(open) like rolling waves

[hundredpower]

WHO: Barnaby, Ciel, way too many kids... and you?
WHAT: Special beach episode!
WHERE: The seaside just south of Achamoth.
WHEN: 21 Visoseri.
WARNINGS: THIS IS A CHILD FRIENDLY SPACE. except there are spiders


With things as difficult as they were in Venera, and wanting to keep his mind occupied beyond the grind of training or research, Barnaby had begun to spend a lot of his free time volunteering to help the orphans in the Citadel. It was the closest thing to his life back home that he had here, even if he's still a stranger to the kids here, and they to him, he still sympathised with them and wanted to help improve their circumstances. He'd wondered if there was something he could do to help expand their horizons even a little bit, with Achamoth largely being unsuited for young children, and so he sought permission from the Regent to take them out of the city for the day on a trip.

Their destination isn't far: the beach directly south of the city. While he initially floats the idea to Ciel, who has been helping with the organising and preparations, he'll offer for other Aions to come along if he happens to bump into them. Provided, of course, they're on their best behaviour and willing to ensure the children don't come to any harm, as per the Regent's strict orders.

1. TRAVELLING TO THE BEACH (cw: spiders)

Although the beach isn't far from the city, and close enough that the trip can be made on foot, there's one particular hazard on the way: giant spiders. The group have to cross a small woodland before they can reach the cliffside route that will take them down to the beach, and Barnaby pauses at the edge of the woods, spotting white silk webbing strung between entire trees, more than capable of snaring unsuspecting travellers not paying close attention to where they're walking.

The spiders themselves are nowhere to be seen... yet, and a lot of them have been dealt with in the days leading up to the trip. But it was impossible to eradicate all of them, and the forest canopy overhead is thick and ripe for ambushes, if they're not careful, so Barnaby addresses the group.

"If anyone who can fight is willing to volunteer to scout ahead, please take the lead. I suggest you take someone else and go as a pair."

Barnaby would go himself, but he'd much rather stay and keep an eye on the children. You're up, team.

2. THE BEACH

Once they're safely on the other side, a rocky cliffside path leads down to a private beach. The beach itself is fully secure, as Ciel, Barnaby and Eustace had worked to ensure it was safe in the days running up to the trip. For anyone who arrives early with the group, Barnaby will be giving swimming lessons to those who don't know how to swim, and for most of the rest of the day, will be keeping an eye out from a lifeguard tower they'd had an Achamite workman construct a few days before.

There's enough of a breeze and the waves are choppy enough that you can try your hand at surfing, if you don't mind the old-fashioned surfboards on offer. For those who don't like the water but don't want to just bask in the sun all day, there are buckets and spades for building sandcastles (sand Citadels...?) and balls for playing ball games, either in or out of the water. Food, snacks and refreshments are provided for the children throughout the day, courtesy of Ciel.

3. EVENING

The children are allowed to stay long enough to watch the sunset, before they pack up and head off with Barnaby and Ciel for the evening. For anyone who chooses to stay well into dusk or longer, there are dry branches and driftwood piles suitable for starting a bonfire. If you want peace and quiet by the sea, or to crack open the booze properly now the kids are gone, this is the best time of night for it.

Comments

[lachtara]

It's because of a few Aions 'pestering' him that Emet-Selch even agrees to make an appearance at the beach. If anyone asks, he would insist that he has no interest in any of the activities and would prefer to be left alone. Though if one looks very carefully, you may notice him glancing in the direction of the Orphans if they stray too close to dangerous waters.

2. The Beach

It seems almost suspicious how Emet-Selch arrives at the beach. Anyone could have noticed that he was not in the small group that traveled through the forest to get here, and yet here he is, lounging in a chair that has been stretched out over the sand. Not only that, he seems to have brought a large striped umbrella with him so that he may sit under it and out of the sun's oppressive heat.

He's wearing a white shirt and purple shorts which is appropriate enough for the beach. At his side is a hole in the sand that is filled with crushed ice and a few drinks. Anyone is technically welcome to one, but they will have to venture within striking distance of Emet-Selch's disapproving glare to do so.

3. Evening

The oppressive sun of the day finally gives way to the calm night. The umbrella is unfolded and laid on its side so that he can get a full view of the sky overhead. The unobstructed view of the sky is always one of his favorite sights. And now to add to the view, he can see the strange energy swirling around the Galaxies overhead. If he has to guess, there are other Aion's who could see it too. Perhaps this is a good opportunity to test that theory.

He hears the faint swoosh-swoosh of someone walking through the nearby sand and he doesn't hesitate in trying to assign them a chore or two. "Gather us some firewood, would you?" He asks, though he has intentions of helping in his own way.

2.

