June 2022 Event

[jigokumods]

MAIN NAVIGATION

1. SWIMSUIT TROUBLES (1 POINT)

As the city goes through its daily motions, the heat bears down harder and harder while bringing out some increasingly overheated behavior from the local population. Summer is here and the natives are flocking to the shopping district: both as a respite from the scorching temperatures and to stock up on the needed supplies to beat the heat.

That means one noticeable problem: the bathing suits left on the racks aren’t the most fashionable at this point! Suits are scarce and what is left over are the skimpy, the oddly-patterned, a size too small, or all of the above. Then again, you are probably just feeling lucky you aren’t in the Shuten Clan, who have been provided their own precious supply of freshly laundered tiger stripe bikinis. And nothing else.

You may be able to borrow around within your own faction, where the pickings might not be so slim, but are still unlikely to match your personal style. Better hope you ran out to buy something nice when the Daitengu first announced the party.

2. BEACH GAMES (1 POINT)

The indoor beach facility that the Alliance has provided is extraordinary. It’s massive! It seems to extend to the size of an entire soccer field. With the combinations of Kappa tech and Tengu magic, the experience has been made as close to a natural one as anyone could ask for. The heat of the beach feels true to the real world, the sand is white and pure, and the waves rolling in and out are just like the mortal realm. Even the palm trees and beach scrub seem entirely authentic. The vibe is immaculate.

Each faction has their own area set up for meeting and mingling but everyone is welcome to let loose and interact among all the groups.

SHUTEN CLAN

The Shuten Clan has set up their beach fort with food and drinks. The drinks on offer are a particularly strong Oni beer and a few spirits (especially sake). These drinks have been mixed so that anyone who imbibes them will feel a heightened sense of competition and the need to prove themselves!

There are plenty of opportunities to show off:

• Learning surfing with a few knowledgeable Oni.
  
• Volleyball matches.
  
• Shoulder chicken tournaments.
  
• Beer pong.
  
• Drinking contests that never seem to stop.
  
• And friendly scuffles with some of the Shuten who are feeling more rowdy than usual.

In particular, the volleyball matches appear to be the Shuten Clan’s sport of choice. They’re taking these matches deathly serious. With all powers allowed in play, the game is truly deadly with how powerful, how fast, and how fierce those spikes and volleys are. Hold nothing back and leave it all in the ring!

Toraguma himself is here in his tiger striped best! He’s observing the games and taking note of which Shutens do well and which ones shame the clan with their defeat. He’ll give out rewards to those he thinks are exemplifying the pride of the clan. Don’t worry though, if you’re not up to snuff you won’t be punished; except with Toraguma’s obvious disappointment.

TAMAMO CLAN

The Tamamo Clan doesn't disappoint either. Their tiki bar is set up with a far greater variety in stock than the Shutens. Every drink seems to be made to that Lost Soul’s exact tastes. Watch out, this may compel you to pound them back more quickly than normal. The drinks will make you feel much closer to those around you — either in camaraderie, or something more intimate. The Tamamos have arranged a number of floats, inner tubes, and water wings lounging in the water. Enjoy your time together!

When you aren’t relaxing, the Tamamo Clan has also arranged huge buckets of water balloons and have filled their water guns. The instructions are clear: whether sniping from afar or going in on a full assault, go nuts. Especially against the Shutens. Lady Tenkohime herself has a high-caliber, sniper-grade water rifle with her at her lounge chair. She will occasionally pick some unlucky soul to fire off devastating rounds against. She is not soaking them in just water, of course. This is the Tamamo clan’s patented ‘perfume’, which inspires the most amorous feelings.

Finally, the Tamamo have also inspired a spicy wet t-shirt contest. It’s essentially a sexy beauty contest, but given the variety of bodies and hidden ‘talents’ tucked away under everyone’s clothes, it should prove interesting! Tenkohime has described the simple rules:

• One must wear the provided white shirt and only that shirt.
  
• The crowd will soak them down.
  
• And the crowd will judge how well they pull it off.

SUTOKU CLAN

The Sutoku Clan has been given free reign on a fleet of jet skis and paddle boats; perfect for two. There are boogie boards and larger inner tubes ready to be attached to different jet skis. Just be careful, ok?

