001 [video]

[laughingsword]

Hello~ooo… [in extreme magnification, a pair of eyes blink at the communicator for a few seconds before the face retreats into focus.] Ah! It's working, isn't it? That little light… what a funny dream.

[He chuckles, and holds the communicator a little further away, turning it from side to side.] Very funny. I've tried pinching myself ten thousand times, and I can't seem to wake up! Has anybody found out a better way? If I sleep in all morning I'll ruin my reputation, you see. Everyone will tease me!

[The temporary pout dissolves into a smile as he looks around beyond the communicator.] But maybe I can look around for just a few hours first. That wouldn't be so bad, would it? Ah, look! I think that's a candy store--!

Comments

[earthshatter]

Yes. It's working.

[laughingsword]

[He laughs.] That's good, isn't it? Thank you!

The candy-store wasn't, but I've gotten directions to a tea-house. What kind of money works in these dreams, do you know?

[not that he actually has his purse with him, of course -- who sleeps with it unless they're on the road? -- but maybe he can find out how to earn a little....]

[earthshatter]

The moogles should be able to exchange what you have for the local currency.

[laughingsword]

Really? They can do that, too? My goodness, they're very talented creatures!

I only wish I'd been napping on duty. That way, I might have had my purse on me.

[earthshatter]

They are, yes. As to your current lack of money, the most common way to acquire more is to defeat the local monsters here - if you have put together a Dream Eater they will be of aid in combat should you require.

Beyond that however, you are welcome to come to the tea shop all the same, and I can see what may be done about the lack of funds.

[laughingsword]

Oh, do you work there? -- And please, call me Soujirou! I take it there are bounties on the monsters, then... I suppose that's one way to earn a little money!

[earthshatter]

I do. You may call me Aeleus.

[laughingsword]

Aeleus. It's a pleasure! Are they very hard to hunt? The monsters, that is. I've heard they spit fire.

[earthshatter]

They can be, if you aren't used to fighting.

[laughingsword]

What if you are used to it? -- Oh, and I really should ask, is there a place around here where I might borrow a sword? I don't like always having it with me, but if there are that many dangerous animals, perhaps it's a good idea!

[earthshatter]

You should be able to get one from the moogles. As for the monsters, it depends on what you normally fight.

[laughingsword]

People. My world does not have this sort of monster.

[earthshatter]

They do seem to be unique to this world.

[laughingsword]

And what is your world like, Aeleus-san?

[earthshatter]

Right now, on the long road to recovery.

[laughingsword]

Recovery? When you say that, it sounds as though something terrible must have happened.

[earthshatter]

Something has. It's only now the world is being to recover.

[laughingsword]

[Well, Souji thinks, he obviously doesn't want to talk about it. It seems a little personal, and they've only just met, after all.]

I'm sorry.

[earthshatter]

[Personal in more ways than one, unfortunately. But what has been has been and there is no changing that.]

It's alright.

[laughingsword]

[He gives that statement a moment of quiet silence before changing the subject.]

So... how long have you been here?

[earthshatter]

I believe it's several months, by this point.

[laughingsword]

A~ah, you're the second one to say several months! I hope I'm not trapped here so long. It looks like a lovely city, but I'd miss my friends, after all.

[earthshatter]

You wouldn't be the only one to miss people.

[laughingsword]

Of course not. But I wouldn't want to speak for others!

[earthshatter]

Understandable.