kaisou | lost in paradise

Birdseed.

[ Lapis echoes back, with clear amusement. While she does have funds saved up - she had a very, very long period of her life where she spent... nothing on herself - the price of birdseed is still appreciated. It's one less thing to worry about at least.

And honestly, it's nice to finally have a chance to just... not worry. Anxiety had plagued her for so long that it's a relief to breathe, and it means Jinwoo gets a break from her worries as well. ]

Mmhm, I almost feel a little bad that this is all they want for payment. But if that's enough to take a nap on the beach, I'll take it.

[ Pause. ] And I do know there's a ghost ship there too, but I think I would prefer to avoid anything too adventurous this time.

I got the good stuff, at least. So we can't say we cheaped out and brought the bare minimum for a good vacation, right?

[ he's gonna turn his head to smirk at her. ]

...Don't sleep on the beach for too long, though, or you're going to turn as red as your hair.

[ he's gonna reach out and give her hair a bit of a tug. ]

I think I remember Edward mentioning something about that pirate ship.

I'm getting... terrible flashbacks of a kracken...

So I have to agree with you on the idea of staying away from any cursed pirate ships.

Today and the rest of the week I just want to drink Pina Coladas and sit under a beach umbrella.
Now that I can be in the sun for an hour at a time before having to retreat into the shadow I can actually enjoy it with you.

Exactly. At least we're paying our way, even if it's just with... birdseed.

[ And if that's all they want, she won't argue.

There's a blink when he smirks, before letting out a whine when he tugs on her hair - though a smile still pulls at the corner of her lips, her protesting more huffy than anything else. ]

I won't, I won't. I'll be careful, getting sunburned sounds like a terrible way to start off this vacation.

[ On that note, she'll need to make sure any sun protector they have is strong enough for Jinwoo. He may not be a vampire anymore, but he's still so pale... ]

No more kracken fights. One time was enough. [ And her smile brightens that little bit more, at the thought of being able to enjoy the sun with Jinwoo. ]

It'll be nice, being out in the sun with you... Though you'll need to make sure you don't turn as red as my hair too.

I still have that... issue with Ashborn where he gets upset if I spend longer than an hour in the sun, so. Pale as I am, I will have to hide in your shadow at intervals so he stays quiet.

[ it's an improvement to NO SUN EVER, but. It's still one of those unfortunate things. ]

And I'll trust you to make sure I don't miss any spots with the sun lotion. You grabbed the extra I bought, right?

[ that should be everything, he muses, zipping up the bag... ]

I can just teleport us down to the spirit gate when we're ready. [ He turns to her with a crooked grin. ]

Ready to get out of here?

At least you can still be out in the sun a bit now, and that's the main thing. And honestly I'm not the best at handling at a lot of sun, so we'll both be hiding sometimes.

[ The cursed of being a workaholic who worked mostly at night. At least she's getting better about that now. ]

Mmhm, I did, and I brought some extra skincare things too just in case. [ She'll take one last check in her bag, mumbling her list to herself before finally zipping it up and shifting it onto her shoulder. Honestly, the hardest part about all of this was picking out cute outfits to wear. ]

Okay... Okay, I'm going to say I'm ready before I check my bags again. [ And his grin is returned with a smile of her own. After everything that's happened, she's really excited to just do nothing for a week. ]

Let's get going.

That's thinking ahead.
Anything we don't bring, or forget, I'm sure we can find on the resort itself.

[ he's gonna lean down and pick up his own bag, before shuffling over to where Lapis is. An arm goes around her shoulder as shadow starts to rise from around their feet, cool and yet warm, all at the same time. ]

If you go through your bag one more time, we'll be here for another hour.

Hold your breath.

[ And then they're sinking down into the shadow, quickly and suddenly. The whole world goes black and without senses for just a few moments--before they're re-appearing on... Kaisou's own beach. In the shadow of an odd rock formation that ... seems to shape some sort of natural doorway, with a wavy, magic-like film caught between it, like a bubble ... ]

Here we are.
The... gate is apparently through there, if what Edward said was true. [ he offers her a hand and in moments, they'll be out of kaisou and... wow.

