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]

[Sighing softly as he replaces his shades and holsters his gun before heading out. He didn't really wear anything different from the norm for their beach outing - a white, shortsleeved button up and slacks - and he quickly stuffs his hands into the pockets as they walk.

He won't speak until prompted, but to be fair he's also trying to put some distance between them and the tent first.]

[revengier]

[ For his part, Kurapika is no longer in a swimsuit, but rather something more suited for sleep.

He'll wait until they're out of earshot of the tent before giving a cursory glance around to make sure no one is nearby. ]

So, what's actually going on?

[dyingtohealyou]

...Nothing unusual.

[Because... it really isn't.]

Ever since all those experiments... All those sacrifices and surgeries, my body's been kind of a wreck.

There's some pain that just never fades, no matter how long it's been. But I've pretty much figured out a spell to suppress it that lasts me most the night by now. I just have to reapply it when I wake up again.

[revengier]

[ ...Ah. It certainly makes sense, even as much as he hates to hear it. ]

What kind of pain?

[ It seems like Ahito has it under control, but... maybe he can still do something about it. ]

[dyingtohealyou]

All over?

[He doesn't have a good way to explain it.]

...Mostly around the torso, I guess. It's not like they had to fix up my limbs.

[Just, you know. Organs.]

But I've pretty much got it handled, anyway.

[revengier]

[ Around the torso, huh? He frowns. ]

Just like everything else, right?

[ Ahito said the same thing despite his significant blood loss, after all, so Kurapika can't help but feel a little doubtful there. ]

[dyingtohealyou]

How do you think I got so good at handling it in the first place?

[Constant pain has just been his life for... well, the great majority of it.]

[revengier]

That certainly explains it.

[ Even if he doesn't like the explanation!! ]

What do you do back home to manage it?

[dyingtohealyou]

Medicine. It really sucked walking into the pharmacy in this world and realizing none of the medicine here looked familiar at all.

[revengier]

I can imagine.

[ Getting used to everything else is already struggle enough as it is. Adding medicine to the pile? Even worse. ]

If you ever need help with taking care of it magically while we're here... I wouldn't mind.

[dyingtohealyou]

Like I said, I've got it. Be honest - you didn't even notice 'til now, right?

[He's had plenty of time to get used to it - to learn to take care of himself, to have his own back in a fight, to manage everything on his own.

So... he's got this. It'll be fine.]

...Thanks for worrying, though.

[revengier]

[ He simply breathes out at that thanks. ]

No, I haven't. You're good at covering your tracks.

[ Kurapika would know, because he does the same. ]

[dyingtohealyou]

I'm not going to hold anyone back here, that's for sure.

[revengier]

And you believe in your fully ability to keep up with everyone?

[ Kurapika does too, but he figures he should ask anyway. ]

[dyingtohealyou]

Of course I am.

[Full confidence. He's a proud North, after all.]

[revengier]

[ He smiles. ]

Thought so. [ And he's glad he was right. ] Do you want an additional healing spell, at least for today?

[dyingtohealyou]

...Are you going to keep insisting even if I say no?

[revengier]

You know me so well.

[ His smile only widens. ]

Allow me?

[dyingtohealyou]

Fine, fine.

[Kurapika wins this round.]

[revengier]

[ Yippee!

He places a hand on Ahito's shoulder. ]

Pro populus meus.

[ A soft warmth envelops his torso, genuine and almost inviting. ]

[dyingtohealyou]

[He closes his eyes, relaxing even further at that soft warmth, a rare look of serenity crossing his features.

...It's kind of nice, feeling someone else's magic at work instead of just his own.]

[revengier]

[ When he opens his eyes, he'll find Kurapika smiling at him. ]

How was that?

[ Nice, judging by the look on Ahito's face. ]

[dyingtohealyou]

...Okay, so maybe you aren't half-bad at healing after all.

[Can't let it go to Kurapika's head, even if the true effect is clear.]

[revengier]

[ That makes him laugh. It's a compliment he'll take. ]

Central is good at a little bit of everything. It helps that I had an ability to heal myself back home too.

[dyingtohealyou]

You did?

[This is news to him.]