ii : [ Audio ]

[butleresque]

How strange it is to see that even a city so desolate is able to participate in festivities like these. You'd think that with how unfriendly many of the natives seem to be, the last thing they'd wish would be to give us such delicious confectioneries free of charge and without ill intent. [ he himself hasn't eaten any, but he's been watching the

Comments

[subrusticus_xiv]

I did not think of distrusting their hospitality. Nothing seems to be wrong with what they’re giving way. [ Spoken far too soon. ]

As to your question-I’m afraid I have to say I don’t know. The whole process is quite baffling. My guess is that the passage of time here in Anatole differs from the places we come from, so he isn’t here, he may be entirely unaware that you are here. At least, I very much hope that is the case.

[audio]

[butleresque]

Have you tried some of the food yourself?

That's an interesting theory you're proposing. If it were true, then I'm guessing to him, it would be much like I'd never left at all?

[audio]

[subrusticus_xiv]

Indulged in it, actually. [ You can hear the smile in his voice. ] It’s been a while for me, after all.

Possibly. One of my friends was here in Anatole for months, but back at home, I had seen her only a few days ago. Two of my other friends were also here, but I haven’t heard either of them say a word about this place.

It keeps me from wondering at the state of the things I’ve left behind…we were in the middle of a war.

[audio]

[butleresque]

And they were perfectly fine? [ He sounds amused himself. Allen sounds a bit like Finny ]

If it's as you say it is, then no changes should happen, right? The war you speak of will, unfortunately, still be there, but in the same condition that you left it in.

[audio]

[subrusticus_xiv]

To me, yes. Unless there the effects do not show up until much later.

It's only a theory that hasn't been proven, but I'm hoping it is so. I don't...want to return and find everything more chaotic than it already was.

And maybe we imagine ourselves to be here. But that doesn't seem probable because it simply is too realistic. Like the food, for one. Unless...she's here. But I doubt she could do this.

[audio]

[butleresque]

I can't be certain as I haven't tried them. But this curious device has records of people talking about the effects.

It could go either way. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee unless you find more of your friends who are able to tell you how conditions are back in your home.

Who is 'she'?

[audio] /Private

[subrusticus_xiv]

I'll...find out later, I suppose.

True. I'm not sure if I want to see any more of them here because of this place, but...it may be the only way to figure it out.

[ Switches to private. ]

One of our enemies. She has the ability to manipulate reality and create an entire world like that. But I do not think she can keep this up for months.

[audio ; private ] 1/2

[butleresque]

I'd hope that you don't. At least, not in that sense.

It's quite troubling, isn't it? One the one hand, you receive more information. Yet on the other, they're then trapped like how you are.

[audio ; private ]

[butleresque]

To be able to do something like that, on such a large scale, should tire out even those with the most experience.

Though, I cannot be sure as I've never heard of such an ability.

[audio ; private ]

[subrusticus_xiv]

It will be only my fault.

That is quite so.

//

That is what I am assuming. She's also...rather attached to me for some reason, and since I have yet to see her here..she probably isn't.

I didn't until she used it on me.

[audio ; private ]

[butleresque]

You're rather harsh on yourself.

That can only either mean that she isn't behind such a thing. Or, on a light chance that she is and is controlling things unseen from the outside.

May I ask what happened?

[audio ; private ]

[subrusticus_xiv]

I try to be honest with myself because I don't want to lose myself.

I should hope not. It would be difficult to deal with her.

Some, because information is generally withheld unless you are part of the Order. I can tell you that she did for fun because she wanted to meet us. We ended up battling and she...well, I let my temper get the best of me and was nearly killed because of that. Ever since, she claimed to like me, but I doubt she liked me more than a toy to played with until the interest wears out and it is discarded. Her entire family is like that--they take pleasure in making people hurt, making Akuma [ Oh, Allen, those muffins... ], and giving grief to our cause.

[audio ; private ]

[butleresque]

That's an interesting personal philosophy.

But if you've been able to battle against her before, surely you know what her methods are like.

Though, my, she does sound like she's quite the trouble. [ He can only smile to himself because of the toying thing ] How have they continued to do such terrible things without anyone noticing?

[audio ; private ]

[subrusticus_xiv]

...Perhaps. [ Slight laugh. ]

If only. She's rather unpredictable.

By disguising themselves as nobility.

[audio ; private ]

[butleresque]

Then to counter her, you've only got to be more unpredictable than her.

Ah, of course. The ones able to get away with most things with nothing but a hand wave in the right direction.

[audio ; private ]

[subrusticus_xiv]

We faced her twice, but...apparently, she doesn't die.

They claim they are human. That they have family. Friends. That we are the ones who are wrong. But I also doubt their sincerity because they say that and turn around to do things that contradict such supposed morals.