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Gaius' eyelids lowered halfway and he sighed as they closed all the way. "If I were a pervert, I would have kidnapped her already. Do you always have to worry about this sort of thing where you're from?...She was crying because of some bullies, so I helped her get her doll off the chapel roof. Now, who are you?"

Gaius chuckled as Serenity was corrected, but he had no idea what a House of Salvation was either. But, he'd find out, so asking the child wasn't his intent. Mostly because a man that resembled her a bit came over. He thanked him for helping his daughter and then left. "I forgot to ask if I could see the figurine he bought for his wife. She said it was of Sylph...." As far as I know, figurines of the Four Great Spirits are extremely rare and not for sell. Even I can't get one that's authentic and crafted by the Four themselves. It could be a handmade figurine. He suddenly remembered that Serenity asked for his name and looked at her. "My name is Gaius. Let me guess; you're not from this world. That puts us on the same boat then." Gaius turned and headed for the doors of the building before looking back at Serenity. "I hope you have a weapon with you. I don't plan on leaving a kid on her own, but I can't protect you constantly. Are you coming in to find out what this place is?"

Gaius looked at Serenity as she just seemed to--what was the word? Give up? No, that was too far down the list. Deflate was the best word. He was confused at first, but suspected it was because he called her kid. Prideful, isn't she? The king watched as she soon shook off her defeat and became more spirited. That was admirable. "If you're feeling better, then lets" Gaius shook his head, suddenly reminded of when he first met Wingul. Walking into the building, he looked around and saw that was, indeed, some sort of chapel. The interior was very plain, but there was a small statue of a maiden at the back of the room. Walking up to it, he examined it. In a way, it resembled Milla, but appeared far more traditional than Milla did. "Some sort of spirit deity?" "That's no ordinary spirit. That is the Goddess Martel, the spirit of the World Tree. Are you not familiar with her? That's unusual. Martel is known everywhere." Gaius turned to the priest that appeared behind them. A goddess. But, also a spirit. "My friend and I aren't familiar with it. We're...from a very secluded village and have our own beliefs. Could you tell us about your goddess?"

After arriving in the strange, foreign world--he knew this immediately after realizing that the air had no eleth but rather some other natural energy--in the dead of night, Hubert took shelter at the nearest location. It turned out to be a chapel that also had a small inn for travelers. He met the priest in charge of the location and found out where he was, as well as other things. Mostly about the surrounding areas and the goddess that was worshiped. Then, he rested so he could head for the town of Asgard. When he awoke, he went downstairs and overheard the conversation. A secluded village and different beliefs....No. I not falling for that. It's such an obvious lie, and a poor one that was clearly not thought through. It's just the kind of trick I could expect Asbel or Pascal to tell. Which could only mean that these two visitors weren't any different than he was. Regarding the situation, of course. Before the priest could finish his sentence, Hubert interrupted, offering to tell the two about Martel in his place. With a thank you, the priest left and Hubert watched the other two before approaching them. "You should put more thought into your lies. Not everyone is as gullible as he is. Hubert Oswell. Can I have your names? I don't want to have to call you miss or sir."

Before he could agree or disagree, Serenity jumped in and shared her opinion. Well, she wasn't wrong. It was technically the truth. The newcomer introduced himself as Hubert Oswell, and from his tone, Gaius sensed he was in the same situation as he and Serenity were. "As my energetic companion here said, I am Gaius. I'm going to skip further details and just ask if you're from a far away village as well. Right now it's best to keep things simple and with as little suspicion as possible until we're somewhere more private." Whether it turned out that Hubert went with them or not, at least the secrecy concept was now in Serenity's head. The last thing Gaius wanted was to cause a panic or be pinned as a terrorist. It wouldn't be good for Serenity or Hubert either. Surrounded by kids. Now I know how Milla and Rowen felt. Still, it was nice to not be alone in this problem.

