chasin' all of these shadows

cameron sat on a piece of driftwood, far enough away from people that she didn't even look like she belonged to the crowd. her eyes followed the group of rowdy men who were making a ruckus closer to the glowing flame, recognizing several of them as having been friends with her older brother at one time. the memories of her brother were often filled with sorrow, and her expression was down-turned when she found her. the stranger immediately drew cameron's attention - she'd seen her earlier when she'd arrived - and her eyes turned downwards to the drink in her hand. a wry grin plucked up the corners of her lips and her eyes turned contemplative. "you come with gifts? really know how to charm a girl."

zola's eyes were drawn to cameron's lips the moment they curved, if anything than just to note all the little details in the shift in expression. she liked details, where things liked to hide. "it pays to make a good first impression." her gaze met cameron's again, and the corners of her own lips moved until they resembled something close to a grin. without waiting for her to take it herself, zola balanced a drink in one hand, the other settled against the crook of her elbow, reaching her free hand out to lightly take one of the woman's hands. her fingers trailed against the back of cameron's hand until she flattened it against the side of the coconut, pressing it into her hand. then, without needing an invitation, she sat down beside her. "besides, does it really count as a gift if it was free for the masses? pretty sure the most i did was save you a walk, and maybe from an awkward conversation or two."

alexa shook her head as she let out a light laugh. having a favorite implied they had multiple, a kind of wealth she couldn't quite wrap her head around. "hey, i'm always up little revenge." one hand lifted to the blonde's cheek while she let the other be guided up aoife's thigh, fingers brushing lightly over soft skin not yet reaching where she's needed the most. alexa leaned in, plump lips grazing aoife's own. "i have a feeling it'll be yours too once i'm done with you.. if you can handle it, that is."

her mouth pulled into something a little more devious when alexa confirmed she was up for a dash of revenge. honestly, aoife had figured she would be and that was exactly why she'd gone for it in the first place. she pressed her cheek against alexa's hand, only partially to play things up. it was that or she'd urge her hand further up, and she was content enough that her fingers were still moving for the time being. aoife dropped her hand from alexa's, lips twitching with amusement at the contact. "if i can handle it? i resent that. i can handle plenty, thank you very much."

"it would have to be a big one." zola insisted. "with activities. i need enrichment." and a nice plump couch to nap on, possibly. or, like, a beanbag, or a hammock - whatever, the specifics weren't important here, she'd think about it later. "pest control, mainly." her brows drew together in utmost seriousness, until she brought the joint to her lips and took a deep inhale. by the time she'd exhaled and the smoke was starting to dissipate, a loose smile was back on her lips, that little gleam in her eyes that always veered dreamy. "think more fully walled. like a little cabin." zola tapped the ash away, head tilting as she continued the thought. "or cabins. in different trees, connected by those swinging rope bridges."

saffron hadn't seen jade in ages, but she did wonder if the other woman kept up with the going ons of home. the hug registered, but saffron returned it awkwardly - out of practice with gestures of affection and love. honestly, she couldn't remember the last time she'd been hugged, which was quite sad when she thought about it. starved of affection, she hung on a little tighter than was probably appropriate after the initial second of shock. finally, heart beating loudly in her ears, she broke away with an awkward smile in place. "uh," floundering for a moment, she breathed in deeply, trying to get herself together for the conversation. "i'm filming a television show, actually." nodding, her hands found each other and she fidgeted with the fingers of her right. "what about you? do you.." glancing back at the restaurant, she could admit that it would be nice to have company. "do you want to eat? i was headed to get dinner."

every time jade made the trip back home to see her parents, running into familiar faces was pretty much a guarantee. there were a handful of people she hadn't seen in the years that had trickled by since high school and they'd gone their separate ways. saffron was one of the people that she wondered about - the usual, what she was doing now, how she'd been since their teens years had come to an end. if she was doing better. jade noticed the hesitancy in the hug but it didn't deter her; it didn't feel like the woman was uncomfortable, that would have been the deal breaker. instead, she made sure to give her an extra squeeze before they pulled away. "oh." she blinked, not expecting the answer since it wasn't a typical one. she could see it, though. "that's cool. what's it about?" an easy smile found her lips and she nodded. "i'm a wildlife photographer, here to, you know… photograph the wildlife." she shook her head at the stupid joke but her smile didn't budge. "great minds. i'd love to get dinner, that way we can catch up properly."