Summer TDM

[polymods]

✖ Test Drive Meme

Ⅰ. ARRIVAL
You can read all about your character's arrival in the game lore.
You land on an island, no surprise there. It’s not particularly large, this island, but what’s really more of note is that the entire thing is a beach. White sand stretches out in every direction, the only greenery being palm trees and impossibly fragrant bushes of flowers that resemble hibiscuses.

Allergic to the sun? Don’t worry, there’s plenty of canopies set up so that you can get some shade. There’s also changerooms with toilets and showers, and also free swimsuits that fit you perfectly! There’s plenty of food stalls - try a corndog, or the fish and chips at “America’s Scrod Basket!” Groovy! Once night falls, you can relax in one of the many hammocks strung up between the palm trees, or catch some Zs on the surprisingly comfortable beach chairs all over the place. All of your basic needs are met, Traveler!

Notes:
1. Please remember to mark threads appropriately with Content Warnings when necessary.

2. These prompts are a jumping off point - how they affect your character and their development is up to you.

3. Have fun!

---

Ⅱ. BEACH BLANKET BINGO!
All of the residents of this island look like they’ve stepped off the set of a 1960s beach party movie. Catalina Caper, maybe. They’re all extremely friendly, and BOY do they love to dance! Which they do. Frequently.

In fact, did you notice the live band? Because there’s a live band! A few, actually - they rotate through the day and into the evening, although you never actually see them switch. That’s pretty weird.

The island residents will drag you into one of their many, many dance parties whenever they can. Sometimes they’ll just form around you like a horrible flash mob, twisting and shaking like they’ve downed a gallon of redbull.

Maybe you want to get as far away from the water and the parties as possible. Venture further inland and you’ll find yourself still surrounded by sand and a few tropical plants. There’s bound to be a few other Travelers about, but at least it’s quiet.

Wait. What the hell is that, a lawnmower?

Surprise! As you stand there, a dune buggy comes plowing over the hill, spraying sand everywhere. Inside of the buggy is a group of young people, all smiling broadly at you and any other Travelers nearby.

“Hello, friends!” they cry. “Want to take a ride? Charlie’s got a ton of these, you can borrow one!” So if you really feel like careening all over the island, this is a great way to do it!

Notes:
1. These residents of the island are normal humans. Killing them is possible and will affect the colour grading of your Scrywatch depending on the situation.

2. The food is safe to eat, and is consumable by non-human entities.

3. The short creepy guy who has the keys to the dune buggies might be a little pissed if you trash them, but he can be mollified if you listen to his shitty music and tell him it's good.

---

Ⅲ. SURF'S UP!
CW: drowning, possible death.
As with all of the islands you will visit, you will either see the island as floating either in a horizonless sky, or in the middle of a wine-dark sea. Regardless of which you see, you soon discover that you can go surfing in it.

That’s right - there’s a bunch of boards set up down at one end of the beach. Wander down and you’ll find yourself suddenly embroiled in a surfing contest! That’s right, it’s you versus another Traveler - first one off of their board is the loser! Win and you’ll be the most popular person on the island for the duration of your stay! People will lavish attention and gifts upon you. Lose and you’ll be ridiculed! They’ll probably even make fun of your mom!

Whether or not you care about winning, once you’re in the middle of the contest you and your fellow Traveler will see someone swimming not far away from you. Or they were swimming - now they seem to be going down and popping up, looking terrified. The realisation comes to you suddenly: they’re drowning.

You have a choice here - you can forfeit the win to save this stranger, or you can leave them to their own devices. Your opponent will have the same choice. Be a hero, or be a winner?

Notes:
1. Obviously, the decision to save the swimmer or not will affect the colour of your Scrywatch. Both parties may decide to save the swimmer, or both may decide to continue on with the contest. Your reason for saving them can also make an impact - are you saving them only to be considered a hero by the island residents?

---

Ⅳ. TERROR AT ROCK-OUT BEACH!
CW: unwanted romantic attention from a monster, optional sexual themes.
You’re just sitting there minding your own business when you suddenly realise that you’re very nearly alone. In fact, it’s just you and another Traveler, maybe a few. Where did everyone go?

Suddenly a shadow falls over you. You turn and are greeted by what looks like a man in a vaguely fish-like costume; it has flat webbed feet, a body covered in what appears to be rubber seaweed, and a triangular head with huge rubber gills sticking out to either side. Its immobile mouth has pointy teeth, and its bug-eyes appear to have pupils merely painted on.

This monster waves its arms threateningly. “Gaaaaah!” it says. Its voice is muffled. “Gaahhhhhhhhh!”

Somehow it is a lot faster than it looks, and the next thing you know it has enfolded you in its embrace.

“You will be Flupper’s bride!” the monster shouts, regardless of your gender identification. It looks at whoever happens to be in your general vicinity. “Who this?”

Struggling, you realise that Flupper is stronger than any creature you’ve ever encountered before. You can’t seem to get it to let go of you, and it's rocking against you in such a way that it makes a sound like the soles of sneakers on a gym floor. On the plus side, it doesn’t have any genitals so at least it’s not as bad as it could be. Still, desperate times call for desperate measures! “That’s my partner!” you claim before you can think about how stupid an idea that is.

“You bride? LIES! Flupper can tell!”

“We can prove it!”

“Oh yeah? Tell something only bride would know!”

Oh shit. Now you’re stuck - you and your fellow Traveler have to admit to something true about love or intimacy, under the guise of it being about the other. Flupper’s lie detecting abilities are good enough to call you out on untruths, but not good enough to know who you’re talking about.

He’s not letting you out of his squeaky embrace until you’ve convinced him that you’re a couple.

Notes:
1. It’s up to you how much of this back and forth it takes to convince Flupper that you are ‘brides.’

2. You can choose to abandon someone in Flupper’s grip - this would be reflected in your Scrywatch colour. Probably negatively, unless you feel strongly about the morality of fishman marriage via kidnapping. The ‘bride’ would then be forced to attend an extremely dull ceremony lasting three days and three nights. For the duration of your stay on the island, you would now be married and expected to bring Flupper its slippers and pipe every evening.

3. You can try to kill Flupper. Unlike the other residents of the island, it is extremely resilient and strong. It is possible, however.

4. You can keep this completely G rated - maybe all you know of love is that time in first grade when you got a Valentine card from the cutest kid in class - but if you DO get saucy, please mark your thread with a Content Warning.

---

Greetings, prospective Travelers! Welcome to the Summer 2021 POLYMYTHOS test drive meme and thank you for your interest in our game! Our next application round will run from June 25 - July 2, 2021. For the months of June, July, and August, we invite you to use this TDM to explore but one of many, many islands within the Endless Isles; use it as an opportunity to introduce and familiarize yourself with the game, form connections with other characters, and just have some fun. (Perhaps while also getting some solid samples together for your application!)

