[open] Downtime mingle: beach party!

[callada]

CHARACTERS: Any & all
LOCATION: Simulation room, beach style
DATE: Late May during downtime
CONTENT: Courtesy of a couple of your fellow orbers, the simulation room has turned into a beach party! For those missing the sea, or looking forward to summer, or just needing a break to relax after the last mission, all are welcome to join in.
WARNINGS: none



Colorful shells line the hallways of the Ximilia. Follow them, and you'll wind up at the simulation room. Once you step in the door, you'll find yourself surrounded by sand and sun and turquoise waters - or an evening of cool breezes and a purple-orange sunset sky. The water is warm and inviting. Come on in, relax, have fun, find a spot to sit and meditate. Whatever floats your boat!

I. Games and refreshments

Oceanside classics dot the sand. A beach volleyball net and ball are surrounded by lounge chairs with little tables and umbrellas for those who want to either play or spectate - though if you want to drag your chair elsewhere that looks easy enough to do too. Farther along there’s a pile of floaties and other inflatables, including a couple of enormous beach balls, and a bunch of pool noodles for either swimming with or battling it out in an epic swordfight among the waves.



At the center of the beach area are several tables laden with snacks and drinks. Chips and salsa (and nachos), sushi and poke, banana splits and shave ice, beer, rum, and fancy cocktails, and many other offerings are easy to find. And if you prefer your beach food cookout style, several grills are set up and ready to go, and a selection of meats and seafood, vegetables, burger and hot dog buns and all the trimmings are set out for any who wants to treat themselves or their friends to something fresh from the barbecue.

2. Boat dock


Feeling adventurous? At the dock are several small sailboats for those who want to try their hand at commanding one around the little tropical islands offshore. Make it all the way out to the islands, and enjoy snorkeling or diving in the reef among tropical fish - all the gear is waiting for you once you get there.

If even smaller is your style, try a jetski or sea kayak - or hop on one of the little motor boats and tow a banana boat behind for your friends.

(And if you combine those pool noodles with a jetski? Wave jousting, anyone?)



The end of the dock has an ice cream stand and a bunch of balloons, just for good measure - and anchored behind that is a moderately large wooden sailing ship that would probably look right at home in Earth’s 18th century. No cannons, this time, but it’s still a cool place to hang out and watch the waves.


3. Do You Want To Build a Snowman Sandcastle?



‘Sup, dude? Feeling artsy? Hell yeah. Tubular! The world is your oyster. Literally! Well, don’t use an oyster to build your sandcastle. We’ve got you covered, broski. There are shovels and buckets galore! All for you to create your pièce de résistance. Have a buddy or two tag along and help you construct your piece. Or go solo! Much like in the art world, there aren’t any rules to abide by. So if you have any special abilities to give your sandcastle some extra flare, then go for it! Make your own magical kingdom with moats, dragons, a combination taco bell/pizza hut. Get creative!

Word on the block says that there is a small competition happening. Best in show gets a free toothbrush! Ain’t that neat?! Not only have you won, but you are also winning in the oral hygiene department.

4. Sunset Bonfire



What better way to wind down your day out on the (simulated) beach than spending it out by the bonfire? There is a sizeable bonfire not too far from the shoreline, where the tides are lower this time at night. There are some options to roast s’mores by the fires. Maybe a weiner or two if you’re craving something more savory (vegan options are available!). Perhaps you are more musically inclined. In that case, there are a couple of ukuleles and drums lying around to pick up and play a little ditty for the crowd. Come gather around with those closest to you.

Alternatively, there are also fireworks and sparklers to make your night that much flashier.

This doesn’t have to be about having fun in the sun or pretending to be happy. Cleanse yourself. You all have made it this far into your journey with your crewmates. Find yourself in good company. Or maybe you need to find yourself in solitude in order to reflect. This is your chance to find yourself in the present and figure out how you all wish to shape your futures.

Comments

Rosinante | OTA

[callada]

[The last mission was jarring in a way the others hadn't been. This time, it was one of their own who had turned on them. Newton had tried to kill them, all of them, and Rosinante is only able to kick himself for not picking up on the severity of his instability sooner.

Retreating to the familiar scenery of the oceanside helps keep him focused while others deal with the fallout. He lived, despite the creature and the bombs. He's alive, he's not even badly injured, and it's time to give his mind a break before they have to get sent back out again. Might as well bring that break to others who need it too, right?]

