Don't Be Afraid To Be Who You Are - Isle Side

[missrecalled_mods]

The Rain Rain Rain Came Down Down Down

Just over a week after the Isle visit people would find themselves drawn outside. The weather was finally getting warmer, but that wasn't all of it. A strange foul smelling - and fairly toxic - mold had begun growing in some of the classrooms. Thankfully not the ones where people were sleeping but it was still enough to make it unpleasant to remain indoors. Some might blame the growth of the mold on a certain obsessive compulsive cleaner, though others might say that he just discovered it and accidentally gave it access to oxygen and such.

Whichever the reason, sleeping outside for a few days was sounding like a better and better plan with every passing minute. Even the drizzling weather couldn't make the indoors terribly appealing for anyone with a sense of smell.

And it was over night on one such night that the rain was... different. Warmer and a bit tingly. And some people would awaken quite a bit older than when they fell asleep, perhaps. Their memories might have caught up with their age, or might come to them slowly. However it happens, there might be some very confusing moments as those who seemed to be young just a moment before are now... less so.

Gift In Time Gift In Time Nary A Reason Nary A Rhyme Gift In Time!

Weirdly, there was something good to come not long after the rain. In addition to aging some folks up, it also seemed to wash away the worst of the mold, allowing people to return indoors once more. And each of them would find, soon after, in some place that they considered theirs... a small gift. It was rare that positive things happened on the Isle, but perhaps this was a sign of things to come.

Or perhaps even a broken clock is right once in a blue moon...

Comments

[mist_the_point]

Foulques nodded. "Duskwights are often regarded as untrustworthy at best, likely to be criminal at worst," he said. "Which of course is somewhat of a self-fulfilling notion; when potential employers refuse to hire Duskwights for honest work, many are forced to become bandits or sell-swords merely to survive."

"My parents were nothing of the sort though. My mother was an amateur botanist, though only amateur because the guildmaster at the time refused to admit her, though I understand the woman who currently holds that position is much more openminded; she made teas and herbal remedies to sell. And my father was a bard; not one of any wide renown, but exceptionally gifted. None who heard him play or weave a tale could fail to be moved."

A small smile, tinged with sadness, but genuinely fond. "I spent many a peaceful evening as a child, sitting by the fire and listening to him play. I do not have nearly his skill, but as this place has seen fit to give me the impossible gift of his cherished lute, just as it gave you your blanket, I shall have to learn. It would be a poor way to honor his memory to leave his lute silent."

[ubuntu_programmer]

"I wish I could say that I have no idea what that is like, but in my world there are so many minorities you could lot into where you put yours. Based on kin color, where you were born, religion, gender, lack of gender orientation... you name it." A deep breath, "To that point, I keep meaning to thank you for something, by the way. That you so easily just use my pronouns and more importantly, Chara's. You have no idea how... affirming... it is for a child that age to feel seen, to have their basic identity accepted so easily to someone they respect and love."

As to the music there was a warm smile. "I love music. I'm actually the music anchor on our trivia team back home. Once you get the basics down, if you want I can help you learn some songs from my world."

[mist_the_point]

He quirked an eyebrow at that. "Truth be told, I wasn't certain what you preferred, and simply chose the option I felt was least likely to give offense, expecting that I'd be corrected if I was wrong," he said. "So you could say that it was simply a lucky guess in your case. It was much the same with Chara, and there's far less of an obvious distinction with children in any case. Nonetheless, you're welcome."

"Your genders never struck me as any great issue; tis not an especially common thing in my homeland, but neither is it unheard of. Eorzea is a land of many divisions and troubles, but one's gender or sex or that of one's chosen partners is seldom a source of contention. If I were to guess, that may be a consequence of there simply being so many Spoken races, whose societies, values, and sometimes physiologies are vastly different. To give just a few examples, Miqo'te Keepers of the Moon are traditionally a highly matriarchal society, while among Seekers of the Sun, each tribe is led by a male chief called a Nunh. And in Viera, a child's sex doesn't even become apparent until they reach puberty."

