Heretical Fishing

Chapter 76: Therapeutic

Gary, lone disciple of the Cult of the Leviathan Tropica branch, looked out over the ocean.

The storm had passed, and he stood atop the breakwall, staring out at the roiling ocean.

The sea was chaotic following the tempest, and white waves continually rolled in, crashing against the wall beneath him.

He had long found solace in the sea and its chaotic movement, and the view from behind the cult's headquarters made the spot he occupied on the wall his favored perch.

"Gary!" came a muffled yell from the building behind him.

With his momentary peace shattered, he let out a long-suffering sigh.

"Back to work, I suppose..."

He turned and strode toward the door and reached out, grasping the handle.

Pausing, he took a deep breath, releasing it slowly as he swung open the door.

"Yes, Sebastian?"

Sebastian turned from staring at his beloved baby lobsters and raised an eyebrow.

"What did you call me?"

"Sorry, Master. What is it?"

Sebastian nodded.

"Better. The time has come for Fischer's demise. His downfall is nigh."

Gary tried not to let his disappointment show.

"Yes, Master. What would you like me to do?"

"Come with me to the roof. I'll show you."

He followed Sebastian up the stairs, a cold wind blowing into the building as his master threw open the door to the roof.

As he stepped outside, Gary's eyebrows furrowed.

A mess of rocks had been scattered around the roof, and as he looked closer, they appeared to be arranged in some sort of pattern.

"Over here," Sebastian said, walking to the center.

Gary followed, eyeing the swirling patterns as he carefully stepped over them—he knew there would be hell to pay if he disturbed the arrangement.

Sebastian stopped, pointing at one of two circles amid the haphazard creation.

"Sit here, disciple."

Gary nodded, sitting cross-legged.

Sebastian sat in the other circle, then removed something from his robe.

It was the artifact he'd been sent from the capital, the same one that everyone was convinced wouldn't work—including Gary.

As before, it stood inert, looking more like a lump of rock covered in scratched runes than an ancient relic of the distant past.

At least it won't lead to any harm…. Gary thought. Tremendous waste of time, though.

"Now, repeat after me, Gary. In Hades' name, I call to thee..."

"Before we start, Master—how long will this take?"

Sebastian scowled, the lines of his face turning sharp.

"As long as I damn well say, Gary! Repeat the words!"

He sighed, no longer caring to hide his discontent.

"In Hades' name, I call to thee..."

***

Maria put the fish into her mouth and bit down.

The moment the flavor hit her tongue, saliva flooded her mouth. Her eyes went wide as she slowly chewed the morsel.

The flesh seemed to melt, disintegrating all by itself.

A section of fried crumbs crackled between her teeth, and she couldn't help but release a soft noise of delight.

She closed her eyes as her mouth watered, the fish’s taste overwhelming all other senses.

Something crunched between two molars, and by the flavor that covered her tongue afterward, she guessed it had to be a lump of salt.

The salt melded with the rest of the tastes assaulting her, somehow taking the fish to another level.

Covering it all was an almost sour taste. It cut through the fat she’d fried the fish in, making the entire mouthful of food seem... lighter.

She pictured herself lifted above the treetops, soaring through the cool night air, warmed from within by the unbelievable flavors suffusing her awareness.

Fischer spoke, returning her to the ground.

"I take it that means you like it...?"

She swallowed, her mouth salivating for more the moment it was empty.

"Fischer... is this a dream?"

He laughed, the sound filled with delight.

"While fish is pretty dreamy, I don't think you're dreaming right now, no."

"That sour flavor... is that the lemon?"

"It is." He smiled at her. "What did you think?"

"You were right—some things are better than coins."

He laughed again, louder this time.

With a deft stab, he grabbed a section of fish and brought it to his mouth.

He closed his eyes and leaned back, a soft mmph escaping as he chewed.

"Oh my god, Maria. This is the best food I think I've ever eaten."

Normally, she'd have rolled her eyes and called him a flatterer. This time, however, she agreed.

This was the best food she had ever eaten.

She took another forkful, placing the delicate fish in her mouth.

Another soft noise left her throat, louder this time, not caring how it made her look. The salt, and what she now knew was lemon, melded with the fish, playing a concordant melody across her taste buds.

"Oh!" Fischer said. "I almost forgot!"

He grabbed a cup and shook it, causing a dollop of the dark-purple jam to drop onto the board.

"It should be cool enough judging by the consistency—try dipping some fish into it."

They did so, both placing the jam-dipped flesh into their mouths simultaneously.

The berries hit her tongue first; the strong and somewhat bitter taste was jarring.

Then, the rest of the flavors joined the fray.

"Mmmmmm," they both said, lost for words before the war of sensations.

The berries added a complex flavor that intertwined with the others, creating a unique blend.

Calling it 'better' than the fish without it wouldn't be correct; it was a different version, one that had a more pleasant, relaxed feeling to it.

She swallowed, letting out a contented sigh.

