[open mingle] let's go to the beach-each, let's go get a wave

[orphne]

Who: Anyone in Aldrip on June 12th
Where: The beach close to town
What: A totally open mingle for a party on the beach
Warnings: potential for injury and alcohol use -- let me know if y'all do anything that needs to be warned for, and I'll update it!

The prompts are just suggestions below -- this is a completely open mingle, so feel free to make your own starters, tag around, and go wild!

The weather doesn't change overmuch in Aldrip, but what is summer if not a state of mind? If anything, the too-pleasant weather makes planning ahead a little easier. A video message from one Kotone Shiomi had gone out the day before to invite everybody -- and that means everybody, locals and Chosen alike -- to a party on the beach, starting in the afternoon when the sun is consistently warmest and going until- well, until everybody leaves.

The morning of... Kotone can't do it all on her own, though! Maybe the prospect of a party is enough to get you digging around looking for supplies that could be useful on the beach. Games? The shops must have something, surely. Food? The kitchens are, as always, available. Hauling wood for a bonfire? Hey, someone's gotta do it. Maybe you're helping some of the locals go fishing early in the morning for extra food, or harvesting some fresh fruits and veggies from their gardens and farms. Many hands makes light work, or something like that. If nothing else, if you missed the initial annoucement, the bustle should at least clue you in that something's in the works. Don't forget to buy (or make, or "find") a swimsuit! Modernity not required.


If you can dodge a chore, you can dodge a ball, or, with or without your help, there are plenty of things to do on the beach itself. Some of the sports and activities might seem a little anachronistic to the generally old-fashioned vibe in Aldrip -- the volleyball net and ball are local, but the beach ball and water guns are a little too brightly-colored and plastic, the water balloons in their bucket too obviously mass-produced, to be local, but they're there for anyone to play with (or torment others with). The band's set up as well, though with some different music than they'd played for the inn party. Maybe someone can make a request for more appropriate beach music? Or maybe you just want to see if you can launch a water balloon from a trumpet.

Eventually, someone starts a volleyball tournament. Time to let that competitive streak shine! Or at the very least, you've got to try cracking open a watermelon with a bat... but maybe not too close to the people relaxing on lounge chairs under umbrellas.


Y'all gotta eat, right? Whether you helped the locals earlier with catching fish or preparing food, there's an array of grills that have been dragged out to the beach. Hopefully some of the more magically-inclined among you can figure out how to keep the insulated boxes of ice and ice cream cold away from electricity (or maybe you're using the trek back to town for more ice as an excuse to get away from the party), but even if not, there's plenty of fish, vegetables, and meat available for grilling. Maybe you're the chef, maybe you're just here for the food, but there's plenty available no matter what you choose.

The food is hot and the drinks are cold. Unlike the inn, there's plenty of space around to try to avoid mingling with others if you're the quiet type, but watch out! It also means there are fewer places to hide. It's harder to wallflower without any walls.


As the sun starts to set, someone gets the bonfire going. Marshmallows exist, though maybe in a less-manufactured way than you might be used to, and there's plenty of other leftover things to roast if you're the type. It's another beautiful night in Aldrip to watch the stars and take in the fresh air with some friends. In light of everything that's happened, maybe some quiet relaxation is finally in order.

Well, for some of you. For others, night is when the party gets rowdier and it's time for drinking and party games. Just try not to make too much of a mess! Because somebody's going to have to clean it all up tomorrow.

Comments

action;

[orphne]

II. Proper Planning Prevents... something something something

[It's her 18th birthday, and she's dumping ice into a big insulated box to try to keep ice cream cold. They might not be the toxically-bright popsicles that she's used to, but it's still a beach staple, she thinks! Then immediately she's on the move again, trying to set up some umbrellas that are honestly bigger than she is. As soon as that's done, she's running over to help one of the locals get a fire going for one of the grills. Busy, busy, busy!

Upon making eye contact, she'll offer a wave and a bright smile.]

