Bondi Breezes [OPEN BEACH THREAD]

[Tamano Ame]

[[Okay, thread rules go thus: You can bring anyone in, anyone. No large-scale fighting (Zans, big Kido), if you fistfight that's fine. No post order is necessary, and relax! No counting words or anything. This is supposed to be a fun thread.]]

The sun slowly broke over the horizon, spilling brilliant rays of light across the water and casting a warm glow over the most popular beach in Australia. The early morning trickle of local joggers, dog-walkers, tourists and sunrise sightseers were standard fare for Bondi, and the salt spray welcomed all to a cool respite from the blazing summer heat. The north end of the beach was empty of all but a few scattered beachgoers, early birds after a peek at the beautiful rising sun.

Nestled in that long stretch of beach, a party was in the making. Large umbrellas rose from the ground, oceanside flowers of creamily pale hues. A large barbecue grill occupied the space under one, and tending to the grill was the gracious host, the lieutenant of the Kido Corps. The rest of the lieutenants had each had a hand in the arrangements, but the execution had fallen to Ame; it was her favorite pastime, after all, and she would like to consider herself skilled in preparing entertainment. Her hours of preparation had led her to these finishing touches, and as she secured the grill’s lid and made sure all the parts were in place she gazed seaward. The morning view was just beautiful, and she couldn’t wait to share it.

She had sent out invitations the week before, and she hoped that that would be enough time for her guests in the human world to make arrangements. Her calligraphy was at its best, dared she say, on the invitations she had written.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the victory over Sosuke Aizen, we wish to invite you to a weekend beachside celebration. Refreshments and lodging for the weekend will be provided, as well as games.

Swimsuits and sunscreen recommended. The party will begin at 8:00 AM on Saturday, July 17, just north of Bondi Pavilion on Queen Elizabeth Drive. Look for the pastel umbrellas.

Let us look with joy upon our victory!
~The Gotei 13 Lieutenants

The guests were slated to arrive soon. Ame was simply bristling with excitement; such large events were always fun. She had rented a pavilion for the weekend where each night’s dinner would be catered, and the hotel was booked and ready. She had even bought a bikini for the occasion—she usually shied away from something so revealing, but she wanted to swim over the weekend and heavy clothes would bog her down. She certainly had nothing to feel shame over where her physique was concerned.

She backed away from the grill, admiring the sky-blue and pastel purple of her new swimsuit. The modest two-tone fit to the curves of her figure better than any material she’d worn before. Ame wondered what sorts of outfits her guests would arrive in. She was sure they would pick wonderfully whimsical attire.

[[Ame’s swimsuit (palette swapped)]]

[kalla]

High over the beach light starts to split. Black lines start to form over the beach where this party is being held. Soon the great maw of a Garganta opens and reveals a tall muscular man with two mandibles on his face where his cheek bones are. He yawns while stepping out of the Garganta. It closes behind him. Kalla starts to walk forward. He descends towards the beach as if walking on invisible stairs.

Kalla is a extremely pale man from the years spent within the confides of Hueco Mundo where there is no sunlight. He has hair falling to his shoulders. It's mostly a light brown color with blood red tips. He has a bored look in his red eyes. Kalla is wearing nothing but white trunks with black on the back with a black waistband. He yawns when his pale feet touch the hot sand beneath his feet. 'This is gonna be fun,' he thinks while walking towards the foolish woman that sent the members of Nel's army a invitation to this event.

When he reaches the area he looks at the woman and says with a amused and cruel smile on his face, "So I'm here, where's the soul food?"


((Kalla's trunks))

SPOILER: Click to show

[Deleted]

Will You,

take me out of here, when i'm staring down the barrel,
when i'm blinded by the light, when i cannot see your face

[/div]

As a rule of thumb, Chikao has promised himself that he wouldn't be dragged into anything like this with the Gobantai but at the moment, it was difficult to say no to his Fukutaichou. Accusations swam around in his head as to why, but none were confirmed yet and he was determined that none would be confirmed until he was sure himself. In all the battles he had ever fought in his life, it seemed the fight against his own feelings was the one that would best him. The purple bruise spread across the broad said of his ego.

