Invitational: Closed Doors

Breaking the Ice at Last

Dipping his feet in, Balloon sat uptop a small rock, chilling around at the ocean.
Glancing around, he took in the scent of that fresh air.

The ocean breeze was always relaxing to him. It was very refreshing,- especially now, since.. well.. the show, and all that.
Tilting his head up, he gazed out at the stretch of sea in front of him. It was a long way out.
The sunset that shined on the water was also a pleasant sight. It was gorgeous.
Though the only thing he could see, just barely around a hill, looked to be some other island, not too far-, but would require an olympic athlete to swim...

He hadn't realised he'd spaced out, until he felt a gentle touch on his shoulder and the sound of a familiar voice.
"Hey, Balloon?"
Balloon jolted, quickly whipping his head around.

He slouched back down when he saw who it was.
"Hey Paintbrush. What's up?"
Paintbrush stood over him, a hand on their hip.
"Well, you looked a little.. er- spacey there. Was just gonna say, you not hear anything happening over there?" Paintbrush questioned, raising a hand, pointing with their thumb in the direction behind them.
"Uhm.. no..?" Balloon answered back, confused. Hear what?
"Sheesh. Thought the whole island would be awake. YinYang and that Candle girl. They're.. swimming? I think?"
Paintbrush paused, moving a stray strand of hair out of their face.
"At least, that's what I think is.. happening?"

Balloon tilted his head, huffing and pushing himself off of the small rock, letting his feet sink into the sand.
The feeling wasn't exactly too pleasant. Wet feet on dry sand.. Eugh.
"What-? Where?" Balloon spat out, ready to go see.
Now that he was aware,- he swore he could hear some sort of splashing noise and some loud voices.

"This way- look, c'mon!" Paintbrush exclaimed, taking Balloon's arm and beginning to sprint around the beach.
Balloon was taken aback by the sudden running- Paintbrush being way faster than him.

"Paint-Paintbrush slow down!! I can't run- that fast!!"
Paintbrush stopped, releasing his arm.
"Oh- shoot. Sorry dude.. forgot.. aha.."

Balloon gave a weak smile, wheezing, and taking out his inhaler that was stuffed in his pocket.
He took a quick puff, and slid it back in.
"Yeah.. yeah it's fine- just already did a lot of.. walking and running and.. climbing stuff with Nickel today, y'know how he is.."

Paintbrush awkwardly laughed, scratching the back of their neck.
"Yeah.. anyway, c'mon, we're almost there. Take your time, by the way. I don't think Mephone could handle the responsibility of someone having an asthma attack here.."

Balloon giggled quietly, beginning to walk again.

Eventually, after going around some rocks, the source of the splashing and yelling was found..

Around another bunch of rocks, there was a large clearing of just sandy beach, and Balloon could see YinYang and Candle in the water, talking and splashing.
Squinting, Balloon stepped closer, almost walking into the water himself.
"Hey guys-! What's going on here?"

Balloon noticed Candle slowly turn around, and wave politely, before turning back around and stretching her arms up. Was she.. meditating or something?
Then, YinYang trudged over to her, raising their arms up and splashing water at her.
She stumbled back, gracefully so..?

Then, she proceeded to splash back.
They seemed to be.. having fun.

Balloon chuckled.

"YinYang being joyous for once? Miracle after miracle nowadays, huh?" Paintbrush stated, coming behind Balloon, their arms now folded over their chest.

They pair stood and watched, when Candle turned around, and made hand gestures, beckoning for the two to come closer to her.
She beamed, and seemed to be laughing.
"Come! The waters fine!"