15768/A Beautiful Afternoon by the Pool

A Beautiful Afternoon by the Pool
Date of Scene:	31 August 2023
Location:	Swimming Pool / Patio Deck
Synopsis:	Lorna runs into Raven by the Xavier mansion pool. A conversation is shared before once again the royal fetuses kick Her Majesty's bladder too much.
Cast of Characters:	Raven Darkholme, Lorna Dane

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Raven Darkholme has posed:
Even with classes in full swing, Raven had continued to remain at the mansion to nag the X-Men profusely... daily, about going out to get her daughter Rogue. Finally the plan was set in motion and the bluetant could take a moment to actually try and relax. To that end she had chosen the swimming pool during class time, when the students would all be busy.

Presently there is a large pitcher of iced tea resting on the table, with several glass sitting around it. Only one has tea in it, complete with a straw, the others are empty in case someone else might want some. Raven was a terrorist, not a completely rude hostess. On a plate by the iced tea were some lemon meringue cookies carefully protected by a net shaped cloche over the top, a stack of napkin held down by what looks like a lemon shaped paper weight.

Raven is presently swimming one of many laps across the pool, dressed in a white bikini that ties in place at the neck, back and both hips. A towel sits on the edge of the pool by the ladder, ready for when she decides to climb out.

Lorna Dane has posed:
    There's a solid groan from a woman walking up behind Raven. "My legs and shoulders are freakin' killing me today." Lorna says as she slowly rolls over herself somehow to lay down on the lounger. A large straw sunhat flops down over one shoulder before she rolls her head back and looks up to make the brim flop away from her vision allowing her face to be seen by Raven.

    "Hey good lookin'." Lorna teases as she pushes herself back deeper into the long chair and rests her hands on her obvious belly. "You know I'd go help Rogue, but ... yeah." She says, patting her belly softly again, and frowning. "I do want you to take Montana." She says with a stern kind of a look towards Raven.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
At the end of the last lap, Raven pulls herself out of the pool and stands, wrapping the towel around herself as she walks slowly around to where Lorna is sitting.

"I know you would help if you could," she says, checking the area around the mansion out of habit before resting her rump on the chair next to Lorna's.

Reaching to pour some of the iced tea into a glass, it is offered to Lorna as she says, "Where would you like me to take Montana? Am I performing open aggression against the US or...?"

Lorna Dane has posed:
    Lorna takes the offered tea and purses her lips around the straw, holding it carefully so she doesn't have to hunt for it with her face, "I want you to take Montana to help you with rescuing your daughter..." She says eventually, reaching up and taking the hat off and setting it on the corner of her chair, out of the way. "Also... you don't need to use towels, do you?" Lorna asks with a raise of her eyebrow and a smirk on her lips.

    "I mean, you can take whoever you want, and there's nothing specific about Montana, I just... am upset I can't REALLY help."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Picking up her own glass of iced tea, a smile plays on Raven's lips before her the outer layer of her seems to roll like magnetic sand, head to toes, and the water is just gone.

"I don't need towels, they're just soft and lovely," she replies with a chuckle, then reaches over to rest a hand on Lorna's shoulder.

"There are a great many things you should be upset about," she continues. "The state of the world, the price of gasoline, the fact that right now you can't drink caffeine or go in a hot tub." She give Lorna's shoulder a gentle pat. "You shouldn't be upset about not being able to help right now. At this moment in time you are housing three individuals, and your most important job is to keep them safe."

Lorna Dane has posed:
    Looking down, the black and white floral pattern on her dress looking almost like velvet, but it's soft breathable cotton, and brushing a hand against herself again, "I know, and I'm keeping them safe, but it's still freaking me out some times. I mean, I got a big enough tub up stairs and back at the capitol that I'm not really hurting for a hot tub." Lorna says with a smirk as she finally looks back up to Raven. "I really want some sushi, but fried rice is going to be enough for me. Especially with lots of that yum yum sauce and a nice pickle." She says with a big sarcastic smile before reaching out to put her hand on Raven's hand. "You have yours to worry about more than me right now. Okay?"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Raven's smile broadens before she sets the iced tea down on the table and moves to sit herself on the lower part of Lorna's lounger. "There are a large number of things you can have," she offers, then reaches to start massaging Lorna's feet, ankles and calves, all the parts she herself knows would be hurting.

