Where the sea sleeps [HoonHao] ✔

21

Without fail, Hoshi came up each day. The trip to the city where they were collecting the item was a four day trip and so far, every chance he got, he showed up the first two days. By then they had tired every conversation topic possible, or at least, that was what he thought when day three popped up. They were sitting side by side, and Hoshi posed a question the rest of the crew have managed to avoid asking more so than usual as of late.

"Have you remembered anything since?" he asks nonchalantly.

"You mean with regards to my past, correct?" He's thought a lot about this before. Wondering why he couldn't remember anything. Wondering how it was possible to not know a thing about himself. "No, I do not. Which is odd. How is it possible to not remember anything when I know amnesia is not to blame for this."

Hoshi laughs in a way that startles him. It's short and rolls in between. There's no words for him to describe it. Turning his head, he smiles at Woozi. "Dino said that to you, didn't he?"

"Yes. Why? Was he lying?"

"No, no, it just sounds like something he would say. The way he said it." Hoshi shifts his seating, the smile seeming to grow across his face. "You know, contrary to belief, the world is capable of a lot more than simplicities." There's this knowing look in his eye, like he's never been more sure of anything in his life.

"What do you mean?"

"He's implying magic," a voice pipes in. When they turn their heads, they spot Joshua on the other side. He makes the jump, landing smoothly as he does. "The sort of stuff people believe to be impossible."

"You mean to inform me that your belief regarding my missing memories is due to magic?"

"Yes."

"Precisely."

Hoshi and Joshua share a look, both grinning ear to ear when they realize how similar their answers are. Hoshi turns, the smile slightly fading, but still present. "I believe so, but my belief is that your memories were not just randomly taken, but rather for your own safety."

The way Hoshi speaks is like he knows exactly what he's talking about. Woozi wants to be suspicious of him, but how can he be if this is their first time meeting (of course, if they ever met in the past, he would have no recollection) and how could he be suspicious if Hoshi is part of the crew? His home is on water. Whatever Woozi's past is, he's certain Hoshi can't have had anything to do with his memories going missing.

"Well, I will not deny the possibility. But if magic is only a belief, then what about the others? Do they know of it? Do they believe in it?"

"Sort of," Hoshi replies without missing a beat. He's managed to not once look away since this conversation started; his gaze is intense. "Their beliefs vary. Some fully believe in magic as they've witnessed it first hand while others have a belief without basis. They believe in the idea or possibility of magic."

"What about the two of you? What are your beliefs?"

Joshua likes this question. It's clear in his eyes. "The basis of my belief in magic is that I've bared witness to it."

Hoshi likes the question even more. Except where the soft smile once was, a mischievous smile reigns. His eyes have turned a slight shade darker in the light and there's this strong aura around him that has Woozi shuddering. "My category of belief isn't there," he says finally.

There's a lot of words that hang in the air. Woozi can't help but wonder, as he stares quietly at Joshua and Hoshi. The two stay there with him, falling into a new topic of conversation when Woozi doesn't respond, but it's the last thing on his mind—their conversation, that is. All that's on his mind is Hoshi's words and the meaning behind them.

Of course he struggles to grasp the concept of magic being real; he hasn't seen it so it's difficult to imagine. Nor has he heard mentions of magic. He wonders why that is. When the sky has darkened and it's only Hoshi and him awake, he finds himself asking. "Why does nobody mention magic if they believe?" He turns to face Hoshi, though in the dark, it's difficult to make out any of his features. "If you truly believe that could be the reason for my missing memories, then why not say a word of it before? Why wait until now to mention it?"

There's a momentary silence where Hoshi has this grim look on his face. It's clear he was waiting for this question; he knew it would come up. Pressed against the wood, he tilts his head up to take in the sky.

At night, when Woozi was up here alone, he'd do the same. Take a look up at the sky and admire the stars. How you were able to see them all so well out here on the ocean; he would play connect the dots by himself. In the town, you couldn't see it. The towns were too bright. Another reason he liked the sea.

"Magic is seen as a danger," he says, scoffing softly. "Isn't that the way it always is? All the stories you hear, it's always magic that's a danger." Pressing his hands flat against the ground, he adjusts himself to sit up straighter. "Magic is forbidden unless you work for the royal bloodline. If you're caught practicing magic and you don't work for them, you can get a pretty heavy penalty."

"How heavy?" his voice has softened. He hates it. He hates how there are all these rules for the royal bloodline that seem to put anyone below them at a disadvantage. Like they're not in a position to have rights.

"Nobody has practiced magic openly since the last penalty. It was a good couple of years ago, so the penalty could have changed over time." He releases a sigh, shoulders slumping. "Back then, it was the death penalty."

Woozi doesn't say anything. He doesn't think he should and he doesn't plan to say anything, but Hoshi nudges his shoulder and urges him to speak. Once again he finds himself unable to deny him.

"When you said your category was not there," he starts, avoiding looking at Hoshi. "Were you implying that your belief is on the basis of the practice itself?"

Hoshi's eyes are, in that moment, a solid black. Dark as night. It's scary, for a moment, but then that moment ends as a smile creeps across his face.

"Not bad, Zi, not bad."

It's the last thing Hoshi says. In the blink of an eye, he's disappeared and Woozi is left with that suspicious feeling churning in his chest. To calm himself, he lays down, knees up, and stares up at the stars. He connects the dots until his eyes are fluttering shut and sleep is hugging him warmly.