[COLOR=GRAY][CENTER][COLOR=8ECDB7][sup]____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sup][/COLOR][img]https://i.imgur.com/trGSdE7.gif[/img][/CENTER][indent][sub][COLOR=8ECDB7][B]Location:[/B][/COLOR] [I]The Beach[/I] - [I]Pacific Royal Campus[/I][/sub][sup][right][COLOR=8ECDB7][b]Welcome Home #1.0016:[/b][/COLOR] [I]I Could Use a Drink[/I][/right][/sup][/indent][center][COLOR=8ECDB7][SUP][sub]________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sub][/SUP][/COLOR][/center][indent][sub][color=8ECDB7][B]Interaction(s):[/B][/COLOR] [I][color=8A9A5B]Harper[/color] [@Qia], [color=ffc725]Mei[/color] [@Garden Gnome], [color=FCE205]Gil[/color] [@Roman], [color=fe650d]Lorcán[/color] [@Lord Wraith], [color=04cf3a]Rory[/color] [@Webboysurf], [color=D2b48c]Haven[/color] [@Skai] [/I][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][COLOR=8ECDB7][b]Previously:[/b][/COLOR] [COLOR=GRAY][I]Sights and Sounds[/I][/color][/right][/SUP][/indent]

[indent]Harper’s lips curved upward involuntarily as Aurora’s voice floated toward her.

[color=8A9A5B]“Somebody has to keep these maggots in line,”[/color] she quipped, her hand sweeping across the beach to emphasize the scattered debris. The sun-drenched sand was still somewhat strewn with remnants of carelessness—discarded wrappers, forgotten plastic bottles, and the occasional abandoned flip-flop. [color=8A9A5B]“Or this place will be a disaster zone by the end of the day,”[/color] Harper added, her tone half-serious, half-teasing, [color=8A9A5B]“And don’t you dare say I’m being too hard on them. Someone has to remind them that this beach is more than just a playground. It’s a fragile ecosystem—a sanctuary for creatures big and small. Like...Kat and little Rothy. And I care immensely about both! So there!”[/color] She harrumphed with a pout before dissolving into giggles, Aurora joining her with a melodic laugh.

[COLOR=8ECDB7]“I would never! You’re not wrong though… I’d be devastated if they ruined the beach.”[/color] Aurora commented as her mind drifted, thinking of the many evenings she’d spent sitting on the shore listening to the waves crash and letting her panic wash away. That, and the boy who’d often keep her company.

[color=8A9A5B]“In all seriousness,”[/color] Harper continued once she caught her breath, her eyes dancing, [color=8A9A5B]“you’re looking at PRCU's new and one and only lifeguard.”[/color] She struck a pose, hands on her hips, channeling her inner superhero. [color=8A9A5B]“Watch out, world! Harper’s on duty.”[/color]

The redhead was brought out of her nostalgic thoughts by her friend’s energetic excitement. [COLOR=8ECDB7]“That’s great, Harper! I can’t think of anyone better for the job. It’s the perfect community contribution for you.”[/color]

Harper’s gaze shifted from the sun-kissed beach to the worn pages of her sketchbook at Aurora’s comment. [color=8A9A5B]“Thanks, Rora,”[/color] she replied, her voice soft. She traced the curve of the protagonist’s winged back with her fingertip. [color=8A9A5B]“I’ll have to add you to my list of subjects.”[/color]

[COLOR=8ECDB7]“I’d love nothing more.”[/color] Aurora stated before turning to Mei, who had just joined them, giving the girl a welcoming wave as she sat down underneath their umbrella.

The redhead had never been great about being on the receiving end of compliments. Although she greatly valued the sentiment of someone going out of their way to say something nice about her, it was always a challenge to find the words to convey her appreciation properly. Throughout her time at PRCU she had gotten better at accepting them, but still, she much preferred to give a compliment rather than to get one herself. So, when Mei complimented her swimsuit, she did her best not to hesitate and simply offered the girl a genuine smile back.

