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]

[Ah, his little Thief of Hearts. He looks like he's having a good time, at least! Solomon easily wiggles himself over to give Akira room to drop down without concern.]

Ah... Not especially. Large bodies of water and I haven't gotten along in a very long time, I'm afraid.

[Still, he'll dismiss the statement with a wave of his hand.]

It's nothing I haven't handled before. Just bad memories.

[jokey]

That's a shame.

[He was insistent that Solomon come because he thought he'd love the ocean. If Akira knew how much it traumatized him, he might've thought twice about extending the invitation.]

Do you still like fish, at least? Don't break my heart and tell me you don't.

[Beside Akira are two hand-whittled fishing rods.]

[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.

[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.

[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.]

[impacter]

[With the rod now in one hand, Solomon reaches down to remove his shoes with the other, letting himself walk barefoot as he steps out into the sand with the fishing rod lazily leaning against one shoulder. Come on, mister fisherman.]

Mm. Are you in the mood for anything specific?

[jokey]

[It's a short jaunt over to the rocks, and Akira has taken the liberty of baiting their rods ahead of time. All Solomon needs now is to rely on his own fishing skills... or lack thereof. But even if he succeeds in catching nothing at all, Akira is confident that he can fish up enough to feed them both.

Settling on a flat rock, Akira casts his line, patting the empty space beside him. He wants Solomon close at hand in the event that an especially large fish bites and the old man needs to be saved from the sea.]

Let's see... Something lighthearted, to start.

[Akira thought about asking why Solomon is scared of the ocean, but fish can feel bad vibes. He can hound Solomon over his trauma another time.]

[impacter]

Haha... Well, I can try. Let's see...

[Solomon doesn't sit quite yet, drawing his arm back and letting his cast out with a wide motion. This isn't the first time he's done this, apparently. But he lets his reel settle in his hand slowly as he makes his way back over to Akira with a tired little plop down against the rocky surface.]

Have you ever heard of phantom butterflies?

[jokey]

[Tired already? Those nerves must be eating Solomon alive. Akira's smile is a natural, easy thing, spreading wider when he playfully bumps shoulders with the older man.]

I haven't. Are these literal butterflies we're talking about?

[impacter]

It depends if you believe in phantoms, now, doesn't it?

[haha phantom thieves haha we laugh from the brackets

anyway]

They're a peculiar creature that flock together in the depths of cursed woods and sunless skies, a brilliant blue shimmer like that of an oasis's mirage that follows in their wake. They're known to enchant the land around them for mysterious purposes.

Desperation may even lead them to act even further. For they are ultimately a very lonely set of souls, who seek to fill an emptiness.

[jokey]

Who can say?

[cheeky wink directed at the audience]

An otherworldly blue butterfly... Sounds familiar. Sounds a bit like you, too.

[impacter]

Here I'm beginning to think everything will remind you of me.

[Akira is allowed to think whatever he wants. Stories are meant to be interpreted freely.]

There were tales one day of a mysterious shop that sold only the finest and strangest perfumes in that land without a sun. Their labels were mysterious, their ingredients a secret. But the residents felt no magic in their touch, and thus didn't expect a thing The scents grew increasingly popular and found people craving attention, but the shop seemed to always disappear from the streets. The residents began to think it was a joke.

Until a beauty of considerable vanity came across the scent.

[jokey]

Uh huh, uh huh...

[He's intrigued. Go on!]

[impacter]

[He could make a fishing joke here about hooking u in, Akira............. be glad he's not feeling well.]

The beauty found it impossible to ignore, and immediately claimed it as their own. They proudly wore it as often as possible, and their natural charms drove more and more people to seek out the shop that could not be found. The beauty relished the attention, and relished the scent, for a vain heart eats well from flaunting.

One day, the beauty's older brother woke to found that the beauty had vanished without a trace, leaving only an empty bottle behind, and the faint blue trails of magic.

[jokey]

Probably deserved.

[Sorry, vain lady, but nothing that good comes without consequences.]

So did he chase her down or what?

[impacter]

[He barely stifles a laugh. Ah... he shouldn't, he shouldn't. Even for him, that's a little mean. But he'll keep that in the tab of things to share with Barbatos later.]

The brother did, yes. Unlike the beauty, the brother was insecure and secluded. But he loved his sibling. So he gathered his courage and followed the magic into the town, and just barely caught the mirage of a shopfront before it vanished. In its place flew a butterfly of brilliant blue, who seemed to linger for him. Speechless, and yet drawing, coaxing him along.

It drew him from the village into the depths of the woods, a sea of flowers at his feet coated in the same bright blue, with a familiar scent. And the further he went, the more butterflies appeared... and the more difficult it became to move.

You will be exactly who you want to be if you stay right here, it seemed to say, in shades of blue. You will always have someone here with you. You will never feel alone. Just follow us. Stay with us.

[jokey]

[Oh dear. Akira's convinced he knows how this one is going to end. He gasps! He jumps in his seat (rock?)]

Bro! Don't do it!

[Resist the sussy butterflies and live...!]

[impacter]

[LOL... He eases Akira back down in his seat with a wave of his hand, carefully pinning the fishing rod against his legs as he does so.]

You're going to scare all the fish away with reactions like that. Maybe I should save the ending for another time?

[jokey]

[At that, Akira settles, slumps and pouts.]

Nooo... Don't do that. You're just getting to the good part.

[The whole story has been good, but shhh. He wants to hear the conclusion!]

[impacter]

[He chuckles lightly, taking a second to readjust the rod in his hands.]

Mmm, then where was I...

The brother, of course, felt his heart stirred by the speech of the butterflies. For his confidence was low, and his view of himself constantly in question. To give in to the phantom whispers and remain somewhere where he felt he could belong was a temptation he felt crawling at his mind.

But within the same grove of thick trees and blue flowers, he found the beauty. Entranced, entrancing, in a dance among the butterflies, who praised incessantly. How beautiful you are, they cried. How perfect and graceful. We will always be here to remind you of how incredible you are! And the beauty sank deeper into vanity, all as the butterflies coaxed. One with such charm should show the world how much we love you. Can't you bring us more? Bring us more to love you, to love us.

The brother grew uncomfortable at the thought of so many. But it was that discomfort that helped him to regain clarity. Were these butterflies malicious, out to rob him of his sibling?

Or were they simply lonely?

[jokey]

[A group of shadows emerges from the ocean's depths and curiously circles their bobbers. In a show of masterful angling, Akira doesn't let his excitement stretch any further than the playful smile tugging at his lips.]

Lovebombing butterflies, huh? I know the kind. Well? Does he fall for it?

[These fish look pretty sizeable. With any luck, he'll haul in a big one.]