Camp Triggerfish Days

Late night? Check!
Chat muted? Check!
Bass tuned? Check!
That's how the night is rolling for this squid as he makes his way over to the beach, bass against his back, and a calm grin kayed on his face. It's a relaxing, starlit night on the beach side, and the atmosphere is perfect.
"Here goes nothing.." He thinks to himself, willing some strength to do a public performance.  The squid sits down, exhaling a deep breath while he plucks the individual strings. "Just like the old days."

A fairly decent reason to get out of his cabin, only to follow, well, his cabinmate. The lilac squid took his time on his way there, having heard him before along with Bill playing the bongos, it was relaxing, he had to admit.
Josh silently finds his way over to where Les is, sitting down on the sand and placing a small pillow to rest his casted arm. -"Sounding good already"- He hummed.

Eventually Jackie showed up in her usual workout gear, only this time donning a loose, oversized pastel purple jumper to fend off the night's chills. "Heyyy sounds sick!" She did an unnecessary flip and upon landing, she immediately started busting some moves, popping and locking her arms to the taps in the tune and freestyling some wild and complicated footwork. "Ayyyye this is groovy!" She was really getting lost in the song, closing her eyes and letting the music take control.

Music was the best was to calm her nerves. Who knows, maybe she could sing along to whatever was playing.
Paisley made her way down to the beach to find a few other squids along with the wimp. But hey. He was playing tonight. He wasn't a wimp for now.
Can't interrupt in her usual way now could she?
She opted to sit by the group, criss cross apple sauce and rested her chin on her hands, idly humming along to the music.

Les glanced around at the campers joining alongside him, managing to put on a smile with a nod towards the compliments being thrown at him. Definitely appreciating the kind words!
His gaze moved down to the fretboard, watching his fingers carefully as he plucked the strings to the rhythm of the song, tapping his fingers sometimes to mimic the "feel-good."

Brendan trotted onto the sand, wearing a loose pair of sweatpants, no socks, and a sleeveless shirt with Suns Out Guns Out on it. He cupped his hands around his mouth and let out a holler, ears perked. "Yeah! Kill it Jackie!!" He yelled, pulling his hands away and grinning wildly. An unexpected blush came to his cheeks as he watched, so he merely turned to see the others joining in.

-"Thinking of joining her, Romeo ?"- Josh grinned after seeing Brendan's reaction to seeing Jackie dance, it was obvious, painfully obvious, please.

It isn't too long before Unit is pulled to the beach by the temptation of music, but he somehow managed to convince his sister to come down with him. Honestly, Legion was more than happy to come down regardless, but I digress. The boy does a quick scan of the crowd, confirming that he doesn't know anyone here, but doesn't shy away and stay on the outskirts this time. Instead, he moves to hear Les better, sitting down with Legion and is soon bobbing his head to the beat of the music, looking completely relaxed.

Upon hearing Brendan's arrival and call, she said nothing but grinned widely as she kept on dancing. She always liked showing off a little and who better to show off in front of other than her cru- f RIenD?

City's breaking down on a camel's back
They just have to go, 'cause they don't know wack

It's a soft voice he's starting out with, likely due to some shyness from the large crowd, but he's still powering through with a smile on his face.  He gave a quick nod to Paisley, hearing her hum along to the tune he's playing.

So while you fill the streets, it's appealing to see
You won't get undercounted 'cause you're damned and free
You got a new horizon, it's ephemeral style
A melancholy town where we never smile
And all I wanna hear is the message beep
My dreams, they got her kissing, 'cause I don't get sleep, no

BASS LINE SOLO

Tad locates the group chat, scans it for a while. who is brute and why does everyone hate him… who knows, its a mystery.
he rolled a peppermint over his teeth making an annoying clicking sound, until he stumbled on the group- he hadn’t been sure where he’d find them but here they were.  He bounced towards the group, glancing at everyone, he didn’t want to interrupt- so he just jumped in next to Jackie and started rocking out, his dance moves were more just, hectic movements.

"Oh hell yeah!" Jackie opened her eyes to see her new dance partner. "Hello friend, I haven't seen you around before!" She greeted him without putting a halt to her own movements. "I'm Jackie! Nice to meetcha!" On the bass solo her dance pattern changed, flicking her feet in all sorts of directions in a groovy stepping pattern while her arms just kinda grooved along at her sides.