A large snack bar has been provided with cheerful yokai behind the counter ready and willing to serve up your heart’s desire. There are some strange candies towards the end of the bar, they taste a bit funny but once you eat one you’re compelled to have a few more. These sweets will give you the power to breathe underwater. What is the meaning of this power? Well, you’re in the Alliance, after all, you figure out what’s under the waves.

Sutoku games include things like kan jam and frisbees, but Sutoku Souls are also very much encouraged to participate in the Shuten Clan’s volleyball tournament. Much to Toraguma’s frustration, the Alliance has planted a Tengu referee who seems to really favor the Alliance players over his own. Use your powers liberally.

The Daitengu is in attendance with sunscreen marks on their mask, for some reason. They’re being a total busybody, as usual. They’re really taking the time to chat up Tenkohime and Toraguma, even if the two want to rip each other’s throats out. Could a resolution to the turf war be on the way? One can only hope!

ENMA DEPARTMENT

The Enma is instructing the members of the Department to volunteer (aka voluntold) for lifeguard duty. The shifts are short — it is ultimately a party — and participation will net you both free food and drink from any of the vendors, as well as license to let loose for the rest of the party! The fare provided by the Enma vendors is pretty staid, but it does fill you with the odd need to run down the beach shallows in slow motion. Not sure what that’s about.

There is one further task that is expected of the Enma Department: suikawari. It is a big deal and to be taken seriously! This is the Enma’s favorite beach activity and the only diversion that he cares about. Your guess is as good as anyone’s, but it’s probably because the game resembles a form of execution. Regardless! Every officer is expected to do at least one round of the game as a form of initiation to the Department itself. Captain Shiki hosts the game in the absence of the Enma. Someone should tell her to chill out with that whistle, though.

3. BONFIRE (1 POINT)

As the hosts of the event, the Sutoku Alliance has set up a massive bonfire as the sun begins to set and stars light up the magical sky. There’s a romantic feeling in the air. Things seem as chill as they ever could be, there are no Haniwa in sight! Things feel peaceful for the first time in a while.

A final happy hour is declared, with free libations for everyone to close out the night. It’s time to finish this party in style. For anyone particularly watchful, they may spy the extraordinary sight of Toraguma and Tenkohime together. Off in the shadows while the party rages on, they are sitting together and watching the waves roll in. What could they be discussing? It will remain a mystery, getting any closer to them would be a deadly mistake.

The evening closes without any major incidents. Nothing seems like it could spoil the mood. It almost feels too good to be true.

4. AND THEN... (2 POINTS)

As all the party goers change back into their clothes and exit the facility, there is a rumble of thunder over Jigokucho. The stars are quickly swallowed by a darkening sky and the ground shakes. A minor earthquake? That’s not unheard of but the sky above is looking threatening. Evil. Darkness washes out over the entire city, none of its many bright lights able to cut through. Something is wrong. Something is happening.

A warm rain begins to fall, spattering across you and your surroundings. It becomes quickly apparent that you are not doused with water, but with blood.

The silence is shattered suddenly when a scream cuts across the whole of Jigokucho. An accursed miasma pours out from every direction. Then you see them: the Haniwa. They are everywhere, gazing from every direction, pressing in. Something has gone terribly wrong.

Captain Shiki is the first to act. She makes a call to Kaigo no Bou, but what she hears is enough to freeze her in her tracks.

The containment center deep beneath the tower where the Haniwa were being stored has been compromised. All of the cursed energy that was stored there has leaked out into the city from below. The guards below are dead. No one is answering their radio. It is not just the containment center that has been compromised, but all of Kaigo no Bou.

Captain Shiki struggles to remain calm as she gives out orders. Her entire command structure has been decimated, but she has to keep these people safe. She urges everyone to seek shelter, immediately. Everyone needs to partner up and stick together.

None of the faction leaders present arguments and they enforce this ruling with their Souls. They direct everyone to make their way back to their home base. Shuten to the Arena, Tamamo to Mizukume, and Sutoku to Konoha. There, their faction leaders can protect them.

