Chapter 137: Beach Bash
When Coop finally left the empty fort, having delayed his exit long enough for most of the residents to parade through the main gate, the beach party was kicking off.
The picnic tables that had been staged in the morning were now set up, lining both sides of the main trail. The seating extended from the crossroads, just south of the moat bridge, all the way to the lighthouse on the other end of the island. The tables then continued east from the shadow of the lighthouse, following the path as it approached the mangrove forest, fully wrapping both beaches of the main island.
The sandy beaches and all of the tables were already packed with happy revelers as they joined their previous companions, and caught each other up on the events of the last few weeks, or recapped the entire assimilation for newcomers. While Coop and the others had waited by the civilization shard, others had staged the venue with the help of the contracted residents who had left their shops closed for the occasion.
The party preparations had been extensive, taking the greater part of two weeks, but they still had only planned for a maximum of around 8,000 people. With twice as many phantoms returning, thanks to the settlement upgrading to a Town, the total population of Ghost Reef had ballooned to over 15,000. They were slightly over capacity, to say the least.
The surprise additions hadn’t done anything to damper the atmosphere, though. If anything, the excitement had only increased. They weren’t only celebrating the return of comrades-at-arms, but also welcoming new members to the settlement, and the shouts of jubilation, followed by cheers confirmed the joyous reception they received as the phantoms found their places among the rest.
Music was already starting with a band playing on a slightly elevated stage that had been placed where Coop first engaged the Icon of Mana, with their backs to the cordoned off, night time specific, Ancient Prowler hunting ground. A miniature volunteer concert began and residents danced in the scrubland while others at the tables watched and had a good time eating and laughing, but the band was only entertainment for a small part of the island.
Nets had been set up further along, and volleyballs bounced back and forth as people started casual games with small groups of spectators keeping score. Others played with actual frisbees in the open space, which seemed like a lot more fun and a lot less dangerous than throwing Coop’s shield around. Simple party games, like horseshoes and cornhole, were being claimed by the new arrivals. The residents were seizing the opportunity to put aside their worries and enjoy a real day off on an island paradise. The shining sun and the sparkling shallow sea made the perfect backdrop for a proper getaway.
Between the swiftly filled picnic benches, posts had been installed, and thin sheets partially see-through gossamer fabric rippled in the gentle breeze, providing some relief from the direct sunlight for those that desired shade, with a style that really exposed the planners expertise in weddings. Strips of white fairy lights were strung between the posts as well, but in the middle of the day, underneath the tropical sun, the illumination wasn't necessary. The party was just getting started, though.
Each picnic table had multiple bowls and plates set out with pitchers and grills on standby. It was like a self-serve buffet for those who were seated, and the food was being claimed with some urgency. Coop thought it was lucky that people didn’t need to eat, or they might have had a problem with not having enough to satisfy everyone.
Classic crowd-pleasers, like chips and dip, were the staple of each table, though the chips were an assortment of rainbow colors and the salsa almost certainly alien, at least it was seasoned for human standards. It was a surprise when it was actually spicy, apparently some phantoms had been hard at work cultivating habaneros for the occasion. Plenty of residents opted for the less challenging cheesy dips instead.
Small sandwiches formed elaborate pyramids that quickly shrank as people consumed them one at a time. Chilled bowls of fruit, skewered on sticks, were present as well, with the fruit being at least partially familiar. Pineapple, papaya, mango, watermelon, and strawberries were recognizable, others, not so much, but still visually appealing with bright purples leaves, translucent blue cubes, and vivid green berries in the mix.
For beverages they had a massive number of options, but Coop could easily break them down into three categories. Lemonade with floating slices and unmelting ice, a few cold beer options waiting in ice buckets, and an absolute ton of colorful cocktails. It seemed like they would be conducting a mass experiment, testing the limits of mana’s ability to prevent hangovers. Drinking on a tropical beach all day would certainly put any doubts to rest as to the efficacy of mana, if they woke up the next day at all.