Summer, August 8th to the 12th - The Beach Episode... in the desert!

[zenoh]

Who: Ayame Sasaki and friends.
What: Catch-all post for the month of August, closed threads within.
When: Aug 8 - Aug 12th.
Where: Fayren, Dubai subarchway.
Ratings: None, but would adjust if necessary.

[ It all started with an idea - with Sonico and Ayame discussing ideas for the potential construction of an aquarium in Attleton as a way to draw more people to the small town. Remembering that she has access to a glimpse of her homeworld thanks to her colleague who opened it before her arrival, Ayame was willing enough to show it to Sonico so they can gather more ideas for their project. With that in mind, Ayame asks her friend Namur to guide her in Fayren's open sea to get design inspirations for the aquarium. Then after that, she contacts Camilla to see how her new arrival friend is doing, which somehow lead to Ayame inviting the Nohrian princess to come along with her and Sonico when the topic of spas and luxury came up in their conversation.

Well, that's where most of her weekend goes to. Booking an underwater suite at one of Dubai's premier hotels - The Atlantis at the Palm - Ayame would be staying at a replica of a place she once knew for the rest of the weekend. She felt guilty in using her status in this subarchway to get things for free, but this is only a replica after all so she can abuse her power and connections a little. And while she's at it, Ayame remembers another idea that she didn't get to do yet. ]

--

Morning - Fayren Beach - Aug 8

[ Wearing a cover-up, Ayame can be seen waiting near the docks for Namur to show. Using a ship to get to a good spot to dive in, Ayame is excited as evident in how she can't seem to sit still. Looking at the crowd and flipping her sunglasses up and down at almost every person who approaches, Ayame waves at the next person who comes along whether they are Namur or not. If she waves at someone other than Namur, then she laughs sheepishly to herself. ]

Morning - Dubai Subarchway - Aug 9 - 12



[ With the heat of summer still bearing down on each city, Dubai would likely be even worse. Going ahead to go grab a self-driving hovercraft limousine, Ayame picks up her guests from their respective places to get them to the subarchway in Nova City. Using her connections as an Archon agent in this subarchway, Ayame is allowed to get away with certain things and has access to a vast amount of wealth from her bosses. She normally wouldn't do this sort of thing, but subarchways are just replicas of the real thing, so that at least mitigate her guilt in taking advantage of her perks as an Archon. From Nova City, the ride to Dubai was smooth sailing from there. Going directly from the subarchway gate, the self-driving limousine flies above the city - a futuristic and eco-friendly city more advanced yet aesthetically not so different than it's contemporary counterpart. Flying traffic and glass buildings that tower the once tallest Burj Khalifa now stand tall in the heart of the city. It's hard to tell that this place used to be a desert with how green it is, with its sleek architecture akin to Nova City only with more luxury and a touch of ancient Emirati culture along the mix.

The vehicle hovers through the air and over the water, heading toward an artificial island that's shaped like a palm tree. Rows and rows of luxury houses lined the Palm, and on it's edge lies a grand hotel on a white sand beach where Ayame told the car's on-board AI to stop. At the entrance awaited a warm welcome, making Ayame feel like a total celebrity from how she's greeted by the friendly robotic staff. A warm towel, a spritz of cooling hand moisturizer, and a small cup of tea with flecks of gold sprinkled on top because why not. The high ceilings of the lobby already oozes with luxury. From here, Ayame and her guests can go to:

1. The Lost Chambers Aquarium with Sonico (but others can go too), where she takes her friend on a tour of the world's largest salt-water tank with over 65,000 species of aquatic life, with underwater ruins inside the aquarium likened to the legendary lost city of Atlantis. Later, they get to dive in this aquarium to hand-feed some rays and go play with sharks. Don't worry, it's all safe. (1), (2), (3), (4), (5).
2. The Poseidon Suite, where Ayame takes Camilla (and her invited siblings should they want to tag along), to the luxury three-floored suite with 24-hour butler service and soaps with 24-karat gold flakes in them just to be extra. The bedrooms are on the bottom floor with a floor-to-ceiling view of the aquarium. The hotel has a wide variety of restaurants, fast-food, and buffets; but guests can order food to be delivered to their suite. Shops and spas are also within the hotel itself for their guests' pleasure.
3. The Aquaventure Water Park, which is right next to the hotel. Water slides galore. Guests can go in line to play with dolphins in the water or sea lions on the shore, or try zip-lining.
4. The Royal Beach, right in front of the hotel itself, it's filled with soft white sands with some activities such as parasailing, banana boat rides and camelback rides.
5. Consortium Underground Base for Cassian, it's an elaborate underground base build beneath the sands of the sea, used by the Spiral Consortium as a headquarters. Security is heavy, coming in the form of androids and armored soldiers. Ayame is bringing her friend here for a suit fitting, of the power armor kind. ]

