Admittedly, Rebecca had little interest in most outdoor based activities. Having devoted years of her previous life to studying, she had left little room for such things. Additionally, since starting a new life in a world that itself was more dangerous and several centuries behind, she found it easier to avoid the risk. That was until she saw the ocean. Seeing the crystalline blue tropical waters around the Sengar Isles spurred a desire within her. Unfortunate circumstances while in Azure Gaze prevented her from taking a moment to relax on the beaches there. Beachgoing was not a thing in this world anyway, Rebecca quickly learned from Adelade, so any beach could work to satisfy the little desire to spend the day there. That said, there was also the matter of a certain lack of swimsuits. Coupled with the fact that Rebecca almost did not want to think about the potential ramifications of swimsuit styles in a world like this, the prospect of a beach trip started sounding like a pipe dream. It was a sense of disappointment that apparently was evident on her face. “What is troubling you, Lady Rebecca?” Vivette asked. Vivette had been assigned to be a sort of personal guard to Rebecca by Quinn since they had returned from the Sengar Isles. She was a logical choice, being a woman herself and being familiar with Rebecca, but Rebecca was sometimes put off by Vivette’s rigid way of addressing her. That she had got Vivette to at least use her name and not ‘Hero’ at every turn was a step forward., but the ‘Lady’ part was too much. “I want to do something that is probably a bad idea,” Rebecca replied. “Surely not. You have unconventional methods, yes, but your actions have purpose and direction.” Vivette definitely had too high of an opinion of her. The overconfidence, however misplaced, still was enough to push Rebecca into action. “Let’s get Adelade in on this too. She needs a break since she’s been stuck in the palace since we got back,” Rebecca said. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The next day, after she had spent most of it seeing a stream of commoners that sought her services, Rebecca traveled with Vivette up to the palace. There was some confusion at the gate, since Rebecca was not wearing what was typical of visitors to the castle and the time of their visit was strange, but Vivette was able to fairly quickly resolve the matter today. “Lady Hero!” a servant of the palace greeted them as they arrived, “To what do we owe your magnanimous visit?” Rebecca mentally sighed. It was not just Vivette that had too high of an opinion of her after all. She gave a brief shake of her head to clear the distracting thoughts. Today she had a purpose. “I came to speak with Adelade.” “Lady Ghele? Certainly. Is she expecting you?” “Not as far as I know.” The servant nodded and escorted Rebecca to a parlor room with copious space. Settling into the space, Rebecca pulled out her grab bag from the extra-dimensional space she had limited use of. Rebecca lamented how the space could only take the ambulance carriage and her bag, but given how she could simply place whatever she wanted within either item, it was the process of unpacking that bothered her more than the strange limits. Pulling out a bolt of fabric, a pair of fabric shears, and a small sewing kit, Rebecca set about preparing for the task she had come to complete. The fabric was a polyester-nylon blend that she had created with magic the previous night at great expense to her magic. Since Rebecca was not an expert on fabrics, she had no reference with which to build the cloth from, relying on the magic to fill in her knowledge gaps. She was still frustrated by the strange gap that magic could apparently sometimes cross while other times it could not. “What are you doing?” Adelade asked upon her arrival. “I need to fit you both for the beach trip we are all taking,” Rebecca replied. “This again? What is a beach trip exactly?” “We go to the beach, get some sun, play in the ocean and sand. I explained that to you last time, right?” “No. You just asked if we did beach trips. So you want to go to the coast, and go into the ocean? That’s a foolish thing to do, Rebecca.” “Not when you have a swimsuit. It’s better than wearing your normal stuff because it’s supposed to get wet and still work.” “Swimsuit? That sounds interesting,” Adelade said, her curiosity winning out. “I guess. I still have to make them. I didn’t want to just make one that isn’t going to fit you. Strip please.” Adelade froze, staring at Rebecca. She glanced over at Vivette briefly, only to be met by an equally confused look. “What?” Adelade finally asked. “Strip… You know, remove your clothes,” Rebecca pressed. “No. I got that part. Why?” Rebecca gestured to the fabric. “So I can fit you for a swimsuit.” “And I have to be naked for that?” “It goes right up against the skin, so yeah.” Adelade and Vivette stared at Rebecca. “”It’s an undergarment!”” