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

1/3

[doubledollar]

"....Huh,"

He ... might have temporarily forgotten what he was doing, every inch of his brain having shifted off of the water and onto something else. He'd been considering the emotional flicker of pain, and connecting it with how she seems quick to want to please, to help--

2/3

[doubledollar]

But now he's returning to earth.

"Ah,"

Yep, there he goes, putting the thoughts back in place.

3/3

[doubledollar]

"--Is it supposed to be this cold?!"

He's gone right back to goofy and yelping, that serious, somewhat melancholy look on his face long gone.

[doubledollar]

Come onnnn, it's not that I don't consider what I put in it!
I'm a big guy! I have to eat to survive--I even stopped eating stuff like pepperoni pizza and hamburgers 'cause it's got meat in it.

I'm a veggie and fruit guy now, I'm being so good.

Where's my praise.

[prunedworlds]

Well that sure is a reaction! But at least he hasn't taken off running back up the beach, so Ritsuka will take what she's got.

"Yeah, it's always like that, but it really only feels cold at first."

Don't ask her why, she just knows that's how water like this is.

[whiteshroud]

Mm. Like two cats who've never been socialized.

[Spicy kitties, both of them]

I see... so in other words, he's stressed about what he should do if something goes wrong, because all his usual coping mechanisms wouldn't work in this world.

[lowestclass]

I'm sure we'll make at least a good dent.

[ is this a joke because Lapis put a big crack and a dent through the melon? Maybe. He's smirking a little. ]

You definitely did something there. [ there's a small leak of pink juice starting to creep out over the cloth he'd put down.

Well. His turn again.

He'll take the bat, wind up a swing--

Thump.

The crack grows--and the watermelon definitely starts to split--the image of deep red flesh inside the green skin peeking out.

He clicks his teeth. ]

[ornamentals]

[kni sighs, like he really is expected to deal with so much, all thanks to vash. his brother is heavy and easy to tease into pouting and kni can't help but push some of those buttons, but also,]

There, there. [the hand that whapped him earlier is now petting those messy blonde locks, affectionate even if kni acts so put upon.]

I'm proud of you, you know.

[bebest]

"Well, lemmie put it this way, I'm never bored!"

Zulius would probably expire if he had to spend more than 8 hours with only himself for company.

[lowestclass]

[ he looks content as a vampire on a beach can be, one supposes. Eating watermelon and looking out onto the ocean--trying not to look TOO amused when the other gave a good mimicry of his previous battle.

Lucky for Edward, he doesn't seem too disgusted or put off by it. ]

I've never gotten a chance to see Wales or any other part of Britain. So we know just as much about each others' home as the other, it seems. [ he gives a small chuckle. ]

And I did--I lived near the ocean when I was younger. Summer didn't feel like summer unless we were all sharing watermelon under the sun. [ ...it's been a long time since he's been able to enjoy the sun part, though. He gives a little shrug. ]

Then I got a job that made things like going to the beach pretty difficult.

...Before I joined the order, I mean.

[crisantemo]

Nothing is a given until it actually happens. [ Nope, she's still being firm about this.

And then she frowns further, squinting down at him once again. ]

Next time don't wear so many dark layers to the beach. [ Seriously Blade. But she lets out another soft sigh, a little more at ease now that things seem to have settled. ]

Need any help getting home, or do you want to rest here for the moment?

[crisantemo]

[ Ah, almost. There's a hum when the watermelon doesn't crack further, and she takes the bat to land one more solid hit.

And success! Though it does cause a bit of a mess once it splits completely, and the cloth manages to catch most of it - though Lapis has to hop back to avoid any bits of watermelon landing on her. ]

Aha, there we go. [ It looks... like a fairly even split, though? Though she was never too fussed about getting the bigger half in the first place. ]

I would say that wasn't too bad for my first try.

[lowestclass]

[ oops, no watermelon juice on the white bathing suit, please.

