[Vacation! Open thread]

[livelyangel.livejournal.com]

Characters: Rinoa, OPEN
Progress: Ongoing
Summary: It's time to hit the beach! Get out your bikinis and swimming trunks, girls and boys. Yes, even you, Squall. Party style! Feel free to threadhop, start your own threads etc.
Location: Costa Faguita
Date: May, 1804
Warnings: None

This was the life. Rinoa relaxed on a sun lounger, soaking up the rays. Behind her sunglasses, her eyes were closed. She could hear the waves lapping gently against the beach in the background. It was as though the dragon invasion had never happened.

A group of holidaymakers passed by, laughing and joking as they headed for the sea. Rinoa sat up to take a look around. Hmm. Maybe it was time she went for a swim. But first she needed to reapply her sun cream. She smoothed back her hair and picked up her bottle of sun lotion. Now was there anyone around who might want to help? 

Comments

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

As with most "fun" events, Kain had been pretty much forced along to this. He'd had some reasons to want a change of scenery, but unfortunately this time it had also come along with the beach trip. He felt guilty enough from some of his past behavior to let himself be dragged into it.

He had set aside his armor for the day, for more beach-appropriate attire. While anyone else in the world would be more comfortable to be rid of heavy armor, it left Kain feeling... much too exposed. Although, clad as he was in only shorts, one could definitely see just how much training- and fighting- he really did. Under all that armor which he usually encased himself in, he was fit and well-muscled, with a few battle scars both old and new.

Not that Kain was in a mood to be too social. While his newly found dragon was fast asleep back in his quarters at the moment, he wasn't fond of leaving her for too long. So he stayed on the fringe of the activity. At the moment, he was walking along the water's edge and brooding.

[livelyangel.livejournal.com]

Hot broody guy walking along the water's edge? Oh, Kain. He might as well have 'Come and bug me' tattooed on his back.

Cute girl in a green bikini approaching! What do you do, Kain? She's even waving to attract his attention.

"Hey, do I know you?"

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

At first, Kain is convinced that she's waving to someone else. Which hardly makes sense, since he's pretty far away from most other people. He glances over his shoulder to make sure. Then turns back to look at Rinoa.

"I don't believe so." Which isn't surprising, he's never been the best at socializing. "...I'm Kain Highwind."

[livelyangel.livejournal.com]

"I'm Rinoa." She flashed him a smile. "It's great to meet you, Kain. Hey, you didn't take a vacation alone, did you?"

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

Kain forced his expression to at least be lighter, even if it was harder to make it an outright smile. He shook his head after that. "No. I was talked into coming along with others." But there was no way he wanted to spend any time near Edge, so he'd been keeping to himself.

[dewdrop-pebbles.livejournal.com]

Mjrn, also brooding, glanced over and paused, wondering if she was just imagining things. Kain, outside his armor, at the beach? Of all possible scenarios in which she had imagined meeting him again, this did not make the list.

Still, she perked up and began to head over. It had been quite some time since she had seen him in person and the newer dragoon would never squander such an opportunity. She waved while approaching. "Sir Kain! This is a welcome surprise."

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

Now there was someone who he'd hoped to see eventually. It would have been preferred if it were during a training session, but this would have to do for the moment. He nodded and slowed his pace while she approached.

"I was... talked into coming." He shrugged, not caring to discuss his various sources of guilt too much at the moment. "Although it hasn't been as terrible as I would have thought, so far."

[dewdrop-pebbles.livejournal.com]

Mjrn might have smiled about Kain's reluctance, had she not also met with a similar fate. "I was persuaded, as well."

She glances out to the water, nodding. "It is quite peaceful...at least, in this location. There is a game at the pier, but it is easily avoided.

...it is defeating the purpose of arrival, that I think of training while here, does it not?"

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

Kain looked to the water as well, in agreement about the location. As much as he wasn't very enthused about the idea of the games or crowds. They were as easily avoided as Mjrn had said, though.

"Actually... I was thinking similarly. I wouldn't mind training soon." As always, Kain seemed more at ease somehow when discussing one of the few things he liked spending his time doing.

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

The girl slammed into him before Kain realized she was there. So he lost balance and tumbled over, face first into the sand. With a scowl, he got up and then glared at her as he brushed himself off.

"The entire beach, and you had to run right into me?"

