[June 23] Recipients: All Heroes of Light

[pactfulfilled]

Everyone,

Has anyone seen Sophie?
She hasn't come home yet, and I'm starting to get a little worried.
It's not really like her to wander off this late without telling somebody.

So, if you could, let me know when you see her.
I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,
Asbel Lhant

[[OOC: Sophie has entered crystal stasis. Let me know if you'd like to be the one to find her, or if you'd like to action it out.]]

Comments

[pactfulfilled]

Yeah, it's fine. Sophie would want you to.
Besides, there isn't much to see or do in the hospital.
It's kind of depressing.

Asbel

[makingfriends]

[Rather than replying, Ven decides to just get up and go. With Mograe's direction, it doesn't take him long to find the hospital, and a quick inquiry of the staff helps him find Sophie's location. As he goes, he can't help feeling uneasy at the sight of all the other Heroes, none of whom he looks at too closely. He heard there were a number of people here, but... this is way beyond what he pictured.

For some reason, though, the eerie silence doesn't bother him. He doesn't like it, but it resonates with him, somehow, as do the white walls. Familiar, but neutral, like a place you've been to so many times that you're kind of sick of it -- but you know you're safe there, too, so it has a permanent place in your heart.

When he spots Asbel, Ven makes a beeline for him, Mograe respectfully in tow.]

Hey...

[It sounds like he's considering adding something on there, but he lets it drop.]

[pactfulfilled]

[As for Asbel, his feelings about the hospital are more conflicted. It's not a bad place, but there's no warmth. It's too quiet, too tidy, too methodical. Imagining people being happy here is impossible because the hospital feels more like some kind of museum than a place of recovery. That everyone in this room is trapped in crystal stasis doesn't exactly help things, either. Visible, close, but still so far away. So very...far away.]

[Asbel's slumped on the floor next to the crystal containing Sophie, arms wrapped around his knees, and head ducked forward in a weary bow. He's worn himself out from crying, although for now he seems to have run out. He glances up vaguely at the sound of Ven's voice, but doesn't bother lifting his head more than a fraction. After all, what can he even say?]

[If he'd been more careful, if he'd been stronger and not let Sophie out of his sight, things wouldn't be like this now. If he'd just stayed with her...!]

[Tern, floating beside him, gives a timid wave of his paw.]

[makingfriends]

[Ven nods politely at the moogle, but then his attention's on Sophie. So this is crystal stasis. Some unknown affliction, according to what he read in Zelda's notes, which doesn't seem to kill anyone as much as simply... trap them in place. Some recover, some still haven't.

And that's the most frustrating and disheartening thing about this: not knowing. It's not as straightforward as helping Aurora was, it's not anything Ven can make a personal comparison to. Not really.

He's still not sure what to say, so he doesn't rush words. Something meaningful and thought out is always better than small talk, at least as far as Ven's concerned. Honestly, though? It's weird, being on the other end of this situation for once.

It's a long moment before he does speak up.]

Do you... know where she was when this happened? Where they found her?

[If there's any lead to follow, any at all on how this happened...]

[pactfulfilled]

[It is frustrating, and sad. Asbel has no idea what's caused this or how it can be undone. Just that it happens, and that sometimes people do recover. So in the end, it's...a game of waiting. Waiting and looking for answers.]

[--But, Asbel hasn't gotten that far yet. He's been too busy trying to cope, too busy feeling sorry for not being able to do more, for not being there. When he finally answers, his voice is rough from shouting so much earlier.]

I don't know...where she was exactly. I just got a letter saying she was here. It must've happened...a few hours ago...

[Tern stammers a few times before finally managing to add:] T-taiga would have been with her, kupo. I-I still need to ask, kupo.

[makingfriends]

[Ven deflates slightly. Just like the other cases, from what he's heard.

The urge is there to cast some healing magic on a whim, as if it might help by some small chance, but he resists the impulse. It's clearly not that simple.

Instead, he reaches out to -- carefully -- touch Sophie's hand. That reassures him a little, odd though it feels, so then he covers her hand to hold it fully. A comforting gesture, even if he has no idea whether she can feel it.]

...You look tired, Asbel. I can stay with her if you want to take a break.

[He glances sidelong at him, openly concerned.]