cuddlecity | EVENT: LIFE'S A BEACH

Entry tags:

EVENT: LIFE'S A BEACH

Is it hot in here, cuddlers, or is it just us? No, it's definitely hot — the end of summer is here, and a few miles out from the city, on the beach, the scene is set: if you’ve been able to follow’s Baby’s clues, they led you here.

The dress code is — surprise, surprise — beachwear, but do think of bringing some layers to cover up these beautiful bikinis and all, because the night could get a little chilly if you stray too far from that bonfire. And, of course, if you don’t want to be that exposed, it’s not like the dress code is a mandatory thing, either. (Just don't be surprised if you hear a few disappointed groans from the audience if you come all covered up.)

The first thing that can be seen is a BAR, with a large poster advertising CriminALES at its front. Like any good beach bar, beers and cocktails with tiny little umbrellas in them can be obtained for a small price — or for free, if you're suave enough to impress the bartender on duty. Nearby, SNACK TABLES feature a veritable buffet of edibles, ranging from chips to brownies to crudites and dips (all courtesy of Kimberly and Clary, thank you!). However, if you felt like bringing your own food and alcohol to the party, you won’t be turned away.

Further down the beach, dry wood has been piled up in what looks like an imminent BONFIRE; if you're a little too delicate to rest on the sand, don't worry — there are plenty of bean bags, cushions, and blankets. Feel free to cuddle up to someone familiar, or maybe a new friend, and enjoy the roaring fire once the sun sets.

Beyond the obvious entertainment of the sun, surf, and sand, your party planners have gone to great lengths to ensure everyone is ready to have a great time. Near the bar, inflated beach balls and other toys are strewn around, and the beach's VOLLEYBALL COURT is no stranger to a game or two. As the night goes on, there just might be a few DRINKING GAMES started — "spin the bottle", anyone?

Of course, a party hosted by Baby himself wouldn't be the same without the all-important KILLER TUNES. Nestled directly to the side of the seating area, a makeshift DJ booth flanked by tiki torches serves as the beating heart of the party, and marks the start of a large square expanse of sand, a DIY DANCE FLOOR cordoned off by a large speaker in each of the four corners, all connected by links of colorful bunting.

As promised, the MUSIC will be blasting until the morning, ranging from massive party tunes (no, but seriously) to romantic ballads for those who feel like a slow dance. There are also, strewn around, some serious dancing jams because what’s a party without some exquisitely cheesy songs? Later on, when there is less dancing and more lounging around, quieter, softer classics will be put on as background music. Feel free to MAKE A REQUEST (or ten), or even steal the mic and sing a little song yourself!

Come on down, Cadelle, and give the summer one last hurrah before it goes away. As the unimitable Ella Fitzgerald would say, "it's summertime, and the livin' is easy."

The mod team is so excited to post our first PLAYER-HOSTED EVENT! If your character has the desire to host an event of some kind, be it a party, a grand opening for their business, or something else all together, please don't hesitate to let us know via our EVENT SUGGESTIONS POST!

For help with this, or for any other concerns, please feel free to reach out to us via our GENERAL INBOX (or SCREENED INBOX, if you prefer). Have fun, cuddlers, and don't forget your SPF!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

( by the time kimberly's bright pink scooter pulls up to the parking lot, she's beyond ready to dive into the literal and metaphorical waters of this shindig. she'd spent the better part of the morning helping set everything up, ensuring the snack bar was filled with things beyond just sugar and more sugar, and gone home to freshen up. now, party started and well in the swing of things, she's ready to actually enjoy the fruits of her labor.

making a beeline for the bar seems like an excellent first step to said enjoyment; the punch is a little stronger (okay, a lot stronger) than she'd expected, but kimberly tips back her cups all the same with the kind of reckless abandonment a cliff diver would be proud of, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she grins at no one in particular. come share in her delight, or perhaps suggest something a little more appropriate — she does like pina coladas and walking in the rain. not that weather is much of a concern today.

while she's not exactly dressed for any sort of strenuous activity — tiny denim shorts cover little more than the pink bikini worn underneath — that doesn't stop her from flitting around the party itself, friendly and flirtatious with anyone who crosses her path. she'll happily occupy a spot on the dance floor, chatting up a storm with anyone who can keep up with her, or dive into the waves headfirst to race out to sea or just to enjoy the surf.

however, once the sun goes down, kimberly's well worn out, and ready to curl up next to the bonfire (preferably next to someone a little warmer than her). she'll happily join in to conversation, but she'll quietly abstain from any games of truth, thank you very much. those haven't exactly worked out so well for her in the past. )

Edited 2017-09-08 19:35 (UTC)

[ It's late, when Baby gets off the DJ booth, and finally starts mingling some. When he find Kimberly, he's got a drink in hand, a twizzler in his mouth, and a shirt on his back - he's still sweating from playing, but it got colder fast, further away from the fire.

