(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

[dreamsofwings]

Yeah, Thirteen was…well, someone called her a chaos deity. I guess that's what she is.

[ He's still eating this dip but he's gonna run out of drink soon…he hates wasting food but even Eren has limits! Probably! ]

I don't really like parties, but being outside is okay.

[ He looks off at the water for a second. If his mouth wasn't currently half on fire from that stupid pepper stuff he would probably space out into some weird shit, thinking about the ocean and enemies, but he's a little more grounded at the moment. ]

I heard about it. Yamask already fights with the captain's cat, so…I don't know if it wants a friend. I think I'll just stick with one Pokémon.

[mayoninofukucho]

[A chaos deity... Hijikata can only imagine how much it would annoy him to be at the whims of a goddess like that. The fae on Avalon were bad enough with their riddles and trials! He watches Eren continue to diminish the hot dip. He could get him some water, but part of him is curious how long he'll endure the burn.

His eyes follow Eren's to the (small) sea. He's about to ask if he doesn't want to swim - his beach attire speaks against it - when his mention of the captain gives him pause.]

Captain Hange? Or Captain Levi?

[As far as he knows they're the only two... he can't imagine Levi having any kind of pet, so Hange seems more likely. How come the Yamask's fights with it seem to be a regular occurrence?]

Are you neighbours?

[dreamsofwings]

[ Eren wasn't always fond of Thirteen, but she did save him from the path he was on of ending the world, so there's that.

He glances back at Hijikata. Captain Hange, huh? They're Commander to Eren, though he still mostly just calls them something like Hange-san if he's being extra polite. ]

Captain Levi. We live together.

[ Eren left out the part where the "cat" in question here is a void cat. But still, whatever. ]

Do you know them? Hange and Captain Levi.

[ Hange doesn't get a title and Levi does; some weird thing in Eren's head, the leftover whatever it was from when he was young and saw Levi as a hero. He's never called Levi by his name to his face. ]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Thirteen: The heroine Eren's homeworld may or may not have deserved, but definitely needed.]

I only know Levi.

[So far, at least - little does he know that this very beach party will be full of surprises! Notice him dropping Levi's title, now... meanwhile "Captain Hange" came from Jean, who got isekai'd away from home before Hange's promotion.]

You live with him? My condolences.

[dreamsofwings]

[ Eren looks visibly surprised at that. Well, as surprised as Eren ever really looks. It's something, at least. Hijikata has known him the whole time he's been in Ellipsa; he's more expressive than he was at first, but he's not anywhere near the overly expressive firebrand he was at 15. ]

What? Why? I've spent a long time with him. He was my captain until...

[ Until Eren bounced to go end the world. ]

Well. He still is. Anyway, I'd be worse off alone.

[mayoninofukucho]

[For a moment they both look at each other in confusion. Hijikata is honestly a little baffled that so far none of Levi's subordinates (out of the whopping two he mentioned him to) were even remotely willing to charge into a bitching session with him. That guy seriously has their respect! He's a little jealous, he can't lie. His own subordinates will absolutely shoot the shit with him so much as out of earshot!

Eren's earnestness about both looking up to Levi and doing better in company than alone is strangely touching. He must either not realise that the things he says show a certain vulnerability, or not care. It's something Hijikata still mentally trips over - back home everyone will savagely dunk on each other over the tiniest weakness, so Eren being like this makes him want to do the opposite and not say anything hurtful. As such he mentally edits his next words a few times before he speaks.]

...

He seems a little difficult to get along with. But I'm glad it works out between you two.

[dreamsofwings]

[ Not only is Eren not inclined to trash talk Levi, he also wouldn't dare. Levi might somehow know and show up and kick him in the face or something. But he also doesn't want to!

He's completely oblivious to this being any sort of vulnerability. It's just the truth; he spins out no matter what, but alone is worse. ]

He's hard to figure out, but he's a good person. Even if he's kind of mean sometimes it doesn't really bother me.

[ Eren can be cruel, after all, in a way Levi isn't. He's tried not to be. He doesn't enjoy it. But he's always had that streak in him, the one that screamed at Reiner and Bertolt that he'd make sure they died in the worst way possible.

Hijikata's holds Eren in much higher regard than he deserves, though Eren himself hardly realises that.

He takes another bite of that pepper stuff but...shit, that's the last of his drink. He stares down at it. Really, wasting food is unthinkable, but his mouth hurts. It isn't literally burned, so there's nothing to heal, meaning titan powers can't help. Neither can fire powers. Rip Eren. ]

I don’t think I can actually eat all this...

[ A for effort though! ]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Would Eren (or anyone else around here, really) believe that back home Hijikata has a similarly fearsome reputation (among his enemies, at least, but also among the lower-ranked Shinsengumi men who don't know him all that well)?

Regardless, much as Levi manages to ignite his nerves every single time they meet, Hijikata still does respect him too on some level, and he thinks that, much like Eren, he's been through way too much shit (based only on the few memory segments he saw of their world - it was enough!!). So his faint smile at Eren's words is sincere, also because there he goes again, freely admitting that Levi is mean to him too and he simply rolls with it. As far as Hijikata is concerned, Eren is one of the most guileless people he ever met.