"And then there are beast tribes, such as the Sylphs. Sylhphs use no pronouns of any sort, for either themselves or others. Instead, everyone is 'this one' or 'that one', sometimes with a descriptor, sometimes not. And while there do seem to be two or more distinct types, given that they're Seedkin- that is, plant creatures-, gods know whether those types can truly be compared to ideas of 'male' or 'female'- or even sex or gender at all- as we might understand them. Faced with such a hodge-podge, I suspect our ancestors simply threw up their hands at some point and decided they had more pressing matters to worry about."

And while he opted not to ask what a music 'anchor' might be... "Regarding the lute, however, it did actually come with a small book of sheet music. I haven't looked at it in any great detail yet, but I could go and retrieve it, if you'd be interested."

[ubuntu_programmer]

"There is a fan theory about genders in Undertale when it comes to children, but I honestly never thought that I'd be in a position to find out for sure, short of interviewing Toby Fox. But it basically amounts to what you said about the Viera." They shook their head. "But where I come from it is a big deal. Being Non-binary, Gender-queer, gender-fluid, trans... People like us... Well some of us can hide it, if we really wanted to. I know I did my fair share of hiding growing up. But for some of us... we can't hide. And even if we could? It hurts. It hurts so much to be misgendered, especially when it is a loved one that you took the risk to come out to. It is like being told that the person loves their idea of who they think you should be more than they can ever love you as you are." They shook their head again. "But thankfully it seems as though Chara will never have to go through that with you."

"I wouldn't mind looking over the music, if that would help you."

[mist_the_point]

"They will not," he said. "Nor with any others who expect to find welcome with me. I may be able to do very little about the wider world, but I can make certain that none who is unwilling to show basic respect associates with us."

"As for the sheet music, I don't know how helpful it will be. But you said that music brings you joy, and if there's aught I've learned in this place, it's that we must seize what joy we can. Wait here a moment."

With that he stepped out, returning to the room he shared with Chara and Sun. At first he intended only to bring the music book, but after a moment's consideration brought the lute as well. When he returned it was with the hardened leather instrument case in hand. "I thought you might like to see the instrument itself as well," he explained. "I may even be able to recall a chord or two; my father showed me a few simple ones, though my hands were smaller at the time..."

[ubuntu_programmer]

Ian found themself relaxing while they waited for Foulques to return. It was good to know Chara had someone so good for them. But it... was also nice to have a friend here. At least, they hoped they did. They'd been somewhat at loose ends since Rren had vanished. Ian had thought they needed someone else who understood tech and who was also in the LGBTQ+ to be friends in a place like this. Foulques... was not anything they could have anticipated or expected. They could almost hear Ben telling them they needed to just be more open to people in general and they'd find more friends. But as much as they wanted friends... it could be so hard sometimes.

And then Foulques was back, pulling them from their thoughts. "I don't know that I could play a lute, but you were right. I would love to see it," they said with a smile.

[mist_the_point]

Foulques set the case down on the battered chaise and undid the clasps, carefully removing the instrument. Much like its case, it was unadorned, but clearly well cared for, its body of polished rosewood- far more common in violins and similar instruments than lutes- seeming to almost have a warm glow to it despite the unflattering light of the school's light fixtures.

"This was my father's most cherished possession for as long as I can recall," he said, gazing at it fondly, though the slight smile was tinged with sorrow. "Even after he lost much of the use of his arm due to an injury, he still kept it maintained. He would pass it to a friend to play while he sang; naught could hinder his love for music or a well-told tale."

He spent a moment longer looking at it before setting it gently down next to its case and picking out the book of sheet music. Much like both case and lute, it was simple and unadorned, the cover being simple parchment bearing the words Collected Sheet Music in dark green. "This is the book of music that I mentioned. I'm not certain if the musical notation is exactly the same in my world as it is in yours, but I can't imagine them being especially different."

Upon opening the book, they would find that the first piece was titled Dragonsong. No author was listed for the piece, though a note below the title indicated that it should be played 'slowly, and with melancholy'. And while Ian might find a few symbols they weren't familiar with for the most part the music was quite readable.

[ubuntu_programmer]

"I can understand why, it is a handsome instrument."

Ian read through the sheet music for the first song, then turned through the book, looking through the first few songs then stopped. "No... that can't be the same...." They frowned, and started following the music with a finger, humming softly, then they shook their head. "No... that... that makes no sense... It shouldn't be possible but..." they looked up at Foulques, "unless I am losing my mind... I know this song. And not the way I know about Chara, this isn't attached to any game or show. It's just..." Their eyes were filmed lightly with tears.

