Touring the River

[Circe]

0 suxx

Circe was starting to wish she'd followed her old friend's advice. The elf should have learned at least a little bit about how to run. It was showing now as Quick's failed start was made up for by his passing right by the Fairest with ease. Not that her footwear made it any easier either.


"Why, huff, even, huff, doing, huff, screw it," Circe panted out as she gave up on her sprint. Instead the elf settled down into a gentler jog. The boys had proven they could run away far faster then she could. She'd have to commend them on "being great at running away."

After she caught up to them.

[Donovan Ackerman]

Donovan waited for the others to catch up. Letting the feel of the sand between his toes remind him where and when he was. By the time they reached the beach he was smiling again.

“Between by a barefooted man,” he said with a smirk. “And why? ‘Cause competition’s what Summer’s ‘bout. Plus it got us to the beach faster.”

“You both alright?” he asked. Circe in particular seemed to be out of breath. That’s what fighting with guns got you. They might both be distance weapons but you had to work physically to draw a bow string.

[Circe]

"Va bene, sì. Devo lavorare sulla resistenza e sul funzionamento. Più tardi, cazzo." was what Circe huffed out as she caught her breath after finally catching up to the boys. Hand on her knees, it took the elf a moment to catch up properly. "I shouldn't have tried to sprint that. I'm ret two go soon, no fucking waiting," she was still taking deep breaths but the grey girl was doing it easier now.

"Empty spots on the beach or no?" She looked around now, trying to see what she could of the "beach" Quick had been showing them to.

[Quick]

After seeing Donovan reach the beach, Quick gives up the effort and simply jogs the rest of the way in. He isn't sure which is worse: losing the race or just missing his queue. He's almost certain he could have passed Donovan if he'd been paying attention. That's what he gets for playing tour guide.

To make matters worse, Donovan wears a smirk to proclaim his victory. At least Circe seems to be having a harder time than Quick. Though they'd both done about the same. Then the farm boy has the nerve to ask if Quick is alright. He answers with a tight lipped smile. "It did that. Got us here faster."

His face screws up a bit as Circe lets off what could be anything from a 'good game' to a slander about both of their mothers. Shame he hadn't learned Italian.

"Looks like it." he answers Circe, taking a view of the beach. It's certainly not empty today, but the sweeping arc of the river meeting the sand has plenty of room to spare. Trees and views of houses line the riverside - much different than looking out across the sea around Long Island. Quick had spent every summer he could roaming beaches like that. Here, in Sacramento, its a scene both familiar and foreign. Small boats dot the water's edge, both for fishing and for leisure, and a few children play at the water's edge. Colorful umbrellas shade beach chairs and tables for those seeking to stay cool. Others have simply thrown out towels or blankets, tanning in the sun. But nothing near the density of the overpopulated beaches in New York. It's more relaxing here. Instead of the smell of the sea, the smell of grilled meats lingers in the air, and Quick takes note of some grills set up where the sand meets the grass.

He glances back at his two companions, swept up in the moment and forgetting about the injury to his pride. "What do you think? Nice spot?"​

[Donovan Ackerman]

Donovan raised both eyebrows as Circe went off in in what he was pretty sure was either Spanish or Italian. He recognized ‘Si’ and something that sounded like resistanze.

“Ain’t gotta clue what you’re sayin’ there,” he admitted. “But that part ‘bout shouldn’t have tried you got wrong. Only way to start getting’ better is tryin’. You did good.” He offered an encouraging smile.

“Though you’ll be wantin’ to either stand or keep your back straight and look up. Leanin’ over like that’s just goin’ to make it harder to catch your breath.”

Donovan turned his head to one side slightly at Quick’s smile. Not the usual impish grin. “You ain’t sore over losin’ are you?” he asked seriously. “Well if you are take that feelin’, use it, and beat me next time. But you ain’t gotta smile and pretend you’re pleased neither.”

Donovan surveyed the beach they had arrived at. “Bit crowded he notes.” But then he didn’t really have a broad sample size of beaches to compare it too. It felt crowded, at least to the Wizened. “And gotta test the water ‘for I can say it’s good or not."

With little ceremony, Donovan stripped off his shirt and started towards the river’s edge. While Quick or Circe may note the outdoorsy farm hand look does extend to his uncovered torso, there’s an uncomfortable aspect to his physique, even muscled as he is. The skin on his back is sun scorched and almost like leather. There’s a thinness to his arms. In the way you can see his abs, you can also see his ribs and it speaks of starvation as one is slowly worked to death.

“Come on,” he calls as sand met water and he felt the river muck start to squelch underfoot. “Water’s fine.”

[Circe]

She waved negatively at Donovan, "The tongue of my ancestors, way of Jersey. Forget about it," she has her breathing under control. She did as Donovan recommended and it seemed to help, "Thanks Donovan. I think I'll work on it, later."


It was quite the difference from the beaches of her childhood. Fragments might remain but the boardwalks and buildings were memorable enough to Circe to not forget the shores of New Jersey. This was less crowded, less urbanized, and a lot cleaner. Circe eyed the tanning beauties, and their tanning opposites, which caused a though to crawl into her brain. What color would her Mein tan? Could it even tan? Or sunburn for that matter? Circe rubs her chin, left ear quirking up as she hummed thoughtfully. She slowly nodded to Quick's question, "Sure is James. But I am a little curious. If I tan would it show past my game face?"


