Video.

[aerial_ace]

[Forward-dated to the end of the week, after the Wildwoods log]

[Cordelia is quiet. She looks tired.]

Luke and Asch have not been home in so many days, and have failed to report for duty as well. I've tried to contact them, but...

[There's a long, painful pause. She likely knows what's happened, but--]

Please, someone tell me that they have seen them. The two are hard to miss. They're twins, with long red hair, green eyes, not particularly short or tall. You may have run into them as pokemon as well. They look very similar to a Vulpix, but gold and red in color, with a single tail.

If you've seen them, please tell them to come home. Their mother is worried sick, and we would all like to have them back where they belong.

Thank you.

Comments

[Video]

[withcourage]

[Upon seeing the video on his Warp Band feed, Aster is a bit chilled. Another one missing that he had met? He opens a video feed and speaks softly.]

I'm afraid I haven't seen them in quite some time.

[He tries to be careful with choosing his next words. He knows the same grief. And their poor mother... Not one, but two children?]

You...know them well?

[Video]

[aerial_ace]

I see...

Luke and Asch are my cousins.

[So yes.]

[withcourage]

[Ah...she surely does, then.]

I see...

[And they do both have red hair. There aren't many he's seen with that brilliant of a red color.]

I'd spoken with Luke before. He seemed nice enough, if a bit egotistical.

[And now he was talking as if they were gone for good. That wasn't the best thing to do! Quick, to try to change the topic!]

Have they vanished like this often?

[aerial_ace]

[She pauses.]

Once before, but they weren't gone nearly this long.

[withcourage]

I see...

[So, then, there's definitely a chance that they...disappeared.]

Well, I'll keep an eye out when I leave town, then. Hopefully some sign of them will turn up.

[He frowns, not quite sure, as no one he's ever heard of disappear like this has ever returned.]

[bejustorbedead]

I'm sorry, I hadn't heard from either of them, but I will keep an ear out.

[Luke he could see skipping off of work, but not Asch]

[aerial_ace]

Thank you. Do you know if they were assigned a mission?

[bejustorbedead]

I do not believe so, but I can double-check the assignments to make sure.

[aerial_ace]

I would appreciate it.

[bejustorbedead]

[Some time later, Ky calls Cordelia back. His tone is measured, deciding on how to word it before he decided to just be straight forward]

I triple-checked the records and asked everyone involved in making the schedules, and they weren't assigned to any special mission.

[usedstringshot]

[Family members going missing and the grief left behind when they vanish is something Peter is more than familiar with.]

I haven't seen them lately, but I'll keep an eye out. Anything else you guys need, just ask.

[aerial_ace]

I'm not sure anything else can be done at this point, other than keeping an eye out.

[usedstringshot]

I know, but I felt I should make the offer anyways.

[aerial_ace]

I think that my family will be all right, for the most part.

[Her aunt was beside herself, but she didn't want to make Peter worry.]

[master_tactician]

I've checked those scheduled for recent rangings... no sign I'm afraid.

[aerial_ace]

And I've asked with the Swords as well... They haven't reported for duty in almost a month.

[A bit more comfortable with Robin, she actually lets a bit of worry into her voice.]

If they got into trouble, they would have sent an S.O.S. They did when they were stranded in the mountains. [Although she wasn't aware of it until well after the fact.]

1/2

[master_tactician]

Don't lose heart, they're not stupid. Foolish, maybe, but not stupid. If they got in over their head they would surely call.

2/2

[master_tactician]

Although if they decided they wanted to pull some elaborate prank or strike out in search of something on their own, we'll probably never find them until they want us to.

[aerial_ace]

[Cordelia shook her head.]

They wouldn't do that. They might disappear for a week or two for a prank, but never this long...

[That does get a somewhat thankful smirk out of her.]

But then, I suppose anything is possible.

[A pause.]

That reminds me, I have something for you.

[master_tactician]

...you do?

video

[healthepot]

... I can't say I've heard from them or seen them, either. [Natalia brushes some hair out of her face, frowning. All the signs are pointing in one very obvious direction. It's easy to assume the worst when the worst is just that likely.

She doesn't want to think about it.]

video (Sorry for the delay, got extremely sick)

[aerial_ace]

[Oh no Natalia, she hoped that you weren't hearing about this just now...]

That isn't to say that they won't show up eventually.

[No, that didn't sound reassuring...]

You know how they can be. Likely, they went off to have an adventure and forgot to tell anyone.

video

[healthepot]

Ah... that's right. They'll... they'll come back when they're ready. [She smiles--it's a bit sad, but it's at least an attempt--and sighs.]

I'm certain they'll have quite the stories when they do come back.

video

[aerial_ace]

I'm sure they will.

[Cordelia tries to smile.]

I happened to pick up a spiced tea during my time in Caldera, I think you might like it.

video

[healthepot]

Ah, you did? [The mention of tea gets her to perk up some.]

Perhaps I should visit sometime soon, then. I'd love to try it!