staysilent | July 2021 - Home Sweet Home

July 2021 - Home Sweet Home

Home Sweet Home

Summer is in full swing by now. The days are hot and sticky, the nights are cooler but still a bit uncomfortable. The temptation to spend the days swimming away in the waters near Rabbit Island is strong. After all, everyone has worked hard, so why not take a break? Summer is the best time to go swimming, especially during the daytime hours when you can see straight to the bottom of the shallow areas.

Much has been accomplished in the last month. The food storage building is looking much more secure, and just in time too: it won't be long before the farmland can be fully used to grow food for everyone, and you'll need a place to keep all your vegetables. Cold storage is still a ways off, but this is a good start.

The defenses have improved too. After a thorough check, the island has been verified to be troll-free, which pleases your local NPCs greatly. A safe island is a happy island, after all. And with two of the sea nets fully functional, the islands are that much safer.

Finally, repairs have been completed on one of the houses. It looks a bit too small for everyone to move into, so you'll have to figure out a way to decide who gets to live there. But with the experience of fixing up this house, further houses should be easy to repair too.

All in all, it's been a good month. Even the nighttime screaming from the Silent World seems to have disappeared for now. Hopefully the peace and quiet will last. Maybe enjoy it while you can? Things can change in an instant here, after all.

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[His hand rises up to his heart, or rather, the pocket of his jacket that sits over the still dead thing.]

If I die... it's all over... I'll never know.

[That much, at least, seems obvious to him.]

Maybe I can change... maybe I can... be better... But... either way... life itself... seems worth living for... even now... I have nothing... so I could find... everything...! I'll rest someday... like everyone... but I'll dream of more... than blood...

...

[His sigh this time feels more like a concession.]

Humans live such short lives as it is, it hardly seems worth the struggle... but if you're that determined, I won't stop you.

But if you do become a danger to the people around you, I'll stop you.

Spoken like someone... who says he was never human...

[He's not gonna say it, but Faust sure looks human to him. He nods his head.]

It's only fair... if I attack anyone... they should live...

[His eyes narrow slightly, what's that supposed to mean-]

I don't know what you think it means to be a wizard, but I've never been a human.

[But now that they've come to a sort of agreement on the situation...]

Have you tried fish? Or does it need to be more warm-blooded?

[He shrugs.]

Don't know... how different you could be...

[But then, plenty would say he's not human himself.]

Don't know how... to fish either... not sure... if it would work... but worth a shot? Don't much... go by water... have a paper... I can't get wet...

[He's annoyed by that, but he reminds himself that Teo is from a world without magic. He can cut him at least some slack for not understanding.]

Unlike humans, we're attuned to the magic and spirits of the world in ways humans will never understand. We can live for thousands of years; I've lived for over four hundred myself. And when death finally sinks its grip into me, I will turn to stone... which will likely be eaten by another wizard, or used by humans to power their technology.

Humans can see us as a threat waiting to happen, or sometimes gods, or demons- or saviors. But they will never accept us living among them as equals.

[A pause as he seems lost in thought, or perhaps reminiscing, though it's hard to tell if he's bitter or melancholy.]

...I often go fishing at the lake to the west. If you want to give it a try, you could come as well. I usually end up with extra.

[At first he thinks, that just sounds like a magic human. A magic semi-immortal human. But, turning to stone, that catches him. That seems horrifying. He guesses it's less so if Faust is already dead... hopefully he's not awake to turn to stone.

The rest... well the rest is just sad. He speaks even quieter than usual.]

... You don't seem... so different to me. You're living here... with everyone. And... you've accepted me...

[Well, more or less. He glances awkwardly to the side.]

Er... if... I go with you... for food... it might be... gruesome...? I, uh... don't exactly... carry a fork... so to speak...

...Don't get the wrong idea. None of us chose to be here, though that seems to be the story of my life these days... but I'm not interested in making friends or anything. If anything it's a nuisance that we're all confined here together. I'd rather be left alone.

[He shrugs slightly, unbothered.]

If you're worried about being seen by someone else, I'll keep an eye out.

Not wanting... to be friendly... isn't the same... as being unwanted...

[Also, he's clearly here and not leaving Faust alone.]

An eye out is... good... Also don't want to... disgust you...

[He is and maybe that's a nuisance!! But he hasn't kicked him out just yet, at least.]

I'm sure I've seen worse, but it's not like I have to watch. Though you are more than free to go fishing on your own.

[He considers it, fully envisioning the process of finding a fishing rod, hauling it out in a boat, kayaking out there, trying to figure out how to fish, trying not to fall in, trying not to be seen, trying not to make a total fool of himself besides...]

I'll go with you... That seems best...

[Teo will be happy to learn that you are not required to actually get on a boat to fish, but also-]

Suit yourself. This paper you mentioned, maybe you should store it elsewhere if you're worried about it getting wet.

... I thought about that... But... we came here... without knowing how. If we go back the same...

[The thought feels like something pressing down on him, suffocating.]

I can't... stand the thought... I'd lose it...

I'm looking for... plastic baggies... instead...

That's understandable... I don't know what plastic is, but I could cast a protective spell on it.

Would you...?

[It could be safe. He could stop worrying.

Still, he's slow to reach up to that pocket again. He unzips it and tugs the folded thing. It feels like pulling out his heart. Perhaps for that reason, he doesn't unfold it.

Still, even like that, it's clear the letter's already faced some damage. There are torn edges, fingerprints that are clearly bloodied, one corner so bad that the ink's bled through in an indecipherable mess. Seeing it still brings a pang.]

... Was just me... and this letter... when I woke up... didn't think... was careless... But I didn't ruin... all of it... Kept it safe since...

[...He could remove the stains, but he'd need to see the whole letter for that to make sure he doesn't remove any of the writing. So he doesn't offer.]

I don't need to see it; just hold it there.

[He lifts a hand, but not toward the letter; he summons his mirror to float beside him.]

Satillquinart Mullcreed.

[The mirror emits a brief glow, or more like a reflection of light, and then the letter also glows with a brief magical sheen before fading. Nothing seems too different, though the paper may feel slightly more sturdy than before. The mirror disappears as he lowers his hand.]

It's just a spell to make it more durable- it's not about to deflect bullets. But it should be better protected from wear and tear, and water won't dissolve it or wash away the ink. I wouldn't recommend letting it stay in water for longer than necessary, though.

[He can't help the widening of his eyes, the returned look of wonder, when he sees actual magic preformed before his eyes. He holds the paper steady, just as commanded, even when thing lights up under his fingers. It's a small difference, but it's still one he can notice.

He draws it close, all but cradling it. Then, he tucks his paper-heart back away, zipping the pocket closed. He meets Faust's eyes.]

Thank you... this means... a lot...

[Teo will only be able to meet his eyes for a moment, because he glances away.]

It's a simple enough spell. Just don't blame me if something does happen to it, I did warn you it has limits.

Anyway, you have your alibi. No need to stay any longer.

[He feels himself. Half a smile anyway, which is the best he can do.

He nods and makes to go.]

See you... for that fishing trip...!

[He offers a wave. Then, fixing his goggles back on and pulling his hood back up, he heads out the door.]

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July 2021 - Home Sweet Home

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