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

[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.

[impacter]

I tested marine life, Ahito. Not people.

[dyingtohealyou]

It's not just those tests. It's your whole damn attitude.

[impacter]

Attitude towards what, exactly?

[dyingtohealyou]

Everything.

You say you're just a peer, but you lead people around trying to guide them wherever the hell you think they should go. You act like you know what's best - like it's up to you to decide what happens.

Explain to me how that's any different from magic users experimenting on people, deciding which subjects are worth keeping and which ones should be discarded. Leading people along to think their way is the best for everyone, as long as they obediently play the part they're directed to.

[As a former obedient little sacrifice, it grates on his nerves. Kind words from someone looking down from above, enticing him along whatever path they find most convenient. Honey covering the stench of rot. Perhaps his biases are at work, but after Solomon's story, he's only become all the more sure he's right in his complete distrust.]

[impacter]

Both try to lead. That much is right.

But only one demands obedience and control, and it will not let you have the illusion of choice. It will not give agency.

One plays teacher, and one plays god. And I have no desire to go to depths that low.

[dyingtohealyou]

I don't need any more teachers, either. So you can stop being so coy and if you have something to say, get to the point.

[impacter]

To the point, then.

Don't do this by yourself when we go out. Whatever this routine of yours is, whatever you believe it is helping to sneak off to accomplish.

You aren't being a liability. No one thinks you are a liability except for, perhaps, yourself. And you are not proving anything to anyone by being stubborn.

If you want me to stop the attitude, then I expect the same in return. Stop insisting that the world is only out to prove its cruelty to you. Stop destroying yourself to try and make a point, or you will accomplish nothing.

If you mean what you say in that you know to make your fellow man your priority, I certainly hope that includes yourself, magic be damned otherwise.

[dyingtohealyou]

I didn't sneak away. I went to get some air.

And I'm not destroying myself, either. That spell was specifically to take care of myself.

[Frustration is clear in his tone. He's managing and maintaining his health, has been his whole time here, practically his whole life after those experiments-

What more do people want from him?]

[impacter]

...

I wasn't talking about the spell, Ahito. I told you that I would not bring your magic into this, so I'm not.

[dyingtohealyou]

What "routine" are you talking about, if not the spell?

[impacter]

...

[He sighs tiredly, but shakes his head, clearly dismissing something he had made up his mind to say. He wasn't making any headway here.]

...Sorry. Never mind that, then.

I just don't want you to push yourself so hard. That's all.

[dyingtohealyou]

I know how to take care of myself - including pacing myself.

[Probably. In theory.]

Any other complaints?

[impacter]

No. None at all.

...

[He glances out towards the ocean, lips thinning, before he carefully turns back around to head back up the beach. He lifts a hand as though to place it against the boy's shoulder, then stops, letting it drop to his side instead.]

I'm heading back to the manor. Try to get some more sleep if you can. If you keep tossing and turning like that... just let me know. I can make a sleeping draught for you easily enough.