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Touta Konoe	Upon arrival through the Warpgate each person finds themselves in what feels like a reception area one might find in a hotel. At the end of the hall opposite to the warpgate one can see what appears like a check-in area. Two women that were behind the stand adorned in traditional Japanese kimono, while there were two men on each side. Both appear to dress in more European-style suit and tie. As the Elites come in whether as groups or individuals all four of the staff would lower their head in greetings. Those behind the counter would ask for a name to confirm their arrival, while one of the gentlemen would offer what appeared to be a pamphlet titled 'Senkyokan: The Elite Experience'. For those that opt to take it, they'd find the pamphlet provides general information about the world they're currently in that is intended to answer what might be asked by visiting Elites. To those that do not...Well, they at least get an explanation as to a question that might have been on their mind since their arrival...Why did this check-in area only have an elevator, but no windows or doors outside? A brief explanation being that the Warpgate for this world is actually located in an underground cavern and that rather than leaving it unattended like some who might have visited in the past where they had to walk themselves through damp caves and darkness, while fighting off immortal eaters, it seemed more appropriate to have the location attended to in some fashion. The only ones who would find themselves without being questioned however or the offered brochures unless inquired about would be Lilian Rook's party. As the one who rented the entirety of the island for the day she finds that her party is welcomed immediately by name and immediately guided through to the elevators, offering her and her group to travel up one for themselves rather than sharing one with other Elites. The elevator would be offered as the only ride up, though once inside they'd find that for one, there's only two floors available. The other is that once they hit the button, there's no friction or the feeling of drag that one usually feels upon traveling up an elevator. The transition feels as smooth as simply entering in with the door shut behind you, and then opening it up again to find that...They're all in another check-in area, only this time those that made it this far would be greeted by a familiar face. For the most part anyway...It was a bit harder to keep track nowadays given that Touta Konoe seemed to always be shifting between ages since his return. Though for the arrival of the others, it seemed as though he had opted to appear in his twenties. Rather than greeting everyone as a part of staff, which would have entailed him dressing up in that similar suit style, or his usual casual attire. The black, spikey-haired young man is definitely dressed down. Sandals are the only thing adorning his feet, a red swimsuit down to his knees with white accents, and a bright-blue beach hoodie zipped up. It's not much but considering it's a day at the beach it definitely seems on brand. "Looks like everyone made it here no issues, huh?" Touta would offer to bring those to the exit where there's a bit to take in. "Anyway, let me formally welcome everyone to Senkyokan."
Touta Konoe	When exiting the check-in area there's likely quite a few things that grab the senses. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore. The smell of ocean air tickling one's nose. Though...While the white beaches down below the stairway and glimmering blue waves might have been a lovely sight for the summer. It's not even the fact that if anyone turned around they'd notice that they had clearly just walked out of what felt less like a building and more like an Edo-style castle... What truly would have caught the eye was the sky. Not the clouds, not how blue it is...But the fact across the ocean there's a tower that was ascending past the clouds themselves. It goes up as far as the eye can see and then keeps going beyond it. For those that opted to take that brochure...There's a segment on that if they cared to read up on it regarding the Amano-Mihashira Orbital Elevator, also known as 'The Heavenly Pillar'. But otherwise Touta continued walking down towards the beach as if such a view was an everyday occurrence, expecting the others to be close by. It's when everyone's together at the beach does he start to speak up a bit more. "Ehem...So, not the best with these formal greetings and all that but in case you didn't know, name's Touta Konoe. I don't want to hold everyone up too long, but I just want to thank everyone who's decided to take a chance and come visit today. I see a few familiar faces and a few newer ones, but I hope I get a chance to get to know everyone here a bit better and the same for you all. I'd also like to take a second to thank Lilian Rook of the Paladins. She's rented the entire island for the day so that everyone here could focus on enjoying themselves and enjoy some privacy. So I hope everyone will appreciate that as you explore." After the little speech, he opts to give a brief round of applause, not forcing anyone to join in but keeping it going long enough for anyone who wanted to join in to do so without it being too awkward. A long exhale follows before he continues. Though, as he starts explaining things something might be starting to be realized about this party... "Anyway, that's all the big stuff I had to say. So from here on We'll be starting things out near the beach location, but don't feel shy to explore. Down the stairs we have the sandbar of the island where we've set up a beach volley-ball area on the far end, and plan to set up Suikawari in a bit. For anyone not familiar, imagine playing with a pinata but using a watermelon instead. Near the water we also have hover skis for use, though if you've never used one before imagine they're like a jet ski but...Hovers...We have someone who can go over basic controls if needed to! Also...Yacht ride will be in a few hours for anyone interested in riding on it around the island, just go to the pier area. The pool-slash-waterpark is located past the bridge connecting the main island to the second island, and lastly, the main hot springs will be back inside where staff can guide you."
Touta Konoe	The scale of this party wasn't that of what was meant to be contained to a single room, or to the confines of a beach itself. In fact, even the amenities described thus far didn't seem to detail everything that had been prepared at the beachfront area. This 'party' was essentially a full on resort retreat for all those that had decided to attend. "Oh right, and if anyone's hungry we'll be having venue stalls for snacks and barbeque, or you can call one of staff to provide you with a menu from the restaurant!"
Kale Hearthward	Kale Hearthward is in a dunk tank, down near the pier area. The events leading up to Kale Hearthward being stuck in the dunk tank are, ultimately, not important. The reasons why Kale Hearthward was convinced to be in the dunk tank are, ultimately, inconsequential. He's just simply there, reluctantly, in the little glass and metal enclosure, sitting on a little ledge that's being held up by a mechanism that's designed to entertainingly fail if the nearby plunger were to be pressed in, say by a thrown object. Not coincidentally, there is a bucket of baseballs nearby, along with a line on the ground indicating where they should be thrown by, and next to both is a slotted cash box, with a note on the box: <Donations appreciated. Proceeds to Union Busan Widows/Orphans Fund>. Kale himself is here in a pair of red swim shorts that complement his brown/tan/yellow colors, and a pair of swim goggles on his head. He is currently very dry.
Captain Hook	Was Captain William Hook invited to this party?      No, of course not. He doesn't even like Touta Konoe; if Touta *had* sent him an invitation, he'd've turned it down as a matter of course. And he's certainly not on a list of people that Lilian Rook would invite *anywhere* - he's a pirate who barely knows her, an open and admitted troublemaker of the highest order whose primary goal in life is making himself richer because greed is something so profoundly important that it literally made him who he is twice over.      But he does like *Jeanne*. He's got something of a thing for her, inasmuch as the good Captain has a thing for anyone; spending time with her is profitable (she's an amazing distraction), entertaining (she hates the law more than he does), and interesting (it's never boring, at least). And he likes Hibiki - he owes her his life, and considers her an important friend. And he likes Angela - a kindred soul in a lot of ways and a member of his Concord!      And, Touta being the conciliatory sort of person that he is, Hook can predict that there's good odds at *least* one of these people will be at the party.      So William Hook is of course crashing the beach party.      He's here in stylish blue shorts. His hat sits on his head, and his Captain's coat continues to flow off his shoulders like a cape, but otherwise, he's unarmed (aside from the hook hand, of course) and dressed for the occasion. Perhaps the most notable thing about him otherwise is the sheer number of *scars* across his body. William's otherwise well-built form is *covered* in slashes, scratches, burns, and stitches. If every scar tells a story, then Hook's body is the Library of Congress.      His good hand is in his swimsuit pocket, and there's a spring in his step - a light skip, a little bit of a dance. There's also something hanging from his neck - a tuning fork?      "Oh the Antelope sloop was a sickening sight," he sings as he walks past the staff, and his voice resonates with the fork, and he just goes right on by without a second look to press the button on the elevator, "How I wish I was in Sherbrook now..."      The door opens, and Hook just strolls right past Touta as the tuning fork continues to do its strange work, "Had a sloop to the port and its sails in rags, and the cook in the scuppers with the staggers and jags..."      Hook spins on his heel as he steps past through to the ocean. "God damn them all, I was told we'd cruise the seas for American gold, we'd fire no guns, shed no tears,"      And then, by the time the rest of the group arrives, Captain William Hook is just There On The Beach, having simply Riff Raff EX'd his way past all manner of security, an umbrella slung over his shoulder as he finishes the song, "Now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier, the last of Barrett's Privateeeeeeers!"      As the song ends, the tuning fork ceases vibrating, and Hook's presence becomes Extremely Apparent Again.
Zero Kiryu	LITERAL YEARS AGO... Yuuki and Zero are conversing with Touta over the radio, where they mention that they might stop by eventually. This is so long ago that anybody reasonable would have completely forgotten it as a one-off remark.     EARLIER TODAY     ELYSIUM APEX "Yuuki," Zero says, sitting on the corner of her desk and organizing the various piles that are collected on it. "It appears as if Konoe is hosting some sort of event. We still haven't followed up with him, so perhaps..." The thought trails off. As is often the case, he simply leaves these things in the air for Yuuki to puzzle out and hopefully determine what he actually meant by it. A thousand years from now this will still be going on, if potentially less intensely.     TODAY, NOW Zero Kiryu is always with Yuuki Kuran, even when it doesn't appear so. Today he makes an appearance directly, though it is not unusual that he is a mere twist of vines serving as a form of ornament that can at any time become his full bodily presence. Since it's a beach party and not one that takes place strictly at night, he's carrying a rather large umbrella with a dark brown and pale yellow pattern on it. His actual attire is an open white button-down shirt, a pair of white swimtrunks with a black rose-like logo on it that nobody recognizes because his world is simply too obscure for practically anybody to have been to. The 'check-in' process is skipped through a little rudely, using a combination of deliberate telepathy and mind control to distribute relevant information and bypass halting questions without really leaving a trace that any such thing has happened. They haven't arrived with anyone, coincidentally or otherwise, and fall in with no one as well. It's only Yuuki that keeps them on track to actually hearing Touta's explanation of all of this. His sixth sense slides easily from person to person, inspecting their peculiarities as a sort of benign curiosity that isn't really flagging anybody as a "danger" because this isn't a circumstance where that should be relevant. Yuuki offers a clear verbal greeting to Touta, but Zero just nods.
Yuuki Kuran	LITERAL YEARS AGO... Kuran Yuuki warmly regards Touta, considering his voice over the radio. He offers a meeting. Yuuki accepts, looking forward to it. She pens the note into her nightplanner, and falls asleep. In the morning, she mentions to her noble minder, the lord Hanabusa Aido, to make sure that she follows up with Touta. The politics of court drag heavily on her, and Yuuki takes to base daydreaming while disinterested in the prattle of whose honor was trampled over by the pet of a cousin of the house of whomever spiting over feuds ancient generations old. A day is forgotten, but she dreams of the happening all the same. And Hanabusa Aido, rather than mind Yuuki's planner, continues to work in his medicine laboratory. He, like Yuuki, loses himself in his work. Unlike Yuuki, he actually likes it. EARLIER TODAY: 'Second' Yuuki, long of hair and slightly less emotive, sits at the Director's desk from the suite below the First's at the top of the Apex, staring intense red eyes at Zero. A frown is developing at the corners of her lips. "Well that was just last week, I'm sure." Second Yuuki recalls, pensive and considering, consulting the fuzzy history and order of things mentally. Having multiple perspectives on things meant Yuuki's memory for things like dates and the passage of time was already rocky. The social calendar was a lost cause. Producing a small pocketbook, Yuuki flips back the pages a week and starts consulting. Finding nothing, she frowns. "Ah, maybe it was last month." More paper flipping. A polite cough. 'Second' Yuuki looks her red eyes up the appearing-stern (really, tired) man before her. "Alright, Zero. How long ago was it?" ONE EMBARRASING TRANSITION THROUGH HER CLOSET LATER, Kuran Yuuki, Director of the Concord, etcetera etcetera, enters a bit overdressed for the beach, with a ruffled-trim white top and a black lace choker over a tied-at-the-waist halfcape sash of dark red cloth that's too rich for a towel and black flip-flops. About her right ear is a large silver rose that curls through her hair before dangling sharp thorns like an asymmetrical earring. There is a single red teardrop, like a dark ruby, that dangles from it. Unlike her compatriot, Yuuki - the 'second' Yuuki, her more refined long-haired half, with the more fiery original not currently showing - moves through check-in with an air of bashful apology. "Well I'm glad to be invited, though I received mine some time ago, Touta." Yuuki greets, after the speech. "I'm sorry it's taken a member of the Paladins renting a whole resort to catch my notice, but it seems I'm not the only one to have done so." Yuuki pans out to wave genially at the other members of the Concord in attendance. "So thank you, for your consideration and your hospitality." She greets fondly, though there's the stiff air of court still about her. Her practice at speaking to people who were still alive, metaphorically speaking, was off.
Ishirou	Ishirou, despite everything, has shown up.  He kinda doesn't want to be here, but it's a party that Lilian spent money on and it'd be awful to not... show up and help keep Touta from being weird at her too much.  Also, other people who'd show up to be weird at her.  He can't do anything about Petra and her being weird, but he's just decided to accept that and move on.   Touta is going to make them pay for stuff from the hotel /or/ the stands and not have like... a place for them to get food.  Ishirou scoffs at this entirely.  So he arrives early.  He hands a 'small' list of things for the staff to get and a location on the beach where he can set up a firepit and tables. With the raw food and other things for an outdoor event to arrive, Ishirou goes to the place and frowns.  "It'll have to do.  POD, deploy barbeque grill, regular grill, and cookware.  We're going to have to do this fast because our 'host' is a moron.  God... imagine making people pay for food for a party /you/ invited them too!" Ishirou himself is... well... Overdressed.  Shoes with socks that disappear into the jeans he's worn.  The jeans are slightly too large to make sure no part of his body from the waist down is exposed.  A large and baggy hoodie with probably a shirt underneath that, and the hood part over his head.  His hands are gloved, but they're also in the hoodie's pockets.   He's taken a spot near the water, he still hasn't stopped being overdressed but pings nearby elites that get out that there is food there.  He's got various barbeque dishes done (pork, chicken, beef), cool side dishes (various salads), fruit dishes, and a small bar set up.  Behind the bar, POD is there, in a little suit and tie, with a tiny hat on his head.   Ishirou is still behind several cookwares at once, trying to make sure enough food is made for everyone.
Ishirou	Also Kale has a plate of food brought to him VIA a OPTION drone. It has a similar outfit to POD.
Persephone Kore	Persephone's presence oozes out through the warpgate and colors the scene long minutes before her arrival. It's a shift in lighting, only nothing changes color; it's a warm heavy weight, only on your heart and not your skin; it's a hug for when my arms can't reach you! And doesn't it feel nice, to find your proper orbit in my gravity? Ahaha, yes it does!      When her clacky sandal-heels finally follow, it feels like a natural sequel. And when she smiles, and tells the receptionists "Persephone Kore," they already know!      See, being held by me isn't so bad!      The elevator doors part. Phony's beachwear is simultaneously quite modest and, in multiple ways, utterly indecent. For some reason her dark one-piece has a keyhole just like her sweaters. Lilian had suggested a sarong after the debacle of the last outing; Phony has one in a fetching orange, but she's tied it in the front instead of the side, meaning it only accentuates how normal she is.      If she realizes this, not a shred of shame or sultriness shows. She's as innocently sunny as ever.      Touta's explanation winds down. "I'm always appreciating Lily-R," Phony says with a little laugh, and reaches over to squeeze her shoulder. "But it's great to meet you, Touta! Getting to know new coworkers is always nice." (He's not in the Concord, though. Does she think everyone's a coworker?)      Hand cradles cheek in a daintily thoughtful posture. "But, can I ask you a personal question? Why do you want to get to know us? Are we really all that interesting~? Or do you think you'll need our help with something?"      She turns and looks at Yuuki with absentminded surprise when she speaks up. "Oh! You're Director Kuran, aren't you? I'm not sure we've talked! So, how do you know him?"
