The Beach, Monday morning

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

With no classes and no cheer camp to keep her busy, River decided to seek distraction in the waves. Parker's phonecall yesterday had left her thoughtful, and although not necessarily in a bad way she found that these days it was better not to dwell on things. The waves washed around her legs as she waded out into the sea until it was deep enough to let herself fall backwards. She kicked, splashing water and watched spray against the backdrop of the cloudy sky. Waiting for her on the beach was a thermos full of warm coffee and a packed breakfast.

[open!]

Comments

[by137.livejournal.com]

A.J.? Up in the morning when he didn't have to be? Jogging?

Hard to believe, really, but there he was, all the same, hair flopping with each step as he passed by the beach in a route he was trying out. Shhhh. Don't tell Troy.

He caught something splashing around in the corner of his eye that made him stop for a second; it was only a moment and the noticing of the thermos and other things on the beach that made him realize it was a person. He, finding this a good place to stop and catch his breath because jogging was haaaard, lifted a hand to shield his eyes from what sunlight was coming out for a better look at who it was.

"River!" he waved. "Hi!"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"A.J.!" River waved by splashing water with one foot. "Swimming is better than jogging!" And company was better than being alone.

[by137.livejournal.com]

A.J. laughed a little, letting a huge breath of air, tiredly shaking his head. "I'd have to agree with you there, but I don't have my swim trunks. I didn't think anyone would be crazy enough to be up this morning since there's no classes or anything, much less swimming."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Clothes will dry on your way home. I have coffee to keep you warm." River floated comfortably on the water. "I like mornings. Silence makes you hear things." Sometimes too much of the background noise of her own mind though, but company chased that away.

[by137.livejournal.com]

Well, the jog had left him sweaty and warm and a cool down would be nice. "You sure you don't mind?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Wouldn't have suggested it if I had," River said with a laugh, splashing water in A.J.'s direction.

[by137.livejournal.com]

A.J.'s head tilted to the side slightly. "Good point," he nodded, and, shucking off his tanktop with a small amount of difficulty because the sweat made it stick a little, he jogged into the water until it was deep enough to go under a bit and he could swim over to where River was. He straighted out of the water, giving his head a shake before running his hands through his wet hair to slick it back and out of his eyes.

"Feels good," he said with a crooked grin.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"I know," River said, grinning back. Then, with a sudden move, she disappeared under the surface.

[by137.livejournal.com]

A.J.'s lips pursed for a second when River disappeared, and then he realized he should watch his ankles. Hopefully, the thought didn't come too late before someone might be trying to pull them out from under him.

That was the sort of thing he'd be going under for, anyway.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

It was generally the sort of thing River would go for too, but as he was expecting it, it was less fun. She ended up swimming in a semi-circle around him and poking his shoulder.

[by137.livejournal.com]

"Oof." With all his attention at his ankles, the poke took A.J. by surprised and he chuckle a little, looking over his shoulder at River as his arms idly moved in the water. "I'd watch it," he told her. "I might begin to think that you're starting something, River, and then it's on."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River just giggled, confident that she'd win anything started, having an unfair advantage. She dived away from him, deliberately splashing water with her feet.

[by137.livejournal.com]

And A.J., completely unaware of any such advantage, laughed and decided to make a good honest attempt for victory. "Hey!" His arms went up as if that would help block the water, and then he gave an overdramatic sigh, shaking his head. "Well, you were warned." Diving in, he went after River, trying to catch up with her while avoiding the kicking splashes.

[scary-jeff.livejournal.com]

The best way to avoid nasty things like phone calls from your mother regarding her demands for your education was to not be present in a room that contained a phone. Of this, Jeff was certain.

Also, in comparison to the many other threats to his life that Fandom provided (such as women and closets and Andrews and angry German cooks) the sand was relatively benign, he'd found yesterday.

Hence, he arrived at the beach only a short while after waking up. He was fully intending to be here all day. He stood on the sand, staring at the sky. He was finding some, er, interesting shapes in them.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River was paddling along the beach, watching the waves wash over her feet, but when she sensed Jeff approach she looked up and waved. "The sea moves the sand!" she called.

[scary-jeff.livejournal.com]

That startled Jeff.

Then again, many things did.

"River!" he said, waving enthusiastically and grinning like an idiot, "It's a lot safer than the other way around!"

He wasn't sure what that meant, but it made sense somehow.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River wasn't sure it made sense, but that didn't matter. She called back: "Sand is never as safe as you think!" and gestured for him to join her.

[scary-jeff.livejournal.com]

"I'm being really careful!" Jeff yelled after her, all the while padding towards her, "I checked and everything, it's not getting anywhere near any cavities."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"You should be more concerned with cavities of sand!" River called back, grinning happily. "Might swallow you whole if you're careless." She splashed a little water towards him. "The sea is safer."

[scary-jeff.livejournal.com]

"It's not the swallowing that frightens me," Jeff explained, staying a few inches away from the water, "I don't want to have any chafing in unfortunate areas, you never know when someone's going to catch you in your underwear."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

That seemed perhaps a little unnecessary to worry about. "How is that bad?" River asked.

[scary-jeff.livejournal.com]

"I wouldn't want people staring at places when I look like I've been attacked by an affectionate miniature tentacle monster," Jeff replied, philosophically, "It always made my mother a bit upset."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"I believe your mother shouldn't always be listened to. What's working with tentacled monsters?" If he was prejudiced he'd have to meet Berthold.

[scary-jeff.livejournal.com]

"I haven't actually met any tentacled monsters," Jeff said, focusing on all the interesting patterns he could find in the water now. "So I'm not entirely certain if my mother's judgement was based on solid facts, I haven't had the opportunity to check."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Come and meet Berthold sometime," River offered. "Bring ice cream." She was certain the meeting would not confirm his mother's prejudices.