Use the prompts provided below as-is or feel free to write your own set within the environment detailed in each. You're even welcome to access the network via your character's ScryWatch. While there will be some inevitable changes, TDMs may count as game canon and some islands may be revisited in the future. Be mindful of your surroundings -- you never know how you and your fellow Travelers might affect this place in the long run.

Hang ten, Moon doggy! Seeking those killer jams?

Network · Logs · OOC · Memes · Plurk

Comments

Questions, comments, concerns?

[polymods]

Post them here, folks!

Re: Questions, comments, concerns?

[necrosavior]

Hello kindly mods,

Gideon needs sunglasses as a vision aide. Would I be correct in reading/interpreting this set up as: arrive without but get them at the canopies? If not, how should that get handled?

Thank you!

[helpdesk_hero]

Are characters from a CRAU setting that gave them additional powers might bring in those powers (in whole or part) rather than simply canon powers?

Gabby Kinney | Marvel 616

[honeybadgered]

Arrival

Well. This... isn't ideal. The situation, not the beach. The beach is about as idealistic as a beach can possibly be. She feels like she's stepped into a post card it's so pretty.

The situation, though. She doesn't want to better herself! She's already great! And if she were bettering herself, she'd want to do it with her friends and family around her! On Krakoa with the other mutants!

She walks along the beach, kicking sand sulkily. She gets a corn dog eventually and retreats to a hammock, doing her best to imitate the surliness of the rest of her family.

It's a good corndog, at least.

Eventually, she gets bored of sulking and gets up to explore. She's still annoyed, but, well, there's a lot to see, and she's naturally curious. She can be found running along the beach or splashing through the water, fully clothed. She could put on one of the free swimsuits, she just chooses not to. She even dances with the locals!

Surfing

Gabby can't actually swear that she fell off because she saw the person flailing in the water. It turns out that she does not have a secondary mutation for surfing and she is very, very bad at it. Which has not stopped her from trying!!

Still, she saw the flailing person seconds before she fell, and she's a superhero. There's no question on her part what she's going to do. She flops back onto her board and starts swimming with it over to where the person is.

She could swim faster if she ditched it. But she's pretty small. It'll probably be better to have something floaty. Assuming she can get to the person in time at all.

She kicks harder. What she wouldn't give to have some sort of speed powers right now!!

Surfin' USA

[kyley_b]

There's a couple bad things happening, here.

One: surfing. Kyle's not exactly used to the ocean, being from Colorado and all.
Two: someone is totally drowning. Oh my god, someone is totally drowning. The only good thing about this situation is that Kyle spent a summer as a camp counselor and so had to take a course on basic lifeguarding.
Three: there's a young kid heading over there.

"Oh my god," is really all he manages to say before he tosses himself belly-down on his board and starts paddling with his arms like there's a shark after him. (Which he prays there is not, but considering how the day is going so far he also would not be surprised.)

The kid is closer to the person bobbing up and down - he can see now it looks like a teenage boy - and Kyle is terrified she'll reach him and be pulled under. Drowning victims tend to clutch onto anything that comes near them in a desperate bid to pull themselves out of the water. If that girl reaches him before Kyle does, it's entirely possible they'll BOTH wind up underwater.

Kyle paddles a little faster. "Kid!" he shouts. "Don't let him grab you!"

Alex Claremont-Diaz | Red, White, and Royal Blue

[bisexualdisaster]

Arrival + Beach Blanket Bingo

Alex is not entirely sure this isn't an extremely realistic dream. It wouldn't be the first beach dream he's had. Sure, he doesn't get much opportunity to go to them outside of photo ops and events these days, but he grew up in Texas and California and visiting Mexico with his dad. This is his natural habitat. One of them, anyway.

It's not long before he's shirtless and wandering around, looking as natural and at home as he always does. But his eyes are as sharp as ever, and despite his relaxed demeanor, he's taking everything in and making mental notes about the place as he goes. He even goes so far as to ask the locals about libraries or at least travel brochures so he can have something to read up on. Not that he plans on acknowledging that he's going to spend his time on the beach studying. That would make his status as a sex symbol plummet.

Eventually, he gets his hands on a beach buggy and watch the fuck out. Alex doesn't get to drive often these days. Being the son of the president has some great perks, but the beefed up security is not always one of them. So he takes advantage when he has the chance.

He goes fast, almost recklessly so, though he stays pretty clear of people, letting the adrenaline from doing something stupidly risky just for the hell of it.

This will definitely end well.

Terror at Rock-Out Beach

"So I feel like we have to take a moment to acknowledge that whether or not we're partners has absolutely no bearing on if you're allowed to marry someone against their will." Alex doesn't need law school to know that much. "This is so fucked up."

Not like he has much of a choice considering none of his secret service agents are here and his ability to take someone in a fight is... well, he doesn't know when it comes to a monster rejected from one of those horrible B Movies that is so bad it loops around to good and then straight past it back into still bad.

He sighs and rubs his eyes. Fucked up and stupid. "What do you need, my penis size? Cause I'm pretty sure that information's google-able."

terror at rock-out beach

[heptanary]

"That is definitely illegal," agrees Dulcinea, eagerly. That doesn't stop her from grinning and clinging enthusiastically to the arm of someone she would have zero attraction to who absolutely would feel the same way about her. This is a rescue mission where she gets to go on and on about romance, okay? This is perfect for her! A job she can actually do!

"But because certain people's penis and breast measurements are, say, public information," her bra size is too, okay, it's embarrassing, "that's useless information. Less useless is ..." Well, here we go. It's a good thing she feels like drawing from life in this example. "The way that he's absolutely incredible at knowing what I need exactly when I need it or even before I do. The man can anticipate a nosebleed. He's always there, somehow—I think sometimes he's miles away and then just knows that I'm going to need something. So he'll abandon everything to be there for my broken little body. Who could say no?"

Hopefully, Flupper.

Also, she's really talking about her cavalier. It's not even a romantic relationship.

Beach Blanket Bingo

[extrasensory_problems]

Carter knew that this had been a bad idea.

He had accepted the offer of using one of the dune buggies mostly out of politeness and fear of upsetting the strange, grinning people who kept going on about Charlie. And at first it had been kind of fun, cruising around in the sand, but then the engine had died. Carter didn't know anything about cars so he was forced to just leave the buggy where it was and start the long trek back towards the party.

He is hot, sweaty and not in a great mood so when a second dune buggy comes careening out of no where and almost hits him he yelps and jumps out of the way.

"WHAT THE FUCK?!"

Hibino Kafka | Kaiju #8

[kafka_esque]

a r r i v a l

[ Kafka's kind of freaking out, okay? He's not the person who should be here. If anyone should be here? It should be Mina. If they need a hero? It should be Mina. He's not- he's trying, but not only does he think that he's up to snuff for whatever this whole thing's going to be, but he's more than a little annoyed he's been plucked into all of this. How is he ever going to stand beside her if he's here?