His eyes still lay in the shadow of his hood and mask however, which was quite a comfort. Unlike everyone else, he had decided not to drastically shed clothing, rather he had omitted his haori, black cloak and the unnecessary hakama that made up small parts of his outfit. All in all, he simply looked like some guy in a jumpsuit with a mask and hood, which was fine by him. He caught sight of Ame some way down the coast and was surprised to see so much... well body. It took him a moment to realize he was blushing, before his eyebrows furrowed and he pressed onward towards her, trying to keep his usual demeanor. Thank the stars no one could see his face under this mask.

He noticed another approaching also, an Arrancar, though he paid him no heed, stepping up to his Fukutaichou and resting his palm on the pommel of his Zanpaktou. His eyes flickered downward towards her chest for a moment, before back up to her face, he silently hoped that she wouldn't see that. He let out a light cough and spoke with a rather dry throat,

"Kitsune-ue. So this is what you had planned. I must say this is unexpected from someone such as you, though I am not impartial to a little relaxation once in a while."

[/ul]

[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify]

[Hirato Murano]

A sigh escaped the crimson haired man's mouth as he walked along the beach clad in a plain white T-shirt, black trunks with a white stripe along the waist, and sandals. Even from this distance, he already detected the presence of an Arrancar. Why any of them had received invitations was completely beyond them; they shouldn't be allowed to participate in celebrating the end of a war that they themselves began. It had claimed the lives of so many Shinigami and humans alike and they were only beginning to recover from all the damage that the war had caused. The Arrancar didn't deserve anything less than conflict and enmity from the Gotei 13, in his opinion. Still, he could forget that for a moment and simply just relax.

His clan elders had advised him to take some time off now and then, although he really didn't see the point in it. There was so much work to do now that he was a Captain that he found himself wishing there were more hours in the day all the time. It was a formal invitation from the lieutenants, though, so he didn't really have the option of declining. Unfortunately. He immediately noticed the Captain and Vice Captain of the Kido Corps, one dressed in appropriate swimwear while the other hadn't altered his clothing that much at all. Hirato glanced over to them and smiled momentarily at their interaction. It seems that the beach party would lead to some interesting developments later on. Reaching the Captain and Vice Captain, he nodded to both of them in greeting and walked over to two lounging chairs. He took off his shirt and applied sunscreen all across his body to prevent his skin being burned by the powerful rays. Putting on a pair of sunglasses that he had purchased just earlier that day, he laid down in the lounging chair, his head cushioned by the shirt folded into a sort of pillow case. He was comfortable and would enjoy himself as much as he did. That was the reason for this party, after all.

[Tamano Ame]

She was a bit disappointed to see that the first arrival was one of the Arrancar, and one she didn’t recognize at that. Ame had been hoping that her captain would make it to the beach long before any of the Arrancar could; her distaste for the vast majority of them would almost certainly mar good relations between Neliel and Soul Society, and she would love to have an excuse to just disregard the man rather than risk saying something she would regret later. She was an excellent host, and she’d be damned if she let her reputation be tarnished, even with the likes of the Arrancar.

She had prepared herself to answer the Arrancar with a smile that was a little less than sincere when her captain swept in, veritably saving the moment. Turning to him with a far more genuine grin, she took in his appearance right as she noticed him taking in hers. There was a tilt of the head, and he seemed to have looked at her chest. She couldn’t be sure, but it was not uncommon for men to look her over in that manner…it was something she would have never expected from her captain, though. Ame wasn’t sure how to feel about Chikao-sama’s (possibly) wandering eyes, so she put the proverbial tack in the matter, leaving it for later contemplation.

He seemed so nervous, even as he spoke to her without a trace of apprehension. Kitsune-ue. He had only recently taken to calling her that, and the surprise was still with her. It was…familiar. It was a sign of trust and respect that she had no idea what she did to deserve.

”Well, it is rather ambitious. I’ve not tried to entertain so many people before—I do hope I’ve pulled everything together well enough. A weekend to relax is exactly what many of us need dearly, I believe. …Chikao-sama; your cough. Are you alright?” Concern tinged her words. She would hate for him to come down with something and fail to enjoy the weekend.

Hirato-san had arrived shortly after Chikao-sama, donning an outfit rather more apropos to a beach getaway than her own captains, she noted with a sly grin. He immediately reclined in one of the available chairs with a nod toward the pair, and Ame waved in both response and greeting before taking a seat of her own and producing a bottle of sunscreen from her bag. With a twinge of awkward apprehension, she realized that she would never be able to cover her back—she was flexible, but not that flexible.