Jinwoo looks like it's christmas, a huge grin moving across his face as he immediately moves to sit down--crossing his legs underneath himself--reaching to grab the split melon to assess the damages before grinning up at his friend. ]

Not at all bad. I've seen way messier melons by the end of the game.

It's just a bit smashed in the middle, but...

[ he's gonna easily tear a sizeable chunk from the now broken up watermelon.

As promised--he offers it to Lapis. ]

To the victor, the spoils.

[prunedworlds]

He sounds so... delighted about that, Ritsuka can't help but grin.

"Always something fun and exciting? Or at least entertaining..."

[schoolingfish]

Of course! I lived completely underwater all the time for most of my life.

[crisantemo]

[ Absolutely not, she can't be cute if her swimsuit gets ruined!!

And seeing how Jinwoo grins prompts her own smile to brighten, and she shifts closer once more as he takes a look at the watermelon. While it's only a small difference, she does look that little bit more pleased when he gives the verdict that it's not completely smashed.

Though there is a pause when he offers the chunk to her, but she delicately holds it in her hands after a moment; while she wasn't too fussed about getting the biggest piece, she also won't say no. ]

I'll make sure to savour it. [ And with that, she goes to sit down next to Jinwoo as she takes a bite out of her prize. Sitting here like this makes her realise just how long it's been, since she could relax at the beach like this... ]

This is a much more fun way to eat watermelon than just buying it at a stand.

[bebest]

"Why not all three?!" he cackles, delighted.

Because you know, why not go ALL out on it!

[prunedworlds]

"I dunno, that sounds like a lot... You sure you can handle all that?"

He's clearly having so much fun, she can't help but tease a little.

[lapislamine]

Sea cucumbers - those are the ones that can eject their insides. So they're related, too...

[Fascinating! She wouldn't have guessed.]

My youngest brother knows a lot about animals, so I've learned a bit, too.

[lapislamine]

Especially with those two. Individually they can both be quite clever, but put them together and suddenly... Well, ask Caesar how pigeons taste, sometime.

[She loves her brother so much. So, so very much. But even Mercedes has a Cain Instinct.]

Oh, yes, certainly. That does require having watched one, though, and eighteen-year-old Caesar certainly hadn't. He's lucky

[She titters.] Oh, there were scenes for weeks, in the aftermath.

[lapislamine]

Hmm... Oh, s'mores? Those are good. Contrary to what certain famous British bakers would have people believe, they're meant to be a bit messy.

I wouldn't be surprised if someone brought the makings for them. I nearly always have some chocolate on me, so we'd just need marshmallows and Graham crackers.

[doubledollar]

[ he's

gonna drop the dramatics, looking up with a surprised expression at Kni.

He hadn't expected that.
His eyes blinking once, twice.

And then he gets the biggest, dumbest grin on his face.

He's gonna pull Kni down into his arms proper, and mess up his hair. ]

You said it and you can't take it back!

[unreachableside]

... Mm. Perhaps. [He'll give her that, but only because he's too out of it to argue.]

I burn easily. [He's not trying to sound petulant, but...] I didn't plan on swimming, either. [NOTHING has gone the way he wanted it to go today. It's exhausting.]

I think I'll rest for the moment. [He looks up at her, trying to think of what to say.] But I'll be fine on my own. I don't want to pull you away from your friends.

[She'd be forgiven for doubting him after All Of This.]

[bebest]

He snorts in amusement.

"Trust me, Kid, I am way capable of handling that."

He resists the urge to make a lewd joke about it. Even he has some lines, it turns out.

[bebest]

...Please, God, tell me he cooked it first.

[Because he's picturing Ceasar just biting into a whole-ass pigeon, feathers and all. ]

Hah, I guess it's probably not his style. He'd be more into...god, whatever the hell kids are into exercise-wise these days? Tiktok? It's probably on Tiktok.

[Much as he would never admit it, god he feels old sometimes.]

Hah, the poor kid. Life is cruel.