drawnbythesword | 13 [Action/Accidental Video]

[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.))

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

That's... Waah! [And now he's taken aback when it does in fact show her full name!]

Of course. MY name is Tear, I apologize for not introducing myself sooner. [Even if this situation is just slightly awkward...]

You should listen to Richard, Brother . . . !

[This is starting to get worrisome.]

It is! So it's a directory . . . [But if this man said he has his own, how do they update something like that so efficiently?]

But if you're grown here, how come we're still like this?

[As illogical as any of this is, if she's a grownup here, it'd at least make marginal sense if they were, too.]

Now, where are the two of you right now? I can't keep that promise unless I can find you.

[Magic. He nods.]

You just pick her name and then you can talk to her, or write to her...however you like to contact her.

[He offers the book back to them]

[Geez, how does she explain this to them...?]

It's because this world is different from our own. Sometimes, people are older here, like myself and Richard... And sometimes they're not, like Sophie and you two.

Tear... [...That's a weird name.]

... [Cheria, you're just confusing him more.]

[Well, if it's Richard, he can surely tell him.]

We're at this fountain!

[Asbel takes the book this time, since, well... it's technically his. Has his name on it!

That's just crazy, what Kazuma is telling them, though... This book can really do that? He saw him do it, so he knows it's true, but... it's a book.]

[Hubert glances at the book, then faces Kazuma.]

Does she have a book like this, too?

[At that, Hubert hopes that there's only one fountain in the village. Wouldn't do to confuse Richard.]

[Make that two.]

I don't really get it, but . . . I think I can understand a bit.

[Better than not at all.]

[Wow, rude, Asbel. Hubert gives Tear a slight bow, hoping the journal catches the gesture.] It's nice to meet you, and thank you for helping us, Miss Tear.

[He doesn't get it, but he can understand it a bit? Would she have to explain it again, then? ... Perhaps it just needs to sink in, first.]

A-anyway, how about we go back to the house? I'm sure everyone else is waiting for you there.

The house? [What house? There's a house? It's not his house, is it? He'd like to go back to his house, to be honest...]

The plaza, then. I'll be there shortly; just stay where you are and keep the journal open.

[House? Not the manor? Everyone? Too many questions, just take them away, Cheria.]

[Waiting for Richard? Okay, he can do that.

...

...

...Standing around is boring. ~~LET'S GO OVER THERE, HUBERT.~~]

Ah... Yes, the house where Sophie and Richard are. I'm afraid we can't return to Lhant just yet.

She should have. Everyone who arrives gets one.

[~~NO.~~ Any attempts by Asbel to move away will be thwarted by Hubert, who simply refuses to budge lest they make it more difficult for everyone by straying (and he will whine if he has to). This place is scary enough on its own, he doesn't want to worsen things. Be sensible for once, Asbel.]

[Fortunately for all of them, the house isn't THAT far from the plaza, and thus it will only take Richard a matter of minutes to make it there. It's not too hard to spot the two kids-- he recognizes them right away, of course, and walks up to them with a smile and the hope that they'll be able to recognize him in person and not just over the journals.]

There you are.

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13 [Action/Accidental Video]

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