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

[ornamentals]

Did you know there is a water bug called a 'toe-biter'? It's really painful if it catches you.

[he says oh-so casually as he carefully sets the conch back in the water. the torture is over, big guy.]

I thought you were afraid because you'd sink to the bottom?

1/3

[doubledollar]

Why do you keep telling me things like they're gonna' make me want to be out here in the water less?!

[ he whines. so loudly. it's pitch-perfect.]

2/3

[doubledollar]

3/3

[doubledollar]

[ he's gonna move to crouch down next to kni.

and wrap his arms around kni's middle.

time to deadweight. ]

You'll stop me from sinking.

You promised.

[ornamentals]

They're only in fresh water, so-

[ACK! vash! kni just barely manages not to stumble over from his dumb brother's weight, whyyyy are you so heavy!

lightly whapping vash on the head, one hand under vash's real arm.]

What have you been eating, Vash?!

[doubledollar]

Did you just--

Did you just call me fat!?

[ornamentals]

[he's holding on strong, but it is Not Easy even for a plant that is stronger than he looks.]

You need to reconsider what it is you put into your body.

[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.

[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.

[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!

[ornamentals]

Ugh!

[vash pulls him in for a hug and impulsively kni tries to pull away, not wanting to be trapped in his brother's adoring, embarrassing, affections.]

I'll take it back right now if you don't start behaving!

[doubledollar]

I'm behaved! I'm behaved--I'm so well behaved, look, I'm even in the water!!!

[ PERCIEVE HIM, KNI ]

[ornamentals]

[more huffing, bringing both hands up to squish and squeeze vash's face.]

Hmmm...

[and then he does what vash did to him and ruffles his hair. the black strands catch on his fingers.]

If you want me to praise you more, then you'll have to earn it.

[doubledollar]

[ oh no not his HAIR it was PERFECT and IMMACULATE and now its a mess of bright blonde and black and just--

there's no salvaging it, the seawater has already gotten to it... ]

Earn it how.
That's so vague and you know it.

[ornamentals]

[stop using so much product in it, nerd.]

I want to come back here again. [over and over, during the different seasons and times of day-] And I want you to come back with me.

1/2

[doubledollar]

[ oh! the look of surprise that pops up on his face is... animated. His eyebrows going way up. ]

[doubledollar]

...I think I can agree to that.
If you like it here that much, we can make it a trip me make every now and again when you want to.

...So long as I don't have to go swimming every time.

[ornamentals]

[kni is still idly pushing back errant locks of blonde and black hair, thoughts drifting on the backs of waves.]

Is the water really that scary for you?

[he asks without an ounce of teasing, looking away from vash out towards the ocean.]

I wonder why it's different.

[doubledollar]

It's...

[ hm. ]

It's not that the water on its own is scary. I suppose.
Like I like going in the river, I like bathing.

I just... know myself. I guess.

If I get into water too deep, I'll sink, and sink...
And then I'll be trapped way under there, you know?

I might not have to breathe for a long time, but.
I'll actually need to eventually...

[ornamentals]

[as he trails off, kni brings both hands down to tug at vash's cheeks.]

It's fine, I understand. I won't make you swim.

[even just this every now and then, wading through the shallow waters as he points out little discoveries for vash to see is enough for him.

another tug before he nods in the direction of the beach.]

Let's go back.

[doubledollar]

[ he makes a sound when his cheeks are pulled on, making an aaagggh noise, exaggeradedly. ]

Maybe if. I.
Learn how to swim in water that isn't as... scary deep as this. First?

[ see, he can compromise. He's gonna get up, following after Kni's tug. A smile shifting over his features. ]

....Ah, wait.
By your feet.
There's a crab.

[ornamentals]

What about the river? It's not deep enough for you to sink to the bottom and never be seen again.

[that... could be worded a little less roughly, but kni is not known for his careful phrasing, sorry vash.

kni stops then, half-step halted to look down into the glimmering water to see the crab vash spotted.] Oh!

[he leans forward, hands resting against his knees as he watches it chill. obviously he isn't worried about being pinched.]

It's blue...

[doubledollar]

Hm... maybe the river will be fine. [ he's not sure, but... he can at least try, right? even if the nervousness is still at the back of his head.

What if he just... distracts himself with the crab for now? he'll watch it slowly drift along in the shallow water, close enough to almost skirt over Kni's feet. It doesn't seem ready to attack, at least. ]

I didn't know they came in blue.
I thought they were all red, like in pictures.

[ornamentals]

[if kni doesn't pose as a threat, then there's little reason for a tiny crab to try and attack him. it meanders away, and kni escapes a possible pinch attack unscathed.]

They turn red when they're boiled alive in hot water. There's a protein in their shells that releases in the heat, and that's what turns them red.

[red meaning death, an irony that thankfully goes over kni's head. ignorance is bliss.]

[doubledollar]

[ wait hold on what wait hold on wh huh oh wha? ]

--WHAT!

But.
In-- in some comic books or shows, the crabs are always like, red on the beach and--

[ WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY ONLY TURN RED WHEN BOILED ALIVE ]

How could people mess something like that up!! Boiled crabs don't go on the beach!?