[IC] REZORT: VACATION FROM HELL

[Vanny]

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E A R L I E R T H A T D A Y . . .
E A R L I E R T H A T D A Y . . .

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The warning klaxons blared throughout the complex, filling the corridors with a deep reddish light. Savaged bodies laid on the ground or slumped against the wall; some missing limbs or otherwise ripped to a bloody pulp. Deeper inside, the terrified screams of fearful men and women could be heard amidst loud, erratic gunfire before they were suddenly silenced, most likely having experienced the same fate as those within the rest of the base.

"God help us all." Sergeant Rhodes muttered, checking his sidearm for ammo.

Five bullets left. Definitely not enough for him to escape this hell. He would need to find more soon, or perhaps another weapon off one of the fallen soldiers that laid before him mangled. Yet as he turned to one of the nearby corpses in search of such, a guttural groan could be heard further down the hallway.

Readying his pistol, Rhodes prepared to shoot. It was only one of them; a few clean shots could take it out for good. But before Rhodes could press down onto the trigger, one became two and two became four. The undead seemed to continue to multiply in number, much like a roaming herd following each other through the complex.

"SHIT!" He exclaimed, perhaps too loudly. The herd's attention latched onto Rhodes, and began flooding down the hallway towards him.

Knowing that he couldn't fight back, Rhodes raced towards an exit. Damn it, locked. In frustration, he began to slam his body against the door, hoping to brute force open the latch to no avail. The door refused to budge from its position no matter how much he tried.

As the horde drew closer, Rhodes yelled out in anger. He didn't want to die here, being torn apart by those freaks. But his options were limited, and Rhodes knew it. He had been trapped in a hallway by an approaching herd of undead cannibals with only five bullets left to defend himself. There was no way he was going to escape this alive.

Looking down at his sidearm, Rhodes knew what he had to do. He wasn't going to give them the satisfaction of his pained screams as they tore out his insides and feasted upon them.

"Sorry, mama." Rhodes apologetically said, quickly followed by a loud bang.

[Vanny]

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R I N A S A I T O U
R I N A S A I T O U

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It was a calm night, with the stars on full display for all to see.

As announced to each of their guests earlier in the day, the resort staff had indeed prepared a wonderful event for the night. It had been set up next to the main pool—the largest at the resort—at the event pavilion, where a DJ had stood upon a large stage blasting some of the latest tropical house releases of the year. Nearby to the stage were bars and buffet lines, both ready for any resort guests that were hungry or might've wanted a drink of some kind. With a stereotypical tiki aesthetic to boot, it seemed like the resort had pulled out all the stops for its current guests to relax and party the night away.

Sitting at one of the bars, Rina watched the event with a slightly uncomfortable gaze. It wasn't like she hadn't been to parties and other such events before. This was a chance to unwind some of the stress she had been feeling; it was the whole point of why she accepted the resort's invitation. But as she watched a group of resort guests dance to the music played by the DJ, Rina felt like she hadn't been ready to socialize just yet, instead choosing to keep to the bar where she could be alone.

Turning to the bartender, Rina decided to order a drink for herself. Perhaps a cocktail or two could help her unwind and put her in the mood to party with the rest of the resort's guests, although Rina doubted it. Yet if she was going to spend her night here at the resort's party, a drink and some of the buffet food was the least she could do for herself.

"A..."

Rina paused, struggling to remember what the drink was called. She had heard of it before, but western drinks weren't her strong suit.

"Mai Tai, please?"

[Sadie]

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D E L A N E Y B A R L O W E
D E L A N E Y B A R L O W E

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After having lounged all day beside the pool, Delaney was ready to let loose and party. So, the invitation from the resort was just the thing she had in mind. Deciding to dress up in a little red dress that ended just at mid thigh, she gazed at her reflection in the mirror. Thanks to her afternoon tanning sessions, her skin had warmed to a nice olive color and freckles speckled across her nose. This life was so slow, so unlike her life back home. Her reflection actually looked...relaxed? Was that something that the woman could call herself now? It had been a long while since she had been able to just relax and have fun. She was planning on taking full advantage of it.

Straightening the thin straps around her shoulders, she ran her fingers through her long blonde hair. She decided to leave it down in waves for the party, but slipped a hair tie around her wrist in case she got too hot. The woman was definitely planning on doing some dancing and all her hair might get in the way. Slipping a pair of black kitten heels on, she let out a breath and nodded at the mirror. Her feet were definitely going to kill her tonight, she more than likely would wake up with a bad hangover, but hopefully it would be all worth it in the end. As long as she didn't go to another guest's hotel room. Which, in her experience, would be highly lucky.

Grabbing her room key, she headed out to the main pool. Her face lit up as she watched her fellow resort mates dancing along to the music provided by the disc jockey. This was exactly what she needed. Delaney completely dismissed the bar and just hurried over to the center of the dance floor. She threw her hands up in the air and just danced around, her body shaking along with the music. This right here was perfection.

