2; THE BEACH EPISODE

[medicgunner]

WHO: Everyone!!
WHERE: Starting on the network, then The Beach!
WHEN: Forward dated to the last weekend of August
WHAT: Beach Episode!!
WARNINGS: None hopefully??



[With no context, no preamble, no nothing. Early on the last weekend of August, Eunie greeted the network with a message.]

text; un: fortuneclovers

hey
Eunie here, changed my un
so this month was fuckin awful
im goin to the beach. Maybe have a little fun there to get the mind off all the bullshit
if you’re seein this youre invited too. come on and lets have a good time, bring what you want

Oh yeah
im bringin a volleyball for the nets
anyone who wants a game come at me. >:)

🌭 getting grilled

[So ended the text one humble weekend morning. Eunie didn’t have specific plans for this, she just sort of ran off and invited the whole app to the beach without considering the logistics. She did say to bring what you want but she was social enough to arrange some things for a bit of a beach gathering.

It wasn’t a lot, a few coolers and BBQ grills people can hand around and either loiter or cook at if they have the capability. If they don’t though they will be removed from the grill. But maybe that’s part of the fun.]

🌊 ocean owned

[Aside from the coolers, there’s obviously the beautiful sea people can surf or swim in all they want! The water is fine, a little cold but in a way that felt refreshing from the hottest days of the last legs of summertime. The tides were even and there was no real risk of drifting away, but don’t go too far out unless you’re a strong swimmer. There are lifeguards on duty but we’ve had enough trauma this month, we don’t need a drowning scare. Or do, I’m not your mom.]

⛱️ avoid the burn

[Not a swimmer? Well then catch up on your tan under the share umbrellas and towels laid on the sand. Or your sunburn. It is a bright and sunny weekend after all so no matter what you’re catching up on, get your sunscreen on too.

It’s also just as good for a little break from the swimming and the music to steady yourself before you head out or head back into the water or some piers you can walk down on your own for the same experience to just catch the sea breeze while staying up and about.]

🏐 bolleyvall bapped

[That being said, Eunie was not joking about there being volleyball. There are a few nets on the beach for a few different games to go on at once. Organize a tournament or just play casually. Remember though that there are normies on the beach and any Earth Shattering volleyball spikes might cost some property damage claim money. This isn’t death soccer, people.

Who am I kidding, this is going to turn into a disaster either way. Go ham, challenge the bird girl or just watch the chaos unfold and place your bets, kids.]

🎇 bonfire lit up your life

[As the day winded down and night settled on the beach, some folks were headed home or have gone there already to get the sand out of their shorts. But those who stuck around will get the pleasure of sitting by a bonfire not me as they bid a fond farewell to the summertime and summer vacation.

Or get in touch with their inner arsonist in a less destructive way.

Sit, relax and socialize, take in the ambiance of the twilight by the fire, roast some marshmallows or hot dogs. Maybe decide to camp out for the night. It is a pretty peaceful time, and it’s these small moments of calm with friends and loved ones we have to cherish the most when in recovery, right?]

Comments

[incendiarize]

"Great! Okay, here..."

He digs around in his bag and pulls out the spare shirt. It's a little wrinkled, but nobody ever cared about a wrinkly blindfold. Right?

"So. It's basically a piñata but with watermelon. Right?"

[prunedworlds]

"A little? I showed him where to find the ones with lots of romance stories so he could pick out what he liked. I had to ask the guy at the booth to pull out the ones that are westerns though, because I don't know as much about what's out for those..."

It's not a large genre in manga, and the last time she'd been up to date on that stuff was technically eight years ago...

[unreachableside]

[Blade gapes at her open-mouthed, a funny break of his usual stoic expression. He cannot believe she just did that.]

H—hey!

[He is a 25 year old man who is trying to jump and failing miserably. He's six feet tall and not an inch more. Fuck!!!]

If you destroy that, [he growls,] I will make you regret it.

[tbf he does make weapons for a living but also he is definitely outmatched here...

On the other hand, he has a magic sword and wings shoved into the corner of his living room and he's regretting not bringing either.]

[twofoldfury]

[... Edward. Okay, he can't help but chuckle at that.]

Public transportation requires you to pay a fee to use it. If there's something that has yet to change it's that dodging them will have a consequence. [Death and taxes are the constants of life.

As for the question, he paused for a while.]

