(no subject)

[lordoflhant]

Who: Asbel and ANYONE
What: Arrival post
When: November 20, afternoon
Where: the forest
Rating: Probably not higher than PG



Asbel felt like he must have hit his head. He sat up, coming fully awake, and looked up. This...was definitely not the manor. Not that he remembered going to sleep in the first place, but if he had, it would have been there...wouldn't it?

But here he was, fully dressed, in the middle of...a...forest?

He was used to the trees outside of Lhant. Those were familiar. They were welcome, even. Only a moment of looking around told Asbel that these weren't those trees.

He picked himself up off the ground, dusting off his jacket without really thinking about it, and tried to get his bearings. After a minute, he realized that was a pretty futile effort. Without knowing where he was, it was pointless to try and identify a landmark. Everything here looked new to him.

So, he picked a direction and started walking. Maybe he could find a road, or a path, or some way to find out what was going on. He wasn't panicked, not yet, but he was a bit worried. How could he have let something like this happen? He was supposed to take care of everyone, and that sure as hell wasn't going to happen if he was letting himself end up in strange forests!

A little further along the way, he found a tent and the remains of a campsite. He looked around carefully, not wanting to startle the campsite's occupant, but it didn't take him long to discover that the campsite was sadly abandoned. So much for getting answers here.

He crossed his arms and thought. He couldn't stay here forever, of course, wherever he was, but he needed some kind of a plan.

Comments

[waterproofed]

Being cooped up was not something Percy did very well. Even if it was just a walk around the grounds, he would take it. When he headed for the forest, Percy expected to see Katniss there prowling around. He didn't expect to see a totally unknown face.

"Hey, um, is that yours?" Percy asked the unfamiliar guy, pointing to the sad little tent.

[lordoflhant]

Asbel looked up, startled. He hadn't heard anyone approaching and didn't like being caught off guard. He looked at the boy, warily. But he wasn't that old, so...did he know what was going on?

"Um, no...I kind of just woke up here..."

[waterproofed]

"A newbie," Percy nodded. "I gotcha." That would explain the confused look on the other guy's face. "Not a bad place to show up in. At least you didn't pop up in the lake." He accented this with a friendly smile.

"I'm Percy, by the way. And I guess I get to be the first to welcome you to Paradisa."

[lordoflhant]

The confusion didn't exactly fade from Asbel's face at that. It wasn't an answer at all! Okay, so he hasn't outright asked a question, but still!

"Paradisa?" he asked. It was all he could think of to ask, really. He'd never heard of a place called Paradisa, and they'd travelled the world over! Admittedly, he didn't know everything. Maybe Hubert or the captain would recognize the name, but Asbel sure didn't.

"How do I get back to Lhant?"

[waterproofed]

"I don't know where Lhant is, but you can't go back anyway." He hated giving bad news to people, but it was better this guy found out now. "We're on another planet or something."

[lordoflhant]

"What? How the hell could we be on another planet?!" He was sure this wasn't Fodra, since Fodra was a wasteland. He didn't even know of any other planets! This had to be a joke.

[waterproofed]

"We just are. The castle's magic, so it can do pretty much whatever it wants." Maybe Percy was too jaded by living here so long to really give a good explanation.

[lordoflhant]

"What? What castle?"

Asbel realizes he isn't getting anywhere with this guy. Maybe he hit his head, or maybe he...oh, who knows. He sighs, and tries again.

"What exactly is going on?" Maybe that's a better question, and he can get some real answers. "Who are you?"

[waterproofed]

Percy pointed over his shoulder to where the castle was looming in the distance. They weren't exactly next door to it but it was still pretty close.

"I told you, my name is Percy. I live in the castle along with about three hundred other people."

[circleoflife]

It was really getting to be far too cold out for Mufasa to stray very far from the castle, but a lion just needed a walk sometimes, you know? Even despite the cool air, going at a quick pace was enough to keep him warmer. It's when he hears the sounds of movement that he slows down and looks deeper into the forest.

And then he spots a young man wearing white, with his back to him. With the concentration on his face, and the way he crossed his arms, he looked rather troubled.

Well, might as well see what's up.

He calls out to the boy: "Good afternoon! Bit on the chilly side today, isn't it?"

[lordoflhant]

Asbel turned toward the sound of the voice. Upon seeing a large animal there (he wouldn't know what a "lion" was), he was suddenly on guard. His hand went to his sword, though he didn't draw it. He had no real idea if he was looking at an animal or a monster, but it didn't hurt to be ready.