It really was like walking out of an ordinary beach and onto a literal paradise. Even the change to the temperature in the air was startling. ]

...Holy shit.

Mmm, I just wanted to make sure we're not caught out. I don't want you to get burned.

[ But she imagines the resort should have everything they need to, so she'll resist the urge to doublecheck. Especially when he makes that comment about it taking another hour - he's right, but he didn't have to say it! So there's a poke of her finger in his side once his arm wraps around her shoulders, letting herself lean against him as the shadows curl around her feet.

Then they're sinking down, darkness flooding her vision, before they're suddenly on the beach - at this point she's gotten used to this enough that it doesn't disorientate her, beyond a split second where she blinks. Her eyes flicker over the gate, taking everything in with some... faint excitement. Vacations weren't really much of a thing as she was growing up, both before and after joining the Order, so being able to do something like this with the most important person in her life... Of course she's excited.

Her hand doesn't hesitate to take his, fingers squeezing around his as she follows behind him into the gate. And she can only freeze in place, as she takes in the scene before them.

It really is a paradise, like the things you see in movies or postcards. Part of her wonders if she's seeing things. ]

It's beautiful... [ And this is where they're staying for a week? There's some shifting on her feet, barely hidden excitement before perking up when she hears... tweeting from nearby. ]

They must be further down the beach.

[ he's gone into a state of silence himself, eyes scanning the horizon and the gentle shift of the waves. he's been to kaisou's beach before, but the difference was like looking at a black and white photo vs. one in full radiant color. It was breathtaking. It smelled like ocean spray and... something was definitely cooking, somewhere further up the shoreline. The smoky scent of something barbecuing got his attention so bad he almost completely forgets himself for a moment. He shakes his head as Lapis speaks, and he tries to mentally catch up all at once. ]

...Maybe longer than a week, if we want. It's not like we have work right now, what with how the Order is ghosting us.

[ because good lord would a week be enough??? he squeezes lapis' hand as he starts to tug her in the direction of the twittering noises. ]

Let's find out where check-in is. The sooner we get our stuff settled, the sooner we can find out where that smell is coming from.

[ Part of her is worried if just... moving might break this scene. It's so picturesque, it's a little hard to believe this is actually real - but she can feel the sand under her shoes as she shifts in place, and she catches that scent too. Of the ocean and barbecue, and she has to resist the urge to giggle at how Jinwoo is having trouble focusing.

Though... longer than a week? Lapis hesitates, anxiety bubbling in her chest. He's right, the Order is ghosting them and there's no mission, but... After everything that's happened, is he really okay spending that much time with it just the two of them? (it's a silly worry, she knows it, but she still feels bad about having him deal with all the nightmares and anxiety) ]

If you're... alright with that. [ But she easily follows along with his tugging, managing a quietly amused huff. ]

You mean the sooner you get to eat whatever that is. [ Luckily it doesn't seem like they need to go far, as soon some of the local birds spot them. The greetings are warm and friendly amidst cheerful chirps, and they don't hesitate to usher the couple towards where to get checked in. ]

[ He wouldn't be able to blame her for the anxiety of the situation, especially not after what happened not too long ago. Surely Douman and Dickson wouldn't be the last they saw of the zealots in Kaisou. Who knew, in a week, there could be a dozen more suddenly showing up.

A week was probably the longest both of them could go without having to return home out of sheer anxiety for what they might be missing out on.

He tries to offer her a comforting smile. ]

Of course I'm alright with that. You need some time to think of little more than yourself, you know that.

[ because lately it's all been awful.
but for now, it's time to meet the bird like people of the gate--And Jinwoo would be lying if he were to say he wasn't charmed by them.

...and how excited they get when they discuss staying for a week, the birds apparently very excited at the idea of having guests to fuss over.

Maybe twice as excited when Jinwoo pulls out a few of those fancy bags of birdseed. They're quickly ushered off into the resort itself, shown to a rather large and beautiful living quarters for the week--and a map of the area and what there is to do during their stay.

By the time the bird people skitter off with their "payment," Jinwoo is standing a little dumbly in the middle of their room, map in hand, with a crooked smile on his face. ]

You'd think we gave them a bag of gold pieces for how happy they were.

