The gentle waves lapped up on the beach, as a bright sun shone down. For his Part, Quinn King sat idly on a beach chair. A long rod next to him buried in the sand with a line cast out into the ocean. The bobber almost to far out to see gently rode the waves, no sign of movement from the pole.
Dressed in short swim trunks with pink sharks across a blue background, a wide brimmed hat covering his face, and bright red lensed sunglasses it was hard to tell if the Dueling champion was awake or asleep. In the beach chair he lay reclined, his legs outstretched where his toes where wrapped around the pole to hopefully sense movement. His left hand lay on his stomach, while his right was resting on the top of a cooler, fingers wrapped around bottle of beer that was sweating even more than he was.
It was still unseasonably warm at the beaches, but that suited him just fine. Around him people meandered to and froe. A typical day at the beach. Well at least, looks where often deceiving. Next to him a large burly man plopped a second chair, letting his girth crash into it causing the seat to sink half way up the legs into the soft golden sand. His skin seemed to drink in the sun, the vision of Mpho would pull more than one look from the opposite sex. Often being mistaken for some athlete from one of the muggle sports teams he had taken to liking the attention. he seemed to get it from muggles and the wizards/witches that actually knew what he was famous for.
"Quinn, sleeping on the job?" The deep rumbling African man's voice would travel to what looked like the sleeping man. "This tournament better be good. I gave up citizenship for it!" he'd add sounding more than a little upset. Slapping away Quinn's hand who nevertheless failed to spill a drop, he'd pull out a bottle tearing off the cap without need of an opener.
"o please......like you actually care about that. You care about the money and the fame." Quinn would say before taking a drink from the bottle. "Why do you think I'm back. Don't get me wrong I love the red, white, and blue.....but that doesn't pay the bills or get me laid." The comments would force a loud barking laugh from the larger African male. "Logan's here too ya know. Back at the bungalow. Like the people up state really care. they have some famous wizards they are happy, we get some money we are happy...…..its all good." He'd finish off the beer letting the empty bottle fall to the sand.
"hrmph…….maybe. We see." Mpho grunted, kicking further back and drinking the entire bottle in one gulp before taking another one. "You could at least buy the good stuff."
For the first time since the big man sat down Quinn would laugh. "This is the good stuff. Cheap, and gets the job done. I'm short on no maj cash what can I say. Logan's footing the bill for the room. I'm just here for the fish till the bigger ones come along." He'd give a tug with his foot to make the rod move back and forth, though he was the only one interested in it, it would seem. "stay here a couple days, then we are off to Orlando for the biggest dueling tournament in North American history.....when the world goes to shit, watch gladiators. It worked for the Romans after all...….or something like that."
The two would continue to reminisce and idly chatter as they relaxed on the beach. It wasn't long until Logan would arrive, and the three friends would continue long into the evening. The call of the States could not be ignored, and hard choices had to be made. For Quinn it was one he had many mixed feelings about, so for his two friends.....he couldn't imagine. in the end though, they were duelists.....athletes, they were driven by their single desire for greatness perhaps to a fault. The greater world of politics meaning less, and the draw of a huge tourney of cash and fame hard to ignore. Mpho thought it would blow over, Logan's idea was that they couldn't possibly keep this going, and as for Quinn....he just didn't know what to think. So the only option was to take the bait and play in what was promised to be a legacy defining tournament.
Along with the invite had come a different message. One that the three friends had all gotten, one that was slightly more sinister than that of a for fun duel. They all knew what it potentially meant, but none of them wanted to admit it just yet. For now, the beer was cold, the sun hot, and the company was good...…..for now that was enough.
by 
