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]

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!

[Action]

[healedbythelight]

You didn't exhaust yourself, did you? ...Honestly, it isn't even our place to fight in this war.

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

I made sure to pace myself properly, don't worry... ...And you're right, it isn't, but... we don't have much choice right now.

[Action]

[healedbythelight]

No, I suppose not... [Though that doesn't settle her down in the least.]

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

... Ah, Cheria, are you hungry? I could make you something [Curry] to eat. It wouldn't be right to expect you to cook on your first day here... I'm sure you're tired.

[Action]

[healedbythelight]

Oh, you needn't trouble yourself. I can- Ah! [She was just getting up from her chair when a sudden wave of pain runs along her spine, originating from her wings. It's gone as quickly as it came, but she sits down again, just in case.]

...

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

Cheria! [He steps forward to rush to her aid, but stops when he sees she seems to be fine.]

...Please, just rest. I'll take care of you.

[Action]

[healedbythelight]

... All right. [She'll accept his help, albeit reluctantly. It's just like when they were kids.]

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

... Maybe you should lie down for a while. You can have that bedroom there. [He points to the one in the corner.]

[Action]

[healedbythelight]

How many bedrooms are there?

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

We have six bedrooms. You'll be right next to Sophie's room.