Traits of the Wandering Moon

For the first time ever, the Wandering Moon set sail. Her first voyage began in clear weather, away from thunderstorms or windstorms.

And the crew commenced their day with unforeseen joy after touring themselves on the deck. "I can't believe we have a pool now," Yumiko stated and sat inside the pool in her white and blue bikini, "We can freshen up even when the bathing rooms are full."

Kou joined her in the pool, sitting beside her with arms crossed behind their necks. They kept their eyes closed and allowed the sunlight to beam upon their bodies.

Timothy stood at the pool's edge, sporting an unzipped beach shirt and swimming pants, exposing his torso to the sun. He used his toes to tip them into the water, nervous about drowning, and hauled them back every other second.

"What's the matter, captain?" Kyora inquired, sitting on the sunlounger and moving her sunglasses onto her forehead to gain a better view of Timothy, "Are you scared of clear water too? Or are you shy about your body?" she wondered, leaning her jaw on her palm.

Timothy turned in her direction, unimpressed and sulking, "Ha-ha, real funny. Maybe you should ask yourself the same." He folded his arms and grunted, witnessing Kyora chuckling. "I think I'd like to get a bit more tan. Spending most of my time on Winterpeak Island whitened me out."

Timothy looked away from her, practically ticked off about her teasing. "She's not wrong," Chiaki walked next to Timothy, disrobed her top to expose her black bikini, and set her attire aside on the sunlounger, "You should try going into the water. It's not salty, so it'll be like a normal shower." She walked down the stairs and swam into the pool.

"Bombs away!" Tarot rushed from the upper deck and leaped in the air, drawing everyone's attention. He dove into the water and made a monumental splash that soaked his companions in the pool and nearly floated Chiaki away. "See, even Tarot knows what's best for him." Laughed Kyora, looking into Chiaki's unimpressed expression. "I *just* entered the pool, and I'm already getting poured over." Chiaki spat the water from her mouth and leaned against the corner.

"That was an awesome jump, Tarot!" Kou laughed, looking at him. "Oh, I know. An *awesome* jump for an awesome guy like me. Couldn't go wrong." Tarot replied and paddled through the pool.

Aurora sat at the edge, dipping her feet into the water, wearing blue jeans and exposing her white bikini beneath her unbuttoned white shirt. "You as well?" Timothy grumbled, peeking at her. He was somewhat cranky. "Hey, the water's fresh, warm, and perfect to bathe. Don't grouse when you're the one avoiding getting sponged."

He soughed, clutching his forehead. "You're no better than Ayuka if she was here." Suddenly water splashed onto his face and terrified him, "What?! Who did that?!" he threw looks in every direction until spotting Kyora moving her finger from the sunlounger and controlling the pool's water. "See. You didn't get put out like you could in the seawater. You're fine." She giggled, leaning rearward. "It still gave me a fright."

Timothy resumed disputing, trying to earn enough courage to enter the pool, but he was reluctant and shivered each time he soaked his feet.

Aurora walked closer and grabbed the lemonade from her sunlounger, slurping on the straw. "Ralphie's drinks are incredible. I wonder how he does it." Aurora glimpsed at the glass, whirling her straw.

Timothy watched her, but out of nowhere, it happened, "Aurora-puffin! I'm glad you like it!" Ralphie appeared beside her and scared her to bits, "Wah!" she screamed, falling backward and nearly plunging into the water. "Here, I gotcha!" Timothy clutched her hand while Aurora tried maintaining her balance, spinning her arm like a wheel. "Don't let go! I don't want to get my clothes wet!"

Timothy looked away and before he could realize it, heard Aurora holler. He got toted with her, and both plunged into the water, leaving a clangorous and enormous splash behind them.

Instantly, Timothy surfaced from the water and pointed his finger at Ralphie, "Hey! I didn't want to go into the water, Ralph!" he whined, but it was hopeless. Ralphie had a crush on every girl around them. And seeing so many of them in their bikinis caused him to bleed from his nose while shooting out pink and passionate hearts.

Aurora moved her head beside Timothy's ear and whispered, ensuring others did not hear her, "Please be more careful next time. You groped me when we fell. It was uncomfortable." Timothy's ears shook, and his face reddened. He quickly dipped himself underwater, leaving only his eyes outside while creating bubbles before his mouth and nose.

Aurora walked away, acting as if nothing happened between them, and climbed out of the water. "I'll go grab some new clothes," Aurora claimed, walked up to the upper deck, and entered her bedroom.

Yumiko kept her eyes latched on Timothy, "What's up with him, all of a sudden? He's all heated up. That never ensued heretofore."

Ralphie regained some sense and became grave, "You may go eat if you're hungry before the foot gets cold. I made sure to make enough for everyone. Mostly for the ladies, but you know. Boys can eat too if they want."

"Finally! I've been starving!" Kou called, climbing out of the pool and patting himself dry. Yumiko and Tarot followed him, and so did Chiaki and Kyora.

Timothy continued sinking his nose underwater and stayed unamused.

As others entered the dining room, Ralphie watched Timothy in bewilderment, "Something the matter, captain? You look like you've been roasted by the sun a bit too much. I made toffee-peach ice cream pie if you're hot. And peaches happened to be used for our most recent crewmember especially."

"I'll go talk to Kate first... Thank you." Timothy swam toward the stairs and left the pool while Ralphie unfolded the napkin and quivered it in his hand, "We'll see you in the dining room."

-

Timothy knocked on the door and called out to Aurora, "Hey, Kate. May I come in?" he inquired. Aurora brushed her hair and looked at the door from the corner of her eye, "Yeah, of course."

He opened the door and entered her room, "I see you've done a superb job at making your space look like at home. I hope it's good enough for you while you're with us." He tried not to turn out bizarre and smiled at her.

"It's a perfect room. I have enough space to do anything I want. For example: when I want to put some time into reading a novel, I can do it on the bed or behind the desk. If I want to check something online, I can. And if I just want some time alone, I can do that too. Honestly, it's better than the one at Kheer's place. It may be smaller, but it feels cozier. So, thank you. I'm overjoyed you gave me this opportunity. Although, I don't think you came here to compliment my room, did you?" she folded her arms, "What would you like?"

Timothy moved his hand behind his head and rubbed his hair, "Ralphie finished cooking for everyone, so I came to get you." Aurora smiled and nodded in gratitude, "Ah, thanks. I'll come and join you right after I brush my hair."

Timothy glanced at the corner of her bedroom, "And, uh... I wanted to apologize. I didn't mean to... I didn't mean to touch you like that. I'm sorry." Aurora smiled, covering her mouth with her fist, and chuckled. "Come on, don't be like that. It's fine, really. It was an accident. Besides, it was you who did it. I wouldn't take it so lightly if it happened to be somebody else. Seriously, don't worry about it." She stepped next to him and grabbed his shoulder, "Now go and eat before you starve." She said. "Yeah, thanks. I'll see you in the dining room. You'll see, Ralphie's cooking is the best."

He grabbed the door, turned around, and prepared to leave, "Oh, I'm sure it is! Even his lemonade was delicious." Timothy beamed, exited the room, and left Aurora behind. She waited a few seconds and then became grave.

Her heartbeat quickened, and her face slightly turned red. She inhaled, exhaled, and gently clasped her own breast, rubbing it a little, a bit ashamed.

To be continued...