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

[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. ]

[puzzlers]

I can't help it. [ he laughs. ] And of course. I'm not going to pass up the opportunity to build something awesome! [ yugi's looking forward to some regular competition. ]

[ he kind of figured kaiba wouldn't want to buddy up, so he'd already decided to ask atem. and, please, kaiba, that has nothing to do with it. he likes you for you. ]

[blue_ice]

Though it remains to be seen if you'll outdo me. I'll show you everything I've got!

[ Of course he will. He has an idea and he's in love with it. But he's more in love with Yugi, so he'll squeeze his hand to let him know this isn't entirely serious.]

[puzzlers]

I wouldn’t want it any other way, Kaiba!

[ don’t worry about that kaiba. it’s just a fun little competition and he’s hoping you’ll throw your all into it to make it that much more interesting. ] Next time we’ll have to partner up. Bet we could do some pretty amazing things too.

[blue_ice]

We could. I considered it, but I know you need time with Atem.

[ He sighs and shakes his head. ]

And I know I can be...difficult to work with at the best of times. I didn't want to put you out when we're supposed to be having fun.

[puzzlers]

I wish the three of us could have teamed up...

Kaiba, will you stop with that? You're fine. I don't mind that side of you. It's, well, you. I'd definitely have fun with you. I think we could have built something great.

[blue_ice]

[ Kaiba gives him a small smile. ]

Next time. And I don't mean it that way, it's just...

[ He sighs. ]

I'm not referring to the competitive streak. You and Atem are both as guilty of that as me. I meant my obsession over the tiniest details. Did you see how many shells Isabel and I are shaping precisely, arranged by minute color gradient?

She could've decked me for that. Or tried to.

[puzzlers]

...and I don't see a problem with that. It's just called being a perfectionist. I would have helped, and I'm sure we could have made something great. Don't... please don't talk badly about yourself, Kaiba, even if it's partially in jest. Like poking fun. I love you the way you are - "flaws" and all.

[blue_ice]

Never thought I'd be getting a pep talk from you.

[ It's said softly, and completely seriously. His eyes light with understanding, and he reaches over to give Yugi a hug. ]

I'm sorry. I don't do it to worry you. I'm just trying to remind myself to never be who I was back there.

[puzzlers]

Really? [ giving pep talks and friendship speeches is his thing! but he's still glad kaiba appreciates it. he leans into the hug, circling an arm around him and squeezing tightly. ]

I know... but I do worry, especially when you do say these sorts of thing. You're amazing, Kaiba. [ he leans up to peck his cheek. ] I'm confident that you'll never fall back into habits as bad as though.

[blue_ice]

I won't. I'm a better man than I was, and it's largely thanks to you.

[ He hums happily, looks down at their matching shirts, and takes off down the beach with an arm locked in his. It's going to be a fine day, and it's looking brighter already. ]