songerein | { Summer Beach Fun }

SUMMER BEACH FUN

After a week of frenzy as everyone in town prepared for the weekend summer beach fun bash, the beach is now teeming with activity as everyone shouts in joy at seeing the beautiful white sands and clear waters. Blankets are out, tents erected, music and refreshments out on covered tables, and spirits are high as everyone has fun enjoying the new place. With the beach surrounded by jungle forests, it feels as if they stepped onto a tropical island getaway. And when night falls, it will be a time to relax and just enjoy the night sky, now graced with the new two moons.

Note: This log is open to everyone and doubles as a "Character Intro" for new characters who were just accepted this round. As a reminder, new characters are welcome to carry over their TDM as forward dated to the earlier days of July so that they're not really "new" if players wish to do so! Starting fresh is also acceptable. Please put Character Name | Canon in the subject line of your toplevel.

The log has two parts, with the first portion focusing on the beach party and the second half the same evening for the moon viewing. Any questions can be directed here.

I. BEACH PARTY

For those who don't have any beach attire or equipment, worry not! Swimwear, towels, umbrellas, changing tents, and anything else beach goers might need to enjoy the day out in the sun. Only thing lacking is sunscreen, but surely something with dreamotion or magic can be used as an alternative. Food and refreshments are also provided, some out fishing for some fresh catches or setting up some barbecue. There are a lot of activities both in and out of the water, so have fun!

A. Beach Games. There are a lot of games that can be played on the beach, and some may introduce activities that they're familiar with from their world. But there are three notable games that have gained popularity on the sandy shores. Just be careful not to litter or these seemingly cute and cuddly sea otters will rush out from the water and throw or smack anyone with the trash.

Water Balloon Fight. No teams, just an all out brawl. Buckets of balloons filled with rainbow colored water can be found scattered all over the beach so a battle can happen anytime, anywhere. Once hit, the balloon will explode into varying different colors, dying the person colorful shades from mundane to neon bright that will last from anywhere to a few minutes to an hour. Despite being stuck a splattered rainbow, it will leave everyone feeling festive and fun.
Beach Volleyball. There are a few nets set up for anyone to play with, and while it doesn't have to be volleyball, there is one section that is having very heated matches. Dreamotion is the key factor, people encouraging everyone to put on their "best fighting spirit." This is leading to the "ball" turning into more of a flaming ball of fire as players spike it and send it hurtling over the net at breathtaking speeds, some jumping tens of feet in the air to try and return the ball. This also means that sometimes the ball will fly out of control, so watch out! Maybe help put out some stray fires.
Fruit Slicer. While standing on a platform, participants will have a variety of fruit thrown at them and using dreamotion only, they must slice or destroy the fruit before they're hit or miss five. It starts off slow and easy before it escalates, getting faster with more fruit as time goes on. This results in a lot of messes as some go a bit extreme and instead of slicing, fruit explosions happen instead. But anyone can give it a go, just be careful if watching! Might get fruit juice splattered. For those who manage to make cleaner (sanitary) cuts, the fruit can be served out or even processed to make juice.
Sand Art. Sandcastles are overdone—why not try and make unique sand sculptures instead? Tools are provided, and dreamotion is encouraged to add some extra finesse. Some may even use their dreamotion to make their creations move with…varying results. It is sand, after all, not the sturdiest of materials.

B. Water Fun. Out in the water are more games and activities, with some inflatable tubes and other items that can be used out in the water. Sure there's just plain swimming and snorkeling, but there are more exciting things available as well.

Turtle Shell Boats. At some point, giant colorful sea turtles that are large enough to carry one full grown adult emerge from the waters, toting even larger clam shells behind them. They're big enough to fit two people, and the turtles offer (yes, they speak!) to pull anyone around the shores for a fun ride. Those who are skeptical will soon see that the daring ones will prove it a safe ride…though it can get a bit bumpy and the turtles are fast. It'll feel just like riding on a motorboat going at full speed, so hold on tight! Anyone who falls in the water will be rescued by the turtles.
Windsurfing. Sailboats are still under construction (though there are certainly some strange mockups around), but windsurfing is a current hit for what's available! Smoothing out large planks of driftwood and making makeshift sails, people are out on the waters riding those small waves with some helping out by creating wind via dreamotion. In fact, there are requests for anyone to help conjure wind or make the waves bigger. So if some are not as daring to try it out, perhaps they can lend a hand instead. Just be careful—too much wind might send the windsurfer flying into the air!
Snorkeling and Diving. For those who want to do some exploring, some basic gear for snorkeling and short distance diving has been prepared, though some could try and use dreamotion to take them further. Those who can transform will have an even easier time to swim and venture underwater. The waters are beautifully clear and at least in the shallows whatever marine life is around is friendly, some even waving or hiding in their coral homes. If there are any mermaids around, they're staying hidden. There must be something in the water keeping an eye on the new visitors, as whenever someone tries to go too far away from the breakline the current will suddenly push them back. Some may even see strange shadows in the far distance…but who knows what it could be. Anyway, this is the free for all swimming and exploring prompt so enjoy! Feel free to come up with whatever you think could be found between the shallow waters and the coral reefs that serve as a surf break before people are shoved back by the current.

C. Crabs vs. Lobsters Dance Off. Music and dancing is a must have for any beach party, and there is a section of the beach designated for just that. They may not have stereo speakers or high tech lights, but who needs that when they can just make one's own instruments with coconuts, reeds, acoustic guitars, and use dreamotion to amplify sound? But at some point, everyone's groove will be thrown with an army of raving crabs emerge from the sand followed by dancing lobsters from the waters. After some brief claw clacking and spitting insults at each other, now everyone is pulled into the feud and must help prove which crustacean group is the best. This is done either by wearing either a crab or lobster costume (where did they come from no one knows) or turning into a crab or lobster to fit in (also mysteriously done). Fortunately individuals conscripted into this feud only have to stay for one round and can leave the "stage" to turn back to normal.

