Fourth Misfortune - [accidental video/action]

[devourthemfirst]

[When the video turns on, all that can be seen is the gray sky up above and all that can be heard is the sound of one of the rivers close by. All else is quiet and nothing is moving.

However, after a moment, there's shuffling along with a few sniffles. It's obvious a person is there just not visible on the camera. Czes had been walking around in the snow when he tripped and fell. More than likely from a root sticking up from underneath the snow.

He sits up, rubbing his arms before shouting out a name.] F-Fermet!!

[He almost sounds like he’s about to cry. Well, okay he is crying. Tears are falling down his cold, red cheeks and he begins to let out a few choked sobs and gasps. He's cold and he's scared. It’s been a little over a half of an hour since he woke up in this forest and all he’s been doing is walking around trying to find someone--hopefully Fermet--but to no avail.

At least the Malnosso gave him a jacket to wear, though it isn't doing him much good in the long run.

The very same strange men had also given him a book before he passed out then woke up in the forest and told him to keep it safe. Why? He isn’t sure, but he’s been carrying it with him ever since. Like it will protect him if he holds it close enough to him.

The crying continues for a minute before he forces himself to calm down a little, mumbling the same name he shouted earlier to himself.] Fermet... [He sniffles, takes a moment to rub his eyes then shuffles over to the journal. His face finally comes into view of the camera but he doesn’t know it’s turned on. The boy looks to be about six years old, his cheeks and nose are red, his eyes are glossy with tears and hold a look of fear in them.

His face doesn’t stay long on the feed as he shakily picks it up, dusts the snow off of it and closes it to hold it to his chest, which there is where the feed ends.

--- ---

A little later on in the day (towards later in the afternoon) anyone close to the plaza may spot a boy kneeling down in the snow. He isn’t making a snowman or snowballs or anything of the like. Instead, he’s pouring sugar and honey onto the snow. And then eating it straight off the ground. At least there's a good few inches of snow and it's not just sitting on dirt.

Snow is delicious, okay?]

Comments

[devourthemfirst]

[The expression on his face doesn't change but he shakes his head to answer the question. All he wants to do right now is hide behind Fermet. Just sit in his shadow and be protected from all of the tall people in the world!!!

But alas, he has nothing to protect him or hide behind. At least not unless he moves and goes behind a tree. Which he wants to do but he's stuck in that spot]

[reminded]

[Plz, Czes, Layton is practically a munchkin. He raises his hands to show he means no harm and begins to wonder if there isn't more to Czes's fear.]

Maiza, Luke, and I have been very worried about you. Do you remember Maiza and Luke?

[devourthemfirst]

[He's still scary though!!! Somewhat. That and Czes is just shy shhh.

But he perks up a little at one name and repeats it quietly] Maiza... [He stands up slowly now, dusting the snow off of his legs. Do you know where Maiza is munchkin tall man?]

[reminded]

[Well... good enough he guesses!! He bends to one knee and offers a hand to Czeslaw, hoping the boy will come closer and take it.]

He and I live together. If you'd like, we can check our flat and see if he's there at the moment.

[devourthemfirst]

[He stares at his hand for a moment then takes a small step back and grabs his jacket with both hands, almost like he's nervous. Sorry Layton but the only hand he wants to hold onto is Fermet's for protection]

P-Please... [Meaning: please take me to Maiza]

[reminded]

[Fair enough. Going along with a stranger is probably already a bad idea in itself!! Luckily, Layton is not in the business of kidnapping children. He stands and adjusts his hat before directing a hand at CH 7 looming above the forest.]

We live in that block of flats, in room 23. Does that sound familiar?

[devourthemfirst]

[He looks in the direction the man gestured to before shaking his head. No need to even really think about it because none of this is familiar as is. If he was here with Fermet he would've remembered it.

Or at least some part of it.]

[reminded]

[Well, it was worth a try.]

Hmm... All right. If you'll gather your things, we can go there now. If you're hungry, we can find you some food as well.

[devourthemfirst]

[Food? WARM food? Because Czes really wouldn't say no to that right now... even though eating some more snow does sound even better than eating warm food.

But he nods shyly and turns around, picks up the honey, puts it in his pocket then reaches down and scoops up as much of the honey covered snow as he can with both hands, eating a little bit of it]

[reminded]

[Layton watches Czes scoop up the snow and hopes he isn't planning to-- oh, there he goes. Hopefully, that serving is fresh and clean. Anyway, off they go.]

You don't think it's too cold to eat snow?

[devourthemfirst]

[It certainly tastes fine to Czes so he doesn't really bother to question it. He shakes his head, taking another small bite of his snow snack]

Snow is delicious...

[reminded]

I can't say I've ever tried it myself, but I suppose it is the basic concept behind the snow cone. In which case, I begin to see the appeal.

[devourthemfirst]

Snow cone? [Now Layton you can't just mention snow desserts around Czes and then not explain them to him.]

[reminded]

Yes, it's shaved ice in a paper cone, topped with flavored sugar syrup. We can get supplies for it in the grocery store if you want to try it firsthand.

[devourthemfirst]

[Oh wow now that sounds good. Almost like sherbet! In his version of sherbet at least. His excitement at the thought of trying some actually shows through...

And he smiles]

I would very much like to try some...

[reminded]

[...]

[reminded]

... All right, the store is just around the corner. It should only take a moment.

[It's a good thing the plaza is so convenient. Their walk should be a short one, and not quite so awkward now that Czes has something to look forward to.]

[devourthemfirst]

Okay.

[Though he remains acting shy and his voice is still quiet, the smile remains unwavering and he doesn't look as scared now. Fermet would no doubt disapprove of his selfish desire for snowy desserts but he really can't help himself. They're delicious!]

[reminded]

[The store opens with a rush of warm air, and Layton takes a moment to remember where everything should be. He doesn't recall seeing any cones of the type they want, but he can think of a way to improvise... Hopefully Czes is following along since Layton will be walking off regardless, absorbed in his new task.]

[devourthemfirst]

[Czes definitely has no complains about the sudden warm air, in fact, it doesn't phase him past the first few seconds after they step inside the store. Mainly because he quickly becomes distracted by the magical lights that are on the ceiling and the shelves stocked with all sorts of different things. He can't say he's ever seen a place like this before!

Luckily he's not distracted enough to keep up with Layton. He follows him closely though his head continues to swing from side to side as he looks at everything in awe]

[reminded]

[The first order of business will be to get the flavoring. Layton leads them down the correct aisle and stops in front of a modest selection of flavored syrup. (Some bottles of honey are mixed into the bunch so he correctly reorganizes the lot in three ingenious moves, but really, no one will ever know or truly care.) After pondering over the labels for a moment, he consults Czes.]

Is there any flavor you'd like?

[devourthemfirst]

[Czes almost bumps into Layton when the man stops since he's so distracted but catches himself and flusters a bit. His attention briefly turns to the bottles with the colorful liquids inside, wondering to himself what they're for then looks back at Layton when he speaks]

Flavor?

[reminded]

Yes, to sweeten the snow. We have strawberry, grape, blueberry, lemon... [And a few more he doesn't bother to read.] You can pick one, or you can mix and match.

[devourthemfirst]

[OH. His eyes light up and he stares at the bottles again. Is that what these are for?]

...I like strawberries. [Anything fruity and sweet, to be honest] May I have that flavor?

[reminded]

Of course you may.

[So polite. Czes must have learned his manners from a proper lady or gentleman. Layton takes the bottle and then starts toward the other end of the aisle, thinking of what else they need.]

Come along. Oh, and if you see anything else you like, go ahead and bring it with you. Just remember to take in moderation.