343. Beach Episode Continued (And With Pictures!)

343. Beach Episode Continued (And With Pictures!)

Res, removing her pants and standing in her sports-like underwear, sat down with an Ignis who also changed into something more appropriate. The red suit she had always worn morphed into a pleasant, casual summer dress. The instant transformation left Res dazzled.

“Weird question. Why do you wear a suit instead of, well – anything else?” She had been wondering for a long while now. As she removed her suit, Ignis grabbed at the sand underneath them and looked up at her with sincere, lovable eyes.

“… that’s a secret.” Her ears cutely twitched.

“Is that so? Hah…”

“You’re not going to swim?”

“I’ll give it a little bit. It’s irritating even for me to get soaked. I need a good reason first.” Res sighed as they slowly began to pile sand together, eventually creating a mound. “First time seeing the beach?”

“Mm. First time. It’s the first for a lot of people here too.”

“You live in Divas Pass. What was stopping you from seeing the beach?” Res wondered.

“If you went into the water there was a chance you would never be seen again. Lots of people disappeared that way.” What Ignis referred to were the gravity wells that littered the seas surrounding the Nexus. “And Aquatids in Grandis aren’t the nicest people. Are we building something?”

“I’m just following you.” Res smiled.

Elsewhere, the others were just about ready to jump into the water. Jury stood in black shorts and a frilly top, exposing her abs to the world.

She tended to Nav first, checking if there was anything she could do for her, but for now –

“I wish to watch for the moment. I lack the dexterity to move on such unstable ground. I know. I believe it’s a flaw of this body. There is a 0% chance that it is my fault.” Nav argued with the air, convincing herself that this was the truth.

“I’ll bring you in soon. Look after her, Alter Frosts~! And you too, Anna!” Jury called out to them with an eccentric wave, right before Ber tapped Jury’s tail with hers.

“Wanna see who can get to Frost first?” Ber smugly teased with an air of superiority.

“Are you formally declaring yourself as a rival?” Jury calmly asked.

“Pffft. Whaaat? No~! Let’s just say I want to stretch my wings. You should too!”

The duo agreed to compete in a race towards Frost. The first to touch her wins. There was no prize pool. It was just a fun game. The two prepared themselves, catching the eyes of the Alter Frosts.

The emojis that hung over their heads were retrofitted into cheering banners, with the Star Child attempting to do the same with her drawings. In the background, Snap could be seen being followed by a small family of crabs. No matter where it went, from the water to the canopy of the surrounding palm trees, the crabs would somehow reach it.

Eventually, Snap gave up and allowed them to rest atop its head. Slowly but surely, the few crabs became 10. Then 20, 40, and soon, a mountain of crabs sat atop its back. It became a single, mass organism hell bent on doing nothing but lazing around.

It was bliss for Snap. Their pincers helped trim off excess fur. Not that anyone could tell. But so long as Snap didn’t mind, then everyone was happy.

“Cute.” Anna mumbled, adoring Snap with childish glee. “It’s like watching a mother hold all her babies on her back~”

Nav on the other hand…

“Amazing. Snap has managed to secure us a feast in less than an hour. I expected no less from our arachnid friend. Truly, a mastermind in the making.” Nav thought aloud to herself, which the Hired Arm agreed with a few nods before she clicked her fingers, and in that instant –

“You can do that!?” Anna exclaimed, shocked by the Hired Arm’s powers.

“The Hired Arm is a reflection of Sinder. Sinder must have had similar powers. You’ve seen the portals she can create. It’s impressive. What would be more impressive, however, is if the Innocent would talk to me.” Nav complained from out of the blue, irritated that the Little Frost had decided to revert to her emojis.

Suddenly, the Little Frost cupped her mouth around Nav’s ear and, to her surprise –

“… only once…” She whispered innocently, before backing off and throwing up twice as many emojis.

“… what an enigma you are.” Nav vented with a long sigh.

Meanwhile, Frost had already changed into her swimwear. It wasn’t anything spectacular, however.

“JURY!?” Frost exclaimed, before she was suddenly kidnapped by her lover and brought to the shore.

“Hey! Someone call the Justicers! Give me back my Frost!” Cer complained, giving chase. “Grrr. Damn water bogging me down! RES! DO SOMETHING!”

“… Let us build in peace, you mutt.” Res grumbled. “Wanna make a tower here?”

“Mm. I also want a tavern in between the town square and the housing districts.” Ignis hummed.

They didn’t build a sandcastle. They built a sand city, packed with all the features a real city would froth in envy over. It was intricately built, and Ignis put her tentacles to good use, increasing their manpower by hundred-fold.

“Isn’t that cheating?” Anna wondered.

“It’s ingenuity. Oh. Everyone’s gathering around the build.” Nav broadcasted in a deadpan voice, finding herself smiling over every little thing.

Indeed. Everyone gathered in awe over the sand city. Ignis blushed at all complements hurled at her, and Res, although she didn’t show it, took pride and pleasure hearing so many praises.

Suddenly, Cer took Res up by the arms and stood right beside her.

“What now?” Res asked.

“Just something fun!”

She twirled with Res, exchanging places rapidly before they stood side by side again. “Look at us! Bet you couldn’t tell us apart!”

Obviously, the one that spoke was Cer. How she thought this would fool them was completely beyond them. Frost, still held in Jury’s arms, noted that even if they were to go completely bald anyone could still tell them apart.

“… I’ll forgive you for even considering that, because at this point, I think you’re right.” Res didn’t know whether to smile or frown, so she did both and shoved her head in front of Frost.

“Haha. Sorry.” Frost stroked her head.

If there was a day they wish could last forever, it would be today. The sun slowly began to descend into the sea, painting the world an orange hue. Using Frost’s steel strands, a small barbeque mesh was made for the hundreds of live crabs Snap managed to masterfully capture.

“Brrrr… Zttt.”

“They were good friends, huh Snap? But they make better meals.” Jury said, and Snap agreed. In fact, Snap had sneakily eaten a few whilst they groomed its fur, leaving behind empty, soulless husks along the shore.

And unsurprisingly, Cer adored that saying.

What an unhinged wolf…