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 Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 11:19 am
Both ends of the quartet had suffered some rather interesting times in their own respective corners, and in different respects, too... but thankfully no one had wound up losing anything permanent (beyond their dignity) and, in time enough, the duos found each other once more to resume life as its clumsy collective norm.
Yossarian's pride was still a little bruised, as was Shae's body for the next week or so, but both kept their issues to themselves for the most part and healed in silence. The former still wasn't certain of exactly how he felt about that 'Michael' character, but he eventually concluded that it was just best to push him completely out of his thoughts... and the latter simply wore some cleverly high-collared shirts to disguise the wounds until her neck, at least, was barely noticable at all.
In time, she doubted there would even be much of a scar there. Well enough, because she had too many as-was.
BUT digressing from that... life had reverted back to its 'usual' for a spell: finding odd jobs and hopping from Inn to Inn around Erasmus for squeaking by... until someone muttered about the dire need for a vacation one day and all of them realized they felt the very same.
After a good year and then some of travel, surely, they deserved a nice break on their own terms, right?
Right!
Thus, the plans were made. Mare Maris seemed to be the most appropriate choice for a 'getaway', they had figured, what with its boasted neutrality among the baylk population, sunny beaches and, most importantly, its year round warmth even in the cold months.
The extra funds to get their and have a pleasant time seemed daunting to collect, too... until Shae caved one day and muttered that she was finding herself a casino, only to come back with some UNGODLY amount of coins that left Yossarian stunned, impressed, and horrified all at once.
He vaguely wondered if she'd somehow robbed the place, but never pressed it. No matter! So long as they got where they were going (and the ship getting there DID NOT CRASH), they'd be just fine!
(Shae kept Del firmly sealed up in her coat pocket for just that reason on the trip. NO WAY NO HOW THINGS WOULD BE GOING WRONG THIS TIME!) ... No, really! Really!
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Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 11:54 am
Asteria had been all for the vacation too, frankly. Then again, Aster wasn't the hardest working of them all, so it probably would have made LITTER DIFFERENCE what she wanted in terms of vacation. But it seemed that everybody had needed it, and after some time of saving up, she had been alllllllllll over that.
Sadly, as expected, she'd never actually had a real 'vacation' in her life either. Damn work-a-holic (amongst her holics, sigh).
But the day 'off to Mare Maris' came, she was ALL OVER that, even waking up early to smooch her man awake (OH WAKE UP SLEEPING BEAUTY, PRRPRRPRR) before she'd practically THROWN herself into making breakfast, just to speed things along. WAS IT TIME TO GO YET?
Well..
..
Even when said 'time to go' came, everything actually went along... GASP! SMOOTHLY!!
Sans Aster being sick on the ship, but at least she was able to contain her damned motion sicknessjd;sl.
Kanda hadn't been as thrilled as he should have been with the idea of a break in mind, but either way, he'd been just as diligent as everybody else and stayed on top of getting all the funds they needed for a trip.
A nice..
long...
trip.
d;fkljas. Okay, he'd actually not be ashamed to admit that he was actually looking forward to getting out, but when they actually got there, it was a whole new ball game.
YAAAYYY BREAAAAKK
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Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 12:22 pm
Thank god it really DID go smoothly getting there, too, Yossarian having held his breath until he felt the soft thud of touchdown and knew with complete certainty that they were no longer airborne. He was still pensive about long flights here and there, after all, even if he didn't outwardly show it... but the worst tragedy to occur on board had been little more than Aster's sick stomach, so all was well.
At last, they had arrived!
Even Shae couldn't help a relieved sigh when she stepped out and felt the warm sun on her face. That was something she hadn't experienced since the start of the cold months, and oh, how wonderful it felt not to freeze! She could even pull off her jacket (releasing Del to face-crash Kanda before settling on her shoulder) to walk across the...
Huh, was this a boardwalk? Seemed like it. Blue-skinned aquatic locals everywhere, and what few furry and opaque peachy people were out seemed more interested in frisbee or swimming or shopping than gawking in the travelers' direction. The buildings were beautiful, and open, and the sea breeze smelt rich and salty...
Oh, man, what to do first?
"There're some quieter beaches another mile or so down, you know," their pilot, hanging out the window, was even kind enough to yell at them. "You're just in the shopping sector right now, y'know?... But anyway, have fun there, mainlanders!"