1.a. Volleyball [Now back to a more-correct height of around nine feet, Rosinante towers over the volleyball net with a ball in his hand. He's settled for a t-shirt and swimming trunks, a pair of sunglasses, and teal lipstick that matches the water - and if you catch his eye he hefts the ball, ready to toss it to whoever has turned up.]

Best of three? Loser buys drinks.

[The drinks are free, and despite his height the odds aren't necessarily in his favor. He'd have to stay on his feet long enough to win, too.]

1.b. Floaties [Or spot him lounging in an enormous pink elephant floatie. Problem is, it's starting to drift away from shore. He flips his sunglasses onto his forehead as he notices, then frowns and tries to sit up, but seems awfully reluctant to kick or paddle his way back.

But seeing someone else approach melts the worry from his face.]

Need a swimming buddy?

2. Cerveza, por favor

[One of the flotation rafts has been repurposed. Rosinante drags it behind him like a sled, loaded with drinks and whole fish, as he makes his way down the dock to the tall wooden ship.

He could probably use a hand, but whether you choose to help him struggling with all of that or not, he later winds up setting up a small bar on the deck of the ship. Tables from the beach hold some of that beer, and he's currently slicing up fish into sashimi.]

Welcome to, um. Cafe Donquixote? I'm not much of a cook, but I can do beer and seafood. You want anything?

[Yeah, that name needs a little work.]

4. Bonfire

[Whatever silliness he may have gotten up to during the day, he eventually winds up back in a stoic, contemplative mode as he sits by the fire with a cigarette in one hand and a marshmallow on a stick in the other. The flames provide something to stare at while his mind does all the work.

In the last month he's lost friends. One in particular bothers him, because unlike those who vanished, she's still here, but lost to him nonetheless.

This is the cost of his actions, he knows that. Is it terrible that he doesn't regret them? That even if Newton hates him, if Daisy finds herself disgusted with him, and that others have had their sense of trust rattled, that he wouldn't change any of it? He's not without feelings and he has his regrets. It hurts to know he can't easily juggle both responsibility to others and his dedication to Law and their shared dream, but if one has to come before the rest then he knows which it will be.

Anyway, his marshmallow is now a molten torch that's dripping flame onto the sand right next to his leg and apparently he hasn't realized this yet.]

4

[dichotomized]

[ Spock reaches over from his own seat of quiet contemplation by the fire to change the angle of the stick as it drips marshmallow juice so that it's a little further from the other man's leg. Sure, it wasn't about to drip on it, but it had been close enough to warrant concern. ]

I apologize if burning yourself was an intended goal, but it seems illogical and unlikely.

1.b

[farr]

[ well, rosinante isn't the only one enjoy his floatie, since rita seems to have claimed one of her own. it's not that she doesn't know how to swim, but she tends to have a history of turning into literal goop, it seems almost too horrible of an idea to go into the ocean without some sense of security.

she's practically clung her arms around the head of her inflated flamingo, already debating turning back when the other floatie seems to slip on by. ]

Oh, no, I'm — [ fine? rita farr is never just fine. she gives a light nervous light, trying to smile, though she's clearly a bit anxious. ] I ... suppose some present company would be lovely.

2

[laviny]

[Yelena doesn’t stumble upon Rosinate until his bar is already set up, so she doesn’t help him. But when she sees what he’s done, she approaches out of curiosity.]

Okay, sure, I will have some beer and seafood.

McCoy | OTA

[homeostatic]

( Curiosity led him here, to white sandy shores and a blue crystalline sea, squinting under the bright sun.

Following his tête-à-tête with the Precursors, McCoy hasn't much felt like partaking of too much excitement. However he does kick his shoes off to go for a long walk up the coastline, letting the salty breeze tug at his hair and his clothes until the sim gently gets him turned back around in the right direction. He has a nibble of what's available (no sense in wasting it), and settles himself in the shade of a palm tree afterward, paging through a datapad full of brain scans and making notes.

If he hears anyone approach, he'll glance back toward them sharply, maybe even flinch like he's expecting an attack, then settles with a grunt. )

Saved you a seat.

( He gestures to the wide sandy beach around him. )

[hatejakku]

[ Finn didn't know what to think when he discovered the sim. Didn't feel like something he wanted to take part in at the time, so he left. Then he came back half an hour later with swim trunks and a tank top. Maybe a little distraction isn't all that bad of an idea.

