[center][h1]BEACH EPISODE YEEEEEEEEE[/h1]
[h2][img]http://i.imgur.com/6q0cwLE.png[/img][img]http://i.imgur.com/bHYqmRC.png?1[/img][img]http://i.imgur.com/cEEYEIg.png[/img][img]http://i.imgur.com/AV2Qdry.png?1[/img]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/pt38qxf.png[/img][img]http://i.imgur.com/2YbSl33.jpg?1[/img][img]http://i.imgur.com/VW0bAVD.png?1[/img][img]http://i.imgur.com/V2PDEDC.jpg?1[/img]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/61vkwIl.jpg?1[/img][img]http://i.imgur.com/6BMKPIE.png[/img][img]http://i.imgur.com/o12VzBP.png?1[/img]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/YVYBldt.png?1[/img][img]http://i.imgur.com/Wg1lU2p.png?1[/img][img]http://i.imgur.com/Sfg2kpR.png[/img]
[color=8A3DFF]Emma[/color] | [color=B0C4DE]Brent[/color] | [color 33ec06]Marcus[/color] | [color=00a99d]Ernest[/color]
[color=9e0039]Angélique[/color] | [color=red]Christopher[/color] | [color=lightcoral]Lilianna[/color] | [color=Bd892F]Sophia[/color]
[color=662d91]Kusari[/color] | [color=palevioletred]Zoe[/color] | [color=00ffbb]Lawrence[/color] | [color=ff57ff]Siena[/color] 
[color=cyan]Sander[/color] | [color 8493ca]Christmas[/color] | [color=0095FF]Grant[/color][/h2]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/3R5vYYi.png?2[/img][hr][color=silver]𝕆𝕔𝕥. 𝟜, 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘   / /   𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕕 ℍ𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕀𝕤𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕕   / /   𝔹𝕖𝕒𝕔𝕙    / /  𝟙𝟛𝟘𝟘  [/color][hr]
[sub]SUPER COLLAB WITH [@Diggerton] [@Banjoanjo] [@Chasers115] [@ERode] [@Riffus Maximus] [@Dragonmancer] [@Kyrisse] [@VampireOracle] [@Piercing Light] [@Lasrever] [@Snagglepuss89] [@PapiTan] [@RedDusk] [@January] [@Deathmyster][/sub]
[/center]


Emma had, of course, been the first to arrive on the beach donning the swimsuit she'd purchased from D.C. She started setting up, anchoring an umbrella into the soft sand and then unfolding a chair underneath it. Beside her was a cooler- snacks and drinks of both the alcoholic and non-alcoholic variety, likely more than they'd need. 

She took her seat, looking over the empty beach. Hopefully it wouldn’t be empty for long. She wasn’t ignorant to the infighting in Unit B. Hell, she was involved in some of it. Something like this… she’d hoped that it would help bring them together, although she wasn’t ignorant to the fact that a day at the beach wouldn’t make everyone friends.

Maybe no one was coming after all.

[hider=Team SAP and Angelique: Dynamic Entrance!!]Then suddenly, a chord from an electric guitar.

Three silhouettes came into view as the riffs continued, the song revealing itself to be the opening to Thin Lizzy's 'The Boys Are Back In Town'. Confident strides carried the reunited Team 'Splattered Across the Penthouse' to the party, the source of the anthem revealing itself to be an overclocked, glowing stereothat rested on Brent's bare shoulder. Three boys walking in complete sync to a beach party. It might have actually been impressive if Ernie, and by extension his bright green Crocs, hadn't started tiptoeing once they entered the sandier area. The buzzcut boy grimaced slightly as fragmented seashells and tiny rocks made their way into his shoes, the tennis net he had over his shoulders swinging wildly as he hopped to shake them out.

The slow motion shot of Team SAP crossing the beach, while still impressive, was ruined slightly as Ernie gingerly stepped over the beach. Marcus gave Ernie a confused side-look as he started breaking formation, culminating in a complete incredulous look. Slowly, the words could be seen forming on Marcus's lips: "[color 33ec06]Are you serio-[/color]" but that was as far as he got before a tennis net beaned him across the back of the head, causing him to drop the folded tables he'd been tasked with carrying.

And, just like that, those folded tables fell on Brent's big toe, a painful [i]thunk[/i] sounding, before electrifying agony shot up his spine. [color=B0C4DE]"Motherf-"[/color] the arbiter spat, before the overclocked stereo, buffed three times as an experiment to see how long it could last, sputtered. The music warped, twisted, garbled, and soon the speakers were blasting out white noise instead, all as he tried not to drop the damned thing on Ernie's head while simultaneously trying to dig his foot out from under the fallen table.

Still on one foot to get the granules out of his footwear, Ernie looked up in confusion as the music warped. Brent's wild swaying prompted the Aberration to lean away and as a result he tripped over completely, ultimately getting sand all over his precious shoes. The tennis net stuck upwards like a flagpole while the sunscreen mega-bottle he was holding tumbled onto the ground.

A mouthed apology from Marcus to Brent as he gathered up the few tables he'd been able to carry around, and he relinquished the vile thing's hold on Brent's toe, trying desperately to not end up a casualty of either a stereo or a damned tennis net.

Another burst of sparks from the strangled stereo, and Brent made a quick decision. Before the whole thing could explode on top of them, the arbiter hurled the stereo away, the silver circuitry that empowered the object leaving as soon as it was no longer resting on his broad, muscled shoulders. With that, another screeching cry sounded as the object shrunk, reverting into the tragically small Walkman Team SAP had found in the shed, before bursting into flames.

[color=00a99d]"Urgh,"[/color] Ernie sputtered out a mouthful of sand from his faceplant, [color=00a99d]"It really does get everywhere."[/color]

[color=B0C4DE]"Man,"[/color] Brent shook his head, offering Ernie a hand, [color=B0C4DE]"We really should have taken the jeep. You said you knew how to do donuts, yah?"[/color]

[color=00a99d]"Backwards with my eyes closed? Uh-duh."[/color] He took the hand gratefully, brushing himself off before picking up the tennis net again.

"[color 33ec06]What? Were you not expecting the [i]sand[/i] on the [i]beach[/i]?[/color]" Marcus said, giving a half irritated/half amused look to Ernie.

[color=00a99d]"I-I was! Just...not so [i]much[/i] of it,"[/color] Ernie mumbled in embarrassment. He could barely remember anything of the last time he went to the beach. Desperate to change the subject, he called out to Emma, [color=00a99d]"Hey, we brought the stuff!"[/color]

Emma watched the group’s approach with barely suppressed laughter. When Ernie called out she responded with a small wave, [color=8A3DFF]”Thanks, boys!”[/color] she shouted out, getting up and heading towards them. [color=8A3DFF]”By the way, ten outta ten on that entrance. Impressive stuff, really.”[/color] she said deadpan, voice conveying none of the sarcasm that obviously went with her statement. 

Ernie merely cringed and walked off to set up the net. The sunscreen bottle dropped itself by Emma's station.

"[color 33ec06]You think? What sold it for you, the numerous injuries we sustained, the fireworks show, or Ernie's neon green Crocs?[/color]" Marcus said, deliberately directing the last part to Ernie.

[color=B0C4DE]"Please," [/color]Brent said, picking up the busted Walkman from the sand, [color=B0C4DE]"If that's what you think a fireworks show is, I'll be revealing a true pyrotechnic miracle later. Knock your speedo right off."[/color]

"[color 33ec06]It's not...[/color]" Marcus started, fluttering his shirt slightly to look down at his own swim trunks, before catching onto Brent. "[color 33ec06]Hardy harr.[/color]" he added in response, resisting the urge to stick his tongue out like a child.

[color=00a99d]"Shoulda just worn boots or somethin',"[/color] Ernie muttered, glaring down at his Crocs. They were comfy at least. And he liked the colour.

[color=8A3DFF]”Ooooh, big plan, Brent? Looking forward to it.”[/color] Emma gave a small sigh, ignoring the banter of the others and focusing in on the mention of a fireworks show, [color=8A3DFF]”Of course the loss of our radio does put a bit of a damper on things, but oh well… let’s start setting up these tables.”[/color]

Angélique had found it strange that someone like Emma had managed to find her phone number and send her a text message. Maybe it had been Ernest? Or was it Allison? She didn’t know, but the most surprising thing was the invitation she got among the mass invite text sent to everyone in Unit B to assemble at the beach for a party. 
 
As much as the Aberration didn’t like Emma, Angel was willing to accept that the girl had a great idea. Hopefully it would go better than the last time everyone tried to party, thinking back on how drunk she was and how the guys had help from Kadabra lest they all would’ve ended shot by the local police department. Getting into her fancy swimsuit she had bought way back from Crimen Culpae, the singer was now dressed up appropriately for a beach party. Adjusting the straps of her bikini, Angel swung her guitar case over her shoulder and headed towards the beach.

It was with a swaying gait reflecting pride and sex appeal, raven hair fluttering in the wind that a girl and her guitar appeared on the beach, sporting her usual shades and a black bikini mostly tailored to impress and enhance the feminine curves on the fallen idol's well-toned body, using straps that crossed over her body, either circling her waist or the upper and lower parts of her chest with Xs. Whether it was because Angélique wanted to be dressed to impress or simply because she loved to dress herself in revealing extravagant clothing, it was a rare sight for a lot to see the girl without actual pants covering her lower body, and the tattoo on her back depicting feathery wings clearly revealed.

But all this sensual entry was lost upon the poor fools that had already gathered on the beach. As she arrived, she found the pitiful form of Team SAP fumbling around with their equipment like incompetent idiots while Emma was overlooking them.

Deep inside, Angélique's heart sank when she took notice that the only people that had showed up as for the moment had been mostly people she wasn't on good terms with. While the weeks had gone by and Angel started to look for the better, she was still retaining a feeling of resentment towards Ernest and Brent, overshadowing greatly her disliking towards Emma.

[color=9e0039][i]Calm down. No one will be causing shit in a party Emma organized...[/i][/color]
 
Walking up to where Emma was, Angélique mustered an earnest smile as she approached the girl and the cooler. [color=9e0039]“Hello Emma. Thanks for throwing up a party. I guess we really needed that, huh?”[/color] Angélique gave the girl a look through the edge of her shades as she bent down to grab a beer. It was awkward, but Angel figured she might put her rivalries aside for today and keep a friendly attitude with everyone around. She couldn’t ruin a perfect moment for everyone to mingle and have fun, right? 

Emma gave Angel a quick nod. [color=8A3DFF]”Yep. Seemed like a good idea. I’m sure everyone could use it.”[/color] Emma’s voice revealed none of the animosity she may or may not have felt for Angel, instead sounding perfectly amicable. 

[color=B0C4DE]"Sup Angelic,"[/color] the amethyst-eyed arbiter turned, [color=B0C4DE]"There's our secondary radio."[/color]

"[color 33ec06]Hey! A plan every occasion![/color]" Marcus said, giving Angel a quick wave and jokingly giving her a low whistle. The fact that Emma was right there was not something he thought about until moments after.

Brent gave his friend a quick 'dude, even I'm not that retarded' look, before glancing over towards Emma.

[color=00a99d]"Buddy..."[/color] Ernie raised an eyebrow, more thrown off by his friend's taste in women than the fact he had a girlfriend.

Marcus returned the look with a tense one of his own, which brought across the message 'Oh god I was not even thinking; I'm a dead man, remember me as I was'.

Emma, perfectly on cue, gave Marcus a sharp glance. [color=8A3DFF]”Nice.”[/color] she hissed quickly with a frustrated groan.

Marcus looked sheepishly back at her, forming his hands into a small heart shape and giving a quick air-smoochums in her direction.

Returning Brent's wave with a curt nod, Angel glanced back at Emma [color=9e0039]"Definitively a good idea."[/color] she admitted as she suddenly felt surrounded by the others. [color=9e0039]"Ah... yes. I didn't expect something that could broadcast music to be available for us to use, so I planned to bring my guitar just in case. Glad it turned out to be a good idea after all."[/color] the raven-haired Aberration replied to Marcus' comment, oblivious to the true meaning behind his remark.

[color=00a99d]"Beach busking?"[/color] Ernie remarked as he struggled with the net, [color=00a99d]"Just cos you dress like a homeless tramp don't mean you gotta act like one."[/color]

[color=B0C4DE]"You do it like this,"[/color] Brent walked over, escaping the disgusting display of kicked puppy Marcus to help with the nets. [color=B0C4DE]"And dude, take it easy. The few buskers I know were all doing fairly aight."[/color]

[color=00a99d]"Oh boy, I need to take you to Reno sometime."[/color]

Angel quirked up an eyebrow in confusion. Tramp? What the hell was his problem? She was just wearing a swimsuit like everyone else. Hell, the only thing different she had to hers compared to Emma's was just a few more straps adorning the bikiniwear. While she'd gladly give him a mouthful piece of her mind, she wasn't there for that today. 

[color=9e0039]"If you have nothing intelligent to say, enjoy the party with your friends. I'm not here to spoil the day with a misplaced attitude and endure yours."[/color] Angel glared at Ernie through her shades before walking off, finding a quiet spot on the beach to sit and enjoy her beer without being assaulted by idiots.

Ernie really did have nothing intelligent to say. With a final huff, he shouted after her, [color=00a99d]"Stay away from my donuts next time!"[/color]

Emma glanced at both Ernie and Angel. Now they were fighting too? It seemed that there was a new rivalry every week. She pushed past it, [color=8A3DFF]”Alright. Tables. Snacks on the tables, since people are starting to come.”[/color] Emma said quickly, trying to calm the situation.

"[color 33ec06]Yes. Tables. Very important.[/color]" Marcus said, starting to busy himself with getting the tables actually assembled, rather than just throwing them on the beach to collect sand. He as much wanted to be in Emma's good graces as he wanted to just stay away from whatever hostile mess this was turning out to be, so he quickly began the process of setup.[/hider]

[hider=Chris and co.: Dragon Tales]Chris entered the scene with his black swim trunks and bare, sandy feet. Hands were in his pockets as he approached the group. He didn't mind Brent so much after their little chat, but after that incident with Marcus that sense of guilt had returned to him. He didn't let any of that show, as he just kept his usual ice-cold expression. No smile or frown, but his eyes were piercing as if he was slightly pissed off or annoyed, something that he imagined the other students would be used to seeing by now anyway. He didn't feel obligated to say much, part of him felt like he shouldn't even be here. He had unfolded his beach stare and placed his seat near, but not too close, to the others. His eyes found themselves staring towards the ocean rather then the party.

Emma tried her best to match Chris’s obvious gloom with cheer, giving the boy a wave. He was Chris, right? The dragon? She hadn’t really gotten to talk to him. She gave Marcus a small glance, turning away from the snack table and walking over towards Chris. [color=8A3DFF]”Hey! Chris, right? I don’t think we’ve really… formally met, but I’ve heard your name enough times to remember it. I’m Emma.”[/color] she said, extending a hand towards the boy who obviously wanted no part in the festivities. 

Marcus had managed to finagle one of the tables into position by the same he noticed Chris. A stern expression fell over his face as calculating eyes followed the white haired boy. He looked in surprise when Emma walked past him and towards Chris, and followed slightly, staying a fair distance away. His arms crossed, he just watched as Emma introduced herself. He bent over once to rub the front of his leg, as if he were scratching an itch. A fairly unsubstantial action, but Chris would probably get the message as Marcus stood back up to his full height and recrossed his arms.

[color=red]"Right, thanks for the invite."[/color] He said as polite as he could without seeming too interested in the conversation, and he shook her hand casually before having it retreat to his pocket. [color=red]"I'm not much of a social butterfly, if Angelique hadn't been so damn good with her motivational speeches I probably wouldn't have come."[/color] His gaze fixed back towards the ocean. [color=red]"I just hope that this will serve as a nice distraction from all the chaos thats been happening, at least."[/color] By a glance he noticed Marcus's leg, and that guilt eating at this stomach only grew. Pale, if it was even possible to notice from his complexion.

[color=8A3DFF]”Right. Well, uh… glad you’re here. Feel free to join us if you want.”[/color] Emma gave him a half smile before turning around and subsequently noticing Marcus standing a ways behind her. 

