Rocking at the beach

After visiting Worm, we made our way down to the beach. It had been ages since I last stood on a sandy shore overlooking the ocean. Especially after I went on a landlocked nation marathon. The sight was calming, but also saddening.

It reminded me of the island nation I once lived on, and had abandoned all for the sake of my life's work. I had nothing against the nation, but I just couldn't stay, because if I did, my parents would never let me leave...

"Oi, why ya spacing out? Change into your swimsuit palette," Irina grinned.

I nearly jumped as I noticed Irina was now clad in a skintight bikini. "When did you-"

"Oi, you're STILL getting surprised over little stuff like this? Come on girl, you've been in 2569 for a week now."

Before I could react, I suddenly found myself in a bikini just like Irina's, except, it didn't feel like I was wearing one. In fact, despite seemingly being barefoot, it still felt like I was wearing my sneakers.

"Clear palette, though if ya really want to take off your shoes and expose your skin, your clothes naturally have a swimsuit function," Irina explained.

I decided to take her up on the offer, but didn't have the slightest idea on how exactly to achieve said feat.

"Idiot, she has to do things manually. Say "Swimsuit mode"," a voice growled.

I recognized the voice and turned to see Delina and Suzie, both clad in swimsuits. But they weren't the only ones, Lyn was with them too along with Selina and- GEH!?

"Wazzup, Hana. Ready for some fun?" Meredith smirked as her head gleamed in the sunlight.

I had received her "apology" message from Selina, but that didn't just mean we'd be buddy-buddy just like that.

"You had good timing. The grand beach festival's set to begin soon," Selina smiled.

"The what?"

"Grand beach festival! There's lots of stuff, sandcastle making n' big wave surfing. Volleyball matches n' surf ski races. Take a dip in the sea or chill on terra forma. Rock out morning, noon, n' night cuz you at the grand beach!" Suzie rapped.

"Wow, didn't know you could rap outside a concert," Lyn clapped.

"I- It's thanks to Hana. If music's in the discussion, I never get shy."

"Oh, speaking of which, check these out for me, Hana," Lyn smiled as she summoned what appeared to be two inflatable noisemakers.

"Are those actually-"

Thunk! Thunk!

"Yup, the inflatable noisemakers ya told me about. I get why humans of your day were obsessed with smacking these things together. The sound they make really is something."

"They better not be an instrument," Delina growled.

"I doubt they can really be used as a proper instrument, maybe in a song as like a special effect, but not a full blown instrument. Oh, though I remember once at a science museum there was a PVC pipe organ which you played by smacking the pipes with a flip-flop-"

I stopped myself as I noticed Delina's eye beginning to twitch like it did back when I mentioned Paganini. I don't want to end up tied up again, especially with Meredith around. Bitch would take advantage of my immobilized state to do who knows what kinds of humiliation.

Though I could tell Delina was at the least looking up what I had mentioned. Hopefully it wouldn't be too much trouble.

"... That's nothing. Heck, the thing you mentioned is such a pathetically primitive drum..."

Glowing circles quickly materialized around Delina as two glowing sticks appeared in her hands. She then began playing the circles like drums, but to my surprise, they sounded like how the PVC pipe organ at the science museum did.

"That thing's more of a drum. And if it's the unique sound you're after, I can easily alter the sound of the drums to match. But enough of that. We're at the beach, so let's enjoy it."

"Well said. Know any beach music?"

"Do I!?"

A rare smile appeared on Delina's face as she began playing a beat. Suzie summoned a guitar and the two began playing a surf-themed song. One I recognized as being from an American sitcom from the 1960s of all things!

"Wow, surprised you recognize this song. Thought it was from before your time," Irina whistled.

"Hey, I dabbled in oldies from before my era," I pouted.

"That makes two of us!" Lyn smiled as she wrapped her arm around me.

I smiled and said the words, "swimsuit mode". My appearance didn't change, but now my feet could feel the sand properly. Now this really felt like a beach experience. Time to have some fun!

The first area of exploration was the sandcastle building area.

"Now 50/50 on whether you like this or not, but sandcastle building... is pretty much like 3D printing but with sand!" Irina grinned as she pulled up a holographic screen.

She then crafted an elegant life-size European style castle. Apparently we could even walk inside, and the sand would even hold up.

"What happens when we leave?" I asked as I climbed the sandy stairs.

"Back to the sand, but the design is saved, so no need to worry."

When I got back down, I decided to fiddle with the sand designer, but not before first ordering everyone to stop me after 10 minutes regardless of where I was at. I didn't want a repeat of the 3D printer, there was too much other stuff to do here.

10 minutes later, Irina pulled me away, despite my protests.

"I thought you were supposed to obey the client!"

"I am," Irina smirked as she replayed the order I gave before I got addicted to the sand sculptor.

I could only pout, but in retrospect, it was for the best. I wanted to explore all those ocean activities, especially the surf ski racing.

"Oh, funny you should mention that. Ole Al Surfula is here. He'd make the race fun."

"Al who?"

"From the planet Mon, don't worry, he doesn't drink blood."

That warning only made me weary, but there was no time to protest as Irina dragged me towards someone laying on a beach chair. The figure appeared to be a man, oddly decked out in full formal attire even down to the shoes. He had slicked back hair and sideburns along with sun-tanned skin.

"And here's ole Al. Rise n' shine. It's time for surf skiing," Irina called out.

"..."

"Welp, didn't want to resort to this, but it's the only way," Irina sighed as she pulled out what appeared to be a firecracker.

"Eh,eh, eh! Don't think of trying to prank me by shoving dynamite in my mouth when I'm sleeping. Stuff itches like crazy when it goes off," Al grumbled as he suddenly sprung to life.

"And it worked like a charm. Now, ready to race?" Irina smirked.