[voice]

[eagerstudent]

Hey, this isn't the desert...did Grado give up? That's not like them, though. What if it's a trap?! What if there's monsters coming, and-

Hey...where's everyone else? This doesn't look like Magvel at all! Where's my clothes? Hey, what's with my back? It feels weird, like-

-oh! Oh, neato! Wings! Hey, I wonder if I can fly now, like a human pegasus! Up up, and away! ...I said, up up, and away! ...huh. Maybe they need magic to work. I should look around and see if there's anyone I can ask about that!

Comments

[Action]

[eagerstudent]

Oh...okay, then! [How Saleh could possibly forget all that happened before is beyond him, but...] So tell me a little more about this place!

[Action]

[mountain_sage]

[Saleh turns and starts walking towards the village, making sure Ewan is following.]

This place is called Luceti, a world entirely separate from our own. We are essentially trapped here, both trapped and protected by an enclosure that surrounds the village and the outside area.

About every month or so, an organization known as the Malnosso perform test experiments on us, with different effects such as altering the mind or the body, or the environment around us.

[And then he'll give Ewan a moment to absorb all of that.]

[Action]

[eagerstudent]

[He does indeed absorb all of that, and he looks a little scared when he's done.]

But...why would they do that?

[Action]

[mountain_sage]

They're testing something called shifting technology. According to them, they are trapped in this world as we are, and they claim that it is the shifts that bring us here. They are trying to use the shifts to return us and themselves home, but have had little success.

Unfortunately, the Malnosso seem to be a divided organization. Some have helped us, but there are others who seem intrigued by the idea of treating us like mice.

[Action]

[eagerstudent]

...oh. That...doesn't sound good.

[Action]

[mountain_sage]

[They arrive at the village, and Saleh continues to lead through the plaza towards Community Building 5.]

There is much more to the situation than I can explain. Fortunately, there is a guide written to help the new arrivals understand what is happening. For now, all we can do is settle down and live as well as we can. So you may stay with me.

[Action]

[eagerstudent]

Really and truly?! [Ewan's eyes go all shiny] T-thank you so much!

[Action]

[mountain_sage]

I can't leave you alone in a situation such as this. Especially not after what happened back home.

[Saleh heads into C5 and leads the way to Room 5.]

[Action]

[eagerstudent]

Mm...well, this is already a good start, then! At least we're together!

[Action]

[mountain_sage]

Indeed.

[Saleh opens the door to his room and waits for Ewan to enter. Now that they're here, they can discuss other things.]

Now...you say the last thing you remember is being in the desert when Jehanna Hall was burned to the ground?

[Action]

[eagerstudent]

Yeah. And there were more Grado troops coming for us.

[Action]

[mountain_sage]

I see...

Now, I've another question. How much time has passed since I led Princess Eirika's group into Caer Pelyn and it was attacked by monsters?

[Action]

[eagerstudent]

About a month...actually, a little more than that, since it took us a while to get through Hamil Canyon.

[Action]

[mountain_sage]

Only a month...

[After all the years he's been in this place.]

So time truly does pass differently here.

[Action]

[eagerstudent]

Does it? I didn't know...I'm just worried that when we get back everyone's gonna be hurt or worse...

[Action]

[mountain_sage]

I would believe the theory that time stands still in our world while we are here. When I was drawn here, I was leading Princess Eirika's group into Caer Pelyn as it was attacked by monsters. Almost three years have passed in this world since then.

[Action]

[eagerstudent]

Three years?! Wow...

[Action]

[mountain_sage]

Indeed. Though it feels like such a shorter time. And so much has happened...

[Action]

[eagerstudent]

...like what?

[Action] Might as well get back to this...

[mountain_sage]

The vast variety of experiments, as well as drafts to different locations. We have even seen our fair share of catastrophes within the enclosure.

[Action]

[eagerstudent]

That doesn't sound too good...

[Action]

[mountain_sage]

Indeed. Things are peaceful here for the most part, but things like this happen to keep us on our toes. So whatever you do here, be careful. Understand?

[Action]

[eagerstudent]

Mm, I will, I promise. [Promises to TRY, anyway.]