[Qia]

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A M E L I A K N I G H T
A M E L I A K N I G H T

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Amelia Knight stood at the edge of the event pavilion, a sense of excitement in the air as she took in the lively scene before her. The DJ on the stage spun tropical house music, its infectious rhythm infusing the atmosphere with an undeniable energy that set the tone for the night. The catchy beat seemed to seep into her bones, and she couldn't help but tap her feet in time with the music, a small smile playing on her lips. Her raven-black hair, which was gathered into a carefree bun, caught fleeting glimmers of light that danced across its surface. Her enigmatic brown eyes swept across the dancefloor, her gaze tracing the energetic moves of the crowd. A soft chuckle escaped her as she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, momentarily lost in the carefree spirit of the moment. Watching the joyful partygoers, a part of her yearned to join in, to surrender herself to the music and the collective euphoria. But a hint of reservation held her back, a lingering trace of her typically introspective nature reminding her of the walls she often kept around herself.

That won’t do. You’re on vacation… was the thought that crossed Amelia’s mind at her hesitance, but she knew that she would need more than mere determination to break free of her mental self-constraints. So, she pivoted away from the pulsating dancefloor, her destination clear. She weaved her way through the gathering, a glint of purpose in her eyes as she made her way to the bar. The vibrant ambiance seemed to shift around her as she sought refuge in this new quieter corner of the festivities.
Leaning against the bar, Amelia caught the bartender's attention with a friendly smile. "Can I get an umm...” Her brain short-circuited for a moment, the woman coming to realize that she hadn’t given a thought to what she wanted. Thankfully, an auburn-haired woman seated beside her spoke up then, ordering a mai tai.

“I think I’ll have that too,” Amelia said, her voice regaining its usual composure. With a newfound sense of assurance, she watched as the bartender deftly mixed the requested drinks, skillfully pouring and shaking with practiced ease. As the clinking of ice cubes and the tinkling of glass accompanied the bartender's movements, her attention drifted back to the patron beside her. She took a moment to study the auburn-haired woman before giving her a friendly nod.

“Great choice, by the way.”

Interacts with: @Vanny

[Days]

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R H Y S H A Y E S
R H Y S H A Y E S

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"Green."

Rhys raised a brow to himself in the mirror and pulled the corners of his lips down in resignation, his eyes sparkling in amusement. All right, green it is. With one step to the right, put back the blue button up into the open frame closet and stepped back in front of the mirror, opening the buttons of the olive green button-up. With his good arm, he grasped at the fabric behind his neck and pulled off his t-shirt in one swift movement, tossing it to his bed. He blinked at his reflection. Normally, he'd like what he saw. Not that he was conceited, or made a hobby out of looking at himself, but he had never been dissatisfied. The scars on his shoulder were something he was still coming to terms with, though. With a swallow, he put on the button-up as his sister's voice floated from his phone again, which was perched up against the mirror to face him. "Anyways, I thought you said you were going to try and relax?" Her voice was almost accusatory if it weren't for the fact that Rhys picked up on the concern laced through it. Maybe he shouldn't have confessed that instead of letting the sun soak into his healing bones on a bed beside the water, he went parasailing on the island today.

"I am relaxing. I'm just also... making the most out of it." His eyes flickered down to the screen, where through the Facetime call he could see his sister's side-eye all the way back from Massachusetts, where she sat at her small desk in her dorm room at Harvard. Smart kid. He could almost hear the wheels in her head turning, trying to see if she should fight him on this. He couldn't blame her. It wasn't like he was at the peak of his health, right now, but Rhys didn't back down easily. This holiday had been Willow's suggestion because the doctor said a nice climate like here in Carabo would be good for his healing. He could tan in the sun, swim in the ocean and enjoy expert massages. That and, the payout of the lawsuit had been good. Willow wanted to come, but she has exams. He'd have to make it up to her.

It had felt odd, leaving on holiday on his own. Usually, he went with friends. But it wasn't like Rhys was a shy person. He'd make friends. "Jumping off a cliff to fly with the use of some untrustworthy construction does not seem like relaxing to me, Rhysand." Yup, judgement. He winced a little at his full name, but a smile teased the corners of his lips. She kinda sounded like their mother. Rhys buttoned up his shirt and ran his hands along the front of it. Tilting his head, he raked a hand through his hair and curled his bottom lip out, satisfied with the result. Green had been the right choice. The fabric was light, and perfect for this weather. Leaning forward, the took the phone in his hand as Willow continued. "What's next, swimming with sharks?"

Rhys let out a rumbly laugh as he sat down on his bed, placing the phone against the lamp on his nightstand and grabbing his watch from there, putting it on as he shook his head at his sister's remark. "It actually involves a cage, Weep." He retorted, using her nickname. She used to cry a lot when she was a kid. A real weeping willow. "Rhys!" Out of frustration, he saw his sister close the book she was studying from, and turn toward her propped-up phone completely. Her lips were parted and her eyes were wide. Alright, he had teased her enough. He neatly rolled up his sleeves as he spoke once more. "Listen, Willow. I'm just enjoying my vacation. I'm about to go to a party, totally relaxing. I promise there will be no car chases or bar fighting or lion taming involved. Scouts honour." He held up two fingers in the sky and watched as Willow's face lit up again, al be it with a roll of her eyes.

"Alright, well, I have a very exciting date with my new E.A Phoenix book. You have fun at the party. Respect women. Don't do drugs. And please be careful with alcohol and your pain meds, okay?" He saw his sister grab her phone and press a kiss to the screen, and it made him chuckle. She was a pain in the ass, but she cared about him. Relenting, he nodded. "I'll be the epitome of chivalry, soberness and celibacy." He joked, knowing full well he wasn't really promising the latter one. Hell, he could use a nightly adventure to blow off steam. Willow said to relax, right?