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

It took Kain a moment to remember her, too, but when he did he faintly groaned."...Selphie?" Kain looked over to her, and then to the oncoming group. "What's going on? What have you done to these people?" He leveled a threatening glare on the first of the group to approach, looking like he was about to start punching anyone who dared get closer. Perhaps he would...

AW YEAH. BROMANCE.

[sandrubies.livejournal.com]

How could anyone miss the little black cloud following Kain Highwind from above? Cecil certainly couldn't, he was so used to it. And so when he spotted his friend there along the water's edge he made for his direction, jogging to fall in step beside him, hands clasping behind his back.

"You should be with the others and enjoying their company," he commented, glancing over. "Is your mind heavy yet again?"

YAAAAY! XD

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

Kain slowed a little when Cecil approached, not minding the interruption too much at the moment. Even if this did break up his train of thoughts... it was still better than putting up with Edge.

"No more than usual." He glanced over at his friend. "And why are you not over with the others?"

now I can focus a bit more on tags with my major project and exam done YAY

[sandrubies.livejournal.com]

"Would you rather I left you to your thoughts then?" He raised a brow.

Really, Kain. Always wanting to be left alone to brood.

YAY for being done with things!

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

After a few moments of silence, Kain shook his head. "No... that's fine. I don't mind the interruption." He'd simply figured that Cecil probably wanted time alone with Rosa.

Suddenly it occurs that for being the "cheerful" girls, mine are as different as night from day.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

Over the years, Penelo had developed an eye for beautiful things. Something of an occupational hazard as part of the sky pirate's life. It paid off at times when she could indulge in shopping for new clothes, but also in her enjoyment of nice views. Views like the sun glitters on the sea, the pearly hues of the inside of seashells or... my word! Kain out of his armor wasn't something she'd quite expected to find so very appealing. Not that she'd ever mention it to him, because it would likely embarrass him for life.

That temporary reaction was put aside when she realized he was walking the shoreline looking broody and alone. No good at all. Which is why she walked up behind him, then poked her head around to catch his attention. "How's the baby doing?"

hahaha they are!

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

Whatever else Kain was thinking of was abruptly halted, and he glanced at Penelo... not too surprised that she'd interrupted. He became even less broody at mention of the baby dragon.

"She's doing much better, or I wouldn't have come along. Right now she's asleep." He had become more used to her sleeping habits, feeling comfortable that she'd be out of it for a little while longer.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

That drew a small smile and a nod out of Penelo in response. "I'm glad to hear it. Especially since it means we get to spend some time with you." Without waiting for an invitation, Penelo fell into stride with Kain's walk on the shore. "You looked... " The word lonely almost slipped out, but at the last moment, she changed it to something else. "...serious. Is something bothering you?"

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

"I suppose so. Although I enjoy spending time with Zephyr." In Kain's opinion, a dragon was the best companion of all.

He sighed wistfully and then looked away. Yes, leave it to Kain to spend a fun relaxing trip brooding while everyone else played games. "I was just taking some time to think."

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

Rydia, departing from the chaos that always seemed to center around her and Edge, approached Kain as she went to seek some refreshments. It still amazed her that he had agreed to come along, but perhaps the incident at Troia has worn him out more than he was willing to admit. Seeing him out of his armor was a little strange, but not so much that she would make him self-conscious by saying so.

Whether or not he was in the mood to be social, Rydia waved at him anyway. She saw that brooding look and didn't expect to snap him out of it completely, but a little conversation wouldn't kill him. "What's on your mind, Kain? You look as though you're not even here."

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

Kain immediately looked over his shoulder, expecting a certain annoying ninja to be right behind Rydia. Then he glanced in the other direction to make perfectly certain he wasn't following. Only after that, could he relax enough to talk.

"It's nothing that you need be concerned over..." Really, why did everyone see it necessary to pry?

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

Rydia sighed a bit. Getting Kain to open up about anything at all was akin to pulling teeth, at times. She knew there was only so much she could expect, but it was still frustrating, even when going for the goal of making light conversation.

"Believe it or not, you're a friend. I'm allowed to care." She crossed her arms.

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

"You're right, I wasn't so sure, after that toading incident..." Only half-serious, but Kain had a way of making such things still sound that way completely. He attempted to change the subject. "...Where is that royal pain in the ass, anyway?"