2021.01.17 - Beaches of Paradise Island
This log follows the story from: 2021.01.13 - On Paradise Island
The story continues in: 2021.02.04 - Under the Sea
Jon is suprisingly well-versed on Paradise Island, so when Dion leaves him and Jacob to their own devices for a bit, he plays tour guide, showing the young mer-boy around Science Island, and explaining some Themysciran tech's purpose when asked.
At some point, the young Kryptonian manages to get them through the clothiers, swapping out his costume for an athletic toga in red and silver, with matching sandals. There's even a toga for Jacob, if he wants it! When in Ro -- well, Paradise....
Now, the tour concluded with a run by the dining hall, Jon and Jacob sit by the flat marble platform that is the Weather Station. There are several ancient tools for weather prognostication spread along its rim, and Jon has set up their picnic between two, on the ledge overlooking the sea. Below, dolphins jump through the breakers, and gulls wheel on the thermals.
"I love this place," Jon says, biting into his veggie-packed pita. "Every summer was awesome, when I'd come here." He pauses, chewing as he thinks. "Well, my world's version, anyway."
Jacob is enjoying having a look around Science Island and having Jon explain (and often re-explain) things about the technology he sees. Jacob looks pretty decent in a toga, it seems, in a nice cerulean tone that brings out his jewel-like eyes.
Jacob especially enjoys the Weather Station for who knows what reason, and the picnic by the sea is an enchanting affair. He nibbles on his pita bread, blinking with wide eyes as he listens to Jon. "Oh, like, it's so picturesque n'stuff here, man. It's kinda surprising to think that you came from here? Like, I always think of you as a city guy or something. Or maybe some sorta sky-fellow?"
The birds fly overhead, and so does Dion, gliding on the currents of wind, dancing on the breeze before descending nearby and continuing to where his two guests have settled. "I hope you've found everything to your liking." With his usual grace, he lowers himself to sit on the grass, and it's almost like he could do that and not disturb a single blade more than necessary. "Paula will be doing some tests on the mechanical suit...but I believe I know where that technology originates."
Jon laughs at Jacob's assessment. "You're not wrong," he says, shaking his head. "I grew up in Metropolis and spent weekends in Gotham, so I'm definitely a city mouse." He motions over his shoulder with the pita. "But every summer was spent here, with a thousand aunts who were all warriors and poets and scientists." He sighs, and takes another bite of his sandwich, chewing slowly.
When Dion joins them again, he grins widely at the older man, and lifts a hand as the warrior settles himself. "Well, it's not Luthor tech," he offers helpfully. "Or Sivana. I couldn't find his name anywhere on that debris, and he brands -everything-." The young man wrinkles his nose, considering. "It's somehow both too sophisticated and too goofy to be HYDRA...."
Jacob looks quite happy to see Dion again from the warm smile plastered on his face. "Dion, it's good to see you again! Look at the sea! It's like, so nice here," he says as he beams between the pair. He munches on his pita, practically wiggling in his spot as he listens to the two chatting about the cyborg menaces.
"I uh, wonder where they came from n'stuff? But like...hmm. Are there any like, serial numbers? Maybe serial numbers can help identify something about the equipment," Jacob suggests, though he really doesn't know much about the cyborgs or what is going on in the first place.
"We can go and visit my mer-friends after we give your food a chance to digest for a little while!" Dion seems just as happy to see the pair. "It's really different to have someone else here who can take care of guests. Thank you, Jon." The food and company is something he doesn't have to do, which is more help than he could express. He wants to be a good host, but there are always obligations he would normally have to juggle much more.
His cheerful demeanor fades only slightly when the topic returns to the thing that attacked them. "Have you ever heard of the planet Apokolips?" The tone is quiet, as is his volume, as if he might fear it being overheard by nature itself and do some harm from the mere mention.
"Oh, sure!" Jon says, polishing off his pita and licking his fingers politely. "We have Apokolips back home, too. It's run by a guy named Orion." He wrinkles his nose. "Doesn't seem like Apokolips tech, though," he says slowly, scratching at the corner of his mouth. "It's more like the kind of goofy scientist stuff Pa told me he used to have to deal with, back in the day." He frowns. "There were a lot of giant robots in my world's history, apparently."
Jacob blinks in surprise at the mention again of mer-people. "Whoa, like, what are they doing here? Are they just like, in the waves or something? Or uh, do they live on the island?" He munches on his pita as he listens about Apokolips, which doesn't seem to ring any bells with the fellow. "Like...giant robots? I mean, for real giant robots?" he asks, eyes wide with curiosity.
Jacob writhes in his toga slightly as he sits with Jon near the Weather Station, still observing the pair of fellows as he tries to mak sense of what's going on. "What's like....Apokolips?"