Tamamo	Tamamo would take one of the brochures, acting the part of the tourist she is, but, arriving with Lilian, she doesn't end up thinking to ask for one. She instead assumes that everything will be fine and taken care of. Upon arrival, she's wearing her usual robes rather than anything beach related, but does have a basket under her right arm. That doesn't stop her from clapping for Touta when he finishes speaking. "Oh, how nice. It has been some time since the last opportunity for something of this sort, no?"     It's only when they get to the sand that Tamamo sets down the basket, holds out her arms, and transforms--     Technically speaking, this is a magical transformation. The glittering lights are, however, purely an illusion, and there's no accompanying piece-by-piece assembly. As if saved for budgetary reasons, Tamamo (beach version) steps out of that fading light wholly formed and equipped. To be precise--     A wide, messily-edged straw hat sits atop pinkish-red hair, with wheat-gold ears and white fluff sticking up through wide slots, more or less securing it in place. She stands over absurdly thick-heeled sandals, little blue straps adorned with tiny shells. Between, she wears a simple, white t-shirt to her thighs, and carries a blue-and-white beach umbrella. An inflatable life ring hangs over one of her tails, as if also a part of her outfit. That accessories are a legitimate portion of disguises is less of a mystery than is the question of where she'd gotten the idea that t-shirts were associated with beaches.     Picking the basket back up, she finally admits, "I have little idea where to begin... oh, is that Mr. Hearthward? He arrived ahead of us, did he? Ah, Lilian, did you have a preference -- is that captain Hook, also here ahead of us? Then, were they part of the preparations."     Her umbrella is hefted as her head tilts.
Petra Soroka	Petra is not with Lilian Rook's party.     Maybe she could've been, if she'd asked Lilian to meet up beforehand, or if she'd really felt up to doing much of anything except leaving the house for work and then coming back afterwards for the past couple days. But arriving with Lilian would mean arriving with Tamamo, and that's... PHONE: Tamamo says, distractedly, "Mm? Oh, yes, I see." Like her mind's on some other topic. "That will be all, for now. Ah, but do try not to attract sympathy with your tears quite so much. Were I to make that a rule, I doubt that you would be capable of survival, and so, I will not. It is simply something to keep in mind, knowing you are undeserving. Well, then." And she clicks off.     That's fine. It's fine. Petra's fine. She knows she deserves it, and Tamamo is the only person in the entire sector treating her with the retributive cruelty that anyone sane would, for what she did to Lilian. The debt that Petra owes the world for forcing herself into the part of it that matters isn't repaid just by being loyal, not if that loyalty isn't tested. But that doesn't mean the sick feeling in her stomach at the prospect of being around Tamamo today is any easier to bear.     Instead, she arrives in a party of two-- arguably three-- that looks like a party of one. Dressed wildly inappropriately for the beach, Petra is still wearing her bomber jacket and is still wearing jeans, underneath which, around her arms and neck, is gauze that is very much not waterproof. Under her unzipped jacket is a new t-shirt depicting what appears to be a caution sign with a pictographic stick figure on all fours crossed out, saying PLEASE DO NOT GO CREATURE MODE. The orange and green EGO gift is still in her hair, her boots are not beach-appropriate, and her expression isn't either. On her back is the Eggpack, containing Angela, as usual. <B-anter> Angela says, "Another party today. I wonder if this one will end in tears as well."     There are a lot of people expecting Petra to cry today, and all of them really wish she wouldn't. Petra is one of those people. Even Buttercup mentioned that she got the feeling that Petra cried at parties a lot.     This one in particular is going to be attended by two people-- at least-- that Petra has threatened violence towards in the past week, one of whom is hosting. But Petra promised to take Angela to the beach, so take Angela to the beach she shall, and if Touta or Sarracenia or anyone else was awful to Lilian, then Petra needs to be there for that, too.     "... I know you're worried, Angela, but I'm not going to ruin your first trip to the ocean. No matter what the fuck happens here, I'm going to make sure that goes well, at least." Petra is somewhat more subdued than usual, talking over her shoulder at the Eggpack while walking through the Warpgate. She takes the brochure, is unable to focus enough on it to read, and ends up handing it to the Eggpack's arms for Angela to read instead.     Petra remains fairly apathetic throughout Touta's speech, eyes flickering around him like she's studying him, with her hands in her jacket pockets. It's not until Persephone, Lilian, and Tamamo all arrive that Petra takes much notice in her surroundings, matched by that skin-crawling itch radiating over everyone around her, negating Persephone's aura and replacing it with visceral discomfort. Her breath hitches at Tamamo, stalls a second time at Persephone's swimsuit, though her hostile gaze doesn't linger for more than a moment, then turns to the rest of the resort, as if she's-- no, she's *actually* looking at the activities.     "So, Angela, what do you want to do?"
Zero Kiryu	"The Tower of Shadows. Emerald Chasm," Zero reminds Yuuki in answer to Persephone's question, expecting that the particulars of their first adventure with Touta would escape her. After a moment or two of silence, he adds, "Poisonous landscape. Very horrible smell. You ran out of the room after a short while. Seifer was there, also."
Sarracenia	Sarracenia enters most likely with only her piranha plant butler Gregory in her party. He is pulling a cart with a large treasure chest on it. The princess takes one of the brochures, then makes her way along as directed. She listens to Touta's speech and while she doesn't clap right away she does at least clap politely while Gregory claps his big leaf arm/hands more emphatically. She also smiles to Ishirou when she sees he is here. "Ishi! I am glad you decided to come! I really think this will do you some good. Sunshine, people having fun...just try to have fun, okay?" she says cheerfully. She also offers a little finger waggling wave fot Petra and a smile.      The princess is still in her typical dress when she arrives, but once Touta has released them Gregory pulls a few privacy screens out of that treasure chest and sets up a makeshift changing room. He hands Sarra a bundle and she steps into the changing room, then emerges a few minutes later in a proper swimsuit. And unlike her dress her swimsuit is quite brazen. A red two-piece with a red sarong of a somewhat sheer material with a cute bob-omb print. This gives her a chance to show off her figure and abs for once! She's no Hiromi or Evehime, but she has some light definition. And she has Bullet Bill sandels to complete the outfit. She hands her dress to Gregory and he folds it carefully before putting it in the chest. The princess puts her satchel purse back on, then considers.      "Goodness, this is much more expansive than I was expecting!" she says as she looks around. She spots Kale and gets a devilish look. Who doesn't enjoy a dunk tank? She makes her way over to it, and pulls a parasol out of her purse as she goes. She unfolds it and...it is a red bob-omb. She makes her way to the bucket of balls, pulls out a few gold coins that are as broad as a hand and slips them into the cash box. "So, how many throws do I get?" she asks Kale even as she takes one of the balls and tosses it up and down a few times before doing an overly exaggerated pitcher-style wind up and throws it.      Her accuracy is generally pretty good, considering throwing things is how many of her attacks work.
Yuuki Kuran	(Second) Yuuki, who isn't quite so psychically touchy as Persephone, regards the tall clacky-heeled woman with a serene expression and the impression of being many places at once just behind her eyes. A natural multitasking, like a distractable girl would flick a zipper or rub a roll of cloth between the fingers at a different scale, and a natural presence, like someone showing up on a live call while clearly still typing at something, betrays that she is still not fully present -- despite being physically there. Persephone, almost a whole foot taller than Yuuki, makes the Director cant her head up slightly to return the look. "I am she - and you're the star of the psychic program, aren't you? It's wonderful to meet you in person, though I've felt your pull previously - at the Dorado, and the Apex." Yuuki nods along, the assured sort of cheer of someone in the particular position to be able to heap some praise on Persephone right in front of everyone and happy to do so. She remembers flashes of paper, praise, 'good grades' that are reasonable to expect and pleasant to receive. Then Zero leans in to remind her of exactly when they encountered Touta, and for Persephone - as Yuuki's memory fills with a sneering bald man in chariacture betraying her good faith for a laugh despite how palpable the power of her mercy was, and of course, a poisonous hell that was built rude on purpose. A memory of teeth and frustration and-- It was several years ago. "He was quite useful for a rather un-fun set of exploration. You would have liked to reject how awful it was, I think."
Angela	Speaking of not really all that sane... Angela didn't really specifically mean 'Petra Tears' when she said 'ended in tears'. She didn't even strictly mean tears in general when she said 'ended in tears'. When she said 'ended in tears' she meant in the sense of a dire ending. Perhaps tears, perhaps murder, perhaps any number of terrible days that just ruin the entire concept of a 'party' for Angela. This is, also, technically her second trip to a beach but if you discount simulated oceans, this is certainly her first visit to an actual ocean (that isn't infested with monsters) ((that she knows of)) (((That she actual has the ability to interact with her surroundings for with her pack))). But the fact of the matter is, irrespective of similar occurances where Angela got to experience various aspects of an ocean, albeit rarely an entirely ocean at the same time, this is still the sort of place Angela likes to go to. Angela's face and upper half of her body is all that's really visible on the eggpack. She IS worried but, "I am not worried about you, Petra. I am worried about the inherent matter of bringing conflicting strong personalities into close proximity." Angela tries to reassure Petra. She does, strangely enough, take a brochure and start reading through it. She goes through it pretty damn quickly before closing it up again and sliding it into the pack. Angela is a fast reader. "Hello," She tells Touta but is getting overwhelmed by the list of activities available. Angela sees Kale Hearthward having set up a dunk tank. More importantly, she sees that it's for an orphan fund for the Union Busan. That sounds... nice? She's squarely tempted. "I would like to donate to the Union Busan and try 'dunking' Mr. Hearthward." Angela says. "If you do not feel that would be uneccessarily provocative." She doesn't know what Sarracenia looks like or she might've suggested a different activity. Either way, she's getting to go first almost certainly.
Ritsuka Fujimaru	"Was it like this before, Miss Jeanne?" "No. It was quieter before. Less hospitable. The reception area is new." "That's a shame. A little fighting on the way could get the blood pumping, but... This is fine, too!" Jeanne looks exhausted already as she leads Ritsuka and Mash through the somewhat familiar caverns past the warpgate, pausing to take a look at all the new amenities since she's last been in this region. Reception? Pamphlets? Staff? It's all pretty jarring to see, but not in an unpleasant way once she gets used to not having to just stab her way through well-trodden ground. Mash has her nose buried in one of those brochures while Ritsuka keeps rushing ahead and slowing down whilst gawking at things, and all three of them are moving at that annoyingly specific speed where none of them are consistent enough to follow easily by walking nor jogging without either passing right by them or being just a bit too slow to keep up. Eventually, though, they run into Touta, and he gets varying levels of greetings from the three. Ritsuka, wearing an orange button up with a yellow floral print, white shorts, white sandals, and orange shades, greets him with a cheery "Yo, Touta!". Mash, wearing a gray and white jacket, and a white swim dress with hot pink accents, greets him with a more formal bow at the waist and a light "Hello, Mister Konoe!" Jeanne, wearing her usual dark blue jacket with gold trim and a black two-piece bikini with red trim and a flame decal (because of course she does), gives him something vaguely resembling a stiff wave and a tired "Touta. How did you afford...? Oh. Right. This was on the Dame Commander's dime, wasn't it?". "A yacht ride, a water park, /and/ a hot spring? There's a lot of ground to cover in a short time..." "I'll get a plan together. If we can map out the best route, we should be able to see almost everything before the day's over!" "You're really going to run around that much? Can't say I'm that surprised." Clearly, they've got different ideas on how to enjoy themselves today. Despite that, however, the three of them are all headed in the same direction at first: The beach! Jeanne already knows someone else that's coming today, and it'll be a good opportunity to talk... Business? Recreation? Whatever it counts as, she doesn't have to worry too much about actually finding Hook, as he ends up making his presence known through the power of SONG (even if she couldn't see him earlier). "Ah, Captain. Quite the pipes you've got on you. Wouldn't it have been easier to show up at the front?" She asks with a knowing grin. Of course he's not someone that would do this normally, but getting the explanation is half the fun. Ritsuka and Mash, meanwhile, end up getting distracted by the sheer number of new faces and don't get far from the initial area. Zero and Yuuki, being names that they've only heard of and not people they've ever actually seen, both get curious looks from the two newcomers. "They're real. And they look... Normal!" "S-senpai, that's rude. Although I didn't think Mister Konoe even know people in their positions..." Phony commands a great deal of attention, too, with Ritsuka just blatantly staring at her for a few moments before Mash (with no small degree of jealousy) gives her a light elbow in the ribs to get her to stop. "Hi there! You don't know us, but I've heard a bit about you, too!" "Good things, to be clear. It's nice to meet you, miss... Kore, was it?" Ishirou's presence is soon noticed by Ritsuka when she follows the smell of food, though, and she squints in his direction before raising an arm and waving at him. "... Hey! What're you doing all the way over there? Come on over! Don't stick yourself in a corner!"
Kale Hearthward	Kale accepts the plate of food gratefully. There's another little ledge for him to rest it on, though he's eating quickly because he knows it might get wet in the tank regardless. "Um, tell Ishirou thank you," he says to the OPTION. Sarracenia steps up. Kale blinks at the gold coins going into the box. "Might need to get a bigger box..." he says. The throw is actually pretty accurate - but it doesn't strike the target squarely on enough for it to press it in. Kale claps his hands. "Oooh. Sorry, Princess. Looks like your dunking is in another tank. Gonna have to try again." Kale status: very dry
Hibiki Tachibana	All things considered, with everything recently, it would be understandable if Hibiki hadn't shown up at all. But their host for today did some convincing--and even she has to admit that a genuine rest day would be...nice. As long as she stays out of trouble, it'll be fine. Probably.     Slightly more surprising even past that is that her usual plus-one is coming along as well; Miku Kohinata is ensuring that her partner isn't brooding in thought or having second guesses and stalling at check-in, and she's also the one who's happy to take a pair of pamphlets and politely bow and thank the staff greeting them. In the elevator up... "Amano-Mihashira...Orbital Elevator?" "It's a fitting name for something like that, don't you think, Hibiki?" "Um...is it?" "Mhm! After the pillar that Izanagi and Izanami built together!" "...Wait, really? Now that you mention it, I think I might remember..." "Oh? Do you now? Then what did they build it for?" "Er...well...um...okay, maybe I didn't pay that much attention."     Of course, nobody is better at keeping Hibiki Tachibana's mind from focusing on anything but the sights and enjoyment that today will (might possibly, maybe) bring. They've even bought a camera to take pictures of the orbital elevator once they're outside!     But before that, the both of them engage with Touta at the top, the magical girl with a casual wave and her companion with another bow. "You guys really went the whole mile, Touta. It's...well. I'm glad I came." "She also means to put a 'thank you' in there," Miku adds teasingly. And then in full sincerity, "And so do I! Miku Kohinata. Thank you so much for giving us the chance to be here. We'll be sure to thank her plenty, too! Right, Hibiki?" "Er...right..." She glances off to the side.     As far as beachwear goes, Miku is dressed in a violet bikini and sarong combo bearing a large straw sunhat. The same she wore to a certain other beach party, actually! Said earlier mentioned camera rests at her side. Hibiki has a orange-and-black matching one now, minus the sarong and hat; in their place is a paper-thin hooded jacket worn open, which conveniently serves to cover the sight of her shoulder wound finishing its healing process. Her Symphogear pendant is openly hanging from her neck.     Down the stairs and under the sun proper, there's the click-click of Miku's camera snapping not only the sight of the orbital elevator, but also quite a few of the other arrivals (including Kale trying to get himself dunked). Hibiki has too many familiar faces to even know where to start, but the pair are generally gravitating towards the volleyball area and where Ishirou is cooking.     And was that just Captain Hook apparating out of nowhere? Hibiki thought she heard his voice. "...Wow. That was you singing, Will? I don't think I've ever heard before."