[mist_the_point]

Curious, Foulques moved to look over Ian's shoulder to see what they were reading. "Which song?", he asked. The pages Ian was looking at showed two different pieces, or rather, the ending of one and the beginning of another, neither of which was familiar to him.

[ubuntu_programmer]

Ian pointed to the song that just started on that page. The title was "The Village". "I..." Ian wasn't quite sure how to ask what they wanted to ask.

[mist_the_point]

He made a thoughtful sound, looking at the piece Ian indicated. The title was innocuous enough, but it obviously meant something significant to them. "I can't say I'm familiar with it," he said. "Even the style is a bit unusual compared to most pieces I've seen. Though I gather that's not the case for you?"

[ubuntu_programmer]

"Oh, unusual, it is that. Though perhaps not in the way you mean. I actually have a copy of it on my laptop, if you want to hear how it sounds where I am from. Honestly, not sure I can even imagine it with just an acoustic single instrument, but I suspect it will still be impactful.

[mist_the_point]

He looked interested at that. "I'd like to hear it yes," he said. "If only because I've never heard music played in such a manner before, so it's likely to be interesting regardless, and doubly so if the piece is good."

[ubuntu_programmer]

"Good but... emotional.." they warned, then grabbed their laptop, opening it up. "I'm just lucky that I had downloaded my playlists before I left the house. If all my music was streaming I might have lost my mind when I arrived." They move through their folders to fin the song. "here it is."

With that Ian turned on the song, though the word for the afterlife was replaced with the word pain. And it was clear from Ian's face where the word was swapped and that it upset them. But then the whole song was so emotional that Ian's face was already being expressive. They were singing with it under their breath, trying not to disturb Foulques' ability to hear it but unable to be silent. Their quiet voice was thick with emotion, an on the line "one page of the bible isn't worth a life," the tears started to fall silently.

[mist_the_point]

He quirked an eyebrow at some of the terms Ian mentioned like 'downloaded' and 'streaming', but opted not to ask. Instead, he simply listened to the song as it played. The means of playing it was interesting in and of itself; to think that such clear and complex music could com from such a small device!

Yet that was secondary to the content of the song. And if once again a number of the terms weren't precisely familiar, the general message was quite clear, and meaningful to him as well. There were no tears for him, but his expression was somber by the time the last notes faded. "A powerful piece," he said after a moment. "I suspect that my father would have agreed. Though he often scolded me for speaking rashly, he did not fear to speak the truth through his own pieces, striving, he said, to model himself after Saint Llafymae."

Realizing that Ian would have no idea who that was, he briefly explained. "Saint Llafymae was a legendary bard who was raised up as a saint of Nymeia for her wisdom. While most other bards sang tales of great deeds and bold heroes, she sang of her subjects' true selves, of the fear and uncertainty they faced and crippling wounds they endured for the sake of honor. Of the struggles and pain that became buried by the grandeur of their deeds. Though her songs didn't stir the blood the same way a valorous ballad might, those sobered by the truths they contained found firmer footing on their paths, as adventurers or otherwise."

[ubuntu_programmer]

Ian nooded, wiping their face carefully with the back of their hand. They wren’t wearing eyeliner today - black makeup being hard to come by here - but it was habit.

"It can be hard, where I am from, to find songs willing to speak this candidly about what it is like for LGBT+ kids. So many people are so scared to openly be part of us or align with us for fear of recrimination. There was a huge boycott a while back because a beer company loved generally by the sorts of people that wish we didn't exist... the company hired a small celebrity to do an ad spot for them, basically they wanted her to tell her fans to buy and drink their beer. That's just... how brand sponsorships happen these days for people who make their living in the spotlight as it were. But in this case the woman they asked to do the ad spot was Trans. Out and open, loud and proud. And oh the flood after that, of bigoted people making videos posting photos, talking loudly about dumping all their beer from that brand out into the streets or down the drain because they would rather throw away something they paid good money for, wasting something they enjoyed, then drinking a beer that a trans woman recommended..." Ian shook their head. "Or how many politicians lose their careers if they come out. It is just.... We are an easy target for so many people to aim their hate at. From the big scale of global politics and huge international brands down to a person's own family."