TDM 015: IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PARADISE

[erkumods]

TDM 015: IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PARADISE

00. Arrival You come out of the water, the Nameless Island's own inherent energy drawing people in. It's like being suspended between realities and abruptly pushed from behind through a rift in dimensions. It may make you sick, or that might be the motion of the ocean, lifting you to the surface and carrying you to shore. Waterlogged and covered in sand, new arrivals will be greeted by robots who welcome them with towels and bracelet devices. The A5 card is already loaded up. If you don’t manage to get away from them quickly enough, they may even usher you toward the Laid Bare Spa, where new arrivals will be offered free massages, a sauna, hairstyling, and their clothing may come up permanently missing. But you will be given a complimentary towel to leave with if needed! Feel free to explore the Island, though there isn’t much to see beyond what arrivals before you have helped to rebuild. Most of the buildings are abandoned and in dire need of repair, and beyond the city lingers a thick fog that obscures much of the wilderness from view. Wander too far into this fog, and you will find yourself mysteriously looping back to where you began, your memories of what you were doing and how you got there erased. With that in mind, it may be wise to stake your claim on a place to live in the now, whether a rundown apartment in the City, a tent on the beach, a bed in the barracks, or your own space at the House of Worship. Your inventory will be found a day later, wrapped up haphazardly and delivered to each person's makeshift home. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● I. Beach Episode Welcome to your beautiful and sunny island paradise, Erku! ...wait, it's sunny? That's right! For about two weeks, the Island will enjoy unusually warm and clear weather, just perfect for enjoying the cool waters of the beach. Don't swim out too far, however, lest you stray into hazardous choppy waters or get lost in the fog that still lingers beyond the peaceful cove. Just stay close, and you're golden! Once again, friendly robots have erected beachside food stalls for grilling fish and crabs, and encourage any enterprising Islanders to help hawk foods for credits. If gutting and cleaning fish isn't your forte, however, never fear. The robots are recruiting for a very important task! You see, they have very thoughtfully set up swimming and snorkeling lessons for any Islanders who are doubting their skills at staying afloat, or who just want to have some fun in the waves. There is only one complication: the robots are too heavy to swim. Enter, you! Earn credits by instructing your fellow Islanders in the marvels of the ocean. Not just swimming and snorkeling, but also fishing, clam digging, and sand castle art - among other things - are valuable skills you can sell. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● II. Sand Sport For the more competitive sort, the robots of Erku are happy to share a bit of culture from the planet's ancient past: wet sand wrestling! Volunteers (or any innocent Islander roped off the beach by an enthusiastic 'bot) don their skimpiest swimwear and duke it out for dominance in the wet sand by trying to throw their opponent outside of a ring. Knock-outs count as an automatic lose, so be careful! Oh, and no worries if you aren't particularly strong. Before the match, competitors are offered a a special drink - simply named "The Creamy" - an ancient recipe which is said to temporarily increase your strength and vitality. One shot of this, and anyone could take on Goliath! (And not just in a fight.) By the way… those who lose the competition are mysteriously compelled to accompany the victor for the day, waiting on them hand and foot, anticipating and fulfilling their needs before they are spoken. Did the 'bots forget to mention that? ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● III. Graciously Given Gifts While swimming in the nude is completely acceptable on the Island, the robots know that many residents still (for some reason) value their modesty. That is why they are happy to encourage beachside revelry and communion by making sure scanty swimwear is readily available to Islanders who are in need of something to cover up with - while still showing off your assets, of course. Islanders may purchase for themselves, but they are especially encouraged to gift swimwear to their fellow Islanders... in fact, any swimwear to be given as a gift is free! Not only is it a lovely gesture to let a friend or lover know you appreciate their body, but also, swimwear received as a gift is said to be very good luck in wet sand wrestling competitions. Naturally, the robots are sensitive to the emotional needs of their organic charges, and thus they wouldn't want any new, recent, or less personable arrivals to the Island to feel left out for not receiving gifts. That's why some Islanders will find surprise swimsuits in pretty gift wrap sitting on their literal or metaphorical doorstep… addressed with love from a random Islander! With thoughtfully written messages included, of course, usually complimenting the recipient's figure in graphic and/or poetic terms. If you have any manners, surely you'll find these mystery admirers and thank them for the lovely gift! (If you're really a person of culture, maybe you'll even show it off for them.) ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● N A V I G A T I O N

