37B - Beach Episode: Electric Boogaloo

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
What: Beach Party Reward!
When: April 8-10
Where: Honolulu, Hawaii
Summary: Orihime has persuaded the Heavens to grant the Far Shore denizens a reprieve. The people spoke and asked for a beach vacation!






The Far Shore has managed to rent out an entire private beach for the event so that they won't be interrupted by any Near Shore residents. The rented beach is beautiful and well-maintained, at Sand Island State Recreation area, not too far from a certain temple, overlooking the bay and Honolulu itself, depending on the side you're on. The party stretches to all the way around the island so that you can look out over the ocean waves as well.

It's a beautiful late spring day, perfect for swimming and cracking watermelons and playing some beach volleyball. There is a hut with snorkling gear (shallows only) and surfboards too! There's even some soft music permeating the air so that nothing is every silent on this fun-filled day.

You Need Only Ask Permission

Not knowing how to decide which of many beaches to suggest before Amaterasu, Orihime asked her dear friend Fuujin for advice, and of course he suggested the Daijingu Temple of Hawaii. (It's a temple dedicated to him, and one he visits fairly frequently.)

Getting down to Honolulu is treated like a simple affair by Orihime. She tells people that they only have to go to Fuujin's temple in the Far Shore, ask for permission to use it to travel to one of his temples on the Near Shore, and one of his shinki will grant permission on his behalf while he silently watches in the Far Shore. (A satisfied smug look on his face, mainly directed at the new gods, less so the shinki.) His Exemplar, Kaede, will smile and wave as she watches the parade of people exit on the other side in Honolulu, at the Daijingu Temple.

Of course, if you would prefer not to indulge Fuujin and you have another way to get to the party, you're welcome to do so!

Swimwear Strikes Again

Anyone who doesn't have swimwear will be provided with swimwear to fit their needs before leaving the Far Shore, courtesy of Lord Fuujin's memory of how well the Far Shore residents enjoyed their swimsuits last time. 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.

Picture Perfect

How enchanting are the people posing for all those cute pictures? The Heavens would greatly appreciate proof that the event was a similar hit, so they've asked Orihime to bring back picture evidence of the festivities. Whether you post the picture to the BBS or not, can you get a cool shot while surfing? While eating your favorite treats? While building sand castles? Playing beach games? Possibly a series with a common theme? Make it a challenge with your friends! Maybe that perfect picture isn't something your friend wants to hand over... Feel free to go to great lengths to find that perfect picture.

Barbecue Bonus

This time, more than the basics have been provided, but anyone is welcome to bring a little something to the barbecue as well if they so choose. A wide assortment of fish, a fair bit of chicken, and some beef have all been provided by Orihime and transported by Fuujin's shinki, but it's clearly all been locally procured. 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 fish to grill. Additionally, summery drinks have been provided, including iced tea, lemonade, water, and horribly fruity cocktails. By evening, small desserts on trays will also be brought over, including such Hawaiian specific treats (in bite-sized portions) as Passion Fruit Cheesecake with Toasted Macadamia Nuts, Chocolate haupia pie, and Poi mochi.

Come Join Us!

All of those activities aren't as fun alone! Whether you're preference is swimming, snorkling, or surfing; beach volleyball or sand castles; cracking watermelons or maybe even... games involving other kinds of spirits! Start things off and welcome others in!

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

[unlucky7]

The spygoat bleats as it sees Chris advance. Its wheels spin a little faster as it tries to hurl itself in the path of the incoming water, but in the soft sand, it only manages to dig itself in deeper. Maa-ster, noooo!

The water splatters onto Ginia's back and she startles with all the grace of a cat disrupted from a nap, flailing upright. Her instincts are sharp as she slashes out a borderline in front of her for protection and sits upright. Before she can accidentally flash the beach, she ties the top of her swimsuit back up.

CHRIS. She glares at her god, but it's not that angry. Okay, it's a beach, this is what people do.

[trustheart]

Chris cackles, her evil laugh echoing out across the beach. She doesn't give Ginia any quarter, firing more jets of water at her as she gets to her feet.

"Surprise attack, best attack! You shouldn't have let your guard down, Ginia!"

[unlucky7]

There's no need to remind a sniper, but give some slack, everyone needs to relax once in awhile! The borderline shield catches some of the splashes of water, but as Chris moves around the edge of the barrier, Ginia runs. She drops the barrier and turns on a dime to face her god.

Her hand slashes through the air, a borderline springing up. However, instead of placing it in front of herself, the wall springs up directly in front of Chris's path. Think fast!

[trustheart]

Chris is normally a quick thinker; she has to be in order to be a sharpshooter and a sniper herself. But she ends up being too focused on hitting Ginia...

... that she just doesn't, and thus, she ends up slamming into the barrier rather comically.

[unlucky7]

There's a very satisfying thunk as Chris smacks into the barrier. Safe on the other side, Ginia doubles over in laughter. Soft huffs and hiccups escape as she collapses onto the sand, clutching her stomach. Oh, there's a memory to hold onto and cherish forever. Should have kept your guard up, Chris!

[trustheart]

"Killter Ichaival tron."