As the food hit her stomach, she felt a burst of energy. It was in complete contrast with the refreshing undertones of the jam, and she cocked her head to the side, her brow knitted.

The power surged from her core, crawling down each limb.

"Woah..."

"Good, right?" Fischer asked, his eyes still closed.

As fast as the energy hit, it dissipated, melding inward.

She shook her head, her hair bouncing against her face.

"That was something else..."

"Try it again without the jam," Fischer suggested, and she did, once more losing herself to the savory blend.

Fischer did so too, a pleased smile spreading over his features.

"I don't know which one is better..."

Maria nodded.

"I feel the same. Neither is better, but they're both so... different."

"They really are, aren't they?"

Fischer took one last bit of flesh from the fish, then flipped it over, exposing the other, untouched

Side.

***

With the fish eaten, they sat by the fire, and a warm feeling radiated from Maria's core, easily keeping the night's chill at bay.

"That was unbelievable, Fischer."

He glanced at her from the fire where he was toasting a croissant.

"I can't tell you how happy it makes you that you enjoyed it. You're a natural at fish—both catching them and cooking them."

She leaned forward, resting her head on her hands.

"I was just following your instructions."

"Even so. Some people just got it, ya know? You're one of those people."

She rolled her eyes at him, and he laughed.

"Yeah, yeah, I know—you think I'm flattering you."

He stood, removing the croissant from the flames.

"I mean it, though. Do you cook much at home?"

Maria nodded.

"I do, especially while mom was unwell. She's always been best in the kitchen, but I'd say I'm a close second."

Fischer bent down and cut the croissant in half, spread some of the sweetened jam over each portion, then held one out to her.

"Here. Let me know if it needs more or less sugar next time."

Maria sniffed it; the scents of buttery pastry mixed with the tart jam was irresistible, so she took a bite.

The flavors mixed as she chewed, and when she swallowed, the same feeling of energy resonated within, then spread through her body.

"Do you feel that?"

"Feel what?" Fischer asked around a mouthful.

"That... energy. Each time I eat some of the jam, it's like I've had a mini coffee."

His eyebrows creased as she slowly chewed and swallowed.

"I mean, it's delicious, but I wouldn't say I've had a mini coffee..."

He shrugged.

"It's only natural for your body to feel enlightened after eating some of my world-class jam." He winked. "I'm not surprised in the least."

She laughed, covering her mouth.

"At least it's not only me you're flattering."

"I'm nothing if not consistent. And humble."

She snorted.

"Oh, yeah. I've never met someone more humble."

He beamed a smile at her, and it made her heart sing.

They ate the rest of their dessert in silence, enjoying the warmth and crackling sounds coming from the campfire.

"There's just something about camping and watching a fire..." Fischer said.

She felt herself nodding.

"It's my first time camping, but I couldn't agree more. I almost don't want to go back to town..."

"Yeah, I've heard many people have a comedown when returning home from a trip."

"You've heard?" Maria cocked her head. "You don't get that?"

He gave her a sheepish smile.

"I've never actually been camping before..."

"Oh... I'd assumed you had..."

"Yeah, I mean I've heard a lot about it, but I didn't really have the time in my previous life."

He picked up a small twig, touching its rough surface absentmindedly.

Maria leaned back and looked at the trees above. Their swaying leaves were dimly lit by the fire below, lending them an orange tinge.

Whether it was the energy from the jam, or the serene surroundings, she didn't know, but the courage to ask about his previous life came to her.

"Would you tell me more about your life before coming to Tropica, Fischer?"

A quiet moment stretched, interrupted only by the sound of a twig snapping.

Maria darted her eyes toward him; he stared down at the two halves of the twig, his eyes distant.

"Sorry," she said in a rush. "You don't have to..."

***

I stared down at nothing, lost in memory.

My hands moved over the stick as a barrage of thoughts sped through my mind, consuming my attention.

Maria said something, and I shook my head, dispelling my introspection.

As much as I thought I'd improved my ability to not get drawn in by memories that made negative emotions flourish, it was so easy to fall into old habits. I'd have to keep working on it.

I looked up at Maria.

"Sorry, I didn't catch that."

Her lips made a line, then she gave me a wincing smile.

"I said I'm sorry, and that you don't have to tell me—if it's too painful, I mean..."

My therapist's words bubbled up to greet me.

"I want you to try and open up to someone this week, Fischer. Talking to me is good, but the ability to be vulnerable around those you care about is an important skill to develop."

Before I’d had the chance to do so, to even find someone I felt comfortable opening up to, Truck-kun had sent me on a cosmic adventure, and I'd kept my cards close to my chest since arriving in this new, strange world.

"I shouldn't have brought it up, Fischer. Sorry."

I looked up at Maria, forcing a smile to my face.

"No. It's okay. Maybe talking about it would be therapeutic for me..."

She didn't respond, giving me time to formulate my thoughts.

Where do I even begin...?

I took a deep breath as my hands, seemingly of their own accord, snapped a twig in half.

At the beginning, I suppose.

I opened my mouth, and the words came trickling out.