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(( Arrival --> Popsicle Booth ))

Kinsey never had any intention of taking Varun to the beach for the Lab's annual summer party. Oh, yes, she did feel a little guilty for holing the redhead up, all on his own, but after his recent rash of poor behavior, she didn't really want to spend a day playing damage control while the Leviathan made a fool of them both. He was entirely too big for his britches, that one, and until she learned how to bring the lord of the sea back down to size, she wasn't taking him out in public. That didn't stop the Frei from letting himself out, of course.

He'd overheard his guardian on the phone with his mother one evening, the young cop explaining her tearful situation. Varun had said nothing at the time, though he did offer his guardian the cold shoulder for days, and he bid his time. He even made a small mark on the calendar fridge so he wouldn't forget the day.

His guardian left for work in the usual manner, preaching the sins of making holes in the drywall, leaving electronics on all day, so on, so on. She left, eventually. Varun watched the door unblinking for ten minutes, and when she did not return, a nasty smile tickled the edges of his mouth and the Raevan burst into action, whipping down the hallway and throwing open her room. The dog bank was swatted to the floor, shattering and spilling it's contents under the dresser and across the rug. Varun chortled gleefully, congratulating himself as he plucked quarters from the wreckage.

He was out the door in less than three minutes, long red hair tied up in a ponytail, save for his bangs and quarters in his hands. He'd left the arm bracers at home, choosing only to wear his chest plate and shoulder piece (and only because he found the bus wouldn't let him on when he wore nothing at all). The ride from his city block to the beach was less than pleasant, wedged in a back corner and growling at anyone who looked like they might be considering sitting within five feet of the seasonal Raevan. But one way or another, Varun survived and made it out to summer party relatively unscathed and, more importantly, without his guardian to ruin all his fun.

The scene was slightly overwhelming, a large amount of Raevans and people buzzing around, and a good deal the Leviathan did not recognize. Flattening his fins against his skull, he floated closer hesitantly, glancing back and forth between booths as he tried to spot any of his friends. Well, relatively speaking. Flattening a little further when he didn't spy any of them, Varun realized he'd have to make do with an acquaintance. Snapping his bright yellow wings open, he quickly propelled himself over to the popsicle stand. It was the least crowded, and he recognized the Frei mingling with the humans.

"Lucia!" he greeted her, trying to find the best way to wedge himself closer (and completely unaware she might actually be speaking with someone else. He eyed the man behind the booth warily, and decided he would stick with the familiar Raevan, for now. He shoved past Ronan, snarling when their shoulders rubbed instead of apologizing, and floated closer to Lucia. "I have not seen you in...a while." Time was still a very foreign concept to the beast. "What do you do, here?"

(( >>> Drinks booth ))

Kenth immediately noticed something strange with the way Xuelian acted soon as they left the petting zoo. She was beginning to doze off, all her excitement slowly dwindled to nothingness as the girl tried her best to follow Kenth's footsteps. At first the doctor thought maybe she was still being depressed about not able to stay in the petting zoo with the chimera, but this was not the case, for when he studied the Raevan's expression she still had an earnest look on her face, void of any negative emotions. Worried, Kenth picked a shady spot and paused walking.

"Are you feeling okay?"

The girl nodded, rubbing at her eyes. From close inspection Kenth could tell her skin was exceedingly dry. Normally in a hot weather like this, and normally for a human, the skin would be moist from sweat emitted. But Xuelian was not a human. Kenth touched her wrist, finding it warm against his fingers. It was then the thought struck him. Similar scenario happened not too long ago back at his clinic, where the Raevan acted lethargic and weak. Thankfully, Kenth also remembered the solution to treating this problem. The dainty Raevan's soul came from a plant growing up in a cold environment, of course she would not be able to stand the heat on a summer beach. The doctor bit his lips, he should have made better preparation, or, he shouldn't even have come in the first place knowing his subject would be hurt by the sun.

"Come on, let's get you something to drink." Kenth pulled Xuelian's arm gently, helping her to move faster. "Drink" was not something accurate, for Xuelian feed upon water in the most unusual way. She would not only need a sip, a small cup, but a rather large quantity of them. The doctor looked around, eventually spotting the colorful sign that spelt "drink booth" on the other side of the beach.

He hoped they have plenty of water.

Dragging his subject through the crowd in a rather brutal fashion, the two finally made their way to the drink booth. Never-minding the fact that the booth was rather crowded with both humans and Raevans, Kenth disregarded much of his manner and squeezed himself to the counter.