It's when he's walking the beach that he spots McCoy, and he doesn't like that little flinch. He's not offended or anything. Just concerned, especially after what happened. But he approaches like he didn't notice. ]

Appreciate it.

[ He sits beside him with a sigh, a foot or so away, and- Ah. Brain scans. Finn looks to the water and debates with himself. He doesn't want to be that guy, but... he kind of is that guy. ]

Would you be honest if I asked how you were doing?

[ A lot of people haven't been lately, is all he means. But Finn's not one to pry. Much. ]

[dichotomized]

[ Spock's own steps are less about getting to a place and more about feeling the warm sand on his feet, but after a little while he does spot the familiar form of the doctor and comes to join him in the sand.

He's left his shirt and shoes somewhere nearby as he's been enjoying the feel of the sun on his skin, synthetic as it is, so when he seats himself just a few feet away he's only in a pair of long shorts. ]

It is an odd and concerning day when you are having a harder time recreating than I am.

[catchatting]

[ Zari is just going to sit down right next to him in a bikini and slide closer until she can wrap an arm around his shoulders. ]

Leonard, this is not a work-cation.

[laviny]

[Yelena has been exploring the beach, letting herself unwind a little. She’s wandering past Bones, not necessarily intending to bother him, but just walking in his general vicinity when she sees him startle and then raises her eyebrows at his words.]

Wow. You saved me the whole beach? How nice.

[She's wearing a turquoise two piece suit and sipping a fancy cocktail. It has a a little umbrella and everything. Very beachy.]

[garbagepilot]

[She notes that flinch, but graciously she says nothing about it as she changes her direction and heads towards him. Right now she's holding her shoes in her hand so she can walk through the sand and feel it between her toes, but her entire purpose out here had been to try her hand at seeing just how deep into the water she could get before she had to admit to herself that trying to swim while being unable to actually swim was a bad idea.

But now he's calling her over and flinching and as Rey settles down in the sand nearby she has to wonder how close people have to actually be before expressing concern is normal.

If he were Finn it would be immediate, but... well. She's not even sure he wants her to pry.]

I've heard the whole point of a place like this is to relax.

[She looks pointedly at the datapad in his hands, then. That is clearly work, sir.]

[choicely]

[ Yennefer doesn't make her presence known in the simulation room until later in the day, when the sun has already begun to set beyond the illusion horizon and the sky has adopted a series of colors that look like they were applied by a paintbrush, a myriad of different streaks.

She's dressed in something more appropriate for the setting, at least, a black bathing suit with a sheer wrap donned over top, eschewing slippers since she'd only end up getting sand in them and have to take them off in the long run. Her obsidian pendant remains perched at the hollow of her throat, but she's also kept her hair unbound, wisps curling around her face with the occasional idle breeze that even smells of briny salt.

The sound of footsteps in the sand draws her attention away from the bonfire she's dropped into a seat in front of, and she glances up to find Dr. McCoy, bottle in hand. Her expression doesn't change much — at least in no clear discernible way — but the subtle curve at the edges of her mouth signals his presence isn't unwelcome. ] Looking for a spot?

Spock | Star Trek AOS

[dichotomized]

Sun
[ Beaches are quite a bit different from arid deserts, but it still reminds him of Vulcan in some ways. The warm sand is a comfort and though a party isn't something that tends to pull Spock out of his usual quiet places where he might go to read, meditate or research, he cannot deny that the heat is very welcome right now, so he's dressed himself in the beach appropriate attire of shorts and a T-shirt, though as soon as he's in the simulation, he takes the T-shirt off.

He's found himself a lounge chair that is a little out of the way of the main action and though he has a few books next to him, he takes a moment to just lie there on his back with his eyes closed in the sun. If he lets his mind wander, this could just as easily be a beach near the Academy. The cool breeze and the sound of the waves doesn't quite match his memories of Vulcan's deserts, but it reminds him of a familiarity in his life nonetheless. ]

Set
[ Spock is less interested in the snacks than he is the general atmosphere of the bonfire. There is something relaxing and meditative about a flame and as the night air gets cool, Spock finds himself moving closer to it.

The chocolate from the s'mores is likely to intoxicate him, but he's still on the fence about if he wants that right now, so he is content to listen to the crackling flame and the gentle music that filters around them from time to time.

