Yoon Seri posts an inquiry about the mysterious piano song she heard in Iseltwald on an Internet forum and an anon commenter picks it up.
A Crash Landing on You AU fiction. #serihawky
Illustration by @chummychurri (Twitter)
Cover design by @edelweir...
July 17, 2021 9:00 AM Na Xamena → Finca Can Cosmi, Ibiza
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Jeong-hyeok and Seri headed to the parking lot where there was a French couple and someone who seemed to be a vlogger, judging from how he spoke in rapid Spanish to the camera that was held by a stabilizer.
Their guide was an energetic man named Mick (short for Miquel) who wore a feather hat and a big rucksack, and addressed the group with a hearty voice, the kind that enjoys laughing over a meal.
"The first part of our route is short with a thousand meters of dirt road, but we will be constantly climbing. Everyone ready?"
"How long is that?" The sun-glassed Seri asked Jeong-hyeok, keeping her voice low in confidence as they started with the forest track. The two lagged behind the pack so they could speak comfortably.
"Hmm, 15 minutes?" Jeong-hyeok computed, his hands at the straps, "But if it's upward it will be a little more."
"Oh that's easy then." Seri beamed with a spring in her steps, "This is good, I need the exercise, I haven't been going on the treadmill nowadays..."
The uphill climb started immediately with Mick pointing out the rich flora and fauna of their surroundings, and boasted how Ibiza's botanical properties are the island's essence.
It was rather jarring to Seri. Days ago, she was knee-deep into discussions about bylaws, dividends, profits, losses, and investments. Now she was hearing about foraging for fresh figs, wild thyme, and almonds.
Seri did recognize some of the plants they spotted along the way, because they were used in a shampoo or skincare product she sold, which had the guide declaring, "There might be an Ibizan in you, yet!"
Stranger still that she was spending her precious time, taking the paths of shepherds of so long ago with pebbles getting into her shoes.
Jeong-hyeok would pause now and then to kneel and take off her shoe to shake the tiny stones off, even after he did so five minutes ago.
"Sorry, I don't have the right shoes..." Seri apologized, bracing herself on his shoulder.
"It's okay." He tied her shoe before standing up, "Do you want to drink?"
Seri shook her head, "I don't want to have to find a restroom." And she was not about to take the guide's tip to pick up thimbleberry leaves for toilet paper.
While the wooded terrain didn't seem too outstanding beyond a line of trees, the stories made up for the monotonous hike. "I've been walking this island for five years and it never fails to surprise me. Once, I met a man who was living in a cave. Long haired, haven't showered for a while, but sharp and intelligent. He greeted me and I was surprised how aware he was of what's happening in the world. We had a long conversation until I had to ask him if he does anything for a living. He said he gave everything up. His career, his house...I'll never forget what he said: 'I have decided not to work for the rest of my life.' It was shocking, but I later learned to admire a man who could live the way he wants to live..."