But yeah, not going to lie, he chills out a little once he hits the beach party. The food (oh hell yeah, he stocks up), the drinks (beeeeeer), and the chance to chill out (chair? hammock? he's not picky, and he's definitely going to eventually fall asleep in one of them) definitely takes him in but he's not going to be all that boisterous unless someone bothers him. He can be perfectly chill and friendly if you just want to hang out, though. ]

s u r f ' s u p

[ Yeah, yeah, he's an old man at a whole 32 years old, sure, whatever, leave him alone, he'll do your stupid contest. And hey, he's not doing very well but he's trying at his hardest without transforming any part of his body. After all, in just a swim suit, he can't exactly hide much.

When he sees the person starting to drown, there's not even a question: he's diverting off and diving towards them, shouting out loud to anyone who's listening. ]

Hey! I'm coming, buddy. Hey, someone get help!

t e r r o r a t r o c k - o u t b e a c h

[ What. the hell.

...the worst part being that if he transformed, he'd probably probably just convince the thing even more that he's some sort of weird mate for it.

When the person he'd been hanging out with starts trying to convince them, he's going to start rambling.]

We're totally married! Or going to be married! Brides! Right.

[ ...he's not terribly convincing mostly because he looks far too angry while he says it and the aura of 'bachelor' is strong on this one. ]

pike trickfoot, critical role.

[monstah]

beach blanket bingo —

[ normally, pike would probably be greatly enjoying fun in the sun. you know, if she'd had some warning about this whole being transferred to another plane of existence thing. and if people here were more used to halflings and didn't accidentally bump into her all the time. being only about three feet tall hasn't ever been this difficult before. and it only gets more difficult when the dune buggy (what is that thing??) showers pike in a whoooole lotta sand. ]

Pleh, puh, ugh. [ she takes a minute to spit some out of her mouth, wiping at her face. ] That does not taste good.

[ looking down at herself, pike frowns a little. ] Aw, man! Now I've got sand in all kinds of uncomfortable places. Hey-- [ she waves at the nearest person. ] You! Yeah, you. Do you know if there's a place I can rinse off that isn't the ocean?

terror at rock-out beach —

[ to anyone not familiar with pike, or halflings in general, it probably looks a little silly that there is a tiny person standing up to this monster twice her size. but pike has faced much worse and definitely isn't afraid to plant one hand on a hip and point at this thing with the other, her angry voice coming out in full force. even as she whips out some half-truths. ]

There was a wedding at Dalen's Closet! [ not hers, but there was indeed. she just came from the final prep work. ] But! [ she raises an eyebrow. ] Even if we weren't, you can't go around just grabbing people and marrying them without asking. Haven't you heard of consent?

[ this is a rhetorical question as it's obvious this guy cares not a whit about consent. but it's distinctly possible that pike might end up giving flupper consent 101. ]

rock-out beach

[d1_m4]

DiMA couldn't help being somewhat amused by this strange fishman, hiding a smile behind his hand. They seemed harmless enough for now, and their would-be bride wasn't frightened, so DiMA wasn't particularly worried either.

Oh yes, indeed. It was a beautiful ceremony. [Turning his attention towards the woman, he muttered,] Perhaps this is how proposals work in Flupper's culture? I don't believe they know any better.

[Flupper, angry that they weren't the center of attention, stomped their foot and waved their arms.]

Hey! This Flupper's special day! Prove you no bride or you wear Flupper's pretty wedding dress!

Clark Kent | DCEU

[apricitous]

ARRIVAL

[ There's a lot to take in.

He's no stranger to big revelations, to moments that change his life, but this one is still a lot to take in. He doesn't say much, just listens, intently enough that he almost doesn't realize that they've 'landed' until the boat rocks. He startles, then offers a quick, polite smile of thanks before he's disembarking.

It's certainly not what he expects, the whole thing feeling like a summer festival instead he'd expect to see near the river back in Smallville. Ever the kind of man intent on blending in, he'll get a swim suit, pick out some food, a drink, and try to find a spot to settle in to people watch. He's not opposed to talking to anyone, obviously, but he's still more used to hanging off to the side, to staying quietly apart. Unknown to him, he has a soft smile on his face as he watches the festivities. ]

BEACH BLANKET BINGO

[ The flash mob? Almost sets off his senses: too many people, too much noise, too much movement. He's used to struggling through it, so while his smile is a little brittle and his eyes are a little wide, he still ends up 'dancing' his way out with everyone in good spirits.

It's what leads him to explore a little, what has him nearly stumbling into the track of a beach buggy (which wouldn't have gone well for anyone, really). If someone gets mad at him about it, he'll be apologetic. Either way, he's going to try and get one of his own to give the whole a try himself. Want to take a ride? ]

SURF'S UP

[ Clark's never been one for competitions. They're just not something he does, for all kinds of reasons. He tries, really hard, to get them to leave him alone, to not drag him into the surfing competition, but eventually he gives in.

Of course, he'll stay near the back; for all that this situation is insane, he still doesn't know how he wants to handle his secret, how he'll handle what he can do in relation to other people. It's a lot of complication, a lot of secrets, and the fact that people are here from all sorts of different worlds doesn't make him any more or less awkward. He knows so little about his people, after all.

When the person starts drowning? There's not even a question. He's going, pretty fast too, to get that head above water and to escort them back to land... ]

WILDCARD

[ Anything you can think of! Ping me at yarnzipan if you like ^_^ ]

Arrival

[assholic]

[Jessica does not generally try to fit in. In fact, she's made it her mission in life to do what suits her best, and that generally has her sticking out a bit. However, arriving in weird robes and stuff that makes her feel like a stiff breeze might rip them off has her reaching for a bathing suit and a towel to wrap around her waist. She still stands out, because unfortunately for Jessica, she sported the 'perma-goth' look; dark black undyable hair and pale skin that all but reflected the light that hit it.

She'd gone for a one piece, pulling a straw hat over her hair to avoid heat stroke. She might heal quickly from a lot of things, but it was better to just avoid making herself vulnerable in a place like this. New place. New faces. New possible threats.

The food drew her attention, but only in so much as she was looking for drinks. She found something tall, fruity, and with ridiculous hotel-looking fripperies hanging from it. She hoped it was alcoholic and took it with her as she went off to the side. The side let her watch the others, let her see what there was to see and gave her room to move since she wasn't keen on being bumped into repeatedly. The side also had her winding up near some tall beefcake with a weird little smile on his face. Like he wanted to go join the party but couldn't.]

Pretty sure they're not going to shit a brick if you feel like going over.

[Why had she said that?]

kara zor-el, dc comics.