Hey, come give me a hand with this? [Whatever it is she's working on, an extra set of hands won't hurt!]

III. Enemy Advantage [!!]

[The bright plastic waterguns aren't really her thing, but water balloons on the other hand...

Without warning, anyone in swimwear could potentially be pelted with one by a giggling Kotone in a very modern pink bikini. No one asked for this.

...Retaliate...?]

IV. Let's Get Ready for an All-Out Attack!

[For someone who had been in a sports club back in school, Kotone isn't the most competitive person. But when she pairs up with someone for beach volleyball, well -- she might have been in the tennis club, but she hung out with enough players from the volleyball club that she does know what she's doing.]

Alright! I won't let you down, let's win!

[She flashes a bright smile to her partner and offers a hand for a high-five. Go ahead and serve! Do your best!]

V. Burn My Dread

(spoilers for Persona 3, cw: contemplation of mortality)
[It's her 18th birthday, and she's still alive. Honestly, she never thought she'd make it this far. It's a kind of bittersweet emotion as she sits by the bonfire and sips a brightly-colored drink in a rare moment of quiet. The party's still going on around her, but for the moment, anyway, the noise has faded into the background behind the crackling roar of the fire.

She's not supposed to be alive. She should have died months ago. And yet, she's still here. Hopefully she's been able to make more of a positive impact than a negative one, but... it's hard to say. She hurt a lot of people during the attack, when she hadn't been herself. Having a self-indulgent little party like this is hardly going to make up for that, especially not when the skull-shaped marks are still fading from her back. But maybe it's a little step forward.

Maybe when she dies for real, people will remember her for the good things, instead of the bad.]

VI. wildcard!

[Want to get up to some different shenanigans? Play truth or dare? Involve her in a prank? She's here for any and all! hmu on the discord or on plurk!]

V

[baldrshand]

[It's been a lovely day at the beach, the sort of day that leaves you feeling tired in a good way. This sort of oceanside party is new to Ethlyn--there's a lot going on, and it's a bit of a relief to sit by the fire with a glass of iced tea.

She steals a glance at the young woman beside her, the one who's organized all this.]

You look like you've got something on your mind.

[orphne]

Huh?

[She sits up a little bit straighter, the slivers of ice left in her drink clinking against the glass with the sudden movement.]

Oh... I guess so! I was just thinking about... time, I guess. [She waves a hand as if that vague answer was any kind of real answer at all, and flashes the other a reflexive smile with a tilt of her head.] Did you have fun?

[baldrshand]

Time, eh... [An interesting thing to think about. Ethlyn has it on her mind too, often enough--how her time at home was cut off and then returned to her just as suddenly here.] It's a strange thing. I always thought of it as something immutable, but I've spoken to people here who treat it like traveling over land.

[She smiles, though.]

I did have fun today, though. I've never spent time on the shore in quite this way.

[orphne]

Oh, yeah? [Traveling over land... yeah, that's one way to put it. She makes it sound like it's possible to go forward or back, which is nice to think about. In Kotone's experience, however, time only marches ever forward -- this is just a break from the inevitable, she thinks. Still, it's nice to think about, and her smile reflects that.]

I've always liked the ocean. Swimming and all the other stuff is really fun, but there's something nice about just getting to sit near it and listen to it, you know? It's so big it makes everything else seem kind of small!

[baldrshand]

It does at that. [Ethlyn looks out towards the waves, lit beautifully by the lowering sun as they continue their endless rolling towards the shore.] All the troubles and petty squabbles of men seem like nothing next to it.

[The ocean has certainly had its share in shaping history, just by not caring who's sailing over it.]

There's something everlasting about it.

[orphne]

Yeah. That's a good way to put it.

[Very apt, very poetic. That's never really been Kotone's thing, but it's nice to hear from someone else. Kotone draws her knees in and rests her chin atop them, glancing sideways at the other young woman without losing her smile.]

