(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

[titanscience]

[In Hange's opinion, persistence will be the key here. They can't fault Reiner for not believing what Hange tells them (even if that would make everything so much easier) but maybe the repetition of telling him that they don't intend to do him harm, or Gabi either, will enable trust to be built up over time. Brick by brick, until there is eventually something solid there that they can build upon.]

[And Reiner's right, the formal pact would be a necessary step in the right direction. Hange only wished they had a formative answer to give.]

I understand that. The only reason I have not answered it officially is because I'm still working out a few... difficulties regarding certain people. I wouldn't be a good Commander if I gave you an answer and then tried to backtrack on it, would I now?

[Which may not be what Reiner wishes to hear, but it is all that Hange can offer for now.]

Sorry, I know it's not the answer you're looking for. But I'm doing my best. And once it's settled, we'll put it to writing. And everyone can sign. To honor the deal officially, right?

[hometown]

[ Reiner nods. Hange is right: it isn't the answer he's looking for. However, he's willing to be patient. What other choice does he have? ]

Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.

[ He can guess that the "difficulties" Hange mentioned likely concern Zeke. Honesty compels him to say, ]

You should know that I didn't ask Gabi for details. I don't intend to, either. Whatever she's been through, I'm not going to ask her to relive it.

[ His tone isn't aggressive, but it's firm. Protective. Filled with that familial love that will one day drive Reiner to chase Gabi all the way to Paradis. ]

[titanscience]

[Hange cannot fault Reiner for avoiding the conversation with Gabi. They don't know how much Reiner knows and what Gabi is willing to tell him, but she shouldn't be forced into it even though Hange kind of.... alluded to just that in the previous conversation. Whoops.]

That's fine. You're right, she shouldn't have to if she doesn't want to.

[Time for the two of them to add another brick to that wall of trust.]

There are certain topics I am not going to discuss with many of the other scouts here also. If they haven't experienced it yet, there's not point in worrying them, especially when reliving those moments cannot change them.

You already know that some of us have, erm, issues with Zeke Yaeger, but I don't intend to share those with the others who haven't encountered him yet. At least not as him rather than that Beast.

[It would be an easy thing, to spill all the secrets of Zeke and his plans. The massacre of the survey corps, the wine, his defection, everything to make him seem untrustworthy and not someone that any of them should be dealing with. Hange believes with that, they could easily forge this non-aggression pact while keeping Zeke out of it, Reiner would have no option other than to compromise on it.

But in doing so would open far too many uncomfortable questions, about a future and a hostile world that the rest of them simply to not need to know. Sometimes, ignorance unknowingly can be bliss..]

[hometown]

[ Surprise crosses Reiner's face, impossible to hide. He genuinely didn't expect Hange to hold back about Zeke. After all, Reiner knows he's negotiating from a weaker position; he knows the Scouts could make all sorts of demands, and he would likely have little choice but to agree. He's prepared for that to an extent. If it means keeping Gabi safe, there's little Reiner won't do.

But here Hange is, saying they won't play a powerful card. He's not so arrogant as to assume it's for his sake. Still, it means something.

Given what he is, Hange's differentiation between "Zeke" and "the Beast" is odd to Reiner. Sure, there was a period at the start where Reiner couldn't control the Armored. However, all his actions since then have been his, no matter how different he may look as his Titan. But Reiner doesn't argue the semantics; what purpose would that serve?

He inclines his head, quiet for a moment before he speaks again, more honesty slipping free. ]

For what it's worth, I'm not trying to protect Zeke out of some misplaced sentiment. We have our issues; Captain Levi saw some of that in one of those memory portals.

[ Reiner's brow furrows. He starts to fold his arms, then catches himself, settling for resting his hands on his hips. ]

Zeke was never nice to me. But he looked after us. All of us. I don't know what changed in him between my time and yours, but the man I know wouldn't harm a Warrior Candidate. Bertolt will tell you the same when he shows up.

[ "When," not "if." ]

I still believe that if Zeke arrives, the first step needs to be assessing when he's from. If he doesn't know who any of you are, then attacking him would only earn you a very powerful enemy.

[titanscience]

[The differentiation comes from unknowing exactly how much everyone present knows about Zeke, Reiner included. Of course Eren, Levi, and Gabi know all the details. The fellow scouts surely remember the beast titan, and the name has been brought up to them due to the discussion of the non-hostility negotiations, but providing answers runs the risk of being asked uncomfortable follow-up questions.

And what about Reiner? He knows Zeke, obviously, but does he know that he and Eren are brothers? How would all of that play out? Having made no mention of it Hange assumes that he does not, for that would also be a powerful card to play would it not?]

Oh, the memory portals? I was stuck in a few of those, talk about troublesome!

[They'll have to ask Levi some time, in regards to what he ended up seeing. But as far as the Zeke Problem stands, at least Hange can agree with Reiner's take on the situation.]

That is one point we can definitely agree on. I don't really like using the words "both sides" here-

[Because can't they all get along? Except for Zeke i guess oops!!]

-But if anyone from our world shows up, whether it is Zeke, or Bertolt, or perhaps another member of the Scouts, I believe the first step should be to assess what they know, and go from there.