That is a long, complicated story. You may find it as unbelievable as waking up in 2023. [And yet here he was, handing the bottle back in a gesture stating he was willing to share if Edward wanted to hear.]

[lapislamine]

More or less, yes. I'd say I'm not sure what the plan was, but really I don't think there was a plan at all.

[She loves her brother. He can be so very dumb, though.]

Another escape from the consequences of his actions got Caesar mistaken for an instructor, and he ended up trying to lead a group of women in jazzercise. He had no idea what he was doing, but apparently it was harder to escape than the police would have been!

[medicgunner]

Oh, keep your emo hair on I ain't gonna destroy it. [Settle down, edgelord. But she's still gonna hold it out of reach.]

Come on and play a game, just one! Then I'll give it back. It won't kill ya. And aren't you burning up with all that on?

[bebest]

[Zulius' grin widens even more, his eyebrows shooting upwards. ]

Babe, it's your ass. Your posterior! Your behind! Your butt, your bum, your derrière! Thaaaaats what most people are gonna think when you say "booty". Welcome to the twenty-first century.

[Today was a thrilling episode of Learning Ass Words With Zulius.]

I guess they just...used the other hand? Honestly, I have never touched a gun in my life so I have no idea how you load them. Or maybe they just used their cutlass?

[Zulius lets out a sigh, folding up his parasol (now that the threat of being WET seems to have passed) and leaning on it.]

You'd be surprised how much people love criminals in modern media. Like, mostly ones they can romance as dashing rogues. So, y'know, highwaymen, pirates, jewel thieves. People think it's sexy. It's the danger element.

[bebest]

[Zulius can already make a solid guess on that one and it is many. ]

Exactly! It's a completely different thing, thank you!!!!

[Vash gets it!! He gets it!!!]

There could be anything in it! And you know you can drown like that [he snaps his fingers] and there could be sharks!! Has no one seen jaws.

[A beat. He puts his hand on Vash's shoulder.]

Babe, do not watch Jaws. I promise you that you will not like it.

[Vash does not need more reasons to be terrified of big bodies of water than he already is.]

Yup. Just sit on the beach, enjoy the rays, listen to it- don't go in it. Love yourself.

[bebest]

Zulius is always curious. Probably to a level that's unhealthy because oh boy does he sometimes learns things he'd rather not. But that's just one of the pitfalls he has to accept for being a terminal gossip.

"Soooooo there are just. Immortal people. Like story people? That's just a thing?"

He has no idea, he hasn't really discussed this at length with anyone before.

[prunedworlds]

"Well, in my world there are, yeah. Though most of the magical things like gods and phantasmals just live in the reverse side of the world instead of on the surface with humans anymore. Merlin does too technically, but he can sorta get around it."

There's a brief pause as something occurs to her.

"Oh, but most people don't know about any of that, kinda like here. I didn't before I came to Chaldea."

[prunedworlds]

"Pretty much! Every takes turns trying to split it open."

And then once someone succeeds you eat it. Look, it's about the fun of it more than the potential sand getting everywhere.

[schoolingfish]

Humans usually call us 'sea monsters'.

[In case he's more familiar with that term. Then, when the other boy says he wants to see when Luca changes all the way, Luca smiles and dives into the water, fully transforming. After a few seconds Luca pops back up.]

See?

[crisantemo]

[ It's working. Or at least doing something, but he's listening and responding, however flat his tone may be, and even just that much is a relief. Lapis just needs to keep this going.

Her hands flex, all nervous energy, but her voice doesn't waver; still even and calm, speaking steadily and clear. So long as she gives Blade something to focus on, he should - she hopes - be able to get through this. ]

Just keep listening to me, don't focus on anything else.

[ She makes sure that the aura keeps washing over him too, even if it is only helping the tiniest bit. She has this power, so now is the best time to use it. And as she keeps speaking, an idea comes to mind. Who knows how effective it will be, but if listening to her is helping - ]

Now take a deep breath, hold it for five seconds, and release it. Keep doing this, and I'll count you through it.

[ Hopefully hearing her guide him through this will help, even if the exercise itself may not do much. ]

[incendiarize]

"That sounds awesome. And there's watermelon after!"

Could not be better for the summer. Though also sounds like sandy melon. But then, who hasn't eaten sand at some point?

[prunedworlds]

"Exactly!"

What's a visit to the beach without a little sand in awkward places, anyway?

"You wanna try now or watch a bit first?"

