Beach Days

Posted on Sat May 16th, 2026 @ 12:17am by Lieutenant JG Varinity Atoro & Lieutenant Damien Blackford

Mission: Season 6: Episode 7: Crossroads of Destiny
Location: Niea IV :: Beach
Timeline: MD3
1104 words - 2.2 OF Standard Post Measure

It was truly fascinating how the sun created a golden glow. Gentle waves thrummed against the sandy shore, and the murmur of families setting up their beach stuff created a relaxing ambience. Varinity had just finished laying down her towel to set up her little lounge spot, then shrugged off the flowy green beach dress to reveal a forest green one piece swimsuit. Setting the sundress to the side, she laid down on the towel to get comfy.

Beach naps were the best, after all.

"Mmm, this is more like it." Varinity shimmied a little to get the sand to conform to her body, then placed her hands behind her head and closed her eyes. It had been way too long since her skin felt proper sun, and she was content to soak up as much of it as she could. Her poor skin had become too pale under those artificial lights, and she hoped to leave this place with a tan line.

Damien was truly thankful they’d finally found a place where they could have some decent shore leave. After ice planets and killer hounds, a day at the beach was just what the doctor ordered.

Dressed in a floral print shirt, and swimming trunks, he strode onto the golden sand, stopping for a second, closing his eyes and breathing in the smell of the sea air, reminding him of summers spent with his parents on the beaches back on Earth. Feeling the sand under his toes, he opened his eyes, and smiled. Taking a few steps forward, he spotted a familiar figure sprawled out on the sand, and a small grin crept onto his face.

Walking over to Varinity, he called out, “I didn’t think Vampires could survive in the daylight!”

Hearing that voice, Varinity's chest steadily rose in what would become an exaggerated sigh. Soon enough, a shadow partially blocked the sun's warmth, and she opened an eye to see Damien standing over her. "You're one to talk, you Transylvania-lookin' ass," she teased giving his choice of outfit a dramatic side-eye. She waved a hand to shoo him to the side, "I do not want a Gus-shaped tan line!"

Damien smirked as he stopped next to Varinty, shoving his hands into his pockets, a look of mock outrage on his features. "Transylvania?! How dare you? I'll have you know that many, many people desire my complexion." He said, smirking slightly, before moving to adjust his stance, so his shadow covered more of her. "I dunno. I think you'd look pretty good with a Gus-shaped tan." He grinned, winking at her.

Muttering a string of Italian, she playfully kicked some sand at him. "Well, if you're going to make shadow, then at least block the sun from my face," she replied, sticking out her tongue at him. "I never really saw you as a beach person, Gus. I thought you'd be in the mountains or something."

Damien rolled his eyes, smirking at her, dodging out of the way of the way of the sand, sticking his tongue out at her, laughing as he did, before rolling his eyes, and moving to the side, his shadow falling across her face. “Never say I don’t do anything nice for you Vanity.” Rolling his eyes, he playfully kicked some sand towards her. “Believe it or not, Vanity, I do have other interests.” He dropped onto the sand next to her, leaning back on his elbows. “I’m doing that tomorrow instead. Fancy joining me?” He asked, nudging her slightly with his elbow.

"Dick," Varinity teased back, giving him an eyeroll and a smirk at the nickname. The mispronunciation of her name started back at the Academy when he misheard it, and it stuck. It was what prompted her to hunt down his middle name so she could torment him in return. He really was like the brother she never had. "I have no plans. Where were you thinking of going?"

Damien smirked at her. "You know you love me really. Who else makes your life this interesting?" Raising an eyebrow at her, he sat up slightly. "You actually want to come?" He asked, a slight tone of surprise creeping into his voice, before shrugging, reaching into the small bag he'd brought with him, pulling out a PaDD, passing it over to her. "I found a couple of trails up in the Equatorial range that look like they could be fun."

"Someone needs to keep you out of trouble." Maybe the mountains would do her some good; ever since she figured out what those pillar things were, she couldn't relax. She hadn't really ventured to the more public areas for that very reason, and the beach was one of the few places where the surveillance was more relaxed. She looked at the PADD he handed over. Anything to distract her from the general unease that lingered in her gut. "I'm in," she said, returning the PADD. Hiking wasn't necessarily her favourite activity --the Academy survival training courses ruined that for her-- but she was comfortable with Damien. Besides, she would get to see his reaction when they transported in to see that giant mountain in their faces. "What time?"

Damien gasped in mock disbelief, raising a hand to his chest in mock shock. "Me? Trouble? I'm certain I have no idea what you're talking about. I am the Paragon of goodness." He said, smirking and winking at her. "If anything, I spent my time at the Academy making sure you stayed out of trouble." He grinned as she handed him back the PaDD, slipping it back into his bag. "Excellent." He said, rubbing his hands together, before taking a second to think, before answering. "Doesn't need to be too early. Let's meet in the Transporter room at say... 0730."

Varinity groaned, flopping her head back dramatically. "Shore leave is for sleeping in, Gus!"

Damien smirked, rolling his eyes. "Oh boo hoo. You'll get over it once you see the view. Trust me. It'll be spectacular!"

Lifting her head, Varinity rolled her eyes in return. "Fine, 0730, but you're not seeing pretty me. It better be the best view in the galaxy if I'm waking up so early."

Damien grinned as he lay down next to her, pulling a book out of his bag. "Have I ever seen the pretty you?" He asked, teasingly, as he settled down. "Trust me. If the pictures do it any justice, it'll definitely be worth it."

As payback for the tease, Varinity made sure that the next playful volley of sand went right into his book.