[crisised]

terror at rock-out beach —

[ in a throwback to the kinds of things one version of kara might have gotten herself involved in during the silver age, this kara finds herself in the grasp of flupper. and is rather surprised that she can't just pry herself out of his grasp. she is giving it the old college try, though, leaning as far away from him as possible, one hand planted on his head like she can push him away.

she's very carefully not thinking about the squeaking noise. if she doesn't think about it, it's not happening. ]

I shouldn't have to prove anything to a guy that looks like a B-movie reject.

[ she makes a little eugh sound as one of her hands slipslides against flupper's rather damp rubbery... skin? is that skin? or is it a costume? ... does kara really want to know? ]

Now let--me--go! [ it's a bit of an awkward angle, but kara kicks for where flupper's genitals would be. if he had any. alas, that he does not. help her out, fake spouse? ]

wildcard beach zzz's —

[ look, there's only so much excitement one can take before one wants a nap. even when one is a superhero. especially when one is a superhero just come from a long fight and a long year before said fight, and when one is essentially solar powered.

which is to say that it doesn't take long for kara to find herself a quiet-ish stretch of beach, set up a towel, and then conk out for a little bit. much like a cat, she ends up unconsciously scooting over as the sun moves across the sky and makes palm trees cast shade over the spot where she used to be. which, sadly, means during said nap she ends up turning over enough that she leaves her nice beach towel and ends up sleeping just in the sand.

it's probably safe to say she's gonna regret that when she wakes up. even moreso if she's allowed to keep sleeping in the sand. kara could probably use someone nudging her awake, if anyone is feeling generous. ]

Ⅳ. TERROR AT ROCK-OUT BEACH!

[necrosavior]

Gideon's on her feet in a few seconds flat. She reaches for her two hander (not there). She reaches for the dumb ass rapier (not there). No knuckle knives either. Fine. "It's always the B-movie rejects you gotta watch out for," Gideon says as she stomps and slides across the sand. "And all the other ones."

Her grin isn't quite civilized. "Flupper is it?" Gideon asks, as she wraps one of her own arms around the disputed 'bride.' "If you were expecting or wanting anything besides a violent reaction, you chose the wrong bride," Gideon warns. "It's always been that way. Each giving as good as we got. Kids, what can you say? First time I saw her naked, I was too sick to appreciate the view. I still shake my fist at God all I've got is blurry images. You've got this all backwards. She's not a follow-your-lead do what you say kind of person." Gideon closes her eyes, sighs, and pulls hard at the woman now in both their arms.

"Don't tell anyone I said this. It's the other way around," Gideon declares. "What do you say, my radiant regent?" Oh yes, the nicknames are always fun.

Gideon Nav | The Locked Tomb

[necrosavior]

I. ARRIVAL
Unlike the temple, unlike Canaan House, this beach is not anywhere near a Ninth House affair. In Ninth House robes that have seen better days and probably not been washed in months, Gideon looks every bit the expected Ninth House weird cultist. That has to go. Silently, she crosses the beach and sees more skin on people not yet octogenarians than she ever saw in life/death/not really dead. The Tridentarius nightgowns trail in second, and this place has 100% fewer horribly murdered people. Points for that. The clothing options look like those everyone else is wearing—it looks like stuff she's only seen in her magazines—in so many colors Gideon stops, paralyzed. It's her first chance to dress herself. No, it's the first time her clothing options aren't coming from the general Ninth House supply or Ortus's voluminous abandoned wardrobe. When in doubt, go with what you know. She snatches a black one piece and retreats into one of the closets.

Every piece of Ninth House worn out hand-me-down resurrected clothing gets stuffed into the pack from the temple atop the clean socks. Zip close and it barely smells. Silently, because silently is a good way to people watch, practically invisible after a while, Gideon makes her way toward the food. Not pushing, not making a scene. First she gets the food on a stick. Gideon bites into the soft texture and discovers meat. She's starving, so she gets in line for the next food as well.

III. SURF'S UP
CW: drowning, memories of death, potentially murderous mad spirit infested waters

Gideon nearly falls off the board into the murky blood-colored water. Her arms flail, but she crouches and steadies. It's not much to go on, but the slightly tanned muscular right arm rules out both Harrow and Ianthe. For that matter, it rules out almost every adept that ever lived. It could be Pyrrha, dealing with her own welcome back to your own corpse, kind of thing. Gideon bets both Pyrrha and Actually Dead Gideon could have/can/whatever swim. AKA no one she knows.

She failed Abigail, Magnus, Isaac, Jeanne-Mary, and Palamedes. She possibly failed Camilla and Coronabeth. Sure, there is the whole afterlife thing, but no one's dying (again) today. Not because of her. Ridicule isn't anything new. Grateful she isn't in an awkward robe, Gideon jumps off the end of her board. Her head bobs under the water, and she's angling to swim. She can't see what's in the water. Her eyes close, and she sees tongues, monstrous pink tongues, reaching up from the bottom of the sea. Not sees. Remembers. Couldn't dying do anything useful? Or she didn't get out/is back in the River. If her dead/dying brain made up all the hot women at the beach, she is going to be so mad.

She shakes her head, checks where the person is, and carries on to un-ruin one person's day.

I. a little depressing for your not depressing option, as a treat

[necrosaint]

"How dare you," says a familiar voice.

Harrowhark Nonagesimus is not waiting in any of the food lines, though she is near then.

Harrowhark Nonagesimus is wearing a swimsuit—it is black, long-sleeved and skeletal-printed—along with a long sarong wrap around her waist that covers her legs (also black, with white polka dots) and has a fuzzy blue towel over her head like a cloak, trying to cloud her eyes from the piercing sun. What she needs, and doesn't have, is a giant sunhat. Alongside her a skeletal canid walks, and lashes its tail as Harrow becomes ... upset.

"We are not," she says to the air, to the Voice of the Ancient, to karma and logic and curse it all, "doing this again! I do not need this again."

She's doing better. She doesn't need another Unexpected Gideon Nav who turns out to be someone else entirely. With her hands shaking, with her nails digging into her palms, Harrow doesn't want to think about the fact she might be scaring the person she's actually seeing. She can't even imagine a world in which it could be Gideon for real. She'd just sort of managed to acclimate to this place—these places—and these people she's come to begin to care about.

She can't handle having to acknowledge the hole in her heart again.

Who needs a heart, anyway.

DiMA | Fallout 4

[d1_m4]

Arrival

DiMA knew he didn't deserve this. What he'd done, what he'd planned to do, was unforgivable. However good his intentions were, a human and a synth were both gone because of him. If he hadn't been found out, if Sole hadn't convinced him to turn himself in, then two more people would've been lost. No, he didn't deserve redemption.

That wasn't to say DiMA was ungrateful, quite the opposite. This person, the Ancient, had given him a second chance and he wasn't going to waste it. For now though, he stayed apart from the excited crowd, not up for any kind of revelry. Even if he hadn't just been executed for his crimes, the tonal whiplash of this world verses his had him feeling overwhelmed.

