Beach Boys [open]

[tongueamok]

Who: Glacius (glacius), Carlisle Longinmouth (tongueamok), and you!
What: Two dudes just chilling in the fun and the sun, minus the sun. Chilling likely literal. Fun debatable. Also, one of them is a giant snake.
Where: All islands, coastal areas
When: May 27th - Early June
Warnings: PG-13ish, probably?




"I still don't believe this is a good idea!"

For anyone who knows Carlisle, seeing him talking to himself -- or yelling, rather -- is probably nothing new; however, for anyone who may stumble upon this scene who isn't familiar with the anxiety-riddled clergyman, he's had better first impressions. He wouldn't want to make one right now, anyway: he's alone on the rocky beach that once led to the caves, his arms crossed as he picks at his sleeve nervously; his hair is a mess, tousled by the winds. Absent are his usual vestments, forgone for the beachwear he picked up last time the city saw so much water, and though it seems he intends to get wet at some point by virtue of his wearing them at all, the way he's standing a good distance from where the tides actually reach says otherwise. His previous encounter with the ocean had been just an illusion, a tranquil sea created by the gods; the waters then had been purposefully calm, a sharp contrast to the uneven waves before him now. The depths of this ocean are terrifyingly real, and likely home to equally terrifying creatures.

In the distance rises a serpentine figure with glowing, green eyes and spines along its head; it slithers through the waves with relative ease. Despite how frightening the monsters of the depths must be, Carlisle doesn't budge as this one looks his way before diving once more. Perhaps he doesn't consider this to be one of them -- he rubs at his arms, his eyes still upon the spot it vanished as he raises his voice once more.

"There could be anything out there!" he insists, his nose wrinkling as a gust of coastal wind pushes against him. His entire form stiffens, his fingers curling in reply, digging into his arm. "Or we could drown! I could drown! It would pull you under, and I would drown, and you'd be lost to the depths, and then we'd both wish we'd just stayed home!"

He is definitely yelling more to himself than anyone else at this point, but the serpent turns back toward the shore regardless, heading straight for him. It doesn't attack, as one might expect, doesn't lash out at the lanky, isolated clergyman from the shoreline -- instead, it snakes its way onto the sand, coils through the rocks, and stops once it reaches him, butting its forehead against his. Carlisle brings his hand up and lets it rest along his partner's mandible as they exchange a few, hushed words.

This might still be a strange sight for anyone who doesn't know either of them; however, some may recognize the sea creature as not a creature at all, but as Glacius, his icy form temporarily adapted to brave the waters of this new world. Though Carlisle remains nervous and reluctant to join him, he has nothing to fear -- no matter what lies beyond the safety of the land, they will face it together. Besides that, Glacius won't let anything happen to his human partner. Carlisle may not be as hardy when it comes to such elements, but anything that should try to attack them from the waters below will find they've challenged the wrong alien.

Giving Carlisle one more nudge for reassurance, Glacius makes his way back into the water, hoping to coax his partner into joining him -- if they aren't stopped by someone who happens up the coast, that is.

[[It's a joint log, folks! Feel free to tag either Carlisle, Glacius, or both as they hang around the coasts of all islands!]]

Comments

cool!

[sciencelizard]

Even though Alphys knows it's a problem for species that aren't hers, it's hard to see nonhumans in this place and not think of them as other Monsters. It's less lonesome that way, really- sure, there's comfort in a space that has aliens and shapeshifters and all kinds of magical, exciting people. But it forces her to confront the scariest truth when she does that, the continued realization that she's the only Monster here anymore. She's outgrown, lived on past all her friends and everyone she's ever known. It's exciting, but isolating.

Besides, he looks kind of like a (the jellyfish monster) in there. It's cute.

Really, she's more fascinated by the form shift as soon as she knows it's him, taking a step closer, eyes flipping over his form. "How-- how'd you d-do that?? Do you have different forms for different climates? Are you stuck like this now do you have to stay in the ocean ohmygosh, Glacius, this is so cool." She wishes she could do something like that! It certainly would've helped if they had ended up in the tundra climate, seeing as she's cold blooded. But that's a problem for another Alphys.

[glacius]

"Shifting is a natural ability of my people, honed with time and practice," Glacius explains, seeming... slightly more prepared for the rapid-fire volley of enthusiastic questioning now that he's interacted with Alphys a couple of times. "I would not say that I have a form for different climates so much as different environments... and I am not stuck, no, nor do I have to remain in the ocean. I can change between forms at will..."

And he's about to do just that when she tacks that assessment on as naturally as she'd just been questioning him. Glaicus blinks, then tucks his head back. "Ah... cool? You think so? You don't think it's..." he pauses, then tilts his head, recalling reactions that he's apparently been expecting or maybe even gotten in the past. "...Well, odd?"

The inquiry is tentatively hopeful, maybe even a little encouraged. It is nice to know that there are people out there other than his partner than don't have to get too hung up on this—that can still see him for who he is right away regardless of physical form.

[sciencelizard]

She clasps her hands together and tucks them next to her cheek, like she's looking at something absolutely darling. "It's so cool! It's like you have a secret identity! Can you breathe underwater now?? You transformed and get cool powers how could that not be cool!!"

Maybe thankfully for Glacius, he's talking to a woman who would become any form of animal if given the choice, and spent quite a period of time building a body for a friend who wanted to stop looking like themselves. So this isn't very strange at all. Hell, she's envious. "It's amazing!"

[glacius]

Glacius blinks slowly, as if processing this much unadulterated praise, before he closes his eyes and proudly puffs up, rising up on his coils and tilting his head slightly. "Ah ha! Well thank you, my friend. It is quite useful indeed. I actually always have the ability to breathe underwater—my gills are naturally suited for it—but this form does make it easier to traverse the waters. So I've been using it to explore, to scout between the islands, and to keep a discrete eye on those investigating near the shore themselves."

