You're From The Isle If Anybody Asks

[missrecalled_mods]

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.

Comments

[mist_the_point]

"You're certainly a clever child," he said, shifting back to a more normal crouch, "and what you lack in wisdom or strength can be gained through, study, experience, and hard work. As for not being fun, however, I'll have you know that you're far more fun than a great many of those I've known. Certainly more fun than most on this Isle. Chell, for example, is a fine fellow, but rather 'wooden' in more ways than one. I assure you, simply being Chara is quite enough."

[fallen_child]

There was a small sniffle, and then a small body was launching itself into Foulques.

[mist_the_point]

Foulques instinctively caught Chara and held them, though the combination of the impact and his relatively awkward position forced him to sit down rather suddenly. They couldn't stay there too long, but neither did they have to move immediately.

[fallen_child]

The child clung, sobbing into him, shaking badly.

[mist_the_point]

He rubbed Chara's back somewhat awkwardly in what he hoped was a soothing motion. Why couldn't he simply say what he felt? Why go through all the elaborate theatrics of swearing an other when a few simple words would have done the same, or more?

'Because you're a worthless coward,' came the response from his own mind. 'Chara and Sun call you a hero only because they do not know the way your craven heart trembles at the mere thought of calling them friend or family. Because you know that if they were to see you as you truly are, they would be disgusted by the broken, pathetic creature before them. You are undeserving of love or kindness; to rot here alone on this Isle for the rest of your days would be a just punishment for your actions. Tis only by the grace of the naive young King that you have any hope of more, and don't you dare forget it.'

For better or worse, such dark thoughts remained locked in his own mind. Chara didn't need to know them, and clearly had enough of their own to be getting on with. "Here now...", he said quietly. "There's naught to fear. Not from those from the mainland, or regarding our own connection. All will be well."

[fallen_child]

"But... All is never well," they mumbled. "Things always go bad."

[mist_the_point]

"That merely means you haven't yet reached the end of your story," he said. "There are many hardships in life, large and small, but your story continues beyond them. And because it does, you have the opportunity to make that story better. To bring the tale to a happy end before beginning the next one."

[fallen_child]

"Doesn't ending your story mean dead?" Chara asked, sniffling. "I already did that."

[mist_the_point]

"And yet here we both are," he said. "Very much alive. And thus do our tales continue, however strange they become along the way."

[fallen_child]

"How do you have a happy end if it isn't the end?"

[mist_the_point]

"As with any other end you hope to achieve, you must work toward it to make it possible," he said. "Good things may well come to those who wait, but they come much more quickly and in greater quantity to those who make the effort."

[fallen_child]

"But other than working to keep humans away which you won't let me do, and working to help monsters break free didn't work... what am I even supposed to do?"

[mist_the_point]

Here he smiled slightly. "If I've learned aught from you and Sun, it's that deeds need not be carried out on a grand scale for them to be counted as significant," he said. "You needn't worry about saving all the world at your age. Merely do good as you can and dedicate yourself to improving your mind and body. The rest, I think you will find, will follow."

[fallen_child]

"From me? When did I ver teach you anything?" So confused. "And isn't that just me being selfish?"

[mist_the_point]

"You are a child," he said. "Your only duty is to grow strong and healthy; tis not selfish at all to admit that you have a great deal more of it to do."

"As for when you taught me, you've done so many times just by being yourself. The things I've done for you and Sun are small and simple. I've conquered no great foes for you, preformed no feats of daring worthy of song, yet those small deeds still mean a great deal to you, yes? Small deeds of yours can be equally significant to others."

[fallen_child]

"But... if In can save everyone, then everyone is happier and better, aren't they?" Chara asked, chewing on a fingernail.

[mist_the_point]

"There will be plenty of time for great feats and heroic quests when you're grown," he said. "Rushing into them before you have the necessary strength, skill, and wisdom will likely only cause further problems... as you found out to your great cost before arriving here."

"Tis a wise person that recognizes when a thing is beyond their limits," he said. "And a wiser one still who knows that those limits need not remain where they are forever. As you grow and gain strength, wisdom, and confidence, you'll find that you don't feel the need to merely react out of fear or anger, or take desperate measures to accomplish your goals. You'll be able to better judge which situations are dangerous and which are not, which require action and which can be resolved with words. You can become the strong, steady protector you wish to be... with time. And work."

He gently poked the end of Chara's nose with a fingertip as if to emphasize the last point. There was really no getting around the need for hard work if they wished to become stronger.

[fallen_child]

Chara's nose wrinkled a bit at the poke, their eyes crossing. Then they added a head tilt and stuck out their tongue at him.

[mist_the_point]

Foulques gave an amused smirk. If they were resorting to sticking their tongue out, he suspected the point was won, at least for now.

"In any case," he said, "there are still preparations to be made. Do at least attempt to behave like a civilized child for the duration of our guests' visit? It would be of great help to me." He had things to do and arrange while the King and his retinue were there and having to manage a child while doing so would make them all twice as difficult and time consuming.

[fallen_child]

"I make no promises," Chara said, shoulders hunching in.

Good place to wrap?

[mist_the_point]

Likely a wise choice on their part, but not especially reassuring to him. Still, it would have to do. He carefully got to his feet and set Chara down on the edge of the desk-come-bed. "Then we'd best be about it," he said. "As they say, the sooner a task is begun, the sooner tis done."

Makes sense to me. TY for the thread!

[fallen_child]

Chara sulked but nodded.