[color=B0C4DE]"Oh, Chris, what a surprise!"[/color] Standing from the now assembled nets, Brent patted the sand off his knees, waving at the skinny pasty little dragon boy. [color=B0C4DE]"Angelic's over there, if you came for her and all."[/color]

[color=00a99d]"And put on some damn sunblock. You look like the kind of guy that reddens like crabshell,"[/color] Ernie reminded him loudly.

Emma started to walk back towards Marcus, [color=8A3DFF]”Everything alright?”[/color] she said quietly, quiet enough that the others wouldn’t hear. 

"[color 33ec06]Hmm?[/color]" Marcus hummed, feigning ignorance. He paused for a moment, the second or two he believed was necessary for the charade, before surprise seemed to shock him. "[color 33ec06]Oh! I pinched my finger in the table just now.[/color]" he lied, shaking his hand slightly.

[color=8A3DFF]”Uh, alright. Well, let’s get back to it. The people demand snacks!”[/color] she said, heading back towards her cooler and pulling out assorted varieties of chips, sliced watermelon, fruit salad, cookies (homemade, if she was going to boast, although she did get one of the maids to help her), and, last but not least, pretzels. This was all supplemented by ice cream which, for obvious reasons, would remain in the cooler. At that she carefully began to lay them out on the tables, dumping the snacks into bowls.

"[color 33ec06]'Demand' is a strong word, but 'appreciate' would probably suffice.[/color]" Marcus quipped, helping Emma with the snacks, sneaking one or two when the opportunity presented itself.

On her lonesome side of the party, Angélique sighed faintly at what was happening around. It really did feel like this party started to become another reason for everyone to duke it out in front of everyone. Taking another sip of her beer, the woman started to slowly open her guitar case. Maybe she'll play something after that bottle. Feels like it'll make the whole thing more bearable.

Chris waved back at Brent but disregarding his comment. He shook his head to Ernie. [color=red]"No, my powers don't let me get burned."[/color] A lie, that was only true in his dragon form. He knew that well enough, and he'd surely blister out in the sun, but he didn't want to protect himself from the rays. Rather, he felt like he deserved that kind of punishment, and perhaps that form of pain might improve his ability, in some weird way; Thats what he imagined at least.

Ernie shrugged with a casual, [color=00a99d]"Suit yourself. I brought aloe too, if anyone needs it later."[/color]

Brent noticed that. Noticed and decided he wouldn't forget it. For now though, forgiveness was free and high in supply. [color=B0C4DE]"Cool,"[/color] he nodded, [color=B0C4DE]"Gonna work up a nice tan before winter hits, eh?"[/color]

[color=red]"Trust me I'm enjoying every bit of the heat I can before I start having the habit of being locked in my room with several sheets of blankets and jackets to keep me comfortable."[/color] 

[color=B0C4DE]"Can you even get cold if you breathe fire?"[/color]

[color=red]"Its not as if I have a fire constantly burning in my belly, if I had to spam my breath attack just to keep warm I'd pass out before freezing. I could make a fire to keep myself warm but inside? That's gonna be one hell of a mess to clean up."[/color] He smirked as he tried to pass some humor in his words.

"[color 33ec06]Breath attack?[/color]" Marcus shouted, not looking up from his snack mission. "[color 33ec06]That sounds [i]real[/i] neat.[/color]"

[color=9e0039]"Marcus..."[/color] Angel's quiet whisper manifested for his ear alone. "No bullshit today, please."

[color=B0C4DE]"Oh yah, Marcus,"[/color] Brent shouted back, [color=B0C4DE]"Got a BBQ grill over there?"[/color]

Marcus jumped a little, looking around over to where Angel was sat, and gave her a puzzled, yet perfectly innocent look. There was no bullshit happening here, no sir-ee. At least, none that he thought Angel was aware of. He turned back to the snack bowl, nearly fumbling a pretzel as he did so. "[color 33ec06]Nope. No roasting today, unfortunately.[/color]"

[color=B0C4DE]"Ain't no beach party without a camp fire and kebabs though."[/color]

"[color 33ec06]Kebabs? Usually we just do hotdogs where I'm from.[/color]" Marcus said, finally looking up from his numerous bowls.

Chris's stomach churned, and once again he looked towards the crashing waves ahead of him. Trying to find distance in this turmoil. [i]Why can't I just die already.[/i]

Ernie noticed Chris' moodiness and frowned. [color=00a99d]"There's no shame in needing sunblock, dude. Plenty to go around."[/color]

[i]No, it is only fitting that he should be burned, for burning a teammate.[/i] [color=red]"Well I could start a fire if you guys decide to cook something."[/color] Chris added, both trying to ignore the shame burning him and Ernie's attempt at saving him from his own sense of justice.

[color=B0C4DE]"Oh, that sounds like a blast,"[/color] Brent turned, [color=B0C4DE]"Ernie, you remember if they got logs stacked up by the shed?"[/color]

[color=00a99d]"Definitely do,"[/color] Ernie brushed some more sand out of his Crocs. Right now he needed that third coat of block. He moved to the snack station, [color=00a99d]"Yeah, I can go up and grab some later. Maybe when it gets darker?"[/color]

[color=8A3DFF]”Awesome. Hot dogs sound [i]awesome[/i].”[/color] Emma decided, [color=8A3DFF]”That’s a my bad. Should’ve thought of a grill, but we’ve got a dragon, so I guess we’re good.”[/color] Emma was clearly oblivious to the quiet fight that was happening before her.

[i]Yes you have a monster that hasn't been slayed yet.[/i] [color=red]"Well I'm just happy I can be useful."[/color]

In the background, Marcus quietly choked on a piece of watermelon. He kept his mouth shut though, if only because it was [i]too easy[/i].

[color=B0C4DE]"Oh, could you get your bigger man to carry the logs then, Emma?"[/color] Brent asked, [color=B0C4DE]"Planning on getting some oil and other stuff on my side. Try out this Chinese hot dog thing I read on the net."[/color]

[color=8A3DFF]”Hmmm? You mean Determination? I asked if he wanted to take a trip to the beach, but he didn’t seem too interested…”[/color] Emma didn’t pause to consider that Brent might not be aware of Determination’s new-found sentience.  

[color=red]"Determination?"[/color] Chris asked, both curious and looking for a change in subject.

[color=00a99d]"Lovely kid,"[/color] Ernie commented, chewing on something from the table. He was only slightly disappointed that the tulpa wouldn't show, [color=00a99d]"Huh, these cookies aren't bad."[/color]

[color=8A3DFF]”Oh. My, uh, summon. The shadow guy. Big one, hard to miss.”[/color] Emma told Chris with a small nod before shooting out a quick, [color=8A3DFF]”Thanks! Made them myself!”[/color] to Ernie. He responded with a quick thumbs up.

[color=red]"It's...It's conscious?"[/color] Chris said, a hint of fear laced in his still curious intrigued.

Oh, shit. Yeah, she totally forgot that almost no one knew about that. [color=8A3DFF]”Oh… uh, yeah. He started talking a couple weeks ago. It’s… weird, I’m aware.”[/color] she replied with a hint of discomfort.

"[color 33ec06][i]Real[/i] wierd.[/color]" Marcus muttered mostly to himself, snagging one of the cookies after Ernie complimented them.

[color=B0C4DE]"Wait, so..."[/color] Brent paused, before beaming. [color=B0C4DE]"Woah, that's real weird, but that's real cool! So does he still like, listen to you? Or do you have to negotiate everything now? And hey, that means you have like...actually, totally infinite range, now, right? Don't even need voice range now! Damn, Emma, every time. Hella rad developments."[/color]

[color=8A3DFF]”I mean, I have to ask, but yeah, he’s pretty much down to do the same stuff… except dying. But, uh, since I’m kind of the only thing keeping him alive he’ll still do the whole ‘fighting’ thing when we’re in trouble. And I guess he can interpret shit now, instead of doing everything literally, which is helpful.”[/color] Emma finally took a seat, grabbing a beer as she did.

Was his dragon form conscious too? Some kind of parasite just waiting to consume him? He recalled D.C. again, the voice that spoke to him before freezing him to near-death. '..why..' [i]why[/i]

[color=red]"....I don't..want to freak anyone out or anything but..."[/color] A hesitation, he had already told Angelique this, but perhaps letting the others know about such details might be useful in the future. In any case, he had difficulty keeping it in. [color=red]"One of the monsters in D.C. talked to me, briefly."[/color]

"[color 33ec06]From what I saw, you got your ass kicked fairly effectively. Sure you weren't just hallucinating or something? Tends to happen with blood loss and concussions.[/color]"

[color=9e0039]"[i]Marc...[/i]"[/color] came the whisper again.

Ernie snickered and offered Marcus a hi five under the table. He didn't have any particular beef with Chris but it was kinda funny to see Marcus ragging on people like that.

Marcus jumped as Ernie's hand lovingly brushed against his leg under the table and Angel chastized in his ear, but he returned the subtle high five. He wasn't exactly sure what Angel's problem was, but he just turned to give her a quick questioning look when it appeared nobody else was paying attention.

[color=9e0039]"[i]I know about it. Stop stirring more trouble while we're trying ot have a good time. It's tense enough already.[/i]"[/color]

Marcus gave a quick thumbs up behind his back, and if it was possible to make a hand gesture seem sarcastic, he tried his hardest to do it here.

[color=9e0039]"[i]Thanks.[/i]"[/color]

[color=B0C4DE]"Wait,"[/color] Brent arched an eyebrow at that. [color=B0C4DE]"Wasn't that just a subnatural? Yah sure it was a monster, dude? Looked like a girl through the binoculars and all."[/color]

[color=red]"It didn't sound..."[/color] He paused. [color=red]"I just hope you're right....but even if it was a subnatural..it didn't make any sense with what it said...right before it froze me solid and nearly killed me...Why? One word, in what sounded like...uncertainty, confusion maybe? Like, it wasn't expecting me to charge at it or something..or maybe it was sorrow, I don't...I don't know how to interpret [i]that voice[/i]..."[/color] He regained his composure. [color=red]"Maybe the stress just made me imagine things...I'm sorry I didn't mean to get off track like that.."[/color]

[color=00a99d]"I mean, I'd be confused too if someone charged into certain death headfirst like that. Takes guts,"[/color] Ernie said thoughtfully.

"[color 33ec06]Or terrible planning skills.[/color]" Marcus muttered, hopefully quietly enough that Angel couldn't scold him again. The buzzcut boy laughed at that too.

[color=B0C4DE]"Well, wouldn't be surprised if they could talk,"[/color] Brent shrugged, [color=B0C4DE]"The DC gang IS annoyingly smart, for whatever reason."[/color]

"[color=red]No it wasn't...It wasn't like that kind of confusion...It felt...[/color] He struggled to find the words to describe what the hell he had heard. It was so brief, and it felt so..distant maybe, emotionless? [color=red]"I'm sorry, can we change the subject? The thought of it just...creeps me out is all.."[/color]

[color=00a99d]"Put some sunblock on and we can,"[/color] Ernie reminded him again. He turned to the rest of the guests, [color=00a99d]"You guys too."[/color]

He was reluctant, but the sole conviction of changing the subject was enough to put a rest to his inner loathings and apply the sunscreen on his pale skin. Since he was already up, he helped himself to some snacks as well.

[color=00a99d]"Don't forget your neck and shoulders while you're at it,"[/color] the Aberration yawned lazily, plucking another pretzel from the bowl.[/hider]

[hider=Marcus and the Early Arrivals: Fetch Quest][color=B0C4DE]"Eh, I'm fine on my side,"[/color] Brent said, waving away the offer, [color=B0C4DE]"Anyone down for beach volleyball? Gotta work up an appetite before we bring out the meat."[/color]

"[color 33ec06]Nah, I was gonna...[/color]" Marcus started, giving Chris a glare and moving over near Brent as he approached. He stopped suddenly though, snapping his fingers in frustration. "[color 33ec06]Dammit! I was gonna see if there was a board up at the estate.[/color]"

He looked back towards the direction of the house, as if mentaly calculating the distance and time it would take to travel. It wasn't a lot, but it was more effort than he wanted to put in. But those waves looked so nice - they were practically calling out to him.

"[color 33ec06]Shit. Anybody else need anything while I'm up there?[/color]" Marcus asked, looking around.

Ernie considered it. If anything, he needed stuff to be taken back to the estate. [color=00a99d]"Maybe a proper stereo? Yeah Brent, I'll play you."[/color]

Chris moved a bit away from Marcus, but tried to avoid making it obvious as he munched on  a few pretzels. [color=red]"I could use a game or two."[/color] 

[color=8A3DFF]”I’m fine spectating!”[/color] Emma called out to Brent, taking another swig from her bottle, [color=8A3DFF]”You can check if the big guy wants to come down, but beyond that I’m good.”[/color] she said to Marcus.

[color=9e0039]"I'm gonna let you guys impress us."[/color] Angélique called out calmly, her magic-enabled voice reaching out to everyone on the beach before taking another sip of her beer. She had no desire to actually involve herself in a game with those two.

[color=00a99d]"Not playing to impress you, lady,"[/color] Ernie returned in an equally calm tone before finally gathering the courage to run out in bare feet. Not that he could impress anyone in the first place. He was notoriously bad at ball sports.

Angel only grumbled quietly at the answer. Was it so hard to just say something without it being coated in venom? 

Emma had begun to fall asleep in her chair by now, beer bottle handing loosely between her finger tips but thankfully not falling. Unfortunately, she forgot to put on sunscreen.[/hider]

[hider=Lily and Sophia: Girls' Day Out]Lily stepped onto the sand in a pastel pink bikini, showcasing a slim body that wasn't as child like as people would expect from the small girl. As the warm sand touched her bare toes, she giggled. [color=lightcoral]"I'm sure it'll be fun. If it's not, well, we can just go back in and laze around,"[/color] Lily said as she tugged at Sophia's hand, urging her shy friend to step into the sand with her. Her other hand had a violin case in it, a back up in case she herself got bored hanging out in the beach. Having no memories of ever going to one, she figured that it was a good place as any to play music. Her golden eyes that were twinkling with excitement scanned the area, noting the people that were already there. Marcus, Chris...Her grin faltered a little when she spotted Ernie but it grew wide when she saw Angelique. Emma looked like she had dozed off. Brent was there too and she made a mental note to thank him for the treats he and Ernie left for her when she found a chance.

Sophia nodded at Lily's words as they arrived, scanning the beach apprehensively. It had taken a good amount of convincing before Sophia had agreed to come, for though she had been doing pretty much nothing the past few days, she still would have preferred to remain in her room. Or in the library. Tugging a bit at the swimsuit provided, she frowned. She recognized Angélique, who was someone she had failed talking with. She recognized Brent, someone who she had not wanted to see again or talk to again. She saw the person with whom she had gone panic mode then blabber mode then no talking mode on all within a short amount of time. She wasn't sure about the rest of the people.

With a sigh, Sophia gripped Lily's hand tighter for a moment before letting go. [color=Bd892F]"Ok, let's go."[/color] She began to walk down the beach towards the area where the tables and nets had been put up. 

Lily squeezed Sophia's hand back and then gave her a wide grin when she let go. [color=lightcoral]"See? It's not as bad as it looks right? We're gonna have fun!"[/color] she said as she followed after her shy friend. 

An unconvincing hum was all Lily got as a reply, but at least Sophia continued to walk.[/hider]

[hider=Lawrence and the Harem: For the Team]Having failed to talk her way out of the whole thing, Zoe had eventually allowed herself to be dragged outside. Despite having no intention of entering the water, she'd donned a swimsuit anyway - mostly because the redhead was the type that would take any excuse to show off her physique. As the beach came into view, she frowned. [color=palevioletred]"You know what, I think I forgot something. You guys can go ahead, I'll just--"[/color]

Lawrence (Garbed ridiculously in a combination of his usual long sleeved button down combined with swimming trunks, legs bare of any tattoos yet covered with scars in various stages of healing) cut her off with a hand on her shoulder and a tight squeeze. He himself had grown more irritated as the prospective beach day approached- while he had no fear of the water like his current companion, he [i]did[/i] despise parties. Or really any social functions. Yet here he was, and he would be damned if he was going to let his partner in misery back out at the last second.

“[color=00ffbb]We're already here Zoe. If I have to drag you the last distance we're doing this. [i]For the team, remember.[/i][/color]”

The last bit was said through gritted teeth, and sounded less convincing than any statement he'd ever made in his life.

