You Asked For It: The Beach Trip

[magicademymods]

Be Careful What You Wish For: A Beach Adventure Crowded Quarters To the joy and delight of the Sundered students who feel joy and delight over going to the beach, the Sundered students get to go to the beach in celebration of their completed midterms! Professor Trammel has graciously paid their way on the local airship, which runs regular routes on summer days to the ocean some 45 minutes away, and so every student who so desires can pack up and head onto it to enjoy a fantastic day of fun and adventure! Slight downside: the airship is small and packed, as it keeps its fees low by relying on volume to turn a profit. The crowded travel compartment is standing-room-only, and even those who are lucky enough to get seats won't find themselves with much shoulder room. Some people may even find themselves in the lap of a fellow student, which only the most cynical and bitter of minds would abuse as a way to ship-tease (right?). The trip isn't long, just hot and stuffy. You can make it, students! Wave Your Hands If You're Shore The beach at last! Though the hot sun beats down from above, a gentle breeze blows in from the ocean and the water itself is delightfully cool without being icy cold. Waves run about five to six feet in height, enough to be forceful without dominating like some giant curl suitable only for surfing. Though scores of people have set up tents, umbrellas, blankets, and towels across the sands, the Diatu contingent has plenty of space to conjure up tables and chairs, an awning and plenty of shade. Professor Trammel politely deploys Spells of Sunscreening, as well as directing students to the swimwear the school has obtained and the screened canvas changing areas where they can don them. Helpfully, he's obtained all manner of suits to fit any taste, so... choose wisely? Baskets of sandwiches and drinks kept magically chilled offer sustenance for the busy swimmers, and all manner of balls, nets, and beach toys to enjoy. The Sand Castle Contest Early in the afternoon, Professor Trammel announces that a sand castle contest is open to all participants! The rules are as follows: 1. Headmaster Birony is forbidden from competing. (At this, Headmaster Birony sulkily turns Makerion Keep back into stone and sends it back to the Magicademy Campus. Ka students will be finding sand in odd places for a while.) 2. Students may work in teams of no more than 2. 3. You will have an hour to work with any of the sand-castle tools available. 4. Judging will be on creativity, quality, and durability. 5. 'Bedmaster Hirony' is forbidden from competing. (Headmaster Birony rips her fake mustache off and throws it to the ground in frustration.) You have a few minutes to form pairs and get ready. Who will win the competition? Teachers' Day Off Some of the Professors, too, have taken the day off! Students are treated to the sight of Professor Trammel digging a hole in the surf so his own knocked-together sand structure goes up against the waves, leaving him to improve its walls and channels each time to make for a better hope of surviving. Professor King is teaching anyone who will listen about a new game she calls Sunder-inlota, which involved lobbing a ball through portals to get it into the other team's goal. Headmaster Birony occupies herself doing a Sorcerer's Apprentice thing with the waves, making them smash and crash against each other with glee, while Professors Porfsin and Trent fail to put campus politics aside and both spend the day trying to attract an audience with their own personal performances. And Professor Kith just... swims and enjoys herself, like a normal human being, which is probably in violation of the Adequate Wackiness In Teaching Staff Proclamation, but no one seems inclined to call her on it. Fire in the Sky As darkness falls over the beach, swimming comes to an end as the gathered people move to get home, their day off done. The Magicademy, however, still has some tricks up its organizational sleeve. With fires conjured along the sands, the Professors take turns cooking -- simple fare like sausages and hamburger patties, that even the less adept among them (coughCamBironycough) can't screw up. And as the last vestiges of sunlight vanish behind the horizon and the beach and ocean are both swept in darkness, Professor Trammel pulls off his final flourish: a Discovery of beautiful lights exploding in the sky, a mixture between fireworks and aurora borealis that paints the night in glory. All in all, not a bad day.

Comments

[blue_ice]

a shore thing

[ Kaiba hates just about everything about the idea of this trip. He is definitely not a beach person, if his preference for high collars and turtlenecks didn't give that away. He's done more working out lately, but a swimsuit is a bridge too far.

He's going to stubbornly sit in his full uniform on a towel, making it very clear that he's only here to support others. He does, however, roll his sleeves up and loosen his tie. It's as awkward as it sounds. ]

fractal fun

[ Were you interested in aimlessly sculpting sand, seeing where your inspiration takes you? Then Kaiba is clearly not your ideal partner for this competition. He's already sketching out the beginnings of a truly intimidating draconic fortress blueprint in the sand, muttering to himself and occasionally looking up at potential partners. ]

Think you're up for a challenge?

a shore thing.

[puzzlers]

Hey Kaiba.

