011 - [Video]

[servidude]

[The feed turns on at the fountain, it's early morning. A young blond boy of no more than at most five, stares uncertainly at his surroundings, small fists clenched uncertainly.]

Vandesdelca...? Sister?

[His voice wavers like he's about to cry, but he swallows it back.]

Comments

[voice]

[stupidgenes]

Guy? Is that you?

[Video]

[servidude]

[Guy is smart enough to figure out the device, sort of. It's not usual, especially in Malkuth, but he holds it, even if it's not pointing the right way exactly. Guy? It's a nickname no one really uses, but is that supposed to be him? He doesn't recognize the stranger's voice.]

Who is this?

[Video]

[stupidgenes]

[Guy's expression says it all. Asch switches to video.]

I'm Asch. Do you remember that name? [And all the hate associated with it?]

[Video]

[servidude]

[Still pretty unsure at you stranger, but not even a flash of recognition or hate. At best, somewhat apologetic.]

N-no. I'm sorry. Should I? [And proper. Polite.]

[Video]

[stupidgenes]

...Maybe. What do you remember happening before you got to the fountain?

[Video]

[servidude]

I was to attend my birthday Score with my sister. Vandesdelca was supposed to come as well...

[But he wasn't there this morning. Gailardia, rubs at his eyes. If Mary sees him crying she'll scold him. He's five today, he's supposed to be all grown up.]

[Video]

[stupidgenes]

The way you are right now, you don't know me. When you look around, it's nothing like Auldrant. Weird things called curses happen in a place like this.

I think you just got cursed.

[Video]

[servidude]

[Gailardia understands the words, even the concepts, eyes wide and confused. Without bidding, he starts to cry, and he wipes at his face, trying to stifle the sobs. Perhaps because he's so young, he believes easily and readily, like one believes in fairy tales.]

I d-don't understand--I didn't do anything wrong! I don't want to be cursed. I want to go home!

/BUTTS IN

[chosenfake]

[Luke cuts in, eyes narrowed.]

Asch! What are you doing, trying to scare him even more?!

[Ugh. Poor Guy. He turns his attention to the kid, expression softening.]

Your name is... Gailardia, right? You can't go home just yet, but it's going to be okay. Today we can play games or-- or eat food, or whatever you want.

[stupidgenes]

No, I'm just trying to explain the situation here. Are you saying that you can do better!?

[servidude]

[Still crying, but he nods to acknowledge his name.]

P-please don't fight.

[chosenfake]

Maybe I am!

[Luke tries to calm down when he sees Guy pleading.]

H-hey, it's okay. We're not really fighting. We just disagree on stuff a lot.

[Fighting is nearly bringing down the entire cathedral because they drew swords in the middle of an argument.]

[stupidgenes]

Shut up.

[Asch directs this at Luke through clenched teeth since he doesn't want Guy to cry anymore.]

Don't worry. We're not fighting. We'll explain things... and take care of you.

[...Err, this is Asch trying. At least he's taken it down to an indoor voice here.]

Is that okay with you?

[servidude]

[Even though it's not to him, the shut up makes him flinch. He's kind of scared of you guys but... He nods, sniffling and rubbing at his eyes. He's supposed to be good, and obedient and he's lost and confused and very far from home.]

O-okay.

[chosenfake]

[Luke does indeed shut up. He's surprised by the change in Asch's tone and maybe a little jealous.

Oh yeah. He was talking here. He smiles a little.]

We can come pick you up. Right, Asch?

[stupidgenes]

Yeah.

[He's already heading out.]

Just stay where you are. It's not far from here, so it'll be easy for us to find you.