Brendan laughed nervously at Josh and shook his head. "Nah, I can't dance. Singing is more my thing," He said, running a hand through his hair to watch Jackie. He returned her grin. Ears raising, he turned in surprise as Les started singing, and started to sing along too. He raised his eyebrows and paused as Tad joined in and let out an obnoxious holler. "Yeah! Get it new kid!" He shouted and laughed.

Tad kept dancing, bouncing up and down 'Ello Jackie! dapper name! mine's Thaddeus, but I INSIST you REFER to me as the TAD." he pumped his fists towards the holler from his adoring fans, he paused mid dance and did a double take at Brendan, he kept dancing, sure he must be wrong.  "You're dance moves are so SPIFFING, I CAN HARDLY CONTAIN MY ADORATION, FORGIVE MY SENTIMENTALITY."  Tad grinned widely as he spoke, he doesn't normally speak like this at all he thinks its hilarious

"Alrighty then the Tad," she giggled, playing along, "I appreciate the compliment! You're not too shabby of a dancer yourself." He's actually kinda trash, she thought to herself, but A+ for effort and fun.

Joshua giggled, the way the new kid spoke was very amusing actually, he decided to not say anything at the moment, just listen to the music as it went on, let the kids chat, he could amuse himself poking at them in a bit.

Tad nodded in approval at Jackie's use of his name, glad she was playing along, he did a little bow to thank her for the compliment "the Tad demands from his loyal subjects to know, why.." Tad turned back to Brendan and pointed at him as if he was pointing a sword at him, continueing to jump in a bizarre 'dance'.  "This apparition of his past has appeareth before thee to taunt him, do you not see! Aiden! or else! I am insane!"

Jackie's dancing slowed down a notch. "Aiden?? Who's Aiden?? That's Brendan, he's like my best friend!" Jackie beamed cluelessly.

Paisley ended up singing along with the song, maybe not as loudly, but loud enough to enjoy herself.
And then this new kid comes to the group.
Tad?
Tad.
TAD.
She perked up making the connection and paid attention to the new conversation at hand. Her singing stopping.
"....HEY YOURE THAT KID THAT WAS STALKING ME. Thank cod you're not an old geezer." She continued to watch things play out with her head on her hands.
Aiden?

Tad moved his attention to Paisley as she spoke, "OH! HI, 'ELLO, OLD BEAN! How jolly, absolutely lovely we should meet in such circumstances--" he turned to Jackie quickly, putting his hands on his hips "Well surely he can't be Brendan and Aiden," and then he paused "Wait.." and he turned his attention back to Brendan as he realized he COULD be both, "WHO ARE YOU!"

Brendan looked up from his phone as Jackie called his name, face flushed as he looked from Tad to Jackie. "What?" He asked cluelessly, head cocked. He was caught off guard by Paisley, laughing as she said the new kid was stalking her. He then turned to watch the interaction curiously. "I'm not Aiden, that's for sure. I don't even know who that is!" He said with a laugh, shrugging. "I'm Brendan, Brendan Abel Dellis," he replied causally. He glanced back down at his phone and typed something up, then looked back up.

"I never knew you had a middle name. Or is your last name just two words? I don't even know my own last name." She stopped moving and frowned. How could she not know her own last name? Oh well, just Jackie things. Back where I'm from, everyone was on a first name basis, nobody really used last names for anything.

Brendan laughed and shook his head. "Nah nah, it's a middle name. How do you not know your own last name?" He questioned, head cocked to the side ever so slightly

Tad stared at Brendan for a moment, that was strange.  Aiden Lee Dellis.. Brendan Able Dellis.. they looked exactly the same, Aiden had a dead brother called Brendan...dead....hm  "Oh, golly gee whilickers.." he held a finger up "this must be...Doppelgangers, I've heard the tales from a DISTANT land." Tad continued to dance like a maniac, "Pip pip cheerio nice to meet you Brendan Able Dellis, why don't you join us in our wild bash and what not, if you're.. ABLE." HE LAUGHED

Well time to kick in the chorus, yo.

Windmill, windmill for the land
Turn forever hand in hand
Take it all in on your stride
It is ticking, falling down
Love forever, love has freely
Turned forever you and me
Windmill, windmill for the land
Is everybody in?

Jackie shrugged with a goofy grin. "I dunno! Out in the bush you don't meet new people often, so everyone's on a first name basis and knows everyone. We don't use last names for anything, not even for referring to families. You just go, ah yep, that's Sharon and the kids! Or, there's Jackie and the boys! I don't know anyone's last name back home either."

