abraxaslogs | A much deserved vacation day!

Who: The Free Cities Summoned
What: Beach Party Episode, aka the Summoned take a break and enjoy the new portal
When: June 6thish, post Nocwich weekend. We can timey wimey it folks.
Where: Aquila!

[ooc: these are just suggested prompts, please feel free to roll with any ideas you have! Thanks to Hannah for sharing the code. Descriptions about Aquila are taken from the settings page here and credited to the mods. A player-made Pinterest mood board was created here for inspiration, but keep the world of Abraxas in mind for the reality.]

The Aquila Portal / Time to Go!

An invite shows up on the network from Jesper Fahey to the Free Cities Summoned stating the following:

Hey everyone, I managed to score funds from our money makers to have a group outing through the Aquila portal. We deserve it, don't you think? We did vote it into being after all. So get out your beach day clothes (or lack thereof) and meet at 9 AM tomorrow. If you come later, I'll let the portal people know the list allowed. They've got chairs and such to rent there, so don't worry if you don't have anything helpful.

Let's party like we're in the Horizon! If you need some extra cash while there I know the people to beg.

PS - No arguing, Crows. (That means you Kaz.)

True to his word, Jesper will be waiting at the newly opened portal to mark the Summoned so they're allowed to get through with the money he's collected. He'll smile and wink at them as they go through. He is dressed casually himself for this outing and in high spirits. Summoned can meet up here and go through together if they'd like or maybe be persuaded if they're not really sure about it.

Welcome to Aquila!

Aquila is the world's fastest-growing economy and the scenery in Aquila is also considered some of the most beautiful, with both the mountains and beaches of Andromeda Bay nearby, making it a popular destination for vacationers.

The beach may be exciting, but it isn't the only part of Aquila to enjoy! The massive public market takes up most of the city's center. Anything you might want can be found here. Countless booths and stalls and carts fill the town's center, and traders from all across the nation congregate to offer their wares. From raw materials such as fabrics, dyes, exotic wood and stones, to finely crafted artisan everything. Furniture, clothing, foodstuffs, weapons, art, magical oddities, it's all here. The market opens at sun-up and shuts down sometime after sunset - plenty of sellers will linger, hoping for one last sale of the day.

Art and fashion thrive in Aquila. Studios and galleries of art are scattered all over the city and artists sketching or painting out on the streets or on the nearby beaches are a common sight. This is the time to go looking for new clothes as seamstresses and tailors are all looking to outdo themselves and create the next big fashion statement.

But if it's the beach fun you're looking for ....

Fun in the Sun!

It's more crowded than usual in Aquila thanks to the emergence of the portal, but the Summoned will manage to camp out their own area on the right side of the beach and have freedom to enjoy themselves alone. Nearby one of the entrances of the beach is a local business called The Wave Palace. There people can buy or rent chairs, cloth to sit on, hats, and other beach items to feel more comfortable.

Once settled onto their spot on the beach, the Summoned can enjoy a full day of various activities to either relax or be active. They can swim or race to see who is the better swimmer, do the same on a sand race, and head up to a popular nearby cliff that is perfect to jump off of. Challenge each other to the perfect dive or laugh if someone ends up belly-flopping.

Anyone can lounge comfortably in the sun or maybe they want to get creative and build sandcastles. They can rent bowls and sticks and other instruments at the shop to gather sand correctly. Maybe your castle is remarkably impressive or dismal at best, but the point is to have fun. If you're feeling mischievous you can bury a friend in sand, or even a stranger if you want to test fate. You can find rocks or shells to collect and bring home as a reminder of the trip here.

There is a bar down the beach called The Wave Crash Pub where people can sit and listen to live music or carry drinks back to their chair. At some point in the day, someone suggests playing a game of volleyball or something similar, and a net and ball can be found to set it up. Test your might against each other and no cheating! (Just kidding, cheat away.)

As the day comes to a close, stay long enough to watch the sunset together or do some night swimming to cool off. When it's time to go home, don't forget to either return your rented items or decide to buy it. See if you can convince a friend to get a keepsake or ask their opinion of one on the way out. Hope you all had fun in this beach day episode!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Caitlyn has also made it to the beach. Wearing a Swimsuit under a dress that serves no real practical purpose. There's even a similar big floppy hat on her head as well. She spots Ciri fairly early on, but not too early considering. Despite this, she only approaches her after making a detour. Only heading towards Ciri once she happens to have two drinks in hand.]

I seem to recall owing you a drink.

[Is her greeting. Handing one over to the other woman with a small smile.]

Now seems like as fine a time as any to make good on my promise.