"... Mainlanders," Yossarian repeated in a deadpan tone, not at all impressed, b- ... good lord, he was actually starting to feel the heat through his fur again! That was unusual!
s**t, and his clothes were ALL rather... er, covering in nature and heavy given the weather.
"I think we'll need to be making a stop at some garment outlet or another, won't we..."
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Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 12:33 pm
Given how often their trips had taken them to somewhere... cold, they really weren't packing for weather that was.. warmer in nature, were they? oops. Well.. uhhh. OOPS. OH WELL. Aster sighed a bit, also feeling some heat underneath the layers of clothing as they were. Nnnn.
"I think we would be better off to grab a few lighter things to wear.." she shot a glance at Kanda who was in the BIGGEST NEED OF SAID LIGHTER CLOTHING. HOW WAS HE NOT ALREADY STRIPPING OFF THAT COAT WITH HOW HOT THE WEATHER WAS HERE?
SRSLY?
However, with a sort of discreetness, Aster linked her arm around Yossarian's and leaned in to whisper SWEETNOTHINGS in his ear -- 'I can't swim... can we?'
HALP HALP PLZ?
Yes it was hot out, but that was no reason for Kanda to start stripping immediately, now was it?
However, it seemed that at least half of their group was for this 'let's get some VACATION CLOTHING' idea, prompting Kanda to just sigh -- "That, then we'll find the place we're staying at while we're here." he said, actually unbuttoning the first button on his jacket.
GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASP.
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Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 12:55 pm
At least Yossarian's shirt had enough of a neckline to let some of the breeze in (and he'd smartly rolled up his sleeves), but the sight of Kanda still clad in his full coat was just... good lord, did that guy have ANY fear of heatstroke whatsoever?! One button was far from adequate ventilation!
But eh, whatever; that wasn't his problem and Aster had distracted him with some odd sweet nothing in one ear: a sweet nothing that had him very-nearly frowning, as it were, for a split second. Unable to swim... he should have anticipated that, huh.
"... Certainly," he just sighed and passed it off though, figuring that, hell, it couldn't be any harder than teaching her how to read. They'd just splash around like silly tomfools in the shallows or something until she picked it up.
BUT FOR NOW...
"I think that may be paramount for us all once we've found living accommodations," he noted, before, without further ado, setting off at the front of the pack (linked partner in tow) down the boardwalk.
Shae, who was (secretly) just as baffled and concerned by Kanda's lack of stripping as anyone else, followed quietly in turn, having removed her own coat easily enough to drape across her lone carry-bag, but... oh, the thought of being in anything less than long sleeved... and in public was just...
Yes, shopping would be quite the adventure.
(And god help any poor soul that tried talking her into a bathing suit. They would not win.)
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Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 1:49 pm
And Aster had enough of a neckline to keep her...stuff... cooled off at least. But seriously, AHH!
Alas, she'd just have to.... well, go shopping with their fun little group. Which meant it was trek!Time, sighing as she headed down the boardwalk to peer into the 'tourist tents' that were set up, frowning a few times before she actually stepped INTO one of the tents to have a look around.
Hmmmmmmmmmm.
HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. Well, there was a good assortment of 'colorful' clothes there, but it seemed someBODY had caught her attention inside the tent. Huuuh, ponytail...
Kanda was.. far less concerned with all of the 'joy' of the shopping bit, actually frowning at the idea he actually HAD to wear something less, but following after Aster's lead -- if only so the girl wouldn't get lost.
Knowing her, any lack of a watchful eye would have gotten her lost and swept away by a gun-toting octopus (as unlikely as one of those was, it would have happened).
However, unlike what had attracted Asteria's attention, Kanda was at LEAST making the effort to find a shortsleeved shirt (....) for the sake of 'cooling off' as it was.
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Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 2:34 pm
Yossarian still would have rather gone and found accommodations BEFORE they set off on any shopping ventures-- but it seemed as if the tents had been lined up strategically on the way and, alas, they suffered a bit of inevitable distraction. With his arm still trapped (or so HE would claim) in Asteria's own, he could only follow her into that odd shelter, too, frowning suspiciously at all the merchandise a-- ...
