(open) ☀️ beach bonfire party

[niwabi]

WHO: Everyone! You and you and yes, YOU!
WHAT: Summer Beach Party
WHEN: June 23rd
WHERE: Solarpeak Beach
WARNINGS: none for now!

BEACH PARTY

The sun is shining, a cool, crisp ocean breeze flutters across the shores of Solarpeak Beach. There's not a single cloud in the sky, the perfect day to have a party! Whether you heard about it through Yoimiya's network post, word of mouth or just happen to stumble onto the festivities, everyone is invited to Ellipsa's scorching hot Beach Bonfire Party! Grab your swimsuits, sun dresses, or whatever you feel the most comfortable in, and join in on the fun.

➤

Gonna Soak Up the Sun

Through the combined efforts of Sisu, Yoimiya, and the many kind volunteers who lent their assistance in setting up the venue, the beach party is here and open to the public! Upon arrival, everyone will be given a choice of colorful, handmade hibiscus leis or bracelets to adorn for the party. They aren't mandatory in the slightest, just a cute little thank-you gift to those who are attending. After receiving a warm welcome from the hosts, you're free to set off and have fun! Meet up with friends or introduce yourself to new people from distant worlds, the party is your oyster. Of course, there will be plenty of other activities to partake in as well. Venture forth to the fun!

Feeling brave and daring? Sitting on top of the ocean is an inflatable balance beam built especially for water jousting. Foam joust poles and life jackets (if you wish to wear one!) will be given to would-be challengers looking to scratch the itch for a fight. The goal is to assert your dominance by knocking adversaries into the water and be the last person standing. Show off your strength and become the champion of the beach!

Perhaps you might be in the mood for a bit of fun in the sand. A large area of the beach is sectioned off for the grand Sandcastle Competition. Solarpeak residents from all across the city are bustling with excitement, flocking in to watch the artists do their magic, so go wild with your creations and give them a good show! Buildings, any kind of sculpture, or even just a basic castle are all accepted, let your imagination run free. You can even drag a buddy in for a helping hand if your work of art requires assistance. For the winner, the grand prize is a summer gift basket filled with goodies for a nice relaxing spa day at home. Tucked away inside the basket are gift cards to various restaurants in Ellipsa. Don't fret if you aren't interested in participating! Anyone is welcome to walk around and marvel at the competitor's creations.

➤

A Feast for All

The hosts are bound and determined to ensure that no one leaves this beach hungry. If you're craving a cold tasty treat to stave off the heat, a bustling shaved ice stall is here to cool down roasting attendees. An endless variety of flavors are available for mixing and matching, waiting to quench your thirst. If you are feeling adventurous, there are a few questionable flavors on the menu such as Bacon, Durian, Jalapeño, Ketchup, Mushroom, Pickle juice and Seaweed. Try them at your risk or if your palette is "hungry" for something more on the "unique" side.

For those who made inquiries about alcohol, special arrangements have been made! A small pop-up bar has been set up for today's joyous occasion. The bar's pride and joy is a variety of summer-themed cocktails but you can also find other basic liquor or non-alcoholic drinks if your tastebuds are craving simplicity. To go alongside the refreshing beverages, food is also provided at this small establishment. Some of the dishes on the menu are: kebabs with a hint of rum, peach bruschetta, spring rolls, fish and chips, crab hush puppies, and a spicy jalapeño popper dip (you can also ask for the ghost pepper version of this dip if you are feeling brave). All the hosts ask is that visitors to the bar be mindful of the people who can't or aren't interested in drinking.

Decorated across the shores of the beach are tables, picnic blankets, and sizzling hot grills for the designated picnic area. In a similar fashion to the potluck that took place a while back, several tables have been set up for those who like to go crazy in the kitchen or wish to advertise their food business by bringing samples to share.

Time flies when so much fun is taking place! As the last light of day begins to fade, the stars come out to brighten up the night sky on this clear summer day. However, just because there's no more sunlight, doesn't mean the party is over. Far from it! There's still lots of excitement to be had for the attendees who wish to stick around for the night festivities.

