[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

akira kurusu; p5r/p5s, the jonkler himself; hello i promised this TL like a week ago

[chemex]

The morning of... Akira is, oddly, not much of a party kid. He does, however, absolutely love to feed people. So when the mention comes up, he gets to work. His arsenal has greatly expanded since the days of only knowing how to make curry and scrambled eggs, and he's got a veritable smorgasbord of eats to choose from. If you can think of it and the ingredients are feasibly obtainable in Aldrip, he's probably made it.

There's also a frankly impossible amount of finger sandwiches. Those are good party fixings, right??

If you can dodge a chore, you aren't Akira Kurusu, actually. He likes chores, because he's a weirdo, but more importantly he's damn fucking good at watermelon-smashing. He was taught by the best, after all! So while he hasn't smashed any watermelons just yet, instead choosing to go around cleaning up after anyone else who has to make the experience more enjoyable (and less sticky) overall, he has a melon and a bat set aside for himself later.

Also if you happen to be even remotely competitive and want him to chase you with a watergun, or serve you some balls, or literally anything else, he is absolutely your guy. Just say the word.

Y'all gotta eat, right? Well good, because as previously mentioned, Akira has so much food. If he catches anyone looking who he hasn't seen with a plate already, he'll circle around to them with his hands in his pockets and start immediately questioning what sorts of food they like to build them a plate. Food is one of his many love languages, okay? Please eat.

As the sun starts to set, Akira is actually sprawled like a starfish in the sand. He's equal parts exhausted and energized by the day, but he's taking advantage of golden hour and just laying still for a while in the last dregs of warmth from the sun. His eyes are closed, but he isn't sleeping-- just resting. Or is he actually asleep...? Someone should throw a remaining water balloon at him or something.

[[For your viewing pleasure, these are what his swim trunks look like, because he's the only boy here who actually came prepared for a beach episode.]]

jonkler!!

[orphne]

[It's while he's being a starfish that Kotone plops down next to him and uses his arm as a pillow. Thanks buddy, she doesn't want to get (too much more) sand in her hair. She's not plastered against him or anything, but if he's gonna leave his arm out like that, she's gonna take advantage.]

Hey. Did you have fun?

[Maybe she's had one or two of Dazai's cocktails, but sitting by the ocean with a friend seems like one of many highlights of today.]

the jonklermobile!!!

[chemex]

[He's maybe trying to sun his pasty ass self, and now he's gonna have a funny Kotone-shaped tanline, but he can't even be mad, cracking one eye open to see who's joined him and then closing it again with a smile.]

Mmmn, yeah. Good party.

!!

[orphne]

[At least it'll just be a funny ponytail-shaped blob on his bicep as she folds her arms across her stomach and gazes up at the myriad of colors staining the sky from the setting sun.]

Yeah? I'm really glad.

[And if she sounds equal parts contemplative and pleased, well, that's probably normal actually.]

I know it was kind of sudden, but I'm glad you came.

[chemex]

[He hums, nodding, and opens his eyes into catlike slits to look over at her.]

Was there a reason for it? The party,

[orphne]

Got a bunch of beach stuff from...

[she waves vaguely toward the sky in lieu of a real answer, where she can only guess her mysterious benefactor appeared from. Probably related to the same group that had banished them all here in the first place? She has no idea.]

I wanted to do something really fun with everyone.

[chemex]

[He hums again, nodding.]

Was a good time. Good choice. [He raises just his forearm, hand curled loosely into a fist to offer her a fistbump.]

[orphne]

Thanks for your help with all the preparations. [She wiggles a little and tiredly bumps his fist with her own, giggling a little.

Should she tell him...? Hm.]

Promise not to think I'm really selfish if I tell you another reason? You can't make a big deal about it, either.

the food one

[sincleavers]

[What sort of food does he like? That's a dangerous question to ask -- one that nearly got no small number of citizens in Aldrip killed a few months ago. But he's nothing if not friendly, and besides, maybe he'll find a food buddy if he just keeps at it long enough. At least this time he wasn't foolhardy enough to cook something.]

I'm not too picky when it comes to food, but I definitely prefer something with a kick. The spicier, the better!

apologies for the delay my job was beating me up and taking my lunch money

[chemex]

[Akira immediately brightens-- spicy, he can do.]

You're in luck-- spicy curry happens to be a specialty of mine.

very rude of your job and also no worries, i got my butt kicked by a sudden cold anyway

[sincleavers]

[Clearly Alphen has hit the jackpot. He beams.]