[color=palevioletred]"...worth a try."[/color] Zoe muttered, continuing out of a sense of obligation rather than any desire to go to the damn beach. Despite her complaints, she supposed she [i]had[/i] agreed to this, and at least her companion didn't seem much happier about this than she was. On some level, she knew she'd have to get used to being near water - even if she wasn't going to be swimming, freezing up around it in a fight would be a bad idea. Catching sight of several figures, on the sand, she sighed.

[color=palevioletred]"Looks like we're not the first ones here."[/color] At least no-one seemed to be in the water, so there wouldn't be any pressure to join them.

“[color=00ffbb]Are you surprised with how much we've been dragging our feet?[/color]”

That, and the entire walk there had been a dog forcing itself between them whenever the gap seemed large enough, running off again when a new potential source of food presented itself before repeating the process from the beginning.

[color=palevioletred]"Kind of hoped more people would ditch it."[/color] Because that would have given them an excuse to leave, more than anything. Almost tripping over Lizzy as the dog darted between them once more, Zoe raised an eyebrow and glanced down at her with a sigh before continuing. [color=palevioletred]"Guess we should head over, huh? They'll spot us eventually."[/color]

As Lawrence removed his hand from her shoulder with a sigh, Zoe walked on ahead to approach the group with one last apprehensive glance at the ocean. A confident expression on her face as she reached them, she looked at the assorted classmates. She didn't exactly like all of them, but it could always be worse. [color=palevioletred]"Hey there. Sorry we're late - nice setup you've got going, though."[/color]

Chris glanced towards the newcomers, trademark scowl and all. It was made immediately apparent how few people he really knew in the school as other faces he didn't reckognize made their way to the party.  Chris took a few more pretzels and a beer before returning to his chair. He'd join in the game was the newcomers got settled at least, the idea of socializing with strangers was a bit..well..excessive to him; But these were his teammates, it was best he should try and get along them at least.

[i]And what if they die too.[/i]

He found himself staring towards the ocean. He took the first sip of his booze, and rather then get up and socialize, he remind in his 'bubble' that was his chair. 

Emma quickly rolled awake as more people began to filter in, dropping her drink in the process. [color=8A3DFF]”Shit…”[/color] she muttered, reaching down to scoop up the bottle and place it in her chair’s cup holder. She scanned the new comers, shooting a pair of finger guns at Lily and Sophia before her eyes landed on… Lawrence? 

Emma shot up from her chair, bounding towards the pair Lawrence and Zoe, [color=8A3DFF]”Lawrence! You’re out of the hospital… it’s been [i]forever[/i]. I’m glad you’re alright.”[/color] Emma said with a half-smile and a tinge of guilt. She should’ve visited. Why didn’t she visit? Maybe she just thought that Lawrence didn’t want her company.

It was a little later than she'd wanted, but Kusari arrived at Emma's beach party. She had snipped her hair so that it ended just below her chin. It would grow back in a day like it always did, but for now it was fine for swimming. She had on a black and red wetsuit that ended at her forearms and her knees. She wasn't quite comfortable wearing a two-piece or one-piece. Her ribs still showed, and she didn't believe she had much to show off anyhow. At least she didn't look like half a monster anymore.

She slipped off her sandals and stepped onto the beach. She wiggled her toes into the sand, she'd nearly forgotten what it was like going to a beach. Most of her life she'd lived in the city, though she wasn't complaining. She liked the city. Some people preferred the look of the outdoors and 'getting close to nature' but she had always found the city to be beautiful in it's own way. Cities were a testament to human ingenuity and ambition. Even still, as long as she was here she figured she should enjoy herself.

She arrived just after Lawrence and Zoe, she saw Emma get up and greet them. She glanced at Lawrence, thinking about what had happened in D.C. He might have been able to calm that crowd down, at least enough to not attempt homicide. She shook her head, she wasn't going to blame him for what happened, it would be petty.

[color=662d91]"Lawrence, I'm glad you're not dying anymore."[/color] She said, walking up to him. [color=662d91]"Next time you're in trouble I'll try to be there."[/color] She lifted up a plastic bag she'd brought. [color=662d91]"It's still bright out but I got sparklers, because that's a uh, a thing people do right?"[/color]

As classmates began to gather round, Zoe decided to head off the whole thing before it got out of hand. Considering Lawrence's lack of enthusiasm about this idea, it didn't seem like something he'd appreciate. Looking at the other two girls, she frowned, sounding stern if not particularly hostile. [color=palevioletred]"Uh, I know Lawrence here's just out of hibernation and all, but maybe [i]not[/i] crowding him too much would be an idea. Also,"[/color] she gave Kusari a look, [color=palevioletred]"no dying talk. You'll ruin the atmosphere."[/color]

Kusari shrugged her shoulders, brushing off Zoe's comment.

“[color=00ffbb]Thanks, Zoe.[/color]”

He was kind of taken aback by the sudden rush, and [i]did[/i] appreciate the moment she gave him to breathe, even if he was going to have to ultimately spit in the face of her efforts. The only reason either of them were even here right now was team bonding, and he couldn't exactly manage that while shooing everybody away at the same time. Taking his hand- which had unconsciously slipped into his shirt at the mention of his injury- he placed it on Zoe's shoulder for the second time in the past few minutes and continued;

“[color=00ffbb]We're here to have fun with everyone though, remember? I can worry about my personal space after the party.[/color]”

With a squeeze that said '[color=00ffbb][i]I do appreciate it though[/i][/color]' (He hoped) Lawrence let go and with the same hand pulled a lighter from the pocket of his shirt- something he'd gotten into the habit of carrying around this past week. With a quick flick he let a barely visible flame see the light of day before snuffing it out.

“[color=00ffbb]Good thing I thought ahead for the fireworks though, even if it's not a thing people do it'll be a thing we're doing.[/color]”

Emma he left for last, shooting her with his free hand in a mockery of the gesture he'd caught her using a moment ago.

“[color=00ffbb]Looks like you're doing all right too, this was a pretty good idea.[/color]”

[color=8A3DFF]”Right. Sorry,”[/color] she shot out quickly at Zoe before redirecting her attention towards Lawrence, [color=8A3DFF]”I figured we could all use the distraction. I’m sure you’ve heard but… things haven’t been great.”[/color] Emma sighed, rubbing the back of her head. [color=8A3DFF]”Especially after that mess in D.C.”[/color] 

Another sigh.

As an afterthought Emma regarded Kusari with a nod, [color=8A3DFF]”Thanks for coming, by the way. And for bringing the sparklers.”[/color]

Angel watched as one by one, more people began to joing the party. Her smile beamed when she saw Lilianna arriving with Sophia. Finally, at least someone she was friendly with showed up. Waving her hand at the two, she closed her guitar case just as Lawrence and Zoe arrived. Good, this was finally to look up great now. It was a surprise to see one of the two oldest classmates though. She hadn't seen him around recently. Ever since Wisford even. 

With people she recognized and felt comfortable with, the Aberration shot up from her sitting spot on the sand and walked over the new arrivals, greeting them with a smile and a wave. [color=9e0039]"Hey guys! I'm glad you came."[/color] she then glanced at the revenant [color=9e0039]"Lawrence, nice to see you around. It's been a while, how are you?"[/color]

Sophia continued until she was almost at the large group that had formed, having returned Angélique and Emma's gestures with a nod and smile. She didn't go right ahead to join the cluster, instead stopping a good distance away, but close enough so that she could hear what was being said. There were too many people, too many. And they were all in the same place. So close together. 

She felt jittery, already regretting having come here even before she had started talking to anybody. [i]Talking.[/i] Trying not to look too awkward, Sophia assumed a more relaxed posture with her weight mostly on one leg, arms crossed loosely as she eyed the group. [color=Bd892f][i]Lily better not make me go and talk. I can't.[/i][/color]

“[color=00ffbb]Upright, which at this point I think is pretty good.[/color]”

Angel was one of the people Lawrence had not been looking forward to talking to. Not because he particularly bliamed her for what had happened this past week (He was reserving that until he knew more), but because he knew he would eventually have to talk to her about it to see if blame was justified. Still, today wasn't going to be the day for that. He exclusively planned to relax for the duration of the party, at least as much as he could with all the attention he was garnering.

It should have been expected, but he was looking forward to the moment when he was no longer the center of attention.

“[color=00ffbb]Hopefully after this get-together we're all going to be feeling a better.[/color]”

[color=9e0039]"Yeah... hopefully."[/color] Angel was self-aware of all the clouds looming over her head given the events and the unease she felt around some people here at the beach. Still, today was supposed to be a happy event, so she could at least try to push away those dark thoughts. And after all, Lawrence didn't need this pathetic sight just as he finally joined them for a group meeting.

[color=9e0039]"Well, it's good seeing you up and going. Glad to see you're well."[/color] the Aberration young woman tried to shake off her awkward tone, offering the Arbiter a somewhat forced smile. [color=9e0039]"This party is awfully quiet. I need to solve that music problem. So I guess... see you later then."[/color][/hider]

[hider=Chris and Lily: Jesus fuck, Chris, can you be normal for like two seconds?]The relaxing, sunlit beach reminded Chris of back home, back with his friends before everything spiraled into hell one traumatic event at a time. Though he never had been on a beach before, just the feeling of being around them reminded him of his first friends...His first lost. He can still imagine that fort, only now it was floating over the water like a mirage. Its crudely drawn sign still fresh in its memory, the old sticks that made up the wall. Confessing that to Angelique had caused that memory to be very much present in his conscience. The other negativities such as worrying over how Siena sees him or how badly he hurt Marcus didn't help either. So lonely despite being surrounded by other students. He took another swing of his beer, in hopes that he could eventually drown out the sorrow.

Lily, noticing Emma waking up from her sleep, waved happily at her. She was, after all, her saving grace. Her tulpas made it easier for her to cope with the destructive nature of her powers. Pushing down the bad memories from resurfacing in her mind, she turned her attention to her musical friend as she approached. [color=lightcoral]"Angel!"[/color] she greeted cheerily with another wave of her hand and then glanced towards Lawrence. Even though he was up and about and obviously okay, her eyes still wandered over to his torso where a gaping hole was. She almost grimaced at the memory of the pain and the blood. But being in her happy mood, the thought didn't last long. She walked over to where Brent was and tapped him gently on his back with a finger (she couldn't reach his shoulder). [color=lightcoral]"Thank you for the ice cream and donuts, Brent. It was really good,"[/color] she said and then gave Ernie a glance before wandering off.

Ernie looked up from his game at the voice. A frown briefly crossed his face but he covered it with a shouted, [color=00a99d]"Sunblock's by the snacks."[/color]

Lily heard Ernie's voice call out to her. Sunblock. She hasn't been out in the sun for a while so why did she need it? Maybe later. She shrugged and continued walking. Bright golden eyes fell on a lonely looking white haired boy drinking beer. She paused and blinked, trying to remember his name. When she couldn't come up with anything, she shrugged and headed towards him anyway. [color=lightcoral]"Hi!"[/color] she greeted brightly.

Chris's trademark scowl met the eyes of a new face that had attempted to interact with him. [color=red]"I don't believe we met."[/color] His voice seemed a bit cold, but he didn't come off as entirely rude either, aside from the hostile-like look in his eyes. [color=red]"Name's Chris, I'm the dragon you may have seen fly in and out of battle."[/color] He had placed his alcohol in the sand as he continued. [color=red]"And you are?"[/color]

[color=lightcoral][i]Chris. Oh, right.[/i][/color] Hearing the name made Lily remember that she actually wrote something about the dragon in her diary. Making a mental note to remember his name, she gave him a smile despite the unfriendly look in his eyes. [color=lightcoral]"Lily. It's nice to meet you, Chris,"[/color] she said, watched as he placed his beer bottle onto the sand and sank down into an indian sit beside it. She placed the violin case carefully across her legs. [color=lightcoral]"You look... troubled,"[/color] she commented.

He tensed up a bit. He wasn't about to let his inner demons gush out again, sparing Angelique the trouble was enough as it was. [color=red]"Aren't we all?[/color]" He asked as if he was trying to diffuse the question. His eyes had returned to the crashing waves of the ocean.  She was...too cheerful,  a complete contrast to his nature. 

The small blonde's perceptiveness kicked in and she allowed the topic to veer off into another direction. [color=lightcoral]"Yeah, we all are... but today's a nice day to relax and have fun,"[/color] she said, turning her eyes to the brilliant blue water. [color=lightcoral]"I can't remember if I've ever been to a beach vacation before,"[/color] she mused out aloud. 

[color=red]"Well here's your chance to enjoy it."[/color] He picked up his bottle for another sip of beer. [color=red]"God knows how long this peace will last before they send us to another disaster."[/color] He offered a more grim sense of humor in his voice, something that would hopefully extinguish the uncomfortable cheerfulness he hadn't experience since...

His face had contorted into one of longing, as if he was staring at a nostalgic photograph, though his eyes faced only the salty sea.

[color=lightcoral]"Hmmm hmm..."[/color] Lily looked up at the white haired boy. [color=lightcoral]"Well, this is our life now. We just have to..."[/color] she paused. [color=lightcoral]"...make the best out of it... well, if we can,"[/color] she reached up and scratched the back of her head. [color=lightcoral]"Why aren't you with the others?"[/color] she gestured towards the big group.

[color=red]"Good way to put it I suppose, guess thats the only reason why I'm here, though.."[/color] He paused to allow more alchohol in his system. [color=red]"Old habits I suppose...I've gotten used to being by myself."[/color]

[color=lightcoral]"Oh."[/color] The blonde Aberration frowned. [color=lightcoral]"Sorry if I disturbed you then. I can go if you want,"[/color]

He shook his head. [color=red]"Its alright, I didn't come here to build walls...I just like to think a lot I suppose...I'll be with you and the group shortly anyway."[/color] His hands folded under his chin to rest his head over. 

Lily's brow creased. Did he mean that she should go or was he allowing her to stay? She couldn't quite tell which it was and she didn't want to ask. He didn't look like he was the friendly type or someone who would appreciate her cheeriness. She stretched out her legs from under the violin, wiggled her toes and moved to stand up. Might as well just look for someone else to talk to. Maybe Emma. [color=lightcoral]"Okay,"[/color] was all she said.[/hider]

[hider=Zoe, Ernie, Brent and Siena: No Pain, No Game]Giving Lawrence a small nod of acknowledgement as more people began to approach, Zoe rolled her eyes. [color=palevioletred]"Guess we [i]are[/i] all here to have fun, aren't we?"[/color] Still, she didn't feel like discussing recoveries - or, for that matter, anything about what had happened since Wisford. [color=palevioletred]"In that case, I think I'll leave you to your fan club. Nice to see you guys, though."[/color]

The redhead didn't feel any obligation to hang around while everyone caught up with Lawrence, so she walked away from the group with a friendly grin. For now, she grabbed a (thankfully non-alcoholic) drink, looking around the beach before calling out to the guys by the net. Despite a slight wince at the sight of Ernie, she figured there was no point trying to avoid everyone. [color=palevioletred]"You guys need players, I'm in. Better than sitting around staring at the ocean, right?"[/color]

At the sight of Zoe, Ernie had to force back a loud snicker. He instead gave her small wave and grin as she approached, losing himself yet another point with the distraction. Urgh, the score gap was getting larger with every passing minute. [color=00a99d]"Afternoon Zoe. Which team you feel like joining?"[/color]

Returning his wave, Zoe paused to think for a moment. [color=palevioletred]"Dunno."[/color] Although from what little she'd seen of the game... she returned his grin with a smile of her own. [color=palevioletred]"You kinda look like you could use the help."[/color]

The boy's shoulders visibly drooped. [color=00a99d]"That bad? Really?"[/color]

[color=palevioletred]"Hey, I've seen worse."[/color] Zoe would be lying if she said he was great, but... if he sucked that badly she probably would have joined the other side. At least, if the game mattered at all. [color=palevioletred]"But it doesn't look like you're [i]winning[/i] from where I'm standing."[/color] 

[color=00a99d]"Mm, fair enough. Are you sunblocked up?"[/color]

[color=palevioletred]"'Course - I'd be frying otherwise. Hardly go outside without the stuff."[/color]

[color=00a99d]"Sweet sunsmartness. Hop on in then."[/color]

[color=palevioletred]"You got it."[/color] Nodding, Zoe took her place on Ernie's side of the court for the game to continue. Honestly, she wasn't far above average when it came to skill, but pure physical ability - and a competitive streak a mile wide - left her more than able to hold her own.

