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

[foresightis2020]

[ 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. ]

[annihilator]

Eh...

[Malice folds his good arm over his bad one, glancing away at that. For a brief moment, it seems like he might not continue - but he's told this story a few times already, and there's no sense hiding from it. He has to accept and acknowledge what he did in order to be better moving forward, right?]

I was workin' with a group of human rebels. Their leader, a guy named Cody, was the one who took me in an' kept vouchin' for me. We were startin' to get along decently well when I got captured by the vampire lord we were fightin'.

Turns out she's my mom, an' she offered to let me stay with her. To prove my loyalty, I gave her all the info I could on the rebels. She crushed 'em all, an' most of 'em died, includin' Cody.

[...]

I screwed 'em over for personal gain, an' while I do regret it, there's no undoin' the damage I did. So I wanna be better. I'm not gonna make the same mistakes again.

[foresightis2020]

[ Jing Yuan waits patiently for Malice to decide on whether or not he wishes to say; it's, after all, completely up to him. Even if he has been curious enough to ask the question in the first place.

Though, the story he weaves about the unfortunate event certainly is unpleasant. He also so happens to recall what he said about his mother before. The irony and guilt must have hit like a freight train. ]

I'm glad to hear it.

Not many are willing to turn over a new leaf, so to speak. Regardless of the mistakes they have made, and what they have endured.

I will hold faith in your ability to move forward and improve.

[annihilator]

...Heh. Thanks.

[Some part of him will likely always be confused when people are willing to be so accepting of what he's done and his desire to change. But Jing Yuan's words go a long way towards settling Malice; it really is helpful just to have someone calmly speak to him about this sort of thing. There's no disapproval or disdain, but neither is there any sympathy or pity - things he is certain he doesn't deserve for his actions.]

I mean that. It's real nice to hear that you think I'll be able to do it. I'm tryin' here, though I'll be honest, sometimes it doesn't really feel like enough, y'know?

[Like he should be doing more - both to help out and to prove that he can be better.]

[foresightis2020]

Of course.

[ Jing Yuan believes in the idea of redemption, as well as the idea of taking responsibility for one's own actions. He has respect, for Malice who seems to be doing his best to do what he can, for either of those things. Those lives were irrevocably lost, even indirectly by his hand, but even so, he wishes to repent. To become a better person; that, in of itself, is a difficult journey.

And, he truly hopes the best. ]

That is how it is. When one has committed a grave sin, it can be difficult to feel as if any headway has been made in making amends for it.

But, I'll be the first to say that you will not be able to achieve it all overnight. Though it is your burden to bear, be aware that even in this it is best to take what steps can be reasonably followed through, to the best of your ability, without straining yourself far too much.

And, sometimes, the little things can make a great difference.

[annihilator]

Yeah. I don't really know how to make amends for it, but I think I can at least start by doin' better for all'a y'all here. We may not have had any choice in this situation, but we're in it together, so we gotta work together.

[It helps that he generally gets along with everyone, but Malice firmly does believe that working together is their best option - and if he's going to work with a group, he's going to give it his all. No mistakes like last time.]

I'll do that, though. I'll keep workin' at it. Every day here feels like a step in the right direction, 'cause there are so many different people to learn from an' learn about. Y'all are a fascinatin' group of people. An' you're all really nice too! I couldn't have asked for a better group to be stuck with.

[Truthfully, he'll be sad once this is over and they'll all have to go home.]

[foresightis2020]

Haha, you will certainly not hear any arguments from me. About you giving it your all, or the simple truth that we do have to support one another if we wish to make it through it at all.

[ Malice is certainly someone he doesn't see creating any troubles any time soon. Considering how much time has passed he considers that to be something consistent, rather than incidental.

Alongside other reasons, he has full confidence he will be able to make good on what he's said. ]

...It is quite fortuitous in certain respects, isn't it? We've all had our ups and downs, but ultimately we've done our best to support each other even now.

And I haven't heard of us all failing in any teamwork as of yet.