Paisley started getting up hearing the chorus. She wanted to try rapping. If Pearl can do it so can she, right? It was just talking with rhythm after all.
"That's kinda silly. But it's a cozy feeling I guess." She shrugged and turned to the new yellow inkling, copying that posh accent with a curtesy, "and yes dearie, please a meeting you as well!"
From there she skipped over to Les as the chorus ended, getting right into beat with the rap

Laughin' gas these hazmats, fast cats
Linin' 'em up like ass cracks
Play these ponies at the track
It's my chocolate attack
Shit, I'm steppin' in the heart of this here
Care Bear rappin' in harder this year
Watch me as I gravitate, ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!
Yo, we gon' ghost town this Motown
With yo' sound, you in the blink
Gon' bite the dust, can't fight with us
With yo' sound, you kill the Inc.
So don't stop, get it, get it
Until you're cheddar head
And watch the way I navigate, ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!

Brendan laughed. "I've heard of doppelgängers, I think everyone has at least 7? Or something," He shrugged and watched in delight as Tad did a jig and greeted him. He laughed too and grinned, but paused to look at his phone. "I will, in a few, I've got someone to escort over here." He listened to Jackie however with a nod. "That's crazy.. I came from a small town but everyone had names that we're the same? Ill be right back though.. Domt have too much fun without me!" He shouted as he trotted in the way of the cabins.

"Alright see ya!" She waved him off then sat down in the sand to have a break. Might as well preserve her energy for when he gets back.

Les grinned over to her, keeping up the bass line as he bobs along to the hot rappin skills of Paisely, yo. His eyes gaze around to the crowd around, happy to see everyone enjoying the jam session!

"SEE YOU SOON, MY GOOD BEAN!" Tad called to Brendan, watching Jackie sit down to take a break, "Thats okay I'll take it from here," he pointed finger guns at her then tried to up his dancing game even more, pausing only long enough to speak whenever he thought of something such as "I am in MARVEL at the rapping talent in this fine camping establishment, something they should put in the brochure! very rare, indeed!"

A long whistle left Josh, hearing Paisley's rapping skills, praised where praise was deserved, he guess. The lilac squid was in a good enough mood for now. -"That was impressive, Paisley, darling"- he hummed.

She took a step away to give les some room. She had a feeling she was gonna be back up there at some point.
Hearing tad's comment, Paisley shrugged and gave a wink, not entirely sure if that was a direct compliment or not but that should suffice.
Now replying to Josh, "Oh thank you dear JoJo!" Even giving a bow just because.

Tad gave Paisley a sup nod as she winked, he was tired of dancing alone so held out his hand to Josh and asked "SHALL WE DANCE, DEAR JOJO?" in an obnoxious fancy tone, Paisley called him that he must be allowed to as well

Joshua grinned, he would play along for a little, it didn't hurt, the kid amused him, and that was his favourite pastime, amusing himself with others. -"Ah, but may I have the name of the one requesting a piece with good old me ?"- He replied giggling, reaching out to grab Tad's hand. Yes, he knew the kid's name, but he was going to play along dammit.

"Creeper" Paisley loudly whispered, to answer Josh's question. Oops there's your nickname Tad.

He wasn't as flustered by the time they got there, but before, well, the poor kid, embarrassment still kind of evident on his face as he approached the crown alongside Brendan. The inkling kept his eyes down, only glancing up occasionally to look adoringly at the cotton candy inkling walking beside him for a few seconds. -"t-t-thank you f-for...f-for co-coming to get me..."- He mumbled probably for the fifth or so time, aware that his arrival would have been delayed by a lot had Brendan not come to get him.

Tad looked over at Paisley, then back to Josh, he shrugged and took a step backwards, holding onto Josh's hand, "Oh my dance partner friends call me Tad, no one but the worst of people call me Taddy Waddy, Creeper, is that for your, dashing dance moves being comparable to that of a spider?" he couldn't contain himself and snorted out a cackle, "Spider dance," he snickered as he put his other hand on Josh's side and then just started stepping in random places he has no idea how to dance like this

"Taddy Waddy????" she couldn't help but snicker and snort. Oh gosh that. "That's adorable! PFPFPFFPFPF" oh boy. Paisley held her gut and covered her mouth with a hand to keep from bursting with laughter.
She'd have to keep that other nickname in mind.

"You need to make your movements more sharp," Jackie butted in, his slack in dancing annoying her slightly. "And usually it's a good idea to keep in time with the music, keep a steady tempo instead of changing it every two seconds." She wasn't mad at him, just wanting to fix the horribly coordinated dancing so it wouldn't be nagging at the back of her mind the rest of the evening.