[COLOR=8ECDB7]“Thank you! I’m just really hoping I don’t burn to a crisp. Wouldn’t want to start off the semester on the wrong foot.”[/color]

Luckily for her, Gil’s approach took some of the pressure off by changing the subject. [COLOR=8ECDB7]“Gil! It’s great to see you too.”[/color] She replied to his greeting. [COLOR=8ECDB7]“Of course, this year is going to be one to remember, I just know it.”[/color]

It truly was hard for Aurora to believe that after 7 years, she was going to be graduating from Pacific Royal Collegiate & University. It had been a long and winding road, mostly bumpy, to get to this point, but she felt fortunate that all of the twists and turns had brought her here. Looking back, she was a completely different person now from when she had first stepped off that ferry as a skittish 12-year-old.

Almost as if on cue, the only person who was fully able to recognize how much she had grown, how much she had truly changed, ran across the beach. The boy who had been by her side through it all, the one who had crossed her mind only a few moments prior. The redhead watched as Lorcán threw a football back to Rory as he joined their group of Canis friends. Most of the girls she knew would have focused their attention on his toned torso or his strong arms, but Aurora found herself gazing at his sunset colored eyes and his bright smile.

While the majority of their current Blackjack cohort enrolled in the first year of University, Aurora and Lorcán had been there for the long haul since Collegiate. He’d been a constant for her since the beginning, and for a girl who only knew change her whole life, it meant everything.

Calli’s arrival caught Aurora’s eye, and she took her focus away from the brown haired boy for only a moment to greet the resident Ice Queen. But, clearly something happened in that split second, because when she looked back she found herself wincing as she watched Lorcán hit the ground with a thud. He might have been an athlete, but that didn’t mean he was always the most coordinated.

[COLOR=8ECDB7]“Looks like Myotis could have a real shot at the Laurels this year…”[/color] She joked to Gil, blissfully unaware of what had actually caused the boy to take a football to the face. As he sprung up from the ground though, she let out a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding. A small part of her felt at ease knowing he was okay.

And then Lorcán was looking their way, waving, and Aurora’s face flushed almost instantly as they made eye contact. Sure, they had seen each other over the summer a decent amount - they’d spent many nights together right here, on this very beach, like they always had -  but for some reason, this felt different. Maybe it was because all of their friends were around, and yet, Lorcán’s attention seemed focused on only her.

Or maybe it was just a little hot outside and she was seeing things. Yeah, that was it. At least that’s what she told herself as her mouth grew dry. She needed water… or an alcoholic beverage.

Standing up, she brushed the sand off her legs. [COLOR=8ECDB7]“I’m going to go grab a drink if anyone wants to come with me,”[/color] Aurora shared, the words seeming to catch in her throat just a tad, [COLOR=8ECDB7]“Rory practically brought the whole liquor store with him.”[/color] She began to walk towards the group that had formed around the cooler, but as she made her way over, she couldn’t help but watch as Amma sauntered across the sand, power radiating outward with every step. The redhead felt goosebumps raise on her arms as the raven haired girl reduced an innocent shell to dust.

There was something [i]off[/i] about her, and until Aurora could figure out what it was, she was going to give that girl a wide berth and keep her distance.

Shaking off the fear that had tightened her neck and shoulders, she continued on until she was in earshot of Rory, Haven, and Lorcán, easily maneuvering herself into the conversation. [COLOR=8ECDB7]“Yeah, Rory, really sweet of you to think of everyone.”[/color] Aurora leaned down to grab a hard seltzer and cracked it open, taking a long swig. [COLOR=8ECDB7]“Where’s your brother? Will, right?”[/color] She asked, having remembered that he was starting at PRCU this year. She then directed her attention to Haven and motioned to the cloudless sky [COLOR=8ECDB7]“Perfect day, right? I saw you out there before, you looked like you were really enjoying yourself.”[/color]

Aurora’s left hand absentmindedly moved up to her necklace as she began to fiddle with the heart shaped charm along the gold chain. [COLOR=8ECDB7]“Hi Lorcán,”[/color] she looked up at him with a smile, [COLOR=8ECDB7]“Catch any good waves this morning?”[/color] She took another sip from the can in her right before continuing, knowing that the brown haired boy had kin of his own starting this year as well. He had told the redhead all about her over the last few months and how excited he was for his cousin to join him on campus. [COLOR=8ECDB7]“And what about Ripley, is she here yet? I can’t wait to meet her.”[/color][/indent][/color]