Chapter 39: Rooftop Beer
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Chapter 39: Rooftop Beer
Jack lay against the cool roof tiles, hands crossed behind his head. Brock rested by his side, his little chest rising and falling as he took gentle breaths. He was copying Jacks posture.
Jacks gaze was lost above.
The sky had been different since the System arrived. The pollution had been cleared, revealing an expanse full of stars. Twinkling dots of all sizes filled the dark dome, a masterpiece of unprecedented beauty. Some stars were condensed in a long, snaking river that reached from one end of the sky to another; the galaxy.
Is this what the people of old saw? he wondered, letting himself be lost in the breathtaking beauty. Wow
He imagined going to sleep every night under this sight. How had modern humans managed to lose such beauty?
In a way, the System had turned back time for Earth. The sky was clear again. People were walking around with swords and primal hearts. All satellites had been disabled, according to the professor, returning the planet to an age where communication and transportation were difficult. Monsters roamed the countryside, bringing back the risk in venturing outside town wallsValvilles were already in construction. The world was full of mysteries, and an entire new frontierspacewas open for exploration.
Despite the danger and death this new world provided, Jack loved it. It was like a dystopian illusion had been pulled off his eyes, revealing a world as it was meant to be, and it was beautiful.
He took a deep breath, enjoying the clean air.
God, he whispered with stars reflected in his eyes, thank you... He wasnt religious, but seeing the sky like this, he could understand why people were.
His thoughts wandered, and they were only interrupted when a beer can floated shakily over the rooftop. Jack looked at it, then did a double-take. It was just floating there, before his hand, as if begging him to reach out.
He did; the can was cool to the touch. Jack smiled. Magic.
Edgar, he said, is that you?
No, came Edgars voice.
Okay.
He waited a few moments, enjoying the silence.
Can you help me up? the wizard called out from below. I cant fly yet.
Jack chuckled at the last word. Letting his beer can rest at the sideBrock grabbed and shook it curiously, then tossed it two streets away and laughed in monkeyhe fell off the rooftop, grabbed Edgar in a princess-carry, and jumped back up. There, he said, dropping him on the roof tiles. Also, Brock, dont do that. You could hurt someone.
Woah! Thanks.
Edgars laughter contained excitement. He wore loose cyan clotheswizard robes, Jack notedbut, instead of a wand, he held another beer can.
Jack motioned at it, saying, Can you at least open that yourself or should I do it for you?
Of course. Im a wizard, not a baby.
Dont say that. If you eat your nails, opening cans can be a struggle. He chuckled. Thanks for the beer, man.
No problem.
Brock stood and inspected Edgar closely, then huddled closer to Jack and stared at the wizard suspiciously. Both men laughed.
Jack lay back down on the roof tiles, and Edgar lay down beside him, fishing another beer from inside his robe and giving it to Jack. Both men opened their beers at the same time, then cheered as they took the first cool sip.
Thats Brock, right? Hes cute, Edgar said.The inaugural upload of this chapter took place via N0v3l-B1n.
Brock protested fiercely. He was a warrior, not cute!
He is a cute warrior. Jack smiled, then asked, How did you find me?
Its a rooftop, Jack. People can see you from the surrounding streets. Its just that nobody else dares approach you.
Am I that scary?
Yeah. There are also members of the brotherhood keeping everyone at bay.
Jack chuckled. Ill be more discreet next time. Didnt want to burden you guys.
Nah. Just do whatever you want.
They took another sip, then rested in silence. It was odd. Jack had known this guy for, what, a few hours? He knew absolutely nothing about him. Yet, drinking beside him felt nice, like they were old friends.
It prompted Jack to think about what his friends were doing. Though hed grown up in Valville, hed met all his current friends at the university, so none of them lived here. They used to meet at least twice a week in Tahlequah.
Its a dream. Edgar sighed. Deep in their hearts, every child and teenager wishes that an owl would come and magically change their lives without any effort. That they could get rid of bad parents, boring school, shitty friends, insecurities, a scary future, everything, and go become wizards with nice friends at a cool school.
Jack considered it. I guess youre right, he said. Ive fantasized about that before.
Everyone has. All children more or less identified. Me toomore than most.
