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Trinity’s answer regarding if Andy thought he was the same wasn’t completely assuring. Being in the same circumstances still sucked. Which was what Trinity was getting at. If he wasn’t too upset he would have given a quick touché to her. 

[color=#66356a]“There’s no Andy rulebook,”[/color] she told him. Well obviously otherwise he’d take a chapter or two for reference. But it seemed that was Trinity terminating the conversation and being done. [color=#66356a]“But, not much is accomplished by silence and distance.”[/color] She continued after a moment. Her advice was probably her definition of helpful, and while not the worst by her standards or others, it was still sharp and to the point. There was no romantic gestures or suggestions to woo her, or even a suggestion to give her space and time in that real hippy dippy way, just a [i]‘don’t ignore her.’[/i]

[color=#66356a]“You don’t have to take a backseat. Show some backbone.”[/color] 

He cupped the shoulder she hit. [i]Case in point.[/i]

Still, Mason rolled it over in his mind. There was a medium to be achieved he just didn’t know how. He didn’t want brief encounters with Andy, he didn’t want them to keep dodging each other, he wanted to be [i]with[/i] her. He knew he was going to talk to her, he had to but there was no saying how that would go. [color=B45F06]“I’m just letting her enjoy the night a little first,”[/color] he murmured, looking over at her again.

He didn’t know if he had ever heard Trinity growl a warning at him before. It wasn’t wise to provoke the kid’s of Ares by any means but he stood by what he said. After all Wes was the one that came to him after a private conversation then tried to play cupid unwelcomingly. 

He was most surprised to see Trinity pay him so-so credit for saying it was none of their business. [color=#66356a]“True. Except when you see someone you adore in turmoil, you’re not gonna just sit by. At least I’m not going to.”[/color] [i]Almost.[/i] Of course she had a reason and defense because everything was a battle. 

Like it was to battle the thought of Wes and Alex. [color=#66356a]“I would hope not,”[/color] she seemed to growl. 

Mason buried his hands in his pockets and smirked, while she gathered herself for calm happy thoughts instead. [color=#66356a]“I’ve asked and tried to be the [i]sympathetic partner[/i], because they were friends but he seems okay.”[/color]

The emphasis didn’t go unnoticed. [color=B45F06]“Pssht,”[/color] he rolled his eyes and dismissed the fairytale ending. [color=B45F06]“Whatever keeps you from murder.”[/color]

Mason caught the shimmer of something in his peripheral before the shape came into full focus. [color=#c9bef3]"You both look great,"[/color] Blair greeted offering him some reprieve. She was wearing some silver sparkly dress that showed her slender body type with curves emphasized in the right places. [color=#c9bef3]"Especially you, Mason."[/color] A smirk slipped by his lips seeing her check him out before he immediately snapped himself out of it. She was undeniably hot and clearly she had similar thoughts on him but he didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize his chances with Andy who meant definitively more than eyeing some girl.

Before he could remind Blair, she spoke. [color=#c9bef3]"I know, I know. ‘Never gonna happen,’"[/color] she recited. Mason glanced to Trinity quickly in case she thought he ever indulged her. [color=#c9bef3]"Look, the whole camp knows there’s trouble in paradise, and who am I to get in the way of true love?"[/color]

Mason sighed out. Apparently it had been a bit of everyone’s business. If there ever was a next time he’d be sure to hide it a lot better.

[color=#c9bef3]"But if that—"[/color] she gestured to Andy vaguely [color=#c9bef3]"—falls through, my bed is always open."[/color]

[color=B45F06]“I bet,”[/color] he responded dismissively. Once upon a time he would have jumped at the chance to bed a girl like Blair. Someone to make you forget things for a wildly pleasurable time instead. Then she would have had her taste and maybe been less interested and provocative towards him.

Then it hit. He was forced to consider and pay her words some actual mind. If Andy and him fell through, he wasn’t sure what he’d do other than be more unhappy. He probably would fall into some worse patterns, turn destructive and leave Hades’ mark on camp.

