the beach episode (dated before the east mission)

[fallingsand]

There's a small slice of sandy beach between mountains and wasteland, where the South meets Central, only an inlet of ocean between them, and that is where Bruno has decided to set up camp.

Literally.

He only had a simple tent and supplies for two initially. Tatara had asked if he could join him on his little trip out and how could he say no? Unfortunately for him, Tatara may have decided to invite everyone else, too, so, welcome, everyone, to the beach episode and a chance to relax after a potentially rough week in the City of Rain.

The sand is warm and fine, the water isn't too chilly, and scrubby little palm trees and plant life dot the dunes. Sea birds are the most active wildlife out here, not counting whatever fish can be found dwelling in the depths of the inlet between South and Central or further out into the ocean. It's comfortable enough... unless you hate sand, that is! You don't hate sand, right?

Since Tatara's arrival, more than Bruno's humble setup can be found.

- There's food fit for a picnic and enough bottles of wine for the evening.

- In the evening, a (non-deadly) bonfire will be built and there'll be pillows to sit on for those who don't want to sit directly on the sand.

- A few colorful rough wool blankets laid out under umbrellas meant to provide shade.

- There's still only one sad-looking tent... However! Bruno's gone ahead and enchanted it so that, when one pushes the cloth flap aside and enters, they'll find a much more comfortable setup inside.

And, of course, anything the other wizards have decided to bring! Bruno wasn't expecting a party but now that it's here, he sure can't tell them not to have fun however they want.

Comments

[impacter]

Hahah... Did you need some company? Maybe this poor old man can spare some time. [He does nod towards the fishing rods, though it's surprising to see how raw they are. Where did Akira even get these...?

Did he make them?

...]

I do. In fact, I wrote a few books about them when I was still relatively young in my career.

[jokey]

Would do you do that for me? I was hoping you'd come along.

[He made these fishing rods, but if he intended to fish alone, he wouldn't have made two of them. Standing up and dusting off a thin layer of sand, he grabs the fishing rods and offers Solomon a hand up. Go easy on those old bones.]

I'm guessing you don't have any of your books on hand? I'll settle for storytime.

[revengier]

Curiosity, mostly.

[ Because Solomon is right, there's a big difference between searching for answers and happily stumbling upon them. ]

I haven't had much time to read in the last few years. I feel like I'm catching up on all the time I've missed doing it.

[revengier]

[ Are his arms not enough!!! Admire the lean muscle on them like you would the curvature of a Victorian woman's ankle, Akira.

He narrows his eyes at the vial of sunscreen. ]

That sounds like an excuse more than anything.

[impacter]

It's hard not to take advantage when life finally provides you the freedom. I'd say it's fine to make the most of it.

[Be free, small nerd.]

You're used to a more cautious existent, correct?

[jokey]

Yeah? So what?

[Practically admitting it's an excuse is reason enough to let him do it, right? Reward him for being bad.]

It won't just be your eyes turning red if you don't at least put some on your shoulders. Don't be stubborn.

[revengier]

My arms and shoulders and that's it.

[ Unless...?

Kurapika sets his book down to the side, shifting around a bit so Akira has room on the blanket to sit. ]

The Kurta dressed conservatively, so I grew up never showing much skin at all.

[impacter]

[h e s i t a t i o n

...

With a tired sigh of resignation, he'll take that extended hand.]

...For you, Akira? Yes. I could manage.

[He'll hold out a hand to take one of those rods. Give it here, kiddo, let him commit before he chickens out.]

I didn't bring anything with me, no. But I could probably think of something, if you're that eager.

[revengier]

...In a way.

[ Is the mafia exactly a cautious sort of job? Perhaps it is, since he gets by on intimidating everyone who would cross him. ]

I have a lot more free time here than I've had with work in the last couple of years.

[impacter]

You do have a very no-nonsense demeanor about you. But if it's needed for its time, then there's not much getting around it.

Have you enjoyed it? Being free from that burden, even if it's only for a short while?

[Even if it's just under the weight of a totally different burden but shhhh.]

[dyingtohealyou]

[Ahito spends most of the daytime relaxing on the beach. He doesn't know how to swim, so he will not be caught out in the water, thanks.

At night he unpacks some extra ingredients he brought along - enough for a group of people to make some s'mores, as a matter of fact!]

Well? Want to give it a try?

[It's the morning after spending the night, however, where that cheer seems to fail him. He tosses and turns throughout the night, albeit quietly, and when he wakes he does not look particularly cheerful nor... well, in general.

It's a short-lived moment, however. Those who pay attention may notice a sudden burst of magic as he casts without incanting, soothing the day's aches and pain with a spell, tension leaking from his body as it takes.

Hopefully it's too early for anyone to notice...]

[fallingsand]

[ He needs it to be big enough to fit everyone. Big enough to fit everyone. Big enough to—

That little shake the tent gave? It gives another... and then falls over. Oh. Bruno opens his eyes again, hands still held up in the air, and gives the collapsed tent a blank look for a second or two. ]

Er. Was it supposed to do that?

[jokey]

[Akira hands Solomon a rod and wastes no time pointing out their destination: a patch of large grey rocks further down the coast. They'll have an easier time catching fish if they set up around a less habitable section of beach, just... don't mind the waves crashing against the stones? Don't pay attention to that. A little ocean spray can't possibly hurt anyone. Off they go!]

Sure. Fishing's a pretty slow sport, so I wouldn't mind you filling the silence.

[...Besides, that should help keep Solomon distracted from the ocean. That's important.]

[jokey]

That would explain it.

[It wouldn't kill Kurapika to roll up a pantleg and bare an ankle every now and then, you know.

Akira sits beside him, warming the vial between his palms.]

You can put the tank top back on when I'm done if it bothers you. I'm totally fine being the only guy who's seen you with your top off.

[Or at least shoved up enough that he can confirm Kurapika isn't some three-nippled freak, just a prude.]

[dyingtohealyou]

[He was just chilling on the beach but-]

-Huh?

[He's a city boy, imagine fishing...]

Daytime

[dyingtohealyou]

How are you not roasting?

[He's sticking to the shade at least.]

[revengier]

[ Has he? It's a loaded question, but a good one nevertheless. Sure, there's the impending end of the world, but that feels like something hazy and far off, something he doesn't have to worry about so much right now. ]

...I have, surprisingly. [ A pause. ] I expected to stay focused on learning magic so I could assist with the problems here and be on my way.

[ That hasn't happened. ]

Long Walks on the Beach

[dyingtohealyou]

Looking for something?

[Don't mind sudden teen tag along.]

[revengier]

[ Kurapika's gaze settles on Akira's hands, on the way they settle around the vial, before he sighs. ]

Are you that desperate to see me without a shirt?

[ Like, he very much expected this from Akira, but still. ]

[dyingtohealyou]

[Like a shark to blood in the water...]

My, what's got you so worried?

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

...probably not.

[Kiryu takes the edge of the tent, pulling from it like he's trying to check if despite everything it became bigger]

Here, let me help set it back up.

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

You look as if I told you to go take flight without your broom.

[Kiryu smiles a little, he seems amused]

First time even thinking about fishing?

[dyingtohealyou]

Kind of... My city's landlocked.

[There's rivers in the area, sure, but none inside the city's bounds.]

[impacter]

Ah, hello, Ahito.

[why doe she suddenly feel like he's being watched by a very familiar little cat...]

This is not somewhere I like to be if I can help it. That's all.

[dyingtohealyou]

And yet you came anyway...

What's got you so worried?