Captain Hook	"Perish the thought, my fine and foxy lady," Hook says, unslinging the umbrella from his shoulder and levelling it at Tamamo like a cutlass with his good hand, "I am a pirate, and a proper pirate ought never need an invitation to go where he pleases, nor ever check in with security lest he have some greater purpose behind it." He plants the umbrella with a *thump* in the sand.      "And," he says cheerily, "A pirate ought never pay for anything."      Yeah, he's just straight up gonna steal stuff.      "Don't you look marvelous," Hook says to Jeanne as she walks up to him, "A genuine treasure all on your own."      His lips split in a wide grin. "Why, I'm here to cause trouble on purpose, of course," he says, reaching out with his good hand to boop Jeanne on the nose playfully, then offering her his arm, "Or, at least, be here *quite* against the rules and see what I might be able to take. Things are so much more fun if you're doing them for free and illicitly, wouldn't you agree?"      Hibiki asks if he was singing. Hook reaches up to ting the tuning fork around his neck. "Oh, yes. I was taught by pretty mermaids in lagoons, so I'm quite confident in my voice. This is the Silent Fork. Lovely little treasure. Once it gets going - you have to warm it up with a song, and it ever-so-loves sea shanties, you know - it smothers you out of phase with existence and carries you along on the song, and then when you stop, drops you back in-synch proper. Very handy little tool."
Petra Soroka	Petra takes a moment to recognize Sarracenia, despite her very princessly demeanor. Once she speaks, Petra recognizes her voice, after blankly staring at her getup for a few seconds, and then she returns Sarracenia's wave with a glare.     "Don't think I've forgotten, princess. Fucking behave yourself, because I'm watching." Instead of applause, Touta gets a similar reception. "That goes for you too, Konoe." "I would like to donate to the Union Busan and try 'dunking' Mr. Hearthward."     "Yeah, that seems like it'd be super funny. Aren't birds unable to fly when they get wet, too?" That's bees. "I, uh-- don't have a ton of money, though. I have like... five credits on me. That chinchilla, sort of, ate almost my entire paycheck today."     "Let me do something first, though." Seeing Sarracenia miss, Petra walks up to the dunk tank, stares directly at Kale inside of it, and says, "I get to do this once. As a treat."     Petra presses the button with her hand, sending Kale into the water without a throw, and while he's submerged she sneaks a tiny portion of morphmetal into the mechanisms, making sure that any throw that gets close *enough* to the button will trigger it.     "Alright, Angela, your turn." Petra returns behind the table with the baseballs, turning around so that the Eggpack is facing the dunk tank for optimal throwing angles.
Ishirou	The OPTION drone makes a chirping noise as if to indicate the thanks are being delivered now. Ishirou, literally at a cooking station in the middle of the beach looks around when he's ~~called out~~ called to.  He looks up, and see's the group assembled, including the bane of his current existence.  Ritsuka.   "I'm literally in the middle of the beach, cooking food.  I could not be more hidden away if I tried.  Also, leave me alone!" he says, complaining and /feeling/ Persephone there.  Oh.  He didn't expect... Oh no.  He pulls the strings on the hood of his hoodie tighter.
Kale Hearthward	It takes Kale too long to notice what Petra's doing, though even if he had noticed there's not much he could do about it. "Hang on - you're supposed to-" Kale doesn't get the rest of that out as the seat flips down, and he goes into the water. KER-SPLASH The interior of the tank is immediately a froth of water and feathers as Kale thrashes about. "IT'S COLD!" he yells as he manages to get his head back above water. As quickly as he can, he climbs the little ladder back up and gets back on the seat, fluffing his feathers in an attempt to dry them off faster. It's actually kind of adorable. "Ugh - that's not how you're supposed to play that, and you know it," he says. Kale status: soaking wet
Lilian Rook	"Oh good. I was, in fact, very much wondering whether they'd take my transaction seriously. If they've bothered to make the minimum extra effort to learn everyone's names and make extra preparations, then I'll adjust my expectations of the service upwards accordingly."     Intolerably snotty, but also sort of correct, in the world of the at-least genuinely wealthy. It'd cost Lilian six digits to have this place to herself (figuratively), so, even status aside, any credible hospitality business should know to reciprocate by exceeding the usual level of service they offer. That's how it works, everywhere. Check one of her making something a problem, down.     "My, it certainly has been a while. You look like an adult now." is the next snotty-yet-correct thing Lilian has to say; this time about Touta himself. The fact that she proceeds to silently wait for him to greet, thank, and explain everything, could also be taken as contempt, but given the vaguely ameliorated expression she evens out to in the end, the point may have been to let him have the floor at length.     Lilian has not arrived in beach dress. She clearly has some, in the small duffel she has over her shoulder (itself containing her usual bag inside). It may or may not have something to do with the way she's carefully watching who arrives and in what order, given she hadn't been quite unwise enough to insist that only vetted names be allowed; something begging to create another fiasco about who's being excluded and who's her new friend now.     Tamamo is an inevitability. Jeanne is an irrelevance (her new friends might be okay?). Ishirou is given begrudgingly magnanimous indifference, as he seems to be minding himself. Hook is a perplexing choice that puts her visibly on guard in an unusual sort of way.     Phony is a relief; or would be, if Lilian didn't immediately near double over and be fine, actually. Sarracenia seems like someone Lilian should be giving some kind of death glare, but despite ratting her to Petra in clear mean spirit, seems to have little to say about her. Hibiki is given one single, solitary stare that embodies a complete reversal of the entire last two years, and communicates all she really needs to know: 'this time it'll be both hands'.     Petra is a guilty probability that Lilian had been sure of, her temptation to warmly receiver her, currently tempered by a cloud of guilty uncertainty that keeps her merely hovering at middle distance. Seeing Angela with her gives her a necessary excuse to approach close enough to greet her, without specifically having to acknowledge Petra or say anything to her.     Kale in a dunk tank nearly makes her crack up on sight, but she covers her mouth at the last second, glimpsing the sigh, and exhaling a 'that's not fair' noise. The Director and (bodyguard? she never really figured that out) of the Concord is completely unexpected, and thus--literally several years ago-- No, we're not doing that, but even Zero's 'sixth sense' reads something like an almost completely different person.     'Ah, Lilian, did you have a preference'     "Not particularly." Lilian looks back over to Touta. "Honestly, I was expecting something more like an event, but I suppose this is what comes of renting the entire island." She waves down Phony, but it's obvious to anyone that Lilian's eyes are consistently attracted to the space elevator on the horizon, sliding from any other point and settling on the orbital spindle when she stops meaning to look at anything particular, as if rolling from high elevation down to a natural valley. "Let's save hotsprings for after. We may as well use the beach. Though, we did volleyball when I hosted, and--" Again. Persephone. Actually, anyone here, really. "That may not be the best of ideas, with this crowd. Without certain preparations."
Touta Konoe	Kale's taken an initiative to set up that dunk tank as things start up although...Hopefully someone had told them that beyond the Elites that would be arriving, there was going to be no additional guests upon the island for the entire day due to Lilian's contributions. However, there are a few of the staff dressed that opt to play and even donate a little before things start to pick up. However, one of them ends up knocking on the side of the tank while he's still up. "Mr..." The staff has to pull out a checklist to identify him in question. "...Hearthward, while the dunk tank is fine, can you please elaborate on the fund you're promoting? We run an orphanage on the island so we take those things rather seriously." Hook's sea canty provides him the opportunity to join the rest as the others arrive in the elevator undetected and past the group as he provides his speech. No one appeared to have told him the original invite was open and that anyone could have attended, but there's a certain level of style that comes with party crashing which simply cannot be denied. There'd likely be someone questioning if this guy was on the list at some point but given he's appeared to have brought no weapons beyond that hook of his, for the time being his appearance is more than welcomed by the staff, even being approached the moment he's visible again if he'd care for a drink or something of the like while enjoying the sand.The moment that Ishirou passes the staff a list, they just look at him funny. "Sir, the venue's already been accommodated with food, and a fire pit is already being prepared. If you're bringing food from outside the venue we will need to check it..." Whatever thoughts Ishirou might have about Touta as a host, the Senkyokan staff have been at this for quite some time, and to have someone out of the blue come into their business and tell them that they're not preparing for their jobs likely hasn't won him any brownie points today. "Also that moron, is our co-worker...Also who the hell said that anyone was being charged for the food?" Another staff member would pop into the conversation, "I just heard that someone paid to keep the island private. Food's being covered, right?" The other nods, before they all just look at Ishirou questioningly...Maybe there was some sort of miscommunication? Or a change of plan that he wasn't aware of given he wasn't part of the organizing of the event Regardless any foods that Ishirou would have attempted to bring in would have to be inspected, in the meanwhile he's permitted a small plot on the beach to prepare his own cooking station if he desires. He's been informed that he'll also be fined if he leaves any of his trash on the beach afterwards. Otherwise though they do help him prepare, though no one seems too enthralled by it.
Touta Konoe	For those who were taking their time to attend the speech, they find themselves greeted by Touta directly. There's a genuine look of surprise as he sees that Yuki and Zero of all people made it. "Oh man, you guys should have let me know you were coming! It's gotta be at least like...Three or four years since we even talked about you guys showing up. Here, make yourselves comfortable, I'll chat more in a bit by, I need to check--" He plans to make his rounds, but before he can Persephone makes her way to properly greet him. It seems that he's pretty unphased by the swimsuit and returns a smirk her way. "Co-worker? Iunno about that, but thanks for the warm welcome back. As for why I invited everyone...It's a good question. Honestly, there's a lot I want to learn from a lot of different places. So I'm hoping that if I share a bit of my culture here, one day people might be more open to sharing theirs back. Though...There's never any guarantees on that am I right? It's nice meeting you Persephone, but you know...Give me a bit, host greetings and all that!" As he makes that remark he can see Tamamo's greeting arrived on queue with the others such as Petra, Angela, and the Master Trio. "You said it, it's definitely been a while since I hosted and it's already pretty crazy. I think I might need to thank Lilian a bit for keeping it small. I can't imagine trying to do this with regular guests around too. In the meanwhile though, feel free to check out the beach? I figure that's where everyone's going to start off, and if you wanna explore a bit don't feel shy!" Sarra's given a light wave but it's clear he's already getting mobbed a bit, and thus as she goes to the dunk tank he's inclined to let her enjoy herself. It's almost the same that he gives to Petra in the same regard since she simply nods his way. till the eggman pack speaks up, "Hey guys! Thanks for coming. Sorry I'm not giving a proper greeting, but these meet and greets really aren't a joke. Anyway, definitely take the time to look around and Petra, the only thing you'll be watching of me today is trying to make sure I'm not falling over my feet checking in on everyone. Anyway, go have fun...And seriously /try/ the hoverskiis, you'll have fun!" As he notes the two he makes his way to the Servant trio proper this time, Mash and Ritsuka getting proper greetings while at the same time, he tries to reconcile Jeanne's remark. "No, no, we've always had this stuff for when people want to do things like this. Though I'll admit, Lilian deciding to rent the place did keep us from doing this at a loss. But either way, I asked everyone here and I'd have made it up to the boss one way or another."
Angela	Angela says, "I read that may be the case for owls," to Petra, reaching into the pack and depositing the appropriate amount of currency into the Union Busan Jar. This is an important part of the ritual as far as Angela is concerned. She bites a lip to hide a smile when Petra goes up to smack the button and dunk Kale without any word for it. Maybe that's awful, maybe that's cheating, but it's hard for Angela to get upset with Petra's audaciousness right now. It IS, in fact, preferable to her than the tears. Angela collects a ball and says, "Thank you." Before she snaps the Eggpack's arm back-- --then spins it around a few times to test the torque--before flinging a ball towards the dunk tank trigger! Will a 16 knock Kale back into the drink?! Angela is hopeful but will probably have fun even if he doesn't go down. It's just nice to participate. Regardless of how that goes down she says, "Thank you." again to Petra, turning her head on the screen to scratch something off a list. It might be two things off a list if Kale goes down in the drink. The screen shifts a little bit upon hearing Lilian. "Dame Commander." Angela turns to guide the camera to get a look at what she's wearing, AS PROMISED--but it seems she turned the camera a bit early. That's fine. She likes seeing the Dame Commander no matter what she wears. "Thank you for setting up this event." She frowns thoughtfully as she tries to consider whether or not her buying the whole place out qualifies but she decides it does.
Sarracenia	Sarracenia lets out an annoyed 'mmph' as she just flat out misses and doesn't even throw it well, either. Sarra smiles cheerful at Petra as she is warned to behave herself. "This is a beach party! I would never do anything that would lessen that sacred experience~" she says before blinking as Petra walks up to the dunk tank. "...hey, what are you..." she starts, then Petra hits the button.      Sarracenia gasps before bursting out laughing, almost dropping her parasol in the process.      Lilian approaches the area, and Sarracenia offers a friendly wave despite what bad blood they might have. "Lilian! It has been quite a while!" she says, then hees. "Did you almost laugh at the misfortune of one of your associates?" she teases, then blinks and ponders a moment. "...So...huh." She obviously makes a mental note on something, then looks confused. "What? Why? What's wrong with volleyball?" she asks.      Sarra also waves to Touta when waved at. "I will definitely be trying out the hoverskiis!" she calls to him. She also waves to Hibiki. It's been quite a while but they were at least aquaintances once.
Kale Hearthward	> "Can you please elaborate on the fund you're promoting?" "It's the Union Busan. It's part of a world that's not doing too well and has a high attrition rate, and might also be facing an apocalypse soon," he says. "I can pull their 501c equivalent. Or you can ask literally anyone here and they'll give you an earful about it, trust me." Kale barely has time to get resituated before Angela steps up. "Well, it's not like you're really there," he says as she winds up. "How good can your-" KER-SPLOOSH "How did it get *colder* that time???" Kale demands as he immediately goes for the ladder. "Ugh."
Petra Soroka	Lilian keeping her distance from Petra is immediately and devastatingly noticed. Petra tentatively lights up when she arrives and makes motions to greet her, which cut short with the abruptness and deafening following silence of an execution by firing squad.     Did Tamamo say something to her? She had to have, right, of course, she said she'd talk later. Obviously she'd end up accepting whatever Tamamo does to me after a conversation, they're together for a reason. Petra keeps her eyes locked on the ground while Angela makes her throw, clinging very hard to the assumption that her mood being visibly down at this party would ruin it, and she promised not to do that.     I didn't even do anything *wrong* last time; I've done everything Tamamo's told me to. That should be enough for her, right? What else can I even do? What does she want from me?
