[OPENish] ~LIFE NEEDS MORE BEACHES & BONFIRES~

[unbreaker]

WHO: Josuke, Kaneki, Hazel, Annie, Hide, Reiner, Usagi, Jolyne, Giorno and possibly Hisoka
WHERE: Cape Canaveral Beach
WHEN: Saturday Night, February 7th
WHAT: BONFIRE! BOOZE! ROASTED MARSHMALLOWS! ...skinny dipping?
WARNINGS: Teenagers. Shenanigans. Probably mentions of nudity. TBA IF THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE!
NOTES: More or less OPEN? I mean, if one of the above characters would have or did invite yours (talk to the muns!) then please come join us! Opener's in prose, but feel free to use whatever works the best!

They'd come from their homes to the military base in Cape Canaveral, and that was where they'd agreed upon meeting one another. The plan from thereon in was simple. (Maybe too simple to start with—Josuke had originally under planned, after all—but thanks to some helpful 'intervention' things were on course and running smoothly.) A hop, skip, and a jump away was the beach, but in order to be sure they were appropriately distanced from military property, those who were able and willing were to visit the garage and borrow vehicles that could be used to usher their small group a little ways down the coastline. And by the time they had all arrived at the designated location—an end of the beach decorated with bits of driftwood and only a very light dappling of footprints—the sky was already beginning to darken. The bands of color that had once streaked the horizon like the layers of a sedimentary rock were now fading to a beautiful blue-grey monochrome; the rippling waves looked less like glimmering silk and more like impenetrable velvet; and the sun was barely a glowing sliver, minutes away from disappearing entirely behind the skyline. It was cool, but not cold, and as the fire was struck, as it reached brightly skyward, flames dancing and crackling, warmth soon began to fan outward. Around the bonfire were blankets and towels for people to sit on. There were snacks of all kinds: marshmallows, chocolate, graham crackers, chips, and hot dogs—and there were skewers with which to stab several of these foods. There was a volleyball, too, pairs of binoculars, someone's media player and headphones, and a small cooler full of drinks on ice: water, some selections of soda, and of course...the alcohol. In short, everything anyone calling themselves a 'teenager' might need to cut loose on a Saturday night.

Comments

[lyingheart]

Heading out to the beach, Annie was one of those who had paperwork on file and was able to take charge of an older motorcycle, feeling a burst of unexpected nostalgia for Aretmis, presently missing. Or returned home... it was difficult to say what it really felt like knowing people were going back to their proper places. Parting couldn't be the same kind of sweet sorrow all around.

Regardless, she could take one passenger, and knowing Josuke had planned exactly as far as I cam up with the idea, she waited to see if anyone of them was going to be extra enough to tag along with her. "It's not pretty," she said, handing over a helmet to whoever might be standing around, "But safety gear doesn't need to be."

At the fire, about all she dared to try in the assortment of foods was the hot dogs. She had one skewered on a stick when someone's marshmallow lit up, fell off their own stick, and became a burning torch of sugary destruction on top of her hotdog.

Annie went mute, staring at it in mild disbelief. "... Do you want it?" She asked whoever looked like they had an appetite. Have a stick, and a hotdogmarshmallow.

Later on she'd had enough of listening and staying near the fire, finding no matter the distraction, her mind kept returning to fires back home in Trost, to fires in Sofia. She felt like she was covered in a layer of ash and soot that needed to be rinsed off, anything to push the feeling away.

Standing, she collected her shoes, informing the fire in an informal way, "I'm going swimming." It was her polite notice before she moved away from the fire, letting her eyes adjust to the darkness away from that light to give the fire proper distance before setting her shoes down and starting to strip. Annie didn't have a swim suit, and didn't particularly care. Folding her clothing as she went, she craned her head to look out at the water.

It was going to be cold. Bring it on.

At the fire!

[unbreaker]

"Do I want it?" Josuke asked, pointing at himself. Because the answer, if his toothy grin was any indication at all, was unabashedly, "Hell yes!"