"Pardon me, but is the sever around? I need a few gallons of water please."

[[Drinks booth >> Popsicle Stand Signup (aphi)/ Oceanside (Rivener)]]

Aphismet chuckled as he was given the large, pink-umbrella-topped coconut. With raised eyebrows he gave the concoction a test-sip, finding it sweet and packing quite a punch. "Mnh, good stuff, Dr Kyou. Thanks!" The chef moved away to give others space at the booth, sunglasses quickly spotting Isikoro nearby. The chef grinned and walked over to his brother, free hand quickly raising to give the dual-colored head of hair a playful tousle. "Let Kyou get you a drink, Isi, then you can go find a spot of shade to sit in. You won't have to brave the crummy sand-covered ground much longer. I'm really proud of you for coming along though!"

Rivener chuckled at Laz's confident answer that of course, he could make that kind of drink. Ruby eyes watched as the other Sigel went about with expert efficiency, mixing up exactly what Riv had asked for. When the Scorpion gave the drink a test, he had to smack his lips and raise both brows in appreciation, nodding slightly. It DID taste like a creamsicle. Very nice. Though Riv wouldn't just outright say that. "Events, hunh? Yeah, I think I'll participate. It's a party after all, wouldn't be much fun if we didn't take part, right? I'm assuming you're going to go for at least some of it, right?" Rivener smirked. "I'll go sign up, myself. I hope I'm on the other team in paintball, I'm going to shoot you stupid." He grinned, obviously teasing.

The Scorpion turned to seek out the sign-up place, easily spotting the large hand-written signs hung from the nearby popsicle stand. ...Unfortunately, he also easily spotted the Kitten Frei there, as well as Varun. Ugh. Riv groaned, moving over to Aphismet and tapping the chef on the shoulder. He spoke once he had the white-haired man's attention: "Can you please go sign me up for paintball and seashell finding? I don't really wanna do the sand building thing."

Aphismet blinked. "Sign you up? Why don't you just sign yourself up?"

Rivener pointed by way of an explanation, and Aphismet went "Aah" in understanding. "Alright. Seashells and paintballs." With a final ruffle of Isi's hair, hoping the young man would find some measure of fun at the party and not just hobble around all grumpily, Aphismet walked towards the Popsicle booth.

The chef quietly sidled towards the sign-up sheets, mindful of interrupting anyone's conversation. He flashed a small smile to Ty and Yuurei, as well as the purple-and-green haired man manning the booth, but kept quiet as he picked up the pen. Nimbly he scrawled "RIVENER" under the Seashell and Paintball categories, and for the hell of it he added "APHISMET" under the sandcastle building contest. Sounded fun!

Rivener sighed with relief at not having to deal with either of the troublesome Frei (though would Varun even remember them fighting at Lucia's party, Riv wondered?), though he now wondered what to do. Ah, Doucette was nearby, and Rivener considered going over to speak to her... But farther away on the beach, another sight much more interesting caught his eye: Zul! Riv grinned broadly and brightly, zooming past everyone and everything with single-minded intent.

The Demon was already talking to someone, but surely they wouldn't mind another. Riv would just have to curb his urge to tackle-hug his Flower... curb only barely. As he neared, Riv lifted an arm and threaded his fingers lovingly into Zul's hair at the base of his neck, smiling. "Hello, my Zul." He was mindful not to call him that potentially-embarrassing nickname in public. "And hello to you, miss." Riv magnanimously included the stranger in the conversation, feeling rather nice today.

((Popsicle Booth - Zeke
Water's Edge - Anastacia))

Zeke gave a smile to Ronan, and, after listening to the man's words, knew he wasn't a guardian with a wayward charge. He'd be all too happy to help! He just wanted to give a check to the Kitten's well-being first.

"Just give me a few moments and I'll answer as many and all questions you have!" He gave the man a pat on the shoulder for good measure and gestured to the popsicle buckets that were scattered around on the table. He turned his head back to the dark Frei, tilting it slightly as she gave pause to her words. He felt a little falling feeling as she seemed to have to think about it; he was worried for her and it only grew as her smile turned a touch sad. "'Okay' is better than nothing. I'm happy to hear it Lucia." Even if she did have to pause.

