Fifth Page - [Voice / Action]

[asterism_angel]

[Voice]

[Cheria awoke in an incredibly good mood today. A good mood like she's never had before. It's like something inside her is telling her that everything is going to be all right. That she'll have a happy ending of sorts

Comments

[action] hooray for lateness! ...wait.

[shiningbinds]

[Kratos is wandering the forest himself, his only company being his many thoughts.

...that is, until singing catches his attention. Turning his focus to the source, he spots Cheria and the animals following her.

Such an odd sight. Kratos can't help but watch, though his typical, hard-to-read expression does not change in the slightest.]

[action] Because backtagging is for the cool kids

[asterism_angel]

[Cheria spreads out her arms, twirling happily even as she walks. The forest critters don't seem to find this behavior strange at all. They just keep skipping and hopping along behind her.

When her gaze falls on Kratos, she stops walking and turns to face him with a warm smile.]

Good afternoon! Isn't it a wonderful day?

[action] well, we ARE pretty damn epic!

[shiningbinds]

[It's amazing how an odd sight can turn into an awkward situation... like it has now.

Kratos' expression still doesn't change, but if anyone he knew were around, they'd notice that his tone of voice was slightly gentler than usual. As it was, no one he knew was around--just him and this rather cheerful young woman.]

...hm, I suppose it is.

[action] Oh ho ho ho!~ Fu fu fu!~

[asterism_angel]

[Awkward? Not in Cheria's perception. She's just very happy she gets to meet nice new people and isn't wary of them in the slightest. Of course, she's already a very kind and social girl, but the experiment has made her even more trusting.]

Everything just seems a lot more bright, don't you agree?

[action] all aboard the awkward tra--wait kratos is there permanently

[shiningbinds]

[Kratos' expression still doesn't change much, still unsure of what to make of... well, anything, at the moment.]

Perhaps. [He really doesn't notice a difference.]

[action]

[asterism_angel]

[Well. This man is highly unenthusiastic. Someone should lift his spirits! Cheria approaches him, the woodland animals watching apprehensively from a distance.]

Would you like to take a walk with me and my new friends? I assure you, they're all very kind. [Just look at their innocent, furry faces, Kratos. And those big cute eyes. There's even a baby deer- how can you say no?]

[action]

[shiningbinds]

[Kratos hesitates to give Cheria an answer. He isn't the greatest fan of animals, and the girl reminds him of Sylvarant's Chosen, the one Lloyd was fighting so hard to give a chance at life--

It's that thought process that eventually cause Kratos to yield and give an answer.]

All right.

[action]

[asterism_angel]

[Cheria's smile widens and the critters almost seem to be cheering in celebration. But that's silly. Forest critters don't do that, right?]

Then, let's go. We can walk to the riverside.

[action]

[shiningbinds]

[Of course they don't. If Kratos noticed, he'll simply assume it was his mind playing tricks on him. He nods to Cheria.]

[action]

[asterism_angel]

[She smiles happily and turns to lead the way, the animals once again strolling along in her wake, seemingly brimming with excitement. Then Cheria realizes she's been exceptionally rude up until now and decides to introduce herself at last.]

My name is Cheria Barnes. What's your name?

[action]

[shiningbinds]

[Kratos gazes down at her, expression still having not changed much since the beginning of their encounter. He gives her an answer quickly, though:]

My name is Kratos. A... pleasure to meet you, Cheria. [Awkward 4000 year old seraph is awkward, but at least he's attempting this.]

[action]

[asterism_angel]

[It's a shame for Kratos that the Disney Princess magic is now spreading. While the forest critters had mostly been focusing on Cheria up until now, they're starting to gain an interest in her new friend. A couple of the birds will start fluttering closer to Kratos's head and some of the rabbits and chipmunks begin to hop along in his wake.

Of course, Cheria is oblivious to all this.]

It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Kratos. Such a nice name... Have you been affected by the experiment as well? [The true nature of the question being: Do you always dress in purple spandex with a ridiculous amount of belts?]

[action]

[shiningbinds]

[Kratos can no longer blame his mind playing tricks on him... especially since Cheria mentioned an experiment. The Malnosso. The man lets out the most quiet of sighs.]

I do not believe so. [He idly wonders how altered this girl's true personality is due to the experiment.]

[action]

[asterism_angel]

[He'd be surprised how little Cheria's personality has changed. She's just a very social girl by nature.]

Is that so? Then, are you a knight of some sort? [She glances down at his sword. Where she's from, people only carry weapons if they have a good reason to do so.]

[action]

[shiningbinds]

A mercenary would be more accurate to describe what I am. [After all, that was what he had claimed to be when he had traveled with Lloyd and his friends.]

[action]

[asterism_angel]

Ohh, is that so? Then, you protect others to make a living?

[That's still sort of like a knight. Except mercenaries don't have to participate in wars or anything like that.]