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

[fallingsand]

...that... is true, yeah.

[ Bruno is probably avoiding the tent for similar reasons, let's be real here. ]

But you're still looking kinda rough up there. If you're not used to this kind of weather, you're going to hurt yourself. There's... the umbrellas instead? I could go get one and move it out here for you? Maybe?

[leewards]

[Ithaqua tilts his head to mull that over, like a little bird.]

There's no need to attempt to be so accommodating. Many of us are adults, and we are all wizards. [He knocks back the juice and hops down off of the tree, though he stumbles when he lands because he's barefoot, without boots or stilts to assist.]

If you'd point me in the right direction, I can do the work myself.

[Besides, he's... old. And Ithaqua is much younger, and much stronger, despite his long, gangly limbs that still make him resemble a teenager.]

[fallingsand]

[ Bruno resists the urge to leap back a step when Ithaqua comes down. Without the stilts, down here on the ground? Honestly, he looks far less intimidating. That... helps. ]

...we're all wizards. [ Bruno repeats that quietly then— ] Oh! Yeah! I can just... hang on...

[ also he isn't that old he's only fifty!!!

Anyway, he turns back to look the way he knows the umbrellas are set up and holds out a hand. Okay, okay, he wants one of those big umbrellas, but he wants it to be here. ]

Su futuro espera. [ And yeah, there's that spark of magic. It can be felt for sure. Only the umbrella doesn't appear in hand instantly. ] Huh. That's odd. It should just, uh, be here?

[ In the distance, there might be a shout or two, and the shape of something rapidly approaching their location from the other side of the beach. Uhhh. ]

[leewards]

[Ithaqua has to halt in what he's doing-- which is heading off to pick up an umbrella and blanket and find the coolest spot possible-- to watch what the other wizard is doing...

When he jolts like a shocked cat, and then leaps to catch the umbrella zooming at them before it crashes.]

[fallingsand]

Whoa!

[ Bruno flinches back but Ithaqua is fast, fast enough to snag the umbrella out of the air before it smacks the poor guy summoning it across the face. ]

O-oh, geez, wh... I... I guess it was so close that it. Um. To do... that? [ He fidgets, embarrassed at the unexpected reaction to his spell. ] Thanks for getting that.

[leewards]

Mm~

[He stares at the large umbrella in his hands and shakes it to check for rattling, or any sort of damage. Like it's not a large, unwieldy thing. If you carry around a large axe every day, this is nothing.]

Was that your first attempt at this sort of spell?

[fallingsand]

No, actually? But everything else I've summoned has just... appeared out of thin air. Nothing has ever zoomed over like that.

[leewards]

Hmm... [Ithaqua looks at the man-- small, slight, on the older side so may just have some of the same issues that humans at that age has-- then at the umbrella, and then back again.

He has an idea.]

How large were they?

[Rather, how small.]

[fallingsand]

[ excuse you ithaqua what do you mean by issues that humans that age have???? ]

Hm, the biggest was a shovel? Apart from my broom, that's the first thing I ever called to me.

[leewards]

Not as large as this one, then. [Which is massive and unwieldy-- not that Ithaqua shows it, when he opens it up and stabs the end into the sand.

He may be scrawny, but he was not human before becoming a wizard.]

Perhaps the size was what made the difference.

[fallingsand]

Ya think?

[ Bruno looks off into the distance, towards the other umbrellas set up way over there. He won't summon any others, though. ]

I guess that could be it, yeah. Uh, did... you want anything else? To go with the. The umbrella?

[leewards]

[Ithaqua raises his hand as if to stave off all the offers.]

That's not needed. You needn't be so accommodating, you know. As individuals, we're responsible for our own comfort. [And frankly, Ithaqua is uncomfortable with all the attempts.]

[fallingsand]

Oh...

[ But he was only trying to be friendly. ]

It's just. I know Tatara invited all of you, but I invited him, so you're all... kinda... technically my guests, too? I didn't want to see you stuck being uncomfortable is all.

[leewards]

[Being unused to hosting, being a guest, or even simply being around polite company, Ithaqua has to wonder about that sort of mentality... and with his half-mask, Bruno may just see how he frowns as he thinks about that.

More a frown of confusion out of anything else.]

Is that how the responsibility falls on your shoulders?

[fallingsand]

[ It's a roundabout way of looking at it but Bruno, as anti-social as he's been most of his life, still hates the idea of being a poor host. ]

Yeah? It's my camping trip in the end and it isn't like I'm mad he invited you all. It's been, I dunno, nice? At least, I think most folks are enjoying themselves.

[leewards]

Hmm... [Ithaqua really has to mull that over.]

Very well then. I shan't be a guest that takes advantage of you, however. I haven't any extravagant needs, just simple ones.

[fallingsand]

[ For some reason, that gets a faint but kind smile out of Bruno. ]

Alright. If you do end up needing anything else, I'll be around, but I get it, too. Sometimes all you want is quiet time and a place to get out of the sun.

[leewards]

[You know what, maybe this won't be so bad after all. This wasn't as awkward or strange of an interaction as he imagined out here, far from his comfort zones, with a stranger he's only glimpsed from afar.

So he gives a slow nod, just to show how he appreciates it.]

I shall keep you and your help in mind. ... For what it's worth, you are a gracious host.

[fallingsand]

[ Oh. Bruno knows his immediate reaction is to say he isn't that gracious, really, but he mentally kicks himself. Everyone keeps telling him to accept compliments! Accept it! It's fine! ]

Th... thanks? I'm glad you think so? [ He sounds uncertain. This is a new approach for him. Ah, but that's also a cue to leave and let Ithaqua enjoy his shade. ] Well, uh, I'll leave you to it.

[ And after an awkward little wave, he'll shuffle off elsewhere. ]