➤

A Midsummer Night's Glow

On the middle of the beach, a blazing bonfire burns ever so brightly inside a log fire pit. Eat snacks, catch up with friends, meet new people, or get cozy with others should one be feeling touch starved. In need of an icebreaker? A game of truth or dare or telling scary stories makes for a good way to pass the time. Maybe you'll have a fateful encounter and land yourself a date before the night is over.

With a sky full of beautiful stars, a bustling bonfire, and a large open space, the atmosphere is perfect for dancing. The DJ for the evening is the bright and energetic Aimoto Rinku, here to bust out an array of sick beats with her turntable. There's plenty of fun to be had in a group conga line or grab a partner for a slow, romantic bolero, and dance to whatever music piques your interest. A small makeshift stage is also set up for those who wish to sing, Rinku will be more than happy to work with any potential performers. From upbeat EDM to ballads, all types of genres fill the air with music. Let loose, enjoy the melody, and dance the night away!

➤

Festive Mementos

For one of the hosts, summer just isn't the same without fireworks exploding across the sky. To end the evening with a bang, a beautiful barrage of fireworks paints the night sky in various colors and patterns. As a final gift to the attendees, Yoimiya has prepared sparklers for everyone to play with. There are a variety of colors to choose from, pink, red, blue, green, orange, purple, yellow, etc. No matter what color catches your fancy, with a little flick of the wand, all of them appear like twinkling stars sparkling and flickering across the stick.

To end off the light show, fireworks representing each of the seasons burst into the sky. Blue snowflakes for Winter, pink cherry blossoms for spring, a yellow sun for Summer, and red maple leaves for Autumn. After the vibrant display, a final golden ray of light flickers and explodes into a bright, heartwarming message for all of the guests. "Thank you for attending! You are all amazing! Let's have a great time in Ellipsa!"

(OOC: Make your own top levels, mingle and have fun! ♡)

code

Comments

[mayoninofukucho]

[See, see?! Even a high ranking in the popularity poll wouldn't have saved his ass from getting eaten!

But what the hell, those asshole titan shifter traitors were only 12?! He was barely younger when his own life took a sharp turn south, and it certainly didn't do him much good to have it happen at that age. The new information doesn't immediately change how he feels, but it does make a difference in how he'll have to reassess it all - later, when he isn't so agitated.

He already got the same admonishment to not tell Jean and Mikasa anything they aren't supposed to know from Hange just a short time ago, and besides he heard of the decision straight from the horse's mouth (sorry Jean, I couldn't help myself), so he lets out another angry snort at that.]

Yeah, yeah, I'm not telling Jean or Mikasa anything, no need to act like I'm breaking the omerta!

[He really wants to know what happened in their world that was worse than what happened to their city, for he focuses on the other matter for now, because he can sense that Levi might just go berserk on him over it (which he can't even be all that mad at him for - if Levi had taken any one of his men on a mission and let him die, he'd be out for blood too (which says a lot, given that it's Kondou, not him, who feels true warm-hearted kinship with the Shinsengumi's rank-and-file members).]

So Jean didn't tell you..? Well, Levi, let me say this to you: If I'm expected to look past the deeds of the little shits who levelled your city, then you can give me some benefit of the doubt here and believe that I didn't just stand by idly.

[Levi isn't telling him jackshit about all that ominous even-worse titan stuff, so why should he be any more forthcoming about what happened at the Wolf's Blood Mountain?]

[wingbound]

[ Indeed it wouldn't have! Erwin continued near-topping popularity polls long after his death but he's still extremely dead! ]

[ If he wants to know what happened so bad, he could ask. Levi might answer more than he's saying outright, as long as he doesn't think it's too much or dangerous. Hijikata will have to figure that one out himself. ]

[ Levi continues leveling him with a stare, then exhales a little more loudly than usual, though it's not quite a sigh just yet. ]

You're not "expected" to do anything. [ DO WHAT YOU WANT, HIJIKATA!! He provided you with extra information to make an informed decision though! ] But doublecheck how high that horse of yours is. I know I'm in no position to pass judgement on them.