She smoothed the lotion across the skin she could reach, putting off the inevitably awkward question for long enough to muster the fortitude to actually ask it.

”Ahm…Chikao-sama? Cou—would you mind helping me a bit with this?” She fought down a furiously embarrassed flush as she sheepishly presented the bottle to her captain.

[kalla]

Kalla yawns slightly before sitting down in the shade. He knew he shouldn't of come but orders are orders even if he has to swallow his pride and break bread with shinigami. He scratches the back of his head slightly before looking at the hostess. "If your wondering why I'm here, Neliel-sama ordered me to come and to play nice.'

He lays his back against the tree he's sitting under and falls asleep waiting for someone else to swallow their pride and invite him to a game. He waits while slumbering knowing that if one of the shinigami attacks him they would be in big shit with his mistress.

He opens his eyes at the hostess' question towards the taicho. He quietly examines her body from where he is. After getting a eyefull he goes back to sleep.

[Deleted]

Will You,

take me out of here, when i'm staring down the barrel,
when i'm blinded by the light, when i cannot see your face

[/div]

Chikao suddenly felt a twinge of fear as Ame seemed to notice his earlier inclination of the head. Though he couldn't be sure, so such a conclusion should have been shoved from his mind. But for some reason, something he hadn't felt in a very long time was building within him. And that was panic. He couldn't shatter his reputation like this but at the same time... she was just so... His mind slapped itself, snapping him back to his senses.

"Ambitious... yes."

That's all he could think to say, his blush deepening slightly, as he adjusted his mask to try and hide his cheeks. What was wrong with him, this was his lieutenant, he was supposed to help her grow stronger, not... whatever he was currently doing. Her question caught him off guard for a moment. Was he alright? Well he certainly wasn't psychically ill if that's what she meant but... he wasn't alright. No, this idea he had somehow ingrained into the back of his skull was starting to wear on his ability to think straight. Considering that was his greatest strength... this was a bad sign.

"I don't have a cold or anything if that's what your asking. I-I was merely clearing my throat."

It was then that Hirato-san arrived at the beach, donning a the usual type of swimwear that men had. He noticed Ame look at him and suddenly felt something drop like a lead weight in his stomach. Jealousy. Not wanting to lose faith, as Ame returned his greeting, Chikao followed suit with a brisk nod, before turning back to his fukutaichou.

As she sat and retrieved a bottle of sunscreen, Chikao wrestled with the idea that he should move to sit next to her. He had no idea what proper beach etiquette was, but he assumed Ame would want to simply recline in the sun, as Hirato currently was. After a brief moment, he decided it was a bad idea, but moved himself to sit in his own chair, close enough to Ame that he felt comfortable but also far away enough so that she wouldn't feel uncomfortable. The distance, he realized, was only about a few feet, with no other chairs in between. He had chosen one far too close but he couldn't switch now, he couldn't let himself be shown up as such.

Out of the corner of his eye he noticed her putting her sunscreen on. For a moment, he grinned at the sight under his mask, but quickly looked away as she moved into a position where she could see him. He silently prayed that she hadn't seen that, he'd never be able to talk to her again without getting embarrassed and fleeing the scene.

Chikao's eyes widened for a moment in a mixture of fear and... excitement? He couldn't quite pinpoint what these emotions were. But almost without thinking he reached for the bottle, realizing that his gloved hand brushed her's for but a slight moment as he retrieved it. He cleared his throat again with a light cough.

"Yes, of course Kitsune-ue."

He sat down next to her, casting his eyes over her smooth skin for a moment, before shaking his head to clear them, trying to think of an excuse as to why he had done so for when she inevitably asked. Removing his gloves, he placed a small amount of the lotion to his palm, before placing his rather cold hands onto her bare skin, feeling her warmth move through him like wildfire. He couldn't help but notice that his entire body shuddered from the contact, passing his hands over the small of her back and up towards her shoulder blades, attempting to do so as gently as he could but of course, he wasn't very experienced.

"My apologies if this is not very comfortable, I... I'm not exactly good at things like this."

