier? Or if we're in a drought, then it's the water is always higher, or something like that. We could come up with a whole slew of things that count. Mhm, it's also a big 'suck' to realise that they're coming from somewhere that's making them terrible. I don't know if many parents realise letting their kids run amok in the waiting room means treating every public place like a playground, but there have been a few times I've had to ask them to wait outside. Just as embarrassing to ask!

[irisxanthe]

Just don't go on any boats when I'm there. Ever. except for maybe the Gala, there's enough eyes on both of us that it'll be pretty hard to toss you overboard, after all, but...the temptation will still be there, especially when you're in your Gucci.

That's true, and we can't waste our time worrying about what people who don't even have functioning brains are thinking about our every move. Obviously. Oh, perfect, so that's how my Gala is going to go? Unless you're planning something sooner, I guess I'll avoid getting into any kind of boat, just in case you get ideas. Beach party and all.

[irisxanthe]

Well, they have brains, the brains just don't work right and not because of any valid reason. Just because they're bad people. I'm deeply hoping to throw you off of a boat into the ocean at some point this summer. Ideally with no witnesses, you know?

Because life is far too short to waste your time worrying about what other people think, especially when those other people don't even really have brains to have thoughts with. Just saying. Not that I want to shit talk anyone or anything, but if the shoe fits… They didn't! Although summer's just starting, there's plenty of time for you to take one for the team and toss me in a body of water, I guess.

[irisxanthe]

"Not intentionally but I do see them on my feed now and then, it's the sort of thing that can't be avoided once you watch one singular video about food." Iris shook her head. "Oh, you're a real gentleman, Darrius. Has anyone ever told you that?" She nudged her shoulder against him, even if it was more of an elbow to arm situation with their heights.

"Do you watch a lot of people on social media who do those videos?" The ones where they came up with the most god awful categories and even worse items, and somehow made you gag by the end of it. Or at least, that was how it felt to Darrius. "See! I told you!" but he was laughing as he said it, leading the way over to a nearby table as the ice cream was placed on the counter for them. "I've got napkins and spoons here."

[irisxanthe]

That whole expression about the grass not being greener, right? But it's about the weather and how much more terrible the weather could be and how lucky we are that it's not terrible. Kids are...people, so it's not surprising that some are terrible. It just sucks to see that the terrible-ness of it all starts at such a young age, you know?

That's how it always works out, we want one thing until we get it, and then we go right back to missing what we didn't want. Feels like a conundrum of just being alive! Cool nights, there's something about them with the clear skies, though, that make me love summer no matter how awful the days are. That's very true, I think for me it does depend on the kids in question. Some are wonderful to work with, others show up and you think to yourself, I wish my day was already over.

[irisxanthe]

No? That checks out. You only care what you think, that's one thing I've learned about you. He's a great cat nephew, he's just a cat being a cat, you know? It can't be helped if he thinks you're sort of weird and offputting. That's right, and the lesbians didn't even throw you into the lake. Unfortunately.

Exactly right. Except for the part with the neighbors, 'cuz that's true and all, but I'm just not sure that I care all that much about what the neighbors think about our garbage collection. If they want to waste their time thinking and caring about it, then that's on them! Not me. Yeah, yeah. I'll admit it. But he needs to admit he's a bad cat nephew in return! I'm glad, too, we made it through another Merrock Pride weekend, we deserve an award.

[irisxanthe]

"You know putting things into little categories to order them is one of life's greatest joys." She meant it, that's the fucked up thing. Iris loved some nice organizing of ideas into categories. "I got them all, yeah. And I'm beginning to see why you were so daunted by...everything. But we don't have to eat it all."

"Hey," he raised both hands with a laugh, nodding his head, "if you want to rank things, there's no way I'm going to say no." It could end up being a lot of fun, a long list of Darrius and Iris's favorite ice cream flavors for Pride Weekend. He bet that it would become famous, become the kind of thing people relied on to figure out what to eat… or not, oh well. "Got them all?" he asked after Iris finished, stepping off to the side to wait for the very large order to be filled.

[irisxanthe]

"See, I wouldn't torture us like that," she commented. "One dip of every special flavor, yeah. And then we can rank them. Do you like to rank things? We're doing it." She stepped up to the counter, a bit too eagerly making the order, and asking for them in dishes.

"Alright... since you suggested doing it half and half, I think we can do that," it was still going to be too much ice cream and one (or both) of them was definitely going to end up sick, but it would be worth a shot, none the less. "So... we want one dip of every special flavor? We're really doing this?"

[irisxanthe]

"Just let it eat you and embrace your fate, better than suffering." Iris nodded solemnly. "The goats don't die, though, they just pass out. Though I suppose they could die from it? I Haven't looked into it?" She laughed along with her friend. "That's why my last few blood tests have come back inconclusive..."

"Just die immediately," she said with a nod of her head, "I mean, honestly, what's the alternative? Scream, and nothing happens, and the sea monster ends up eating me whole?" she scoffed, shaking her head, "I'll just be like one of those fainting goats. I see it, and pass out, and then die." Easy as that, really, problem solved. "It's basically what our blood is made out of... and I might not even be joking."