[ Not with the way he accepted Eren back, at least. ]

[ But what else could he do, when this world offered a chance they were all still hoping for even after he'd started the end of the world?.. ]

[ It only makes sense that Reiner and his friends had someone who felt the same way about them, right? ]

[ But now they're getting to the more immediately interesting part... not that there's any shift in Levi's expression, whether at the confirmation or the asinine way Hijikata delivers it. You'd think everything's going exactly according to his plan or something. ]

No? What did you do?

[mayoninofukucho]

[He may ask, later, when they've covered the matter of what happened in the Winter Segment! It really gives him pause how not only Jean, but Levi - Levi, who saw his Commander and all their new recruits die horrible deaths, who charged into a despair-fueled berserk mode when he got the one responsible snatched out of his arms, who would have every reason to hate the enemy titan shifters a thousand more times than Hijikata - Levi, too, is saying that he can't judge the traitors.

What the hell. Seriously, what the hell.

Right, though. The quest into the Winter Segment. He'll try to keep it brief, because honestly, reliving the events feels bad. He still feels guilty for failing Jean on that mission, despite trying to not beat himself up since Jean wouldn't want him to.]

...

We went out to find a safe place for a teleport stone, but snowstorms forced us off track, and we ended up in werewolf territory. They're like wolves on steroids. They heal from anything, kind of like titans. I was engaging one, trying to decapitate it to at least save us enough time to get away, but an earthquake hit and split the cliff we were on if half. Jean...

[He's speaking calmy and factually, being as concise as possible, but this part is a struggle to get out.]

Jean fell down.

[Levi can probably figure that Hijikata and the unnamed third person - he's not throwing Mukuro under the bus! - didn't have 3DMG to sweep in and rescue Jean, even without all the other factors that would have hindered them from that.]

[wingbound]

[ That's the fun part, nothing that Levi said about not judging the traitors applies to the Beast! Hijikata should remember well enough from that memory that the bearded fuck Levi dragged out of that titan was definitely not twelve, and therefore deserving of any and all repercussions for his actions. ]

[ But they can come back to that later. :) ]

[ Levi listens, frowning. It doesn't contradict what he's heard from Jean, and it does sound pretty rough. How many times has he watched someone die without being able to do anything to stop it, even with all his god damn strength? ]

[ Too many. ]

...Did you see it? [ He finally asks, instead. ] Did you look at him?

[ A habit he picked up when there was nothing else he could do was to at least acknowledge the deaths that had occurred, whether he was there to see it happen or only the aftermath. To burn it into his memory, make sure they're not alone when he can, and make sure someone at least knows they died when he can't. ]

[ It probably wasn't much comfort to Jean either way, but Levi still hopes he didn't feel alone in the world when he died. ]

[mayoninofukucho]

[That'll put him at ease a little... if nothing else he'll still be "allowed" to hate on the Beast Titan with all his vice and spite! He really couldn't do otherwise even if he tried.

Levi's question, though, hits exactly what makes Hijikata feel the worst about the entire tragedy: That he wasn't there for Jean in his final moments, that he didn't even try to rescue him, frenzied with bloodlust and panic as he was. But he won't tell Levi that. The man already looks at him like at an animal; he won't vindicate him in that if he can help it! He'll rather let him think of him as incompetent or cowardly.]

No.

[The small word still manages to hold bitterness and regret, but Hijikata isn't adding any justifications of excuses. Let him kick me in the head. It doesn't change what happened, anyway. Jean knows how much he regrets it, and that's what matters. Perhaps Levi, on reflection, will also note that even while fighting Jean still called Hijikata his brother (something that, in hindsight, means a lot to Hijikata).]

[wingbound]

[ Good. He can be as senselessly cruel there as he wants. Levi is aware of his own bias, and the hollow victory his mission ended in, but he doesn't allow himself to dwell on it. After all, that would be like second-guessing the meaning of all those deaths. ]

[ And there goes another reminder not to ever hope for anything. Of course. Of course he didn't. ]

You were right there, [ Levi clarifies, as if having some trouble believing that he heard it correctly, ] and you didn't even check if the fall was fatal?

[ Jean thinks he died instantly. That doesn't mean it's true. At least, if he was unconscious anyway, there was no need for a mercy kill, but still. ]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Why does Levi have to harp on this so much?! Hijikata is all but twisting in discomfort.]

