01. [video]

[lcied]

[Click! The screen is entirely black as the recording starts, and the voice seems a bit muffled.]

--is no Eden. …I…I should have known that!

[A pained sigh.]

Huh?

[Rustle. Ruuuustle. The sounds become much clearer and finally, the long-awaited image appears - at first it's the sky, then it focuses on buildings, and next, there's a glimpse of something

Comments

[Video]

[reflectivedawn]

[Why does he get the feeling you're worse at technology than Sora?]

Because it belongs to you.

[Duh, Hope.]

[Video]

[lcied]

[Come on, have some mercy, he's simply confused!

Besides, he's been running away since forever, and suddenly, there's this weird place full of people who don't wish to see him dead for a change.

Hopefully.]

Me? ...what is going on?

[Video]

[reflectivedawn]

[Don't be too sure of that not wanting to see you dead part, Hope.]

Yes, you. Unless there's someone there with you and they're hiding behind you.

It's called a PCD. You use it to talk to people in the city.

[Video]

[lcied]

No...

[He has already checked, but he involuntarily scans his surroundings once again. Not a single soul. Hope's features darken.]

I've been separated and it's just me, it seems.

[A pause, as he glances at the PCD once again]

I see, but -- why would I need anything like that? I mean... there must have been some mistake, it just doesn't add up. I didn't know that such a place even existed.

[Video]

[lcied]

[Have a full face! He doesn't really look like a monster, does he?]

Are you talking about me?

[Video]

[lcied]

[Now, where did that grin come from?]

So I've noticed, but it was completely accidental-- a-anyway, this doesn't really matter now! I'm not supposed... to be here. It just doesn't make any sense.

[video]

[checkmychainyo]

...Hello? Who are you?

[video]

[lcied]

[Clearly hesitates a bit before speaking.]

...my name is Hope. Do you... happen to know anything about this place?

[video]

[checkmychainyo]

Aah, I've been here several months now. You've arrived in a world called Adstringendum.

[video]

[lcied]

Wait - world? You mean it's not Cocoon? [adds quickly] ...or Pulse?

[Video]

[kyasdaughter]

It's a place called Adstringendum. Has anyone come and found you yet?

[Video]

[lcied]

[Hope shakes his head. Come and find? So, this is how this place works?]

I haven't managed to find my friends yet.

[Video]

[kyasdaughter]

[Katara shakes her head softly. Oh, poor guy.]

-- sorry, first things first. My name is Katara, and this is Adstring. If you can push the little button on the side of the PCD - the thing that we're talking on? - it'll tell me where to come find you at.]

[Video] sorry for deleting my first response, but I accidentally clicked the button;;

[lcied]

Hope Estheim. You... want my coordinates, right?

[Well, he's not exactly as defenseless as he miight appear to be, but some company would be nice. And it's not like he knows where to go to begin with.]

[x,y] ...here.

[Video]

[the13tharcana]

Hello there, little fella~ Do you need any help?
I arrived here myself recently, so we're kind of in the same boat.

Ryoji Mochizuki's the name. What's yours?

[Video] ♥ ♥ ♥ DO I KNOW YOUUUU

[lcied]

[A friendly one, aren't you. Almost too friendly! Forgive me, Ryoji, but he might be a little careful around you.]

Hope Estheim. ...when did you arrive?

[Video] ♥ ♥ ♥ O RLY? I WONDERRR 8D

[the13tharcana]

[Ryoji acting suspicious? Little boy, WHAT U MEAN? xD]

Hope-kun, then~ It's a pleasure to meet you!
It's been... two weeks already, huh? [He seems startled by the sudden realization himself.] My, how the time flies.

[Video] ♥ ♥ ♥ I *SWEAR* I HAVE SEEN YOUR NAME SOMEWHERE 8D

[lcied]

[HE WON'T TELL.]

[A nod.] Likewise.

Do you... actually like it here, Ryoji? You don't seem too worried.