Submission (#5886) Approved

Grenade Launcher tapped their paw on the ground, listening to the rhythm. An itching feeling clawed in their mind. It was an impish, posh, and just a little eggy emotion. Could it be from the salt in the air? But Grell didn't know if they had sodium allergies. Maybe it was something in the air from all of the fermenting fruits from town? But then the scent would've been heavier in the tropical air.

Maybe it was just themselves, sitting here dying of boredom. Maybe that was just the answer. Being told to wait here didn't seem like much at first, but now all they felt was irritation. Sitting still just made their paws sore.

"Ahhhh!!! And I'm supposed to be here on vacation!!" The Kittom rolled around in the sand with a wail- all the way till they rolled right into a palm tree. The thud shook the leaves above, causing a comically timed coconut to drop down and land on their head. Grenade Launcher lifted their chin from the sand with a little huff.

They were going to miss the fruit shake happy hour at this rate if she continued waiting here. Why did it have to be Adonis who was left to supervise them? They wanted to go out with big sis Dasu today, but she suddenly caught a mild case of the dusk fever. It would be better for her to rest anyway.

They shook their head and stood up, determined. "Well, if that man can somehow take care of himself, then so can I. At least I'm not all alone, right?" The kittom turned to their shadow as if expecting a response on cue. But there was no response.

"Right?" She nudged again, a bit impatient after being irritated waiting for so long. Then from the blurry shape out poked out a small head. "There you are. Had a good nap?"

The pomu looked momentarily confused before sneezing. It tried shaking off the sand from the shadow it emerged from, but when it failed quickly it also looked a bit annoyed. "Well, yeah. We're done waiting for that loaf. Let's go get us some fruit shakes like Dasu promised us."

The pomu squeaked excitedly in answer, but slid back into Grenade Launcher's shadow with a little thumbs up on their feathered paw.

"Ohhh! You guys, I can't do all the work here, I want to relax too!" The kittom mumbled dejectedly, but then shook her head and patted their shadow. "Okay, then make sure the money is ready when I ask for it."

A little chirp answered them in response. They let out a small smile.

Grenade Launcher sauntered down the tropical shores of the island on Palu'au. Warm sand squished between their toes and the cold ocean breeze swept through their fluffy fur. They looked outwards at the rich royal blue color of the glittering ocean. It was pretty... They'd love to sit by and watch the waves curl.

"I want some seafood for dinner." They thought to themselves, trotting along.

It didn't take them long to find a beached ship on the sand nestled between some palm trees and undergrowth. The sign at the front wrote the words "Salted Fruits Bar" signifying the beaching was intentional. It was the place they were looking for. And what luck! There didn't appear to be a line today. They've heard sometimes it stretches all the way around during happy hour, but it looks like she arrived early.

A smile spreading across their face, they bounded right into the little bar. The smell of fresh tropical fruit rolled onto their nose as they entered. Fishing nets lined the walls as decorations, as well as various bait, trophies, and notorious pirate flags were all displayed proudly for patrons to see. They wandered up to the front bar and climbed onto a seat.

"Hey Mister! What's the Salted(tm) special today?" They waved their paw in greeting.

The Elnin behind the bar turned his head, a shake in his hand. His bright magenta fur reminded them much of fruit punch. "Oh! Welcome, welcome. Today's special is a lovely peach shake mixed with fresh cranberries and lilies."

"Ooh, I'd love to order that one." Grenade Launcher wagged their tail excitedly. "Could I get one and one for a Pomu please?"

"Of course!" The Elnin smiled, adjusting his hat. He finished up the order he was working on and began on the next one. Grenade Launcher eagerly watched. It was mesmerizing almost- really aesthetically pleasing.

"Oh, yes, Yun, please get the coins," They whispered to their shadow. This time on cue, Yun the Pomu appeared holding up some shiny coins. Grenade Launcher took them in their paw and placed it on the counter. "One, two, four, six..." They eyed the menu board. "Okay, I think it costs 7 elecite coins total."

"Here's your drink, yound lad." The Elnin pushed over a cut coconut and a mini coconut too. Yun eagerly climbed onto the counter to pick up their own little drink, and Grenade Launcher slid the coins forward.

"Thank you!" The kittom beams. They pick up their coconut and pad out of the bar. Finally! Now they can find the perfect spot to watch the ocean waves. "Let's go, Yun- Yun, Yun-" The Pomu wasn't paying much attention, content with sitting on the sand outside the door, sipping away. "Do you want to get trampled on vacation?"

The Pomu gets up and walks back into their shadow.

"I... Alright, go back to your room. Must be nice being able to go home in such a pretty place, hm?" Grenade Launcher began to walk down the beach, humming to themselves.

They spot a couple free communal beach chairs laying open. They excitedly climb under the shade of the accompanying umbrella and lie down, all stretched out. They hold up the coconut cup in front of their face with a wide grin, before taking a long sip from the colorful straw.

"That hits the spot!" The Kittom smiled, kicking their legs excitedly and melted into their summer chair. The ocean waves glistened in their sight. This was just what they needed after the chaotic feelings from this afternoon. Just a getaway for themselves!