Kitsune of the Blue Sun
Side Chapter 8: Did Anyone Order a Beach Episode?

[Keeno POV]

Stepping out of the room, I was confused. Instead of the inns I was used to, it was like the rooms were all separate, one room buildings surrounding a communal courtyard. I was clearly too tired to remember all this but truly seeing it for the first time was a nice change of pace, especially as the area was surprisingly cool for the area. It made for a relaxing atmosphere that really invited one to stay and immerse themselves. It was almost magical how much my mood improved just from seeing this, despite having just spent the last near month in a jungle full of plant life. Something about purposefully cultivated and nurtured gardening makes you feel relaxed.

I looked around but didn’t see anyone else out here, so I decided to sit on one of the several benches in the courtyard and wait for them. There weren’t many other people around either. I found a nice spot close to a fountain and sat down, listening to the water run and enjoying the early morning noises and breeze.  I then caught a whiff of something and looked around to see a, what I would describe as middle-aged, man sitting at a small table, a large paper in his hands and small cup sitting next to him.

“It’s been a while since I had some coffee… I kinda want some.”

Standing up from my spot, I walked over to the man.

“Excuse me.” (Keeno)

The man looked over his what I could only call newspaper at me. He had unkempt golden hair, and his eyes were a dark shade of gold just barely bordering on orange. The look in his eyes made it seem like he hadn’t had a decent night’s sleep for quite a while, though the vibe he gave off was more along the lines of someone who was just tired of life.

“Is there something wrong, ma’am?”

His voice was deep and gravelly, carrying the same tiredness his eyes gave off.

“Ah, no, I was just wondering where you got the coffee. Me and my friends got here not too long ago, and I didn’t really pay attention before getting here.” (Keeno)

“Over there.”

He pointed over his shoulder with his thumb.

“Thanks.” (Keeno)

He gave a quiet grunt of acknowledgment before straightening his papers and going back to reading.

‘I know people can be grumpy in the morning, but still.’

{He reminds me of Margaret, looks wise.}

‘I thought so too, but it can’t be that easy to find her uncle, can it?’

{Weirder things have happened.}

‘True.’

I made myself a cup of coffee and went back to the place I was sitting earlier.

{Hmm.}

‘???’

{You’ll see.}

‘Making a garden like this?’

{Yeah, but bigger and with our preferred plants.}

‘Can’t wait to see what you do with the place. ‘

I leaned back on the bench, sipping my coffee. I closed my eyes and let the sounds around me wash over me.  The sound of the fountain, birds, insects, and something far off but just slightly noticeable.

‘I forgot this place is close to the sea, or would it be the ocean?  What makes an ocean and ocean and a sea a sea again?’

{One is…bigger?}

‘You don’t know either?!’

{I’m Goddess of Life, Magic, and the Orange Sun, not the Goddess of Oceans. She’s a bitch!}

‘Not to self, lock up and torture a bitch who my wife hates.’

{Heh.  Let’s do it together.}

‘Heh. Nothing like some bonding over torture.’

{Heh.}

‘Heh.’

{Heh.}

‘Heh.’

“I don’t know what the two of you are thinking but stop it.” (Mostima)

“Good morning to you too.” (Keeno)

Mostima sat next to me and looked around.

“This is nice. I’d even say I could take a nap if I didn’t just wake up.” (Mostima)

“I mean, that’s no reason you can’t. I doubt Pram or Freya are going to wake up any time soon.” (Keeno)

“Yeah.  Must be nice, being able to release those urges with the person they love.” (Mostima)

“I know right.” (Keeno)

We fell into silence and stayed like that for a while.

“It’s cute how your ears do that. Freya too.  Always moving around with everything interesting you hear.” (Mostima)

“Well, I do try, though in this particular case I can’t really control it. Honestly, didn’t know it was that noticeable.” (Keeno)

“Your ears are actually really expressive, even when you put up that façade of yours.  And when you talk to her, they go straight up, kinda like horns.” (Mostima)

“…” (Keeno)

For some strange reason, that made me feel embarrassed and extremely aware of every movement my ears made. I could feel their every twitch.

