Secluded section of beach [Friday after classes]

[momslilassassin]

Yesterday had been a very, very long day (no doubt made longer by how he hadn't gotten any sleep last night): lightsaber dueling and conversations he'd not wanted to have were exhausting, and even watching Face Loran make an absolute idiot of himself in old propaganda films hadn't been enough to restore his good mood.

Which was why after his class with Minsc, Ben had fled for the ice cream shop, and then some solitude.

He stirred his pint of vanilla into soup and watched the waves crash on the shore.

[OOC: He is totally bug-able, though!]

Comments

[endsthegame]

"It's a miracle you can keep eating that much ice cream without getting fat."

Ender knew he was channeling Valentine the moment the words fell out of his mouth. He'd come here to check on his raft and maybe take it out onto the water while the Support Reserves were still in full swing - he had an appointment with Karla later.

But Ben didn't spend nearly as much time being emo sitting out on the beach as he did, so the irregularity had made him pause.

[momslilassassin]

Ben tilted his head, a ghost of a smile crossing his lips. "You saw my workout yesterday," he replied. "It's not like I'm camped out in a common room watching holos all day."

[endsthegame]

"I think we can leave that to Hannibal," Ender agreed. He changed his course from to the raft to towards Ben.

[momslilassassin]

"I had my fill of holos yesterday anyway," Ben said, deliberately keeping the conversation light.

[endsthegame]

"Had to nurse away your bruises?" Ender asked, coming to stand by Ben's side. "I was going to take the raft out."

That was kind of an invitation.

[momslilassassin]

"Want some help?" Ben asked, looking up at him.

[endsthegame]

"If you think you can stay afloat," Ender said, looking back.

Ben appeared to need something right now, and he suspected it wasn't deep conversation.

[momslilassassin]

"I didn't eat much of the ice cream," or any, "so I'm pretty sure I won't sink right to the bottom," Ben assured him.

[endsthegame]

"Then get your butt off the sand, kreetle." Ender turned slightly, so he was pointing at the raft again and he could get going any time.

[momslilassassin]

Ben scrambled to his feet and drifting along behind Ender, more than a little grateful for something to do.

[endsthegame]

Ender got to the raft speedily enough, and took up a position behind it. He squatted down. "I hope that ice cream won't keep you from pushing."

[momslilassassin]

"Not at all," Ben said quickly, pushing along the other side.

[endsthegame]

"Then five, four, three, two--"

The back end of the raft hit the water already and then the rest of it went. Still seaworthy.

"--one. Keep going until there's no more sand under your feet."

[momslilassassin]

Ben gave him a look. "I'm familiar with the concept of sailing," he said, hopping onto the back of the raft and pulling his feet up so they didn't get wet.

[endsthegame]

"Hard to tell," Ender said, without missing a beat, and joined him there a few seconds later. "A concept only teaches you so much."

[momslilassassin]

Ben laid back and stared up at the sky. "I can figure out astronavigation," he said, "so the idea of 'push boat into water' isn't going to elude me."

[endsthegame]

"I'm just making sure you're paying attention," Ender said, and sat back on the raft. "I haven't cleared out all the sharks in this pond yet."

[momslilassassin]

"Getting eaten wasn't on my list of things to do before the weekend," Ben replied, letting his eyes drift closed. This really was far too comfortable.

[endsthegame]

"So don't fall off."

Ender wrapped his arms around his knees and looked out over the water.

[momslilassassin]

"That's why I keep you around," Ben said, a small smile in his voice. "I wouldn't have thought of that myself."

[endsthegame]

"Also remember to breathe and occasionally digest solids," Ender advised. "I hear that's big nowadays."

[momslilassassin]

"If you mention something about clean underwear, I'm tossing you off the raft."

[endsthegame]

"I don't think clean underwear counts as a major physiological need."

[momslilassassin]

"What about hot showers?" Ben asked.

[endsthegame]

Considering Ender's history with showers, he shrugged. "Not really," he said. "Although I could make up a few that are more esoteric, if you really want me to."