[ yugi approaches him in a black and red pair of swim trunks and a silly shirt that seems to have a drawing of gandora on it in a half mood shape. there had been a stand not too far from the beach selling plain tees, but yugi had taken the time to spice them up a bit. he gives kaiba a smile along with a shirt that has blue-eyes on it in the opposite half mood shape, so when ‘put together’ they form a circle. ]

I don’t know how you’re not already sweating, but why don’t you put this on instead?

[blue_ice]

Yugi.

[ Kaiba is very glad to see his boyfriend in such good spirits. That shirt's cute, too. He's just about to ask about it when a blue mirror of it is pressed into his hands.

He hesitates a moment longer, but he is indeed feeling heated. He leans over for a quick kiss and gets up, trekking over to the changing area. When he returns wearing the shirt (it's a little tight, but that's fine) and silver trunks, he sits by Yugi's side so the dragons form the circle. ]

You drew these? Really working on your design skills, I see.

[puzzlers]

[ a lot had happened recently but thankfully everything was finally over and though yugi still wasn't feeling completely himself there was no way he was going to pass up a chance like this. especially if it mean getting to spend quality time with his two most important people. ]

[ his smile broadened when kaiba looked at the shirt. ] You like it? [ he chuckled, looking down at his own. ] Yeah. I'm sorry it's so crude. I didn't have much time, or supplies, but I wanted to make it special, and I didn't want you sweating yourself half to death in... [ he makes a motion over kaiba. ] this. Go change! and maybe we can comb the beach for shells and glass or, I don't know, maybe even go for a swim!

[ once he changes yugi throws himself at him for a hug, leaning up for another kiss. ]

[blue_ice]

That's how most graphic design works. A sketch eventually polished into a masterpiece. I think...mm. I'm definitely keeping this.

[ When he returns, he curls around Yugi with a little smirk, his kiss lingering a few long moments. ]

That'd be nice. I've never really done any of this before. So...it looks like the herd's rushed right for the water. Shall we take the sands, then?

[ Kaiba takes his first few steps, leading them to a quieter stretch. It's hard to see the shells from a distance, being so tall, but sure enough he's soon bent over a fine little conch shell. ]

[puzzlers]

I didn't really think so, but that just means we'll have to make up for it. [ he nods, reaching to take kaiba's hand as he leads him further along the beach where less people have decided to go, though it certainly seems like they were both pulling the other in that direction. great minds think alike. ]

This is... nice... [ and much needed. yugi doesn't bother picking much up. just a few blue pieces of beach glass here and any shell that seems to have a shape he's looking for, which don't seem to be too many. is he planning on doing something? always~ ]

[blue_ice]

[ Kaiba breathes in the salty air with a deep sigh. It's...not bad here, actually. And it's nice to be out in the open without having to protect his public image.

He walks closer to the ocean, watching the foam wash over his feet with some interest. Then he looks up, finding Yugi bent over yet another shell. ]

See something you like, Yugi?

[ Because he does. And he's nosy as always. ]

[puzzlers]

[ that is definitely one of the reasons yugi has liked being here so much. they don't really have to worry about his reputation and how their relationship would be dragged through the mud had they bothered to get together back home. he's hoping that when the time comes and they do leave they're better prepared for that, but it's not something that's really on his mind right now. ]

Yep! just looking for certain things, because I've got another little project in mind. [ a thank you, of sorts. ]

[blue_ice]

There you go with that artist mind again. You're definitely going for the sandcastle competition, right?

[ As much as he'd love to create something together...maybe it's better he lets Yugi fly with someone a little less obsessive. ]

a shore thing

[shiningkindness]

[Eventually he's joined by Fluttershy who stands next to his spot and holding out a pink popsicle to him.]

Here...it looks like you could use something to cool down.

[blue_ice]

[ Pink, Fluttershy? Really? Does he look like a pink person to you?

...apparently so, as he takes the stick between his fingers and sucks on it thoughtfully for a moment. ]

Heh. Thanks.

How'd your midterms go?

[shiningkindness]

[Hey, pink lemonade is a nice safe flavor.

She takes a seat beside him, nibbling a bit on her own popsicle.]

You're welcome.

Pretty well, I think. A bit more intense than midterms back home, but I guess that's expected since part of it is magic.

How about you?

[blue_ice]

Agreed. And final exams will be here before we know it.

[ Honestly he'd just like a break from it all, but...this is all right, he supposes. ]

I'm sure I passed, though less confident than I'd like to be. It's a new feeling, and I don't like it...but what comes to pass will.

[ He gives her another look. ]

Any plans for today?

[shiningkindness]

[She nods in understanding. The information part of it she'd been all right with, but actually doing the magic was what worried her.]

I guess we can only really do our best, and go from there.

[She takes another bite of her popsicle.]

