beach episode, round 2 (the free for all version)

[hoasen]

Who: Everyone in this game!! It's an open mingle log!
When: Maybe like, the first three days of August.
Where: Caissa's Beach and Water Garden.
What: Just for the sake of having a Beach Episode, we're totally pretending that a bunch of NPCs (fantasy college students?!) decided to have a party.
Rating: None right now! Or maybe PG, I added some thugs just because.


[If you were walking around Caissa lately (or even just saw a few fliers around) there seems to be a Beach Party organised by a few unnamed beings, possibly a bunch of young adults who just want to party up. Their reason is, it's nearly the end of summer, so they're going to have a summer party. And everyone's invited! But what will happen?

Basically, it's just a get together with many people gathering around to party on a beach. Here's a few things you can do!

Pre-party: Choose swimwear, maybe together. Or yukata (as I have been informed to add too)

1. Build a sandcastle (or become a sand mermaid). What if there's a contest?
2. Join in on a barbeque done by random citizens that may be pretty tasty...or can just suck, so maybe you should give them a hand.
3. SWIM. SPLASH WATER. IT'S THE BEACH. If not, maybe check out those watergardens? It seems to be quieter there.
4. Competitive sports. You will be challenged to various types of beach sports, on the sand or in the water. OR, you'll be challenge to smash a watermelon while blindfolded.
5. Sun bathe. Why not, really.
6. At night, there's a bit of dancing around a bonfire and also some small fireworks and sparklers.
7. Whatever the heck you want, really.

But watch out! Since this is a gathering open to everyone, you may find yourselves in the presence of some local troublemakers. But don't worry, Heroes, you're strong, pretty sure you can protect the people. Just make sure it's nothing that will land you into trouble, that is all (I'm sure hand slapping will be okay. Or maybe challenge them to the equivalent of racing on the beach).

Either way, get your summer on. Also a random excuse you can use to get to this party can be "My Carrier smelled the food and headed here".]

Comments

[sediments]

[ staters underneath! ]

mikleo

[sediments]

[ It's hot. And while Bolin can generally manage in the heat, it's been too hot, so sandy beaches and the cool breeze of the ocean it is. He actually has no idea what spurred this massive beach trip, but he's not complaining. He'd ventured down already to teach Takumi kuai ball, and he's got no problem wandering back to hide from the sun in the water.

He'd been having a good time, catching up with Mikleo to see how he'd been settling in when the young boy had mentioned that he couldn't swim. What better time than the present to learn! ]

Sometimes we have battles out on the sea. [ He explains this as the two of them wade out into the water—Bolin's aiming for about waist deep. ] So it's better you learn now.

[ The last time that had happened, Lisbrand had "forced" recruits to "learn" how to swim. ]

[rulayracing]

[Mikleo has never handled heat well, but at least with his control over water he could cool himself down. Now, of course, he doesn't have that and it sucks. It sucks being human.

Being next to the ocean is refreshing and calming, even if he still thinks it's a freaking terrifying place. Five Lords know what the hell lurks beneath the waves, like those freaky crabs or giant squids. There's an irony here that Mikleo's aware of, but ask him if he cares. Not that he'll tell Bolin any of this. The water seraph's already in trouble for not knowing how to swim and is now getting impromptu lessons.

Regardless, Mikleo wades out with him, and he nods in reluctant agreement.]

That's true. I'd be a sitting duck in that scenario.

[Who knows when something like that can happen again? He wants to be prepared for it.]

So...how do we start?

[sediments]

[ Don't worry, Mikleo! Bolin has your back. He taught the Avatar how to probend, don'cha know.

Satisfied with the depth of water that they've found, the earthbender circles around the young man to carefully put his hands on the other boy's shoulders. ]

Let's just start with you getting used to floating first. Lean back, and then lift your legs up so you can float on your back. We can switch to floating on your stomach after.

[ He ducks forward so that he can grin at Mikleo. ]

And don't worry! I'll keep a hand on your back so you won't sink no matter what.

[rulayracing]

[Mikleo is absolutely nervous about this. He's used to having an intimate connection with his element, but he doesn't have that anymore. For once, he's totally vulnerable to water, and it's kind of scary. At the same time, the seraph doesn't want that fear to rule him, so he takes a deep breath and decides to put his trust in Bolin.

He follows the earthbender's instructions, floating on his back. He'll probably feel a bit stiff and tense to Bolin, but the seraph relaxes after a moment. Even though Mikleo's connection to water has been severed, it's still his element and it continues to be soothing, just in a different way.]

This seems okay.

[Man, it's weird listening to himself talk when his ears are submerged in water.]

[sediments]

[ For all his tension, Mikleo seems to trust the water at least, and it's easy enough to see that he wants to make this work, and he's going to see it through whether he's afraid or not.