Comments

QUESTIONS

[erkumods]

Trevor Belmont | Castlevania

[belmonts]

00. Arrival

"Fucking great." Came the low, sardonic tone of a man currently being washed up on the shore. Facedown, with a mouthful of wet sand and seafoam. With a heavy grumble, he started to roll himself over onto his back, sighing as tired eyes stared up at the sky. It was honesty actually peaceful, for the longest moment in his life, Trevor actualy felt relaxed. Closing his eyes to the sound of water gently sloshing, distant chatter, and the wind passing through the trees around the beach.

Only, nothing good lasts for long, not for a Belmont anyways.

An errant wave broke, crashing over his body and splashing down heavily against his face, causing him to splutter and cough, the taste of saltwater flooding his mouth, burning his nose as it came out of both nostrils when he coughed. "Alright. Alright, I'm getting up now. Washed up in paradise and still can't catch a break. C'mon then, Trevor let's see which local wants to pick a fight with you today then shall we." Talking to himself as he came to a stand, wringing out the end of his waterlogged cloak as a small mechanical man came in his direction, arms out holding a dry, clean towel. "Ah, thank you, that'll ma--" Stopping midsentence as the robot completely avoided him and instead passed Trevor by to hand its towel to another newcomer a little further down the coast. "Well, that's nice, isn't it... Fucking, typical."

He was about to ask you a question as made his way along the beach, raising a finger like he had something to say, only to shake his head and flap his hand before bending over and vomiting out the litre of seawater he'd accidentally swallowed. Not a great first impression there, but it follows his track record at least.

I. Beach Episode

Trevor wasn't interested in swimming or teaching anyone anything really, what he was most interested in was the food stalls! He'd not had a good meal in ages and some of the food here had him drooling at the sight and smell of it. Being as fresh as wet paint, he had little to nothing in his name here, not even two credits to rub together.

So, instead, he was rather humiliatingly going around and asking certain people if they had any credits to spare. Now, he wouldn't call it begging, after all, he truly intends on paying it back, but desperate times call for desperate measures and all that.

"Ah, I don't s'pose you have two of those do you?" Pointing at the freshly bought snack you had just purchased from a small beach stall a few feet away.

II. Sand Sport

Now this Trevor could do!

Though he had been a mere spectator, for the most part, a few of the contenders didn't like his tone of voice when yelling out totally constructive criticism to the wrestling pair currently in the ring. "Kick him in the balls." and "Don't be afraid to fight dirty, you're grappling in bloody sand for God's sake." Standing there with his arms crossed over his chest as a small robot ushered him towards the edge of the ring. "Ringside seats?" He thought to himself as he watched, not realizing the robots had lined him up to be the next fighter until his opponent was eyeing him up. "Well, I've never backed down from a fight in my life. Actually, no, that's not true...Oof!" Tapping his chin as he was pushed forward into the righting arena.

III. Graciously Given Gifts

Holding up a pair of tiny, tight little swim trunks to his face, pulling them with both hands as they stretched then shrank back down to size as he stared at them, before tossing them over his shoulder, arms folded across his chest, eyes closed and voice unimpressed.

"Nope. Sorry. Not happening."

I. Beach Episode

[spacedisaster]

Sunny days were a rarity on the island, usually, they only got one once a week, so Peter's always determined to make the best of them. Dressed in a blue swimsuit, his bracelet, and nothing else, he's been sunbathing to his heart content until the smell of food got his attention.

It didn't look like the food has any weird side effects, so he got himself a plate with different small grilled fish and crab legs. He is just ready to sit down at one of the nearby tables and start eating when Trevor interrupts him.

