David grumbled, turning back to the others in the group. He knew the redhead, Kail, was it? Yes, that one was fairly serious, and somewhat intimidating during their encounter with Scorpio. However, there was... well, how to put it? It didn't feel right, relaxing this way when the world was going to fall to the Covenant. They should be out there, training, reaching out to the pubic and gaining the civilian support for a long-term counterinsurgency plan, or trying to get Ito on the horn again to smack some sense into the Diet. But the fanged chick and everyone else letting their hormones do the thinking was the wrong tone, entirely.

"I didn't come hear for a company picnic and to check out which couples hook up on the Weakest Link," Yinko scowled. Throwing a pair of slim goggles over his face, he walked off the ledge of the deck, into the pool, and began an intensive lap swim.

He could lose himself in the exercise, drill his body into the shape it needed to be. As his joints cracked and groaned with each stroke, he fought for air, forcing himself ahead. It was better than dealing with teen drama on the artificial shore.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, he hoped Sophia would be above it all. Granted, she was some senshi of love and emotion, but he wished, even to an infinitesimally small extent, she could keep her head clear.

Val smiled at Lucky charms, they all needed this bit after the fight. If everything was serious the whole time they'd likely lose it. It was important to find the fun in dark times; and this place screamed fun. Though she tilted her head in a silent question or maybe not so silent.

"It was warm enough to go swimming last summer there?!"

A small evil chuckle escaped her lips when Sophia returned her look; it was nice to have accomplices.

"I didn't realize the school was having a dance; shame I passed my GED with flying colors. I'll be starting college in a couple weeks...OH Kail we may be in some of the same classes!"

She grinned wickedly at him, there would be no escape from her now. Val nodded when Kail explained her point to the serious male.

"He's right; I know we're all suppose to be the difference between letting this world fall to the covenant and failing but we'll be useless if we work ourselves to the bone. All of your powers are based from positive emotions; so you need to find times like this to relax and create some memories you all can cherish. So I expect EVERYONE to have a good time, if not you will force me to meddle."

Valdis listened with interest when Keitha explained all her tattoos, it was interesting how each had a story.

"I'm not allowed to get inked for contract reasons; but I like the idea that each have a story. Though I think you should get a tattoo of a bunch of grapes...that way when you turn old and wrinkly you can say there raisins. As for the lazy river, it goes through the entire park. It's like a big long narrow pool with a current that you can float in. Very relaxing especially since it takes you through the rainy way which has been built to replicate a tropical rain forest. A lot of animals have been brought here and they have exhibits integrated seamlessly with the park. Maybe you should go with Kail and explore. There are trails to if you rather walk. Just take a map its easy to get lost, this place covers over 200 acres. "

She turned her head when the black snuggie appeared, she grinned and launched herself at him wrapping her arms around him in a big hug.

"SNUGGIE!"

Then he disappeared.

"Well at least you acknowledge you look creepy; but I'm glad you could come. You're a part of the team after all...As for the one layer of clothing weren't you the one that told me that the less was better when I asked which suit I should get?"

When Kenny arrived Val couldn't help but giggle a bit; she knew this would be an interesting event for him. When he came back however and ended up hurting his butt in a canon ball gone wrong she burst out into laughter. Her mood was broken from the grumpy man with a stick up his butt. Well if he accepted the invitation then obviously he had come for the 'company picnic' silly boy...something needed to change. She elbowed the invisible Nazo and waggled her eyebrows at him.

"If he wants to do training I suggest we help him with a stealth and recovery mission. You game?"

Sophia smiles as she hears Keitha recount all the stories of her tattoos. “So cool. I wanna go when you get the Jupiter one…” She had never been to a tattoo parlor before. It seemed like a fun experience. Besides, sitting there alone while someone etches into your skin sounded terrible.

During the conversation, she does notice Kail giving Keitha the eye. That was an interesting development. Maybe she could help push that a little in the right direction. She notices Valdis hints that Keitha and Kail should take the lazy river together. It seemed she had a partner in matchmaking. “Agreed. The lazy river is pretty amazing. You can tell that’s where they put the most effort in making this place. It’s definitely worth going through at least once.” Hopefully, Keitha would go, and Kail would get the hint to go with her for some alone time.

