open | come bury your toes in the sand

[redigere]

WHO: Naminé and friends; open to passersby
WHERE: Beach near Heropa
WHEN: October 15th
WHAT: BEACH PARTY! Feel free to create a new prompt if the ones below don't appeal to you.
WARNINGS: None for now!

It'd taken a lot of last minute scrambling, a lot of runs to the grocery store, and a lot of help from her friends. But as Naminé steps back from the set up, she smiles. Allows herself a little bit of pride in what she's accomplished.

The home tent is where all the food is. Fold up tables have been loaded with an array of sandwiches, finger foods, and drinks, and a cooler nearby has fish and other seafood goodies to be grilled at the bonfire once someone gets hungry for it. This is also where she'll direct friends to drop off snacks and homemade goodies. Please do not sneak any of the chocolate and marshmallows meant for s'mores later.

Close by is the rest area, which is really just a big spread of blankets and a couple fold up chairs on the sand. She doesn't expect everyone to want to stay standing up all day, after all. Naminé knows she's going to be there for a bit, chatting with friends who are visiting, and she may have started a tiny sandcastle and collection of sea shells at the edge of the blankets as well.

The volleyball net and accompanying volleyball are borrowed from a co-worker, so it definitely needs to get back to her in one piece. There's plenty of space for other sports and competitions though...perhaps a game of soccer? And how could anyone ignore the ocean? She and a few others will likely be waist deep in it, learning and practicing how to swim.

Not bad for her first party. Now all she has to do is wait for her guests.

Comments

[Home Tent] (of course...)

[renamaer]

Estelle is wearing a straw hat with a ribbon, a cheerful yellow strappy sundress over her very boring and modest swim suit, and white sandals; it was warm in Heropa, but not that warm and Estelle isn't really that bold. She has a huge bag next to her, presumably filled with other supplies for the party, but her focus right now is on unpacking what looks a very fancy jello It's alive mold, filled with fruit and cream inside the multi-colored layers of its delicious jiggly outside.

"Everything looks so amazing, Naminé. You did a really good job." Don't be offended by her attention apparently being divided by the delicate process of transferring the jello onto a plate.

[redigere]

"Thank you--!"

The enthusiasm in the greeting trails off as Naminé gets a good look at what Estelle brought. It's...so jiggly. And even slightly see through, if she leans in close enough? She's never seen anything like it before. When Estelle is finished getting the thing onto a plate, Naminé will speak up again, absolutely flabberghasted.

"What is that?"

[hightiderising]

[Xion, somewhat reluctantly, went swimsuit shopping earlier. They were all so... little. She wouldn't have been comfortable in any of those. Luckily, though, she found one that was more her style.]

Swimming

[This is what she's been most excited for. Xion leaves her boots and her coat back on the dry sand further back on the beach and takes off running for the water. She reaches the shoreline and hesitates for a second; instead she first dips her toes in. The water is just a little cold but... well... whatever! She wades in slowly and then Sora's memories take over and she dives in, easily swimming out like she's done it her entire life.

When she finally pokes her head back out to catch her breath, she looks around to see if anyone's joined her yet. It'd be boring to be out here all alone.]

Seashell Picking

[Though, in predictable Xion fashion, all the people and noise ends up too much for her after hours of hanging out, and she wanders off for a bit of quiet alone time down the beach. She can't go to a beach and not find a perfect sea shell, after all. Someone's welcome to follow her, if they want; one on one attention is always easier to deal with instead of a ton of people all at once.]

Bonfire

[She finds her way back as the sun begins to set, though; her rumbling stomach insisted. She's a nice kind of tired, a peaceful tired, brought on by the smell of the ocean and all her friends close by. It's so nostalgic, but it's the first time for her, too.

Xion gets herself a drink and sandwich to nibble on, but it's not quite enough when she knows there's fish waiting to be cooked too. She goes over to someone sitting by the fire already.]

Can you help me cook the fish? I don't think I know how.

[She only has some of Sora's memories. Useful ones are missing more often than not.]

seashell picking

[redigere]

[Naminé is already there at the end of the beach, sitting by herself with her sketchbook, though she's not drawing anything at the moment, only looking out over the ocean. Despite being the one who organized the party, and the one who certainly wants to spend time with new friends, she'd felt her exhaustion catching up with her. Not to mention a slightly overwhelmed feeling of shock that this party had actually happened. She'd left to get her own few minutes of quiet.

