[Santo - The Beach]

[walk_ins]

[master post]

You have to walk down a ramp to get to the sand. The ramp stretches over sand dunes, with sea oats dotting them, blowing in the near-constant breeze. On the same level as the ramp: a boardwalk, dotted with places to get sketchy-looking fried food, to try your luck at a number of games of chance, to watch performers, to ride roller coasters of the future!!!!

When you walk down the ramp, it's all white sand and blue water. Down about half a mile is a pier that juts out several hundred feet.

It's a nice beach. Not too crowded.

Comments

[wolflord_andain]

"I shall hardly quibble with that description."

One corner of his mouth twists.

Galadan is, too. Look where he lives now, for example.

[river_meimei]

"You're very smart."

This too is truth, of course, but this particular observation didn't exactly require genius-level perception.

River's still looking entirely cheerful, though, as she turns her steps down the street. Ahead of them, the train station, all gleaming metal and decorative thatch and bright scrolling advertisements; beyond that is the rolling pale sand of the beach, and scattered tourists wandering the boardwalk. There's a skim of clouds over the sky, silver-white, gleaming where the sun shines through. It's just enough to dim the gold-white sand, and thin the usual beach crowds.

[wolflord_andain]

There is a moment, there and gone again, where Galadan's expression stills, settling into strange lines.

The horizon here--and the sea itself--are little like any on Fionavar.

But the sound and the salt-smell, that is enough.

[river_meimei]

His shields are still up, and River's half a step ahead; she hasn't noticed.

She tilts her head back to smile up at the clouds, instead. It's a pretty day.

[wolflord_andain]

After another moment his attention snaps back to River.

And, with a small, mildly amused smile, he follows her.

They might be in for more wandering, and again, he is hardly likely to object.

[river_meimei]

It's a slow and easy amble down the street.

After all, they're in no hurry.

[wolflord_andain]

"I do wonder if you've a destination in mind, River."

He still sounds very amused.

"Or shall we find ourselves wandering this planet long after dark?"

[river_meimei]

"It's a mystery," River says cheerfully.

"Could go home," she allows after a minute, and a glance at him.

It's probably pretty clear, even without psychic powers or honed observational skills, that this is not so much River's first choice.

[wolflord_andain]

"Doubtless we could. But I find the odor of ship repair unpalatable, of late."

His lips twitch.

"What would you suggest as an alternative?"

[river_meimei]

Hopefully, "They fry things."

And put them on sticks.

This is, River feels, a custom that should be more widely practiced.

[wolflord_andain]

"I presume you're referring either to the market or to the boardwalk?"

Where else would one fry things?

Galadan does not particularly desire to speculate.

[river_meimei]

Heaven only knows, on Santo.

Heaven, and the more comprehensive sort of tour guide.

"Right here," River agrees.

Well, a hundred or so yards away, but close enough.

[wolflord_andain]

Galadan raises one eyebrow, looking over the area.

One eyebrow arches.

"There is a sort of charm to the place. Many of my acquaintances would be reasonably comfortable here."

His lips quirk in a slightly larger smile.

By acquaintances he means 'informants'.

Obviously.

[river_meimei]

River's face says: DUH.

Amicably.

"It's in the socioeconomic calculations."

[wolflord_andain]

Galadan's raised eyebrows say: Is it, indeed?

"I'll expect a presentation, with graphs, at some later date, then."

[river_meimei]

He gets a slightly withering look.

"Try the Bureau."

The Tourist Information Bureau, she means, presumably; they have many graphs. And glossy handouts with holos of the most popular attractions. And brightly smiling tour guides paid to explain Santo's wide-ranging appeal at great length.

[wolflord_andain]

His lips twitch again.

"That seems rather a waste of an afternoon."

[river_meimei]

"Exactly."

River looks satisfied that she's won this round.

[wolflord_andain]

Meanwhile, they've hit the boardwalk.

Galadan manages to look only faintly distasteful.

It helps that there are fewer people here today, certainly.

[river_meimei]

River slants a glance over at Galadan.

"You're a snob," she informs him amiably.

[wolflord_andain]

"I am a creature of forests and isolation," Galadan says mildly.

One corner of his mouth curves upward.

"And, unlike some, I make a rudimentary attempt to have standards."

[river_meimei]

River's expression is distinctly unimpressed.

"It's a cultural exploration."

Beat.

"We'll forgo the floral shorts."

Because River is kind and generous.

[wolflord_andain]

Galadan is crushed.

"You do have rather a high opinion of your persuasive capabilities."

Where crushes means 'amused'.

[river_meimei]

River just looks smug.

And pauses to bend over with her usual absent-minded flexibility, and begin undoing her boots.

[wolflord_andain]

Galadan does not heave a resigned sigh.

But he does remove his shoes. And socks.

Perhaps it's a peace offering.





Or perhaps he has no wish to find sand in his boots three months down the road.