"Not really, no." Peter looks at his plate briefly and then at the other man. It's not a face he recognizes, and the clothes are also unusual. What he does recognize is the hungry look and attempt at politeness, despise of it. Peter's been in Trevor's place before and gives him an understanding smile."But we can share, I don't mind. New here, I take it?"

See, this was the reason why Peter has been working on getting a community pantry started, so the newbies had somewhere to get food.

Sand Sport

[magitek_dragoon]

"Touch me again and you'll be scrap metal," Aranea snapped as she was shoved into the ring by a robot. She didn't like being unceremoniously forced to be anyone's entertainment, but here she was. Hearing someone else being pushed in, she turned her attention to her opponent.

"Looks like neither one of us really wants to be here," she said with a shake of her head. She wore a simple black tankini, rather modest for the beach, but it was obvious that she knew how to take care of herself. She had some muscle and she held herself with confidence.

00

[chariotsofcarbonfiber]

Well Emi already got a towel, and she appreciated it, given that she'd had to find her damn prosthetic legs and then get them and herself cleaned off and dried off enough to put them on. Now she was awkwardly tromping through the sand, unsure of heading further in but annoyed at the troubles of walking in sand.

But hey, at least she hadn't come as close to drowning as this guy. "Oof. ...get it all out. Take your time dude," she said, at least trying to sound comforting to her fellow new arrival.

"You know this really oughta be a dream, right?" Obviously, she'd never seen this man before, but it was really too outrageous not to be.

III

[sharpestsword]

"Why not, don't they fit?"

It only seemed fair that if she's stuck with a swimsuit that seems to be barely hanging on then he should as well. She'd been here too long to have much empathy left for new arrivals. They would have to learn one way or another. If the robots saw them enjoying their new swimwear then it may spare them from being bothered or so she hoped.

00 - Arrival

[braidedwonder]

Duo's made a habit of combing the beach around this time every month. For a bit there, they'd had so many people arriving from their world that it only made sense to do so. And now... now, more people were leaving than arriving, but he could always be hopeful that they would return, at some point, washed up on the beach as he once had. Or at least so he was told, anyway. It wasn't as if he remembered the first time he was here in any sense of the word.

The braided man hadn't really been paying too much attention, checking a face for anything familiar, checking a box as he realizes that they are in fact no one he knows, and moving along a little further down the beach.

At least until Trevor's finger raises in his direction, and Duo's brows raise in question -

Only to fall into a bit of a disgusted scrunch of his nose as the old man vomits seawater instead. Look, he's seen worse in war and mobile suit rubble and all, but puke is still pretty gross. Duo's hand finds the pocket of his jeans, the other hand holding a pair of not very beach-worthy boots. For a kid in paradise... he's still in a sleeveless turtleneck and jeans. Not very beachy attire for the sake of aesthetic.

.. Of course the God of Death is a kid smattered in freckles that barely meets a little over five feet. Of course.

"Uh.... You good, man? That the seawater or you comin' off a good time back in your world?"

Abigail Jones | Great Pretender

[freshcut]

I. Beach Episode

[Congratulations. You have scored one (1) attentive, hopefully experienced, probably professional instructor for your activity of choice for the day. Sporting a baseball cap that she's swiped off the head of an unassuming robot, it clashes terribly with what is expected of snorkeling gear. Or swimming attire. In fact, Abigail is still dressed in a pair of shorts and a loose t-shirt, probably "borrowed" from somewhere else.]

The faster we get to work, the sooner we can both fuck off here. Drowning works just as well.

II. Sand Sport

[Luckily (for Abigail? For onlookers? For fellow competitors?), the petite woman has changed into an actual swimsuit for this event, a tiny two piece that would look obscene on anyone else, except that Aby has very little to flaunt. She's doing an admirable job staring down would be opponents who aren't quite sure she is their assigned partner. Would she not be more at home at something harmless and more beach appropriate, like Naked Vollyball, off to the side?

The imprints left gouged into the damp sand from the latest unconscious body suggests otherwise.]

Can I go now?

[The robots have no answer for that. After all, not one opponent has left the ring while still conscious.]

Wildcard

[Please PM or comment here! I can roll with anything.]

