devourthemfirst | Fourth Misfortune - [accidental video/action]

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Fourth Misfortune - [accidental video/action]

[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?]

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[Maiza had thought he was prepared for anything. Whether that be Czes in his twenties or his sixties or Czes as a cat. Or maybe even a bug or something; he thought he was prepared for it. But he's still surprised when he hears Czeslaw crying like this and calling for Fermet's name. After all... Czes had been strangely quiet about his old caretaker since they met up in New York. Maiza had assumed that Fermet was devoured by someone over the last two centuries and stayed quiet about it as well, not wanting to tear into any mourning Czes might still be doing over the man he treated like his own parent, back in Lotto Valentino.

But that aside, it sounds like Czeslaw is back from his mallynapping, and it sounds like he's been thrown back in time a couple centuries, too. How that is possible, Maiza can't even fathom. He guesses the part of the forest Czes is in by comparing the position of the sun with the image in the video, and the slowly-growing-familiar sight of the trees. It still takes him a few minutes after closing his journal to find where the boy will be though (at least his crying is a good indicator once he's closer!)

He takes off his glasses when he approaches, even runs a hand through his hair in hopes that Czeslaw might recognize him as "Aile" better that way. He slumps his shoulders, adds a slight... swagger to his step (he feels ridiculous), and crouches by the boy once he's close enough.]

Hey--

Hey Czeslaw.

[Czes hasn't gotten very far by the time Maiza gets over to where he is. He's so cold and worn out he's moving a bit slower.

He stiffens instantly the moment he spots the scary, taller person, gripping the journal that's in his hands as tightly as he would hold onto Fermet's arm for protection and just stares. The image of him is like a deer caught in headlights.

But as he gets closer and actually speaks, he relaxes only slightly upon finding familiarity in his voice and... somewhat appearance. He looks a little... different than he remembers.]

...A-Aile...?

... Yeah, that's me. But hey now. [It's strange how he can fall back into the speech pattern naturally. The formality came naturally to him after becoming Dalton's apprentice, but maybe the delinquency was still a part of him? He uses his left hand out of habit when he gently puts a hand on Czes' head.]

That's a nickname; you can call me Maiza since everyone calls me that here, and... you're freezing. Why don't you take this?

[He moves the hand now, shaking his coat off and putting it over the boy's body. Which year could he be from? 1707, when they first met? Or the years after that? Was it 1711 when the kid was scared as he waited for the ship to arrive? Whatever year it was, Maiza knows he must be frightened and lonely as he remembers how attached Czes was to Lebreau. How does he break it to him that the man is not here?]

[He nods, letting out a small 'mm' of acknowledgement then stares up at Maiza curiously as a hand is put on his head.

This is Aile--or rather Maiza. He's sure of it so he doesn't show--as much fear when looking at him. But why does he seem a bit... different? His hair is different, yes but something else too... ]

Thank you... [His words are mumbled but just loud enough for the other to hear him. He holds the jacket closed with one hand while the other continues to hold that book close to his chest] Where's Fermet?

I'm afraid Leb-- Fermet's not around here right now, Czes. Now you've gotta stay calm and listen to me carefully because this sounds like those fairy tales you'd find in one of the libraries at Lotto Valentino.

[Talking to Czeslaw like this brings back memories and a wave of nostalgia. Maiza remembers the library he studied at under Dalton, and he remembers the city as well. He remembers the ship they all had to jump on in 1711, leaving Lotto Valentino as the Dormentaires hunted them all down. Czes was sleeping when they boarded, and he stuck to Fermet or Begg constantly since.

Maiza had attributed Fermet's absence in 1931 to an unfortunate tragedy, perhaps devoured by someone like Szilard. If only he knew -- but the fact was that he didn't know and none of that mattered to tiny Czes who was probably still mortal.]

And it's gonna be a long story, so I'm going to take you to where I'm living right now and get you something warm to drink. You okay with that?

[Like fairy tales? Really?

