(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

[wayofthehousekeeper]

[ He'll slump back down with a laugh of his own, reaching for his nearby cup to take a drink after working his vocal cords so much. ]

It certainly would have been even more fun if he was. Or at the very least, a little more rowdy.

But how about yours then? A truth or dare for your next one?

[startraveler]

[Aether nods, smile wide. It certainly has been a while since the last time he saw Itto and it would be fun to have him around. Hopefully he's doing well back at home.]

Definitely. Maybe he'll show up here one day, who knows.

[This place seem to love people from Teyvat. Just look how many of them are already here!]

Hm... I'll pick truth again.

[wayofthehousekeeper]

[ If any more people appeared from Teyvat, would they have to worry about their home world being empty... ]

Truth... alright. What's an embarrassing story you have? It doesn't have to be the most, just any.

[startraveler]

[Embarrassing... He has a quite recent story like that and for a moment he hesitates if he should tell it, but then again it's Thoma. He trusts Thoma.]

W-well... some time ago I stumbled upon a booth. I got curious so I asked what it was about and the people from the booth told me that they are opening a kissing booth for charity. They asked me if I could help them man one of those. Working for charity is great, but... I really didn't want to kiss strangers.

[He averts his eyes from Thoma, his cheeks grow a little bit red.]

...They were very persistent and they kept on telling me how important this charity is. Eventually... I gave in.

[His face gets even redder.]

In the end, there was only one person who I actually had to kiss. And it just so happened to be Alhaitham. I'm not sure if you know him... Well, at least he was amused by this entire situation. I didn't have a good time, but I guess it could've been worse.

[He got bullied and got a pretty terrible kiss, but at least it was just this one.]

[wayofthehousekeeper]

[ Thoma's face shifts from curiosity, to surprise, to a very full and hearty laugh as Aether wraps up his story the way he does. Sorry, Aether. ]

Alhaitham?? I clean his and Kaveh's place sometimes- I would have never expected him to do that sort of thing.

[ He does at least offer an apologetic smile. ]

I'm sorry you didn't have a good time though.

[startraveler]

[He blushes even more when Thoma laughs.]

I wouldn't had expected it either... At first I was sure he's just messing with me, but then he paid to the charity and I had to kiss him.

[Sobs, the bullying he had to endure...!

He shakes his head, sighing.]

No, don't be. I did this to myself by giving in to the requests. I did it even though I really am not keen on kissing whoever asks...

[Hopefully he'll never get a "chance" to kiss Alhaitham ever again.]

[wayofthehousekeeper]

[ Alhaitham being a kiss bully... what surprising knowledge he has gained. ]

You wanted to help out the charity! That was a generous thing of you to do. It's a shame you had to suffer for your kindness, but hopefully your kisses from now on are all ones you want and like.

[ Aether is clearly a boy who deserves happy kisses. ]

[startraveler]

[He still looks very embarrassed, his face bright red but he appreciates the sentiment.]

...Thanks. We'll see what the future holds...

[Maybe one day he'll get nice kisses, who knows! What is having a love life though. What are dates.

To change the subject he waves his hand.]

Anyway, let's continue the game! Truth or dare?

[wayofthehousekeeper]

[ Thoma believes!! How could Aether not have a romantic life, look at him. ]

Hmm... How about a dare this time?

[startraveler]

[He will forever remember how much you believe in him, Thoma. Chances for a romantic life for him are kind of slim though.]

A dare...

[He looks around, trying to think of something fun for a dare, when suddenly a grin appears on his face.]

Dance with me? [A soft laugh.] And I will warn you right away that I don't have much experience with dancing.

[wayofthehousekeeper]

If you just wanted to step on my feet repeatedly, you could have dared me to do that.

[ The obvious grin on his face makes his teasing more than apparent, because Thoma's already on his way to standing up, offering a hand out to Aether to join him. ]

Luckily for us both, I'm pretty quick on my feet.

[startraveler]

Aw, how mean. You have so little faith in me.

[Aether laughs at his own words. Obviously they're both teasing and he's having fun with it. Then he takes Thoma's hand, standing up and letting his friend lead him.]

Don't worry, I got one dancing lesson before and I learn fast.

[He grins.]

[wayofthehousekeeper]

[ Aether's led around the chairs and benches to a clearer area, where he's promptly given a playful spin. ]

Oh? And who'd you get a dancing lesson from?

[startraveler]

[A soft gasp escapes him since he didn't expect the spin to happen, but he laughs soon afterwards.]

I managed to convince Diluc to teach me.

[He agreed much easier than Aether anticipated. He's very thankful for that, just as much as he's thankful for Diluc's trust, since his friend doesn't remember him, but Lumine instead.]

And now it's time to test how much I learnt.

[It'll be fun, he knows it. He always has a good time with Thoma.]

[wayofthehousekeeper]

[ Thoma's all smiles as well, holding Aether's hand in one while and giving a playful, flourishing bow in a more Mondstadt manner once he hears who Aether's teacher was. While it may have been a while since he was away from Mondstadt, he did still remember a few things. ]

Oh? Then can I leave it to you to take the lead?

[startraveler]

[Seeing Thoma bow like this, Aether hurriedly bows as well, then blinks in surprise at the other's suggestion. He clearly wasn't prepared for it.]

Oh... Alright.

[Somewhat awkwardly, Aether gets into position, directing Thoma's hand gently to his shoulder, before his own hand settles on the other's hip.]

Let's start easy, okay?

[wayofthehousekeeper]

[ Oh no he looks so flustered, which just charms Thoma all the more. He does his best to hold back his chuckle though, his grin on the other hand wide as the sky. ]

Okay. I'll follow your lead.

[startraveler]

[He can see that grin very clearly and a small blush spreads on his cheeks. But he's not deterred! He leads with easy steps, just like Diluc showed him before. At first he can't help but glance at his own feet ervy now and then, but after a moment he is confident enough in the steps that he looks up at Thoma with a smile.

It feels nice to be dancing like this.]

[wayofthehousekeeper]

[ For all he'll tease (and honestly his teases are like a baby's in comparison to some people he knows), Thoma is encouraging as well. Though he isn't full of grace when it comes to dancing, he's decent enough to be able to fall into pace beside Aether and follow his steps, offering a bright smile in return. ]

I'd say you're quite good at this.

[startraveler]

[Aether laughs in return.]

That's good to hear. Diluc would be proud of me.

[His steps are simple and they keep on repeating so it's easy to fall into the routine and just enjoy the moment. The music doesn't seem to quite fit this dance, but it doesn't make it any less fun.]

Dancing with you is nice... so thanks for accepting this dare.

[He chuckles some more, smile bright like the stars on the night sky.]

[wayofthehousekeeper]

That didn't feel like a dare so much as a fun invitation.

[ Aether's smile lures out his own to match, eyes closing for a moment to soak in the pleasantness of their current situation and friendship. ]

It's always fun, spending time with you. So I suppose, thank you for the dare.

[startraveler]

That was the plan all along - to lure you into something fun with a dare.

[He sounds very amused as they sway in their little dance.]

...I'm glad you're enjoying it.

[There's genuine happiness brimming in his eyes.]

[wayofthehousekeeper]

Sounds like I fell right into your trap then.

[ One he doesn't mind at all falling into, if his grin is anything to judge by. ]

I feel like I'll have to return the favor now.

[startraveler]

[He grins right back, eyes half lidded as he teases:]

Does that mean I should also pick "dare" this time?

[He is absolutely going to do it.]

[wayofthehousekeeper]

[ Thoma's not about to be scared away this time! Granted this is like two puppies play fighting but- ]

It'd only be fair.