Maybe showing up [i]wasn't[/i] such a terrible idea. Siena had made a late entrance to the beach party, having spent far too long debating on whether she actually wanted to go--that argument with herself didn't last nearly as long as the debate on whether she actually [i]did[/i] want to wear a swimsuit. The one she'd purchased in DC was all but ruined between the spa treatment and the following events--[i]don't think about that[/i]--but the one that she'd brought with her had been neatly shoved into the pile of other clothing brought from the school. 

In the end, she'd compromised, putting the one piece on beneath a beach wrap, the deep navy fabric printed with a simple, floral pattern along the edges. It was about as effective as a summer dress, and she wasn't [i]entirely[/i] breaking that hypothetical dress code either. 

That aside, everyone else seemed preoccupied with whatever it was that happened at beach parties, and for each person that joined the crowd, Siena found herself more reluctant to try and join the festivities, finding comfort in settling somewhere with enough sun to be warm, but not overbearing, her phone tucked away into a small purse, waterproof e-reader carefully set in one hand. 

...somehow, it all felt a little less chaotic than the last "party" that her peers had held.

[color=B0C4DE]"Yo, 'ena,"[/color] Brent called from the distance, taking a break from getting spitroasted now that Ernie actually had someone who could receive the jump serves that he dropped. [color=B0C4DE]"Come on and join us!"[/color]

He needed back up now after all. One didn't win volleyball matches just by continuously giving the other side chances, after all.

Attention torn from her endeavors, Siena glanced up at the distant voice, e-reader lowering to give her a clearer line of vision, but not clearing up more than that--most notably, it didn't do wonders for clearing up what she couldn't quite hear. [i][color=f7976a]It's ungainly to shout across a distance.[/color][/i] Ugh. Right. Setting the reader into her bag before standing to dust the sand out of the folds of her wrap, the girl made her approach, only stopping to speak when she was close enough to avoid having to raise her voice. 

"[color=ff57ff]S-Sorry, what was that?[/color]"

[color=B0C4DE]"Oh, volleyball,"[/color] Brent gestured, towards the terrible duo of Zoe and her cheerleader, Ernie. [color=B0C4DE]"Sorta got uneven teams, so hey, know how to play?"[/color]

[i]'[color=ff57ff]Not the way that Maya explained it.[/color]'[/i] Was the first thought that came to mind. Maya's explanation had been, largely, "well it doesn't matter that much on the rules if everyone intends on playing only half clothed". Not exactly what she assumed was appropriate for the current situation. 

"[color=ff57ff]Um...sort of?[/color]" Hit the ball over the net and don't let it touch the ground came to mind--generally a pretty good rule to follow when it came down to sports involving nets. Adding that to some arbitrary rules from an embarrassingly badly written suggestion from one of her blog's readers, and Siena was sure that she could at least figure out what she was doing wrong. "[color=ff57ff]I can probably figure it out...?[/color]"

[color=00a99d]"Hey, don't worry about it!"[/color] Ernie called out cheerfully, glad that Zoe's appearance had stalled his single-handed wrecking at the hands of Brent, [color=00a99d]"I don't remember half the rules either! Have you sunblocked up?"[/color]

Well, that was a relief. At least she wouldn't be the only one trying to fumble through the game. Admittedly, it made the brunette more than aware that it was likely to be a showdown between Brent and Zoe in that case. No harm done. Giving a nod of affirmation to Ernie's inquiry, Siena lightly pat her shoulder. "[color=ff57ff]Yep. Can't tan if I burn like a lobster.[/color]"

Ernie nodded with approval.

[color=B0C4DE]"Looks like someone's finally had the same mindset as yours, eh, Ernie?"[/color]

[color=00a99d]"Yeah, it's beautiful."[/color]

[color=B0C4DE]"So..."[/color] A sideways glance towards his new teammate. [color=B0C4DE]"That blanket's part of your battle uniform or something, 'ena?"[/color]

"[color=ff57ff]Oh, um--[/color]" Siena had to pause. It wouldn't have been convenient to wear the wrap while trying to do anything active. '[color=ff57ff]Right.[/color]" 

Freeing her arms of the makeshift straps of the wrap, the brunette peeled it away from her body before tossing the printed fabric into a pile off to the side, but immediately regretting the decision. Aside from the fact that she was very suddenly only in her swimsuit, there was going to be sand in [i]every fold[/i]. A faint grimace, but she brushed the expression away and tried to think of things other than [i]she did not have this[/i]. "[color=ff57ff]There we go.[/color]"

Zoe grinned at Siena's arrival, looking around the court enthusiastically. [color=palevioletred]"Finally calling in backup, Brent? Great. Go ahead and jump on in, Siena."[/color] A challenging smirk was shot towards the opposing pair as Zoe glanced towards Ernie. [color=palevioletred]"Kicking two asses is better than one, after all."[/color]

Hey, it was a competition, right? Zoe figured this stuff was always more fun when people got fired up, but her taunting was meant in good spirit for once. [color=palevioletred]"Best of three?"[/color]

Ernie's grimace at the callously thrown beach wrap was interrupted by Zoe's proclamation. Oh no. This was a serious game now?

He nodded rapidly, hoping things wouldn't go too badly against his favour. Best way to avoid that was to avoid pissing off Zoe. [color=00a99d]"Ass-kicking's definitely something to enjoy in large amounts."[/color]

It didn't take someone sensitive to emotion to feel the blaze of competition, and though Siena still kept her expression steady, the brunette was [i]fairly[/i] certain that she'd just made a terrible decision in agreeing to join in. Ass-kicking? Was this particular match more serious than she had come in expecting? The word "mistake" blared like a screeching alarm as Siena sent a sidelong glance toward her teammate.

"[color=ff57ff]Remind me next time you call me over that I should be prepared for this ass-kicking thing.[/color]"

[color=B0C4DE]"Hey now,"[/color] Brent laughed, [color=B0C4DE]"I thought this was just a friendly match, Siena. Dunno why Zoe's escalating it, but it's not fun if you don't put in some effort, eh?"[/color]

And then, that smile faded. Turned serious. Focused. Taking a few steps back on the sandy turf, Brent gripped the volleyball in one hand and breathed. For all his assurances of the not-serious atmosphere of the match, he wasn't going to give up victories just to make others feel good about themselves.

[i]Hey, Harker, let's kick their ass.[/i]

Words unspoken sounded in his mind as the arbiter tossed the ball up, took a running start, leaped into the air, and started the real competition.[/hider]

[hider=Angelique and Lily: California Gurls is the greatest beach anthem of all time and you are all fools for not playing it.]Seeing everyone started to enjoy themselves one way or the other in this party, Angel felt like she should either be mingling with the few people who actually still wanted to talk to her, or do as she told Lawrence and see to compensate for the broken walkman Brent thought had been a good idea to use as a radio. Looking over that the few people she still was friends with, they were either busy on their own or playing with the ones she wasn't quite fond of. 

Grabbing another beer from the cooler as well as a bag of chips, Angélique returned to the spot she had left her guitar earlier. Looked like right now was the best moment to make the atmosphere a bit livelier. Seeing Lilianna seemed to have finished talking to Christopher, the raven-haired Aberration waved her blonde peer as a gesture to join her, accompanied by a magical whisper reaching out to Lily's ears [color=9e0039]"Lily! How about we start putting some music into this party?"[/color]

Lily stood up from where she was standing, brushing the sand off of herself and making sure that the violin was safe. She turned her head towards Emma's direction but before she could take a step towards her, Angel's voice sounded in her ears. The blonde girl stopped and blinked in amazement before she nodded and redirected her route towards her musician friend. 

As soon as she was beside her dark haired friend, she grinned. [color=lightcoral]"Something upbeat?"[/color] she asked.

[color=9e0039]"You got it girl! Something to shake things up for a party."[/color] Angel grinned in return to her blonde friend, whipping out the guitar from its case and swinging the strap over her shoulder. They needed something with a good rhythm for a beach party. Something upbeat, as Lily suggested. Something that would cast off a bit of the unease everyone had been feeling over the weeks. 

Strumming the strings of her guitar, punctuated by frequent rattling of her thumb on the guitar's surface as to add another beat to the chord's sound, Angélique provided a smooth and joyful music fitting for the beach's atmosphere by reproducing a tempo akin to [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwlOPnc5VSY]spanish folk music.[/url]

The melody that Angel had started playing wasn't one she was familiar with (or at least she can't remember if she was familiar with it) but a grin spread across her lips anyway. Her mind, while fragmented, automatically analyzed the tempo and the tune as she settled down onto the sand in an indian sit. As soon as she was seated, her hands busied themselves in taking out the violin carefully from its case. [color=lightcoral][I]I should ask for my own violin when we get back to USARILN,[/I][/COLOR] she thought to herself as she placed the violin against her chin. [color=lightcoral]"I hope they all like our music,[/color] she commented as her bow made contact with the strings and she began playing along, adding the distinct sound of the violin to angel's guitar, smoothly following her tune.

Angel smiled as Lilianna joined her, the music of a violin was not a usual sound in Spanish songs, but Lily managed well to keep up with the guitar and actually make it sound just right with the tempo. [color=9e0039]"I'm sure they will. And even if they don't, I don't care. At least we are having fun, right?"[/color] Angélique replied lightly as she kept her gig going jolly.

Lily giggled in agreement as she continued playing, showing off her versatility with her chosen musical instrument. [color=lightcoral]"Music is fun. I should have done this earlier... makes me remember a lot of stuff too,"[/color] she said happily.

[color=9e0039]I'm glad you like it. I've always wanted to play with someone else.[/color] Angel added gleefully. Of course, she always did appreciate either playing music for Allison and hearing her play, but there was another guitar missing when they spent time together in the evening. It was fun to play both in harmony. Just like back in Washington when everyone gathered in the music room and played together. Now that was truly a wonderful moment.
 
[color=9e0039]Maybe we could play together more often? I mean, if you have a lot of free time, both here and at the institute, why not hone our skills and have fun at the same time by having more frequent sessions? That'd be something nice to do.[/color]

The invitation bought an instant happy glimmer in Lily's eyes. [color=lightcoral]"I'd really like that... Thank you,"[/color] she said. [color=lightcoral]"I could even try playing other instruments... I think I do fairly well with the flute. Maybe the piano too... and..."[/color] she looked at the guitar in Angel's eyes. [color=lightcoral]"I think I might even remember the music the Sebastian used to play on the guitar,"[/color] she giggled happily as the music she was playing picked up.

[color=9e0039]You'll have to show me! It's quite amazing that you know how to play a lot of instruments. I only know how to play different styles of guitar, a bit of piano and sing. I'd very much like to hear what your brother used to play."[/color] The raven-haired musician was quite enthusiastic, curious even, at the secret musical skills her friend might have. She was talented for sure, that much they discovered. The more they kept going, the more Angel wanted to learn about Lily, and help her uncover her past. And for some strange reason, there was something familiar about hearing the name of Lilianna's brother and which instrument he played. A guitarist named Sebastian...

Lily occasionally waved her bow as though it was a magic wand as she made pauses in the melody she was creating. [color=lightcoral]"He was really good and we all said that he'd be famous one day. Although unlike me, he only wanted to play the guitar. He said I could play the rest if I wanted to,"[/color] she chuckled as the memories seemed to flow into her unhampered. 

Angel's melody grew smoother and calmer, invoking a relaxing beach song as she listened to the blonde Aberration's memories. Angélique was always quite interested to hear the girl's few moments of insight, trying to become the listening ear to her forgotten past as Lilianna seemed to forget about those just as quickly as she remembered them. As such, her rhythm has slowed to allow her to clearly ear her friend's stories.
 
[color=9e0039]"Your brother reminds me of one guy I used to play with for some time before, also named Sebastian. Not quite as famous as I was, but he sure was one of the guys I had the most fun playing with. I believe it was during my stay in Maine, if I recall correctly."[/color]

[color=lightcoral]"Really? That would be so cool if you guys know each other. Seb used to play with his friends and some gigs that I can't really remember. I should ask him about that. But anyway, we're from..."[/color] Lily paused, her brow furrowing and her lips pulling down into a frown. [color=lightcoral]"From..."[/color] she tried again, trying to wrack her brain for a hometown. She stopped playing, her bow poised and frozen just above the violin's strings. [color=lightcoral]"I... can't remember... where I'm from..."[/color] she admitted slowly, a look of annoyance on her face.

Angélique looked at Lilianna with quite a lot of anticipation, seeing as the girl was in a mood to remember. However, the shortcoming was greatly disappointing. It was sad, really, but if her loss was rooted that far, then it'd take a bit more time for her to remember fully her origins. 
 
Seb though? A nickname she clearly had been using to call the musician she was acquainted with. It would just be oh so very strange to have an unexpected tie with Lily's past. [color=9e0039]"Take it easy, Lily. It'll come back to you, slowly but surely. You do so much progress every time we see each other." Angélique reassured the small blonde Aberration with a comforting smile, the music of her guitar almost brought to a halt too. "Maybe ask your brother about it next time? He should be the one able to help you the most actually, given you two seemed to be so close."[/color]

Lily nodded. [color=lightcoral]"Yeah, I'll definitely ask him...maybe later,"[/color] she said as she began playing a staccato.[/hider]

[hider=Emma and the Gays: Beach Bois]Sander and Christmas showed up a little bit after that. Interestingly, Christmas came wearing a two piece blue swimsuit, complete with a tube top and frilly mini skirt bottom, while Sander just wore a simple pair of beach shorts. The blood mage took a few minutes to observe the festivities, but he did not participate. Instead, he kept to himself, taking a seat at the edge of the water and watching the waves. Christmas kept close to him, as expected, sitting nearby and fiddling with the frill of his skirt. The healer eyed the ongoing fun, but was content to sit beside Sander, holding the taller boy's hand in his lap and simply watching everyone else, happy enough to have been brought along like he belonged there.

Emma had returned to her perch, sitting with bottle in hand lazily staring off into the horizon. She perked up a little at the sight of more new arrivals, recognizing Sander but not the person beside him. She stood up, waving to the pair and beginning to walk over. She slowed a bit as she approached, eyeing Sander’s companion. [color=8A3DFF][i]Is that… a man in a two piece?[/i][/color] 
 
Emma did her best to ignore the oddness of his outfit, trying to recall who he was, [color=8A3DFF]”Hey guys! Glad you could make it. Good to see ya Sander, and you must be…”[/color] he was the healer, wasn’t he? [color=8A3DFF]”Christmas, right? I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Emma, or Em. Either way is fine.”[/color] she said, extending her hand to the… boy?

Christmas stared at the hand like he expected it to withdraw suddenly. When it didn't, he reached for the gesture tentatively, nodding at Emma and forgetting entirely to return her greeting, fretting as he was at sudden socialization.

"[color cyan]Emma.[/color]" -Sander nodded in greetings, offering her a smile. 

Emma glanced between the two. It didn’t seem like they were too interested in talking to her, and the hand in Christmas’s lap was enough of a hint that she should probably just leave the two alone. She gave the two a slightly suggestive raise of the eyebrow, [color=8A3DFF]”Well, have fun you guys. I’ll leave you two to it.”[/color] She said, starting to back away.  

[color 8493ca]"N-Nice to meet you,"[/color] the healer replied, though he failed to raise his voice enough.

"[color cyan]See ya.[/color]" Sander was quick to turn away, preoccupied with the smell of surf and sand and the person beside him.[/hider]

[hr]

[hider=Marcus and Manual Laborers: Wood I Lie to You?]"[color 33ec06]Quick! Peel out! Awesome drift stop![/color]"

"[color f7976a]I'm sorry sir, but I'm not allowed to do things like that. It's too dangerous, and far too risky for the vehicle.[/color]"

"[color 33ec06]Can we blare the radio the whole way in? I've got an entrance to remake.[/color]"

"[color f7976a]No.[/color]"

"[color 33ec06]Can you at least lay on the horn?[/color]"

"[color f7976a]No.[/color]"

Marcus remained quiet for the few minutes it took for the unmarked pickup truck to pull to a stop just off of the subnatural beach party that was currently happening. He quickly hopped out nearly catching his T-Shirt on the handle as he did so, slightly irritated with the butler's lack of enthusiam and complete unwillingness to play along with his schemes. From there, he walked around to the back of the truck and pulled down the gate, a large piece of firewood shifting with the decently sized surfboard that was in the back, nearly falling out and onto his foot. The stereo in the back was fortunately safe from all the smashing around the wood had done, and he was silently grateful that there didn't appear to be any damage to the board.