[ She'll find Ciri stretched out on her stomach on a blanket in the warm sand, chin on her crossed arms, watching the water. When Caitlyn approaches, Ciri flips over and sits up, blinking a few times. A slow smile greets Caitlyn, and she scoots over to make room. ]

An excellent time, in fact. Come, sit.

It's nice to see you.

I was hoping you'd say that.

[Caitlyn settles onto the blanket next to Ciri easily, returning her smile.]

And you as well.

[She takes a sip of her drink, before glancing around them to appreciate the view.]

I know it's usually dreadful small talk, but the weather is truly lovely here.

[ Once they're both settled, with drink in hand, Ciri tips her glass toward Caitlyn with a nod and a smile. ]

Thanks. Cheers.

[ Most of the cocktails that the little stands around the beach seem to serve are fairly new to Ciri, something unique to Aquila in her mind (and Julie's domain, in some cases). Drinks with fruit juices, strong and sweet, some even served in the shells of coconuts or halved melons.

She leans back on her free hand, stretching her long legs out on the blanket beside Caitlyn's, and takes a good long drink. ]

Oh, that's all right. It's true, after all. The sea breeze really helps to dissipate the awful heat. [ It's still early enough in the year it hasn't gotten as bad as she knows it will in Cadens, but this is certainly a welcome escape. ]

And the water's so warm! I'm surprised every time.

You're quite welcome. Cheers.

[They're all foreign to Caitlyn as well, who's not usually much of a drinker. Though, on occasion it wasn't too bad. Like now. So she'd just bought two of whatever they recommended. Which was, some sort of obligatory sweet and fruity thing. It's honestly not bad.

She settles onto her opposite free hand, relaxing into her seat as she stretches out her slightly longer legs with a contented sigh.]

Can't say I'm looking forward to that much heat, but it's pleasant enough for the moment.

[She's going to dislike the heat greatly, it can go on the list of reasons why she belongs in Piltover and not somewhere else on Runeterra. Like Shurima. If she ever makes one.]

I haven't gone into the water yet, but if it's as nice as you say I'll certainly have to then.

[Watching the water, Caitlyn takes a few moments to enjoy the quiet before breaking it to ask a question.]

Ciri? On a daily basis, what do you do? To keep busy?

[She's never had this much free time before. It's starting to get a bit overwhelming.]

To keep busy?

[ Ciri glances over at her, then back at the ocean, taking a slow, thoughtful drink. ]

Considering... everything over the last few months, my routine hasn't quite returned to what it should be. But we shall assume you mean in general, in which case, most of my time tends to revolve around finding and executing work. When not out on a contract, I do try to meet clients, visit the various shops and apothecaries, the museums, the university. Jobs are more likely to appear and remain continuous if I make regular appearances and remind former and potential customers that I'm still around.

Otherwise... I take care of Nixie when I can, take here out for rides between jobs. Go drinking. Go out in the city.

[ Her head tips toward Caitlyn again, with a smile. ]

Why? Have you been bored?

Yes, at a more general time. Without the upheaval of the last few months.

[Getting kidnapped only a few short months into her stay here had certainly derailed her settling in and getting things situated. Combined with not needing to worry so much about things like lodging because she had an inbuilt support unit upon arrival.]

What sort of work do you do?

[She can't remember in this moment if that's something they've ever addressed before or not. Though from the sound of it, Ciri's routine isn't quite the sort that would work for her. Alas. Ah well, it's good to learn how others live. Being ignorant leads to misunderstandings far too often.]

Jayce thinks I have too much free time. My own fault for informing him that he's getting old.

[She teased him one too many times basically. There's zero regret on her face, eyes twinkling just remembering the text conversation.]

I'm a... [ Witcher. ] hunter, mostly. Independent contractor, sword-for-hire type. If there are beasts out in the desert causing problems, I take care of them. Or hunt them for alchemical ingredients or supplies for armor, weapons, even research or specimens for the university.

Anything people want to hire me for, really. Haven't been too picky.

[ She shrugs. Honestly, it's been way too long since she's actually been able to go out on a hunt or a job. She'll have to start approaching her contacts again soon. Hopefully, the long absence hasn't eroded too many relationships; she expects people will be understanding if she has to bring up the whole cult kidnapping business, considering everyone knows about it, though she prefers to sweep all that aside and isn't interested in sympathy.

She'll figure it out when she gets back to Cadens. Stop in on the merchants she's had dealings with here, too. ]

Merchant caravans or travelers frequently hire guards to accompany them. I've offered my services in such cases many times.

A much deserved vacation day!

At the beach

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