*The morning sunlight filters through the sheer curtains, casting golden light over the messy hotel room. You groan, rubbing your temples—only to freeze when you feel a warm weight on your chest. Layla stirs, groans, then opens one eye and squints up at you.* "... Ugh. Shh... just a little bit more..." *She blinks. Then gasps. The whole room is suddenly completely quiet, Layla's eyes wide as saucers as she stares at you. Even though she makes no attempt to move away from you, she stutters and fails to speak for a while. Until she can just speak one sentence—barely.* "... What the fuck?"

*Lucas walks over, a bit awkwardly, to retrieve a drink . He sits back drinking slowly his eyes seeming to linger on you he looks back towards the ocean* " The rock that vendor just gave you is glass." *He leans back a smirk on his lips* "Sorry to say you got duped "

+ TAP TO SHOW MUSIC CONTROLS The Thousand Sunny is docked beside a vibrant summer island, where music echoes from the beach, lanterns sway in the sea breeze, and the scent of grilled food mixes with saltwater. You step aboard the ship barefoot, the deck warm under your feet, and before you can speak— Luffy: YOOO!! you made it!! come on, there's a watermelon-smashing contest!! Zoro: don't expect me to save you if you drown. but yeah, grab a drink. Nami: finally! you’re late. I’ve already claimed the best beach chair. Usopp: I built a sand fortress with booby traps! don't step near the flag! Sanji: mademoiselle~ I saved you a coconut smoothie. and a kiss, if you want it~ Robin: chuckles I’m just enjoying the chaos. Care to join me in the shade? Franky: SUMMER VIBES ARE AT MAX! got your swimsuit? LET’S GOOO! Brook: yohoho! would you care to join me for a skeleton sunbath? I won’t burn! Chopper: I brought the beach towels! a-and I made sure they’re soft!!

*Kaiya emerges from the beach access path, dragging her surfboard, which has a noticeable new ding near the nose. Her hair is still wet, sand clings to her legs, and her expression is a thundercloud. She's already in a foul mood and is looking for someone to vent to, or, more accurately, to blame* "Hey you're in my way that's my spot" *she says putting her surfboard down and sitting her arms crossed* "What do you want?"

As the eleventh child of the noble house of Aegis, no one ever expected much of you. You were the spare many times over, seemingly destined for a minor diplomatic role or a quiet life married off to some minor dignitary from another nation. Instead, you manifested an unexpected gift: water magic. Aegis was once known for its water sorcerers, but the blood was thought to have been diluted to irrelevance generations ago. Instead, it seems to have resurged in you. At five years old, a tutor caught you playing with a disk of water you had levitated from your cup. At eight, you had discovered your ability to influence water in the environment itself, reforming your family's koi pond into countless strange shapes. When you were ten, the rains came, and you alone stopped your family's lands from flooding. You stood in the tempest and let the water fall into a dome, and then part into perfect twin streams that let into the grand Mathas River below your territory. A rare talent, they called you. Some even whispered that your eldest brother Alon should be disinherited in favor of you and your power. In time, even tutors were not enough to properly coax your power. When you cried, the heavens wept, and when you were angry the sea outside your home swelled against the harsh, jagged rock. It was then your magic became a problem. The praise you had long heard turned to uneasy whispers from the servants, and bitter laughter from your siblings. Even your parents could not withstand the pressure for long. Your parents, Lord Ardalion Aegis and Lady Beverly, sent you to an elite magical school in the nation of Alden's capital. There, you were once again praised and admired, and for the first time in your life you lived by a beach that was lined with sand instead of treacherous stone cliffs. You would sit and watch the waves, feeling the force of their motion synchronize with your power. There, you even found your first love, Brennan. He showered you with sea-flowers and sapphire crystals, with exotic robes and odes to your strength. It was when you were intended to have your first night together that he revealed his true goal. He drew his coral knife and stabbed you. It was only by luck that you had sensed something amiss, and he only struck your shoulder. You laid there bleeding for only a moment before you drew water from the rain barrel below your window and drowned your would-be assassin. It was declared after that it was too dangerous for you at the academy. Your family searched far and wide for a sorcerer powerful enough to help you control your magic, and eventually they found one: the reclusive wizard Cornelius, who lived off the coast of the nation of Dea. Your things were packed before you even had the chance to protest, and you were forced into a veiled carriage. The horses drove at breakneck pace for days. They only stopped when you reached the coast of Dea. Rather unceremoniously, you and your things were dumped into an enchanted boat, and you were forced to leave all you knew behind. As the island came into view, you had to admit it was beautiful. Red coral reefs beneath your boat were teaming with life, full of exotic fish you had never seen before. The beaches were pure white sand, and the water was a vivid, turquoise blue. Palm trees swayed on its shore, alongside other desert finery. The only thing that hinted at life was a tall marble tower, surely belonging to the wizard you were supposed to train with. It was fine work, you had to admit, though you dreaded your arrival. You'd heard Cornelius was hard to work with, and you wouldn't be able to leave Dea until you completed your training. You encountered Cornelius for the first time at the shore of the Isle, sooner than you had expected. He stood on the shore to greet you, wearing long blue and white robes and an odd, pointed hat, a sly smile on his face. His pointed ears, flowing blue hair, and bright green eyes all pointed to his elvish heritage. You scowled at him, and he scowled right back. "Don't give me that, Aegis. I know you're not happy, but I'm not exactly thrilled about having to take you in either, but I owe your family a favor. Let's just get you settled in. The sooner we start, the sooner this training is over and I can get back to my research without interruptions. My important, life saving magical research, I may add, which should hold priority over some out-of-control wavelet," Cornelius said.

*The woman chuckles a sound like dry leaves rustling in a warm wind* "Did I surprise ya!!? " *She tilted her head, her grin widening*. "I merely decided this was a good spot for a bit of sun. And perhaps, interesting company. " *She says falling back into he sand ears perked* "Im Vixen "

}’s holding back, I’m quitting tomorrow.” Song Yaxuan laughs from the mirror, wiping his neck with a towel. “Jiaqi’s just grumpy you kept up today.” Ma Jiaqi shoots them a look, but there’s a flicker of amusement in his eyes. Then he turns back to you. “6 a.m. sharp. You’re with me again.” It sounds like a threat, but when he walks past, his hand brushes yours — and lingers just a second too long.

"Heeey~! I’ve been waiting for you! Did you bring sunscreen? If not, I’ll help you apply some—but only because I care, okay?"

+ TAP TO SHOW MUSIC CONTROLS Kai steps closer, his eyes soft and steady as the golden light wraps around you both. He gently takes your hand in his, thumb brushing your skin in slow, tender circles. “I don’t say this often, but... you make even the quiet moments feel alive.” He leans in slightly, voice low and sincere. “Being here with you—watching the sun melt away the day—it’s the kind of peace I didn’t know I needed.” His gaze holds yours, unwavering. “Let’s forget everything else tonight. Just us. Just this.” He smiles, warm and a little shy. “You’re... the best part of my day.”

} it's finally summer." *She comes over sitting down.* "I know you need a break after college. I was gonna ask if you wanted to come to the pool party with me and your dad.?" *She asks a smile on her face*