Dock.

The boat comes to a rough stop as it grinds against the bottom of the sea, and the head of it collides with the coast. The passengers jostle forward. Each of them leaps towards the beach as best they can, though most get their feet wet regardless. With how much of the ocean was spraying over the entire trip here, however, nobody is dry anyway. When the last person leaves, which is yourself, you find the mechanism hidden beneath the seats in which to retract the enchanted boat back into its previous form. It begins to fold in on itself, and you easily leap from the head to the shore before it once again becomes a cube.

You lift the wooden box and stow it away.

It was supposed to be warmer here, and that's definitely true. Suddenly it's as if it were summer again. The sun shines bright down from a cloudless sky, though the breeze wafting in from the ocean is refreshing. The second thing told in the tale was of the sand. Immediately as you land, you notice the truth. It's exceptionally soft. Unlike on the previous island, it isn't silver either. The beach here is radiantly gold. You kneel down to take some into your hand. As far as you can tell, it isn't literally made from the precious metal, but whatever minerals have settled here are gorgeous and vibrant, and it's like a kitten's fur between your fingers--the finest sand you've seen.

Though you can't see it all from here, it's definitely much smaller as well. There are palm trees ahead, though it isn't a massive dense forest. You wonder how long it would really take to get to the other side. Coconuts hang below massive leaves. Jewel of the Sea or not, it's certainly a gorgeous place for a beach party.

"I almost wonder if the name is just referring to the island itself," you think aloud. "It sounds like the name someone would give to a great place for a vacation. A real gem of the ocean."

Niki places all the bags down near the edge of where the sand turns to dirt, and quickly into lush grass. "It's just nice to have my feet on something solid again." She then pulls her black hoodie open and off her body, and tosses it lazily onto the grass. Right after that, she pulls off her socks and sneakers. She stretches her arms high above her head, dressed in nothing more than a black wrap around her breasts, and torn, low-hanging jeans.

"I thought you weren't affected by the heat," Eva says, carefully placing her purse down by the rest of the supplies. She also slips off her flats to enjoy the feeling of the sand between her toes.

"Oh I'm not. I just love the feeling of the sun on my skin." Niki steps onto the beach and flinches. "Ah! It tickles."

Peony has already wandered towards the palms. She places her hand against the trunk. "Look, m'lord! These trees are brand new to me. I love them."

You wander on over. "The good news is that means I can take off this armour."

"Ooh, let me help," she says with excitement. She then aids you in removing everything down to your undershirt and trousers.

You do as many others are and remove your shoes and socks as well. Unlike a sunheart, you are affected by the heat, though it does still feel great. The warmth mixed with the ocean winds make for a perfect temperature, once you've dressed down a little. You look up and see something flying above. It concerns you for a moment, but then you realize it's just Luna.

She flutters down to land nearby. "The island continues for a distance that way, though not for long. The trees become more dense, as does the foliage, though just past some tall grass here is a small opening."

Anastasia smiles. Even as the most overwhelmed and nervous of the group, such a gorgeous tropical island has put her at ease. "That sounds lovely. Should we check it out?"

"Indeed, but not all of us. Please help me grab some things from our bags. Girls, follow me. We need to get dressed."

"But I am dressed."

"That's no outfit for a beach. Come. I brought others. Kyle and Thomas, I've brought things for you as well. You can change out here, and we'll do so hidden in the glade behind me. Ah. Are you wondering why I suddenly care about as being nude, despite what you've seen? It's not because of that. I just like the surprise. I wish to see the look on your face when everybody returns." Then without waiting for an answer, she gestures a hand to follow and begins walking towards where the grass grows taller.

"Oh, uh. All right!" Niki calls back, opening some of the bags. "I guess just grab everything that's clothes."

Others join in, though Anastasia looks confused. She does eventually help, though she stares especially concerned at some of the garments people have in their arms. To her, none of it looks like clothing--at best underwear. The beach is too lovely to be worried for long, however, and a breezy, beautiful outfit for the beach does intrigue her, especially given how comfortable Luna's current garb for her feels.

And just like that, you're left with Tom.

You look over to see a pair of blue trunks laying over the bags. Next to it is a similar looking one, though it's striped white and green.

"That was fast," Tom comments. "Luna really does feel like some sort of doll-master, huh? Dressing everyone up. She's really good at it though. Ooh, what do you think Vodrani will be wearing? Wait. Don't think too hard about it. I want to be the one seeing her that way."

"Relax," you say with a chuckle. "Let's get dressed. I can't wait wear something cooler."

He swallows hard as he lifts his striped trunks. The quality of the craft is quite amazing for something so simple. The strings used to tighten it end with vibrant blue beads. "I don't know how you keep your cool so easily. They're all gonna come back, wearing... you know."

You're already mostly undressed. "Holy crap. Swimsuits. At the beach?"

"All right, Mr. Sarcastic." He begins to change as well.

Your trunks are even better. While they make look simple at first, there are varying shades of blue, light and dark, to grant the fabric a gradient texture, and when you turn them around you see something stitched over the right side of the rear--a phoenix. The strings end in beads just like Tom's, though upon closer inspection, they inset with rubies and sapphires. Surely this is the most expensive swimsuit a man has worn. You pull them up, and they feel wonderful against your body, as expected.

Tom is done as well. He looks himself over, and then his eyes turn to you. "You pull it off a lot better than I do."

"Have some confidence, Tom. You look great. And I guarantee Vodrani will agree. You two are really cute together, you know."

He blushes. "I never thought I'd finally meet someone so special... and a succubus no less. I mean, I don't really see her as one, if you understand. I don't really know what I'm saying. I think I'm just kinda rambling now."

"You're good," you say with a light smack on his back. "Enjoy the beach. Relax."

His eyes turn to the horizon. The sight of the sun reflecting over the ocean is beautiful to behold. It's refreshingly silent. There are a few distant birds, but otherwise the two of you listen to nothing more than the gentle rolling of waves up against the golden sand.