[/ul]

[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify]

[Tamano Ame]

Ame nodded in response to Chikao-sama. She felt an outpouring of relief, but something still seemed wrong. ”Good…” It was all she could think of to say until she could place what the tremor in his voice or the intangible something that clouded his very movements was. It could have been uncertainty, of which Chikao-sama had none (or at least, showed none), or he may have found himself preoccupied with some untold business that was none of her concern. Still, she was concerned; what could be the cause of such a perplexing demeanor?

As he took the bottle from her hand, she couldn’t help but notice the motion of the weather-worn glove when it brushed across her hand. She was feeling more and more like the problem may have been her herself, rather than some untold entity. Ame didn’t know if that was a good thing; she didn’t even know if she was right. Her captain was perplexing where emotions were concerned—she was beginning to suspect that he understood his motives as little as she did. She was almost afraid to question him.

His hands were rough and unexpectedly cool against her back, and she couldn’t quite help but let out a small and comfortable sigh. ”No, it’s really quite the opposite…” She relaxed against his hands, only just becoming conscious of the fact that she was tense at all.

”Chikao-sama,” she glanced back in a sly attempt to catch his eyes and see even a faint hint of what he may have been thinking, but they eluded her still, forever in shadow, ”You seem troubled. Is…there anything I can do to help?” She had been tempted to say something more along the lines of, “Is it me that is causing you such unrest?” That was what she really wanted the answer to and yet it seemed too brazen an assertion, that she, a fukutaicho, could cause him, the Kidoshu Soshi, such emotional unrest.

[Deleted]

The interception of the pale purple epistle was a simple enough task, and as she disembarked from the high-class jet she had booked for her “business trip”, she turned it in silken hands with a sly smile. The promised gathering of so many of their enemies was like charging into a minefield with no mount nor armor, and yet it gave her exhilaration like none she had felt in her life. Of course, she hadn't had much intention of doing business.

There was very little that Beatrice was not allowed to do by her father at this point in time, she was on the cusp of adulthood and he had seen to it that she matured into a sophisticated and proper lady as befit their family's reputation. Even so, she had long been forbidden from meddling with the affairs of the Assassins (much to her chagrin). For this reason, she had decided to intercept a letter, commandeer a jet, and fly to Bondi for nothing less than a relaxing and "business-free" weekend away from home.

Should she inadvertently find herself taking mental notes on the state of the Shinigami and Quincy who were present, well, all the better. She certainly wouldn't refuse information they released freely.

Her only issue was finding a suitable guise, and a tasteful bathing suit. What might a shinigami believe; That she was a clasmate of one of their allies? The friend of some family? A passerby who wanted in on the party?

Yes, that would do just fine. Claiming to have connections to any Shinigami or their ally would lead to very messy complications should said person be present, and Beatrice couldn't very well check a guest list to find out who would be. A nearby surf shop provided a swimsuit she liked quite a bit, even if it was more revealing than she would have liked. The ivory one-piece covered quite a bit, but left her stomach exposed. She also purchased a straw sun hat for when the sun truly broke the horizon and beat down upon the soiree. She stored it in the beach bag she had brought for the weekend.

She discarded the invitation (which saddened her, it wasn't often that invitations were handwritten and it looked lovely) and meandered across the boardwalk, quickly spotting the pastel umbrellas. There was already a small crowd forming, and she realized she couldn't very well tell which were shinigami and which were human when all of their clothes were the same. Where appearances were concerned, the two really weren't so different...

She knew there was at least one, who had foolishly left his shinigami garb partially intact. The raven-haired woman he was massaging was most likely one as well, and that gave rise to a wild question: did shinigami date like humans did? If so, they could have very well been on a date.

The man sleeping in the shade seemed to be...an arrancar? Why would someone like him be here?! Were these shinigami that foolish? It bothered her immensely...but she needn't dwell on it. The sunbathing man with hair a shining crimson, though...she couldn't be sure what he was. Shinigami or human, and whether to speak to him--a gamble if there ever was, but her curiosity and love of celebration won out. She approached with a small curtsy even in absence of her skirts.

"A party, I see! Sir, would you mind terribly if I joined you all in your revelry?"


