RL with Ange (Regression virus)

[second_star]

[ Despite the strange book tucked underneath his arm, the day had been relatively normal. It was a busier sort of day for the Lower quarter, the market running at full steam, and Yuri found it easier to just avoid the grown ups through ducking in one of the alleyways. He didn't feel like harassing the poor baker today, he was already full from the meal Hanks gave him.

And besides...this book intrigued him. It looked a little fancy, like it belonged to someone from the Upper quarter, but he had found it just lying around in the streets. There was a sword on the cover, and he couldn't read the title but, hey, a sword must have meant it would be cool right?

Though all he found inside of it was weird...people. It was probably magic of some kind, and Hanks always told him not to play with the blastia, but...man he couldn't just throw it away!

He sat against the alley wall, opening it again. Strangely enough, there was no one specific waiting. Instead he just saw a bunch of pictures, with words he couldn't read. He couldn't help but pout. Where did the talking heads go? ]

Comments

[happymeal]

The Imperer..? .. Oh, you mean the emperor! [ See, she does know that - even if she's assuming a different kind, this isn't Japan, after all.. but it's not like she knows. She's just still looking around as she's trying to find her house. Sure, the ones here are big like it, but they're not the same so far..

It gets a little discouraging after a while though. ]

I haven't seen home yet though..

[second_star]

Yeah, yeah, whatever. [ Proper names were for proper people!! But none of the houses were matching her description. At least, not in size... ]

There's still more! Zaphias is super super big.

[happymeal]

.. [ Wait, hold it there for a moment, Yuri. Once he says that, she just stops walking and blinks at him. ]

Huh..? "Zaphias"..? [ She repeats the name slowly as if she's never even really heard of it before. ] B.. but.. that's not the name of the place I live at all.. i-is that what this place is called?

[ It's pretty obvious how the look on her face drops. ]

[second_star]

[ His eyes were still focused on the buildings around them, trying to find a house that fit her description. She didn't know it was Zaphias? ...Oh, she probably just thought it was called the Upper Quarter! ]

Yeah. But you live in the Upper Quarter, right?

[happymeal]

[ Zaphias, Upper Quarter.. she has never even heard of these things before, yet this boy is saying it like it's so natural.. w.. what's even going on anymore? Is she that far away from home? But.. how..?

She slowly shakes her head. ]

I.. don't even know what that is.. [ Her lower lip shakes a little bit, as if she's about to start crying. ] S-so I'm r.. really lost..

[second_star]

[ He stopped, at her negative reply. Wait, she didn't even...know what that was? Huh?

He turned around and looked at her, and sure enough, it looked like she was about to start crying. He didn't know what to say... ]

...It's probably not that far! If you got here!

[happymeal]

But I don't r.. recognize.. a-anything.. [ She's already starting to sniff a little, her speech becoming more slurred. ] And everyone might get worried if I.. I'm gone, and...

[ Yup, there she goes. Her eyes are already watering up, and soon enough she's actually crying because of it. ]

I don't wanna be all alone and l.. lost...!

[second_star]

[ oh no, she's crying...Yuri shifted in his spot, uncomfortable. What was he supposed to say? He was more confused than anything. How did she get lost here if she wasn't from the city? No way she could have come by herself or anything!

...That didn't matter. She was crying now! He had to make it stop! He squeezed her hand, letting her know he was there. ]

You're not alone! I'll help you find home! [ Even though he had no idea where to start looking, he knew right now, she needed someone to be brave for her. ]

[happymeal]

[ She's still crying, it won't stop that easily. And honestly, exactly because she's crying and so lost in the feeling she doesn't even notice him speaking up at first.

After a moment or two it hits her though, and she rubs her eyes with her free hand as she sniffs some more. ]

.. You will..? You're r-really not going to leave me all alone?