It was so bright, so clean, so safe, and the people were so happy. It was like nothing he'd ever even heard of before. Perhaps this was how people behaved before the war? Or was it unique to this world? A local approached him, pulling him from his thoughts. She gave him a lopsided grin and carried a half empty beer in her hand. With slurred speach, she offered him her drink.

"You're over here acting all mmmopey an' shit. Lighten up buddy! C'mon, have a drink."

"No thank you, I'd rather be alone right now. Besides, alcohol would have no effect on me as I'm inorganic." Was she too drunk to notice he was made of metal and wires instead of flesh and blood? The woman rolled her eyes and continued.

"Don't be like that! Take the beer, I insist."

Help him out?

Here comes the bride

At first he thought one of his world's monsters were coming towards him, perhaps an angler or mirelurk, and he had to to do a double take. Then he was roughly grabbed and declared this creature's bride. Flupper squeezed him so hard, he was worried something in his mechanical body would be damaged or dislodged.

"Please let me go, I'm very fragile. My caretaker isn't here with me, I'd be unable to repair myself if something was damaged."

Flupper paused for a moment, confused by their bride's words. It didn't last long though, Flupper deciding whatever it was wasn't important.

"Bah! Bride only need Flupper! Flupper bring you meats, keep you healthy." Flupper held their victim tighter and started rutting against him. DiMA struggled in their grasp, trying to push them away.

"I- I'm already taken!" That finally got Flupper to loosen their grip slightly.

"You bride already?"

"Yes," DiMA nodded, "I'm someone else's... bride."

Flupper looked to the next closest person to them and assumed this was who DiMA was talking about. Huffing in frustration, Flupper finally released him.

"Prove it. If you lie, you naughty bride!"

"What?" DiMA followed Flupper's gaze to the other Traveler, "Oh."

David Alleyne | Marvel-616

[helpdesk_hero]

A. Arrival

The place is like home. Or a home. In the grand scheme of things it meant his attitude was a lot more laid back than some new arrivals. This wasn't the world where he'd been a famed hero with his friends. This wasn't home either. But it really did feel like Krakoa and so it was simple for him to settle in and he didn't mind, at all, settling into a hammock to rest. Except he often preferred those in the day, where the trees might provide some measure of shade compared to other beach chairs.

And it was during that restful nap that he caught a less natural shadow falling over him. David didn't bother to open his eyes to look at the person who had approached.

"If you're looking to nap, this one's taken."


B. Surfing King Good for fellow competitor or someone to be rescued

Surfing wasn't something that one might normally chalk up to David. A Chicago kid growing up by way of upstate New York? Nope, not his thing. But he'd gone to school with a lovely young woman named Alani Ryan. She'd been a skilled surfer, and it was a talent he possessed from having known her. So the idea of the competition, not something he would normally care about, was amusing to him. Victory wasn't the goal, merely testing himself. Ridicule wasn't exactly something he was bothered by anyway.

But being halfway out there on the board and catches sight of something not right. He tries to wave to his fellow competitor, hoping to draw their attention to the problem. Whether he gets a response or not, he dives off of his board and into the water, swimming for the bobbing form as quickly as he can.


C. Terror's Bride

It's like something out of fucking Scooby-Doo. That's why David doesn't move away from the thing quicker, and why he finds himself caught up in its arms, being declared a bride. To Flupper. What the hell? Captured. And so David said the first thing that came to mind. Which was stupid.

Worse, the thing was demanding proof. If he was home, David could have offered it easily given his powers. Being something like a telepath wasn't helping here and now. His powers here echoed another place, and that meant his best means of getting free was out of touch. So...

"Tell him, hun," he pleaded, hoping the other Traveler would be able to come up with SOME plan. Or maybe they could just buy him time to see if he could tap into some of the more active powers he had going for him.

C. Of course it's C.

[kyley_b]

If it's Scooby-Doo, then David is definitely Velma. And it looks like he's depending on Shaggy to rescue him.

Kyle had just been relaxing, dozing really, and now there was an amorous monster and why did this sort of thing keep happening to him?!

"Uh," he said intelligently. "Right. Uhm. We, uh, we totally got married in Denver last summer."

Flupper couldn't seem to narrow its eyes, but the aura of skepticism was palpable. "You lie!"

Okay, well, he WAS lying. Apparently the stupid thing could tell that much. And it was turning away, apparently intent on carrying this poor guy away over the dunes.

"Wait wait wait!" Kyle shouted. "Okay, okay, that's not true. We, uh. Haven't gotten married because... Uhm. We're not financially stable yet. But we're brides at heart! I love him! We met in high school! But he was like, with somebody else. For a really long time, actually. They broke up a lot, and I was always there to comfort him. Every fucking time. And we totally made out once." Once? Crap. "In high school, I mean. We only just reconnected. Like... right now. Here."

Flupper was eyeballing him. He was pretty sure, anyway. Those pupils just didn't move. Apparently it was considering this evidence before it looked down at David. "You love funny looking bride?"

"Hey!"

[assemble_the_lovbacken]

| arrival |

[The last thing Thor could remember was going through the Devil's Anus.

The Grandmaster's orgy ship had rattled, threatening to break and/or explode at any moment. Valkyrie (so cool) tried her best to dodge the endless garbage that flew through the Anus, but it was an impossible task. He'd felt the weight of their increasing speed, the throbbing sensation in his temples.

And then, there was darkness. Weightlessness. Nothing.

When consciousness returned to him, he felt the gentle swaying of a boat, heard the creaking steps of someone nearby. It jolted him awake, and he quickly scurried to his feet, shaking his head to try and gather his bearings. Where in Odin's beard was he?

The island to which he was brought was a strange one, but considering he'd been held prisoner for death matches and had just come through——oh, what had Banner called it? Something star something something bridge?——whatever it was (the Devil's Anus), a mostly deserted island seem the least of Thor's worries. He was, however, delighted to see the goats and sheep, and he may or may not have hopped a fence to feed some of them dandelions. He'd even named them after his friends.

Content to stay for a little while longer amongst his newfound companions, he decided to wander the island, poking around for snakes and, in the back of his mind, searching for a way back to his Asgard.]

!!!!

[dothelokimotion]

[ it had been a flash of golden hair that made loki stop mid-way and stare. it couldn't be. it couldn't be. and yet, it was. thor was here. loki's breath hitches as his hands shake by his sides. ]

Brother.