I don't think I've gotten your name before? I'm Kotone Shiomi.

ii

[murderingjustice]

[After helping Kotone out with carrying stuff and setting things up Akechi thinks he's earned some relax time! So, he's now settled to rest on one of the beach chairs under the shade, actually enjoying himself.

He's wearing one of the swimsuits that he could find from the downtown with a white unbuttoned bowling shirt, looking sharp as always.

Well, too bad that his peace and quiet is disturbed when a water balloon suddenly hits back of his head, soaking him]

Wha--!! The fuck, [He yelps, jumping on his feet to see who the fuck dares -- only to spot the ever so mischievous Kotone.]

Very funny, Kotone.

[orphne]

[She bursts into loud, genuine laughter at his reaction -- what a mouth on the Detective Prince! -- and grabs another water balloon out of the bucket she'd been keeping them in to lightly toss it from hand to hand.]

Are you just gonna sit there and take it, Goro? [she teases with a wink before nodding toward another bucket she'd set up several meters away.] Or are you gonna fight back?

[Throwing down a rather wet glove, but a challenge nonetheless. Well?]

1/2

[murderingjustice]

[stare...

Oh Kotone.]

[murderingjustice]

[Then he sighs and shakes his head, placing his hand against his hip to assume his trademark Gay Pose. ]

I'll have you know that I will not go easy on you just because of our prior relationship, Kotone. [Competition mode engaged! A new challenger appears and so.

And with that he takes the quick steps towards the bucket stacked with colorful water balloons. Within a blink of an eye he's already grabbed two of the balloons, and hauls the first one at her, aiming more towards her left. Now if she's to dodge that he's sure to toss the second one swiftly to where he assumes her to move.]

[orphne]

You'd better not!

[Go easy on her, that is. If anything, her laughter only redoubles as he grabs the balloons two at a time. Predictably, she does dodge the first directly into the second, which only makes her shriek with surprise laugh louder with unrestrained joy.

Then she's diving for her own bucket of water balloons, hurling one first toward his head to try to get him to duck, then another one right behind it in an attempt to catch him in the sternum.]

[murderingjustice]

[Well, he does enjoy a good challenge. And Kotone has, in fact, proved herself to be a worthy opponent in the eyes of Akechi. And he doesn't stop for a break when his second balloon hits, but instead grouches down to pick another one to throw at her way.

Oh, what is this? Trying to apply his own tactic of a decoy against him? Akechi does dodge the first one, but instead of ducking he jumps to his side, throwing his whole body on the sand. He manages to avoid both of her attacks, the second one just barely tho, and once in ground he quickly throws the balloon on his hand at her feet to get her jump back as well.]

[orphne]

Gotcha!!

[She grabs a few more balloons and then jumps into the air. It's the same motion she'd used when playing volleyball with the other club members, and not totally dissimilar from the leaping attack she'd make with her naginata. With another peal of delighted laughter, she hurls balloon after balloon Goro while he's prone on the ground.]

ii

[sincleavers]

[Aw, baby's first beach party. Not that he's a baby, or anything, it's just-- look, Dahna isn't exactly the best place for parties. Or beaches. Or...fun. Alphen's doing his best to get involved even if he has no idea what he's doing --hey, it's never stopped him before-- so when Kotone enlists aid for setup, he's happy to help.]

No problem. Here, I'll get this end--

[The umbrella really is big, huh? He grabs the top half to keep it steady, at least until it's secure enough in the sand to stand on its own.]

Just tell me if you need me to move it, alright?

[orphne]

Thanks!

[Kotone is an even 160cm, so lots of things are bigger than she is. She tosses Alphen a grateful smile as she wiggles the umbrella firmly into place and tilts it a little for the ideal angle to cover the chairs she'd set up.]

I think it'll be good for now... Pop it open for me?

[She steps back and shades her eyes with her hand, trying to decide if it's in a good enough spot.]