“Hello Nazo,” she says. She was getting pretty used to his sudden appearances at this point. Sudden disappearances were a new thing though, and she looks confused when he fades away. Then she hears his disembodied voice. “It’s really strange when you talk while being invisible though.”

She waves at Kenny when he comes to join them. However, he sort of stands there for a while quietly. She gets a little worried at the sight of his bad nose bleed. “Kenny, your nose… That’s a lot of blood. Are you going to be alright?” She nods when he says that he will sit down. However, unfortunately, the boy seemed to be having terrible luck. His second entrance ends with him hurting self.

And unfortunately for her, David didn’t seem to be getting in the spirit of things. She sighs as he goes into the water. “Maybe I can talk him into having fun or something,” she says taking off her sandals and putting her things down. She then wades in to the water.

She moves in front of one his laps, blocking him. She tries to come up with an explanation in terms that he would understand. “So… fighting together effectively is partly about trust, right? It takes a lot of trust to work as a group. And I believe camaraderie makes a group a lot stronger. So it’s important to build a rapport with those you work with.”

“Besides, it is as Valdis said. We get a lot of power from the positive emotions that we are aligned with. And sorry… but you’re a soldier of love now. I think we get the most strength from caring about others. I care about everyone here a lot. And that’s the basis for more my ability to heal more or less.”

“Also, training all the time is bad for the mind and body. You need time to recuperate as well. Putting too much stress on yourself isn’t conducive for anything. When’s the last time you did something you enjoyed? Or engaged in a hobby? What are your hobbies?”

David seemed so focused and mature. “How old are you?” she asks. He couldn’t be much older than Kail or her brother Nico. Yet, he acted so differently from them both.

Amarissa considers that, trying to picture the world looking like this everywhere then sighs. "No, I can't imagine it but it must have been beautiful. Who knows? Maybe I'll get to go on some spirit journey and see it too. Oh, I saw Queen Selenity. She appeared to give me that new power you saw. She looks like an older version of me, and she called me her daughter," she told him in a puzzled tone.

After hearing him say he needs time to think about, she nods. Amarissa expected that. What she didn't expect was his reply a moment saying he would love to go. Surprise crossed her features, and then her face lit up and again she seemed to glow with a silver light. She was quickly recognizing that he was setting off her emotional control by making her so happy, a high emotion. "Really? thank you!," she said, reaching forward she kissed him, having temporarily forgotten about the others.

Hearing more voices though, Amarissa turns to look. Kenny, David, and Nazo had arrived apparently and it seemed that her and Kousuke were missing out on most of the conversations. Not caring, she turned back to Kousuke. "So, I hear the lazy river here is amazing. You wanna come with me?" she asks casually.

Seeing the blur of skintone and swimsuit move in front of his lap, David sighed, coming to a stop. He knew he was alienating himself, knew he was keeping himself distant from the others, and it wasn't surprising someone would disapprove. Of course it would be Sophia, he thought, rising to his feet, wiping the water from his face as the goggles came off.

"I built a reputation through fear," Yinko answered, turning away. David didn't want to look the girl in the eye. "The resistance did what I said because they feared what I would do if they didn't, and I stood up and was willing to do things that I expected others to do. It wasn't about friendship, or getting to know one another." Frowning, he hauled himself onto the ledge of the pool, sitting as he faced the artificial volcano.

The talk of being a knight of love... of positive emotions, that unsettled him.

"Oh, I love my country and doing the right thing..." David started, "but individuals... people... people I may have to kill if they betray the cause, that's going to be harder to pull off." How was he going to make her understand, anyway? The powers he used, the ones he had access to, they were based on hate, on getting into someone's head with the desire to rip everything inside asunder. You couldn't love someone to do that.

