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

Morning

[impacter]

[Given Solomon is far more a night owl than he is a morning person, it's the tossing and turning that catches his eye first and foremost. A concern, but residual.

The proximity to the ocean already has him on edge, so his own sleep refuses to be restful. When a magic signature echoes through the tent like the drip of a faucet at 3am, it's enough to rouse him yet again, squinting in the general direction. Who--

...

Ah. Well. How to go about this gracefully...


...

Hope Ahito likes having a piece of wizard sugar flicked briskly into the back of his skull.]

1/2

[dyingtohealyou]

[-?!

A hand reflexively goes to his head as he casts about for what hit him (sugar???) and then the culprit-]

2/2

[dyingtohealyou]

[












Wow okay today's just starting off The Worst, huh.

With a grimace, he gets up to leave the tent. Might as well get some fresh air now that he's up.]

[impacter]

[Good, at least he saw him.

Solomon won't get up to pursue at first, allowing Ahito his space. It's early and he is so old and tired, oh woe is him. But eventually, he'll drape his coat across his shoulders and quietly slip out from the tent, glancing around the coast to see if he can catch which direction Ahito went.]

[dyingtohealyou]

[It's not hard to find him.

He's standing on the shore, shades back in place, just out of reach of the waves as he gazes out at the sea, apparently lost in thought.]

[impacter]

[of course :')

He kicks his shoes off near the tent entrance, barefoot in the sand as he approaches the boy with distance kept between them.]

That was an unusual wakeup call to see from you. [It's kept quiet.]

Is everything alright?

[dyingtohealyou]

[He turns a little - and then, a bit oddly, turns to fully face him, even though he should have been perfectly visible with just his right side.]

Unusual for you, maybe.

I'm fine.

[impacter]

A regular occurrence, then.

[He notes how Ahito turns fully, his brows raising slightly. This has Ahito facing back towards the tent, though...

So Solomon just keeps walking, letting himself walk into the traces of the seafoam that wet the sand, leaning down to roll up his pant legs enough to keep them from getting soaked and exposing several more tattoos similar to those elsewhere on his body. It's uncomfortable, but if it keeps Ahito drawn away from any other onlookers, then he'll put up with it.]

We're going to have our mission as a team sooner or later, you know. Have you considered that in depth yet?

[dyingtohealyou]

[Following Solomon with his gaze, which... necessitates keeping fully turned to watch him properly.]

...I've been practicing my offensive and healing magic. And I can put aside feelings to get the job done.

I'm not going to be a liability if that's what you're so worried about.

[impacter]

No. Right now, you're the last one I'm concerned about in that regard.

[In others, sure. But he doesn't believe Ahito will dare to let himself falter if he thinks someone else is looking out for it to happen.]

Have you considered yet that the both of us are going to be in a unique situation when it comes to the affairs of the North?

[dyingtohealyou]

...In what way?

[impacter]

In an obvious one.

You're aware of the situation the North faces right now as far as their balance of power, correct?

[dyingtohealyou]

Only based on your report.

What about it?

[impacter]

[His smile fades slightly, letting the morning breeze lap the water at his feet as his tone grows serious]

To be a human in a realm where nature is cruel and magic is crueler means to succumb to a life of fear. To being lesser, to being vulnerable, to hiding one's face and hoping that meekness will be the way out. It means that the simple act to exist is not enough. To live, even, is not enough. Not as they stand now. And they are not the ones who get to choose whether that continues at this time. Either fate will take them, or something with much greater power than them will decide to take advantage. I think out of any of us, you understand this the best.

They will not hesitate to do the same to us, if we show even an ounce of weakness. Such as what I saw with you this morning, or what I see right now, or my own handicap as I stand here. But that isn't my concern. So long as you're discussing what your needs are to function at your best, and you have someone to discuss those things with.

[He'll be more frank about that request if Ahito doesn't pick up on what he's suggesting, but for now he lets the pause sit before continuing.]

I would like to know, as the only other human in your team, what you plan on doing if you must choose between your mission, or the people.

[dyingtohealyou]

[...

Chin tilted up, proud as always, he doesn't answer Solomon's question - instead, posing one of his own.]

What do you see right now, Solomon?

[impacter]

I see Ahito.

I also see your attention unable to draw to anything else but what is directly in front of you.

[dyingtohealyou]

[Tch.]

...I've been preparing for this since we got here. I'm not planning to leave the people here to suffer, either.

There was always the chance I wouldn't be able to fulfill my own mission. [Death follows so closely at his heels, so constant.] I know how to prioritize.

[impacter]

[Something in what Ahito has said eases Solomon almost instantly.]

I am not questioning your personal mission, Ahito. And you've shown your own strength in priority many times over. You don't need to defend yourself.

I have my worries. And in speaking to the people from the North, I want to limit their suffering as much as possible, and make sure they have the choices to do so.

As things stand, I do not think a mission to the North will be guaranteed to end without unecessary callous behavior from certain parties to the people who will have to live with the consequences. While I want to have my hopes up, I don't think our little meeting did much to encourage me.

I want to know that, if things go completely wrong, that someone is going to take the people's side instead of their own. And I want to know if that someone is going to be you.

[dyingtohealyou]

[...Crossing his arms.]

...So, what? You want me to pick a fight with the rest of the Northern wizards if it comes to that?

[He's not the biggest fan of humans, but even he can see his personal dislike is nothing compared to their fellow Norths.]

[impacter]

Not unless you want to.

I will, if I have adequate reason. Both Ithaqua and Robin know that very clearly now, and I will stand against both them and Malice if I feel I have to. But I don't expect you to go that far for my sake. That's a foolish request.

I just want to know if I can trust you. If the worst happens, either among our own or against others... would you be willing to get people to safety? Primarily the people?

[dyingtohealyou]

...

You really think that, between magic users throwing their weight around and humans who only stand to suffer from it, I'd ever side myself with the magic users?

[It's honestly pretty insulting. But even if he doesn't spell it out, his answer should be plenty clear.]

[impacter]

I don't.

But I've gotten in enough trouble as of late. And I would rather treat you better than I have. That means letting you make that decision, and not assuming for you.

And I wanted you to hear where I stand, and what I am willing to do. So you can decide if I am being honest or not when I say I want to help you.

[dyingtohealyou]

...Why? Because I'm one of your precious little humans?

[Sorry if he doesn't find that particularly flattering, either.]

[impacter]

No.

Do you think you're the only one who doesn't want to see people treated like toys?

[dyingtohealyou]

You could've fooled me.