Liara had been playing, where else, in the dirt. Pulling out shiny rocks and bits of trash, her mother sat nearby laughing with one of her friends. The park was a nice place to spend an afternoon, near enough to the city center to be convenient for adults who always had somewhere to go, but big enough that the children were not fighting over equipment. Liara had originally been on a swing but had given it up when two friends had wanted to swing side by side. Now as she looked at her collection of items trying to decide what to beg her mother to keep and what she needed to simply give up hope of keeping.
It was then that someone had tapped her on the shoulder, an adult Liara didn't recognize.
"Hey kid, I'm taking a group down to the beach, you wanna come?"
Liara felt the smile on her face as she thought about all the shells she could find, they were much better than bottle caps and wires. Pocketing a few of the shinier rocks Liara followed the woman over to a group of kids who were all excited and boarding the small shuttle. Liara hopped on as well and buckled in.
The ride itself was longer than it should have been, but as they went the group sang a few songs and talked. When they finally reached the beach, the woman had let them out and seemed rushed or nervous. Getting back into the shuttle she drove off while the rest of them splashed into the waves. Liara quickly spotted an area with potential and started to dig.
With her pockets overflowing Liara found an older girl and asked if they could walk back to the park. The older girl rounded up a few more of their group before they began the walk back. Liara showed her shells and gave them to anyone who wanted one. Someone asked if they could stop for shaved ice and another asked if she was paying. As they paused and argued if they should or shouldn't Liara had noticed her mother's friend looking around frantically across the street. Liara waved as the suggestion to get a treat finally went to vote and was surprised as the matron ran over in near tears.
Muffled words reached Liara as she was almost smothered in the woman's flowing dress.
The whole group had to wait as police arrived and several more went to the beach for the rest of the kids. A few questions were asked while they complained that they had voted to get a treat and weren't allowed to now. Liara had very quickly found herself scooped up in her mother's arms and had rushed to show her the sea shells.