[ video ]

[beholding_archivist]

[ And this is Jon appearing on your network feed, actually outside of his library and in all likelihood enjoying a nice evening at the open air. ]

Good evening, Temba.

I... I mean. We don't need more apologies, and yet I feel like I owe quite a few. Things happened. I hurt people both physically and verbally and I'm sorry, but...

...it happened.

[ He falls silent, eyes dropping for a moment. Then he clears his throat and looks back up and over his screen. ]

The beach here is gorgeous. Have been here a few times now and- I think it would be nice to- To come together. Here. Have a nice day and enjoy- uh, well. The beach. The water. Find some time to just... Talk. Maybe... Have fun...

I... I will organize something.

[ Is he awkwardly announcing a beach party? Oh, you bet he is. ]

Comments

[heypartner]

You want some help with that organizing? My town, we have a few celebrations every year. I'm familiar with helpin' set up things.

[ Cobb is in a hammock which he seems to have set up in one of the houses he's fixing. ]

I can at least cook for the thing.

video

[noch]

You wish for us to come together at the beach. For what purpose?

video;

[kyley_b]

I can bring food. You bring the babes in bikinis. [A pause.] That's a joke.

You okay, dude?

video

[beholding_archivist]

Ah... To have fun? I-it's been pretty stressful days for everyone...

[ Nope, he's not very good at this. ]

video;

[beholding_archivist]

[ He sighs. ]

I'm trying to do something nice, Kyle...

[ You may guess how often Jon has ever done anything of this sort. ]

And I'm not asking Tony to wear a bikini.

[ Because he might do that. ]

[beholding_archivist]

[ Jon approves of the hammock. Hammocks are comfy. ]

To be fair, I- I wouldn't mind some help. Doesn't need to be anything complicated.

[ His plan so far: Go pick some fruits. ]

[heypartner]

[ It was easier to set up than dragging a mattress out this far. ]

Well, it's not too hard. Gotta make sure there's enough food and enough alcohol. Though, I guess out here where you've got all this water you can have other things to drink without worrying.

[ Cobb scratches at his chin while he thinks. ]

When are you planning on havin' this thing? Gotta know when all the cooking should be done by. Back home, we do stuff after first sunset.

video;

[kyley_b]

Yeah, I don't need to see my boss on a speedo. Former boss. Fake boss. Whatever.

And hey, I know, I'm offering to help. For seriously.

Audio

[doubled_speed]

Fuck. Yeah.

Excuse me while I go get the replicator to make Tony a Speedo, just for your viewing pleasure. I'm sure he'd wear it.

[text]

[in_extremis]

Blink twice if you're in danger.

He’s sticking with video~

[beholding_archivist]

[ Well, he doesn’t blink. He only looks mildly irritated. ]

I- Tony, I’m fine!

[beholding_archivist]

[ Jon looks a little flustered by that. At least. ]

J-Jesus Christ, Tommy.... I... I mean—-

[ His imagination may not be great, but he can actually picture that.

Please reboot this man’s brain. ]

video;

[beholding_archivist]

I, uh.... I mean- He has gone for a swim with basically less...

[ TMI? Maybe... ]

A-at any rate, I- Wouldn’t mind some help?

jon is streaming to his fans

[in_extremis]

[At least that reaction is normal.]

Would you tell me if someone was making you do this?

[beholding_archivist]

Y-yeah. Not all of us drink alcohol either.

[ He’s aware of Tony’s issues with it and for the man’s sake has decided to not drink anymore himself. He’s trying to be supportive. ]

In a couple of days, actually. Shouldn’t take too long to collect what we need. The beach doesn’t need much preparation.

[ And he is weary of daring to wait too long. Waiting tends to not work out too well in this place. ]

It’s quality content.

[beholding_archivist]

Tony, are... Are you worried about me?

[ That’s actually pretty sweet. ]

It’s fine. I just... Wanted to do something nice. For everyone.

show tits

[in_extremis]

Sometimes.

What's wrong with your normal nice?

video;

[kyley_b]

[Kyle makes a face.]

Of course he has.

Okay, cool. I'll hit up the diner, see what we've got. I doubt we can make hot dogs, but burgers seem possible. Well. Minus the buns, I don't know if we can make bread... I dunno. We'll figure it out.

Hey. It's a good idea, Jon. People are depressed.

[doubled_speed]

[Damn he loves that the idiots have gotten far enough for that unintentional acceptance.]

Some of us vicariously enjoy romance we aren't gonna get by watching you idiots. So I'm totally down for trying to make you two smile after that shit

[beholding_archivist]

Thanks.

[ You know what? He means that. ]

What’s wrong with having a little... Right. Let’s call it a party at the beach. The dress code will be much less strict than your fictional charity event, I promise.

[ A pause. ]

Will you come?

[beholding_archivist]

[ He sputters briefly. ]

W-wha? Tommy, you shouldn’t be watching- I- Please don’t watch us!!

[ That thought is actually a bit disconcerting. The wince on Jon’s face shifts into a more pensive expression. ]

We weren’t.... Exactly friends in that other city...

[ Jon muses, not without regret in his voice. To be fair, he wouldn’t mind being given reason to actually smile again. ]

[heypartner]

[ Look, water was expensive where he came from and alcohol was cheap. It always came to mind first. ]

I know folks got tea and I've got caf. Those fruits make good juices. I like the tough skinned one.

[ The image of Cobb in his hammock shakes a little as he tries to show the size and shape of the fruit he means with a single hand. Not really helpful. ]

Nothing's gonna crawl out of the ocean, right? [ Deep water still unsettles Cobb. ] Should make sure of that. And you'll need stuff to sit on. Sand. Gets. Everywhere.

[thesepreciousthings]

I think that's a nice idea, Jon. And I appreciate the apology. None of us were ourselves.

Need me to bring anything from the diner? Cold drinks? Snacks?

[puddledancer]

Oh, hell yeah, I am so up for a beach party.

Only ... where's the beach?

[beholding_archivist]

[ Yes, he remembers reading about Tatooine. The idea of a planet like that being home to humans still baffles him. ]

Tough skinned, huh?

[ No, he doesn't really get which one Cobb may be talking about. But he smiles a little at the sand comment. ]

Well. I mean. We'll be right by the water. You could bring a blanket or just stay in your swimwear and wash the sand off every now and then. And don't worry. That close to the coast the creatures aren't actually dangerous.