II. MOON VIEWING

That same night a moon viewing party is planned as it would be the best time to look at the new two moons that now grace Songerein's night skies. For those who stick around, tents and sleeping bags will be provided for those who didn't bring their own to experience a fun camping trip on the beach. It's a little chillier at night, so campfires will also be found around. With a much more relaxed atmosphere there's not as much going on, but there are still a few highlights for people to participate in.

A. Social Mingle. With everyone unwinding, it's an easier time to just sit on the sand and stare up at the stares with some warm food and a good drink in hand. Just be mindful of the drinks, especially the alcoholic kind. They seem to be more flavorful and potent when under direct moonlight, causing one to reminisce about their home more than usual. Or feel more tipsy and daring than they normally would be.

B. Storytime. Some might feel more inclined to share stories while on the beach, especially if there's a campfire going. Spooky stories, stories about the moon, whatever one feels like sharing they will find that their words will "come to life" in the air. As soon as someone starts speaking, little twinkling lights will drift in and dance in the air, forming moving pictures to help illustrate the story.

C. Night Kites. Special kites illuminated with glowing beads that will grow brighter the more dreamotion is channeled into them are available for anyone willing to try and fly kites in the dark. There are standard shapes and then there are some that take after various sea creatures, making them seem like they're alive. There's enough wind at least, and if not dreamotion can help give a good burst to get them going. The beads make for colorful light displays, but be careful! People are running around in the dark after all, with only the moonlight and whatever light sources around to guide them.

D. Moon Lanterns. Later in the evening, attention is called to an area where some fae are showing how to make paper mache moon lanterns. The construction is easy and it is encouraged to use dreamotion to strengthen it, filling it with whatever hopes and dreams the individual may have. After lighting a special candle, the lanterns are to be set into the water where they will drift for a small distance before slowly rising up into the air. The lanterns will follow the moonlight and it is said they will eventually reach the moon and those hopes and dreams will be blessed, more likely to come true. Is it real or not, who's to say—but it's a nice little touch to end the evening.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Eustace was waiting for his turn on another platform when he happened to witness the spectacular.......something, and just steps slightly to the side to avoid being hit.]

...Are you all right?

[Now approaching and crouch down to check on him. He seems vaguely familiar... Eustace never directly interacted with Rob, but he remembers seeing him back during Otto's nuclear meltdown.]

[Hey, no worries. Rob is used to being forgettable.

He doesn't immediately respond apart from groaning for a few moments at first. Finally he slowly opens his eye and and grumbles out an answer.]

Does it look like I am?

You're at least conscious, which is better than how most people would have been.

Here.

[Crouching down, he extends a hand to where Rob had been hit and there will be a strange sensation as the area lightly frosts over before a tingling warmth settles in, relieving Rob of his pain.]

Eh, worse has hap—

[His self-pity is cut off by his surprise at the experience being healed. He's silent for a few seconds, blinking in surprise and rubbing one hand over his face.

...Huh. That was...different. Thanks?

[A small nod.]

I'm assuming you no longer feel any pain. You might feel a small chill for a short time, but it'll pass.

[And now holding out his hand to help the strange...kid up.]

[He'll accept the offer, but he's frowning about it. Due to Eustace's actions, it's not hard for him to get to his feet.]

Yeah, it's kind of weird in the middle of a beach. What was that, some sort of thermal patch magic?

[Hmmm, actually considering it a bit.]

I suppose you could think of it that way. It's my own form of healing magic, utilizing ice and lightning elements.

I'm...not sure that's anything like what I was talking about, but good to know I guess? Is it a Dreamotion thing too?

[It really is like an Icy Hot patch! Cos it's icy. With heated electricity—~~kicked out~~]

Yes.

[But you don't plug in an Icy Hot. Maybe.]

Huh. I've mostly heard about it doing things you can actually see. Since...yeah, not exactly my forte just yet...

[He may be healed but he swears he can still feel that watermelon making direct contact with him.]

It can take different forms and even with practice it could be more difficult if you're not familiar with magic in general.

[...Hm. He'll just hold out his hand palm up and he'll conjure small bolts of lightning and that arc up into the air before it disappears and snow falls into his palm.]

[Rob's eye goes wide as he watches the display.]

Wow. That— [he takes a moment to think up the right words.] ...is pretty impressive, but probably useless in the long run. It'd probably help if I had any idea what I was capable of doing with it in the first place.

As it is yes, but... [A small grin as the snow slowly converges into a small ice blade about two inches long. The way the sunlight shimmers over its sharp edges make it appear more like glass.] It can form to something else more useful.

[And then it all disappears back into snow that disappears into air as Eustace considers Rob's problem.]

A lot of it is just trying and experimentation, especially if you're not familiar with any kind of magic to begin with. It's easier to do it while dreamwalking as there are far less limitations. Noticing what is created with your emotions can also help give ideas of what you might be able to do.

[He's silently impressed by the display for a moment.]

Okay, that's definitely an improvement.

Uh...huh. There were only a couple people who knew anything "magic" back in my world, yeah. And I haven't actually looked into that dreamwalking thing yet, either.

[He had a rough start here. ~~And a dreamwalking form that would be too emotional the first time to just toss him in anywhere.~~]

But you're basically saying to try that, see what happens, and then try it again when I'm awake? Ideally without unintentionally taking out a house or something?

Yes. If you're worried about the latter, the empty fields can be more readily sacrificed.

[Hmm...]

It would be better if there were more official training methods... But experimentation is the main way regardless.

{ Summer Beach Fun }

iii

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject