001st Forged Devil: Like a Fallen Angel [Action, Voice]

[curseresistant]

[The journal picks up a glimpse of the sky as it falls to the cold dirt, followed by a skewed view of the forest. Things are quiet -- almost eerily so.]

[That's when, with a horribly heavy-sounding thud, a pale-skinned, white-winged, and white-haired man unceremoniously drops into view, faint wisps of breath barely visible from his mouth. Were it not for that, he would certainly appear to be dead.]

[The feed cuts off not too long after that, the journal closed by a strong gust of wind.]

[Much later in the afternoon, before the shops close for the evening, Hector busies himself with finding his belongings. He lingers in the smithy for a while, browsing armor and weaponry before moving along to the plaza.]

I am told that these 'journals' can send my voice to others. If there are others listening, I am Hector. I have only recently arrived here in... Luceti.

Would any of you know where I could acquire [...] raw materials? I would like to... work on something.

Comments

[Action]

[mountain_sage]

[Saleh continues his routine patrol through the forest, deep in though. The journal dropping on the ground ahead startles him, and then the man dropping to the ground startles him even more. He drops his sack and hurries over to the man, kneeling near him to check on him.]

Hello? Can you hear me?

[Action]

[curseresistant]

[At first, there seems to be no response from Hector. His body remains still, breaths coming slowly, steadily.]

[As Saleh's voice speaks worriedly, he stirs ever so slightly, his eyes slowly cracking open. His gaze is unfocused, still glossy, as though he has not yet realized that he is conscious.]

[Action]

[mountain_sage]

[When the man doesn't respond, Saleh moves within his range of vision, studying the man's eyes and even waving his hand in front of them.]

Can you speak? Can you move?

[Action]

[curseresistant]

[As the dazed look vanishes from his features, it is immediately replaced by one of panic, anger, and confusion. Hector's blue eyes glance up at Saleh just long enough to realize that he does not know this man; within moments, he has backed away from the sage, wings pressed painfully against the trunk of a tree as he rises into a defensive position.]

Who are you?! Where is Julia?!

[voice]

[savarin]

[Well, let's start being helpful, Red thinks.]

Journal's workin'. Welcome t'Luceti, I guess! Found all your stuff yet? Need a guide?

[voice]

[curseresistant]

Thank you, friend. T'is a relief to see that there is one willing to aid me.

I've found all of my possessions, yes, but I am still unfamiliar with this realm. A guide would be most appreciated.

[voice]

[savarin]

[Friend? This guy's getting a little friendly already. Red's just going to be a little cautious.]

Alright, anythin' in particular you need to know? I can even come walk with ya to places if you want. [Though, honestly, he's kind of hoping you don't want to do that.]

1/2

[relictusdeus]

[Deep in his subterranean home, Isaac stirs suddenly from a brooding trance from the first time in an hour. Inclining his head ceilingward, he gazes blankly and wide-eyed into empty space, every fibre of his being awake and tinglingly alert. He can feel it. Demonic energy pulsing outwards and pushing against the edges of awareness, making him shiver to his core. And not just any dark aura.

Here.

Hector was here.

There is no mistaking it; his certainty runs down to the marrow of his bones. And for once, as he slowly digests the fact and hears an all too familiar voice addressing anyone who could hear it, the Forgemaster finds himself at loss for what to say.]

2/2

[relictusdeus]

[But inarticulacy does not last – it was not him to hold his tongue for long.]

Lazy creature…! [He teases.] You would have others search for you? ...And you call yourself a Forgemaster?

[He has casual indifference and flippancy down to an art form at least verbally.]

[curseresistant]

[Hector had felt it the moment he had stirred from unconsciousness earlier that afternoon -- an energy that both familiar and foreign, almost reaching out to alert the white-haired man of its presence.]

[But he doesn't call out to Isaac, not at first; Julia's words come back to him, as clear as when she had first spoken them: 'My brother has always respected you.']

[Hector wracks his brain for hours for something to greet him with, tries to think of ways to getting in contact with Isaac even while he went about his business.]

[When the other Forgemaster's lilting voice comes through the journal, teasingly admonishing him, he laughs softly.]

I'd search myself, but I do not believe that these people would be so willing to aid me.

[...] I was wondering if I were, perhaps, going mad. I am glad to find that I have not yet lost my reason.

['Glad to know you are free of the curse,' are the words that remain unspoken.]

[funnygirl]

[Belle is busy helping around the library that afternoon. She's been taught how to alphabetize and shelve the books, and that's what she's doing when she hears a voice over the journal.

Another new arrival. There's nothing particular there, since they have been flooded with new people for the past couple of weeks. What surprises her is the man isn't asking to know more information about the place he's arrived in. Instead he wants materials to work?]

Good day monsieur. What kind of materials are you in search of? Anything specific?

[curseresistant]

Primarily crystals and basic metals, m'lady. I'm a... smith of sorts.

[funnygirl]

Oh. Well, I'm not sure about the crystals. But I believe you can possibly find various metals in the Item Shop.

[arcinvent]

Raw material? You mean like metal?

[curseresistant]

Yes, exactly that.

[arcinvent]

You won't find it in high supply. At least nothing better than rudimentary iron from my understanding.

[Voice]

[thefinaljedi]

A pleasure to meet you Hector, my name is Luke.

[A familiar sounding name, though he's not sure where he heard it. oh wait, Nomi ripped it out of Isaac's brain]

What sort of materials do you need?

[Voice]

[curseresistant]

Likewise, Sir Luke.

I am looking mostly for metal scrap, such as iron and bronze, as well as stones of varying types, like moonstone and garnet. Would you happen to know of any place I could find them?

[Voice]

[thefinaljedi]

Yea, the smithy and the item shop.

Though scrap metal may be difficult to find. Gemstones...might be at the clothing shop too, set into jewelry. What are you working on?

[voice]

[rocketpunch]

Um, could you be a bit more vague? I'd love to help, but that's not quite enough.

[voice]

[curseresistant]

Ah, I apologize. T'would be useful if I clarified, yes? [A soft laugh.]

I'm looking, in particular, for iron and bronze scrap. If you would happen to know of any stones like garnet, moonstone, and topaz, I would appreciate that, as well.

[voice]

[rocketpunch]

Oh...hmm...you know, those are kinda hard to find sometimes. I'm an inventor, so I look for some everyday, but even then it can kind of take a while. Your best bet is to check the smithy and stores daily...if I haven't already been there.

[Hector's handsome, but that's not worth turning over well-saved iron for...right?]

[action]

[pendantry]

[In the smithy, huh? Raven watches him browse for a while before she decides he's been there too long without making a 'purchase'.]

Looking for something?

[action]

[curseresistant]

[Hector seems quite engrossed in some of the swords -- for the moment, anyway. The moment Raven's voice calls out, he snaps out of his focus, looking over at her.]

Begging your pardon, m'lady, but I have a rather strange request.

[action]

[pendantry]

What is it?

[At least she's not outright caustic to customers. This one has a weird way of addressing people.]