"[color 33ec06]Alright people! I brought firewood! Not unloading it all by myself though, so come help if you want a decent campfire![/color]" Marcus shouted to the others, unloading the board and resting it near the tables first.

Speak of the devil, with his rest thoroughly disturbed from the noise, the sleepy eyed arbiter arrived at the scene of the beach party unsurprisingly late. Clad in a simple t-shirt and swimming trunks, he gazed at all the partygoers that were there at the time. The moment he noticed the amount of people that were there, the deep feeling of intimidation settled in. Perhaps going was not such a good idea, but the exclamation of the boy... Marcus caught his attention.

[color=0095FF]"I will help,"[/color] he said, making his way over and summoning his chains, connecting them to the logs of wood to lift them out of the pickup truck.

"[color 33ec06]Thanks, Grant. I'm glad [i]SOMEBODY[/i] is willing to help me![/color]" Marcus said, making it a point to shout the final part across the beach to everyone else who was distinctly not lending a hand. Hell, even the butler in the car was fiddling with the radio instead of helping them out. What did a guy have to do to get some service around here?

"[color 33ec06]Just throw them anywhere, we'll figure out where the campfire is actually going later.[/color]"

[color=00a99d]"Ah, it's all good,"[/color] Ernie called out from the snack station, [color=00a99d]"You two could use the workout! And Grant, sunblock's by the snacks over there."[/color]

Having spent an inordinate amount of time shaking sound off her wrap and [i]still[/i] finding it grating against her skin, Siena opted to shove it into her bag, carefully settling her e-reader over it before making any move to help with...firewood. Ignoring the knowledge that her body wouldn't appreciate it the next morning, the Arbiter made her way to the truck. 

She really should have brought her phone. 

"[color=ff57ff]Did we need this much wood?[/color]" An honest question, considering Siena didn't entirely understand why a campfire was necessary on the beach to begin with. 

"[color 33ec06]Hey, I have the body of a greek god.[/color]" Marcus shouted back indignantly, trying to prove his point by lifting one of the larger logs out of the truck. There was a sickening 'crunch' as the thing landed on his foot, followed by high-pitched shout, a loud swear, and static. Marcus instead rolled the log across the sand, failing to not seem embarassed.

[color 33ec06]Just...before the god-ness. Like...god baby.[/color]" He muttered quietly to himself.

"[color 33ec06]I don't think there's such as a thing as 'too much wood' when a party like this is involved.[/color]" Marcus said, slowly struggling past Siena.

"[color=ff57ff]I think your foot begs to differ.[/color]" Which was an understatement given the extent of what she'd just witnessed. Each passing thought brought Siena another sliver of regret. She [i]really[/i] should have brought her phone or the reader over, but somehow it had seemed "unnecessary" for lifting logs. "There are plenty of other people that will help!" [i]And plenty of people to drop logs to break their feet, apparently.[/i] Letting her roommate complete his treacherous journey to spare at least part of his dignity, the girl moved to slide a reasonably sized log from its place before calling to the duo helping with the wood. "[color=ff57ff]I'll put it wherever you end up![/color]"

After a hearty cackle at Marcus' misfortune, Ernie got to his feet too.

[color=00a99d]"Plenty of Greeks in this class already,"[/color] he hefted a log about the size of the one Marcus was rolling along. The buzzcut boy was faring better but was still obviously struggling with it.

"[color 33ec06]Hey. My foot's fine. And there is no way for you to prove otherwise.[/color]" Marcus said, rolling his log to a stop and taking a rest by leaning on it. He wiggled his toes as if to prove his point, brushing some of the hair and beginning trickles of sweat out of his eyes. 

He took a moment, seemingly counting off numbers in his head before his body seemed to flicker slightly; evidence that he'd rewound to the exact same position he'd started at. He was trying to get better about remembering to send his abilities into their 'cooldown' mode, simply because he didn't want to get caught with only one use of them in the thick of things. 

Just another thing to try and get used to.

Following after Marcus, Siena set her log down, catching sight of the flicker. Hm, clever...she'd have to remember that he was fully capable of pulling back to a state before injury. Setting the thought to the back of her head for future analysis, Siena simply raised an eyebrow at the display. 

"[color=ff57ff]Nothing to prove otherwise? You mean I completely imagined that squeaky sound?[/color]" 

[color=00a99d]"Clearly a godly war cry,"[/color] Ernie chimed.

The firewood stacked on the beach was Chris's cue to break out of his brooded corner and offer his assistance. With Siena present as well, the unwanted despair he felt only grew inside him, yet he kept that concealed with a standoffish persona as he had done before. With his hands in his pockets, Chris approached the group once more. [color=red]"Oh, hi Siena."[/color] He said in a casual tone as if nothing was wrong. [color=red]"Guess its my turn to chip in."[/color] 

"[color 33ec06]Completely imagined. Must be a mouse in the logs, or one of the truck joints settling.[/color]" Marcus said, still leaning on his log. "[color 33ec06]Certainly was not me. That'd be ridiculous.[/color]"

He didn't move as Chris wandered up, instead choosing to cross his arms in irritation. "[color 33ec06]Be nice if you were helpful for once, yeah.[/color]" he said, just loud enough that Chris should have been able to hear it. He mentally cursed himself for not looking around to make sure Angel was out of earshot, quickly giving a check to see if he was about to get scolded.

Chris heard the remark, and said nothing. Marcus was in his right after all, when had he ever had been helpful? He was more of a hazard then a hero. He wanted to scoff at the idea that [i]they[/i] needed him, reminded of Angel's words of encouragement she said on that night of billiards. Chris grabbed a nearby shovel and  began to toss sand neatly into a pile until he made a hole deep and wide enough to accomadate a campfire. Once the pit was complete he took the few logs already unloaded from the truck and stacked them in the pit, trying to angle them so that there was room for air beneath the individual logs.

Putting the shovel back where he found it, Chris returned to face the pit and inhaled deeply. In another moment, he released his breathe as a line of fire that doused the bottom of the hole, careful not to instantly incinerate the wood. The flames were potent enough to catch the logs without the need of kindling. [color red]"There...Did anyone bring marshmallows?"[/color][/hider]

[hider=Chris and Everyone Who Hates Him: Story Time][color=B0C4DE]"Yo!"[/color] Brent called out to the bonfire kiddos, a stack of logs cradled in his arms, [color=B0C4DE]"Why didja start so early with the burning?"[/color]

Indeed, as he approached, it was clear that whoever started the bonfire (probably Chris), didn't have any idea how to build one to begin with. Perhaps it's because he thought his power was enough. Perhaps it's because he was never a Boy Scout. Perhaps it's because he just wanted to show off early. Regardless, the arbiter rolled his eyes at the pitiful flames and dropped his armload of logs onto the sand.

[color=B0C4DE]"Bit premature, really,"[/color] he said, [color=B0C4DE]"And yeah, someone's definitely brought marshmallows. Don't know about chocolate and graham crackers, but there's also meat in the cooler."[/color] As he spoke, he began to set the new logs up, one at a time, creating a tepee of sorts.

At the least, there was plenty of company to distract from the fact that seeing (and speaking to, she supposed) Chris for the first time in over a week was awkward. Plenty of people to push the thought of trampling emotions and telling herself that she hadn't made a mistake away. Plying herself with the most efficient mask that she could create at a moment's notice, the brunette glanced between the growing members of the group. 

"[color=ff57ff]I didn't know you could do that without transforming, Chris.[/color]" Nodding at the fire in question, Siena glanced up at the boy. "[color=ff57ff]That's pretty convenient.[/color]"

"[color 33ec06]Yeah...took a lot of us by surprise, I think.[/color]" Marcus said, moving back to the group after putting a fair distance between him and the impromptu lighter. In the quickly dimming light, Marcus simply shot Chris a look, waiting to see if the boy would do anything. Waiting to see if Chris would be willing to show his true colors in front of all these people.

There it was; guilt, despair, loneliness. Chris could feel the resentment in Marcus's choice of words and he felt every inch of shame he felt he deserved. There was hesitation for him to continue,. his eyes merely met the flames with the thought of jumping into it as if the flames could burn away his sorrow.  A dark thought that, fortunately, never came to be anything else; He denied himself the easy way out before. To him, to allow himself to take his own life was to let the universe that had given such misfortune win. His sense of spite, or rather whatever shreds of pride he had, could never accept such a fate. 

The arbiter stood up to reply to Siena. [color=red]"Well I suppose in some cases."[/color] He didn't want to say anything more then that, though he could have said how much it made him feel like a monster, how he despised this hellish curse, or confess all of his inner turmoils; he didn't want to. Rather, he didn't want their pity. He didn't need it, it was bad enough Angelique knew. Would Marcus forgive him if he knew? No, he had every right to hate him. There was no amount of tragedy that could remedy his sin, 

[i]'[color=ff57ff]Whoa.[/color]'[/i] The thought was an understatement if Siena considered what her observation had brought about. Palpable tension aside, the brunette had to rewind her thoughts, listen again to the words that had been spoken only an instant before. Evidently Marcus had known about the ability, but that knowledge had given way to a familiar reaction. Her conversation with Chris at the same beach came to mind. It wasn't as severe then--or maybe it was simply her own memory trying to paint it with a gentler feel so that damnable instinctive need to stop [i]hurting[/i] people would be put at ease--but the similarities were there. A brief flash of concern as stormy eyes flicked from one party to another. 

"[color=ff57ff]Um...[/color]" A few questions came to mind. Did something happen? Were the two okay? Should she have been concerned about the situation? But none of them formed in words that felt proper to say at that moment. Cautiously, she settled her gaze on Marcus. "[color=ff57ff]Took a lot of us by surprise?[/color]"

"[color 33ec06]Were you expecting him to light a campfire using magic dragon breath?[/color]" Marcus said, tactfully avoiding the implied question that he was very aware of. It was clear from his tone that he was withholding information, even so far as to be coy about it.

Her gaze settled, habit making it take on the same expression she'd worn the last time she'd had any real conversation with the temporal mage. Eyes hardened faintly, lips settling into a shadow of a frown for less than a fraction of a second before Siena noticed, repaired the mask, replaced it with the expected level of concern. "[color=ff57ff]Marcus...[/color]" Her tone should have said it all. [i]What exactly are you saying?[/i]

Seeing the campfire being made, Angélique couldn't help but stop playing for a moment. Bonfires evoked some fond memories from her past. Sitting around a blazing fire while drinking with friends and playing music, those were good summer times. [color=9e0039]"Lily, let's take a break! I want to sit and watch the fire."[/color]

Putting her guitar back in its case, Angélique walked slowly back to the gathering of classmates around the campfire, bringing her bottle of beer along as she stopped next to Christopher. [color=9e0039]"Hey, sweet campfire! Wouldn't be a party without those, right? Someone brought hot-dogs sausages to roast?"[/color]

Lily nodded and continued playing for a bit before she herself put the violin back in its case and following after her singer friend.

"[color 33ec06]Well...[/color] Marcus said, eyes darting from Siena, to Chris, to the rapidly approaching Angel. "[color 33ec06]It's not exactly [i]my[/i] story to tell.[/color]" Again, another implication; words hidden behind seemingly straight-faced sentances. With any luck, Angel didn't know what he was talking about, and Siena wouldn't ask him any more questions. 

Of course, he couldn't be blamed if [i]other[/i] people started getting interrogated, could he?

[color=00a99d]"Campfire story time?"[/color] Ernie brightened at the prospect, blatantly ignoring the singer's arrival.

[color=B0C4DE]"Yup,"[/color] Brent replied, saluting Angelic, [color=B0C4DE]"Working on that right now."[/color]

While others generated more aggressive tension than two totally straight dudes did in the locker room, he had been working at skewering all sorts of meat, from plain ol processed sausages to marinated kebabs to strips of bacon to corn. Wrapped in aluminum foil and placed next to the fire were potatoes and yams as well, while a bit farther off, there was a bag of fluffy marshmallows that the carnivorous boy neglected entirely.

[color=B0C4DE]"And hey, we doing ghost stories? Love stories? Real stories?"[/color]

[color=00a99d]"Well, what's the usual deal for beach parties?"[/color] Ernie moved to help Brent with the skewers, grabbing a few to hold over the fire.

[color=9e0039]"Usually, either drunk stories or deep discussions, depends on the mood really."[/color]

The balded Aberration felt a tinge of irritation that it was Angelique he had to respond to. Ah well, he'd been enough of a dick today. All he needed to do was keep the nasty stuff inside, right? [color=00a99d]"Hm. I don't know about you guys but I've got plenty of drunk stories to tell. Should we wait until after all the meat is done?"[/color]

[color=9e0039]"Go ahead. That will make something good to listen to while the food is cooking."[/color]

Lily silently sat down near the fire, her eyes shifting from Angel to Ernie as they conversed. [color=lightcoral][i]I suppose even people who hates each other can still be civil with each other,[/i][/color] she thought to herself, her eyes on Ernie for a seconds before shifting it to the fire. She wondered for a brief second if the boy hated her as much as he did Angel before she pushed the thought aside. She reached into her pocket, took out her phone and held it up to take a picture. She snapped a photo of the fire and then sent it to her brother with the caption 'Bonfire now, did we do this before?' 

With more arriving to the fire and the conversation taking a different direction, Chris took a quick trip to take a few more logs from the truck and leave them closer to the group to add to the fire when needed, and then returned to his chair some distance away from the group and closer to the water. At the very least, he could catch the last glimmer of sunlight as it faded into darkness over the ocean.

[color=00a99d]"Alright, but these are the kind of stories that shouldn't be told in front of a sober audience,"[/color] Ernie rotated the skewers over the edge of the fire, unfortunately catching Chris scurrying to the water, [color=00a99d]"I wanna hear Marcus and Chris' fire story first! You guys didn't try fire juggling did you?"[/color]

[color=9e0039]"Ah, but what's the fun of hearing them drunk if we won't remember them the day after?"[/color] Angel drank the rest of her beer, getting up to get another bottle but keeping her ears on the campire crew. For some reason, she doubted a fire-related story involving Marcus and Chris would end well.

[color=00a99d]"Some tales were meant to be lost to the ages,"[/color] the buzzcut boy replied sagely, [color=00a99d]"I'm sure that some people in these stories would actually prefer it if it was forgotten. Plus, if you guys can't remember it the next morning then that just means I can tell them again! Recycling, y'know? C'mon, what was the fire for? Extreme pancake making? Flaming circus hoops?"[/color]

[color=B0C4DE]"Eh, Marcus and Chris did a thing?"[/color] Brent tilted his head slightly, wondering why Ernie was pushing so hard. Did they really need an answer now? [color=B0C4DE]"Anyways, who wants the venison? Only got four skewers of it now, so they're pretttty low supply."[/color]

Not far away a soft moan could be heard. Slowly, Emma got up from her seat and glanced around. It was night. How long had she slept? It wasn’t hard to spot the gathering around the campfire, and she wasted no time approaching. She was more than a little tantalized by Brent’s talk of venison, the rumble in her stomach evident. [color=8A3DFF]”Yeah, let me at that.”[/color] Emma said, tactlessly sneaking up to the fire and grabbing a skewer. [color=8A3DFF]”What’re we doin’? Stories?”[/color] Emma said, already moving to take a bite but restraining herself due to the heat. 

"[color 33ec06]I think you're right Ernie; there are definitely people out there who would prefer these stories be forgotten.[/color]" Marcus said quietly, moving on with his train of response, hopefully before anybody could think about that statement for too long.

"[color 33ec06]What do you think, Chris? Got an interesting story to tell the people?[/color]" Marcus said, shouting off in Chris's direction. Angel be damned, he was still trying. Perhaps this would be interesting, or perhaps he'd have to make something up to appease Ernie. After all, he wasn't [i]trying[/i] to get the kid mobbed.

He just wouldn't stop it if it happened.

