Strength In Our Bonds (The Strength in Generations Accompanying Book)

Vacation After Vacation

"The beach? For a vacation? We already live on a beach, you guys," Aurelie frowned.

"Yeah, and Vidina and Berrik, you guys live on like a beach," added Nora. "I'd think you'd wanna get away from that and go to like Trabia or something."

"Trabia? Ew." Berrik frowned, earning himself a hit upside the head from his cousin.

"But, think about it, guys," Gale spoke up. "Even though Besaid and Balamb are both islands, how often do any of us just go to the beach or the pier, huh? Whenever any of us go over to that end of town, it's always for work, or to run an errand, or something. When was the last time any of you went to the beach for fun, huh?"

The room was silent.

"What about that vacation we went on with Linna?" asked Martine. "That was, like, less than two months ago."

"But that was in Galbadia. We need this so we can learn to better enjoy our own waters, ya?" asked Vidina.

"I would love to go to the beach with Martine," Leiria said, grabbing his arm and holding it close.

"Well, I do love the look of my lady in a bikini." Martine smiled. "We're on board, guys."

Gale fist-pumped. "All right! What about the rest of you guys? Come on, everyone could always use a vacation!"

"I think it'll be fun," agreed Leviesse. "I'm on board as well."

"Me too, I need to tan!" added Raine. "Estheims, you're coming too, right?"

"I guess it wouldn't hurt..." replied Aurelie hesitantly.

"And no way are you guys leaving me out again!" added Nora.

"Nora, the only reason I didn't invite you last time was because you were still in school..." Linna pointed out. "Your parents would have never let you come!"

"I guess," Nora shrugged, trying to forget that she was the youngest of everyone here. "So, which beach? Where are we going, what are we doing?"

"I'm glad you asked." Vidina showed her a page in a nearby magazine. "We'll be staying here; this hotel is amazing, and it's right by the pier and the beach!"

"This is the side of Balamb that most of us live opposite to..." Leiria said, looking at the pictures.

"That's why we chose it. Close enough to home to go back in case of emergency, yet far enough away so that it actually feels like a vacation, you get me?" Gale grinned. "Not to mention there's a bunch of things to do there! Show 'em, Berrik."

Berrik stood, picking up a poster board of pictures. "There's a pool and an exercise room, which both offer classes every day. There's the rooftop, which has a pool and a bar. And then there's the pier, which has rides and a bunch of cool things to do! Appreciate this poster board, it took me all night!"

Leviesse took a closer look at the board. "Berrik, is that a poolside bar?! Holy fuck! I want it!"

"You're 20, Levi; you can't go there anyway," pointed out Aurelie.

"Thanks a lot. Fucking buzzkill." Leviesse frowned.

"Levi, be nice." Gale nudged her in the side.

"All technicalities aside, that place looks amazing." Raine smiled. "I can't wait!"

"Then, pack your bags," Gale said, pointing a finger at her. "We leave tonight!"

~ * ~

"Ooh, look at that!" Nora pointed up to the Ferris wheel. The lights were just turning on, since it was getting dark. "Berrik, come on! We're riding that!" She began to pull his arm toward the wheel.