2.003'rd FRAGMENT [voice+action]

[shred_the_sky]

[ It has been over a week since Aether was last seen outside... whatever happened to him during the last experiment, left ruined his interest in going outside for a while. Today, however, he can be found in the town square. Seated on a barrel and with his back pressed against the wall, he's mostly noticeable because of a pile of books in his lap.

Comments

[Action]

[boxedoff]

[And there is indeed one tiny kid marveling at your pile of books.]

[shred_the_sky]

[ Aether continues to read for another dozen seconds before he decides that something is off. The book in front of his face is slowly lowered until his narrowed eyes are finally visible.

He's going to stare for some time before he speaks up. It's easier that way. ]

[boxedoff]

[He's going to stare back too. ...And maybe fidget a little, what is he supposed to do.]

[shred_the_sky]

[ Now this is awkward. Aether is already bad with people except for his housemate, but he has no idea what to do with children. His expression softens, but in that awkward and unsure way that feels like he's about to hide behind the book and hope the kid goes away at some point.

What is he supposed to say in this case? How about... ]

Hello?

[inabook]

[shred_the_sky]

Hm..?

[ Aether blinks a couple times as he realizes he's being spoken to. The look in his eyes is almost regretful as he looks up from mid-sentence. ]

Something like that..? [ He looks a bit nervous about being spoken to. ] It's strange. Sometimes the stories in these books feel more real than what is in front of me.

[inabook]

[shred_the_sky]

A good writer?

[ Now that's an idea that never popped into his head before. Aether returns the smile, although his is shaky and feels like he's not sure if this is the proper response, and looks down into the book. ]

I wouldn't know... I never wrote a thing. [ Pause. ] It is merely a gut feeling, nothing more.

[voice]

[poppetry]

[ ... well. doesn't that just hit home in a terrible way? it almost aches to hear these words. who is this person? his voice is kind of familiar... have they spoken before?

regardless, it takes Xion a moment to gather her thoughts enough to think of a reply. even then, it's not a very good one. ]

... those are really good questions. I wish I knew the answer, too.

[voice]

[shred_the_sky]

Mm...

[ He hasn't expected a lot of answers, not with how some people here apparently lived longer in Luceti than he spent in his own world. It was still something he couldn't help but want to know.

The girl's voice seems a bit shaken. Is she in a similar situation? Aether makes a small sound as he hugs a book close to his chest. There's only one way to find out. ]

Everyone here seems to have more memories than I thought can exist. I'm still not sure how to feel about it.

[shred_the_sky]

Hm..?

Isn't it hard to not remember the past? [ A small pause as he considers. ] Or is it that there's too much past for you to remember?

[shred_the_sky]

[ Aether makes a thoughtful sound in return, his head canting back onto the wall at the same time. ]

That sounds fortunate.

[Voice]

[no_use_running]

[She pretends it's no more than a theoretical question to her, which helps to keep her voice steady.]

I'd want to find the rest, like you do.

[Voice]

[shred_the_sky]

Hm...

I'm not sure if what I want is to find. The way it is right now, I would be all right even if I'd only come to understand.

Re: [Voice]

[no_use_running]

This might seem too personal, but is it alright if I ask about your situation?

[Voice]

[shred_the_sky]

Ah..?

What exactly about my situation?