He was kind enough at least to skewer another hotdog for her before accepting the hot, gooey mess that was the hotdogmarshmallow on a stick. How bad could it be, he wondered? It wasn't as though people didn't cake stuff like hotdogs or sausages in honey and other sweet glazes all the time!

After a big bite—of ow smoldering goodness—Josuke looked at Annie and said, "You're missing out! It's pretty good!"

do you mean in the fire /shoves

[lyingheart]

There was a degree of mild distaste and surprise on her face when he had no problem eating that hot mess. Annie wondered why anything like that surprised her anymore. She'd expect half the people she knew back home to try the same thing.

"It's good you like it," she said instead. She nodded to the one he'd handed back to her, turning it in the fire. "Do you know if marshmallows are still made with horse hooves?"

She meant it as an actual question. Annie hadn't read the packaging, but that tidbit had come up at some point in all the history she'd been reading, without an end date. She avoided most processed foods on principle, with one of the few exceptions she made being for the strangeness of the granola bar.

Last one

[anthropophagite]

He came and thankfully it wasn't that difficult to avoid food, but that's because people were easily distracted by one another and Kaneki didn't have someone with him at every second to see if he ate something or not. When he got the chance, he stepped away from the bonfire to approach the water and feel how cold it was against his naked feet. Only the feet.

And when his head turned to the side and he recognized Annie, for a fraction of a second, Kaneki raised his hand to say 'Hi Annie' but suddenly sees her stripping and instead of a 'hi' something like this came out: "Hi-WOAH!!!! What are you doing?!"

QUICKLY TURNING AWAY, AND LOOKING AWAY RED FACE ALL OVER.

SWIMMING.

[soldiarity]

"Oi, Annie--" Reiner follows Annie as she heads toward the water, shedding her clothes along the way. He's obviously unfazed by the whole thing, as one who similarly stripped down to swim in recent weeks -- and as someone from a place where modesty and privacy are simply regarded differently than they are here, so to him it isn't weird to follow a few steps behind her to the edge of the water.

Besides, it's Annie.

"How's the temperature?"

[deadtective]

one;

[Hazel wasn't being polite when she'd accepted this invitation - she really was excited. she's got a totally inconspicuous hoodie on, less because she's capable of feeling the chill and more to obscure the wetsuit she's wearing underneath it. no need to walk around completely in swimwear unless she has to, even the kind that covers up most of her stitching.

she's valiantly avoiding the depression that is the provided food, although she is absolutely roasting marshmallows and thrusting them into random people's hands throughout the night, because there's no way you come to a bonfire without doing that. there's no declining anything she offers you without a fight, by the way.

when she isn't digging her exposed toes into the sand and luxuriating in the crackle of a fire she can't feel, Hazel can typically be found traipsing back and forth in search of more driftwood to toss into the fire. there's something satisfying about the hissing and shifting brought on by adding more fuel to the massive thing, and she'd rather focus on that than dwell on the sad fact she's tonight's Sober Sally by her very nature. her aim isn't always the best, however, so uh. watch out for flying branches.]

two;

[at some point later in the night she doesn't return from one of her forays for additional bonfire fodder. it doesn't take much work to find her - she's a healthy distance away from the group, skipping rocks out over the little waves. although she's done this because she needs a moment or two to try and stomp those college memories back down where they belong, she isn't actually averse to company should anyone come and investigate.]

three;

[some time after that, however, is a different story. there's been a few things Hazel's been wondering about ever since she arrived in Florida, what with its plethora of beaches, and now seems like a good time to investigate it and cull her restlessness all in one go. casting a worried look back at the fire to make sure no one is watching, she carefully unzips her hoodie and folds it before letting it rest as a place marker on the beach.

that done, she slowly wades out into the water, coming to a halt only when she's deep enough that her feet can no longer find the bottom without assistance. for a moment she simply floats there; then, with a small bob, she dives below the surface.

she does not come back up.

