[open] beach episode volume 2: gallows edition

[altusimperius]

WHO: everybody who wants
WHAT: (lukewarm) BEACH PARTY (on rubble, in harbor)
WHEN: late Justinian
WHERE: the Gallows, amidst its newly-acquired sea view
NOTES: he's trying

I. Prep

He didn't ask for help overtly, but Benedict is clearly working hard setting up the space he's designated for the company to have their beach staycation: drapings taken from his own stash and salvaged from the Gallows' erstwhile guest rooms are drawn across glyphed-in-place poles to create shade. He's hauled out a table, onto which he proceeds to place a variety of whatever canapés he could afford to procure with his own wages-- it's not a feast, all right-- and beside which he rolls two barrels of decent-ish wine.

From the baths come a stack of towels piled high in his arms, hindering his vision to such a degree that he may crash into someone not paying attention; pillows and the like come next, in armloads that take multiple trips, by the end of which he's visibly out of breath.

Lastly, it's his very own water pipe making an appearance, which he arranges amidst comfortable ground seating mimics how his room used to look: in fact, most of the accoutrements here are his personal belongings.
As such, he knows just how to set everything to create an attractive, if minimalist, space for an afternoon's leisure.


II. Party?

It may not be an all-out bash like their excursion to the sandier shores of the Waking Sea some years ago, but this, if nothing else, is an opportunity for work on the Gallows to pause in palatable increments. One can be clearing rubble or cataloguing property for the morning, then pop over for an hour of sunbathing and a glass of wine; they're all within calling out distance of the courtyard, and the party likely bleeds into the day's work in a manner somewhat more comfortable than if it were sequestered.

That said: the early summer sea water is cold, the sun is out but meek behind occasional cloud cover, and the festivities are on clean-swept stone rather than sand. The view across the water is of mainland Kirkwall, and all that that entails.
But it's none of it so bad, for anyone looking to take a break. A few musicians even show up a bit later in the afternoon, and Benedict provides a bonfire in the center of the party space as the sun goes down.

Anything brought to share is met with effusive thanks from Benedict, who ensures its appropriate placement and distribution. He doesn't spend much time relaxing himself, instead making the rounds with the air of a fussy host, where he's quick to offer refills or alternatives in libations, or diversions for unsatisfactory activities.

[make your own starters, do your thing, go hog wild-- if you have logistical questions feel free to ask on plurk or discord]

Comments

[altusimperius]

It’s definitely funny, on some level. But this water is cold, and his hair looked so nice today, and Benedict just wants to sulk about it a little bit.

He draws himself up with Abby’s assistance, immediately pushing his wet hair back out of his face with a proud, defiant scowl. how dare you

[laruetheday]

"Just think of it like revenge for the stairs," Clarisse says, even though she had nothing to do with said 'revenge' and in fact isn't even sure whether Abby knows about that.

She manages to stand up straight—gods, her stomach hurts from laughing. It feels like forever since she's done that and actually meant it.

[armd]

Abby is trying really hard not to laugh at Benedict's wet hair, the water dripping off his nose, the scowl on his face. She keeps making a funny, scrunched up expression like she's about to lose it all over again.

"Revenge for the what...?"

[altusimperius]

Benedict folds his arms, looking manfully off into the distance, allowing them to calm themselves before he answers. He hasn't just flipped them the bird and run off, which is a good sign, but it's clear that his pride has taken a hit.

"There was," he mumbles, "that place we all got stuck, and lost our memories." This is not a story he enjoys telling, and he glances dolefully at Clarisse. You do it.

[laruetheday]

This story might be one that Benedict is embarrassed by, but at this point there's been enough distance from it for Clarisse to find it amusing.

"We ran into each other near this flooded room," she says, "and we were standing on these stairs looking at the water, and Benedict tried to kick me off them." She's still not totally clear on the reason why. But whatever, it's funny now.

[armd]

"Did you?" Abby looks kind of impressed, a grin breaking through, "So you are scrappy."

And because she is loyal to the both of them, she suddenly ducks behind Clarisse and gives her a hard shove to try and send her off the rock too. Like why should memory loss Benedict have all the fun.

[altusimperius]

Benedict's little apologetic smile turns into something more like a grin, which evolves into a full-blown cackle when Abby shoves Clarisse.

"I have my moments," he says primly, helping Abby along in her already shifted-forward point of balance to hip-check her in as well.

[laruetheday]

Wow, the sudden betrayal.

Clarisse isn't fast enough to stop herself from going into the water, but she does grab for Abby's arm as she loses her balance and tries to yank her after her in with an indignant yell. And since Benedict is already hip checking her off balance, it's probably a little more violent of a yank than she intended it to be, but you know what? That's karma, baby.

[armd]

Noooo the double-betrayal—

Abby shouts in return, no particular word just sound, then hits the water and goes under. Clarisse's grip on her arm is so tight, jerk. She wrenches her arm away as she surfaces, shaking water out of her face with a gasp.

"You jerk—"

Clarisse, you're getting splashed.

[altusimperius]

Safely on the sandbar, Benedict proceeds to laugh with uncharacteristic, un-self-conscious abandon. He is not helping, but he is having an excellent time.

[laruetheday]

Clarisse is still yelling when she comes up for air, but it turns into a sputtering laugh as Abby yells at her.

"You pushed me, jerk." She splashes her back, splashes in Benedict's direction for laughing, and then tries to grab Abby in a headlock and dunk her under the waves. Jerk.

[armd]

Once Clarisse successfully gets you in a headlock it is generally all over for you and so Abby is trying really hard not to let this happen. She ducks in the water and weaves around a bit. Benedict's laughter underscoring this entire thing is really nice.

"Give it up. I could — do this all day!"

She's panting.