After promising her once more that he wouldn't go swimming with sharks, he hung up the phone and let the device slide into the front pocket of his khaki shorts. He could already hear the soft hum of music from his hotel room, and he wondered how many people would be there. Either no one or the entire hotel. Well, he'd check it out, maybe order a beer, alcohol-free, and do some dancing. Something something the world is my oyster. Oh, maybe he'd down a couple of those, too. He locked his hotel door behind him and made his way to where he was told the party would be, though it wasn't hard to find with the flashing light and booming music. Damn, there was even a DJ? People were already socializing around the bar, while others lounged in the pool on floaties. He glanced briefly at the dancefloor, littered with people from presumably a lot of different nationalities. A gorgeous blonde in a red dress caught his eye and he wasn't shy about looking at her, though, after a beat passed he flashed a quizzical smile and walked toward the bar.

Damn, he couldn't even get a glass of liquid courage. It wasn't like he was an alcoholic, but he could do with a nice cold actual beer right now. Instead, he leaned on the bar with his good arm and nodded up at the bartender. The woman beside him ordered a Mai Tai and Rhys's eyes flashed to her, intrigued by a flash of accent and interesting drink of choice. She looked uncomfortable, out of place. Someone else needed liquid courage. Another woman, darker-haired this time, joined up and ordered the same. Smiling to himself as they started conversing, he ordered alcohol-free beer and pushed off the bar, turning to lean back against it and look over the dancing crowd. Chivalry, Rhys, chirvarly. Without thinking, he placed the hand of his good arm on his bad shoulder, rolling the limb a little and trying not to let the wince from overtaking his face. A glass of beer was put behind him, and he looked over his shoulder to thank the bartender before half turning, taking the beer in his hand.

[Vanny]

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R I N A S A I T O U
R I N A S A I T O U

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If Rina had felt out of place before, she certainly did now. On her left, Rina had caught a tall man staring at her, and on her right another woman had joined in, choosing to order the same thing as she had. Whilst the man had seemed to be off in his own little world and later smiled to himself, the woman on the other hand appeared to momentarily study Rina before deciding to open up to her in an attempt to have a friendly chat between the two of them. Despite the woman's friendliness, however, it had not changed the fact that Rina felt like she was in a fishbowl, with all eager eyes staring in her direction. They had obviously meant no harm, but Rina nonetheless still had felt uncomfortable perhaps even more so than before.

"Thank you," Rina replied, after a brief period of hesitation. "I am not familiar with many drinks here. I would not suppose the resort would have some sake or umeshu laying around, so I had went with what I knew."

Watching the bartender squeeze some fresh limes into a measuring cup, Rina then turned to the woman who had spoken to her. Although she had just arrived to Carabo, Rina had seen many of the resort's guests pass on by throughout the day, and even now as she sat at the bar. This woman, however, was not someone she could remember seeing before.

"So what had made you decide to come to Carabo?" Rina proceeded to ask as a follow-up question to the woman, having come to realize that running from socialization here had ultimately been a fool's dream.

[Qia]

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A M E L I A K N I G H T
A M E L I A K N I G H T

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Amelia continued to engage in the conversation with Rina, a sense of understanding seemingly settling between them. As Rina shared her experiences, Amelia couldn't help but appreciate the candidness in her words, recognizing the familiar sensation of feeling like an outsider in a new environment. How often had she felt like that in her travels? Too many times for her to really say for certain.

"It's perfectly natural to seek out the familiar, especially when stepping into uncharted territory. And don't worry, you're not alone in navigating the social currents of this place. I'm not 100% used to things myself," Amelia reassured her.

As Rina's attention shifted to the bartender and the activity around them, Amelia took a thoughtful glance around herself out of habit, her ears picking up the order of a non-alcoholic beverage from the man standing next to her new companion. Diabetes? Alcoholic past? Or simply trying to keep his sanity? she mused to herself out of habit.

No, no none of that. There was a reason why she'd left her notebook in her room tonight, and the woman shushed her ever-creative mind that was always in a hurry to make up a story out of nothing. Instead, her gaze returned to her interlocutor, her lips curling into a reflective smile.

"Change of scenery, I suppose. Life back home can feel too routine-like after a while, you know?" Amelia shared, her words containing a kernel of truth while maintaining a sense of privacy. It was a balance she had grown accustomed to.

Turning the focus back to Rina, Amelia's eyes glinted with curiosity. "And what about you?" she inquired, her voice gentle. "What's led you to this charming tropical escape?"

Interacts with: @Vanny

[Sadie]

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D E L A N E Y B A R L O W E
D E L A N E Y B A R L O W E

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Delaney continued to dance along to the music, letting the music and the sound of the ocean nearby overtake her. She closed her eyes as she continued to sway her hips about. This was the life. It was so cut off from her everyday world and she honestly didn't know why it took this long to experience it. This would definitely have to be an every year thing. As long as she didn't blow her trust fund. Shaking away the thoughts, she opened her eyes in time to notice a man looking at her appreciatively. She smirked and took a moment to not so subtly look him over. The woman wasn't in the least bit shy when it came to the opposite sex. She did however always stumble her words around women. She just could not for the life of her flirt with a gorgeous specimen. Men were easy.