Jack remained silent. Edgar continued, My parents were bad people. My school sucked. I only had half a friend. I was bullied a bitchildish things, thinking back, but they were a big deal then. And I couldnt escape. I was trapped in hell. Can you imagine how hard I hoped for my magic owl to come? That my letter had been lost on the way, and theyd eventually discover it?
Jack thought back to his own life. It hadnt been lain with roses but not bad, either.
No, he replied honestly.
Maybe thats for the best. I dreamt about it every night. Edgar shrugged. Anyway, I escaped hell, eventually. I cut ties with my parents the moment I got my first job and never saw them again until Henrys Fang paraded their heads in Valville square.
Oh.
Yeah. I mean, I didnt like them, but it was still rough. He shrugged again. Jack noticed that his beak-like nose didnt fit a reminiscing man. Anyway, he repeated, I dont remember where I was going with all this. The point is, I had a sharp imagination and hard discipline. When a goblin appeared in my basement apartment, I used deodorant and a lighter to set it on fire, getting my first kill bonus in the form of the fireball skill. I finally had the chance to live out my fantasies, but how funny, the owl came ten years too late. Id already put in the effort to escape, goddamnit. What a waste.
Wow. No wonder people use e-mail nowadays.
Edgar looked over in surprise, then chuckled. I suppose so, he said. Anyway, thats the story of how I became a wizard. Then I figured that, oh well; since Im here, might as well go all the way and become a strong wizard. The strongest. Then, Ill create a magic academy for children with bad families. Maybe Ill name myself Dumblewindow, too.
Thats a nice dream. Jack nodded.
Yeah. Childhood me is finally happy inside.
Is he really?
I think so.
Then, thats good.
What about you, Jack? What are you going to do with all this power?
Punch stuff, I guess. Jack laughed. To be precise, I will punch progressively stronger stuff progressively harder. Sounds like a fun occupation.
Ah, yes. Very noble.
Theyll be bad stuff, too; Im a good guy.
Then, thats something I can get behind. Edgar smiled. You could make a boxing academy.
Im a pugilist, not a boxer.
Is there a difference?
Yeah. Fewer rules.
Neat.
Jack drew a large gulp from his can, tilting it higher up and realizing it was empty in the process. Shit, he said. Edgar laughed. Drinking the last of his beer, too, he raised a hand, and two more beer cans floated up from the streets below.
Jack was puzzled. What? He stood up and looked over the edge, finding a crate of beer below. He turned to Edgar. That wasnt there before.
The wizard shrugged. Magic.
Both men laughed, then grabbed their cans and kept drinking.
By the way, asked Edgar, did you climb this house on purpose, or was it random?
Completely random. Why?
There was a very confused old lady looking at me through the window before. I waved at her, then someone dropped from the roof, picked me up, and flew away.
Of course. Thats regular stuff now. Maybe we should invite her for a beer, too.
I dont think old ladies like rooftops, Jack.
How do you know?
As if on cue, the sound of a broomstick hitting the roof from below reached their ears. Go sit on another house! the old lady shouted. Both men laughed. She probably wouldnt join, but oh well; her loss.
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Chapter 39: Rooftop Beer
Jack lay against the cool roof tiles, hands crossed behind his head. Brock rested by his side, his little chest rising and falling as he took gentle breaths. He was copying Jacks posture.
Jacks gaze was lost above.
The sky had been different since the System arrived. The pollution had been cleared, revealing an expanse full of stars. Twinkling dots of all sizes filled the dark dome, a masterpiece of unprecedented beauty. Some stars were condensed in a long, snaking river that reached from one end of the sky to another; the galaxy.
Is this what the people of old saw? he wondered, letting himself be lost in the breathtaking beauty. Wow
He imagined going to sleep every night under this sight. How had modern humans managed to lose such beauty?
In a way, the System had turned back time for Earth. The sky was clear again. People were walking around with swords and primal hearts. All satellites had been disabled, according to the professor, returning the planet to an age where communication and transportation were difficult. Monsters roamed the countryside, bringing back the risk in venturing outside town wallsValvilles were already in construction. The world was full of mysteries, and an entire new frontierspacewas open for exploration.
Despite the danger and death this new world provided, Jack loved it. It was like a dystopian illusion had been pulled off his eyes, revealing a world as it was meant to be, and it was beautiful.
He took a deep breath, enjoying the clean air.
God, he whispered with stars reflected in his eyes, thank you... He wasnt religious, but seeing the sky like this, he could understand why people were.