Hazel has an explanation if she was stupid and didn't notice someone watching and timing this, but she's really hoping that there's no occasion to use it. she's been having a nice time, and she doesn't want to ruin it just because (among other things) she wants to see if there's any upper limits on her no longer needing to breathe.]

TWO!

[unbreaker]

Nice toss.

[Josuke watches Hazel's rock skip across the inky black water as he approaches, bare feet dragging through the sand. He'd caught a glimpse of her wandering off at some point, had let a few minutes pass in case it was a lady thing—only to remember another minute later that Hazel wouldn't actually have to worry about that anymore. Still, when she didn't return? He decided to go and look for her.

He's not sure what's chased her all the way out here, but whatever it is, he hangs back under the guise of looking for his own flat rocks to skip...while waiting for her to give the invitation to talk. You know, if she wants to.]

three's company

[lyingheart]

[ The wonderful thing about swimming in the cold is how damn clear her head feels after doing this for long enough to warm herself up, and test out when she needs to head back to shore. She doesn't aim to be coming in close to the bonfire, so she aims for a section down the beach, using the firelight as a beacon to navigate by.

What she doesn't expect, and can't see, is the person hidden under the surface when she dives down, still out of any depth where she can personally touch the bottom. Her eyes open, the salt stinging like hell, and that's when the swell of the wave coming in works with her to push her toward an unexpected object at speed.

Hello, Hazel. How's the not breathing thing going? ]

ONE.

[soldiarity]

Ow! What the--?

[ For the second time Reiner has accidentally gotten in Hazel's way, this time being his head in the way of the branch flying toward the fire. It's a good, solid hit, too, right in the back of the head; he turns around, brows furrowed preemptively, before they raise up in recognition. ]

Oh, hey, it's you!

[moon_buns]

[A] Getting ready/ Meeting up with everyone:
After having a surprise shift at the ice cream shop today, Usagi wasn't quite sure how her weekend was going to pan out. Not that her job was stressful or labor intensive, but she has a rather love/hate relationship with it. Initial thoughts? Hot dang working at an ice cream shop will be awesome! Free ice cream whenever she wanted!? But once she got there… well… she has already been spoken to several times for sneaking a taste of the chocolate strawberry swirl and cake batter. It's a serious test of her self-control… and Usagi has never been very good at that.

But when her shift was over and she received Josuke's voice mail? Weekend saved! This would be a great way to make new friends or try to improve upon ones already started. Getting the chance to flutter her social butterfly wings always brightened her mood.

The bun-haired girl had rushed back to her apartment to change out of her work uniform and into something more her speed. Weather in Florida was still something she had to adjust to. It was February but early-spring-like during the days and then much cooler in the evenings. She found it safe to make sure she had a warm and comfy sweater to wear over whatever else.

After she'd gotten all dressed, she scooted to catch public transit to the meeting location. With her, there was always the possibility of being late. Her school attendance record is proof enough. Luck was on her side this time though, she arrived in the middle of the pack. If she ever arrived anywhere early, expect hell to have frozen over.

Usagi didn't really know anyone else attending this shin-dig other than Josuke. Even he was relatively new to her. But he seemed like a good guy, so she figured anyone else he invited would also be good company! She was all smiles; ready to introduce herself to new faces.



[B] Fire's blazing, marshmallows roasting!:
Josuke told her there would be plenty of snacks at this hang out, so she was more than delighted to scoop up a stick and set to work on making the perfect s'more. Dessert option? You bet that's what she'd pick! Of course she'd popped a marshmallow in her mouth before she got started. You know, quality check.

Her first marshmallow caught fire rather quickly. She pulled it away from the fire with a gasp, puffing a few breaths on it to distinguish the flames. Displeased, but not wasteful, she ate the rejected mass of sugar. Her displeasure was short lived of course. That thin layer of charred disappointment could not overshadow the yummy sugary mess beneath.

That was a test run. This time she'd be successful!