...Wanna come look at this with me? We can decide what to do first. There's... honestly a lot.

Edited (mobile hates changing icons) 2024-06-11 16:26 (UTC)

[ There were certainly some specific zealots she was worried about turning up, but for now... She needs to not overthink and worry. Jinwoo's smile is returned with one of her own, and she lets herself focus on this - on just them and their vacation. And she knows if anything did happen, her dad wouldn't hesitate to let them know.

Plus it's hard to worry with how happy the locals are about their stay, her smile brightening just a little bit more at their excitement. Especially when they're given the birdseed - it's almost impossible to hold back the giggle at their reaction, a little surprised they like it that much. But she can send Louis out of the gate to get some more for them later...

For now, they're quickly ushered to a very, very nice room and Lapis will take a moment to use her shadows to grab their bags and place them down. ]

I'm glad they're happy though, they're very cute.

[ And now she's going to pry off her shoes, shifting herself over to the bed so she can park herself on the edge of it. Along with a gentle pat in the space next to her, so he'll sit too. ]

And let's take a look. We can spend today seeing what we want to do this week.

[ they still had their phones on hand--and with telling husk to contact them if absolutely anything happened with the order, he's sure that they'd be good--at least for a week. Right? Edward would warn him too, given how Jinwoo and Lapis both still hold fast to the fact that it was him the Order were looking for.

He's going to plop down next to lapis in a moment, maybe purposefully bouncing the bed to make her pop up a little as he gives the map a flick, eyes scanning over it.

He taps his finger against one side of it. ] There's a section of the beach for swimming, but they also have a big infinity pool next to the beach if you don't want to swim in the salt water.

...Ah, and I think that's what I smelled earlier. Look.

[ theres a spot that's designated for food, and it's just one huge all-you-can-eat buffet style restaurant, complete with barbecue smokers and outdoor grill pits.

He tries to suppress a smile. ]

....Safe to say there might not be chicken on the menu, though....

[ There's a little sound of surprise - almost a chirp - as he plops onto the bed next to her and she finds herself bounced up. But the sound trails off into a chuckle as she peers over at the map, shifting to rest her chin on his shoulder. ]

Hmm... [ Salt water... She makes a faint face, but if they're at the beach she may as well enjoy all of it. ] I think I'm willing to brave the ocean to swim in it again. Though I'm mostly interested in checking out the rock pools there.

[ She wants to find little hermit crabs!

And Lapis' eyes trail over the map for a moment longer; letting out another amused huff. ]

I have a hunch it isn't, though that isn't a deal breaker. Annnnd I'm going to guess that might be our first stop, judging by your reaction earlier.

[ Plus starting things off with something to eat doesn't sound too bad. ]

We'll try out both and if the salt water proves to be too much, I'm not against floating in an infinity pool and pretending I'm in the ocean. That's what the illusion is for.

[ and besides, from the looks of it, part of the pool is covered with a sort of canopy which means he could swim in the shade, eliminating his need to get our of the direct sunlight for a while.

....God it was good to not be a vampire anymore. Even if he did miss some things. Like not really feeling temperature... ]

Rock pools... ah, do you think we could find a baby octopus? [ he remembers visiting a beach when he was small and being determined to find one... and he never did.

....his stomach growls, moments after Lapis accuses him of being most Interested in food. ]

Haha. Ha. Guilty....

I might have skipped breakfast this morning in order to get everything done to make sure we were ready to go today.

So maybe I'm just a little hungry. Just a little...

Mmm, so long as we can both relax that's the important thing.

[ She will brave the salt water, but the infinity pool is absolutely the more tempting option. Especially since there's shade, so Jinwoo can swim without worries. ]

Baby octopus? Maybe, I'll do my best to look when we go to the beach. [ With the power of her +4 luck, they may yield better results! Especially since it seems like he wants to see one, so that makes her all the more determined.

And when his stomach growls and he admits to not eating breakfast, Lapis makes a face, unseen as it is. Though she expresses her displeasure further by leaning closer to -

- Chomp (gently) on his ear for a second. She has teeth and she will use them. ]

I could've made you something quick to eat! [ Huff, huff. ] So there's our first stop for today. We can make plans for later, depending on if you go into a food coma or not.

