3rd Case

[not_nikkiheat]

[Remembering what Rise had said about the Four Seasons Room, Kate decided it was time to check out the beach. She'd tracked it down while exploring the castle. She hadn't gotten around to exploring the surrounding village yet, but it was on her to-do list. For now, though, she could use some sun and relaxation.

She slipped into her swimsuit, pulled on a cover-up, then packed a few things in a beach bag and headed to the beach. She spread out her towel and laid down, closing her eyes with a smile. Yep, this could definitely become one of her favorite spots in the castle.]

[ooc: open for action!]

Comments

[pint_sized_carnivore]

[Chie went to the Four Seasons room to do some training, but after seeing the inside of the room, she thought of just having fun and put aside the training for another day. This beach is way better than Shichiri Beach back home too!

So looking for a spot to hang out and place her things at, she saw the spot where Kate was]

Yo! Do you mind if I sit here with you? You found a good spot.

[not_nikkiheat]

[Kate shields her eyes as she looks up to see a young girl standing nearby. She gestures around her with a smile.]

I don't mind at all. Make yourself at home.

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Thanks! [Chie sets her things on the beach chair right next to Kate's, she took her jacket off to reveal a cute swimsuit underneath. Chie]

I'm Chie Satonaka, by the way. What's your name? [Chie said in her usual friendly tone]

[not_nikkiheat]

My name's Kate Beckett. Nice to meet you.

[Kate extends her hand out to shake.]

Cute swimsuit!

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Oh, this. Someone got it for me, actually. I've only grown to like it. But thanks! It's nice to hear a compliment from a pretty lady such as yourself!

[not_nikkiheat]

Thank you. I'm a fan of compliments from just about anybody.

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Well yeah. I think I would like a compliment from others too. Except for the pervy ones of course.

HAD TO

[last_rat_standing]

[Bond had read about the Seasons Room in the journal, himself. And though he was hesitant to visit it (a beach or a snowy tundra what?) he had told M that he would look over every inch of the castle and town and he wasn't going to let a little hocus pocus get in the way of his reconnaissance.

Besides - the allure of a good swim in the ocean was too much to pass up. He'd been out in the water when Kate had arrived. He had noticed her arrival, watching her set herself up and get comfortable as he tread water a ways out from the shore. A short while later (long enough to give her a chance to get settled) he swims for shore coming out of the water and walking the rest of the way in. He gives Kate an appreciative look over as he picks up his towel and casually drapes it around his neck.]

Hello.

LOVE IT

[not_nikkiheat]

[Kate watches him leave the water. She's s seen her fair share of gorgeous men, but this guy is right up there with the best. Of course, the expression on his face tells Kate that he's well aware of how good he looks. She gives him a slow smile, her eyebrow lifting.]

Hello. I'm Kate Beckett.

[last_rat_standing]

[he's sexy and he knows it.

His smirk warms a little at the sound of her voice. Ah-ha. Well now he knows she definitely has the looks to go with that lovely voice of hers.]

Ah. A pleasure to meet you in person, Kate. I'm Bond. James Bond.

[He nods his head in greeting.]

[not_nikkiheat]

[Kate's grin widens as she recognizes the voice. She props herself up on her elbows, gesturing to spot next to her.]

The pleasure's mine. Care to join me?

[last_rat_standing]

I'd love to, thank you.

[He doesn't even bother to lay out his towel before lowering himself to the sand. His still wet back and legs get coated with the fine granules but he doesn't seem to mind one bit.]

I'd comment on the weather but that hardly seems appropriate given that it's artificial.

[not_nikkiheat]

[Kate laughs lightly at that.]

Good point. At least we don't have to worry about showing up to a rainy beach one day.

[She turns toward him, propping her head on her hand.]

How have you been settling in?

[thebestseller]

[Well, this was quite the time to decide to check out the Four Seasons Room. Castle wasn't dressed for the beach, having decided to just scope out the location, but seeing Beckett there made him wish he was. He stood some distance away from her, calling out-]

Why, Detective Beckett! Enjoying yourself?

[not_nikkiheat]

[Kate looks up and grins, gesturing him to approach.]

You know how I love the beach, Castle.

[thebestseller]

[Oh, she wasn't telling him to get lost. This was a good thing. Castle pauses to remove his shoes and socks, enjoying the feeling of sand on his bare feet, before doing so.]

And you never get a chance to go. This time you're not chasing someone down, eh?

[not_nikkiheat]

[Kate's in too good a mood to be angry at Castle now. She figures they've reached some kind of tentative truce since showing up at the castle. His attitude toward her has changed as well, he doesn't seem as distant here. It doesn't hurt so much to be near him here, not like it had hurt the past few weeks back home, with his indifference toward her. She much prefers him like this.]

There doesn't seem to be any reason to chase people down around here. I'll have to learn to relax.

[thebestseller]

[Castle sits down cross-legged on the sand next to her, careful not to look. Too much. If only he could sense what she was thinking... but he senses her good mood and decides to ride it out while it lasts.]

You know, I could help you with that if you want. I am all about the relaxation.

[not_nikkiheat]

[She shakes her head, not looking at him, but smile still firmly in place.]

You know, I think I've heard that about you.

[no_ghost]

[Peter is exploring the castle when he comes across the room with a beach in it. At first this strikes him as odd and then he doesn't care.

When he sees the very attractive woman stretched out on the towel he can't help but approach.]

"I don't know which is prettier today, the water, the sky or your eyes."

[not_nikkiheat]

[Kate glances up at the guy, and gives him a genuine smile intended to take the sting out of her next words.]

Does that line usually work for you?

[no_ghost]

[Peter smiles in return and takes her not telling him to get lost as an invitation to sit down.]

Honestly, you'd be surprised how often it, or something along those lines, works. [He shrugs] It always helps to break the ice.

[not_nikkiheat]

You did succeed at that. I'm Kate.

[no_ghost]

The pleasure is mine, Kate, I'm Peter.

Not a line this time, but have you been here long? In the castle.

[not_nikkiheat]

Actually, I've only been here a little over a month. Are you new?