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.

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[ If there is something he's good at doing, it's rolling with things. That and discussing such matters isn't exactly beyond him either even if he hasn't exactly encountered someone who could have such a large hand in changing such things before.

Fu Xuan would likely have a fit from knowing someone like this existed, but this isn't about her. ]

It sounds rather convenient. But, there can be drawbacks to such an ability, can't there?

[ She sure would, huh. ]

I've got a lot of discretion, but I still gotta answer to the bureau or censors if anything I do catches their attention in a bad sorta way. So it ain't like I can be irresponsible 'bout it.

[ He supposes that just means whatever Day can do is something that can be detected. Which should be a feat on its own, really. ]

...It does makes sense someone would want to keep the reigns on such an incredible ability, though I imagine even that can be difficult. Fate seems, at its nature, to be quite fickle, after all.

While we're on the subject...are there any particular stars or constellations that catch your interest back home, then? Such as, of course, for any sentimental reasons or otherwise.

[ Not too unlike how others do so with the stars from any other worlds. ]

[ When there's a whole bureau whose job is managing destiny, and Heaven (generally) tries to keep the world running, there's a truly surprising number of things that can be detected. ]

Heh, it is. Just because we can do some tricks with it, doesn't mean fate spares us either.

[ But he has to think about Jing Yuan's question for a moment. ]

The Ewer, the Pillar, the Rising Smoke... They all got meanings and scripture associated with 'em back home. Any that catch your interest where you're from?

I'd say more's the pity, but everything does need to be in balance.

[ Rules, laws, regulations and such do have their place. But, he looks curious as he tells him those things.

Ironically, he was more interested in what lies beyond them...Galaxy Rangers' travels and their exciting stories that eclipsed at times the Trailblazers' in their excitement. Though, he doesn't consider this adventure to either standard of the Rangers or the Trailblazers in terms of enjoyment. ]

...Not quite. Maybe more like what journeys could be taken through the stars themselves, as opposed to having a favorite. I oft gazed upon the sky for that reason, pondering what adventures those might entail, like in novels I've read.

As for those in particular you have mentioned, what meanings do they hold in accordance to your scripture?

[ Once Jing Yuan mentions journeys taken through the stars, he can notice Day seems rather surprised, and for a moment, confused because he recalls that perhaps in other worlds, there are things beyond the sky that aren't Heaven. ]

Did you ever get to see?

As for the meanings they hold...for the Ewer, love is smilin' at your troubles. For the Pillar, love endures. And for the Rising Smoke, the end of journeys.

[ Jing Yuan conveniently forgetting not everyone is familiar with space travel...it's fine.

The surprise kind of clues him in on it, though. ]

Hmm...not quite. Though the Xianzhou Alliance is a fleet of space-faring ships, it does not mean that it settles upon any singular world, or anything like that. I am far too occupied to indulge myself in such activities as well.

[ And he doubts he ever will, for that matter. A feeling that makes him feel something like disappointment, if he ever examines it. He did (does?) wish to be a Galaxy Ranger, after all. ]

The first two sound as if you have might have taking a liking due to the nature to persevere. Am I wrong? As for the last, why did you find interest in that one? 'The end of journeys', that is? Because it signals homecoming?

Edited 2024-05-16 05:50 (UTC)

Huh. So...beyond the sky, is what you mean. You sound like you do important work.

[ Read: You sound like most of the seniors in the bureau who have a ton on their plates, a little.

(Tmw your world arguably doesn't even have outer space, at least in any form recognizable as "outer space".) ]

Haha, maybe it'd make more sense if you heard the poems. But "end of journeys" don't always got to be literal ones, and I think reachin' the end of a journey ain't such a bad thing.

Edited (when you realize literally hours later you forgot a whole sentence) 2024-05-16 15:03 (UTC)

I suppose I keep forgetting most here likely would not be too familiar with space travel...but then again, I am used to otherwise.

Though, I digress. You're correct in that I do; though, it's not something I usually advertise. I am one of those who help keep the peace back home, to put it more simply.

[ In other words, he does have quite a lot on his plate.

As for the simple responses and explanations, Jing Yuan gives a bit of a hum. ]

Perhaps it might, if I heard them indeed. But, as you say, these end of journeys do not always have to be literal ones, hm? As in, they may instead be beginnings?

Though, I am curious to hear your further thoughts on the matter, including why you believe reaching the end of one wouldn't be so terrible.

[ It's a vague description of his job, but unfortunately a familiar one to Day.

That said, what Jing Yuan says after that gets a smile from Day. ]

You've got the right idea. An ending can become a new beginning, too. In that sense, reachin' the end of the journey is 'cause there's something to look forward to there, yeah? That ain't such a bad thing.

Edited 2024-05-17 04:51 (UTC)

I wouldn't say you're wrong, considering what I've just said.

[ Jing Yuan looks from him back to the stars. ]

Is there something you will be looking forward most to at the end of this journey? Besides returning home, that is.

[ Not that it's guaranteed people are thinking that far ahead, but the time will be upon them all before they know it. The end...to all of this. ]

I know what I just said, but honestly...I haven't thought that far. Right now I'm kinda just takin' this one step at a time.

