First page - [Video]

[healedbythelight]

[The journal suddenly starts recording to catch a young woman's voice in mid-sentence. Sadly, the camera is directed towards the ground.] -at this button does... Is it broken?

This is hopeless. I'll never figure this device out. [A deep sigh.] If only Pascal were here...

[The image shakes, then tilts harshly until the camera is directed towards a stone ceiling instead. A hand swiftly moves past the screen.] ... Ah? What's it doing now?

[And finally, the journal is tilted one last time to show a girl with long pink hair, wearing a New Feather dress and staring into the camera with a confused expression.]

Comments

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

Yeah... We should get going.

[His eyes travel to the door, and then to the box in Cheria's hands. It looks kinda heavy...]

...Do you want help with that, Cheria?

[Action]

[healedbythelight]

[She glances down at the box for a moment as well, before shaking her head. Despite still being weakened by whatever process she went through to arrive in this place, she's determined to prove she can cope.]

It's fine, really.

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

If you're sure... [He wanted to help, too. ):

Well, at least he can open the door and hold it for her!]

[Action]

[healedbythelight]

[Such a gentleman, Asbel!

She'll follow you to your house, now. Whatever other belongings she lost, she can go fetch them by herself later on.]

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

[TIMESKIP TO HOUSE it's not too far from the plaza, at least.

Arriving at the house, he opens THAT door for her.]

[Action]

[healedbythelight]

[Well, it'd be only fair for Asbel to open that door, considering it's not quite Cheria's house yet and she doesn't have the key. Even so, she'll bow her head lightly as she enters the hallway.]

Thank you.

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

Of course, Cheria. [Asbel follows in after her, closing the door behind him.

Inside, Cheria'll find a nice, homey place. It's not as big as Asbel's manor, but it's a decently-sized house, and certainly bigger than Cheria's. It's reasonably decorated in a regal fashion, and there's a certain painting hanging above the fireplace if Cheria notices it.]

[Action]

[healedbythelight]

[How could Cheria not notice it? It's the first thing her eyes are drawn to, as a matter of fact. Of all the things she was expecting to see in Asbel's house, that painting was not one of them.]

Oh... That is... Is that the real thing?

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

I don't really have a way to verify its authenticity, but... [His eyes travel to the painting.]

...I think it is.

[Action]

[healedbythelight]

Did you find that in one of the stores as well? [Because now she's picturing that huge painting just lying around in a store.]

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

No, nothing like that. It was... a gift.

[Action]

[healedbythelight]

A gift? From whom?

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

From the Malnosso, I guess? It popped out of a weird statue, almost like one of the machines on Fodra.

[Action]

[healedbythelight]

Goodness. That must've been a very large statue.

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

Gigantic, really. Others were getting gifts from it, too...

[Action]

[healedbythelight]

... I see. [Those Malnosso certainly are keen to supply everyone here with nice things. But are they really free, or will the residents have to pay a price? Cheria's already read about this war, but she's got the feeling that's just the tip of the iceberg.

She makes her way over to the sitting area to take a seat, only to recoil lightly when her wings brush the back of the chair.]

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

[Asbel follows after her, taking the seat opposite her. He sits down with a light sigh.]

...I'm glad to see you, Cheria. Really. [Even if he isn't glad that she's stuck in Luceti with all of them now.]

[Action]

[healedbythelight]

Asbel... [She looks lost for a moment, but then she shakes her head, determination set in her expression.]

I'll do my best here. For everyone's sake.

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

I'm sure there are ways you can help here. There's a Clinic and a healing facility at the Battle Dome, or you could work at one of the restaurants, and I'm sure talented healers would be appreciated during the Drafts.

[Action]

[healedbythelight]

[The drafts... She read about those. It worries her that there's a war going on out there, but even moreso that anyone could be sent to fight at any moment.] ... Have you been selected for a draft before, Asbel?

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

[...]

...I have.

[Action]

[healedbythelight]

[Cheria knows Asbel can take care of himself- she's seen it with her own eyes plenty of times, but she still can't help worrying about him.]

You weren't hurt, were you?

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

[He shakes his head immediately to dismiss the thought, having a feeling Cheria would worry. It's what she does best.]

No, I didn't suffer any lasting injuries.

[Action]

[healedbythelight]

Lasting?! [Oh Asbel, you just implied that you got injured, even if it wasn't lasting.]

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

Ah- well- I-it's only natural to end up with some cuts and scrapes from a battle!