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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I do not blame you.

[He prefers the quiet of the woods, himself, but the forest around the manor is too unfamiliar for him to sleep in. And he has no roof over his head in there to keep the sun out of his eyes as he sleeps, either.]

The manor feels crowded, but still, it serves its purpose. [And he can't complain about the neighbours on his floor. Perhaps those below, but sod them.

When they arrive at the tent, Ithaqua lets Urianger's hand go so he can pick up some of the juice hottles, checking closely to see which ones he'd like to have. He knows what an orange is and has had it before... but what is a mango.]

'Tis the simplest manner of keeping track of our fellow wizards, even if it can become a bit...cacophonous at times.

[Ignoring how Urianger lives right below Ithaqua: yeah, sod those lower floor neighbors, though. /s

Anyway, Urianger watches Ithaqua examine the mango juice bottle with confusion for a moment before offering:]

Art thou unfamiliar with mangos? 'Tis a sweet tropical fruit, comparable in composition to a peach or plum in that it containeth a large pit in its centre.

[The keyword is "tropical" and it's enough for Ithaqua to make a noise of understanding in his throat. He tucks one of the bottles in his pocket, and then waves his hand at the selection, so Urianger can tell him what he wants.]

[Sounds like mango is a winner! Urianger chuckles as Ithaqua stashes it away, then shifts his gaze to peruse what remains. What sounds good, what sounds good...ah.]

I shall have the lemonade.

[Ithaqua snatches the lemonade-- at least he knows what that is!-- and hands it to Urianger after helpfully popping it open with a twist.]

Choose whichever place you prefer, and I'll find something to perch on.

[The little act of service doesn't go unappreciated. Urianger returns it with a smile and a bow.]

I thank thee.

[With that, he leads the way toward a comfy corner of the pillow-filled couches and settles down. It feels better than he imagined it would, so he can't help but let out a contented sigh as he politely crosses his legs and watches for where Ithaqua decides to perch.]

[Unlike Urianger, Ithaqua doesn't feel like sitting like a person right now. He gathers some cushions at the foot of the couch, dragging them if he must, and relaxes on them like a particularly gangly cat. Or dog.

Like a big creature that's decided it has claimed the cushions, the floor, and even the couch, with the way he's settled his cheek against it.

And thenhe sighs contentedly, finally as relaxed as can be.]

[Were Urianger not certain that Ithaqua does not hail from Etheirys, this behavior would be not unlike a miqo'te, really. A very tall, frigid miqo'te.

He won't lie. It's kind of charming.]

'Tis more the way of it, aye?

[All cooled down with a refreshing beverage and a comfortable spot to relax. Finally, it's beginning to feel like the getaway it was intended to be.]

This is much better than being outside under the sun, yes. [After relaxing in his stolen cushions, he opens his bottle of juice as well and sniffs. It certainly smells sweet...]

Even being in the water brought a chance of being burnt. I shan't risk that.

[He's waiting to see how Ithaqua does with the juice as he sips at his own...]

A wise decision. Thy complexion is one of the fairest I have ever seen. Thou must burn easily.

[Ithaqua would have to drown himself in sunscreen tbh.]

Such is the fate of one who lives in a place where you must always wear something. However, with how I prefer to sleep and wake, and the climate in the forest, I've not seen the sun in a while. [He's always active during the night, after all.

He takes a sip of the mango... and his eyes light up, eyebrows raising. Urianger did say that it was sweet, but he didn't expect it to be this sweet.

With the sip done, he licks his lips to really think about it-- and hold back from finishing everything immediately. He needs to savour this.]

[Seems like mango has passed the taste check! Urianger smiles into his bottle.]

Nocturnal and regulated to the cold... Thou hast sacrificed much to attend this gathering.

[And just to be miserable for it. Oof. Well, maybe Urianger can offer a silver lining:]

Nighttime in climes such as this are known to be pleasant, with striking sunsets and sunrises. Thou canst enjoy the cool ocean breeze and clear view of the night sky without fear of the heat.

[Ithaqua tilts his head one way, and then the other as he listens to Urianger speak. Then he makes a soft noise in his throat.]

I did hear that watching the sun set from an ocean's shore was the best perspective one could ever get of the sky. [Which was his primary reason for being here.

The other being sheer curiosity.]

I also heard many other things, but this piqued my interest the most.

Thou didst hear correctly. 'Tis a sight most magnificent, and well worth the effort to observe it.

[And as he thinks on it...]

But I would be remiss to not nominate the northern night sky as a comparable experience.

Hehe. now, the Northern country, I am qualified to speak on. [He has indeed been there before for various reasons, so he remembers that place well. Close to home.]

It is a sight to behold, whether or not you have the snow that looks akin to floating crystals around you. It could distract, it could enhance the view. That all depends on you.

[Then he presses his cheek against Urianger's chair again, blinking up at him.]

But to compare it to the sunset at a beach? I must see it for myself.

I've yet to see the Northern country's skies for myself—thus I am only using my home star as reference—so I shall take thee at thy word. Should our work take us there, I shall make sure to spend quality time with the Northern stars.

[He'll just make sure he's dressed very, very warm. Bury him in layers and a cute little coif for his ears.

Back to the present, though, he meets Ithaqua's gaze. A rare chance to do so, he internally muses.]

Wouldst thou be amenable to viewing the sunset together? I had planned to observe it myself, and a beautiful view is best shared.

Hmm~ [He hums with his lips around the rim of the bottle, as he's taking a sip.] I would have offered, if you had not done so first.

[Really, he would have, because why not? Ithaqua is a loner simply because he never grew up around people, but he has found some here whose presence he doesn't mind. Urianger is one of them.]

[Hehehe great minds think alike! Urianger raises his bottle to that.]

Then it hath been decided. Once we depart here, we shall reconvene at the coming of dusk.

I suppose getting to watch the sunset with you is worth losing you for the rest of the day.

[He waves a hand in the air in a languid manner.]

You've other greetings to make after all... but you'll come back to me. That's good enough, heheh.

[With a laugh,]

Art thou truly so interested in my company?

Should I not be? [Ithaqua points at him with a long finger.]

You are far more eloquent than the rest of the people here, and a better conversationalist by far.

'Tis merely a surprise to me. Oft am I told that my manner of speaking is difficult to understand.

[Sometimes to the point of completely alienating others. It's a nice change of pace for someone to tell him that they actually like his archaic speech.]

Not so, in thy case. For that, I thank thee.

Mmm. [Well, Ithaqua will just have to make this man more comfortable in his presence.]

I was raised on heavy, difficult books to understand-- not ideal for a child to learn literacy and speech from, but determination made the difference. [His mother's, that is.] Hence, I've nothing to fear from the words that come from your mouth.

[Well that's definitely helping. His ears visibly perk a little.]

Verily? That determination is indeed made plain. [Ithaqua does speak a bit more formally than most here.] I should like to hear more of the books from thine youth in the future.

[Or, like, now. If Ithaqua is intent on keeping him around a little longer.]

Hm, hm, hmm~ [He's thinking about it-- but perhaps Urianger would like to not hear about tales of man-eating beasts and abominable snowmen that bear the same name as Ithaqua.]

Perhaps later, when we reconvene.

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