Hold the phone. Who was that over there with the ash-blonde ponytail?... Surely, it couldn't be him, but...
Immediately he felt his fur starting to prickle ominously and a shiver ran up his spine. Without even THINKING, he seized his companion by the arm and jerked her-- HARD-- right towards the exit again with a hasty mutter of 'we'll look elsewhere for attire, this stock is clearly inadequate!'. The figure apparently hadn't noticed them yet, either, and he had every intention of keeping it that way!
Shae was nearly knocked aside in his fervor to get out and still couldn't figure just what it was that had lit such a fire under Mister Yossarian's tail, but... alas, like the good follower she was, she simply sighed, glanced back and Sir questioningly, and resigned herself to trail along in their wake.
Del, still perching on her shoulder, could only click and buzz in befuddlement the whole time.
What on earth had THAT been about?...
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Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 2:45 pm
dsjfa;dklfjad Whiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine "That hurt!" she complained, knowing fully that Yossarian hadn't actually jerked her hard enough to BRUISE her, but it still hurt all the same! However, more than that complaint and her frown Aster didn't make any more of a fuss, just leaning her head against her other half's shoulder and pining a bit.
"It still wouldn't have hurt to take a look..."
Uhh..
.....
Yes. Yes it would have. Just in a way you didn't know, Kitten. However...
...
Ako even chirred and whrred confusedly at the sudden escape, causing Kanda to sigh and follow right along with Shae, stepping out of the tent just in time for-
"Yuu?"
sjafkl;df??????!?
Kanda's head whirled around to see who it was who had addressed him, just to s-fj;daslfj
"Mom?"
UHHH. CRAP. "Are you and your friends here for a little break too?" she asked, causing Kanda to sigh and give in to the powers of MOMMY WHO WANTS TO ASSESS HER CHILD AND MAKE SURE HE IS NOT OF THE INJURED. What was his mother doing here?
"Is dad here?" he asked dumbly, knowing very well that his father would have DIED before he'd allow himself dragged out to this place.
"Oh no. He's being a work-a-holic as always, Yuu. I'm here with Langston and his wife."
"............................"
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Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 3:09 pm
Yes he'd had good reason to be a little rougher than usual; she hadn't been moving fast enough, dammit, and the situation had turned critical! Yossarian made a note to apologize for his brutishness, sure... but at a later date. For now, he just had to get them somewhere away from the danger and out of range from any Father Senses--
Yuu?"
OH FOR THE LOVE OF-- ... So close to salvation, yet so far away. Needless to say, any hope floundered and died in an instant like a baby seal in the surf, and he felt his whole body sinking in defeat. At the very same moment, behind him, everything had also clicked for Shae who, upon seeing the unmistakable figure of Kanda's mother, had suddenly realized just who their fellow shopper in the tent had been, and that meant...
Well great. Now it was all bound to be like some family reunion from hell-- but at least the General wasn't present? That was definitely something to be thankful for in her book, muttering a quiet hello to their new... er, arrival, was she?
Too bad it was hardly a comfort for Yossarian.
"... You're here with my father and mother," he stated blandly, flatly, miserably, just about to inquire further when--
"YOSSARIAN, DARLING!"
When he was practically BLINDSIDED from behind by a CRUSHING HUG and the singsong voice of his worst nightmare, choking out spluttered pleas for release that Langston, in his elation, cheerfully ignored. "Oooh, to think the fates have brought us together in such a lovely Eden! Moacyr will be just ecstatic to see you again! And Asteria!" O SHI-- Now poor Aster was caught up in the embrace too. "You're looking beautiful as every, my dear!"
".........." For once, Shae was almost greatful not to have any crazy relations left to her name-- because that bear hug... looked pretty painful, from where she was standing.
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Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 3:52 pm
PRRPRRRPRRRPRRRR
Aster didn't seem to mind in the least to be TRAPPED IN THE EMBRACE OF DOOM. "I thought I saw you in the tent we just left!" she purred, not minding AT ALL that she probably had just fractured a rib. However, this didn't spare Yossarian a glance of 'I C WAT U DID THAR' from the butterfur who just purred and hugged the older man right on back.
"Well, it's quite a cooincidence that we've decided to take our vacations in the same place." she purred, once her RIBS WERE WORKING again before she looped her arm back around Yossarian's and sighed lightly.