Kimberly looks like she's been drinking, but he saw her dance earlier, having fun. He's glad, because - he's got to talk to her, and he doubts it'll be pleasant. Another reason for him to have a drink. ]

So what would you say - party a success?

( she's definitely buzzed (perhaps even a little past it) by the time baby makes his way over, damp shirt clinging to him with each movement of his body. while she's a little unsure about where things stand between them — she's not blind, for one thing, and the focus of his attentions had been pretty hard to miss all afternoon — it doesn't make her any less glad to see him. )

Mm, I think so. Kind of hard to screw up a beach party. ( a hand through her hair, nearly dry now after a late dip in the waves, and she shrugs a bit. ) Your party, though — what do you think?

[ He grins around the Twizzler, before pulling the end of it in his mouth, chewing it and swallowing before answering. ]

I've had a good time making you all dance, for sure.

[ His smile falling a little, he gives her a look before drinking a little too much at once. ] Hey, do you want to go for a little walk? Want to dip my toes in. And talk to you.

( well, that's entirely not reassuring, but she offers a vague agreement and lets him lead the way, out towards the water's edge. now that the sun's gone down, the tide is cool as it laps against her feet, but it's refreshing, enough to wake her up a little. )

So. What did you want to talk about?

( her brain helpfully supplies all of the worst case scenarios, just like last time, but maybe she's jumping to conclusions. )

[ As they approach the shore, Baby tugs off his shoes and socks, keeping them in one hand as he walks straight to the water, the shock of cold making him yelp and laugh. When he turns back to Kimberly, though, she looks a little somber, like she's expecting the worst, and Baby's stomach drops.

He hates this. ]

I, um... I met someone. And I think I ought it to myself to see it through. Which - [ He hates that he's so bad at words, seriously. ] - isn't to say that I don't like you, because I do. But I think this could get serious.

Oh.

( this time, the worst case scenario winds up being exactly right. it's like deja vu, her conversation with jace all over again, only this time, kimberly's more than just irritated. she's... well, sad. because this boy, unlike jace, had been someone she'd actually liked. someone she thought liked her as much in return, who wanted her for more than just a night or two.

it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out who he's talking about, either. not that knowing who that someone is makes it any easier. no, it's just another repeat of the same story. girl likes boy, boy likes her friend instead.

so, while baby might be bad at words, kimberly opts not to bother trying. she just shrugs a little, nods her head, and focuses her gaze on the horizon, trying very hard not to let any of the tightness in her throat and warmth behind her eyes translate into anything obvious. she's not going to cry. not about this. she's not a little girl, she doesn't need to cry about it. )

Okay.

( that's it, isn't it? there's not much else to say, really. )

[ If it hadn't been for Isabelle, turning his life upside down with a smile and a sunset, Baby would have stuck by Kimberly. He wasn't in it for the sex, for a night or two, and he does like her; she's incredibly fun, and her sense of adventure fits right with Baby's. But he doesn't know what she thinks; can only see the clenching of her jaw and her gaze turn away from his, her words short, clipped.

He's hurt her, and it's obvious, and he's pretty sure whatever he could say now would not make it any better. ]

I'm sorry. I didn't - [ Fucking words. ] I hope we can still be friends. I'm just - shit. I'm sorry, Kimberly.

You don't need to be sorry.

( i hope we can still be friends. she has to bite back the urge to laugh, bitter and unbelieving. there's no part of her mind that genuinely believes baby will still be her friend if things go well with izzy.

she's never had much luck with friends, really, and this place wasn't doing much to prove her experiences incorrect. she'd been friends with amanda clark her entire life, brought together by a small town and parents who ran in the same social circle, but they'd never really been friends. no, she'd just been one of amanda's followers, long hair and multi-syllabic names and the short pleats of their skirts linking a gang of girls together under a pledge of mean girl politics. they'd proven just how little their friendship had meant as soon as the tides had turned against kimberly, until one mistake had made her a social pariah in their circles.

and the rangers — god, but kimberly still didn't know how she landed among them. she'd lay down her life for any of them, without any hesitation, but were they friends? would any of them have given her the time of day without the coins linking them together?

and clary — they'd gotten so close so fast, here in this strange place, two people with just enough in common to find comfort in each other. and then clary had found izzy, a friend from home who got her in a way kimberly never would, who understood the seemingly magnetic pull jace had on her in a way kimberly never could. now that izzy was here, would clary still need her? or had kimberly just been a knock-off stand-in for izzy, someone so much more capable and confident and beautiful than she could ever be?

and now baby, to top everything off, following clary's footsteps in preferring one dark-haired girl over the other. she shouldn't be surprised, and really, she wasn't. disappointed, sad, a little hurt — sure, but not surprised. )

I get it.

