ϡ - Chapter ThirtyTwo; fourth wall [action/voice]

[folklorist]

[ Well, well, well what do we have here? Helios is in the plaza today just...taking in the sheer amount of people that seem to have come in overnight. Unfortunately the real Helios has been mallynapped prior to all this madness. So, yes, your Helios is in another facility being experimented on. However! This Helios is the real Helios as well so he is...just going to be derping around for a good portion of the day. You can run into him if you'd like as he is ever so prone to running into other people. In which cases of doing so you will get an apologetic 'I'm so terribly sorry!' from him.

Otherwise nevermind this derpy headmaster. He also might be lugging around some cookies he procured from the shop. Mm they smell tasty and are probably just as delicious too. ]

I implore everyone whose here to try out the cookies in the bakery! They're positively delicious, a little Luceti home cooking if you will. But, ah, w-welcome to Luceti. It's a bit to get used to...

If you have any questions there are more than enough people willing to answer though! Don't be shy, either, we're all quite willing to help here. [ And with that there will be a loud munch as he takes a bite of one of those cookies. Mmm so good. ]

Comments

[voice]

[sebastard]

I don't think so. I don't see anybody I know.

[There's a pause.]

Where's the bakery?

[nihilconcerto]

[She turns to face him but says nothing at all. The mist slips higher into the air.]

[scalethetower]

[--pfff. Naoki lifts his hand to his mouth to cover his laughter.] Might be, Helios. Maybe you should get into some of that craziness, huh? Shake off those years... [He grins, clearly teasing.]

[Action] | I hope so too. ;w; /fingers crossed

[siryms_echo]

It's odd, isn't it? [She tilts her head almost inquisitively.] Ah, well. Hopefully we can figure out what has happened soon.

[Her ear twitches as he offers the bag.] O-Oh! Well, if you don't mind... [Now she takes a siiiingle cookie from the bag, and nibbles on it happily.] Ah! It's so good... What kind are these?

[folklorist]

[ Oh this is...not very good, is it? ] Ah. A-Are you, um, l-lost? This s-strange mist is...is a bit ominous isn't it?

[ He is giving her the benefit of the doubt that it isn't her causing it. Oh Helios so quick to be optimistic about people. Still he backs away some, looking at the surroundings and then back at her again. ]

[voice]

[folklorist]

Perhaps they'll show up though! O-or I can help you look for them, if you'd like?

[ Hm. ] As for the bakery...it's in the village.

[littledragongirl]

That's good.

[She chews her lip, suddenly reminded of those she was searching for.]

...do you know Cecil? Or Tellah? Or Rosa? They have to be here....

[goldenkirbichu]

Knew you wouldn't take it. No hard feelings, though... [And Golden's smile turns... casual, really. There is an undertone to his expression; his strangely soft face betrays that he knows more than he lets on.]

Don't worry.

I know everything. Because - and here's where things get a little weird, lawl, so bear with me a second - I'm the guy pulling the strings.

Not for you, no. But... Robert.

[A conspiratorial smirk flickers over Golden's face.]

I'm responsible for Kazooie, too, and a couple of the other weirdos you'll see around here. Because that's who I am - a weirdo.

Don't believe me? I can give you proof. Ask me anything about Robert - anything.

[voice]

[sebastard]

I'm in the village!

[Near to the fabled cookies! Oh, this is a success for Sebastian. Now he'll just have to find the bakery, and he'll be so set, you guys.

...Well, maybe not, since he spent his allowance this week on trading cards, but maybe they'll see him and say "What a well-behaved boy, let's give him something for free." If he doesn't accidentally knock anything over, it could happen.]

...Are you in the village, too?

Somehow it seems most incarnations get twisted along the way

[thebellthatbinds]

I don't know what a zombie is but there will be waves of Dead Hands, Shadow Hands, even a Mordicant, all lead by the Dead Adept who- [She'll cut off there, suppressing a shudder she looks up anxiously, almost desperate to believe what Helios is telling her.]

You are...you are certain?

WELL TOO BAD

[technoisolate]

[Well, he is really distressed. And really alone. Everybody is so pale and he can't imagine why there aren't any transport tubes...

The eyes behind his glasses are big and frightened as he peers fearfully up at this blonde grown-up.]

... B-But... but how d-d-d-did I get here...?

Mummywouldn'tl-letmegooutalone... I'm s-scared...

[Those soft gray eyes are almost pleading.]

