Inside the Ocean Theater.
Babaya and the other two followed a boy with a childish, milky voice into an office at the back of the theater.
"Teacher Jon, they're here." Yada stepped up to the desk and gave a respectful bow.
Jon looked up. He first smiled at Yada, signaling that he could leave, before turning his gaze toward the two little fellows opposite him and Baruba, who carried a wild air about him.
Jon studied them carefully for a moment, a smile curling across his lips. "You're the assistants Angel brought over?"
Baruba felt nothing in the face of Jon's smile and simply nodded.
Babaya and Ku Doudou, however, felt a chill sweep down their backs. For some reason, they found the way Jon looked at them very strange.
As Littlefolk, they were often stared at, but other people's gazes had merely been curious. This old man before them was not only curious—there seemed to be a trace of... scrutiny in his eyes.
I never thought I'd live to see real-life Thumbelinas. What an interesting world, Jon murmured silently, his gaze upon Babaya and Ku Doudou growing increasingly "kind."
"Mr. Jon, Frod told us to come find you earlier. He said you would assign us tasks. What tasks would they be?" Baruba asked in a low voice.
"Frod just told me that your name is Baruba? You're responsible for construction work?" Jon looked at the slightly dark-skinned Baruba.
The first thought that flashed through Baruba's mind was: When did Frod tell Jon that?
But Baruba quickly cast the thought aside. Perhaps Frod had used Distant Voice? No matter how he had informed Jon, it was a good thing. Since Jon already knew their information, at least it saved them the time of introducing themselves.
"Yes."
After receiving Baruba's confirmation,