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

[troublereduction]

[ Day watches Phil reaction carefully, and for a while he's quiet, trying to pick his words carefully. He finally settles on this: ]

You and I both know that ain't true.

[ Speaking from experience. ]

[mirristry]

[Yeah, Phil really should have known Day would see straight through that. After all, isn't that why he visits so often in the first place?

He finds he doesn't even need to think about his response.]

... I'm not lonely here, though.

[And that? That is in fact the truth.]

1/2

[troublereduction]

[ The implications of what Phil just said are not lost on Day; he's not a member of the Division of Serenity for nothing, even if he's still a little green. And...

...

Oh, Joyous Day, ████, you are a godsdamn disaster. How many times are you going to set yourself up for disappointment here? ]

[troublereduction]

[ But, whatever. That's not important right now. It doesn't change the fact that what Phil says it's sincere, and it's more pertinent to respond to that. So he manages to smile, genuinely. ]

Then I'm glad. ...I think the manor's been the least lonely I've felt in a while, too.

[ And this is also an honest answer: he lived with people before this, and he cares about them too, but he couldn't tell them anything about what he really did without changing their comfortable arrangement. Here at least, it didn't seem to really matter. ]

[mirristry]

[In a way, it's still strange to Phil to realize that the concern and care shown to him here has nothing to do with his status as Biqe-- that he hasn't even heard that word for weeks. He finds that as proud as he is of his title, he actually likes not hearing it for a change.

Because that means that all of the visits and conversations are meant for him, not the Biqe of Sellund.]

You're welcome to stop by more often if you'd like, you know. As you said, it isn't great for me to stay cooped up all alone in my room.

[Phil may have added the "all alone" part. Surely Day won't notice?

Also, he's pretty sure his cheeks are turning a bit pink right now and he's pretty sure that for once, he doesn't care.]

[troublereduction]

[ That...is surprisingly bold of Phil, what the hell? Bold enough that Day is thinking that Phil definitely must not mean it that way because there is no damn way he'd be able to say it otherwise. Which, at least he knows to temper his expectations. For gods' sakes, what is he, 17? ]

If you're offerin', then it'd be a shame if I don't take you up on it.

...Would you mind if I practice music there, sometimes?

[mirristry]

[Phil may be just a tiny bit excited that someone actually enjoys spending time around him and may not even realize quite how forward his invitation sounded, RIP Day. His logic is that if they both enjoy it, then why not have more of it?]

I wouldn't mind at all.

[He already loves hearing the music coming from Day's room, so getting to hear it up close? That's a win-win situation.]

As long as you don't mind if I sometimes read a bit while you do.

[His love affair with books will never end...]

[troublereduction]

[ RIP Day indeed. ]

Heh, I don't mind. Surprised you haven't run out of books to read yet.

[mirristry]

[For some reason that makes Phil turn a little bit more pink? Huh.]

... w-well, there are still quite a number I have yet to get to...

[smash cut to Ithaqua giving him one of the smutty ones that he skipped over at Truth or Dare later--]

[troublereduction]

[ ...Is Phil blushing?

Day just immediately connects the dots and the urge to bully is back. ]

Oh? Like what?

[mirristry]

N-nothing interesting! That's why I've been leaving them for last...

[The shade of red he is now turning tells another story.]

[troublereduction]

They wouldn't happen to be bodice rippers, would they?

[mirristry]

[No. Why. Why is his life turning out like this.]

........

[troublereduction]

[ There's just a low, pleased laugh that is way too amused with Phil's reaction. ]

I was gonna say I wish I could bring over some of the books I got back home, but looks like you don't need my help.

[mirristry]

That's... much appreciated...

[The NOT bringing books from home, that is. Does he look like he even wants to read the ones here??]

A-anyway, I might end up passing them up as it is, as they aren't of any value to my research...

[troublereduction]

Well, I dunno if you'd be able to read the ones back home either. Some of them are old enough that they may as well be written in a different dialect even 'fore you consider the language barrier.

[ Surprise Phil, he was actually serious about wanting to share some books from the library back home, even if he was also using it to bully you. ]

What are you reaearchin', anyway?

[mirristry]

The magic here, the spirits of the different countries... anything that may prove useful to us on this mission. But then I've found so many other fascinating books while looking for more information on those topics, and I just can't help reading them as well...

[Neeeerrrrrd.]

[troublereduction]

Hehe, sounds like you've been havin' fun too.

[mirristry]

Have I?

[Phil actually has to stop and consider this for a moment because does he actually know how to have fun? No, not exactly.]

... yes, I suppose I have, thanks in no small part to you. I'm truly grateful.

[Friend? He has one whole real friend?]

[troublereduction]

Huh?

[ Day doesn't see how he's helped Phil have fun, since he was commenting on Phil being a nerd. And, well, Day has known since he was a child that he made for a poor student. ]

I... You're welcome.

[mirristry]

[Spending time with him is fun! Even if they're still both soggy from earlier, but that's a minor detail.

... but now he's suddenly a little self-conscious given Day's reaction, so don't mind him just sort of looking away and trying to pretend that he isn't blushing.

They're doing amazing.]

[troublereduction]

[ Day can tell when the atmosphere's turned awkward, which might be why he's speaking up. ]

I mean...I'm really flattered. Guess I just wasn't expectin' to hear it.

[mirristry]

You... don't mind, do you?

[Tentatively, testing the waters, because suddenly he's afraid he's overstepped his bounds...]

[troublereduction]

I don't mind. [ He answers that without hesitation. ] in fact, it makes me...

[ ... ]

It makes me pretty happy.

[ And it's not like this is the first or only or even last time someone has fun with him here, but it seems especially meaningful with someone like Phil. ]