[color=9e0039]"I'll have a taste of that!"[/color] Angel walked towards the campfire, feeling its heat brushing over her exposed skin. She quickly retreated back to Lily after grabbing one of the skewers, but as she passed close to Marcus, she gave the boy that look that would say it all. No words this time, only a slight frown.

Chris had become frozen once Ernie prodded him on with the story. He hadn't even make it halfway to his chair when he made the request. It's not as if he wanted to keep secrets, but now was not really the best time for a confession. 

No, they deserved to know. They needed to know. It was only just that they should despise a monster such as him. [color=red]"It's not much of a story, really."[/color] He said as he made his way to the cooler for another bottle of booze. He could not express his sorrows sober. 

He downed that beer as fast he could, the whole bottle. Two bottles were certainly not enough to get him wasted, and part of him cursed that he had tried to make this easier for himself. After the suspense of chugging down a bottle he continued [color=red]"If you must know, I went out of my way to get into a fight with Marcus like the bastard I am. If that wasn't damning enough, in that fight I also burned his leg with my breath."[/color] He expressed more of a standoffish tone in his voice rather then guilt. He already apologized for his crimes and he wasn't expecting any sort of sympathy or forgiveness. Finishing that confession, he made his way back to his chair, but not before taking a few more bottles with him.

With the confession, Ernie froze. Fury rose in him just like it had that morning with Angel. Exactly like that morning. Which was exactly why he needed to shove it down before he did something really stupid.

He tossed a meaningful glance in Brent's direction before moving straight to Marcus. If his Reno days had taught him anything, it was that the polite thing to do was to inform a friend before you break someone's goddamn fingers in their honour.

[color=00a99d]"Marcus,"[/color] the Aberration did his best to keep his face and tone neutral, speaking closely so that only the Arbiter would hear, [color=00a99d]"How come we haven't beaten the living shit out of this guy yet?"[/color]

"[color 33ec06]That's a pretty shitty story.[/color]" Marcus said, sitting back with his arms crossed. He honestly hadn't expected Chris to openly admit what he had done; the confession kind of ruined any attempt to try and drag this out as long as possible. "[color 33ec06]And burned is putting it lightly.[/color]" he muttered softly, taking a bite of one of the skewers he'd grabbed.

His eyes flicked to Ernie as the boy spoke. There was a slight sense of pride, knowing that Ernie at least had his back even in the littlest things. "[color 33ec06]Oh, I already did that. Almost immediately.[/color]" Marcus said, although he couldn't keep a sly smile from spreading across his face.

The realisation came to him gradually but once it hit, Ernie felt a manic grin appear on his face to match Marcus'. He was still furious, of course, but if his scarred friend had everything under control...

He chuckled vacantly and began moving back to his cooking. [color=00a99d]"Just say the word and I'll get things done. Guy doesn't mess with one of us without getting the others too."[/color]

The bite she took from the venison left a bitter taste in Angélique's mouth as she heard Christopher revealing what he did to Marcus in front of everyone. What the fuck was he thinking? Social suicide? There were other ways to deal with that situation, and right now really had not been the best of opportunities. A frown clearly was etched in the Aberration's face as she scanned Chris secluding himself once more after making that bold statement, then Marcus.

[color=9e0039]"Way to fuck up the mood, guys. Real smooth..."[/color] she said, obviously displeased by both involved parties.

Lily remained quiet, content in listening to the people around her speak and letting her eyes wander from speaker to speaker. But unlike most, she marveled at how Chris could openly admit what he had done in front of everyone, including the one he had wronged. Aside from the fact that he probably had one of the coolest powers among them. 

Emma took a bite of the venison. A slow, awkward bite. What the fuck did she just walk into? The scene unsettlingly reminded of her of the usual high school drama she thought she was done with, but with a dash of superpowers and mutilation. Emma slowly moved, creeping up on Marcus and placing a gentle hand on his back but not saying anything. 

"Story." Some [i]story[/i] that was. Siena had watched, carefully, for the shifts of expression that might tell her more than simple words. As Chris made his quick retreat, Siena was left trying to turn over the events in her head. Picking a fight, burning someone else's flesh--[i]what if it hadn't been Marcus?[/i] But even then, it was hard to believe that the Arbiter would have resorted to such extreme tactics on a whim. [i]Should have[/i] been hard to believe that, her mind corrected. 

[i]'[color=ff57ff]Are you forgetting?[/color]'[/i] Memories of their mental link, thoughts of the familiar, primal emotion that had almost covered up the one she'd tried to cut away...was that there even when he wasn't sporting a collosal form? The two sides that refused to meet waged war again. The instinctive, fiery side that wanted to be [i]angry[/i] and the cold, rational one that told her that being angry had no use--neither were doing a good job of winning.

"[color=ff57ff]Um...sorry...[/color]" Siena rose to her feet, dusted herself of sand, and exerted as much control as she could over the war in her head. "[color=ff57ff]I'll be right back.[/color]" 

Marcus said nothing more, as Angel's scolding hit some sort of sore spot with him. He wasn't really interested in making the beach party hell for anybody [i]but[/i] Chris, but the impromptu confession had ruined that angle too. He gave a small nod to Ernie, sidling a step closer to Emma as she placed a hand on his back, almost unconsciously moving for the familiar.

"[color 33ec06]So...[/color]" Marcus said, attempting to break the silence. "[color 33ec06]How was the volleyball game?[/color]"

Well. Ok. He could consider these developments for a different time. Watching the drama unfold and then suddenly deflate with Chris leaving the party and Siena going after the draconic arbiter, Brent took a bite of a kebab. Would this help? Or would this devolve into a melee? Things to consider, but...no, if Chris was going to wallow in self-loathing, he wasn't going to lash out on the person he had feelings for, right?

[i]Wrong.[/i]

[color=B0C4DE]"Volleyball was a blast,"[/color] Brent said, smiling, shifting the topic forcibly, playing the same game he had with Ernie back in DC, [color=B0C4DE]"Didn't realize it was standard technique to receive spikes with your face though, Ernie. You sure that nose is alright?"[/color]

[color=00a99d]"Got my rope up just in time! It's all good here."[/color]

Angel's eyes turned to where Siena was going. This situation sure wouldn't help the relationship between the two of them, but it was probably for the best to leave them alone to talk about this. As much as she'd like to scold Marcus about what he'd done, or Christopher to have plainly decided to reveal what happened, the time wasn't appropriate for that. Instead, Angel just finished her beer in one go, before returning to the cooler and grabbing an alcoholized bottle of juice. 

[color=9e0039][i]I swear, we're cursed...[/i][/color] Angel sighed, her gaze returning to the campfire.[/hider]

[hr]

[hider=Siena and Chris: You can call me Monster.]After making a hasty exit, Siena thought about getting her bag. About having some form of security in case she was wrong--in case she was [i]right[/i]--about things. She considered it even as she approached Chris, thought about retreating and having a source in hand. Would it have helped? 

"[color=ff57ff]Hey.[/color]"

Chris wasn't expecting company, nor did he want any. Was she taking pity on him? Monsters didn't need sympathy. Before he responded he made sure to uncap his bottle and take a swig. [color=red]"Hey."[/color] As much as he wanted to avoid pushing her away, out of fear of hurting her too, his drained expression was too weak to turn her away. Maybe it wasn't pity, maybe she was just here for the opposite, proclaiming how much of a monster he is. He waited for her to continue, and offered her an unopened beer in his silence.

[i]'[color=ff57ff]And how exactly were you planning on approaching this?[/color]'[/i]

[i]Head on.[/i]

[i]'[color=ff57ff]Great plan, self.[/color]'[/i]

"[color=ff57ff]Oh, it's okay. I don't really drink beer.[/color]" Turning down the drink with a gentle motion of the hand, Siena considered her next course of action. It was easy to see that after the entire debacle, Chris was far from peak mental condition--[i]isn't that better for this?[/i]. Her mind worked through the motions. Sit down to stay on the same level--not a demand--but don't let up. She did exactly that. 

"[color=ff57ff]You didn't tell them everything, did you?[/color]" A clear, calm question without any real intonation--as though she was merely stating a fact instead of digging for answer. 

[color=red]"What more should I say? That I'm a monster that almost killed a classmate over something stupid? That I went out of my way to punch a kid in the mouth because he called me names? There is no reason to say anything more, what I did was inexcusable."[/color] He snapped but more so at himself then Siena, she just had the displeasure of being the only one to yell at. His guilt over Marcus was just the tip of the iceberg that was his despair, that confession was little compared to what he kept to himself; Angelique having been the only person to know some of the deeper burdens he carried, and he would be damned to let this be another session. He didn't want them to know, no one should know, telling Angelique was a mistake he wasn't going to repeat.

now he was paranoid. What if she told them already? What if they knew and already felt fake sorrow for him? That this was all some kind of farce that Marcus thankfully didn't excuse his crime because of it. Another long gulp of booze poured down his body to suite his anguish.

The words glanced off her like poorly made arrows on a steel plate--a little irritation had never been able to do much to the girl. She kept her placid air, ignored the sharpness of Chris's self-condemnation, and [i]watched[/i] for a moment before she spoke again. 

"[color=ff57ff]And that's not everything.[/color]" A statement more than a question at that point, and easier to see now that the girl wasn't being suffocated by tension from every angle. [i]'[color=ff57ff]You're easy to read.[/color]'[/i] She quieted those words before they escaped her, opting for another route. "[color=ff57ff]Remember the last time we trained? When we tried to see if a link could help with communication?[/color]" 

She didn't feel the need to keep pushing the words. Let him finish the idea on his own. 

[color=red]"....You felt that, right?That...urge..no..instinct; wrath, anger."[/color] There was a pause. Hesitation, caution, fear.  Inner turmoils and past tragedies were difficult enough to bottle up, but his fears he could not. [color=red]"Its not as simple as a stigma, its....Its as if its alive...my very power....Us rather then me...I.....I don't just take the mask of a monster, Siena, no its like I already am one, or we share souls or..something."[/color] The thought was clearly frustrating him. He had only barely expressed this fear twice, once with Angelique and the other earlier today, both of which was only a glimpse in the root of it, but knowing Siena could feel it Chris no longer felt alone in hiding it. [color=red]"Its gotten better after that session, at least I think it has, but...Even after that I still get...it gets angry...like it expects me to carry its pride and anger."[/color] He wasn't even sure if that was the case, it never spoke to him, the urges could just be that and nothing more, but his fear and suspicions had convinced him otherwise. [color red]"[i]They[/i] see me as one of them Siena...They think I'm supposed to be with them, until I attack them of course but..."[/color] He clutched the half-empty bottle tight in his hand before taking another long swig as he descended into madness. [color=red]"It said Why...It said why..Why did it say why? Why did it sound like that. Why."[/color] He said in a somewhat panicked tone, eyes strained to the ocean as if delirious, a fear that gnawed at was once a standoffish persona.  He had felt like he already knew that answer, but had been too scared to admit it.

It had been like opening a floodgate--[i]too direct. You've drowned him[/i]--and the torrent that it unleashed might have been overwhelming if she hadn't been prepared. Siena listened, as always, observed what she could as something in her tried to burn away the excess thoughts. [i]Didn't this seem familiar?[/i] It was, wasn't, too many things in between again. The brunette pushed thoughts of the library aside. That wasn't what she was looking for here. 

[i]But when everything else burned away, what had remained?[/i]

"[color=ff57ff]Chris.[/color]" The name rang clear and stable, the most effective blade to cut through the growing panic.

The name took him out of abstract fear and back into reality. With his panic ending he ceased in a sigh. [color=red]"Sorry..I...got off topic."[/color] It took him a moment to remember where the track was originally.[color=red]"Your point? That doesn't excuse what I did to Marcus, I failed to control myself. Its my fault, and I deserve every ounce of resentment you all should feel about it. I betrayed my fellow man."[/color] With his panic settled and composure returned, he was again became a bit standoffish. 

The choice to let it go or the choice to pursue relentlessly presented itself, but Siena was aware that it was a poor imitation of a choice at best. She didn't avert her gaze, held back the thousand thoughts that attacked her usual filters. It was easier to read someone that closed themselves off for so long, they'd never had to hide anything, wasn't it? 

"[color=ff57ff]That wasn't my point.[/color]" Maybe it was at the start, claimed the small voice in the back of Siena's head, but it certainly wasn't at that point. "[color=ff57ff]What [i]they[/i] see you as and what you are can be two very different things.[/color]" Words that she knew to be far too true. The brunette didn't voice that thought. "[color=ff57ff]I might be giving you pointless platitudes, but I'm sure that the others don't see you as a monster.[/color]" A jerk, maybe, but monster seemed to be a word reserved for the worst when it came to the rest of her peers. "[color=ff57ff]It might go a long way if you try to make it up to Marcus instead of looking like you're running from the issue. We're supposed to be a team and all.[/color]"

There was silence, another empty beer bottle at his side. [color=red]"Thanks..but."[/color] He said before shaking his head, he still clutched onto  a sober conscience. [color=red]"It doesn't matter what they think of me; that won't change my resolve. I couldn't give a damn if you all hated me, and perhaps that's for the best."[/color] He said with a face that spelled a mix between spite and determination. [color=red]"I can't expect Marcus, nor anyone, to forgive me for that. That isn't right, I have to correct my sins on my own. On the battlefield, we are a team, nothing will change that and I'm sure Marcus knows that as well, I don't need any of you to appreciate me for me to protect you guys."[/color] A long pause for the first gulp of his fourth bottle. [color=red]"Its safer that way, to distance myself from everyone."[/color] With his spare hand, he gestured Siena towards the camp fire. [color=red]"You belong over there, not here."[/color]

"[color=ff57ff]Safer for them, or safer for you?[/color]" Siena knew the answer already, but again, she kept the thought to herself. Pushing herself to her feet, Siena dusted the sand still clinging to her skin away. "[color=ff57ff]You said it yourself, everyone has seen terrible things.[/color]" 

The words were more than that, but she held it back again. Instead, Siena settled her gaze on the boy--not even strong enough to commit to being the monster he pretended to be. It was almost a shame, really. The cool, icy touch of Santana crept in like frost again. Such a shame.

"[color=ff57ff]It would just be easier for everyone else if you weren't the most terrible thing that they've seen. You can't choose when you get to be a team with them.[/color]" 

[color=red]"Both."[/color] He said flatly. Less pain for him, and the less likely others will die. Drowning his sorrows with more beer, Chris responded. [color=red]"Just stop worrying about me OK? Its bad enough Angel already knows." [/color] Perhaps it was the alchohol finally sinking in or the stress of the situation, but that last part wasn't supposed to come out. 

Something twisted tried its best to reach up, through the mist of other thoughts. A full bodied attack that slammed against the strongest filters that Siena could muster. A mental sneer mocked Siena, acid in every syllable it made. Wasn't that what she wanted to do to begin with? Silently, the girl pressed it down, contained the parts of her that she didn't like to present. What they saw and what she was were two entirely different things. An easy reminder for a difficult task. 

[i]'[color=ff57ff]So what are you going to do?[/color]'[/i] Releasing a soft sigh, the brunette shook her head, the perfect action to cover the expression that threatened to take her. 

"[color=ff57ff]That's not really something I can do.[/color]" Flashing a weak smile to the boy, she glanced at the empty bottles. "[color=ff57ff]Try not to drown yourself in that, alright?[/color]"

And with that, Siena turned to leave.

Chris lifted his bottle in an attempt to bid her farewell in a casual matter, once again with the facade that nothing was wrong. [color=red]"I'll be fine."[/color] The arbiter returned to his silence and stared at the black waves of the moonlit ocean.[/hider]

[hr]

[hider=EmMarcus and a Beached Whale: Trouble in Paradise?]It was obvious, as the evening went by and the sun settled, that Angélique had been drinking a bitt too much again. After a dozen bottles of various alcoholized substances, she was getting tipsy. Her worries and uptight attitude she had initially showed during the party was replaced by the giggling of a happy drunk young woman. As the silence and a quite mood began to creep onto the crowd that had gathered around the flickering bonefire, Angel, in all of her drunk glory, stepped forward and nearly tripped into the fire. 

