the_isle | You're From The Isle If Anybody Asks

First Awareness

Those used to this by now probably knew what it meant when they felt their magic return for a moment. For the rest, suddenly their powers were back. Just for a few minutes, but a lot could be done in a few minutes. If the person even noticed their powers were back, that is.

Of course those on the shore might have seen the hazy indistinct shape through the barrier coming closer, might have seen the moment the hole in the barrier opened. Might have seen King Ben leading people down a gangplank through the barrier with crates of supplies....

Unions, Re And Otherwise

Once the supplies were unloaded, the barrier was sealed up again. King Ben seemed to be in charge during the unloading, Once the barrier was closed again, by the green magic streaming from the Queen's finger, it was Mal who seemed to be in charge.

"Alright, listen up. We have 2 hours and the clock is ticking. I'm not FG but we're keeping to a deadline anyway. If you want to come to Auradon or know someone you want us to bring back, you have 2 hours to convince us. You and everyone else, sharing the same 2 hours. Along with anyone who has a supply request for our next visit, or updates. Those of you bringing supplies to the school, time to get cracking. Two hours passes faster than midnight at the ball."

Those Who Left

(Please TL Here for boat and Auradon Shenanigans. TY)

Those What Remain

Once those going back to Auradon had left and the barrier was back in place, it was for those who remained on the Isle to sort the supplies and figure out how to get done everything that needed to be done with the people that remained.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"I'm not going to just keep doing scary things! If that's the only way to get braver I'll tay a scardy cat!" They crossed their arms and huffed.

"Hardships and frightening situations will come, and you will have to face them, whether or not you wish to," he said. "That is the nature of the world. Courage is in how you react to them, in being able to meet them with composure and resolve." Would that the guildmaster could hear him now, espousing the very notions he'd once scoffed at. But he'd already learned the madness of his own false 'courage', so he turned to the only other definition of courage that he knew.

"Courage is not, as some would have you believe, a lack of fear. Nor is it to be confused with recklessness. It lies in feeling fear, but not allowing that fear to control your actions. To face the cause of that fear without succumbing to panic or despair. This, I believe, you are capable of doing, if you're willing to put forth the effort."

"I just want to keep you safe till we can figure out where Asriel is and then bring both of you back home..." A small shoulder slump. "But I don't think I can keep anyone safe..."

"Wishing to keep others safe is a noble goal," he said. "But if you're unwilling to dedicate yourself to the time and effort required to gain strength, skill, and courage, then a goal is all that it will remain. I believe you have the potential to be the sort of strong protector you wish to be, and am willing to help you become such, but if you refuse to make the effort, there's very little I or anyone else can do."

"So... I have to start beating people up to get stronger?" Chara asked, clearly thinking about those disturbing flash forward memories...

"No," Foulques said. "You're in no way ready to train against an actual opponent, and even should you reach that point, the goal will be to train, to develop your strength and skill, not to 'beat someone up'. We'd begin with simple exercises to build your strength and endurance, things like running laps, stretching exercises, lifting increasingly heavy weights, and doing sit-ups and push-ups. Committing to doing these regularly will not only help you grow stronger, but also demonstrate self-discipline, another important trait for a protector."

"Well.... at least it isn't doing scary things. Can we start now instead of having to be around the humans?"

"I'm afraid not," he said. "They'll be arriving soon regardless of what anyone here wishes, and there are things I must needs discuss with them. You needn't accompany me if you don't wish to, but whatever you do, I expect you to behave like a civilized child in their presence, not a wild animal."

"If they try to hurt you or Mr. Chell or me... I'm gonna fight back."

"Then you will have no cause to fight," he said, "assuming you actually listen and pay attention rather than throwing yourself blindly at the first person who looks askance at any of us. That too is part of being a protector; paying attention to your surroundings and thinking before you act."

"Can't we just sent them away....?"

"No," he said. "And even if we reasonably could, I wouldn't. They'll be bringing supplies and news from the mainland, and we need both."

"Why do we need them? We have you and Mr. Chell. We're doing okay. And I can work harder."

How to explain in a way a child would understand? He considered a moment before replying. "No amount of hard work will provide us with skills and resources that we simply do not have and can't get on this Isle," he said. "For example, if someone were badly hurt, we have no healers, and little means to care for them. We have wood in plenty thanks to the brambles, but little means to harvest or work it as we lack suitable tools and have no means to make them. Even once the weather becomes warm enough for any sort of bath, without supplies from the mainland we lack even something as basic as soap and have no means to make it."

"This Isle does not and cannot stand on its own. And we would be fools if we let stubborn pride tell us otherwise."

"But the Underground is all cut off too and Mr. Dad Guy makes it work. He has scientists and stuff to make things and we all try an help each other. And we have heroes like Undyne. And here we have heroes like you! So we don't need anyone else. We can figure it out and just help each other."

He frowned, uncomfortable with being called anything close to a hero. But he knew by now that to argue the point would be useless. And in any case, it was immaterial at the moment.

"We do not have such scientists," he said, "nor the resources and manpower of an entire kingdom, even a small, isolated one. We have a handful of ragged people, not all of whom are able or inclined to work or help each other. And a great deal of things that others had discarded as worthless. Perhaps, one day, if those who live here have the will to do so, it could be made self-sufficient. But that day will be long in coming."

"Discarded... as worthless...." Chara whispered, starting to shudder. "Like... me...." another shudder then the kid broke and ran for their room.

Somewhat taken aback by the response, it took him a few seconds to respond. "That's not what I-" Too late. Chara had already taken off running and was through the doors to the so-called school.

Foulques sighed, palm meeting face in a universal gesture. "Well done, Foulques," he said sarcastically. "You great verbal clod. One would think I would know by now when to hold my tongue, but apparently not." Another sigh and he continued at a more normal pace; there was no need to run after Chara; they were both going to the same place, after all.

Chara was in their room, under the bed, wrapped up in blankets, trying to be silent about crying. Trying, and failing.

Foulques had paused to drop off the fish he had caught where Chell could prepare them but soon arrived in the room he, Sun, and Chara shared, quickly pinpointing the sounds of soft crying under the old desk that served as his bed. He went around behind it and crouched down to speak to the child. "Chara," he said gently, "my words in the courtyard had naught to do with you. I was merely referring to the various bits of metal and paper, broken furniture and other brick-a-brack that can be found here."

Edited Date: 2025-04-19 10:52 pm (UTC)

"Why can't we go home," they sniffled. "Back to Mr. Dad Guy and Mrs. Mom Lady? I wanna go home..." sniffled, hiccoughed. "I wish I never ate those stupid flowers..."

His first thought was that they really didn't have time to discuss this just then. His second was that his first didn't matter. "That would have been a much wiser decision," he said. There was no point in claiming otherwise, after all. "But it was not the flowers which brought you here. As to why we can't yet go home, tis the nature of the magic that did."

He gave a bit of a wry smile, trying to lighting the mood. "Though if you fear that I would discard you, you may put that fear aside. I may be a fool, but I'm not so great a fool as that." He reached under the desk to gently ruffle their hair.

They sniffled and looked out a little at the hair ruffle. "Cause you're not human..." said slowly, like looking for confirmation.

That wasn't something he could truthfully say, as in his own world, he would be considered human. But not hyur, which he was learning was equivalent to 'human' on most worlds. Instead of attempting to explain this, however, he answered, "Because it was not chance that made you part of my life, but choice. I have chosen you, as you have chosen me, and that means far more than what blood flows in our veins. Such bonds are not easily broken."