"It's a distinct possibility," Randy replied through a mouthful of octopus.

Kurt shook his head and docked the boat, "Alright, now let's see if we can't get your family to help us haul this thing to the fire."

Randy VIII nodded. "Check it out." He tilted back his head and uttered another screech, different in sound than the rest, followed by a series of clicks. Within moments, his father and a few of his brothers were running toward the boat, reciprocating the cry with joyous shouts of their own.

Kurt urged everyone to grab a tentacle and get moving, "This thing is almost 20 feet long without the tentacles! There's enough for everyone!"

With that, the creature was hauled ashore and made the centerpiece of the event. Segments of tentacle were added to various dishes, with plenty left over.

Kurt made a large batch of hot jambalaya and all across the shore the smell of boiling stews, cooked fish and shellfish filled the air.

A large amount of produce had been brought in by Sergei and his family, who (being vegetarian) had come more for the beach and the friendly atmosphere than for the seafood.

Elena helped him unpack, "This is the last of it! Just look at everyone out there!" she said tucking a wild, caramel colored curl behind her ear.

"Is almost the whole town," Sergei noted as he scanned the beach. The glow of fires could be seen a good distance down the shore.

Elena gave a little smile, "Doesn't the shore look wonderful? All those warm, glowing fires lighting up the sand and reflecting off the waves?"

Sergei nodded, putting one arm around her. "Should we walk down to the water?" he asked her.

Elena smiled up at him and rested her hand on his, "I would like that, it's been to long since you and I just walked somewhere,"

He smiled and bent to give her a brief kiss before leading her down the shore.

"It's strange to think that we've been here for so long, seems like time has gone so quickly," she mused as she lead Sergei along the shore, watching the waves splash around her hooves.

"There is always something to do here," said Sergei. "Is a very nice place. What do they say? The time is flying when you are having fun."

"Yes, that is what they say, and it is true," she gave his hand a squeeze, "Since we have come here it is as if there are no bad memories, only happy ones,"

"I am very happy being here with you," he replied warmly.

She leaned into him a bit and kissed his hand, "I love you, dear,"

He scooped her up in his arms and gave her a kiss on the lips. "I love you, too," he answered with a grin and a playful twinkle in his eye just before running down the beach with her held securely over his shoulders.

Elena gave a soft shriek, "What are you doing?!" she cried, half-laughing at him, "I'll fall!" she clung tightly as Sergei took off down the beach.

Sergei just laughed and kept running for several yards before stopping and setting her down with a twirl. "I will never be dropping you," he promised.

Elena smoothed down her wild curls and wrapped her arms around his waist, "I know you wouldn't," she said leaning into him.

He smiled and ran a hand over her hair before taking hers in his again as they continued on their walk.

....

Further down the beach Saya was attempting to pry open a large oyster, "Russell! I can not get zis ting open! Vhy is dis so hard?"

"Let me try it," Russel offered. He was a bit smaller than his brother, but he was half blorknog, and as the man it was his duty to open things that his wife couldn't. Surely an oyster wouldn't be much trouble. He gave the shell halves a pull, and sure enough, one of them went flying.

"Oh no!" Saya cried as the shell half bounced off of the back of a tall, dark haired man's head.

"Say?! What's the big idea?!" came the terse reply.

"Oh, my. Terribly sorry," Russel called. He glanced at the piece of shell in his hand. "I believe you've got the good half of this."

Herbie glowered at him and held up the offending piece of shell, "You want this back?"

"Well, yes. It was rather tricky to open," Russel replied.

"So you went and flung it at my head?" Herbie demanded.

"Oh, no!" Russel replied with a laugh. "You see, I was pulling it apart"--he demonstrated this in pantomime, complete with an exaggerated facial expression--"and it flew right out of my hand!" He waved a hand enthusiastically to simulate the path of the flying oyster before looking expectantly back at Herbie.

Herbie's mustache was not amused, and neither was Herbie, "You gettin' fresh with me?"

"Fresh?" Russel knit his brow. "Why, no; I was only explaining what had happened. Are you going to give me back my oyster?"

Herbie thought about it for a moment then handed Russell the sandy, grit covered, slightly smashed oyster.

"Thank you." Russel glanced over the oyster. "It's the principle of the thing, really."

"Is it?" Herbie drawled.

"Yes," Russel stated confidently with a single nod. "Principles are very important, you know." He shook the oyster for emphasis as he spoke, then smiled. "Would you care to join us?"

Herbie frowned, but seeing Saya struggled as she tried to crack open a crab he nodded, "Looks like you need a real man, I'll help!"

"I take it you're familiar with the process?" asked Russel as he picked up another shellfish and examined it curiously.

Herbie took the shellfish, pulled a knife out of his pocket and cleanly pried the shell apart.