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

[latebloomingeros]

He doesn't object to that one?

[Seriously, Yuuri's a little worried for this guy, and he's never even met him?]

[reformedsinner]

[Hakkai shakes his head, reaching up to pet Jeep's mane with a fingertip. The dragon chirps, butting his head against Hakkai's finger, and then pulls away to stare suspiciously at Yuuri.]

No, he's ... there are some shinki who show up here and seem to have lost something. They're quiet, and they don't have much of a will of their own.

I'm afraid he doesn't object to anything.

[latebloomingeros]

Oh.

[Yuuri isn't sure what to say about that. He can't manage to focus on Jeep at all, as cute as the little dragon is. It's...]

That's... I'm sorry, I didn't know... Oh.

[reformedsinner]

There's nothing to be done about it but to look after them.

[Hakkai aims his smile at reassuring; it hits closer to wry, but at least he's trying.]

I just wish he'd answer to a less insulting name!

[latebloomingeros]

I suppose.

[It's still going to bother him a lot for a good long while, but... what is there that he can say about it right now?]

Um. This is Jeep, you said?

[He manages a faint smile, bowing his head to the little dragon.]

It's nice to meet you!

[reformedsinner]

[Jeep chirps, looking pleased to be acknowledged, and ducks his head back to Yuuri in return. He stretches out his neck curiously, nostrils flaring as he tries to sniff without losing his grip on Hakkai's arm. Hakkai winces as his small claws dig in.]

Ah, that's my skin, could you sit on my shoulder instead?

[He helps the dragon up with a gentle hand under his feet, and glances back at Yuuri.]

Yes, this is Jeep. I think he'd say, 'it's nice to meet you, too.'

[Jeep chirps.]

... Although it may be better that I can't quite understand him yet.

[This chirp is a little less amused.]

[latebloomingeros]

[Yuuri's smile relaxes into something a bit more calm and happy, and he extends a hand carefully towards the two of them -- not trying to touch, just offering it to be sniffed if Jeep likes, like he feels he might for a cat or a dog.]

He's very clever, isn't he?

[The way he vocalizes is very expressive, even if he doesn't speak or anything.]

[reformedsinner]

Very! [Jeep curls around Hakkai's neck, stretching his muzzle out again to get a better look at Yuuri's hand, and then lifts his head to look curiously into the man's eyes instead.]

I sometimes wonder if he'll be able to speak when he gets a little bigger. At this size, he must still be very young for a dragon.

[So it's possible that this is a little less like having a pet that turns into a car and a little more like having a three-year-old who turns into a car.... well, that's an awkward thought, considering he's been trusting Jeep to keep an eye on Asshole when he's away.

The dragon's still probably more sensible than any of Gojyo's former shinki, he admits to himself, and smiles.]

[latebloomingeros]

I have to admit, I imagined he'd be bigger when you started talking about a dragon.

[Especially one that could be used as a form of transportation.]

[reformedsinner]

I always thought dragons would be much bigger, too.

But I suppose Jeep is the only one I've met in person, so I may just have the wrong idea.

[Jeep chirrups several times, as though he's replying to them, and Hakkai looks down at the dragon's head in bemusement. On one hand, he doesn't have to worry about hearing anything about his past from the little dragon that he shouldn't. On the other... there are also times when it would be very nice to understand Jeep a little better.]

[latebloomingeros]

Well, he's magnificent, either way.

[That's the sort of compliment a dragon would like, right? He thinks it probably is.]

[reformedsinner]

[From the way Jeep immediately starts preening his whiskers with one claw, neck arched proudly, it seems to be the sort of compliment a dragon likes very much. Hakkai affects a sigh.]

Oh no, don't inflate his ego like that! He'll be insufferable.

[latebloomingeros]

[Yuuri doesn't laugh out loud, but there's a hint of laughter shining in his eyes.]

I'm very sorry. I'll have to accept the blame if he is.

[reformedsinner]

[Hakkai smiles down at Jeep, his expression softening with a genuine fondness distinct from the polite smile he's had so far.]

I'll have to tell him to visit you if he wants to be flattered! [He looks back up, a little of that polite distance falling back into place.]

-- Bastet's temple, isn't it?

[Jeep, who has stopped preening his whiskers and looks a little offended at the teasing, stretches his neck up and nips the edge of Hakkai's pointed ear in revenge. Hakkai blinks.]

Really, Jeep, I only teased a little.

[latebloomingeros]

[Okay, that's just cute. Yuuri lets a brief, soft laugh slip, watching the two of them.]

It looks like you've offended him now...

[reformedsinner]

I'm afraid I might have... well, I should go make sure he hasn't left my fellow shinki in any sort of trouble, hmm, Jeep? Yuuri, it's been very nice to meet you. I wish you the best of luck tracking down your god.

Ah!

[He raises one finger, with the expression of someone who's just thought of something important.]

We've had the occasional problem at some of these parties. Let me give you my number -- if you find yourself in trouble before you find your god, I'd be happy to help.

[latebloomingeros]

[Yuuri's a little surprised at the offer, blinking up at Hakkai.]

["What kind of problem," he wants to ask, but he thinks better of it the moment the thought crosses his mind. He's... he's got enough to worry about for now.]

Are you sure it wouldn't be too much trouble or anything?

[reformedsinner]

Not at all. It's hard to adjust when you get here as a new shinki -- I've only been here a few months, and I remember the feeling!

I would be happy to help.

[Amusement lightens his mismatched yellow and green eyes, and he adds:]

Besides, Jeep likes you.

[latebloomingeros]

[That answer gets a laugh out of him.]

Oh, is that why? Alright -- if I end up needing help, I'll get in contact.

[The teasing tone drops out of his voice a little bit as he adds:]

...Thank you.

[reformedsinner]

[Hakkai had hoped that reasoning would ease the sting of being offered help by a stranger. He sketches a small, polite bow.]

You're welcome.

[He holds out his phone, displaying the number on its screen. At least Yuuri seems familiar with them already; that's better than some new arrivals. Hakkai himself, for instance.]

[latebloomingeros]

[Yuuri reads through the number, repeating it out loud to himself until he's got it pretty well set in his memory.]

Okay, I think I should be able to remember that.

[reformedsinner]

[Hakkai nods, and slips the phone back into the pocket of his swimming trunks (since, after all, they're quite dry and he doesn't plan to actually get in the water.)

He offers Yuuri a tiny, polite bow.]

Good luck finding your god -- and please, enjoy the party!

[He doesn't actually want to scare the other man too badly.

So he doesn't say, While you can.]

[latebloomingeros]

[Yuuri nods quickly in return, still smiling politely.]

Yes -- thank you very much. I hope you'll enjoy it, too!