She snapped her attention to stare at Donovan, "Crowded? This?" and didn't hide the incredulity in her voice. She kept talking as she followed him towards the water but did not go in, "You've never seen East Coast beaches in the summer, have yah?"


Circe wasn't as quick to plunge in, she had something to secure and hide first, fiddling under her wind breaker for a moment as she dropped her gym bag, "Be a minute Donovan. Ladies move at a different pace." It wasn't clear what Circe was doing, but she stopped to eye the crowd. Her eyes lingered on a group of children before she sighed, fiddling with something, then pulled out a small metal pin that went into a pocket. Switching sides she fiddled again under her jacket, then slipped out of wind breaker slowly, unintentionally arching her back. Circe carefully bundled up the wind breaker before picking up the gym bag and shoving it inside.


The elf then kicked off her sandals and turned her attention towards Quick, "So, Jimmy?" Circe next took off her t-shirt, "we got a spot to leave stuff or," shirt was gone and she started on her shorts, "am I gonna have ta' play in the water with the bag?" which Circe left hanging on her right foot before kicked them, catching it in the same hand that had her shirt. The Fairest's disrobing had caught the attention of several teenage boys nearby. The teens were probably a little disappointed she wasn't in something more skimpy.


The red two piece suit was pretty plain, cover more skin then what most bikinis would have. Circe hadn't bought it for showing off to the mortals. She thought this shade of red was a good contrast to her Mein's skin.

[Quick]

Circe's comment gets Quick's gears turning. Weren't all the Jersey Shore posers from Long Island anyway? That 'Guido' stereotype - not that he minds it - isn't exclusive to New Jersey. After a few blinks, he smiles anyway. He'll let it slide. Donovan's coaching, however, gets Quick's blood boiling. If he'd been showing his true form, the crackling arcs form his eyes would have been sizzling. How had he let himself lose? And Donovan has the gall to offer advice like some sort of seasoned veteran!? Quick used to be lightning. The farm boy's observation pulls Quick out of his train of thought. Briefly.

"Huh? Oh, right." He deadpans. Donovan's consideration finally pushes the Elemental from his shame and outrage. The guy talks sense. Quick give him a respectful nod. "Don't worry. If there's a next time... I won't lose."

As Donovan makes his way to the water, his revealed shirtless form surprises Quick; it smacks of desperation. Hardship. The Levinquick's mind plays with feelings of pity, respect and revulsion all at once. The look, almost certainly exaggerated by his transformation, somehow suits him. Like he's earned it. So much different than his own inhuman changes. His own transformation turned a lovely boy into an amalgam of stone and storm. "Be right there." is all he can manage.

Curiosity strikes him as Circe prepares herself for the water. She seems to fidget and wiggle, which Quick doesn't bother to try and figure out. Something to do with undergarments, maybe?

"Somewhere private, you mean?" He can only shrug at her question. "Most people just stake out a spot. Hope that no psycho comes and swipes their stuff." Even he hadn't sunken to that low. Maybe because it was stupid, and a good way to get caught. Or, maybe the beach gives him a sense of solace. A private vendetta is hard to carry out in the face of such peace and satisfaction.

Which brings him back to the moment. Two new friends about to share in his secret passion. Donovan's already in the water, long pants and everything. And Circe, with her red suit playing off her bluish skin, waits for him too. Smiling, he makes his way to the water, barely hesitating as he wades into the cool water.

[Donovan Ackerman]

“Never even been to the Gulf,” Donovan admitted with all the talk of Jersey and the east shore “Travel weren’t ever high up on my familys’ priority list. Everything’s far way when you’re in Texas. Even other places in Texas.”

The Woodwalker didn’t seem to mind that his pants were getting soaked. Even his shirt, which he held in one hand was getting splashed as he waded further. He tossed it to shore impatiently, where it landed just past the water line where the sand was still damp.

“There,” he proclaimed “Got us a spot. You two comin’ in or not?” He didn't seem particularly concerned someone would take their things. Then again, his shirt wasn't exactly worth alot.

He smiled when Quick showed gumption and finally got in the water. As a reward, he balled his fists together, bent down, and wielding the water like a two handed bow, sending a spray of water towards the cute (if slightly sore losing) boy. All the walking and talking, now that they were finally here he wasn’t about to pass up a chance to get Quick sopping wet. The Archer readied another volley.

We’re at a month. We should probably wrap.

[Circe]

ooc: works for me

"Dear Donovan," Circe shook her head, "other states can FIT in Texas," as she then tossed her bag down with Donovan's clothes, "But this solution works for me."

And proceeded to charge into the water with a cry: "Carica!" splashing water about without care. Probably intentionally onto her two comrades. "Ha ha, okay this is nice. Cool water here." The next splash that hit Donovan was certainly not an accident, "Am I right?"

[Quick]

The splay of water hits Quick smack in the face, but as he blows the water away he finds himself smiling. Before he can return fire, Circe splashes down and re-douses the shirtless Levinquick. Quick fans out his arms and splashes at the two of them, grinning like a silly child. "Cool indeed. Come on! I'll take you both!"

Great scene. Thanks guys!