driftfleet | [ can't carry anymore. ]

Who: Belthazar and you
Broadcast: Yes
Action: On the Bishop!
When: Backdated to Sunday the 17th

[video;]

[Belthazar scribbles something in his journal with a quill pen, unaware that the camera is on.]

Another year passes, and I am still no closer to the answers I need.

[He sighs and leans his head back to stare up at the ceiling. The rest of him deflates against the chair, arms hanging down at his sides. He is really very slight and skinny even if wearing black tends to make him look more adult.

After a moment, he begins to quietly hum a gently lullaby that might be familiar to some.]

[action;]

[Anyone visiting the kitchen will find a boy eating a sweet berry pie of some kind, warm and gently glazed and delicious. Belthazar isn't really the type to announce his birthday or go all out for himself. He could make a six tier cake like he did for Ino that one time, but... no. Too much effort. He'd rather just have some comfort food.

There appears to be enough pie to go around, though, regardless. Food tastes better with friends even if he would rather not admit it.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He nods, gathers himself. Syeira will be only one of three people he's told.]

I've been searching for my sister. She... went missing when the city fell and my people were killed. She's the only family I have.

[Minus his asshole brother, whom he disowned. Let's not bring him up.]

[That's a punch right in the empathy center.]

I'm so sorry, Belthazar. Being stuck here must be terrible for you. But it's not your fault, you must remember that. You didn't choose to come here.

[He shakes his head.]

This place is so different from my home, in a good way. It isn't perfect by any means, and I have done my share of suffering, yet there are some things I do not want to give up.

But I owe it to Caspa to find her. I need to know what happened.

You will. So long as you don't give up, you will. Between now and then, it's not wrong to live the life in front of you.

[He lets out a soft 'oh' because that is, in fact, what he was unsure about. Syeira's approval is important. There's an easing in his expression, even before he asks:]

... Are you sure?

I am absolutely certain. Sometimes our path seems to take us away from what we are seeking, but so long as we remember where we are going, every step can lead us there. Every moment of your life is important. You have a goal that you intend to fulfill, but you aren't able to do that just yet. What you can do is live, experience, and grow.

[He closes his eyes and nods. Those are words that Caspa would have liked. She used to give advice like that to everyone.

He misses her dearly, but there's no question of that.]

Thank you for your wisdom. I... will try.

You'll succeed. Trust me, you're the type.

Now, could I impose upon you for some company? Nothing too boisterous, I promise. I was wanting to visit the library but not by myself.

[It's likely am easy ploy to see through, but she's doing it anyway. He's still sad and he shouldn't be alone with those thoughts.]

I hope so. I still have so much to learn.

[His ears perk.] Company? I... [He hesitates, but not because he doesn't want to spend time with her. He's just not used to having people wanting to spend time with him even though he's been here almost a year now.] I don't mind. I organized the library just yesterday. I think you will like the new space on the Iskaulit.

Perfect. Then you'll give me a refresher tour so I know where everything is.

[Library buddies!]

Meet me there.

[A most enthusiastic not-request.]