She wasn't going to mention they hadn't housed themselves yet -- Aster was at least smart enough to save her man that much dignity in the very least. SEE. SHE WAS BEIN' NICE FOR YOU YOYOBOI.
..
....
Prrprr.
Well, at least neither of his parents would have literally crushed his dignity like Langston just had to Yossarian, but Kanda had to put up with having his mother dote on him.
"Really, are you going to wear this heavy coat while you're here?" she asked, frowning a bit. Kanda's ears drooped. "No..."
Oh good, that's what Minako wanted to hear before she looked to Shae and gestured for her to come over. "Well don't stand back there, dear. You're welcome to be a part of the conversation."
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Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 4:17 pm
... The fact that she was (literally) embracing things so wholeheartedly-- and now giving HIM a sharp look-- didn't make Yossarian feel any better about the situation, but alas, he was outnumbered and outflanked in the twisted battle of family relations, forced to resign himself with a sigh and a half-hearted return of his father's clinging... briefly.
Oh, what pain he suffered in life sometimes.
"Oooh, I'm so thrilled to see you all well!" Langston didn't seem to notice any of his son's suffering, however, grinning so brightly that it threatened to burst right off his cheeks. "Were you out shopping for swimwear? If so, I'd be thrilled to--"
"Actually, Father, we've some other business to settle first," Yossarian cut him off, a blatant lie, but a necessary one to stifle the paternal cheer before it CHOKED him. "If you'd like to... associate further... we'll be needing time to get things in order." Aka find a place to stay that WASN'T in close proximity to him, dammit!
"Oh, if you must," the latter's enthusiasm diminished... but not by much. He was still smiling. "I'm sure we'll be able to find each other in such a lovely place again!"
... Oooi.
Aaand it seemed that even Shae wasn't safe from the awkward interaction now, meanwhile called to step up by Minako and, as any right follower would do, obeying in silence. At least Kanda's mother was nothing like the sandy-furred nutcase when it came to enthusiasm, and she could handle the tamer conversation a bit better.
"It's... lovely to see you again, Ma'am." She had defaulted to the 'usual' spot at her comrade's sigh, bowing her head lightly. "Has the winter been treating you kindly in Salig?..."
Even Del had enough sense to stay quiet and perch peacefully on her shoulder, rather than mistake the other woman for 'his' favorite buddy and go smashing into her.
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Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 4:38 pm
Aster sighed a bit at Yossarian's 'NEED TO GET AWAY', but didn't try to change his story. "We're bound to run into each other again before too long -- the fact we've already run into each other is a sign of that."
HOWEVVEEERRR.. on that note, Aster seemed to be MISSING THE KEY PARENTAL FIGURE IN THIS PICTURE. MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM. WHERE ARE YOOOOOU? But she didn't ask, as that would have had them sitting in one place for a touch too long..
..
...
which on that note.
"We'll need to get heading off soon before one of us gets heat stroke in this temperature though." She offered, another suitable excuse to get themselves moving, before she sighed and looked up at Yossarian.
"Ready?"
Minako smiled at Shae's greeting. "It's nice to see that you're still in my son's company -- I've never seen him take a shine to someone before."
fj;sdkalf MOOOOM. D8<
Not that Kanda's face even FLINCHED at the implication. He just frowned a bit and watched the other couple as they sweettalked their way out of conversation with Langston.
"My fur keeps me warm in Salig's winter, sweetheart. No need to worry about that... However, you two might want to head along before Ai hears her brother is here and you never get away!"
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Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 6:15 pm
"Most certainly!" Despite his enthusiasm (and the woe of his darlings departing), Langston certainly didn't want to witness any heat strokes that day, and hurriedly flapped his hands in a shooing gesture. "Yes, yes, of course you need to keep yourselves cool! Hurry off then; get yourselves in a fairer condition lest you all sweat yourselves to an early grave!"
"I'm more than ready," Yossarian mumbled once the older male had finished, and hoo boy, was he ever, immediately taking off at a swift pace and booking it way the hell out of there. The others? Oh, screw the others! They'd be fine on their own and catch up later!
"... Of all the ludicrous coincidences," he had to mutter when they'd FINALLY gotten out of earshot (and hopefully sight), using his free hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. "How foolish I was to hope for a peaceful venture!.."
