soheartless | Fourth Shard [Action/Voice]

Once upon a time...

There was a prince who knew nothing. He was a prince who loved his people and wanted to express that affection by improving the lives of his citizens. However, all of his attempts to add to his knowledge in order to benefit his people ended in disappointment. Until one day, when the kingdom was hit by a terrible plague. Desperately, the prince turned to a traveling witch for help. He convinced her to cast a spell on him, one which would allow him to truly learn new information. The deal was successful, and the prince was consumed by newfound curiosity. He found himself traveling throughout the land, asking question after question, constantly adding new information to his mind.

However, no matter how many answers the prince received, he found himself unable to do anything other than asking more and more questions....

[Action]

[So Mytho has had a few weeks that have been eventful in the terms of getting some of his heart shards back. First was affection, which led to him spending more time around Rue. Then there was disappointment, which caused him to be somewhat withdrawn. And most recently, he has regained the desire for knowledge. Ever since last week, he has channeled this into studies. At school, he would be noticeable for asking questions frequently about even the most minor matters.

And this week, he goes around seeking some specific knowledge: the location of Rue. He's unaware that the rogue Malnosso's droids had kidnapped her. So he's been wandering around town, quick to inquire with anyone he sees, especially if he knows that the person in question knows her.]

[Voice]

I don't know where Rue has. Have you seen her? I don't know where she could be...

[He can't stop there. He already has another question on his mind.]

I'd also like to know... How does this book work?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Okay.

[And then, some quick carrot-chopping action!]

[THAT'S A LITTLE SCARY, MYTHO. But efficient-- Emil can't deny that much.]

[And then he looks up when done.]

Emil... How is that?

That's perfect. Now we need to do the onion... um, on second thought, maybe I'd better handle that part. It's a little more complicated than just chopping celery or carrots.

Thank you.

It is? What makes it so complicated, Emil? Why is it like that?

Well, for one thing, onions are round, so they're harder to slice. You have to be extra-careful when you're holding them so that your fingers don't slip. And then you have to chop it up even smaller once you've cut it into slices.

I see. Emil, if I can't slice them right... than you will?

[Emil nods.]

It's probably best if I do it and you watch this time. You can try it on your own the next time you want to make something with onions in it.

[He nods pleasantly.]

Okay. I'll watch you, Emil.

[With another nod, Emil takes the onion and cuts the ends off, then begins carefully slicing it into thin slices. Once he's done this, he starts chopping up the slices into smaller pieces to go into the soup. Just as he told Mytho, he's very careful to keep his hands out of the way of the blade when he's doing the initial slicing-- hopefully the other boy will remember that part.]

[Mytho leans closer as Emil starts cutting it, to take it in very carefully.

Of course, this results in him tearing up.]

[... and it's then that Emil remembers one other very important fact about cutting onions. Sadly, it's a little too late for Mytho.]

Don't lean too close to it! It'll make your eyes start to water.

To... water? [He glances towards Emil, tears already streaming down his face.]

I thought that such a thing... only happened when one feels sad, or afraid.

Or if you get something in your eye that irritates it, like the fumes from the onions. That's why a lot of people like to cut onions near an open window.

[He sets down the knife and reaches for a dish towel, running it under some cold water in the sink and then holding it out to Mytho.]

Here, wipe your eyes with this and see if that makes them feel any better.

Mm. Thank you...

[He takes the wet towel and lightly daps it around his eyes, wiping away the tears.]

Am I still crying?

[Emil leans down a little and peers at Mytho's face to check.]

I don't think so-- you should be okay now.

Okay.

[He seems fine now.]

Now what?

Now we finish cutting up the onion and chicken and then we can start making the soup.

Mm. Let's do that.

The sooner we finish, the sooner you can take it to Rue to help her start feeling better.

Really?

I'd like that to happen soon, Emil.

Yeah. We're almost halfway done already. Once we get everything in the pot, then all we have to do is wait for it to cook.

Okay. Let's make sure that... everything is in the pot, then.

Right. The soup will be ready in no time.