(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

[acquirement]

Perhaps you should be more open with people, then.

{ that is a slight, just slight, jab at earlier and now. }

When people have no age to refer to, of course they'll go by appearance.

[startraveler]

[He noticed that! Being open is hard!]

I wish it was that simple, but some just don't want to believe me even though I tell them I'm not a kid. Can you imagine?

[He laughs a little. He's short but that doesn't mean anything!]

Have I ever lied to someone?

[Not telling the whole truth is not the same as lying!]

[acquirement]

Then how old are you?

{ aether, you absolutely walked right into this one. }

Or should I save it for a truth later in the game?

{ he isn't answering the other question though, sorry aether, he has no idea of what you've said or done in other places. and despite the progress they've made, he isn't going to pretend he knows him as well as he knows lumine... }

[startraveler]

[He absolutely did walk into that one and he's pretty sure that "old enough" is not going to do for an answer.]

It's... a mystery for later, then.

[He tries to sound like it's all in good fun. In reality, he's wondering to himself what he should even answer when the time comes.

And yet again he's reminded that this is not the Ayato that he knows from Teyvat, that they aren't as close as he would like them to be. A small sigh escapes him, but he smiles shortly afterwards.]

So I'm guessing you're ready to continue the game?

[acquirement]

{ it 100% would not do for an answer. }

So it would seem. { he pauses, and no matter how much he may be able to stop himself from seeming harsher for those comments, the distance is already likely showing between what aether remembers and he does.

a single sleepover wasn't going to change that. } I'll take truth.

[startraveler]

[Aether is determined to shorten this distance between them, even if only a bit at a time. They have a lot of time for it here. There will be many more occasions to rebuilt this friendship.

But now for the question to ask. The traveler takes a moment to think about it.]

If you could have one wish granted, what would it be?

[He smiles warmly.]

It doesn't have to be a serious answer.

[acquirement]

{ he looks thoughtful, because there is an answer to this that is the thing he's already asked olwen about, but it's heavy. but if he also wants aether to be honest with him, this has to go both ways. }

I'll give you both. Since I already wished for boba tea to be delivered to me daily, that would be one thing. Unfortunately it wasn't granted in the way I'd hoped.

{ he got it once :( }

As for the serious answer... it's a little complicated, but it would be something that would affect you as well, I imagine.

{ his hand drops to rest on mochi, and even she seems to stir at the change of atmosphere, her head leaning up to nudge his hand. }

As you're aware, both Ayaka and Thoma remember you, rather than Lumine. Second to that, you're also aware of mine and Thoma's relationship. When all this is over, we'd normally be returned to where we came from, whether we remember what happened here or not. { the smile on his face is honestly bittersweet. }

I don't want to forget, nor do I want to go back alone.

[startraveler]

You really enjoy boba tea, don't you?

[He can't say that kind of wish surprises him. Yet, his smile dims as Ayato continues. Aether has a feeling it's something heavy - he can tell as much from the other's expression alone. And he isn't wrong. Such an honest answer is not something he expected though, but he understands that Ayato wishes them both to open up to one another.

Aether breathes in heavily, before slowly reaching out for Ayato's hand.]

I... really wish I could do something to help. Both you and Thoma deserve happiness. But all I can do is tell you one thing... that heart doesn't forget so easily and what was lost can be rebuilt with time.

[He looks down at their hands.]

That is true not only here, but in Teyvat, too.

[He knows. He's speaking from experience.]

...But I don't want to lose memories I made here either. I want to remember meeting you.

[He looks at Ayato again and for a moment he seems like he wants to say something more, but refrains from doing so. He understands how much it hurts to be ripped away from someone you love. He understands how it feels to be forgotten by someone. In the depths of his heart he can only pray that this strange world can find a way to make these memories last, to make sure that Ayato and Thoma can be happy together even when they return to Teyvat.]

[acquirement]

Do you not?

{ but truly, he doesn't delve into it further than that. }

No, it may not, but it doesn't change what it expected of me at home. One potential way to have the memories would be to share them across both parallels, however, there is still only one Cloud. That means the version of me with an Ayaka who does not have the love of her life with her will need to ensure our clan name lives on and bear that responsibility instead.

Do you understand what I'm saying? It wouldn't exactly be fair to do that to myself in one universe so another version of me can be happy in the other. Therefore, my wish would be for somehow this to be solved, so far I haven't thought of a solution, though the researchers will be looking into it for us.