If he did, however, learn that Eren said that to Reiner and Bertolt, he'd be relieved, because that's exactly how he feels towards them and their allies and all the other goddamn titans. What else could anyone with a beating heart possibly wish upon those wall-breaking, people-eating monsters?

He snorts as Eren finally gives up on conquering the ghost pepper dip.]

You did well! You ate a lot more of it than most people would've. I'll get some water.

[He fetches a whole pitcher, because Eren will probably need it... and he brings a shaved ice, too (he asked for a "normal" flavour, and they just so happened to make it peach!), in case the water doesn't cut it.]

Have you had one of these before? It'll cool you down nicely. Just don't eat it too fast, or you'll give yourself a brain freeze.

[dreamsofwings]

[ Eren has only seen Hijikata's nice side. Even in the meadow he only got a hint that Hijikata could be mean if he really wanted to. He'd have a hard time believing that reputation. Maybe he'll see that other side someday. Hopefully directed at someone else. (Later he'll see that Hijikata and Jean have a fight but he won't hear the subject.)

And someday maybe Hijikata will learn that Eren is a monster who would destroy the whole world to save a handful of people that he loves. It's not like Eren goes around advertising it. ]

I didn't wanna waste it.

[ He drinks a lot of the water. ]

I haven't had it. Is it like ice cream?

[ He knows better than to eat ice cream too fast, so at least he won't do that brain freeze thing.

Oh, hey, peach. He knows that flavour. Peach arc continues! ]

It's sweet... I like it. Thanks.

[ Still no smile, but he does genuinely mean it. ]

[mayoninofukucho]

[It's easy to be mean to tardy subordinates and rude odd job workers, but it's hard to be mean to kind people, especially when they have such sad eyes that seem to be looking at something far away half the time. Eren is unlikely to ever face Hijikata's wrath. Even later, when he ends up fighting with Jean, it won't be him being mean to him, at least not in his own perception. It'll be about who deserves or doesn't deserve to commit seppuku.

If he ever learns what Eren did, how much worse it ended up being than the devastation he already knows about... it's hard to say how he'll feel.

He's glad that Eren likes the treat - really, seeing him enjoy anything is simply gratifying -, and feels an internal challenge to make things perfect for him on this hot sunny day, so he excuses himself and gets a bowl of seafood salad. When he returns and sets it down he pulls the half-empty dip container over to himself, too.]

I'll finish it.

[Mixed with mayonnaise, of course. Maybe that'll help a little? He'll regret this decision before he knows it, but Eren doesn't like food waste, so there won't be any food waste!!]

[dreamsofwings]

[ Eren will probably never turn down food, because they didn't have much of it at home, and he just loves to try food. There's not a lot of things he enjoys because he's crazy and weird and still hung up on the idea that he shouldn't even be alive, but food? He loves food.

He stares at the salad for a minute. ]

What's even in this…

[ Has he even SEEN a shrimp before? Hard to say. He's sure as hell going to eat this, he just likes to know what he's eating (unless it's gross leftover stew or something, then he's just better off not asking).

Ah, the mayo thing. Eren has never actually seen this. (He's not actually sure what mayo is made from, though he knows it goes on sandwiches or something? It's not his fave, sorry Hijikata.) But what on earth, adding mayo to the dip? Okay, it's not the worst or weirdest but it's a little weird. ]

You don't have to do that…it's still gonna be spicy, I think.

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata actually stops (well, pauses) the steady flow of mayonnaise before the whole meal disappears under it, slides the bowl closer to Eren, and points out the individual ingredients with his chopsticks.]

Shrimp, octopus, squid, and mussel. You've probably only had mussels before, hm?

[If even that. While freshwater mussels exist they probably weren't all that easy to come by.]

You can try everything if you want to.

[He can use his shaved ice spoon. They can just share this sea food salad, no big deal...]

And if it's too spicy my Tepig will eat the rest.

[He and the Tepig - a clueless-ass pet owner and an omivorous pet - were a match made in heaven, really.]

[dreamsofwings]

[ Eren tries not to judge here, but good lord how can he taste anything under all that mayo?? Incredible… ]

I don't even know what "squid" means.

[ He knows octopus from somewhere, and shrimp, though he hasn't eaten one. Has he had mussels before? ]

I don't think I've had any of it, actually. Just fish and lobster. You can seriously eat an octopus?

[ There was a whole Thing about lobster, and it was amazing that anyone but Sasha got any. Maybe there was other food later, maybe not, but the only thing Eren remembers is the lobster.

He glances at the Tepig in question. ]

Is that fair to give a Pokemon? Mine just eats berries, pretty much.

[mayoninofukucho]

Squids are sort of like octopuses, just shaped differently. The ones that are commonly made into food are about this big.

[He shows the size with his hands.]

They've got tentacles on one end, and the other end is the tail end. Both they and octopuses can be made into all sorts of meals, but they're quite chewy!

[The Tepig, curious at both the food and this new person its owner is talking to, lets itself be picked up and placed on Hijikata's lap, from where it studies Eren with friendly eyes. Hijikata pets its head.]

This little guy likes berries too, but he's eaten everything else I've given him so far as well.

[If this sounds kind of alarming that's right. This man has just been letting his little pig friend eat anything from cat food to human food (and mayonnaise, of course).]

[dreamsofwings]

Tentacles?

[ He actually does make a face at that, just a little, nose scrunched up. It might be cute if he committed to it, though he wouldn't appreciate the assessment.

He looks down at the salad, though. ]

Chewy…really?

[ He literally cannot imagine it. He has no idea what an octopus or squid feels like, so he can't imagine chewy food. He hasn't had anything at all comparable, after all. ]

Can I try that, then, the chewy thing?

[ He might hate it, but he might not. He's never had food he really hated, but he's also never had the luxury of hating food. ]

I don't know if you should feed him just any old thing...

[ Sure, the Tepig seems fine about it, but it can't be healthy, right? Yamask doesn't eat a lot to begin with, probably because it's a ghost, but Eren has never fed it weird things. Especially not mayo! ]

[mayoninofukucho]

If he doesn't like something I'm sure he'll let me know. Right, Tepig?

[The pokémon just gives him a happy oink as he strokes its back. It isn't hungry for once, having gotten a lot of barabecue food to eat already, so at least he isn't going to feed it at the table!]

And yeah, of course you can! Try everything. Here, this is an octopus piece.

[He's curious how Eren will find it. His face will give it away! He's so reactive, it really is cute.]

[dreamsofwings]

[ Eren is a little sceptical, but then Yamask has preferences. So maybe Tepig does too, and will refuse something if it doesn't like it. Can Pokemon get sick? He has no idea. Probably not ghost types, but Tepig isn't a ghost.

Oh well, it seems happy now and that's the important thing. (Don't let these idiots have real pets.)

Eren takes the octopus piece and looks at it. It literally looks like a tentacle, complete with little sucker things. Has he ever actually seen one up close? He doesn't think so, though he knows what one is.

Welp! He really will try any food once. He's unsure of it at first, the chew of it almost squeaky. He can't find any comparison to make about it. He's not sure he likes it, but it's not inedible. ]

It's kinda weird, huh?

[mayoninofukucho]

[Seeing Eren put the little tentacle in his mouth briefly gives Hijikata an improper thought or two, but he violently shoves those down into the garbage bin of his mind. He's not going to be weird or creepy, not even in his head!! They're having a nice time here; Eren is discovering something new!! He deserves to innocently enjoy his food!]

Yeah, it takes some getting used to. But where I'm from we eat it a lot! I think the shrimp will be easier for you.

[He points one out in the salad, small and pink and innocuous.]

This is only the flesh; when they're alive they more or less look like little lobsters, with a shell and all.

[dreamsofwings]

[ Nothing about him is innocent, it's fine to think something weird about him now and then. Eren wouldn't care if he knew. But for now, it's just trying some weird ass food. ]

You eat octopus a lot?

[ That surprises him. Are there not better options?

He peers at the shrimp. The curled up little thing doesn't look anything like a lobster. He knows lobster from Nicolo making it for them; Sasha had really gone wild over it. Eren had tried it and it was good, not like anything else. Did this little thing really taste like that?

One way to find out.

Hijikata is right; the shrimp is much better received. Eren doesn't really remember what lobster tastes like, but the shrimp isn't chewy and doesn't have little suckers on it, so it immediately gets more points than octopus. ]

This one is really good. I don't remember lobster, but I had it once at home.

[mayoninofukucho]

We turn it into all sorts of things back home - octopus balls, grilled octopus, octopus sushi, you name it.

[Seeing Eren's face light up a little as he tries the shrimp makes him smile again.]

You can have all the shrimps if you want to. But try the mayonnaise, too!

[He'll be happy just seeing Eren eat. What is this "Please grow up healthy" feeling?]

[dreamsofwings]

[ He's not really sure what octopus balls would be, what they'd have in them? Just pieces of octopus? That can't be right. He also doesn't actually know what sushi is, but he just sets that aside as things to ask later. Or never, depending on how stupid he feels about it at any given time. ]

Ok. Thanks.

[ He really doesn't need to be told twice he can have food. He likes food, after all, and figures if someone is offering to share then they mean it. He wouldn't offer if he didn't, so why would Hijikata?

But…mayonnaise… ]

I know what mayonnaise tastes like.

[ Yeah, he's not a huge fan. It's…fine? But also, why. ]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Sadly for Eren (and everyone else around Hijikata) this samurai lacks the cognitive ability to fathom that not everybody loves mayonnaise as much as him, so he takes Eren's lukewarm reaction in the most positive light possible.]

All the better! If you'd like more, don't worry, I brought a second bottle. You can have all the shrimps too, if you want.

[He'll eat most of the octopus pieces on his end, and plenty of mayonnaise and mayonnaise-ghost-pepper mix! By the end of this seafood salad bowl they'll doubtlessly need a new pitcher of water, but it'll be worth not having wasted any food and having let Eren try a few new things.]