(no subject)

[astralera]

Characters: Era Ra & Amanda Perry & OPEN
Summary: beautiful ladies sunbathing ok come join
Date(s): 08/24
Warnings/Notes: n/a unless bikinis count!



While the main beach on Xistentia has nothing on the beaches of La Noscea - Costa de Sol in particular - it's still of acceptably nice quality. The sand is fine and warm, the water crisp and clear. There's enough of a breeze to stay comfortable, ample shade if one were to seek it out, and yalms of sun to bask in.

Originally Era and Amanda had planned to meet up the week previous, but for various reasons had to be postponed until today. Which hasn't turned out to be a problem, given that the weather is currently looking to be perfect for a long day on the shoreline.

She has set up a large red cotton blanket on the sand (made a few days ago for just this purpose), corners held down with some rocks. An umbrella she liberated from the city shadows a corner of the blanket where she has a basket of fruits and pastries and a few bottles of water. Era can't think of what else they might need, but doesn't fret over it - she imagines that Amanda will be bringing some things along as well.

Peki is eating some Gyshal Greens nearby, and Emeraldd has curled up like a cat half in the shade of the umbrella, long tails brushing against Era's thighs as she sprawls out in a particularly warm spot on the soft cotton. The give of the sand under her back takes her back to festivals days in Eastern La Noscea. If she's translated the Earth months correctly then it should still be the Moonfire Faire back in Eorzea. Perhaps she should set off some fireworks later in celebration?

For now though, she'll just enjoy basking in the sun while waiting for her friend to arrive.

Comments

[astralera]

It's a while later - probably too late for her plan to be of any real use - but Era has finally decided to follow Peki's lead and go trot after their silly Elezen companion to check up on him, bottle of Amanda's sunscreen in hand. She's as light on her feet as ever, hot sand a delight on the soles of her feet rather than a pain.

Despite her inability to swim (she's tried to learn, of course, but at her age it was impossible to find someone to teach her rather than judge, and then there was just never any time...) the water looks impossibly inviting. Perhaps after making sure Aymeric doesn't burn himself to a crisp she'll sit in the shallows; wash off the sweat that is starting to curl her hair even more dramatically around her cheeks.

"Aymeric," Era says quietly in greeting a friendly distance behind him.

[remarkablymodest]

While he'd never actually complain, his politician poker face is failing him in the face of the heat. His face doesn't necessarily give him away but the flush on his cheeks and sweat running down his neck and staining the back of his shirt probably do. He somehow still manages to make melting look almost attractive, however, holding himself tall and composed even in the ways his body is protesting.

Blue eyes had been locked on the gentle roll and recede of the waves, lost in thought. He's had a lot of time to think here in Xistentia. It's been a good and bad thing, honestly, so he's grateful for the sudden mention of his name to pull him out of his own mind. "Era," he greets in return, turning to address her with a smile.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" he asks, almost immediately after. Just like him, more concerned with others than himself.

[astralera]

The look Era pins him with is one of exasperated fondness. There's an amused quirk to her lips and a hint of concern in her eyes, but his query makes her smile a bit broader and nod in answer. It has been quite an enjoyable day so far - Era can't recall ever having the chance to spend a lazy day with any female friends before. It's refreshing, and a lovely respite from her own thoughts.

Though with Aymeric standing in front of her, face flush and skin beading with sweat the inconvenient thoughts come back with a vengeance. No man has any right to be attractive, let alone as unfairly attractive as her friend. Era perseveres though, forcing a blush away and focusing instead on what she came over here for. She tugs on a piece of his shirt, gesturing for him to bend down nearer to her level. The fact that he's sweating means he isn't suffering heat stroke, though given his current choice of outfit it's only a matter of time.

"You're going to get heat sickness in this attire."

[remarkablymodest]

He's more than glad to see that affirmation. Era - in his personal and professional opinion - more than deserves a little down time. While he'd be hard pressed to apply the same logic to himself, he also couldn't compare what he does to her daring deeds. There's a vast difference between political contention and physical.

The tug to his shirt sees a raise of his eyebrows but he complies. The man closes his hands behind his back, bending down so that he's more at level with her. Still not quite exactly but closer. She should be able to reach his face easily though.

If he were a less modest man, he might boldly suggest that she doesn't need to use such a flimsy excuse to see him without a shirt. But as he was raised as a noble with some sense of what is and isn't proper, he refrains. What a shame for everyone involved. "Unfortunately, it was either this attire or risking burns from the sun." His face is still probably already a bit pink as well with any other exposed skin.

[astralera]

Pleased with his acquiescence Era squeezes some of the lotion onto her fingers and reaches up to begin spreading it carefully across Aymeric's sun-flushed face. "This will not heal what has been burned, but will prevent it from worsening." At least that what she's been lead to believe, and Era has no reason to distrust her friend.

"If it would be more comfortable, I have a shirt of lighter fabric on hand for you." Because as much as she might enjoy the idea of Aymeric's bared torso, Era also knows that the poor man needs as much protection from the sun as possible.

