[Puzzle 008]

[hisapprentice]

[When the journal recording comes on, there's a bit of static. It's either from the dunking it took in some serious floodwater, or just Luke's weird thick breathing.]

So...I-I know everybody's busy with all this [unseen, one hand gestures to the village around him, then covers his mouth while he sneezes] and I'm gonna help, I promise.

I just need somewhere to go. ...Aah, to stay, I suppose I mean. My room got really wrecked and it's not going back to the way it was. [Another sneeze, and a few coughs. Luke is stubbornly ignoring all these signs of "what an awful time to come down with something" because...in his dizzy head it might just be what a gentleman does. If necessary.]

It wouldn't be forever... [Sniff. He might like it to be, though, depending on who you are. Living alone is lonely.] Just for a little while, if it's all right.

Comments

[Voice]

[ribbonbon]

I think there are some empty apartments here in Community House 4 if you need somewhere to stay.

[This kid doesn't sound so good, though...]

Hey, like, not to be nosy or anything, but um, are you okay?

[Voice]

[hisapprentice]

[Empty apartments are what he doesn't want. Luke is tired of being alone.]

Mmhmm, I'm fine. [Holding back a sniffle.]

[Voice]

[ribbonbon]

Like, are you sure? You don't sound fine. You sound a little...you know, sicky.

Pilouette is starting to wonder just how old this kid is, anyway. At sixteen, she's totally practically an adult and can take care of herself, but...]

[Voice]

[hisapprentice]

Well, I think I've got a cold. [The vocal equivalent of a shrug.] That's not bad.

[Voice]

[ribbonbon]

Well, it might not be bad now but like, if you just ignore it, it's just gonna get worse. And it's probably better if you're not alone, just in case, huh?

[She does have some empty rooms in her apartment, but she's wondering if just asking this kid she's never met if he wants to stay with her for a while would be weird.]

You might want to go to the clinic and get checked out, you know?

voice

[ahappylie]

Oh, your house was damaged, too? I have some open rooms where I am staying at House 50 if you don't mind there being a giant chicken in the living room.

voice

[hisapprentice]

Mmhmm, my room. I lived in a flat.

...A giant chicken? [Sneeze. Not sure about that one.]

voice --> video

[ahappylie]

Ah, one of the apartments. I see. And Tammy is a sweet thing. I think you'd like her. She's-- Ah, wait a moment.

[He switches to video and turns the camera around, showing the living room in which a large, yellow chocobo is standing, looking at nothing in particular until she catches wind of the journal. Time for the chocobo to wark and come over, nuzzling Souji's head before peering into the camera.]

Isn't it fantastic the sort of creatures that turn up in this place?

video

[hisapprentice]

Whoa! [That really is a giant chicken! Luke's end has video in return now, giving Souji a great look at his pale tiredness and his coughing.]

You can't ride chickens, but...it almost looks like you could.

video

[ahappylie]

Oh, but you can ride her! Would you like to try sometime?

[Also, wow, kid. You....do not look good at all. Take it from someone recently back from death by sickness.]

....It's been a difficult few days, hasn't it? Maybe you'd like a ride to cheer up? She can help keep you out of the mud when you're moving around the village, too.

[rollypolyclover]

You should come stay with us Luke! Yurippe is really friendly and we can stay up playing really late. [There might be the problem of Naoi. But who cares about him anyway.] You can take a vacation at our house, ahaha!

[hisapprentice]

[He knows Yurippe. Yuri is...excited. About lots of things.

But the offer is very sweet. Luke smiles at the journal.]

Thanks, Yotsuba. [And he covers its microphone while he coughs.] Are you sure?

[rollypolyclover]

I'm really sure, you should come right now and it'll be no problem at all. [No problem at all to the five year old who's just throwing invites around without checking with any of the people she's living with if this is okay.]

[hisapprentice]

Well, as long as you're sure...

[Then he's coming. Might take him a bit - he's moving slowly and feels all wobbly sometimes.]

[rollypolyclover]

[Well gosh Luke take your sweet time being all wobbly. Had she known Luke was sick (ooor had she bothered to question the sneezing) she would have told him to wait right there so she could come get him!

Or she would have at least stumbled around and tried finding him before giving up and coming home at any rate.

Anyhoo! No matter how long it takes him, Yotsuba will be watching the front door like a hawk. She is so ready to fling the door open as soon as she gets a knock.]

[Voice]

[distressedude]

[Luke and Ion never really got off to the best start, did they? ...not that things were any better the second time around either. But that was all just because of the Malnosso, right?]

[It sounds like he's already gotten a few offers, so hopefully he'll find a place to stay for now... although...]

...are you feeling all right? You don't sound well at all.

[Voice]

[hisapprentice]

A-Ah...oh. Wait, I remember you. [Boy does he ever.]

...Sorry.

[Voice]

[distressedude]

[A-Aww, Luke.]

Now, now, you don't have anything to apologize for. I don't think anyone could hold you accountable for things that happened because of the Malnosso.

[Voice]

[hisapprentice]

I still think I owe you an apology for...um, sort of kidnapping you.

[That's what bad guys in his world do. Poor Flora.]

[Voice]

[distressedude]

It's all right, really. To be honest, it was one of the nicer kidnapping experiences I've had.

[After all, counting his time in Luceti, he's already up in the double digits for how many times he's been kidnapped.]

[aero_dienamic]

I've managed to keep our house relatively safe. And it is a child-friendly house, should you not mind staying with a pair of non-human women?

[hisapprentice]

I'm not sure...if that would be very gentlemanly?

[So unsure he makes it a question.]

[aero_dienamic]

We're both adults. [[Physically speaking. Val is only 5 now.]]

But surely you have more options than a complete stranger. Though, it's possible you could learn magic while you stay here.

[hisapprentice]

That's sort of the part I'm not sure about.

I don't know if I'd be any good with magic.

[aero_dienamic]

That hasn't stopped me before. I've taught a few people who have no aptitude for magic at all. It's really a matter of having an open mind.

But, I suppose you are right to hesitate. There... aren't any children here anymore... [[Memories...]]