In the meanwhile, he could just idle innocently until Minako had finished in her motherly doting so they could scamper off to rejoin his Goddess.
Shae had seen them fleeing from the corner of her eye, but she kept her attention visibly focussed on the conversation at hand, and was dealing with Mother Kanda's doting rather well, all things considered. Taken a 'shine' to her, huh? That was... er, one way of putting it, she guessed. Oh well. Seemed like it was time for them to gracefully bow out, too.
"I suppose it is," she agreed softly, and bowed again, lightly, in respect to the woman before glancing back to Sir. "Before the others leave us behind, anyway... I'm sure we'll see e-eachother later, Ma'am... Until then."
OFF AND AWAAAAAY!
Hopefully their ragtag group wouldn't come across any OTHER unfortunately familiar faces before they made it to some place willing to house them. Given the tourist-attracting nature of the beautiful island, there were sure to be countless Inns and rented properties about, so they'd have no problems whatsoever!
... Right?
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Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 7:00 pm
Awww, he looked like he had a headache now. Aster's ears drooped a little bit, but she didn't say anything on the topic, just sighing and laying her head on his shoulder like a good tag-a-long. Prrprr?
"Well, we'll get a change of clothes, find a place to crash, and hit the beach later at night so we can try to have a more peaceful run-in. Is that alright with you?" she suggested, touching her nose to his cheek in a sort of 'perk up, y/y?' gesture before she half-wilted again and peered over her shoulder to see if Kanda and Shae had..
..
Un-pried themselves. Which they had (excellent). "Would you rather we find our housing now?" she asked further, frowning a bit. Well? WELLLLLL? WOULD YOOOUUUUU?
"You two have fun now.." She said, bidding them a farewell with a simple wave of the hand while the two made their HASTY RETREAT after Yossarian and Asteria.
dsjafkl;fj.
"Are we going to be trying to avoid parents the whole time we're here?" he asked, obviously not sure how he felt about avoiding his mother.. but his mother would have been in company of Yossarian's parents as well. Siiiigh. So much to do..
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Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 7:42 pm
"I'm... not certain, myself," Shae had to confess once they, too, had more or less escaped the parental cloud. There was a short pause and a breath before what came out of her mouth next, almost... resigned, it seemed. "I guess that's up to you and Mister Yossarian in the end, Sir."
After all, she was just along for the ride, in the end. No one here was her personal relation and, with the General a comfortable several-hundred miles away, she had no immediate impulse to seek out or avoid anybody in particular.
Either way was fine with her and, as always, she'd comply regardless of the outcome.
"I... suppose that will do," Yossarian, at the far front of the pack, had finally conceded, frowning inwardly to himself and STILL feeling one of those crawly 'this will not end well' feelings up his spine... but hey, nothing to do about it now! Clothing was a first priority, and they DESPERATELY needed the change.
... Thankfully, though,there were still plenty of peaceful shacks and shops along the beach that were more than stocked enough to provide them once they walked a bit further down. Clothing in general was just lighter-made along these coastal areas, he'd quickly noticed, and wound up caving to purchase a couple of decent short sleeved tops. Granted, they had a rather... er, hokey looking hawaiian-esque floral print on them, but the deep violets made up for it, and he couldn't find anything more manly no matter HOW hard he looked.
A pair of two of shorts was in order too, he supposed... and swim trunks that were really just shorts meant for getting wet. Black, neutral, violet, all that mess. It was easy enough to find what he needed and cough up the money for it.
Unfortunately, Shae wasn't quite as lucky as he'd been.
The short-sleeved shirts were all easy enough for her to find, even if they were usually a little big on her scraggly frame... but the real HORROR came when she wandered via some masochistic curiosity into "female swimwear", only to be greeted by stacks of strings, fabric scraps, and garments so scant they could barely pass for underwear.
"..." She was mortified. Completely and absolutely mortified. How could anyone wear something like that in the water and be comfortable, let alone keep all of their parts secure?!
Needless to say she beat a hasty retreat for the male's side of the tent and went digging for young boys' swim trunks instead. A top? Ha! If she wore one of those, it'd be UNDER A VERY MODEST SHIRT.
PERIOD.
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