[sciencelizard]

She squeaks in excitement as he looks proud, very much enjoying his little puffs and poses. "You have gills!!" She manages out before trying to control herself just a little more to ask some less invasive questions.

"So is-- is everything still here? The city, I m-mean. You said you had been to the other islands? I hope the ocean here isn't too dangerous."

[glacius]

"I do," Glacius replies with a blink, this being the first time it has been stated in such a plain but surprised manner. It's just a common fact for his species... but then, their respiratory organs are hidden behind gelatinous operculum. It is probably hard for species who do not have them to tell what exactly causes the gentle undulations in the side of his neck.

The other inquiries are easier for him to address. "Most of it is, I believe, but broken up and scattered between four main islands. It is somewhat problematic to be separated like this, given that the ocean distances between them are both long and less safe the deeper out you go. If you have a vessel, you will likely be fine, but I have not seen any of those yet... perhaps some will band together to make them? It would be useful."

[sciencelizard]

Alphys is pretty used to seeing different kinds of monsters, but the things about monsters is that their external appearance doesn't really have to correlate to their internal structure. Since they're made of magic, what they look like doesn't need to be what they do. So who knows what any movements do and are supposed to do-- not her, that's for sure.

She nods along to his description, hands clasped together around her hip. "Well, that's... y-yeah, pretty inconvenient. Maybe the Gods will make some boats if we ask? I wonder if they knew this was going to happen, depending on where we picked."

[glacius]

"I am sure they had some idea," Glacius responds dryly, unenthused. He wouldn't put it past the gods to plop them down knowing full well what they need but not providing it, but he also doesn't care for handouts from the beings, preferring to exist without relying on them whenever possible. "Anyways, I would not depend too much on them. Are any of your places of business or residence missing from this island? Do you need me to go looking for something, or to help reconnect you?"

[sciencelizard]

She puts her hands out in front of her, waving her flat palms. "N-No, it's okay! I've been staying at the lab, uh, since my house is kinda down south now. But Ravine is feeding my pets and Lup helped me get some of my stuff, so it hasn't been so bad. I d-don't want to trouble you or anything."

Alphys knows it likely wouldn't be trouble, but she tries not to impose. "Eventually, uh, it should be easier to get around."

[glacius]

Glacius pauses, giving Alphys something of a slow blink. "Eventually, yes, but... are you sure you do not wish me to return you to your residence? I know the lab is important, but... it would not be an issue for me. I will likely make a circuit that way on my own time at some point anyways."

There's another brief period of silence as the alien realizes he does not want to come off as demanding. "Of course, if your mind is made up then that is fine. Just know the option is available to you now should you need it."

[sciencelizard]

"Oh, n-no, it's no-- I mean, it's not a problem, I could, uhm, take a visit, I just... don't want to inconvenience anyone, you know?" It's hard, relying on others so much for transport, when she feels like she has nothing to give in return. "I'm sure you're busy, and, I don't want to interrupt you or make you wait for me or anything."

Alphys is still smiling, trying to keep it cordial, but she's obviously still a little nervous. "I just, y-you know. I don't really have anything to give you, or do, so..."

[glacius]

The ice alien detects the nervousness, though deciphering where it is coming from is proving to be a bit trickier. He can be relatively sure that with her, it's not a matter of his species or appearance. Perhaps she does not like relying on others? He was like that when he first got here—and still is, at times.

"Oh, do not worry about that. I did not offer in an attempt to get something out of you. I simply patrol these waters all the time, so it is not like you would be adding work. But I have not meant to make you uncomfortable. If you have an arrangement that is working for you, perhaps we should leave it at that..?"

[sciencelizard]

She nods, sinking her neck down and raising her shoulders as she clasps her hands in front of her. "It's not an uncomfortable thing, I just-- Ravine said the same thing, that it was okay, I j-just worry about being... a burden. Like I'm not useful to anyone so, I don't want to ask for things? It's fine! I mean, don't worry about it, uh. Okay?"

She kicks her feet a little bit. She was trying not to make this a huge thing, but... well, that's just what she does pretty constantly. If only she accepted help a little more freely.

[glacius]

"What?" Glacius arches up slightly, clearly surprised by one remark in particular—but at least it helps him understand where some of Alphys' reservations are coming from. He can only hope that he'll be sufficient to help, here. "A burden? You are nothing of the sort, my friend! You have a brilliant mind, and you have given aid to all of us in this city through your research into the Door. I should be thanking you for that. Before you came along, I did not know the first thing about investigating it; I just prowled the Colosseum every time I knew it would open, hoping to find some disturbance that I could probe."

The alien pauses, then settles back down after his initial surprise and smiles his best reassuring smile. "Thanks to you, going home feels like more of a possibility now. You realize you have given me something very important, right? It is hope... and I am sure I am not the only person who feels this way. I am sure that there are others whose lives you have touched in different ways. So do not go selling yourself short and saying you are not 'useful', alright?"

[sciencelizard]

It's rare that Alphys hears so tangibly that she's helped someone- not through fault of not helping, or not being thanked, but because she simply never asks. It just feels like there's the heroes out there doing the noble work, and then there's-- well, her. In her lab. But the heroes could go on without her and save the world, so how important could she really be? Is making the journey easier vital? Of course it's worth it, but that's not truly her.

But this is different. This is tangible and kind, his smile and words. She gets a little teary eyed, even. This is-- oh, this is so much.

"Really?" It seems dumb to even ask, when he has no reason to lie, but-- well, Alphys knows a couple of things about being a good liar. "You really think I've h-helped that much?"