drawnbythesword | 17 [Voice/Action]

[Finally, things were beginning to return to normalcy in Luceti. Well, as normal as normal can be in Luceti. Which, admittedly, wasn't very normal. But that was beside the point. Now that things were settling down, he could focus on other things. Important things. Very important things.

Like going to the store.

...Going to the store is very important, okay. Especially when you have an important task like finding a birthday present for your best friend. Asbel'd put it off a long time, unsure what to get Richard. Even now, he wasn't really sure. He was kind of hoping that something in the store might jump out at him. Like he'd see something that would just scream to him "Hey, I'm the perfect gift!"

Something caught his attention alright; a small, leather-bound book. Similar in design to the journals of Luceti, but also very different, Asbel goes to inspect the book. He didn't plan on getting a new journal for Richard. After all, he'd already gotten him a personalized one for Christmas last year. But still, something about the book was just calling to him. No sooner does he look at the book however does he freeze, dropping the book on the floor with a loud thud.

Anyone who happened to be in the store and decides to investigate will notice on the golden nameplate of the book is inscribed the name "Aston Lhant".]

[Voice]

[Sometime after that, Asbel turns on his journal, prepared to send out a few messages.]

Someone once told me they think that this place is actually listening to us. Just to find ways to drive us nuts. [A pause and then...]

...I'm really starting to think they were onto something there.

[Filtered to Sophie | 40% unhackable]

Sophie, I found some Sopheria seeds. If you like, we can plant them somewhere in Luceti. That sounds like a good idea to you, right?

[Filtered to Richard | 40% unhackable]

Richard, are you at the house right now?

[He was hoping Cheria's baking hadn't already tipped him off something was afoot.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

...Wait, do you say that because you're not crazy, or because you actually are crazy? [This hurts his head.]

[He can't help but laugh a little.]

No, I'm definitely crazy! Been nuts fer years.

Now I'm confused.

Are ya ever not confused?

Yes.

[No.]

I'm kind of havin' a hard time believing that... Or maybe I just keep confusing you whenever we talk.

You say some pretty weird things. It's tough to follow.

Hmm... ya do have a point. I don't exactly make it easy, most people just ignore me instead.

Even if what you say doesn't make a lot of sense, I don't think you should be ignored.

[Wow that's almost a compliment to him.]

Really? I do talk a lot of crap, I can't blame people fer not listening...

Captain Malik says a lot of weird things too, but he's also always sharing his wisdom with me, so I try to pay attention to everything he says. I feel like it's the same with you.

[Captain...]

I wouldn't say that most of mine is wisdom though, more like... crap?

I don't know, that part you just told me about craziness seems pretty wise.

You can make anythin' sound wise if ya learn how to phrase it properly! Even the greatest of lies can sound legit in the right hands!

--Wait, you were lying, then?!

Haha! No I was tellin' the truth.

I'm just sayin' that it's easy to trick people.

[Now he's just suspicious of you, old man.]

Now I'm not sure if you're lying or not.

[This is amusing.]

Why don't ya make the decision? Tell me, am I lyin' or not? Whatever ya say we'll just go with it.

Huh? [Oh god such a big decision! But being the big dumb shounen hero he is, he goes for...]

Well... ...I'll believe in you.

[Look at his face light up, why did you go and encourage him Kyo?!]

Yay! I was tellin' the truth too, nice ta see some people don't think every word outta my mouth is a lie!

[Because I'm a terrible person.]

If people think that, doesn't that mean you're giving off that sort of impression?

It's not my fault people judge based on looks! I mean really, do I look that shady ta you?

[Yes.]

Uhh... To be honest? [He's gonna say yes.]

Maybe I should work on my image a little more then...