(([X]))

[Hirato Murano]

The interesting interaction between the Captain of the Kido Corps and his lieutenant prevented Hirato from closing his eyes, preferring to watch exactly what occurred. He hoped that the masked man would not make the same mistake as Ise-san had, involving himself romantically with a subordinate, which was inappropriate and left one extremely vulnerable while also jeopardizing the ability to make decisions rationally. Judging by their behavior visible out of the corner of his eye, the Captain was forgetting that and continuing down the path rather awkwardly, forcing a smile out of the muscular man who lay in the shade. His lieutenant did not perceive the situation for what it was: it was such a disappointment that the newer Shinigami were much less perceptive in these matters. It would have made everything much more enjoyable to observe, especially the indomitable Captain of the Kido Corps reacting to that realization.

He settled back in his position under the shade for a moment, beginning to relax before yet another person arrived. Wondering why they hadn't placed Kido barriers around the entire beach, the young noble removed his sunglasses to see a young girl, obviously human. At least it was somewhat better than another Arrancar, thought the man while the girl reached his location with a small curtsy. Deciding that refusing her would be impolite, the crimson haired man responded appropriately. "I suppose not," the words flowing from his mouth in his deep voice with a tone of polite acceptance. Whatever her affiliation, the cerulean eyed man simply hoped that she wouldn't cause any trouble here, since he would likely have to handle it while the Captain and Lieutenant played their little game. His sunglasses resumed their original position on his cerulean eyes and he leaned back, putting his muscular arms behind his red maned head.

[Deleted]

Will You,

take me out of here, when i'm staring down the barrel,
when i'm blinded by the light, when i cannot see your face

[/div]

There was a sudden urge in his mind to tell her exactly what he was feeling at that moment. Of course he didn't quite know what he would say or what he was actually feeling yet, nor did he think that clarity would ever come. He might as well face it now though... he was falling in love with his Fukutaichou. The shame drew like the blade of a knife in his chest, tearing open his ego like a balloon, deflating rapidly. The butterflies in his stomach escalated in size and speed, churning his insides and making him feel increasingly ill. He had never felt this way around anyone before and only until right at that moment, when he had admitted to himself that he loved her, his cold indifference had barricaded emotion from his intelligence. Now it mixed together in a mess of swirling colors and emotions, so intense that he felt like he was going to cry. Of course, he wouldn't, he was far too composed. But the feeling had built up in his chest and that was enough to make him falter for a moment.

At the sound of her comfortable sigh, he couldn't help but smile widely, the first time he had ever done so with so much meaning. Of course, she couldn't see it, but he hoped she knew it was there, so he wouldn't have to say it. He suddenly became more aware and conscious of his actions, caressing her skin with the lotion with a much more precise and measured hand, using what he knew of relaxing techniques to press points on the back of her neck in order to lower her tense demeanor. He wanted to console her, tell her that he just wanted to make her happy, but the words caught in his mouth and he stayed silent. She turned her head, Chikao meeting her gaze for but a moment before he turned his head away, afraid the shame might take him.

In that single instant, he felt a tinge of knowing and understanding in her glass amber eyes, reflecting the shimmer of the ocean's waves, dancing flames shifting in her vision. In that moment, she looked beautiful to him, like a personification of everything perfect and imperfect in the world, converging into one person, creating the most amazing individual he had ever witnessed. A hint of elation raced through him, fading just as fast as it appeared, catching him off guard. His entire body shuddered for a moment as he saw her, the raven-like feathers of her hair concealing a beauty forged in the fires of war and sadness. She was perfect to him.

Perfect.

At that moment, his first instinct was to hold her to him and live in the moment for an eternity together, be one for the rest of their long, long lives together. He let out a small sigh and smiled, replying in a soft tone, one of a deep pain, a deep longing for something...

"Troubled?... I suppose troubled is a word for it... in any case, I should not ruin your vacation here with my worries, please, simply relax and allow me to perform the task you asked me to."

[/ul]

[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify]

[Fujihara Kasumi]

A lone figure peeked surreptitiously from behind an immense, leaning palm tree, observing the odd gathering with nervous excitement. She had already slipped free of her khaki explorer shorts and loose white blouse to reveal her electric blue bandeau bikini, one Fumiko had helped her pick out last week and it gave her confidence a slight but needed boost. It was intimidating being surrounded by such powerful potential foes and allies most of whom were complete strangers, but how often did one receive an invitation to a proper Aussie beach party?