Comments

for Sonico

[zenoh]

[ Promising to take Sonico to the aquarium, this was the very first spot that Ayame takes her to. First, they enter the aquarium as guests. Entering the front entrance where they were greeted with a cylindrical aquarium, glowing with a cool azure light that illuminates the dark hallway, giving an otherworldly first impression. As they take the first few steps inside, Ayame drops a phone call with a local friend via an augmented reality conversation projected through a armband, functioning like the comm devices being used in Genessia. ]

So, that was a local acquaintance of mine who manages the entire aquarium.

[ She said, letting the holographic screens vanish, then looking at Sonico with a bright expression as she delivers some good news ]

We're just in time for lunch so if you want, we can put some dive gear on to feed the rays. By hand.

[sonicosuper]

*Sonico is immediately impressed by the aquarium - even in her imaginings she hadn't conjured up anything as grand as this. Not even close. She lets Ayame do her thing, eyes wide and gazing around her.

Lunch? Oh, see means the rays! Sonico claps her hands together excitedly and nods with enthusiasm*

Oh yes please! Can we really?

[zenoh]

Of course. The staff entrance he told us about is at the end of this path, so we can appreciate the aquarium while we head there.

[ Ayame assures Sonico that she'll have some time to appreciate the aquarium from a visitor's perspective first. While they walk, Ayame points to the quasi-ancient decor of some parts of the aquarium hallways, meant to resemble Atlantis ]

It's amazing that this is all a speculated view of how the legendary Atlantis would look like, and manage to get a decent amount of accuracy.

[ Why yes Atlantis is real and she's been there before ]

You should think of a theme for your aquarium. I believe that might help draw in more visitors, don't you think? Have you thought of more ideas that you want to incorporate?

[ Like maybe include diving sessions ]

[sonicosuper]

Atlantis... That's a beautiful idea! Though... I wouldn't like to think I was stealing. Hmm. Wonder what we could do instead...

*She is still walking slowly, staring at everything around her, all the intricate details*

Ohh... Something like this will cost so much! Maybe we should aim for something a little less grand...

*The more they look around, the more Sonico is impressed, and the more Sonico wonders if this is really something she can pull off*

Well... I was just thinking of something pretty, and cute...with good learning spaces.

*See why she needs help with this?*

[zenoh]

Of course, a tank this large costs billions of US dollars and a great deal of engineering to create, so something smaller is exactly what we're aiming for. I don't think a lot of Attleton's citizens would like something this big in their city, in any case.

[ Ayame leisurely strolls along Sonico, letting the young woman take in as much detail as possible ]

But that could be something we could do...

[ Ayame points to the circular shaped chamber. It's small, and is enough to be the highlight of a small aquarium ]

Floor-to-ceiling windows giving visitors a panoramic view of the aquarium. That way people wouldn't have to take turns or form in line just to see the aquarium up close.

[ Ayame points to the rays school of fish that pass by the glass. ]

As for a theme, then perhaps a traditional Japanese one? You could make up a story for it too.

[sonicosuper]

*Sonico breathes a sigh of relief when she realises that there's no expectation for her to reproduce something on this scale. She looks to where Ayame points and her eyes light up. She moves quickly towards it, standing close and gazing at the rays*

Yes... Something like this would be perfect!

*Ayame only gets a brief glance as she answers, still focused on the fish*

Oh! That could be a lovely idea!

for Camilla

[zenoh]

[ After that grand welcome at the lobby, Ayame takes over and insisted to guide her friend towards the Poseidon suite personally. It would be pretty strange if Camilla asked questions about the tech in this world, so it would be better if Ayame herself guides her. Being given a key card to the suite, Ayame scans the card that leads to a private elevator that descends to the suite itself. The bell rings and the doors slide, Ayame and Camilla are graced with the fresh fragrances of the room, with an elegant staircase, a lounge with a high ceiling and complimentary chocolates on the coffee table by the couch - something Ayame helps herself with because chocolate. ]

Here you go. This suite can hold up to five people. You have a butler service at 24 hours of the day, and there's the spa I told you about. A beach outside, and a waterpark, with a wide variety of shopping and dining for you to entertain yourself with.