As for the Enma officers: they are on rescue duty. You will be heading out into the city to rescue as many people as possible from the nightmarish effects of the cursed energy on the city. Captain Shiki will act as their point of command at the indoor beach.

Good luck, everyone.

5. IN THE CURSED NIGHT (2 POINTS)

A rain of blood is sprinkling all around you. It pings off sign posts and garbage bins, it splatters wetly onto the concrete and your face. The scent is pungent and thick; spoiling. It is soaking in to your hair, your clothes, your skin. It is driving you mad: your pulse spinning, breathing short.

There are noises in the impenetrable darkness. Fox feet on the pavement, crow wings shifting on a perch, a stranger's cruel laughter. The dark energy that has swallowed you is bemused by your smallness, is lurking at the edges and waiting for the moment to strike. Hold tight to your fellows, lest in the darkness another hand be placed in yours. Do you know who you walk with? What you walk with?

The Haniwa are watching you from every surface; crowded together as one with their empty eye sockets and open mouths. Their dark eyes turn to follow where you go as you stumble through your nightmares and your delusions. They breathe in your suffering on the air.

Beware the onibi, they will lead you astray.
Beware the grasping hands in the trees.
Beware the whispers in the distance.
Beware the slope to the river.
Beware. Beware.

Welcome to the June event!

• Art by astrono77153462
  
• Special shoutout to vandalisto for coming up with the meat of this event; the beach party. They approached us with this as a player plot, and it was good enough that we made it into the full event for the month. Excellent work, Vandal!
  
• If you have any questions about event content, please ask them here!
  
• If your character participated in the volleyball games, see here! If they participated in the wet t-shirt contest, see here!
  
• If you have questions about the game itself, please check out the premise, FAQ, and rules pages.

Comments

herlock sholmes | the great ace attorney | tamamo

[retroductions]

BEACH GAMES (WATER GUN)

[The flamingo-print swim trunks and large, tinted sunglasses might be the very epitome of anachronism, given the man who's wearing them, but Sholmes is nothing but adaptable. Perhaps fox-print swimwear might've been more suited, however; he slinks about not unlike one, soft-footed in the sand, brandishing a large plastic water gun in one hand.

It isn't hard to guess the brand of mischief he's after. No one is safe, especially those who've made themselves easy targets by trying to mind their own business, soaking up the sun, ever oblivious to the detective constantly seeking out a brand new victim.

Whether it's from a distance, or point-blank, eventually some poor soul gets a blast of water right into them when they aren't paying attention. Only then does he brighten, dropping all pretense of stealth for the sake of taking the credit. His grin is wide.]

You have just been killed— ["killed"] —by a great detective! Irony abounds!

[Laughs obnoxiously.]

BONFIRE

[His energy levels become less boisterous out as the day continues, but he is nonetheless in a fine mood as he sits next to the bonfire. Even against the blaze's glow, his skin has turned a subtle tint of red at his shoulders and along the slope of his nose.

Beside him sits his weapon of choice—his dutiful water gun—and a crumpled plain white t-shirt, still heavy with water from his participation in the wet t-shirt contest. An interesting experiment that produced none-too-surprising results, he must admit.]

I suppose we all have our strengths, as well as our deficiencies. The overall experience has been a novel one, though, wouldn't you say?

AND THEN...

[It is no longer a "novel experience".

Miasma begins to cloud everything at a distance. The haniwa, somehow, are everywhere at once, peering in with hollow gazes. Blood rain splatters at Sholmes' sunglasses, and he tears them off his face in a rare moment of confusion, while more stains his skin as the downpour starts.

People are yelling, scrambling to understand what's happening, and the order to evacuate and return to base is barely heard over the raucous. Sholmes frowns, eyes flicking this way and that, seeking shelter from this blasted rain first and foremost. It chafes his nerves, needles unease into him like glass shards sticking in his chest.

Time to move.]

You there! Come with me, and no dallying!

[He says, grasping hold of someone along the way who might be too affected by the rain to guide themselves.]

