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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[ He fights the urge to roll his eyes at that smile, breathing out heavily from his nose. ]

Life is plenty satisfying without it. Land yourself on a boat with an ongoing death match and then you'll see what real drama is like.

[With all pretenses cast aside, Akira's moved on to kneading the knots out of Kurapika's shoulders. Good god, this guy is tense.]

Wild. Is that what you were doing before you came here?

[ He sure is!! There are a few particularly gnarly knots too, right near his neck and by his shoulder blades. ]

Yes. I mentioned the security detail job to you, didn't I? Part of it is protecting a young prince from her death.

[ Hm. How does he say this succinctly? ]

It's essentially a battle to the death for succession to the throne. They've manifested magical beasts all over the first level of the ship with the intention that those beasts will kill the other princes. I've tried to create a stalemate, at least for the one I'm guarding.

[ ... ]

I was headed into a meeting regarding an alliance before I was pulled here.

[Good lord baby jesus, this knot is going to take an eternity to untangle. Good thing Akira is determined! He swings one leg around the other side of the lounger, don't mind him, so he can use more of his weight to dig into that stubborn muscle.]

If you weren't such a serious guy, I'd call bs, but I know you're not kidding. And...

[He leans down so he can whisper in Kurapika's ear. No one else is close enough to hear them anyway, but just in case!]

...This benefits you too, right? Are they "paying" you well?

[ Does Akira want him to scoot back to settle closer to him? Well, regardless, Kurapika is doing just that.

He's also ignoring the slight shiver Akira whispering in his ear gives him, turning his head slightly to look him in the eye as he lowers his own voice. ]

They are. One of the princes has the rest of what I'm looking for.

[ The Scarlet Eyes. ]

[The rest of the eyes... That explains that, but Akira doesn't move back just yet.]

You have a backup plan if he tries to pull a fast one?

[People with as much money, power, and influence as a prince does aren't above resorting to unscrupulous means to cling onto their treasures.]

Yes. I'll kill him.

[ There's an undercurrent of resolve in his voice, as if it's a decision he's long since made, even if he isn't happy about it. ]

I'll place a conditional bond on his heart—hand over what I'm looking for, or I'll pierce his heart with my Nen blade.

...Easy as that, huh?

[No. Nothing is ever that easy when it comes to Kurapika. Call it a gut feeling, but his easy explanation doesn't sit well with Akira.]

How can you guarantee your backup plan will go off without a hitch?

[In other words, what is the cost of ensuring success?]

What do you mean?

[ He knows exactly what Akira means, he's simply stalling. ]

It's an ability I've crafted myself. I know the ins and outs of it, and I know exactly how a conditional bond like that works.

You said it yourself: there are conditions that have to be met. What are those?

[Power always comes with a cost. Knowing the kind of man Kurapika is, there's not much Akira is willing to believe he wouldn't sacrifice to fulfill his goals. May as well admit it, Kurapika.]

[ He doesn't say anything, not for a few long moments. Only one other person knows and it's his literal soulmate, and his feelings for Akira only make it harder for him to say it aloud.

But, he owes Akira honesty. ]

Emperor Time. It allows me to wield all areas of Nen when my eyes turn scarlet of my own volition, including setting that conditional bond.

[ Naturally scarlet, however, doesn't apply, and he wants that to be clear. He knows Akira is going to press for the cost of something so powerful, so he forges ahead. ]

Every second that I have Emperor Time active, I lose an hour off of my lifespan.

Kurapika...

[God damn it. He knew this was coming, but he can't stomach hearing the answer straight from Kurapika's lips. His hands go still before Akira realizes it, and once he does, he sets his hands to Kurapika's back and sharply pops it. A little punishment for his boundless cruelty towards himself.]

You idiot.

[It takes a lot for Akira to outright condemn anyone. More than that, it's impossible to keep the upset out of his voice. He cares about Kurapika far, far too much to remain silent.]

Isn't there a way? Any other way that doesn't require shaving precious time off your own life?

[ He hisses, and while he would normally turn around and smack Akira for a stunt like that... he deserves it. Akira's well within his rights to be upset about this, and so he ignores the little tingles that popping that air bubble have left behind as he turns around to face him. ]

Not if I plan to carry out my goals.

[ Goals that require the largest sacrifice of all.

It's why Akira telling him to start over hurt, even if some little, tiny part of Kurapika knew that it would be the healthiest option for him. ]

[Kurapika picked a bad time to turn around. Akira doesn't spare him from the serrated edge of his stare, torn between anger and disbelief and bittersweet understanding. Doing anything to fulfill a goal, even if it costs you your life... Akira can't say anything. For all his faults, he isn't that much of a hypocrite.