This is perhaps the most content he has allowed himself to feel since he arrived here and the barest hint of a smile might just be sneaking onto his face as he finally reaches for a stick and marshmallow. ]

Wildcard
[ You want to get him on a jetski or something? hmu. ]

gently double-taps you... set!

[fuchsiative]

[ now clarice doesn't know spock from adam, but somehow the passing thought that he looks pretty out of place here seems not wholly inaccurate to her. clarice herself had taken some time to enjoy the simulation, even though she was still in her torn jeans and grubby graphic tee. at least she'd taken her shoes off, but that was mostly because taking the sand out of them later would have been a giant pain in the ass. from the small smear of melted chocolate at the corner of her lip, it's obvious she'd already indulged in a s'more or four.

she catches that flicker of a smile on his lips just as she invites herself to a seat on a mossy log just beside him. ]

Is that what it takes to get you to smile? Murder mysteries and marshmallows?

Sun

[garbagepilot]

[Spock isn't the only one getting a little thrown off by the sudden appearance of a setting that's familiar and yet not, but this is something she hasn't ever seen before. The blue of the ocean and gentle sound of the waves is so different from the nearly oppressive grey of Ahch-To, the violent, freezing waters of Kef Bir.

No, this place is so peaceful it's almost comical, but what strikes her as most amusing is the sight of a recently made acquaintance stretched out in the sun looking very much like he's decided to take a nap. She's dressed in her usual light robes now, the arm wraps discarded because of the heat, and as she sits down beside him she can't help the smile stealing across her lips.]

You'll burn out here like this.

☀️

[farr]

Excuuuse me!

[ with his eyes closed, rita speaks up to try to get his attention, and if he opens them, he'll find her hovering over his chair, giving a little wave and working up a polite smile, all teeth, even a little nervous. she's in a one-piece bathing suit, albeit completely dry, as if she's not sure about actually taking a dip in the water — at least not yet — an oversized sun hat blocking her face from the light. ]

I'm so sorry to bother you. I'm sure you were having the most wonderful little doze, but —

[ she turns, giving a squint to the water before looking back to him. ]

I noticed the waves have begun to ... pick up a bit, getting closer to the shore, and with all of these books of yours — well, I figured you wouldn't want them to get soaking wet.

Set

[laviny]

[After spending the afternoon swimming and splashing around in the water Yelena has changed out of her swimsuit to something dry, but still beachy. As she returns to the beach she sees Spock by the fire with a marshmallow on a stick and immediately trots over.]

Oh, roasted marshmallows! Excellent. Very good.

[She grabs her own stick and marshmallow and takes a seat next to him.]

sun

[winscenario]

[ Surprising no one, Jim has taken to this beach party like fish to water. You know how long it's been since he's gotten to enjoy himself at a beach? Really fucking long, it's what. So yes, he's gotten completely in the spirit of things, having shed his shirt the second he got here, and currently strolling the beach in the tiniest excuse for a swimsuit there is. He looks great too, so why feel bad about it, really?

What is surprising, though, is finding Spock lounging on one of the sun beds. Granted, there is a pile of books beside him, but he sure doesn't look to interested in them. He strolls over immediately, smile wide on his face and a colorful cocktail with a little umbrella on him in hand. ]

Spock.

[ And his eyes absolutely look him up and down shamelessly, smile growing wider if possible. ]

I'm surprised to find you here. Indulging in the Human experience?

billy butcher — the boys

[cheapbastard]

01. GAMES AND REFRESHMENTS

( kind of a fucking shame that this wasn't the real thing but it was close enough that billy could deal.

he grabs a beer and finds a lounger where he can flop himself down and stretch out. he's still wearing jeans, a shirt and his coat but he's relaxing. see him relaxing? he's doing well.

he's just saving himself from skin cancer, okay? he's got a beer and his boots on he's having a good fucking time. maybe he'll get in the water later or maybe he'll go throw a volleyball at someone and call them a fuckin' pansy for getting all fussy.

the day was young. )

02. SUNSET BONFIRE

( billy isn't drunk but he's definitely feeling relaxed. he's a little ways away from the actual bonfire, flat on his back in the sand while he stares up at the sky.

it's not real, he knows, but it's still a good view. he can count the stars and make a wish and know that it won't be granted but he still does it. what a fuckin' sap he is.

there's a half drunk bottle of beer at his hip that he reaches for and starts to tip forward before realizing he's gonna dump it all over himself if he does that. so, he puts it back down and sighs. )

Fuck me.