[ Ayame expression beams as she hands the key card to Camilla as it's pinched between her fingers, entrusting the suite to her new friend. All this opulence lifts her mood ]

Use this card to purchase anything you wish within the hotel and the water park. I have time to spare, so I can spend time with you in the meantime.

[grossartig_mond]

[Camilla was only half paying attention, just taking in the scenery. It was unlike anything she'd ever seen. Nothing like Hoshido or Nohr, and just so bright and opulent.]

This is so kind of you, Lady Ayame. You have gone far beyond anything I've done for you. I intend to pay back this kindness at some point.

[zenoh]

[ It hasn't fully sunk in until Camilla points it out to her. Ayame responds with a shy shrug, realizing just how awfully generous she is in doing this. She didn't do this to a lot of people she knew before Camilla. Yuyuko, Satsuki, Sonico and a couple of others have been on the receiving end of such generosity, but they're all her friends by then. But she's never felt this desperate for friends, and Camilla seem to have a lot of similar interests that she wants to get to know the princess. Everyone else she knows is busy with responsibilities, such as Dante and Gale with their Guardianships. ]

Please, there's no need for repayment, and just call me Ayame. You're in the presence of a friend now.

[ Xander's network post made Ayame think something stressful is going behind the scenes between her and her siblings, so it feels nice to see Camilla look so happy ]

I'm just happy to see that you've enjoyed this glimpse of my homeworld. You looked so elated in the ride here.

[ Of course, showing up all of a sudden is someone who decided to brave the heat and tag along. It was Himiko, who jumps in between the two for attention. ]

Almost as elated as Himiko here is.

[grossartig_mond]

It's a nice change of pace from being confused about everything and everyone. It has been... a trying adjustment.

[She turns her attention to Himiko as she jumps.]

An adjustment you've been very helpful with, sweetie~

[zenoh]

[ Himiko jumps some more in excitement at Camilla-senpai's praise ]

Why are you not like that with me?

[ Ayame asks Himiko, laughing as she rubs the dog's head as Himiko tries to stand up right and get pats from Camilla. Ayame turns her attention at her friend, understanding the difficulty that Camilla is facing. Though it had been a long time ago, she's been there ]

But it's nice to have your family here, at least. Did you invite them along?

[grossartig_mond]

I haven't yet, but I intend to once I get a feel for everything. I would love to share this with them.

[Camilla chuckles, leaning down to pet Himiko.]

They deserve all the luxury they can get. Even as royalty, they've not had easy lives.

for Cassian

[zenoh]

[ There are plenty of access points leading to this underwater base, and luckily there is one in the Palm, so Ayame didn't have to stray too far just to get Cassian to the base. The security is tight - guarded by power-armored soldiers on the outside with humanoid androids populating the inside of the base and maintaining it's daily operations. Ayame's reputation as an Archon has saved them a few minutes through security, letting the limo pass through the long tunnel leading to the base beneath the sea. As the automated car parks, Ayame exits the vehicle and were greeted by two guards who stand in salute to her, making way and letting her inside the base proper. Passed the three blast doors is an immaculate white hallway with a black floor, with a panoramic view of the hangar below with aircraft as large as passenger jets parked within it's vast cavernous space.

Being back makes Ayame's feel like her old self, strict and serious. So as she makes Cassian wait at the hall and possibly look at the hangar below, Ayame returns with the same stern expression she bore ever since they went through security. ]

The fitting room is being prepared, it should be ready soon.

[ Ayame spoke with a sigh, shaking her head and pinching the bridge of her nose before crossing her arms as she stands next to Cassian in the hallway, watching the androids at work in the hangar below. Her expression eases a little now that she's alone with her friend, who she looks at and asks ]

Is this a familiar sight for you? All this technology.

Re: for Cassian

[captain_by_the_book]

[ It's nice here, everything looking properly futuristic and high-tech, a certain posture to the people and to Ayame as well while she's interacting with them. Interesting, and oddly comforting in some ways.