He is, however, cruel when he needs to be. Akira never called himself a hero. A thief, above all, is one who steals and takes away.]

Then you're done. Call it off, Kurapika.

[ Akira's sharp stare is met with the cool brown of Kurapika's own, though by now Akira knows him well enough to see the undercurrent of sadness there. ]

Give me some time.

[ His voice is soft, measured, as if he's trying to tamp down the emotional reaction threatening to swell to the surface.

This isn't a denial, but it isn't an agreement either. This is all he can give Akira right in this moment, but it's certainly a lot more than he would have ever extended towards him a few weeks ago. Had anyone else suggested this, he would have gotten up and left, or outright requested that they stay out of his business.

That he hasn't done so should tell Akira everything he needs to know about the conflict weighing down his heart. ]

[Yeah. Unfortunately for Akira, he knows what it looks like when Kurapika is silently pleading with him because he's bumped up against a topic he can't budge on. This is one of them, and as much as it pains Akira to back down, he does so with a click of his tongue, shifting to flop down in the sand beside Kurapika.]

You need to know something. One way or the other, we'll be together. If you have to go through with this, I'm going with you.

[ Kurapika doesn't know what to say, not for a long, long moment as he simply stares at Akira. He's the sort of person that's resolute in their decisions, making them and welcoming the repercussions, whatever they may be. It's part of why Kurapika likes him so much, but that doesn't mean he isn't any less floored when one of those decisions has to do with him.

His fingers play idly with the sand as he tries to ignore the terrifying, giddy tightness in his chest. ]

...Are you sure?

[ Of course he is. This is Akira. And yet, Kurapika has to ask. ]

[Oh, Kurapika. You know Akira is serious. In lieu of an answer that bears no repeating, Akira turns and presses a kiss to his cheek.]

I promise you, Kurapika. What's important to you is important to me too. We'll see it through to the end together.

[ He tries not to flush at that kiss, eyes darting around to check if anyone saw. Ahh! What an obscene display of public affection.

Ah, but he can't be mad about that. No. Not when Akira did the one thing he was told not to do— ]

Akira. You know promises are dangerous.

Edited 2024-05-22 05:55 (UTC)

[Akira snorts. Worry not, Kurapika. Akira wouldn't have gone for a quick peck if he wasn't confident he could do it quickly enough to elude anyone's notice. That's part of the fun.]

I know. I don't make promises I can't keep.

[...]

I've learned that lesson the hard way.

[ He sighs, exhaling that breath long and slow. ]

You're that set on staying with me, then? No matter my decision?

[ It's information he isn't fully sure what to do with, but it warms his heart nevertheless. Kurapika has always known he's someone that needs to be chased relentlessly, and it seems like he's landed on the one person across all worlds that will do it without hesitation. ]

You've really resigned yourself to ensuring there's always coffee waiting for me in the morning.

Mm.

[His smile slants wry.]

I made a promise, so even if you say you don't want it, there's nothing for it now.

[The relentless chase will never cease to thill him. To follow someone he loves even into the depths of hell is all Akira needs and all he's ever wanted.

He can't help but smile and smile until his grin's spread so shamelessly broad that his cheeks ache, and sitting up, Akira holds Kurapika's hand to his heart. Forget worrying about being seen. Akira is proud of the fates they've woven together.]

Don't call it resignation, Kurapika. Call it something to look forward to for years to come.

[ It's done. The promise can't be taken back, it can't be retracted, and with the sort of person Akira is, it won't be broken. He'll still admonish Akira over this later, but for now Kurapika will enjoy looking at the smile on his face, even as his own cheeks burn with his hand settled against Akira's chest. ]

Fine, fine. Have it your way.

[ Going with the flow sounds better right now anyway, because he can let himself feel as if all of the bribery, threatening, and extortion he's done over the past few years is a lifetime away. ]

[If Kurapika wants a real reason to scold Akira, he'll give him one when he drops his hand only to scoop him up in his arms like a pretty little princess and wander away, far far away, from the rest of the crowd. What he wants right now, more than anything, is to feel the world as if it were meant for them alone, and that means extravagant acts of affection. Sorry babe.]

I have a confession to make, but now's not the time. Can you wait a little longer?

Edited 2024-05-22 06:57 (UTC)

[ God. This is so embarrassing!! Why!! Struggling would only call more attention to them, so Kurapika sits deathly still until they're far enough away from everyone else before he finally, finally relaxes a bit. ]

...Of course.

[ He doesn't know what it could possibly be, but if Akira wants him to wait, then... he will. ]

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jokey - 2024-05-22 07:03 (UTC) - Expand

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