(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

[wingbound]

No shit.

[ The ones coloring the sky don't seem to be meant to maim or kill. They do still sound the same, though. The same as the thunderspear that left him half blind and scarred. ]

[ Instead, he's getting some brat's life story. It will probably take him a long while to get anywhere near anything resembling appreciation for the craft, but he supposes making beautiful things isn't the worst occupation in existence. That and he finds it surprising that the girl who apparently also works with them hasn't seen them much. ]

...Why not?

[mistsplitter]

With the excitement in the festival at an all time high when the fireworks display is ongoing, there is still a lot of work to be done.

[ And that's what she should be doing, rather than enjoying herself with everyone else! Ayaka doesn't seem like she's bothered by it on the surface, her true feelings veiled and locked for now. ]

We cannot let anything fall apart, after all.

[wingbound]

Is that what you're doing now?

[ He doesn't think his little outburst even comes close to making anything "fall apart", but what does he know about events like this? ]

[ He's... probably unaware that it kind of sounded like him telling her to get back to work though. ]

[mistsplitter]

Mm, not quite. Here, I have been granted many opportunities, so I am able to witness Yoimiya's fireworks displays.

[ Back home, though, it's a different case! She wouldn't even be here, unless it was a private gathering... ]

I hope you have been able to enjoy the other parts of this party, at least.

[ The fireworks aside, she means. ]

[wingbound]

[ He's not really following. Opportunities to make someone else do her work?.. Is that how she has free time to chat up strangers? Well, good for her. Probably. ]

...It was okay.

[ Such high praise. ]

[mistsplitter]

Which part was your favourite?

[ SHE'S TRYING!!! Even if this man may not look like one who is interested in conversation!! ]

Did you get to try the shaved ice?

[wingbound]

[ He does actually consider the question. ]

...watching the brats play that balance game, I guess.

[ He doesn't know what "jousting" is, but all equipment for it was extremely undeadly. It was... a sombering experience watching anyone, but especially the former child soldiers occupy their time with something that wasn't life threatening for once. He might even say it was "nice". ]

[ He wouldn't want anyone to think him a sap, though. ]

Also the peach sandwiches.

[ He doesn't know what a bruschetta is either. ]

[ At the mention of the shaved ice he frowns slightly. It kind of looked unappetizing to him, all of it scooped from the same huge bowls, at least the rest of the snacks had separate plates and stuff. Wouldn't want to accidentally touch another person or something. ]

No.

[mistsplitter]

It seemed like a good way to test one's strength.

[ She doesn't know what "jousting" is, either, but she gets it from Levi's description! ]

The sandwiches are also good with tea, if you'd like to try them again next time.

[ See? What an amicable conversation! The others are cheering for the fireworks as they continue to light up the sky, but depending on Yoimiya's budget for the show, it may end sooner or later. ]

I do not recommend it... It was rather weird. I think ice cream is better.

[wingbound]

Yeah.

[ He knows of better ways, but they are also dangerous. This honestly looked like harmless fun, with the worst that could happen being somebody splashing into artificial piss water sea. ]

... [ Tea is, in fact, his favorite drink ever, so he is extremely intrigued by this idea. But he doesn't think he's seen peach sandwiches before... ]

...

Do you know where I can get them?

[ Good job, Ayaka! You're having an actual conversation with Levi! He's even a little invested and everything. ]

[ He's almost a little surprised when she says she didn't like the shaved ice, because he was certainly expecting her to attempt convincing him to try some. But hey, validation. He clicks his tongue quietly. ]

Looks like I didn't miss out on anything, then.

[mistsplitter]

There is a nice teahouse in the central district. They serve all kinds of bruschetta, as well as other kinds of sandwiches and snacks. I highly recommend visiting.

[ She loves tea and can talk about it all day!! ]

It is not the kind of tea I am accustomed to, but it is still very good! I've come to enjoy a cup of Earl Grey tea sometimes.

