A much deserved vacation day!

[itookashot]

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!

Comments

[bealufull]

"And it's likely a habit we'll never break you of." Not that he would truly try if he could. Jesper took chances and risked so much and it paid off as often as it didn't, but he always landed on his feet. A cat with many more than nine lives.

It's a part of Jesper's attraction. Just like the delight on his face when he talks about cliff diving and why he'd enjoyed it. Easier to focus on that than the comment about Jesper's trunks and the flush Kaz hates and is hopeful seems more sunburn than anything else.

Kaz's gaze turns, just for a moment, to the surf and he shakes his head as he looks back at Jesper. "Nope. Not worth it," he says, meaning it but there's no heat to the words. Just the truth. "Do you think I have ulterior motives in kissing you than that it's fun?"

[itookashot]

"It's all part of the Jesper Fahey package. You can't go back on it now." Jesper knows that his recklessness is a serious problem and he's tried to get better at it, but sometimes he's just himself and everyone is used to it. He likes to throw himself off a cliff without looking below. He wouldn't expect any of the others to change fundamental parts of themselves either, and he knows that's why the Crows are how they are. They accept each other, damage and all.

"Having sex with me doesn't count, it's too easy. That's obviously the most fun." Jesper moves closer to him so they're almost pressed together, just an inch or so of space so he doesn't get him wet. But he can lean his shoulder into him, that at least is bare and dry.

"You do have fun on heists so I'll just have to come up with one for you." That won't get them jailed or in trouble but will make Kaz satisfied. Jesper will always put his whole brain into making other people happy. He leans in since Kaz is the one who brought up kissing and steals a kiss from him while he can. A very small one, barely a brush of their lips, but because he can.

"If past Jesper knew that one day he would get to kiss you, his mind would be blown." He smiles when he pulls back. "Or that I would also get to kiss Inej. I'm damned lucky." He and Inej have kept it more chaste than he and Kaz, but that doesn't make it any more meaningful that she trusts him with her.

[bealufull]

"As I'm well aware. I also know there is no returning you and if you should try and do it yourself, I will hunt you down."

He let him leave once. He's not ready to ever do it again. Even if it literally meant stalking him.

They're in public, Jesper is barely dressed, and there they sit, nearly pressed together. It is unusual for Kaz, thrilling in ways he doesn't have words for and he finds himself aching for more, wanting to lean fully into Jesper and not care about the anything. He just can't bring himself to risk a panic attack here, where others will see his weakness.

So instead he moves one gloved hand to cover Jesper's, adding that contact, even if it's mostly protected.

"I do enjoy planning things. So you're going to design a heist game for me... or a real one?"

Though the kiss nearly leaves him lightheaded, though he's not sure if that's his phobia or just kissing Jesper. Either way, he can't help but offer that small turn of his lips that is nearly a smile.

He makes a soft sound then, definitely amusement as he shakes his head. "Jesper Fahey can have nearly any man or woman he wants and he includes me on his mind being blown? Really? Though you should count yourself lucky with Inej." He knows he does as well.

[itookashot]

"I'm not going anywhere, at least not by choice." That's not about leaving for Wylan this time, it's about the reality any of them could leave at any time here. Jesper's somewhat zen about it because he's been here long enough that he knows there is no point in dwelling. They are at the whims of the universe, but hasn't that always been the truth? It's just more magical now.

Jesper never even saw him going with Wylan as him leaving either. Kaz would always know where he was, he could always reach out for him. But they've discussed that. Now it's impossible to push him away. He doubts they'd ever have gotten here back home, so that is one more thing to cherish.

"Unfortunately there is no heist to be had here, but the second there is one, we'll be there." Jesper's been here long enough to know that heisting is unlikely, but damned wouldn't it be great to find one anyway. "We'll do some heist thought exercises. How we'd break in and out of places." They can't get to Thorne although maybe they should get Thorne maps and start figuring it out. They could do Free Cities too while they're at it. Find the exit points everywhere.

"Any man or woman outside of two. I wanted you from the second I saw you." Which is saying a lot since Jesper was getting the hell beaten out of him at the time. He'd shirked one bet too many and there was Kaz, looking beautiful and powerful, and he fell head over heels at first sight.

As for Inej, well, they both know why Jesper never made a move on her. For one, Kaz, for two, his respect for her boundaries. He is a very sexual person and Inej is still finding her comfort level with that part of herself. Hitting on her would have only muddied the waters. This all came together now for a reason.

"You could have had me any time."

[bealufull]

"I'm not worried about that, Jesper. Not at all." He knows things now he hadn't realized before, and in knowing that, he truly isn't worried. Not about that sort of loss. As for this place and what could happen, he isn't letting himself think about that either. This is their life. It's like home. No mourners. No funerals. Whatever comes at them, they'll handle it.