{Hehehe.  Up they go.}

“Uuuuu.” (Keeno)

“Hehehe.” (Mostima)

The two kept teasing me when I caught the quiet sound of waves again.

“Mostima.” (Keeno)

“Yeah?” (Mostima)

“You’ve been here before, right?  Like, in recentish years?” (Keeno)

“Sort of?  It’s been a long time, but not long enough for a major shift in how things work here. If that makes sense.  Why?” (Mostima)

“Well, Ama’s opinion on the Ocean God and the dangers the ocean poses in general aside, do people in this city hang out by or even swim around in the sea at all?” (Keeno)

“Yeah?  I mean, big threats don’t really appear really close to land in the first place. Sure, you can’t go out too, too far, but if it’s just recreation and fun then there are safe areas to be in. Of course this is also possibly different now, Dead Zone being gone and all. I don’t know how those going away affects the oceans.” (Mostima)

“Hmm.  Guess we can go find out later today. I kinda want to have a beach day if we can before we leave this continent.” (Keeno)

“I like the idea, but none of us have swimsuits.” (Mostima)

“I fail to see the problem. We have to stock up on some supplies, anyway, so might as well get some while we do that.” (Keeno)

“Phew.” (Mostima)

“…You were thinking I was just going to say we go naked, weren’t you.” (Keeno)

“I reserve the right to stay silent.” (Mostima)

“You know that’s worse than just admitting it, right?  What do you take me for, anyway?  I’m not an exhibitionist.” (Keeno)

“Honestly, don’t even know why I thought that.” (Mostima)

“Thought what?” (Pram)

“Morning you two.  It’s nothing, just one of Mostima’s fetishes apparently.” (Keeno)

“Oi!  What do YOU take me for?” (Mostima)

“Someone who can dish out teasing but can’t take it in return.” (Keeno)

“…I walked right into that one.” (Mostima)

We both started laughing, causing both Pram and Freya to tilt their heads. They sat down on another bench next to ours and I told them what I wanted to do today. Pram was excited by the prospect seeing as she, well technically all of us but Mostima, had never actually seen the ocean. My own experiences with the ocean in my last life being vague ghosts of memory in the back of my mind at best.

We left the inn and began our shopping. It wasn’t until after we started that we realized just how low our supplies had gotten. Sure, it was still more than people would probably have, but we all had the mindset of over preparation is better than under preparation. We also did learn about a good place to go for some swimming and whatnot. Once we were done with getting travel supplies, we looked around for a place to get some swimsuits, and after asking around we were recommended a place quite close to our destination.

When we arrived at that shop and were awestruck. The variety and styles of swimwear were beyond what I could fathom from this world. It took us quite a while to decide on what we wanted, but eventually we did. After buying everything we left the shop and made our way to the beach.  When it came into view, it had the majesty you’d expect, though it was overshadowed by the presence of something else. The giant bridge that spanned between continents. The massive construct made of what looked like stone and metal rose up like a massive dam splitting the sea in two. Even only seeing one side of it, it baffled me on just how it was possible something like this could have been done by the hands of mortals.

“As impressive as always.” (Mostima)

The rest of us were speechless.

{Keeno, you’re going to catch flies if you stay like that.}

‘Couldn’t help it…your information about this really undersold the whole enormity.’

{Well, I can’t ruin every surprise, right?}

‘Fair enough.’

We basked in the sight of mortal engineering for a few more minutes before finally moving on. Once we made our way down to where the sand was, I was slightly surprised by the fact that it was a light blue where I thought it was an ashy grey at a distance.  It was also fairly empty, which I thought was strange, but it also meant less people crowding us, so I didn’t think too much more about it. Heading over to a small building with a sign with a picture of clothes on it, we went inside and found smaller, individual rooms where we changed into our swimsuits.

