there's something beautiful and fascinating about this strange planet called Earth

[notapinkhime]

[Indulge Ahim for a moment or two. She's fascinated by the most average and mundane things. For instance, a beach.

It hadn't started off as fascination for a beach, but rather a bikini. She knows women dress differently all over the universe, but the tabloids on display at the supermarket had been shocking; so much skin revealed, with no one seeming to care at all. People were frolicking in the ocean, enjoying themselves.

Ahim wants that.]

Gai-san told me this was a beach and people visit it all the time.

[She holds up the tabloid, pointing to the cover, where two couples hold hands while standing in the waves.]

I would like to visit. It does require special clothing, however.

Comments

[notapinkhime]

[Ahim does think it is very odd how scantily clad everyone is, but she isn't going to question. It's an Earth thing, obviously.]

Isn't it though, Joe-san? I think it would be lots of fun if we all went to visit!

[ajoeface]

Mm. Yes.

[Maybe he can be taken suddenly ill that day.

It's not like he has an problem with wearing those shorts. But when Ahim has her heart set on something she sees it through properly, and that means wearing one of those-

Things.

...It's so hot on the Galleon today!]

[notapinkhime]

[Ahim practically beams at Joe. She was expecting him to the hardest to convince. But he's being very agreeable. It makes her heart glad - maybe the rest of the crew will agree.]

You'll go, then? We can't do it right now, of course, unless we go shopping for these... bathing suits now. But perhaps tomorrow? Or the next day?

[ajoeface]

[Why must she take every small murmur of agreement as enthusiastic support?

...Probably because Joe doesn't do enthusiastic support of ideas. He says things like, "...well, at least maybe this idea won't get us killed," to show his consent.]

Luka likes shopping, ask her?

[Maybe his voice is going a little bit higher out of desperation. God, he just can't get around this one. But he hasn't said he will go, just that it would be interesting.

...He's counting on a minor technicality. He's doomed.]

[notapinkhime]

[This is just Joe being reluctant to do much beyond his training. Ahim, though, is not going to let him try to escape out of it.

She slides off the couch, kneeling next to Joe where he is busy doing those push-ups.]

I will ask Luka to go shopping with me. But if we all want to visit the beach, we need the appropriate clothes.

[She flashes him a smile, hoping it will help him agree to her plan.]

Although if you don't want to go shopping, perhaps Luka and I can select appropriate swim wear for you?

[ajoeface]

That's fine.

[Maybe he says that a bit too hurriedly. But he thinks quickly, always has had to, and he figures even if Luka has a wicked streak and a dangerous sense of humour... Ahim wouldn't let Luka provide him with anything too ridiculous, right?

He needs to stop wondering what Ahim is going to look like when they've... shopped. And wait-]

...This isn't one of those Earth mating ritual things, is it? Gai definitely said other groups of people go? Ones who... don't hold hands?

[notapinkhime]

Oh thank you, Joe-san! I know just what to pick out for you.

[Nothing too ridiculous, even if Luka wants something hideous for Joe. She's not going to torture their first mate that much. She wants him to enjoy the time at the beach, not be miserable and uncomfortable. She wants all of them to enjoy the beach!]

Gai-san said that groups of friends often go to the beach just to have fun. All sorts of people go! Some of them take dogs and others play games? And some do this thing called surfing. So we don't have to hold hands.

[She reaches out, tempted to pat his cheek, but settles for touching his shoulder instead.]

[ajoeface]

[She knows just what to pick...

What does that mean?

After all, Ahim's personal tastes tend towards... Pink. Or White. And kind of... frilly.

No, she's much more sensible than that. Best not to panic.]

Maybe I'll talk to Gai about this myself.

[Then he can really see what he's letting himself in for. Surfing? If it's a sport maybe he can try it. Maybe it will keep him far away from Ahim in this bathing suit thing she's determined to try out.

Boy it's nice when she touches him. Her hand is small but kind of warm, and-

He bolts upright.]

Maybe I'll go do that right now!

[notapinkhime]

[She isn't going to pick something based on her personal tastes. She knows Joe wouldn't want to wear something frilly or pink. He would look best in blue. Or black, perhaps, so he can match his sempai.

But she can't think about it any longer, not when Joe bolts up, looking fairly panicked.]

Are you okay, Joe-san? If you look in the article, there are a few people not holding hands, if you're so unsure about it...

[ajoeface]

[Oh sure, that's all he needs. To be made to look at all these pictures of Earthlings in too-little clothing.

There's a name for that on Earth. And it appears to be a covert sort of thing, because that one time Luka found Gai's stash of magazines he got incredibly over the top about it, and not in the usual excited way.

At least Joe knows not all Earth magazines are like that. Because the very idea of Ahim looking through something like that-]

It's fine, I trust you.

[He couldn't have mumbled that any less convincingly. Or held his hands up protectively any faster. A+, Joe Gibken.]

[notapinkhime]

[Joe was acting very oddly, but Ahim wasn't going to push it that afternoon. She settled for standing up and leaving the magazines on the table.]

Joe-san, would you like some tea? It might help your anxiety you seem to have today. I can make some before going out shopping.