[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

notice me senpai uwu

[murderingjustice]

Isn't that how most of you adults function, though?

[How Dare! Akechi is going to keep trying to be as flashy as he can with his preparations. Does he know what he's doing? Nope.]

[nullificates]

You'd be foolish to think I'm most adults, right?

(considering his poor broken pinky. good that dazai didn't do much to it, or else, this would be worse to prepare-- which he's still NOT LOOKING.)

[murderingjustice]

All adults are the same deep down. Rotten to the core.

[But look at that pleasant smile!! Anyway, it really doesn't take much to make a Spritzer, so he's quickly done with the task. Look, he even added some mint as a garnish.

Overall, it looks decent for his first try but the taste. We'll see. Akechi raises his glass towards Dazai as in to make a toast]

[nullificates]

(look at akechi, being nice, not growling. he does deserve the toast, there's even a little smile of acknowledgement for the drink, it does look pretty-ish.)

You know, I can't disagree with you, but it is a cycle. Break it if you can, or don't.

(mori worsened him. he ruined akutagawa. akutagawa ruined kyouka. she's breaking the cycle.)

[murderingjustice]

[If this was Persona Game a small musical notes would appear above Akechi's head right now.

He laughs at that remark though. It is a vicious cycle, like almost everything else in life. Too bad that he really doesn't believe in people or in their ability to break free from such chains. And when it comes to himself?? Oh well,]

I'm not in the game anymore. [Being dead and all. He might've just had his birthday last week but he still doesn't see himself ever becoming a grown up.

Ah yes! But the toast!! After raising his glass in the air he takes a sip of it and... Yeah, his face turns sour to match the overpowering flavor while he feels the back of his throat burning from the alcohol. Rip.]

[nullificates]

Ah? Well, who knows, maybe this is your new life! Break cycles! Conquer! Become less of a feral raccoon!

(if akutagawa can do it, so can akechi, in his honest opinion. he's still a feral raccoon, but he sees atsushi's influence working on him. yet another mafia man who doesn't kill, and it makes dazai overjoyed in his irony. )

Ah, since we're being civil. Did you ever figure out how 'No Longer Human' works?

[murderingjustice]

And accept my status as a prisoner? Tch. [He just shakes his head. Yeah, he's still hellbent on escaping this world!!! A flash of annoyance visits on Akechi's features at being called a 'raccoon'. Excuse you! He's more lethal than that.]

You remove your target's powers temporarily with your touch, deleting the essential part of their identity. That's why the name.

[nullificates]

Kiddo, we're all prisoners. Being alive means something traps you, certainly, even if it is yourself. This is just a big metaphor, the more you realize that, the easier your life will be.

(or the more miserable, but that's implied. memories, past, society, expectations - aren't these all parts of what keeps one human? but speaking of:)

Ah, well, that's part of it, for sure.

[murderingjustice]

That's a very cynical perspective, Dazai-san.

[life is miserable for sure and people enslave themselves willingly to different things. but it's exactly that will of rebellion against such bonds that led him to awaken Robin Hood and Loki. Akechi fought hard to be free and now he's back with the restraints.]

Oh? So there is more to it than that?

[nullificates]

Considering you'd love to tell me I'm wrong and you're not doing that, you agree, whether you see it or not.

(and that last bit makes him giggle, that know-it-all smile that means all, but means nothing at the same time.)

Ah, kiddo, by the way, speaking of. Which is yours?

(simple math. akira, arsène, kotone, all her stuff, thus akechi...?)

[murderingjustice]

Maybe I've learned not to waste my energy with arguing with you.

[it's not that he fully disagrees either, but his version might not as black and white. it's also dripping red from the desire to destroy and break such polar opposites, leaving nothing behind.

oh! but his question earns a curious raise of brow from Akechi. the math is correct but since Dazai wasn't exactly specific with what he meant there's no reason for Akechi to give in easily either.]

Which of what, exactly?

[nullificates]

Let me think... What was it...

(spirit of rebellion... let's troll? completely troll?)

Tom Sawyer?

1/2

[murderingjustice]

[PFFFT]

[murderingjustice]

Sure.

Let's go with that. [Not telling!]

[nullificates]

How rebellious of you!

(HEHEHEHEHE.)

[murderingjustice]

Isn't it just. Causing mayhem and trouble all around the idyllic neighborhood.

[If it was anyone but Dazai he'd give him patronizing shoulder pats, but instead he continues to just look down at him.]

Aren't you a smart one for figuring that out. Such a good detective.

[nullificates]

I never said it was, but I simply wanted to poke you into talking! So difficult, you can be!

(but his face is not different from pictured, serene in the following revelation.)

Myself and Rampo-san are the actual best ones around, you know, aside from our lovely personalities.

[murderingjustice]

You wouldn't happen to be talking about Edogawa Rampo-san?

[Because, yeah, that'd track.]

So, was it Kotone who told you? I didn't think she'd be one to gossip. But even she doesn't know the true nature of my powers.

[nullificates]

That would be him.

(probably not the same, he's sure.)

Koto-chan's never told me anything. No one did. Things, however, stack, don't you think? It sounds like a living hell to you people when 'No Longer Human' sets in.

[murderingjustice]

He must be interesting character. [At least if his world's counterpart is anything to go by.

Akechi hums and takes another sip of his abomination cocktail, this time bracing himself enough to keep himself from balking.

Someone must've told him something. Otherwise he wouldn't be aware of Personas or the 'rebellion'. Well, Dazai had pieced together that he and Akira were from the same world.. so maybe the idiot had somehow spoken out of line.]

I wouldn't go as far as to say 'hell.' Uncomfortable, unnerving and disorienting? Definitely. The real hell is to be able feel their presence in the back your mind, but have them out of your reach.

[nullificates]

(well, yes, or maybe dazai put locals to hear your every conversation!!! (he didn't, but like, also a possibility to be sus about!!!)

either way, he taps the chair next to him, where there has been so many teens before him. civil time, perhaps?)

Ah, is it time we stop barking at each other?

(or perhaps, is it him extending an olive branch.)

Is it how it happens in this place to you?

[murderingjustice]

[Honestly, Dazai inviting him to sit with him is far more Sus than having locals eavesdropping.

Akechi, looks down at the chair and then back up at Dazai. However, he doesn't sit down yet. Instead he offers him a grin, placing his free hand on his hip to take his Trademark Gay Pose.]

What is this? Inviting me for a little heart-to-heart chat? A bit of counseling and advice from my senior? [Gross.]

[nullificates]

Ugh, absolutely not. I'm sorry, kiddo, but you're-- not someone I should mentor myself. I'm simply tired of looking up, if you don't mind helping the injured.

(akechi's a little similar to akutagawa - both incredibly stubborn, set in their own ways. dazai's mentoring style with this kind of personality should be a mix of understanding and turning the boy into dust, then into another shape, so--...!

he'd better not meddle.)

[murderingjustice]

That works perfectly for me as I don't recall asking to be mentored.

[He's never had one, unless you count whatever happened between him and Shido (which is, ugh, no thanks), so why start now.]

Besides, unless you have an ability that allows you to break the barriers holding my powers back you're not any help to me.

[nullificates]

Ah, I know someone who does, albeit they're not here. A pity, truly. If they do come, I'll do you a gentle favor, perhaps.

(his own boss, after all. not that akechi would particularly enjoy 'all men are equal', being a subordinate. either way, it's a bargaining chip he has.)