kaisou | 2; THE BEACH EPISODE

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2; THE BEACH EPISODE

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?]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I've never seen anything like it. [Not that he's an expert on magic or anything, and his tone doesn't sound judging either. He's curious, though he's not about to ask to dissect her or anything. He's only interested in magic insofar as it can be applied to weapons, as one would expect.] It sounds convenient.

[He follows her back out of the waves and tries to ignore how the water had lapped around his ankles, so now his jeans are soaked up to his mid-calf. Uuuuggghhh. At least docs are water resistant.]

Mm? [He swallows.] It's fine. [Also where did it go? Looks like he was hungry after all. He washes his hands together, which makes his bandaged left hand much more noticeable.]

The tests were mostly successful despite avian interference. I couldn't say the same if you hadn't stepped in. [A slight bow of his head.] ... I appreciate it.

[He's all gruff about it and not entirely making eye contact, but clearly he's not as bad as he tries to seem.]

It is. Especially since one of my friends can't really go into the sun, so when I'm around I can give him a little more freedom.

[ And of course it's useful weapons-wise too. She does love her shadow claws, even if it gets a little messy -

And there's a sympathetic wince when she notices how his jeans are soaked; too bad the only fire ability is a chain whip, and she's not sure that will be a safe way to dry clothes. At least it's at the beach, so being partly soaked is the norm, if slightly uncomfortable - and luckily the shoes seem to be unscathed too.

But once they are back on dry land, she offers the robot and controller back to him, blinking at how the burger is just... gone. Before being pleased with herself all over agin. ]

Good. If you want some more, let me know. I can make other things too. [ Good thing she has high points in cooking -

- Though that bandage catches her attentions, brows furrowing for a moment. Only a moment, since his appreciation?? Gets a blink, and even as he avoids eye contact she's still peering up at him. And she'll even allow herself to smile for a moment. ]

I'm glad I could help. [ Another pause, as her previous concern comes back to mind. ] How's your hand?

He can't go into the sun? [That's weird.] Is he a vampire? [....... wait, that's actually possible.]

As good as it was, asking you to cook for me would be unfair. I'll just pick something up later.

[He is so incurably stubborn. When she brings attention to his hand, he looks down at it and flexes his fingers.]

It's mostly healed. [His eyes narrow, glowing an ember red while they stand in the half-shade of the rocks.] I may have mentioned this before, but the beast always takes my blood. Be it for the beast's enjoyment or the use of my magic, this incessantly-healing body always pays the price.

It is less a torture and more of an annoyance. The hands are easy, though it slows my work.

Yep, that's right. [ The most casual response. A vampire isn't really one of the strangest things in this city, when it comes down to it.

And she raises her brows again at his answer, humming under her breath as she squints. ]

I wouldn't offer if I didn't want to. And I'll probably end up getting something for you later, so best to let me know either way.

[ He may be stubborn, but so is she!

Her eyes quickly drift back to his hand, and there's a pinch of her brows as she listens. It's a harsh price to pay, even if he simply views it as an annoyance.

So she's silent as she brings a hand closer to his - only hovering nearby as she lets the modicum amount of healing magic she has speed up the remainder of the recovery. It only takes a few seconds before she pulls her hand back, bright gold eyes peering up at him once again. ]

How does it feel?

[Blade looks a little startled that he was right. Jesus. It's only brief, but wow he hates what his life has become sometimes. But he can see her squinting at him. This girl really won't give up. He sighs and relents after a moment.]

... Fine, do what you want.

[She wins this round.

The healing magic is unexpected, too. He hesitates as the remainder of the wound knits together—a familiar sensation by now—and then he glances down at her.]

It—

[Those eyes remind him of someone. It hits him hard enough that he reaches up and clutches his temple. It's not right, it's not right, it's not right. Who is he trying to remember? What did he forget? He winces and squeezes his eyes shut. Not now, not now, not now...

Finally he responds through his teeth.]

I should go.

[He turns away and almost drops the robot and controller, but manages to save his fumble. He needs to get out of here. He can feel the beach closing in, the cool wind coming off the water suddenly oppressive in nature, like a tornado tearing at his foundations.

He's broken. This is just another reminder.]

[ She wins!