Carter Ghazikhanian| Marvel 616 (adult au) | OTA

[extrasensory_problems]

Ⅱ. BEACH BLANKET BINGO!:

While Carter usually enjoys live music and dancing there's something kind of weird about this big group of beach party-goers, first of all they all seem to have huffed a fuck ton of happy gas and second of all the lead singer of the band kind of looks like he wants to chew people's faces off.
So instead Carter decides to take a bit of a walk away from the party, venturing down by the water where it's more serene. He sighs and takes a few steps into the water, letting the waves splash over his feet and ankles.
If you find yourself near him feel free to say hi, or shove him into the ocean. Either is fun.

Ⅳ. TERROR AT ROCK-OUT BEACH!:

"Why does this keep happening to me?!" Carter yells over the horrible hump-squeaking, he flails his arm out at whoever is nearby.

"Please help me!" He begs, "I think I'm getting a rash from the rubber of this thing gyrating on me."

“Gaahhhhhhhhh!” Flupper yells and Carter tries to shove it away and off himself.

"Get off me! Uhh...or else my partner is going to pissed! Right...uh darling?"

II - Well hello there

[helpdesk_hero]

At least David isn't the only one not all that impressed by the performance here. In fact, he wasn't impressed by a lot of things going on here. But the beach was familiar, it was like home, like Krakoa, and when other people went to party at night there, David was prone to finding somewhere quiet. Hell, he'd done it a few times in the imPort world.

He does notice someone moving into the water and David found himself looking up at them, and he nodded at the man.

"Nice night."

Olivia Moore | Original Character | OTA

[death_calling]

[Arrival]

It’s definitely a surreal feeling, being deposited onto another world, but it’s hard to stay upset when the scenery is picturesque. Beautiful white beaches, free food, alcohol, it’s an almost perfect getaway. Except for a painful feeling of nostalgia that washes over her while staring out at the red waters. It’s been a long time since she’s taken a vacation, if this is considered one, and the last time it happened was with someone special…

But now she’s on her own, has changed out into attire fitting of the environment, and is going to make good of a 'bad' situation. Whether it’s getting a drink from one of the stands or savoring the beachside view, she’ll do her best to not interrupt another Traveler’s time on the beach.

“Ah, sorry if I’m in your way. This island is smaller than I imagined it to be.”

She’ll be up for conversations, but is equally making sure to be mindful of others’ personal spaces.

[Beach Blanket Bingo]

Music has a way of making her feel relaxed, and beach tunes played by a live band are no exception to the rule. It brings a rare smile to her face hearing Harry Belafonte being played live on a beach, aptly fitting tunes for a tropical getaway.

But then one of the dancers catches sight of her gawking, taking her hand without consent, trying to get her to come along. Nothing she says can dissuade the positive energy.

“Hey, hey, stop! Please? Dancing is not my thing…” At least the beat is catchy, but getting dragged into a flash mob dance sequence isn’t her idea of a good time. Either while she’s being forced into an impromptu conga line or has managed to slip away from the crowd post-dance.

“They really don’t know how to take no for an answer. Maybe I shouldn’t have looked them in the eyes.” She’s in a better mood than before, managing to start a conversation with the closest person.

[TERROR AT ROCK-OUT BEACH!]

In the latter half of the day, she’s relaxing under one of the canopy areas, taking a short nap on a beach chair. The next moment, she’s being swept off her feet by Flupper, secured in his fishy embrace. While she’s a fan of creepy and paranormal things, this is crossing the line, especially since the monster wants her to be his bride. That’s a hard no for her.

“Well, if you asked me if getting kidnapped by a B-movie monster was on the calendar for the day, I would’ve laughed.” Things could be worse, but it’s probably in her best interest to take the situation seriously, even if it does involve asking for help. The next Traveler that crosses her line of sight will get an annoyed glance, not directed at them, but the circumstances she’s accidentally dragging them into.

“I’m so sorry, love…” Said with a hint of sarcasm, so the person she’s speaking with doesn’t think she serious. “But can you please let this poor, unenlightened creature know that he’s interrupting our romance time?”

[TERROR AT ROCK-OUT BEACH!]

[extrasensory_problems]

"Huhn, wha-OH MY GOD!"

It's probably not the calm response they are looking for but Carter is feeling sleepy from laying in the sun and wasn't expecting to see a giant rubber fish man on his way to the bar area, he especially wasn't expecting to see a giant rubber fish man carrying away what looks to be a fellow Traveler.

His brain finally moves past the bizarre scene and he steps in front of the strange fish man, trying to appear at slightly threatening.

"Hey! Uh yeah, put her down! You're ruining our romantic walk on the beach."

Georgia Mason | The Newsflesh Trilogy

[choosetruth]

Arrival/Surf's Up

Georgia is wearing dark sunglasses. That's the only nod she's got to the fact that she's on a beautiful sunny beach. She's wearing a black jacket over a white shirt, dark pants, and practical boots that look like they wouldn't know the first thing about dealing with sand. She's also wearing an expression that promises murder to the next person who attempts to make her have fun.

Not that that stops the locals. Georgia's hardly taken a step before she's caught in a flash mob. The music is loud and obnoxious and everyone is partying and far, far too close and Georgia cringes, her hands going to her head.

She needs an advil. She also needs a break from the sun and a break from people crowding her with absolutely no regard for personal space or safety. If someone were to amplify--but apparently no one else is worried about that.

She grits her teeth and tries to shoulder her way past the dancing crowd. She's survived worse than this. She'll make it through this part too. She has to.

Terror at Rock-Out Beach

"No."

Georgia gives the person who just claimed her as their partner a flat stare. It's not that she's not sympathetic. She is. She doesn't want either that person or herself trapped marrying a B-movie reject. But there's another way to do this. They don't have to lie.

At least, they better not have to lie. She hates lying, and she's shitty at it, even with the sunglasses that keep her expression hidden.

"We are not partners, but that doesn't make it acceptable for you to take them as your partner. Honestly, you have a problem with polygamy but not with coercion? Those are some fucked up priorities."

[necrosaint]

Long black skirt and a long black sweater over a black bathing suit that's got the skeleton printed on it as lined up with where its wearers bones should be--that's Harrow's look in a nutshell. She's got a big black sunhat instead of sunglasses, but she also looks like she's trying to shield her eyes from the sun.

She is not a talker, and she is tiny and pointy and angry-looking with her skull-painted face. But she is also someone who is going to defend others' right to be just as porcupine-like as she is, or worse. When Harrow spots a kindred soul in the crowd, she will be as Reverend Daughter of the Ninth, or perhaps Lyctor Saint, or both, as she has to be:

That is to say, she uses her pointy little elbows to beat her way up to where Georgia's being crowded, with a skeleton walking at either side. She's practically ordering the people around them, "Give her space, can't you tell she is uncomfortable," while the skeletons are the ones actually scaring them off. And then, flatly, to the be-sunglasses'd woman in the coat she actually likes, "Can we escort you somewhere less ... stupid?"

There's something not right about her eyes, but Harrow's not going to judge. There's lots not right about her either.

