While holding the fishing rod, Lucian rested his elbows on the bulwark staring plainly at the small, rippling tides. Suddenly, the line started to tug with a struggle causing Lucian to grab the reel and start pulling in whatever caught hold of the hook.
From what it felt like, all Lucian could think about was the fact that he'd finally caught a decent sized fish. A moment later, he felt a release in the force and the sound of water droplets making small splashes leading Lucian to excitedly, and hastily reel whatever he caught up to eye level.
"God dammit.", said Lucian as he stared with a blank, displeased expression at the half bitten off worm and a huge clump of seaweed.
"Wow, 6 hours and the most edible thing you've caught is the ocean's armpit hair.", remarked Ozzus as he adjusted his black glasses.
"I don't see you having much room to talk. You said you we're a fisherman, yet you've only caught 2 fish this entire time."
Ozzus got off the barrel he was sitting on and walked over, "Those 2 fish could feed you, me, Priscilla, and that kid for a good two whole meals. It was a nice try for a comeback though, hehe."
"How about you catch 3 then?", said Lucian while handing Ozzus the fishing rod.
"Hmm, actually I think we should head inside for today. Priscilla's academy starts and ends later than most schools so she should be back at around 6:30. I'm sure she'll be happy to have dinner ready when she opens the door."
Lucian wiped his hands on his pants to dry them, "Alright, sounds good, but while doing that, could you teach me how to prepare a fish? I'd like to learn how to cook a meal before I finally move out."
A small, gentle smile appeared on Ozzus's face, "Sure, I'd be happy to teach you."
After their small conversation, the two men made their way to the back of the ship and began preparing dinner.
"Apupupup, don't cut the fish like that, you might puncture the gallbladder. That'll make the meat taste bitter. Here, see?", Lucian gave the knife to Ozzus and watched as he cut the belly open carefully. "All you need to do after this, is to remove the internal organs."
"Got it, thanks.", whilst pulling out the organs, Lucian couldn't help but think about the first time he gazed at those awful corpses within Eliots residence. Attempting to push the thought aside, he thought of a question to ask.
"Do you think Priscilla will be frustrated when she learns that I'll take the job?"
"I'm sure she will. She's seen many Ethereals like us come and go from this life and the fact that she's actually gotten to form a small bond with you would only make her more frustrated. Not to worry though, she usually gets over it when I talk to her."
"I see.", I guess that answer was obvious from the beginning.
Ozzus picked up the wine bottle and inspected it as he stated, "Just know that I wouldn't have let you anywhere near that cathedral if Johan hadn't been working there. All you need to do is trust when I say that you and Priscilla have nothing to worry about."
"Speaking of Johan, how come I haven't heard of or seen him?"
"Johan is currently an independent Ethereal as of right now. Working as a deacon at that cathedral has been his one and only mission for the past 3 years. He's only seen with us when he wants to relieve stress over a smoke or a visit to the bar although the man doesn't have any actual friends or at least that's the assumption I've come to. All he sees us as is comrades and nothing more."
"That's a bit unusual. He seemed so kind and outgoing when I met him.", remarked Lucian as he pulled out the last of the entrails.
"Of course he is, it's not as if he's a shy or depressed hooligan. I believe that the only reason he hasn't made any strong bonds is that he takes a look at things from death's perspective."
"Death's perspective?"
"Yes, in the little time I've spent with the man this is as much I could conclude. He doesn't make bonds because he may be afraid that if he were to perish unexpectedly, he may leave others in grief. It'd be bad if it was an Ethereal who was in that grief because our mental and physical states affect the usage of the abilities we were gifted."
Lucian stared at the fish not knowing what to do next and gestured to Ozzus for help, "If that's true, then why do the other Ethereals seem have formed strong bonds with each other?"
"It's because we prefer to live our lives to the fullest. Johan seems to be heavily determined on making our world a better place even if that means he can't be tied to someone. I don't know what provoked that determination, but it is quite admirable.", stated Ozzus as he chopped the head off and began to steam it.
How does someone even obtain that mindset? I know well that I wouldn't have the guts to do something like that.
Holding two glasses of wine, Ozzus headed to the table, "Neither could I. That kind of determination is something that I've only ever seen in novels."
Lucian followed and sat across from the man. The glass in front of him had much less wine than Ozzus's. "How often are you reading my mind?"
"I'd say I do it only at certain times when I'm curious or need to know what you're thinking, so it should be about only once or twice every 2 days. Eliot on the other hand...is an asshole when it comes to his telepathy."
Lucian let out a small chuckle and said, "Well I appreciate the info."
A couple minutes passed by as Ozzus and Lucian sat at the table, carefully sipping the dark violet beverage. On the couch, the boy could be seen turning over unconsciously, "You can handle your alchohol quite well. I would have thought you were the type to avoid this stuff.", remarked Ozzus whilst bringing the glass to his lips once more.
"I don't know what kind of person I used to be, so I'll just try new things to see what I like and don't like. This is just one of them."
"Your plan does have some sense behind it, but it's also the dumbest thing I've heard come out of a person's mouth."
"What's so mind numbing about my plan?"
After that sentence, Ozzus began to list all sorts of addictions, substances, and other disgusting things that a person might do, leaving Lucian absolutely stunned.
Ozzus smiled and mocked jokingly, "Damn, it's like when Priscilla came home from health class in middle school except that in front of me is a 23-year-old man."
"How do you expect me to react? You can't just turn me into an amnesiac and think that I'll know this kind of.....stuff.", replied Lucian, obviously offended
"Calm down. I was just joking."
Lucian gave a sigh, didn't seem like a joke to me.
A moment later, Ozzus set down his drink and spoke, "Oh, could you go out to the dock and bring in the fishing utilities? Don't wanna have any bums stealing them now do we?"