[frenchkiss]

[ There is a conflict of emotion in him upon seeing Aby taking point on the beach, standing over a fallen resident who dared to challenge the tiny, vicious woman to what appears to be sand wrestling.

Poor, dumb bastards. But also, he's trying not to laugh.

They've always had an interesting relationship. He frustrates her, she amuses him: they somehow work well together despite completely conflicting personalities. It's that experience (and his lack of self-preservation) that makes it easy for him to approach her with his arms wide. ]

Aby! Look at you, fit and dangerous as ever. Just how many have you taken down now?

sand sport

[impostersyndrome]

Now wait, hold on, I don’t want to-

[That’s Prompto’s voice, as he gets dragged by a robot from the crowd watching and toward the ring, kicking and trying to pull away. He’s wearing a tight pair of swim trunks and he doesn’t seem at all happy about being volunteered.]

I’m really not much of a hand-to-hand guy, I’m more ranged, you know? So please don’t- guh!

[Too late; he’s here, and the robots are gesturing emphatically at Abigail. She may not look like much, but at this point Prompto knows better than to take anyone lightly. Especially since from what he can tell, she’s been cleaning house.

Great. He’s going to die. His dodging skills are great but he can only do so much.

He sort of waves awkwardly at Abigail.]

Uh… haha, hey. Guess we’re doing this, then…

II

[holeyjudgment]

Um, I'm sorry? I think I have to throw you out.

[ This slim, sweet cutie with giant blonde hair, and a white one piece - not unlike what she likes wearing back home, but with a much deeper cut down between her lacking assets, and a tighter cut around her backside. ]

Should we drink the, um, drink they gave us?

I

[sharpestsword]

I'll pass on the drowning.

[ Julieta glances skeptically at the gear. This is apparently what she signed up for so she's not backing out. It's a chance to try something new and meet someone new. Both things she hasn't been doing much of lately. However this is supposed to work she's ready to watch and learn. ]

Is this some kind of fetish?

II - sand sport

[braidedwonder]

[ The beach is still a novelty to a colony kid like Duo Mawell. This means he's come down to see the festivities, still a bit pale, but getting there in terms of an even tan that isn't just on his arms and shoulders, or mostly made up of freckles.

Of course, he's watching the sporting events.. both for the view and just ... because it doesn't hurt to look, does it?

He laughs, though, as she asks if she can go. ]

Y'keep that up and they're never gonna let you leave.

sand sport/wildcard? .... totally here the whole time shh

[edamamepon]

[ Makoto isn't out to be a challenger, but nothing else really matters when he catches sight of that still familiar silhouette across the beach. Instinct and worry urge his run towards her, but once he's close enough to be sure it really is her, his steps slow and his hands find his pockets. He's not really dressed to be that close to the water, but his feet are bare and his pants have been rolled up. ]

Aby!

[ In all honesty, he never thought he'd see her again. And now he's not quite sure what to say. But he's sure she doesn't want him getting all teary eyed. Casual it is, channeling how genuinely happy he is to see her instead of how much he's missed her. ]

Hey, when'd you get here?

Nico Goldstein || Devil May Cry 5

[cash_first]

00. Arrival

Nico coughed, sputtering curses as she pushed her face out of the sand. The arms artisan had some very colorful language to go along with the colorful artwork that covered her arms and legs. She squinted as she looked around, trying to find her glasses.

She jumped in surprise when a robot spoke up next to her and held out her glasses, free of salt and sand. "Thanks," She muttered as she put on her glasses and finally got a good look around. "Where in the hell did I end up? There's no way in hell that this is anywhere near Redgrave city."

01. Beach Day

Nico always enjoyed fashioning different weapons out of some very weird stuff. She considered herself an artisan and could make just about anything from the supplies that she could find around her. So she had set herself up at a table by one of the food stands and acquired some of the shell scraps from the crabs that they were selling.

"It ain't much, but it's somethin'. Doubt they'd let me near the good stuff. I still don't understand why they picked me of all people ta be here," she muttered as she held up a small knife like device made out of a crab claw. She had other shell bits on the table in front of her. She set her creation down and sighed. She was getting kind of bored in this place. She was a weapon smith and this place didn't have any demons to kill and none of her friends were here either.

"Then again, they ain't got demons ta kill here."

01. Beach Day!

[discountlan]

Su Minshan was still doing his best to gather his bearings in this strange land. His few days spent here at least enough to muster out the sheer shock and disgust he had first felt when he initially caught news of this strange foreign land's customs and cultures. But still, how everyone dressed-- the sheer amount of skin! Had no one any shame here?!

He just happened to be doing his best not to gawk at each of the people who passed him. But the strain in his expression was fairly apparent. His face seeming unsure which color to take, for embarrassment disgust and horror tended to do different things, and he was feeling a mix of everything at once.

Thank goodness there were at least some 'normal' stalls mixed among the strange ones. Food, trinkets, jewelry, but what really caught his eye was the small weapons stand that seemed to be shoved among them.

"Hah, you call these weapons?" There was an odd amount of humor in his voice as he looked the items over. Sure, some of them could perhaps do some harm but, bits of shells? Rough stones? Why these all felt so quickly put together. "Don't you have any metal daggers? And what about swords? Surely a weapons stand like this must sell swords."

[fuckinghysterical]

On the other hand, after coming out a world of constant world, LB was just happy to be in a place that was comparatively peaceful. Thus, she was enjoying her day on the beach, not looking the least bit self-conscious in a chain strap bikini top with a beach wrap for the bottom. But even if she had her fun in the water, the various stands around were a lot more interesting as she flitted around from one person to another, her curiosity overflowing as she wanted to see what everyone's skills were.

However, coming across an unfamiliar woman's stand, LB looked positively fascinated as she glanced upon the knife contraption made from what looked to be a crab's claw? A low, compulsive laugh passed as she listened to the other woman speak, tilting her head for a moment before responding. There were a couple of things that caught her interest, but first off:

"You made that out of an animal?" There's no accusatory tone here, she was genuinely impressed!

Jiang Yanli • The Untamed

[fierceprotector]

[Arrival]

The sword to her back had been painful. Even more so was the water that threatened to drown her. Not that she couldn't swim, she could. Most everyone born in Yunmeng could swim, but that wasn't the point. Water and sand in an open wound was far more painful than one could ever imagine.

It takes her a moment to even raise herself up and when she does, she has to take a step back. The robots were foreign to her and she didn't trust that. Nor the fact that this place was brightly lit and not darkened like where she'd just come from.


[Beach Episode]

The stalls along the beach remind her, slightly, of the vendors of Yunmeng. Even if some of the foods were completely foreign to her. Though, there were also the foods that were familiar and something that could also be enjoyed, like the fish.

She's watching the other islanders around her, even if she had no intention of getting back in the waters. Not while she was still healing. That wasn't, however, to say that there weren't other arts that could be taught other than swimming.

[Graciously Given Gifts]

Swimwear is not a thing. She remembers days of her brothers just jumping into the lotus lake, it hadn't mattered what they were wearing. Normally, she sat at the side or brought them watermelon pieces. Something to tide over the humid heat. So, when she's suddenly gifted very... scantily clad swimwear, her cheeks turn a bit red. She was not wearing that.

Then again, what people were wearing were weird to begin with. Far too many strange things and some of them weren't even covered up properly, but she has a feeling that's a part of the island's charm. Or, so she's heard.

[Wildcard]

Anything else strike your fancy, let me know! Or start it and I'll follow.

Arrival :3

[amnopeacock]

First, Kujaku alerts him to the smell of blood in the air, and Zixuan immediately turns to hurry towards the ocean. Then...her smell registers and his heart clenches, and he flings himself into an outright run, to hell with decorum.

She's here. Wounded. Which tells him something of what she might remember from home. He wishes he could spare her that. But he can't. He can only reach her - as he does a moment later and get between her and the robots, giving them a hard glare as his heart hammers away in his chest.

He knows his ears and tail might startle her, but it doesn't matter. He curtly addresses the robots. "You are not needed. I will tend to her now." That seems to work enough to allow him to turn back to her, worry entering his earnest gaze. "I don't live too far, will you come with me? We can get your wounds treated." And he can answer her questions.