[color=9e0039]"H-hey guise... h-how 'bout we f-finish the night wih a lil' zwim? W-wouldn't be a beech partay wivout gettin' ourzelves wet, yeh?"[/color] the drunken Angel stuttered, but did not wait for an answer as she tossed her empty bottle next to the cooler and ran off towards the sea , tripping herself for real this time over a stray rock, which only emancipated an alcohol-induced laugh over her clumsiness.

Well, it was going to happen eventually. That didn't reduce the intense feeling of 'nope' that Zoe got as soon as the idea came up, tensing slightly despite her best efforts to appear relaxed. Lying back on the sand with no intention of moving anywhere, never mind towards the water, she called out to Angel dismissively. [color=palevioletred]"Have fun with that. The volleyball was enough effort for me today."[/color]

Watching Angel trip, though, Zoe couldn't help being a [i]little[/i] concerned. Not enough to go anywhere near the water, but enough that she wasn't confident leaving the singer to her own devices. Glancing around at the others, she frowned. [color=palevioletred]"...You guys might wanna go after her, though. I'm not sure she won't find a way to drown herself."[/color]

Marcus nearly leaped from his position near the fire to catch Angel, as he was sure this was about to be the end of the rockstar. Fortunately, she didn't end up crispier than a forgotten pizza, and mearly stumbled off towards the ocean to invevitably drown. She'd had quite a few drinks, Marcus realized, looking around at the empty bottles and her slightly off-putting drunken giggles. It registered with him that he didn't think he'd ever heard Angel giggle.

"[color 33ec06]Should we...I dunno...do something about that?[/color]" Marcus followed Zoe's statement uncertainly, eyes falling to Emma first, and then passing over the rest of the group.

[color=8A3DFF]”Geez…”[/color] Emma said. She didn’t exactly [i]like[/i] Angel, but it would be problematic if she drowned. [color=8A3DFF]”I guess we should keep an eye on her.”[/color] Emma put an emphasis on the [i]we[/i], glancing towards Marcus before walking towards the water. 

"[color 33ec06]Are we getting paid for babysitting?[/color]" Marcus shouted after after, giving one last glance over everyone at the fire and jogging off to follow.

[color=B0C4DE]"Paid you already in food, bro,"[/color] Brent replied, dusting the sand off his swim shorts, [color=B0C4DE]"But hey, yeah, let's make more stupid decisions while we're still drunk!"[/color]

Well, he wasn't really, but somehow they had spent the entire day on the beach and not in the ocean, and the sweat that had gathered on him during the incredibly intense volleyball game needed to get washed off too, right. Warming up with a quick stretch, he followed along after the lovers. Strange, how Allison never showed. Did something happen between the two of them after all?

[color=B0C4DE]"Yo, Ernie, 'ena, coming along?"[/color]

[color=00a99d]"Hmm..."[/color]

The buzzcut Aberration didn't feel like getting swept along in someone's drunken rhythm right now, especially if that someone was Angel and if that rhythm involved ocean water that was blackening with every passing minute. Marcus and Emma should be enough, right? Ernie glanced around for an excuse, gaze finally settling on the group's meat plate, then on the dog lurking just behind it. His eyes narrowed at the four-legged thief. Perfect.

[color=00a99d]"There's still some meat to cook and I don't trust the dog to--hey!"[/color]

Another sausage had been stolen in the brief moment he was looking at Brent. Yep, he wasn't moving anywhere for Angel's sake.

If there was one thing that could act as a convenient distraction from the half eaten marshmallow (no longer toasty, melty, and warm) that Siena had made the mistake of trying to ingest, it was the fact that Angel was undeniably drunk. Drunk and about to jump into--nope, scratch that, [i]trip into[/i]--the ocean. There were a number of words that Siena could have used to describe that particular disaster in progress, but it seemed that the others had that handled. Watching the events unfold made the girl acutely aware of two facts: that she should be glad that she didn't enjoy beer, and that Angel was not necessarily the safest person while drunk. 

[i]'[color=ff57ff]...are that many of them drunk?[/color]'[/i] But Siena didn't have much time to think about it before the dreaded invitation to join the ocean "fun". If she could call it that. The brunette wasn't entirely certain she'd particularly enjoy the ocean, but the small part of her that demanded to try new things raised its voice to deafening levels. What were the odds she'd get another chance, after all? 

"[color=ff57ff]Oh, um...sure, I guess.[/color]" Once more, Siena rose to her feet, popping the last half of the marshmallow into her mouth (much to her own dismay) while brushing the sand off her legs. "[color=ff57ff]Sea salt's supposed to be good for a girl, right?[/color]"

[color=B0C4DE]"Good on fries,"[/color] Brent grinned, [color=B0C4DE]"But dunno what funky skin care thing uses that stuff."[/color]

[color=9e0039]"C'mon c'mon, you two! I know some folks here who could use havin' a good time together in the water."[/color] Angélique enthusiastically encouraged the two lovebirds, reaching for them and beckoning them further into the sea as she gave the two of them a mischievous smirk and a wink.

Whether it made sense for Emma and Marcus, Angélique was suggesting they could use this moment to be even closer. Ironically, while everyone seemed to have joined her to actually make sure nothing bad happened to her, Angel's drunken mind had appointed the young woman to act like a cherub or a beacon for everyone to enjoy themselves. If there was a previous animosity between Angel and Emma, and frustration towards Marcus, there was no trace of it right now in the singer's expressive behavior. It's like hate or distrust faded away into drunk happiness.

Marcus simply grinned, a slight blush starting to spread across his face in the growing moonlight. He shook his head and crossed his arms, chuckling awkwardly at Angel's insinuations. Still, after a brief moment, he gave Emma the same smirk and wink Angel had (perhaps less inebriated than Angel's) and adding a slight shrug.

He honestly wasn't quite sure where he and Emma were sitting. They'd not talked much since DC, save for the one instance in which they went over Determinations horrifying existance. However, he was reluctant to bring this up, in case he accidentally pushed them the other direction. They had plenty of other things to worry about, anyway.

[i]He[/i] wasn't going to bring it up, but now that Angel had, he was interested to see the reaction.

Emma returned Marcus’s slight shrug with one of her own. [color=8A3DFF]”Well, I guess it couldn’t hurt…”[/color] Emma said, a hint of hesitation coloring her voice. 

Hearing the two seemingly in agreement over her suggestion, Angélique kept her ever-growing grin, chuckling in amusement as she began slowly drifting away from Marcus and Emma. She was drunk, yes, but no idiot, or at least it would take more than a dozen of weakly-alcoholized bottles of juice and beer to make her that stupidly reckless. Her goal was to bring people into the sea. She achieved that, so all that remained was to return to where the water wasn't so deep. After all, she knew how her muscles' motricity was quick to give out in moving water, especially when it was cold like tonight. It wasn't her first time swimming while under the influence after all.

[color=9e0039]"No need to look out after me, by the way. I'll just be swimmin' over there [i]safely[/i]."[/color] Angel's magical whisper reached to the lovers' ears, making a point she had heard what they were saying about her earlier. She was drunk, but she still had keen ears. Alcohol didn't start deafening her.

"[color 33ec06]Probably not. But where's the fun in worrying about that?[/color]" Marcus said, drifting slightly out, allowing himself to float while looking at her. A task made considerably more difficult by the small waves trying to push him back into shore. "[color 33ec06]C'mon. Relax. It's a beach. We're basically on vacation. Come out here and live a little![/color]" he said, trying his best to give a half-smile.

Emma gave Marcus a long glance. This was hardly what she could call a vacation, but it didn’t seem very appropriate to debate the topic. [color=8A3DFF]”Yeah. Sure. Vacation from the usual maniacs trying to murder us.”[/color] Emma said as she started to slowly wade into the water. Truthfully Emma never was much of a beach person- there was something vaguely scary about the ocean, something about the depth, the amount of unknown. Usually she only went when Riley could coax her out, but it seemed like the beach was the right thing to do for everyone.

At least the day didn’t go [i]too[/i] horribly.

As she was thinking Emma waded out towards Marcus, [color=8A3DFF]”So, we’re in the water, what now?”[/color]

"[color 33ec06]Well...[/color]"

Marcus interrupted his own sentance by slipping under the water. At this point, it was deep enough that he could effectively kick without splashing, and he quickly swam around Emma. Or at least, he was aiming to swim around Emma. It was dark and he got a [i]lot[/i] of saltwater in his eyes. And his nose. Basically every orifice you didn't want saltwater in.

For once in his life, he was fortunate enough to not have a horrible bumbling accident, and rose out of the water directly behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "[color 33ec06]Just relax. Look at the scenery. It's beautiful tonight.[/color]"

"[color 33ec06]And hey, the moon and stars look pretty good too.[/color]"

[color=8A3DFF]”Yeah, it is.”[/color] Emma admitted. It was night and the water wasn’t exactly warm, but she couldn’t complain. 

There was a slightly hurt silence as Emma literally gave zero reaction to him, responding as if he were just talking about the weather. No, it was fine. Maybe she just didn't catch his attempt at a pick-up line. It was fine, people sometimes didn't get his jokes, these were no different. Just had to try again.

"[color 33ec06]Of course, I'm too busy looking at you![/color]" he said, his confidence a little shaken.

There was a slight pause as Emma tried to find her smile. The smile that she always had. It made its way onto her face as she squirmed around in his arms, flipping around to face him. There was no hesitation as she leaned in and kissed him. 

Marcus returned the kiss, resting his dripping wet head on Emma's forehead after it finished, a slight grin on his face. Although the water was cold, he could feel the heat on his cheeks, and he took a moment to just reflect. This was all good. No horrible monsters. No psychological trauma. Just him and Emma. And he was happy with that.

"[color 33ec06]I think this is the part where I say something really cutesy and then you dunk me in the water.[/color]" Marcus said, head still resting on Emma's, mischeivous grin spreading.

Emma paused. Something felt wrong, but her face didn’t change.

Marcus gave her excuse enough. She followed through with exactly what he suggested, grabbing his head and dunking it quickly into the water. 

Of course, being his own suggestion, Marcus was at least prepared for the dunk, so he did not get another lungful of water. He did however get another eyeful, but that really did nothing but turn everything into a blur of color.

Fortunately, he had a counter move. He lunged for where he believed her legs to be, aiming to wrap around and pull them out from under her. A classic retaliation dunk.

Marcus hit his mark, sending Emma into the water, bit she quickly broke the surface again, returning to where she was with no intention to fight back. 

Marcus quickly popped up in front of her, grabbing Emma by the waist and pulling her in for another kiss; before the saltwater had even finished dripping off him.

"[color 33ec06]Alright,[/color]" he said, pulling away and shaking the water from his hair. "[color 33ec06]I don't know about you, but I am freezing. We should probably head back before we catch hypothermia or drift into a night current or something.[/color]"

Emma nodded. [color=8A3DFF]”Right. It is pretty cold out here…”[/color] there was something in her voice, maybe a hint of distance or discomfort. It was hard to place, but it was distinctly [i]there[/i].  

Marcus stopped, his acute sense of emotion finally kicking itself into gear, after already having missed [i]every[/i] other sign that something was wrong. There was something wrong, he could tell...and he would probably have to be the one to bring it up.

Life was much simpler when problems could just be ignored and he didn't have to worry that hard.

"[color 33ec06]You alright Em?[/color]" Marcus said, wading slightly closer. "[color 33ec06]You sound kind of...[/color]" he didn't finish the thought, mostly because he wasn't exactly sure what emotion she sounded like.

Emma frowned. [color=8A3DFF]”I’m…”[/color] Emma let out a sigh, [color=8A3DFF]”I’m fine. I think. I just… don’t like the ocean.”[/color] Emma deflected, a poorly worded and unlikely excuse, but knowing Marcus he could very well fall for it.  

"[color 33ec06]Oh! Alright then. Let's get out of here, then.[/color]" Marcus said wading back towards the shore with Emma.

It was a bad deflection; he'd done enough of those in his time to know one when he heard it. Still, he spent a few moments of silent wading debating on pushing the issue. He would much rather prefer to drop it...but there was a part of him that knew it wouldn't help. Whatever it was would just fester. Hell, maybe it had been for a while, and he just hadn't noticed. Maybe that's why they seemed so distant.

"[color 33ec06]Do you want to tell me what's [i]actually[/i] on your mind?[/color]" He finally asked, lowering his voice slightly to avoid eavesdropping from the nearing beach.

Of course, he could tell. [color=8A3DFF]”I…”[/color]
 
[color=8A3DFF][i]Fuck.[/i][/color]
 
[color=8A3DFF]”I… feel dumb, after everything I said to you last time. Or maybe exposed. I don’t know. I don’t… usually talk to people about things like that. It’s making me feel awkward.”[/color] a part truth, but enough of it that she didn’t feel bad. 

Marcus snuck his hand to Emma's, interlacing his fingers between hers. "[color 33ec06]Well, I'm happy to be the exception![/color] Marcus said, shooting her a reassuring smile. "[color 33ec06]But you know you can talk to me if you need to; I'll always be here for you. No feeling dumb required.[/color]"

Emma smiled back at Marcus. [color=8A3DFF]”Right.”[/color] she replied, her voice a little more chipper. [color=8A3DFF]”Let’s just go back to the others. I’m fine.”[/color] and she sounded like she was too. Of course, she wasn’t, but she didn’t need Marcus to worry about that.

When Angélique said she would be swimming, it was an understatement. Aftter she stopped drifting to a closer location where the water was just about her half her height in depth, she simply let herself float, taking a few glances towards Marcus and Emma from time to time. Seeing them together kind of left her envious. How much she would've loved to enjoy that moment with Allison too...

After a while, the cold water was doing a good job of sobering her up. Her mind was clearer as she gazed at the stars beginning to appear on the night sky. And she realized just now just how cold the ocean was during the starting days of October. However, as much as she figured it was probably time to get back to the beach, her muscles were sluggish. It was a good thing that the night current was pushing her towards the sandy shore, being so close. Trying to move her arms and legs to swim back to shore, she looked quite pitiful in her attempt to do so as she only looked like she was trying to redirect her floating to the shore and riding the night current.[/hider]

[hider=Brent and Siena: Beach Banter]While Emma and Marcus low-key flirted and had their weirdly suggestive fun, Brent was knee-deep in the salty waters instead, inching away from that increasingly embarrassing scene. Sure, it was night, but the moon was shining bright and his imagination easily made up for what could not be seen. Christ, how did they manage to be so [i]embarrassing[/i]?

Turning towards Siena, he gave her a look, before saying, [color=B0C4DE]"Welp, congrats. You just had the entire beach party experience."[/color]

Siena had done her best not to pay much mind to her roommate and his girlfriend's endeavors--romantic gestures and her usual thoughts didn't generally mix well. Easier in writing than it was in reality, really. Instead, she'd found herself partially submerged in water that wasn't cold enough to be absolutely numbing, but enough to remind her that she should have brought a towel closer to the water. Pointedly keeping her gaze turned away from Marcus and Emma, the brunette gave her best imitation of a smile. 

[i]Ah, still angry at that?[/i] She'd figure it out later. 

"[color=ff57ff]Well, it could have gone worse.[/color]" An almost cheeky statement, followed by a quick glance back to the campfire. "[color=ff57ff]But it's nice to almost be normal.[/color]"

[color=B0C4DE]"Best we can hope for, eh?"[/color] He smiled. [color=B0C4DE]"Let's get out before the cringe gets us both."[/color]

"[color=ff57ff]Sounds like a plan.[/color]" And a lot warmer than the water at that point. 

[color=B0C4DE]"...should we pull Angelic out?"[/color]

"[color=ff57ff]...is she still floating out there?[/color]"

[color=B0C4DE]"Yup."[/color]

Giving a quick scan of the area was more than enough for Siena to realize that Brent was right. Angel [i]was[/i] still out there, though not quite as noisy as Siena expected a drunk swimmer to be. Well...as long as she was still [i]seemingly[/i] fine...

