"Alright, everyone! The food is ready!" Rhea’s voice boomed over the music, cutting through the sound of crashing waves and the hum of beach chatter. With a wide grin, she flipped the last skewer of grilled meat, her golden eyes gleaming from the fire’s reflection. The smell of charred, smoky goodness filled the air, mingling with the saltiness of the ocean breeze. Rhea’s earlier efforts, setting up the grill and getting everything just right, had been worth it. Now, she could finally relax, drink in hand, and watch everyone else dig in.

She swiped a hand across her forehead, smearing a bit of ash across her tanned skin. "This is how you do a beach party," she muttered to herself, proud of the work she’d put in. The sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky, casting a golden hue over the sand, and the music blasting from the speakers made everything feel more alive. The carefree laughter and dancing around her fueled her own high energy, making it hard for her to stand still as she cooked.

Lector, her little companion, sat nearby under the shade of a large beach umbrella. His tail flicked lazily, and he was clearly more interested in the drink by his side than the food. "You should try one of these," Rhea called out to him, holding up a perfectly grilled skewer of meat. "Best cooking you will ever have!"

Lector snorted, crossing his arms. "Hmph. We’ll see about that," he replied, his voice dripping with his usual arrogance. "I’m not going to lower my standards just because we’re at some beach party."

Rhea rolled her eyes, used to Lector’s sass by now. "Suit yourself, but you are missing out," she said, popping a small piece of grilled chicken into her mouth. "Mmm. Yeah, I nailed it."

She loved the atmosphere here. It was such a change from the seriousness of her duties as a Rune Knight. No rules to follow, no missions to complete. Just fun, sun, and the joy of hanging out with people. The warm weather reminded her of home, and gods know she loved a reason to be naked. The beach party had been in full swing since the afternoon, and everyone seemed to be in high spirits. The bonfire pit was prepped, streamers hung from wooden archways, and the entire area felt like a little paradise.

Rhea let out a small laugh as she watched a few of the younger Blue Pegasus members try to show off some clumsy dance moves by the water. They weren’t great dancers, but they were having fun, which was all that mattered today. Grabbing a drink from the table nearby, she took a swig and sighed in satisfaction. The fruity beverage was cold and sweet, the perfect refreshment after hours standing over a hot grill.

“Hey, everyone!” she called out again, her Stellan accent carrying easily over the music. “Come grab some food before it’s all gone! Trust me, you don’t wanna miss this!” Her smile widened as she saw people starting to make their way over, plates in hand.

Just then, her eyes fell on someone new, a pink-haired girl wearing a cute bikini, clearly not from the Rune Knights. She was strutting down the beach with confidence, heads turning in her direction as she went. Rhea didn’t know her, but it didn’t really matter. This was a party, and everyone was here to have a good time.

"Hey! You too!" Rhea shouted over to the girl, waving her tongs in the air. "Get in line and grab some food while it’s hot!"

Rhea smiled warmly at Luna’s excitement, wiping her hands on a towel as the girl eagerly devoured the skewers. “Glad you liked them, mi hermana! I put a lot of work into making sure they were just right,” she said, her tone friendly and relaxed. It was nice to see someone appreciate her cooking so much. She took a sip of her drink, watching as Luna seemed to light up with every bite.

Hearing Luna mention Blue Pegasus, Rhea chuckled softly. “Oh yeah? Blue Pegasus, huh? Well, That doesn’t surprise me. You have the charm and style down.” She gave a wink, clearly in a good mood. “I actually know someone from your guild, her name is Sofia Serena. She’s incredible, isn’t she? Beautiful, smart, and one hell of a mage, I hear.” Rhea spoke with genuine admiration, clearly holding Sofia in high regard. “It’s cool you’re in the same guild. I’m fond of Blue Pegasus.”

Taking a moment, she extended a hand to Luna. “Mi nombre es Rhea Alvarez. Rune Knight, Sergeant, recently promoted. Pleasure to meet you, Luna of Blue Pegasus.” Her tone was warm, and there was a bit of her usual hotshot confidence, but it was clear she wasn’t putting on airs.

Meanwhile, Lector, who had been casually sipping his juice and minding his own business, suddenly found himself yanked into Luna’s tight embrace. His red body tensed as his eyes widened in surprise, the juice carton slipping from his grip. “H-Hey! What’s the big idea woman!?” he yelped, squirming as Luna hugged him against her chest. “I’m not a cat! I’m an Exceed! Let me go, you crazy lady!”

Rhea burst into laughter, unable to help herself at the sight of Lector flailing about in Luna’s grasp. “Careful, Luna,” she teased, shaking her head. “Lector’s got a bit of an attitude. Don’t let his size fool you, he’s feisty.”