[Nothing good can come from slicing the head off a guy who doesn't even know what he's done to deserve it. Others here may disagree, and if it came down to do Hange would not stop them from doing so, but dealing with the fallout after would be likely be intense... but they'll burn that bridge when they get to it!]

[The mention of Bertolt does not phase Hange either, despite knowing his fate. They're here themselves, walking and talking after all, so why shouldn't anyone else be able to do the same?]

Besides, this world's magic is all over the place when you think about it! I showed up from a point in time several years after a lot of you. What if Zeke Yaeger is summoned and he's four years old or something similar? Instead of punishing him for future actions, we might end up arguing over who becomes his official guardian instead..

[Ever think about THAT, Reiner?]

[hometown]

[ Reiner has, in fact, considered the possibility of his comrades arriving much younger (or a bit older) than himself. It's hard for him to avoid such thoughts, what with his own time being so out of sync with the likes of Eren. He's thought about a young Zeke, too, though not one as young as four. Still, he immediately says, ]

I'd be his guardian.

[ Because obviously, the seventeen-year-old with unaddressed mental health issues and a decided lack of good role models should take on the responsibility of raising a child. Obviously!

Then he frowns, confused. ]

Why would you want to be his guardian?

[ To Reiner, it simply makes sense that he would be Zeke's guardian. He'd be the guardian of any of his fellow Warriors. They grew up together; he knows them and cares about each of them in their own way. What doesn't make sense is why any of the Scouts would want to be Zeke's guardian, especially when they bear such a grudge against him. ]

[titanscience]

Huh? Me?

[Oh. Hah, no way! Hange had meant it more as in fellow warriors such as Reiner, or relatives such as Eren. But... welp this is not the time for that giant mess.]

I didn't mean it like that. I was talking about a general hypothetical, if you're here you'll take him, right? Problem solved!

[Please do not bring a baby Zeke here into the equation please please please..]

[hometown]

Right.

[ Reiner appears a bit nonplussed by the idea of it even being a hypothetical question. The answer is obvious, isn't it? Still frowning, he says, ]

I figured that any younger Warriors or Warrior Candidates who show up would be my responsibility, and you lot would take care of any younger Scouts or Cadets.

[ Hange may not want to use terms like "both sides," but Reiner still sees that division. He can safely assume any other Warrior or Warrior Candidate would see it, too—especially if they haven't lived among the people of Paradis. Their loyalty is too hardwired, their indoctrination too complete. Even Reiner struggles with it, feeling like he's betrayed his nation simply by caring about his friends.

He tips his head to the side. ]

Was that assumption off-base?

[titanscience]

It's not off-base. Though ultimately, it will be the decision of whoever happens to turn up here.

[It's unlikely that anyone from Marley would want to be with the scouts instead of Reiner, just as anyone from Paradis would be more comfortable under the protection of known commanding officers, bunt Hange wouldn't force it if this hypothetical person didn't want it.]

If anybody new is summoned here, let's just agree to notify one another and take it from there.

[They'll cross that bridge when they get to it, as long as they decide to keep in contact if someone new arrives, no more can be done about it right now until they know who'd they be dealing with.]

...Did you have beaches such as this in your homeland?

[hometown]

[ Reiner nods, finding the suggestion that they notify each other sensible enough. If he's being honest, much of what Hange says is sensible, Titan-fascination aside. It's probably dangerous for Reiner to think that way, evidence that his grasp on his sense of self might be slipping. Yet, here he is.

He's startled by Hange's question, although perhaps he shouldn't be. His eyes automatically flick away, looking out toward the vast artificially made sea that so resembles the ocean he knows. ]

I didn't travel much.

[ That's one way to say he grew up behind walls, stepping outside only when the military authorized it, his view of the ocean confined to Liberio's harbor. But if Hange doesn't know that information, Reiner isn't about to provide it.

Reiner shifts his weight, uncomfortable with the idea of discussing Marley, the homeland he had to keep a secret for so many years. Uncomfortable enough that he makes a vague gesture behind himself, though whether he's indicating the water or the rest of the beach is unclear. ]

I should get back.

[ Back to what? Who knows! It's not a subtle way to exit the conversation, but that's what Reiner goes with. ]

[titanscience]

..Huh?

[That wasn't supposed to be the answer! You were supposed to talk about Marley beaches and all the sea creatures and all that interesting stuff!]

[...But this conversation has lasted a rather long time, considering how all their previous ones have turned out. Perhaps it's better not to push too much..]

Alright. Sorry, you've probably heard about it but I can talk forever when it concerns topics I'm interested in! We can talk about it some other time!

[So you're free to make a run for it now, Reiner. It's about time that Hange releases the starfish and goes to hunt for something new, anyway.]

[hometown]

[ Reiner gives a sort of half-nod, trying to acknowledge Hange's words without committing to discussing Marley. It probably looks a bit awkward, just like his body language. But once his half-nod is given, Reiner turns and begins making his way back along the shoreline, wanting to put some distance between himself and Hange before diving back into the water.

He has a lot to think about. ]