Shelving her anxieties, she drew herself up proudly and began to strut towards the growing crowd with her meagre offering, a big, ripe watermelon ready to be burst open in traditional Japanese beach party style. The dark aviator glasses she wore shielded her eyes from the blazing solar glare and allowed her to assess which group to first approach. There was the shady looking pale man lounging solitary in the cool shadows, but he emitted such a strange, dubious vibe that she daren’t approach him alone. The hooded man and his authoritative female companion were her next targets, but as she strode closer it was evident that they were currently engaged in an intimate moment, so she veered off at right angles and waded into the ocean to stare at the horizon until her blush had disappeared. Feeling somewhat foolish she glanced over her shoulder to observe her last hopes; a reclining, crimson haired male and a pretty woman in a strikingly elegant swimsuit. They seemed to be at the beginning of a conversation so perhaps she was not too late to interrupt.

Huffing, she hauled the watermelon in her arms and quickly danced over to the pair on her tiptoes. “Uh, hi, I don’t suppose either of you are Tamano-san?” Her wide grin saved her from looking overtly stupid and was aimed mostly towards the lady with the sophisticated outfit and elegant poise. The other radiated arrogant disdain and seemed quite unapproachable. “I’m Kasumi! And you are… very familiar. Have we met?” Tilting her head she tried to place the woman but couldn’t quite recall a situation where they would have had such an opportunity. “Anyway, wanna help me find a stick and burst this sucker open? We’ll need a blindfold too…”


{♣}

[Tamano Ame]

There was a change in him as they sat together, in his touch and even his voice. Even though he remained hidden behind his cloak, she could feel his eyes peering out of that darkness with an almost childlike mix of innocence and joy. He was smiling, she was sure of it. Something had clicked in his mind, and it suddenly clicked in hers: her indomitable captain was perfectly capable of emotion, try as he might to hide it behind a veneer of cold and unfaltering logic.

The same veneer, she reminded herself, that she had used so many times before in her own mind. There was more common ground between the two of them than she could have ever imagined in that one revelation alone. Knowing that gave her some relief, and yet it put them dangerously close to one another. She cared for Chikao-sama, more than she had cared about any of her superiors before him—maybe even too much.

A guilty frown threatened to darken her features and she turned, searching the sand in front of her for some kind of answer, reassurance, anything. Getting wrapped up in some silly emotional mess was the last thing she had ever wanted…

”Troubled?... I suppose troubled is a word for it... in any case, I should not ruin your vacation here with my worries, please, simply relax and allow me to perform the task you asked me to."

”And your worries should not ruin your vacation, either.” She flashed a kind smile to her captain and then turned back around, the first real tinges of fear gripping at the corners of her mind with icy tenacity. This wasn’t right. She couldn’t invest her emotions. It was too much of a risk. What if she was wrong? If he didn’t feel the same way she did, and merely considered her a sister, or a daughter? What if she really didn’t love him at all?
Vicarious flashes of pain clutched her heart. What if…?

I can’t…time…I need more time!

“Ah…I—I’ll be back! There are more guests arriving!” She felt horrible as she stood, darting across the beach to the newest pair of guests. Her heart felt as though it had jumped into her throat, and she was certain that her face was flushed. Hopefully, her sprint would make a good enough excuse. The two women were just in time. ”Welcome!” She smiled kindly at them, admiring their outfits. ”Thank you for coming. I’m Tamano Ame…ah, a watermelon! How kind of you!”

She hoped she wasn’t coming off as too distracted, but she definitely felt that way. Chikao-sama…she glanced back to the chairs where she had left him; she could feel her heart shatter almost physically as he sat, motionless. She couldn’t deny her feelings for him now, the sheer guilt she felt was confirmation enough for her. Still, she had made this bed. She might as well lie in it.