We checked. We didn't see the moment of his fall, but we checked as soon as we could.

[Much later, once the frenzy had worn off.]

We climbed down, too, to take him home.

[His belongings, that is; his clothing and gear. His body has already turned to dust to be reborn in his flower at the point.]

[wingbound]

[ Part of him wants to harp more, to bite, ask him if he was too fucking preoccupied, but... it was a fight. That shit happens in fights. He would know. ]

[ It's better than nothing, but it did nothing for Jean in his last moments. ]

[ He sighs. ]

[ Then he turns kicks Hijikata in the shin. He's careful not to break the bone, but other than that, it's ought to hurt like a bitch. ]

For letting him die.

[ But, apparently, that's as much as he thinks that deserves, because, well. He deserves it too, after all, and he'd be a hypocrite to demand anything more. And, if they did bring him home, that's more than they often could do for fellow Scouts. Sometimes there was just nothing to recover, sometimes it was too risky and they opted to not increase the number of fatalities further. ]

[ Pretty damn bleak, all of it. But it is what it is. ]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata can't block or evade that kick - damn it, how is this man so fast, and how does he kick so goddamn hard?! -, but he does manage to suppress a sound of pain with clenched jaws, just letting out a little hissed exhalation.

This is fine. It hurts like hell, all the more since he's stubbornly keeping on standing when he really wants to grab his shin and hop around, but if this is his punishment for not saving Jean's life, he's getting off easy. Some physical pain is worth being able to preserve his secret. He doesn't want to imagine how Levi would have reacted to the revelation that he's a werebeast too.

What's more, with this score more or less settled he feels that he can inquire about the other matter now, while he still has the chance.]

...

So what happened in your world that was worse than what happened to your city?

[wingbound]

[ Imagine what he was like when he didn't have debilitating injuries! Or, actually, he probably doesn't need to imagine because he's seen some of it... ]

[ The werebeast part might not trouble him as much as Hijikata thinks, unless it's coupled with the implication that he did something stupid and that's how everything went to shit. He just sort of glowers at the other man while he obviously fights the urge to hop on one foot. ]

[ Take better care of him next time. ]

[ At the question, Levi simply frowns and stares ahead, considering. ]

...Are you sure you want to know?

[mayoninofukucho]

[The truth is that if Hijikata and Mukuro weren't werebeasts, they'd probably have been killed alongside Jean, but it stings all the more that they couldn't protect him. If Hijikata hadn't been taken out by sheer brute force first thing, maybe he could have kept that werewolf away from Jean... but much as he'll keep turning the scenario over in his head, what's done is done.

Levi's question makes him dread the information he's about to take in, but he can't turn away, not after he got into confrontations with Reiner and now Jean about it. He needs to understand the context of the disastrous events he's been basing his judgement on.]

I am.

[wingbound]

[ Well. He'd better keep his promise and keep his mouth shut, then. ]

It was quite similar, really. Just bigger. [ An understatement of the year. He doesn't know how helpful his subtlety will be here, but the least he can do is not mention Eren by name. ] Somebody on our side teamed up with somebody from theirs and released millions of Colossal Titans from the Walls, to trample the entire world.

[ His words feel like downplaying how horrible the entire experience actually was -- a little detached, almost clinical, and he's not sure if he's doing it for Hijikata's sake or his own. He sees it all at the forefront of his brain, the dead bodies, the steam, the titans, the fires, the devastation, the horrible noise of Earth itself threatening to split open that did not cease night or day. ]

Hange scraped up what remained of our squad to try to stop it. Reiner and a few of his friends joined to help us.

[ Did he mention it was complicated? ]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata regrets asking, so much. For a long moment he just stares at Levi, expression incredulous, until the acceptance that it's the truth gradually seeps in. He hasn't seen a Collossal Titan, so he lacks the imagery to really drive home the horror of what Levi described, but he has seen how tall the walls were.]

Millions..?

...

Why?

[He heard and processed that Reiner helped, but he simply can't understand what would drive anyone on either side of the conflict to turn against the whole world. The only explanation he can imagine is that they went insane.]