[ And nope, Levi most certainly didn't miss out on the shaved ice. She'll leave it at that and focus on the happier topic. ]

[wingbound]

[ She really had him at "teahouse". ]

...Does it have a name?

[ Tea and peach sandwiches? If he deems the tea any good, he's going to be their #1 customer. ]

[ Unfortunately, the words "Earl Grey" mean nothing to him. Until arriving to Ellipsa, he's known only one kind of "tea", it just tended to vary in quality. ]

What kind do you usually drink?

[ Look at him, making small talk! But maybe he's just trying to see if her opinions about tea are worth anything! ]

[mistsplitter]

"Tea and Leaf" is the name. It has a golden logo.

[ So it's easy to spot!! ]

Green tea is most popular where I am from, and I tend to prefer matcha amongst other kinds of tea. It's only in this world where I am learning about all other kinds.

[wingbound]

Alright. Maybe I'll pay it a visit.

[ He absolutely will and he's actually kind of excited about it! But none of that really reflects in his stoic tone. Maybe the tiniest bit of inflection there. ]

[ He seems genuinely interested in what she has to say about tea, at least. ]

Green, huh. We didn't have a lot of variety where I'm from, but here it feels like I could try a new flavor every day and never run out.

[ Wow, entire sentences! But he's really just that fascinated by Nightwake's tea selection, not to mention that it's terribly cheap compared to his world... ]

[mistsplitter]

I don't think you will, either. Even up to now, people are trying to craft new blends of tea.

[ The sfw and nsfw kind, even! It's all so exciting. ]

[wingbound]

...people do that?

[ He never considered that, but to be fair, the tea he knew were just dried tea leaves. It was only here that he discovered it could have other stuff added to it too, like pieces of dried fruit, or different herbs. ]

[ A part of him, the one that still holds out some hope he may get to retire one day, perks up with interest, because that actually sounds like very fulfilling work, and it would go hand to hand with opening a teashop if he had a signature blend... ]

Have you tried it?

[mistsplitter]

Not in the way that others are.

[ Now, she is certain from their conversation that he's yet to try milk tea, so she introduces the concept gently. ]

There is a popular drink where I am from— tea, mixed with milk, and you put some other things in it, as well. Tapioca pearls, or coco jelly, amongst other things. I've been trying different combinations.

[wingbound]

[ He could never really afford additives, though he was aware some people put milk or sugar in it. But he thinks the tea tastes just fine without them. In fact, wouldn't those things just dilute the flavor? ]

[ Still, he's starting to like this kid, so he's going to make an effort not to be rude. ]

...I don't like milk very much.

[ He also has no idea what "tapioca pearls" are, actually. ]

[mistsplitter]

It certainly changes the flavour. With more ingredients mixed into the beverage, then the taste of the tea leaves isn't as prominent.

[ If Levi doesn't like milk, she fully respects that! ]

Milk tea took our nation by storm, though. I think it will be popular for a long time... until it becomes replaced with a new concoction. But since it is cold, and you can drink it with a straw, it is convenient to take while on the go.

[wingbound]

...Why drink tea if you're going to mess up the flavor?

[ It's delicious on its own! That's why he likes it! Those people can just drink milk if that's what they want? ]

[ He's also not sure how he feels about cold tea, though he figures that would still be better than tea with other things mixed in. Huh. Maybe he should... try it out sometime? It might actually be kind of nice in the summer heat. ]

[mistsplitter]

I wouldn't consider it "messing up" the flavour. The brewed tea becomes an ingredient to a more complicated beverage.

[ An innovation over an innovation! Ayaka would encourage Levi to try it, but she wouldn't force him to. That's not how she does things. ]

Should you try it some time, I hope you let me know your thoughts.

[wingbound]

But tea is already perfect on its own.

[ He's not biased at all! But he can probably be convinced to try some things, at least. Just perhaps it is a good idea to start smaller. ]

...I doubt it, but I'll keep you in mind.