I was the first to finish. I had a dark purple, near black two-piece swimsuit that had a similar color, opaque veil/ribbon that I wore around my shoulders and a separate one that I wore around my waist.

{…}

‘Like what you see?’

{…Uh-huh.}

‘Hehehe.’

The next one of us to exit was Mostima. She had a swimsuit similar to mine, though the color was white and it showed much less skin. It kinda reminded me more of a dancer’s outfit from other desert cultures on Earth.  Her thin tail swished back and forth, adjusting things behind her where her wings were.

“It’s never occurred to me to ask, but does it ever get uncomfortable wearing clothes with those?  I mean, they aren’t physically attached to your back, but with whatever you’re doing it seems to be.” (Keeno)

“Not really. Well, not entirely.  It’s a feeling we get used to over time until it just stops bothering us completely, but every so often it flares up. Though in this instance I’m just trying to fix a part that creased up and is itchy.” (Mostima)

“I’ll help you.” (Keeno)

“Thanks.” (Mostima)

As I was helping Mostima adjust her swimsuit, Pram walked out of the changing rooms. She chose a storm cloud gray one-piece swimsuit that had an attached frilly half skirt and frills that rested atop her chest. It clashed nicely with her pale skin and really accentuated her thighs. Her tail coiled around one of her legs and her ears were somewhat flattened against her head, her cheeks dyed slightly red.

“You seem nervous.” (Mostima)

“A little.  It feels weird wearing this little out in public.  I mean, what you two are wearing looks basically just like underwear.  I don’t get how you aren’t a little bothered by it…why do you two look so surprised?” (Pram)

“Well, I kinda expected this reaction from Freya, but not you, Pram.” (Keeno)

“Exactly.” (Mostima)

Pram blushed a little more.

“Well excuse me for falling short of your expectations.” (Pram)

“Don’t get us wrong, Pram, you’re still cute, but this is making you even cuter, so you’ve actually blown the expectations away.” (Keeno)

It was then that the door opened one final time.  Out if it walked Freya wearing a two piece, black and blue swimsuit. The bottom part consisted of sporty-looking shorts, and the top was under a small, unzipped jacket that still showed off her toned midriff.  It looked wonderful on her, and the way she carried herself reminded me of how she was when we first met.

“Oh.” (Pram)

“Looks like we lost Pram.” (Keeno)

“Good thing these are waterproof, huh.” (Mostima)

“The way you said that made it sound like you were attracted to Freya.” (Keeno)

“Freya DOES look good, but Fia’s the only one for me.” (Mostima)

“Stop gawking at me and let’s go. I want to find a good, secluded spot.” (Freya)

Surprising us yet again, Freya led the way further into the beach. Looking around for a bit, we saw a place with a large wall of rocks that were a similar color to the bridge in the opposite direction. Moving around them we found the perfect spot. With it being almost noon, both suns shone down on the place and would keep doing so even as they set. There was nobody around either, giving it the vibe of a private beach.  We laid out a large blanket to sit on as a calm breeze blew through the spot. There must have been some holes eroded in the rocks somewhere because the breeze blowing through had an almost musical hum to it.

“So, what exactly are our plans?  I mean, we all agreed to this on the spur of the moment, but we never really thought about what to do when we got here.” (Freya)

“Well first, Geri, Freki, aren’t you gonna join us?  Huginn and Muninn too.” (Keeno)

My feathery friends flew out of my tails and grew to their full sizes, which had once again increased, and now they were the size of a person.  They stretched their wings to their full lengths and promptly flopped over in the sunniest spot they could find.  When Geri and Freki came out of whatever special space they stay in in the marks on my arms, I almost smacked them on their heads for being indecent but seeing me they immediately put their ‘clothes’ on.

