The Beach Spin-off Episode

A gentle breeze, the waves lightly crashing over and over on the wet sand, the sun shining brightly, pleasantly warm... It is a perfect day to be at the beach. And various species gathered at the many beaches scattered around the continent of Skire, mainly to see and greet the never before seen Nautipods.

However, this story is not about them, nor related to any other recent events. Instead, it is a story of a beach the CCCat, Soma, had travelled to along with a special guest... It's a secluded beach, with a few of Skire's residents on the sand and in the water.

At his right, he spotted an area far away from the others. Soma doesn't mind being with a small group of stranger as much as he used it, but on this day in particular, he would prefer not to interact with them in any way.

He stepped in the sand, digging his hands and feet into it. It's hot, as anyone would expect, but he liked the feeling of it. Soma only wishes his partner shared the same feeling.

An orange Grem with a dark red poncho and white belly took great leaps towards water, creating a big splash when he arrived. And disturbed the peace in the process, even gaining the attention of the others there. They did not stare for long, thankfully. Soma could only stare with a blank expression as Loki rapidly shook his legs to dig in the cold sand with a goofy smile.

*'Why did he not walk lightly on the sand? Did he even think beforehand that leaping would push his feet in the sand more?'*

He thought to himself.

"Ah, that's much better." His partner said, looking at Soma, the goofy smile still on his face. The CCCat's lips twitched, the closest Loki would get to a smile.

Soma wondered if the planet Loki came is much cooler than Eeridi, or if beaches even exist on it. It would explain his weird behavior. He rarely thought to ask anything about what Loki's old home is like, as Soma preferred to inform him of everything he needed, and wanted, to know about his new home on Skire.

"Your feet will adjust to the heat... Come here." He spoke.

Loki only gave him a teasing smile.

"Nah~ it's too hot out there. Why don't *you* come over here? It is so nice and chilly in the water, you'll love it here once you get in, Soma."

"... no thanks." He replied.

"Aw, why not? Can't swim? Don't worry, I will hold onto your body so you won't fall while I teach ya~" The Grem winked.

"No." He immediately declined. It's not that he doesn't know, but rather the instintual fear of the ocean being a death trap for wormlings followed him even after gaining a host.

Soma turned his back towards Loki, who looked at him with a curious expression.

"What is it?" He asked.

"Looking." Soma simply replied before walking off, leaving Loki to simply wave his partner goodbye.

The blue CCCat walked by the water, ears moving as he deeply took in all the sounds of the waves, the sand lightly crunching beneath his feet, the bird life squaking... It all made Soma calm and relaxed, made him feel at peace. Not to mention the smell of the salty water. Sure, he refuses to go into it, but that does not mean he can't appreciate and take in the nature of this beach.

Further down, he saw a collection of many sea shells on the sand. How did they end up, he wondered. Soma felt through the crevices and ridges of them, intrigued by a light red shell in particular.

"Hey, Soma! Over here!" Loki suddenly called out to him from a distance, waving. Soma lifted his head and turned to him. The Grem's down on his knees, on the sand no less!

*'I said you would adjust to the hot sand...'*

He thought as he walked over, now noticing the small sand castle his partner is in the middle of making.

"It's nice..." Soma complimented, earning a grin from Loki.

"I know, right? How about ya give me a hand, huh? It'll be finished much faster with you at my side~" He grinned.

"Yes."

And so they got to work, with Loki telling him how he wants the rest of the castle to be and guiding him with some things if needed. When Soma got one of the parts done, however...

"Say, Soma?" Loki started, giving him an all too familiar smile. A smile he never liked, as it meant his partner had an idea he knew Soma would hate.

"What...?"

"I was thinking... when we're done with this castle, I should bury you under the sand. You'd look good with your head sticking out from it~"

"No." Soma replied with a hiss.

"Aww, come on! Humor me~"

He ignored the teases from his partner, and worked on the castle in silence.

And so... time passed, and before our interspecies couple realized it, the sun had already begun to set. There lied a completed sand castle... and next to it, a blue CCCat buried in the sand with only his head out, a frown on his face.

And right beside him, a Grem with the biggest grin on his face. "Now that wasn't so bad, was it~?" Loki teased.

"..."

He sighed. "Alright, I'll dig you out. We should get back to Uto before it goes completely dark. Not to mention your plants that must surely miss you by now~"

This specific day at the beach will forever be remembered by Soma and Loki.