[sincleavers]

[With her having at least a somewhat better idea what she's doing and him being able to reach the top part of the umbrella, they're quite a team! But now's the real test. Speaking of knowing what he's doing, and how he generally doesn't:]

Got it. Let's see...

[... He peers inside the cloth of the umbrella and realizes he has no earthly idea how it works. Why are there so many little sticks in there?? He fiddles with it a bit. Ah, so the sticks move. In the end, he does manage to pull it open, though if it's supposed to have some kind of security pop, he doesn't quite manage that part.]

There we go. What do you think? [Since she's already giving it an appraising look and all.]

[orphne]

[Oh no. She's realizing she gave him something of a difficult task, actually, as he sticks his head in there and starts fiddling. But also, it's kind of funny to see if he'll actually figure it out! So she doesn't help at all, choosing instead to watch (though she'll step in if he looks about to hurt himself).

When he does it, she claps twice. Well done!]

Looks good! Can you push it up just a little higher until it pops? Otherwise it might just- [she mimes the umbrella collapsing in on itself, making the appropriate pssh noise to accompany it.]

[sincleavers]

[It's almost like a test. Or an idiot-catcher, since he puts his head back underneath to try to see what she's talking about. Pops?]

Like... [Fiddling. No, not that. A little more fiddling, and pop it goes.] --that?

[This time he wiggles it a bit just to make sure, before standing back to, er...admire his handiwork?]

I didn't imagine that being so complicated. All right -- what else can I help with?

[orphne]

Yeah! Nice work!

[At least she doesn't look like she's making fun of him? Her smile is genuine, even if there's a little bit of laughter in her eyes. Setting her hands on her hips, she casts her gaze around the beach before setting out at a jog, gesturing for him to follow.]

Help me get more of these chairs set out? [There's a stack of them, a few more locally-styled, a small handful anachronistically modern-looking piled close to the entrance of the beach where she'd dumped them on her first few trips.] Oh, what's your name, anyway? I don't think we've met?

II

[foundheart]

[Dressed in her own pink bikini, Sumi is Ready To Party, to get out their and mingle about. it'll be great! it'll be fun! She definitely isn't second-guessing everything she's wearing right now and considering buying an extremely gaudy cover-up!

Kotone's sudden voice snaps her out of her worry for now and she instantly grins as she goes to help set-up the grill.]

Sure! Aren't you supposed to be enjoying yourself too though? You're doing an awful lot of prep-work by yourself!

[orphne]

I'm having fun! Oooh, your swimsuit is really cute!! We match!

[There's no time for self-consciousness here!! Kotone gives her a bright smile and positions herself on the other side of the grill.]

Can you help me move this? Chuuya could pick it up all by himself, but I think if we work together, we could do it. I just wanna get it over on those logs over there...

[foundheart]

We do! [She laughs brightly, clearly pleased and amused by that] It means we've got great taste!

[But she hurries over to take up the other side of the grill] Sure! You're putting so much into this, I hope you can relax and enjoy it soon!

[orphne]

Yeah we do!

[She'd give her a high-five, but she's already got her hands under this grill.]

On a count of three, one, two, three!!

[And hoist! Kotone's no gymnast, but she's a former tennis club member and, oh, also spent hours climbing stairs and fighting Shadows, so like Yoshizawa, she's stronger than she looks.]

Anyway, I don't mind doing all the set up. I just want to make sure everyone has a good time. It's a beautiful day for the beach, right?

[The weather is literally the same all the time... it's always a perfect day for the beach.]

[foundheart]

[She lifts it with Kotone, brow furrowed in concentration as they move it. She doesn't speak until they've set it down again, Sumi stretching her arms up and leaning back to crack her back.]

It is! I haven't been able to get to the beach in a long time, it feels needed, you know? Some time to just rest and relax.

[She looks around, resting her hands on her hips, and then sighs] I wonder how long it'll take before there's a water gun shoot out between the boys...