Edited 2024-06-14 14:06 (UTC)

We're here for a vacation. There's no way I'd put myself out in a coma on our first day.

Even if I think our first day should be a day of relaxation...

Listen, you could have cooked something, but we were so busy, the last thing I wanted to do was ask you to cook--or worse, have you catch me trying to make kimchi ramen and try to eat me.

[ because he knows she'd try to eat him for eating ramen noodles when she's Right There and available to make something actually Good. ]

How about we go for a moderate amount of food and then go for a walk down by the beach? Tidepools... [ hermit crabs... ]

It's a vacation, if you want to go into a food coma you can.

[ They have no obligation besides relaxing! And Lapis simply raises her brows in response to his explanation; she's glad he's being considerate of her, but she still wished he ate something!

Though those ramen noodles... There's so many, but at least there's ways to be creative with it. And now she lifts her head from his shoulder, giving him a faint smirk. ]

The trying to eat you happens later.

[ Well. At least she's feeling better enough to make terrible innuendos. ]

But okay, moderate amounts of food and then a walk along the beach. Maybe we'll find an octopus.

[ look at how his eyebrows go up when she makes the innuendo--as if she hasn't said something like that more than once--only to slightly grin at her with a nudge of his head against hers. ]

We call that dessert.

[ he offers back, before folding up the map and tucking it into his pocket. ]

It's a beachside barbecue, so.
How about we get changed into some proper beach clothes and head over there.

[ There's a giggle in response, letting her head nudge against his in return as her lips brush against his cheek.

Then there's a hum in agreement as she pulls away, shifting off the bed and onto her feet. Time to get ready! ]

Alright, just give me a moment.

[ Lapis will collect her outfit from her bag, shuffling to the bathroom to get changed there; maybe it's silly to fuss over her outfit so much, but she's determined to look cute. After what happened the last few months, she's doing her best to feel comfortable in her own skin again.

After some fussing and deciding to tie up her hair in a loose ponytail, she pops back out of the bathroom, hands smoothing over the fabric of her dress. ]

Okay, ready when you are.

[ despite how big a dinner they ended up having, Jinwoo feels energized by the meal catered to them by the bird like people of this paradise. There was so much food to choose from--a buffet style of both meat and vegetables, and more desserts than could fit on one plate--

They'd agreed that they'd be able to try new things every day and didn't overdo it.

Even if jinwoo did insist on two different slices of cake.

carrying two bottles of bright fruit juice, they'd decided to take a walk down by the beach, just to see the sights before returning to have a lazy day for the rest of the evening.

Lapis is a bit ahead of him, scouting out for a properly sized tidepool; which, when she makes a small exclamation, he'll assume she found a good one. ]

--Watch your feet, the rocks might be sharp.

[ and yet, despite his caution, he's quick to half-jog over, too. ]

[ It was very tempting to have a little bit of everything, but they have all week - so more than enough time to try out the assortment of food here. And despite her teasing earlier, it would be nice to take a walk at least before relaxing for the rest of the night.

Even though she had two different slices of cake too. They're on vacation, she can splurge a bit.

But now she scouts along the beach for tidepools, soon crouching down beside one and smiling over at Jinwoo as he makes his way over. ]

He says, as he hurries over.

[ But then she peers into the tidepool, watching as some of the creatures float around. ]

... I wonder if using my shadows might be the safer option.

It's fine. I'm wearing sandals.

[ sandals, by way of a pair of silver and black flip flops.
which definitely weren't great protection against sharp rocks or anything. ]

...Okay, maybe it'd be a good idea to use your shadows too, just to be careful.
Aren't some snails really poisonous or something?

[ because good lord look at the SIZE of the sea snail down there. it's at least as big as the palm of your hand, just slugging along... ]

I'm not sure if sandals offer much protection...

[ Good thing she can heal, but hopefully it won't come to that. His luck has never been the greatest, but maybe how oddly good her luck has been (Black Order stuff not counting) might balance it out.

