Fourth Page - [Accidental voice]

[asterism_angel]

[It's been over two weeks since Cheria was taken by the Malnosso, but at last, her journal is showing signs of life again. There's just one problem. The voice being broadcast through it doesn't entirely sound like Cheria. It's that of a young girl- eleven years old to be exact. She seems to be having trouble breathing, a weak gasp sounding every

Comments

[Voice]

[raizanshou]

[It's a voice not familiar to most, but it's certainly a voice familiar to Asbel. ...Somewhat, at least. He hasn't heard the voice in seven years, after all, but that tone, combined with calling those names, is pretty unmistakable, even to Asbel.]

...Cheria?

[Voice]

[sickly_angel]

[Asbel will immediately hear some faint disturbance, as Cheria frantically scuttles away from the source of his voice. She has yet to find the journal.]

H-haaah?! W-Who... Who said- [Then she breaks into a coughing fit.]

[Voice]

[raizanshou]

[Oh, boy, not good. Did they really turn Cheria into a child?]

Ah, Cheria! Are you alright?

[Voice]

[sickly_angel]

[The coughing slows down. ... Okay, she's good.]

Who... are you? Am I... Am I dead? [That would suck. She'd hoped her illness would be cured in the afterlife.]

[voice]

[frost_jewel]

Lost? Are you hurt, too?

[voice]

[sickly_angel]

[fslkjfg another voice! It's a girl, this time!]

Hah?! Ah... I'm... I'm f-fine.

[voice]

[frost_jewel]

You sound like you might be having some trouble, that's all. Maybe I can help.

[voice]

[sickly_angel]

[She picks up the journal, holding it up with one hand to peer at it curiously. ... This is so weird.]

Do you... know where Balonia is?

[voice]

[seraphgoddess]

[ Motherly!Martel emerges. ]

Shhh, it's alright. Just tell me where you are and I'll find you. Then we can go and search for your friends.

[voice]

[sickly_angel]

[This voice sounds especially nice to Cheria. It's been a few years since she last heard a motherly kind of tone directed towards her. Her grandpa tries, but it just isn't the same.]

I... I don't know. ... I was in Balonia and now... I'm not.

[voice]

[seraphgoddess]

[ Truthfully, other than Mithos she hasn't had any other experience with children. Not many people trust a half-elf with their kids. But she just has that special talent in her. ]

Don't worry. I'll be sure to find you. Can you describe the place you're in? I'm familiar with the area around here so it shouldn't be too hard to find you.

[voice]

[sickly_angel]

Ahh, uhm... It's a forest. There's mountains, but they're really far away. [She pauses, still breathing deeply.]

Will it help if I hold the... journal device up towards the mountains? So it can see?

[Voice]

[ledbythewind]

[That voice is decidedly younger than what he's used to, but there's no mistaking it. However, his relief is mixed with worry when he hears that coughing, because that's right, she was ill as a child, wasn't she...?]

Miss Cheria! Where are you?

[Voice]

[sickly_angel]

[This person may seem concerned, but the fact that he knows Cheria's name isn't exactly settling her down.]

I'm... Who are you?

[Voice]

[ledbythewind]

[Of course she wouldn't recognize him-- he's almost nine years older than he was when they first met. He's no longer a child; his voice doesn't even bear any resemblance to its old childish tone.]

It's Richard, though I suppose I don't sound very much like I did back then.

[Voice]

[sickly_angel]

[N-no way. It wasn't just Asbel who got older, but Prince Richard too?! Cheria grabs the journal firmly and holds it up to get a closer look at that picture. He looks so... So... Mature.]

Y-Your Highness! My apologies! [Cough cough.] I didn't- [Cough cough cough.]

[goldenfirefly]

Lost?

[And she sounds ill, too...]

Are you all right? Do you need help?

[sickly_angel]

[Luckily, Cheria has calmed down a bit by now.]

Please... don't worry. My friend is coming.