-"Then Taddy Waddy it is"- Joshua smirked. -"No, no, too long, my dance partner, Tad works much easier"- He corrected, for a moment letting the new kid lead, but clearly he had no idea what he was doing, so, time for the lilac squid to lead. Awkwardly shifting his hands, the cast made it harder to do as he pleased but he was smart, he could work around it. -"Allow me, dance partner"- Josh whispered starting to take the lead now as he hummed to the music.

Brendan was looking down at him fondly, then back up to the crowd. "HEY JACKIE WE'RE BACK!" He shouted to Jackie, waving wildly. His cheeks, which were already noticeably flushed, became even more flushed when Arwin thanked him again. He laughed and shrugged, rubbing his upper arm awkwardly. "It's- No problem, I just didn't want you to get lost or anything!" He said gently to him, giving him a soft smile that reached his eyes, brow knit giving him a look of fondness and maybe, only maybe was he giving Arwin doe eyes.

Valefar was doing something not destructive for once, he'd been on his lonesome, practicing on his violin, fiddling away some random tunes. He paused in his playing long enough for his ears to pick up the sounds of music and laughter elsewhere. His ears twitched and a grin etched his face. Time for some fun! He made his way over, once he was close enough to hear the tune, he tucked his instrument underneath his chin, holding it by its neck, and bringing up his other hand, twirling the bow before joining in on the music. Prancing over to the squid playing bass, and sitting down beside him, crossing one thin long leg over the other dramatically. "Hope you don't mind I add some flare to your tunes." He chuckled over the music.

SUDDENLY ATTACKS FROM EVERY ANGLE, maybe he could have handled one, but everyone had turned the tables on him, WHY WOULD HE TELL THEM THE NICKNAME HE HATED IN THE FIRST PLACE, NO ONE KNEW. Tad stared forward for a moment then let out a sharp barking laugh as Josh corrected himself to Tad.  THank cod.  "Righto Jackie my good chap, I'll let spider dancer take the lead. bask in his elegance instead of my jolly good dance moves beyond mortal comprehension." he snickered.  noting the return of Brendan.

"AYYYE WELCOME BACK!" Jackie hollered back, her grin returning with her wave. "I was just taking a breather, but now there's this violin dude?? I dunno but it was more dance-y with just the bass so I'm just gonna chill for a bit. Or should a say, for a TAD! Geddit?" She winked at Tad.

Tad laughed obnoxiously at Jackie's joke

Windmill, windmill for the land
Turn forever hand in hand
Take it all in on your stride
It is ticking, falling down
Love forever, love has freely
Turned forever you and me
Windmill, windmill for the land
Is everybody in?

Les started moving in to the end of the song, moving his head around as he changes up to a little slap bass to get the crowd moving on more.

Paisley decided to sing along with the ending of the song. Filling in for the bits of rap and harmonizing.

Les plucked the last note, finger gunning towards Paisely as he sighed out, gaining some composure after finally performing for the crowd.

Paisley snapped her fingers and gave finger guns back with a smirk. Time to scope what the rest of the people are doing.

-"Spider dancer, that's a new one, my good Tad"- Another one to the list alongside Twiggy, definitely. Josh could already feel himself getting a bit tired, even if they weren't moving an awful lot, the pain on his wrist didn't help either. -"Ah, I must apologize, my jolly dance partner, but I'll stop here, may we dance again some other time"- The lilac squid hummed, moving away from Tad and over to his seat, to rest his arm on the pillow.

Arwin glanced over at Jackie, still a bit intimidated by her, but wanting to be polite, the boy waved slightly, looking up at Brendan before going to take a seat and listen to the music, his cheeks lit up even more in dark blue and icy blue tones at the smile, eyes looking at him with adoration. Man, that was so unfair. He nodded, unable to find words at the time and focusing on the music and the musicians.
-"W-w-wow, a v-violin...n-nice!"-

Tad bowed to Josh, "Of course dear Jojo, anytime, anywhere." he paused "The bathroom would be peculiar though." he shook his head, turning to Les and giving him some applause and a woop-woop. "How long have you been playing, my good fellow? do you chaps do this often? the timing was really, spot on." he held up an ok hand, glancing between Les and Paisley

Valefar stopped his own playing as the song ended, he'd been going along with the faster pace of the song quite well. "Bravo Mr. bass man!" Vale cheered quickly, setting down his bow and violin briefly to applaud. Only to pick them back up again with a cheeky smirk, getting up and moving over to sit beside Jackie, "don't think you can dance to violins eh?" He said in a slightly teasing tone. He tucked the violin under his chin and played a few slow sad notes. "Too slow? Too dreary?" He sung with a pouty expression. He stopped for a moment then played a single quick sharp note. "You need fast" he played another quick sharp note. "A quick tempo?" He played another. "I'm sure I could play something that could get your feet tapping at least!" He stood up and bowed to Jackie, a smug grin wide across his lips. He winked and began playing a fast paced tune. Tapping his foot on the ground to help himself keep time.