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Rebecca came by the palace,” Wyen commented. “And she didn’t come here?” Fang asked. “It was about a ‘beach trip,’ whatever that is. She met with Adelade. Apparently it involves particular attire.” “She didn’t come ask us about joining her.” “Seems that it’s a women’s trip this time at least. Adelade told me I can never see the particular outfit that Rebecca made for her.” Quinn snapped out of the work haze he had been in. He was still processing his reaction to Rebecca’s declaration about her intent to be the only queen, if she was queen at all. “Adelade in an outfit that you can’t see? A women’s trip? We have to check this out!” Quinn shouted. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Just outside of the capital city of Vetreas, yet far enough away that the city was not directly in sight, a makeshift tent had been constructed on the beach. The gentle breeze caused the cloth to ripple slightly, yet the tent remained obscuring those within. The front flap was thrust aside as Rebecca stepped out with confidence. She took a deep breath, savoring the salty smell in the air. It had truly been a long time since she had gone to the beach. A smile spread across her face. Rebecca was clad in a white tankini-style swimsuit that had a few extra frills thrown in for additional style. While technically a two-piece, the dividing line was difficult to locate. While Rebecca would not admit or acknowledge it, perhaps because it was a subconscious motive to have done so, her suit definitely emphasized her moderate chest. “Let’s do this!” As she started off towards the water’s edge, Rebecca looked over her shoulder at the tent. The flap was pushed aside again as Vivette cautiously exited, rapidly scanning the area for anyone other than Rebecca. Her swimsuit was a solid one piece, which she had somehow managed to hide several knives within. The white fabric, since Rebecca lacked any dyes, contrasted with Vivette’s dark skin. Her athletic form was emphasized by the swimsuit. Despite being used to more form-fitted clothes and armor, she felt exposed by her current attire. “Is this really necessary, Lady Rebecca?” Vivette called after her. “Yes!” Together, the pair entered into the water. Rebecca allowed herself to release the tensions that she had been carrying for some time now, leaving her feeling giddy. Playfully, she splashed water at Vivette, who was surprised by the action. “Water fight!” Rebecca laughed as she sent another spray towards Vivette with a backhanded motion. Vivette seemed to catch on, perhaps infected by the carefree attitude that Rebecca was exuding. She returned the splashing and the two started frolicking through the waves. “Is she coming or not?” Rebecca said in a brief respite. “I don’t think she is,” Vivette replied. “Well, let’s get her out then.” The two made their way back up to the tent. “Adelade! Come out!” Rebecca called. “No.” “There’s no one here but us.” “No. This is embarrassing. Give me back my clothes!” “Not until you have a little fun in the water first. Didn’t you just hear us down there?” There was a long pause. “I’m fine without it,” Adelade said. “That’s it. You’re coming out. Come on, Vivette.” Rebecca entered the tent, followed behind by the Shadow. “Hey! Let go of me! Put me down! What are you...? NO! NOT OUTSIDE!” The three emerged a moment later, Rebecca and Vivette smirking as they carried Adelade out. The pair brought their temporary hostage to the water and dumped her unceremoniously in. Adelade sputtered to the surface a moment after, yet remained seated within the sea. It was shallow enough that most of her chest was still out of the water despite her position. Adelade’s swimsuit was also in the tankini style like Rebecca’s, but Rebecca had slightly messed up. The suit was perhaps a little too tight, and overemphasized Adelade’s already overabundant assets. Because of the stretch, the line of separation between the top and bottom was clearly visible, were she to be standing. To be fair to Adelade and Vivette, the swimsuits were nothing like the commonplace undergarments they were used to, especially for Adelade. Adelade glared up at the other two. “Are you happy now? Can we go? What if someone sees us dressed like this?” Adelade demanded. “Let them look. The