[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

[rollypolyclover]

[DOOR OPEN.]

Welcome welcome! Come in and make yourself happy in my bumble home, ahoy!

[Having friends over is the best. Might have been awkward if it wasn't Luke though. OH WELL.

Come on Luke, get inside. If you take too long you'll be getting pushed along by a small girl.]

[hisapprentice]

[He's getting, he's getting. Luke comes in and tries not to laugh at Yotsuba's enthusiasm. She must not get a lot of visitors.]

[rollypolyclover]

[Nope! Not usually. Raine comes along to take her to school but that's it really. Most other visitors aren't here for her.]

Yotsuba will give you the tour! Look, this is Yotsuba's room.

[By now she's already inside her bedroom, peaking out from the side of the door frame.]

[hisapprentice]

[Not wanting to upset her, Luke comes over and looks inside, feeling an instant pang of wishing for his own, real room. The one from his childhood Luke you're still a child in Misthallery.]

It's really great, Yotsuba. [He turns away so as not to cough right at her.] Did you get to choose which room you wanted?

[rollypolyclover]

[If by 'choose' you mean did she run into whichever room had one of the biggest windows in the house and decided to stay there...]

Yeah! It's a really great room, all of Yotsuba's stuff is here. I sleep there! [Pointing at the bed.] It's a real bed, not a futon! Isn't it cool?

[hisapprentice]

Of course it's a real bed. [What other options are there? She's too old for a crib!]

Your room's cleaner than mine was at home.

[rollypolyclover]

Yotsuba keeps things clean! Always put away the toys you play with Luke, Nowy will get mad!

[Like crazy 'grab you by the collar and shout at you' mad. It's happened.]

[hisapprentice]

Who's Nowy? [If he found out about that he'd be sending the law after whoever it is.

Also he sneezes.]

[rollypolyclover]

[Cover your mouth you slob, what sort of gentleman are you.]

Nowy is the really mean guy who lives with Yotsuba and Yurippe. He has a hat and lots of pots and he doesn't like Yotsuba. But that's okay because I don't him Nowy!!

[hisapprentice]

[He used a hanky geez.]

Doesn't like you? That's just silly. You're great.

[rollypolyclover]

[What that tattered old thing? Use a tissue you slob, what sort of gentleman are you.]

... I'm great!! [DAMN RIGHT SHE'S GREAT.] But he doesn't like Yotsuba anyway! Even when Yotsuba isn't doing anything he still goes... Uhm!

[Here comes a terrible impression of Naoi, brace yourself.]

I'm Nowy and no one likes me! Yotsuuubaaa I'm going to kick you! HI-YAH!

[After this she pretend to kick the air so hard that she ends up flooring herself. She's soon back on her feet though and nodding. That was so Naoi.]

[hisapprentice]

[Whoa.]

...Why do you live with him if he's so terrible to you?

[And the gentleman hides a few coughs in his elbow. Starting to go downhill.]

[rollypolyclover]

Yotsuba used to live with Otonashy! And Nowy lived with Otonashy too. Then he left. But Yurippe came! So now Yotsuba lives with Yurippe and Nowy and no Otonashy.

[Okay, she's kind of catching on that Luke might be feeling ill.]

Are you okay? Lie down if you're feeling bad!