It's a vacation for both of them, after all. So no getting poisoned by sea snails. ]

Yeah, some are but I can't remember which ones. [ But she will gently, gently spread a shadow under the snail just slugging along - gently bringing them out of the water so they can take a better look. ]

I didn't realise they could get this big too.

[ It's something that Jinwoo actually Will take a moment to consider--squatting down to look down into the tidepool alongside lapis. ]

Actually, I wanted to mention to you.
Lately, when we have been together, I've noted a lot less of tiny misfortunes that usually plague me.
I haven't lost a pair of earphones in weeks; I've broken a lot less of my little household items...

[ he wonders if his luck changed, or....

he watches as she lifts the little creature, and upon being lifted the bigass snail half retreats inside its shell.

....just for a moment, as it almost waits to see if something is trying to eat it.
and when nothing comes, it slowly pokes its head out, those big long eye stalks glooping out and looking up at lapis, inquisitively... ]

....

It's honestly kind of cute.
Big wet. ....Puppy...

Hmm?

[ Now that he's mentioned it... There have been less little mishaps. Not losing things, less things breaking. And nothing has gone wrong on their vacation so far, too. Lapis has never minded his luck, but... ]

Is it only when we're together? Maybe your luck has been improving.

[ Because Lapis would never consider herself lucky, but. It's hard to deny when things have improved on her end as well.

But she doesn't want to say it's all due to her, that feels a little too egotistical. Instead she watches the snail as it emerges from the water, chuckling softly as it peers over at her. He's right, it is kind of cute.

But then a thought comes to mind, as she blinks back at the snail. ]

I wonder if we'll find those... [ She pauses, fingers snapping together for a moment as she thinks. ]

The little blue ones. They were all over social media at one point.

[ Blue Dragons, that's what she's talking about. ]

Mm. I've found when I'm alone, I still have those little mishaps here and there. Spilling coffee, misplacing my keys, injuring myself in minor but annoying ways...

[ like getting his foot caught and falling on his face like an idiot... ]

But they seem to occur less when you're around. I wonder if it's just a coincidence, but ...
I've lived with bad luck for almost 10 years or more. I'm acutely aware of it.

[ his near constant bad luck had just become a part of life; so it's easy to notice when it... just isn't happening.

hes gonna shuffle down a little and get into a comfortable squat above the tidepool. ]

--Blue dragons? [ his mind drifts to a blue Zhongli...

....

he shakes his head. ]

Oh, wait, do you mean those sea slug things?

[ When Jinwoo says it like that... Of course he'll know his changes in luck better than anyone else. And to go from constant little misfortunes to barely anything is a stark change too. ]

Maybe... Maybe it is me? [ There's a faint wince as she says that, and her next words come out in a hurried rush. It's a little... embarrassing? To talk about herself like this. ]

I mean... My luck has improved a bit recently. [ The weather clears up when she wants to go out, her plants have been thriving really well, she's won little things here and there... ] So maybe it's balancing out yours?

[ It sounds strange, but this is Kaisou - stranger has happened. And if her increase in luck is helping him, then she sees no problem in that. ]

Mmhm, that's right, the really small ones. [ Tiny blue Zhongli's......

And she'll also gently lower the snail back into the water, in you go little buddy. ]

But I think they're mostly in deeper water...

If that's the truth, then I don't have any reason to complain. If some spirit of
Luck has seen reason to bolster you, I'll take the extra buff to my own Luck.

[ so long as it doesn't come with a price. that part goes unsaid but maybe somewhat communicated as he gives a little gesture with his hands, closing his eyes with shrug.

The cause of his own Luck was Ashborn being a dick, after all. ]

....I wonder, if there are other scary things in the water here, given it's a different dimension. Maybe we'll even see other things. Like magic snails or something like that.

....

If you see a blue octopus, please don't touch it.

[ theres no blue octopus right now, but. there is something quietly trying to stealthily scuttle just under the shade of one of the tidepool walls.... ]

Well, if my luck makes yours better, then I'm very okay with that. I haven't noticed anything different about myself either, beyond that...

[ So no strings attached, she is just Lucky now. Maybe something took pity on her considering her boyfriend... and her dad... and her cousin all have terrible luck.