It's pretty nice to see, and Bolin steps back and lets the other boy float on his own once it seems like he's got the hang of it. ]

It's relaxing, isn't it? I like to nap while floating in the water. [ Just be careful not to get sunburnt! ] When you've got a hang of it, you can straighten up and try floating on your stomach. It's a bit more annoying because you either have to crane your neck awkwardly to keep it out of the water, or just stick your face underwater.

[rulayracing]

[Mikleo smiles slightly.]

I think if I tried that, I'd most likely burn badly.

[His skin's too light for that. He'll admit it.

The seraph gives it a couple of seconds before straightening himself. It's easy to do that, at least. Mikleo hesitates, thinking about which one he should start with, and decides that the latter is perhaps the best. He closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, and tries to float on his stomach.

It's really, really weird. The idea of drowning in water normally bothers him when it concerns a human's safety. Now, Mikleo is the one who has to worry about that. He gets back to his feet fairly quickly, wiping the salty water off his face.]

Hah, I'll have to work on holding my breath after this.

[sediments]

You're pretty good at it! At least you can float, some people just start panicking and sink.

[ ... Probably. Bolin's never actually taught someone how to swim so he has no idea. But it seems like?? A problem people would have?

They might as well move on now though, and Bolin circles around to face Mikleo, taking the other boy's hands and pulling them forward as he walks backwards, to get the boy back to floating on his stomach. ]

Now I'm going to pull you forward, and you can practice kicking.

[rulayracing]

Well...I can't necessarily blame them. Water can be pretty dangerous if you're not careful.

[At least it makes logical sense to him?

It takes a second for Mikleo to understand what Bolin's getting at, but he does float on his stomach. At the instructions, the seraph nods before giving him an inquiring look.]

Is it better for the kicks to be small or big?

takumi

[sediments]

[ Bolin's never really had any issues with his stamina. He comes from an era of cities, but before the everyman had a car, so he's used to running across cities and areas with nothing but his own two feet. The thing is however, is not that he's just physically tired.

He's just bored.

Kuai ball is fun, and Takumi is a great opponent despite only having been introduced to the sport recently. Bolin had had a great time! For the first couple of hours anyway. But now he's tired, and he wants to do something else—anything else, except Takumi is more competitive than he'd first realised and the earthbender is seriously starting to regret having offered to introduce the younger boy to the game. ]

Takumi. [ Bolin starts, doing his best to be firm. (He is not.) ] If you don't let it go, I'm going to toss you into the water to cool down.

[kyusei]

[ okay they have played maybe 10 games, all right? Don't exaggerate! Takumi stops the ball, but continues to keep it in the air. Very much like Bolin, he's used to extraeneous hours except, in comparison, feels little for routine.

... Though he does guess that only playing with Bolin doesn't expand his horizons enough. Not that Bolin is a horrible opponent, it's just the man is becoming more predictable by each game.

(Takumi still hasn't beaten him yet).

He catches the ball after he bumps it into the air one last time, then he'll give Bolin such an incredulous look. ]

You wouldn't do that--[ Actually, he does think Bolin would which is why Takumi is already backing away from him. ] Don't come any closer, all right?

[ Please. ]

[sediments]

[ Bolin's caterpillar brows shoot up when Takumi takes a step back, having expected the younger boy to put up a brave front and claim that Bolin's threats don't intimidate him. But instead, he's opting to run.

And that puts Bolin in a very interesting position. ]

I might. You have been working me pretty hard.

[ He smiles, trying for mischievous but not really managing to keep the pure amusement off his face as he advances, ducking under the net that he'd managed to borrow from the university students. ]

You can swim, right?

[kyusei]

[ Bolin's threats mean very little to him, but if he could prevent that incident when they first met from happening a second time, he'll do it. ]

Hey, are you deaf? [ Okay, here comes the the defensive habit here. Takumi doesn't take another step back because, yes, he isn't scare of Bolin. Bolin can't even intimidate a caterpillar--

But for some reason his body is very averse to staying in place. Maybe it remembers the pain surging through it from one headbutt to the groin. ]

Not another step!

[ STOP!!! ]

[sediments]

I can hear you.

[ Bolin's answer is as cheerful as it is cheeky, and his hands come up with the clear intention of grabbing the boy. ]

C'mon, Takumi. It'll be fun!

[ Though he obviously doesn't believe that his words are actually convincing, given that he immediately lunges forward as he says them. ]

[kyusei]

Bolin, think about this. There are people watching and--

[ He wants to say they should be adults because they're very well adults, but he's a fool. Trying to reason with a chunky teddy bear is ridiculous.

Takumi's last resort is throwing the ball at Bolin to stop him. He's not even aiming at a specific area, just making sure Bolin gets hit with it. Please. Stall. ]

I can get into the water on my own!

[sediments]

[ Unfortunately for Takumi, Bolin's hands are already raised?? So he catches the ball with ease, his grin widening. ]

Yeah, I know.