[color=#c9bef3]"Anyway, toodles!"[/color] She offered them both a smile and little wave.

[color=B45F06]“See you,”[/color] he replied a little distantly. Because liked or not, Blair was hard not to see at the party in a sparkly dress.

Trinity scoffed her disapproval, but Mason thought they got off light compared to how Eve pursued men. [color=B45F06] “She’s mostly harmless. But don’t worry, she’ll get bored.”[/color]

[color=#66356a]“[i]Anyway,[/i]”[/color] she began in attempt to get things back on track. [color=#66356a]“What’s your problem with Wesley?”[/color]

[color=B45F06][i]He’s a disgraceful Valis kiss ass who tried to justify the murder, he’s costing camp a valuable warrior because he can’t do anything, then tried to invite himself into mine and Andy’s business after a private conversation.[/i][/color] That was his true answer. Maybe if somebody else had been in front of him and asked that’s what he’d tell them. But this was Trinity. [color=B45F06]“No problem. Just…”[/color] he inhaled and shook off the itch to insult Wes, [color=B45F06] “mad I didn’t get credit for my own dress up.”[/color] He smoothed down his shirt.

Before she could interrogate further or catch him in his poor lie, Mason looked off, wide eyed. [color=B45F06] “Did that guy just pinch Andy’s butt?”[/color] No sooner than when Trinity turned, Mason walked off. In a lose either way scenario, it was something Mason had to resort to. He smiled a little to himself that an old trick was still effective. 

[color=B45F06]“I’ve got it,”[/color] he called back to her in assurance as he headed for a drink. For them, it was assuring he had the Andy thing under control. For anyone else, he was simply getting a drink for him and potentially his friend.

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[color=808080][b]interactions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] Trinity, Blair [color=2e2c2c]...............[/color] [b]mentions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] Andy, Wes [/color]
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Iliana was surprisingly candid in what Duke thought was some idle chatter, asking each other how they were, but he had to admit it was refreshing. It meant it wasn’t just some empty filler for her and she was genuine. Even when he asked if she drank, she admitted her age and drink of choice and a bad experience with Scottish Whiskey. He may not have been overly receptive but he was listening.

[color=#4a766e]"I'd rather eat first. I can always talk with others afterwards. Besides, we haven't really talked much either, that is, if it's okay with you. I am trying to get better socializing, but I know I'll never be like Andy or Nelly."[/color]

Duke laughed once though he didn’t think Iliana was aiming for humor. [color=851f1f]“It may not be polite but you can eat and talk.”[/color] Duke shoved a mouthful of food into his mouth, chewed and swallowed then held out his cutlery filled hands pointedly. [color=851f1f]“See?”[/color] But he knew depending on where she came from, talking at dinner itself could be counted as rude. 

[color=851f1f]“It’s fine. You can stick around as long or little as you like,”[/color] he said next in regards to her asking if it was okay to accompany him. [color=851f1f]“I think you’re doing pretty well so far,”[/color] he offered. [color=851f1f]“It’s tacky and corny but you don’t have to be like them, just be yourself. If that makes you a little quieter or more reserved, so be it.”[/color] Duke would rather someone be true to themselves time and time again than the alternative.

Shovel after shovel of food fell into his mouth. Since Iliana chose him as a current exercise partner for getting better at socializing, he wagged his fork and put an enclosed fist at his mouth until the latest mouthful was gone. [color=851f1f]“How do you think you’re doing?”[/color] He wore a pensive expression.

[color=851f1f]“Are there people you want to especially get to know?”[/color] He gestured vaguely to the party. He wondered if she was someone who went for power or kindness or just let a cat’s curiosity guide her, which he’d advise against. Sometimes you didn’t know what you were stepping into until too late but having some awareness or aim helped. 

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[color=808080][b]interactions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] Iliana [color=2e2c2c]...............[/color] [b]mentions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] none [/color]
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