When the introductions were made, and proper nods given, the vet reached out and took the Australian's hand; shaking it firmly. He didn't correct Lucia when she called him a Raevan doctor, but not out of his own self-pride. He was happy to help the Lab when needed, and just felt lucky enough that his full time job's skills were able to work outside the clinic's animals-only setting.

"It's nice to meet you both." He looked to where Ty was gesturing. "Ah! Game sign ups. We're having three events this year," though he'd only been with Lab less than one, Alex had told him as such, "paintball, seashell collecting - which is Raevan's only - and sandcastle building." He tapped each chart in turn, lingering on the seashell one and looking over his sunglasses at his own wayward ward. Anastacia was still by that rock that jutted out into the water, but her posture and interests had shifted to something in the sand. Maybe her first shell, he mused, and deftly picked up the form and the pen tucked behind the clipboard's metal clip before neatly printing the virus Frei's name on the line. It'd do her good, even if he was doing it in secret from her. She'd deftly say 'no' otherwise.

It actually wasn't a shell that held the Frei's attention. No, it was something live, mobile, and sort of orange that had her oddly positioned over it and the baking sand. She had never seen such a creature and, watching it, she was perplexed at its motions. It was moving sideways as it walked across the wet-dry line as though oblivious to the fact or just plain defying that motion was supposed to go forward instead. She had just caught the movement randomly just before Zeke had noticed her, and had the man been near her, he'd have considered her posture all the more strange. Anya was not on her hands and she surveyed this creature, but rather delicately balanced on her wing tips. The first touch of skin to sand had left her with an unpleasantly gritty feeling on her palms, so to her this was the best way and the easiest. She could take large 'steps' to follow the little shelled creature's trip and continue to attempt to make it walk the right way.

When he put the paper down and displayed his Raevan's name out for the ones around the table, he smiled at Yuurei.

"I'm happy to help, but even happier she's made a recovery." Very little scarring to tell the truth, even if he couldn't see the Kitten's back at the moment. As Yuurei wrote down on the various sheets, he smiled at what she said. "I agree, though I might just be manning this all day, I've got my own Raevan down for seashells." Though she would have saw that already. A dart of red, green, and yellow caught his eye but before he could welcome Varun to the table, he had already taken up talking to the Kitten. Not a bad thing - let Raevans mingle with Raevans and guardians with guardians after all - and he could get back to Ronan just that much faster. He did give Varun a friendly look but it did waver as he heard that snarl directed toward the first man to arrive at his area. Oh dear, but the arrival of another new face wasn't lost on him.

"Welcome!" And he was happy to see the new man was jotting down names on the forms. Curious, Zeke leaned over enough to see the names. Rivener was one, and the other...Well then! "Ah! So you're the man who's dating my sister, and you thought you could get away without a hello!" He put on his best and brightest smile, extending a hand. "I'm Zeke. Alex has told me so much about you." In truth not everything, but a name and looks were among what they had chatted about on those slower days at the Lab.

[[Popsicle Booth (Aphi only)]]

Aphismet straightened just in time for the dual-colored head of hair to tilt forward and read what he'd written. The chef smile already, prepared for a friendly chat after that cheerful "welcome!" that the booth's host had offered, but instead of the casual talk he'd expected, Aphismet found himself facing Alex's... "Brother"? She only had one brother as far as Aphi knew, Brad, and-..

"Oooohhh, Zeke!" Aphismet slowly realized, laughing at his own dense reaction. A very slight blush streak over his cheeks, embarrassed. "I should have realized, Alex spoke of you too! Yeah, I'm Aphismet, Alex's boyfriend. Jeesh, really, I must be sun-struck today. Just the hair should have clued me off! So you're Brad's guy, hunh? ..." Aphismet shook the offered hand of course, but now he had to blink and ponder. THIS guy? Dating BRAD? ...Well, opposites attract, but this was REALLY stretching that saying to the limit. Eventually the chef just chuckled and shook his head. "Wow, maybe Brad isn't all serious if he can be with someone like you, nice and cheerful. He's kinda scary."

Chocolate-colored eyes often glanced towards the BBQ station, keeping track of the people hovering near it... If anyone looked like they wanted anything, Aphismet had volunteered to provide. He just didn't expect many requests. "I don't want to distract you too long, seems busy here! So I'll be right over there by the BBQ. You and Brad should come over for dinner sometime, and we can all meet officially!" It'd be a GREAT excuse to keep Alex at home for more than two or three hours at a time, too. The girl was hard to nail down!

