#anywhere

"Have you thoughts about what you would like to do? With your future, if you could?" Polite conversation.

Chelsea grits her teeth in a faux smile "You and Chloe already bored me with this question, remember?"

"I'm sorry." contritely "You're right. What would you like to talk about?'

"What the hell happened to Chloe? She didn't used to be a buzzkill and so preachy"

"Ah. That, ah.... might be my responsibility." August admits "I should say, however, she's had an unforeseen influence on me. I'm not as 'uptight' as I used to be."

"I mean, the slashing the tires pisses me off, but it's the least surprising. The lecture though" grousing "Like she's better than me because she'd boohoo over some fisherman"

"I have to admit, I don't understand it myself. Had he harmed or insulted you in some way?"

"No, I didn't even see him" She shrugs "Not my point really . My point is, it's over, why did she have to act like it was such a big deal?"

"I imagine because she believes it is a big deal, but perhaps not for the reason you might think. I -am- glad you saw your way clear to providing medical care fo the man, even if it was a matter of expedience." gently.

She shrugs "Meh"

A few more bites as August considers "You enjoy parties, then? And swimming, pools? What else do you enjoy?"

"Well, if the guy is cute and attentive... " She doesn't go into specifics there.

"Ah, yes, of course." How the hell did Chloe end up with a blusher??

"Are there any charities you support? Or, ah, sports?"

"Charities? " A shrugg "Depends o what's in. I mean, I'm supporting trans rights now, gets me more hits on Social media"

August takes a drink of wine.

"I wondwr how many you'd get with photos showing your support. I mean on scene photos. Or live streaming."

"I get enough but I'm not ggoing to work at it" An eye roll "Besides, right now it's trans rights, but soon it will be Afghanni women or some such... you have to stay current"

"There certainly will never be a derth of causes." He agrees.

"Look, I just want to do my own self care, okay? And I can't do that cut off from the green"

"No one could expect you to, not really." The handsome man soothes.

"My parents do" A huff

"Why do bad things happen to me?"

"Karma?" he suggests with sobriety that must be innocent of all malice......

For a moment it eludes her, then she glares, but.. the innocent look seems to work

"Do you believe in any of that stuff?" he takes a bite, chews.

"Oh I'm not religious" she says

"No." he murmurs.

He sets down his silverware with a frown, troubled.

The food served, is delicious.

"Look, I like fashion, I like the beach, I like partyinn"

"Hm? Ah, yes. Yes. Fashion. I have a friend who patronizes the fashion industry."

Even with the change of subject there are some troubled lines still on his brow.

It would appear either Chelsea doesn't notice, or doesn't care about his troubled brow, "Oh really? Who's your friend? Maybe I've got one of their designs?"

"I don't believe she designs. She may inspire designs."

"Oh, yeah, I'm an influencer too"

"How many followers do you influence?" with a tilt of his head.

"Well, okay, maybe a thousand..." She shrugs "But it's a QUALITY thousand.. and it's more hits than followers...."

"Which, obviously, is the entire -point-." August agrees; my God, he knows something about this?

A dubious look but then "You didn't seem the social media type"

"I can't honestly say I am, but one picks things up, yes?"

"The important things."

"Huh, guess you have to be smart to train to be a lawyer"

"I'm not sure I'll ever be a lawyer; but I hope I can help others, somehow, with what I learn." genuine, sincere, unbelievable modesty.

"Sounds boring" She observes

"Helping others?"

"Yeah, dull" she eats

"Chelsea.... have you never needed help?" gently.

"I suppose." She rolls her eyes

"It isn't easy to admit. I know." he nods, sips his wine.