[wingbound]

[ Levi stares back, unrelenting. Bitch did you really think he was joking when he said it was worse? Never doubt the ability of their shit world to sink deeper into the shit. ]

[ Why. That's a question he's been asking ever since. He's gotten some answers, especially since he got a peek inside Eren's head in that mecha, but none of it actually answers it for him. There's no explanation, no justification that could ever be made; he knows the answer but he refuses to accept it. ]

I can't answer that. [ But nonetheless, he can offer some crumbs of rationale, even if he doesn't agree with it. ] Suppose they felt they had no other choice. Turns out we were all parts of the same people that many others wanted gone. Conflict was unavoidable, but...

[ The deaths of millions innocent people were not. It had been as simple as not doing that and handling the rest as it came... or perhaps his view is too simplistic, too idyllic. But it had to be. What world but an ideal one could have been worth all of their sacrifices?.. ]

[ He sighs, shakes his head, continues. Insanity is... not too far off, perhaps, yet at the same time, it was far too complicated, premeditated, there was too much intent behind it to brush it off as something that simple. ]

One of them never cared about the lives of anyone. The other cared too much about a few.

[ And doesn't that just sum the brothers up perfectly? If only he could find mirth in this, but he doesn't. It's too raw, too painful, maybe it always will be. ]

[mayoninofukucho]

[He didn't anticipate it being this much worse!! Truly, Levi's homeworld never disappoints when it comes to snuffing out any spark of hope someone might hold.

Hijikata doesn't know what to say. There's no comfort, no relativisation. He really, really wishes he hadn't asked, but he completely brought this upon himself. If he'd never seen a glimpse of what titans are like, he might perhaps be detached enough to just offer a crude remark along this lines of "What a shitshow", but he's seen too much, and in any case they're way past the point of such flippant commentary in this conversation. Reliving these events, however briefly, has to be hard on Levi, too.

His voice sounds almost feeble when he finally asks a follow-up question.]

Hange and the others... were they able to accomplish anything?

[Against enough titans to trample the entire world? What are the chances? But if that's it, if that's the last thing Levi remembers, then there really is nothing at all left to return to, and Hijikata can only hope and pray that Ellipsa will let them stay or that Jean and Mikasa can take the others to Avalon once the mission is over.]

[wingbound]

[ Indeed. Explains a few things, doesn't it? ]

...Hange died. [ That is, honestly, one of the hardest parts for him in this conversation, but it just doesn't feel right to leave out the cost of their effort to save the world. He hopes they don't hate him for it. He also hopes Hijikata understands this is also off-limits to Jean and Mikasa, but he'll reiterate if needed. ] This world is all they have. [ After a moment, he adds in a mumble, ] All we have.

[ He shakes his head, continues. ]

But we did stop it. Eventually. I don't know how much of the world was left by then.

[ Can it really be called a success? He doesn't know. But it's not a failure, either. ]

[ It wasn't for nothing. That's more than they could say for most of their lives until then. ]

I didn't stick around long enough after that battle... I ended up here instead. But Gabi has seen three more years after it. It seems about a fifth of humanity survived. They were able to rebuild.

[ Does Hijikata know who Gabi is? Well, he's free to ask, just in case he wants to hear more details about the fallout of the omnicide from her, but Levi suspects he won't, which is probably for the best. ]

[ But look, there's a tiny smidgeon of hope there at the end? Sort of? ]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata hasn't realised just yet how important Hange and Levi are to each other, but from the way Levi says those words, part of him can tell - and he knows that feeling. He thinks of Prismatica, of how by some mercy Mitsuba was among the half-dozen people from his world who were called there. The last time he went back there, in between Avalon and Ellipsa, she was doing well. She was smiling and laughing. (But he only saw her from afar, because even after everything, he still doesn't think that he could make her happy, all the less since he always has to return to Edo.)

But of course this isn't just about one dear person dying before their time. It's about millions. 4/5 of humanity. All because, apparently, two people with control over far too many titans deemed total annihilation the best course of action. It's really difficult to imagine destruction of that scope (and he frankly doesn't want to try too hard).

As for Gabi, Hijikata hasn't met her yet (but he will, sooner than he knows, in the Temple of Life), however Jean mentioned her to him, so he can at least mentally map her as another survivor of the titan apocalypse. And speaking of Jean... of course he won't tell him or Mikasa about any of these things. It would be a cruelty.]