... d-do... do I have to sh-show my... my i-identification chip c-card...? I, I th-th-think I... I have it... in my pocket... [And his twitchy, mechanical motions as he goes to rummage in his pocket may be familiar.]

[semper_cogitans]

[And mid-panic attack, here comes a very familiar Terran, who happens to look almost exactly the same... (almost being the key word, as he's put on some muscle and whatnot, though this wouldn't be immediately obvious)...

...

And he stares.]

... Wh-what on Terra...?

[This was not something Robert expected to see today.]

[myveryownclone]

[...]

[thesmoothcriminal]

That is something of a comfort, yes? [The man chuckles and pats Helios' shoulders, stepping back a bit to give him space to breathe. That panic, that fear? Was almost familiar and it pained him in no small way.] No need to be so jumpy cher, I mean you no harm.

[folklorist]

It-it is. Though I-I can't say I mind the newcomers... [ Just a wince as he pats his shoulders. Though there is a very distinct sigh of relief when the other steps away. ]/small>

O-Of course. I'm just n-not used to it... [ Not used to people touching him, but really he has bad experiences with his shoulders being gripped like this. ]

[thesmoothcriminal]

You remind me a little of a woman I kno- knew. A woman I knew. She had a similar paranoia when it came to physical contact. And though I do not know you well, I shall ask you what I asked her. [For a moment he is entirely serious, hands in his pockets, brow quirked in an expression that ought to be familiar to Helios.] Who hurt you so badly cher?

[folklorist]

[ Oh. Talking about Nero is never something Helios does. But having someone be so forward about it makes him clam up instantly. The expression is familiar, very familiar... ] It-ah-n-no one. It's, it's nothing. I was just startled. S-Sorry.

[ Just a very unconvincing laugh. It's all because he rather not talk about his brother who abused him. ] S-someone you knew? I-I'm sorry to-to hear that. [ To hear that they might have gone through what he did. Gods he couldn't even think about it happening to anyone else. ]

[Action]

[folklorist]

Ah. Y-Yes. But-but it's fine! I-I mean we can probably get fixed up in n-no time.

[thesmoothcriminal]

You are a terrible liar cher. But...there is nothing to be done about it, no? I will not ask more as long as you promise you are not with whoever it was, mm? Just tell ol' Remy that you are with people that don't make you flinch so much so I can enjoy my cigarette in piece and not have to worry about a handsome homme being knocked about.

Yes, someone I knew. If I had paid more attention, perhaps she would be someone I still know. That is why I asked, no?

[folklorist]

[ Just hunching a little. Helios looks away; he is a terrible liar when it comes to this subject. Still you can't blame a man for trying. ] I-I am. Everyone here is-is very nice. [ And he's all too willing to be away from Nero, unfortunately. Helios blinks, his cheeks coloring slightly at that. Handsome...

No wait. That name. ]

Remy? You...you're Adele's brother?! [ Small world! ]

[thesmoothcriminal]

Ah, now that is a good look for you cher. [Remy grins, pleased with himself.] Should work to get you to look like that more often, the nice people you live with.

... [And then his smile fades abruptly and he all but glowers down at the man, tense.]

How. How do you know that name?

[folklorist]

[ hidhgs it's really not. Helios just...looks so awkward. ] They-um, they've helped a good deal. [ Never have really gotten him flustered but, you know. He's been getting better with all of it in any case.

He blinks looking apologetic and he can't help but to slightly flinch at the glower. ] I-I've...spoke with her here. Sh-she lives with us...

[thesmoothcriminal]

...she can't be here. [Any and all pretense of flirtation is dropped, leaving a deadly serious man in it's wake. At the stuttering and flinching Remy grimaces and rubs his face with a gloved hand.] I did not intend...I apologize.

[The anger fades and Remy is left...worn. Tired. Looking his full forty years.] She cannot be here cher. She's dead.

[folklorist]

[ Helios nods and shakes his head at the other's apology. ] N-No sorry. It's-it's fine.

[ Helios frowns and then...his eyes widen a little at that. ] What? Oh. Oh gods. [ This was not the answer he was expecting, but. ] I-I'm so sorry.

[thesmoothcriminal]

New Year's Eve, just around midnight. At least that is what the coroner's report said. [Remy rubs at his eyes and the bridge of his nose, the gesture an unconscious echo of Adele's habit.] So you see, she cannot be here.