Though the beach is coming close to breaking him down. Not that he wants to let anyone know that. No more than the two who would know that just looking at him.

He considers that, head canting slightly. "A game of working it out and plotting it all? I could work with that," he says with a nod. "And then we'll have the plan if and when the time comes."

Because he does believe it's going to happen one day. Within Cadens. With the other cities. They'll need to have ideas and have the plans ready.

Kaz falls quiet though at the next admission, thinking about that day. Thinking about this mark that had made every bad choice and so many chances and when he should have had him tossed into the canal... he took on his debts and brought him in. He'd taken chances and risks that Kaz Brekker normally wouldn't have... all for Jesper Fahey. Maybe he had been the mark all along and hadn't known it.

"No. No I couldn't have," he admitted after a moment, drawing a breath and sighing softly. "Not the man I was then. Not until... until after the ice castle and by then I had lost my chance."

He'd rolled the dice and lost. That was his own fault for not taking more chances and he knew it.

[itookashot]

"Good. I'm glad you have faith in me, in us." He knows that hasn't always been the easiest thing for Kaz to find. It's not always about having faith in someone else, but in himself, in his self-worth. That is a part of Kaz that Jesper didn't always see, but it is something they have in common. For all of Jesper's confidence, he still has his moments when he sees only his flaws. But that's both of them, and there's comfort in knowing Kaz's insecurities too.

"Yeah, I actually already made a map of Cadens, I marked every possible exit and all the back roads. Ideas for how to get over the walls, although it's not likely. But we have a Durast who can just knock us through the walls." Not to mention super powered individuals who could too, but Jesper could do it in a more subtle way. His abilities are honed remarkably strong now. "We'll need one for Libertas and Aquila, maybe get maps from the other two." He has contacts in Thorne and Solvunn.

Inej joked with him that Kaz maybe set him up to get attacked, and he joked maybe, but he remembers the calculation on Kaz's face when he decided if he was going to take him on or not. Jesper's always been a lot to deal with, but he's compelling at the same time, and he knows it. Not that he was very compelling while beaten up but he did flash Kaz a smile when he stopped them, even with a fat lip and a black eye.

"You never lost me, Kaz. You never will." He takes Kaz's gloved hand and kisses through the fabric, finding those little parts where Kaz can feel the warmth of his skin just a little. "I got memories from our future." Jesper had only really talked about this with Wylan, because those memories were mostly of him, but he smiles at Kaz.

"And every time you knocked at the door, I always came back to you." Wylan didn't like it, so he became soured for when Kaz knocked, but he didn't stop Jesper either. He knew it was a lost cause. Jesper runs fingers through Kaz's hair, careful to brush the strands and not too close to the scalp. "You were my first love, Kaz. Truly." Just the first love that he couldn't have.

[bealufull]

It's a talk they need to have but that doesn't make it easy for him. It still involves admitting emotions and opening himself up in ways he just hasn't never been comfortable with. If they're going to go forward though, it's a challenge he has to take on.

He shakes his head ruefully as Jesper talks about the easy part of things, about the maps and the planning and the things that are truly second nature to Kaz and, he suspects, with Jesper as well at this point.

"I still have the maps I've been working on since we were going to work on freeing Mat," he says with a tight look, not going into that. Not now. "We should compare them, see where our blindspots are and keep working to pull things together for when the time comes."

Jesper has not only been here longer, but he's more social than Kaz will ever be. He knows more of the lands than he does. Not to mention he is forever looking for places to hide with another, something Kaz is not as likely to seek out.

"Get maps you can from others. We'll do better to have a full comprehensive map when we need it."

It's the easy things to talk about, the things that are second nature to him. Unlike the kiss and those soft words, the promise in them as well.

A brow arches at talk of memories, his head canting slightly and considering him for a moment when he says that.

"Good to know. I'd hate to think I spend my future dragging you about by your collar," he says, tones dry and cool and yet there's a heat in his haze as he stares at Jesper intensely.

"I loved you too, Jesper. For longer than I could admit. I'm still not sure it's fair to you but then when have I ever played fairly?"

Which is a promise not to let him go, unwilling to give up what and who he wants.

[itookashot]

Jesper agrees on the not addressing Mat situation. They fought, he knows that, it upset Mat a lot but they focused on their own issues. Just because Mat chose to stay, doesn't mean that Jesper has given up on his plan. There are other people in Thorne who might want to get out. And eventually Mat might not even have a damned choice in the matter, like the original Summoned who fled Thorne had.

