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.

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[There's not much to see of his face. The gaiter covers the lower have and the welding goggles hide his eyes completely. There's but a sliver of skin between and a hood that hangs low over the rest. He's done well to hide himself.

Not good enough.]

Because... my voice...? Or... memory...?

[Because he's a wolf being pointed to a den of sheep? Maybe it's foolish to ask what part he failed before he's put down. Still.]

[Sorry Teo, but clothes can't hide your Vibes.]

No. I can feel it. I would say it might be caused by some kind of curse, but... I don't know, which is unusual for me. [Being a maledictor and all.] With all of us from different worlds, my frame of reference is limited. So I was hoping you could tell me.

[His shoulders sag. All his amazement with the idea of magic, he should've known what it could mean for him.

Shakily, his hands reach up and his head bows. He pushes back the hood first, revealing long dark hair that's taken on a grey tinge. Then he moves the goggles to sit on the top of his head. Last is the gaiter, and it's there he hesitates. He grips it and pulls it down, lifting his head and opening his eyes at once.]

I don't... want to hurt anyone...

[The light burns. He can feel cool air on his open wound. Mentally, he readies to run.]

Edited 2021-07-01 22:32 (UTC)

[He wasn't entirely sure what to expect- honestly, if he expected anything it was to be denied, or told that he doesn't remember what's wrong, something like that. Direct honesty from someone who conceals themselves so thoroughly seemed unlikely.]

[So it's a surprise when he starts to uncover his face, and then actually seeing his face is- well. His eyes widen.]

...

[After a long shocked moment his eyes narrow instead, and while he's a little more tense and wary, he doesn't make any move to attack or flee.]

You're dead, then.

[It's a statement as much as it's a request for confirmation.]

[His eyes close a moment, as though the word's wounded him. There's a strong urge to cover back up again, to be safe, even if it's too late. He nods his head.]

I... I woke up this way... No one else had...

[The dead never responded. He'd tried. He didn't know what made him different.]

I-I hunt... see? [He points to the quiver of arrows over his shoulder.] Rabbits... and things... I don't... want to hurt people... I'm just... trying to live... like everyone else.

...

[After a moment he sighs deeply, like he'd rather not be burdened with this knowledge. But he did ask for it.]

You say that, but is there a risk you might hurt people? Or are you just worried about being attacked if anyone sees your physical state?

[He can't hold off anymore. He reaches back for the gaiter, lifting it up and then pulling the goggles down. The dark immediately eases the ache of his eyes. The hood soon follows.]

Does your world... have guns...? It's not fun... to be shot...

[His arms hug to his chest.]

I hunt... I do what I can... I can live in the woods... But I want to live... I want... There's got to be... a reason I woke up...

...

[Maybe best not to mention his "fellow" wizard here who carries a rifle...]

If you have the will to live in this state, there must be a reason for it. The dead should be left to rest in peace, after all. Maybe you'll be able to once you find that reason.

[Not that he knows any of that for sure, but, well. He's used to manifestations of the departed acting less... alive, barring very specific circumstances. And they're usually unhappy about how they died.]

I'll choose to believe what you're saying for now, but these islands aren't that big. If you do cause any problems, I'll know... not that it matters much to me what happens here. It would be a nuisance if everyone started fighting each other, though.

[His hand hovers need the front pocket of his jacket. He's got a reason. He doesn't know why he woke up but he certainly has a reason to keep going. Besides--]

I don't think... the other dead... were resting much either.

[He nods his head at the warning. It's... rather cold, but maybe that's why he's being allowed to live.]

I wouldn't... want others to fight... I wasn't lying... I miss people...

Are those dead like you?

[As in, still themselves.]

I can't speak for how the others here might react to your plight. But most of them are living out of the town hall for the moment, since the homes still standing need work before they can be habitable again. If you want to be around people, you can start there.

No... None of them.

[None that he's seen. He's looked for a while.

He nods his head again.]

Thank you...

If you were no longer yourself, then I would ensure that you returned to a peaceful rest.

[Is it nice to tell someone you'd kill them as a zombie? Mysteries.]

I haven't done anything to be thanked for. I don't stay at the town hall, myself.

[Honestly, he's not so sure himself. Especially since--]

I'm not sure... I am... who I used to be...

[He shrugs.]

Brought me here... spared me... told me where to go... but where do you go then?

...Fair enough, but enough of you remains that you aren't simply the lingering malice of whatever regrets or resentment you carried in life. As long as you remain peaceful, it should be fine.

[In theory. The rules are a little looser when you're stuck on a different world.]

Spared you? Good grief... if you'd attacked me it'd be a different story, but I'm not about to waste my time and energy trying to kill you with no provocation. Fearing and killing what you don't understand is what humans do.

[He also really does need to conserve his magic since it's more limited here, but he's not about to say that.]

...If you must know, I spend my nights in the windmill in town. I prefer being alone, so it better suits my needs.

[Which isn't wrong, but it's not the real reason he stays there.]

[Lingering malice and resentment? Is that what caused the undead? He's not sure that's right. He's not sure if he wasn't ever resentful. He doesn't look like he was a monk.

He shrugs again.]

Can't really... blame them... When those things... are dangerous though...

[But also, thinking of humans as separate is a very weird feeling.]

The windmill... Alright.

[Nice alone time. Sure would be a shame if someone were to... show up and ruin that, huh?]

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June 2021 - A New Arrival?

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