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

[bebest]

[avoid the burn]

[Zulius is going absolutely nowhere NEAR the water, but he can be found lounging on the sand. He happens to be lounging on a seat that's made out of his own hair, but anyone who's known Zulius for more than an hour by now should know the day he does anything fucking normally is the day he's been replaced by a pod person. He seems pretty relaxed, anyway, he's got a cooler next to him filled with frozen cocktails. If you come near enough, he'll crack an eye open to regard you lazily. ]

You want one? Think of it like a grown up Capri-Sun. Super fun.

[bonfire lit up your life]

[Zulius WILL linger a little longer, even after the party has died down as night draws in. It doesn't have to always be non-stop party time for him, it turns out. He's at least got out of his horrific hair contraption now, instead standing by the fire, roasting marshmallows to make smores because he is a fuckin' adult and he can make smores if he wants to. ]

Normally I'd say we have hit the right ambience for spooky stories but tbh I have hit my limit for that this month. Anyone got any embarrassing stories instead? Those are always fun.

[He will not be held accountable for anything anyone is foolish enough o say to the town gossip. ]

avoid the burn

[doubledollar]

I'm not someone who can say no to a good drink.

Dunno what a capri sun is, but I'll take you up on it.

[ don't mind if one humanoid typhoon, wearing a bright red t-shirt and dark shorts plops himself down next to zulius, picking up one of the frozen drinks and looking it over. ]

Also, when you said you could do hair magic, I didn't realise it included portable comfort.

To hell with ever needing to bring your own equipment.

[bebest]

I knew you wouldn't let me down. They're a kid's drink. Kinda like this but just like... orange or whatever. Not alcoholic. Try the strawberry daiquiri, it's actually pretty great. Not as good as yours, but I'm not gonna make you work at a beach party, so-

[There's a delicious selection there, complete with curly straws to push in at the top. For the full experience. He grins, clearly pleased.]

I know right. Who needs to lug a whole-ass lounger out here when you can just make one happen? Plus, it's super comfy and smells great.

[doubledollar]

I don't have it in my heart to let you down. Aaaaaand I'm not the type to turn down a free drink, either. This stuff beats the pants off any sort of sour beer back home--I'm living in luxury.

[ he will take up Zulius' suggestion and up he plucks a strawberry one, giving it a little wiggle with his fake hand. ]

--Hah! I hadn't even thought of that. Comfortable, portable, and smells like whatever you like.

I'd say 'aren't you worried about getting it wet,' but.

I see you're about as ready to get into the water as I am.

[ as in: never. the water is satan's plaything. ]

[bebest]

'Course you don't! You're a bonafide hero type! And bet! We're having a relaxing time, you gotta let a little luxury in- as a TREAT!

[ His hair-lounger suddenly extends a little, enough for one skinny-ass human to sit down. Zulius pats the seat next to him like it's a totally normal thing to just sit on your bestie's magical fuckin' hair. ]

Give it a test drive, it's fetch.

[At the water comment, he snorts.]

HELL, no. I'm not getting this wet. That's why I'm staying way away from the water. That's for other people.

[doubledollar]

You're damn right I am.

[ and you know what. he's gonna scoot up from where he's sitting in the sand and take zulius up on his offer. His skinny ass is going on the hair-chair.

...and damn, honestly, it's more comfortable than any plastic lounger available on the beach. He expected it to be sort of soft and squishy, but it's somehow firm and soft --

And zules is right. Smells great, too. ]

Glad you're the first person to agree with me on that sentiment.

Water is terrifying.

[bebest]

[Come, enjoy the hair-chair, Vash. Sink into it. Let it give you comfort in this trying time. Tell it your secrets.

Actually don't do that. It won't keep them.]

I mean, I'm less terrified of it and more I hate getting wet. It's gross, and cold and why would anyone wanna do that unless they're wallowing in a bubble bath?

[Hm, he considers for a moment, taking a sip of his drink.]

Though coming from a literal desert hellscape, I can see why the ocean would freak you out. There's a whole lot of it.

Bonfire

[prunedworlds]

On the one hand, Ritsuka is definitely the sort to at least try to contribute to something like this. Just in the spirit of things! On the other hand, as soon as she stops to think about it...

"Umm, not sure I can think of any that aren't from back in my world..."

And thus, by implication, involving people nobody here would even know, making it a bit harder to see what's embarrassing about them.

... Well. She might be able to think of something for Waver or Gil, but those would be 1) an alternate timeline version and 2) a past life, respectively, so do they even count?

[bebest]

Zulius casts her a sideways glance, one eyebrow arching.

"I mean that works too, I was mostly looking for embarrassing stories about all of you, because my tea well has been dry," what with all the kidnapping and the murder and whatnot. "But sure, I can take some second-hand embarrassment. Even third hand, if you've got it."

[prunedworlds]

"Oh! Well..." Give her a moment to think about that. "... Actually, I can't think of anything that's happened to me here so far."

She's been here less than two months, okay. There hasn't been many opportunities for a lot of noteworthy nonsense yet!

"So I guess either way it'd have to be something from my world."

[bebest]

"Nothing? Gurl, you've gotta get out there and have yourself some awkward life experiences. They make everything FULLER, y'know?"

Also gives him something to gossip about. That too. He grins, finishing up a smore and biting into it.

