[When the video feed comes on, the person who owns it seems to be out of sight, at least at first. But soon enough a familiar patterned tabbard flutters up just enough to be seen when they shift position.

That's not the only odd thing, either. Wherever they are, it seems to be up pretty high, and with a good view over a portion of the city.

Ico is on the roof of the apartment complex he lives in with Wander. Don't ask how he got there, or how he plans on getting down. The answer is not for the weak of heart.

He starts talking, still mostly out of view, but his voice clear enough to be heard.]

I felt like I was missing something. And I remembered it! It's the harvest season!

But there's nothing to harvest here. And there's not even a festival I miss it. City life is so different! I wonder if the capital was like this, too.

I keep seeing these strangely carved out gourds all over, and lots of decorations. I don't understand what they're for, and some of the faces are scary, like masks but worse...

Do you remember when we carved our masks for the first time, Toto... ?

[That's when it becomes clear that Ico isn't speaking to the network - he's talking to some one specific.

Some one who isn't there.]

You wanted to make yours as scary as possible, but it came out looking like an owl, and the girls just laughed at you. You said "Next year I will make the best mask ever and you'll all be sorry you laughed!" Did you ever finish it, I wonder? You wanted to keep it secret from everyone until it was ready...

[There's a nostalgic tone to his voice, which seems odd for some one so young, but after that there's just silence for a short time.]

... I miss you, Toto. I wish you could be here with me... I think you'd really like Vatheon, weird curses and all.

[A rustle signals another shift, and Ico finally comes in to view, albeit briefly. He frowns at the light on the SFC before picking it up and turning it off, completely unaware that it was already recording.]

And ... see? Now the video is on. Everyone in Vatheon can see you right now! Wave hello, Ico!

[Ico, the horned boy next to Cheria, waves very uncertainly. He doesn't understand how people can see him through something so tiny, but Cheria has insisted it's entirely possible.]

... why do I have to do this? It's silly.

[ Cheria's trying to be patient with the younger boy, really. ]

Well, it's a way to communicate with other people in the city ... this way, we can keep in touch, even while you're living with Wander.

[Good luck with that, Cheria.

He sighs, putting his chin on his hand, other fingers tapping on the counter.]

But it's strange. It's a starfish...

It's a special starfish that will help you out a lot in the longrun! What if you run into trouble of some sort? If you know how to use this, you can call for help, and more people will hear.

[ She hates to use that as an example, but it happens so often in Vatheon that it's probably the one thing that has a chance of getting through Ico's head. ]

[It's a good thing to worry about with Ico, really. He's not accident prone or anything but his danger meter is kind of... broken.

He makes a face like a child that's being told to not go play near a busy street for the first time, but after passing her a look he sighs and relents. She's trying after all. If this was Oneh, she would have his full attention and heaven help his ears if his attention wandered...]

... okay.

[ She smiles. Good! He's listening. ]

Okay, then. Where were we ...? Oh, right! So right now, we're on the video setting. Everyone in Vatheon can see what we're doing right now.

[ she looks at the feed and waves. ]

Hi, everyone! This is Ico. I'm teaching him how to use the SFC at the moment.

What else can it do?

[He might be poking at it a little, prodding the edge of it with a finger and moving it around the counter because he doesn't understand that by doing so he's making the view of the video move.]

[ She moves the SFC back and points to a couple of buttons. ]

If you wanted to make it so that people can just hear your voice, you press this button. And you can type words instead of using video or audio with this over here.

[Ico blinks a few times at that, looking up at her. He knows how to read and write, but pressing buttons to make words? NOPE too weird.]

... I think I like... video.

If Video is easiest for you, then I'd say to stick with it!

[ She sits back with a sigh and then smiles again at Ico. ]

I think that should cover most of what you'll be doing with the SFC ... Any questions?

[Any questions? Oh, Cheria. Do you want a shovel for that hole you just dug yourself?]

Uhm... uhuh. I have a question.

[Nodnodnod and innocent smile]

Okay ... what is it?

You take care of a lot of people, but none of them are your children. Why aren't you married yet?

[ITS A VALID QUESTION OKAY]

[ RGNRKGNKRNGK ICO. That sputtering sound was the sound of a very embarrassed Cheria. And since this is video, you can also see her face turn about as red as her hair. ]

I-I ... I'm still pretty young, I've got a lot of time before I find someone and settle down!

[Ico doesn't understand the reaction. Or why her face is turning red. She's not sick, is she? He tilts his head, still looking about as innocent as can be.]

... but you're so old.

[Whoops.]

[ NO, YOU DID NOT JUST SAY THAT, ICO. ]

Eighteen is not old! I mean, sure, lots of girls my age are settling down and getting married, but I don't have to be one of them! I'm perfectly fine the way I am!

[ Keep telling yourself that, Cheria. ]

Augh! Un-believeable!

[ Awww, Ico, you made her pouty. And embarrassed as hell. WAY TO GO. What's even better, she forgot it was recording. ]

[Nope, still doesn't get what he's doing wrong. He just stares at her, blinking slowly. What is this reaction? He doesn't understand it at all.]

But what about Asbel? Don't you want to marry him? If you were from Toksa you would have been married already.

[Because that makes all the difference in the world, right? When Cheria doesn't answer right away, Ico looks back at the SFC]

... that light is still on.

[He points to the SFC. Yes, Cheria, that entire conversation recorded.]

[ And there's about half a second of Cheria panicking before the feed cuts out. ]


(OOC: Joint post between Ico and Cheria Barnes. Most responses will come from Ico, unless some one addresses Cheria directly. Just remember that her mun is on hiatus and will be a bit slow to respond.)