[ Partially because right now, the only future he can foresee is...frankly somewhat depressing. That kind of hopeful ending is something he wishes he could believe in more, and something he believes in for other people. ]

There is, uh, a bunch of stuff I'm gonna have to deal with whenever I get back home, prob'ly. [ Just thinking about them gives him a stomach ulcer. ]

Haha, that's fair enough.

Haste does make waste, does it not?

[ He figures that in the end it may truly be quite too much for looking that far ahead. Though, Jing Yuan is used to looking that far out for his own reasons, which do serve him well most of the time. ]

...But, it is quite a pity that responsibilities do not resolve themselves in one's absence, hm?

Sure wish they did. [ He's not looking forward to that. ] But at least bein' here also gives me some time to think 'bout how I wanna handle stuff.

We could all take proper vacations if so. Speaking of which, if you could take one...what would you spend it doing? Or rather, what kind of places would you wish to go to?

[ Though for sure somebody is taking up the slack in what they should be doing...

...

Ideally. ]

But, that's also true. There is time to do some sort of long-term planning of a sort.

[ Ahahahaha, like the bureau isn't all kind of overworked and stretched as it is even when he was back home. ]

Somewhere that ain't so close to the desert, for starters. Pretty sure I can get a sabbatical for a season to go wherever. [ Even if he isn't entirely sure where that should be. ] What 'bout you?

[ As for Jing Yuan, he also hasn't thought about this much, despite asking this question. Oop.

He tries to come up with something regardless. Maybe whatever first manages to pop up even now, though. ]

...Perhaps get in some more sleep. As for a place, it could be somewhere on a beach like this. Ah...well, it isn't something I actually thought about all that much. At least, in the sense of going far from what I'm used to.

[ He did mention the whole wanting the journey across the stars already, but it was in a different tone, he thinks. ]

[ They're both winning here, I see.

And it does seem to Day that this is in a different tone from when Jing Yuan talked about journeying across the stars. ]

You sound like some of my seniors. [ Day doesn't mean this as either a good or bad thing. ] Haven't gotten to take a vacation in a while?

Do I now?

[ Jing Yuan doesn't take offense easily, so he's just asking in a jocular tone, but also with genuine curiosity.

As for the question, he smiles, and nods. ]

I do ensure that I take proper rest and do what I can so that I am not too unburdened. [ Just ignore he is called Dozing General for falling asleep mid-meetings/whathaveyou/etc. ] But, protection of the wellbeing of a civilization means that generally, vacation days are reasonably low.

What about yourself? Are you one who has much opportunity to indulge in such things when at home?

You wouldn't be the only one here, but you're one of the less obvious ones.

[ Maybe it's because he knows too many people way older than him that he sort of just twigs in on all the local grandpas, whether he realises it or not.

..."Protection of the wellbeing of a civilization" sounds a lot like the bureau's work, if Day was being frank. ]

There's, ah. Enforced mandatory wellness leave, in my division. [ Said in the way where if it weren't for that, Day probably wouldn't have many opportunities to go on leave. ] Though I've been kinda busy, so it ain't got much of a chance to be enforced.

Well, I'm glad to hear it. It's not something I do try to make obvious.

[ Jing Yuan is the type of person who wouldn't wish to unnecessarily worry others. People might be kind enough to be concerned even for strangers. ]

...Haha, there must be a reason for that. Not enough of you managing to take enough days off, correct?

[ Or perhaps others not allowing it. ]

Ah, such as that business. That's quite unfortunate. [ And, joking: ] Maybe if you hide for awhile when you return you will get extra vacation time?

You seem like the sort who knows how to handle yourself, so I won't fuss too much. [ "Too much", because Day knows he might want to fuss anyway. ]

Judgin' by the other divisions, yeah. [ The Bureau of Destiny is so overworked,,, ] But I guess it's a division culture thing, too.

...Seriously considerin' hidin' out for a bit when I get back, not gonna lie. [ He might have to dodge an audit depending on what word gets back to Heaven? ]

I'll consider myself fortunate that I would have such consideration.

[ Smashcut to him later being fussed over after he falls asleep mid-conversation with his face into the sand or something dumb like that. ]

I would certainly believe that it could be. I wonder if there is a division that would do the least amount of work, but...

...Oh? Well, why not? That would allow you to avoid immediately jumping back into work, yes? I do the very same when I need a few hours of reprieve and the Master Diviner needs me for something.

[ He sounds like he's joking, because he mostly is. But his version of 'hiding' is suddenly napping, or something like that, so it definitelycounts. ]

Some people would say it's ours, but I'll say it's a testament to how good we are not seemin' too hurried.

[ The Division of Serenity likes being known for its laidback hospitality, after all. ]

And I guess that's also true, but I get the feelin' I'll be in deeper trouble afterwards.

Oh? What is the name of your division, anyway?

[ While they're on the subject, it seems simple enough to ask. ]

Haha, why? Because they'd be able to find out somehow?

[ What a pity... ]

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