dinohouse | Meme yoinked from the usual place

It's summertime! Out with the snow and the dark, here come the sun and sea, watermelons and slushies, long lazy days, and all the things that make summer wonderful.

Along with a few other things.

Honestly, your character loves summer. How can they not? They don't mean to spoil the fun. They could've been having a grand old time right now, if it weren't for...

1. The heat! No kidding, hot in summer? Who would've thought. The AC broke and the fan just can't keep up. What to do? Why, complain, of course.

2. The bugs! EEK! It's cockroach season! Or possibly the invasion of the bloodsucking horde. Pick up a shoe and join the defending army.

3. Allergies! You know what's nice about the bare trees in winter? They're bare. Is it September yet?

4. Those meddling kids! Some of us don't get summer vacation no more, you little bastards. Stop partying at all hours!

5. The crowds! The beach was a lot nicer when you didn't have to share it with approximately twenty two billion other people. Some of them in wildly unflattering swimsuits.

6. That one unbearably cheerful friend who thinks summer is really just the best thing and they will prove it to you if they must shove a gallon of ice cream down your screaming mouth.

7. Or something else equally annoying and horrid, because fuck summer.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

gimmedonuts

"Well, that's what towels are for, right?" Not that I brought any. It's so hot this time of year, I'll just dry up once the rain starts.

Finally, water. Ah, that feels good...

From:

surprisingwolf

"Some of us are wearing leather." I shake my head at his antics and make sure my more delicate gear is in waterproof pouches. I'm on vacation because Hikaru dragged me here, but you never know when Horrors might pop up.

From:

gimmedonuts

(Gonna steal a bit from the last thread if that's okay, spec. Hikaru knowing that he hunts Horrors???)

"Hmm, touche." I watch as Leo makes sure that all his weapons don't get rusty. Honestly, he's a good guy and all, but he needs to relax. Which is why we're going to the beach! Not only will it be quiet, but wet sand is the most awesome thing to run through ever.

From:

surprisingwolf

Everything seems okay. I lean against the rock, wondering again what I'm doing here. Hikaru is dressed far more sensibly, but he's not technically on duty.

I shouldn't be either, but I am.

"Let me get you some ice cream." That will get me to some shelter, at least, and some peace and quiet.

From:

gimmedonuts

Sheesh, he's already in 'watch from afar' mode. I'll just grab him and--

"Ice cream?" Well, if he insists... I wave. "Okay! Look out for Horrors!" I probably shouldn't say that out loud, but whatever, we're alone.

From:

surprisingwolf

I wince.

Thankfully, the beach is deserted. Not everybody likes thunder and rain as much as he does.

And at least he'll have run about a bit while I'm getting the ice cream. Eventually, I'll convince him that getting under shelter is a good idea. I turn back towards him. "Good idea."

From:

gimmedonuts

"Yep!" Man, this day rocks. A lot better than it has been, lately!

I get distracted when I hear thunder rumbling in the distance. Good. I run up to the tide, just taking in the sights and smells. It's been so long since we've had a proper summer storm.

From:

surprisingwolf

Hikaru's standing at the tide, I notice as I check behind me. I order two ice creams, one vanilla, one strawberry. The counterman asks me if I really want to be out in the rain and I tell him that my friend's just recovered from an illness and he can do whatever he wants.

The counterman just shrugs and gives me the cones, and I head down to where Hikaru is. "Which one do you want?"

From:

gimmedonuts

"All of them! Okay, just kidding." Sometimes he takes stuff a little too literally. "Maybe Chocolate. Yeah, that." I poke him in the chest. "And what're you gonna get, tough guy?"

From:

surprisingwolf

"Whichever one you weren't going to eat?" I don't mind if he eats both of them, actually, but I'll blend in more if I have one of them.

At least as much as one does on a deserted beach.

I think about fishing a towel out of the bag, but realize it will only get wet.

From:

gimmedonuts

I give him a look. "Ya sure? Because I will eat both." Well, no, not really. He saved my life. I think he deserves a scoop of ice cream as reward.

From:

surprisingwolf

"Um... I'll have the vanilla." Strawberry fits his personality more. I'm plainer, though some that know me would say otherwise.

From:

gimmedonuts

"Cool!" I dig in. Certain people would only let me have soup when I was sick, so I'm gonna shove as much sugar as I can in my body. "Hurry up, or it'll melt!" It's wet, but still pretty damn warm.

From:

surprisingwolf

I work on my own ice cream, finding a convenient rock that isn't too wet to sit down on. I have to admit, I could use a vacation, but they're hard to come by when one is on active duty.

Not that Hikaru didn't try to make me take a full one. I just feel naked without bringing along half my gear.

From:

gimmedonuts

I plop down on the ground next to Leo-- honestly, after being in bed for so long, even wet sand in my pants is nice. I wanna absorb as much sensation as I can today. "See? Vacations aren't something to be feared. I promise."

I can't help but go 'woo' when lightning flashes. This is better than fireworks!

From:

surprisingwolf

It's amazing, how normal people can be fascinated by something so mundane. I could probably replicate what he's seeing, it's just... well, I should. It wouldn't be the first time I've used my abilities to delight.

And then I remember Mio, and I frown at the waves.

"I don't fear them, it's just...."

From:

gimmedonuts

"Just worry too much, that's what." I poke his knee. "We've been out for nearly an hour now, and guess what? No Horrors. Relaxing sometimes isn't bad, really!"

From:

surprisingwolf

"Yes, but...."

I'm not sure what to say. I should be relaxing - I need to relax, that's why Hikaru has me out here. I just... I'm not doing so well with it.

From:

gimmedonuts

Hm. Guess I'll have to resort extreme measures.

After I finish my ice cream cone, I promptly tickle him.

From:

surprisingwolf

Something in me wants to laugh, but training takes over and little more than a giggle escapes before I'm standing up and reaching for a sword that isn't there.

My cone is probably sitting on the beach.

From:

gimmedonuts

There we go, a smile and something kind of like laughter-- wait, is he reaching for his sword.

Seriously.

"Okay, obviously ticking isn't gonna get you to relax," I admit. Yeesh, I haven't seen him this tense since I was sick, but considering why I was sick... okay, let's try something new. "Is there anything you do to relax? By the way, if you say training, I will put wet sand down your shirt."

From:

surprisingwolf

"Usually, I relax by building things," I admit. "Or read."

I'd prefer either to trying to enjoy myself on a beach, but I think I owe him at least this. Even if the relaxing part isn't working.

From:

gimmedonuts

Hmm. "I would suggest building a sand castle, but..." I pick up a wet clump of sand. "In that case, do you wanna go someplace else?" I won't miss the thunder storm if we check out a different place.

From:

surprisingwolf

"I want to relax." He's right, I should try relaxing. Actually, building a sand castle sounds fun. I sit down and think about how best to structure one, staring at the sand intently. "Probably we should try to clump the sand into cylinders...."