I commissioned TrueGrave9 TrueGrave9 for this wonderful piece, and I’m so glad that I did. Thanks so much, TG!

TrueGrave has declared that it is officially Hot Bird Summer, and you know I’m not going to be the one to disagree. So let’s get the party started with the hottest bird around! At least, according to FYS. Then again, the hottest bird for FYS is whichever one she happens to be looking at, so perhaps we can’t use that as a global ranking. ^_~

Even very driven executives have to take vacations every now and then. This was a sentiment which Cellina regarded with some skepticism, but of course her personal physician had a point when she asked why Cellina would bother retaining her services if she wasn’t going to listen to her recommendations. It had admittedly been some time since she had paid a visit to her birthplace, where she had spent the majority of her time before coming to the Forest and undertaking her grand project. Allowing herself a modest amount of grumbling about having to make time in her schedule, Cellina planned a trip back to South Africa. Fortunately, Cellina had placed highly competent and trustworthy people in the various leadership positions within Shift-Tec, and she was confident that they could manage in her absence for a handful of weeks. Besides, she was traveling with a company laptop should anything serious come up.

But, of course, her physician had specified that at least part of the vacation had to be taken someplace with no WiFi, plenty of sun, and preferably spotty cell reception. Cellina felt that Cape Vidal would do nicely for that portion of the trip. Situated on the northeast coast of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, the pristine strip of coastline was the very definition of remote. While her quaint little rental cabin was outfitted with electricity and plumbing courtesy of a small well, it did not have an internet connection and her phone had not a blip of service. Aside from a few tiny figures on sailboats in the distance, she didn’t see another soul the entire time she was there.

It took a few days to exhaust her memory of current and future work projects to plan for. Having neither any way to retrieve more information nor anything else to work on, Cellina found herself with nothing but time, sun, and the untouched beauty of the land. She spent her mornings and evenings on the porch with coffee and bourbon, respectively, listening to the sounds of the wildlife. During the days, she took to walks along the beach, the cool water playing over her feet as the sounds of the surf gently eased any thoughts from her mind aside from the simple pleasure of the stroll. In her daily life, Cellina generally wore rather understated executive clothing, chosen to not emphasize her figure, which she preferred to reserve for her own private enjoyment. If ever there was a time for revealing swimwear, though, it was here on this lovely, romantic beach.

Had the remoteness and serenity of this place not made such thoughts irrelevant, Cellina might have reflected that she hadn’t imagined herself the “aimless string bikini beach stroll” type. Yet here she was, truly relaxed and without stress or worry. Have no fear, though! Cellina will return in another week to the Forest and to Shift-Tec, refreshed and ready to resume her duties. Her sharp, analytical mind will be no worse for wear from the break, either. Here and now, though, all that intellect and shrewd planning just isn’t necessary. Here, it’s Hot Bird Summer. ^_~