Is that right? I'll take that as a challenge. Don't be shy -- I bet I can take any spice level you dish out!

extremely rude tbh

[chemex]

[He laughs softly, nodding and considering the available ingredients.]

The best part about a spicy curry is leftovers, so I'll have to make a big batch. It gets spicier the longer you let it set and marinate in its own heat.

[sincleavers]

Is that right? You sound like you know what you're doing, when it comes to cooking. I'll have to give that a try.

[Not that leftovers are ever really a thing, with the kind of company he keeps, but...wishful thinking.]

[chemex]

It's a recent thing, but I like to think I've found something of a calling. What room in the Inn are you? I'll bring you some when I've got it made-- it's not really a quick recipe.

[sincleavers]

Hey, a calling is a calling, even if it's recent. I only started recently, too. It's been fun, learning about how things go together in food...even if it's not always successful. [It's a learning process. Sometimes you learn that you just shouldn't cook for other people yet.]

That's a kind offer to make. I'm in room [idk insert room number here?!?]. I'll have to come up with a way to repay you.

Gives Akira a very weird first meeting

[darkdisgrace]

[Here's the thing: Chuuya's never actually done watermelon smashing, so he doesn't even think to use a stick.

He uses his fist instead, which means Akira might get splattered by the remnants of the poor watermelon that Chuuya just slams his bare fist through as he's going around cleaning up.

Yeah uh... sorry about that?]

this is my favorite expiation tag to date

[chemex]

[Not the anticipated response--]

[--but, he's absolutely had worse things splattered all over him with less reason. He does stop and go very still, eyes closed against the spray, and stays that way a moment. He takes the time to lick his lips before swiping his hands over his eyes-- watermelons aren't acidic, but he still can't imagine it feels great to get their juice and desecrated remains in your eyes. He then does the equivalent of the white man blinking gif at Chuuya.]

...love the enthusiasm, buddy.

[darkdisgrace]

[Chuuya blinks downward at the absolutely massacred watermelon, frowning. Yeah he's not really seeing the appeal here, beyond the obvious satisfaction of smashing something. Can you even eat one like this?

He glance up towards the voice nearby, straightening... and grimacing slightly at the mess he's made.]

Ah crap uh... sorry about that. Maybe I should have held back a little? You alright?

[chemex]

[Akira laughs easily enough, shaking his head and gesturing toward one of the watermelon-covered sticks nearby.] Suikawari usually involves a stick, but you took the straightforward approach. I respect it,

[foundheart]

[Akira can't dodge a chore, but can he dodge a water balloon??

Because that's what Sumi is doing, tossing one as hard as she can at Akira while his back is turned!! She's got a water gun at her side too, giggling brightly]

i love babygirl sfm

[chemex]

[He cannot, and moreover, will not. In the Metaverse, he absolutely 100% would have known she was there, and probably dodged without fully meaning to. Outside of it? He's actually kind of a big dumb loser boy, in a perpetual state of gangly teenage animal where his limbs are too long and he can't quite figure out what to do with them. Gone is the grace of interdimensional parkour, but at least he doesn't fall flat on his fucking face-- he has Sumire to thank for the flexibility and small degree of worldly aerodynamics he sports.]

[Which is to say he got McFucking Wrecked and now his hair is a funny soggy mop and he turns around to pull his fringe out of his eyes like a very silly wet curtain. He looks from her to the watergun and back to her face, briefly still with his hands up to hold his hair aloft, and then sticks his tongue out just barely between his lips.] Can I have a ten second head start before you begin the massacre?

[foundheart]

[She tries to keep her serious, 'stick 'em up!' face for all of 5 seconds before she starts giggling.]

Hmm, I don't know. I've already got you right where I want you! I should take you in now and collect the bounty for myself!

[chemex]

[He gasps, feigning betrayed dismay with a hand splayed over his collar bones.]

Curse your sudden yet inevitable betrayal! I hope the bounty's good.

[foundheart]

Hmm, I dunno, I'm a woman of fickle whims and money...hunger. [She apuses and makes a slight face as if to say, 'not quite what I wanted to say' but she goes with it anyhow]

Offer me better!

[chemex]

[She's doing her best. Akira seems a little at a loss about it, hand still splayed over his clavicle, and then gets a terribly rogueish grin to him as he steps forward. The hand against his chest splays out and to the side while the other folds against his middle, and he leans forward into a deep bow, grinning up at her.]

Oh? The Lady offers me mercy, then I would be a fool to decline. [He brings his hand forward, instead.] Team up with me, we'll take everybody else down. Assuming you have another gun.