Also one day she will somehow grab hold of Ashborn and shake them. Somehow. ]

Or maybe we'll find a baby kraken in here. [ Far less cute than a magic snail. ] But I promise I won't touch any blue octopus.

[ And she sees that something scuttling, and she tilts her head as the shadows gently roll around it; bringing it more into view for the two to observe. No escape little buddy let them look at you. ]

[ maybe one day she'll get the chance. Catch the creature while it isn't sleeping, maybe it'll come out when he's in a state of feeling low... it's hard to tell. Ashborn is just quiet most of the time. Lucky for him. ]

--A baby kraken?! Please don't say such things, I've seen enough Kraken for one life time... not to mention the smell of it...
Can you believe they wanted to try to eat that thing? Zhongli's disgust was the most right ...

[ he shakes his head but, then he's shifting to move where he's standing on the edge of the tidepool.

...Yep, there sure is something booking it down there.
And it runs--and thump, it tries to skitter under a rock. Only to misjudge the height, bonk its shell on a rock, and flip over.

All its little legs and claws flailing in the air, bubbles escaping the dumb little crab. ]

[ She is glad that Ashborn doesn't bother him often, at least. Even if she still wants to put them in a chokehold one day.

And his response gets a giggle, lips quirking up into a faint smirk. ]

You gotta make do with what's available at sea! Though it did put me off seafood for a little while...

[ And seeing Zhongli get bodied by a tentacle is still hilarious to think about. But her attention goes back to the tidepool, head canting as she watches a little creature scurry about in the water.

It's hard not to giggle again as the little crab bonks its shell and flips itself over, and she motions for the shadows to gently lift the little guy up and out of the water. Since there's less chance of getting poisoned, she'll bring it into her hands; holding it as delicately as possible while shifting so Jinwoo can see too. ]

They're really cute, huh.

I can imagine. I've never been the biggest fan of squid, but. I really like whitefish, so it'd take a lot to get me off of seafood, I think...

I even ate bad sushi once and here I am, still a huge fan of kimpap...

He watches the little crab with amusement on his face, shifting a little when she picks the little guy up and out of the water. Dizzied and yet, somehow unbothered that it's been picked up.

Little eyestalks even gently flicking around to see who the godzilla who grabbed it was. Its little claws gently testing the waters--or in this case, the hands--that were holding it...]

People sometimes keep these as pets, right?
I can almost see why.

You've got a stronger stomach than me. [ She says, after witnessing the utter devastation the Agapov Taco Bell Olympics have done to him. ] Though maybe we can get some seafood tomorrow...

[ For now though, she watches the little crab in her hands - making sure to hold them very gently. At least they seem mostly calm, and she doesn't seem even remotely bothered at the claws testing at her hands. They are very cute...

So there's a moment where she shifts the little guy into the palm of one hand, fingers curling around it so they don't fall, before offering a finger from her now free hand. Clearly she is unafraid of getting pinched. ]

Mmhm, I think they're pretty popular pets... I wonder if we should get one.

Maybe a strong stomach. Or maybe I'm just stubborn. Before you came into my life, I couldn't cook that well, so.
Sometimes it was a matter of sucking it up.

I'm spoiled now.

[ he gives her a crooked grin. ]

Hm.

Hermit Crabs shouldn't be too high maintenance. It's just a small tank, right? Maybe we should look into it.

Well, I think you deserve to be spoiled.

[ There's a grin back, before her focus goes back to the little crab in her hands. ]

Mmhm, a small tank and some things to make a habitat. We can do that when we get back, but for now...

[ And she'll offer the little crab to Jinwoo. ]

Do you want to hold them?

...[ he doesn't need a moment to decide, his hands are immediately coming forward to hold the little thing, give him give him right now. ]

They don't pinch, do they?

Their claws are so small.

[ Once he presents his hands, she'll gently place the little hermit crab there. Crab Acquired. ]

Hmm, not really, I didn't really feel any pinching. And I think it'll be fine as long as we don't spook the little guy.

[ It seems pretty calm, so it should be safe. ]

lost in paradise

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[ tidepools ]

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