IN THE CURSED NIGHT

(( OOC; I would like to save this prompt for previously plotted-out threads, which will take the form of closed starters! My plotting comment is here if you want to do something nightmare or investigation-related with Sholmes. ))

beach games

[holeful]

[Fukuda could almost pass for normal with his sunglasses and sun visor covering up a fair amount of his face. But something about the way he carries himself; clearly awkward and unused to this sort of getup or event, makes him stick out just as much as he normally does, which is "not loudly, but persistently off out of the corner of your awareness.

That said, he's of course perfectly happy to see the great detective. But before he can muster up a greeting, Sholmes shoots him with the water gun. Fukuda freezes for a moment, the gears in his head turning, before he just. Crumples to the ground like his strings were cut?? Apparently he's dead now.]

[retroductions]

[Fukuda makes himself an easy target, his demeanor perhaps standing out more than his manner of beachwear — not that Sholmes is particularly picky about who gets a blast of water, courtesy of his trusty water gun.

He fires, hitting his mark, and the other man crumples to the ground.]

Well.

[Sholmes crosses over to where he lies sprawled in the sand, hitching his weapon up to let it rest on his shoulder. He looks down at the other through shaded lenses.]

I do appreciate your vigor. [For a dead body!]

[holeful]

[Listen if the great consulting detective says you're dead, you're dead. Obviously? Once Sholmes approachs and addresses him, Fukuda figures he's allowed to talk though he's remaining sprawled on the sand ]

Haha, well I have a lot of practice!
[Fukuda just saying wack shit like it's his job, as usual.]

and then

[bratherine]

( She can't deny that it's good to see, or hear in this case, someone familiar. The rain's in her eyes, and this whole thing is a fucking mess, with the panic quickly spreading among people.

Not Kate, though. She's fine. Just... Her vision's a little blurred, is all. )

Don't... fucking grab. Fuck's sake.

( She exhales, dragging her arm back. Honestly, you need a second to adjust and there's someone trying to touch you. )

[retroductions]

[She slips away from his grasp, easily done since they're becoming slicker with blood rain with each passing moment. Sholmes doesn't make an attempt to usher her away a second time, but that doesn't mean he's keen on leaving her to her own devices, given how much panic has already bubbled up and ruptured all around them.]

Standing about like a lump on a log is not the preferred mode of action at the moment.

[He brings up a hand to his brow, shielding his eyes as though he were protecting them against searing sunlight. In this case? It's blood, splattering against his fingers.]

Let us move as a pair. It will be safer than the alternative.

[bratherine]

No shit, Sherlock. ( Ugh, her hair's already soaked with this blood rain and the darkened sky is making the maze of the city even more indecipherable. Kate wraps her arms around herself and squints through the crowd. )

What way?

( Ugh. What way did she come from? The left, she thinks. )

closed to minato. (plotting and venturing out)

[retroductions]

[In his earlier years, Sholmes believed that he worked better when he worked alone. But the passage of time and myriad experiences had proved the opposite was true; that it is bracing to have a companion for the sake of moral support or intellectual stimulation. Another set of hands, where only two would have failed him. When faced with the most complex of problems, he has no doubt this provided him an advantage, and to say that their current situation--the city itself swathed in a nightmare, drenched in blood--is not complicated would be... quite thoroughly incorrect.

It makes him restless, knowing that there is still a mystery to unearth near the vicinity of the tower -- doubly so that he cannot approach it safely, not on his own. Thus, he seeks out those similarly-minded to himself, those who must investigate instead of stand idly by and hope the storm blows over, and when he finds someone near Tamamo territory, having taken shelter under a store awning near headquarters, he cannot help but eavesdrop his conversation over the phone.

And then, eventually, interrupt-]

My good man! If you are to venture further into the city, trekking towards the tower itself, surely you do not mean to do so alone? They say dangerous endeavors are better taken with a detective in tow.

[watermemory]

[To be perfectly frank, when the man approaches him, Minato almost expects to be kicked out on his ear -- even as singleminded as he's been since all hell broke loose (evidence: he's still in his beach gear, flipflops and patterned shirt and all, signs that he didn't even stop to change besides grabbing his sword), the peculiar looks being thrown at a Shuten kid sheltering in the "enemy camp" aren't lost on him. So far, odd looks are all it's been, given the minor apocalypse engulfing the city, but he initially thinks his luck's run out, cutting the call:]

Sorry, sorry, I'll be on my way soon, I don't mean to--

[A pause, to mentally rewind what Sholmes said, re: the salient details of his own phone conversation.] --impose.

