staysilent | June 2021 - A New Arrival?

June 2021 - A New Arrival?

A New Arrival?

For the last two months, arrivals in the settlement have all been the same. First an Otherworlder is picked up by the Finnish government, then they are quarantined and questioned, and finally they are brought to the island. There has been no variance to the pattern, and the familiarity of it gives life in the settlement a kind of rhythm to live by.

Or at least, it did. Up until today.

Because at some point in the early afternoon, the air around the settlement shifts. For a few seconds, anyone outside will feel the hairs stand up on their skin, not unlike a static charge. Then there is a, audible snap, the feeling abruptly disappears, and all returns back to normal.

Except for one important detail: there is now another person in the settlement, standing on the sandy, treeless banks of Snake Island.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Because he is so visible on Snake island, it stands to reason that anyone crossing over would be too. Spotting someone flying overhead isn't particularly difficult. Processing the fact that someone is flying to him on a broomstick, well that's another story.]

...Wondering... the same thing. About both of us...

[He notes how covered he is and the rasping voice, and unless you'd prefer he doesn't it's possible Faust may get a sense of what's off about him- but either way, he doesn't comment on it. He wouldn't be the only one here to give him nonhuman vibes.]

New arrivals aren't usually dropped off on this part of the islands... or did you suddenly find yourself transported here?

[Since that's technically how they all arrived in this world, though it seems unlikely they'd appear directly on the islands... but not impossible.]

Second one.

[Which is bizarre enough.]

Are you... a witch? Wizard...? [Was there a difference? God, he can't remember.]

[Oh, this one knows how to recognize a wizard. Which may not be a good thing. His eyes narrow slightly.]

I am a wizard, yes. Is that a problem?

[Sorry if his tone is a tad defensive.]

[His hands go up, palm out, immediately.]

No...! That's... that's, uh... Nothing wrong, I just... didn't...

[Oh boy.]

I didn't think... you were real...?

...Real? So you've never met a wizard before?

[Or he's from a world without them, or something similar but different. Not that it matters much here. He sighs, no longer bristling.]

In any case, it seems you're in the same situation as the rest of us; you were just lucky enough to appear directly on these islands without being escorted here by the locals of this world.

[Because you're on a different world now, congratulations.]

Not... that I know of...

[He feels like, even with his memory, he would have to remember meeting a wizard.]

Rest of you...? There's more... people here...? [Wait.] How... did this happen?

Then I take it you're a human?

[It's a legitimate question, considering what he's sensing from him.]

There are a number of us who were transported here from different worlds. How and why is not as clear at the moment.

[He doesn't have a pulse. Nothing quickens at the question. Still, the feelings are the same. It makes his chest seize.]

Didn't think there... were other options... besides human. Or animal.

[He didn't think of other worlds. He didn't think of a lot of things he apparently should have. He looks around at the island. Not much to see but-]

Is this world... normal...? Is it... is everyone... [How does he put this?] Mostly alive?

...I see.

[Concerning, considering the vibes he gives off. But so far he doesn't seem malicious. Not intentionally, at least.]

...Considering wizards are a "normal" part of my world, that question is too subjective for me to answer. [But also,] What do you mean, "mostly" alive?

[His arms fold over his chest.]

Mmm... My world is... gone. No. Not right... Civiliz...ation. The people... Monsters or dead now... only a few left alive... I don't see many. No more cities... no more towns... Mostly alive is... not that. Mostly alive... any bit of alive... at all.

[Faust listens patiently despite his slow way of speaking, but boy, that sure is a lot, huh. Not that this world seems to be faring well either, but he hasn't seen most of that for himself. He takes a moment to somberly absorb that grim information before responding.]

.....There are people alive here. Aside from us "otherworlders," I can't say for certain how well the locals are faring, as we're confined to these islands. But they seem to be surviving... though this world suffers from a plague.

[His head lifts a little. His arms unfold.]

... Plague... They called it... something like that... on my world. But... if they are surviving... then it must... be different.

[He can't stay. He has somewhere to go. But...]

Sounds nice... to see people again. A good rest...

...There were precautions taken to ensure these islands are safe, at the very least. If you need to rest, there's space and bedding in the town hall.

[He gives him a long look before glancing away.]

It's a peaceful place, without many people. It might be good for giving your heart a rest, as well.

What's your name?

[He pauses for far longer than is normal for someone to give a name.]

...Teo. I think. My memory is... [He waves a hand around his head.] Bad.

You...?

I see. My name is Faust.

[Sorry for the lack of pleasantries, but at least he's been pretty polite otherwise?]

...For now it would be best to get you on the main island so you can gain your bearings. I suppose I can fly you across.

[He doesn't seem like he's going to cause problems, but it might be best to keep an eye on him, or ask him about it more directly later...]

Faust... That is... a good wizard name.

[Maybe not as good as Grumblebog the Magnificent, but it's not Fred either.]

I've never... flown... Do I have to... do anything?

...It's not like my parents knew I was a wizard when they named me.

[He doesn't seem offended, at least. He's just not good at taking compliments.]

[He holds his broom up horizontally at about sitting height, and it just stays there as he sits on it close to the handle, facing Teo. He doesn't put his legs over it because his ~~fashion choices~~ cassock would make it difficult to sit astride it, but-]

Just sit here, with a leg on each side, and hold onto it tightly. I'll handle the rest.

[He gestures to the space left between him and the broom end.]

[He waves a hand. Details schmetails, accept the cool wizard complement.

Of course, then there's the matter of the broom. He does as told, naturally, not willing to risk falling off into the water and gripping the broom tighter at the very thought. But that doesn't change one simple fact.]

I feel... very...... stupid.

[The broom holds steady as he climbs onto it at least, lifting slightly higher off the ground once he's situated. That comment earns him a flat look.]

Maybe you should, to willingly join a maledictor on his broom.

[What does that even mean- too late, they're taking off, try not to look down if you're scared of heights. Or open water. But Faust won't let him fall, at least.]

What...?

[He chokes that just as the broom lifts, morphing to a strangled yelp as they rise. He stares down, straight down, watching water race by.]

Holy... shit...

[He doesn't get any answers while they're flying, though it's not a long trip to the other shore. He sets down gently at an easy height to dismount, and waits for Teo to do so.]

Don't count on getting rides from me like this again. You can take a boat next time.

Edited 2021-06-30 21:55 (UTC)

[He gets off, though somewhat shaky-legged. That was... well it was something else. Not something he ever would have imagined.

He lifts head when Faust speaks again, staring a moment, before nodding his head. It makes sense.]

Of course... [Still, he can't help wondering...] But why... did you help this time? Did I... do something wrong...?

[He gets down after that, and with a bit of glowy magical effects he dismisses the broom back to... wherever it came from.]

...Huh? Why would that mean you did something wrong... it was just the easiest thing to do, since I didn't take a boat over there. Or would you prefer I have left you there?

[Helping him was just a minor inconvenience. Obviously. He crosses his arms and nods toward what remains of the town nearby.]

In any case, it's not far to the town hall from here.

[Well that's cool. He'd say so, but he's busy being awkward. He shakes his head.]

Just... making sure...

[He's not really sure why it was his first instinct to ask that. It doesn't matter.]

Thank you... Whatever a... maledictor is... I think... I owe you one anyway.

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ooc: absolutely okay for him to notice!

:|b

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