Ishirou	"You obviously didn't listen to anything I've said, here is a list, please provide the food so I can make sure it's cooked for the people.  Check it or whatever, but come on we can't be slow about this.  It's why I gave you the list!  I figured you'd want it checked.." And then 'the comment about the fine'.  "Oh my god, please stop treating me like I'm a goddamn terrorist, or punk, or... serial litterer..." he says, frustrated at both the lack of planning and the third degree he's getting.   Back to now, he's focused on cooking at trying to forget the earlier stuff and back to cooking.  This at least brings him some joy.  Also watching Kale repeatedly get dropped into a tank.  This is very funny to him.   He's also grateful for Lilian's forbearance.
Tamamo	Tamamo is politely pretending to pay less attention to Persephone than she actually is. She's both very attentive and very good at pretending. Nothing since Secundus has occurred to really wipe out that period's impression, unfortunately, back when things got aggressively hostile. Still, there's no sign of animosity when she answers, regarding dunk tanks, "It is akin to pranking. Somewhat like... teasing? The one who is dunked subjects themselves to it for a cause, often. In this case, it seems to be for charity, as the sign says." It's not something she thinks Persephone should have to worry over for the sake of Kale's comfort.     She's entirely normal about normal things being done normally.     As for Petra, Tamamo notices her only afterward, though she really can't not, given the interaction of auras. She refrains from reacting to the lack of appropriate attire, having immediately reminded herself why that happened. That was the whole point of her earlier thoughtfulness -- but of course, the timing hadn't worked out. A pity.     She really does hope that there won't be so much crying, today.     "Oh, Kohinata-san!" Tamamo reaches her arm up to wave. "We last saw one another at another beach party, did we not? It has been some time, I am sure. Have you been well? I would not mind hearing of any new developments." It's not really a secret that she means 'romantic,' but Miku may or may not have read her well enough to realize what's been obvious to many other people of Tamamo's longer acquaintance.     Hook makes his intentions clear. Tamamo's head tilts as she considers this, finally concluding, with a smile, "Well, pirates are known to be a staple of tropical islands, are they not? In certain genres, at the least." She decides to just leave that be, having no real worry that he'll steal anything that would make her very unhappy.     'Let's save hotsprings for after.'     Tamamo nods to Lilian, "I would have suggested the same. Though it is tempting, that is more of an evening's activity, no?" She glances past Petra and gives Angela's screen-presence a small wave in acknowledgment. "Volleyball... why, yes, that would be a bit... unfair, between certain participants, I expect. Not that I would at all mind watching you exert yourself, of course." Her own methods of cheating at sports are expensive enough, in ways other than money, that she'd rather not use them for this particular vanity. "Did you plan on swimming? I would rather like to, I suppose, though once I do, I shall be, ah, some time before I can again be dry. I would suggest the food, though that might be better later, as well."     'Swimming' is the easiest option, as she leaves it.
Persephone Kore	Phony is a relief; or would be, if Lilian didn't immediately near double over and be fine, actually.      "Huh? Lily-R?" The way Persephone blinks is intolerably innocent. "Are you alright? If you're not feeling well enough for volleyball, that's okay, but I was sort of looking forward to it!"      Yuuki's praise has exactly the desired effect, if not more. She's just the right mixture of mature-yet-childish to get enthused about it, and express the enthusiasm through radiant warmth. "Oh!! You know  Yuuki? Ahaha, you're so sweet! You know, I was just about to thank you and, actually? For helping make 'me' possible, and taking care of my home."      She glances between Zero and Yuuki with just a little confusion when they have their exchange, and then back to Touta. Why would she need to be reminded? Oh, of course: "Aw, so you're old friends! That's why someone so busy made time. Wow, you must've gotten started young, Touta! Ahaha, I'm almost a little jealous!"      "You would have liked to reject how awful it was, I think."      Phony's sandal-heels ought to be terrible for the beach, but even on the sand, they clack just fine. She glances back over her shoulder at Yuuki, as an afterthought, and adds: "Ahaha, you really do understand me already. It's incredible! But I shouldn't be surprised you're smart~"      Her fingers graze Touta's shoulder as she passes him by towards the surf; a fond gesture, but attention snagging. "I'd love to hear about your culture, when you have the time! I'll tell you mine if you'll tell me yours."      Then she lazily makes her way over to Kale's dunk tank, shamelessly steps over the throwing line, and leans against the non-target side with her face right next to the glass. "So. How'd you really end up in there? Be honest! Because I might be very proud of you."
Ritsuka Fujimaru	"Tell me something I don't already know." Jeanne laughs as she rests a hand on her hip, deliberately not looking at everyone else that's probably taller than her. "If you're here to cause trouble, might I recommend the..." Actually, she likes some of these spots. Perhaps not all of the people, but it's not as though she doesn't have some vaguely okay memories of this place. Instead of recommending specific spots to vandalize, she looks back at the group of Elites that have gathered, then strokes her chin lightly with her free arm. And then she gets snapped out of her focus by that boop on the nose, looking briefly bewildered by that gesture. "Wh...? Well, don't let me stop you from any of that fun, then. You might have some cover with whatever fireworks come of all of them. She gestures towards Hibiki, Petra, Tamamo (without caring one bit that she's right there), Kale, and Lilian with a bit of a shit-eating grin, then looks back up and over at Hook. "Or... Competition, if you feel like showing off when you finally make your move. I'm just here for the shows today, anyway." Touta's explanation about Lilian renting the place versus hosting the party at a loss, meanwhile, has Jeanne sighing lightly. "And if she didn't, your boss would still let you do all this? I can't believe this place is still running at all. But..." Shaking her head, she looks over at all the setup, then shrugs noncommittally after a few moments. "I suppose it's not bad seeing that things are still going fine enough here." Ritsuka and Mash, meanwhile, have their hands full trying to get a better look at what everyone else is up to. The former cheers at Sarracenia's throw at Kale's dunk tank, then laughs at Petra's followup stunt while the latter is a little more polite about turning her head and covering her mouth while giggling. And then Ritsuka hears Ishirou, and she locks on target. "Be less hidden! Are you getting paid to hang out all they way over here?" She calls out, perhaps a little louder than she normally would, definitely because it looks like he's trying to hide. The hoodie-tightening makes it even more important for her to get him out of that shell, and she approaches him with a hearty smile and leaning forward to try and starer right into his hoodie hole. "Hey. Who're you hiding from, anyway?" Mash, meanwhile, approaches the dunk tank crewm and she claps lightly at Angela's apparent success at dunking Kale in! "Good throw, Miss... Angela, right? And Miss Soroka? It's good to finally meet you both! And-" Angela indicates Lilian, and that makes it easier for Mash to follow along and bow to her as well. "And Miss Rook. I hope we can work together sometime in the future!" She's clearly nervous, although it's almost entirely from general nerves. Also, knowing that Ritsuka's probably said or will say something stupid to them at some point.
Ishirou	"No, I am not being paid, I like cooking.  I like when people enjoy my good, it's a hobby that..." he pauses.  He originally got into it because of...  Well Strawberry, at first.  Then he became human and really had to cook for himself... and Go, because Go was incapable of actually feeding himself.  He sighs, taking a step away from Ritsuka.   "I asked you to leave me alone..." he says, dejectedly, knowing that she's not going to do that.  He doesn't feel like causing a scene right now.   "I'm not hiding from anyone," he answers her question.  Though he's lying through his teeth on that one.  It's a topic that's complicated for him and one entirely of his own making.  "Also I am on the beach.  I just told you I couldn't be less hidden if I tried.  Why are you bothering me so much?  Did you not do enough over the radio the last few days?  Is it necessary to harass me in public now?
Zero Kiryu	"Just because we've been busy with our own matters," Zero says, eyes flicking towards Ritsuka and Mash, "doesn't mean we've never done field work. It's easy to meet people like Konoe in that way." EasiER, in fact, at this point. They have several layers of insulation between themselves and anyone remotely normal, with their usual callers being the few ordinary people they knew or the vast swaths of absolutely fantastical and often intolerable people that they knew. His sixth sense lingers on Lilian for a moment, and Zero actually takes the time to look towards her with his eyes. There is a memory of observing her spreading her birds around a town -- he can't recall which, they were following Joestar around at the time and that involved a LOT of world-trekking, and besides that he's certain he observed this more than once -- and coming to the conclusion that if their interests were at odds it was best to avoid her. This was, and is, not a fearful analysis. People who take notes and engage in information gathering are simply likely to pull off similar gambits to what Yuuki did in Kaladesh. Getting what you want done is easier if you're not on their radar at all. His opinion doesn't change, here. Zero can see her observing people very meticulously. After a moment his sixth sense swivels away from her, and his head twitches in her direction in a tiny acknowledgment he doesn't expect anybody else to even notice. "Something like that," he says to Touta. The number of years hardly mattered to him, and he doubted it did to Touta either. "There's no rush. Attend to your guests." They're not technically gatecrashers, but they are a little... apart. //Lily-R// Persephone says, which even by Zero's standards is notably cute. He glances back her way, lips curled ever-so-faintly into a subtle smile. It isn't until she's done talking to Yuuki that he remarks, "I'm glad you're doing so well." With Persephone peeling off towards the beach, Zero Kiryu turns and takes Yuuki by the hand. He can sense, partially, that she is half-engaged here. He knows, without sensing, that she needs a little more disengagement from the banal elements of managing... he's not even certain it's vampire society right now. It doesn't matter. He leads her away towards the hot springs, where people notably aren't filtering towards. "Well... we'll be over this way." It's mostly aimed at Touta, in case he wants to follow up at some point later.
Kale Hearthward	"So. How'd you really end up in there? Be honest! Because I might be very proud of you." Kale, after he's climbed back onto the little ledge, crosses his arms. "I got tricked into coming up here, and it's not like I can go back on it now that I'm in here. The water's *cold*. And Petra cheated, which is good for her because she couldn't possibly win this normally." Hi Persephone. I figured enough people still dislike me that I could at least get some good out of it. I gotta keep up the act for maximum effect, though, so I can't say out loud that it was my idea. "You hear that, Soroka!" calls Kale. "It's a good thing nobody's giving you anything to donate, because that way you can't *embarass* yourself with how bad your aim is!" The water actually is really cold though. I'm only playing that up a little bit :< Kale status: dripping wet
Hibiki Tachibana	"Uh..." The technical explanation of Hook's doo-dad entirely goes over Hibiki's head. She condenses it down to a few words she can process. Song. Existence. Carried on song. Stop, and you're back in. Hm. She gives a singular nod of understanding.     "...I didn't understand a word of that. But I guess it's like the opposite of how Noise work...? It sounds amazing, though. I dunno if I could ever sing anything like a shanty, though..." She muses to herself given Hook would have no context for that, then shakes that thought, glancing between him and Jeanne after. Is she imagining something in the air between her and Hook...?     The vibe lasts about as long as it takes for her to register the look Lilian shoots at her on entrance, and her lips purse as she tenses up and narrows her eyes with visible strain, a hand going up to clutch at her pendant unconsciously and defensively.     Miku is too occupied taking her pictures next to her to notice the moment exactly when it happens; especially as Tamamo greets her, and she leans out from behind the camera to offer a sunny wave. "Oh! Hello again, Miss Tamamo! We did! I'd never forget it."     That it comes through as that and not 'Tamamo-san' might just be some extra politeness into it that doesn't extend all the way to '-sama'. Her smile grows a bit wider, eyes closing happily. "Ahaha, well...maybe we should have a chat about that sometime? I want to treat you back for the cookies, too!"     She definitely knows. But the rancid vibes coming off of Hibiki finally reach her, and as Tamamo turns away, she pieces together why after a look in the same direction as her - towards the Dunk Pool party, of course. Not only Lilian, but...she'd recognize Petra even from a distance. Worriedly, her hand goes up to Hibiki's own tightened-up one to urge it to loosen. "Hibiki..." "I'm fine--" She's not fine, but forcibly makes herself a little less strung, shifting her attention to Tamamo for a second before angling her head away. "...totally fine. Hey, we were heading for the volleyball court, weren't we?" This has nothing to do with Lilian mentioning she didn't want to go there, certainly.
Touta Konoe	It becomes apparent that Touta's definitely starting to feel like everyone's enjoying the venue and honestly it feels like a battle just to keep up with it all! In a good way though! Near death from battles was one thing, but seeing this many people around...Even if it was all chaotic something about it really had him working up a smile. And that smile doesn't fade as he takes note of Hibiki and Miku's arrival. "Ah, Hibiki! You made it! That's awesome! And just a tad. I admit I'm usually one of the guys doing more of the attending than the hosting! Still, I couldn't help hearing you guys talk about the tower...And you...Kohinata, right?" All a sudden he just gets really giddy as she makes mention of it, "I'm a really big fan of the tower myself, and the fact you know that...Man, Hibiki really knows cool people! I really could spend days talking about the tower, but I gotta keep moving. Here, let me know the next time you're both are free and maybe we can see if we can get tickets to go there. Trust me, even if it's only the observational floors, it'll be a blast!" There's a sense of calm that comes with talking to the two, though there's a disruption as he sees the look in Lilian's eyes. It's only for a moment but there's something to them, but even if he wanted to make more or less of it, Lilian still catches him off guard with a question instead. "Oh, this? Ehehe, I hate to say it, but it's just as much an outfit as the clothes. Magical Aging Pill, it really helps to make you look more your age. Figured it'd be hard to give that speech while looking like a teen, ya know? As for your transaction, well, since you were being serious with it, we were taking that as well. Also, congrats. Part of that money is being considered a donation. So a bit of this will actually be going to help fun the orphanage on the island. Although..." Touta finds himself looking back to the dunk tank. "Looks like someone's trying to take your spot as the most popular fundraiser contributor. Well, hopefully it's for a good cause." It's a bit of a teasing back and forth before he notices somewhere else her eyes are going. "It's definitely a cool sight, huh? The tower I mean. If this party doesn't sour my world, next time feel free to invite a few people and we can check it out. It's definitely an experience. In the meanwhile though, if you haven't ever tried the watermelon game, it's a real treat. Also, the catamaran should be getting ready shortly. So if you feel like enjoying a ride around the island with a few private people, not a bad choice either. Just an idea. Anyway, Miss Sponsor, if you excuse me, Mr. Host has gotta try to keep working the rounds." It's then that he starts walking by before whispering something briefly, "Don't let anyone get too crazy for me too, please." Honestly, two pleasant back to back meetings are given, and he's starting to think he's doing pretty well now. He's even starting to join in that sea canty he heard from before...Then he stops...Then he realizes that it's Hook. Eyes turn as he sees him chatting with the others. "Hey Captain, if you're gonna be a menace, keep it to school science fair levels would you? Otherwise the boss might tear off a pegleg and kick your ass with it, at which point I don't know if that's an ass-kicking or a pegging!"