And yet as her eyes followed the man, she took in his appearance. He obviously favored one arm, possibly from an injury of some kind. Her brows furrowed in concern before she corrected herself. She was not working, this was not a hospital. She didn't have to fix everyone. Letting out a breath, Delaney returned to dancing as the man walked over to the bar. Maybe he wasn't all that interested. In truth, she wasn't looking for someone to sweep her off her feet. This was her vacation. She didn't need to make this trip about someone else. This was her time to relax and only focus on herself.

Though she could use someone to warm her bed. Her blue eyes looked back over at the man and a smirk stretched across her face. She could absolutely have somebody to keep her up at night. It wouldn't hurt anything, right? Her attention moved to the man she was dancing with and excused herself with a smile. If the bar man wouldn't do, she wanted to keep her options open. Delaney bounced her way to the bar with a smile, her eyes locked onto the man in the green shirt. It definitely did something for his eyes. Coming up beside him, she leaned against the counter and grinned at the bartender.

"Want to buy me a drink?" Her eyes slowly looked over and up at the man beside her, a playful smirk on her face and a wicked glint in her eye.

@Days

[Days]

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R H Y S H A Y E S
R H Y S H A Y E S

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_{Interaction with @Sadie}

Rhys took a slow first sip of his beer. It was nice and cold, despite not having that kick of actual alcohol. Look at him, he's starting to sound like an alcoholic at this point. He darted his tongue out slightly to lick the foam from his upper lip and scanned the crowd. It wasn't even that late yet, and some people were already drunk out of their minds. Even though he liked a beer, Rhys hadn't been drunk a day in his life. How could people let it get that far, anyway? The crowd sure was an interesting one, though also one amusing enough to look at.

The two Mai Tai women beside him struck up a conversation, and while he didn't really mean to eavesdrop, it was kind of nice to listen to a normal topic. He hadn't missed the second woman's eyes on his beer order, and then to him. As if to calculate why. He sure didn't look like the type who wouldn't drink. Still, his eyes flickered to hers for a brief moment and he couldn't see any judgement. Just curiosity, like a mystery to solve. He winked at her instead, and let his focus stray to the dancing floor while taking a sip. On the other side of him, two girls were definitely not passing the Bechdel test. The comment they made about some men on the dancefloor were downright disrespectful, and then he heard the attention shift to him. How hot he looked, and how alone. Almost doing rock paper scissors on who could approach him. Old Rhys would be flattered, but now it just irked him. The difference in brain cells of the ladies to his right and the ladies to his left was very telling. One of them got up to approach him. Time to move away from the bar.

But just as he pushed off, that familiar blonde from earlier walked up to the bar like she was on a mission, and he decided to linger. He keep his eyes on her as he followed her walk, a bounce in her step, curious if she was coming for a drink, or him. Or both. He'd be lying if he said he hadn't seen her before. He had seen her sprawled out on a tanning bed at least two times when he had gone for a quick swim to soothe his pain. He recognised the dusting of freckles on her face. She wasn't indecisive, either, she was definitely approaching him. His saviour. For that alone, she deserved a drink. She cut him off from brainless #1 and #2 and he grinned, angling his body towards her as she made her visit to him clear. Ah, she was American like him. She had a risqué sparkle in her eyes. He appreciated that, and his intrigued meter went up.

Leaning against the bar with his good arm, he felt the fingers of his other hand around his beer tingle painfully and he flexed them, but just to be safe he placed the glass back on the counter as he locked eye contact with the blonde. "I'd be honoured to." He said, one corner of his mouth lifting into a smile, the dimple in his cheek coming forward. He turned to the bartender that awaited her order and said "Whatever the lady wants." Then shifted his focus back on her, waiting for her to place her order before he engaged further.

Taking his beer back in his hand, he looked at her with amused features. "You on vacation here, too? Enjoying the sun?" He inquired, letting his eyes roam briefly over her olive tan, freckles on more than just her nose, he noticed.

[Vanny]

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R I N A S A I T O U
R I N A S A I T O U

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Why was she here?

Although what the woman had asked had been her own question thrown back at her, Rina hadn't been quite certain how to answer it. Not so much for a lack of an answer to give, but more so for the tension and stress that revolved around her reasoning to travel to the Carabo resort. As she thought of how to respond to the woman, Rina could feel her stomach turning in knots, reminding her of all the hateful, toxic messages she had read online. It hadn't been her fault, she had to reassure herself. Even the investigators had cleared her name as an involved party; that had to mean something, right?

"To relieve some stress," Rina replied, taking a sip from her newly-made mai tai. Such an answer had been the truth, yet vague enough to hide the depressed thoughts swirling inside her head. "This place had been recommended to me, so I had decided to take some time off for a personal vacation at the island."

Her thoughts shifted, wondering if it had been right for her to be out on vacation right now. Although Rina certainly needed the break, a part of her had felt guilty for storming off to an island resort so quickly after the accident. She felt that she should've been there, back in Japan. Back by Yujiro's bedside, wishing him luck in recovering. He was stuck in the hospital fighting for his life while his co-star was out partying on a tropical island. It wasn't exactly the fairest trade-off when both of them had been front-and-center during the accident, but what was done was done. Rina just hoped Yujiro would understand her actions, given the circumstances.

"Though, Carabo does feel somewhat... rich for my tastes, now that I am here." She continued, as an after-thought.

[Qia]

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A M E L I A K N I G H T
A M E L I A K N I G H T

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Amelia's quiet attentiveness remained unwavering as Rina shared the reasons that had led her to Carabo Island. The straightforward declaration of seeking stress relief carried a weight that Amelia couldn't ignore. It was a sentiment that resonated deeply, as she recognized the complexities often hidden behind such simple statements. Yet, she also respected the unspoken boundaries that Rina had set, refraining from prying further and instead offering her understanding through a nod of support.