"[color=ff57ff]She seems fine for now. Not sure if that translates to us pulling her out of the water though.[/color]"

[color=B0C4DE]"Mmm, yeah, probably's just enjoying the solitude while those lover birds get to it,"[/color] Brent replied, walking back out of the water. At least the sand that had been plastered onto his legs was gone.[color=B0C4DE] "Maybe I'll show you the joys of a water fight some other day."[/color]

"[color=ff57ff]And get salt water to wash all the sand out of my eyes? That sounds like a greaaaat time,[/color]" Siena claimed with all due sarcasm while wading after the boy. Despite the words, the false smile started to give way to something a little more genuine. "[color=ff57ff]Besides, even I know how a water fight usually ends when I'm involved.[/color]"

[color=B0C4DE]"With a brilliant, one-sided victory on your part, having dodged every single droplet of water splashed in your direction?"[/color]

"[color=ff57ff]Pffft, more like with me looking like the most pathetic stray left in the rain.[/color]" As the duo finally made it back to dry land--[i]'[color=ff57ff]Ohhhh, shit, it's cold![/color]'[/i]--Siena did her best to adjust her hair while walking. No wringing it out, she reminded herself, but with some modicum of effort, she was able to arrange it back into some semblance of a ponytail by the time they had made it close enough to the fire for her to make out faces--not that it helped with keeping it from clinging to her skin.

Ah, how refreshingly cool. Stretching out and enjoying the autumnal night breeze, Brent remained his shirtless self as he escorted Siena to the campfire. Ernie was still cooking while fending off the dog, while others looked to simply be relaxing now, drinking or sleeping. Mmm, night's basically wrapped up now.

[color=B0C4DE]"Guess it's time to bust out dem fireworks,"[/color] the arbiter stated, turning his eye on his roommate,[color=B0C4DE] "Grant, wanna help me bring em over?"[/color]

Blinking and bringing Grant's vacant stare at the campfire over to Brent at his question, he thought for a moment. Figuring that it'd be more eventful than just sitting, he nodded and stood up, walking over.

With that, the two departed into the depths of the night.[/hider]

[hider=Chris: Out-of-place angst that I need to put in its own header otherwise the post looks ugly]At that point, Chris had nearly passed out with all seven of his empty beer bottles that barely made a pile next to his chair. He had noticed, in bitter silence, the others taking some time swimming in the dark waters. In his ontoxicated state, he only felt more anger. Anger for what he didn't exactly know. Was it still about Marcus? Is interaction with Siena? How he believed the others saw him, or worse? He didn't know, and he didn't have enough reason in him to care. His scowl had deepened as it continued to face the horizon. Well to hell with it, to hell with needing friends, to hell with the monsters that terrorize this world, and to hell with the monster inside him. Who cares anymore? How much pain did he need to experience before he finally stopped giving a shit?[/hider]

[hr]

[hider=Firework Finale]After fifteen or so minutes of walking and hauling and setting things up and telling Angelic, Marcus, and Emma to get out of the water, Brent's pyrotechnic display was finally ready. Standing a good fifty meters back, Brent maintained connection with the arsenal of rockets through a long wire that stretched all the way from the ocean to the beach. This was totally going to work. It definitely wasn't going to explode. This was the second Overclock buff. The chances of a catastrophic explosion should be zero.

[color=B0C4DE]"Alright, y'all! Are you ready?!?!"[/color]

It took a small while for Angélique to finally drag herself out of the sea. Actually, she did a poor job of swimming herself back to shore, but with the night currents pushing her towards the sandy ground, it wasn't so complicated as to just let herself be slowly carried out back to the beach. Shivering from the longer-than-anticipated exposure to the cold water, the raven-haired singer joined the others next to the campfire, taking in the comforting warmth of the fire with extended arms. She just had arrived in time to ear Brent shouting about being ready. Ready for what? She did not see where he ran off earlier, too busy rinsing the sand from her body and bikini after landing on the shore like a cast off whale brought by the waves.

Ernie, having given up on fending away the ravenous canine and leaving the plate unattended, stood and cheered. [color=00a99d]"Light it up, buddy!"[/color]

His rope was summoned for good measure too. That flaming walkman hadn't gone unnoticed.

[color=B0C4DE]"Here we go!"[/color]

Silver lightning raced down the wire, intention passed down to the fireworks down below. With a hell-banshee's screech, the first rockets shot upwards in dizzying spirals, before bursting into scintillating webs of light. Four more joined, clusters of smaller color-bursts lighting up the sky as the smell of gunpowder began to underscore the explosions that sounded. Then, there was a sizzling, a fan of sparks streaming out from the water's surface, a pale orange light persisting while firecrackers shot upwards, cracking and popping while they ascended. Eventually, though, it all faded. There was a moment of silence, where only the afterimage of the firelight lingered in the air, before something in the water twisted, screeched, moved, unsettling the gentle waves.

And then, a final shriek, an arrow of flame that rose and rose and rose, almost scraping the clouds before it burst into a spectacular display of light, every color represented within that fire-blossom. Individual embers burst a second time, scattering into even smaller bits, and then did it a third time, filling the skyscape with star-like radiance, before falling upon Unit B like snow.

Almost like burning snow.

Except it definitely totally absolutely wasn't. There was no way Brent would have overlooked such a stupid error.

Marcus's child-like wonder quickly faded into joyful excitement as the fireworks went off, a show unlike any he'd seen before. Of course, it had it's drawbacks; flames were quickly decending on him. He gave a quick shout of surprise, wasting absolutely not time in diving back into the ocean. If anybody were watching him rather than trying to protect themselves, they might see his eyes poke above the water for a moment, the rest of him hiding in relative wet safety.

Angel watched in amazement at the fireworks. Wow, Brent's sure looked just as good as those ones she used to look at both on the first and fourth of July. Really, with his powers, he might as well just become a professional for every kind of job. 

Or maybe not...

The hellfire that was raining on them, while looking quite beautiful, looked like scorching snow descending upon them like a punishment from heavens for their sins. Seeing that, Angélique's amusement turned into a frown. She was too drunk to run away like Marcus did, and she was concerned for the safety of others. 

[color=9e0039]"Stay clear!"[/color] Angel barked her order, barely giving time to those around her to leave her side before taking a deep breath.

Then, like she had practiced so many times in the forest ever since she came to the island, Angel released a deep-toned scream directed at the sky, sounding very much alike what a choir at the church would sing at full strength. For sure, it sounded different from her usual ear-piercing screams, but the effect was just the same as before. This forceful shout pushed the flaming debris upwards and away towards the ocean. 

Fireworks were supposed to be some fantastical, beautiful event, weren't they? Siena might have been able to appreciate the aesthetics of it if the entire process hadn't [i]terrified her out of her wits[/i]. It was hard to appreciate the colors when her first and immediate course of action following the start of the display was to grab for her bag, clutching it like a security blanket with white knuckles. Her eyes remained glued to the colorful bursts, but the girl couldn't find it in her to take pleasure at the patterns. All she could think of were gunshots, of monsters in the distance as colorful lights scattered through the air, of sparks flying as metal slammed against asphalt, and of a hazy memory of being a prisoner in her own mind, watching as she raised a hand and--[i]STOP.[/i]

A shudder ran through her core, something that moved from her gut out, too deep to stop--[i]thank god her hair was still damp, she could at least pass it off as a sudden chill[/i]--but even that thought didn't get to last longer than simply sounding off. 

[i]'[color=ff57ff]Stay clear?[/color]'[/i]

It was a different shout, but the images solidified again, and Siena felt locked into place. Feet rooted into the sand as though encased by concrete, eyes snapping out, around for danger, and--it was fine. It was fine, just a party and nothing was wrong, wasn't it? She didn't move from her place, only relaxed the grip on her bag. [i]Normal. Beach party.[/i] Releasing the breath that she hadn't realized she was holding, Siena blinked away the fear, eased on an expression of lingering surprise, and [i]still could not move her feet for the life of her[/i], but it was fine if she pretended, right? 

"[color=ff57ff]U-Um...guess that's not supposed to happen...?[/color]"

Ernie stared slackjawed at the display. Reno New Years had nothing on this. A hand stretched to catch the firey snow just before it was swept away by a jarring scream.

Of course. Good things were so hard to come by with people like that on the team.

There was only a slight tinge of irritation before the buzzcut Aberration looked back to Brent. He was all too aware of the 4th of July stories, the statistics surrounding overexcited dumbasses who got a little too much bang for their buck. Brent was no dumbass but still...

[color=00a99d]"Still got ten fingers there, B? Nothing got charred off?"[/color]

While swimming in the ocean Kusari was startled by the sound of explosions going off. She'd lost track of time while diving, she hadn't swam in a while and was actually enjoying herself. She started swimming back to the beach as the sky lit up with colorful lights. She'd never seen fireworks like this, she guessed it was due to Brent's magic. As she reached the shore the fireworks suddenly became a bit too literal. [color=662d91]"Wait... Isn't this bad?"[/color] She pondered with a worried expression, she thought they would have this handled. Right as she was about to run towards the group Angel let out a scream, which thankfully blew the fiery sparks away from the others. Not so thankfully however, Kusari was right in their path. [color=662d91]"Nope nope nope!"[/color] Kusari jumped out of the way, tripping over sand and stumbling forward toward the bonfire. She tried to avert her course, but ended up stomping her right foot right into the center of it. She think she screamed something in Japanese, the same way her mother did whenever she stubbed her toe on one of her toys.

She'd have to add burns to her collection of horrible pains she'd gone through.

Hopping out of the fire she jumped on one leg holding her right foot, backing up until she tripped over a bag, which she ended up kicking into the air as she landed on her behind. She watched helplessly as the bag of sparklers she'd brought landed in the bonfire, quickly igniting and sending colorful sparks into the air around the burning wood. [color=662d91]"Ffffffucking..."[/color] She groaned and shook her head.

Marcus, in his safety spot, was feeling very confident up until Angel's scream. Once the firey debris settled in the air and began quickly decendign towards him, he let out a startled "[color 33ec06]GAH![/color]" before diving lower into the water. Fortunately, he'd had enough experience with the ocean to be able to hold his breath a fair amount of time. At least, until the last of the sparks sputtered out and he was safe to return to the world of air.

"[color 33ec06]HEY! Watch where you're aiming that shit next time![/color]" he shouted, making his way back towards the beach.

Emma watched the spectacle with muted amazement and only a mild sense of fear- it wasn’t her first rodeo when it came to fireworks shows gone wrong. She may have been involved in more than one incident involving fireworks gone awry- it came with the territory when you spent much of your life as a dumb hapless teenager.

Who knew that things would devolve so quickly due to drunken assumptions? As Angelic went full combat mode, blasting away the snow with her screams, Brent could only facepalm. As Kusari ran into the bonfire, kicking her sparklers in there as well, Brent could only duck and die a little on the inside. When all those questions came up, Brent could only let out a long sigh.

[color=B0C4DE]"Was totally intended to happen,"[/color] the arbiter said, swatting sand off his pants, [color=B0C4DE]"Part of the show, you know? Heatless embers and all that magical jazz...but yeah, totes get it. Mhmm, great oppurtunities lost, but hey, always a next time, right?"[/color]

He may have been a teensy bit salty. Just a little. Enough to season his fries in the future.

[color=B0C4DE]"And of course I got all my fingers, Er-"[/color]

The wire dissolved in his hands, the stress of the third buff finally getting to the object. With a little 'poof', the floating fireworks platform burst into flames, before sinking into the ocean like a Viking funeral.

[color=B0C4DE]"Alright, THAT wasn't intended."[/color]

[hider=Missing]

[hr][hr][center][color=a2d9ce]𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕕 ℍ𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕀𝕤𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕕   / /   ℤ𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕘'𝕤 𝔼𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕥𝕖[/color][/center][hr][hr]
The familiar volume of her grandmother's television roused Callan from the nap she'd been taking behind the couch.

[color=f7976a]"The silver and the gold are still available. And again, we only have a few of the ebony left, so get those orders in as soon as you can. These are absolutely beautiful. Five easy payments of--"[/color]

She lifted the magazine off of her face, amethyst eyes staring past the article about Sparrow and up at the creamed colored back of the couch which was covered in an assortment of well-known scuffs and marks. One cluster of blue scribbles in particular were quickly recognized. A memory she no longer possessed. One of a much younger version of herself who had managed to get a hold of a permanent marker one day. As she sat up, a deep laugh sounded nearby, morphing into a wheezy cough. She craned her neck to see her grandfather sitting in his usual arm chair, crossword puzzle book in hand.

[color=f7976a]"That didn't look very comfortable,"[/color] he mused, running shaky dark brown fingers over the silver stubble on his chin.

Callan gave a short, modest laugh, "[color=a2d9ce]Well, you know me,[/color]" she started, gaze wondering towards the hallway behind him. A tall mirror with a dimly lit reflection of herself stared back at her. "[color=a2d9ce]I can sleep anywhere,[/color]" she continued pensively, curiously noting the dark brown hair framing her face. Was that important...?

"[color=a2d9ce]Is gramma here?[/color]" she asked, though she wasn't sure why. Gramma Webb never left the T.V. on when she wasn't watching. She half expected to hear her infectious laugh from the other side of the couch, coupled with some joke about her sleeping habits, but it was her grandfather who responded.

[color=f7976a]"No,"[/color] he answered. He didn't sound sad, but Callan couldn't take her eyes off the mirror at the end of the hall to see his expression. [color=f7976a]"I'm sure she'd be rolling in her grave if she saw that fight, though. That was a close call."[/color]

"[color=a2d9ce]Fight?[/color]" The voice from the television turned to static.

[color=f7976a]"Yeah. With Hazel."[/color]

She wasn't talking with her grandfather anymore. The person sitting beside her seemed to resemble Lawrence far more, but she wasn't certain. In other ways, the person sitting there reminded her of several other classmates, but the book in the person's hand seemed like an easy tell.

"[color=a2d9ce]Who?[/color]" she squinted at the mirror but the lights were flickering obnoxiously, casting the end of the hallway into even more shadow. A figure now stood in place of her own reflection. The dated dress and short brown hair masking the girl's eyes seemed like an image straight out of a scary movie. But it was unmistakably Hazel.

Callan could feel her heart beating wildly in her chest. This wasn't right. What was she doing here? She didn't even have her mark. She didn't have her powers. She was weak! Defenseless!

Something came crashing through the ceiling. Tearing her eyes away from the eerily still personage in the mirror, Callan expected to see the nearly invisible form of her so-called ally's fist hurtling towards her. What she saw was far worse. 

The memory of pain and her heart pounding in her ears as she felt her bones begin to crack beneath the pressure. A battle on two fronts as she'd grit her teeth while blood pooled on her tongue and Misery had tried to escape. She'd known she couldn't win both....

Just as the snarling fangs of Misery tore through the ceiling, maw wide and inviting, Callan awoke with a start. To a strange room with a strange scent. Stranger still, she found herself alone.

Slowly doing her best to piece things together, her eyes started to sting.

Callan pulled the unfamiliar blankets over her head and concentrated on her breathing. Now wasn't the time to get upset.

Too close. Who knew what state D.C. was in now? The same mixture of anger and panic from before settled over her. She felt ill upon realizing that the fight had gone on without her. The ice giant had only been one enemy and that was before Cat's Cradle showed up. 

Throwing the covers off, Callan sat up quickly and reached for the lamp beside her bed. Her mind was racing too fast to even notice the collection of her belongings. She quickly jumped down and ran towards the door.

As her hand closed around the doorknob, however, she froze. She wanted to make sure her friends were okay, but if she ran into Hazel.... 

Was Hazel even still alive? 

The answer to that question was too uncertain. It wasn't worth the risk. She locked the door. Callan moved back towards the bed and sat, gripping the bed's banister. She should just stay here. It wasn't safe for her to be around everyone.

Panic gave way to anger, but it didn't last long. She could have died! Why had Hazel attacked her? Just like Zoe! Just like... the sight of Misery batting Sander across Ground Zero came to mind. A dark, angry shadow monster tearing through fake building and people. A preview of what could have been.

Here she was, pretending like she was so much better than Hazel and Zoe. Even Sander....

How could she ever hope to be like Kadabra or Sparrow or any of the Precursors if this problem still plagued her. Her stomach growled, an irritable reminder of all the energy she'd expended... when? How long had she been asleep?

A quick glance outside the window was enough to confirm that she wasn't in D.C. anymore. She observed the view in silence for a fair amount of time before crawling back under the heavy blanket. 

Everybody was fine. They had to be... even if they weren't, what good was she? 

Memories of broken bodies and panicked screams in a city she'd been in awe of only nights before ignited a number of small, tired sobs, but sleep quickly reclaimed the exhausted arbiter before the weight of it all could overwhelm her.[/hider][/hider]