Captain Hook	"Oh, quite. I'm making the place so much more authentic. Really, they ought to pay me, but God forfend I find gainful employment. That might make me *legitimate*, and I should wish *that* curse on no honest soul." He flashes a smile at Tamamo.      "Why, my dear, I was asking if you wanted to join me. If you're simply here for the show, then perhaps I ought follow *your* lead," he observes in Jeanne's direction, "Care to help me torment Hearthward a bit? It's fulfilling and amusing. I rather like him; he *exudes* the atmosphere of a stuffy constable, and those are the most fun sort to toy with."      "Oh, anyone can sing a shanty," Hook says to Hibiki, "That's rather the point."      Touta gives him an ultimatum.      Hook purses his lips.      He looks at Jeanne.      "I do believe I was just *threatened*."      "Do you think..." He leans down to Jeanne's eye level, a broad grin on his face, "He's jealous of me, taking your attention?"      High school level, huh? Unfortunately, William never went to high school - he skipped straight to college-level pettiness.
Sarracenia	Sarracenia mmphs softly in annoyance as per usual the attention is not on her and no one stares at her in her swimsuit. Her cheeks puff a moment, but she straightens her little crown and puts her smile back on. "Petra, you did not donate. Do not worry, I have you covered." she says, and pulls a few more large coins from her purse before slipping them into the donation box.      Then Kale mentions embarrassing Petra by trying to get her to throw one normally. The princess gets that slightly devious smile again, and pulls out another coin. "Okay Petra. Let's see if you can actually hit the target~" she says, then plunks another coin in. "But, after I give this another shot!" she says, then throws a ball.      After, she looks to Tamamo, Persophone, and Ritsuka (and crew). "Hello! I am not sure we have met before. I am Princess Sarracenia Sundew, Crown Princess of the Sundew Kingdom." she says, and curtseys using her sarong. She watches Ritsuka and Ishirou and giggles. "Ishi! Take off that hoodie! You are supposed to get some sun at the beach! And why are you cooking? They have staff for that!"      At talk of the hot spring, Sarra perks. "Oh! May I join you all when it is hot spring time?" she asks.
Angela	Angela says, to Kale, "I applaud that you know yourself well, Mr. Hearthward." She says this with upmost sincerity. It's almost enough to forget that the man tricked her with contract language. Almost, but not quite. She'll probably never forget. Angela waves a metallic hand Tamamo's way lightly before confirming, "I cannot swim, but do not hold back on my account, please." She is not an empath but it doesn't really require great empathic power to notice that Petra is at least a little off right now. Angela isn't sure if it's because of what happened last time or because the outfit is not ideal in the scenario. She wants to do something to cheer her up--but what? Maybe an opportunity will reveal itself but she understands that going against Tamamo is not a viable option for numerous reasons so she will have to adapt around the rules. Just like with Abnormalities, really. "Ah, you are...Mash?" Angela asks of Mash, not really knowing her particularly well but is willing to make conversation. "Ist is good to meet you?" Her eyes slant back to Tamamo. "I have considered party protocol modifications in the future. How goes your romance studies? I have not had the opportunity to advance my research."
Aidan Proudpick	Aidan has been in the lobby for like half an hour, looking at the pamphlet. Some of the places are easy to understand. 'There's girls here but they are ships, too'. 'Girls transform and save the day.' 'Horses.' 'Centaurs.' 'More horses.' 'Robots' More over, it seems like there has been a definite shift in power since Aidan was last active. It is a good time to get out and at least see the greatest powers roaming around. It's another day of Aidan feeling has he accepted a position in which he is way over his head. He can FEEL the pressure against his head, against his mind, a sudden shift in reality as someone walks through. And looking at this world, trying to grasp the different layers. Earth, he understands Earth. But magic, okay. And there are things that Earth has. Magic, magic everywhere. Two thoughts stand in Aidan's mind. First how COOL it would be to have all that magic, how interesting this world is. But that side of Aidan's mind has been ground down and beaten by Lance. Then the ever present thought that he needs to be spending every waking minute wisely to help his friends and people, and trying to fit this place into that puzzle. And adding the force he feels. The people he sees who stand head and shoulders above him in power. Some as veritable gods. When the squirrel finally arrives, he is dressed simply, as thankfully the beach allows, wearing an open hawaiian shirt and pink board shorts. He takes the time, just to look at the world, take in the blue sky, the water, the clouds, and the really cool tower. It IS a cool tower.
Persephone Kore	"I'm glad you're doing so well."      Awwww! Phony winks back over her shoulder at Zero, and an itty-bitty star is born and dies as a sparkle off her eyelashes. "And I'm glad I could make you proud!" He didn't say that exactly, but I'm sure he meant it!      ----      "Oh, you were tricked, were you? Maybe even I'll take a swing," Persephone says, drumming her fingers on the glass with a look of lazily sadistic satisfaction. The satisfaction is real, but the sadism isn't quite.      Her real response is felt as subtle shifts in her aura, unlikely to be read by anyone else. Ahaha, I really am proud of you!! The Kale of a year ago couldn't have done something this amazing. Here, let me help just a tiny bit:      Air and dust compress and condense above her palm until they ignite into an apple-sized star. She plays with it like it's a casual fidget, but where it ought to burn and blind everything within a mile, instead its light is only fireplace-warm. It doesn't completely get rid of the chill of the water, but it helps! Maybe willingness to suffer builds character, but I've never believed that suffering does.      Aidan, for some reason, catches her eye. Maybe it's something about that uneasy mood he carries with him. But she smiles sympathetically, regardless, and waves in a way that might be an invitation to come over. Hi, this is veritable gods! The sun stays in place where she drops it.
Kale Hearthward	> The Kale of a year ago couldn't have done something this amazing. ... Was he really that bad? (Editor's note: Yes, he was.) KER-PLUNK ... Was that one a bit off of the very center of the target? Kale wasn't watching it too closely. Down he goes either way. "COLD." "Ugh... at least I'm used to how cold it is now," he says, as he gets back up... and Petra steps on up. "Well at least I have a chance to dry off now, now that Soroka's taking a try. Hey Ishirou, could you send me more-" KER-SPLISH "I'M NOT USED TO IT AFTER ALL" Kale status: soaking wet (but at least it's not actually cold now)
Petra Soroka	Lilian is avoiding her, Tamamo isn't acknowledging her, Persephone's attention is more of a hanging threat than something to look forwards to, and even Hibiki averting her eyes stings. It feels so fast, to go from having over a dozen attendees at her birthday party two days ago, to feeling like she's drowning in the presence of other people and that isolation is the inevitable end for her, too drained and miserable to even approach anyone.     Is it because of Tamamo, or because Eggman's exit was still fresh on her mind? It could be because Petra is still acutely aware of all the comments people have made over months and months, about how she ruins every party she goes to? Maybe it's mainly just Lilian, and Petra immediately reverts to feeling miserable and lost without her. Maybe the combination of factors is what weighs on her so much, but no matter the source, Petra is mostly lifeless.     A fact that doesn't change when Kale, Sarracenia, and Mash turn their attention to her-- because of those three, Kale is the one she likes most, and that's truly a pathetic position for her to be in. "It's a good thing nobody's giving you anything to donate, because that way you can't *embarass* yourself with how bad your aim is!"     "Good job getting him, Angela. I'm glad the arms work well enough to embarrass Hearthward." After a few congratulatory words to Angela, Petra quietly sighs, her shoulders lowering beneath the oversized padding of her bomber jacket. "I dunked you to make sure you were uncomfortable even if no one was interested in your little stall, Hearthward."     There's not a lot of energy behind her words as she picks up a baseball, turning Angela away from the table again. "But I'll do it again if you're that eager." There is, though Petra wouldn't want to admit it, a *little* bit of energy, though. < 17 >     Petra's baseball lands solidly in the center of the target, thrown fast enough that it riccochets off and flies far down the beach, away from the dunk tank. "Okay Petra. Let's see if you can actually hit the target~"     Petra gives Angela a fist bump, lifting her arm over her shoulder to reach the Eggpack's hand. "Good throw, Miss... Angela, right? And Miss Soroka? It's good to finally meet you both!"     "Mmm. That's Angela, yeah." Petra still takes a moment to place Mash, despite having been introduced to her earlier today in the radio. The bow to Lilian, actually, helps her focus on the human traits that typically identify a person, rather than just glazing over them. "Oh. Right. Yeah. It's you, Jeanne's friend."
Lilian Rook	'Thank you for setting up this event.'     "Oh, don't thank me. Konoe insisted on it. I merely followed through on putting rails on it." Lilian says. The way she says it makes it abundantly clear she means 'handrails to keep idiots from falling overboard'. "Ah, but I suppose I did promise you, didn't eye?" More of those misgiving looks. Really, she should have just used the island she was going to give to Eggman.     'Did you almost laugh at the misfortune of one of your associates?'     "Should I not?" Lilian blandly replies to Sarracenia. "Everyone else certainly does." She sighs. "And we're not playing volleyball because there'll be no beach left if people get serious about winning.     'Can you please elaborate on the fund you're promoting?'     Lilian, along her way, raises her voice enough to say "It's fine. The Union Busan is a project I am personally overseeing. I didn't approve the tank, but I can verify the cause." She covers her mouth with the back of her fingertips. "I have no comlpaints about Hearthward putting one of his talents to use."     'It is akin to pranking. Somewhat like... teasing?'     "Close enough, I suppose. Allegedly, as far as ordinary companies go, it's an excellent way of safely dissolving known workplace tension in a semi-ritualistic way."     'Huh? Lily-R?'     "F-fine." Lilian replies. There's no point in bothering to fret about it anymore, but . . . "H-how exactly would you play volleyball? Even you have to admit it'd be completely unfair, right? Even more than if I did. Not that I'm strictly opposed to . . ."     'And Miss Rook. I hope we can work together sometime in the future!'     Lilian has no idea who this person is, and so deep-carved autonomous politeness instinct takes over. "Oh? Well, though you evidently know of me; Dame Commander Lilian Rook, Paladins Chevalier, and I believe pleased to meet you. But you have me at a loss; I've never seen your face before. Might I know you from somewhere?"     Of course she catches Zero straight away. The man is too important for her not to be paying attention to, and too good at leaving chekhov's guns lying around besides. The extent of her return to such a small gesture is the spectre of a reassuringly understimulated smile, which doesn't come anywhere near her eyes until he reacts to Phony. Then the space of one blink causes her gaze to focus in an odd way, right beore flicks away quickly, and she turns a tiny bit pink.     Still. Outside of the novelties of being twenty three(four), having her now-ubiquitous hairpin, the obvious evolution in build, and, of course, the thin little facial scar, a lot feels different invisibly, too. The part of her that registers 'big magic' has switched places with whatever else was there before; a typing change from Arcane/??? to §?§/Arcane.     Whatever substrate it is that warps around Persephone like a singularity, it is twisted up around Lilian, too; feeling somehow closer to being snagged in teeth and wheels than held down by enormous weight. The distinct feeling that §someone else?§ is with her is tough to shake.     It is perhaps only partly unsurprising when she decides to finally go get changed, and a semi-familiar bracelet hangs from her wrist.     'Looks like someone's trying to take your spot'--     "Yes. I know. It's hardly news, Konoe." Lilian starts wandering off muttering something about aging pills. It looks strange to see her actually turn her back and walk, but, logically, if she blipped to a changing room and back instantaneously, someone would assume she stripped on the spot. Suffering.     'I don't know if that's an ass-kicking or a pegging!'     Lilian starts coughing really loudly. She must really be suffering.
Touta Konoe	Kale's able to elaborate for the moment they look over his credentials as they mumble to themselves. "Member of the Paladins...That's the more policey one I think...""Something like that, at the very least he's making this look fun. Honestly, I thought this guy was just trying to run a scam or something...But if it's for a good cause." A few of the staff are lining up to join in the fun, and a few of them are even cheering on Lilian as she does her stunts. "Whooo! Get'em lass!" another calls out, "Make sure you save some for the rest of us!" Clearly they think it's some sort of joke, though it's all for charity so surely no harm no foul...Maybe...This writer isn't seeing the full picture. Ishirou's demands are met with a bit of more questionable looks, "Sir, I'm sorry, but you're not part of any of the organizing that Miss Rook provided to staff or our boss. While we're happy to accommodate any food items, we had Mr. Konoe reach out on the channels previous regarding anything pertaining to the menu. How about you enjoy the party with the rest of the guests?" To which the moment that Ritsuka calls out to Ishirou...He'd find that the staff are all too eager to knock him out of his 'station', and into the seemingly questionable care of Ritsuka, even if they might have walked away, he'd find he's being almost forced out of the spot he was in before they all start taking over the spot he'd set up, waving him off with a teasing smile. At that point, they show that they can manage any orders that come to the station with the efficiency and prowess of a well trained team of chefs. Back to Touta, he's quick to give Sarra another wave as she remarks about the hoverskiis, "Just don't travel out too far, don't want to have the lifeguard have to pull you out!" It's a brief mention but one he tries to make as honest as he can before he returns to the others. It's at the point Persephone follows up with him again that he speaks out a bit embarrassed, "Hehe, trust me nothing to be jealous. I've just been lucky that I've been able to meet Yuuki and Zero a while back. Though I imagine they're way busier nowadays. Still...It's good to see them. Don't get to see too many other vamps and the like. Oh, and for sure." He doesn't even seem to mind the grazing of his shoulder, if anything he'd opt to shake her hand if she'd let him. "Definitely! I'm always happy to share. Anyway, I'm sorry if I have to hop again. The party's really bouncing, but in a good way it seems!" Zero retorts to Touta that it's fine, there's no rush about attending to the guests instead of him, to which Touta will abruptly start patting at Zero's back before the two can reach for the hot springs. "Oi, Zero, that's no good you know. You know, it's something I've been thinking about while I was away but...Us immortals, we're sometimes way too lax with our time, ya know? Even if there's no rush if we think like that all the time we'll miss out. So seriously, you and Yuuki, let's have a proper meeting the three of this as well." He won't make it a hard promise, but it's clear he's wanting to have Zero take note of the remark. Going past the dunk tanks, he can barely watch the happenings at this point as he hears Jeanne calling out to him again as he goes by talking about the box. "Well, you know Yukihime, she's got her own pride too ya know. Can't be having all the factions do all the fun stuff ya know? Besides, this place was running way before we got here, and I could see it still running a thousand years into the future. By the way, a few people in the kitchen said if you stop by they might make a few extra meals for you, I imagine if Mash and Ritsuka joined they wouldn't mind. Might even be happy to see you having more friends."
Tamamo	"Oh, yes, certainly," Tamamo says to Miku, entirely on the same wavelength. Lilian's look toward Hibiki wasn't lost on her. Particularly not after the night before. It'll have to be 'some other time,' whether that's later in the day, or otherwise.     'So a bit of this will actually be going to help fun the orphanage on the island.'     "Oh...? This is the first I had heard of an orphanage being here, as well. Was it here before the resort, or afterward...?" Her curiosity toward Touta's mention is mild. She can wait to hear the longer details.     'I am Princess Sarracenia Sundew, Crown Princess of the Sundew Kingdom.'     "Oh, we have met... I believe? I certainly do recall you, even if the meeting was not formal." Tamamo doesn't remember exactly where it was she'd last seen Sarracenia. (It was Strawberry-Princess's flight contest.) "I am Tamamo-no-mae," comes back the usual, politely formal, graceful, by now rote reply, "bunrei of Amaterasu-omikami, She of the Pale-Gold Face, Goddess of the Sun." A full title for a full title.     'I cannot swim, but do not hold back on my account, please.'     "Oh, I see! I suppose it cannot be helped." Tamamo therefore fractionally forgives Petra's inappropriate dress, being as she's here to carry Angela.     'How goes your romance studies?'     "It is something of a lifelong pursuit, though I would be glad to speak more of it, should we have a chance. This evening, perhaps?" She sees no problem with Petra carrying Angela to the hot springs, even if the former wouldn't get in.     Lilian starts coughing really loudly. She must really be suffering.     "Oh, Lilian, here you are," Tamamo says, having no apparent idea (True) about why she's coughing, either this time or last. What she does have is a thermos of iced tea, which she lifts from her mystery picnic basket, deftly pours, and offers to Lilian, her beach umbrella set down -- struck into the sand, rather -- and her other coming around Lilian's back to steady her.