"I feel that. Going away to places like this is definitely the best way to put everything behind you, for sure."

Amelia's response was empathetic, carrying a hint of shared experience. She recalled the times when she had sought solace in new surroundings, letting the weight of the world slip away, if only for a while. Perhaps that was why she enjoyed being a writer so much and why she wanted to keep that part of herself hidden from the world around her. She could be anything she wanted to be, someone who had all the answers to questions encountered in their story.

As the bartender placed her drink in front of her, the woman offered a grateful nod before absentmindedly twirling her straw between her fingers. Rina's contemplative pause didn't escape Amelia's notice, either. It was as if the unspoken words between them lingered in the air, inviting a reassuring touch to the conversation, a gentle nudge toward a different avenue of discussion.

"Hmm, rich? In what way?" Amelia's question emerged as an answer to the tension. Her tone was gentle, encouraging—an invitation for Rina to share more of her thoughts, should she choose to do so.

Interacts with: @Vanny

[Sadie]

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D E L A N E Y B A R L O W E
D E L A N E Y B A R L O W E

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As the man turned to her, she could feel eyes on her back. Delaney rose a brow and looked over her shoulder to see two women staring daggers at her. She couldn't help a light snort and a roll of her eyes before looking back at the man. It wasn't her fault they weren't brave enough to approach him. She had always been a very forward and outgoing person- nothing was going to stop her from flirting with anyone she wanted. And this man next to her seemed to be both appreciative and grateful that he didn't have the twin bunnies practically humping his leg. His eyes seemed to be all on her- exactly what she wanted. And that dimple of his? She wanted to feel it against her lips.

"Shot of patron. Thanks." She grinned at the bartender before turning her body to face the man. Tilting her head, she noticed him looking her over and the smirk on her face only broadened. It was good that he appeared to be interested in her. All the more reason for this man to be her bedmate for the night. But there were several hours until then. Might as well have some decent conversation and a dance or two. And drinks. Lots of drinks.

Delaney nodded her head towards the dark-eyed devil. "Not a lot of sunshine where I come from. Have to soak it all in while I'm here." She couldn't help a wink at him before grabbing her shot, pushing the lemon aside. She didn't need it. Throwing the alcohol back, her nose scrunched a bit at the burn before a grin spread once more across her face. God, she loved tequila. Setting the cup back on the bar, she turned once more to her companion just as an upbeat song started to play. Time to be bold.

Reaching out a hand, she grabbed his free one and smirked at the man. "Dance with me."

@Days

[Days]

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R H Y S H A Y E S
R H Y S H A Y E S

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_{Interaction with @Sadie}

Rhys couldn't help but blink and tilt his head at her drink order before hiding his grin by taking a sip of his beer. Yeah, still not the same as the good old tinge of alcohol. He could use some liquid courage right about now, but it wasn't like he didn't have any game without it. Frankly, he appreciated having a clear head. Made for sound decisions. Right? Though her grin at him threw all of that out of the window and Rhys knew he was in trouble. Would having a fling with this woman in his hotel room count as 'relaxing'? Though, he wasn't really sure how to explain that one to Willow anyways. This was turning out to be an interesting night. The two girls behind this conversation partner had turned away with sour expressions. Good riddance. A stark contrast from the two lovely Mai Tai ladies behind himself, talking softly amongst the two of them.

He gave the blonde in front of him an understanding expression at her answer, nodding while he hummed out an "Aah." He couldn't hear from her accent where she was from, and her saying she didn't get a lot of sun made him want to ask. But that would be creepy, right? He was also here to forget real life existed. There was nothing outside of Carabo for him right now, and that probably was the same for her. They were just... someone else here. Just the here, and now. Not a physically broken Rhys with frustrations, wanting his old physique back. "Well, sun looks good on you." He said, raising his beer at her while she took her shot in hand, before taking another sip. Over the rim of his glass, he winked at her as she downed the shot like an expert. Oh, he was in trouble alright. The scrunch of her nose made her freckles even more noticeable.

Then she went and grabbed his hand, and it surprised him, though it didn't show on his face. Instead, he send her a quizzical head tilt and listened to her proposition. Honestly, why the hell not? Rhys was 'relaxing', after all. Surely dancing on the dancefloor was way safer than paragliding or shark-diving.

What could go wrong?

"Well, since you asked so nicely." He placed his beer on the bar, discarding it. Alcohol-free beer was tasteless, after all. It was out of his mind in a second as he nodded, going in front of her toward the dancefloor, clearing the way. He kept his fingers laced in hers, or he'd lose her in this crowd. It had become quite busy. Almost as if the entire hotel did show up to the party. What was this party even for? Finding a good spot, he turned to face her as the bodies around them moved along with the music. Some more... skilled than others. Moving along to the music, he felt transported to a younger Rhys who loved to go clubbing. With a mischievous smile on his face, he danced. He made sure to keep a respectful distance, it would be up to her to bridge it. Though, he did lean in order to speak to her over the sound of the music. "Name's Rhys, by the way. Yours?" He said towards her ear.