Liara | Merlin OC

[greenthumbliara]

[ooc: Liara's original canon is the Merlin television series. To fit better here and avoid her constantly being amazed and awed by all the newfangled stuff, I'm going to use her modern AU. This canon is described in her profile.]

Arrival

The sound of waves and the scent of salt water wake Liara from her slumber, making her wonder if she's truly awake or still dreaming. As she sits up and opens her eyes her fingers dig into something soft and grainy, telling her she is not imagining things. She wouldn't know how to dream of a soft, sandy beach - she's lived her whole life surrounded by the forest. She's only been to the ocean once, and it was a cold, rocky beach in Washington. This beach is very, very different.

That's not necessarily a bad thing. The air is warm, the sand under her is soft, and the water is a bright blue she's only seen before in a box of markers. For some reason it's easy to put aside the panic she initially felt at waking up in a strange place and instead look at all there is to appreciate. Perhaps it's her optimistic and sunny disposition that many claim is reflected in her untamable wavy red hair. Maybe there's something in the air. Whatever the reason, despite having no idea how she got to wherever this is, she's interested to see what this beach has to offer.

She gets to her feet (which are bare, as usual) and follows her nose to the fragrant blooming bushes along the edge between the sand and the trees. She thought she knew every plant there was but these are unusual, looking and smelling like hibiscus but with small, subtle differences. With a brush of her fingertips over the leaves, one of the buds grows and blooms, opening to release soft yellow pollen into the air. She sighs with relief. So long as she still has her magic, then the rest will work itself out.

[kyley_b]

Not all gingers have to avoid the sun. No, some of them manage just fine, thank you ever so much. (Some might call them Daywalkers.) However, it's true that pale skin and red hair usually means sunburn is likely on the beach.

Kyle spots Liara's hair and ambles over to tell her that hey there's sunblock available, but stops when he notices that that flower sure seems to be reacting to her.

"Dude! Do the plants listen to you?"

[doktahs_assistant]

a. Arrival

[Amiya arrived dressed in a manner completely unfit for the beach. Dressed in a long coat and multiple layers of tactical clothing. Upon stepping onto the beach, the bunny girl seemed confused. Things were so pure and clean, was this world spared from the calamities that plagued her home?

After a while she takes off her coat and plops herself in a chair, it had been a long day even for a couple of hours.]



b. Dancin

[For a while she avoids dealing with the boisterous beachgoers as best she can. But that only works for so long, as Amiya finds herself roped into a dance circle. She attempts to go with the flow but her eyes seem to be seeking some line of escape at every moment.]

bruce banner | mcu

[hulk]

𝟶𝟶𝟷. 𝚊𝚛𝚛𝚒𝚟𝚊𝚕

[ It's a shift, Bruce can say that much. Not even a bad one when you stop to compare it to the garbage-mountains of Sakaar or the fighting pits of the arena, or even the cramped quarters of the Statesman, stuffed to the rafters with refugee Asgardians and newly emancipated gladiators. No, this place is a simple slice of Americana. Completely and perfectly normal in comparison to Bruce's recent jumble of days-years that he's still trying to sort out in his head. Way more normal than anything Bruce has had land on his plate in a while. Just a day at the beach with no life-threatening implications or fate of the world hanging in the balance. (Not immediately anyway — that Ferryman hadn't really given a timetable on...anything. At all. God.)

Which is why Bruce is currently parked on a beach blanket beneath a beach umbrella doing his best to breathe through the beginnings of a panic attack. When you spend the better part of a decade switching between fight and flight and nothing in between... Yeah. "Normal" becomes the new abnormal and throws all the bullshit of the last couple years into stark relief and there must be something so very wrong with him to almost miss Sakaar right now.

No. He doesn't miss Sakaar. That's the other guy who can sit down and shut up and let Bruce stay in the driver's seat a while. He's had his turn. ]

Well. It's not an Anus, so. That's definitely an upside.

[ A moment of slow blinking and a double-take show that...yeah. Did not realize he was speaking out loud there and he winces once he does. A sheepish smile as he shrugs. ]

Long story. Sorry.

𝟶𝟶𝟹. 𝚜𝚞𝚛𝚏'𝚜 𝚞𝚙

[ Okay, so the whole floating-island-in-the-sky is kind of a wrinkle in the whole "normal" shtick they've got going around here. Bruce can admit that for sure. It was easier to miss while still on the landward side but after wandering into an over-enthusiastic crowd of beach bunnies and surfer dudes, shoved onto a board and left to paddle out... Yeah. Less so.

It's weird because he can feel breezes blowing around his legs and water lapping at his knees at the same time as he sits on his longboard and if he thinks about it too hard he knows he'll get a headache but if things were as simple as not thinking, a whole lot of things in his life would've been much easier to deal with. So instead. You know. He's here. ]

Uh. Hi? [ Awkward. Very awkward. ] ...I have no idea how to use one of these things.

[ The crowd of spectators cheering from the beach don't seem to know that. Or care overmuch.

arrival.

[lateness]

[ At some point, a rather peculiar man dressed in a noticeably noticeable swimsuit of blue stripes will make his way back up from the water to a neighbouring blanket and umbrella beside Bruce. One hand runs through his wet hair, getting it out of the way of his eyes and sweeping it back, and the other is holding something that resembles a household tool ... with a green glowy bit on top.

It buzzes and the man makes a thoughtful humming sound. ]

Right — good. Not an anus or a gut or tongue in sight. [ Beat. ] Well, not unless we take a trip into the deep, but I haven't got the right swimsuit for that.

[ Is he even talking to Bruce? Who knows anymore? He seems perfectly content to continue prattling on, and does so. ]

Yes, I'd say there are definitely some upsides. [ He nods then and settles onto his blanket, the glowy buzzy stick-thing tucked away into what might be thin air — or just very good swimsuit pockets.

To Bruce, or to no one at all: ] Just went down to the water to check something.

Malcolm Bright | Prodigal Son

[prodigalmess]

I. ARRIVAL

The only explanation that Malcolm has for any of this is that he's dead. He's not exactly sure how or when he died, but after listening to the Ferryman talk about this being a journey of redemption, Malcolm is sure that this must be the afterlife. It's a weird afterlife, but who really knew what the afterlife was all about anyway?

Apparently, it's a beach.

There could be a worse afterlife, he's sure, but he's not really a beach person. He sits glumly on a hammock, a man dressed in an expensive looking suit and tie, as he surveys the beach around him.

"Are we dead?" He can't help but ask someone who happens to walk by him. Malcolm has to make sure. The Ferryman never specifically told him that he was dead, so maybe there's a slight chance...

II. BEACH BLANKET BINGO

After a day or two, Malcolm is slightly getting into the spirit of this place. He's traded his suit for a pair of swim trunks and a Hawaiian shirt and has gone swimming a few times. Even though he's still not sure if he trusts anyone or anything happening here, it's important to appear to assimilate. Then he won't stand out while he tries to find a way out of here.

