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

Mm. I'm eighteen years old, now.

[This is the prime of her life, kids. Don't call her old.]

So... everyone's grown up except the two of us now. [That's weird. And disappointing. And sad.

...!]

Ah! Wait, what about Sophie!

[Wow, eighteen . . . And she looks so healthy, too, given her physical state as a child.

He looks at Asbel, then to Cheria, also curious about Sophie.]

[Cheria's silent for a few seconds, before responding.]

Sophie... is still exactly the same as you two remember her. I'd say she hasn't aged a day.

Ah, really? That's awesome! At least she didn't leave us behind, Hubert!

[That choice of words kind of hurts, Asbel.]

Y-yeah . . .

[She left them behind? Cheria can't help but feel that truthfully, it was the other way around. She can't tell the boys that, though.]

No, I didn't leave you two behind. You will grow up alongside me, once you return home. I will still be there, just the way I was.

[Well, now he's just confused, Cheria. How can you be a grown-up and still a kid somewhere else? And his skepticism is plain on his face.]

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.]

[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.

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

[Make that two.]

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

[Better than not at all.]

[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...]

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

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

Sophie's there too?! [Well, now he's excited. He already knew about Richard, but if Sophie's there...]

[If he can ever return to Lhant, anyway . . . Oh. That makes sense that Sophie would be there too, and he brightens just a bit at how Asbel gets so easily excited at the thought.]

Yes, she is. [She smiles, then pushes herself to her feet.] Then, shall we go?

[Oh boy! If Sophie's there, and Richard and Cheria are there, then it's perfect! He doesn't have to go looking for them! Okay, Cheria, you've convinced him. He's practically running in place now, excited to get going.]

13 [Action/Accidental Video]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]