“I swear, you two need to learn to wear something more often.  How many times have I told you that being naked all the time is no good?” (Keeno)

“You should try it, Master.  It’s so freeing.” (Freki)

“And you can seduce Mistress Amaterasu easier that way.” (Geri)

“How shortsighted.” (Keeno)

““Eh?”” (Both)

“Seduction isn’t all about being naked you know.  Sure, it ends up being part of the end goal, but there is a lot more to it than just that.  In my opinion, it’s the parts BEFORE you end up naked that make that end goal even more satisfying.  If you two are ever going to please Red more intimately than just being near her, then you’ll need to learn.” (Keeno)

The two spirits looked at one another before looking back at me.

“Not now.” (Keeno)

“Yes Master!” (Geri)

“We shall eagerly await your teachings!” (Freki)

Caught up in their own world, the two bounded off to the edge of this little cape to do…something.  I sighed as I turned back to Freya and the others.

“Now, as for what specifically to do…no clue.  I was going to relax in a sunny spot for a bit before swimming for a little while.” (Keeno)

“I’m going fishing.  Doubt I’ll catch anything but I’m still gonna try.” (Mostima)

“Freya, come swim with me!” (Pram)

“Guess that’s what Pram’s doing. I’ll be with her then.” (Freya)

Everyone separated to do what they wanted, leaving me with my two lazy birds.

“I know its on me for not thinking this through more, but not what I imagined for our little beach day.”

{What did you imagine?}

“…I…huh.  We should do this again one day when we can invite everyone.  It’ll be more fun with more people.  We can cook a big feast, play games, have a big fire at night…Eight people isn’t enough.”

{I’ll see what I can arrange but we have to get there first.}

“Hehehe.”

I lay down on the towel we put down, fanning my tails out as I embraced the warmth of the suns.  After a while the sound of the sea and the humming wind put me in a sort of trance, almost sleep, but just aware enough to know time was still moving.  Hours had to have passed by when something broke the unceasing monotony of the surroundings.

{Mostima has some strange fishing luck}

Sitting up still a bit groggy, I saw Mostima and Freya locked in battle with a…I didn’t really know what to call it.  It was about the size of an orca but was alligator-like in shape.  It had dull blue spikes on its back that slightly crackled with electricity.

“Filthy mongrel…I was having a good dream I think…”

{YOU THREE GET AWAY!!!}

“The sun is a deadly laser.”

I took a deep breath and, channeling a little more Solar power than I probably should have through my dragon core, let out a Breath.  A blindingly bright beam of brilliant blue shot from me and hit the beast dead center.  It let out a silent scream as more than half of it atomized instantly.  The beam didn’t stop there either, but it eventually vanished over the far horizon.

“Mongrels…”

After that, I laid back down only to see Geri and Freki having had come over here and staring down at me.

“What?” (Keeno)

“Master, your breath.” (Freki)

“It vaporized your underwear.” (Geri)

In the distance I could hear Pram yell something like ‘I told you it was underwear.’  I then sat up again and looked down.  Sure enough my swimsuit was completely burned away.  I quickly moved two of my tails to cover myself before looking at the two staring at me.

“Ah.  This is that seduction thing.” (Geri)

“I see.” (Freki)

I rolled my eyes at the two of them and pulled out my normal clothes.

“Well, I guess that’s what I get for wearing something mortal made again.” (Keeno)

The others finally made their way to me again.  They were soaked and breathing heavily.  The practically fell onto the blanket.

“Keeno…next time you do that…give us longer to get out of the way.” (Freya)

I nodded as I continued to change.  I moved a bit away from the others so they could rest better.  Sitting on a flat rock I looked out over the ocean and the giant bridge we were going to start crossing soon.

Chaos Realm:

Nykuro: Nye he he.

Swii: ???

Nykuro: Don’t worry, my Swiit.  I just had a gloriously evil idea.

Swii: !?!?

Nykuro: *Pulls Swii into a hug* Like I said, don’t worry.  It’s going to be so fun.