She glances up when she senses Xion heading her way, giving her a small, curious smile.]

Hi, Xion. Was someone looking for me?

Bonfire

[dualismum]

[ Sasaki came only because Namine really asked him to; not that he doesn't like bonfires and beach parties, he just feels a bit strange to be invited to one. At least he knows some of the people in the place and spoke to a couple of others, like Xion.

He is sitting close by, but he won't be touching any of the food, and instead is reading. When she approaches to ask him for help, he puts it down and offers her a smile ]

Sure, it's not very hard.

[ he gets up - easier to explain standing ] You'll need a skewer. The trick is also to not let the flames actually touch the fish, or you will burn the outside layers too fast, while the inside won't be cooked enough. [ for someone who can't eat, Sasaki REALLY knows a lot about food ]

s e a sh e l l s

[protects_the_small]

[Clearly this lone human wants company, and Chubrub is HERE TO PROVIDE IT. Splashing up as Xion is bending over, he drops his ball right in front of her feet....possibly on the shell she was aiming for, oops.]

FRIEND????!!!!???]

swimming

[alreadyhuman]

[ Vivi used to think that if he swam, he'd dissolve in the water, but that wasn't really true. Since he's so light anyway, he doesn't need to take his clothes off to swim, but it seems kind of proper to.

But then again...he'll just wade into the water, anyway. It's nice to be here, just watching the waves and listening to other people having fun.

He sees Xion poke her head out and waves happily. That's someone he recognises, so it'd be rude not to greet her! ]

Hi, Xion! Is the water okay? [ He says, standing waist deep in it... ]

[historiology]

[It's all kind of overwhelming, once he does return at some point today. Still, he finds the invitation and figures he should probably at least pop in to see what was going on.

Hence he shows up, with some snacks and a drink, a towel and such. Taking it all in. Probably eventually maybe getting used to people seeming to know him when he feels like he just got here and all.]

Ocean:

[So he now remembers nothing of Riku's attempts to teach him to swim. But that won't stop him splashing about and using his inflatable shark to wade around with. Making the most of the cool water and splashing laughter as he joins the rest in the shallows for the most part.]

Rest Area:

[As much as Sorey is often probably one of, if not the most energetic of his group of friends back home, even he has his limits. Hence he does eventually recede to the shade to sit down at least for a moment. Noting the shells and sandcastle, he starts attempting to make one of his own in imitation, using shells to decorate it as he relaxes and has a drink. Or two.]

Home Tent:

This is really good...

[Sorey says as he has another mouthful of something. Probably something simple like a sandwich, unless Mikleo or anyone else actually dared to let him near the grill, with his habit of over cooking things back home.

He turns and offers some to whoever is near, if they are hungry too.]

ocean

[redigere]

Sorey!

[Naminé waves from the shore, smiling and holding her own inflatable donut ring before she wades in. The cold doesn't bother her at all, so within a few moments she's attempting to make her way over.

The attempt takes much longer, though, and by the time she makes it to him she's huffing and puffing with exertion. She really isn't meant to be a physical person...]

We finally get to swim together!

[And by swim, she means clinging to her floatie.]

[Rest Area]

[renamaer]

[She's been running around for a while just checking on food and people, so she's sitting down for a brief breather. Even though they'd never met before, and this was technically Naminé's party, she's feeling at least a little invested in the event.]

Hello there. [Bending down to examine the start to the sandcastle:] That looks really good! Are you having fun?

home tent

[valuemeal]

[ Hyunsoo is definitely making use of the opportunity to devour some free food, of course. Which means that he sure isn't shy in grabbing what he needs - although he doesn't really expect someone to offer anything to him. When he looks who it is that's holding out a sandwich, his eyes grow a little wider. ]

Hey-- you're alright! [ Sorry, Sorey, but the last he heard Mikleo was looking for the other since he was apparently nowhere to be found. It's almost a little like seeing a ghost, and Hyunsoo can only count himself lucky he didn't topple over in shock and make a fool out of himself or something. ]

[okamichild]

Sand
[ Ame didn't bring a swimming suit. he isn't sure why he even came, to be honest, since he doesn't exactly know the person who invited him. But Naminé did, and he felt bad saying no and not even try it; the girl sounded nice, after all. But without a swimming suit, that means he won't be taking a dip and will spend most of his time on the sand, watching everyone else and the ocean. he really never saw the ocean, since he came from rural japan in the middle of the forests. It's huge and peaceful too, in a way. it doesn't beat the forest, but still nice.