"That sounds like the kind of thing that would be helpful for everyone to know. Maybe we can put it up in the Crow Club." In the Horizon, where it's easy to leave things. Maps, at least, not their plans, although he suspects that goes without saying. Kaz and him keep their plans to themselves, but information is something he's good at sharing.

"Well I like being dragged by my collar if it's you, my love." Jesper smiles at him. He knows how hard it is for Kaz to be open. How hard all of this is for him, and yet minute by minute, day by day, he's trying. For them and also for himself, both equally important. "You knocked, I answered, you left, I followed. Every time." That is them. Permanently.

Jesper rolls his eyes and he tightens his fingers in Kaz's hair briefly, pulling him in for a gentle kiss. He is confident enough that he even lingers, nuzzling their noses together, breathing him in. "I know what's fair to me, don't you worry your pretty head. I'm getting everything I ever wanted." So he's lucky.

He moves his mouth to Kaz's ear, not touching it but speaking low near. "How about we have a little fun tonight? You've been so good, coming out here today with us. I can help you relax."

[bealufull]

He nods at that, knowing that it is the best idea. "We'll need a space there that is secured only to us. Somewhere that isn't accessible to any that wander into the club."

They'd had such places in the physical club and it would be easy enough to manage such a thing here as well. Especially on the Horizon.

"We'll have to decide what information on this side of things we might be willing to give up. If it comes to that." Jesper is charming and Kaz is brilliant at getting information. Perhaps they wouldn't have to share too much but they have to know what they are willing to share.

He snorts at that, rolling his eyes. "Stop making my threats something you like," he growls, but there's no heat to the words or that sound. How could there be when it's Jesper acting like this?

Yet he leans into that kiss. Aching for that simple heat that comes with it as his hand moves to Jesper's neck. His thumb lightly brushes against his throat, letting himself feel the thrum of Jesper's pulse there, savoring even that light touch.

Yet those words, whispered so softly to him, nearly makes Kaz come undone.

"I..." For a moment his brain kind of goes blank and his body heats up as the implications of those words course through him. A moment later though and he is initiating the kiss. Taking his time, slow and deep before whispering softly to Jesper, "Yes. Need you."

NSFW talk

[itookashot]

"That's easy to do in the Horizon. We can think it, and it'll happen. We can lock off your living quarters." Jesper made the entire club from memory, including Kaz's bedroom and area in the back. He was never able to let that go. His Horizon is now shared by all the Crows in that way, they all know they can use it.

Jesper laughs. "Stop being so sexy when you threaten me. And when you growl like that." It goes right through him when he does. Kaz is unbearably attractive to him, he's always been. And a part of Jesper had wondered if some of the appeal was the impossibility of having him, but he has been proven very wrong on that. Having Kaz only makes him hungrier.

Starving, actually, when Kaz initiates the kiss and Jesper's veins burn up on the inside, a fast wave of lust, and he has to get himself under control. Which isn't easy as an impulsive person. "Oh how I want to drag you to some hidden corner and have my way with you. Like the first time, remember?"

His grin is wicked, as if they'd ever forget him getting Kaz off in a semi-public place, touching him over his clothes and blowing his mind without him able to resist. Jesper takes in a deep breath and cups Kaz's cheek.

"But this time I want you on a bed." He's speaking quietly still, no one but them able to hear. "I was thinking I could test out my mouth over your underwear." Jesper is being very patient about not being able to do that yet, but maybe they could try. He kisses Kaz's cheek. "Or maybe you could touch yourself and let me watch while I tell you what to do. Would you like that?"

[bealufull]

Kaz is quiet a moment, knowing he hasn't said enough about that. "That you had my space already there... I have never felt the need to expand on the Horizon because the only space I would want was already there. Because of you."

He's learning he needs to show his appreciation more than he has, especially in this place. At least he's trying.

Kaz arches a brow as he leans in slightly closer to Jesper. "Let's be honest. If I'm threatening or growling, you find me sexy. I would read the world's boringest book in that voice." The one he is using right that moment. "And you would enjoy it."

There they are, out in public, anyone could be watching and he knows that Jesper is most certainly working hard to push buttons knowing that.

And two could play at that game.

"How could I forget that night?"

Even if it's not easy. Not when Jesper is putting those images in his head. Images that make him shift, not thinking he has nearly enough layers on. Not for this talk in public.

His hand covers Jesper's and bring it to his mouth. His lips glide along his palm before he lets his lips teasing part over the edge of his index finger, his tongue flickering against skin that tasted of salt and sun.

"Oh I don't think so, Jesper. You took charge last time. This time will be my turn," he growls, eyes narrowing as he leans in closer to whisper in his ear. "I'm going to lay you out on a bed, stripped bare for me. Maybe I'll stay kneeling over you like that."