[ Baby can't help but frown, feeling like there's something, here, he's not getting. Something bigger than him, maybe. ]

What do you mean, you get it?

[ There's a part of him that knows, rationally, he hasn't done her wrong. Hasn't led her on. He's been honest, as soon as he knew that he wouldn't be able to give Kimberly the kind of attention she deserves. But that doesn't mean he's not hurting her. ]

I'm not going to push, Kimberly. But I've said it before and I meant it - you need me, I'm there.

It's fine.

( it's not fine. there's a part of her, small and muted underneath all the cool girl repression, that wants to cry and beg and plead. but she won't, because she'd already begun to expect this turn of events the moment he'd turned down her last minute invitation.

it's fine was just teenage girl shorthand for i don't want to talk about it. )

I'm happy for you. ( it's not inherently untrue, but there's no joy in the statement. she does, however, offer him a small token of sincerity. he deserves that much, at least. ) A little jealous, maybe, but I'll get over it. I always do.

[ He wants to ask, but what about Robbie? Don't you like him? But it's not his place, nor is it the time. It'd be unfair to press on now, when maybe, maybe there's a chance they can get to a new normal, at some point.

So he nods. ]

I'd offer a hug, but I don't know if you'd like that. I - I want you to be happy, you know? I really do. You deserve it. [ Again, saying I'm sorry I won't be the one feels like going a step too far, even if he'd mean it. ]

That's okay.

( she'd rather not, if she's entirely honest. right now, all she wants to do is find a place for herself, to sort through her emotions until she's ready to face other people again. to figure out what this pattern means and what she wants to do about it. )

I'm gonna... I'm gonna go find Clary, I think, see if she needs help with anything before we have to clean up for the night. ( a white lie, maybe, but a harmless one. )

Okay.

[ He nods again, and lets her go. He knows there's nothing here he could say that would make it in any way better. ]

( The party's been winding down for a little while now.

With it have gone Clary's energy levels. It's a nice kind of feeling though, sated and heavy and sleepy. She's just sticking around to help tidy up the last bits and pieces, shoving stray candy into bags and cleaning up behind her. She'll probably have to distribute the food among all of her friends, if she doesn't want to get as big as a house. But the night has definitely been a success, and with the stars twinkling up above her head and the warmth of the fire still going, she feels fairly alive.

Once done, Clary casts her gaze over the last few people, spotting Kimberly further off down the beach. She knows her friend bought her scooter with her, but it still doesn't feel right heading home without checking in, and so she starts off. Halfway there though, she realises Kimberly is not feeling as wonderful as she is, if the expression on her face is anything to go by. Clary sits down silently when she reaches her, gaze on the water in front even as she presses her shoulder against the other girls. )

Do I need to punch someone?

( though kimberly recognizes the voice that calls out in the quiet, her gaze doesn't drift from its focus on her hands in her lap, fingers playing idly with a piece of driftwood she'd picked up earlier. small pieces of bark litter over her bare legs, sprinkled amongst sticky patches of sand and spilled alcohol. she's not quite sure she wants to look up yet. looking up would expose the patches of red across her cheeks, the rings under her eyes so evidentiary of too much time trying hard not to cry. )

No, ( comes her mumbled reply, muffled a bit as an exhale spills down her front. ) I'm fine.

( the biggest lie to ever be told, but a classic one all the same. maybe clary won't push. maybe she'll let it be until kimberly's ready to bare her soul and explain why tonight's been so miserable for her. but, if kimberly's entirely honest, she's not sure that'll ever be the case. not when clary herself is part of that pain choked up in her throat. )

Okay.

( Except, it's not. Clearly something is wrong with her friend and Clary's never been very good at letting things lie. Not when someone's in pain. She stretches her legs out in front of her, digging the back of her flipflops into the beach to make a wedge in the fine yellow sand. )

I mean, it doesn't have to be punching. I could give someone a nipple twister if that's more what's required. Or a chinese burn. I don't even need Shadowhunter powers for those.

( Just imagine the tiny tearaway she would have been in school. )

You don't — ( have to do that. the words still in her throat as her voice cracks around a cry that doesn't come. kimberly pulls her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them as if the snug embrace will keep the rest of her steady too, and rests her chin on her knees, staring out more firmly into the horizon. when she manages to speak up again, it's quiet still, a little shakier. ) It's fine.

( it's hard to pretend that she's fine when she's so clearly not, but there's still a stubborn part of her that refuses to admit that there's anything actually wrong. it's just her. it's always been this way. people come and take and leave without a second thought. why wouldn't they? it's not as if kimberly has much to offer them that someone else can't do better.

the splits. a friendship. confidence. romance. there was always someone better, just waiting in the wings to take over. she was just the understudy. )

It's not a big deal.

Kimberly.

