01 🔥 [journal entry]

[empyreancatastrophe]

Sender: Joshua
To: Everyone
Subject: Request for Assistance

Esteemed fellow Dreamwalkers,

I extend my heartfelt greetings to all in a moment of personal and restive rumination.

Within the intricate tapestry of our shared experience in this world bolstered by dreams, I find myself weaving a humble thread, seeking solace in the wisdom that resides in the bonds of our community. At this juncture, I pen my thoughts along the parchment of shared understanding, for in unity lies the strength to weather any tempests looming on the horizon, yet to beset us.

As the echoes of battle ring in my memory, it is clear that I cannot delay training, despite my insipidness. To clarify, my aversion stems not from the intention to undermine the value of such a skillset, but from the need to face my diffidence so that I may improve.

I respectfully ask those who are proficient in the physicalities of battle if you would be willing to share insights and advice on the intricacies thereof. In return, I will offer what I can, within reason. I’ve little in tangible possessions, but I am not adverse to providing reciprocal services. For your consideration, I’m adept with the casting of fire magicks, I can perform manual labor, and I can also assist with research. If none of these credentials suffice, I am willing to negotiate other fair compensation for your time and efforts.

Pray accept my deepest gratitude to all who have read my entreaty. As we act as conduits of dreams and magicks, let us fortify our knowledge together.

In camaraderie,

Joshua Rosfield

Comments

[empyreancatastrophe]

Then you've found something upon which you can build your foundation.

[Joshua offers Ryu a soft smile. Encouraging, but not exactly jubilant. There's a lot of work ahead.]

When you are ready to test it, I will be here to help.

[amnesiadragon]

... Thank you. I... it means a lot to me. you may not be another Endless, but you've been such a good friend and guide to me...

[And all he has to pay Joshua back is tea. He'll... have to think on how to thank the older man.]

I'll do my best. I... I have to be stronger to help others. So... I'll have to learn a lot. But I... I can do it.

[He's pretty sure, at least.]

[empyreancatastrophe]

I have no doubts that you can.

[It's part of being a good friend to share that kind of support, but it helps a lot to actually believe what's being said--and Joshua does.]

[Ryu will need practice, though, and that's tricky when other people are around, just in case something does happen.]

However, we should plan how to proceed.

[amnesiadragon]

... Mm. Making plans isn't... my strong point.

[He's not sure if he's ever made a plan in his life.]

I don't even know where to start.

[empyreancatastrophe]

As it turns out, I excel in planning.

[Strategy. Planning. Same thing!]

Let us start with a place to start practicing.

May I recommend within the realm of dreams?

[amnesiadragon]

... I've had a small bit of practice there with no real results, but you weren't there.

I still haven't figured out how to control my dreams... but that seems the safest place to do this.

[Hm... come to think of it, he's not had any prophetic dreams since he got here. Curious.]

[empyreancatastrophe]

[Joshua nods.]

Although I am not entirely capable of controlling every one of my dreams, if I ready myself beforehand, I should be able to create one for us.

[amnesiadragon]

That... would be ideal. And in case something goes particularly badly you shouldn't... get actually hurt.

[Because he can see a situation where that absolutely would happen.]

[empyreancatastrophe]

Then it's settled.

When you see it fit, I will create a dream for us.

[amnesiadragon]

Okay. … Thank you, Joshua. You’ve… been really kind and accepting of everything.

[He’s weird. He knows he’s weird. He’s not sure how he got to have such good friends, but he’s very grateful.]

[empyreancatastrophe]

It is my pleasure.

[He means that. All he's known is a life dedicated to others, but that was at a much larger scale. Being able to help a friend is a welcome change--one where he can see his impact personally. Selfish as it is, Joshua can't help but find satisfaction there.]

Now, let us relax for the rest of today. There is much to do in the weeks to come.

[amnesiadragon]

All right. … You make sure you relax too, okay? I appreciate you worrying about me, but you need to take care of yourself too.

[empyreancatastrophe]

[Ah, he's been caught.]

[Joshua's smile is vaguely reminiscent of a cat who didn't quite eat the canary, but came fairly close--and is feeling a little guilty about it.]

Thank you for your concern.

I'll make sure to relax. I promise.

[For today.]

[amnesiadragon]

Okay, good. … That’s what friends are for, right? To care about each other?

[That’s what Nina told him, at least.]

… I’m trying to keep myself relaxed, too. I’m trying to read some books, too.

[He points to a small stack on the counter. Most of it looks like pretty basic books about nature or fish, though one of the. books is quite clearly a children’s dictionary..]

[empyreancatastrophe]

That's right.

[It's easy to smile when answering a question like that. It's even easier for Joshua to smile when he catches sight of the books.]

Oh!

What has been your favorite thus far?

[amnesiadragon]

Oh, um… I really like this one about all kinds of fish you can find. I don’t think it’s from my world, since there’s fish that I’ve never heard of and it talks about lands I haven’t heard of either… but some of the fish are the same.

Although it doesn’t have whales, and I looked up whales in another book. … Apparently they’re not fish?

[Who knew? Not Ryu, apparently.]

[empyreancatastrophe]

[That gets a chuckle.]

It turns out they are not. They must surface for air, unlike fish which use their gills to breathe.

[Hmm...]

You've mentioned you enjoyed fishing, if I'm not mistaken?

[amnesiadragon]

Hm. I guess that's true. I've seen them before but it's really hard to catch them.

[But he has. Because... fishing?]

I do. It's one of the things I'm good at. ... Aside from fighting. It's really calming...

[empyreancatastrophe]

Indeed, it is.

[Maybe he should add some context.]

My homeland is very close to the water, and we have multiple ports. I've learned a thing or two about fish because of it.

Mayhap you and I should go fishing together one day. We can hang out.

['Hang out' comes out a bit stilted, like he's not used to saying it (he isn't), but he's using the words in earnest!]

[amnesiadragon]

Oh, really? That's really interesting... I want to learn more about your world some time.

But I'd love to take you fishing! Once the weather warms up a bit... I don't really want to try ice fishing. But selling fish is how I got a lot of my zenny to buy things in my world. The Sea People bought a lot of it... the ones that live more inland, at least. They're...

[How to describe them?]

They're largely a group of people who have heads that look... somewhat like frogs? They tend to be very business-focused. Very... very much 'I won't do something for free'.

[empyreancatastrophe]

A very pragmatic people, but I imagine they paid well if they understand the monetary value of hard work.

[He chuckles again. It doesn't sound like Joshua disagrees entirely with the Sea People--he's seen how much money goes into making a nation's economy work, after all--but he can also understand the intricacies of dealing with a society that focuses on financial gain.]

We may not have Sea People to sell our catch to, but I would very much enjoy a fishing trip together. We can exchange stories about our homes when we go.

[amnesiadragon]

They do... if they're not trying to make a deal with you that leaves out the important bits. Like smuggling you through security in a box.

[He is not going to forget that one, Marlo.]

That'd be n ice. I like going places with you.

[empyreancatastrophe]

When the weather begins to warm, then we shall go on our first fishing trip forthwith.

I look forward to it.