Eventually Ame distracts himself by building sandcastles - or sandcaves? They don't exactly have the shape of a castle, they look just like a mountain with a hole in front that looks like the door. Until a wave comes that will tear down the castle - Ame only has the time to quickly get up (so he won't be wet) and watch the water wash away his work. ]


Bonfire
[ He sure has no idea what he is supposed to do with the s'mores. Ame has some in his hands and he is sitting in front of the bonfire, but he isn't sure what else to do now. Roast marshmallows? Why? And how? Throw them into the fire?

Ame looks down at his hands, holding several candy pieces, and then back at the fire. He won't be roasting those, not - Ame decides it's better to give them a bite first, to see what they tasted like and that's when he finds out he REALLY doesn't like the texture of these things. With a small face, he turns to the next person ]

Do you want mine?

bonfire

[redigere]

[Naminé looks up from sticking a marshmallow onto a skewer, blinking at him and then at the candy in his palm. Oh. Those are the strange chewy things from the fun sized bag of candy. Licorice, if she remembers correctly. They aren't that bad, though, so she takes the tiny packages from him, offering the skewer as a trade.]

Sure! Here, you can start roasting it for your s'more.

[She might not know that much about planning beach parties, but this, at least, is manageable, thanks to Sora's memories.]

bonfire

[valuemeal]

[ Hyunsoo isn't the type to just turn down free food - or candy, in this case - when it's being offered to him like this. Although it feels a little odd when the person offering it seems so much younger from him.. literally stealing candy from a baby, huh.

So instead he just looks a little awkwardly back and forth between the candy and Ame before he speaks up. ]

You don't like them?

[dualismum]

Sasaki came because Naminé really asked him to, even after he gave her a small excuse. He is probably the oldest person in this place, and he probably doesn't know many people who came along, and even if Sasaki looks social, he is in fact sort of an introvert.

But he told Naminé he'd some, so here he is.

A)
He didn't bring a swimming suit, but he will be walking close to the ocean, letting the waves touch his feet. Sometimes he picks a shell here and there, which he will clean with the water and then keep in his pocket (he'll give the shells to Hinami, later on) but just walking seems to please him enough.

B)
Later on, Sasaki will be sitting by the bonfire, but with no food in his hands. To those who know why, it's obvious why - those who don't know, it's probably best not to ask. Still, he can appreciate the moment, and besides, he finds it a perfect time to grab a book to read a bit. It's a sort of enjoyable thing, for him, if that wasn't obvious by the smile he carries while he reads ]

bonfire

[redigere]

[Naminé winds her way around people sitting around the bonfire, and spotting him, gently touches his shoulder to catch his attention. Even in the flickering fire light, there's no mistaking her pleased smile.]

You made it after all, Haise. Thank you for coming.

[voicelessresistance]

[When Red had received Naminé's invitation, it probably should've occurred to her that it would mostly be children. Luckily she'd only intended to stop by briefly anyway, so she didn't feel that bad just making her way quietly along the beach in a simple yellow blouse and blue jeans, scanning the gathered teenagers for the younger girl.]

[She suspected she probably stood out more than she really would have liked. Whoops?]

[Later on, she could be found sitting on a bench up, away from the party, just taking a moment to enjoy the view of the ocean and the sound of the waves. She'd never really thought she'd see something like them again.]

[redigere]

[Naminé doesn't get a chance to talk with Red until a while later, which she's glad for since she needs the break from running around seeing if everyone is alright. She has her communicator with her just in case, giving Red a bright smile.]

Is it okay if I sit with you, Miss Red?

[protects_the_small]

[Kel wasn't exactly WITH the party. She was just enjoying the last of the good weather with ChubRub, since he loves the beach so much. Dressed for the day she spots some familiar Network faces and wanders over to let ChubRub make friends.

Mostly she can be found around the rest area while her dog flops in the sand and pants happily, but she'll probably swing by the home tent to snag some lunch meat for him....ChubRub will beg for anyone's food regardless of how much she looks after him.

