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]

...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.]

[revengier]

...Of course they are. It's an easy way to grab power. Who wouldn't?

[ Ugh. Now they have to deal with this on top of the world potentially ending, don't they? ]

It's inevitable that someone attempts to get to him.

[dyingtohealyou]

Mm... Let's hope the East and the West are too busy with their own stuff to notice.

[revengier]

I hope so.

[ ... ]

And that we don't get dragged into whatever it is they're up to.

[dyingtohealyou]

Hopefully we'll have the original wizards back and conscious by then so they can deal with it.

[revengier]

[ That makes him laugh. ]

Wouldn't that be ideal? I think we both know how unlikely that is, though.

[dyingtohealyou]

I know it's wishful thinking, but I can still hope, can't I?

[Pikaaaaaaaa he doesn't wanna deal with another world's politiiiiiiiics.]

[revengier]

It's better to accept it now. I don't want to be involved in the politics of this world as much as you do. I get enough of that back home.

[dyingtohealyou]

What a depressing outlook.

[Though it's said with half a laugh - he expects no less from Kurapika on this matter, honestly.]

Why, what's going on politically back home?

[revengier]

[ Wow, are you calling him a pessimist, Ahito? You'd be right. ]

I've gotten caught up in the politics of another country having a death battle for succession to the throne. You would be surprised at the levels of drama a dozen wives and many children can create.

[dyingtohealyou]

[He knows what you are.]

...No, that doesn't sound surprising to me at all. We're lucky our own royal family doesn't have much to squabble about when it comes to the line of succession.

[revengier]

It's a headache. There are even bodyguards loyal to the other wives assigned to the prince I was guarding, all so they can assert their dominance.

[dyingtohealyou]

It sounds like a court drama story...

[Oof.]

[revengier]

It is, only with unsettling Nen beasts running amok. I need to get back as soon as possible, but I'm not exactly looking forward to it.

[ If time has passed at the same clip as it has here, how many will be dead when he gets back? He doesn't want to think about it. ]

[dyingtohealyou]

That's what you were doing when you got dragged here?

[Well, uh.

Shit.]

[revengier]

Oh. I never told you, did I?

[ Well, it's not too late for it now, is it? ]

I was on a boat headed to the Dark Continent, of which I'm providing security detail to the royal family on the topmost level. Naturally, the king decided that he would like to have a succession battle on that boat to determine which of his children will take the throne after him.

[dyingtohealyou]

Naturally...

[Jfc.]

[revengier]

The particular prince I'm guarding is still just a baby.

[ He sighs. ]

I hate to admit it, but I have a personal stake in this. I want her to live.

[dyingtohealyou]

Oh? Is there a reason why?