[tohell]

Without so much as a word of greeting and an entourage of Achamoth's orphans trailing a short distance behind, J saunters over to sit under the wide umbrella Emet-Selch has set up for himself. Not a minute later the kids follow his example to congregate around the two Kenoma. If they aren't kicking up a bit of sand the rugrats mill around J like chicks under a hen, with some playing around his wings and others sprawling across his legs as J stretches them out.

After a moment of making himself at home under the portion of shade not occupied by the other man, J notices the glistening ice-chilled drinks. With a little consideration and some thoughtful browsing of the options, he makes his choice. There's a satisfying slosh of crisp icecubes churning around together as he pilfers something free of liquor with a chipper quip, "Don't mind if I do."

Only then does J concern himself with acknowledging the owner of the shade he's claimed, by raising the stolen beverage up to toast his gracious benefactor, "How considerate of you to bring enough refreshments to go around."

[lachtara]

Ah, the pleasant view of the beach. It had gone unoccluded while he drifted into a light sleep, only for him to be roused by a commotion right beside him soon after.

Emet-Selch turns his head and cracks his eyes open just enough to groggily put together what is going on. Ah, uninvited company in the form of an Aion and a gaggle of children at their behest.

He breathes out and closes his eyes again, not in the mood for making a kerfluffle over the inconvenience. "Let no one say that I am wanting for hospitality." He says instead.

[tohell]

In stark contrast to the kind of response J was expecting, Emet-Selch takes the encroachment upon his space and property in stride. The unmistakable aura of his disinterest effuses the space despite the unfolding spectacle J and his tiny interlopers provide. If only J could harbor an equivalent sense of easy ambivalence to the presence of others. Perhaps that would ensure whatever peaceful respite his benefactor is hoping to find today. A pity that the newly acquired squatter to Emet-Selch's chosen territory is only encouraged by the cold-shoulder tactic.

His interest piqued, J returns to sampling his stolen refreshment in the manner of someone wallflowering at a black-tie event; with a sedate sort of poise. That same dignified ease is apparent even as he shifts to get more comfortable. A bent knee is an ideal prop for his free arm so that he might securely palm his chin, looking for all the world lost in reverie over an offhand remark.

"Now that would be a cardinal sin, wouldn't it?" It's a question he poses while his gaze drops to the glass in hand. The saccharine liquid holds J's focus in place of his dismissive host as it swirls around, moving in time to the clockwise rotation of his wrist. "Committing warfare and obliterating the present Universe is all fine and dandy, but-"

J's thoughts settle with a flick of his eyes toward his fellow Aion, his words tinged with amusement, "One simply must draw the line at being uncharitable toward allies."

[lachtara]

That comment causes Emet-Selch's lips to turn into a faintly amused grin. "One must have some standards." He quips back in equal parts serious and joking at the same time.

However, it seems that his company is here to stay and that his peaceful rest would no longer be granted to him. Might as well make the most of engaging in the conversation that has been forced upon him. "To what do I owe your company?" Emet-Selch asks curiously. "And the company of those you've decided to bring with you."

[tohell]

"I'm merely seeking a little reprieve from the sun," said as he hoists his drink up with a tilt of his head, pointing in the direction of the umbrella his gaze slides to appreciate. That done J lowers the beverage to sway it ever so slightly to and fro within his grip. "And mooching to my heart's content."

In other circumstances, this might resemble a taunt; with J practically mocking the original owner by waving stolen goods in their face. But in this case, Emet-Selch doesn't seem bothered enough for J to try and press his buttons. Still, J is quick to hide the ghost of a smirk wrapped around the rim of his sugary confection. Not that it does anything but further highlight his impish mood. There's a brief interlude where he wets his whistle, savoring the reprieve from a sun-parched throat that appreciates the balm of a cool refreshment no matter how quickly he heals such a minor discomfort.

"Might as well enjoy the bountiful generosity of my peers," he sighs in relief, resting the glass bottle against his cheek to let the chill slip into skin. "Before that well inevitably runs dry."

Heavy words to exchange over a single cheap beverage and some stolen shade. Or maybe there's a sense he's alluding to matters that reach beyond those. Not that there's time to ponder that when J's attention diverts back to his fellow Kenoma's property with a sweep of the arm draped over his knee. An upturned palm gestures very clearly to the state of the rapidly depleting ice bucket nearby.

Seems the children have decided to ransack both it and its contents. Some take drinks while others go for the ice itself. One boy full of mischief has taken to scooping out handfuls of ice cubes in order to run after his playmates. He alternates between trying to simply chuck one at a time at scurrying bodies or shove them down bathing suits to the tune of childish shrieks. Emet-Selch gets one thrown at his chest in a bout of friendly fire as the kids run past. "I'd say the kiddos needed a timeout from the heat too, but these rugrats bounce back faster than I do."