Kail had listened to the tale that Keitha was telling about each of her tattoos. It was somewhat fascinating that each one had a special meaning to each of them. Ranging from the death of her family to her love of music, and to a rather funny bet. He could understand about wanting to remember something forever on your own skin. Although it was something that he would not do personaly as it just did not suit his tastes. Then he sees Kenny run out and make a fool of himself and the redhead had a facepalm moment. Although with David speaking he felt a bit put off but could understand that not everyone could be that carefree. So Kail just shrugged and kept it on a even keel "Well again just get a wee bit of rest ladd " he said in English to the young man as he went off to take a few laps.

His attention turned to Valdis and he now hated his life in a degree "Ah just great...makes my life easier" he said sarcasticly on the matter of her of her going to the collage. Then the redhead felt something off putting as she and Sophia had something brewing in there minds with him and Keitha. Had he been to obvious that he had checked her out? Kail cursed in greek as he did not want to be understood by some of the others there that spoke English. Although it was slightly broken up by Nazo showing up. The red head chuckled slightly at what he said.

Although now he was kinda trapped at the fact that he was cornered by both Valdis and Sophia in a sense on taking Keitha joining him. He hoped that something would serve as a distraction so he could slip away.

"HELLO EVERYONE" called a familure voice for a few and a unknown to most as a pink haired female walks to the group. She was dressed in a bikini in a violet and pink color that matched her eyes and hair color. The top piece was that of a halter top and the shoulder straps were slightly ruffled and followed to the cups. Under that was two other frills that was in lavender and then a magenta pink color. The bottom piece was similar to the top as two frills on the bottom kind of gave it a skirt like effect. Her feet were in basic black sandels and over her shoulder was a large beach bag over her shoulder. "Ok I did not expect Sophia and Ama here to be like me" said Kaguya as she got closer to the group. As soon as she was in sight of most of the group one could see that she was extremely well fit and toned. Plus it seemed that she was bigger in one area compared to most of the other girls there.

"Well if anyone asks how I got in that Nazo guy gave me his pass" said Kaguya as she just shrugged and got her white towel from her bag and laid it out on the sand.

Kaguya's Swimsuit style

How the hell did he get dragged into this? As Lance stepped onto the sand squinting at the bright sun and grinding his teeth he looked around at the scantily clad group. "Well, I guess this is the merry band?" He grunts as he walked into the middle of the dome and looks around. He makes a quick scan of everyone. The silver girl and the tan guy seemed like they had reasonable physical capabilities, but both had probably live fairly peaceful and non-violent lives, the Irish chick might have some experience with rumbling so she might be able to hold her own, the red head had good eyes and posture, but there was no bloodlust. His eyes scanned over the rest of the group until they fell on Yinko and he smiled, well at least there was one person who would probably be find on his own.

Lance was dressed in a pair of shorts and his body was covered in numberous scars from his times in combat. His right arm had a claw shaped scar from a recent youma fight and several others seemed like they were also recent. However, beneath those were a numerous fainter scars that signified the violence in his life from before he had ever become a knight. He had a strong physique that looked like it was built of from use and work as opposed to exercise. Lance didn't have the time for such things, but between his part time construction work, street brawls and general combat practice he had built a body that was functional for combat even if it was not as defined or chiseled as some of the others. An air of hostility seemed to emanate from the Eris knight as if he didn't trust the peaceful scene that was laid out before him.

Kousuke lets out a laugh as Amarissa told him about Selenity. "Hahaha, the fates are a fickled thing. I bet Endymion would be jealous if he heard about that, I don't think he's really ever moved on." Kousuke admits as he continues to chuckle softly. "I think she's probably your predecessor, maybe you're her spiritual daughter or something." Kousuke suggests not really knowing much about he situation, but kinda inferring from his experience with Endymion.

Then after agreeing to go to the dance he falls forward as Ama suddenly pulls him towards her and starts kissing him, well this certainly wasn't the worst way to be rewarded for doing good, now if only he knew what he had done. He kisses back and after a moment they separate, and he finds himself laughing. "You know Ama, not that I don't appreciate it, but you could give me a little warning first?" He asks a broad smile on his face, even if it was embarrassing doing this in front of everyone he did get a certain level of satisfaction from the fact that he was dating someone like Ama.