I want to go snorkeling a bit, and see what kind of creatures I find underwater. I'm hoping there will be some ones native here that I've never seen before.

How about you?

[blue_ice]

Heh. Let me know if you see any seahorses.

[ He doesn't know about her past, of course...it's just a joke about his name. ]

I was planning to build a sandcastle. The water's not really my thing.

[shiningkindness]

[With a smile, she nods.] Okay. I'll especially keep an eye out for them. [Honestly, she's just excited about the idea of finding seahorses.]

Oh really? Is it just the beach, or swimming in general?

[blue_ice]

I'm not fond of dressing for the weather.

[ It's about as close to the truth as he's willing to go right now. ]

But I hope you get to see them.

fractal fun

[hyperdrivemonalisa]

Do you think you can handle what I can bring to the table? [It isn't like Isabel is not up for a challenge. She's taken down bigger opponents. Not that Kaiba is an opponent. She just has to poke him back when he's being prickly! She glances over at his design; that kind of concept art isn't her forte, but she can probably do just fine when it comes to build help. But she's holding back a laugh, really. Seto's just so serious!]

So, you want me to start making a sand pile while you finalize the design? [Simple stuff. She's enough of an artistic-vision type to know she should let him handle the Big Stuff. She's got an eye, at least, so Isabel has to ask.] You know if we're gonna need shells, stones, other things to decorate that? I can start collecting after I build the sand pile, then.

Re: fractal fun

[blue_ice]

Very possible.

[ He nods. ]

Yes. A variety of shapes would be nice, though it's intentionally designed with an emphasis on sharp edges to take advantage of the broken pieces and jagged edges that are commonly found.

[ The next part is said a little quieter. ]

And if you have anything to improve...let me know.

[hyperdrivemonalisa]

[She puts a hand on his shoulder to lean over and get a closer look at the drawing he's sketching. It looks a little familiar, and so she asks.]

Is this supposed to resemble the dragon on your shirt? Looks sort of familiar...can't place it though. That's a great shirt, by the way! [She might be a wee bit jealous...]

And a lot of ocean-tumbled rocks and glass don't have that many sharp edges any more, but I'll look out for ones like that, or broken shells. Hope I don't find them with my feet!

[Isabel just laughs at that a bit and pats Kaiba on the shoulder.] I got it though, so I'll just take my marching orders and start out.

[ Nor does Isabel feel a whit of shame about using her bracelet and its projected force to bulldoze a pile of sand into a hefty, yet compact pile before she takes a bucket from the pile of beach toys and goes out to hunt.]

[blue_ice]

Yugi drew it. I'll have to tell him that. And...yes. That's the Blue Eyes White Dragon, the strongest monster card in our game from home.

[ There's always a note of pride in his voice when he talks about the Blue Eyes...or Yugi, these days. He doesn't bristle at the touch anymore, but shifts to let her get a better view. ]

That still works. They can be rounded scales, we only need jagged ones for the wings. And...

[ She sure did get that sand together quickly. His jaw drops a little. ]

...that's convenient. But I'm assuming it also has more practical applications?

[ Once it's assembled he'll start with a strong foundation layer, licking his lips as it starts to come together. He carves little winding patterns into the base for some decorative flair, as well as marking spots for some stones later. ]

[hyperdrivemonalisa]

Oh, I can do a lot of things with this bracelet. [Isabel just grinned at him, then.] I caught an airship with it, once. Sort of.

[Bragging? Maybe, but she's not going into detail now. There's stones and shells to be gotten, so that was what she was doing. That and some sea glass, too, in shades of white and blue, though there's a piece that she tucks into her swimsuit. Save it for later...]

I brought a few driftwood pieces--they gave us some tools to use as well, but anything to make our lives easier, right?

[blue_ice]

Precisely. I like how you think.

[ He's building the first support columns next, carefully holding up the stick to ensure they're straight before decorating each with etched lines and a ring of stones. Yes, he's interior decorating. Every detail must be precise. ]

...how did you catch an airship?

[hyperdrivemonalisa]

Carefully? [Isabel arches a brow at that, even as she starts to sort the pieces of glass and rocks--color coding them into piles of the same color, so Seto's got his own personal palette.]

I suppose it's more precise to say that I eased it to the dock, instead of actually catching it. Kind of made the force projection into a lattice, and just kept repeating it in the front 'til it landed. It's not the best description--you sort of had to be there.

But hey, nobody was hurt, so that's the important thing, right?

[blue_ice]

Right. Nobody was hurt.

[ Kaiba snorts and shakes his head. He favors silver and blue, but wouldn't object to some gold garnishing---there are a lot of warm colored rocks to use, after all. ]

Heh. We're not doing too badly.