lunaecalamitas | the beach episode (dated before the east mission)

the beach episode (dated before the east mission)

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Malice has never been to the beach before. He's never seen the ocean before. So when he shows up (late as always, when the sun's getting low enough for it to be more comfortable for him) he ends up staring out at the scenery in awe. For a good long moment, he's going to be standing here, taking it all in.

But that moment passes and he's eager to join everyone away from the water, actually. Malice will not get near the water at all if he can help it. He's dressed in basic black swimtrunks and he's left his prosthetic arm back in his room; he's still a little too long and lanky, but he is more muscled than one might expect. He's also bearing a few scars here and there across his torso - they're all deeper wounds that are long since healed.

Anyway, you can find him at the bonfire once night rolls around properly, listening in on conversations and generally just enjoying everyone's company. But what really has his attention are the s'mores, he's never seen those before and will eagerly ask anyone eating one:]

What's that? What's it taste like?

[Ah yes, describing how food tastes again to someone who doesn't understand it. Good luck.

As people start turning in for bed, Malice will venture a little closer to the water. Not close enough to actually get wet, mind you, but a little further out from the those that are still awake. Out here, he's going to be working on his magic, specifically playing with fire. Again. One would think he'd get bored of this, but apparently not.

Tonight's attempts are a little different, however. While Malice has mainly been working on how to use fire to hurt or defend himself, this is new. He's lighting up small fireballs and working on turning them into different colors - green, blue, purple, pink, and okay one of them is just slightly more red - and then setting them off so that they trail upward into the sky and explode in a burst of color. Are these fireworks? Yes. Enjoy the show!]

[ The beach is truly a wonderous thing. A lot of faces are crowding here or there at various times, but Jing Yuan takes his time to arrive. It's quieter once nightfall arrives, and the sun does not beat down upon any single one so mercilessly.

Even if the air might, perhaps, be humid due to the region or whatever other weather-related things. Either way, he finds himself witness to a sudden array of colors exploding right into the sky. Watching the fireworks reminds him of the Xianzhou Alliance, and makes him a bit homesick, but it is also nice, just seeing it go off. So, he faintly smiles. ]

...I see you have learned to develop your technique well.

Though, I have to wonder:

What is the occasion? Simply more practice, or a free show for everyone?

[Malice sets another one off just before Jing Yuan approaches, but he puts out the remainders so as not to be a fire hazard to either of them. At least he has learned some fire safety!!]

Hey, Jin! No real occasion, just figured it'd be fun to practice somethin' a little different, y'know? I've been so focused on magic I can use in a fight that I haven't really played 'round with anythin' like this!

[The firework bursts above in a shower of pretty pink embers that quickly fizzle out. It's by no means a bad attempt! But yeah, he's definitely better at combat magic.]

[ Jing Yuan watches the firework from that last one Malice sets off, focused on the bright color that shimmers into the air once it gets high enough. Even if it fizzles out, it's not terrible. He also returns the greetings with a sleepy, 'Good evening' somewhere in there. ]

You are looking to broaden your horizons? That could prove to be wise.

[ Practice, and maybe a little fun? Maybe? ]

Even for the sake of it. I also assume you know what fireworks are, to emulate them in such a way. These efforts can potentially increase a finer control over your magic as well.

Edited 2024-05-14 00:08 (UTC)

Yep! They ain't very common where I'm from, but I've seen 'em once or twice. Figured it'd be fairly easy to make somethin' similar since I'm already workin' with fire so often.

[It's just a controlled mini-explosion in the air! Totally fine. It's similar to the smokebombs he made while working on a mission with Kurapika!]

I'm hopin' so. Gotta keep up the practice so I don't slow y'all down! 'Sides, we're gonna have to go off on one'a those trips at some point, an' who knows what we'll end up needin' to do.

[It probably won't be setting of fireworks. Unless??? If North mission needs fireworks then I guess we're safe(???).]

[ Well, there are certainly worst ways for one to spend time, that's for sure. ]

They are actually a common sight back home. So, it was nice seeing something a little familiar, even if you were angling for a certainly logical reason to implement them at all.

[ But as for the other comment, he hums a bit at that. Malice, slowing people down? Somehow he can't imagine it. Though he understands the hustle. ]

We've more than enough reasons to fit in more time for practicing. I suppose it's narrowing down to the last groups now, even if the West and North seem a bit far off. Though...you don't seem like the type to let your teammates down. Am I wrong?

[He grins at the first part (which he is taking as praise, thanks!!) but settles a bit at that, nodding.]

I'm not really used to bein' part of a group. Last time... went poorly, so I'm tryin' to do better this time. Both for all of 'em an' for myself.

[Maybe to prove he can be better, or maybe just because he wants to convince himself that his mistake last time was a fluke. A one-time thing that he'll never repeat.]

[ It definitely is...though at the rest, Jing Yuan takes pause, trying to recall if this has ever come up before. Figuring it probably hasn't, he believes he can afford to be curious (not that much has stopped him before.) ]

I see. How did matters end up adversely before, exactly?

[ For it to go badly for all of everyone concerned, anyway. ]

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Bonfire

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magic!

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