Cassian chuckles a little at her question, shaking his head slightly. ]

Yes... and no. Unfortunately. The Rebel Alliance could only dream of everything looking as polished and brand-new as this place, we mostly had to make do with whatever old parts we could scrounge up. But it's pleasant being here. It's familiar in other ways.

[zenoh]

[ Ayame nods. That makes sense. Rebellions are never funded well enough to bother with aesthetics, and from the sound of this Galactic Empire that was mentioned to her a few times in the past, they would have made it even harder for rebels to do anything. That got her curious on what it's really like in Cassian's world though, and how these Imperials fought. ]

I see that some things don't change, at least.

[ She smiles, sensing the presence of her acquaintance even before the door slides open. A man in a lab coat steps out, offering a hand a second too early as he introduces himself with a sheepish smile.

"Hello, you must be Agent Sasaki's friend. Sameer Al-Talyani at your service" ]

Sameer, this is Captain Cassian Andor. He's with me on an 8.

[ A clearance level 8 objective, she meant. Which Sameer was quick to understand, nodding and looking a bit jittery.

"Ah! He must be something special to have that clearance level. Come come." Sameer comments, inviting both Ayame and Cassian through the doors of his engineering lab. Inside is a spacious room, with the same white walls and ceilings and black floors, only the room itself shows signs of frequent use by a person with a busy mind. Work stations filled with various equipment. But an elevated part of the room had a glass, domed chamber. Empty and more spacious from within, the room is soon revealed to be:

"Do they have holodomes where he's from?" Sameer asks Ayame, but before she could answer, the engineer looks to Cassian. "What country are you from? America? I think America is the only country with this technology besides ourselves! It's really fascinating, it's--" ]

Sameer. Please.

[ Ayame interrupts, making her acquaintance realize that he's been talking too much.

"Right. Yes, I will get things started" he clears his throat, typing away at a holographic keyboard ]

So what will happen now is that once he starts the program, you will step inside and be scanned for your measurements. You don't need to take any of your clothes off, the armor pieces could be assembled around you even if you are wearing regular clothes. It's designed to be quick to wield.

[ Sameer signals to Ayame that the program is ready. An entrance to the chamber opens up and Ayame urges Cassian to step inside. ]

Beach!!!

[om_nom_namur]

[Little does Ayame know, Namur's already there!

Sort of.

He's out in the ocean, anyway, after a long night at work. So when he shows at the docks, it's from the direction of the water, not the city, that he appears, leaping up to perch on the top of a support beam for one of the piers like a misplaced, oversized gargoyle. He tastes the air, then drops and heads directly towards Ayame, shaking his head to dry out his hair a little, though he doesn't seem to be at all phased by his drenched clothing.]

Mornin', sweetheart! Hope I didn't keep y' waitin' long! Ready for a swim?

[He jerks his thumb in the direction of his sloop. To him, it's a little thing, easy enough to sail by himself, but it's big enough to be seaworthy and comfortably fit himself and a handful of others.]

[zenoh]

Ah, Namur, there you are. Good morning to you too.

[ With her psychic senses switched off at the moment, Ayame didn't feel Namur's arrival until he calls to her. Standing up and tidying her cover-up, she looks to her friend with a smile and greeting in return as she walks slowly to his direction ]

Been ready ever since dawn. It's been a while since I had the chance to go freediving. I'm excited to see what Fayren's seas have to offer, and to finally go swimming with you as I've promised long ago.

[ She chuckles, glancing at the sloop he pointed at before returning her attention back to Namur, inviting him to get on the sloop with her so they can get things going. ]

[om_nom_namur]

[He offers her a hand to help her board, then gets that look on his face like he's just remembered something, and digs in his pocket for a moment. Namur comes up with a palm-sized jewelry box, and hands it to her.]

Can use this while we're divin' t'day, but y' gotta give it back when we're done. Only had two a 'em made an' I already gave one 'way. 'S like gills. For humans.

[When Ayame opens the box, she'll find a small column of folded, interlocking plates that open up into a necklace. Once a user puts them on, they click into place and suction to the wearer's skin or clothing, creating a seal. Some advanced Nova technology creates a zone around the person's head which repels water, and microscopic filters in the necklace itself pull oxygen and other necessary gases out of the water, blowing breathable air towards the user. There's a waterproofed instruction sheet inside the box itself.]

