not_every_mage | The Beach, Late Monday Afternoon

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beach

The Beach, Late Monday Afternoon

Anders was still thinking about what had happened in Limbo City when he wandered down to the beach. It was too cold to be near the water, really, but the motion of the waves was soothing.

He kept replaying what had happened that afternoon in his head as he looked at the water and sifted sand between his fingers. It wasn't the fighting that stuck with him -- he'd done that before. And it wasn't exactly the healing -- he'd been glad to have something to do that wasn't destructive. Instead, he kept thinking about all the civilians they hadn't been able to help. Maybe they could have stayed, they could have fought, they could have been just that little bit better -- and maybe someone would have made it home that never would now.

Well. He'd have to prepare better before the next time he got accidentally dragged into someone else's hell. (Which he hoped wouldn't be anytime soon; the sight of an arm he'd frozen snapping off like a branch was not one he needed to see again anytime soon.)

He chewed on his thumbnail and tried not to feel guilty.

[OOC: For one, please!]

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"You're out pretty far today," Nathan said, wandering up slowly and quietly. "Thinking about going for a swim?"

Anders hadn't been expecting anyone, and he visibly jumped when he heard Nathan's voice.

"Not unless you are," he said, a little breathless. "You surprised me. Hi."

"I'm not dressed for swimming," Nathan remarked, shaking his head and crouching down near Anders and resting his arms on his elbows. "Lost in thought?"

"Yeah," Anders said, glancing over. "It was a weird day."

He thought if he wanted to say more. Couldn't find any good words.

"A very weird day."

"What happened?" Nathan asked him. "Class?"

"I wish it was just class. This is going to sound completely insane," Anders warned him. "We got sucked into Dante's world. Him, me, and Kathy. And then police attacked us and Dante had to fight a demon, and -- it was bad. Buildings wrecked, Dante shredded kind of bad."

"Why would that sound insane?" Nathan asked, shaking his head. "It's not."

It was pretty out there, sure, but not insane. Not at all.

"Is everyone okay? No one injured badly?"

"Now I wish it was more exciting," Anders said, and coughed out a rough laugh. "No, we're fine. Dante was in rough shape but he heals. Kathy took it hard but she just needs time, I think."

"And you?" he asked, fixing his gaze quietly on Anders. "You're taking it hard too?"

"People died," Anders admitted. "They were trying to kill us first, so it's not as though we had a choice, but it doesn't exactly put me in the best mood."

"Self defense," he said lightly, reaching out and rubbing Anders' shoulder. "Did you kill them? Or was it a combination?"

Anders hesitated. "I couldn't see," he said. "I was throwing fireballs around, so it's not as if I was being careful, but Kathy was touching him when he died."

How had Kathy done that, anyhow? He'd have to ask her later. He'd been too numb when it all happened.

"Call it a combination."

"Wasn't your fault," Nathan told him, reaching out to rub the back of his neck now. "Not even close. I know how it feels though, I really do."

He really, truly did.

"It's okay to be upset though. If you weren't feeling something, I'd be concerned."

"I hope I never get to be like that," Anders agreed, with a tiny shudder. "I don't want to just see people die and walk home fine."

"It won't happen," Nathan told him, shaking his head. "That's not you. That's not how you are or how you'll ever be. I know it."

"At least one of us does," Anders said, and wrapped his arms around his knees. "It's hard to remember in the middle of a fight. I ... lose track of things then, a little."

Fighting was fun, was the problem.

"You never turn your skills against someone who doesn't deserve it," Nathan said quietly. "You're not turning into someone who kills for fun. You're a good mage. You're not a bad person."

"Thanks," Anders said, and couldn't think of a whole lot else to say right that second, so he just let it hang there and watched the waves for a second.

"You're welcome," Nathan told him, nodding. "Hopefully this guy you helped appreciated it. He did, didn't he?"

"Hard to say. He didn't like that we came along, even by accident. But I think he was glad we could take care of ourselves," Anders said thoughtfully. "And he liked being healed. But I've never met anybody who didn't, when they needed it."

Nathan took that all in and nodded. "Well, I'd like it if you didn't go back into something that dangerous but I know sometimes you have to help those that need it. Just be careful."

"I don't plan on it, believe me," Anders said firmly. "Whatever's wrong there, it's too big for me."

Nathan nodded and turned to look out at the water. "I'm glad you were able to help him and you didn't get hurt. Then, I might have been bloody angry."

"No need for that this time," Anders said, matter-of-fact. "Closest I came was somebody tried to rush me, but I hit him with my staff. I'm glad it has some weight to it."

Nathan nodded and was quiet for a moment.

"Have you talked to Kathy?"

Anders shook his head. "I will soon," he said. "But I didn't know what to say. Besides, she and Dante are -- I reckon they want to be together."

Which was part of why Anders had left before he could be sexiled, really.

"That's..." He winced. "Do you want to come back to my room? I've got the space."

"Incredibly awkward of them, all things considered?" Anders asked brightly. "Yes. But they didn't ask for my permission. Your room sounds fantastic."

"Tell them to go to Kathy's room next time," Nathan suggested before getting to his feet and holding out a hand. "Come on."

"Maybe that should just be my standing request," Anders mused, rising to take Nathan's hand. "But for tonight, we're good."

Nathan nodded and gave Anders' hand a squeeze before leading him away from the beach. His room was much warmer than this place.

Здравствуйте, простите за беспокойство. Но нам очень нужна ваша помощь!!!
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Наш дочка очень больна, она уже так намучалась...
Нам больше не к кому обратиться кроме как к простым людям.
ПОЖАЛУЙСТА ПОМОГИТЕ!!!
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The Beach, Late Monday Afternoon

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