(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

[hundredpower]

I would have, too. [Barnaby's expression becomes a little more distant. Maybe his parents even took him to the beach, but try as he might, he can't remember anything like it. He'll never know, now. But there's something to be said for making sure others don't go through those same experiences of emptiness and absence, and the sense of purpose that brings.]

You should thank Ciel when you speak to her, as well. She helped make the arrangements. And if the Regent approves, I'm sure we'll make some repeat visits in future.

[Which is an open invitation, in a roundabout way. He doesn't believe being a member of the Kenoma has to mean soul-crushing misery all the time, whether they're a force for despair or not-- and whether he necessarily gets along with the others all the time or not.]

[baltimores]

[ He raises his eyebrows a fraction at that distant look. There's a story there, and it's one that's none of Amos' business — same as his is none of Barnaby's, so he'll just leave it at that. Huff a soft laugh at Ciel's name, though. ]

'course she did. [ His voice is fond. He's already spent plenty of time around Ciel and from what he knows, this is right up her alley. Just one of the reasons he has such a high opinion of her. ] Arright. You're both doing something good here, then.

[ At the idea of there being more trips like this in the future, though, Amos sits up straighter. Actually smiles properly. ]

And I don't see why the Regent wouldn't approve. Whole point of taking the kids in is to make sure they actually get a childhood, right? [ Which he never had, and is kinda starting to suspect Barnaby might never have had one, either. ] Shit, we shoulda been doing this a lot earlier. Maybe make it a monthly thing or something.

[ We. Yeah, he's in it for the long haul. ]

[hundredpower]

Yes, I agree monthly is a good idea. They'd appreciate it.

[It would give them something to look forward to, and might make the more unruly ones manageable, if having a monthly trip on the horizon becomes an incentive to behave. Still, Amos's enthusiasm (even a genuine smile!) on the whole thing surprises him; though he understands his reasons for it, he still never would have guessed children would be his soft spot.]

We can discuss it at a later time, then. Perhaps you can decide on the next location we take them to? [Unless they want to return to the beach again and make the most of summer while it lasts, of course.]

[baltimores]

[ Well, that earned a blink of surprise. It's probably comical the way Amos is staring up at Barnaby, that he'd entrust him with such a decision just like that.

He takes this as seriously as he does his responsibility to the Kenoma. So this is actually something of an honour.

... One with a real responsibility, because, well, shit. ] Not a whole lot of places around Achamoth that are good for them, huh... [ Amos' voice trails off as he brings a hand up to rub at the back of his neck. His usual haunts are bars and brothels, which... no. Other than that, there's...

...

... ] Shit, yeah, might have to think on that one. Didn't exactly get to take field trips as a kid, but there's gotta be other stuff out there, doesn't there.

[ He is maybe not yet ready for such a big role on the planning committee. He's got the spirit, but it's kinda sputtering out once it has to be put into practice. ]

[hundredpower]

[He huffs out a quiet laugh at Amos' surprised expression. He didn't think he was asking anything too outlandish, but it seems Amos isn't used to this sort of thing.] You might come across somewhere in your travels in the area, or else you could ask the locals for some guidance. That was how I got the idea to come here.

[After all, who else knows the land better than the locals themselves? Though there are some Achamites who rarely, if ever, choose to leave the city, there are others who are more knowledgeable.]

Regardless, that was all I wanted to say. [To thank him, that is.] I won't disturb you any further while you're relaxing.

[baltimores]

[ He really isn't the type to try to broaden his horizons — he knows what he likes, and that's good enough for him — but for kids? Yeah. Yeah, that's a good idea, and he nods, like he'll have to do that at some point after he gets back from Godsblood.

Shit, could they maybe even go out on the water, like, fishing or something—

Oh. And that was it, huh. Amos isn't surprised, considering. Well. Everything. ]

Sure. No problem. I'll be around.

[ But maybe Barnaby's getting more comfortable with things, and that's gonna have to be good enough for him. ]