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Oh, it's Ifrit and Cutter.

What are you two doing? Do you require my assistance?

Ohh! Perfect timing!

Come, come, we could use the help. I really need to dig this out.

Very well.

There we go!

I always thought you were only good for playing with sand, but turns out you're pretty handy!

Ifrit, that's rude...

You are always misunderstood because you say things like that.

Huh? Who cares what other people think about me?

Hm? Is Ifrit not offering me words of praise?

Huh?

Is she not? Ifrit sometimes calls people 'dumbasses,' but I understand that this is also a compliment.

Y-you dumbass! Think before you open your big mouth!

Ah, she jumped up.

Right, and if you wish to play in the sand, I heard Dr. Gavial is about to plan a trip back home, so you should be able to go play with her. If I remember properly, there is sand near her house.

Who the hell wants to play in the sand? I'm not some kid!

Really? I would very much like to go. How lucky. I'm also a bit homesick, but I cannot return until I finish my journey...

Homesick? I dunno what that's like, but as long as I'm with Silence and Saria, anywhere is home. Is Rhodes Island not good enough?

I think our situations are a bit different... But if Ifrit is fine with it, then maybe I should be as well?

Tch... What's the difference then? Explain it so I can understand!

Hm... Let me think.

For me, I often... dream of my home. Of a shaking, golden cradle. Of my mother's dry and rough hand touching my cheek...

This may be nothing more than sand, and it might not be very comforting at all. But in my dreams, there's still something nostalgic about it.

It is the place to which I must ultimately return, no matter where I go.

Hm...

Was that clear enough of an explanation?

How did we start talking about this...?

All right, let's cut the chatter. I'll rebuild the stove rack, so I'll need you to prepare the new charcoal fire, Ifrit.

At least, thanks to Mr. Thorns, we now know what to look out for.

You're right. Let's stop thinking about stuff and just get back to work.

Oh, that guy's name is Thorns? You'd never guess it from his looks, but he's actually a pretty nice guy.

Yes. Mr. Thorns is a very good and kind-hearted person.

Kind-hearted? That's a weird way to put it.

It's true! I just saw him stop a group of people who were going to harass the Doctor.

Vigna told me those people were trying to stir up trouble, but she also said there's nobody on the other side capable of fighting, so we have nothing to worry about.

I was going to go help, but it seems like that won't be needed.

Oh, that's right, Mr. Thorns also caught a thief!

Huh. He always has that nasty, arrogant look on his face, but he actually does stuff like that? Like, he helps people for fun? Wow.

I thought he was the kind of person I'd never get along with, but it turns out I was jumping to conclusions.

Yeah...

It's best to make sure that the person you're discussing is not within earshot before speaking so loudly.

Eep!

Why are you still here?!

I just got back. Here. Pepper.

Oh...

I'll be going. No need to thank me.

Wh-who the hell would thank you anyway?!

Ugh, what a weirdo.

He may be strange... but he truly is a good person, no?

The sea? That's not quite right. Compared to the sea, this is too humane. Other than the slight salinity of the water, what else tastes of the sea?

Hey.

Hey, I know you're there.

....Hey. Speak. You've been standing behind me for quite some time now.

No way! How'd you catch me...? You must be pretty awesome to be able to sniff me out.

So, what do you think of the view? Not bad, huh?

...The singer from that band. What are you doing here?

Huh? You know who I am? Are you a fan? Want my autograph?

Not really. Don't change the subject.

Aww, that's too bad then. Do you want a CD then?

No thanks.

I'm just joking. Who just keeps CDs on them anyway? Has anyone ever told you you're kind of a wet blanket?

Yes.

Listen, you're not a wet blanket. You just don't care.

I'm here to appreciate the ocean.

The songstress gazes out to where the sky meets the sea. Her hair sways in the sea breeze, taking on the shape of the waves.

But this is no ocean.

Siesta's beach is beautiful. The more beautiful it is, the more I'm convinced it's not like the sea at all. The place we come from is nothing like this at all.

People who come here to see the ocean will definitely feel cheated.

Do you ever miss home, Mister?

Songstress, what are you actually here for?

You still don't get it? Don't dwell on it too much, I'm just shooting from the hip here. I say whatever's on my mind. It's a bad habit I can't kick.

Don't avoid the question. You're an Ægir.

That I am.

But I also am not.

I really dislike when people speak in riddles.

How about you ask me directly then?

What, weren't you going to ask me something? This is a really special opportunity, you know~

Weirdo. Waste of time.

Didn't we all come here to waste some time? Being able to treat yourself and waste time is what I call a good life.

If you're out there just trying to survive, you don't get a chance to waste anything.

Maybe you're right.

See? Want my autograph?

Give in already. Here, let me just grab something to write on... like this poster...

The pink-haired Ægir scribbles swiftly on the poster.

Here. My autograph!

Hey.

It's a reward for talking with me, okay? It's not every day I meet someone like me, from the old country, in the outside world.

No. You're wrong...

I'm not like you.

Thorns opens his eyes wide and looks directly into the singer's pupils.

The singer blinks, her gaze following Thorns's hand as it slowly crawls towards the hilt of his sword.

—You didn't even try to hide it.

You aren't a big fan of our songs... I know that.

But I'll still give you my autograph.

Why? You...

Because you like to dance. There's no way someone who likes to dance could be a bad person.

Sounds utterly stupid.

Don't be like that. It's just something I've learned from a whole bunch of people. We've all spent a long time on this patch of dirt, and we've also learned a lot.

You didn't grow up in the sea, did you? You're much more at home bouncing around on land than you would be in the water.