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]

[seekskrosophie]

[What's with this book? This calls for brotherly conferencing! Asbel turns away from the camera to whisper to his brother.]

Hey, Hubert...

[Video]

[outbranch.livejournal.com]

[Hubert does the same, raising his hand to cover his mouth from the journal side for good measure. But he has another thought in mind.]

Doesn't that voice sound familiar?

[Video]

[healedbythelight]

Hah?

[Honestly Asbel, that's just rude. You can't simply halt conversations without letting the person you're talking to know what you're up to.]

[Video]

[seekskrosophie]

[dwi Cheria]

Eh? You think so?

[Video]

[outbranch.livejournal.com]

[It clicks.]

It kind of sounds like Cheria . . .

[Video]

[healedbythelight]

[He knows. Hubert knows... Oh dear, but she wanted time to prepare the boys for this. Perhaps if she stays silent, they'll agree to meet with her and then she can tell them in person.]

...

[Video]

[seekskrosophie]

[Asbel leans in closer now, attempting to keep his voice even lower, though if she strains her ears, Cheria might still catch what he says.]

But... She can't be Cheria! She's... old!

[Video]

[outbranch.livejournal.com]

[Now that's just rude.]

She doesn't look that old . . .

[Video]

[healedbythelight]

[What's that they're saying? Cheria can't quite hear...]

[Video]

[seekskrosophie]

But Cheria's our age, remember?

[Video]

[outbranch.livejournal.com]

That's true . . . Is it just a coincidence?

[Video]

[healedbythelight]

...

[Video]

[seekskrosophie]

You must be imagining things. This lady sounds too nice to be Cheria, anyway.

[Video]

[outbranch.livejournal.com]

Cheria is nice, though.

[She's only mean to you because she likes you. And a bit pushy, but that's no biggie.]

[Video] 1/2

[healedbythelight]

[Cheria definitely heard those last two comments.

Don't get mad at Asbel, he's only a child. Don't get mad at Asbel, he's only a child...!]

[Video] 2/2

[healedbythelight]

Ah... Boys? Should I come meet with you or not?

[Video]

[seekskrosophie]

Never this nice!

[Oh, right. She's waiting on them.]

Huh? Oh, uhh... Sure.

[Video]

[outbranch.livejournal.com]

Ah -- yes, if you'd like to . . .

[If it's convenient for her.]

[Video]

[healedbythelight]

... Then... I'll be right there!

[Don't you two rascals go anywhere, now.]

[Video]

[seekskrosophie]

[yeah okay sure whatever]

[Video]

[outbranch.livejournal.com]

[Rude as ever, Asbel. But Hubert won't be going anywhere as long as Asbel stays put.]

[Action]

[healedbythelight]

[Cheria will arrive at the fountain roughly five minutes later. Her eyes widen slightly when she spots the duo because... Goodness, they really do look just like she remembers them, only shorter. Were they always this short?]

Asbel, Hubert. It's good to see you.

[Action]

[seekskrosophie]

[Oh, it's a lady. She looks kinda familiar. Not sure why. He must be imagining it.]

That seems like a pretty weird thing to say to someone you barely met.

[Action]

[outbranch.livejournal.com]

[She even looks like Cheria . . . Hubert unwittingly stares, quiet. He's not really sure whether to take Asbel or Cheria's side on the whole don't-or-do-know-her thing. It's confusing. He feels like he should know.]

[Action]

[healedbythelight]

I-is it? You think so?

[Oh, that sounded even more suspicious. It's no good, the longer she avoids this topic, the worse it's going to get. She shakes her head, then takes a seat on the fountain's edge with a smile.]

What makes you say we've only just met?