Chapter Text
Laplace has now open collaboration with Apeiron furthering more progress with the storm research, the result has been fruitful with satisfactory results.
Ever since then, the now lone leader has faced many new various unique individuals sent to work together with the island.
His cold-gated heart opens up slowly, so it's not a rare sight anymore to see him basked in a welcoming glow, with a soft smile on his sculpted face.
Yes, there were other days, where the leader often went to the geometrical cemetery to pay some visits, reminiscing about the past and sending silent prayers to wish for future, that one day time would clash giving slips of chances he'll meet his old friends in reshaped form.
The walk from the cemetery leading him up to the beach shore. Counting steps like usual, the sun began to fall, the tide of pneuma dimmed only leaving a spark of splashed magnificent bronze.
Later he also noticed a brilliant hue of crimson standing alongside the overlapping sea foams.
Judging by the looks, it's probably one of the Laplace members who chooses to stay by the night on this island.
Since the emanation took place, countless followers left many vacant houses. There's nothing to worry about when it comes to guests, especially Laplace researchers, to stay for a few days.
A deep night mask hiding this person's features, it's quite difficult what sort of emotions right now displayed.
Striking up conversation wasn't upmost of the leader's first choice if he met new people, so by some silent understanding, the stranger spoke up first.
"The construct of this island held by the faith of their own people here, truly remarkable concept that would make certain crowd envy," Immediately he was met with a deep husk voice, filled with gloominess that seems to found blockaded path to his goals, "Although research has also found that the nature here plays major role from preventing the storm, or to be precise, the aftermath of the flood,"
"Indeed a well-organized research, we're glad to be obliged for the partnership," as tired as he always was, a polite smile etched on his face.
He had little doubts if the man could see his face now because of the full coverage mask.
'This land and the people has great love in poetry, the followers that sung the ode by raising their arms to the sky, there is no fear but absolute adoration and courage, something only we can read from novels, shall we partake this inspiration i suggest,'
The literature enthusiast chirped, soon followed by a grim doctor.
'Fool, it's nothing to admire for,'
The Apeiron leader isn't shallow to notice a cue, the look that cast silent stare to the folding sea waves, a momentary lone time might be what they needed for now.
He let out a cough, "The sun is setting, it's been a good day, hope you have one great evening,"
Ending this small talk, his feet dragged through the soft sand, continuing his walk to the resting place, till the masked man spoke up to him again.
"Dear leader,"
The once a raspy breath waning an emptiness, suddenly replaced by a stern tone, "Imperfection is found in everyone... even if they were seen as perfection from others, the collapse that fold tragedy in countless tries, hundreds of unknown solutions perhaps were within closer reach, this is what every scholar in this island also fixated to, leading them into what happened with geometries scattered across this shore, it will never enough for us all..."
Unprompted, the entrance of the leader's lips let out a quiet gasp. What this person spoke was perhaps subjected to his own experience, though he cannot help but some words struck something inside.
Even if you fill the bottles with pebbles to prepare the avalanche. It will produce no result whatsoever. Yet, he realized there's a difference that sets them apart.
White chiton flutters by gentle night wind, brushed onto the skin of breathing sculpture.
In all of the perfection he showcased, here someone stood next to him, encapsulating his hidden insecurity.
Now that night arises, the once saturated red hair has dimmed.
"If i may so blunt, i admit your words intrigue me, it pierced through me like a trail back to the past,” While it's true it used to haunt his sleep every night, that distant nightmare no longer wound his heart anymore, “Here in Apeiron, all children must know the base of the Euclid's Element, it's the first lesson they have to learn well before they passed to next grade"
For a moment, he was interrupted "Euclid's Element… that has the basis of Method of Exhaustion, holds a large significance in mathematics,"
The leader nodded along, "A simple formula base, that everything has its own limit, like our purpose,” his palm gently gestured to the cold metal that was sitting on his head, it's a symbol of his position but also of the long-lost friendship he used to have.
“6 is a finite number, yet also it is proven a perfect number, the role of leader must guide and not control, so then the tragedy unfolds is a sign of my limitation,”
The man in front of the leader threads a silence weave. He cannot help but the weight that mass down his heart has lifted slightly.
A guiding leader that provides answers, a bearer of knowledge that is passed down by the previous holder. Breached his own limit before, only to find empty results and pain.
It seems a sun still hung up in this cold night, just with a pair of blue eyes.
Almost so bright that he has to shift his gaze elsewhere.
‘He just interpreted math formula to a moral lesson,’
‘Sounds like a typical math teacher,’
‘The Hoffmann knot was interpreted from string of numbers, this is the same person who stands behind the Apeiron door,’
‘...ah, standing tirelessly in the cave like a prisoner must be so painful, how familiar,’
“Aleph,”
A short response after a brief silence. It raised the corner of the leader's lips upwards, this is the beginning of their encounter.