[lachtara]

The sudden feeling of cold on his bare chest causes him to open his eyes with a start, look down, and lazily toss the thing aside with a sigh. He spares a brief thought for those who 'encouraged' him to come on this trip. It seems that children are truly intent on inconveniencing him.

"As is their wont," Emet-Selch says while reaching down and picking up a pair of sunglasses from the small number of things he's brought with him. He opens them with a flick of his wrist and slips them on so that he can shield his eyes from the light.

Ah. Better.

"And how does one find themselves in charge of so many all at once? Did you earn the ire of the right person, or are you truly a glutton for punishment?" It is not something that many people would have the wherewithal to handle or deal with, at any rate. Something about his tone is particularly facetious. If his fellow Kenoma is so keen on kidding around he could play along. A little.

cw: discussions of abuse + (fake) child kidnapping plot

[tohell]

"I have been known to enjoy a little of both, on occasion." Throw a stick in Hell and you're bound to find plenty of scorn and violence, whether you want to or not. Outside of his home world, the rules don't change much for a demon bound to the whims of others. The same horrors exist freely among the company of those who summoned J to act out violence upon him in place of others, be it enemies or lovers long dead or those they couldn't bring themselves to harm.

"But those proclivities have nothing to do with my little hostages here." His freehand is ready to jerk a thumb behind himself at the hooligan presently unleashing his boundless energy and insufferable demeanor upon the other less demonic children.

"Barnaby's wayward ducklings decided to follow me all on their own," spoken like a man who isn't trying hard to obscure his crimes.

"If by some coincidence they fail to scurry back into his loving care within a timely matter," said as J spreads his hands, palms up in a helpless shrug to suggest he shirks all responsibility and isn't at fault for implying a kidnapping scheme in the works. Yes, he is absolutely petty enough to use underhanded tactics, such as absconding with a bunch of orphaned children, just to lure someone into meeting up with him. He's done far worse. "I guess that means he'll have to pay me a little visit."

"I'm not unreasonable, though. I'll return them safe and sound, on the condition that he asks nicely."

[lachtara]

Emet-Selch lets out a huff of air, one indicative of a small level of amusement. "Well, I do wish you luck in your endeavors to obtain the Regent's brand." Considering their direct instructions were to not harm those children is from the Regent themselves, it seems like a direct way to earn their ire. A rather wasted amount of effort with little payoff, in his opinion.

"If I may make a suggestion: If you wish to meet with the duckling's overseer so badly, why not the direct approach of walking up to him?" He sharply motions to the opposite end of the beach where that very individual is.

3.

[vapour]

The sound stops momentarily as Childe listens to Emet-Selch's chore assignment before he chuckles.

"Yeah, I can do that," he responds without any amount of resentment in his tone. This is a field trip for the orphans more than anything and they also need to keep warm so Emet-Selch's suggestion is really simply the Right Thing To Do.

"I'm sure there's some dry enough wood around here," he says to himself as he starts walking again intent on locating the requested item. After several minutes, Emet-Selch may hear a decisive and somewhat high-pitched Aha! from a distance, followed by Childe eventually returning with an armful of wood.

"Piece of cake!"

[lachtara]

Emet-Selch busies himself with something else as his wayward volunteer searches for firewood. He has brought with him a basket from Achamoth with carefully procured items packed within.

A few children try and peak over his shoulder to see what's inside and Emet-Selch turns to give them an intimidating glare.

When the wood arrives, he motions to a small hole that has been dug in the nearby sand. "Good. Over there is a suitable place for it," Emet-Selch says simply. (A few suspiciously sand-covered orphans sit near it. Perhaps their assistance was also enlisted?)

[vapour]

Childe glances at the orphans before putting the wood into the dug hole, and he'll come to crouch near them after and offer each one of them a small candy for their work in digging the hole, which they excitedly take.

"What'cha cooking, gramps?" He must be cooking if he dug the hole, right? Childe supposes it could be just a simple pitfire but... Grandpa, you're cooking for everyone, right??

[lachtara]

"Please. We need not suffer my attempts at cooking." Emet-Selch sets the basket a fair distance away from the pile of wood and he returns to his nearby seat.

"Tis something else which should keep you suitably distracted and ergo not bothering me." He yawns, holds up a hand toward the pit, and the logs burst into a comforting flame of warmth.

Inside the basket are very thin silver sticks with powder rubbed on the end of them - commonly known as sparklers. When they are lit by the fire they would burn in all manner of bright colors and sparks would pour out of them. Children often found them entertaining.

Not that he brought them with any intention of children having fun. Surely.