His thoughts wandered, and they were only interrupted when a beer can floated shakily over the rooftop. Jack looked at it, then did a double-take. It was just floating there, before his hand, as if begging him to reach out.
He did; the can was cool to the touch. Jack smiled. Magic.
Edgar, he said, is that you?
No, came Edgars voice.
Okay.
He waited a few moments, enjoying the silence.
Can you help me up? the wizard called out from below. I cant fly yet.
Jack chuckled at the last word. Letting his beer can rest at the sideBrock grabbed and shook it curiously, then tossed it two streets away and laughed in monkeyhe fell off the rooftop, grabbed Edgar in a princess-carry, and jumped back up. There, he said, dropping him on the roof tiles. Also, Brock, dont do that. You could hurt someone.
Woah! Thanks.
Edgars laughter contained excitement. He wore loose cyan clotheswizard robes, Jack notedbut, instead of a wand, he held another beer can.
Jack motioned at it, saying, Can you at least open that yourself or should I do it for you?
Of course. Im a wizard, not a baby.
Dont say that. If you eat your nails, opening cans can be a struggle. He chuckled. Thanks for the beer, man.
No problem.
Brock stood and inspected Edgar closely, then huddled closer to Jack and stared at the wizard suspiciously. Both men laughed.
Jack lay back down on the roof tiles, and Edgar lay down beside him, fishing another beer from inside his robe and giving it to Jack. Both men opened their beers at the same time, then cheered as they took the first cool sip.
Thats Brock, right? Hes cute, Edgar said.The inaugural upload of this chapter took place via N0v3l-B1n.
Brock protested fiercely. He was a warrior, not cute!
He is a cute warrior. Jack smiled, then asked, How did you find me?
Its a rooftop, Jack. People can see you from the surrounding streets. Its just that nobody else dares approach you.
Am I that scary?
Yeah. There are also members of the brotherhood keeping everyone at bay.
Jack chuckled. Ill be more discreet next time. Didnt want to burden you guys.
Nah. Just do whatever you want.
They took another sip, then rested in silence. It was odd. Jack had known this guy for, what, a few hours? He knew absolutely nothing about him. Yet, drinking beside him felt nice, like they were old friends.
It prompted Jack to think about what his friends were doing. Though hed grown up in Valville, hed met all his current friends at the university, so none of them lived here. They used to meet at least twice a week in Tahlequah.
Its a dream. Edgar sighed. Deep in their hearts, every child and teenager wishes that an owl would come and magically change their lives without any effort. That they could get rid of bad parents, boring school, shitty friends, insecurities, a scary future, everything, and go become wizards with nice friends at a cool school.
Jack considered it. I guess youre right, he said. Ive fantasized about that before.
Everyone has. All children more or less identified. Me toomore than most.
Jack remained silent. Edgar continued, My parents were bad people. My school sucked. I only had half a friend. I was bullied a bitchildish things, thinking back, but they were a big deal then. And I couldnt escape. I was trapped in hell. Can you imagine how hard I hoped for my magic owl to come? That my letter had been lost on the way, and theyd eventually discover it?
Jack thought back to his own life. It hadnt been lain with roses but not bad, either.
No, he replied honestly.
Maybe thats for the best. I dreamt about it every night. Edgar shrugged. Anyway, I escaped hell, eventually. I cut ties with my parents the moment I got my first job and never saw them again until Henrys Fang paraded their heads in Valville square.
Oh.
Yeah. I mean, I didnt like them, but it was still rough. He shrugged again. Jack noticed that his beak-like nose didnt fit a reminiscing man. Anyway, he repeated, I dont remember where I was going with all this. The point is, I had a sharp imagination and hard discipline. When a goblin appeared in my basement apartment, I used deodorant and a lighter to set it on fire, getting my first kill bonus in the form of the fireball skill. I finally had the chance to live out my fantasies, but how funny, the owl came ten years too late. Id already put in the effort to escape, goddamnit. What a waste.
Wow. No wonder people use e-mail nowadays.
Edgar looked over in surprise, then chuckled. I suppose so, he said. Anyway, thats the story of how I became a wizard. Then I figured that, oh well; since Im here, might as well go all the way and become a strong wizard. The strongest. Then, Ill create a magic academy for children with bad families. Maybe Ill name myself Dumblewindow, too.
