thehometree | (no subject)

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He's fairly close to Arturia's mental image of the Britain she strove for. A vision she could make real for a short period before that paradise shattered.

She's ready to be scorned by her actions. She's merely acting like a gallant knight, even if she is not carrying a bashful maiden in her arms. She's flying slowly for his sake. This way, he can also take a good look at the floors as they descend, engulfed by the golden light of the Lifestream.

He seems immersed with his observation, so she doesn't disturb him. A smile plays on her lips when he asks her the most obvious question. Hasn't she told him about the gems?

"Yes," she answers him while she performs her graceful landing. Arturia lowers him, retracting the arm that's holding his legs, so he can stand upright. "We were given these gems when we arrived. That is why is imperative for you to find yours."

Orcelito appreciates the slow decent. Before, he could only guess what the place looked like as a whole; now he has perspective. And indeed, this series of round rooms is like a tree, and appears to be designed for birds or insects – for flight. He blushes slightly as the meaning of his words sinks in; yes, he disbelieved her. He hoped to do so in such a way that did not accuse her of lying, but is there really a difference?

He releases her shoulder and lands on his feet, perhaps more clumsily than he wishes. Orcelito immediately takes a step back to regain a respectable distance between the two of them. “My apologies. I did not mean to accuse you of falsehood.” He meets her gaze and replies with sincerity. There are others he will have to apologize to as well.

“I don’t recall owning such a gem.” He admits again, concern in his voice this time. “I haven’t even heard of them. But I would never have misplaced something so valuable!”

He gazes around with fascination at the large gemstones, the runes, and the crystal sword hovering in the shaft of light. The Life Stream has had a positive effect on his impressions. Finally, the one door in the room catches his interest. “This is the exit?”

Arturia helps to steady his footing and releases him immediately after. She shakes her head after he apologizes. While she's satisfied he's recognized his mistake, she understands he has not meant to call her a liar. It has been a misunderstanding caused by the spell.

"Has this jolted your memories?" she asks, thinking that amnesia needs a more urgent attention than anything else. "Hm. You also do not recall this tree at all. Have you tried searching your pockets?" She hasn't seen him doing so after she told him about the gem. It's worth a try. He might have kept it there.

After her suggestion, she remains silent, waiting for him to inspect the place of their arrival.

"The door leads outside the tree, but I wouldn't call it an exit." Even when they are permitted to pass through the fog, the world that greet them is a strange one.

Orcelito shakes his head. “This is a very strange place. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

He takes a moment to double-check his new attire for pockets. The fitted top is clearly not made for storing things, but he finds a subtle pocket in the flare of the jacket. There’s a folded paper inside with some odd markings – they look like orderly scratches done in a weak ink, on a rough, dark strip of paper. He’s not sure what to make of it. (And having not seen the alcove on the seventh floor, he will not recognize the transcription.) He holds it to Arturia for her to see. “There’s only this. Is it important?”

Unfortunately, checking his sleeves never occurs. If Arturia remembers him reaching into his left sleeve to access his night gem, she may be able to offer further suggestions.

The clarification puzzles him. An exit is an exit, is it not? She spoke of barrier of mist. Are they on an island or a mountain?

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