"Unfortunately, it's not run by Orion presently, in this universe. It's commanded by the vile tyrant Darkseid." Dion's whole posture has changed slightly, as if bracing for a sudden snap of cold that he expects at any moment. Fortunately, it doesn't come to Paradise Island, but it's like the very mention of Apokolips, and especially Darkseid, has him ready for a fight. The thought alone, and the association, are enough to ramp up the tension he already feels.
"Apokolips is a planet, a world of misery and destruction. It's a terrible place -- it's a hell in this world. I believe we weathered an attempted invasion, one in a series, a short time ago." Dion glances to the sky, then back to Jon and Jacob. "I believe that was a warhound, a weapon developed on Apokolips. The mind control device, the especially cruel way the weapon is powered...they all have a certain resonance to them."
A moment passes, and Dion brings back his smile, though it's slightly softer than it had been before. "My mer-friends live underwater, all around Paradise Island. When we take our journey down there, you'll be able to see all the wonderful things they've done and their beautiful society. I've always loved swimming, and there's no place better than the waters around Paradise Island!"
"Oh, I've heard about him from the Frees," Jon says, bobbing his head. "They had nothing good to say about him or his cronies." He considers, drawing his legs up under him tailor-fashion and resting his elbow on one thigh. "I've never heard of a warhound, though." He looks around, as if he might be expecting the invocation to bring a booming interruption to their meal.
When it doesn't come, he relaxes, resting his chin in his hand. "If the mer-folk are anything like the ones back home, they're really nice," he says to Jacob. "Some of the guys are really cute, too. I knew this one, named Darro, who was just..." Jon trails off, his expression turning briefly happy as he drops into the memory for a moment. "He was just great."
Jacob listens to the description of Apokolips with a frown, the chilling atmosphere certainly making the fellow feel uncomfortable as Dion weaves his tale. "That sounds like...really horrible? Like, I don't get why people always want to like, fight n'stuff? I just wish everyone could be nice? Or like, at least just...chill out or whatever." Jacob pouts slightly as he looks at the pair, his thoughts consumed with the stories of the dark planet.
At least, until he's distracted again. "Oh, like, I didn't know you knew mer-people too? I don't think I know any, myself, but like...uh...they sound really nice? I'd really like to see you beaches. Do the dolphins often hang around too? Or like, just visit when they're not doing their dolphin-stuff?"
Dion slowly nods to Jacob's assessment of Apokolips. It's something of a comfort that Jon already knows about Darkseid and the rest, at least presumably. Those are elements he's sure Orion wouldn't leave out of the account of the world and its shaping over the centuries. "It sounds like you fit well here, Jacob. Love and justice, and peace, are some of our most important virtues we esteem here."
With a wave towards the shore, Dion's smile returns with the departure from the less cheerful topic. "We can walk on the beach after you're both done eating." He glances to his side, and Jon. "Did you meet Ronno? Sometimes he goes by Manno, but..." Dion shakes his head, chuckling softly. "He's very charming." Jacob's question gives Dion only a moment's pause. "The dolphins live close by," he answers. "They're always playing in the surf. My mer-friends often play with them."
"I might have?" Jon says of Dion's mer-friend. "I'm guessing my world is about forty years ahead of this one, and I don't know how long mer-people live." He grins sheepishly, and unfolds again, resting his weight on his hands. "But Darro was pretty charming, when he wanted to be." Jon's ears pinken just a bit, but he doesn't seem that embarrassed. "The waters here are so warm, Jake," he says, then. "Like, most of the time. The dolphins love it."
"What! That sounds like, so great! I want to see the dolphins n'stuff!" Jacob stands up and bounces in place with a beaming bright smile. "Let's go! We can like, see the beach and uh....y'know! Dolphins! They're like, so smart? And uh, really sleek!" Jacob looks -very- excited about the prospect of hanging out with dolphins, it seems, and he pats Jon's side and arm impatiently. "Did you swim with him? Like, your mer-pal?"
Easily, smoothly, Dion rises, moving to help Jon up if he should need it. Jacob certainly has the enthusiasm to carry him all the way to the water! "Do you communicate with dolphins? They're very intelligent." He looks between Jon and Jacob both. "Would you like to see the beach here, or on the main island? The main island's beaches are a bit more extensive and less treacherous to get down to, but there are some stretches even on Science Island that are very nice, and pleasantly secluded. I take it you two can get down there together, but I'd be happy to help if you needed me!"
Jon hops to his feet as Dion rises, dusting his hands against his thighs and shrugging at the question. "I'm pretty familiar with all of it," he says brightly. "So, I think it's up to Jake." He reaches out to nudge the smaller boy with his closed fist. "I mean, it just depends on whether you want white sands or private, rocky grottos."
