act17mini

You little glutton, what's so great about white bread? Next time you've got time, I'll cook you up some grilled meat.

Really?! Mmm, grilled meat...

Can I have three more buns of the dough to go? I'll eat them on the road.

Sure. Just wait a sec and I'll give you some fresh out the oven.

Hehe, thank you.

Hmm-hmm. I've gotten so much done over the last two days, I think I deserve a little treat for myself.

Nothing beats a full belly—

Hmm?

Nymph glimpses a Sarkaz out the corner of her eye. Not on purpose, of course.

Any passerby would find themselves turning their head. It would be hard not to.

She stands motionless, leaning against her cane, with her top-hatted head held high.

Here, where most are disheveled and scruffy-looking, a woman like her is a rare sight indeed.

Here, your dough.

Eh? Oh, thanks...

First time laying eyes on her?

I don't think I've ever seen anyone quite like... her.

She wasn't always this way. Not sure when she went mad. Left Kazdel to make a name for herself, came back looking like this.

Oh... Well, even so, she does look pretty nice.

What's the point of looking nice? Can't sell a thing if you just stand there all day.

She sells baked dough too?

As if. She makes jewelry out of garbage.

Some odd gewgaws too, like a transparent glass witchcraft orb with a model of Kazdel inside, or cups etched with strange patterns. It's all expensive, fragile stuff. Only a fool would buy any of it.

Heard she's got ornaments and statues on top of all that. Even less business on those. Can't get any use out of them most days, and so expensive too. Don't know what she's thinking.

Everyone around has been telling her, but she won't listen to a word of it.

Ahaha...

I don't think it's a bad thing, getting to see someone dressed up so pretty on the street every day.

I just hope she earns enough to feed herself... It'd be some terrible joke if she starved to death in front of my stall, right?

Hmm, I see where you're coming from... I'd better get going, see you.

Be seeing you, Nymph. Bring some friends next time.

I will! Bye-bye!

*phew*... Now that I'm full, I should get back to work.

(She's so pretty...)

(Is that how they dress in Victoria? Those fabrics look really expensive.)

(And there's that brooch of hers with those purple and red gems...)

(Once I'm done with this job and I get my reward from Ermi, I'll go have a look at her stall!)

Wait, there's one here?

No way, there was no response just a moment ago.

Where is it, then?

Wait...

That brooch with the purple and red gems...?

Nymph feels a sudden tickle up her spine. She turns to look at the stall devoid of customers.

But no one is there. The behatted stall owner has long since packed up her wares and disappeared into the endless stream of people flowing through Kazdel.

Ermi, please pick up, it's urgent.

What now...?

If she's only wearing all that jewelry because she's possessed, then she...

There's no time. I'll go looking for her first.

Hello, do you know where the lady who runs this stall went off to? The one wearing a suit and top hat—

Huh? A suit of what? Uh... She's wearing really strange clothes, and selling stuff no one wants to buy!

She went that way? Okay, thank y—The baked dough?

I got it from the stall over on the corner. Here, have some. If you like it, make sure you go to that stall!

I'm almost out of the city at this point. What did she come here for?

What's the detector say...? A very weak reaction, but it's here, alright.

I'll just have to check over everything.

It's here.

A warehouse?

She lives here?

No way, why would someone wearing such nice clothes live here?

Maybe it's because of... the revenant fragment?!

I can't reach Ermi, and Pohl's looking for fragments somewhere else.

C'mon, Nymph, think, think! There's got to be a way!

Hypnosis, mental suggestion, Originium Arts... Maybe I could snatch it away?!

Hello, young lady. Did you need me for something?

Sorry, let me think a bit longer...

Very good, ma'am.

Ah.

H-Hello?

Crownie Mantel, Elegance Extraordinaire. A pleasure to meet you. Now, how may I be of service?

Could you sell me that brooch?

Why?

Because, because...

Because I really like it!

Oh?

Well, I'm terribly sorry, ma'am, but it is not for sale.

Moreover, I'm afraid it's not suited to your ensemble.

I have here an adornment much more appropriate for a rose such as yourself. If your need is dire, I could give it to you.

Sorry, I'm only interested in the brooch.

Nymph looks into Crownie's eyes. Her arms hang by her sides as her fingers sway lightly at an unusual frequency, tracing complex patterns in the air.

They are reflected in Crownie's pupils, but as she blinks, they are gently wiped away. It seems they have not dug deep into her heart as Nymph expected.

I'm afraid that's not possible.

I will not part with this gem before finding a suitable replacement.

Now, I have some pressing business to attend to, so I'm afraid I cannot entertain you any longer. On your way now.

(Waves staff)

(Chants softly)

Please wait a moment, and hear my plea.

Nymph projects her Arts with all her will, and they descend gently upon Crownie.

One second, two...

Her target continues to walk away.

...No effect?

She's wearing the fragment. Getting around the revenant's influence on her sure isn't easy.

This is a really stupid way to do it, but...

I'm sorry!

Forgive me, Madam Djall, but I'm in a hurry. Please don't block my way.

...Eh?

Ermi, please, please, please answer.

Ermi!

Arts don't work, I can't fight her, and I can't snatch it away.

She's no normal hawker!

Just follow her for now, Nymph. Let's see where our ancestor wants to take her.

Even if something happens, I can at least give more info to Ermi.

It's not like she's going to go all the way out of the city, right?