"Great! Fire away, I'm ALL ears!!"

He'll even wiggle his aforementioned ears for emphasis. Ha ha, zebra joke.

[prunedworlds]

"To be fair, there has been a lot going on lately, you know?"

Though the less said about that the better, considering.

"Uh, let me see..." What's a good anecdote she can tell without giving a ton of explanation...? "Oh! So when I first arrived at Chaldea--I guess that's... you could say where I worked, back in my world?--I was so exhausted from the simulator I fell asleep on the floor in one of the hallways. And then fell asleep again in the middle of the Director's orientation..."

There are so many jokes about her apparent ability to fall asleep in weird places back amongst the
Chaldea staff. So many.

[bebest]

"Understatement of the century."

It's been a whole-ass terrible time and he's still trying to decompress from that mess. Way too many people he cared about got hurt by that mess. Better to deal with embarrassing stories and smores than...literally any of that.

He lets out a laugh of amusement at the story, though. Yup, that worked pretty well as embarrassing.

"Oh, my Goose, did anyone wake you up? Or was this one of those mortifying waking-yourself-up-with-your-own-snoring kind of things?"

Avoid the Burn

[monklookslikealady]

[Libra's in a chair nearby, hair up in some complicated braid bun to keep it off his neck. He loves it, but it's quite annoying sometimes. Someone's probably convinced him that the beach means swim trunks instead of his normal wear, but he hasn't managed to make it to the water yet.]

I'm not exactly sure what a Capri-Sun is, but I'll try one.

Let me try whatever one you think is best?

[bebest]

It's a drink kids have. Has a little straw in it so they...idk, spill it less or whatever.

[He'll open up a Pina Colada, putting a twisty straw in it and handing it over. ]

I think this is totes your sort of drink, Babe.

[For he is full of knowledge like this! He flashes his friend a grin.]

So! Enjoying relaxing? I think this is the least stiff and proper I've ever seen you.

[monklookslikealady]

Interesting...

[He takes the drink from Zulius and takes a sip through the twisty straw... which he's very amused by.]

Thank you, this is quite good.

[At his question, Libra just closes his eyes and leans back a bit in the chair.]

I am. This is the most relaxed I've been in quite a while.

[bebest]

[Everything is made better with a twisty straw, prove him wrong!]

Bet! It's like, the perfect beach drink. And right? I think we all needed it after this month. Yeesh. Hope we get a breather for a little while because that was A Lot. I'll NEVER catch up on all the beauty sleep I lost.

[monklookslikealady]

Yeah, this month was quite crazy. Between the craziness with the children and Hyrule... I didn't get much rest. Were you involved in any of that?

[He takes another sip of his drink]

I also need to catch up on sleep, but I don't think that will be happening anytime soon. [A laugh.] I might end up napping here, it's quite nice.

[bebest]

I didn't really go to Hyrule, but Krusnik took Takame, Rose and Vergil. I went to go get them back- which, not my favourite thing ever, don't recommend fighting a cult. But I had to go get them back.

[He cares about all three of them a great deal. Plus those guys had hurt Jun and Zero. He couldn't just stand back- so he risked his life to get them back, and he doesn't regret that. Much as he can't really get rid of the images of that fight out of his head. ]

Oh, Libra, samesies. If I wasn't worried about the sea just coming in and soaking my beautiful self, I could stay here ALL night.

bonfire

[lapislamine]

[Mercie and Zulius may not be all that close, but she's certainly seen him around. He is quite unforgettable..]

Hmm, I'll save the ghost stories for another time then... As for embarrassing, I should hope so! I grew up with Caesar, after all.

[bebest]

[Zulius flashes her a wide grin.]

Oh, well I always wanna know embarrassing stories about my staff! DO tell!

[lapislamine]

[Sometimes. In the course of being someone's sibling. You've just gotta throw that someone under the bus a little.]

He's become very responsible since we moved here a year and a half ago, so it may not be obvious, but he used to be quite the delinquent. He had a dear friend he got into fights with all the time. They got into and out of - mostly into - all kinds of trouble.

I remember one time, at the farmer's market, the two of them got into a particularly rowdy fight. Someone called the cops, and in his wisdom, Caesar used the tomatoes I'd just bought as a distraction while they fled. Joseph was, unfortunately, also distracted, and ran into a wall. Caesar, of course, laughed at him - at least, he did until he crashed into a different wall.

Hmm, that may be one of the tamer ones.

[bebest]

[He puts a hand to his chest, letting out a faux-shocked gasp.]

Our precious Goodest Boy Caesar? A delinquent? The scandal!!

[He snorts in amusement at the mental image the story brings.]

What, did he just decide to like, huck the tomatoes at the cops or something? Because doing that and running directly into a wall is like- slapstick levels of messing it up.

[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!

[bebest]

Hah, I guess sometimes that "no thoughts, just dumb boys" thing really does happen sometimes.

[Look, it's adorable though! And that gets a genuine laugh out of him.]

I mean, to be fair, I think you can probs fake jazzercise if you try hard enough. Like all you'd need to do is copy the sort of stuff they did in 80's fitness videos and bam! You got it down pat! Sounds like he ended up with plenty of admirers though. Knowing how shy he is, I'm guessing he hated that.