Not that she has much time to savour her victory, as concern quickly overtakes everything else when she sees him wince in pain. Is it that beast he mentioned before? Though she also doesn't get much time to ask, as he turns away. It leaves Lapis stunned for a moment as she processes what exactly is happening, a question on the tip of her tongue. ]

Wh -

[ It lasts all of a second when she sees the fumble, and she quickly moves back to his side again, ready to catch the robot and controller just in case. But they're fine, Blade is still very not fine, and she can't just leave him like this. She told him she would try to help, she wants to help, and she's not going back on her word now. ]

Wait, Blade. What's wrong?

[He takes a few more steps and slips again, and this time he doesn't quite get back up. His head feels like it's splitting open. He needs a moment to gather himself, to make sure he isn't about to black out again.

Eyes like the sun. Gleaming, judging from atop the steps. The guards haul him and his shackles closer. He recalls the yapping of a dog.

"I remember."

Remember how he watched. Remember how he did nothing. Remember how he smiled with a sword in one hand and opened the other. Three must pay the price. He already... paid the price.

Her voice cuts through the nightmare. He remembers to breathe.]

I—remember. [He doesn't want to remember.] I don't want to remember. [He doesn't want to remember!] Every time... every time, it's like this.

Just take my blood, beast. I know it's what you want.

[He tears the bandages from his left hand. Though she had healed it earlier, his palm bears noticeable scarring. This has been going on for a while.]

Lapis, [he says, not looking at her face.] You should not linger.

[ He slips again, and once more she's by his side - kneeling down as concern and worry propels her actions, uncaring if he may present a danger to her. None of that matters, when he's so clearly in distress. How can he expect her to just leave him? Especially when those scars tell her that he's had to deal with this for so long. ]

I'm not leaving you like this. [ Softly spoken, but firm all the same. With how unsteady he is now, she'll be reaching for the controller and robot to carry herself; tucking both under an arm so one is still free.

And with that arm she reaches for his - she never likes touching someone unless given an okay, but it seems less and less likely he can walk on his own. So she'll help him back to his feet, urging him to lean against her if he's still unsteady. She may not have much in the way of muscle, but she does have some strength from years upon years of fighting. ]

Come on, let's move somewhere else.

[ This is still a little out in the open, so time to duck behind some of the rocks. ]

[He doesn't fight to keep them. At this point he's considering throwing them aside and just sprinting for home, but when he lifts his head, his vision swims. He sees red splotches like spider lilies.]

Ugh... why do you insist on...

[He isn't in much of a position to refuse, though, so he leans against her. He's a tall man but frighteningly light, all things considered. He isn't nearly as strong as the man in his memories. It's all in his arms, if anything.

When they find a place behind some rocks, he doesn't hesitate to flop down on one. He doesn't care about the sand. He throws his arm over his eyes. Though they haven't gone too far, he's breathing like he just ran a marathon.]

Stop. Stop. I don't want it. I don't want to know!

[It's not directed at Lapis, though that may not be comforting.]

[ It is absolutely not comforting in the slightest. As she crouches by his side, her mind frantically turns over what she should do - what can she do. Luckily, this place has given her back a power rarely used, but could prove vital. The calming aura she possesses isn't powerful enough to wipe this away completely, but it's a start and even that much is valuable right now.

So she lets that wash over him, faint but still there, as it starts to soothe and calm - softening the worst of this. Even if she can't stop this, she can try to make this more bearable. ]

Blade. [ Her voice remains as calm and gentle as ever, despite the buzz of worry under her skin; fingers clenched tightly as she keeps a careful eye on him. Last thing he needs now is someone else being frantic, and Lapis is certainly skilled in keeping her emotions under control. ]

I need you to listen to me. Can you do that?

[ It may seem like a strange question, but right now she needs a way to cut through what her power can't ease. If she can get him to listen and even respond back, that's at least something. ]

[At first it doesn't seem like it has much effect, but then she says listen to me. His breath catches in a soft gasp. He isn't hearing Lapis, suddenly, but another woman in his memories.

"Listen, don't think about anything at all."

He swallows hard. His head feels like it's splitting open. He isn't sure if it's the memories or the demon, but the pain itself isn't unfamiliar. Every time he remembered something from before his accident it was the same way.]

I'm listening.

[His voice sounds too quiet to his own ears, but it's because the sound of blood rushes through them. A ceaselessly pounding heart no matter how many times the sword finds it.]

I'm...

[If he blocks out everything else, if he closes his eyes and focuses on her voice, maybe he can keep this feeling at bay. His trembling fingers grasp at the rock he's shoved himself against, though he keeps his other arm over his eyes.

