Finished Water, Water Everywhere

Jae fell into step behind and to the side of Jeremiah. The other was so big, and when the path narrowed Jae would wait for Jeremiah to pass first, then catch up. It gave Jae ample opportunities to observe the other up close. The teen suspected that Jeremiah really was made of wood, along with a smattering of pitch black fur and. . . leaves? It was too dark to tell for sure. Beastly by any account, but it did not seem right to call Jeremiah such.

"Really? I've only been here like. . . three? The first month was kinda a blur." From settling in, to meeting his mother's family then finally working on being enrolled into classes. Jae himself felt numb through the whole process as he tried to comprehend his new powers. "Are they nice? Your mother and her family?" He asked.

Jae stayed quiet at the mention of enjoying his time on the island. It was a nice island, but was he enjoying it? The answer came to the teen almost immediately. "Your mother must love you a lot." Jae said, glancing at Jeremiah. "I live with my aunt, here on the island. She's my mother's sister. . . She does her best to care for me." Jae said. His aunt made sure he had food and clothes, provided an allowance and assured him assistance with school should he need it.

Yet, he knew she did it out of familial duty and perhaps for her sister. "I've gotten to know some people." Jae said. He did miss his old friends in Hawaii, and even friends from Korea. Though Jae could easily keep up with them through the internet would it be okay? What if they asked for pictures of him, or of his new home and saw something strange? "Where did you live before here?" Jae asked, finding it a lot easier to talk. At some point he found himself more relaxed, though still unused to the strange appearance of Jeremiah.

Jae began to regret his stream of questions when Jeremiah answered them with sad honesty. The teen didn't know what it was like to lose his parents, as he never knew his biological ones. He was raised by his aunt and uncle, but they were like parents to him and if anything had happened to them. . . Jae wasn't even sure if his transition to the island wouldn't have been as smooth were it not for their support and care packages. Each new package in the mail from them was like being home again.

"You're right, I think. Moving from my old home straight into the dorms at the academy would have been. . . stressful." His aunt wasn't perfect, but she did her best for him. Jae looked up, and sighed in relief at the sight of the stary sky through the thinning canopy. "I grew up in South Korea, in the countryside. I miss it." Jae missed hearing Korean, eating the local food and the culture of home. Heck, right now he even missed Hawaii somewhat.

"Um, a-are you. . . um, at school- is there?" Jae winced at his own words. He was trying to shift the topic to safer roads but was at a loss of how to get there. "D-do you read magazines?" He finally blurted and really could have smacked himself for it. "I get a lot of them from my family." Jae went on, because he might as well. Really, Jae suspected his Korean magazines were the only interesting thing about him. Other than all the k-drama's he's watched. It's kinda sad. . .

"Oh! I like books too but most of them. . . " Jae trailed off, because most of his book collection was still back in Korea. The rest in Hawaii with his aunt and uncle as Jae took only a few things with him to Manta Carlos. "I like fantasy books too." He finished, determined to stop thinking of his old homes. That was a sad topic and there's been enough of that on this walk.

Jae said a quiet thank you when Jeremiah held the branch out of the way, and felt excited relief at the sight of the school. The building the lighthouse on the shore after a long trip through the wood. "Thank you for walking with me." Jae said, meaning every word. "I'm good, and I don't think I'm going to try and go into the woods alone again." It was such a dumb idea in hindsight. His aunt wouldn't even have thought to look for him there.

"Or not bring my phone." Jae said, and that's when he really realized just how dumb he was tonight. He could smack himself, "You've saved me the humiliation of appearing on the news, I think."

Jae thought he was doing really well staying calm until Jeremiah's skull (mouth?) opened and flash of panic crossed his face. It took the teen a moment too long to realize the reason for the gesture. Which brought along feelings of shame and guilt.

Jeremiah hummed as they walked. Jae thought he recognized the tune but wasn't sure. He listened and didn't trust himself to keep conversation going. Jae could talk about the weather, because that was probably the only thing he could mention that wouldn't remind him of home or bring up unhappy memories for Jeremiah. Though, while Jae fretted over what to say or not, they made significant progress towards the school.

"Oh," Jae said when they were but a minute's walk from the school. "Um, thanks again. Maybe I'll see you around school?"