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]

Yeah. It doesn't matter what kind of magic you use; your personal sacrifice is the same.

[revengier]

I see.

[ Damn. That sucks, honestly, and it's obvious in his voice. ]

How do you feel about the magic here?

[dyingtohealyou]

[He opens his mouth- and quickly closes it again, expression conflicted.

It takes a while before he's able to come up with an answer:]

Even if the magic is kinder, I don't trust the types who would pursue magical research.

[revengier]

Understandably so.

[ And honestly? Kurapika doesn't really trust them either. ]

Magic has quite the advantage in this world. Anyone who would pursue research earnestly might not do so for the best reasons.

[dyingtohealyou]

...Yeah. Especially if they don't have any reason to worry about the sacrifices they'll have to make to conduct any of their research.

[He settles a little, now that they've found that answer.]

[revengier]

Mm, my thoughts as well.

[ He sighs. ]

Although... it was a pain being yelled at by a priest for being a wizard at the ball.

[dyingtohealyou]

Oh?

[revengier]

[ He shrugs. ]

I've gotten worse back home, but he held a lot of distrust towards wizards.

[dyingtohealyou]

What country was he from?

[revengier]

Central.

[ Unfortunately. ]

[dyingtohealyou]

Did he have any reason for his distrust? ...The Western representative I spoke to had some interesting stuff to say.

[revengier]

He believes that wizards can easily turn around and use their magic for nefarious purposes, even though anyone could pull a weapon on an ally.

[dyingtohealyou]

Neither of you are wrong there.

Did relations to any other countries come up at all?

[revengier]

[ He shakes his head. ]

Not really. Our conversation was relatively short-lived. He mentioned a sword being held at the castle and his personal feelings towards that, but that was all.

[dyingtohealyou]

A sword?

[revengier]

A holy sword, used by King Alec himself.

[ Maybe that rings a bell for Ahito? He'll give him a glance to see if it does. ]

[dyingtohealyou]

...Never heard of it.

[revengier]

The church in Central used to house it and protect it, but it was moved to the castle at some point... with how sore the pastor was over it, I'd imagine the deal to move it over wasn't struck too long ago. It was a bit of a sore spot, to say the least.

[dyingtohealyou]

...The castle, huh.

[It has him quietly thoughtful.]

[revengier]

Hm? Thought of something?

[dyingtohealyou]

...

[Quietly:]

They're keeping Oz there, too. Now that he's been returned.

[revengier]

An important wizard, right?

[ Hm. ]

Where was he returned from? Do you know?

[dyingtohealyou]

Not just important, but one of the most powerful.

He was returned because you guys completed your task, presumably. The southern wizards were returned, too. Problem is, they all seem to be comatose.

That job they had us do, setting up the barrier to mask any magical signatures? It's because Oz is there.

[revengier]

[ He crosses his arms. ]

Do you think our work is enough to mask one of the most powerful magical signatures?

[ Because if they're masking it... hm. ]

[dyingtohealyou]

I guess we'll find out. According to Tatara, other countries might be out to get him while he's in such a vulnerable state.

[So, you know. That's cool.]