"I can send people anywhere in the world for anything you want to eat and drink," she then offers. "You can't have sushi, but how about a lovely baked salmon to go with your rice and yum yum sauce, and pickle of course? Yes, I have things to worry about, places I should be, things I should be doing, but right now... I can't do anything but wait until tomorrow."

Gentle, soft hands work the muscles carefully, finding the knots and smoothing them. "So for this moment, I'm right here with you, and honestly... I really don't want to be anywhere else." She glances toward the mansion a moment before adding, "I saw Lydia the other day, and I didn't lose myself to the pain or run away from it. I'm growing."

Lorna Dane has posed:
    "I didn't say anything about it, but I saw her at the town hall." Lorna says, not making eye contact in the moment, and doing her best to NOT think about the way her feet were hurting until Raven did her magical finger work on her poor little piggies.

    "Ew, no. No fish." Lorna says with a wrinkle of her nose and a laugh following. "Nothing slimey... it gives me the heebie jeebies." The queen explains but then rolls forwards to sit on her bottom instead of laying down and her belly taking up a portion of her lap. "I don't want you to be anywhere else either, but I also know you're worried and that worry means you can't really relax or slow down. I can only imagine the adrenaline pumping through you right now... Despite your years of practice and self control and experience." Lorna says with a shrug and a hand trying to reach out and take Raven's. "But here. This always makes me feel better." She says and places Raven's hand against her belly.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
A soft laugh is offered at the 'ew' regarding fish. Raven remembered that when she carried Kurt, it was chicken that made her sick, so she totally understood that ew. As for the comments regarding Lydia, she let it go now... she merely needed to admit it to someone.

"What protein would you like with that rice then?" she then asked, still chuckling. "You need lots of protein... and yes, I admit it is difficult for me to hold it together and not be climbing the walls. I really would like to already have Rogue back in Jean's arms where she belongs, but... I have to wait and thus, I deal with being wound..."

She hadn't expected Lorna to take her hand, let alone place it on her swollen belly. Admittedly Raven had been wanting to feel the royal fetuses for a long time, but that wasn't something you just walked up and did. "You must get kicked so much," she breathes out as her face softens, the mask sliding away into a moment of pure joy over babies.

Lorna Dane has posed:
    "Oh chicken for sure. But you're not pregnant, so yeah. Chicken." Lorna explains and then takes a deep breath before leaning back and giving Raven all the room she could want to touch her belly. It doesn't take long before one of the three children bumps, punches, kicks or does something within the 'royal womb' and Raven can feel that movement within Lorna. "They keep me up at night sometimes with all the movement." She says with a soft sigh and a softer look towards Raven.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
It is entirely possible that Raven didn't quite hear everything Lorna said, at least not in the moment it was said. Her brain caught it, stored it away and then allowed her to remember there was a conversation being had.

"Fried, roasted, baked, or barbeque chicken?" she asks, moving her hand ever so slightly.

When she felt the first kick her eyes light up like the forth of July and the fireworks just continue as each one of the three makes themselves known. Sure, the world could be ending at this very moment, ninjas could be prowling up on them, missiles could be headed their way, and all Raven's brain and body language screams is, 'Babies!!!'

Leaning closer to Lorna's stomach Raven whispers, "You three need to be nice to each other, don't make your momma have to pee all the time, let her get some sleep."

Lorna Dane has posed:
    "Oh god. All the time-" Lorna pauses abruptly and starts to try to stand back up, obviously using Raven's shoulders and back to help herself back to her feet. "Speaking of." She says as she starts to move back towards the mansion. "Barbeque!" Lorna says over her shoulder with a hint of a shout as she wants to be heard as she meanders back towards the doors.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Raven stops what she is doing to help Lorna get to her feet, no hesitation, right there and willing to help.

"I'll have your rice and yum yum sauce collected, and barbeque chicken from Louisiana delivered by the time you come back." She calls over as Lorna heads inside, then she moves to set up am umbrella over the loungers, adjust the table for eating and puts cushions on one of the benches so that when Lorna returns she can have a nice, comfortable place to eat her meal.