[Sadie]

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D E L A N E Y B A R L O W E
D E L A N E Y B A R L O W E

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It definitely worked out in his favor that he led her through the crowd, parting the way for the both of them. It showed that he wasn't shy in the slightest and was hell bent on getting what he wanted. Delaney enjoyed those qualities in a man. She looked around the crowd and noticed just how many people had suddenly appeared on the dance floor. There was a really good turnout. When they finally got to a good enough spot, the man finally turned and begun dancing with him. He wasn't necessarily the best dancer she had seen tonight, but he was most definitely the most attractive. Yes, this was going to happen. She'd absolutely bring him back to her room. Or maybe he'd take her to his. She didn't need him thinking this was going to go past tonight. Better he didn't know where she slept in case he turned crazy on her.

She kept the distance going at first, allowing him the few moments he needed to get acquainted with her. Then, he leaned over and introduced himself. While she would have preferred to not have any personal information shared between them, this was probably something that she wouldn't be able to get past. Delaney gave him a slight nod and a grin. She'd introduce herself in her own way. Moving closer to the man, her hips now grinding against his, she leaned forward to speak in his ear. "Name's Delaney. Hopefully it'd be my pleasure to meet you, Rhys."

Moving her face away from his ear, she smirked as she resumed dancing. Her hands came up to grip onto his shirt as she continued to dance her body along his. It had been some time since she'd been to a club or had a one night stand, but vacation was the time to let loose, right? This was her time to get out all her wild, uninhibited wants and cravings. She would most definitely have to come back to this place next year. And if this man happened to be here? Well. It would all depend on his performance tonight, wouldn't it?

[Vanny]

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R I N A S A I T O U
R I N A S A I T O U

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"In general, I suppose." Rina replied, thankful that the conversation had shifted to a more welcoming topic. "Although I can afford resorts such as this, I have never been the type to flaunt my wealth. I always feel out of my element indulging in extravagant expenses, though perhaps that is just my rural upbringing speaking for me."

As Rina noticed the other bar patrons leave for the dance floor, she contemplated asking her new acquaintance the same—once they both had finished their mai tais, of course. After a moment of thought, however, Rina decided against it. Although dancing was a great way to unwind, she hadn't wanted to ruin their moment, admittedly grateful to just have someone to talk to. Though neither of the women had known each other's name, and Rina had been practically tip-toeing throughout the entire conversation, the woman had still seemed empathetic and understanding to whatever Rina had to say.

Unfortunately, the peace Rina was finally beginning to feel, albeit ever so small it had been, would not last long.

"Oh my God!" A shrill scream echoed out from the crowd, drawing the attention of many resort guests. It had belonged to a woman, who covered her mouth in shock and pointed towards the pool. "Someone help her!"

Turning her attention to where the woman had been pointing, Rina was greeted with a horrifying sight she hadn't been prepared for. One of the resort employees stumbled down the length of the pool, her arm weakly outstretched in an attempt to plead for help. Her blouse had been mangled, with a pool of blood seeping into the blue fabric, evidently from the large, open gash on her shoulder as if someone or something had taken a chunk out of the employee.

Being a longtime actress, Rina was no stranger to fake wounds. She had spent time in the chair, waiting ever so still as make-up artists applied fake blood and bruises to her skin. But this—this didn't seem fake in the slightest, like some kind of murder mystery horror show that the resort had decided to put on for its guests. Someone needed to help them now.

Before anyone could react in time, however, the woman tripped over her own feet, and proceeded to fall face-first straight into the pool. As the body hit the water, a small puddle of red began to surround the body, perhaps a sign that the woman had already lost too much blood from the wounds she had received from whatever had attacked her.

Regardless if the woman was still alive or not, though, the only thing Rina could do was to look on in sheer horror, genuinely uncertain on what to do next. She wasn't prepared to see another person on the verge of death, especially one in this state.

[Punished GN]

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J O J O P H I L I P S
J O J O P H I L I P S

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Her mother told her that Carabo was a paradise.

Maybe her mother was wrong.

The contender for Welterweight world champion was about three drinks into something fruity... she could hardly stand the taste of most alcohol but she loved sweeter drinks. She was just relaxing at the pool with her drink in hand, a nice little slice of pineapple on the side of the glass. Jojo was not a drinker so she could already feel a buzz with such a minimal amount of alcohol. Jojo wasn't really interested in the ongoing banter yet, she needed to drink just a little bit more before she got in that mood - still preferring to be alone just for a little bit. She was mid-drink when she heard the scream and couldn't help but freeze in place, her mouth agape as she turned her head over towards the source of it. It directed Jojo's attention to the hotel employee wearing the blue uniform that she had become accustomed to when she needed help (she locked herself out of her room an embarrassing amount). She stumbled around, dazed and confused until she fell into the pool.

Of course, the woman's screams for someone to help her fell on deaf ears and everyone just stood there. Jojo herself was in shock because, while blood isn't an alien concept to her... this much blood. It literally filled the pool like it was something out of a horror movie. She was probably already dead, but Jojo entertained the thought of helping her in case she wasn't. When the shock wore off - just a little bit - Jojo couldn't help but shout,

"What the fuck was that?! What the fuck happened?!"

[Qia]

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A M E L I A K N I G H T
A M E L I A K N I G H T

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Rina's response was a breath of fresh air, signalling a shift to a more relaxed and relatable discussion. Amelia maintained her attentive stance, taking in Rina's explanation of her perspective on extravagance and her rural upbringing. Nodding thoughtfully, Amelia found herself appreciating the depth in Rina's words—how experiences and origins could shape one's outlook on the world.