As he is about the accept her invitation to the Lazy River a pulse is sent through the earth energy that constantly connected to him. The Earth Senshi? As he was about to look around for his counterpart he met eyes with Ama and stopped. They hadn't met yet, there was no reason a little while longer would change anything, and Ama was here with him, it wouldn't be right to not give her his full attention. "That sounds great Ama...though where is it?...And what's a Lazy River?" He asks not being familiar with the term.

Keitha smiled, "Well ta most people no it wasn't warm enough, but ta us Irish folk we are used ta tha cold temperatures. Ey tha raisin idea isn't half a bad idea." Her grin turned wider as Sophia commented her tattoos and going with her to get her newest idea, "Yer more than welcome ta come lassie, but let me warn ya, if ya go into a parlor with bare skin, yer most likely gonna come out with some fresh ink." She chuckled while purposefully ignoring the fact that there was going to be a dance. She didn't like dances, mostly because she couldn't dance, either way she was not about to set herself up for embarrassment.

Then the idea came up of her and Kail going together, she was completely confused she hadn't noticed the look Kail had given her. When it came to stuff like that Keitha was a big zero, it took something blunt like Kenny's nose bleed for her to realize something. "Why on Earth would I go off with Kail by meself?" Before she got an answer Nazo showed up, "Ello mate nice ta see ya, well metaphorically speakin."

Keitha was going to say something else to Valdis about diving boards, but her train of thought was completely interrupted by a voice that reminded Keitha of nails on chalk board. She turned to see a girl who she didn't know, but to her she looked like a bouncing piece of bubble gum. She grimaced, not really wanting to be rude considering she didn't know the girl, so she decided to play nice, "Ello mate tha names Keitha, who are ya if ya don't mind me askin?" She asked looking over the girl's shoulder to see another person coming over thinking, Well doesn't he look like a ray of sunshine?

Nazo was quietly sitting, observing the group for a time. The cloaked male rolls his eyes as Valdis puts forth a suggestion about what exactly to do about David being perhaps a little too focused on the task of training right here and there. He didn't entirely disagree with David's philosophy: it was useful for building up team strength and concentration...

...but the amusement factor was also there. He knew that Valdis would not let up until he did something. To some extent, Nazo wondered if it was really a good idea if his space manipulation abilities should have been shared at this point. With no gesture, spell or incantation...David would suddenly find his swimming trunks atop a flagpole on the volcano in the distance.

"Done. Now that is all you get out of magical pranks for today." he says, then turning and looking to where Kaguya was arriving.

"Ahh, the newest recruit is here. Commence the hazing." he immured quietly.

Valdis watched as Sophia went off to talk to Yinko, if Nazo knew what she had been hinting at then that would be an awkward position to be standing in. But she wasn't about to warn the girl; it would be more amusing to watch as things played out. Val turned back to Kail with a smile on her face, her arms crossed underneath her chest.

"I gave you far warning at least; you were the only one to know of my plans on going for my GED...Daddy wasn't too happy when he found out I forged his signature to get the go ahead on it...I had already passed by the time he found out...for some odd reason he wasn't pleased about it"

She looked surprised when a new comer came...and then she spoke. Valdis eye twitched...

"'Ok I did not expect Ama and Sophia here to be like me' ....That sentence did not make any sense.."

What whacked her with the stupid stick...Luckily for the pink haired twit wit number three another person took Vals attention away. There was the creepy youma sniffer..did he smell her out again? Her attention was once again pulled away with Keitha's response, the fact she liked the raisin idea brought a smile to her face. As for her question about Kail, Val had an answer ready and waiting.

"Me and Nazo are pairing up, Ko and Ama, Sophia and Yinko..it just seems we're all doing a buddy system thing here. Why not stick to two red heads together? Bubbles and Kenny could probably pair up unless she wants to offset the one who looks like he wants to eat us."

