012 | The Beach Episode

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
What: Beach party
When: All day June 5
Where: The beach
Summary: A beach party for all of the Far Shore residents

[01-27 Edit: Continue your threads at the overflow post to evade captcha!]



There were certainly a lot of broken hearts and emotional roller coasters recently, so the Heavens have decided it's time to allow their people to let loose and have some fun for a little while. Through some magic - or possibly just a lot of money - they have managed to rent out an entire private beach for the event so that they won't be interrupted by any Near Shore residents. The beach is beautiful and well-maintained, the ocean goes for as far as the eye can see, and rocky outcroppings offer a handy place to dive into the water on a test of courage.

It's a beautiful summer day, perfect for swimming and cracking watermelons and playing some beach volleyball. There's even some soft music permeating the air so that nothing is every silent on this fun-filled day.

New arrivals, after having been met at the Meeting Hall, would have been immediately redirected to this party. After all, they should be enjoying themselves as well.



Swimwear

Anyone who doesn't have swimwear will be provided with swimwear to fit their needs. Unfortunately, the Heavens don't have access to a lot of swimwear, so you'll likely wind up with something ugly, something old, or something just plain weird.

Playful Fish

The sea critters are excited about the party too. They're happy to swim up to anyone in the water and will even come up to the shallows to take a look at the fun happening on the shore. Toe nibbling and brushes of scales are in your future, so you'd better get used to the idea if you plan on being in the water.

Barbecue

Some basics have been provided, but everyone has been asked to bring a little something to the barbecue as well if they can. So you're more than welcome to grab one of the many grills and start frying things up. Heck, there are even fishing poles available if you feel like hauling in a few of those friendly fish to grill. Additionally, summery drinks have been provided, including iced tea, lemonade, water, and horribly fruity cocktails.

After Dark

Just because the sun is down doesn't mean that the party's stopping! The barbecue will continue well into the night, lit now by the stars and a huge, roaring bonfire. The bonfire is maintained by Amaterasu's shinki and climbs higher than any bonfire has the right to. Also, there are floating lights in the water so that people can continue swimming now that it's dark. And if you happen to get too drunk to go home, don't worry. A white-clad shinki will be happy to put you back to bed at the end of the night. Additionally, some sparklers and small bottle rockets have been provided for your entertainment.

In Summary:

• Get some sun
• Go for a swim
• Make sure you're in a swimsuit
• Enjoy the food and activities
• Don't drown
• Have fun~

Comments

[missingache]

You're a sap, too.

[Sora, his balance is a lot better than that. Calm yourself. Roxas doesn't budge at all, kissing Sora's cheek.]

Hmm... you're from an island, so wouldn't it be like a barnacle? Glue can melt in water, but you have to scrape barnacles off a ship.

[oathkeeper]

[Sora stares at Roxas and makes a face and puffs his cheek up like a balloon when kissed.]

Are you saying I'm gunk that needs to be scraped off a ship.

[Stare.]

[missingache]

..... Sora. A barnacle is part of the crab family. It's a living animal, not gunk.

[Seriously. Seriously.]

The long it's on the ship, the more it'll tear it apart if you try and scrape them off.

[oathkeeper]

Ahh?? I know that! You're still saying I'm something that gets scrapped off a ship! And now that I tear ships apart?!

[Huffy pout. He doesn't wanna be a barnacle!]

[missingache]

[YOU WERE THE ONE TALKING ABOUT CLINGING

Quick. Think of animals that always stay together like they're stuck... come on, you ready books about this stuff... There's swans, but those are kind of mean. Eagles. No, those are mean, too. Uhhhhhmmmm... Roxas perks up.]

Wolves!

[oathkeeper]

[He's about to complain more about being scrapped off things when Roxas mentions wolves and he perks up.]

Like wolves?

[missingache]

[Nod nod let him teach you.]

Wolves are monogamous. I got curious why there was always one bull for all the cows on the farm, and then I found that there's animals that mate for life. The entire pack is their kids, and the kids leave after a couple of years, so there's always new ones. Sometimes other wolves join a pack, too, so packs can get huge... So yes, wolves. There's swans, too, but swans... Are really, really mean. They'll chase you for no reason.