( Clary's fingers brush her arm, trying to press some reassurance into her even if she has no earthly idea what's wrong. As far as she knows, the party has been a success, people having a good time and enjoying themselves. This is the first time she's seen the other girl as anything but the bright and bubbly person she's used to. )

Tell me what happened.

( Because she's worried. )

( she can't. the answer's so obvious, but she just can't bring herself to answer the question yet. she presses her lips together, hard enough that it starts to sting, teeth worrying into the sensitive skin until they catch and tear. the coppery taste of blood fills her mouth, slowly flushes away the leftover sweetness from the punch she'd drank, until it's coated over her cheeks and across her tongue.

she's silent throughout, eyes squeezing shut as if it'll block out the warmth of clary's hand against her skin, but she doesn't move away. she's practically paralyzed, rooted to the sand, unable to do anything but shiver and sink into herself, until the silence feels too heavy with the weight of clary's worried gaze as she presses in against her.

that nasty voice in the back of kimberly's head whispers again — will she care, when she knows? when she knows how much of a fraud you are, when she realizes all she wanted in you she can get elsewhere? will you be friends then? will you be anything? it's enough to push through the floodgates, to let out that first repressed cry, tears spilling down her cheeks as she buries her face in her hands and gives in to the waves of sadness that follow.

the words that do come are choked out, garbled and occasionally unintelligible in between gasps for breath and snuffling sobs. ) Baby, ( as if that's an answer. it's just the start. )

Baby, and Izzy, and... ( a hiccuped cry, face pressed more firmly into her hands for a moment. ) And Jace, fucking Jace, and you, and I...

( it rolls off into anguish, the vowel extended into a frustrated cry muffled against her palms. it's no use. there's no explaining it. )

Oh.

( Clary's voice is soft, but there's an understanding there too. She wonders if she should have told Kimberly about it the other day, when Izzy confided in her over dinner. It hadn't been her place to though. Truthfully, she'd thought it was something her friends had already worked out. She definitely assumed ( and wrongly it would seem ) things hadn't been that serious with Baby. It doesn't matter though, not when Kimberly is crying into her hands, not when she should be smiling and happy. )

I'm sorry.

( A place like this can be difficult to navigate. She knows she shouldn't feel guilty, especially not about Jace, but it twinges in her gut regardless. She feels helpless, not quite sure what to say to soothe hurt. Her hand still rests on Kimberly's arm, but now it moves in small circles. )

What can I do? Do you -- do you want me to go?

( She's complicit. )

( clary's question comes as kimberly's tears begin to subside, the worst of the waves gone now that the floodgates had opened. a brush of the back of her hand against her cheeks feels a little futile, but it helps a bit, gives her a moment to clear her throat before she turns her head to peer at the other girl.

does she want her to go? no, but it pains her to wonder if clary wants to. if that's easier. she shakes her head, no, but it takes another minute or so before kimberly can manage to speak again. )

I don't care about Jace. ( which sounds stupid, considering she practically screamed it a moment ago, but it's the truth. ) I just... it keeps happening, like I'm this — this stand-in for a better option.

( it had stung a bit, in all honesty, to have somebody go from being aggressively flirtatious and into her to basically radio silence overnight, but kimberly genuinely hadn't wanted to pursue anything beyond casually hooking up with jace, so there was no real bitterness felt for the slight. it was just a first in what seemed like a line of many similar situations, where she'd found some connection with someone only to have it be tossed aside or abandoned in favor of someone else. )

A better version, I guess. ( a pause, as she swallows again, tries to gather up the courage to say what she really needs to say. ) Ever since Izzy got here, it's like... everybody realized she's the one they actually wanted. Baby did, and you did, and I — I'm not mad, I get it, I just...

( she shrugs, gaze falling back down into her lap. )

I've never really had friends before. Not... not real friends. Like, there were girls on my squad, but we weren't — it wasn't friendship. Not really.

( that doesn't exactly answer the question, either. )

It just makes me wonder if there's something wrong with me.

Kimberly.

( Clary doesn't really know how to soothe her of these worries. It's strange to hear them from such a confident girl. She wants to try though, wants to do whatever she can to help. ) You're not a stand-in. You're not. ( She can't talk about Jace. They've been through too much. She's far too glad he's with her in the here and now to think it could have been any different. It's maybe a little unfair to Kimberly, but she has to focus on the other stuff. )

I know I've been hanging out with Izzy a lot. It's just I haven't seen her in a while, and things back home were really awful. But that doesn't mean you're any less important to me. We're friends, we're always going to be friends. I'm sorry that I haven't been around though. I should have been. I will be more..

( She'd known about Baby. Izzy had told her. All Clary can do is reassure her about the state of their relationship. )

I mean, I live with you. I wouldn't do that if I didn't think you were absolutely amazing. So there's nothing wrong with you, I promise you that.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

EVENT: LIFE'S A BEACH

kimberly hart • open

late;

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject