13 [Action/Accidental Video]

[drawnbythesword]

[In the village today, there are a pair of boys strolling through. Well, more like one is, while the other struggles to keep up, holding a journal. Once they reach the fountain, however, the leader, deciding that this is a good place to stop for now, turns to face the other.]

Hey, Hubert. Did you figure out anything about that book yet?
Ah... no. Not yet, Brother.

[The leader, who Hubert identified as his "brother", walks over to him and tries to grab ahold of the book, with Hubert trying to resist.]

Agh, let me see it, then! You're too slow!
B-but you're the one who doesn't like to read books. Don't, you're going to... !

[At this time, their struggle causes the journal to play off one of the day's recorded audio posts, prompting both of the boys to drop the journal in surprise. The audio feed cuts out the moment it hits the ground, but instead, the video recording feature turns on, catching everything that proceeds from hereon.] Uwaah! Ahh!

[They stare at the journal in a mix of horror and wonderment. Was this thing...]

It... it's talking! Hubert, this book talks!
Look, Brother! Each page has a picture, too!
Do you think it's alive, then?
Mm. Maybe we should ask it and see if it can help us find everyone.

[Okay, the brother's down for that. He pauses for a moment, thinking of what to ask this magic talking book. But finally, he figures it out, slamming his fist into his hand. He then picks up the book, holding it away just far enough away so both he and Hubert can be seen in its camera.]

Erm... Hi, Book! I'm Asbel Lhant, and this is my brother, Hubert.
Um... It's nice to meet you.
I was wondering if you knew where some of our friends disappeared to... Their names are Cheria, and Sophie! [There was also the matter of where Richard was, but... He couldn't just talk about Richard like that...]
If you happen to know them, we'd really appreciate any help you can give us.

[Now... They had to wait. Closing the book, the duo sits down on the edge of the fountain.]

((ooc: Joint return post for Asbel and mistyarc! Red is Asbel, blue is Hubert. Replies will come from seekskrosophie and outbranch! Order will go you > Asbel > Hubert unless otherwise indicated.))

Comments

[video placeholder]

[seleniahymn]

[... Asbel Lhant? Hubert?

But they...

... are so adorable.] The two of you are all right?

[video]

[seekskrosophie]

[Oh, the book responded! It sure is concerned about them now.]

Yeah, we are. Right, Hubert?

[video]

[outbranch.livejournal.com]

[And it's a woman's voice, too . . . Hubert nods, subconsciously shying away to Asbel's side.]

[video]

[seleniahymn]

[The sound of their voices also seems to confirm that, so that part of her mind can be put to rest for now. BUt there was still the fact that they were out there alone in the cold.]

Do you mind if I come to help you... Asbel? Hubert?

[video]

[seekskrosophie]

But you're already here, book.

[Video]

[healedbythelight]

A-Asbel! Hubert!

[Cheria called the names before she could stop herself. They're... young? It's just like a few months ago, after Cheria was kidnapped! And they know about Sophie, so... They must be from around that same age, as well.

But that means... They won't recognize Cheria as she is now. What will she tell them?]

[Video]

[seekskrosophie]

[What is this, parrot time? Now this book's just being annoying...]

That's right. Asbel, and Hubert. [Gesturing his hand at Hubert. ...It's weird to be teaching the book instead.]

[Video]

[outbranch.livejournal.com]

I think it [or she?] was just making sure, Brother.

[But there's something about that voice that makes his gears turn. If only he could hear just a little more . . . ]

[Video]

[healedbythelight]

Ahh... It's nice to meet you two. Where are you? ... You're in the village, aren't you?

[She did see a quick flash of buildings in the background, but it's so hard to tell where exactly they are.]

[action] I WAS HOPING FOR THIS SO HARD

[i_am_not_cute]

[Pao-lin was busy showering or otherwise refreshing herself after a day of training at the Battle Dome (that thing hasn't gotten old for her yet!), so she missed the videopost.

On her way to dinner at Seventh Heaven, though, she easily catches sight of Hubert's distinctive blue head of hair at the fountain. But...he's definitely a lot shorter than she remembered. And younger looking. She's not familiar with the other kid, but she's assuming that it must be Asbel.

Pao-lin approaches the two boys, a bit unsure of how to handle this situation.]

H-Hubert...?

[action]

[seekskrosophie]

[Someone that knows Hubert? That's weird... He didn't think Hubert had any friends out in... wherever this place was. It didn't look like the kingdom, or Lhant, for sure.]

Eh? Hubert, is she a friend of yours?

[action]

[outbranch.livejournal.com]

This is my first time seeing her . . .

[STRANGER DANGER The look of confusion on Hubert speaks for itself. But this girl knows his name, and it'd be rude to simply brush her off. Hands clenched next to one another, he tries:] Um, did we meet somewhere before?

[action]

[i_am_not_cute]

[Ohhh. Awkward. Not only did the Malnosso somehow turn Hubert into a kid, but apparently they also wiped any memories of his time in Luceti. But kidnapping effects wore off eventually, right? They did for Link and Amiti, and they'd had some weird age changes happen to them too. But at least Link and Amiti got to keep their memories of Luceti.

Hmm. How to handle this.

Pao-lin smiles gently down at Hubert.]

We have! But I think I know why you don't remember me.

[Honesty is the best policy, right?]

[Voice]

[ledbythewind]

[Richard's been keeping his journal on and with him at all times ever since Asbel and Hubert were kidnapped in the hopes that he'll be the first one to hear their return, whenever it may happen. After the condition Sophie was returned in, he's been mentally preparing himself for a lot of things, imagining all sorts of horrible scenarios for their return... hearing those familiar young voices almost comes as a relief to him.]

Asbel! Hubert! Are you all right?

[Voice]

[seekskrosophie]

[Sorry, Richard, you're slow. So very slow.]

Yeah, we're fine. [He doesn't get it. Why is this book so concerned about them?]

[Voice]

[outbranch.livejournal.com]

[There's something about the tone of the voice from the book to be concerned about . . . But Asbel's already answered the question, so Hubert passes on saying anything.]

[Voice]

[ledbythewind]

[That's a relief, at least, but now it leads to the more awkward question of...]

Do you recognize me at all?

[Video]

[dreamfandom.livejournal.com]

Asbel?! Hubert?! You're all tiny now!

[Video]

[seekskrosophie]

We're not tiny! Just Hubert is!

[Video]

[outbranch.livejournal.com]

Ahh! That's mean, Brother!

[Video]

[dreamfandom.livejournal.com]

I can pat you on the head so easy now!

[Action...idk how I missed this. /sobs]

[moezama]

[There's...someone sort of watching them off to the side like a creeper with a look of bewilderment. He'll sort of wait until they're finished before saying something]

You...kinda need to have that book open in order for people to talk back.

[Action]

[seekskrosophie]

[Oh, wild creeper appeared. No biggie]

You mean the book can't talk if it's not open?

[Action]

[outbranch.livejournal.com]

[Hubert has the smallest internal freak out at Kazuma's sudden appearance, which shows on the outside by how he hides behind Asbel. Yes. He's safe here.]

[Action]

[moezama]

Well, yes. Sort of. We use that book here to talk to others. So it isn't...really the book talking.