[oathkeeper]

[He understands the general idea of wolves and packs but he didn't know they mated for life. He starts grinning, finally letting go that Roxas said he was a crab thing to be scrapped off a ship and he looks a bit proud.]

So we're like a wolf pack? You, me and our shinki?

[His grin gets wider.]

And I'm the leader of the pack, right?

[missingache]

You're calling the shinki our kids?

[Even if Raichi and Senri were like kids in some regard.

...... Sora gets a flat look.]

No. [The reason?] I'm better at taking charge than you are! That's what a leader needs to do.

[oathkeeper]

[Hah. That face. Sora pats his cheeks.]

Yes, I'm saying that! Because we're one big family!

[Then he looks a little scandalized. Who's the protagonist here?!?!]

What! I'm plenty good at taking charge!!

[missingache]

[Don't pat his cheeks! Roxas isn't a little kid!]

That just keeps getting bigger at this rate.

[He grumbles softly.]

You're way too reckless, rush into things, never think about consequences, never listen when people tell you not to do something when they know it will probably end up super bad, and your confidence can get you really hurt. [These are good reasons.] Does that sound like a leader?

[oathkeeper]

[WOW THAT'S REALLY HARSH.]

H-hey! ...I'm not that bad or that reckless! When I see my friends in trouble I do whatever I can to help them! I don't give up because it's important to be there for your friends no matter what! That's a leader too! And I do too listen to people!

[missingache]

[He's only being truthful!]

Like you listened to Cloud about Sephiroth?

[Let's keep going.]

A good leader needs focus, which means not to get distracted by everything around you. Confidence, but not just in you, but others around you. Don't be everyone's hero. Let people do their own things and don't always jump in to help unless they ask for it or really need it. You need to be innovative, which basically just means work with what you have to make things better instead of complaining about what you don't have. [Roxas leans in closer to Sora.] Patience. You're not good with that. You have leader quality, but some of those other things you need to work on. A leader needs to know when to step back and pick the people around them. You try and make friends with everyone.

[The last thing?] And you're not very dominant. If you were, we'd be fighting more often like Riku and I do.

[oathkeeper]

[When Roxas leans in closer he turns his head away. He's hearing everything Roxas is saying but it still is frustrating to hear. Yuto was scolding him for the same things just a few days ago.

He huffs and crosses his arms.]

I know I have things to work on! But it's not my fault everyone treats me like a little kid! You won't even spar with me because you think I can't do it yet. That's why I'm begging Terra to teach me now. Lightning was going to but... And Riku is still not really talking to me right now! I know he's a master and I'm not but... I'm trying! I really am! I work as hard as I can! And Brandon he...

[He takes a step back from Roxas and splashes the water.]

And I'm not gonna leave people if they need help. That's who I am and that's not changing! Don't say I don't believe in other people because of course I do!

[Frustrated!!! Can't Roxas just notice him. He's accomplished so much in his young life and does that mean nothing?

He's gonna go off and try and find something to eat now...]

[missingache]

[Great, Sora is mad.] Sora, I'm trying to hel-

[The splash of water is chilling enough to make Roxas take a step back. He clenches his fist as he watches Sora go, raising his voice.]

I didn't say I was a good leader either! [He sighs in annoyance, looking down, not caring if Sora is going to hear this. It just needs to be said out loud.] I get too focused. I pushed Axel away because of it, pushed my other friends away in Twilight Town because I wanted answers. I pushed you away, too. I sometimes take too much time before I step in, and I hate confrontation, even if it keeps happening. My temper is awful. I hate standing out, don't want to be a hero, just normal. Sometimes I overthink things and then misunderstand what someone was trying to tell me. And then reason I don't spar with you is because I'm afraid, okay?

[Now he just feels tired, moving to go sit on the beach, hiding his face in his knees.] And now we're not gonna be talking again.

[oathkeeper]

[Sora is stalking out of the water and up the beach but he does stop when Roxas raises his voice. He stands there with his back turned.