[His more blunt (rude baby) friends would scold the man for eavesdropping. Minato just looks hunted, like a kid caught out of curfew. And like a kid out of curfew, he's going to prevaricate.]

Y-you don't need to worry about me, I'm just going to meet a friend...

[retroductions]

[Territory lines seem to be less defined when the apocalypse itself is pressing down upon the city. Though their circumstances are wretchedly dire, it has generated something exceedingly rare: cooperation between every faction, and Sholmes intends to take advantage of it where he will.

Namely, excessive cooperation where he may not have garnered any on a normal, non-blood-raining-from-the-sky-and-nightmares-creeping-along-the-alleys sort of day.]

Meet a friend out in the miasma, where the nightmares lurk? [He says it casually, with a knowing sort of grin. There's little to no shame exuded where eavesdropping is concerned.] Come now, as though such an adventure would be so casual. You expect to do a bit of investigation, don't you?

closed to van zieks. (nightmares)

[retroductions]

[The city's heavy with dread, the streets slick with blood-sodden rain, crimson running down the sides of brick buildings and streaming thickly into the gutters. It is no place for a man to wander about on his own, but Sholmes is the stubborn sort, venturing into the twisting turns of Jigoku-cho to seek out answers, and those who may need immediate assistance. For the most part, people have suffered the consequences of lingering too long in the darkness, in the miasma, filled with wretched nightmares of all forms coming to assail them. And thus they have learned to remain where it is safe, instead, lest they are overcome with danger again -- which has turned these streets eerie, empty, rarely traveled.

Sholmes keeps himself covered, his thick, long coat and deerstalker's cap often more than enough to keep the haze of the blood rain at bay, warding off telltale signs of frenzied thought in the downtime between heavier downpours. Every step echoes, his gaze fixed straight ahead, keen eyes on the lookout for anything strange, anything dangerous, any individual who has found themselves lost in these twisted alleyways. Or brave enough to seek out answers in the darkness.

A tall, familiar figure cuts through the miasmic fog. The detective approaches, lifting the brim of his cap as though to better perceive the man ahead.]

Mr Reaper, what are you doing out here alone at a time like this? [Hypocritical? No matter. His own standards rarely apply to others.] Gone and lost your way?

[dehallow]

[ Van Zieks feels like red is the only color left in the world. Red like wine, red like Klint's formalwear, red like blood blood blood and more blood flooding from the sky as if God himself is bleeding out.

He doesn't know when the last time he's been inside was. Has he been out for hours or days? It's wearing at him, tearing away at the thin walls of defense he's built up over years and years of repeating the same nightmares over and over.

Maybe he should just stay here, until the red washes him away in its entirety. No more Reaper, no more nothing.

It's this state of silent resignation that Sholmes finds him in - and though it is hard to make out through the persistent blood rain, the streets are beginning to look a whole lot more European the further he approaches. ]

Was there ever a way to lose, pray tell?

[ An answer that is too candid, clearly not quite there. The right path? He has not been following it for years and years. He's barely caught a glimpse of it again.

From a fork in the road, ringing out between brick buildings, a baby is crying. ]

[retroductions]

[Every step through these damnable, blood-soaked streets feels like a trial, though the frame of Van Zieks through the gloom is easy enough to fix his gaze on. His powers of observation are railed upon in these circumstances--obscured by rain and miasma--but some things are too blatant to not be obvious: in this case, there is something like resignation in the slope of the man's shoulders or the way he stands. An abdication of energy in presence and in tone. It worries Sholmes more than it should -- or maybe precisely as much as it should.

He nears just enough to not have to raise his voice to be heard, but somehow the environment has warped itself into a different kind of gloom, the sort that lingers around the streets of London in the dead hours of the night. The street's turned cobblestone, the storefronts look born of the 19th century. And in the distance, beyond where he can perceive, a baby is crying.

