driftfleet | [ you can't equip that. ]

Who: Belthazar and you!
Broadcast: Yes
Action: The Bishop.
When: 12/1, evening.

[video;]

[Much like before-- over a year ago, now-- Belthazar wakes up in a daze. He feels cold all over, a little sick, and he realizes that he's actually felt this before. There's a nice coating of dust all over his room, and an unexpected gift of red clothes folded at the end of his bed. It's... what he was wearing. A gift from Adrasteius, after...

... Ah, his memories are all scrambled again. He wonders how many years it's been this time.

He moves to put on his normal undershirt, but it seems tighter than he remembers, and the sleeves are shorter by a few inches, which makes the wrist-covering part look stupid. It is with great reluctance that he flips on the video feed, still sporting the same bedhead as before.]

According to my communicator, I've only been asleep for about a week... but I can tell you that it felt far, far longer. I apologize for completely missing the feast I had planned. It appears I was sent back home again.

[He clears his throat.]

Also, if-- if anyone has any skill at sewing or altering clothing, I could use a little help. The robes Kirian made me do not fit anymore.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

'Course I am. And if the world - or that crashed ship - is talkin'? And others out there aren't "free"? How do we help 'em? What can we do?

[ He really hates having no clear signs of how to help someone clearly in need. ]

[He bows his head. His mind is brimming with questions, but he can't settle on any of them.]

The crashed ship looked a lot like the Marsiva.

[He remembers.]

Maybe we're the ones who need rescuing.

Yeah. I'd say it's likely.

[ He bites his lip, thinks for a second before he continues. ]

There might be a way to rescue ourselves. Or reach back out to anyone or anything out there that might be "free" for whatever help we can possibly get. ... Or, you know, both.

[And there it is. Just acceptance. No freaking out on either of their parts, just a shared understanding that they are way in over their heads. Belthazar sometimes wishes for when things were simple, but he realizes that they've never been simple. He's only ever been willfully blind.]

I swear we've seen another ship like ours, but I can't remember where it was. If I still had my notes it would be easy to look it up, but...

[He runs his hand through his bangs.]

There has to be a way. [Hopefully it won't end up with them being stranded and dying on a planet... or going insane and needing to be put down, like the Nunnilis.]

[ They are really, sincerely, truly way in over their heads. But Eithan is nothing if not stubborn and determined, and he knows Belthazar isn't going to give up so easily either. ]

We'll just have to make new notes. [ Beat. ] Hell, I'll even actually make notes. [ A grin, and a wink~ ~~fdskl goddess his humor is so stupid i'm so sorry~~ ]

And if we wanna fill in any gaps, we ask the people who have been here for a really long time. Like Allen, maybe? --Look, point is, there's absolutely a way. And we're gonna find it. Even if it's not as immediately as we want.

Ugh, of course you despise anything to do with schoolwork. [There's a trace of fondness in his scoffing, though.] Are you sure you are a wizard? Perhaps you ought to don some plate armor and hurl yourself bodily at your enemies.

[His tone is so dry it could, perhaps, catch on fire.]

I can be patient. [Maybe.] Perhaps I'll ask Allen if he remembers.

[ Eithan just snickers - scoff all you want, he sees through it~ ... Ahem. ]

To be fair? It'd probably crush me if I put it on. I'll stick to pretendin' to learn~

[ Demons = speedy, not strong. Mage = what even is CON. Ergo, Eithan = 2x penalty. ]

It's a good start. Maybe other people remember some things too? I dunno who's been around for how long, but it'd be worth askin'.

Ugh.

[How did he befriend a jock, anyway?]

Good questions usually are.

[Right, he's a jock with a heart of gold.]

[ Meanwhile, Belth is a nerd, with good intentions and a kind soul. Guess this friendship was just meant to be. ]

I guess I could try learnin' how to use a sword too... Couldn't be that hard to balance that with explosion spells, right?

[ Yep, it's so easy, Eithan can't help but egg it on, grinning all the while~ ]

[Belthazar makes a face and actually reaches up to tug at his own ears.]

For the love of all that is Light in the world, stay away from the pointy bits. I can't help you if you happen to lose a limb. Or multiples.

[Jesus Christ, Eithan.]

I ought to put you on ice and be done with it. You're a menace to society.

Eh, we could find a healer, right?

[ oh my god. ... but then, that "threat"...! ]

Hey now, you wouldn't, it's already fuckin' cold as hell in space, isn't that bad enough?

[ He totally can't stop smirking, though. ]

[Belth just gives him the most deadeyed stare he can manage. He's going to curl Eithan's hair with that glare.]

I can see it now-- a solid block of ice, a lovely shade of light blue. Lightly frosted. And inside, a perfectly-preserved pyromaniac with his mouth open in a comical yet eternal scream.

I'll give it to the Blue Fish. It'll go well with that ugly sculpture.

[ Wow, yeah, that's scary. But there's a mischievous glint in his eyes ]

Preserved and not dead, huh? I'm touched. Guess I'll have to start plannin' my revenge for when I get out of it... [ He taps his chin, "thoughtful". ] I'm thinkin' smolderin' temperatures, couple of well-placed pops and sparks when you least expect it. You know, just for starts.

[ He grew up with a tsun sister. You're just adding to the fun. Bring it on. ]

[Teasing is much more familiar territory-- a kind he's sort of missed. He tugs a blanket up around his shoulders and tries not to look as bone-cold as he feels.]

I've attended scarier birthday parties.

Maybe, but yours truly wasn't there. [ Salute~! ] Or in charge. Just sayin'.

We'll see about that.

[Eithan is about to learn that Belthazar is fiercely competitive. You want a prank off? It's done.]