After agreeing politely, Lucian strolled through the hallway and out the double door. How come he had so much to say when it came to all that shit? Do I really have to live in a place where people mindlessly drink, smoke all sorts of substances, and tend to possibly die at someone's doorstep? The world I find myself in is quite shittier than that of what I expected.
Picking up the fishing rod, Lucian caught a glimpse of the setting sun. It bathed the sky in a blend of fire and ice temporarily throwing Lucian into an uncontrollable lasting gaze.
A second later, , a quite familiar feminine voice sounded. "Come to watch the sun set now, have we?"
Lucian hastily looked back to find Priscilla taking her last steps onto the ship. "Oh, Evening Priscilla, how was your day?"
Priscilla seemed a bit confounded by the greeting but answered a second later with her usual bright smile, "Other than the farmers market, I'd say it was extremely boring."
Lucian let out a gentle laugh, "Don't go calling it that in front of your brother."
"I'd probably end up overboard if I did. I may be an Ethereal but that doesn't mean my education can be put aside."
"Speaking of education, how am I to get it? I know basic things, but I don't know anything when it comes to finances, history, or those supernatural abilities you and your brother possess.". Lucian was quite worried about this as due to his lack of understanding in what his world is and how to properly maneuver it.
Priscilla placed a hand to her chin, "I believe that when you eventually go to live in Sootside that you'll be taught by an assistant or two on that sort of stuff. It'll probably be mostly Lilith though."
"Pardon but what is Sootside?"
"Sootside is just the name of the lower-class district of Novus. The other districts are Elmington which is the name of the nobility, and then there is Norwund which is the middle class. The parks, markets and harbors all have names as well. My apologies for not explaining that to you sooner."
"It's quite alright. I am much obliged to hear that.", Seriously, everyone has been calling them what class they are instead of the actual name...Dammit was it because of my dumbass?"
"It's no problem. I'll be heading inside now. Apparently, my teacher decided to make me write a whole essay about our opinions on politics.", said Priscilla with a resentful expression.
"Sounds rough but don't do it just yet. Me and Ozzus prepared dinner ahead of time so you could eat when you got back."
"Oh, thank you very much."
Once Priscilla headed inside, Lucian picked up the two containers of baits and lures to set them onto a barrel. While making sure to take off the dead, half eaten worm off and toss it into the sea, he heard a concerning noise from bellow.
ThrashhSlshhSloshh gurgle
The rather unusually loud sound took Lucian by surprise leading him to set the fishing rod down and look over at the small waves next to the ship. But to his surprise, nothing was there. Am I going insane now? I could have sworn that something was splashing in the water only moments ago.
Lucian stared at the water a bit more before concluding that it must have been a fish eating the previous worm.
***
After setting the items away, Lucian entered the main room to find Ozzus carefully cutting the fish into 4 large pieces. One could only make the assumption that the 4th was for the boy if he ever woke up soon.
Once Lucian sat in his original spot, Ozzus spoke, "It appears that Lucian has found yet another possible job position other than the library, though I would never have expected it to be in the cathedral."
Priscilla's eyes widened momentarily before reverting back to normal. "Wait what?"
Did you have to say it right when I got back!? Lucian let out a light sigh and replied, "Yes, after you headed off to the academy I went right back to the cathedral to see if I could learn about the archivist position."
"Shouldn't we run this by Eliot to see what he thinks?", asked Priscilla reverting her gaze back over to Ozzus. It was obvious that she didn't want Lucian near that position.
"I doubt it. Having one of our own work the archivist position at the cathedral could open up more doors to learning what's going on down there. Also, Johan is one of our most experienced Ethereals here in Novus so Lucian would be in good hands."
"We can just have someone else-"
"We could, yes, but if we were to combine Lucian obtaining this job and going on other missions then it may just speed up his process into developing the reasonable characteristics for becoming an Ethereal."
Priscilla took a breath to calm herself, "I understand.....may I bring this to my room? I believe I have a rather large assignment to do.". Her hidden rage made the room feel unsettling.
"sure", muttered Ozzus in a displeased tone.
After Priscilla left the room, Ozzus went back to his usual self, "Don't worry too much. She's just a regular teenager, same as any other. Negative emotions are bound to build up more than usual."
"I guess so, but I still feel bad. Also, did you really have to rip the band aid off like that?"
"Like what?", said Ozzus with a mouthful of fish.
Lucian broke eye contact and picked up his fork, "Never mind.".
***
Sometime later, Lucian spoke up, "By the way, what did you mean by developing reasonable characteristics? I thought you became an Ethereal by just ingesting an elixir or performing some ritual."
Setting down his wine glass, Ozzus responded, "That is true but if someone like yourself were to use one of them right now, you would most likely do one of 3 things. Number 1, your intelligence would drop to that of a goldfish, and you'd never form a full thought again. Number 2, Your connection with the physical world will be severed causing your body to fuse with your soul making you become a spirit much like the one that attacked you the other day. Number 3 is just plain instantaneous death upon consumption. "
A bit concerned Lucian questioned, "Then how do I know when I'm ready?"
"Uhhh, good question. I believe that's something only Charles and Eliot would know."
"Man, I thought you knew everything?"
"You wish I did.", stated Ozzus with a yawn.
Following their little conversation, the two finished dinner and headed straight to bed.
***
The next morning, Lucian found the little boy's head resting on his leg, but this time Lucian didn't mind it as much. How is it that this boy gets clingy every time I go to sleep?
Getting up, Lucian muttered under his breath, "If it were me, I'd use a pillow little man."
after that, Lucian left the room to get changed and wash his face, then returned. But after opening the door he witnessed a very peculiar sight. The boy that was previously resting peacefully on the couch appeared to be raiding the pantry.