Maybe he'd let his clothed skin touch him, experiment, push his limits until he can have all he wants with those he loves.

"And then I'll start telling you the things I've let myself think about since that first night when I caught you sneaking out of a window. Things I've thought about you doing to me," he says, feeling dizzy and yet excited at the same time. Maybe it's testing himself in a new way, learning more about himself here. "And what I will one day do to you."

[itookashot]

There is a moment shift when Kaz leans close to him and says in that low growly voice that he'd enjoy it if he read a boring book in that tone, and Jesper inwardly thinks uh oh. He swallows through a suddenly dry throat. It is typically him doing the seducing, especially with Kaz, and he likes that, he loves twisting him around. But he forgot, Kaz Brekker always gives as good as he gets.

He knows that he's turned on Kaz by the way he shifts uncomfortably, and then Kaz, that demon, presses his mouth to Jesper's palm. He flushes. He puts his tongue against Jesper's finger and he shudders. It's easy to turn him on but Jesper is usually the one in control.

Kaz whispers in his ear and he is completely and utterly seduced. His breath catches and the fantasy takes over. He is the one who squirms this time as he struggles with his arousal, hurriedly reaching over to blindly grasp at a towel and pull it into his lap, like a bundle, so as not to clue others into the fact he can't stop himself.

So congratulations, Kaz. He got Jesper to break. He's flustered but hot around the collar. "I'd like that." Gray eyes flash and it is taking all of his control not to go predatory and simply straddle him. He reaches up to snag Kaz's beautiful sharp chin and holds him firmly, keeping their eyes on each other. "One day I am going to fuck you, Brekker. I am going to bend you in half and make you beg me. You can't guess at how good that will feel, how addicted you're going to get to me."

Jesper leans in like he intends to kiss him but it is far too dangerous to do that. He playfully bites at the air between them instead as a warning. "It'll embarrass you how much you need it."

[bealufull]

Kaz may be overcoming a lot of mental and emotional issues with contact and touch but he's had an amazing teacher in Jesper and he's always been a quick study. One who needs to offer the man he loves all that he's received. The attention, the affection, and the lust filled thoughts that leave him barely on his feet.

And he wants to give all of that back to Jesper as well.

Of course, the problem is, Jesper is a hundred times better at this game and he knows how to break Kaz in an instant. It's the only way and time that Kaz Brekker can be broken, and only two people in the world, in this world or theirs, can get close enough to him for it to happen.

He can't help to think about it. About how it will feel giving himself wholly to the other, to give up all control and let Jesper have his way with him. Even if he knows, truly knows, that he will still have control if he wants it. A whole part of it all being that he is giving Jesper that control and he wants him to have it.

Even if he can't speak for a moment thinking about Jesper over him, in him, claiming him.

His gaze drops to Jesper's mouth, to those snapping teeth and he very nearly gives a sound that is utterly and wholly a whimper. Yet he swallows it back down as his gaze lifts to Jesper's eyes.

"What makes you think you'll be the one fucking me when I've spent years thinking about bending you over the desk in my office at the Crow Club?"

He can't bring himself to respond to the rest, the truth in it. He already needs Jesper in so many ways, he can't imagine he won't be nearly begging for more. It's almost frightening to think about.

can lead to wrap on this, naughty boys lol

[itookashot]

Jesper scents blood in the air and they are both on the cusp of being inappropriate in public and honestly if anyone was giving them a second glance, it would be obvious. "Oh is that what you've fantasized about?" he whispers, voice like honey, smiling very smugly. Kaz's spent years thinking about fucking him. It feels like a win all in itself, to know their mutual lust has been ongoing.

"Do you want to be inside me, Kaz? You don't even know how it feels yet, love, it's better than anything you could imagine. Tight and hot. I'd spread my legs for you any time you wanted it." Jesper is back into confidence although no less turned on himself, snagging Kaz's hand. He slowly and deliberately takes two of Kaz's fingers into his mouth, sucking on them, maintaining eye contact the whole time.

He knows he's gone too far but it's Kaz's fault and he stops, pulling his fingers out, only because Jesper starts looking around them. Not because he is worried about who is looking, he is desperately seeking somewhere he can drag Kaz to where they can get a quick orgasm as relief. Unfortunately, it's not easy.

"I think I need to take a swim or I am going to get you off right here in front of everyone." And while they both obviously don't mind getting saucy in public, he still would prefer Kaz to feel safe and hidden behind a bedroom door. For his sake. Jesper captures his mouth in a heated kiss, knowing if he doesn't stop now he's not going to stop.

"Stay warm for me. Lukewarm, until I can get you into a room."