3 because I'm a horrible person - also I am so sorry

[discountlan]

Yanli was far from the only person who had felt absolutely aghast by the manner of clothing this world seemed to normalize.

Su Minshan had been given one of those strange tight underclothes by the even stranger metal-men just a bit earlier that day. And the strange metal-men had been so enthusiastic in their gift to him that they almost immediately saw fit to strip him of his proper cultivation attire and place him in it! The worst part, they almost immediately sought to take off and leave him alone on the beach, mechanically telling him to 'enjoy the nice weather' in the process.

They also took the rest of his clothes with them in the process! The theives!

And so there he was, anxiously hiding behind one of the stalls as he tried to discreetly catch the attention of any passerby who could here him.

"Hey! You! Yes, you! Pst! Come over here for a second would you?"

Little did he know how much more inadvertant trouble he was getting himself into because of this.

[taintedpeony]

Jin Guangyao, now renamed Jin Ziyao recently by his elder brother was in his element.

Well, not the element he was used to in Lanling but his childhood in Yunping. He offered any who was interested in swimming lessons as a means to earn some extra credits. He had just finished teaching someone who honestly made quite a bit of progress and went off with the assurance he will come back tomorrow for another lesson.

It was nice. He was reminded of the summers where all the children no matter class would swim and play in the rivers in order to cool down. He had reapplied his vermillion mark and was dressed in light cream robes, still wet from the ocean. He made his way to where they were selling food and smiled warmly at the familiar face who sat there. Jiang Yanli, even if she was different from the one he had remembered from home, was here once before and he was happy to see her again. His Ge-ge deserved all the happiness he could get.

He offered her a low bow.

"Maiden Jiang it is good to see you again on our shores."

Felix Fraldarius | Fire Emblem: Three Houses

[bestswordmaster]

00. Arrival

Washing up on shore coughing and choking on seawater was not on Felix's list of things he ever wanted to do. And he has no idea how it happened; last he checked, they won at Derdriu, and he doesn't remember any foes shoving him into the bay or anything. And this place is definitely not Derdriu.

And now there's an automaton trying to drag him off somewhere, and whether this is some kind of strange Imperial trick or not, he's not going.

When the thing gets just a little too insistent, he draws a blade and gives it a murderous glare. "Let go of me, or I'll slice off your head."

Anyone else around who knows more about what's going on here might want to tell Felix before he ends up getting himself into trouble...


I. Beach Episode, 'Felix Hates This' Edition

Felix thought his arrival here in this unknown place was bad, but worse than that is this: a beach party.

He looks extremely out of place here, still fully dressed in his traveling clothes from home, regardless of the fact that they were made for Faerghus' wintry climate, or that they and his hair and everything else are covered in sand. He refuses to take off a single article of clothing or piece of armor, largely because those automata really wanted him to for some reason. Why everyone else here has actually stripped off most of their clothes and seems to be fine with that, he has no idea. (It's probably because it's hot under the sun and they want to avoid being sweaty, overheating messes like he currently is, but he's ignoring that.)

And now he just wants something to eat, but the automata keep insisting on something called "credits," which he doesn't have. He tried pulling a weapon on one of them and intimidating it into giving him food, but it just offered him a dildo to fight with instead, and he was so confused and weirded out that he just...walked away.

But he does eventually find something he can teach people to do at the beach! Slicing watermelon. With a sword. While the fruit is flying through the air. ...look, he doesn't have a lot to work with, here.

If anyone approaches him, he'll scowl at them and hand them one of his spare swords, hilt-first, with a watermelon in his other hand. "Break it and I break your arm."


II. Sand Sport

At least there's one thing here Felix knows how to do. He has no intention of participating, mostly because those who do are apparently required to wear what basically amounts to the skimpiest smallclothes known to humanity, but a robot challenged him...so he told it that if it could find him a worthy opponent, and if it gave him something to wear that wasn't absolutely awful...he'd consider it. (Then he had a ten minute argument with it over whether the bathing suits it tried to give him were acceptable.)

