1st Page | Action/Voice

[knights_quill]

--the hell...?

[[Fakir hasn't yet noticed the seal in his pocket that seems to have let his voice be heard by people who aren't even around him.

The young man with ink-stained fingertips and ink stains on the collar of his white shirt and a writer's satchel slung over his shoulder glances around frantically, an almost panicked expression on his

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[duck_dancer]

[Assuming by this point someone has taught her how to use the seal...]

Fakir? Fakir, is that you?

[knights_quill]

[[Of course he was surprised. Of course he missed being able to talk to her like this.

But he needed to focus on what had to be done now. How is she a girl again? As much as he missed it, this isn't normal, and it could be dangerous.]]

Splendor? And who's "they"? How long have you wandered around here?

[[Without his protection?]]

[duck_dancer]

Just a couple of hours. I'm not really sure where I should go for now...

Of course, there are a lot of things I don't know right now, huh?

Oh! But I met a few other people who have been here longer, and that's what they told me.

[knights_quill]

[[At least she hasn't been around without him for too long. He slows down so she can catch up to him.]]

...It's probably another story. Is that all they told you? Just that this place is called Splendor?

[duck_dancer]

[She catches up, walking beside him at the slower pace now.]

They said that these keys belong to the place we're supposed to stay. I think mine goes to the cottages in this area.

[She spots the key around Fakir's neck.]

Hey! Yours matches mine!

[knights_quill]

[[There's a pause in his step as he turns to look at her. It's...familiar. And welcome. And it's hard not to just accept that she's human again and welcome it. They have to fix the story, but...

This is...pleasant.

He blinks down at the key around his neck. This stupid thing? He eyes the area with distaste.

How long are they supposed to wait to figure out this new story?

But at least his expression is softening now.]]

...I have to wonder how long this other writer expects us to stay in this place then.

Looks like we'll have to find out where to go.

[duck_dancer]

[She smiles at him. She's happy to see Fakir calming down somewhat. There's a look of confidence on her face as she looks at him now.]

At least we're together, right? As long as we're together we can figure this out, and get home again.

[knights_quill]

[[She needs to stop looking at him like that. It reminds him that he hasn't seen that expression on her face in weeks.]]

...Moron.

[[He reaches out to ruffle her red hair with his hand.]]

Right. At least we're here together. I made you a promise after all.

[duck_dancer]

I was worried when you weren't here, you know.

[She looks a bit concerned at the thought.]

I didn't know what I was going to do. So I'm really glad you're here now! [And suddenly she looks cheery again!]

[knights_quill]

[[He knows how that feels. When he showed up here without the duck beside him, he all but flipped.]]

You're strong enough to make it on your own though.

[[Stronger than he is.]]

But I'll do my best to keep you safe. Whatever this story spinner has planned, we've overcome it before.

[duck_dancer]

Maybe...but I feel better knowing you'll be here to help me. If something bad happens, I don't have Tutu's powers anymore.

[knights_quill]

You don't need Tutu's powers, Ahiru. You saved Kinkan on your own as yourself.

[[Fakir glances up at their surroundings with a frown.

It does fill him with pride that she still trusts him so deeply like this.]]

If need be, I'll write you a new story to counteract this.

[duck_dancer]

Do you think you can, Fakir? I don't want you to do it if you aren't comfortable with what you're writing...

[It's not that she doubts his skills, but she worries over how difficult it seems to be for him.]

[knights_quill]

I'll be fine, moron. It will take time, but I will.

[duck_dancer]

Okay. I just want you to be sure!

[knights_quill]

[[He rolls his eyes and ruffles her hair.]]

Come on. Let's just find out where these keys lead.