Elsewise, she can be found at the edge of the surf throwing a ball or Frisbee into the water for Chub to launch himself after. Anyone approaching to squeal over the dog is welcome.]

[dendarii]

[ Goodness. This is the first time Miles has met Chubrub. His face instantly brightens as he leans down to offer the dog a snack. ]

Good boy ... come here and let me pet you ...

[thepalinpaladin]

Oh hey! I remember you. You responded to one of my network posts. I didn't know you were a beach girl. Now I like you even more.

[Taking a stroll and walking the lion at the beach is kind of a daily thing for Lance so it's not the first time he's run across a beach party. But he doesn't always recognize the people involved in said party. The lion is already starting to walk into the food tent despite. Being made of metal and not able to eat. Lance doesn't even try to stop her.]

[redigere]

Ah! Lance, right?

[She glances at the metal lion because wow, she looks a lot bigger in person. Hopefully...she doesn't alarm the other guests...]

I'm not, not really. It's my first time being at one.

[starlinings]

Swimming

[Going to the beach wasn't really a luxury he had back home--Ohisama-en was located in the mountains, and thus made for regular beach trips really difficult to pull of. And for someone as pale as Gran, that was probably for the best. Alien skin just wasn't meant for those UV rays. His swimsuit's nice and streamlined at least, meaning he was not the one to pick it out in the least.

But he's enjoying it now, wading into the water and playing with some of the little kids that seem to be splashing around in his general area.

Seems like some habits are hard to break, playing with little ones being one of many.]

Volleyball net

[While volleyball was the main attraction, Gran had immediately drawn himself to the soccerball, seeing the sand as a personal challenge to dribble on.

The ground's not nearly as stable, and reminds him of some training he recently just had to do back home involving playing in mud at his coach's request (don't ask), but its certainly paying off now as he weaves the ball around the sand, getting used to the uneven terrain.

He certainly won't mind people asking to play, but right now he's 100% in his element, shining as bright as the sun as that soccerball passes between his feet.]

Bonfire

[Now this brought back memories of when he used to camp, and Gran sits by the fire with a towel wrapped around him, cheeks slightly flushed from the sun but otherwise very content. It'd...been so long since he had a group outing like this where he could just have fun. Days like that were rare occurences he was just starting to see were actually normal.

It's nice.

He smiles into that blanket, watching the fire with his green eyes as the fish he's cooking sizzles on it. It's a little big though, he'll split with anyone willing.]

volleyball net

[redigere]

[Naminé doesn't have any desire to play sports, but she enjoys watching how enthusiastic (and competitive) everyone is getting, so she's off to the side to do that, sipping lemonade. Gran catches her attention eventually, and she wanders over to see what he's up to. Not saying anything yet, though, since he looks very focused.]

[drizzle]

[Nike will arrive to the beach in a modest white one piece with a straw hat and sandal. Over time, she will remove the dress and be seen wearing an even more modest outfit underneath as a replacement for her bathing suit.]

↻ Rest Area

[There will be a moment where she will be found sitting on one of the blankets upon arrival. Her attention will be mainly on folding her one piece white dress and placing it neatly on the brown purse she bought for just this occasion. Afterwards, her attention will be mainly at Heropa's sky, checking to see the weather was going to cooperate with them today. No matter what, she wasn't going to allow her surroundings to change its mind over the way the weather should be. Too bad she begins to get too attached to the azure color a little too easily as she lays on her back onto the blanket and her eyes begin to darken.]

The day is so beautiful, isn't she? There isn't a single cloud over us...

[A moment of reflection.]

Hey? Do you want to see something good?

↻ Sand Castle

[Sand castle making wasn't a skill she learned as a kid. Even though there was always a beach so close to home, she always chose to spend her time at the mountain tops, close to the waterfalls, where she used to train and contemplate. Right now, Nike was following the instructions of her surroundings as best as she can over making a good sand castle. Or as good as she can on her first try.]

Okay... [With a tilt of her head, she'll begin to rate her own work.] Hmm. I think it isn't so bad for a first try. It looks better than what I imagine I was able to make.

[With a small sigh.]

But, how do you make them bigger though?

↻ Ocean

[By the time Nike finds her way over to the ocean shore, it will be after the sun has set over the horizon, where she can be left alone for a moment in silence. Her gaze will look distant, almost as if she was deep in though over something; she was trying to keep her gaze from reflecting her true feelings at the moment. The incoming tide will wash upon her feet, returning her to her senses for a moment as she begins to slightly shiver.]