He catches most of what Roxas says and he hunches his shoulders. Were they really fighting over this? Sora's frustrated and he doesn't respond well to people just listing off everything he's bad for, but Roxas shouldn't do that to himself too.

He let's out a whining noise. Of course he can't just leave upset now. There's a little blink as Sora teleports right back to Roxas and latches onto him like a barnacle that needs to be scrapped off.]

Can't we just both be the stupid leader of the pack.

[He grumbles and whines and presses his cheek against Roxas'. No fighting over this...]

Your shinki love you lots and they look up to you. You take really good care of them and help them learn and let them get stronger. You take care of people all the time and you always think about others first. You like teaching people things and you're strong. You are a good leader.

[Another nuzzle. No mads.]

Why are you afraid of sparing with me though...

[missingache]

[All set trying to figure just where to spend the next few nights till Sora calms down, Roxas jumps a bit when he feels himself being latched onto. He listens before returning the nuzzle.]

Aqua, Aki, Hane... They were all good at that kind of stuff. I learned it all from them. Taking care of people makes me happy because then they're happy. [He's still not sure about the other things, but he'll concede at this time.] I'm sorry. We can both be leaders.

[Compromise. Right? Working together in this kind of fashion keeps people safe and happy. Even if Sora is still a little too reckless sometimes.

Roxas bites down on his lip rather hard before responding.]

I'm scared of hurting you. Like I did with Raichi that one time. I know you said you could take it, and you're strong, but I don't know how to hold back. You fought against me before, you should know that. I beat Sho, and I hadn't seen him in a few months at that point. He didn't stand a chance. So how could you? Sparring with Terra would be better for you right now. When you and Terra think you can take me, I'll think about it, but not till then.

[oathkeeper]

[Sora continues to cling to Roxas and presses tiny kisses to Roxas' temple.]

I know it makes you happy. I'm sorry too, I over reacted.

[He sighs a bit when Roxas says those things. He remembers Roxas telling him some of this before. He loosens his hugging just a bit to bonk his forehead against Roxas.]

I just want you to think we're equal. I want you to think I'm good enough for that. If one of us wins or loses it doesn't matter to me. I just want to be beside you instead of behind you.

[He smiles softly, trying to coax one from Roxas.] Terra's gonna teach me. And then you won't have worry or hold back. You'll be proud.

[missingache]

[It's hard to stay mad at someone who keeps being so damn affectionate.]

I think we both did.

[Behind him? Roxas looks a little dumbfounded at that. Sora really felt that way? He didn't realize that's what was happening. Something else to work on.

Sora will get smile at that last part.] Dummy. I'm already proud of you.

[oathkeeper]

[At least Sora knows he's being super effective. He likes showering Roxas with affection.

The smile makes Sora happy. He nudges Roxas.] Really? Most of the time I think I'm always just worrying you sick or making you sigh at me.

[He laughs lightly.]

[missingache]

[A little too super effective. Don't do it during a fight, Sora. Roxas might die.

He reaches up, pocking Sora's cheek.] Yeah, but what do I do more with you than anyone else? Things I wouldn't do unless I loved you and was proud?

[And if your answers aren't more smiles and kisses, then what is wrong with your perception.]

[oathkeeper]

[Sora grins and pretends to try and chomp on the poking finger. He then also pretends to think he doesn't know.]

Hmmm, I dunno I think you have to remind me.

[He knows, he just wants Roxas to say it out loud. He likes hearing Roxas say cute things!!]

[missingache]

[.............. All this blushing Sora can make Roxas do is more than he's ever done in this life. He looks away as he shifts.]

W-Why do I have to remind you? You know what I mean!

[Is this revenge for making you mad earlier?]

[oathkeeper]

[Sora blinks and wiggles a bit when Roxas blushes. He loves seeing Roxas' blush it makes him stupidly happy when he can do it. All the more reason to try and get that face as much as possible.]

No! I don't know what you mean! I forget things sometimes!

[He's still smiling knowingly, but still.]

[missingache]

[Sora, why. This is torture. So he drops his voice.]

You make me smile a lot more than other people do. I like hugs from you. [Roxas huffs softly.] I don't get why I blush so much with you!