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

[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.

[dyingtohealyou]

[Eyes narrowing. Yeah, no touching, thanks.]

It's not sleep itself that's the issue.

[impacter]

Pain, then?

[There was only so much it could really be if it wasn't to do with his sleep.]

[dyingtohealyou]

Obviously.

Like you said - there's only so much you can fix after experimenting on living creatures.

[impacter]

Then I'll have to look for an adequate painkiller.

[But he'll have to leave it at that. Because if Ahito doesn't even want it, the effort is moot.]

[dyingtohealyou]

All I need is a little more power to extend the length of the spell I've already got.

[Thus the routine.]

[impacter]

Then I'm sure you'll get there with time. [It's not going to stop him from looking into a painkiller... but perhaps just on his own.]

Anyway. I'll leave you to your fresh air. My apologies.

[dyingtohealyou]

Mm-hm.

[Like he said, he's got it handled. And since Solomon's curiosity or whatever seems to have been sated, he waves a hand - go on, shoo.]

[impacter]

[Off he goes to pick up his shoes, shake them out, and start the trek back. Hopefully he would manage his broom again before too long...

By the time others have started to wake up for the morning, Solomon is long gone.]