action/audio later on.

[contaeoro]

[action; the village]
[He managed to get those pesky wings to stay flat against his back at least. It still feels weird, but he is happier now that he's got his clothes on and he made it out of the forest. He's still far, far away from New York though. That much he can tell. The white cotton clothes held in his hand, Maiza looks around in a wonder as he walks into what looks like a small village.

It doesn't look like anywhere he has been before. Narrowing his eyes, he will approach the nearest, friendly looking person.]

Pardon me, ah... could you explain to me where this is?

[audio; later on]
... I think I've got this figured out now. What an interesting contraption.

Hm.

I was told speakin' to this journal will allow me to speak with the other folks in this area. Thought I'd introduce myself, as from what I've heard we're all stuck in the same boat, here. [A pause.] My name is Maiza.

[Longer pause.... what do you even say to introduce yourself when you're talking at a journal?]

Comments

[immamartillo]

[He recognizes that voice right away, though it takes him nearly a minute to realize that he's not hearing things and Maiza must be in Luceti.]

Maiza? Maiza!

[He's so startled that the journal drops out of his hands. There's a pause and a few curses as he grabs for it.]

When did you get here?

[contaeoro]

Firo. [Maiza on the other hand is not so surprised. He was looking for people he might recognize, anyway. It's still strange talking on a journal though.]

Just an hour or so ago, I think. Where can I find you?

Sorry, wrong account!

[immamartillo]

I'm out by the Battle Dome. You know where that is? Probably not... Why don't I come and find you? You got any idea where you are?

not a problem!

[contaeoro]

Can't say I do... looks like a circular clearing, though, with houses around.

Thanks!

[immamartillo]

Huh... Okay.

[He has an idea of where that could be. Though he's not certain, he feels the need to start doing something and starts jogging northward. ]

Can ya see if any a' the houses have got any numbers on 'em?

[contaeoro]

Yeah they do. Looks like a thirty-seven to me. An' there's a fountain here, too.

[immamartillo]

Alright, I know where that is. Just sit tight, okay, Maiza? I'll be right there!

[Firo's a little ways away, but he speeds up into a run to get there as soon as possible. He's eager to see his friend again after so long, and he's worried about how he might be faring with his introduction to Luceti. Maiza doesn't seem ruffled, but does he ever?]

[contaeoro]

[While waiting for Firo, Maiza makes his way over to the fountain and takes a seat by it. He's got his old clothes back by this time, wings folded neatly under the shirt he didn't want to tear. He'll be looking around the area calmly when Firo gets here, smiling as he gets to his feet.]

Firo.

[immamartillo]

Maiza!

[Firo slows to catch his breath once his friend is in view. A variety of emotions flickers across his face. There's relief that Maiza looks okay, anger at the Malnosso, and then some worry that Maiza might be angry with him for disappearing.

Finally, plain happiness at seeing his friend again wins out. Smiling, he quickly covers the rest of the distance between them.]

I... It's good to see you again.

[contaeoro]

Again? [He's sure he just saw Firo a few minutes before waking up in the forest, though. He worries a little when he sees the expressions on his friend's face -- the worry lingers even when Firo smiles, but he greets him with a smile of his own anyway.]

Did you make it here all right?

[immamartillo]

Me?

[He's startled by the question, but of course Maiza couldn't know that Firo's been here for a while.]

Yeah, I guess I did. Well, a guy fell on me but that was... almost a year ago.

How about you?

[contaeoro]

What? When did that happen?

[He doesn't remember anything like that happening in the past year, Firo...]

[immamartillo]

Huh? I just told you. It was a year ago, when I wound up in this place.

[He pauses, wondering how best to explain away Maiza's confusion.]

I've been stuck here since.

[contaeoro]

Don't be messin' with me now, Firo. What're you talkin' about? I saw you at the speako just minutes before I got here.

[immamartillo]

What?

[He raises an eyebrow. Maiza, why are you so confusing--? Oh, wait.]

Wow... That time stuff really does work.

[He scratches his head as he wonders how to formulate a good answer. Probably best just to start talking and see where that gets him.]

Well... Promise you won't think I'm crazy?

[contaeoro]

You, crazy?

[He gives Firo a curious look. But he doesn't answer the question, instead turning to the fountain he got up from just minutes ago.]

It sounds like it's gonna be a long story. Wanna sit down?

[immamartillo]

[Firo gives a hesitant nod.]

Yeah. I'm not sure how to begin, really...

[He goes over to the fountain and plops down, elbows resting on his knees.]

So... Well, last time I saw you, it was 1933 and we were all in Alveare. Isaac and Miria were all pissed about the dominoes, right? And then I got that note...

[He winces at the memory and pauses to see if that's the same event Maiza remembers.]

[contaeoro]

[Maiza, on the other hand, is not following Firo's tale already.]

Actually, it was 1932 still when I got here. Czes moved in with you earlier this month.

[immamartillo]

1932? That's what Czes said, too.

[This is going to be a lot harder than he thought; he's used to Maiza being the one who knows what's going on.]

It really was 1933 for me, I swear. People say time gets messed up here... I guess they're right.

[contaeoro]

I'm not callin' you a liar. Is this thing about comin' from different worlds true, too?

[immamartillo]

Yeah, you heard about that? I've met people from all over here.

[contaeoro]

Yeah, someone I just met explained that to me. So you an' I are from different times...? What about Czes?

[immamartillo]

I guess we are. And Czes said he'd just met me and Ennis back home when he got here. That'd put you two at about the same time, right?

[contaeoro]

Just about. I remember his train arrived in Manhattan on New Years, and that was only a few days ago.

[immamartillo]

Wow...

[He leans back and scratches his head.]

I wonder why it worked out like that..?

[He shakes his head and smiles slightly. It's pointless to worry about that, he needs to focus on the things he can do for Maiza.]

Anyway, you got any questions? I can't answer everything, but I can try.