Sholmes' jaw sets. He knows the feel of a nightmare encroaching, and unlike those he has experienced before, belonging to others, any that descend upon Van Zieks will be just as jarring to his own eyes. Their circumstances at home had always been vaguely entwined, but pull at that thread, and they both jostle from it.]

Lord van Zieks- [He repeats his name again, this time a little sterner.] -now's not the time to linger. Turn away from what awaits us, or what we find down that path will not be kind to either of us.

BEACH GAME TIME

[dehallow]

[ Van Zieks is determined to spend the day becoming one with the shadows, however rare they may be in the sunny artificial beachscape. Black shorts, black T-shirt, and most importantly a wide black parasol with lace trimmings - he is prepared to be the darkest spot on the beach all day. (He regrets this choice a little - black really does take well to heat.)

But it's peaceful just standing around and keeping an eye on things and--- ]

--- phhhtt?!

[ There is only so much a parasol can do against a shot angled from below. ]

What in the blazes is your problem, man?! Can you not bear to act like an adult for a single day of your life?!

[ ... at least he's no longer melting in the sun. ]

[retroductions]

[Now then, van Zieks is a man that definitely stands out amongst the bright swath of the beach, dressed like he's an individual who meant to attend a funeral and took a wrong turn somewhere down the line. And there is a moment, perhaps, in which Sholmes thinks to leave him be; let him stand with his dark parasol, avoiding the faux sun and summertime festivities, as though he may be allergic to sand, water, or fun.

But it isn't a privilege he considers extending the man for very long. Van Zieks shares an unfortunate quality that will always drive Sholmes to poke and prod -- that is, familiarity, at least in that they share a home world, and it doesn't take long before he approaches, angling himself in a crouch into the sand, and sprays him with a blast of water.

The other's reaction makes a chortle loudly, unabashedly, and he hefts up his water gun to let it rest on his shoulder, still kneeling in the sand.]

Lord van Zieks, you look as though you might swelter and eventually melt in this "sun", dressed like that. I was simply affording you the opportunity to cool off, as I'm sure that parasol of yours can only act as a bulwark against the heat for so long.

[And. And-]

Not to mention your reaction was quite priceless.

[dehallow]

[ Seeing Sholmes laughing so freely while crouched down there in the sand, van Zieks feels an entirely juvenile idea of taking revenge rise within him. A sand fight, burying another person up to the chest... How old is he? 10? What a ridiculous impulse. Maybe Sholmes' immaturity is contagious. Maybe he should be running for cover.

Instead of any of that, he just pushes his dripping hair out of his face and gives his best death glare. ]

I was doing quite alright keeping myself refreshed, thank you.

[ He was not. ]

One of these days you may get yourself arrested, disrespecting authority like that.

[ Menacingly, van Zieks steps closer - his aim is to confiscate this water gun for the time being, but that of course brings him even closer within range... ]

beach games

[everblooms]

[ The victim is one young female: Aerith Gainsborough. At the time of the shooting, she had been 22 years old. Hair: Brown. Eyes: A peculiarly vibrant shade of green. Race: Half-Cetra.

In the world of the living (question mark?), the woman turned victim of a brutal water gun fight cries out in such a way that one might think she'd been truly injured in the altercation. Water runs down her arms in rivulets, mapping out a whole ecosystem of lakes along her body. She's drenched from one shot. It's a burden someone small must carry with them, to be the sacrificial lamb like this.

With a huff, she raises her staff. A careful glance will reveal what it is rather quickly, for it seems no different from a water gun beyond it's shape. All things considered, a rather powerful blast of water erupts from the nozzle atop it, and Aerith stands, arms held out delicately as if she were fencing with the man. ]

It'd be a perfect crime... if the victim didn't have her own weapon!!

[ Yeah, she'll play to his sensibilities or whatever. ]

[retroductions]

[If one is to pride oneself on anything, slinking about with a water gun and sniping unsuspecting fellows, then a direct hit is the most obvious point of accomplishment. One that has him grinning wide as he blasts Aerith with such a spout of water that it might as well soak her in one go.