Thats a nice dream. Jack nodded.
Yeah. Childhood me is finally happy inside.
Is he really?
I think so.
Then, thats good.
What about you, Jack? What are you going to do with all this power?
Punch stuff, I guess. Jack laughed. To be precise, I will punch progressively stronger stuff progressively harder. Sounds like a fun occupation.
Ah, yes. Very noble.
Theyll be bad stuff, too; Im a good guy.
Then, thats something I can get behind. Edgar smiled. You could make a boxing academy.
Im a pugilist, not a boxer.
Is there a difference?
Yeah. Fewer rules.
Neat.
Jack drew a large gulp from his can, tilting it higher up and realizing it was empty in the process. Shit, he said. Edgar laughed. Drinking the last of his beer, too, he raised a hand, and two more beer cans floated up from the streets below.
Jack was puzzled. What? He stood up and looked over the edge, finding a crate of beer below. He turned to Edgar. That wasnt there before.
The wizard shrugged. Magic.
Both men laughed, then grabbed their cans and kept drinking.
By the way, asked Edgar, did you climb this house on purpose, or was it random?
Completely random. Why?
There was a very confused old lady looking at me through the window before. I waved at her, then someone dropped from the roof, picked me up, and flew away.
Of course. Thats regular stuff now. Maybe we should invite her for a beer, too.
I dont think old ladies like rooftops, Jack.
How do you know?
As if on cue, the sound of a broomstick hitting the roof from below reached their ears. Go sit on another house! the old lady shouted. Both men laughed. She probably wouldnt join, but oh well; her loss.
Chapter 39: Rooftop BeerJack lay against the cool roof tiles, hands crossed behind his head. Brock rested by his side, his little chest rising and falling as he took gentle breaths. He was copying Jacks posture.Jacks gaze was lost above.The sky had been different since the System arrived. The pollution had been cleared, revealing an expanse full of stars. Twinkling dots of all sizes filled the dark dome, a masterpiece of unprecedented beauty. Some stars were condensed in a long, snaking river that reached from one end of the sky to another; the galaxy.Is this what the people of old saw? he wondered, letting himself be lost in the breathtaking beauty. WowHe imagined going to sleep every night under this sight. How had modern humans managed to lose such beauty?In a way, the System had turned back time for Earth. The sky was clear again. People were walking around with swords and primal hearts. All satellites had been disabled, according to the professor, returning the planet to an age where communication and transportation were difficult. Monsters roamed the countryside, bringing back the risk in venturing outside town wallsValvilles were already in construction. The world was full of mysteries, and an entire new frontierspacewas open for exploration.Despite the danger and death this new world provided, Jack loved it. It was like a dystopian illusion had been pulled off his eyes, revealing a world as it was meant to be, and it was beautiful.He took a deep breath, enjoying the clean air.God, he whispered with stars reflected in his eyes, thank you... He wasnt religious, but seeing the sky like this, he could understand why people were.His thoughts wandered, and they were only interrupted when a beer can floated shakily over the rooftop. Jack looked at it, then did a double-take. It was just floating there, before his hand, as if begging him to reach out.He did; the can was cool to the touch. Jack smiled. Magic.Edgar, he said, is that you?No, came Edgars voice.Okay.He waited a few moments, enjoying the silence.Can you help me up? the wizard called out from below. I cant fly yet.Jack chuckled at the last word. Letting his beer can rest at the sideBrock grabbed and shook it curiously, then tossed it two streets away and laughed in monkeyhe fell off the rooftop, grabbed Edgar in a princess-carry, and jumped back up. There, he said, dropping him on the roof tiles. Also, Brock, dont do that. You could hurt someone.Woah! Thanks.Edgars laughter contained excitement. He wore loose cyan clotheswizard robes, Jack notedbut, instead of a wand, he held another beer can.Jack motioned at it, saying, Can you at least open that yourself or should I do it for you?Of course. Im a wizard, not a baby.Dont say that. If you eat your nails, opening cans can be a struggle. He chuckled. Thanks for the beer, man.No problem.Brock stood and inspected Edgar closely, then huddled closer to Jack and stared at the wizard suspiciously. Both men laughed.Jack lay back down on the roof tiles, and Edgar lay down beside him, fishing another beer from inside his robe and giving it to Jack. Both men opened their beers at the same time, then cheered as