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Grian had never particularly talked about his past. Or about himself for a matter of fact. He’d keep to himself yet be the most sociable person everyone knew. He could get along with almost anyone and was usually in charge of announcing events, etc. Most of his friends don’t pry too much into Grian’s mind. Some of them knew about evo and the life series as they were part of it but no more than that. He had long lost contact with anyone who knew more. It’s not like they cared anyways.
5 and a bit seasons of the life series have occurred, but the players still have not managed to escape the constant death cycle. Now all the ‘players’ were in their usual waiting period. They went back to their normal lives not remembering anything that had previously happened. Except for the winners, they remember all. This usually causes awkward interactions between them.
Luckily for Grian, he spends most of his waiting days in Hermitcraft and this season he’s been quite busy fishing. It’s calming for him. He can escape reality and not need to interact with others (unless they come visit him or invite him over). Although at first it was to find a mending book, overtime it became comforting for him. The breeze in his hair and the smell of the sea makes him remember how far he’s come. In high school, he didn’t even think he’d live until 20 due to the gang violence, the death threats and overall the messed up school system that he went through. He wasn’t even supposed to be in high school for the last 2 years he went.
Whatever, he doesn’t need to dwell on any of that now. He is just Grian from Hermitcraft and the life series now. Not Taurtis. Not Gree-on. Not Wizard Grian. Not the mafia leader. Not Xequla. He was just the Grian he wanted to be.
Etho had invited Grian to test out a new game he had created, Frogger (or as Grian mentioned it as the modern version, Crossy Road) and how could Grian say no to that. He turned up and had a great time despite not making it across in his first try (a bit upset since he was confident that he could), nevertheless, he was having fun. He even had a few rounds where he completed it. However, while returning to the start on one of them, he had accidently broken it.
Shit
Grian started internally panicking. What if Etho got mad at him? What if his mess up screwed up everything? What he needed to do was to calm. He needed to admit it and maybe Etho won’t be as mad since he’s honest but to be safe, better compliment the game a bit before reveals it.
“It’s a cool game Etho. It’s a cool game.”
Time to rip the Band-Aid off.
“I think I broke it though.”
A bunch of ‘oh no’s come from the hermits who were there however, especially from Etho, for good reason since Grian had messed up his game which probably took a while to make.
A bit more scared, Grian states again, “I think I broke it.”
He feels so bad and tries to fix it but everyone urges him that he doesn’t need to (implying that he will mess it up more).
“I’m so sorry! Why does everything I touch break?”
Everyone laughed at Grian’s comment, not taking it that seriously. Grian laughed as well but it was true. Nothing was ever normal around him. Anything he touched, broke and anyone who got close to him, weren’t who he thought they were.
Deep inside Grian still thought Etho was mad at him despite saying that it was fine.
“I- I- Ok, I was on my way back and I nudged one a- a- and then I ruined it.”
Etho said it was fine, but it wasn’t. Grian knew it wasn’t. Etho had worked hard on it and Grian just had to go and break it like he does everything. He felt so, so bad.
Sooner rather than later, the topic of Grian breaking the game was almost completely discarded as they talked about other things but Grian still couldn’t shake the fact that Etho must hate him.
The day goes by, and night comes. Grian however, cannot sleep, so he does what he usually does when he’s awake and has nothing to do. Fish.
It’s calm at night. Quiet. The area is quite safe after making sure no mobs can spawn so Grian just fishes. The silence causes Grian to think about things. Usually, it’s not too bad but after today’s activities, Grian had many thoughts running through his mind. He still felt so bad. What if Etho was actually mad but hiding it? Grian wasn’t sure. Sam always got mad at him for stupid things but acted like he wasn’t mad. It’s what eventually caused their falling out. Well one of the many things.
Grian’s mind eventually wanders, he thinks back on his high school days and evo. All those horrible memories. He can still hear ringing in his ears from the gunshots and explosions.
“Grian? Grian!”
Grian jumps at the touch of Gem on his shoulder. He didn’t realise she even approached.
“Oh! Hey Gem.”
Gem looks a bit confused, “Are you alright Grian?”
“Well, yeah duh? Why wouldn’t I be?”
“We don’t care about your opinion Gree-on”
“You don’t seem it.”
“Well, I am. Just let me fish.”
“Alright then..." Gem sighs in surrender as she then pulls out her fishing rod to join him.
They fish in silence for a while. Minutes, possibly hours go by. The gibbous, almost full moon, shone above them both as they listen to the sound of fish and random items being placed on the ground after being fished up. Even though she is only doing this because she want to keep an eye on Grian for a bit, Gem actually quite enjoys fishing as well as she is a pirate this season of Hermitcraft and has a water theme. Especially since her theme is horror, fishing at night seemed quite fitting for her.
"Why are you out here so late?" Gem said, breaking the silence between them.
"We should stay up all night in the haunted school!"
"Why are YOU staying here with me?
Gem didn't know how to reply. She didn't particularly want to tell Grian that she was worried for him because he would just brush it off again.
"Well, I dunno. But answer me first, I asked first."
"I couldn't sleep."
"And you decided to fish instead?"
"Yeah."
"I know you like fishing but usually people who can't sleep do stuff indoors not outdoors."
Grian goes silent after that. How was he supposed to know what to answer? He didn't like wandering around indoors in the dark. Who knows if he'll see something like a dead body hanging from a ceiling.
"Grian... I know you don't wanna talk about it with us since it's not a topic you wanna talk about it but all us hermits know you need help. We're all here for you if you need. You can talk to us. Everyone gets worried when you self-isolate or don't sleep or eat. I know we're not blood related but us as hermits are LIKE one big family."
"I know..."
"Just know you can come to any of us. We all understand you went through something in the past and none of us really know but you can talk to us."
Grian goes silent again as Gem puts her fishing rod away and leaves. Still concerned but giving Grian the space he needs. He'll reach out eventually... hopefully.