Sitting on her ankles, hair brushed behind her shoulders to stay clear of the fire, marshmallow stick in hand; she was content. It was cozy in her place on the beach. She had opted to take off her shoes, which sat paired up by her spot on a towel. So the sand was cool between her toes but her cheeks toasty from the flames. All around her were folks chit chatting and laughing. What a wonderful way to spend her evening!

[A]

[unbreaker]

There's a saying that applies to the here and now: better late than never!

Regardless of how late she was, Josuke was still glad to see that Usagi was able to make it to the bonfire without too much difficulty. Granted, they hadn't known one another for very long and didn't really know much about each other, not yet, but that had never stopped him from wanting to hang out with people before. Besides, Usagi was someone who'd offered her help to him in the past, and what better way to say thank you than to invite her to the beach to hang out with others and enjoy free food?

As he approached, he waved his hand and called out to her, "Hey, Usagi!" Equally all smiles as he drew up, he held out an unopened can of soda for her to take. "I was starting to wonder if you were still coming."

Like her, he'd dressed casually for the event—especially compared to what was normal for him (because he must seriously love that school uniform in canon, he never wears anything else). The jacket was great for staving off any chill in the air, although the way he wore it, decorated with all of his favorite gold pins, made it look more like some kind of meticulous fashion statement than a practical buffer against the weather.

B!!

[goldenlegacy]

Chit-chatting was not, unfortunately, Giorno's forte. Oops. He has arrived with little fanfare - a quiet greeting to Josuke and Jolyne - and then sat by the fire, observing others. And he's not even sure why he came here - he's not given to "partying" or "recreation," really, but something about Josuke always makes him feel a little guilty about that, and so he came.

Turns out that was a decent decision because it means he's right upfront when Usagi demolishes a marshmallow. He laughs a little, quietly under his breath, and leans a little in her direction - though not close enough to be uncomfortable.

"You're meant to hold the stick a bit farther from the fire. It takes longer, but the results are superior." Giorno's tip of the night!

[anthropophagite]

Arrival

[ Kaneki arrived earlier than expected since he is helping with the bonfire. As in, he got the food and the non alcoholic drinks per Josuke's request. Of course Kaneki has no intention or actually eating any of it since it would all taste incredibly disgusting to him, but he was once a full human who enjoyed junk food - getting the food was not difficult at all once he learned what people ate during bonfires.

He can be seen preparing things, setting aside some towels, and placing the drinks inside the cooler, even though it is pretty cold outside so there is no chance the drinks will get warm. In any case, it's better lie this, so sand won't get everywhere.

He brought the binoculars, for those who want to try them, and is finishing placing the towels and blankets around the bonfire. ]

Bonfire

[ Kaneki will be avoiding any food and drinks offered, only accepting water or taking a sip out of the coffee he brought along. Any food offered, he will politely shakes his head and smile. he will also not really... join any games. he isn't good at sports at all, so he is the kind to just watch other play instead of joining in.

But he did bring a book along, currently near him, even if he isn't reading. Certainly it'd be something about some serial killer, since that's the kind of books he enjoys.

but even if he is so quiet in his corner, he is smiling. Kaneki IS enjoying himself, truthfully. ]

Late at night

[ After a while, Kaneki takes the chance to go for a walk along the beach. Walking around with bare feet, the feels the sand at each step, smiling away as he sees the ocean and the skies and the stars. He brought the binoculars but he doesn't make much use of them in the end - maybe a telescope would have been better.

In his hand he has his coffee, that he didn't finish drinking while he was around the bonfire, and even though it's already cold, he still seems to be enjoying it nonetheless. ]

bonfire

[moon_buns]

"Hey..."

[A young teenage girl walks up beside him, smiling gently. She squats down next to him, holding her arms in her lap as she perches on the balls of her bare feet. She tilts her head to the side in order to look at him more properly, one of her long ponytails spilling over her shoulder.]

"You seem to be keeping to yourself out here… are you not having a good time?"

