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((Heading to Beach))

It had all begun in the morning. Chris had been reading her book, when she was interrupted by a hand pulling her book down. About to give the interuptee a verbal lashing, Chris's words died on her lips when she saw her roommate Cierra's grave face. Carefully marking her place with a bookmark, Chris set her book down then looked back at her roommate. "What is it?" she asked, a bit confused. Cierra was Chris's best friend of anyone she knew, but she was also the most puzzling.

"I have to show you something." Cierra said simply, tossing Chris's swimsuit into her lap.

Chris then noticed that Cierra was already wearing her own swimsuit, and that the navy trencher that she never took off was the only other thing that she was wearing. Now even more confused, Chris quickly went into the bathroom to change. As she was adjusting her swimsuit strap when coming back out, an add in the newspaper caught her eye. "Lab [305], a summer bash and fund raiser?" Looking back at Cierra, who had begun to head towards the door the moment Chris had come out of the bathroom, an idea began to worm it's way into her head. "Hey, wait a minute Cierra!" she called out.

"What?" Cierra replied, her green eyes irritable as she turned back to her roommate.

Chris quickly grabbed the news paper and walked over to where her roomate was. "Could we go to this today? Along with you showing me what you need to?"

Snatching the newspaper from Chris, Cierra's eyes flickered as she scanned the add. "Alright," she said, tossing the paper back to Chris. "We can go to that too."

And so, they found themselves heading to the beach bash, Chris occasionally having to jog to keep up with her quick walking roommate, the tails on the ever-present trencher billowing out behind the red-haired mystery.

((Sand n' Stuff))

Rai watched the dragon, smiling as said dragon crawled back onto his owner's shoulder. "What's his name?" he asked, reaching into his pocket to look for any snacks. It was like a cute puppy, or something. He just wanted to feed it and make him happy. Ah, he still had his little snack pack. "Is he allowed to have cookies?" he asked. They were chocolate-chip. Who knew what dragons were allowed to eat?

The brunette nodded as the woman explained, sort of, and blinked as he suddenly realized he hadn't introduced himself. How rude! "Oh, I forgot, my name's Rai!" he exclaimed, pulling out the hand in his pocket to offer for a shake. "And yes, I'm very new."

(( Sand n Stuff ))

The Italian gave a low groan as the Gwee bolted off her shoulder, just short of clinging to the man's face at the word 'cookies.' "Well you just earned a new best friend. His name is Lorenzo, he also answers to Zoe, and any type of sweet you can think of." Her smile was perpetually amused, shaking her head to herself. It was a very bad habit she'd allowed her Gwee to develop, and now she had to suffer the consequence for it. Extending her hand in turn, she gave the man named Rai a polite handshake. "Nice to meet you. I'm Alex. Don't worry, everyone here has a love for the Lab."

Zoe chirruped happily at the man, wings beating excitedly at the prospect of cookies. COOKIES. This man had cookies! He would love him forever, yes indeed, for just a taste of those sweet pastries! Lorenzo was telling Rai all about it in his whistling and chattering language, but stopped himself short about halfway through his promise of undying loyalty. The Gwee fluttered and turned around, uttering a sharp and gleeful, "Roe!"

"Hmmn?" Alex turned as well, crying out with surprise and joy as her eyes fell upon her pink-haired friend. She hadn't see the young woman since...well, her last birthday! The older woman snatched her sunglasses off, practically leaping over to Chloe and wrapping her arms around the delicate woman in an affectionate hug. "Chloe!" she laughed, planting a friendly kiss on the woman's cheek before releasing her. "I haven't seen you in a lifetime and a half! How've you been? Where's--"

Her eyes had flickered up and over the other's shoulder, and now all she could do was stare. There was no mistaking who it was, but her brain seemed to lock and become extremely uncooperative. The Raevan floating near by, shirtless and furless as he was, had to be the icy one she had met so long ago. The addition of a crown and his healthy and full wings left no doubt in her disbelieving mind. Alex looked less than professional as she gaped, managing out finally, "--...Roux?"

