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

[hedgehogsdilemma]

[The pamphlets are something Shinji found particularly helpful when arriving, but... yeah, they're definitely best for basic information. Things that might not apply to shinki right away, or more nuanced aspects of life here, might be a lot for the newcomers.]

It's probably really different. [Given how different their lives are in general, and all.] I'm sure there are plenty of interesting places to go to close to my god's shrine, though, even if getting back to a place like this wouldn't be simple.

[artificialrose]

Yes, it seems like only very specific gods would be worshipped here, and I don't think there are too many in the current, ah, group that are of the Japanese pantheon... I know the trouble, since my god is a Roman god.

[And Rome is nice and all, but, well. Still.]

Have you visited a lot of places near your own god's shrines?

[hedgehogsdilemma]

[There's a sort of excitement about getting to see different parts of the world in general, though getting thrown into a completely unfamiliar place comes with its own set of worries.]

Ah, well, I've really only gone out to them for errands and things like that so far...

[Still pretty interesting! Just... not a very exciting reason to be on the Near Shore, and there's only so much you're going to see doing that.]

[artificialrose]

We should go looking around sometime, then.

[Chuckling a little, Garry taps his own chest.]

Honestly, I've been trying to see what kind of tourist attractions are near Nagito's shrines. It's interesting to see where your god tends to get the most attention, too. Since he's a god of luck in all sorts of ways, he really has a lot of different places to be.

[hedgehogsdilemma]

[Oh...! That was kind of an unexpected offer, but that does sound like a pretty nice way to spend a day some time...]

I'd like that. [Genuinely.] If you don't mind me coming along, it would be really interesting to see other shrines, and the kinds of followers who visit them.

[A luck god probably has all kinds of people coming to offer prayers, he'd bet.]

[artificialrose]

[Everyone really does want a bit of luck... or just no bad luck. Or maybe they want someone else to bad luck, which is good luck in its own way. Garry tries not to judge, to varying amounts of success.]

It'll be great! I even know some museums near a few that we could visit as well inbetween. Although I suppose I don't know if those are interesting or not for you...

[Garry is fine with having a quiet life of looking at things and not panicking about stuff like ayakashi, but he knows everyone is different. Best to double check.]

[hedgehogsdilemma]

[Would he find it interesting...? Admittedly, Shinji's made himself something of a homebody while he's been here, so while he has only taken up a couple of more low-key hobbies, a quieter activity like visiting a museum sounds like something that could be right up his alley.]

You know, I feel like there's probably a lot about the world that I don't really know about. [The fact that it's a world that's largely familiar to him in a number of ways makes the parts that are mysterious to him fairly enticing to learn about.] So, something like a museum could be really nice.

[artificialrose]

Japan especially seems to have a lot of interesting places. Niche things you wouldn't really find anywhere else, right?

[So whether the more normal and popular museums, like those of art or science, or the fun little things, Garry is sure they'll find something some time.]

When things are quieter, we can make a day of it. If you have anyone you want to invite along as well, just let me know.

[hedgehogsdilemma]

Hopefully things will quiet down soon, then.

[This is something he'll have to keep in mind and, perhaps, even look forward to...! Incredible.]

I'm not sure if I know anyone else who might be interested, but I can let you know if that changes.

[artificialrose]

Well... It can be just us, or a small group. Either way, it should be a good time.

[Just in different ways. Garry will let himself worry about it, if it needs worrying, at a later date. Like when it's happening. For now, he nods towards the beach.]

Anyway, shall we go find some more interesting things to take pictures of? I'm sure there's plenty if we just go looking.