Amelia couldn't help but reflect on the contrast between their backgrounds. While Rina's roots were grounded in a simpler lifestyle, Amelia had grown up surrounded by a world of abundance. Her parents' affluence had provided her with opportunities she was grateful for, yet she understood the value of not flaunting it. It was an unspoken understanding that drove her decision to write under a pseudonym—a desire to carve her path based on merit, uninfluenced by assumptions about her background.

“I understand,” Amelia replied with a genuine smile, savouring the taste of her drink. Her gaze wandered briefly, noting the shifting dynamics of the bar—crowds thinning at the bar while the dancefloor grew livelier. The energy of the surroundings was infectious, and Amelia felt a flicker of temptation, a desire to immerse herself in the vibrant atmosphere that had started to envelop the space. As the alcohol coursed through her veins, warmth and a sense of openness began to settle within her. The thought of chugging her drink and diving into the pulsating rhythm of the dancefloor seemed inviting, the gentleman from before already one step ahead of her with that along with his new blonde friend. Yet, a lingering consideration tugged at her—a sense of consideration for her own companion. Would Rina be up for joining her?

There’s only one way to find out…Amelia thought to herself as she leaned in slightly to convey her thoughts. Her plan ended abruptly however once a shrill scream cut through the air. Amelia's head snapped in the direction of the commotion, her heart racing as panic spread quickly through the crowd. The urgency in a nearby woman's voice drew her attention to the pool area, where a shocking scene was unfolding.

An employee of the resort stumbled, their mangled appearance and the pool of blood staining their blouse providing a gruesome image. Their feeble attempts for help were quickly cut short as the person fell into the pool, their body painting a horrific picture with the water gradually turning crimson. Amelia felt a mix of shock and helplessness wash over her at the sight. This was far from the vacation ambiance she had been immersed in just moments ago.

As Rina's gaze remained locked on the horrifying scene, a surge of urgency slowly overcame Amelia's initial shock. She knew that in the face of such a grim situation, they couldn't remain passive observers. Turning towards Rina, Amelia's voice was urgent yet steady, a lifeline amid chaos.

"We need to find help," Amelia's words were clear and resolute, a call to action that cut through the shock that had enveloped them. Her eyes scanned the immediate area, searching for any signs of resort staff or medical personnel who could offer assistance. The urgency of the situation hung heavily in the air, propelling her into a role she hadn't anticipated.

“Is there a doctor here!?” she shouted at the crowd.

Interacts with: open to everyone

[Days]

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R H Y S H A Y E S
R H Y S H A Y E S

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Rhys cocked an inquisitive eyebrow at the blonde before him when she decided to breach the distance and lean in. Her scent surrounded him and it broke through smells of alcohol, sweet drinks and sweaty bodies around them. She smelled fresh, like she just showered, with a hint of sunscreen and a flower he wouldn't be able to name. When she faced him again, he gave her a short nod and repeated her name soundlessly with his mouth. His features turned into a grin and he looked down for a moment, shaking his head due to her antics. She danced closer to him then, and Rhys let his hands go to her hips as they swayed against him.

The music was loud, but not deafening, as the speakers were further away and the pair danced close to the pool. It was a goddamn miracle no one had fallen in drunk yet. Though, a resort this size and reputation, he was sure there would be lifeguards on duty would that happen. The last thing the resort would want during a party was a scandal, right? The music wasn't to his taste, but he couldn't deny it unfroze his hips as he danced to the rhythm. After a brief moment, he dropped his bad arm back to his side to give it a break, but the rest of his body was full into the dance. It wasn't that Rhys had come very close to dying, or something. Sure, had become gravely injured, but death had been off the table. His mind wasn't too caught up to that yet at the moment his rope had snapped, though, tumbling down and seeing a half-inflated safety mattress. He had been sure of dying in those brief seconds. And so maybe, he should enjoy life even more than he already had, cause it could be over in a flash. He knew that now. So to hell with relaxing. He was set on some activities tonight.

So he lost himself in the music. And this stranger that danced with him. Her scent, the warm air around them, the laughter. The bass was rhythmic in his ears and body as he enjoyed the dance. And even though some yelling between people wasn't odd, a certain yell sounded so horrific Rhys perked up and looked up and over Delaney's head, to a woman who looked like she'd seen a ghost. He came to a standstill, much like the patrons around him, and followed the pointer finger of the woman to the other side of the pool. His other hand dropped off Delaney's hip as he spotted a wounded woman, obviously bleeding and stumbling forward, reaching out for help. Her blouse was gashed to pieces, and a large open wound on her shoulder made his own scar ache. And no one was giving any help. Hell, someone even moved out of the way.

"What the..." he said softly, but stopped when he witnessed the woman fall into the pool. Several things happened at once, including the woman he'd seen at the bar raising her voice, asking for a doctor in the crowd. Rhys sure as hell wasn't one, he had a doctorate degree but he dealt with sprains and hernias. But, a doctor wouldn't do any good to the woman's wounds if she drowned in the pool or bled out in it. The pool itself was already becoming a sickening shade of pink as two girls who previously occupied floaties clambered out of it. His eyes flickered down to Delaney, and then he moved without thinking. He only had to move a couple of big steps around the pool as he palmed his phone, pulling it from his pocket. He placed it down on the pool's edge at the same time he leaned down and planted his palm on that same edge, jumping in. Thankful that he found footing. This was the shallow end of the pool. He waded over to her and blocked out what was happening outside of the pool. Her hair was loose, long and dark, and floating in the lit-up pool in a disturbing manner. This surely wasn't an image he would be getting out of his head very soon.