Czes takes a brief moment to think about that, glancing over his shoulder at the wings he saw earlier that were attached to his back. It would make sense if it was anything like the fairy tales since he has them... right? Right.

When he turns his attention back to Maiza, he pauses to think over what he said then nods shyly. Though he wouldn't mind a bit of sherbet, something to warm up doesn't sound like a bad idea at all considering he's practically turning into a Czes-sicle right now]

All right then. Come on. Your shoes aren't made for snow, either, so I hope you don't mind gettin' picked up.

[Hold on tight to the coat, Czeslaw. Maiza doesn't move abruptly or roughly, but he wouldn't be taking no for an answer -- anyway, he's kind of cold without his coat, too, so please stick to him. He will turn his back to Czes and tell him to get on. You really will end up with frostbite on your toes if you stay in the snow too long. He makes a mental note to make sure the kid takes a bath, too, and he's sure Czes had some boots back at the flat.]

[He takes a look down at his shoes, wiggling his numb toes inside before looking back up at Mazia who has now turned around for him to get on.

Czes wants to protest because let's face it, Maiza is still as tall as ever (that's one thing that hasn't changed) and being carried by a tall person which would then make him high(ish) up in the air is a little nerve wracking to him. But he can't walk much longer in the snow if he tried. And it's better that it's Maiza than another strange tall person!!!

So he hops onto the other's back, making sure to not squish his wings or anything]

[Maiza's shoulders are broad enough that little Czes can fit between them without squishing anything. He makes sure the boy is settled securely on his back before he straightens up, slowly, and is careful even as he begins trudging through the snow with him.]

When we get back, I can get you some dry clothes and you can take a bath. How's that sound?

[When he stands, Czes instinctively tightens his hold around Maiza's neck, like he's afraid of slipping and falling from this new height... which he is!! So if he's choking you at all he's sorry]

That sounds nice... [Really nice actually. His voice is quiet but with his face buried into his shoulder he should hear it just fine]

[Well Czes is going to get a hand supporting him the moment Maiza eels him slipping. He pauses to hoist the kid up higher and more securely and asks him if he's comfortable.]

Glad to hear it. There are a couple of people in the house, but they're good folks. You won't have to worry about them.

[He nods at the question and loosens his grip around his neck a little. Still not going to look down but he feels a bit more secure now]

Okay... [A pause] Do they know Fermet too?

[He pauses, then says it slowly so he won't scare Czes too much.]

No, they're people I met after I came here. Fermet... well, Fermet isn't here, actually, but I'll bet he's looking for you.

So we'll wait for him until [until hopefully you go back so we don't have to keep this up] he shows, all right?

Oh... [He sounds a little more nervous and sad at that. Nervous about meeting these people and sad that Fermet isn't even here. But as long as Maiza is there for him to hide behind then it should be okay until Fermet gets there.]

Okay. [Resting his cheek on his shoulder]

Don't you worry. I'll make sure you don't get hurt. They're nice folks, and fun to talk to if you like puzzles.

Puzzles? [A pause] Like... riddles?

Yeah, just like that. Do you like those?

A little... they're hard to understand sometimes... [The life of a child]

Maybe they'll give you ones that aren't so hard.

I would like that.

All right, then I'll give him a word. We're almost there.

[Community house 7 is coming up right ahead of them.]

[There's just a nod as Czes lifts himself up a bit more to see the building ahead.

...

That is one tall building.]

... Different from Lotto Valentino, isn't it? This place is far from the ocean, too. We live on the fifth floor of that building.

[He lets out a light 'mm' in agreement and continues to let his eyes wonder upward, looking at the building still. The fifth floor, huh?]

You'll get a good view of the forest, and we've gotta room there you can rest in if you want. There's a boy 'round your age living there too so we'll dress you up in something warmer.

[Still carrying Czes on his back, Maiza makes his way to the building and enters, climbing up the stairs slowly so he won't jostle the kid.]

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