<2> The seasoned warrior's expression remained stoic. "Where were you going?" The elf's mind reeled in a feeble attempt to think of an excuse, but none came quick enough. Her long, pointed ears drooped just a bit in defeat, and her eyes turned to the ground. "Lysia's having a party at the beach tonight...." Rainier appeared wholly unsatisfied by the simplistic answer. "Summer," he repeated sharply, forcing her to finally meet his piercing gaze. Summer began to tremble just a bit beneath his eye. Lying was not her strong suit, but the urge to do so paled before her father's yet-hidden wrath. He was not abusive by any means, but he was loud, and his deep voice and large figure made him an intimidating sight to behold when he wanted to be. "It's true!" she insisted. "But... she wanted my help today getting some fireworks around and stuff. Just helping set up, that's all!" The seasoned warrior glanced at the bag, then back to his daughter's sharp features. There was no lie in her eyes. "Will there be boys?" "Yes...." Summer's cheeks suddenly went from rosy red to deep crimson almost instantaneously. Rainier visibly gritted his teeth. "Wait here," he rumbled and sharply turned on his heel, making a beeline for his own bedroom. Summer could only shift her weight from foot to foot as she waited for his return, though every second was agony in itself. Was he punishing her? Would she still be able to go? Less than a minute later he'd returned, strode right past her for her pack, and dumped a fistful of... something into one of the side pouches. "Go, and [i]be fucking careful[/i]," he returned, his features softening just a little. "I'd appreciate it if you were home by 1, but I won't come looking for you until noon tomorrow. We clear?" Summer's nervousness quickly melted into giddiness, and without warning she launched herself at her father and threw her arms around his shoulders in a loving hug. "Crystal! Thank you so so so much, Daddy! You're the best!" Despite his stiff demeanor, Rainier didn't hesitate to return her embrace, quietly trying to ignore the fact that her trench coat had fallen open in the process. "You need anything, you [i]contact[/i] me. My buzzbox will be close by." The elf was all smiles as she pulled her head back and planted a long, emphatic kiss on her father's cheek. She quickly hopped back down, retied her fluttering trench coat, and was out the door before either of them could say another word. Rainier let out a sigh of defeat as he watched the door close behind her. The retired warrior nonchalantly gave his rear a few scratches before wandering off toward the kitchen. There wasn't a damn thing anyone could make him do on [i]his[/i] Saturday. It wasn't until Summer had reached the gates of Stormwind that it dawned on her: She didn't know what her father had given her. Finding a quiet corner, the blood elf slung her pack off her back and pulled open the side pouch... the sight within making her blush all over again. At the bottom of the pouch laid a fistful of various-colored condom packets, some of which were even different sizes. [i]... [b]That's[/b] what he meant about being safe....[/i] * * * * * Things were already coming together by the time Summer had reached the beach. It wasn't until she'd descended the last dune that she felt comfortable enough to shed her stifling trench coat, thankful to be able to walk freely in her tank-ini. The intricate coils of golden-colored metal gave her just enough modesty to avoid trouble with the guards, but it was apparent that such a sight was going to draw almost every eye in range. Truth be told, Summer wasn't much for attention-seeking, but she did have an aesthetic that she loved in her own attire. It was more unfortunate than anything that the two aspects clashed, but she'd been training as a warrior almost since she could walk, and the subtle, powerful muscles in her limbs made her more than capable of handling herself if the need arose. Tents were being set up further back from the shore, while tiki torches and grills were being assembled and lit with magic by a chubby female mage in a more commonplace, two piece bikini. Satisfied with her latest spell, the mage turned just as Summer approached her, and with a happy cry she launched herself onto the elf to share an excited hug. "Hey! You made it! Thank you [i]so[/i] much for helping, was your dad okay with it?" "Reluctantly, but he seemed fine with it," Summer proclaimed and proudly puffed out her metal-clad chest. "Awesome," Lysia returned and brushed back her short, blonde hair. "You got the good stuff?" Summer's smile turned devious at this. "Walk this way," was all she said and took her friend's hand, leading the young woman over to the nearest erected shower stall and drew the curtain closed behind her. Satisfied their spot was private, Summer slung the pack onto the ground and opened it, revealing an [i]absurd[/i] cache of fireworks. Her toned arm shot into its depths to shift some things around, and beneath the fireworks she revealed several unmarked shoeboxes that had been wrapped in plastic. Lysia's eyes went as wide as saucers. "How the [i]fuck[/i]...?" The elf grinned cheekily at her friend. "Can you keep a secret?" The mage nodded eagerly. "The head herbalist in Stormwind is my uncle... sorta. Well, as uncle-y as he can be." "Dude, you are the [i]best[/i]!" Lysia whisper-shouted and hugged her friend a second time, this time slapping an exceptionally wet kiss on Summer's cheek. "This is gonna be lit as hell!"