[ Unlike Mr. Fancy Prince, the earthbender has no qualms with acting like an idiot out in public, and without any warning he launches the ball straight back at Takumi. Or, more specifically, whips it at Takumi's legs to slow down any escape before stepping right into the younger boy's space and grabbing him around the abdomen to hoist him up. ]

Let's cool down, Takumi!

[ He's cheering. ]

[kyusei]

[ You think that he isn't quick enough to evade a ball?! He does only take one step to the side so the ball only bounces away, but it's too late. It's too late... Bolin already has his hands on him and is holding him up for everyone to see.

There are some giggling girls and other dudes just flashing them such humorous smiles. Takumi only nods politely as if to greet them... and distract them from his situation. Gods. LOOK AWAY. Please.

Someone... Someone save him. Ryoma? Hinoka? Sakura...? ]

P-Put me down, Bolin!

[ He doesn't want to put up too much of a struggle yet--okay, he's going to struggle. Palm to Bolin's face, he tries to pry the man's arms with his free hand. ]

saber

[sediments]

[ This is the weirdest thing that Bolin has ever seen. It's not like he hasn't seen Saber struggle before—she has a hard time with small talk and casual socialisation. She has however, displayed impeccable skill in all things physical. To see her struggle in the water therefore, is absolutely bizarre.

But it's also an opportunity.

Saber doesn't really deserve this, she's a good friend who's nothing but courteous and helpful, but Bolin's never really been able to engage her in a moment of playfulness, which means that this is an opportunity that he just can't let pass by.

Ducking under the water, he swims rather carefully toward her, making sure that he keeps entirely submerged to escape her notice while he draws closer, and closer until he can ]

BWAH!

[ Shove himself up to grab her around the waist and pull her into the water with him. ]

[armorial]

[ She was enjoying herself with this duck floatie she bought. Yes, she bought a floatie because it was recommended to her. It's actually pretty comfortable like this? And she can paddle closer to shore when she's too far off. If needs be, she can use magic...

To say that she was prepared for a an attack is expecting too much. Her eyes widen but she does not utter even a squeak. However, she squirms as if this is the end here. Her life is flashing before her eyes. Is this the end?

She struggles and grasps at her floatie, but also casts a quick wind spell... It hits Bolin straight in the face. ]

[sediments]

SAA— [ He sees the spell coming, but there's nothing he can say, it's too late. ] —BAAAAAAAA

[ The way that the spell sends him backwards is a little awkward in that it hits him in the face, snapping his head back but shoving him as far back as a hit to his chest might've. Instead, he mostly just goes crashing back into the water, inhaling a nice lungful of water from the shock of it.

Which is why it's a coughing, spitting, full of regret Bolin that emerges from the water, having the audacity to pout at his roommate. ]

Saber... [ His voice is a little rough from coughing out water. ] It's me.

[armorial]

[ She was going to check on her poor victim after she's settled on her floatie again. She grasps at it violently before situating herself in its safety... Isn't that familiar voice?

Oh... Oh. There's some regret. It was only a small gust, but she probably added too much mana into it. In the back of her mind, she berates herself for not have practiced more. ]

Bolin. [ She looks a little worried, but the man seems fine? ] I apologize, but you should have not surprised me.

[ Here, have a quick alleviating spell to ease your heart and body ache. ]

[sediments]

Saber.

[ He looks pretty astonished, though he is placated by the worry on her face. (She is, after all, a good friend, and not one of the many that enjoys watching people suffer.) The water burns where he'd accidentally inhaled a mouthful, but otherwise he is fine. ]

You sure went straight for magic, huh. [ He doesn't sound angry about it - it's not like he has any right to be - as much as he does amazed. ] I guess you don't play in the water a lot?

[ Though really, the floaties should've tipped him off. ]

[armorial]

I've... never had the opportunity to truly appreciate the ocean.

[ It's easy as that? The ocean and water has never brought her good experiences. It's only another battlefield, if not even more vast than any other she has known. It's almost frightening.

Still, she seems rather okay with her floatie. ]

I had thought you might have been a monster.

[sediments]

[ It's times like these that Saber's oddly youthful appearance makes Bolin want to give her a hug. Except, he's long since learned that she's no where close to being the young girl that she appears to be, instead bearing a spirit much older and wiser than himself.

Still, perched in the water with her floatie, worrying about monsters? Too cute. ]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. [ Well. ] I mean, I did. But not to the point that you thought you were going to die.

Me and my brother always used to play pranks on each other like this.

[armorial]

[ shut up sea dragons are real okay she has the blood of a dragon!! Saber continues to float, regaining most of her composure--except Bolin had to see her unseemly reaction and suffer for it. It's shameful. ]

No, I completely understand. [ Bolin isn't one to do it out of malice!! She knows... But HER LIFE IS ON THE LINE. ] I should have told you before, but I have only started dabbling in water--when I arrived.

[ She couldn't swim and is still new at it, so. ]