Surfin' Safari Part 1

Posted on Thu May 23rd, 2019 @ 8:11pm by Leiddem Kea (*) & Chief Helmsman Eden Bowers & Johnathen Anderson Jr

Mission: Mission 9 - Daucina
Location: Attlesard Beach
Timeline: MD 05 10:00
1366 words - 2.7 OF Standard Post Measure

Eden grinned. She couldn't help it. It was gorgeous, warm, nice big rolling waves with no threat on the horizon. Plus she had a surfboard in hand and she fully intended to crash and burn many times while she learned this most ancient art of riding the waves. The sun beamed down on her but the heat wasn't going to keep her from doing everything possible to enjoy herself and keep her mind off of any unpleasantness.

Having already made it to the water, Johnathen was quickly relearning how to surf. As it had been well over one hundred years since he had last shedded the waves just off California's coast, his muscle memory was much shorter in time. The first three sets, he totally wiped out like a *kook*. The forth time he got out, he slid right in to a perfect pipeline, and rode it for several seconds, until he shot out the far end just before the wave collapsed.

"This place has to be the best shoreleave location in years right?" Leiddem offered as he looked out across the ocean and all the people just having fun. It felt like a decade since they all had just had fun and not worried about anything apart from something as simple as the ocean being just right.

Eden nodded fervently. "The best one I've ever been to. No surprises, just sun, sand and lots and lots of water. I guess it's about time I made a fool of myself." She said pointing to the board smiling. Inside she was patting herself on the back for having the courage to put on this two-piece bathing suit and for picking up a board. She still had to get in the water though. The breeze was tickling the hairs on the back of her neck as she stepped toward the waves.

Coming from the water, Johnathen picked up his board and tucked it under his right arm. Moving over to where his things were on the beach, he laid his board down on the sand next to his towel and grabbed a second towel to dry his sun-warmed skin. Looking over, he saw a few of his crewmates standing a few dozen meters away. Smiling, he raised his left arm up high and waved at them.

"Feel like giving anyone a few pointers? I plan on crashing and burning for a while but maybe I'll do it better with some guidance." Eden grinned at him.

The Betazoid in the group grinned and shrugged a little. "I've not done this for a while. Had to be before Bootcamp but it'll be fun either way." The man had no doubt he would be crashing and burning but that was where the fun was.

"I've never done it. I can swim but that's about it. I fully expect to be terrible at it but it will be a learning experience and an opportunity to come out of my shell a bit." Eden had just the hint of a smile on her face, she couldn't help it. She loved warmth.

"Aren't we all here to learn and to have fun?" The Marine was intent on the fact he was going to have some fun. He had spent far to long in space for his liking without the opportunity for some fun and relaxation.

"Hey, guys!" Johnathen greeted his friends cheerfully as they approached him. Hearing part of the conversation, he added, "The biggest thing you have to remember while you are out there, is to keep your knees flexed slightly. Until you're more experienced, I'd refrain from trying to do anything straight-legged." He blushed slightly as he continued. "Trust me. I learned the hard way, in the beginning. Don't try to hot dog it until you're ready. Amd don't be discouraged when you wipe out. *Everybody* does, even the legends. It's all a part of the beast that is the sea." He put emphasis on his last words by turning towards the crashing waves and spreading his hand out to take in the entire scene.

Hal walked up, sort of funny. He was still wrestling with his swimsuit. The drawstring had a mind of its own seemed like. "Good! Stay there! He said, voice louder than he thought. "Sorry." He winced. "Am I late?"

Eden raised an eyebrow at his conversation with the clothing but shook her head. "We were just getting some tips from our own local expert. And I think now it's time to crash spectacularly because that what I fully intend to do." In all honesty, she thought she might be better at snorkelling because although Eden did enjoy climbing, the rock didn't usually move underneath her.

Johnathan laughed softly at his friend's enthusiasm. "That's the spirit!" He reached down and picked up his board, tucking it under his left arm as he stood back up. "Okay, last one in is a Gorn lover!" With that, he bolted towards the surf, laughing louder as he went.

As nervous as she was, Eden smiled and followed him toward the water. Briefly, she thought that there were probably some Gorns that were perfectly nice but when the water hit her legs all thoughts on that subject were washed away. The water was a tad cool to the touch at first but she had a feeling if she just got completely wet she'd get used to it fast.

"I don't mind Gorn." Leiddem commented on as he grabbed Eden's hand and tugged her further into the water. "You heard the man." The Marine grabbed the board not at all sure if he was just trying to look manly or not. "I fully intend to wipe out and just enjoy myself."

Eden bit her lip slightly.. "Did you ever go camping when you were a kid?" She asked, to no one in particular. "I remember this one time it was summer on this planet my parents stopped off at. Don't even remember the name of it, but it was hot. And I decided to take off part of my clothing and dip it in this river. The water was glacial fed and so cold. Putting the clothing back on I squealed and made all kinds of noises, nearly gave my father a heart attack, he thought something was trying to eat me. Every time I get into cool water it makes me think of that."

Leiddem nodded at the woman and her memory, it was something he could relate to. It was an adorable memory. "We used to go camping all the time with and Jeassaho. Rest of our family thought it all improper. Must be why we are the black sheeps of the family." Leiddem said with a grin. He had no shame in admitting he was that at all.

"Why would camping be improper?" Eden was completely immersed in water now but she hadn't climbed on the board yet. "Familiarizing yourself with wilderness should be at the top of everyone's list. It helps people survive."

"Long story but my family aren't very in touch with the earth or anything." The mere thought of camping to the majority of the Kea family wouldn't have gone well at all. "Where is your lovely wife Johnathen?" Lieddem asked thinking that he hadn't seen Cassie in a few days.

The helmsman paddled over and then sat up on his boa4d, hanging his legs off either side of the board. "She said she wanted to check on something, but that she would be by in a little while." Johnathen didn't say what Cassie was investigating because he truly didn't know. She was keeping it a secret from him.

Hal paddled out, in a way. It was all he could do to stay straight on the board. Embarrassing for someone who grew up by a lake. But he eventually figured it out.

Eden climbed on the board like a newborn calf just standing for the first time. She fell off when the first wave hit her, causing a fit of giggles to overtake her and for her to suck in water and cough for a good five minutes and sound as if she were dying.

TRUNCATED