Eventually, it convinces him to put on a swimsuit that's not too ridiculous and get into the ring with someone it claims is a worthy opponent. Felix studies them, trying to determine whether or not this will be a waste of his time.


II-a. Consequences

Felix is from the northeast of the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus. The northernmost country on the continent. Widely known for its harsh winters and spring blizzards. He's marched all over Fodlan during the war--he's even been to the Valley of Torment dressed in full swordmaster armor--but he's never exposed himself to the sun for this long before.

And guess what he's never heard of before? Sunscreen.

Ah, but fortunately, there happens to be a robot nearby offering some soothing lotion to help ease the pain of sunburn, for those who pay attention to anything the robots say (so, not Felix). Perfect for rubbing all over someone else's almost-naked body when they've had too much sun, says the robot!

Feel free to find an extremely grumpy, lobster-red Felix eating lunch under a large, communal beach umbrella, sitting on a towel and trying very hard not to move too much. He might appreciate some help with the lotion he doesn't know about. Maybe. Even if he complains about it.

IIa. - Consequences

[idratherbeasleep]

Linhardt has, at this point, adjusted to weirdly erotic nature of Erku enough that he's just taking the opportunity to enjoy the warmth and sun. Proper warmth and sun. Despite his pale skin, Linhardt is a child of Fodlan's south since Hevring is on the border with Brigid.

So he's able to feel when he needs to get out of the sun and does so, heading for the nearest umbrella with a fruity beverage in his hand.

"Ah. Now I know what Mercedes tears her hair out about."

He's had to have the opposite discussion with Adrestian soldiers. We're in Faerghus. Wear real shoes. Yes, it matters if you get wet. Cover your damn chest. Yes, especially you, Caspar. You're not beating anyone if your fingers fall off due to frostbite.

Clearly since Felix is sitting under the umbrella and not hacking it to pieces the situation has been explained to him and he likely won't stab Linhardt on sight.

Which is good, because he's not finding another umbrella.

Aranea Highwind || Final Fantasy XV

[magitek_dragoon]

Arrival

Aranea spent far too long laying in the sand, trying to relearn how to breathe. Her armor may be light, but it had nearly killed her. When she finally had the strength, she sat up and looked around. She certainly wasn't home anymore. It was far too bright. She grumbled a bit as she worked at the fastenings of her armor. She was still a bit weak, but it didn't appear that she would be in a fight anytime soon.

"Now that I've taken care of that, I should figure out where in the hell I'm at."

She picked up her armor and started to head in the general direction that she saw people.

Beach Episode

It didn't take long for her to find a place to store her armor and find some more appropriate beach wear. She had chosen a more modest swim suit, a simple black tankini. She didn't mind showing off her body, but she didn't like how little most of the other options she had covered. She had also found some dark glasses to cover her eyes. The sun was still a bit bright.

She found a place to sit outside of one of the food vendors and started to watch the people around her. She still didn't understand what was going on, but she might as well make the best of the situation.

beech

[chariotsofcarbonfiber]

"You look like you're settling in nicely." Emi was pretty sure she'd seen this woman from a bit of a distance away back on the beach, anyways; and she was already chilling. Of course Emi had taken a swimsuit as well, a tiny green little bikini with black stripes that didn't look completely flattering with how petite she was. But it was... fine. It was fine.

Wufei

[zerofive]

II. Wet Sand Wrasslin'

[zerofive]

Wufei had learned well enough by now that dignity, like so many rare things, was worthless here. That didn't mean he didn't value what little he had, but rather...

...Listen, sometimes it's just not worth fighting the robots, alright? Besides, he likes fighting. And after this long, it's not as if he's skin-shy, with little to hide and nothing to be ashamed of. And he has always wanted to fight Heero, this being... well, a form of combat, after a sort. In the typical vein of the island, to be sure.

The lies one tells oneself, to stay sane.