The blood in the water seeped right into his green shirt and Rhys scrunched his nose and the specific mix of the smell of blood and chlorine as he reached her. He took her shoulders and spun her around. He didn't know if she was still alive, but that wasn't his role right now. He had to get her out so someone actually qualified could look at her. He pulled her toward the closest edge of the pool, careful to keep her face above water. At the edge, two men took her from Rhys and heaved her out of the pool and onto the edge.

Rhys blinked and looked down at himself. Soaked and bloodied. Jesus fucking Christ, this evening took a turn. Taking a sidestep and he placed his palms on the edge of the pool and pulled himself out.

[Sadie]

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D E L A N E Y B A R L O W E
D E L A N E Y B A R L O W E

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His hands on her hips scorched her skin, goosebumps flaring up all down her arms and legs. Damn. If this man could incite just this much emotion within her, she was definitely taking him back to his room later tonight. Maybe even sooner. Who said they had to stay for the whole party? She continued dancing with him, loving the sole attention he was giving her. It was like they were the only two on the boat. Delaney could very easily get lost in this man's eyes, his scent, his very presence. A part of that thought scared the hell out of her- this was supposed to be fun and light and easy going. There was no need to get highly involved with someone when she was just going to leave in a week.

Then again, they could always exchange numbers and see where it goes. He was clearly American so that helped matters. At least they were going to be on the same continent. Delaney decided to throw caution to the wind. If tonight proved that she wanted more of the man, then she would have him. He was clearly single and highly attracted to her, so what could it hurt? The man was eye candy. Not only was he easy on the eyes, but those muscles? He was clearly in peak physical shape, even if he did favor one of his arms more than the other. Was he injured? It seemed to be that way. She'd have to ask about it later. If she wanted more information about the guy.

Screams cut through her thoughts and she quickly turned her head to look over her shoulder. Her eyes widened when she noticed the crew member stumbling down near the pool, blood soaking through her shirt. Delaney's eyes quickly accessed her and noticed the large gash on her shoulder. She swore under her breath when someone yelled for a doctor. Shaking her head, she was about to move when her date darted off past her. She blinked and rose a brow. Was he a doctor too? Even if he were, he would need some help. Grabbing the hair tie from her wrist, she quickly pulled her hair up into a tight bun and ran towards the pool.

She stopped and waited by the edge while Rhys pulled the woman out, handing her over to two men who laid her carefully on the ground. "I'm a doctor- move." Delaney pushed past the men, kicked off her heels, and dropped to her knees beside the woman. She couldn't look at the wound until she administered CPR on the woman. No need cleaning a wound if the woman drowned to death. Locking her hands together, she began compressions on the woman's chest. Delaney then leaned down to perform mouth to mouth resuscitation when the wound caught her attention. Furrowing her brows, she looked at the woman's shoulder and her breath hitched. It was clearly a bite. Delaney's eyes widened and she looked back at the woman. Something snapped in her; she couldn't let this woman die.

With a shake of her head, she pinched the woman's nose and breathed into her mouth. After a few breaths, she resumed the chest compressions and swore under her breath. "I don't know what the hell is going on with you lady, but I need you to not die on me."

[Vanny]

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R I N A S A I T O U
R I N A S A I T O U

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"R-Right," Rina stammered out in response.

With someone clearly bleeding out in front of her, Rina needed to get her head back into the game. Though the shows and movies she had acted in were clearly fiction, she was supposed to be a hero; a defender of the people. Standing around and allowing the bystander effect to consume her whole wasn't the right thing to do. For the moment, she didn't care what the toku fandom would think about her involvement in this scenario. Someone was severely hurt and in need of help, and despite that Rina had little medical training, there still had to be something she could do.

As the man from before lifted the woman out of the pool, Rina stood up from the bar stool and hastily made her way over to the woman alongside a few others—one apparently being a doctor of sorts.

"Let me know if there is anything I can do," Rina told the blonde woman, who had begun CPR on the resort employee.

Despite wanting to assist where she could, however, Rina grimaced, now seeing the full impact of the woman's wounds. She had glanced at the employee's shoulder, where a severe and bloody gash—no, bite wound—had been. How in the world were they supposed to patch that up? Her grievous injuries looked like something that needed an actual hospital to treat; not something that you could just slap a band-aid on and call it a day. It'd take some time for a helicopter or boat to arrive from the mainland, but maybe there was a hospital or clinic of sorts in the nearby town...

Running various scenarios through her head, Rina tried to come up with some sort of a plan of action while she waited for the woman to give her a command. Yet as she waited, Rina would catch a brief movement from the resort employee, who twitched ever so slightly on the ground before slowly opening her now-clouded eyes.

"Hey!" Rina spoke up, trying to get the woman's attention. "She's waking up!"

Just as Rina tried to warn the woman, however, the attempt at aiding the employee took a sudden yet drastic turn. Out of nowhere, the injured employee seemingly sprung up from the ground, and angrily leapt after the blonde woman who had been preforming CPR in a desperate attempt to take a ferocious chunk or two out of her flesh.

"Chikushō!" Rina shouted, her native Japanese coming to the forefront as she recoiled in surprise.