(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

[expiera]

Hmm... Well, I don't think I'd be a good judge for it, [because Ciel's OP and basically won the magical potential lottery, Waver would be malding so hard if he knew this lineageless village maiden equates to an entire battalion of magi on her lonesome,] not for how hard or easy it is to learn and use. But I could try teaching it to you? I do make use of it myself when I really need to focus. [read: kill off her emotions extra hard, but that's neither here or there.] It's like putting a rifle scope on your mentality, I've found helpful with calibrating your senses and feelings.

[In other words, it's cheating. What's also cheating is this very offer, can Gray learn (Self-)Suggestion? Does this break any TM laws? More importantly, do we care? Because if we don't, then why NOT make it a thing? It'll make her be a better killer too, and as Kenomies, isn't that a good thing?]

[gravings]

[ Gray blinks owlishly at Ciel at the suggestion that she learn something she would consider magecraft. While it's true that she has strong magic circuits, and she does know how basic techniques like magical strengthening, the thought of learning something new and magecraft-related beyond pure theory feels feels highly blasphemous to her. If she were successful, her mentor would have a conniption.

But the organization that was the Mage's Association is dead now; she thinks with bitterness, and grief, about how she might be the last person in this world willing to pay a caring thought toward the magecraft her mentor loved, obsessed, and was tormented by. His life's passion, reduced to an intangible afterthought from a clumsy novice from his world.

Gray breathes, staving off the sudden tendril of despair that has no place in this sunny, joyful setting. ]

If you don't mind teaching me, then I'm willing to try... though I can't promise it'll be worth your time.

[expiera]

[...]

I've never tried teaching someone else magecraft myself, but if you don't mind, then I'll do my best too. We have plenty of time here anyway, hm?

[Ciel hums pleasantly, making no show that she may have noticed any hesitation on Gray's part whether that's truly the case or not. There is a measure of bristling irony at the idea of her teaching magecraft too, when magecraft is something she normally tries avoid using on top of being a core factor in ruining her life. But... None of that matters anymore, does it. What should no longer be still is, and what should have carried on had ceased. So if there's anything left in this husk that could be of service to others, then naturally she has to offer it, of course she must give it.]

Shall we give it a shot once we get back, Gray?

[gravings]

... Alright. Thank you, Miss Ciel.

[ Helpful beyond expectations, as per usual. ]

In the meantime, please don't let me keep you from enjoying the beach.

[ Be free... frolic with the children and the waves... Gray will just be here, hiding from said children. ]

[expiera]

There's no need to mention it, you can thank me after we manage to do something about your problem with crowds. We also got more help today than expected, so I think I can afford to stay here for a little while longer too. Now then, would you like something to drink or eat? Water, fruit juice, watermelon, shaved ice, and the like?

[Hmm, maybe after she makes sure Gray is adequately cared for first?]

[gravings]

...

[ She really doesn't mind spending time with Ciel, especially when she's so easy to get along with, but Gray wonders what entertainment value Ciel finds in humoring her. Maybe, like Gray, she feels a little sentimental about having someone around from the same world-within-a-world. ]

I was wondering about the watermelon. It seems like a big fruit to bring this far...

[expiera]

[How about she simply felt like it? Who needs any excuse to spend time just chilling with someone you get along with? If only all Kenomas were as receptive as Gray to Ciel's nosiness company, alas...]

The weight and size aren't any issue. [Why? Because TM girl things she said so.] Besides, what's summer without watermelon? [It's not JUST a Japanese thing, right,] Shall I get us a few slices, then?

[It's just watermelon, yet why is it asked in a way that makes it seem difficult to say no...?]

[gravings]

[ Ah, that's right. As an Executor, Ciel would naturally be adept at strengthening... ]

Yes, please. I actually haven't had much watermelon. I didn't know they were traditional for summer.

[ No merchant would find it worth their space to lug watermelons up the Welsh mountainside, so it was really only once she arrived in London that she had the opportunity to try it. And even then, only sparingly; she isn't going to buy a whole watermelon to eat by herself, and when she would have tea with Reines, they were often eating expensive snacks like chocolates instead. ]

[expiera]

Okay. Please give me a moment, I'll be right back~

[With a bright smile and an easy wave, she gets to her feet and makes her way to their Supply Cart™. Ciel comes back a few minutes later with a wooden board, atop which rests four cone-shaped watermelon slices about a centimeter or so thick. They're not too big since there are a LOT of mouths on this beach today, but should do amply for a snack, at least for someone with a regular person's appetite.]

There we go. [Putting the board down onto the sand in front of them, she resumes her seat at Gray's side.] With the sand beneath us, the ocean ahead, and the sun over us, I'm sure you'll understand why watermelon is so popular in summer once you've had a bite~!

[gravings]

[ They even brought along a fancy wooden board to put the fruit on?? Their servants and/or retainers are really earning their pay. If they're getting paid.

The slices are impressively thin, but luckily Gray's stomach is proportional in size to her stature. As Ciel settles down, Gray delicately takes a watermelon slice with both hands and puts Ciel's words firmly in mind.

Soft sand... blue ocean... warm sun. Soft sand... blue ocean... warm sun...

She takes a chomp out of her watermelon. It's lovely.

A pleased glint enters Gray's eye as she soaks in the pleasant atmosphere along with the refreshing crispy juiciness of the melon. ]

It's good...

[ She'll be happy to just sit here and savor this for a while. Until the kids hunt her back down for revenge, she supposes. ]