Brendan waved back enthusiastically, then  strolled after Arwin, hands in his sweatpants pockets in an attempt to look cool and collected. He wasn't. He made the mistake of bringing his crush to hang out with his OTHER crush. Sitting close to Arwin his ears raised at the sight of the violin, then lowered it as he picked on Jackie. He frowned, but internally shrugged. Jackie could handle herself, right?

Paisley glanced at Les, then looked back to Tad, shrugging her shoulders up cutely, "well not sure 'bout Leslie here but I've been singin for as long as I could remember!" She perked at the sound of the violin though, immediately looking around for the source of it. Oooo she's in aweee.

This  squid groaned internally at the sound of that name being said. Les leans back, keeping his bass steady in his hands as he peers up at the sky. "W-well...I've always been singing, but my uncle got me this bass when I was 14. Always wanted a guitar, and he got me this. I'm grateful for him giving it to me. Its let me be able to enjoy life more."

Tad tilted his head between Les and Paisley, putting his hands on his hips and bouncing on his heels quickly, glancing over at Valefar quickly as he played, then back to Les with a wide grin "I have been singing since I was a wee lad but it's still a bit lacking, you must understand something I dont." he laughed, then paused "Curious, how much do you enjoy life now? on a scale of one to ten.  One being its likened to the taste of buttered popcorn jellybeans and bubblegum icecream, ten being YOU CANT EVEN COMPREHEND how good these waffles taste I haven't eaten in three days."

He tapped at his chin, moving his gaze down to the ground as he sighs out. "I guess it's like....a 6. Has that good bacon taste, but with the annoying chewy part." He grins up at the wee lad, dancing his fingers along the frets of the bass.

Tad nodded, "That's quite an accurate food rank, you really understand." he pointed with his thumb back at Valefar, "Once that old bean is done his tremendous solo, would you kindly take a request, Leslie my chap?" he paused holding his hands up for a second "My Way, Frank Squidnatra." he closed his eyes, imagining the song in his minds eye for a second "Do you know it?"

Les gave a few plucks to his strings. "I dunno, you tell me." He said grinning a bit, gaining more of a feel of the song's rhythm, nodding over to Valeas if to signal him towards the violin.

And now, the end is near
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I'll say it clear
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain

Tad took a step back to listen, putting his hands over his mouth, bobbing his head in excitement, belting out the next part.

"I've lived a life that's full
I've traveled each and every highway
AND more, much more than this
I DID IT MYYYYYYYY WAYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!"

Jackie immediately sprung up and started dancing again, this time much more carelessly, laughing a little. She joined in the singing a little, but not loud enough to be heard over Tad's screeching. "Oh and violin guy, it's not that it isn't good enough, it's simply not my type of dance, I'm much more hip hop or pop or urban dance focused." She probably didn't even know what urban meant but heard her dance teacher use it once or twice so might as well sound like she knew what she was doing.

Valefar stuck his nose up at Jackie, turning away for a moment dramatically, he was almost insulted, but he just shrugged it off with a smirk. Looking back over his shoulder, and chuckling. "That sounds like a you problem." He toned down his fiddling, slowing to the pace of the new song and playing along for a few bars before quieting and letting Mr. Bass man do his thing.

Tad puts his hand over his heart and reaches out towards Jackie with a wide grin as she comes back onto the 'stage', bouncing from foot to foot, continuing to passionately belt out the song

"Regrets, I've had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption"

Tad's overdramatic gesture made her giggle. I can definitely get along with this guy! Like usual, she was looking forward to make new friends.

Les looked over to them, continuing to pluck softly before bringing in his voice to the group.

I planned each charted course
Each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way

The night went by pretty smooth. A relaxing night of jamming with the fellow campers, and  it really helped the squid warm up better. Perhaps helping himself out of his shell for a while.
Once leaving the beach, he ventured back to his cabin where he placed his bass to the side with a sigh. Off to sleep for this kid.