Re: dock: atticus and mal
Wasn't sure he'd get into a boat with a stranger either. Normally. But had left normal behind months ago, and at this point was fine with looking a little desperate for human interaction. Had always considered himself something of a loaner, but realized he wasn't a loner. Not really. Liked watching the world and interacting with it, just didn't have many people who were close. Wasn't the same thing as truly being reclusive. Look at that, he'd learned something about himself. A fat lot of good that did him. Knew the isolation was making him bitter. What he wouldn't give to lecture a bunch of bored looking kids on The Death of Ivan Ilyich.
"Figure if the fire gets high enough, god will see it. What do you think?" His grin was a lazy scythe of a smirk in the darkening dark. Didn't believe in god. Had seen too many dead walking around to believe in god and afterlives. "But, sorry to disappoint. Not a ghost. Living and breathing, just like you." With a few notable exceptions. Had mentioned his situation to the last person he'd gone boating with, but wasn't in a hurry to offer it now. Couldn't actually articulate why. Wasn't big on thinking about his motivations. Preferred to just act. "Stories about the island are probably true," admitted. Throwing him a bone. "Plane went down in the lake during World War II. There's truth to the urban legends about the restless dead." This guy didn't look like military. He didn't think anyone would come for him. And if they did, so what? He'd turn into an old man the moment they got him onto dry land, and that would teach them a thing or three.
Wasn't surprised when the guy didn't move from his chosen spot on the end of the dock. Wasn't bothered. Could talk just as easily from here. "My parents," he said of, well, his parents. They were still alive in 1999, but he hadn't seen them since before the trial. Took ten years of their lives, and was disappointed in himself for never coming to apologize to them before they died. Cowardly. Could've lied right now and said they were grandparents, but seemed wrong. Had already ruined their lives. Didn't think it would be right to disinherit them in death. "Never said your name. Secret?" Quirked a brow. Lazily curious.