And Sholmes, in possession of a high amount of energy on this day, nearly cobbles together enough words to gloat; one more notch on his figurative belt of drenched victims, who'll no doubt dry off in a few minutes if this heat is any indication. But Aerith speaks first, drawing his eyes to her "weapon" -- a staff-looking contraption that he had thought little of, only that it might have been some strange beach accoutrement that existed beyond his era, and thus his context.

And when she points it at him, and he, in turn, is blasted with a torrent of water, he still mentally congratulates himself on being no too far off the mark.]

Mpmmphht-

[Is what he manages, sputtering, as some of the water sprays into his mouth, a direct hit right in the face, and the detective wobbles on his feet and falls backwards, landing dramatically with his back in the sand.]

[everblooms]

[ Ah.

Watching him go backwards, hit the ground and stay there as if rendered useless by something more powerful has her both amused and concerned. He is, if nothing else, seemingly enjoying himself, she hopes, and so Aerith raises an eyebrow, waiting.

You know. For him to stand, and have a good laugh about.

...

After a moment, she walks over to poke him in the cheek with the bottom end of the staff. ]

Hello? Anyone home? Maybe this thing hits harder than I thought...

bonfire + leftover beach games

[nerine]

[It seems like they've both caught each other at a good time. He's less boisterous and Monts appears much more serene (but still armed with a water gun whose contents are about two-thirds empty). She may have gotten wet at some point during the day, but her white sundress has been promptly dried by sitting near the bonfire.

Giving Sholmes a once over, Monts raises her brow and can't help, but remark:]

Did you put on any sun protection? Sunscreen, sunblock? I'm kind of surprised you're not red like a crab at this point.

[retroductions]

[Protection from the rays of the sun is not a novel nor unheard of concept in his time, though it is mostly to save the complexion than to avoid the ravages of UV light, and the most popular method of protecting oneself was, often, wearing an inordinate amount of layered clothing to shield the skin. And even were he thinking of applying lotion, or sunscreen, or oils, Sholmes is a man who thrives off of impulse when the mood strikes him. It is not a surprising consequence that he is faintly red in some places; he is sure that he can survive the after-effects a day or two from now.

He has survived worse, after all.]

Perhaps I am feeling the artificial sun's effects in a few places. [He touches his nose, idly, which already feels a little warmer than the usual.] But it takes more than the rays of the sun to sap the strength and enthusiasm of a great detective, my dear girl.

[He smiles, unbothered.]

Have you been enjoying yourself? This has been quite the event.

[nerine]

The beach has been a pleasant surprise even if it's pretty artificial, sunlight and all.

[She could make a comment about how the artificial sun can be even more worrisome, but eh, she's not gonna be a party pooper this time.]

I used to live in a fairly coastal part of the country after all. The ocean probably could have used a bit more seaweed. Other than that though...

[Monts pauses, thinking.]

The Daitengu's return is... Timely? I suppose.

beach games

[himbosupreme]

[Well, that was Cain's fault for not paying attention, he guess. At least his top had finally come off so he didn't really get too much more wet. Then Herlock said his line and uh, sure not? Why not play along?

So he'll just clutch at his chest and fall over like he's been shot, laying there for a moment before looking up again at the detective like an excited puppy.]

Was that any good?

[retroductions]

[Sholmes takes amusement from any reaction -- from indifference to annoyance to surprise, but it is always those willing to play along that he appreciates the most. Those with a bit of enthusiasm to their spirit, a whimsical playfulness often attributed to other positive points in personality. (In his estimation, at least.)

He shuffles over to him, kicking up sand as he goes, and stands over Cain with his water gun no longer brandished. He's a tall man and casts an equally tall shadow long his fallen form.]

Spot-on. Your death was appropriately dramatic!

[himbosupreme]

[Oh good. Cain may have been technically an adult, but he still enjoyed having fun. He couldn't see the other man, but he could sense his presence over him. His voice sounded pleased with his performance, at least and Cain was curious about what he'd said.]

Haha, thanks! Sometimes I've played like that with kids in my village, so it's fun to be doing that again.

[He was getting up, reaching a hand out to see if hopefully the man would take it and not question why he wasn't staring quite at the right location.]

You said you are a detective? I think I've heard that term from the sage before....