Sound has a minion!

Quiet Boy the Snugtom

Saw a new face in town today. It was foggy, took a second to realize I didn't recognize 'em. They were pretty. Looked tired. I tried introducing myself when they stopped by my cart for a look, but they didn't respond. Neighbor told me that's pretty normal, for them. Apparently they come by often, when the weather's a bit dreary.

Folks around here take kindly to 'em. They're never a bother; just pass through on these cold days, headed straight for the water. Sometimes they stop by the market for a little something to take along. I've heard a few people on occasion have decided to follow 'em, and see where they go off to. All came back with the same story: they go to the rocks, sit on the cliff's edge and stay there, just, for hours. Dunno what they're there for, and they never seem very happy, but we gotta assume they like it, at the least.

They don't talk. We don't know if they can.

Strange to have a cold day right before Summer starts to come in. Hope it isn't a sign of rough weather in future months. It's nice, though. On days like this, seems all the bugs and birds quiet down. The market goes on like normal, but our hearts are back at home, warming by the fire. Always quiet days, too, even in the spring.

A little something to break up the silence, though: I saw them again. Wasn't for long, but I'd almost forgotten about 'em. They'd shown up a few more times after I first saw them, but we didn't have much gloomy weather since then. Glad to see they're still at it. They stopped by my cart for a look again, but I don't think they've got much interest in what I had today. Tried greeting them again, too. They sorta bowed their head as they left, like... I dunno, it felt like an acknowledgement. Felt polite. I don't think they mean anything by it when they don't talk. They're not hurting anybody by bein' quiet.

Still haven't seen 'em show up on a sunny day. I wonder if summer comin' on means I'm gonna see them less.

Summer was a scorcher, but today we finally got some chill. First signs of autumn. Can't say I'm so fond of the more extreme temperatures, so days like this are pretty great. Not looking forward to the snow, but, we'll deal with that when it actually starts.

They showed up again, today. I guess they're really committed to this routine. Once the skies turn grey and you feel like you need a jacket, that's when you'll find 'em. It's been a few months since I last saw them... They don't look like they've changed, though. Same clothes, probably what they wear for walking. Same shoes. Lookin' as tired as they always do.

They didn't stop by my cart today. S'all well, didn't have much to offer here between seasons.

I'm not the first to have tried talking to 'em before. They're not much for communication. I've never seen them open their mouth, let alone speak. I don't think they even like lookin' people in the eyes, and we've never seen them motion or make signs or anything. They're not here for us, an' that's okay. Not from our town, neither. They just show up on days like this. Not sure where they're from. Not sure where they spend most their time. Not sure if they're... okay? If I had to guess... they seem kinda down. 'Least whenever I see 'em.

I hope they're okay.

It's getting awfully cold out. They don't bundle up more than that old vest, either. They've just gotta be cold. Their trips to the water are still as long as ever, and it's colder when they head back than when they head out. Never seen 'em shivering, though. It just doesn't look like they mind. I don't think I could do that.

I wonder if they've got any family to spend the holidays with. It'll be 'bout that time soon, and nobody I know has ever seen them with anyone else. I wonder if they have friends. Maybe a pet? I hope they've got somebody. Can't be much fun spending all your time alone. Though, I guess they don't look much like the type for fun. Who knows, it might just be these days that get them down. I know when the weather's got me feeling low I like to spend it alone, going somewhere I can take my mind off things.

The ocean must be lovely on days like this. Always been a fan of the greys, and blues, and purples. Don't think I'd much like the chill, but, I mean, I've got warm clothes. Wouldn't mind taking a look myself, sometime.

Today was... something special.

I don't think they have family. I don't think they spend the holidays with anyone. Today of all days, they showed up again. I stopped them, this time, and I asked if I could come along. They looked me in the eyes for a second-- just a second. But they did that thing again, that little nod before they started walking off. I just grabbed my bag and took off after 'em.

I didn't expect them to talk while we walked, and they didn't. I noticed they were listening to music, but they had one ear free-- the one on my side. They didn't need to do that. Like I said, I think they're pretty polite. I'm just a stranger to 'em, after all. I didn't talk, though... couldn't think of a thing to say. There's lots of ways I could'a gone about it, but... nothin' felt right. But it was nice. Being there, walking with them, even if we weren't talking. It was nice.

When we got there, to the rocks, they went for a spot right at the edge. I'd be lying if I said it didn't frighten me a little. I knew they sat at the edge, but, it's different seeing it. Was like they just didn't care that it could'a been dangerous. I sat a bit behind them, kept my legs on the flat ground.

Admittedly I'd told myself that today would be the day I follow them, myself, if they'd let me. I went ahead 'n packed an extra sandwich for lunch. I offered it to 'em and, to my surprise, they took it with another lil' nod. We ate in silence. After that, I think when they realized I wasn't gonna try and talk to 'em, they took their headphones off, and that was it. We sat there for hours. And you know? I was right. The ocean was just lovely, like a grey pearl fog all the way to the horizon. But... god. I hadn't thought about what I'd hear when I got there. That incredible stillness accompanied by only the sound of the waves breaking beneath us-- all around us. My god, that sound. I think that's what they must be here for.

I think they just really love the sound.