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

[dyingtohealyou]

Yeah. There's rivers around, but no ocean. Lots of forest, too.

[shortleash]

Yeah, sounds way different.

( He didn't get to see the ocean until a few years after living in a concrete jungle (and then the underground) all his life, but by then he lost his ability to care (and the ocean was evil), so. Mixed bag. He assumes Ahito's having a better experience. )

What were you guys doing earlier? Swimming?

( He doesn't exactly know what you do here, either. )

[dyingtohealyou]

I went spearfishing with Kiryu, but not swimming, no. Also made some s'mores over the campfire just now.

[shortleash]

S'mores?

( He doesn't sound like he's familiar with the term, but he can put two and two together to guess. )

Is that's what's making you smell like candy store?

[dyingtohealyou]

Yeah. You pretty much melt some candy over a fire and squish it between two halves of a sweet cracker. Yamato seemed to have fun with it, too.

[shortleash]

Sounds like something kids would be excited for.

( Thinking about the orphanage kids... )

[dyingtohealyou]

You're not wrong. It's the perfect snack for keeping kids entertained.

[shortleash]

Oh, so you're a kid?

( said knowingly to fellow teenager, )

[dyingtohealyou]

Said like you aren't.

[shortleash]

I don't feel like much of one. Kids run around and play.

( Contrarily, he stands around and broods. Very different. )

[dyingtohealyou]

What's stopping you from it? Are those old bones of yours too creaky to play around anymore?

[shortleash]

( wow )

Don't tell me it wouldn't be weird as hell to see me run around and laugh.

[dyingtohealyou]

What, is that your excuse?

Don't tell me you're too embarrassed to have fun.

[shortleash]

I'm not embarrassed. ( yes he is ) And vampires don't have "fun." Not unless you're... I don't know, creepy.

[dyingtohealyou]

It doesn't seem to stop Malice.

[shortleash]

Okay, well, Malice is different.

( not that he's defending him or anything, baka )

I don't think I'd even know how to. It's not like you just do it on command.

[dyingtohealyou]

Playing around's a good start.

[shortleash]

( Gazes. )

Okay. You show me if it's that easy.

[dyingtohealyou]

Alright, but... you do realize that means you'll have to play along too, right?

[shortleash]

I don't see why. You're the one giving me a demonstration, aren't you?

[dyingtohealyou]

You need at least two to play any games.

[shortleash]

( sus )

... What kind of games were you thinking?

1/2

[dyingtohealyou]

You'd outstrip me at anything athletic, sooo...

[...Hm. Glancing around them, it's pretty dark out now, but...]

2/2

[dyingtohealyou]

...How about building sandcastles? We can just make our own light.

[Or rather, Ahito can make a light because he's already nearly blind in one eye with decent lighting.]

[shortleash]

( ... that really is an activity for kids...

But he guesses he did ask, so he considers it. )

... That's fine. I can help with the light.

( If there's one thing his room layout has made him good at, it's mood lighting.

He looks at Ahito expectantly, though. How does one just... sandcastle. Demonstrate. )