Captain Hook	"Honestly," Hook says, his good hand on his hip, "You lack the essential capacity to peg me, tourist. You're not interesting enough to hold my fancy, not handsome enough to hold my interest, and not assertive enough to challenge me. You have a quintessentially dull appearance, a 'technical attractiveness' that tells only one story, and it's a dull one."      Hook holds up his hook hand and arcs it in front of him, as if drawing a picture. "And you're so terribly dishonest it's actually rather painful."      "I have a deep distaste for dishonesty, you know. I spent my life around dishonest things and I've no interest in becoming anything like them." Hook reaches forward with his hook hand to poke Touta (lightly) in the chest (with the blunt side). "And you lie like a faerie. Noncommitally and with every word from your lips."      He straightens. "Besides, I've no interest in sleeping with a man who can't even manage the most basic of basics. Paying for the party you're hosting and organizing is just common sense."
Aidan Proudpick	Seeing Kale have a little bit of suffering is always good for Aidan's mood. The fact that Kale DID say sorry doesn't escape him. The sadism of that smile wanes. Thankfully for Aidan, he doesn't understand how nuclear fusion works, and the fact that Persephone just created it with a regulated temperature. So it just looks like pretty cool magic instead of an impossibility of physics. The oddness of this moment is weird. He's always been on missions and met up with people aligning towards the same goal. But just... standing around? Eating food? Hook is right over there. Petra nearby. A few more he can recognize as Concord people. He then looks over at Kale once more. Then out towards Lilian, the politeness, and most of the poise. If you don't do this right, you will fail! Could you do this right? Didn't you need a world of pretend to make this feel right?" At some point Aidan has gotten close enough to the dunk tank that he has to actually be polite. This is your job, do this. This was never so hard before. Trying to actually look at Persophone is hard. It's like staring into the sun while underwater and a hurricane batters your eyes. "This is my first time at... one of these things. I'm Aidan Proudpick, First Knight of Quickrest."
Ritsuka Fujimaru	"Your hobby? Oh, cool! You must be a pretty old hat at it, if you've got this much put together already." Ritsuka compliments Ishirou as easily as she had tried goading him in their past conversations, somehow managing to sound just as genuine as she did before. Conveniently ignoring his request to be left alone, she continues loitering there while instead considering his questions. "Great questions!" It sounds almost like a compliment right up until she doesn't actually answer any of his questions (at least not directly). "Tell me. Are you happy?" Ritsuka's expression goes from that carefree smile right into a more serious look as she gestures at where they're standing, then at where everyone else is. "You said you like people enjoying your food, but they're all over there, and you're not calling any of them over here to hang out. I dunno what's really going on with you and all of them, but do you want things to stay like this forever?" She asks, finally snickering again when Sarracenia calls out to Ishirou as well. "See? It can't be that bad, if you've got a cute girl calling for ya." Mash, meanwhile, still looks just as concerned about whatever it is Ritsuka and Ishirou are talking about each time she glances over there. Thankfully, her attention gets pulled back to those closer by, and she nods slowly as Zero alludes to how they know Touta. "That, it is... That's actually how we met him, and several others that are here today." She explains briefly, straightening up a bit to give him another bow when he takes Yuuki to head off elsewhere. That leaves her to greet Sarracenia with another bow as well, slightly deeper thanks to the introduction as royalty. "My name is Mash Kyrielight, employee and Demi-Servant for Chaldea. It's good to meet you, Princess." She greets and pushes her glasses back up after so much bowing, then turns to Angela with a quick nod and Petra with a blank stare. "I don't know if Miss Jeanne and I are friends yet, but... Someday, maybe! I remember hearing you both over the radio, and..." She's clearly having some trouble trying to figure out good conversation topics, but Mash is going to keep trying, anyway! "What do you both enjoy doing in your free time? Do either of you enjoy... Um. Mystery novels?" She asks somewhat anxiously, pauses, then leans in to peer at the Eggpack with mixed curiousity and concern. "Are you going to be okay around all this water? " Jeanne, finally, laughs when Hook recommends tormenting Kale. "I do think he's doing a good enough job at tormenting himself, never mind with everyone else taking turns at it. Or..." She taps her free hand against her chin lightly, smirking after a few moments. "Perhaps... He's not being tormented at all. I wonder if he might be enjoying this sort of public humilation a little too much." Laughing again, Jeanne quiets down as Touta addresses Hook, and she looks between them with yet another shit-eating grin. "Is that what this is? Oh my, don't fight over me now, boys. There's a party going on, and if you're really going to be competing over my attention so..." She turns away for a moment, covering her mouth with her hand briefly while holding back more snickers. "Perhaps you should be competing in something more appropriate to this party. Volleyball would be too straightforward, but perhaps you might enjoy some competitive..." She keeps snickering, having visible trouble keeping her cool. "... Pegging." And then she just bursts out laughing, only pausing occasionally to see how Touta and Hook react to that suggestion.
Ishirou	Ishirou winces when Sara shouts at him across the beach.  Ugh... not her too, and she's just going to be encouraged by this one.  Because /she/ just enjoys torturing him as much as this one does apparently.  He doesn't even listen to her.  Just pretend she doesn't exist, and eventually, something will distract her.  Like a peasant being out of place or something. He grabs the tongs and flips the meat, having cleared anything with the staff well before the party was even set up.   `Tell me. Are you happy?` Ishirou stops dead in his movements.  He doesn't turn back to face Ritsuka.  He stands there for a few moments and just appears to stare at the grill instead of answering her.   "No, not completely," he says, honestly.  "But it's something I did to myself.  I don't want to be seen like I am right now.  I don't want to explain myself to someone I don't know.  It's complicated and personal.  I think I'd have a hard time explaining it to someone I am close with," he says, flatly.   'Cute girl.' He shudders at that, "She is anything but cute.  She is a selfish and thoughtless princess who hasn't done anything meaningful in her life and wants to be as much of a tourist as Touta.  She doesn't care what she does to the people around her." 'Neither did I, and that's why you deserve this right now, Ishirou,' is what he doesn't say aloud.  He turns his neck to look at Lilian and Tamamo walking away, and then looks back down.  "She doesn't want me, she wants to torment me... much like what you're doing now." "If they want food, they'll come over here.  I don't want to push them to look at me more than is necessary." 'Do you want things to stay like this forever?' "Of course, I don't... but it's going to take a very long time to build back what I burned down.  I destroyed my body, I hurt others to salve my own ego, and now I'm here trying to... do something to be in their lives, but trying not to be intrusive with my own problems..." "And here you are trying to drag them out for them to see and gawk at and try and deal with.  So please... stop.  I'm begging you, stop."
Kale Hearthward	Kale's up on the ledge again, trying miserably to get dry. Even if the water isn't cold anymore, being soaked without being able to properly dry off is pretty uncomfortable. One of his crew, a mouse who's about Aidan's size, goes out and swaps out the cash box with a fresh one, just so that nobody is tempted to steal it. Though as she's coming back, she pauses, and backsteps to the basket of baseballs, and picks one up. "Oh, why not." "Oh come on, Hazelthistle, don't-" Kale says, but it's too late, she's wound up and pitched. The ball slams against the side of the tank, *barely* clipping the target... but that's apparently enough for it to trigger the mechanism and Kale to go back into the water. "Oh, that's odd... I thought I'd missed. Guess I hadn't." The mouse is entirely unconcerned as she heads backstage with the cashbox, but Kale's off-kilter as soon as he gets back above water. "That - that was a mile off target. Is this thing malfunctioning?!" Kale status: alerted to sabotage
Angela	Angela's mechanical limb vrrrmp vrrrmps into a position so she can fistbump Petra. It requires precise controls to avoid like clonking someone in the face but she's pretty used to the eggpack now and has been practicing with it, even when she isn't going anywhere in particular. She seems content with one throw. She hopes, sometime in the future, her little donation saves an orphan on the Union Busan. She's not sure HOW it will help save an Orphan in the longterm, but it's a nice thought. ''It is something of a lifelong pursuit.'' "Of course." Angela says. "I have allowed my temper to get away with me and--ah, yes, perhaps this evening." It'll probably be easier to have a proper discussion then. Angela takes her first real look at Hook and gives him a-- ''I've no interest in sleeping with a man who can't even manage the most basic of basics'' --a small nod. Maybe she should try to hook him up with Benjamin so he can have someone APPROPRIATE to believe in, but would that be fair to the Captain? She'll have to reflect on that. Maybe there's other options. She understands that sleeping with one another can provide comfort though she's uncertain on the particulars. She's never slept with anyone in her life. She dips her head again to Mash and says, "As long as it doesn't reach the internals or I'm not submerged it should be fine." She tells Mash. "I do not know what a demi-servant or a Chaldea is. I'd be happy to hear more." ''Do either of you enjoy... Um. Mystery novels?'' "Yes." Angela says. "I enjoy reading." Her head turns back to Petra. "Is there anything you'd like to do?" She asks.
Persephone Kore	"H-how exactly would you play volleyball?"      "What do you mean, how?" Persephone levitates over some fruit to munch on while she leans against the dunk tank. "However's fun for other people! Maybe even just with my hands." She smiles an unbearably sunny eyes-shut smile while adding: "Really. I've never just crushed people before! Why would I be less gentle about games than fights, Lily-R?"      Kale, on his third trip into the water, can feel a telekinetic force brushing against his scalp suspiciously like a headpat. Phony drops the apple core, crushes it into a diamond and steam with a thought, and then beckons Aidan over with a little gesture almost like she's coaxing a small animal. Ahaha, sorry if that's rude!      Up close, she senses his discomfort. Her aura dials back a little until it's more bearable- awww, sorry! I guess most of my friends are used to it by now! It's supposed to feel nice, not bad- and she offers him a hand to shake. She feels just a little different, too, as if she were made of different stuff. But maybe that's just sunscreen.      "This is my first time at... one of these things."      "It's great to meet you, Aidan! Haha, I could tell. But it's only my second or third, so don't feel left behind! I'm Persephone Kore, but you can call me Phony for short, okay?"      One wouldn't expect someone so psychically immense to look so impressed and enthralled. But maybe that's just how I am! "The First Knight of Quickrest, goodness. Like in storybooks and everything! What does the First Knight do, Aidan?"      Her smile turns slyer, as if she were gossiping. "And how'd you get to know Kale?"
Lilian Rook	'Oh, Lilian, here you are'     "Th-thank you, Tamamo." says Lilian. She clings to the misguided yet well-advised offering of tea with the opportunistic genius of a famous general, drinking from it with the exact same eagerness mixed with care found in someone who has genuinely encountered throat difficulties (undefeatable pinky-up habit notwithstanding). Delicately placing it back in Tamamo's care, she parts with a brief embrace, and--     'Us immortals'     For some reason, that makes Lilian's face twitch irritably. A different kind from the previously all-too-common 'suffering idiots and fools' sort. "One moment." she says, still trying to get a minute to choose which of several outfits in her bag to wear.     'So a bit of this will actually be going to help fun the orphanage on the island.'     "How fortunate for them." Why does it sound like that bothers her too?     Finally, given a pause long enough to vanish, Lilian does just that, and returns back to Tamamo's blanket in short order. Even amongst ostensible friends, one has only to look at the single set of footprints in the sand, heading away, to get an idea of where her head is at. A black two-piece with a halter neck and cross-bust displays pretty much the entire tattoo covering the area between her shoulders, obvious solar motif rendered in recursive knots and calligraphic strokes, inked in slightly reflective gold, and the results of four years of training everywhere else. Flowering branch print lines the fabric in rose-and-white trim, distracting from the handfun of small characters purposefully tailored into it.     It goes without saying that, though she has pinned her hair up at the back (no point letting it stick to her), the hairpin stays where it is, and the pendant is simply bared on her collarbone. At least this time she doesn't have a tactical holster, though. Whether that is a statement of comfort or confidence is a matter of debate. Either way, the last time half these people saw her, she was three years younger, two inches shorter, and twenty pounds less done with people's shit.     Finally, Lilian gestures Petra over, and when she does, it is with the attitude that Petra should have been hovering around in her wake the entire time. "Have Konoe set up his little watermelon game. But tell him to make it interesting. That should keep you busy, right?" Oh, what a good excuse to not get changed into a swimsuit. "And then bring over a table, would you? Don't put anything too inedible on it." The implication is, also, drinks. Because a lot of people could use them.     Just as Petra turns away, Lilian puts her hand on her shoulder, and says, in an indecipherable tone of voice, "If you do a good job, you can sit up in the front row for it." And then, given a shoulder-squeeze just tight enough to hurt a little, Lilian goes down to the water, pushing between laggards without much concern.     "Who here feels they'd be done a service by obliterating some fruit, rather than bouncing a little beach ball around? Get in line."
Touta Konoe	Touta's attention getting pulled one way to the next has him a bit distracted as he's asked if he threatened, "Yeah, yeah, don't worry about it, it's all good fun." The captain's not giving as much attention as perhaps he'd like unfortunately as Touta truly was running around with a chicken with its head cut off. Though even as he's trying to continue through with the others eventually his attention does get pulled away. It seems his words are taken quite a bit literally. Which to be fair, in that moment they probably were, though in his mind it was as simple as telling anyone 'Hey don't stick your hand in the cookie jar or you'll get in trouble.' With a bit of profanity added in. Guess he has to say something now...? "Oh come on Cap'n, it's a party lighten up. You sound like if it isn't the peg, you've got something already up your ass. Look if you're that angry, I'll apologize. Besides, you can relax if you're worried about me pegging you with my 'unattractiveness'." He'd like to keep this at an end but Jeanne's adding to it as well, "Jeanne it's fine, it's fine, anyway, you mind letting him know how the boss used to do things so it's not just him getting all scared that I'm gonna plunder his booty or something... In the meanwhile, I've got my own 'tourists' that I want to properly greet. So forgive me, but /I/ have a distaste for 'Stowaways' who try to catch a free ride to get what they want." He takes a small breath at that point before he steps away. It's apparent that Hook didn't like him in the first place, after all, it was he who made that 'Tourist' remark that's been going around, so if he feels offended, he's not going to feel too bad. He's free to follow Touta if he wants, though he's paying the party crasher no mind. Though before he turns, his eyes will lock with Jeanne's for a moment. As if he was asking for a favor as he leaves the two unattended. It's only then can he be pulled away again though not before giving Kale as he's stepping out from the dunk tank a thumbs up. "Hey, nice improv! Had no idea this was on the venue but it was a great call!" It's as he passes by that he can attempt to follow up with Tamamo once more as she asks about the orphanage. "Oh, it came along around the same time that my boss ended up taking the place under her wing. It's nothing fancy, we have the orphanage on the other side of the island of about thirty kids. Food, education, they get taken care of while they're here. I've heard from a couple of the older staff a lot of them turn out really well. A few politicians, a scientist, doctors. It's kinda crazy. Only downside is that we really only can take in about thirty at a time. Actually I'm glad I caught you. Not sure if you've eaten yet, but if you ask one of the staff for the...'Hime-special', they should be able to bring over some inarizushi. I'm not sure how big of a fan you are of it, but I think they're really good...Just food for thought. Anyway, I'll hopefully join up with everyone in a bit. Though I imagine everyone is doing well enough without me sticking my nose in too much, hehe." From there, he's just wandering about the beach area. A few people in mind he's thinking of checking in on now, "Wonder where Tachibana and Kohinata ended up...Mmm--" ""Who here feels they'd be done a service by obliterating some fruit, rather than bouncing a little beach ball around? Get in line."" "Oh, someone mind saving a spot in line for me?!" He calls out to Lilian which puts in right in shouting distance of Angela and Lilian alike as he makes his way over giving them a brief greeting again. "Hi, sorry I didn't get back to you guys sooner. How's everyone holding up? Anything I should know about?"