Not to mention, someone had said something.

"Is someone there?" he called, hoping he didn't upset the creature in front of him.

[circleoflife]

"That would have been me," Mufasa says. He's all to used to the jumpy reactions of humans by now.

Regardless, he dips his head respectfully. "I am Mufasa, and I apologize for startling you; I hope I wasn't interrupting anything?"

[lordoflhant]

Asbel just blinks at the lion for a second. He keeps his hand near his sword - just in case! - but straightens up a little so he seems less ready for a fight.

"You can...talk?" he asks, kind of stupidly. He has no idea what else to say.

[circleoflife]

And Mufasa gives a patient sigh at that. Humans were always so quick to catch on.

So, he gives a warm smile at Asbel, and replies, "So it would seem."

[lordoflhant]

Asbel realizes he looks kind of idiotic, and smiles apologetically.

"I'm...sorry, it just caught me by surprise, is all. I just woke up here awhile ago, so, the whole thing is new to me."

The lion sure doesn't seem to be about to attack, so he lets down his guard a little. He doesn't WANT a fight, anyway.

[circleoflife]

Ah, he just arrived. Well, that explained why he looked so troubled.

"There is no need to apologize; everyone at the castle has been in your same position.

Shall I bring you to it, Mister...?"

[lordoflhant]

He's heard about the castle already, and seen it in the distance, but he hasn't thought about going there.

"Asbel. I'm Asbel Lhant. I...guess that's a good idea, if there are really more people there. You don't know...how to get back to Lhant, do you? It's pretty important."

[circleoflife]

"Mmn, I'm afraid I don't, Mr. Lhant. Well, rather, I know that it is, for all intents and purposes... impossible to return to our homes of our own volition at this time. There is much to take in when it comes to this situation, so I suggest we do it inside, where the premises are more accommodating."

And he begins to walk back to the castle. Hmm.. Asbel Lhant. He'd heard that somewhere before, hadn't he?

[silentrunning]

[There's a tall girl in odd boots wandering through the forest. She'd decided to go out for a walk. After all, it was a ... somewhat decent day, by her estimation of the word decent anyhow.

So, she's just strolling through the forest when she notices that campsite ahead of her...and the guy she doesn't recognize standing there too. Quickly she darts behind a tree to peer out.

She's not cautious by nature, but cautious around people she doesn't know? Hell yes. But she's got her journal in hand, just in case he's a newbie.

Slowly, she moves to take a step closer, and one of her boots snags a twig. There is an audible crack.]

[lordoflhant]

[ Asbel jumps a little and turns toward the sound, hand coming to rest near his sword. When he sees the source, however, he straightens again. It isn't that he doesn't think girls can be dangerous - she just doesn't look like she's on the attack, and he's not the suspicious type. ]

Um, hi there. Is this your tent?

[silentrunning]

[On the attack? Hardly. She looked as if she'd far rather go fleeing back into the woods. But when Asbel spoke, she stopped, and glanced toward the tent with a rueful shake of her head before walking closer.

A quick movement later and she had a pen in her hand and was writing quickly. When she offered him her journal, there was writing on the page.]

This is not my tent... You are new here?

[Cautious, that one. And curious too.]

[lordoflhant]

[ He looked surprised, but took the book she offered him, reading the words out loud without thinking. ]

Yeah, I just woke up here. Do you...can you talk?

[ He hoped that wasn't rude, but why else would someone write things down? ]

I HATE FINALS. I am so sorry.

[silentrunning]

[She nodded her head at him. Yeah. She can talk. But not to people she doesn't know. But she smiles at him in a friendly enough manner before snagging the book from him and writing again.]

I could show you the way back to the castle and take you on a tour?

[Yup. She's offering herself as tour guide.]

ME TOO don't even worry about it

[lordoflhant]

[ Well that's kind of weird, but he can accept it. He reads the message. ]

Um, okay, I guess. Thanks!

I'm Asbel. Asbel Lhant. What's your name?

Re: ME TOO don't even worry about it

[silentrunning]

[Chell nods, before writing again.]

I'm Chell. I like your name.

[And then, all formalities done, she tucks her journal back into her pocket, and beckons him to follow, smiling back at him over her shoulder. She really loves playing newbie tour guide.]