[irisxanthe]

That's a good way to approach it. Like sure...you can cook food, but you'll also never eat everything good out there in the world. But sometimes when you have takeout, you do have to deal with the trash and then your neighbor sees you take out five hundred pizza boxes. See, you finally said the truth there. you're an awful cat uncle, I hope you know. I'm glad we didn't let you on the lesbian float.

There's too much good food out there that I don't have to cook, why would I want to spend the time in the kitchen that could be spent doing… pretty much anything else? Just saying. And I fully agree -- not to mention the fact that you don't have to wash the dishes when you go out to eat. I'm not afraid of him, I just don't particularly like him very much, there's a huge difference there! Nope, everyone will just accept it, since I'm that kind of person.

[irisxanthe]

"No, Darrius. I'm deadly serious. It's the right and gay thing to do." Iris nodded solemnly at him, knowing that he could be convinced. Maybe. "And if we halve it, it's not so bad, right? This weekend only happens once a year, you know?"

WHO: Darrius & OPEN.

WHERE: The Creamery

WHEN: Pride Weekend (June, 2025)

"But... you're joking when you say that you want to try every Pride flavor, right?" Darrius asked, turning to look at the person next to him in line, a skeptical look on his face before he dropped his gaze back down to the specials board. "That's... it would be a lot of dips of ice cream for one person, is all I'm saying."

[irisxanthe]

"That's probably the smart move, in case it really is a sea monster. What would you even do in that situation? Scream? Die immediately?" She laughed. She'd probably be too surprised and morbidly curious to do that just yet, but it was still a thought. "Margs don't really need a reason, you're right. They're just a thing that happens to us."

"Always, always assume that it's a seaweed," she agreed with a curt, decisive nod of her head, "because if you think too much about all of the other things that it could be, then you're going to end up never going into the ocean again." And that would be a shame when they lived in Merrock… right out on the ocean. But, having grown up there, Livvy had yet to be dragged out to sea by some horrible monster, and that had to mean something. "I'm pretty pro us having margs no matter what, anyway -- like, there's very few things on this planet that could make me say no to that."

[irisxanthe]

Some people like to cook and I respect them and like to have them in my life, I just never, ever could be one of them. Food made by other people always tastes better, no matter what you tell me. He doesn't hate you, he just senses that you're a bit afraid of him and takes advantage of that fact, you have to be brave. Oh, I'm sure you will, and no one will be confused.

The leftovers are really what it's all about. Sometimes I really, really don't want to cook and you bring something home so very tasty that I almost like you. You hate him because he's the best boy that lives in our house, I'll have you know. Damn, you better. I can get you some matching boots to go with it, too, and some hairclips.

[irisxanthe]

I fear you're going to have to wait just a few more weeks. By July it'll be nice and warm and you'll be wishing for the cold, but we still get cool nights. Hey, there's some joy ot be found in that, right? I know at my job I love when the kids show up for summer.

Not that I'm complaining, and not that I'm one to talk about the weather, but how is it still so cool in June? Where's the humidity, the heat, the perils of summer? I almost feel like we've done something to deserve this, but whether it's good or bad, I have no idea. Are you ready for school to be out? I have a feeling the programme at Harmony is going to be swamped. @merrock .

[irisxanthe]

The leftovers are really what it's all about. Sometimes I really, really don't want to cook and you bring something home so very tasty that I almost like you. You hate him because he's the best boy that lives in our house, I'll have you know. Damn, you better. I can get you some matching boots to go with it, too, and some hairclips.

It's in the designer clothes and, more importantly, all the good leftovers that I bring home with me after a busy day. I just express my love a little differently! I… don't have any comment where Maurice is concerned, though, I'm not going to get myself into trouble. Besides, I'm always a gentleman! You just don't notice it. Oh yeah -- I have to remember to don my lesbian flag dress when we go out partying at Vibrations this year.

[irisxanthe]

"The saltwater it feels less...disgusting when something slimy touches you. Or there's enough of a doubt that it's what it is, so you can pretend it's seaweed." Iris shook her head. She didn't mind that much, but it would take perhaps some liquid courage to get in the water. "It all comes out in the wash, right? And then after everything comes out in the wash, we can have margs."

"Right! It's not even the temperature that's going to be the hard no -- a cold dip can feel great in the right circumstances, but… it should feel refreshing, not disgusting," she shook her head. "I'll wait until I'm home, take a dip in the ocean. At least that's just saltwater," and it was less of a hassle to have to wash off salt and sand when you had an outdoor shower. Blessings of living on the coast. "Probably a pro, in terms of not making fools of ourselves in front of everyone on vacation. But… maybe a con for the same reason?"

[irisxanthe]

Where is the love, though? I have never once felt it, and my beloved Maurice never feels it from you. I want you to be not around me at all, but you have to be, so you should be a gentleman. Well, I thought you'd know since you're the king of lesbians in charge of the lesbian float.

That's fair. Though you're not exactly not a douchebag now, it's just that you're only really a douche to me and a few select others. Everyone else gets this nice, charming gentleman which I think is unfair. What does behaving look like for you, though, Ryder? Because I think it's a bit different than it is for other people. I'll do better, especially next month at pride.