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

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

Sometimes they do.

[Kiryu, it's 'virtually never', not 'sometimes']

All you'll have to worry today is about a sea bass or two. You better have good aim.

[Probably won't be throwing that spear but still, you need a measure of aim because the water can trick you a little when it comes to position]

[dyingtohealyou]

I have great aim.

[...On land.]

Are you going to show me the ropes?

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

Of course I will.

[That's how before long they found themselves at a part of the coast where the water is right to Ahito's thighs, at the edge of an underwater cliff. Ahito, you better know how to swim!

There are several fishes swimming there, ranging from as small as Ahito's fish, to as big as him]

First thing you have to do is be sure of your footing. A slip at the wrong time will ruin your aim.

[dyingtohealyou]

[He's honestly not the most comfortable out here with water up to his thighs, and it shows in how he casually summons his broom to hang out near him. Just in case.]

Kind of tough when the rock's so smooth, but okay.

[What next?]

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

Hold the spear like this. [Kiryu shows how to grip the spear, with his own, and stands right at the edge, peering down at the crystalline sea] The key is to wait for the opportunity to present itself. You likely will have only one chance...

[Ah! A sea bass wanders near, and Kiryu strikes, piercing it! Fishing success!]

It's not easy but with the right technique anyone can pull it off.

[Including a teen like Ahito]

[dyingtohealyou]

[He mimics Kiryu, looking between them several times to make sure he's got it right.

And then just continues to watch as Kiryu spears a fish with apparent ease.]

...How often do you do this?

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

[He gets the spear out of the water, taking the fish and giving it a good look]

Only about a dozen times, around five years ago.

[Kiryu says that, realizes how that might have sounded because he's sounding like a novice despite doing really well at this, and looks away, somewhat awkward. He didn't mean to sound like he was humble bragging]

I'm...just good at getting the gist of things.

[Kazuma Kiryu is a talented man, really]

[dyingtohealyou]

...So that's how you copied my spell so quickly.

[Damn.]

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

That's all the magic I learned is -- me learning from you all how this is supposed to work. Without you all I'd be done for.

[He's lucky, really]

Luckily you all use your magic in all kinds of ways.

[Thanks to these mingles Kiryu has been able to pick up a lot of magic techniques just by hanging out with everyone. Not that you'll see him making roomba statues or little plushie figurines of himself, or a few other of the shenanigans he has witnessed, haha]

[dyingtohealyou]

It's got to be pretty limiting, though.

[Hmm... There's a biggish fish that seems like he can probably aim for it pretty easily, so he draws his arm back and then strikes--

Only for it to swim away before he can get it. >:T]

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

[When Ahito did it, Kiryu's eyes weren't on the fish. Instead, they were in Ahito's hands and stance, paying attention to how it went. Then he noticed Ahito hadn't hit the fish]

You might have been too slow. Hmmmmm...

[...you know what, he can't believe he'll propose this, but how about a little trick...]

Think you can use magic to speed yourself up?

[Magic is about making things easier for yourself! It's not cheating!]

[dyingtohealyou]

[Tilting his head in thought.]

...Maybe? I've never used a spell to augment myself before. I wonder what I should do for it...

[Maybe steal Itha's idea with the wind? ...But that seems like it could disturb the fish, too.]

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

[As if Kiryu felt it instinctually, he makes sure to say:]

Whatever you choose, make sure it doesn't touch the water itself. You need the fishes unaware about you.

[dyingtohealyou]

Yeah, I figured. One of the other northern wizards used the wind to speed himself up, but that's not going to cut it here.

[HMMM.]

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

If you can't change yourself, change something about your surroundings.

[A life lesson! But also hey, that's an option too]

Perhaps something about the water and everything in it.

[dyingtohealyou]

[He thinks this over for a moment, eyes settling on another one of the fish. Once again, he draws his arm back, form far from perfect, but-

this time, something seems to stop the fish from moving, the spear piercing its scales when it finds itself trapped and unable to flee.

He releases a somewhat weary breath.]

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

[Oh, a good result! Kiryu nods]

Well done. I had a feeling you'd pull it off.

[He was pretty sure today Ahito would fish successfully!]

[dyingtohealyou]

Pretty tiring to do, though.

[Whew...]

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

That you succeeded is more than most do on the first try, of course.

[Kiryu extends a hand]

I can prepare something for you with it. I have been told I cook fish well.

[Ahito deserves a reward]

[dyingtohealyou]

[Handing over the fish on the spear tbh.]

Thanks... I'm not sure I could do it a second time, though.

[Spell needs refinement for sure. This boy needs to stop sinking so much energy into spells on his first try.]