staysilent | Gone fishin' but for science [closed]

[Faust is maybe having some slight regrets over inviting Teo to come fishing with him in an apparent fit of hospitality; he's used to having this time mainly to himself, and it won't be the same with company. But he made the offer, and it doesn't need to become a habit after this, so it should be fine to make an exception. And it would be good to know if Teo's diet can be expanded beyond what wildlife lives on the island.]

[He'll search for Teo a little before dusk so he can make good on his offer and get this over with. Hopefully he's not too hard to find.]

[He couldn't be sure that Faust would actually come to find him for this fishing trip thing, but he was the one to offer, and sure enough, he shows up. Only Teo's disguise protects Faust from the full force of his beaming.

He wasn't too hard to find. He stays in the mainland for the most part, around other people but not so close that he's garnering attention. Unlike Faust, who radiates and aura of wanting to be left alone, one that Teo is ignoring.]

Is it... time...?

[Is he excited for the fish? Not really. But, the new experience is appealing.]

[It's for the best that Faust can't see him beaming, though he can still sense it enough to be vaguely annoyed.]

Unless you have something better to do, then yes. Come on.

[Despite being seemingly empty-handed, he starts head off toward the west end of the island.]

[He absolutely doesn't have anything better to do. He follows without another word, trailing behind. He is, mercifully for Faust, quiet when he wants to be. He gives a modicum of peace for the walk west, though it's just as much for the sake of avoiding attention.

The sun is sinking low but not so much it won't sting if he lifts his goggles. Better to wait until they're out on the water besides.

Alas, Faust's brief reprieve doesn't last.]

Where did you... learn to fish...?

[Faust appreciates the silence while it lasts, whether or not he shows it. Maybe he'll even stay quiet for the whole walk over there-]

[Nope, too much to hope for.]

I learned when I was young. I was born in a small village, so knowing the basics of self-sufficiency was a necessity.

Cool...

[He tries to recall, not for the first time, where he cane from, but all he can picture are indistinct towns and cities.]

So your family... they all were fishers...

No, that's not the case... fishing is a simple skill to learn, that's all. And I was still hiding I was a wizard in those days, so I couldn't go using magic to achieve things I didn't know how to do the traditional way without drawing suspicion...

You learned... alone...?

[Something about that sticks in his mind, though not enough for him to pick it apart.]

Suppose it's... useful... Less magic here... I heard...Though it seems more to me...

I did teach myself many things, including magic... I wasn't always alone for it, though.

[He doesn't elaborate.]

...It is different here, though in a way that makes sense. Magic is tied to the heart, and to an extent the world around us... so being in a different world could affect that.

To the heart... [He repeats that softly to himself.] That explains... your dream magic...

[If he was in fact sleeping.]

[He suddenly stops walking, and for a brief moment he looks almost vulnerable before it sharpens into anger.]

You- I told you, I was just sleeping.

[And yet, after a tense pause,]

What did you see?

[He stops, shoulders hiking briefly at the snap of anger. He probably should have expected that. But thinking back again, he can't keep the wonder out his voice, even with how raspy it is.]

Lights... at first... Realized it was more... like seasons in a room... petals and fire and snow and rain... Fireflies... I like those... I'd see them in the overgrowth... past the cities... Not many lights anymore... but those... first time I saw them... thought someone was out there... with a lantern... felt like a sign...

...

[He sighs, crossing his arms and tugging his hat lower as he turns away as he mutters to himself.]

Damn it... I can't cast a barrier every night, here...

[His shoulders sink slightly in defeat before he continues walking, back to being gloomy.]

That has nothing to do with my magic.

[His eyesight might be pretty bad right now but is hearing is pretty good. He doesn't miss that muttering.]

... What is it then...?

[Can he help?]

You could say it's a wound left on my soul by the last Great Calamity. Ironically, it's not one I can see as it only occurs when I'm asleep... or perhaps that just makes it more fitting.

More to the point, it causes my dreams to manifest around me.

Oh.

[So, he wasn't wrong. It was to do with Faust's dreams. Just not his magic.]

... I could watch the door... make sure no one bothers you... I don't need much sleep...

...

[He wasn't expecting an offer like that, and it takes him a moment to respond.]

You don't have to go out of your way. This is my problem to deal with... and my dreams aren't always so pleasant as what fragments you might have seen.

I'm a monster, Faust... I've already seen... terrible things...

[He shrugs.]

Besides... you'd help me... You're helping now...

[That's not exactly what he means, but he's already revealed too many personal things to want to draw further attention to it...]

Don't misunderstand. I'm only doing this because it's safer for everyone if you can stay well fed. There's only so much room on these islands for wildlife, but there's no shortage of fish, so we should determine if that's a viable option sooner or later.

[It's just a sensible thing to do.]

[The wings a rather grim laugh, even from him.]

Sensible... is not even letting me... get this far... This is a kindness...

[Sorry Faust, but you are being Called Out.]

What kind of fish... are here...? Or... I guess you wouldn't know... new world...

[Don't call him out!! He huffs softly.]

I'm not a kind person, so don't get the wrong impression... the fish here are similar, but I couldn't tell you exactly what they are. There's both small and larger varieties, though.

[Maybe he's not the one with the wrong impression! He dignifies that with only the faintest noise.]

This world seems... like mine... but... I lived on the other side... across the ocean... I don't think... I ever was in Finland... don't know what was there...

I think I... kind of hoped... that it wasn't the whole world... that fell apart...

...It's not like this place is totally alien to me, but some of the differences are obvious. Like the radio- technology that doesn't need magic or gears... and there's no Finland in my world.

Probably... no North America either, huh?

[He pauses a moment, head tilting toward the sky, however much he can see through trees.]

What's weirder... do you think...? The idea of... many of us... in different worlds...? Or... only existing in one...?

No.

[Does he stop walking or just stop talking, because look it's just a little further don't stop now-]

The existence of other worlds wasn't in question for me. The Sage was summoned from another world, after all.

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