Don't worry, there's multiple watermelons, so pretty much everyone's getting a shot at this.

[incendiarize]

"Sure, I'll give it a go! Is this done with the spinning or just blind?"

Amazing how much energy just the promise of watermelon can restore. He's stoked.

[unreachableside]

[????? Like he can take his emo hair OFF?

He can tell when this is a battle he's gonna lose, though... He glares for a long moment, but then he relents.]

... Fine, you win. I'll play.

[He thinks he remembers volleyball? There was an anime. He watched it in the hospital. But when she mentions his clothes, he looks a little uncomfortable, almost. Not making eye contact.]

I can handle it. [How does he put this.] ... The sight of me tends to make most people recoil. That's why I covered up.

[Yep, a man like him. He thinks he's hideous.]

[unreachableside]

[This is familiar. It's so familiar. And though he can't remember her face, he remembers the sound of Kafka's voice. It's a different cadence than Lapis but he finds it comforting all the same.]

All right.

[He's trying... He's really trying. He is doubtful it will help, but she'll find that he does follow her directions. He breathes in deeply and holds his breath, counts to five with her silently, and then lets it out through his nose.

Gradually, the trembling in his fingers subsides.]

[femmecatale]

I played a bit in high school. Not pro level, that was my friend, but I could keep up with her before I moved.

I should be able to keep up.

[:D]

[monklookslikealady]

Yes. I was with Vash when he found out about... Vergil, I think. I flew him around when he was trying to find him and the kids. I then ended up staying here to keep Kni and Eve safe in case Krusnik showed up for them. Hyrule was... a change of landscape for my own sanity.

[He closes his eyes.]

Although I can agree with you on the cult part. The one I dealt with at home would do anything for their god.

[He then settles down in his chair.]

We just might have to adjust when the tide comes in. If it gets this high, I'll help.

[femmecatale]

Yeah, I heard about it from some of my high school friends before I left. I'm glad I get a chance to do it here though!

[She beams.]

I mean, getting to hang out on summer beaches instead wasn't too bad! Just different traditions.

[Oh right!]

My Persona! You met her in Hyrule. She's Carmen, the woman in a flamenco dress I use to fight. It's... something from my past life, and she's normally only visible to others in the spirit realms...

[prunedworlds]

"Just blind, usually."

Walking over the sand tends to be disorienting enough for most people, after all.

"Though I guess we could spin you if you want to..."

You know, and not give any hints as to whether he's even headed in the right direction.

[jackdawvision]

[Today is certainly a thrilling episode of Learning Ass Words with Zulius, all right! And Edward, the captive audience, responds to this lesson by...splashing some water in Zulius's general direction the second he's got his guard down. He's not trying to get him wet, and indeed is actually amused by how words have shifted in meaning since his time, but.]

You could've told me you were talking about arse from the start, you arse. [He holds no real offense for it, though.] Here I thought you had a fondness for treasure like a real pirate.

[There's a pause.]

Well, I didn't bring my guns to the beach with me, or I would demonstrate. [Let's see if he can explain this.] I'm not certain if this is the same now, but in 1721, you had to ram the ball and some gunpowder into the barrel first, and then pour a thimbleful of powder into the flash pan and cock the hammer back. When you pull the trigger, the spark from the hammer coming forward ignites the powder in the flash pan, and that causes the powder in the barrel to ignite, which sends the bullet out in a little explosion. Reloading means you need to do it all over again. [Pause.] So, aye, generally we used our cutlasses instead.

[A tired chuckle, and a shake of his head.]

It's not quite as sexy when you're in the middle of it, holding hostages for a few crates of medicines.

[jackdawvision]

Only if the guards catch me.

[One day they absolutely will, but that day is not in the near future. So Edward takes the bottle back and shrugs.]

I have time. And perhaps it's unbelievable, but yesterday the rat cooked up a fish curry that was far better than any fish soup the last cook on the Jackdaw made. [He shrugs.] Tell me everything you can.

[lapislazily]

[He's hiked miles for good food before so he gets you.]

I just wanted something comfortable.

As for these... they are not tattoos, exactly. [You know, with the glowing and everything. Not normal.] They are leylines not unlike the ones that run through the earth carrying magic like lifeblood. It is proof of my bond with the land—and my status as a god, once.

[He dishes up the skewers and hands it to Zulius.]

I do hope you enjoy them. The recipe is a simple one, but it allows the quality of the ingredients to take center stage.