Lessons, hm? Anton wondered just what Undisclosed could teach him about the modern world. So many things had changed, and those were just the few he knew about so far. What else had he missed, even from what should have been the rest of his life? Rather than floating, he settled for treading water, though he was still able to touch the sea floor if he stretched out his legs. It was both relaxing and invigorating at the same time, a thing of paradox, just like his life here. This was so simple - being himself, or the himself that he was never able to before. In his lifetime, men were supposed to be distant and powerful and clearly in place as the head of the household or family or whatever. They were supposed to rule their women from lofty perches and dress in stiff clothing and, if they were from money, spend their time hidden in a cloud of smoke behind closed doors, discussing matters of state.
This, on the other hand, was freeing in the best sense and he couldn't stop coming back to that thought. Of how he might flourish here and become the man that didn't turn evil or mad, but became well-respected and well-liked. It was an empty hope, given Helena's presence and the tendency of people to believe her every word, but it was a hope nonetheless.
He too glanced up at the sky and frowned faintly at the gathering dark. It would likely mean an end to their evening, which he had so far greatly enjoyed. But then, he realized, it was only temporary. There was more to discuss and more to learn about one another. After all, he still had to come up with a better handle than Undisclosed. The only things he could think of now were wounded or heartsore. She seemed to have experienced some great hurt, either here or where she'd come from. Perhaps even both. In either case, he felt for her, and the very idea of a Slytherin having a heart (or so it seemed since he'd come to this island) was a sign of some change in him.
In the end, his smile turned wistful.
"Indeed it is strange," he replied softly. "I've been disconcerted by the things I've learned. I wish that..." his voice trailed off, drowned out by the water. "Bah. Wishes are for fools and poets. It doesn't make things true. But, I do believe that whatever future or past we come from, we can change who we were or who we become. That we should make the best of our time here, however long that may be."