[Sure, he appeared to be smiling. But Usagi had noticed, throughout the evening, his polite refusals of snacks and lack of game-playing. Maybe he was just the quieter type! But she felt like checking in, just to make sure, couldn't hurt.]

Late at night

[unbreaker]

[Josuke has a healthy interest in Kaneki, the same he tends to show most of his friends, but in particular the awkward ones. He's protective of them in his own way (even if much of that protectiveness is punctuated with playful teasing) and that's oftentimes the reason why he notices when they wander off or seem out of sorts.

Kaneki's been quiet all night, and while that's not unusual for the other teen, it does kind of worry Josuke. After all, he'd suggested he and Kaneki do this, get together with friends and hit the beach...he feels responsible. If something's up, something's wrong, he wants to fix it.

So he finds Ken close to the water, his feet bare too and quiet as they squish through the sand (but less quiet as they hit the water). He stops some feet away, shoots a glance skyward when he catches the direction of Kaneki's gaze, and then says...]

I got a friend back home, claims he's an alien.

[Yup. That's a smooth way to kick the tension to the curb.]

[seesthestars]

[a]

[By the fire - that's clearly the place to be tonight. Even if Jolyne is just on the cusp of no longer counting as a teenager, she couldn't turn down an outing like this. It reminds her of home in its way (because, well, it is. But it isn't.) and even if she doesn't know everyone that's gathered, she's still eager to make sure they all enjoy themselves... which means, for the moment, setting herself down on a blanket to fiddle with the music player, making sure it comes nice and clear through the speakers.]

[You can't have a party without music, after all, it's just a matter of finding the right song...]

[b]

[A little later, at the shore, Jolyne steps away for a moment to let the waves lap at her bare feet. The ocean's always left her with a feeling of restlessness and tonight is no different. So even though she's come prepared to dive in, her steps take her further out into the water, fully clothed, at least until she's soaked up to her knees.]

[She doesn't seem to mind it, though - she even kicks at the waves a little, sending up a splash. Maybe a bit too big of one.]

a

[deadtective]

Oh...you can leave it on that song for a little bit.

['that song' in this case being a single by that Twice Westward boy band the robot on the network had mentioned a while ago. it's probably why Hazel's making that comment sound as apathetically nonchalant as possible, and also not looking Jolyne in the eye when she makes that request.

i-it's not because she likes this music or anything. that would be dumb and immature. it's just got a good beat for dancing!!!]

[b]

[unbreaker]

[A little later at the shore, Josuke's not far when Jolyne wades into the water. He's had his jeans rolled up most of the evening, his feet bare, and every now and again goes to rinse the sand out from in between his toes (a fruitless endeavor for the dampness just ensures that more sticks) which is how he finds himself in the proximity of Jolyne's splash!]

HEY!

The hair, Jolyne! Careful!

[...which doesn't stop him from kicking a splash right back at her. Did he get her buns? WELL GOOD.]

b

[goldenlegacy]

[Giorno's always been fond of the ocean - a peaceful expanse of nothing but wind and waves. So when he sees Jolyne there, standing at the shore, it seems a perfectly opportune time to go over and check in on her.

It's quiet - peaceful and celebratory at the same time - which is exactly the sort of atmosphere he enjoys for "parties." If you want to call this a party.

And he really doesn't feel like getting wet, to be honest, so he's floating above the water when she kicks the waves and...]

...ah! Jolyne, really!

[Oops, didn't dodge in time.]

B.

[soldiarity]

[ Reiner is hovering by the water himself, not going in (at least not yet) but looking over the calm expanse of lapping waves barely discernible in the growing darkness. He looks over toward Jolyne as she steps deeper and deeper into the water and furrows his brows in mild amused confusion. ]

Shouldn't you take off your clothes for that?

[unbreaker]

Let's face it, Josuke isn't hard to find at the bonfire. He's about as social as a puppy starved for attention and needing desperately to wear off some energy, making his rounds among the party-goers and doing his absolute best to see that nobody feels left out!