( yep, that's right. )

03. WILDCARD

( for anything that's not included, feel free to toss it here. )

2

[catchatting]

Ohh I would, but I didn't bring my strap-on.

[ Zari is just going to gracefully lounge her ass down next to him in a bikini. She's got her own non-alcoholic beverage that she places down next to his, too. ]

Also this would be a little too public for me.

01 c:

[farr]

[ though she's preparing to find a comfortable spot to relax in a seat or on a towel, dressed in her classic one-piece bathing suit, very retro in its style, large dark sunglasses, and an oversized hat atop her head, she can't resist halting completely there on the sand as she sees him there, familiar from the train, but almost looking entirely different with the change in setting.

pinching the edge of her sunglasses, she lowers them down to her nose, to get a better look at him, brow raised with quite the judgmental stare. ]

Did you ... get lost on your way to the soup kitchen? Why are you on a beach dressed like a homeless man?

I

[homeostatic]

A coat and boots, Butcher? What's the occasion?

( Y hello there, bro, McCoy's come to pester him, but! He's also brought another beer for Billy, as a peace offering for the jeers. Mostly-peace-offering.

There will probably be more jeers.

Fresh from the surf, as if to contrast his facetwin's utter contempt for the sun, McCoy stands in nothing but a pair of Jim's obnoxiously small swim shorts, drip-drying under a beach towel slung haphazardly over his naked shoulders. He offers out the beer. )

Looked like you were running on empty.

james t. kirk ➢ ota

[winscenario]

I ➢ BEACH EPISODE

[ Jim can't remember the last time he's been on a beach. Even the few times they had shore leave somewhere with beaches, whether it was Earth, Risa or another pleasure planet, he usually spent most of his time working, and only allowed himself enough time off for some meals shared with friends and longer-than-usual nights of sleep.

He didn't really think about how much he missed this until his feet touch the sand, toes and heels digging into it, the warmth of the sun hitting his skin. Even if it's just a simulation, it feels real enough, and he decides to make the most of it, despite the messy aftermath of their mission. Maybe especially because of it; they all need a decent break after all that's happened.

He can be found at various spots during the day, donning what's possibly the tiniest excuse for a swimsuit and looking absolutely comfortable. He wanders around the food and drinks occasionally, and he spends a good amount of his time swimming in the water or just drifting there, cooling off a little.

Of course that it's just as easy to find him stretched out in the sun, soaking up the sun rays on his towel, his skin looking decently tanned. Show up when he's putting on sunscreen and he might just take advantage with a little smile. ]

Help me out here? I can't reach the back.

[ He plays a couple games too, but for the most part he prefers to watch, shrugging on a thin white shirt and stretching out on one of the sunbeds with a colorful drink in hand (umbrella and all), following whatever match is going on with some interest. Feel free to join him, offer some running commentary, or— throw a ball his way by accident (or not). ]

II ➢ THE SUN SETS

[ Sunset comes with heavier thoughts creeping in. Doesn't help that Jim feels a little more worn out at the end of the day either, and he ends up finding a quiet spot to sit near the bonfire, a drink in hand as he watches the flames.

At least Newt's safe right now, with people looking after him. That's what he tells himself, but he can't help feel a little guilty that he's out here having fun, while having no clue how to help his friend get back to being himself.

He doesn't want to delve too deep into that dark path, though, and as soon as he spots a familiar face, he looks up with a smile, scooting in a silent invitation for them to join him. ]

Hey. I hear there's s'mores around here, wanna make some?

the sun sets

[garbagepilot]

[She's a less than familiar face, but as she's passing by and he calls out to her Rey can't help that she pauses just for a second. This is something she should be used to by now after a year with the Resistance but it's still something of a novel concept that a stranger would call out to her at all, want to call her over, engage her without it being something Rey immediately labeled a threat.

But he's said something she has certainly never heard before and so she stops, considering, looking around nearby like she can use context clues to figure it out.]

That depends on what a s'more is.

Trafalgar Law | OTA

[kikoku]

[1- Adult Supervision.]
[Law is not going into the water, it seems. In fact, he doesn't really seem dressed for the beach, wearing his usual weird furry hat. Though he has apparently been convinced to put on swim trunks instead of his usual jeans (they are orange) along with a short-sleeved button-down that is only half-buttoned. He's dragged one of the lounge chairs down to the edge of the water, where he is sullenly perched, half just sullenly drinking beer and half keeping an eye on Rosinante out in the surf where he's floating around with other people.]