The season is changing. No wonder she wanted to make this beach party so quickly.

[Not that it was a bad thing, but she couldn't help feel slightly pained by it though -- the idea that she was in a ocean that wasn't connected to her home.]

rest area

[redigere]

[Naminé is in the midlde of pulling off her sandals to join Nike on the blankets, pausing as her fingers hook on the strap.]

Something good? Like what?

bonfire

[valuemeal]

[ All of this is going.. well, decently alright. Hyunsoo isn't really one for parties, and he can say for sure that this is the first one he's been to in a long time - especially since he doesn't really count the vampire gatherings at Yukyun's place as parties.

But despite being awkward and tsun as hell socially, he manages to find his spot - near the free food, of course. It's a good excuse to not have to mingle too much and embarrass himself, can you blame him?

But of course Hyunsoo can never go without embarrassing himself for too long. Grilling a fish sounds like a great idea, but in the process of doing so, he accidentally manages to drop the fish straight into the fire.

The startled, high-pitched shriek he lets out sounds more like someone discovered a murder scene than someone just doing something clumsy-- it'd be enough to draw someone's attention, at least. ]

[redigere]

[Naminé comes running from the home tent, eyes blown wide and her hands glowing green, halfway to casting a Cure spell on whoever might be hurt. Noticing everyone's gaze on him, she whips her head to look.]

Hyunsoo?! Are you okay?!

[resipiscent]

rest area
[Naturally, if he's not swimming, Riku can be found here, parked on a blanket beneath a huge beach umbrella. He may be from an island, but out of the kids who lived there, he's always been the most easily burned. So he's sitting with a backpack next to him, looking out over the water. No matter where he is at the beach, he'll be staring out there at least once or twice. It just happens.

This is the first time he's gone out without outerwear since he returned here, so it's also the first time that the Dream Eater mark on his back, between his wings, is visible. Not only that, but when he stands, the horizontal scars on his chest are painfully obvious against his skin. Riku seems unconcerned by all of this, though, and right now is just sipping on some fizzy drink out of a can. He looks a little bored, actually. (Introversion will do that to you, on occasion.)]

ocean
[This is the other place he's frequently found, as anyone who knows him is aware. Unlike many of the other swimmers here, though, he'll go a little further out, deep enough that he can't touch the bottom with his toes. The water's a little colder than he'd like, but there's something relaxing about being out here. He's sure some people find it scary, the way you can't see more than twenty or thirty feet in any given direction, but Riku loves it.

Maybe a white head will bob up next to you, gasping for breath. Maybe he'll just float by, but either way, he looks unbelievably pleased.]

obligatory dog option
[Shiro is a dog made for colder weather than Heropa's, but he loves the beach, like most other dogs, so now that it's a little cooler, Riku's brought him with him. Right now he's found -- something -- that washed up out of the ocean, and Riku is trying to distract him. Usually Shiro is extremely obedient, but whatever that blob is is way more interesting than his master.]

C'mon, Shiro, don't touch that.

[Riku's pretty sure it's a jellyfish, actually.]

ocean

[redigere]

[Naminé is bobbing along in her donut floatie, kicking occasionally to keep herself close to shore but utterly relaxed otherwise. This all is so perfect. The sunlight and water on her skin, the scent of the sea...she'd experienced it once before, but all her senses had been muted, suppressed by Kairi's consciousness overlaid on top of hers. Finally, finally she gets to soak up all these sensations on her own, as herself. It's absolutely thrilling.

A squeal of surprise breaks her out of her reverie when Riku pops up for breath, trailing off into a laugh when she gets a proper look at him. His hair is completely plastered to his face!]

Hi, Riku.

the latest

[monster_san]

[Such warm weather in October is odd enough that Fuu continues her regular visits to the beach just for the novelty of it. And when she spots all the signs of a party, she wanders over.

At the tent she stops by, having recognized the faces there and recalling Namine's question on the network, and smiles.]

Hello! Would it be terribly rude if I joined in?

there is no such thing <3

[redigere]

[Naminé looks up from where she's prepping some vegetables for the grill, perking up. Fuu is a familiar face as well, and she's all too happy for the chance to get to talk to her again.]

No, of course not! Please help yourself to snacks!