There's a flash of light as Chris starts to rise up from the ground, and before long, she's up on her feet in full Symphogear armor. But it's not her Armed Gear she summons... instead, she pulls out one of the water guns strapped to her back:

The Monster XL. Normally, not something that can be wielded in one hand. But. Ginia needs pay back, dammit!

The lyrics of "Bye Bye Lullaby" ring out as high pressure jets of water unload on Ginia, with Chris looking on in determination!

[unlucky7]

The first blast of water sends Ginia out of her laughter. She tumbles from the spray as she rushes back to her feet. Sand flies through the air from her feet, more puffs of sand kicking up as water jets into the ground around her. Another blast takes her on the shoulder, cold and stinging. A borderline buys her a few seconds, water splattering against the clear shield.

However, Chris has the aerial advantage; Ginia knows her position will be overrun in seconds. Sweat drips down her skin, her eyes dart around. It's the moment in a movie where everything slows down. Where the strings play a mournful tune, where a letter is read over the action.

{Dear Ebisu,

I have seen the battlefield. I have seen god turn against their shinki. I pray it is something you will never have to encounter in your current incarnation. I pray you never have to experience war for the words are true:

War is Hell.}

There's a hose connecting to the water gun, a slim target wriggling around. There's only one chance to end the menace tormenting the beach. (Well, one of a few.) Ginia's borderline disappear as she runs forward, dodging shots with incredible speed.

{I have no regrets from my time spent in your service. It has brought me joy in dark times. If I fall upon this cursed beach, know it was in the line of duty.}

Another shot takes her in the torso; she stumbles, water splashing up into her face, but Ginia presses on.

{Weep not for me. There will be other shinki in your lifetime. Grow tall. Learn to tie your shoelaces. Ride a bicycle. Live a good life.}

Ginia's fingers drop in the halberd position. She summons all her courage and focus, ignoring the water slamming into her body.

LINE!

With a swing of her arm, a massive borderline slash rockets through the air on a direct path toward the hose.

[trustheart]

Chris continued firing on Ginia, coldly and dispassionately, all while singing about bullets and telling people to go to hell. If that sounds paradoxical, then... well who asked you?

{Senpai. I know I took great risk in choosing to make this beach my battlefield. But know I did it whole heartedly, because it was freaking hilarious.

Some might say I brought this on myself by choosing to escalate things, but I to that I have only one thing to say: "Go big or go home."

Nevertheless, I accept the consequences entirely.}

Ginia is, as always, slippery, and she lets out a growl of frustration as she evades more of her high pressure fire. It looks like she's trying to circle around... try to get her from behind?

... No. Wait. No!

{I only hope you can express pride in me for giving my all against a worthy opponent. If you ever see the idiot again, tell her... tell her that I hope she and Miku are happy together.

And make Kirika and Shirabe do their homework, and also tell Maria to stop stealing from the catering.

... You're my most important person. Goodbye, senpai.}

Chris fires, just as Ginia fires off her borderline. Her aim is true, even if it will be the Monster XL's last attack.

Because moments later, the hose is severed, disconnected, and spewing water while flailing wildly across the beach. Have they hit the point of mutually assured destruction?

[unlucky7]

The blast is a direct strike to Ginia's chest. Water splashes everywhere as the force ripples through her. A lesser person would fall, but she refuses to bend. Not yet.

{Tell Kunimi I respected him greatly as exemplar. I'll miss whaling with the IT department in gacha games; I do not think it's any luckier outside of your office, but it was nice to pretend.}

Cut free, the hose whips around in its sudden freedom. Like a beast in its death throes, it lashes and wails, water spilling from the severed hose to the sand.

It is done.

Ginia's hand lowers. She sinks to her knees, beads of water dripping into the sand.

{Tell Kiwami I appreciate him making sure I was getting up and stretching enough. I'll miss Aomi's art; it was always beautiful. Unmi was the closest thing I had to a grandfather, I think.}

Somewhere, a popping balloon and crying child startles a flock of seagulls. They abandon their prize of ill-gotten French fries as they take to the sky, a fluttering flock of white curving through the expanse of blue.

{May Takami learn to forgive himself and find joy. And tell Kimi...}

Ginia sighs as she watches the birds fly through the sky, eyes closing as she topples to the side. The beach is saved. They can all rest easy now.

{...I really love his cooking.}

[trustheart]

Chris has no time to celebrate the direct hit. As the closest person to the hose, she catches the full brunt of its water spray, and ends up knocked over on her feet.

[Oh yeah, senpai, please return those movies I returned to the old man, and make sure Yumi gets my Utazukin collection if you ever see it again.

Be sure to have Luger put an anpan on my gravestone once every week so I can have anpan in heaven.]

...

After a moment, Chris finally says something. Or rather, she makes a sound: a gentle laugh, that steadily grows louder with each moment.

[unlucky7]

There's sand in her hair and swimsuit. It feels like there's a shell or a rock poking her in the back. Ginia lays on the beach, an arm falling over her eyes as she shakes with laughter again. It takes a bit of effort, but she sits upright and looks across at Chris.

Yeah. You're a great god, Chris.