“It’s an honor to meet you, mister Aleph,” his hand remained in place, it's not a custom here to immediately shake hands.
Though he couldn't help but notice as he saw a little twitch from the other, but later went back to stay put.
Aleph shook his head, “Dropping the honorific is fine, dear leader,”
“Ah alright then Aleph, my apology mister Aleph-”
The one who speaks soon shuts down his words. Losing his focus was unusual for him.
“...”
“Emm”
“Carry on,”
There's a tinge of red painted in the corner of the leader's ear.
To see the perfect figure with little to no mistake flustered, it’s pretty endearing to watch.
“It was one of my old habits- ahem, anyway I suggest we should head back now, the shore at night blows strong current wind, and besides…” the leader presses lightly on the hem of his chiton, “We shall not miss out on the ice cream,”
Hearing the invitation to eat ice-cream together, the other tilted his head. He finds this a bit too carefree for an island leader to offer this suggestion.
‘Ice-cream,’
The words echoes rewinding back and forth at exactly the moment where he mentioned it.
‘Yes, he just did said that,’
“We… we could’ve have-” before he even could finish, a stern firm voice was heard, “No, no dessert pass through 7 pm,”
He met a light short chuckle from the leader's gentle look. The edges of his lips, this time he noticed he formed a more genuine smile, such a truly a view.
“Afraid if it contains too much sugar? Worry not, mister Aleph, it’s all fruit based and homemade,” immediately his hand almost covered the lips that just upturned, for some reason he felt it's bit chappy, “Oh well then, if you change your mind, the main guest hall always open to visit,”
“Wait, leader 6,” he called him back again.
“Hmm?”
“Your counting steps, is 520,”
It was actually 443 steps, the leader knows it completely, but concealing truths is an easy feat and often better be hidden to let another truth shine.
This goes the same to the other man who told him, a strange connection develops a hidden mutual understanding.
“Thank you, mister Aleph,”
A simple gratitude, yet the meaning can reach beyond.
The leader never told his habit to count steps on sands, perhaps that's another mystery to unfold soon.
—
Each full moon passed, the progress of Laplace research has paved more advanced steps, uncovering methods to study storms and a few flocks seem found comfort to be official residents in this island.
Old rules stood tall, but the strictness has lessened.
Today marks the 5th month ever since the collaboration started, 37 is visiting her homeland while she packed a lot of foreign snacks to share with her family.
The Apeiron followers held a small banquet welcoming her arrival, though the leader is nowhere to be seen. 37 planned to see him later after the party. For now, she shares many of her new findings with others.
In the joint of a bustling conversation, one of the followers mentioned the leader's current condition.
“This time around might be something I have never seen before, it's 6, he seems more… fresh? And the allegory he tells after every debate leaned towards new concept literature,” the girl chewed on oddly shaped candies 37 brought as she dwells her report, “Like, what's the deal with seeing infinity in one single point?”
“I’m glad he found himself again, as it should be! The progress is slow but took time like a sand reckoner,” the smile on 37 face beams bright, “The island… for Sophia soon home, I will make sure it gleams with correct calculation!”
The others felt content hearing 37 declaration, they're relieved the feeling of wanting back to those good old days are all mutual to each other. Although the rules now are way more lighter, this island has proven that the solution to get a better life is the people all along.
Everyone plays their role, no matter how small their action cost, they're actively contributing to this golden isle.
___
A little far from the canteen, a chattery exchange was heard from inside of a building, where the leader used to prepare himself for the revelation.
It has been renovated since long ago so that now it can invite more people to this place.
“Your works and the puzzle you create is textbook masterpiece, mister Idealist, this one…” he flipped one of the wooden piece to the last spot, “A poem that can be read from every angle Stomachion lines, opens new interpretation each single time,”
“Seems you finished your arrangement!” a bandaged hand pointed his finger to follow the diagonals that had words written.
‘Cut in half, my fabric arm, for the sleeping one, rest,’
Which is, an old idiom symbol Idealist is very familiar with.
For someone like 6, he might know what the word meant, reading and storing every knowledge he finds, this is not just a pure accidental act.
Watching the other person focused on the words, 6 breaks the silence, “I’m afraid I need your guide with this one, I am still uncertain in your… puzzle,”
To hear the words 6 said, Idealist quickly catches on a deeper layer what he meant by those.
He put his palm on his chest, a stance of pose like he’s about to rehearsing a drama, “Letting me rest as you cut half of your sleeve, in sleep nor awake, the fabric will be clutched in my grasp,”
“Ah, I see…” 6 tapped his chin looking at him with a curious tone, “How long will it be?”
“If you're questioning about time, it’s already in a loop of a penrose,”
Puzzles after puzzles, they're passing each other's metaphors. An idle passerby would simply walk away in confusion. Their own bubble can't be run through, as they have connected each other to their heart.
___