That One Day In Autumn

[Quiet Pain]

That One Day in Autumn

Characters

Issei Kanagawa

• Name: Issei Kanagawa
  Personality: Issei is a hardworking teenager of seventeen. He has a grim outlook on the majority of the world, but he holds onto the hope things will get better. He likes to work alongside his father and is fond of fishing. He's not one for much talking, but he does many kind things for others. His determination can sometimes get him into trouble. He's fainted from exhaustion before. Many of the local villagers always see him rushing to and fro from home. He is always being fussed over by his mother due to his unwillingness to rest.
  
  Issei loves playing with his younger sister Aimi who is just an infant. He often looks after her when his parents are away. He's very in tune with the emotions of others thanks to his upbringing around mostly females.
  
  Biography: Issei lives with his big family inside of a cramped home. He sleeps in the living room while his three younger sisters share a room. His mom, dad, aunt, uncle, and grandmother all share the same room. Sometimes, Issei and his father sleep on the boat. He was four when his grandfather died of natural causes. His grandfather was one of his favorite family members and he fondly remembers how his grandfather told him stories of the flying fish. Only his grandfather and grandmother seem to believe that the flying fish really exist.
  
  Issei only went to primary school before taking up the family business of fishing. His mother was the one who taught him to read and write. He often wishes he could go to school like other kids his age, but he knows that his family can't afford it either. His current goal in life is to bring back the flying fish and free his village from the tyranny of the nearby kingdom.

The fish didn't come. At this rate, the fish would probably never come. He wasn't trying to catch just any fish, but the legendary flying fish. His grandfather used to tell him stories of how fish used to swim in the sky.

"Only of the pure of heart will ever see a flying fish," his grandfather had once said, "One day, I believe they''ll all come back."

Well, his grandfather was dead now and truth be told, he didn't think the flying fish would come back. His village was too corrupt now. Anyone with heart would stay far away from this place. The Kingdom was taxing them too much and giving them too little. Those in charge of his village were no better. They took bribes from the city and in exchange they made sure the poor paid what was due. It was only by good fortune that he and his family had a trade that kept them afloat in these hard times, if only just barely. It was his turn to take up the family business of fishing and he liked fishing so he didn't mind much. It was the only time he could really think, given his rather lively household.

This morning's haul hadn't been as plentiful as he'd hoped. It looked like it was going to be another rough month for his family. Lately, the fish had been scarce. Perhaps, even the fish were sensing how far gone this village was. He stared down at the water. It was clear as day, but he still couldn't see any fish as far down to the bottom as he could see.

"Cheer up, Issei. The fish will come back in no time and it will be smooth sailing from here on out," his father could sense his glum mood.

Issei's father looked tired. There were bags under his eyes and grey hair colored his chin and face. It betrayed his age. Issei's father never talked about finances around him or any of his kids. He didn't want them to worry, but Issei heard him and his mother arguing. They were hanging by a thread. That's why he needed to catch a flying fish. They would be able to sell it and make enough money to last them a while until things got better. He sighed. If only the flying fish would come back. Then, things would be better.

Issei lied down on the floor of the boat and stared up into the morning sky. He closed his eyes and tried to imagine that hidden in the clouds were schools of flying fish.​

 

[Quiet Pain]

Talia remembered playing in the water with all of her friends. She was told they used to stop at a little village called Tohoka, but this year her people wouldn't be visiting, not after what happened to Vellis. She was captured by one of the fisherman and no one ever saw her again. Talia missed Vellis. She wondered if her friend was still optimistic about her situation. She always found ways to stay positive when times were grim. Vellis still believed in the goodness of humans. She didn't believe all of them were evil. Talia envied that about her. Needless to say, Talia did not trust humans. She'd heard of their treachery, but she'd never encountered one before. All of the elders were afraid of them. There was a time when they weren't though. Vellis said the elders have forgotten, but she remembered when they didn't need to fear the humans. Is Vellis afraid now? Talia wondered.

They'd been on the move for days. Talia's fins hurt. She wanted to go on land and stretch her legs even if only for a little bit. (Work in Progress)​