When he speaks again, he is also struggling to keep his voice even, but at least he's not panicking as much as he was. The effort makes his voice flat and almost emotionless.]

What do I need to do?

[ 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. ]

[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.]

[ He is trying, and she is glad for it. If she can keep urging him along, then maybe he really can get through this. As long as she keeps speaking. ]

Good, good. You're doing well.

[ She keeps counting with him - a glance down at his hands filling her with a sense of relief now that they're no longer trembling so much. In that moment she feels some tension leave her, shoulders sagging, but she doesn't stop just yet. It's not all clear until he's back to normal (or what counts as normal for Blade) again. ]

How do you feel? Better, worse? Take a moment and try to answer if you can.

[He doesn't answer immediately. As long as he doesn't try to force himself to remember, it isn't going to get worse. That's something he's learned, at least.]

... I think it's over.

[He lets out a long sigh.]

I should explain.

The beast alters my memory. It particularly enjoys making it difficult for me to recall anything from before, and if I do, it seizes the opportunity.

[ His sigh is accompanied of one of her own, relief rushing through her. Okay, talking him through it... works? Though she'll keep up the aura for the time being. ]

... I see. [ That explains why he was in so much pain. ]

What... triggered the recall? Or would thinking of that prompt the beast again?

I'm fine for now, as long as I don't try to push it. [Try to remember anything else, he means.]

... There was a man with gold eyes in my past life. I knew him well. I don't remember anything else, but I remember that. [He shakes his head.] I didn't want to drag you into this. If it had gotten the better of me, I could have hurt you.

[His voice is full of frustration, but it isn't directed at her.]

Still, you... did something. I don't understand how, but it helped.

Gold eyes...?

[ Oh. She's still for a moment, before just... gently tugging her hat a little more over her head now. This will help, right???

But her frown is still clear despite her moment of fussing. ]

I was prepared for that. I couldn't just leave you alone like that, though... [ He was in pain, how could she turn a blind eye? But now they know she can do something to help ease it, at the very least. ]

I guess... Speaking to you gave you something else to focus on? And I have this power, an aura that can soothe and calm. That would've helped too, I think.

[He... feels a little bad, admittedly.]

It's fine. I can still look at you.

[Very unlikely she'll trigger it a second time, unless she starts talking about chess and knights or something. It helps that she's not a six foot something broad-shouldered general.]

You could. I would have recovered eventually. ... Probably. [And if not, well, that's what the murder option is for.]

An aura? [Interesting.] Something like that helped me before—in my past life. A certain woman would speak to me and make me concentrate on her voice.

You resemble her. Perhaps that is why I was able to listen.

[ There's a second of hesitation, but if he says it's fine... She tugs the hat back up again, those gold eyes once more regarding him with a look that borders on disbelieving. There will be no hitting the murder option now or anytime. ]

That "probably" doesn't fill me with much confidence. [ Said as flatly as possible. ]

And if there was a chance I could help, why wouldn't I take it. [ She may not be shonen protag levels, but she is very stubborn about this.

And huh, she reminds him of someone? There's a quizzical tilt of her head, but that does make sense. Though whenever she later finds out he means Kafka she'll wonder if resembling her is actually a good thing, but -

- But for now, if it helps, then she won't question it. ]

Mm, that's most likely why. But if it works, we can keep using that in case music isn't an option. [ Pause. ] How do you feel now? Do you want some water or anything?

Nothing is a given in my situation—except for how it all ends. [He doesn't sound all that bothered by it. It's a fact... One he acknowledged a long time ago. He still feels bad for worrying her, though...

He rubs at his temple.]

... Could use a rest. Being out in the sun isn't helping.

[HE IS ONLY A GOTH WEARING TOO MANY LAYERS FOR THIS WEATHER]

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?

... 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.]

[ She is absolutely doubting him, and the look she's giving him makes that all the more clear.

Then she hums, taking off her hat and just... Plopping it onto his head. There, some protection from the sun you pale emo nerd. ]

I'll be back in a moment. [ Time to get him some water and maybe a fruit skewer to get his energy back up. ]

[Blade looks absolutely ridiculous all dressed like he just missed the AFI concert but with a sun hat on. He grasps the brim so he can look up at her. Where is she off to now?]

... Fine. [He really is in no shape to protest. Even one little fight with his unwanted head-roommate can take so much out of him.]

2; THE BEACH EPISODE

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