((popsicle booth (All)
Lucia -> oceanside
Yuurei -> Beach))

Lucia looked utterly bewildered as Varun pushed aside Ronan in order to get to – her?! ”H-hi Varun.” She smiled shyly at the raevan she hardly knew. He, it seemed, hadn’t heard about everything that had happened with her since they last met. It was something she was glad for, but she just was uncomfortable. Her eyes followed the man she had been speaking to briefly, but returned to the other frei.

”Here? It’s sign ups for events.” She glanced down at where her name was written. ”See. This is a raevans only game. And there’s also that paintball thing from a few years ago. I’m not doing that one. And sandcastle building. My guardian is doing that.”

She was about to continue when a familiar man also hovering in front of the signups began writing down a name – Rivener. ”Hello Aphi.” Lucia smiled amicably and a little sadly at her former friend’s guardian. The last time she had seen him had been when Rivener completely rebuffed her. She was resigned to his hatred. Ty told her she did very well there being composed. But she held no scorn for Rivener or his white-haired guardian.

She glanced over at the drink stand briefly, realizing that another sigel was there, and that Rivener was gone. Turning to Ty she whispered in his ear, ”I’m going to say hello to some friends.” It wasn’t asking permission, but more hoping he would encourage it.

His boyish smile and slight nod was all she needed before turning to Varun. ”I’m going to go get a drink.” She pursed her lips into a small grin before turning towards the drinks.

Yuurei watched her go as Ty looked to Aphi. ”Hello again.” he said briefly to the chef, not wanting to interrupt his conversation.

The blonde woman nodded at Zeke, who had suddenly become very busy, before she turned to Ty. ”I’m going to set up a blanket for us on the beach.” Her navy flip flops flapped against the sand as she walked out a ways, from the groups of people and began laying out the pink and violet blanket, setting up both her own large white umbrella and Lucia’s lavender lacy one, should she choose to come by.

--------

Lucia, meanwhile, floated towards the drinks booth, but again, there was a large crowd forming there. Turning the other way, the Kitten went out towards the beach and the water, on the other side from Rivener with…Zul, Anya and Vyn, and Yuurei further up the beach setting up a spot for them.

The kitten settled down on the ground, just above the area where the salty water lapped gently at the shore and the small waves rolled up. The sun high in the sky didn’t bother her as she stared out at the shine of it against various waves in the water. There was too much going on for her right now. Maybe once everyone settled down a little more, she could return to the crowds. But for now, anyone who wanted to talk to her could come to her.

[[Drink Booth]]

Not only was the heat beginning to get to the girl, her forearms reddening at an alarming rate regardless of the amount of sunscreen she slathered upon them, but the pressing of the crowds around all of the booths had her attempting to take deep breaths and simply keep out of everyone's way. Everyone seemed to be talking to someone, or on their way to talking with someone. Doe screwed up her face slightly, rubbing at the back of her hand for a moment as she watched the general "familyness" of the group around her.

Perhaps it wasn't surprising to her, but it was certainly a bit depressing. She certainly wasn't feeling like a family member. You're just new, it takes time, she scolded herself, lowering her eyes and sneaking glances at ribbons as they floated past her gaze. The raevans were certainly the most noticeable in the groups, and often engaged no doubt for their popular draw. Doucette didn't want to interrupt.

As luck would have it though, she didn't have to. At Kenth's approach Doe took a quick side-step to avoid his path, inadvertently putting herself in the path of someone else.

"Oh! I'm sorry!" she breathed at the same time the raevan spoke, and Doucette couldn't help to let out the smallest of laughs at their joint apology. It certainly didn't bother her when her hat was given attention (for tweaked brims are much more preferable to tweaked cheeks) and she gave a nod as the woman's hand made the whole thing wobble. It was part of the reason Doe liked the hat so much, despite it's ability to get in the way of crowds such as this. "It helps a bit, with giving personal shade," she said, holding up her arm which was a deepening shade of pink under the freckles.

As the hand was offered Doucette dropped her own from observation and took the girl's lightly. She wasn't going to win any board member approvals with her small squeeze and no shake to mention, but Doe wasn't in the business world and didn't care for full-body shakes for introductions anyway. "It's quite alright...Pasha!" the Irish woman said amiably with a wide grin and twinkling blue eyes that tried to keep from drifting their gaze further south. She couldn't help it, Doe was still not terribly familiar with hanging out with raevans all the time.

"My name's Doucette, but you can just call me Doe for short if you'd like."