Wufei regards his opponent over the battlef— the sandspit. The cordoned off section of sand serving as the arena of... well, not honor, though perhaps the opposite. Debauchery? Acquiescence? Complete time-wasting foolishness on the seaside, and—

Anyways, he faces his opponent; calm, clear-eyed, and ready, "Well, shall we?"

Cho Hakkai | Saiyuki

[8chohakkai8]

00.

Well, this was most certainly an odd turn of events. One moment he was face-to-face with a god in a temple, trying to one him up and rehash things that he'd rather everyone forgot, and now-- Now he seemed to be outside enjoying a rather pleasant day at a... Beach?

Yes. This was most certainly odd. Last Cho Hakkai had recalled, there was no beach around for hundreds if not thousands of miles. And yet, here he was. It was a beautiful day, and the ocean seemed to stretch out until the horizon. It was stunning, really.

But that was not his concern at the moment. What was most important was that he collected himself and found out where he was and how he got here. Sighing out as he quickly stood up, brushing the wet sand from his clothes and readjusting the monocle along with his right eye before looking around.

At least there seemed to be people around? And... Robots as well? How strange.

Well, hopefully, someone here had some clue as to what was happening. So what better way than to ask... Right?

"Hello! Nice to meet you. ♥" Cho Hakkai seemed to have quite the pep in his step as he approached. Holding a calm and kind smile as he waved over towards you casually. "Do you mind if I ask you something?"

0I.

"I thought I sensed a large quantity of energy in this direction," There was a pleasant hint of surprise in Hakkai's voice as he approached the large tables of food being prepped. The interest in his expression was absolutely apparent as he looked over everyone hustling and bustling about in their aprons and swimsuits. It seemed a large quantity of food was being prepared for some reason, and his curiosity had gotten the better of him.

None of these were fish that seemed familiar to him, but surely there wasn't anything too different between the fish of this world and his, right?

"Do you mind if I ask what all this is for? It would seem there's quite a need for cooks considering all you have going on here."

II.

At first, Cho Hakkai would seem like the most unassuming person to end up in a situation like this. After all, he far from looked like anything special. But somehow, he managed to stand out just enough to catch the attention of the robots.

It sounded like a physical competition of some sort. And although hardly the type to show off, he couldn't help but think the idea sounded like fun. At least, that was what he thought until they told him about the mandatory wardrobe of nothing but a bathing suit.

Well, he wasn't exactly the most comfortable with his own body. But, if that was the way of the sport, then... Perhaps? Surely he wouldn't think about it too much the moment he started participating.

And so he stood on one side of the ring—- a young man with dark hair, a monocle, and a surprisingly lithe but fit body. The curve of his muscles was only secondary to the various scars that covered over them. The most apparent being large, fairly ugly-looking scar taking up the center of his stomach. His posture was straight but reserved as he stared over towards his first opponent.

"Ah, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that so many people would be excited to take part in such an unsafe activity. Well then, shall we?"

III.

A gift-giving ceremony, huh? How fun! Or, at least it would have been fun should he have known anyone. But he was still new to this land and couldn't think of anyone who would accept any gift from him.

And so, he had avoided the tradition despite having heard of it. Mostly keeping to himself. At least, until he found himself face to face with another person holding a curious-looking package out to him.

"Ah, oh, hello," Strange. This almost felt like the sort of situation one would experience during some valentines festival. "Um, is this suppose to be for me?"

00

[taintedpeony]

Jin Guangyao, now Jin Ziyao was on a trip to the waters to restock the fish stores in his small home. He had a few ideas on what he had wanted to make for dinner but wanted the fresh supplies.

He wasn't even that surprised at the newcomer who wandered out of the ocean, there were so many who returned and emerged from the sea after all. He was dressed in modern clothing today, a cream-colored buttondown shirt with a floral motif on it and a pair of knee-length shorts. He thought he was getting the hang of the clothing. He returned the smile with an amicable one of his own. He stood in the side of the beach with a half-full basket of fish, and a small net that was more likely a gauze curtain once upon a time.

He gave him a formal bow in greeting.

"Hello! I am Jin Ziyao of the Lanling Jin sect. The pleasure is mine. I would be happy to answer anything you may have in mind."