[startraveler]

[He has to admit, he didn't realize that being a member of a renown Inazuman clan was this much of a headache. It's so unfair that even though Ayato is working so hard and he has someone who loves him by his side, he can't even take that bit of happiness for granted.]

I see...

[A heavy sigh escapes him.]

I hope they will find a way. After all, Ayaka and Cloud found themselves here together. That alone makes me think that nothing is impossible.

[acquirement]

You would think so, wouldn't you? But I suppose it depends on the conditions of the summoning.

{ he shifts slightly, adjusting mochi as she leans up to curl against him. }

Truth or Dare?

[startraveler]

[There really is not much that he can say or do in this matter. All they really can is hope for the best.

He lets go of Ayato's hand and tries to focus on their game again.]

Truth.

[acquirement]

I'm surprised you picked it, with what I said I would ask you earlier.

But I'll ask something else. You and Lumine have both been looking for one another, how did you get separated to begin with?

{ because why has no one asked this }

[startraveler]

Maybe I picked it because I trust you.

[He smiles just a tiny bit, but the question that he's given surprises him for a moment. This isn't a kind of information that he needs to hide, especially that it would help with his search, so he recounts the story, omitting certain details.]

It may be hard to believe but... when the two of us tried to continue our journey, we were suddenly stopped by a god. That god kidnapped Lumine and made me fall alseep. When I woke up, I was far away from the place where all of that happened. I don't know how I ended up there, since I woke up in the middle of nowhere with no one around. I met Paimon a few months after that, actually.

[All of that happened so long ago, yet he can recall it so clearly.]

Part of the reason why I'm seeking the archons is to ask them who this god may be. So far I have no clues, it doesn't really seem like she is a member of the Seven either. And I have no idea why she did what she did or what happened with Lumine afterwords.

[acquirement]

{ he doesn't respond to the first part, because he isn't convinced he should yet, no matter if he knew a version of ayato or not. }

Given your capabilities, there is little I'll be surprised by. And, if you hadn't noticed, I'm very well aware there are things you are keeping to yourself. But thank you for answering this, it is a little concerning that another unknown god did that, but it means you must be important enough to be halted.

[startraveler]

[Aether is lost in thoughts for a moment, pondering those words.]

Sadly, I don't exactly know what it is, but I hope my journey will help me understand.

[He has to believe that, even if each new answer just provides more questions.]

I... never doubted that you know that I'm not talking about some things. I just think prefer to focus on what is important at the moment.

[Anything about him is far on the list.]

[acquirement]

{ he gives a small nod at that. }

Hopefully it will. Though I would argue these things are less important in this world, after all, you have already found one another.

[startraveler]

That is true.

[He smiles gently.]

And I'm forever grateful that we are together again.

[She means the world to him.]

[acquirement]

Indeed. { while they're here, at least, that is the truth. with the progress they've made so far it may be the case for a while as well... }

Would you like to continue the game?

[startraveler]

[No matter how long they'll be allowed to stay together, Aether is still happy for this chance.]

Sure. But now it's your turn to choose truth or dare.

[acquirement]

Of course. I'll take dare this time.

{ maybe it will lighten the mood after they both ended up having to talk about something serious. }

[startraveler]

[Aether nods and takes a moment to think about. Then he smiles.]

Make an impression of someone. Anyone will work.

[Having Ayato trying to mimic someone may be interesting.]

[acquirement]

{ he raises his hand to his mouth, thoughtful at the dare.

well, the easiest in terms of knowing a person incredibly well would be ayaka or thoma, and considering what he went through when he arrived--



he sure is going to do ayaka.

he pauses for a moment to reach into his bag, pulling out a long thin item. he changes his expression to appear more demure and shy, eyes looking away from aether and towards the camp fire. }

There was this one time when we were in Nippon where Cloud gave me a flower... { he can't blush as easily as ayaka, but he will lift the fan in front of his face } I've treasured it ever since. I pressed it and put it in a frame that I keep in my room.

[startraveler]

[Aether can't help but chuckle softly. This is a very interesting sight to have Ayato mimicking Ayaka, pretending to be shy when gushing about someone else.]

You're pretty good at this. I can definitely see Ayaka here.

[Sorry, Ayaka.]

[acquirement]

{ he is very rarely shy so it's a difficult expression to pull off- }

She is one of the few people I know quite so well, besides, I heard about Cloud often enough after my arrival I think I could recite some of the things she said in my sleep.