paradisalogs | Tropical Distractions

Who:Fred, friends and YOU
What: A bonfire and evening to enjoy with friends
When:Second evening after arriving
Where:Down at the Beach
Rating: PG?

All things considered, it didn't seem that threatening. But Fred would never sit all that well with being yanked into unfamiliar settings without permission, and this was no different. After the rising waters, they first few hours on the ship had been especially difficult. It brought back too many specific memories. Still, a lot had happened between then and now -- and after a few hours it at least felt like she could breathe again.

And there were things that held some appeal.

Like the beach. There were memories as well, much more pleasant memories. And unlike the four seasons room, which always felt a little less than real? Fred couldn't help but think all that water actually lead somewhere. The air certainly tasted real enough, hot and sticky on her tongue. Everything soon started to carry the slightest whisper of salt.

She'd spent the day with Wesley exploring, and somehow they'd tumbled their way into fishing. It was something she hadn't actively done in years, not since summers with her folks on the Gulf. But it all came back to her, and soon they'd caught more than she knew what to do with. Fred didn't recognize the species, but the locals assured her they were edible enough. One idea tumbled into the other, until a sturdy bonfire was lit against the fading afternoon light. A dozen fat fish sat wrapped in palm leaves around the base of the fire, and a cooler rested nearby filled with a variety of fruit and drinks.

All that remained was to jot an invitation in her journal to anyone that might be interested.

Fred moved to settle into one of the higher dunes, watching the tide as it came in again. She was still in her suit, a simple sarong knotted at her waist. It might get cooler later, but for now she was content to catch the last of the sun on her shoulder and enjoy the sound of the waves.

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Lilah looked up at the other woman at the question. Fred wasn't one of her favorite people to talk to, far from it, but she did get some joy out of knowing her presence wasn't exactly welcome.

It might have been spiteful of her to think that way, but Lilah never claimed to be a good person.

She nodded.

"I would," She said with a smile that might have almost looked kind if you didn't know her well enough

Somehow, Fred expected that answer. Though she couldn't exactly say why. Of course, it brought up why she was asking questions she already knew the answer to. In some ways, it'd been easier then they were more openly hostile with one another.

This felt like limbo.

"...fish it is, then."

She moved over to the fire and claimed another of the tightly wrapped bundles. Undone, the leaves formed a natural plate as she passed the meal over to Lilah.

Lilah took the fish, glancing at it for a moment. There seemed to be no utensils about, and that was a little unrefined for her taste, but she supposed in this instinct it just couldn't be helped. So she dug into the fish with her hands, carefully pulling out a piece to try.

And then after she swallowed she flashed one of his signature, mocking smiles.

"It's not terrible, at least."

Because why would Lilah ever give a compliment to Fred, of all people?

Fred was more than familiar with those smiles. And if she wasn't immune to them -- because face it, she wouldn't ever fully be -- at least she was better at managing them.

"That's good," she nodded, head tilted in the most casual was she could manage. "I'll be sure and let Wesley know, since he did most of the work."

It wasn't catty, not intentionally. But it was aware. Fred knew perfectly well what Lilah had attempted there, and her reply simply pointed out that at least that particular barb hadn't landed.

"Did he?" Lilah answered evenly, not missing a beat. She had to say, she was inwardly impressed. The more they did this the better Fred seemed to get at holding her own.

"He must of gotten better at it since the last time I tasted his cooking."

Fred didn't blink -- at least not much -- at the implication that he's cooked meals for Lilah. After all, you spend enough time with a person and sooner or later food's bound to be involved. She shouldn't be surprised.

"Some things aren't mean to be more complicated than they are. And there's not much to be improved on sun,sea and salt."

Just the one time, but Fred didn't need to know that. It had been the result of a bet.

"You know?" She grins, bringing a hand up to tap her chin, as if in thought before responding. "I think for once, I'll have to agree with you. There was a reason why I spent my day out her instead of elsewhere."

That and she saw no appeal in training annoying little animals.

"Well, there is a extra dose of else in that where," Fred agreed, if less calculated in her own reply.

"It only made the beach that much more appealing."

Not that she wasn't inherently curious about their surroundings. She was. But there was just as much to explore in the new species and subtle twists of nature that currently existed around them as back up in the city.

"It is different then the ones we're used to," She conceded with a nod of her head. "A more unique environment then when were sent to Paris, certainly."

Though Lilah was not a scientist she could appreciate a new environment and the curiosity they caused.

Fred looked back out over the water. She hadn't been a fan of the way it had initially rushed in, overtaking the castle and town. But then, the Castle never seemed to much mind their feelings on the matter.

"Paris was downright normal compared to some things," she found herself something dangerously close to agreeing with Lilah. Of course, the city of lights hadn't been that mundane, but still. "...compared to pirate ships. Or the time that we all ended up in a jungle full of dinosaurs."

That'd been before Lilah. Along with a half dozen others that came to mind.

"Dinosaurs?" Lilah raised a brow, as if almost curious about something Fred had to say for once. Miracles happened, apparently. "That must have been something to see."

"...see," Fred agreed lightly, looking at the waves. "Explore. Almost get stepped on. The usual, really, when considering this place."

"Paradisa is many things, but safe isn't one of them," Lilah said with a small nod. "But then again, LA wasn't exactly the safest place either."

The utter normalness of this conversation was starting to sit under Fred's skin. Although that possibly could have been the result of a day spent in the sun.

"Nowhere's safe."

She looked out over the ocean.

Lilah was in a good mood, a day out in the sun would do that. And the fact that it might be unnerving Fred? Only imrpoved it.

"Of course. Everyplace had dangers."

Something Fred never had an intent of losing sight of. She tilted her head back towards Lilah, determined to be a good hostess.

"Can I get you anything else before I go?"

Lilah took a long drink from her glass, finishing it off before holding it up with a fake smile.

"I could use another."

The offer had been utterly genuine up until that moment, though Fred couldn't even begin to say -- no. She knew. She'd made a promise to Wesley a good ways back and Fred had done her best to keep it. And maybe, just maybe, she was starting to show her age.

In a Paradisa sense.

But all the faded back in the face of Lilah's expression. A tilt of her head followed.

"The cooler's right over there."

And with that she made her way back up the beach towards Wesley.

Tropical Distractions

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