avalononline | 03; Video; UN: Wildflower

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03; Video; UN: Wildflower

[Alice presses her lips together and is surrounded by many trees. Her eyes are a bit red and she swallows and takes a deep breath. She's clearly trying to have a "stiff upper lip" as it were.]

I... don't mean to worry anyone...

But I do believe I'm lost.

If I show someone everything around me, might you please point the way back, perhaps?

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Well, I've been told that the good advice, when one is lost, is to stay put. And I give myself very good advice, but very seldom follow it. I gave myself that I should ask Mr. Nero to come with me... but I worried he would be too busy. [And now look at the trouble she's found herself in.]

But it is getting darker, it took almost the whole day to get to the Red Spring Elves.

[And she's so terribly scared of the dark.]

I think... I think I should stay still. Night time will just make everything look LESS familiar than it already does.

[What would be the appropriate thing to say here? Or rather, what would Akihiko say in a situation like this?]

Then I'm proud of you for making that choice on your own. I don't want to do anything that you wouldn't want me to do.

[Of course, she wasn't in any real danger just yet. For now, he'll keep looking at the forest behind her.] But I'm not busy right now. So I'll come and find you in no time.

What if you get lost too, Ken?

I don't think I will. I've been in places that are more complicated than the forest before so I should be okay.

[Because Tartarus is one complex building that no one would ever have to deal with. Of course, there was some hesitation in his voice but he can't risk making Alice scared.]

I didn't think I would be scared of a forest. [Comparitively to say, Wonderland or the Looking Glass.]

But shadows do become quite long as the sun sets.

[With that, off Ken went as he headed straight into the forest. At the same time, he really needed to figure out how to keep Alice calm.]

I don't blame you for being scared of shadows. I use to be scared of them too but I gotten use to the dark.

I'm... I'm scared of the dark.

Ken... I don't want to be out here in the dark.

It's okay, just hang in there!

[With that, Ken was rushing over to the forest as quickly as possible. It was a good thing he had Koromaru nearby as he was sniffing the ground. As he kept the video on, he just wanted to let her know he was on his way.]

I'm sure Koromaru can find your scent so we should be able to get to you quickly.

[She really needs to start listening to her own advice. She pulls a handkerchief from her pinafore pocket and wipes her eyes, sniffling.]

I just wanted to learn more about elves. I didn't mean to get into such trouble.

[This was the last thing Ken wanted! He had to think of something to cheer her up somehow!]

N-No, you're not in trouble! It just means that you need to be more careful next time! [What would his teammates say at a time like this?]

Think of it as a lesson and try not to do it again! That's all!

[Oh Ken, ye of too much faith.]

But how else would I learn about things here?

By trying things. You'll have to see what works and what doesn't?

[He said as Koromaru gave a loud bark. It seemed that he found a scent as he ran his way toward a certain direction!]

Or at least, that's what my friends would tell me back home! [Although, he wondered if that was good advice to give to someone so young.]

Yes, well, I tried this, didn't I?

Ken, some things simply can't be learned from reading a book.

I know and that's why it's better to learn it sometimes from having it happen.

[Pause] Even if that something can be a little harsh sometimes but I know that's how I learn.

Once I am home, I am sure I shall consider what the proper lesson in all this is.

Do you want me to tell you or do you want to figure that out for yourself?

[Hmmm...]

I should like to hear what you think the lesson is. I might think it is something else.

I'd say that you shouldn't let your curiosity get the better of you but I could be wrong. What do you think it might be?

Well, certainly not that. If I didn't follow my curiosity, how dull the world would be! [Trouble or NOT, Alice would rather be in danger than bored.]

[Ken didn't say anything for a moment. Instead, just kept on staring at her as he wandered into the forest. Although, should Alice look around, she might see a white dog from a distance.]

You certainly are brave, Alice-san. I always thought curiosity would get you into danger but not how dull it would be!

[But then again, Ken was someone who tried his best to follow the rules as best as he could.]

It's not as if curiosity is always dangerous, Ken. Sometimes it can be as simple as "What if I colored the stem of a flower bright orange instead of green?" I know very well that a flower stem is usually SOME shade of green but there's really no harm in coloring it orange.

At least, not that I can think of off-hand.

It isn't but it just depends on what you are curious about.

[Pause]

Although, I must say, it is strange that you're not calling me Mr. Ken anymore.

Oh... I- I can go back to Mr. Ken. [She thought they had gotten close enough to not do that. Was she wrong?]

I'm sorry I was so informal, Mr. Ken. [Aaaand just like that, it's back, and she won't likely be dropping it any time soon again.]

[That was when Ken just raised an eyebrow at her.]

What? You don't need to apologize, I'm just not use to hearing you call me by my name!

[Giving a small mumble or two, he gave a small sigh afterwards.] It's just a little different, that's all.

[Nope, too late you are back to Mr. Ken again, because clearly, if it DIDN'T bother you, you wouldn't have mentioned anything, but you did. So it must. Why else would you have said anything? So no, back to Mr. Ken you go, you're just being very kind and not trying to embarrass her because you are polite like that.]

I always call you by your name. I just... I thought we were close enough, Mr. Ken. But I see I was being presumptuous.