For a moment it seemed like it might take a herculean effort to extract Harry from his conversation with a tourist about a board game called Chance Lords, but barely had the question left Penny's mouth than the bearded shopkeeper rounded on her with a gleam in his eye. “Seven ninety-nine!” He declared after just seeing the book's cover. Evidently he knew his wares well; maybe he kept tabs on all potential customers just so he could answer any inquiries the moment they hit the air. “You know, that's a great choice, miss. Really digs up all the hidden depths of this place. They say every land has its secrets, and there's definitely more to this region than meets the eye! Like the Murkmen, or Captain Volantes and the Forever Seabeast. My favorite's the tale of Moving Pictures, which started about thirty years ago in the heart of Sweet Jazz City. I mean, can you picture it? Living graffiti that follows people around at night! Had me looking over my shoulder for years.” 

The man had the gift of gab, and he was quite the giver. No matter who it might be, Harry looked overjoyed to be chatting, even if it ended up being pretty one-sided. “So, can I ring it up for you? If there's anything else I can getcha, just lemme know!” He span back toward the other prospective customer and picked up right where he left off, operating the cash register with one hand should Penny go through with the transaction. Harry spared only a glance to count the amount, which he did in remarkable speed, before proceeding to outline the special abilities of every player character in Chance Lords for its interested buyer.

Nearby, happenstance led to a number of new arrivals to the beach at about the same time, which created something of a foot-traffic jam at the main stairs, owed in part to a short, black-haired teenager standing there and staring out at the sea with a notebook. Most of the vacationers got through it just fine, but one man bumped into Aurora as he was putting on a pair of sunglasses. The impact practically bowled the unguarded girl over, and when she looked at the offender, she found a most imposing figure. Standing at six foot ten and weighing three hundred pounds at least, built like a pro wrestler, with skin the color of mahogany and a face like an Easter Island head, he stared down at Aurora with a look of surprise. A half-dozen worried people looked on. “Oh?” he grunted in a deep bass, pulling the shades off again.

His expression turned into one of nervous panic. “Oh God, I'm so sorry, miss. I just didn't see you there. Are you okay? Here.” He stooped, scooped up her notebook with one massive mitt to hold out for her, and offered his other hand to help her up.

The incident, not too far away from the volleyball setup, had drawn Noelle's attention. From her point of view, though, it looked like a perfectly ordinary accident. Even if it wasn't there were a couple dozen people better poised to do something than she, and it wasn't her business. Still, she hoped the knocked-over girl was okay. Her viewing of the event came to a halt when a ringtone sounded out from her bag. Noelle slipped her phone from it, frowned at the unfamiliar number visible on its face, and put it against her ear. On a true tropical vacation there would be no service, or at least none without paying exorbitant fees, but a place like this still in mainland America offered it for free.

“Hello?” She answered cheerily. “Oh, Mrs. Rutherford. Um...that's right, I'm not at the school, in fact. I'm on vacation...what do you mean, 'why?' Everyone deserves a break now and again, right? ...Now, I'm sure if you check the system, you'll see my time off request was approved weeks ago. No, it's just today. The weekend plus yesterday's PTA conferences plus today is my whole trip.” Her smile grew strained. “Yes, yes. take all the time you need.” A few moments went by, which Noelle passed by looking around the beach. She spotted a teenage girl with blonde twintails repeatedly trying to kick a little kid's sandcastle. Noelle frowned, her eyebrows knitting together. [i]What a cruel thing to do,[/i] she thought, and after another second the voice of Mrs. Rutherford buzzed in her ear again. “Ah, I'm glad you found it,” she remarked, trying to sound upbeat. The teenager finally succeeded in kicking over the sandcastle -or rather, a small part of it-, gloated uproariously and proceeded to dust the child with sand, too. “Now, is it really my job to secure a substitute? I...it...it is? I thought...the office handled that stuff? …Last month, hm? Well, I'm sorry....alright, I'll see you then.” Noelle laid the phone down on the beach chair and heaved a heavy sigh. After inhaling, she got to her feet and headed for the scene of destruction. Adults could handle their own affairs, but children Noelle could deal with.

She walked right up to where Jessica towered over the crying kid, put her hands on her hips, and said, “What do you think you're doing, tormenting that poor girl? You should be ashamed of yourself!”

Meanwhile, the kids' club had assembled at the water's edge. The little ones watched with excited eyes as a small wave carried a rising star their way. None other than Lydia Forthing, a new but prominent actress, surfed toward a buoy anchored a short distance offshore. “Hey, kids!” she called, waving, as she came to a stop and knelt on her board. With her famous bright green hair, long enough to reach her lower back, snow-white two-piece, and radiant smile, she commandeered the limelight to seize onlookers' attention. The kids cheered, bouncing up and down. Among them were both Lucy and Tucker, the latter of whom looked happy to see her despite being uncommonly familiar with her thanks to their roles in Shadow Boxer. She shouted across the water, “You ready to show you have what it takes to be a superhero like me? All you have to do is swim out around this buoy and back to prove you have real superhero grit! Now, hold up your floaties!”

The children raised their arms, showing off the brightly-striped flotation devices secured around their upper arms. Lydia grinned at the lifeguard on duty, holding up a thumbs-up. The bored-looking man just gave a brief nod, but it was enough to start the show. Lydia raised her arms. “Okay, get ready...go!”

All at once the kids sprinted into the water, splashing up a storm until the sand sank away beneath their feet and they could start doggy-paddling for the buoy. Kneeling on her board, Lydia encouraged them. “Yeah, that's it! Whoo! You've got this!” Noelle spotted Heath among the parents looking on, so while she wanted to watch her children go, she figured she could leave them to Heath while she sorted out this little miscreant. She resumed her stern gaze on Jessica, wordlessly demanding that she try to explain her indefensible actions.