Aidan Proudpick	Aidan IS a tad skiddish like an animal for his own safety. But there is a certain draw to powerful women, he is only male. Just focus on the code. You all made that up for a reason, right? Don't be rude. Don't lie. Don't be arrogant. Just like in the storybooks. A terrible blow. Aidan takes the hand with a gentle shake, just firm enough to be sincere but without any of the other clasps or kisses that go along with it. "Y-yea. Storybooks." An image of them actually LOOKING at storybooks for idea. He breathes in, "I protect Quickrest. And the Multiverse by extension. I'm Quickrest's... first Elite, I guess that's the best way to put it." ENEMY. Mostly. RIVAL. Probably not. "Hearthward is... a member of the Empire my people who... resists Quickrest establishing out freedom." Aidan does let out a short breath through his nose along with whatever everyone else is doing to keep the dunk tank operating.
Angela	Angela says to Petra, "Ah, one moment. I have to look at Lilian in a swimsuit. I promised." She swivels her camera around finally so that her incoming and outgoing feed is focused solely on Lilian. This will probably be helped by Lilian gesturing Petra over. Touta asks how she's holding up. "I am quite alright, Touta. I would appreciate it if you could explain what you meant by ''pegging'' earlier. The term is unfamiliar to me." Angela says to Touta without turning the video feed to look at him. Instead she visibly studies the two piece swimsuit for a long moment which, for Angela, is of course a longer moment. "You know, Dame Commander. In preparation I have studied the local swimswear and I do not believe I've seen a swimsuit like yours before. It is very unique."
Hibiki Tachibana	"Oh, anyone can sing a shanty," Hook says to Hibiki, "That's rather the point." "Maybe I'll have to try one while I'm here..." Hibiki murmurs, albeit with notably less energy than necessary required to sing a hearty song of the sea. "Oh, yes, certainly," Tamamo says to Miku, entirely on the same wavelength. "Mmn. I'll be looking forward to it!" Her ability to still be wholly genuine even under this pressure is certainly something. Silently, to herself, she wishes Tamamo luck with Lilian. But still... "Here, let me know the next time you're both are free and maybe we can see if we can get tickets to go there. Trust me, even if it's only the observational floors, it'll be a blast!" "That's..." "We'd be happy to, Touta! I imagine there's a wonderful view of the whole city from up there, too. Only if it's not too much trouble, of course. Miku nods back towards him. "Ahaha, and I think you'd be able to explain everything a lot better than any tour guide. I can see the excitement for it in your eyes!"     It absolutely is something. Hibiki, who was ready to begrudgingly move off towards the volleyball court, can't help get swept up. It's not terribly difficult to tell one reason why they make a pairing; someone needs to balance out the magical girl, in more ways than one. ...and even Hibiki averting her eyes stings.     She knows exactly what'll happen if she goes over there. It's better if she doesn't.     And that thought is enough for Hibiki to push herself onward again with slumped shoulders and a dour attitude hanging over her head, leaving Miku no real choice but to keep pace with her at risk of being left behind, on the way further down the beach. Along the way, the black-haired girl casts a concerned look back over her shoulder towards the other group - although it lingers on Petra, specifically.     And on Lilian, after she has to urge her companion further off to the side to keep clear and avoid risking her tension exploding from a light touch, given Hibiki is very much counting as a 'laggard' right about now. "...What do you think, Hibiki?" "I'm thinking I want to double back and go to the hot springs instead." "Come on. Even if you don't want to participate, you could at least lend a hand getting things setup, couldn't you? It'd be helping Touta more than anything else." "...Mngh..."
Sarracenia	If Sarra was worldly enough to know what pegging was, she would be very red right now. As it is, she just looks very confused about it. "Pegging?" she asks, surely adding to the awkward and perhaps Jeanne's laughter.      Petra puts Sarra's throw to shame, and this draws another annoyed mmph from the princess. But, at least Sarra hits this time. Or...did she? The mouse's throw makes her wonder. Still, Kale gets dunked again and gets another laugh from Sarra.      Sarracenia hears Rituska call her cute and giggles. If she heard Ishirou's response she would be quite mad. But, luckily that gets covered up in the noise around the dunking booth. Unfortunately for Ishirou, when Sarra is ignored she just gets louder to try and get attention.      "It is nice to meet you as well, Lady Mash! Oh, I read almost strictly heroic romance novels." she says to Mash before looking over at Ishirou and Ritsuka again. "Please excuse me. The items on the grill seem to be calling my name."      She curtseys again before she approaches Ishirou and Ritsuka. "So, is any of this ready? And are you any good at cooking?" she asks, then mmphs. "And seriously, at least put the hood down. Why come to a beach and not even take advantage of the sun and fresh air? If you need a parasol or something just say so!" she says, holding her bob-omb parasol over Ishirou.      Then she pauses as she realizes that Ishirou is a robot and all of those things probably wouldn't matter. She lets out a slightly self-conscious 'ehehehe' "...though I suppose if you are a robot..." she murmurs, then coughs. "Well, if any of it is ready, you have the honor of serving the cute and kind Princess Sarracenia~" she says, even as her little butler holds out a platter to Ishirou.
Lilian Rook	'Ah, one moment. I have to look at Lilian in a swimsuit. I promised.'     Lilian holds her breath.     'I would appreciate it if you could explain what you meant by ''pegging'' earlier.'     Nope. No good. Slow wheeze. "Jesus Christ I should get that reading in order for her." she mutters to herself. "This is terrifying to be close to. Like Rita without any reservation."     'It is very unique.'     Lilian takes a second to consider that one.     "Ah, thank you, Angela. I had it tailored, rather than bought off a shelf, if that's what you mean."
Kale Hearthward	"Hi there - sorry, heard you mention Quicknest?" The mouse from earlier's made her way over to Aidan and Persephone. "Good to see someone else from Quicknest! You said you're an elite? Are you any less... disaster-prone than the rest of them?" The mouse looks Aidan up and down. She's not entirely beach dressed herself, but she's in casual clothing at least. "It's been kind of crazy ever since I left, honestly." Kale, for his part, has made his way out of the dunk tank, found a towel, and is trying to get dry again while making his way over to the watermelon line. "I'd been wanting to try this ever since I saw it on TV," he says, with a bit of excitement in his voice. "Do we wear blindfolds, too?"
Captain Hook	Hook puts his hand back on his hip, an eyebrow raised above his eyepatch. "Lord have mercy, you are *terribly* boring. You really are just an immortal tourist, aren't you? All of this passes you by. You simply exist, don't you? There is nothing you value, nothing you care enough about to be angered by, and no one who means anything to you. You simply...take, without giving anything in return."      "Well," he says to Jeanne as Touta walks away, "I suppose I win the competition by default. As expected, hmm? When someone isn't interested in playing, merely being present, they're hardly equipped to be a challenge."      Hook turns. He leans forward.      One arm goes around Jeanne's waist, and he kisses her, quite firmly and quite deeply, hook hand going to brush briefly through her hair as he dips her back. Then, he releases her and straightens.      "I think I've stolen the most valuable treasure at the party," Hook says distantly, "And it's no fun causing trouble with someone who hasn't got even a light investment in the world. Honestly, I doubt there'll be much of a show at all. Do you want to go cause trouble elsewhere? Maybe some light looting and a bit of plundering, spot of pillaging?"
Touta Konoe	In the time prior to their conversation, Miku and Hibiki would have caught him just as he was going to be heading out. Though he's already turning around walking backwards in that time prior as he spoke back up to Miku, "Oh man, you got no idea! No trouble at all! I love bringing people up there! And Hibiki, there's no way I'm not letting you tag along too!" From there, he faded into the crowd... Cut back to a few hours later as he finds himself back with Lilian and Angela's group...At this point a hand's at the back of his head, scratching awkwardly. "Truth be told, I didn't think I'd ever have the opportunity to explain something to you. Though...I promise I'll elaborate on it properly when things settle down. For now, just know that I was being probably a bit more crude than I should have." He might have elaborated a bit more on why he wasn't yet, but it seemed like Angela wasn't minding him much as of yet with the way the pack wasn't facing him. Plus...At this point he spots Lilian starting to wheeze and well all of a sudden... He starts smirking a bit too watching her. "O-Oi, L-look it was my bad okay...Pffft...S-Seriously, if you start laughing...I-I'm gonna..." Now he finds himself covering his mouth as he's caught a bit of contagious laughter. Maybe it's in poor spirits since it's his fault but it's just one of those moments. "L-Lilian...I--I think it's fair on that one if you charge me for the book..." He takes a moment to turn around, a slow intake before expelling air. "Ya know, as crazy as all of this has been...I'm having a lot of fun so far. It's chaotic as hell and I've definitely missed a few things. But seeing a few faces I haven't in so long already made it worth it. Thanks for helping out on this a bit Lilian, oh, and by the way...Nice swimsuit." He just gives a casual thumbs up of his own as he tries to be modest about the whole thing. "Anyway, who's turn was it to whack the melon?" As he's asking the question, he can already see Hibiki and Miku in the distance, waving them over and then all of a sudden in the corner of his eye...He sees Jeanne getting kissed and well...There is admittedly, just a bit of a twitch that he finds himself having. Though he's an emotionless tourist so surely it's nothing that'd be a big deal. It's at this point he leans over to Lilian and starts whispering something into her ear ever so casually just so out of reach of the others.
Petra Soroka	. . . just so that nobody is tempted to steal it.     Petra glances at the box as it'd taken away, then shifts her eyes across the rest of the island resort, both staffed with and attended by people who wouldn't even think to do that, because they would have no reason to. It feels targeted, and that feels fine, because sometimes fine means numb and exhausted and she can't bring herself to direct any attention to it, or even to Hazelthistle's throw and Kale's plunge afterwards. "What do you both enjoy doing in your free time? Do either of you enjoy... Um. Mystery novels?"     Petra stares at Mash uncomprehendingly for a few seconds, actually incapable of registering the small talk in the moment. Once Angela responds, though, Petra blinks, and rubs at her face. "Oh. You're doing--... okay. Uh." Petra's thoughts struggle to grasp on to anything, as if they're wading through water. Does Petra like books? Probably, right? "I... read, yeah. Not really, mystery novels, though, I--" "You lack the essential capacity to peg me, tourist." "...not assertive enough to challenge me."     "...Eh?" Petra finally perks up, for the worst reason imaginable, reflexively noticing the words as if they're out of context and becoming even more agitated when she realizes that it is, in fact, the context. Petra shakes her head and tries to refocus on Mash, slightly more lively. "The Eggpack is waterproof, of course. It's made by-- by the greatest supervillain in the multiverse, it's not going to break from a little water, unless it's broken open. It just doesn't--"     Lilian calls her over, so Petra leaves, mid-sentence. When she gets to Lilian, her shoulders are tense and her eyes are wide with unspoken apology, rigidly attentive. A task is good, she can do a task, and maybe that will fix whatever's causing Lilian to be so distant to her today. "Have Konoe set up his little watermelon game. But tell him to make it interesting." PHONE: Tamamo says, "It has come to mind that we should discuss your manners. In particular, I mean your manners of address." . . . PHONE: Tamamo says, "Ah, what to do...?" That was clearly rhetorical, since she continues with, "You will answer me with 'yes, ma'am.' That is sufficiently understandable to all, is it not?"     Petra keeps her eyes dutifully on Lilian's face while she explains her mission, even though her irises keep shivering with the intentional effort of doing so. Once she's done, Petra's eyes flicker to the sand, and in the least horny tone she'll ever say the words to Lilian, she mumbles, "Yes ma'am." "If you do a good job, you can sit up in the front row for it."     Petra half-turns back to Lilian again when her hand touches her shoulder, to instinctively give her a better grip that isn't hindered by the Eggpack. She lets out a little breath, with an undercurrent of a nearly inaudible whimper. "I-I'll do a good job."
Petra Soroka	Touta calls out to Lilian which puts in right in shouting distance of Angela and Lilian alike as he makes his way over giving them a brief greeting again.     The narration by the party's host as he approaches Lilian and Angela mirrors the general attitude that Petra is getting from the attendants as it looks right past Petra herself. For her part, though, she immediately enters task-completion mode, intercepting Touta before he can get distracted by anything else.     "You. I hope you have more than just cutting the watermelon in mind for that event, because if you set up something that basic for a host of combat trained Elites, you're as stupid as you are intolerable." Now *this* makes Petra's night easier-- Lilian *does* know how to improve Petra's mood, and she succeeds, at least a little. "Assuming you have the fraction of a brain that you'd need to make it a decent event, you should set that up now. If not, then figure it out in the next thirty seconds and then set it up."     After that, Petra begins her scavenger hunt, gathering tables lifted in one hand, and collecting food freely from the stalls without bothering to ask the staff if she can. Of course she can! Lilian rented the island for the day, so whatever Petra does in Lilian's name is not only acceptable, but necessary. Petra even tags Ishirou in, just saying "We're setting up food nearer to the beach. Bring yours."
Persephone Kore	Phony's eyebrows lift when Aidan gets closer, and her smile takes on knowing tones when he struggles for words about Kale. Is she reading his mind? Ahaha, but I only need to read your face!      "So, you're a hero and a freedom fighter? Aw, that really is impressive! I'm not sure I've ever met one of those before!" Petting his head- as she does- is uncalled-for, but her vibe is too sincere for it to feel condescending. "And you're out here to meet your fellow protectors of the Multiverse, right?"      Phony smiles an eyes-shut smile, and when she tosses her shoulder-length hair it seems to move in slow-motion zero-G, and says beatifically: "Ahaha, but I'm not one of them! I'm sorry~"      When Kale leaves the dunk tank, Phony isn't far behind. She slips up beside Lilian, fondly grazes that bracelet with her fingertips, and then says absentmindedly: "Oh, what am I doing with those melons, exactly? Is that for charity too? Haha, sorry, but I was sort of distracted by the dunk tank!"      She'll believe anything Lilian tells her. God help the fruit.