Gaius crossed his arms as Hubert spoke. "So, you decided to come with us." It wasn't really surprising. They were stuck on the same boat and they'd all have a better chance at finding out what happened if they had people to work with. "Very well. We'll go to Asgard. Are you ready to go, Serenity?"

Zaul chuckled a bit as he saw Maka give Soul a jump-scare there, then proceed to pick into Soul's food. "Nah, it's fine, Maka. Just glad t' see yer feelin' better," he replied, smiling. "Ah, ya mighta thought so already, but our new 'quaintances here're 'parently from diff'rent worlds too. Jade's from Auldrant n' Krystal's from Cerinia, but that place..." he hesitated for a second, feeling a little guilty over what he was about to state so casually, "...uh...got destroyed. Uh, sorry ta bring up that sore subject 'gain, Krystal." emotion_sweatdrop


Jade, who had crossed his arms as well while Zaul spoke, merely gave a nod and serene smile at this new girl that approached them. "Likewise, Maka. What an interesting coincidence, to have run into more people in the same situation as us."

Zaul had paused to recollect his thoughts while Krystal and Jade greeted Maka, then continued. "Someone strong...a greater power...Ah guess ya could say that. Ah really don' know th' finer details at all, but th' world was put back t'gether by a group now known as th' Heroes 'f Regeneration. Their leader was a young fella by th' name o' Lloyd Irving.

Ah also ain't entirely sure if th' Otherworldly Gate could send you lot home. Many full moons've passed since th' world became whole 'gain, but Ah hav'nt been there on any one 'f them t' see what happens. Ah mean, Ah'm real curious but more cautious, y'know? What 'f it did send me t' a whole 'nother world, but left me stranded there?"

"An understandable conclusion. Better safe than sorry," Jade remarked. A pause to think, before he continued, "Now, I believe it would be in all our best interest to seek one of these 'Heroes of Regeneration'. Perhaps one of them would know how the Otherworldly Gate behaves in this now-united world. Could you tell us more about them, Zaul?" He had initially thought of visiting the ruins themselves when it wouldn't be active to see if he could perhaps examine it for clues as to how it was utilized, but then again, he wasn't aware of what phase Aselia's moon was currently in (or that it actually had two of them). He considered that by the time they made it there, it probably would not be the best of times.

Zaul made a bit of a sheepish smile for a moment as he admitted, "Well first 'f all, Ah don' know where any 'f 'em are right now. That aside, Ah know there were eight people in th' group. Ah mentioned Lloyd earlier...then there's Colette Brunel, th' Sage siblin's Raine n' Genis, Zelos Wilder, Sheena Fujibayashi, Regal Bryant, n' Presea Combatir. T' be honest, while Ah've heard their names, Ah don' know how half 'f em look like. I only know Lloyd, Raine, n' Sheena from th' statues 'f them in Luin, then Zelos since he's an influential figure Tethe'alla-side. Ah've caught a glimpse 'f 'im in passin'."

It was after his explanation that the waitress finally arrived with his meal. She felt a slight chill go through her from the sight of the new company that surrounded this half-elven man. More specifically, the sight of Krystal. However, as she was carrying food, she kept her composure. "U-uhm...here you are, sir, your order of beef stew with the side dishes of rice and bread rolls. And water."

"Thank ya kindly, ma'am," Zaul replied with a slight appreciative smile as she set down his meal. He first picked up a bread roll, so that he would remain attentive to the conversation.

Now looking to the people she hadn't seen before, she continued, "M-may I help you sir? Ladies? Is there anything you'd like?"

"I am not particularly hungry at the moment. Just water would be fine, thanks," Jade declared.

Sheena blinked. In a tree? That wouldn't be very healthy. But, he was a fox....She didn't know how his body and mind reacted to such behavior. "No, I don't need anything delivered. Anything I do deliver is too important to be entrusted to anyone else. But, I wouldn't mind going with you. At least until we both have a good amount of gald."