Jacob shifts his weight back and forth impatiently. "Oh like...whatever's closest, dude!" Jacob looks like he has some sort of itch that needs scratching, and he pats at Dion and Jon's sides cheerfully. "Like, the waters sound so nice from here, and any beach is a good beach. But like, uh, are you even a beach kinda guy, Jon? Cause like, if you need pointers on swimming, like, I can help with that. Y'know I surf like, as much as I can!" Jacob beams over to Dion, too. "You're like, totally hospitable! I really appreciate it."
"If it's immediate access you'd like...follow me!" Dion steps, then leaps, and then he's carried away on the breeze, which is pretty strong here, looking down on the waters below. He shoots through the air, though his destination would seem to be not far away. It is something of a drop, though, which will likely mean that Jon will probably need to carry his friend down. But the beach, while small, is picturesque in its own way, and not too rocky, though there are plenty of rocks around. There's not another soul around, at least on land, and the dolphins can be seen almost adjacent to the shore, playing and singing happily.
"Are you kidding?" Jon says about his being a beach person. "Do you think a thousand Amazon warriors and a mer boyfriend would let me get away with not being a swimmer?" He shakes his head, and steps into Jacob, curling a thick arm around the smaller boy. "Allez oop!" he calls, and follows Dion over the edge. He lowers slowly, the wind fluttering his toga and hair as they descend to the tiny cove. "Ground floor," Jon says as his feet touch the sand and he sets Jacob down gently. "Men's haberdashery and auto supplies. All off, please."
Jacob looks like he's about to say something when suddenly Jon is curling an arm around him and hopping down to the beach. He looks a bit pale, at first, but once they're on the beach, Jacob stops clinging to Jon and stands on his own. "Oh, uh, t-thanks," he says as he straightens up and looks to Dion. "Yah, this place is like, premium!" He begins running to the shore's edge, leaning down to touch at the water and letting out a gleeful, strange sort of sound. "Are you coming?" he calls to the pair.
The interplay between Jon and Jacob brings a bright laugh from Dion, who starts to unfasten the footwear he sports. They're less like boots and more like sandals than Jon will remember, but even his champion of Paradise Island probably had many different looks, over the years. So, too, has Dion, with this being the latest iteration of his outfit.
But that's all that he divests himself of, before wandering to the water's edge after Jacob. "Of course! You'll need someone to guide you in unfamiliar waters...but I'm sure the two of you are excellent swimmers."
Without another word, Dion practically glides into the water, in much the same way as he glides through the air. He's almost like a creature of the water; he moves so smoothly and so effortlessly. It's no wonder he's so fond of swimming! He disappears under the waves and, a short enough time later, shoots out into the air, twisting and diving down with little splashing. It doesn't take him long to get out to where the dolphins are playing.
Jon grins at the happy sound from Jacob, and he shakes his head a bit as he strips off his toga, leaving him in the modest wrappings that pass for underwear. Then he steps forward in two smooth steps, arcing smoothly over Jacob and into the water. He's not as showy as Dion about it, but he does come up to grin at Jacob. "See?" he says as he gets close to the mer-boy. "I told you the waters were warm all the time." He splashes the smaller boy playfully, and starts swimming out towards Dion. "Come on, slowpoke! Move that sexy tail of yours!"
Jacob squeaks happily at the warmth of the water, watching Dion as the fellow swims in and out of the waters. "Whoa, he is talented," he says softly, looking then toward Jon with a bright smile. "Yeah, let's get to it," he says as he follows Jon into the waters, not even bothering to remove his toga or anything. He dives into the water only to pop up behind Dion, his chest bared and bottom half mysteriously not so leggy.
In fact, Jacob seems to have sprouted a tail! His chest and arms glow softly with bright blue markings in some sort of tribal style, and his slender hips lead to a tail of blue-green scales irridescently shimmering even at his dorsal fin and up to his tailfin.
Jacob flops about in the water, gracefully cutting through the water with powerful motions of his wriggling tail. "The waters here are amazing," he breathes in awe, the normally Cali-tinged accent in his voice far more clear now. He splashes at Jon gently, grinning at the pir of fellows with warmth and exhuberence clearly shown on his face.
The dolphins are all very happy to have more playmates, and they dart around the trio in the water. It seems they're especially fascinated by Jacob growing a tail, but so is Dion!
"Oh! You're one of the mer-people!" Dion exclaims, diving down again and swimming around them, then surfacing on the other side of the group. He just had to get a closer look at the tail. "How wonderful! Are you both ready to go underwater for a time?"
The dolphins, it would seem, are ready to accompany them on their journey into the crystalline waters below, all so warm and pleasant. And if one looks just right, it's possible to make out the breathtaking architecture of the twisting shell shapes and sweeping, fluid arches of the merfolk's town.
The story continues in: 2021.02.04 - Under the Sea