important things are hidden,” Rebecca replied, “Show off how great you look even.” Adelade did have to admit, despite her objections, that the swimsuit was cute in a way. Actually, the fabric it was made of was far more comfortable than the often scratchy undergarments she usually wore. Maybe Rebecca could make more modest undergarments from it for her. “Watch out!” Vivette called out. Adelade had no time to react as a larger wave crested behind her with just enough height to it to send Adelade back under. Again she resurfaced sputtering, only to be met with the laughter of Rebecca and Vivette. Adelade started channeling magic as she imagined her spell’s outcome. “Water Spray!” Adelade called out, sending a small jet of water directly at the other two’s faces. The smug satisfaction at the spell’s success and their stunned expression lasted only a minute for Adelade though. She had forgotten where she was and succumbed to another wave attack. This time as she recovered, Adelade could not help but join in the laughter. Despite her initial reluctance, she was starting to have fun. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Four young men were laying against the sand, entranced by the sight before them. They had followed discreetly behind Rebecca, Adelade, and Vivette, and were currently hiding behind some dune hills on the beach. “What is this miraculous sight before me?” Quinn said with tears in his eyes. Really, the others there were wondering something along the same lines. Each burned every second of the scene into their memories. Every inch of revealed skin, every sparkling drop of water, and especially every bouncing motion. “Let’s go!” Quinn said as he started to rise. Wyen had enough sense still remaining to grab Quinn and pull him back down. “Are you insane? They will kill us if we go over there!” “Are you insane? There are three unmarried women practically naked over there! How can I not?” Quinn retorted. “Two unmarried, Your Highness,” Phillippe replied. “Huh?” Quinn asked, confused. “Vivette and I are… married. At least by the traditions of our people.” Wyen and Quinn had turned their attention to Phillippe. “When did this happen?” “While we were on the Isles. When you gave us the week. We returned to our home villages. Vivette’s was actually rebuilt. By tradition, when one returns home with a partner from another village, they are considered married. Typically it is the man who returns home, but there is no stipulation that it must be. So when she returned with me, we were considered as such. Neither of us objected, so it kind of happened.” “Sometimes I forget that you are one of the people of the Isles,” Wyen commented. “Yes. As is she.” “Well, two unmarried then,” Quinn commented, “Fine. I guess that means there’s only two I can impress then.” “Quinn,” Wyen said warningly, “be very careful about what you’re going to say next.” “Oh that’s right. You want Adelade. Well, Fang sorry but it looks like you’re on your own.” Quinn and Wyen glanced over at Fang, only to end up confused by the expression on the beastfolk’s face. “What is it?” Quinn asked. Fang let out a pathetic sounding whimper. “Figures it was you four.” Quinn felt the blood drain from his face as he turned to the speaker. Standing before him was Rebecca, who was staring down at him. Vivette was standing next to her, starring down Phillippe herself. Adelade was behind Rebecca, holding onto her as if she was a shield to hide behind. “Hello,” Quinn squeaked out, “Fancy meeting you here.” “Enjoying the view?” Rebecca asked. Without hesitation, Quinn replied, “Absolutely.” Adelade let out a cry of despair. “Stand up,” Rebecca ordered. The four rose, though only three kept their attention on Rebecca. “Does he need punishment too, Vivette?” “Yes.” “Turn around.” The men did so, but glanced over their shoulders with nervous energy. Rebecca channeled magical energy within her, envisioning the outcome of her spell. “Quicksand,” she chanted. The four men sank like stones into the sand beneath their feet, burying them up to their necks. “Deep breaths please! Hold it,” Rebecca called out. They were a little more concentrated on the fact that sand had just swallowed them, but believing that they were about to go under, obeyed Rebecca’s command. Releasing the magic, the sand resolidified from the state, leaving the men trapped in sandy prisons. “There, now you can enjoy the view the other way too.” Needless to say, the four remained that way for the rest of the day. Rebecca kindly released them from the sandy prisons before they returned, but the four remembered the chaffing sand for days to come.