they took the first cool sip.Thats Brock, right? Hes cute, Edgar said.The inaugural upload of this chapter took place via N0v3l-B1n.Brock protested fiercely. He was a warrior, not cute!He is a cute warrior. Jack smiled, then asked, How did you find me?Its a rooftop, Jack. People can see you from the surrounding streets. Its just that nobody else dares approach you.Am I that scary?Yeah. There are also members of the brotherhood keeping everyone at bay.Jack chuckled. Ill be more discreet next time. Didnt want to burden you guys.Nah. Just do whatever you want.They took another sip, then rested in silence. It was odd. Jack had known this guy for, what, a few hours? He knew absolutely nothing about him. Yet, drinking beside him felt nice, like they were old friends.It prompted Jack to think about what his friends were doing. Though hed grown up in Valville, hed met all his current friends at the university, so none of them lived here. They used to meet at least twice a week in Tahlequah.Its a dream. Edgar sighed. Deep in their hearts, every child and teenager wishes that an owl would come and magically change their lives without any effort. That they could get rid of bad parents, boring school, shitty friends, insecurities, a scary future, everything, and go become wizards with nice friends at a cool school.Jack considered it. I guess youre right, he said. Ive fantasized about that before.Everyone has. All children more or less identified. Me toomore than most.Jack remained silent. Edgar continued, My parents were bad people. My school sucked. I only had half a friend. I was bullied a bitchildish things, thinking back, but they were a big deal then. And I couldnt escape. I was trapped in hell. Can you imagine how hard I hoped for my magic owl to come? That my letter had been lost on the way, and theyd eventually discover it?Jack thought back to his own life. It hadnt been lain with roses but not bad, either.No, he replied honestly.Maybe thats for the best. I dreamt about it every night. Edgar shrugged. Anyway, I escaped hell, eventually. I cut ties with my parents the moment I got my first job and never saw them again until Henrys Fang paraded their heads in Valville square.Oh.Yeah. I mean, I didnt like them, but it was still rough. He shrugged again. Jack noticed that his beak-like nose didnt fit a reminiscing man. Anyway, he repeated, I dont remember where I was going with all this. The point is, I had a sharp imagination and hard discipline. When a goblin appeared in my basement apartment, I used deodorant and a lighter to set it on fire, getting my first kill bonus in the form of the fireball skill. I finally had the chance to live out my fantasies, but how funny, the owl came ten years too late. Id already put in the effort to escape, goddamnit. What a waste.Wow. No wonder people use e-mail nowadays.Edgar looked over in surprise, then chuckled. I suppose so, he said. Anyway, thats the story of how I became a wizard. Then I figured that, oh well; since Im here, might as well go all the way and become a strong wizard. The strongest. Then, Ill create a magic academy for children with bad families. Maybe Ill name myself Dumblewindow, too.Thats a nice dream. Jack nodded.Yeah. Childhood me is finally happy inside.Is he really?I think so.Then, thats good.What about you, Jack? What are you going to do with all this power?Punch stuff, I guess. Jack laughed. To be precise, I will punch progressively stronger stuff progressively harder. Sounds like a fun occupation.Ah, yes. Very noble.Theyll be bad stuff, too; Im a good guy.Then, thats something I can get behind. Edgar smiled. You could make a boxing academy.Im a pugilist, not a boxer.Is there a difference?Yeah. Fewer rules.Neat.Jack drew a large gulp from his can, tilting it higher up and realizing it was empty in the process. Shit, he said. Edgar laughed. Drinking the last of his beer, too, he raised a hand, and two more beer cans floated up from the streets below.Jack was puzzled. What? He stood up and looked over the edge, finding a crate of beer below. He turned to Edgar. That wasnt there before.The wizard shrugged. Magic.Both men laughed, then grabbed their cans and kept drinking.By the way, asked Edgar, did you climb this house on purpose, or was it random?Completely random. Why?There was a very confused old lady looking at me through the window before. I waved at her, then someone dropped from the roof, picked me up, and flew away.Of course. Thats regular stuff now. Maybe we should invite her for a beer, too.I dont think old ladies like rooftops, Jack.How do you know?As if on cue, the sound of a broomstick hitting the roof from below reached their ears. Go sit on another house! the old lady shouted. Both men laughed. She probably wouldnt join, but oh well; her loss.