...

[There's a long, heavy silence in the air between the two men. Hijikata feels like he unwittingly turned the tables a little, given that they went from Levi needling him about what happened in the Winter Segment to Hijikata pressing him for information about the worse events on his homeworld, but he certainly doesn't feel smug or victorious about it. His shin is still throbbing, his gut is still churning a little, but his head hurts worse of all.

What is there to say? "I'm sorry"? "Well, at least not everyone died"? It'd all feel either lacking or cynical. In the end, when the silence has stretched to the point where it feels somehow possible to cycle back to the previous conversation, he offers the only productive thing he can think of saying.]

...

I'll take better care of Jean next time.

[Because Jean is his sworn brother, because Jean matters to many others including Levi, but now also because Jean, too, is a precious survivor from a world that suffered more than any other he knows of.

He should make up with him soon.]

[wingbound]

[ They had been all that the other had left, for a time. They'd both lost countless important people, sure; some of them just as important -- Levi is still haunted by what he had picked up during the mech metal titan synchronization tests, the fact that the last thing Hange ever saw with both eyes was Moblit's face, being engulfed in disintegrating light after pushing them to safety, and then he's sure that anybody who spent any amount of time in his mind or memories is probably sick of constantly seeing Erwin by now -- but in the end, at least they still had each other, both of them against the world, clinging on and helping each other limp through the pain, hoping to bring closure, bring meaning to all the lives they lost. They'd fought tooth and nail to keep each other safe. ]

[ And then it was just Levi, at the end of the world. ]

[ Saying his decision to stay was cemented as soon as he saw Hange alive in the doorway is an understatement. ]

[ But of course it was, always has been bigger than any or all of them. The unimaginable death toll, whatever had followed. It seems most of the world managed to form a peace, at least for a time, but he can never stop thinking such a cost had to be unnecessary. At least those who remained there still had hope, still had something to look forward to, to rebuild, to live for. ]

[ As far as Levi's concerned, he doesn't. The last tether he had to that world was his duty and that all finished when he helped Mikasa kill Eren. That was it. He had lost everyone even before that point. From the looks of it, from the way Gabi speaks, he knows he must have managed to live on, to find it in himself to get close to someone new again, but right now, it's still hard for him to fathom. ]

[ No, he's going to stay right here. ]

[ The silence stretches on until Hijikata speaks, and while Levi isn't quite sure how one topic turned around to return to the other, he appreciates the words. He knows that's what they are, just words -- sometimes, there's nothing you can do -- but he also feels like the man is being genuine, that he will truly do everything in his power to that end. That's all anyone can ask for. ]

...Good. I'll hold you to it.

[ He won't hold him if he wants to leave now, but if he wants to ask any more questions, well. It's a good time, probably. ]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata would have had more questions, especially about the Beast Titan battle he witnessed, but Hange answered / will answer those... RIP to this beach party's continuity! he feels like he's made Levi go through enough godawful memories for a good while. He doesn't need to force him into that one again, the one that made himself feel such visceral sympathetic rage for him.

Instead of walking off he sits down right where they're standing at the beach, rubs his shin and lights himself a new cigarette. He needs to let everything settle and sink in for a while, and even if Levi doesn't resume the conversation either, Hijikata doesn't want to leave him alone with everything he brought to the surface.

But hey, maybe Levi will just say 'Don't stink up my breathing space, Mayorin' - honestly, if he did Hijikata's heart might feel a little lighter.]

[wingbound]

[ He could at least clarify if there's somebody who deserves all the hate they can get (there is), but that can wait for another time too. Levi's hatred for Zeke may have faded somewhat since he finally fulfilled his promise, as in it's not something he thinks about every day anymore, but any mention or sight of him certainly brings it back bubbling to the surface still. ]

[ Levi does consider saying exactly that -- but at the same time, he can tell this is an attempt at camaraderie, however smelly, and part of him appreciates it. ]

[ He's definitely not going to sit on sand, though, so after standing there awkwardly for a few moments and catching the first whiff of the smoke, he simply turns and starts walking away. ]