Aidan Proudpick	A friendly pat. He isn't TOO unused to it. After all, he gets it more than he'd like. And it erects a barrier in the dynamic that is ultimately helpful. He has to run her statement through his brain several times before he gets it. "I.. guess so. In a way." He thinks about it, looking out over the others. Trying his hardest to see them in that suggested light. "Yea. Ah! Pleased to meet you, Phony!" Another mouse from Quicknest. But working with Kale? Then again, you'd appreciate stability over fighting, wouldn't you. "That's me. Aidan Proudpick, Quicknest's first Elite. As a disaster prone..." Aidan slooooowly sweeps his gaze out over the gathered peoples and realizes he can say at least one nice thing about himself. "Yea? Yea. I think I am." He cracks a smile.
Ritsuka Fujimaru	"If you can't even explain it to someone you're close with, then... Can you even explain it to yourself?" Ritsuka paces around idly as she savors the smell of that food, only stopping every now and then to see if Ishirou's looking her way yet. "It sure sounds complicated, but... It couldn't hurt having someone around to help you figure out what you want to be like instead of trying to do it in a personal bubble." Ishirou's shots at Sarracenia and Touta don't faze Ritsuka in the slightest, and she shrugs lightly in return. "They sound way happier than you. It's like... They know what they want, and they just go for it, even if a lot of people keep calling them tourists." Notably, she doesn't actually comment on the actual quality of them as people. Instead, noticing that look over at Lilian and Tamamo, Ritsuka furrows her brow for several moments before moving closer to Ishirou to actually check out his food (and snag some if he doesn't shoo her away). "Sounds like you really messed up bad, whatever it was that kicked all this off.  But... Fixing things doesn't mean you have to torture yourself over it, too." She pauses, then starts stepping away. "Well... I'll be rooting for you, even if you're still being a miserable about it right now." Mash, meanwhile, looks slightly more relieved at Angela revealing that she'll be okay near the water at least in the passive splashing sense. "That shouldn't be too much of a problem... Er. 'It'?" She does a brief double-take, getting a better look at the Eggpack again. "Is this like a camera, then?" Angela turns out to be a reader,and Petra sounds like she's got something, too. Mash looks vaguely hopeful as she glances between them with a bit more pep in her standing there. "Oh! Do you have any favorite authors or books?" Sarracenia bringing up heroic novels also catches her attention, romance or otherwise. "Oh? Historical stories are quite interesting, too! That reminds me, I should pick up some more about history from other worlds, too. Do any of you know any good stores for that?" Actually having to elaborate a bit on herself and Chaldea also has Mash pausing briefly. "Oh, a Demi-Servant is a... Vessel of sorts for the spirit of a hero from the past, but one that isn't as reliant on Mast-um. On..." She takes a moment, trying to un-proper nounify her explanation. "... Handlers? To provide energy during missions. Chaldea's the organization Ritsuka and I work for to protect humanity from people being careless with wish-granting artifacts." With Hook and Touta taking shots back and forth, Jeanne continues snickering over... Well, all of it. "Right, your boss... How is she doing, anyway? Did she stabilize her appearance yet, or is she still bouncing back and forth there? It's been... Oh, I can't even remember how long it's been since I saw her." Hook going for the sudden kiss, meanwhile, has Jeanne raising an eyebrow at first. It's not hard to go along with it, though, since... Well, he's hot, and he hates the English. She puts one arm around his neck to keep them steady, then chuckles just after that finishes. "Not bad at all, Captain... Yes, I do think starting a little bit of trouble would be rather fun right about now. I was hoping for more fights, anyway." She replies with a dramatic noise of discontent, looking over at the entire rest of the party and the distinct lack of people beating the shit out of each other. She does, however, notice that twitch and that look from Touta to Hook, and that mischievous/asshole-esque grin returns. She definitely isn't looking forward to further friction on that front.
Persephone Kore	"Yea. Ah! Pleased to meet you, Phony!"      "Pleased to meet you, too, Aidan. You're kind of amazing, I think!" Phony says. As she walks, her heels somehow clack against the sand as if it were hardwood. As warm as ever: "Ahaha, and maybe someday you'll be protecting it from me?"
Angela	Angela has a bit of a longing to talk to Lilian again in a scenario where she doesn't have to engage many others. She makes a mental note to do something about that after the Meltdown is handled, maybe earlier if she can pry free the time. She gives Touta a long, unamused look. She literally does not know what pegging is and doesn't understand why Touta is now being so nervous about it. Her eyes narrow as she starts to get annoyed at how he's treating this serious (to Angela) matter. She realizes she is going to have to investigate her own. "Do you consider me a toddler, Touta, who cannot handle knowledge of a certain flavor?" She exhales. "Fine. Do as you will." Angela turns her focus back to Lilian. "I am uncertain, but it is new to me. Thank you for wearing it." She says, as seriously as ever. "Perhaps I can show you the catalogue of local suits to help elucidate my meaning later. But it looks good on you." She does know about aesthetics, at least. Yes ma'am. There is something a little strange in how Petra is saying Yes Ma'am but she doesn't know how to put it. She focuses back on Touta and adds, "Please make it an appropriate challenge." She says to support Petra. Angela nods to Mash, though the Eggpack doesn't follow suit. "Mm. I have books I've enjoyed more than others, I do not know about a favorite author in particular. I think with how I am, I just enjoy reading in general. It is difficult for me to just 'pick one' as regards to a genre. They're all interesting and relaxing. I might be able to think of books I find subpar, of course, but..."
Kale Hearthward	"Good, good. Hey, let's grab lunch sometime. It'd be great to catch up about home." Hazelthistle's card is produced from a pocket and pushed into Aidan's hand. "I know a great vegan place near warpgate corridor 35 Delta Bravo. They actually do the vegan pancakes kinda like Fangarian style, not the weird 'trying to make them taste like egg pancakes' other places do. See you there sometime, maybe?" And with that she hustles backstage, to start getting the dunk tank disassembled and figure out what's wrong with it.
Lilian Rook	'I didn't think I'd ever have the opportunity to explain something to you.'     "Don't break your back over it." Lilian says. "If it's something that was perfectly fine unsaid, you should just keep it to yourself. Trying too hard to be open about things will just turn everyone else into liars."     Her expression remains impossibly neutral when he leans close and whispers. Her arms stay folded across her lower chest.     'Yes ma'am.'     Lilian blinks slowly at the space just over Petra's head. "Are we doing-- . . ." she starts to whisper. "No, no matter."     'I-I'll do a good job.'     "I know you will~" There it is. Lilian crouches down to her duffel bag again, rummaging around inside for something.     'Oh, what am I doing with those melons, exactly?'     "Well, the goal is only to destroy them, but that's rather easy for people like us, so . . ."     'Is that for charity too?'     Lilian's distracted rifling suddenly freezes up. For a moment, her stare completely detaches from her bag, detaches from the beach, detaches from reality, and stares all the way through Earth to the ends of infinity. Her breath vanishes. Her pulse nearly stops. The overwhelming power at her fingertips, then and there, in this moment of moments, amongst all those that ever were and ever will be, staggers her with its dizzying enormity.     Smooth, automatic, as if she knows exactly what must be done, Lilian's hand restarts, moves, and withdraws her smartphone. "Yes, actually." she says to Persephone. "It is now."
Ishirou	Ishirou casts Sarracenia a glance, motioning towards the table with finished food on it, being kept warm (or cold depending.)  Ishirou's ignoring his fruit going missing because it's okay if someone is enjoying it! He stares at Sarra when she finally notices his robotic appearance, but it seems she doesn't get it after all.  He sighs.   To Ritsuka, he looks at her, "Yes, they're happy at the cost of the people around them.  I'm not someone who likes to live like that, and the knowledge that I have... weighs on me." "It's not about explaining it, I can explain it.  The difference is subtle, but I'll guide you through it.  It's a party, for fun.  My stuff isn't that, but I want to be here and make it better.  I also don't want to weigh down things with my issues or make them about me.   It's about consideration for their feelings." "Yeah.  I did," he says, mutedly. 'But... fixing things doesn't mean you have to torture yourself over it, too.' He doesn't respond to this, but he also doesn't contradict her.  He's in pain... he's suffering, but he doesn't know how to address it.  Not without bringing it out again.  Which just sets things back to square one.  So... he can just be silent for now.  He finally gives her a side eye when she says she would be rooting for him.   Even though he gives Sarra a look when she calls him a robot.  For the first time in his entire life, he's very happy Petra walks up and interrupts it.  Oh thank god, it's Petra to ruin Ritsuka's attempt to provide comfort or... encourage him or something?  "Yeah, I'll get it over there," he says as up beat as he can to Petra.   And he does, starting to move things with POD.
Hibiki Tachibana	'If not, then figure it out in the next thirty seconds and then set it up.'     "Could we lend a hand too?" Miku, and Hibiki in tow looking rather unsure of what to do with herself, show up just in time for Petra grilling Touta. How much she heard of all of that is up in the air, but the smile on her face doesn't seem terribly diminished by it if so. She might just be good at hiding it.     Touta and Petra, in equal measure, are given a nod. "I'm not anywhere as strong as anyone else here, but if you need anything fetched to make it an amazing event, I'm pretty fast on my feet! Just let me know what you need and where it is!"     And maybe she'll be able to help pitch in some ideas Touta could use? She's a hundred percent positive they should have some fun Elite-level things to smash on hand.     Which leaves Hibiki, whom doesn't look any less like a fish out of water. Until Miku glances back at her, gives her the same brand of smile she wasn't able to resist from Rita only days ago, and gives a sigh. The magical girl gives the ghost of a reluctant nod back, and then moves off. In...the same direction as Petra, when she leaves.     She's not trying to chase her down intentionally. Rather, as soon as she sees what she's doing--Hibiki splits the opposite way, to do the same. Well, minus the table lifting. She can't do that without transforming. But she can get different plates and articles of food scattered around together and in one place, certainly.     And whether it's Petra eventually taking note of what she's doing and coming to stop her, or having to catch her herself before she goes back, Hibiki doesn't look straight at her. She can't.     The only thing she does, or at least tries to do, is take what she's collected and add it to what Petra has set up on the table she's hauling around.     "...You don't have to say anything to me," Hibiki murmurs with an noticeable undercurrent of strain, and a lot of things she wants to say still going unsaid. "Just let me...help out, even if it's barely anything at all."
Aidan Proudpick	Aidan gives a bright smile as he takes the card. "Everyone thinks they have to taste like their food, they just don't get the simplicity of a nice pancake!" It is nice to see someone out in the real world he can talk to. "It'll be great to see you there."
Persephone Kore	For a moment Phony's baffled. Her eyes try, and fail, to find where Lilian's are staring. Then- "It is now."- she gasps softly, and her smile becomes positively angelic, and she reaches in to wrap an arm around Lilian's shoulders and give her a salaciously innocent hug.      "You're the absolute sweetest, Lily-R," she murmurs between back-pats, and then pulls away with her hands still on Lilian's shoulders. "I'll do my very best! Just tell me how to crush it, okay?"      She patiently waits in line for her watermelon, bouncing with impatience. Wasn't there that thing I saw once, with your legs and...?      . . .      +bbread 23/129
Sarracenia	Sarra's butler selects some items for Sarra and puts them on the plate, then hands it to her. She hands him the parasol, which he dutifully holds over her head while she nibbles on something. "Living at the cost of people around them? That sounds bad. Who is doing that?" she says, blissfully ignorant. That look from Ishirou make Sarracenia blink in surprise. "What? Are you...is that the wrong word?"      Petra comes by and declares the food is being moved. Sarra helps if there's anything left to help with, but otherwise continues nibbling. "Ooh. Is it melon smashing time? I must try my hand at this! I even have a large hammer! That is needed to smash watermelons, right?" she says.
Touta Konoe	"Wait, wait, I didn't mean to make it come off like that. If anything I was the one being childish. It's more just that it shouldn't have been said in proper company anyway is all. So I hope you won't hold it against me if I'm saying to give me a bit before I elaborate on it especially now that--" "You.I hope you have more than just cutting the watermelon in mind for that event, because if you set up something that basic for a host of combat trained Elites, you're as stupid as you are intolerable" That actually has him stop in his tracks. Also giving him a moment to think on the matter and well... "Okay, that's kinda a fair moment. If that's the case..." He's given thirty seconds, looking back to Angela as if he knows he owes her but is hoping she'll excuse him before he gets chewed out for another reason. "Could we lend a hand too? I'm not anywhere as strong as anyone else here, but if you need anything fetched to make it an amazing event, I'm pretty fast on my feet! Just let me know what you need and where it is!" "Kohinata..." There's a bit of a surprise to see her offering such a thing and well... "Okay, I think I got one idea, Kohinata...If you look around near the hot springs area, you'll see an old guy wearing an apron pretending to sweep up. Tell him that Touta's calling him over and that I'm planning to bring everyone into the caverns for a game." He doesn't elaborate immediately but, "So, if we're looking to do something a bit more 'Elite' we're gonna have to change venues a bit...But let's just say this might be a game of watermelon smash mixed with tag? I'll explain that in a bit. In the meanwhile..." At this point...With a bit of reluctance Touta brings his way back towards Angela, they've got a long way to the cavern if this is going to be the case. Plus, if they're waiting on that man...It could be a bit of a wait. So it might be as good a time as any to pull the band-aid off.
Petra Soroka	"Do you consider me a toddler, Touta, who cannot handle knowledge of a certain flavor?"     This is a complicated topic. Petra does, of course, hold an immense cache of knowledge on the subject of pegging. Angela has, in fact, asked to see Petra's reading material before. Petra is an expert, a friend, and is irritated at Touta for his treatment of Angela, all of which should encourage Petra to elucidate Angela on the topic.     But she can't. Petra will not talk about yaoi fan fiction on the beach resort, in front of Persephone and everyone. Petra is uncertain if she could even bring herself to do so in private, even distancing herself from the topic, even for Angela. Like a researcher entombed deep within a lab at the forefront of the field, so enmeshed in study that she's lost track of where laymen stand on the subject, Petra is incapable of being Angela's teacher on this subject. "Are we doing-- . . ."     Petra's inability to register what Lilian means by this comes across like a sign of severe illness. Like a manifestation of a post intentionally designed to alert friends that she'd been kidnapped and held hostage and forced to pretend like everything was fine. Petra slowly blinks and hums in confusion, having assumed that this is just what was expected of her now. "Could we lend a hand too?"     Petra winces at Miku's approach, scuffing her boots in the sand as she slowly totters to a halt on her fetch quest. "Well..." Oh, she was talking to Touta, that's-- easier, for Petra. It's even harder to meet Miku's eyes than it is to meet Hibiki's. "Okay, that's kinda a fair moment. If that's the case..."     Jesus Christ. He actually didn't even think of anything. She was told to make it interesting, though, and since Touta can't be trusted to manage it, Petra gets lost in her own thoughts trying to figure out some method. Tag? What the fuck is he talking about. Why wouldn't Lilian's reservation come with decent entertainment?     Following through the motions while running around to set up the table, Petra is so distracted her mental berating of Touta that she doesn't even notice Hibiki for some time. When setting down trays of kebabs on the table, Petra looks up to see Hibiki at the other side of the table bringing drinks, and freezes. "Just let me...help out, even if it's barely anything at all."     She's silent for a few seconds, carefully arranging the plates of food to be neatly centered in their place, then reaches over to adjust the positioning of the bottles that Hibiki put down. Petra's voice is low in her throat, humming-smooth instead of scratchy like it should be, and she mutters at Hibiki without looking towards her again. "... This is what Lilian asked for. It's not about me. It's fine, as long as it's that."