In the mood for some deep divin' or y' wanna stay pretty close?

[zenoh]

[ Ayame accepts the aiding hand to get her bare feet on the sloop, comfortably standing on the gently rocking surface of a boat. She eyes his hand curiously as Namur presents her a box, one she takes and opens without hesitation. She hums as she sees what's within ]

I appreciate it. Thank you, Namur.

[ She wears the necklace immediately, not that she needs it to breathe really but she appreciates Namur's extra effort in getting this for her so she'll wear it. ]

Hmm... Let's keep it to 500 meters? I figured any place deeper is just going to be covered in darkness to really appreciate. I mostly just want to see coral reefs and whales.

[ Ayame answers, taking off her cover-up to reveal a black one-piece swimsuit underneath. 500 meters is lethal to an unprotected human, but Ayame is not really that anymore. ]

[om_nom_namur]

[That is not a swimsuit Ayame that's full on lingerie oh shit. Namur is not prepared, and chokes a bit when she strips. Just assume, for the rest of the trip, his face has at least a little bit of pink peeking out through the blue of his skin. He shakes his head, working to make it focus on something other than belly cutouts and what he can see through the see-through fabric.]

Damn fine... mean. Uh. Shit. Reefs an' whales. Fine. Yeah, know where t' find some a them. No problem! Jus' gotta, um. Ropes. An' shit. Yes.

[Lord of the Sea.]

[But it's better once he turns away to actually pull on some of those ropes and raise the anchor. Okay, so he's going sailing with a totally hot superbabe and she doesn't particularly smell very interested in him so just be cool, okay? Okay. By the time he gets them out of the harbor and heading out to sea, he's got his head on a little more firmly.]

Ever been divin' that deep 'fore?

Water Park

[gamerrep]

[Chiaki had never really been to a water park before, so she didn't really know what exactly to expect. But she looked happy never the less. ]

I don't really know what to try first... Maybe the water slide. Those look like fun.

[But she turns her head, looking over to the other.]

What do you think will be the scariest one? Because I want to try that one first.

[zenoh]

Hmm... I've actually never been here before, but going by names alone I'm hazarding a guess and say, Poseidon's Revenge is the scariest? Although he wasn't very scary at all in person.

[ Ayame spoke casually, walking next to Chiaki while wearing a cover-up over her swimsuit while talking so blase about a powerful god. Having fought a corrupted version of Poseidon before, she wasn't so impressed about what the former god was able to do.

She guides Chiaki towards the ride, basking in the enthusiasm and glee of the park visitors. The staff are all robots, but they all have friendly-looking designs. There are a plethora of water slides at the park alone, along with other things like the zipline above them. Having a VIP pass, Ayame and Chiaki are allowed to bypass the longer lines, reaching the top of the pyramid. The ride starts by a person hopping on a clear tube, and getting dropped into the slide by a hatch opening at the bottom of their feet. Already, it looks pretty fun. ]

We're next in line, so let's take a photo together before getting on the ride. Come.

[ Taking her comm phone out, Ayame invites Chiaki over to her personal space, wrapping an arm around her younger sister-figure so they could fit within the camera ]

[gamerrep]

[Chiaki had been watching the people, they looked so happy that she couldn't help but smile as she walked. She admittedly was a little excited for what was to come and was somewhat surprised at having a photo. It had been a while since she did this type of photo she couldn't see what could hurt for one.

She moved to stand next to the other, thinking the whole time of what she was going to do in terms of when the picture is taken. First was to lean in closer and the other was simply to smile happily. Basic, but she couldn't think of anything else to do.]

It's been a while since I took a picture like that.

[zenoh]

[ Snapping a photo with a subtle smile of her own, Ayame feels achieved to have immortalized this moment in a photograph. She loves Chiaki like she's her own sibling, so knowing that she got to hang out with her like this like family would helps ease Ayame's loneliness ]

Is that so? When was it last? I've always figured that people of your age like these sort of picture taking.

[gamerrep]

I don't remember. I tend to not take them myself.

[She kind of forgets to think about it really. In her head, she was wondering if maybe she was meant to try and do that more often or not.]

I have been in pictures, but I don't do the selfie thing I guess is what I mean.