((Sand N' Stuff))

Rai jolted when the Gwee all but jumped him, startled the mention of a treat could get the little dragon so riled up. "Uh. Hello there," he said, trying to pet the dragon the same time as he was shaking Alex's hand. He reached into the pocket and pulled out the little plastic bag. He popped it open and fished out a cookie, just about to offer it to Lorenzo when the Gwee gave a sharp shriek.

Rai winced. Oh, gods above, that was loud. About to ask what had upset the dragon, he was distracted by a new voice. He blinked and looked over, watching Alex embrace who he could only assume was her friend and-

....what was that?

Rai opened his mouth, closed it, and opened it again, and still couldn't figure out how to word what he was thinking. What- Well, who was probably a better question. Was this what the Lab was all about? These...fellows?

"...um. Hello."

((Sand n' Stuff))

Jae cringed a bit as she walked onto the beach. She didn't go out much in the summer, but a Lab event was a Lab event, and she had friends to see and faces to meet! Really, the primary reason for her slight shyness was how pale her skin was. Even though she wore a simple pink plaid bikini, her skin was almost glowing in the sunlight.

Grabbing her bag of things, she headed towards the beach. Already there were familiar faces chatting away on the beach. A familiar little Gwee caught her attention, and she wanted to rush over and greet it's owner had a hat not been suddenly smushed onto her head. Twirling, she frowned at her brother.

He merely frowned at her before stepping back into the car, "I'll drop off Jun later, when we're done with the shoot."

And with that, he was gone. She grumbled at the car as it drove away, readjusting the hat before she finally managed to head off somewhere. Well, until she caught sight of Roux anyways.

First of all, Roux had an abdomen now. Second of all, he had become extremely handsome since the last time she had seen him. Third of all, the last time she had met Roux did not meet with good results, and she was still somewhat frightened of him.

Keeping a somewhat safe, but approachable distance, she waved eagerly at Alex, while remaining wary of the Ice Prince.

"Alex! Over here~"

((Sand n Stuff))

Rai watched in silence as Alex and Roux, as she called the icy Raevan, still awe-struck beyond most intelligent thought. He shuffled uneasily and nodded when Alex introduced him, silently very grateful. "Oh. Um. Yes!" he said, frowning as he tried to regain his use of the language. "Pleasure to meet you both!" he added, dipping his head with a pleasant smile. He was about to offer his hand for a shake when Lorenzo remembered he had a cookie.

Oh. My. "Wow," Rai laughed, giving the Gwee the rest of the cookie. "He's excitable." He turned back to Chloe, Alex meeting up with another friend of hers. Boy! Everyone knew everyone around here. "So. Uhm. Chloe," he started, trying to figure out what to say, "I suppose you've been here a while?" It was a pretty safe assumption, looking at her friend. Raevan? Raevan! "What's the fund raiser for, exactly?"

((Sand n Stuff --> Beach Bar Buffet))

"Aww we're late!!"

Sevvie floated impatiently behind We`rika, slowed down by his guardian's waddling as he toted a giant metal tub of water balloons. He careened side to side like a raging driver tailgating the car before him. But he wasn't very intimidating, especially not with two long pigtails and a big straw hat. His regular 'Booty Patrol' shirt was on and tied at his chest to give him a bit more freedom to move.

"Sev'lin... Haven' ya ever heard of bein' fasionably la'e?" the huichol grumbled just as impatiently, tired of his son's hissy fits. He was already scalding, his bare back and chest completely shiny with sweat. He was just grateful he didn't burn easily, but his feet were burning from the hot dry sand as his flipflops filled up with every step.

"But we're gonna miss everyone!!"

"Who are we missin'?! I' started like half an hour ago, mos' people aren' even here ye'! And they ain' goin' nowhere for awhile so settle! If ya'd have finished all the balloons earlier we'da been here earlier..." He saw the stretch of beach littered with sandcastle equipment and towels. He waddled a bit faster and finally set it down with a heavy sigh.

