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]

"Ah," he said, realizing where the confusion lay now. "No, even with a lid on the pot, water still becomes steam. It simply can't dissipate nearly as quickly. Some of it still escapes, but very little compared to an open pot. Some of what remains turns back into water for a time, but even in a covered pot, all the liquid would eventually boil away if more wasn't added."

[fallen_child]

"Then... what’s the point....?"

[mist_the_point]

He gave a soft, amused huff. "To keep it all from boiling away long enough to have a pot of soup rather than a pot of dried out ingredients," he said. "Though in our case, the soup is eaten, or more water and ingredients added, long before all the water could boil away."

[fallen_child]

"But you have to open the lid to get soup or add food, why doesn't all the steam water escape then? It could all run away."

[mist_the_point]

He chuckled slightly. "The transition isn't that quick, child," he said. "If it were, cooking anything at all would be nigh impossible. Even in an uncovered pot, it would still likely take a bell or more for all meaningful liquid to boil away. Longer still if the pot is larger, or any new liquid added was cool. But as we want to keep the pot going at all hours, we must needs make certain it cooks slowly. That, and I've found that long cooking helps fish soups taste better, and given the relatively poor fare the Isle offers, we should use any technique we have to help it along."

[fallen_child]

"But... why wouldn't it try to run away faster when we let it free?"

[mist_the_point]

"Things like water and fire have no inherent life, mind, or will of their own," he said. "They can't 'try' to do anything, any more than a stone or other object left lying about can decide to get up and wander off on its own. They can only work according to their natures as elements of the world."

Seeking to steer the conversation in a new direction, he indicated the book Chara still held. "In any case, I've told you of the gift I received, what about yours? Is there any reason why you might get a book about snails, of all things?"

[fallen_child]

"Oh." Chara looked down at the book again. "Somtimes when me or Asriel was feeling upset or sick, Mr. Mom Lady would take down a book and read to us. This one is her favorite. Or she thinks it is my favorite. But I've heard snail facts lots of times now. Usually she makes us a slice of b'scotch pie to go with it and sometimes we can even sit on her lap when she reads to us..." A small swallow, eyes on the book. "She's got really soft arms. It's kinda like being hugged by a blanket. But I think your hugs are good too," Chara added, looking with damp eyes.

[mist_the_point]

Foulques gave a faint, soft smile and stroked a hand back over Chara's hair once, he hand coming to rest on their shoulder. "A similarly significant gift then," he said. "Mine, a memento of my father, yours, a reminder of your adopted mother. Surprisingly thoughtful for this place. I wonder if there's any meaning to it..."

He considered for a moment before shaking his head slightly. "Eh, tis of no matter, I suppose. Enough that they are here. And while I can't claim to be in any way blanket-like, I'm glad that you find me comforting nonetheless."

[fallen_child]

Chara nodded, leaning in while still clutching the book. "You're a good big brother. Thank you."

[mist_the_point]

He seldom felt like one, but knew better than to argue the point. "Perhaps you could go show Chell your gift?", he suggested. "I'm certain he'd be interested in learning a bit about snails. And you can find out if he got a gift as well."

[fallen_child]

Chara nodded. "Okay." Then hesitated. "If I leave... are you gonna start crying again?" asked softly. Concerned.

[mist_the_point]

He chuckled and gently ruffled Chara's hair. "You needn't be concerned," he said. "I was merely caught off guard by the gift, but I'm quite alright now that I've had a moment to gather my wits."

[fallen_child]

"'Course I'm concerned. You're my brother and I love you."

[mist_the_point]

Hearing it stated so simply and directly caused something in his chest to tighten to an almost painful degree. He cleared his throat to avoid showing it outwardly. "Be that as it may," he said. "I'm perfectly alright. You may go and show Chell your gift without fear."

[fallen_child]

Chara nodded. "Okay." Clinging to the book the child got up and dashed off to find Chell.

And scene! TY for the thread!

[mist_the_point]

Once Chara was out of sight Foulques allowed his shoulders to slump, drawing a long, shaky breath and exhaling slowly to collect himself. Doing his best to smother the dark thoughts that nipped at his mind, trying to poison Chara's gentle words, he busied himself with packing the precious lute carefully away. It should fit neatly under the desk-come-bed, and then, perhaps, he could speak to Sun.

TY for the thread!

[fallen_child]

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