The pink haired one gained a nick name, as so many of the other Senshi before her had. Nazo then mentioned that he had done whatever he was going to do. Val turned her head towards Sophia and Yinko and choked back a laugh. She wondered how long it would take him...Or Sophia to notices. She then leaned her head against the invisible Nazo.

"Have I ever told you how attractive I find people who play along with my schemes?"

Sophia shakes her head a little, “I’m guessing you’re not older than Kail. Most guys in our age group don’t have too much issue having fun. And like I said before, we all need to recharge a little. Training or working every day will only leave you drained.”

She hops up on the ledge next to David and stares out to the volcano. “Some of us had already been friends before we learned of our connection to each other. Actually, I met everyone before meeting them as senshi or knights. Artemis said we’re all drawn to each other. Fate, I suppose. However, I don’t think that hampers us as a group. We all care about each other, and because of that, we refuse to fail each other. We’d give everything to ensure that everyone else survives until the end as well as meet our ultimate goals.”

She splashes her feet in the water a bit, “No one here is going to betray the cause. We may all have our own values and reasons for why we fight, but I don’t think anyone is going to switch side. Besides, it isn’t positivity that brings you closer into the darkness… Scorpio was at one point a guardian of Earth. And his fear over it coming under the rule of the Moon led him to the ultimately destroy the Earth.”

“I could see his heart… there was something once human there. Once. And then it just got consumed by all his fear, hatred, prejudice. In the end, there was such a small amount left, after purification, there wasn’t enough for him to continue to live.”

She looks back at the team, “I can’t really force you to do anything. But I don’t think it would hurt to get to know everyone… or make a friend. I already consider you one even if you don’t think the same of me.”

She turns to give him a sad pathetic look. However, that lasts for about a second. Then her face turns a bright shade of red as she falls off the ledge. She gets out the word “Gah” before plopping into the wave pool. And when she rights herself, she turns her back to David. “Ummm… where are your trunks?” She hasn’t ever seen so much skin on a boy before. She searches the water around her, but can’t see them in front of her. And there was no way she was turning around. Didn’t he have them on just a second ago? How do trunks suddenly disappear?!

Then, she sees them. Up upon the flagpole that flew over the fake volcano, swim trunks waved. “I’ll grab a towel,” she says.

She pulls herself up on to the side of wave pool. “Hello Kaguya, hello Lance,” she says quickly as she grabs her towel, the light red floral one. She stops for a second and looks at Lance’s more recent looking scars. “You know if you get injured, you can always call me,” she says before running over to David and handing him the towel, not quite looking at him, but a little above him. “At least, it’s not quite pink?” she jokes, trying to add a little levity to the situation. Looking back at the volcano, she adds, “I will get it. I will get the trunks from the tropical gush.”

As Lance watches as the events before him unfold he lets out an exasperated sigh and walks away from the group the go lie on the sand, since there wasn't really much to do he might as well catch some sleep since he hadn't gotten a full nights sleep since gaining the powers of the knight of Eris. As he lays down in the sand and closes his eyes he softly drifts off into a light doze.

He rubbed his sore butt as he stood; well that excited cannonball didn't go as planned. After the throbbing ceased he flopped out onto his back and enjoyed floating around. Eventually he sat up when he heard his named mentioned in a pairing.

"Who's bubbles...Oh"

A new girl had appeared with bubble gum like hair; easy to see where Val pulled that nick name from. He climbed walked out of the water pushing his wavy blond hair up and out of his eyes. He gave the new girl one of his most charming smiles.

"Hello, I'm so happy we are graced with yet another beauty to our humble little group."

He took her hand and brushed his lips against it in a soft kiss.

"May I ask my lovely"

He got down on a bended knee.

"Will you do me the honor's of bearing my children?"

He grinned, only to see a blushing Sophia come running by. His but grab hadn't even done that..he looked past her to see what was the matter.

"Oh we're going pantless now! WOOT"

He jumped up and ripped off his shorts before streaking off into the rainy way giggling like a mad man....better this then the wrath of the angry red head that was likely to fallow his last display.