(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! ♡)

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Comments

[physicianhealthyself]

She isn't a fan of the beach. I assured her I would manage not to collapse without her presence.

[That's definitely facetious and Baizhu shakes his head slightly as he says it. Even if he did take ill for some reason or another out here and wasn't able to get away in time there are plenty of people around to lend a hand. He's not concerned.]

But this is interesting. What are those tools you're using?

[monoceroscaeli]

[He can see Changsheng giving Baizhu a good sass session before he left regardless. As long as she's happy sitting at home though, that's what matters.]

Oh, these? They're just something I conjured up to help me construct this sandcastle, and I knew it would melt the sand in ways to shape it the way I wanted. You're probably wondering since the vision on my belt is one of hydro, not electro...

[He's not sure if there's electric seasonal powers, but he definitely doesn't have those.]

Let's just say Her Majesty has bestowed other powers unto her Harbingers that go beyond the reach of most people. This is just a manifestation of that.

[physicianhealthyself]

[She did exactly that, and he promised to be careful while he was out. Being in Ellipsa has afforded him an opportunity to relax that he hasn't really taken full advantage of but today is a day for doing just that.

Baizhu definitely had considered that Childe's Vision is not an electro one, and while the young man could have simply lied and said he got the tools from somewhere in Ellipsa the truth is definitely far more fascinating. As much as he tells of it, at least.]

I see... How curious.

[Of course he hears things, and Childe has never kept his role in the Harbingers a secret, but this... such an innocuous little thing when given form as tools like this, but he doesn't doubt it's a far more powerful gift than this.

Baizhu considers, and coughs softly against the back of his hand.]

Prying would get me nowhere, I expect, though the execution seems to be lacking a certain finesse.

[monoceroscaeli]

Well, that's one way of putting it.

[He looks down at his poor little sandcastle. Sure, he's managed to get some parts looking okayish but the reality still stands that he's a fighter, not an artist- and it shows.]

Maybe I bit off a little more than I could chew on this one...I just wanted to create something that reminded me of home. One of the last things I saw before I had to leave Snezhnaya again was Zapolyarny Palace, and I thought this would be a great opportunity to bring that to life.

You wouldn't happen to have any expertise in this area, would you Dr. Baizhu?

[He's absolutely accept the help.]

[physicianhealthyself]

In building sand castles? It's been years since I've had the time.

[And admittedly even when he was a young child he didn't spend too much time on things like this. Qiqi, for all her child-like nature, has also never expressed an interest.

That doesn't mean he doesn't understand the principle but he knows full well that grasping the idea of something and then putting it into practice are two different things.]

I wouldn't want to ruin all your hard work. [He draws a little pattern in the sand by his knee with one fingertip.] But I wouldn't mind hearing more about this palace.

[monoceroscaeli]

[It sounds like Dr. Baizhu won't be able to help him, but he's alright with that. He will gladly wax poetic about Snezhnaya for him instead while he works on it, packing sand together and trying to shape it to what he wants...badly.]

It's a glorious palace, suited perfectly for Her Majesty, the Tsaritsa.

[The nostalgia is thick in the air around the Harbinger, letting his mind wander back to the memory of that frozen, opulent castle of which he'd bowed his head before the Cryo Archon as he swore fealty to her.]

There's nothing quite like the elegant, sweeping halls that lead to the throne of which she sits, the snow and ice thick even within its halls...aaah, it's too bad you can't see it for yourself. It's quite the sight, one that you won't soon forget. But I'm afraid it's not open to the public.

[physicianhealthyself]

[Baizhu lets out a soft chuckle.]

Even if it was, I have a feeling that the Snezhnayan climate would not suit me very well.

[Frail as he is and with his health so fragile, the chill alone would likely be more than enough to make it impossible for him to travel the country. He would have to content himself with pictures and descriptions and the use of his own imagination.

To have something to do with his hands, he starts making a small shape in the sand in front of him.]

How was your family, when last you heard from them?

[monoceroscaeli]

[That's too bad, at least to him, that Baizhu wouldn't be able to brave the frigid climate of Snezhnaya. If he could, he'd love it if people came and saw his homeland, even if it was a land that would swallow one whole if they're not too careful. But it's still beautiful in his eyes.]

Ah, thank you for asking. They've been well. The medicine has helped my father greatly, and made life much easier on him and my mother. Really, I can't thank you enough for all of your help in regards to that. They'd written to me shortly before I was snatched up here, and from what I understand all was well at home.

[He stops working on his sandcastle, because this seems like it should have his full attention. He's grateful to Baizhu.]

And have the Fatui continued to supply Qiqi with her coconut milk? You know I wouldn't stand for a break in the supply, as I expect them to make shipments to you promptly and on time.

[physicianhealthyself]

[He is glad to hear it. When he had first been approached with that particular task he had been surprised but he hadn't turned it away - he never turns a patient away. That the treatment is effective pleases him greatly.

Then the question turns to coconut milk and he gives a warm chuckle, nodding slightly.]

There has been no break in the supply at all, and little Qiqi is very happy.

[As difficult as it can be to read when someone so muted as Qiqi is happy, Baizhu has long since learned to read her subtle emotions.]

I would hope that if you find yourself in need of medical assistance while you're here, you won't hesitate to call on me.

[monoceroscaeli]

[It may not show completely on his face, but it warms his heart to know that Qiqi is happy. Though a zombie, she's still a kid in his eyes, albeit an incredibly responsible and mature zombie child. But she should still be able to have the small things in life that make her happy- and he's all too happy to make that little dream come true for her.

Thankfully, it also lines up with the Fatui's interests to work with Baizhu, so all's well that ends well.]

You'll be the first person I call if something goes amiss, or if something happens. In turn, don't be afraid to ask if you need anything taken care of.

[He does not explain what that means, nor will he if asked.]

You know I'll see it done.

[physicianhealthyself]

[Baizhu studies Childe in silence for a few moments as he seems to mull over what he says. It's not what he says, in truth, but the unseen weight that's behind it.]

I'm sure there won't be any need.

[No, he will not be involving the Harbingers - even one so personable as Childe - if he needs something 'taken care of'. The doctor gives a mild, gentle smile and shakes his head.]

I can assure you that I'm quite able to deal with my own problems when they arise... But I won't forget that you offered. [Ah, the urge to ruffle the young man's hair is a strong one.] If you don't hurry and finish you're going to miss the end of the competition.

would you like to tie it up here?

[monoceroscaeli]

[He's offered, and Baizhu knows how to find him if he ever needs assistance anyway, so Tartaglia smiles and nods back at the doctor. It's the least he can do!]

Oh, right. I do have quite a bit to work on yet here, and I'd be disappointed if I get disqualified for an unfinished work...

[He turns back to his poorly constructed sandcastle, looking at it like he's not sure how he's going to fix it but he'll try! He'll try...]

I appreciate your company, Dr. Baizhu. It's been nice to speak to you again. Perhaps we'll have to reconvene at another time, perhaps over drinks.