”Now, let’s find a stick…”

[itsygo]

“G’day miss!” the tall cashier rhapsodized, a bounce in his body, as he regarded the bouncy green-haired woman before him. Neliel smiled politely back at the Aussie, playfully ignorant of the lime bikini hugging her body before paying the cashier from a wad of money nestled in the beige bag that hung off her bare shoulder. She left a considerable tip in the glass jar on the counter before hauling her purchases away in both hands. Outside, morning began melting over the human world in gold and purple, and she couldn’t help but whiff in the fresh scent of the nearby beach. Eagerly, she ducked behind a palm tree before pulling out a bottle of sunscreen. The coconut lotion smeared over her and she wriggled like a green garden snake getting all sorts of jiggly; she had heard rumors of a certain child lieutenant with pink hair and a koi addiction, and she certainly couldn’t let a child see that! She was immodest enough as it was. But then again…she couldn’t help but wonder what the others wore. She wondered what they were like in general. Finishing up with the sunscreen, she checked her invitation once more with trembling, manicured fingers; whoever wrote it had wonderful handwriting! Satisfied, Neliel gently tucked the invitation back into her bag before ambling towards the beach.

She recognized her Arrrancar ally immediately. The sight of him reeled her back to her confident, jubilant self, and she quietly raced over to him. “Kalla-sama, wake up! It’s time to have some fun!” the woman exclaimed as she lunged towards the lean, sleeping figure in an epic hug. She collided with him, laughing, and rolled right off like a stuntwoman, all smiles and suave. She was extremely grateful he agreed to attend the event first; he was a brave man for stepping into human territory, surrounded by Shinigami, and she respected him for it. The timing was also strategic. She ruminated it as she stared into the beautiful reflection of the morning sky. If they had both showed up at the same time, soldier and general, it may have been perceived as a threat. Perhaps Neliel was paranoid in this endeavor, but she couldn’t help but practice this prudence. Nuzzled beneath the creamy sand that sunk her toes was an opportunity to craft proper Arrancar-Shinigami relations. As well as…well, a fun time to be had!

“Hirato-kun!” Neliel ecstatically called as she spotted the red-maned lion lounging with quite the woman. She smiled outwardly but a frown crept up on her in the inside; he was already ravishing, and the way he looked with any woman by his side…she laughed the jealously off and strolled on.

Up ahead, she spotted two beautiful women, one with a watermelon and one with a voluptuous figure like…like the curly handwriting! Neliel was grateful of her inner detective skills as she happily approached both. “Hi, I’m Neliel Tu Odelschwanck! This is a wonderful event you’ve all set up.” She placed the purchases from earlier down, two coolers of cream sodas before she turned to envelop both women in enthusiastic hugs. She thought to suppress all her questions because she didn’t want to seem overbearing…but with those bear hugs, maybe she was overwhelming already. She smiled back up at them instead, dying to know if both were captains, lieutenants, humans, Quincy, or anything else this fun world set in place. With Hirato-kun here, that was one captain, and she idly thought that the taciturn man in the distance may have been a captain too. Captains were just silent and cool like that, it seemed. So far it seemed like only her and Kalla had shown up from the Arrancar reserves and she hoped that more would come. This was a celebration for the defeat of Aizen-that was something they could all cheer on!

)(

[Fumiko Kurosaki]

She had overslept once again. Like normal she struggled to wake up from having to work half the evening away at her nursing position. Her side had healed to the point where she no longer needed bandages so she wanted to head out to the beach with Kasumi. Though when she awoke in their bed alone she shook her fist and screamed out. "Darn it Kasumi. You where to drag me along..."

Taking a quick shower she slapped on her mother's hairpins to tie her hair back and tossed on her swim suit and light colored beach clothing. Taking her bike that Kasumi had insisted she purchase she arrived at the beach. Looking around she saw many a person already there. Off at the far side she saw the figure of Kasumi. A smile cracked on her face, but she put it away as she felt a familiar reiatsu of an arrancar nearby.

Searching around she saw the long green hair and skull and knew instantly who it was. Her smile grew even bigger and she mumbled something to herself. "Well I be damned. Will have to speak with Nel when I can... First time we have seen one another in decades I think..."

Walking out onto the beach she found an unoccupied beach chair tossing a towel, her sandals, her bag onto the chair she smiled. She then removed her outer clothing placing them onto the chair as well. Feeling the sun upon her body she smiled and she walked over to Kasumi. Sneaking up behind her she put her arms around her as she snuck up behind her.

"Hello there all. I see my shy Kasumi has introduced herself. I will do the same. Name is Fumiko. Pleasure to meet you all."

Pic of her swimsuit.