Chances are he's fixed you a drink at least once—but whether it was a mixed alcoholic beverage in a red plastic cup, or the handy-dandy opening of a tricky soda pop can, he probably tried shoving an ice cube down the back of your shirt while you were distracted!

He's also been busy skewering various things onto sticks for people. Are you hungry? Come join him for a Doritohotdogmarshmallowchocolate snack. Or maybe you'd prefer a s'more made out of barbecue chips? Why are you making those grossed out faces? He has GREAT taste. He knows an Italian chef, for crying out loud, so TRUST HIM. You are going to LOVE dill pickle stuffed marshmallows with chocolate melted on top and crumbled graham cracker!

...okay, you probably won't, but at least there's lots to drink to chase the flavor of week old gym socks from your mouth?

Anyway, if you're not lucky enough to catch him doing any of that stupid stuff, you've probably found yourself roped into playing volleyball with him a little ways away from the fire, or...

Playing Chubby Bunny. You know, the game where you try to shove as many marshmallows into your mouth as you can without laughing? First one to spit 'em out or laugh loses!

[debauchewy]

A Hisoka appears.

Sits next to and-

takes a marshmallow. What was this game then? Oh right-

"Chubby Bunny-" Already laughing a little from how SILLY this is.

[goldenlegacy]

Okay. Josuke may know an Italian Chef but Giorno is Italian (kind of), and he's pretty sure that has nothing to do with Doritos being mixed with marshmallows which oh my god why. So he just kind of watches Josuke for a while, becoming increasingly frownie faced at the bizarre combinations, until he finally...

...has to say something.

Something like, "S'mores are made with graham crackers, not tortilla chips. Aren't they?" Yeah, they are. He knows they are. Not that he's ever made one... or maybe he has.

OPEN

[debauchewy]

Cape Canaveral? But that's so far away- ahh, Josuke's lucky he likes him so much- as much as Hisoka can really- like someone though, it's a confusing sort of like- especially considering he LIKES Josuke and still- will end up taking his wallet. But eh- he asked him to come by- and he WAS the one who supplied the liquor. Not that he'll show up anywhere near the start and the sky is far darker by the time he arrives.

On the beach he'll linger further from the festivities of the group. He'll show up this way, distant at first, as if he was never a part of it. And throughout his time at this event he'll wander away after socializing to stand alone and stare out at the water. Just- stare. Listening to the water, those talking not far away, the crackle of the fire and the beats of the music. Stares and says nothing and does nothing in particular, his mind rather- blank, and enjoying it.

But one can't linger alone too long, even if he's done it in the past with other groups. Here he means to make some- attachments, and not just to a single individual either. Since he's playing the friendly fool, he can't be a loner as much. A shame- and yet- not. Gives him the excuse to bother people more and with ImPorts as they are- he certainly can meet a lot of interesting people this way.

Around the campfire he'll partake in the food offered. Squatting down with a stick in hand, five marshmallows on it and watches them slowly turn brown. Not the type to burn them, nah- sweets have to be perfect. Until he suddenly moves his stick and touches a different one held over the fire. It makes one of his marshmallows and the defending marshmallows stick together.

"Chu~" A kiss face, grinning and glancing up to whomever holds that second stick. Kissing marshmallows, cute right? What is this grown man even doing here. And he's on probation, should he be around underaged kids drinking? Probably not.

CAMPFIRE | oh my god, my hands automatically typed chrollo instead of giorno wtf

[goldenlegacy]

Giorno recognizes Hisoka, of course - even if he's vaguely confused about why he's here. That is, he's aware that Josuke may have hit him up for illegal booze (whatever), but it's a little strange that he's socializing with teenagers.

...then again, Giorno is too, and while he's technically 15, he has to admit they're pretty "young" for him. You know. In terms of attitude. So who is he to criticize. Instead, he's just kind of sitting there, drinking water and idly roasting a marshmallow until...

"Chu?" ...wait. "Ah. Are they kissing?"