Once she has finished coating her friend's face (perhaps taking more time than was strictly necessary), she stands on her tip-toes to add some lotion to the back of his neck. It is a bit of an uncomfortable reach but she manages, then moves on to rub more of the sunscreen onto the shell of Aymeric's ears - again probably taking more time than one might need for such a task.

He looks utterly ridiculous at this point, before the bright white lotion has had a chance to be absorbed properly, but Era also finds it stupidly endearing.

[remarkablymodest]

He is the picture of patience throughout the entirety of it. At one point, he even closes his eyes. Whether to enjoy the sensation of her lotion-laden fingers skimming against his skin or just to shield from the sun, who knows! It is a mystery. His placid expression gives nothing away either.

Either way, he opens his baby blues again once she seems to have finished and gives his friend a smile before straightening up once more. He gives a small wiggle of his nose at the feeling of it there but refrains from touching or rubbing it in just in case he's not supposed to. It's definitely soothing and cooling, whatever she'd used, so she's inclined to take her word for it that it will help protect from the sun. As for a lighter shirt-

"I wouldn't be opposed to wearing something that airs a bit better," which is probably the closest he'll get to admitting that, yeah, he's hot and uncomfortable. "Thank you, Era, for being so considerate of me."

[astralera]

His eyes are a blue deeper than the waters of La Noscea, and his smile... Were it not for the Echo she might wonder whether the man had somehow tempered her with all that he makes her feel for him. Forcing the colour away from her cheeks, Era stretches up to rub the lotion in a bit more thoroughly on the very tip of his nose (all that she can reach even on her tip toes) with a fond smile.

Delighted by his agreement, Era is quick to pull a light blue short-sleeved shirt out from seemingly nowhere and hold it out for Aymeric. "It would be remiss of me to allow my dearest friend to faint from the heat."

She will turn her back to him after he takes it, offering as much privacy she can give despite the odd, burning desire to see his naked chest.

[remarkablymodest]

If given the opportunity, the things he feels for Era - were he to write them - would put any of the minstrel's ballads to shame.

The man blinks at the sudden appearance of the shirt but takes it easily in hand soon as it's offered. Once she turns around, he's stripping himself of his current clothes and replacing it quickly. He does take a moment in-between to sigh at the free feeling of shirtlessness but his propriety does prevent him from indulging in it overly long. As soon as he's dressed again, he'll clear his throat to let her know he's 'decent' again.

"I feel cooler already," he admits, draping the other sweat-stained shirt over his arm. "Though now I suppose I might need that sunblocking lotion on my arms."

considering the minstrel is a sadist i don't think it would be difficult but i get u

[astralera]

She turns around once she hears him clear his throat, tail waggling with her excitement at seeing Aymeric wearing something she crafted so carefully for him. Era tries to focus on the shirt but catches herself focusing on her friend's upper arms, as they're not something she's ever seen before. As soon as she realizes she's staring, Era quickly turns her attention to the sunblock and hands it over for him to take.

"Make sure there is an even layer coating your exposed skin and you will be fine."

loOK... no one said aymeric isn't ;) omg i almost choked on my drink typing that ignore me

[remarkablymodest]

If he had the capability to strike a gentlemanly pose, he certainly would in this moment for Era alone. Don't think her glance doesn't go unnoticed, though he is polite enough to not draw attention to it in this moment. It's tucked away instead to his mental notes. Hm. Hmmm.

"I appreciate it, my friend," he concedes, smile taking an almost sheepish tinge to it. "Hopefully, I will be better acclimated to the Winter of this realm and be able to assist you then."

oh no now i'm thinking about era striking a most gentlemanly pose for someone sdkjgh hahaha

[astralera]

Any warrior or adventurer worth their salt would be inclined to admire such musculature okay. But the sudden thought of winter here - that's enough to distract her from what she was thinking about.

"...Surely it won't be a winter to rival the Highlands?"

pls have her do it, i i will pay u

[remarkablymodest]

"I should hope not," he admits, thought perhaps a bit... sullenly. He almost misses the biting cold of Ishgard and Coerthas. Almost. The temperature of Xistentia has been an adjustment, certainly, but Era seems more acclimated to it and that's enough to leave him satisfied.

"This place is much more tropical than my homeland."

I will find a way, someday. and it will be fab

[astralera]

"Some places remind me quite strongly of La Noscea," she admits. A small wave of her arm indicates this beach to be one such place. "And the forests reminds me of Gridania. I wouldn't be opposed to an area similar to Coerthas here as well. I miss throwing snowballs. Nothing so far has brought Thanalan to mind however, for which I'm sure you're grateful."

There may be just a bit of an amused quirk to her lips - she noticed the sullen tone and it's unfairly endearing.

"If you haven't done so yet, try standing still where the waves hit the sand."

[remarkablymodest]

"Yes," he freely admits, knowing Era would not be one to judge him for it. Nor would she be one to judge him for how he's struggling in this heat but his pride still causes him to try and mask it. "Even the short visit there to convene with the Sultana was... trying."

No one was thankfully any the wiser then though.

"I'll take your advice though," he continues. "If I had thought to bring more suitable attire, I might have tried for a swim but it's likely better that I remain covered."