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.))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[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?

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?

[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?]

[Now this Asbel wants to know. It's not like Hubert to forget something.]

[Hubert's typically the one to know things, so this catches him by even more surprise. A little uncomfortable at having apparently forgotten her (and feeling bad over it), he brings his head in between his shoulders.]

You do . . . ?

[She nods.]

A group called the Malnosso made you and Asbel forget everything about this place.

What? [Asbel is not sure he believes you. Not at all.]

[Hubert is even more puzzled by this. And rather scared.] The . . . Malnosso?

Mmm-hmm. [She gestures.] This place is called Luceti, where everyone that was taken by the Malnosso stay. But sometimes the Malnosso will take people from here to, um...to talk to them, and then those people return here with some sort of weird effect, like forgetting things. [She smiles.] When I met you here before, you were older. [And not quite as...adorable.]

[Okay, you're going to have to give him a moment to process this, because that's a pretty ridiculous story.]

[That sounds like something out of a manga. While he can't deny that that's pretty awesome, being in such a situation is scary. And unbelievable. And the talk of knowing her as an older self? That just reminds Hubert of what his future is supposed to be like, and it upsets him.

His head drops even farther down between his shoulders, and he cowers behind Asbel.]

But . . . someone can't just turn younger . . .

[Pao-lin can't help it -- she giggles at Hubert's distress. She means it with lurve, honest!]

I know, it sounds really weird, right? But I know two people it happened to.

[That just prompts a nod from Asbel.]

Sounds reasonable to me.

[That doesn't sound reasonable, Asbel. That's impossible!

He grimaces inwardly at the giggle. Ahh, even this girl they just met thinks him cowardly, doesn't she? But back on topic . . . ]

How?

[Is Hubert asking how the Malnosso change people, or how Asbel thinks it's a reasonable explanation?]

No one really knows how the Malnosso do it. [A sigh.] They do a lot of things no one understands.

I dunno, Hubert. She doesn't seem like she's lying!

[Totes why it seems reasonable to him.]

[That's just troubling, Asbel's nonchalance toward the situation doesn't help. Hubert honestly has no idea what to think, but this girl doesn't seem to be lying. She's got a sincere look to her, and her overall explanation boosted the belief that this isn't their homeland or country, after all.]

I guess not. This place doesn't look like Windol or Lhant . . .

[Or the caves.]

[Pao-lin places her hands on her hips and glances around the plaza thoughtfully.]

Hmm...I don't know where you two used to live when you were here, so for now you can stay at the Welcome Center. I can show you where that is -- it's not far from here.

[This calls for brotherly whispering time!]

Hubert, what should we do? [They have people coming for them, after all.

[Hubert turns to Asbel. He's right, they have people coming for them.]

It might be better to politely refuse. It'd save her some time, too.

[Pao-lin tilts her head slightly seeing the two boys whispering to each other, but doesn't interrupt.]

You tell her, then. [Giving Hubert a slap on the back and a push forward, then!]

[He takes little steps forward, rather shy at suddenly being pushed forward.]

I-it's all right. We have people coming for us, so we should wait here . . . Thanks, though.

[And he throws in a small bow for good measure.]

Oh, that's good! I'm glad to hear that. [Though she wouldn't have minded looking after them for a while, just to make sure they'd be okay until this effect wore off. Offhandedly, she wonders who's coming for them -- maybe it's Cheria? Or is it Tear? Well, whoever it is, Pao-lin's sure they'll take care of these two.] Well, if you ever need anything else, my name is Pao-lin, okay? You can call me over the journal. [She gestures at it.] I also live near here and visit the plaza a lot, so maybe you might see me if you come here again.

Edited 2011-11-14 08:32 (UTC)

[A new friend has been made? Yay, oh happy days.]

Uh-huh. Okay!

[action]

outbranch.livejournal.com - 2011-11-15 04:03 (UTC) - Expand

i_am_not_cute - 2011-11-15 04:17 (UTC) - Expand