[2- Boat Time]
[I mean obviously the pirate has to go explore on the boat? It would literally be wrong of him not to. He needs time on a deck for enrichment. He's mostly just quietly poking around, maybe taking a little nap in the shade of the sails, but at some point he just remarks to anyone on earshot;]

If we pulled up anchor I wonder how far we could get before we hit the limit of the simulation.
[Law just like; what if I stole this boat.]

[3- Pirate Magic for Fun and Profit]
[A bit later in the day, before the sun has really started to set, Law is skulking off to a less occupied corner of the beach. You'd think a guy like him might be up to something shady, but if you go to investigate, all you'll find is him building a sandcastle? He's being pretty meticulous about it, and he seems pretty engrossed in the activity. That said, the second he notices someone else has spotted him, he's Shamblesing the structure out of view. Where the fuck did it go? Who can say. It's just gone now.]

What are you looking at?
[He's very defensive. He can't let people know he has the ability to enjoy things.]

[Wildcard]
[If you have another idea feel free to hit me up!]

1

[laviny]

[Yelena sees him sulking in a lounge chair and tosses a beach ball at his head.]

Why do you look like you hate the beach? I thought you were a pirate. Shouldn’t you at least…I don’t know…appreciate the beach?

Yelena Belova | MCU | open

[laviny]

SOAK UP THE SUN

[Yelena hasn’t had a whole lot of beach days in her life. Or…any beach days, actually, if she’s honest. It’s not an opportunity that’s presented itself to her much. So she is more than happy to take advantage of this.She is dressed for the occasion in a cute, brightly colored two piece and a pair of awesome shades.

The first thing she does is actually head to the grill. She grabs a beach phone cocktail and starts working on making a few spicy surf and turf kabobs. She is by no means an expert on grilling, but she’s not going to let that stop her. She covers them in a spice rub and gets to grilling. And please note, the spice rub in question is not fucking around. These kabobs are packing some heat.

Once she’s fed she goes to lay out on the beach for awhile, waiting for her food to digest before heading into the water. She has a bottle of sunscreen and squirts some into her hand…but then she pauses and knits her brow as if something just occurred to her. If someone is nearby she might ask:]

The sun is simulated, right? So can it actually hurt us?

[Eventually she makes it into the water. She does a little wading, a little swimming, and gives snorkeling a shot, too. At some point she gets her hands on a pool noodle and tries to make sense of it. Maybe if she had a normal childhood she wouldn’t find it so puzzling. But she has to ask:]

Are we supposed to hit each other with these?


ROCKAWAY BEACH (featuring Natasha. Replies to this will get responses from both Widows)

[Of course, Yelena feels the need to get Natasha to join her. They never got to go on a beach vacation as kids, so why not do it now? Once they’re both there, Yelena makes her way to a volleyball net. She doesn’t know a lot about the game, but it looks fun and she’s a quick study.

After a practice round or two, she challenges Natasha in earnest, and if it gets a little competitive…well, they have a good two decades of sibling rivalry to catch up on. It’s fine.

Feel free to watch or heckle, or maybe get smacked by a ball gone astray. Or, maybe if they spot you between matches Yelena calls out:]

Want to play?

[If you’ve ever wanted to play volleyball against two Russian assassins, now is your chance.]


SUNDOWN

[As evening approaches Yelena changes out of her wet swimsuit and into a different beachy outfit. She takes a seat by the bonfire, content to relax and enjoy the sunset. She roasts a few marshmallows and makes a couple of s’mores.

As it gets darker and twilight settles in she grabs a couple of sparklers, swishing them around in the air, remembering, vaguely, her summers in Ohio and playing with these as a little girl. You might catch her humming the chorus if “American Pie” as the light of the sparkler she’s holding burns out.]

[deaddrop]

[If someone gets hit by a stray ball, what are the chances that it's really an accident? Suppose that depends who it hits.

Natasha has been bullied into joining the fun, even if the beach isn't usually her scene. She appears in a black mesh one piece, better to disguise some of her more noticeable scars, and walking through the sand with the air of someone who isn't sure she's a fan of the sand between her toes.

If this is all fake, why sand anyway.]

Are you sure you want to do this?

[She pulls her sunglasses down her nose and looks at Yelena over the rims.]

You know, before we get started.