its_rose_damnit | Twenty Rose Petals Fall

[It's never simple with the Malnosso. Never. You give, they take, it's common knowledge around these parts now. Expecting anything less is just asking for trouble. Perhaps that's why Dist happened to return from his mission in the midst of an experiment. Or maybe his luck really is as poor as he complains about. Take your pick.

Regardless, instead of a man casually returning to the village, a young and very nervous young boy is stuck wandering around the square. He...knows this place. He remembers it. The name isn't ringing any bells right away, but Saphir knows he's been here before, long ago. And he also remembers two very important things about his sudden surroundings:

The Professor is here, and there should be a book - a book he can talk into.

In no time, Saphir locates his journal and hesitantly opens it up. He fiddles with it and - due to his skill with mechanics - figures out how to turn on the audio as well as make a filter. He doesn't understand, though, when the filter breaks, and just talks regularly into the strange and fascinating little book.]

P-Professor? ...Professor Nebilim, are you here? I-I think...I'm lost...a-again. [He ducks his head, somewhat ashamed, and on the verge of a meltdown.] Can you come get me? I'm...I-I see the fountain. I can wait there. P-Please hurry...

[There's a lot of really weird stuff wandering around right now. Halp. ;A;]

[OOC: So Dist here is now chibified! Replies will come from

minifontaku!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He doesn't recognize the boy, but oh does it break Roji's heart to hear him calling out for the professor. He doesn't know if he can even break the news to him...]

Um, do you need help? I'm not Professor Nebilim obviously, but I'm nearby.

[Oh, this is...perplexing. Saphir's more than aware of the "don't go with strangers" rule, but it's taking the Professor a really long time to respond. He looks really uncertain, but...he can always call for help with the book, right? Yeah. But first--]

I-I'm fine! I'm not hurt, just... I just can't find my way. ...Who are you?

[Roji tries to keep a positive expression, considering the subject.]

I'm Roji. I'm ah...I am [was] a student of Professor Nebilim's at the school.

[...Oh! Well. This is a pleasant surprise, and actually gets a bit of trust going on Saphir's end. He gets up and comes a little closer, though not yet withing arm's reach.]

R-Really? Is she still at the school? Is she teaching right now? Can you take me to the school? Please.

[Roji chokes on his words after hearing that response. He knows the professor won't be at the school if he takes this boy, but dumping the bad news on him in his state isn't going to be good either...]

She might be. We can certainly go check.

[Oh, he hates lying the boy...but maybe he can calm him down the way there. And hopefully this won't end up going horribly wrong instead.]

[Saphir brightens a little bit with the faint traces of hope - he'd be a lot better off when he finds the Professor, who can take him home and explain some things - and smiles a bit. Something is a little strange about this person, but...at least he's offering to help!]

Thank you! Is it very far?

[Again, Roji tries to sound upbeat.] No, it's actually pretty close! Just hold on a moment, I'm almost to you.

[And sure enough, a minute or two later, Roji appears in the plaza, a bag full of groceries in one arm and his journal in the other. He smiles when he spots the boy.]

Ready to go? The school's right this way. [He motions toward where he just came. It is pretty close to the grocery store.]

[Snapping his journal shut, Saphir looks around first then hurries on over to the one he was speaking to only moments ago. He spies the bag of groceries and feels a short pang of guilt and awkwardness - was he keeping this person away from their other duties? - and lowers his head a little, before nodding slowly.]

Y-Yeah...I'm ready to go. S-Sorry for, uh...bothering you.

[Roji shakes his head, smiling pleasantly as ever.]

You're not bothering me. I'm happy to help, really.

[And off they go toward the school, with Roji keeping watch to make sure the boy can keep up okay. He decides to strike up a conversation to keep away from awkward silence.]

So how long have you been in Luceti?

Twenty Rose Petals Fall - [Voice]

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