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?

[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?

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.]

[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.

[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.]

[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.]

[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?

[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.]

[relictusdeus]

[Such a rare thing, the sound of Hector's laughter.]

Oh, very much here shall test your precious reason. ...Have you noticed what is on your back?

[Keeping things cool and matter-of-factly.]

[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.

[curseresistant]

Yes, much to my displeasure. Though, I shan't question how our captors have gathered the means through which they've accomplished such a feat just yet.

[...right, this can't be avoided forever. Hector takes a deep breath before speaking again.]

Have you... been here long, Isaac?

[voice]

[curseresistant]

Right now, the greatest of my concerns is finding shelter. This place is still... new to me.

[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?!

[curseresistant]

Your help is a great boon to me, m'lady.

Now... if I may be allowed to ask, to whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?

[Action]

[mountain_sage]

[The mention of Julia's name in such a defensive way startles Saleh as well. He steps back to give the man some space.]

Julia...? Do you mean Julia Laforeze?

[He can't say for sure if this man is from the same world as Isaac and Julia. They could be common names, after all.]

[funnygirl]

I'm just happy I can help. I hope you find what you're looking for.

My name is Belle.

[Action]

[curseresistant]

[The mention of Julia's whole name makes Hector tense up, confusion giving way to anger in his expression. How does he know...?!]

How do you know that name? [His voice is threatening and cold, blue eyes aglow with an accusing rage.] Who are you?

[curseresistant]

T'is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Belle. You may call me Hector.

I hope that we are able to meet in person, someday.

[relictusdeus]

[He chuckles to himself, wondering since when Hector cared all that much about him. Though deciding it is naught but small-talk, he rolls with it still, but his deceptively light and pleasant tone is edged with a hint of anger.]

Quite long enough...

[But for all the hurt twisting deep inside him at the thought of this man, Hector's presence, like Julia's, now threw into question how ready he was to leave and return to the earth.]

[curseresistant]

I... see.

[He could hear that angered edge in Isaac's tone as easily as he could sense his power. Calm though the other Forgemaster seemed, Hector knew there was something amiss.]

[This simple conversation had enough potential to go wrong... and it was in far too public a place.]

[That... and Hector needed to see the other man. To know that this all wasn't just a trick of his mind.]

...I... would like to speak to you in person, Isaac. Is there anywhere... quiet for us to meet?

[voice]

[savarin]

I know that feelin'. Just got here myself, so I'm in th' same boat, but I got a room! There's a buncha apartments in the village that you can move into, an' I could give you a map or escort you there.

[relictusdeus]

[He considers the question for a long moment.]

Make for the woods and stand before the doors of the Battledome, gazing outward. The rest... shall follow.