"Well I can't just make tons and tons of water! I get tired..." The little sea fairy held onto his hat as a gust of wind threatened to sweep it off his head.

"Okie well daddy is gonna go crash a' th'bar and ge' s**t-faced soooo have fun..." With that, We`rika trotted off to the covered beach bar to get liquored up.

"Kay..." Sevilin stayed by the balloon tub and looked around to find someone he knew.

((Beach Bar Buffet))

"Aki, may I...may I look?!" Excitement lifted Melisande's tone, despite her unusual circumstances. The delicate Sigel held one hand out cautiously, feeling for anything she might bump into while blindfolded. Aki led Pasha confidently forward by her other hand, and shook her head with a laugh.

"Nope, not yet! But we're allllmost there. Do you have any guesses?" She tugged the Raeven gently forward, under the cool shade of the beach bar's awning. Melisande sighed in happy relief at the temperature change, and tilted her head at the question.

"Oh!" She tapped her lips with the tip of one finger, considering. "I hear people! And water! And it smells like food and salt and fish and....the beach! We're at the beach!!" Melisande didn't wait for Aki's permission, she was too excited! With her free hand, she tugged up the corner of her pink blindfold, and gasped with utter surprise. Not only had her guess been right, but there was so much going on!

Aki laughed, clapping her hands. "You got it! I know I promised I would take you somewhere fun, I hope this is okay!" She caught Meli as the Raevan threw herself forward for a hug, laughing again at the sweet kiss Melisande planted on her cheek.

"Oh, it's perfect! And there are so many people here! And look! Oh, and over there!" Pasha pointed first one way, then another...spotting people making sand castles, and people holding drinks with large colorful umbrellas. Clasping her hands, Melisande shivered for a moment in silent glee, before something not-so-happy occurred to her. "I...I didn't bring a swimshort!"

"Swimsuit." Aki corrected her with a smile, and patted the large straw bag she wore over her shoulder. "I wanted it to be a surprise, so I picked one out for you. I hope you like it, Pasha! Let's go change!"

***

A few minutes later, Aki and Pasha returned to the Beach Bar, with Melisande trailing a few feet behind her guardian. Aki looked stunning in her daring gold bikini, but Pasha's cheeks were as pink as the ruffles on her slightly old fashioned swimsuit. Aki had picked out a victorian style tank, edged with carefully worked ruffles and thin ribbon straps that tied halter style in a perfect bow at the back of her neck. It was meant to be a two piece, but Pasha wore only the top...which left a pale swath of her slender waist exposed.

Melisande fidgeted with it as they made their way back to the shade at the bar, tugging down on the bottom, only to then try to tug up at the top. No matter which way she pulled it, it was bound to show more than she'd ever shown before!

"Don't bother at it, sweetie. You look beautiful!" Aki batted Melisande's hands away, and made one final adjustment. "Make sure your skirt stays in place, though. There you go."

It wasn't much of a skirt. Pasha blushed again at the memory of her reflection in the bathroom mirror. It was just a two inch ruffle riding low on her waist! Not only that, but the tank left her back almost entirely bare...scooping daringly downward almost all the way to the little ruffle skirt!

"I...thank you." Embarrassment warred with pleasure at Aki's compliment, pulling Pasha in two very different directions. Taking a big breath, she squared her shoulders and tried very hard not to think on it. At least her hair looked pretty! Aki had pulled in up into a high ponytail, a style Pasha almost never wore...which of course only left her more exposed. Fighting the urge to hide behind Aki, Melisande looked instead at the scattering of empty drinks at the end of the bar, and pointed to one with a little yellow umbrella.

"Could I...have one of those?"

"Of course! Let me grab it for you." Aki stashed her bag under one of the tall bar chairs and strolled down to figure out the drink system, leaving Pasha on her own. The Raeven turned slowly, cheeks still pink, to really take a look around for the first time and see if there was anyone she knew.

In truth, she didn't know if she wanted a friend to spot her or not!!