The locals are ridiculous. Caricatures of people, really. They're generally harmless though. After trying to resist being pulled out into a dance party, Malcolm eventually relents. What nobody expects is that Malcolm is actually a good dancer. He took ballet for five years growing up. While this isn't ballet, it's clear that he has rhythm and can move to a beat. Who would have guessed that buttoned up suit man can dance?

He sees someone out on the dance floor that he recognizes as a Traveler and Malcolm makes his way over to them. "Did they drag you out here too?" he asks.

III. SURF'S UP

It's easy to get swept up in things here, like this surfing contest. Malcolm was just minding his own business, going for a walk on the beach, when a bunch of locals started cheering for him and placing bets on whether he or another Traveler would win. He tries to tell them that he has no idea how to surf, but they're not taking no for an answer. With a sigh, he grabs a board.

"I've never surfed in my life, so this is probably going to be an easy win for you," he tells his opponent as the two of them paddle out to the starting point.

[ ooc: He's going to save the drowning person in prompt 3 because Malcolm has a hero complex. I'm also open to random wildcard stuff. Feel free to send me a DM or message me at sparks_fly. ]

Arrival

[d1_m4]

Malcolm might not have noticed, but the person he just asked isn't human. Not even organic. Standing a few feet away from him is a robotic humanoid, made of plastic and metal with an array of wires sticking out and going back under the synthetic skin. A halo of vacuum tubes adorned the robot's head.

The strange being didn't answer the question right away, looking thoughtful for a long moment. Finally he spoke, soft and calm.

"I am. I was taken to this place shortly after my death. You however, I can't be certain. It's possible that everyone here is, but perhaps it's only a few of us that are dead."

Dulcinea Septimus | The Locked Tomb

[heptanary]

i. arrival & beach blanket bingo;

Oh. Oh, this isn't the other side of the River at all, is it. Nothing about this place is as expected, is it. Nothing is going to go the way Dulcinea expects it to.

And that's absolutely wondrous.

She chooses a simple green bathing suit and a gauzy green cover-up that suits her perfectly—a whispered thank you to the Voice is sent to that green scrywatch around her wrist—and is getting around via her cane with a sand foot. There's a wheelchair back at the Temple for her, but today, she's pretty sure she can handle walking the beach. Or sitting at the shore and dipping her feet in; also a valid place to catch her.

That is, until the buggies.

She rents one of those beach buggies and is riding it around with absolutely unmitigated glee on her face. Catch her before or after—or join her for a ride and compliment her beach buggy driving skills (the compliment is not required).

iii. surf's up;

Okay, let's face it: Dulcinea doesn't know how to swim that well.

She knows how to float, and how to enjoy spa pools, but this is ridiculous.

So she's definitely the drowning stranger in this situation. She's also definitely clinging to her rescuer in appreciation, at least as long as they let her hang on. "I have no idea what I thought I was doing," she admits, "because I definitely do not know how to surf. But it really did seem fun ..."

surf’s up

[northerndragon]

You shouldn’t be participating in contests for something you don’t know how to do to begin with, not even after a brief lesson. But he had been having a rare good time, something he has not expected to be able to do on a beach, and sometimes, young men having a rare good time are rare fools. It isn’t a surprise when he wipes out in the surf, but at least he isn’t in any danger.

That’s more than he can say for the young woman clinging to him as he tries to paddle them back to shore.

“Can’t say I know how to stand on a board in the water either… but do you know how to swim?”

Chloe Decker | Lucifer | spoilers for season 5b

[detectivemiracle]

Beach blanket bingo!

[ cw: flashbacks/memories of violent death. ]

Her arrival was disorienting, to say the least. Am I dead? She must be, the last thing she remembered was the cold, sharp knowledge of her life slipping away from her - and yet, and yet. This place doesn't feel quite right. Nothing she would think of as Hell, but also not especially Heavenly?

The crowds, they seem happy enough, and as she wanders she finds some people dancing to some music. Someone tries to pull her towards the crowd, and Chloe attempts a lighthearted bit of laughter.

"Oh, no thanks, I don't dance - really -"

People are all around her now, and she's being jostled by the dancers. This wouldn't be a problem, normally - she's spent enough time at Lux over the years to be familiar with navigating a half-drunk crowd of dancing revelers - but then someone, probably accidentally, elbows her in the stomach and she doubles over, suddenly overwhelmed with the fresh memory of a far worse injury, and the bile rises in her throat, her heart racing, she drops to her knees.


Surf's Up!

Like many lifelong denizens of Southern California, Chloe knows the basics of surfing, though it's never been one of her hobbies. It was always Dan's thing (which only sends a pang of guilt and grief through her chest). But somehow, because she at least knows how, she's been talked into this contest. She doesn't expect to win, or indeed particularly want to, but she supposes it's something to pass the time.

Right up until she notices someone in distress, and she nudges her companion.

"Hey, that guy looks like he needs help."

Then she raises her arms, waving in the universal sign of distress. "Heyyyy! Someone needs help!"

She doesn't hesitate - she's no lifeguard but she's a good swimmer, and she plunges into the water - no one else is closer.


Terror at Rock-Out Beach!

....And now she's trapped in the arms of - "What are you, some Swamp Thing reject?" She lashes out, again chillingly reminded of Michael's immovable strength, but she's at least able to keep herself from completely panicking.

"My life is weird, but this is a whole new level," she adds. "Anyway, I'm not on the market."

"Prove it! You be Flupper's bride, or someone else's!" The monster points at a person that Chloe probably doesn't know at all, apparently assuming she was talking about them and not the devilish boyfriend she left behind in her own reality.

"Uhhh..."


Wildcard!

Chloe can also be found on the beach, staring contemplatively out at the horizon, if she can just get away from the crowds of revelers and B-movie monsters long enough to do so. She looks - sad, worried, anxious - brow furrowed with it. A sharp contrast to the general party atmosphere. Her hand may absently run over her midsection, almost curiously.

Beach Blanket Bingo

[prodigalmess]

Maybe it's a cop thing, but Malcolm's first thought on arriving here was also that he must be dead. This place didn't strike him as heavenly either, but who really knew what the afterlife looked like? He supposes it's better than where he could have ended up.

He's been trying to assimilate while also investigating how he got here. He's still not entirely sure if he's dead or not. The dancers manage to get a hold of him and Malcolm just goes along with it. He's a surprisingly good dancer, and he enjoys dancing when he lets himself go. Fortunately, with nobody here from home, it's easier to let himself go.

Out of the corner of his eye, he sees the woman suddenly drop below the heads of the crowd. The dancers don't seem to notice or care. Malcolm pushes his way through them until he reaches her.

"Hey." He squats down. "Are you okay?" She looks terrified.