act18d3

So they followed.

What do you mean? You've lost me again.

That clingy beastling.

That's strange. You keep saying beastling—that should be an animal, right? We've got no animals living here—they disappeared long ago!

It's fine. Let's keep going.

Very well, friend from the outside. You're in charge.

What did you see? It's right there.

But we don't usually go to the chapel at this time.

I have ways in.

You can enter, we all can. The chapel's entrance is forever open to the devout—the priest said so. But... you wanted to seek someone out, didn't you?

He isn't usually in the chapel at this time.

What times is he in?

Every so often, he'll appear before us of his own accord, and make friendly conversation with every one of us.

If you have any issues, those are also times you can go find him. No matter what it is that bothers you, he'll never reject you.

On such days, until the sun rises the next morning, he'll be in the chapel waiting.

That's right, he can also help you in your search! I'm sure the priest would know much more than any of us!

How long is 'every so often?'

Um, I haven't seen him in the recent while. I'm not like them—I don't really count the days. But it should be the next two days? All our food is about to run bare.

Alright.

Strange. Whenever you say alright, I always feel like it isn't a sincere reply.

No, that's wrong of me. The priest said, we shouldn't doubt others. Ugh, they all say I'm so fond of thinking of all these questions, and it won't help me lead a good life in any way.

Were those also his words?

Haha, he'd never tell me this. I'd slip off before he knew it.

It's Sheetmetal and his lot, they all hate me making a racket. And it's not like I'm always itching to say so much. The people here are all too quiet.

Whenever they won't talk, I get so bored, and the only thing I can do is talk to myself for hours on end.

It used to be that only Grandma Petra would talk with me. And now you too, thank goodness. Oh, no. Do you think I'm annoying as well?

Where I come from, there are many who love speaking more than you do.

It sounds like a wonderful place!

...It's okay enough.

Where you come from, do the people dance? Just like Grandma Petra was mentioning, dancing in the square?

Occasionally.

Then why haven't I seen you dancing? I've noticed your harp.

Grandma Petra's told me. Don't you all dance around while you sing?

My dance... none of you may see.

Why?

The time, the place, and those before me are all not right.

You're so strange, practically stranger than me. Just where is your home? Are all the people where you're from as strange as you?

(Plucks strings)

Where I'm from, there is no home.

And I do not know where my home is. My home is long gone.

Well, that's okay. My home was long gone as well, years ago in a gale, when the building collapsed. My mamá was inside when it happened, and she's gone too.

But that's okay. Everyone's in the same boat. If your house is gone, find another empty one and move in. Plenty of buildings fit the bill here.

That's right, if you're not happy dancing, then can you sing for me?

I've never heard anyone else sing before.

Maybe.

Wonderful!

Oh, visiting so many places has gotten me hungry.

You're hungry too, aren't you? If you're hungry, you can't sing, right?

Let's go find something to eat.

Um...

Am I running too fast? I forgot you wouldn't know the way.

Right, I'm Anita! You can just shout my name from now on, and that way you won't be left behind. Call for me, and I'll stop and wait for you.

Look at you, even now irresolute, an ocean fish lost in its course.

(She glances at him.)

You wish to know where I have brought you. You very much mind. You have not the qualification to take part in our congregation, yet your eyes tell me, you wish to know just what we will do to her.

Did you recover the kindred love between you? Could your heart be torn apart by what happened to your old relation? Do you feel it is unjust? Are you thus angered?

You are attempting to find what you cannot see.

But of course. That is the expected response.

You believe I wish to harm her. You are wrong. I wish to help her.

Only by elucidating where her—where all your pain lies at its source, can I better assist you in excising the problem point, is that not so?

As with you. You voluntarily became one of us, wishing to melt into the ocean true. Once you have completed this mission, your sordid nature will achieve purification. This is the ocean's charity to you.

And in the end, charity alike will be extended to all your old relations. So long as they alike can relinquish their narrow views of a past enmity.

To reunite you, that is the first step. To fathom you, that is the second step. And come the end, you will fathom us too.

If you are able to reduce the nonsense by a measure, we may cooperate so much more harmoniously.

I can also speak of things that will make you happy. Your old relation—the lucid one, she is already here.

Skadi?

She is not here.

Naturally, she is not. Without my invitation, none may enter this place.

She's entered the city. You know that.

You have expressed surprise. That is very interesting. There is no sound in this city that I do not hear.

And He admires all I do, has granted me the power, given my life further reach. My perception, my wit, all are no longer bound by the flesh you see before you.

I am approaching perfection. I will accept your grudges.

Hmph.

As for your old relation, now—her arrival was sooner than anticipated.

'Abyssal Hunters are bound by blood.'

She has no inkling of what awaits her. All you had to do was take the other away, and she has given chase here, not having once rested.

Truly a camaraderie to make one gasp. Does she know the state of you nowadays? What will she do when she confronts a traitor? Will she trust in your blood binding, old comrades rekindled, or will a blade pierce true through your body?

I have great expectations.

(She turns to leave.)

You needn't hurry to find her. You've done very well. You have brought this one back to where she should remain, and led another into the city.

He will be very pleased.

He?

You need not know.

We simply wait now. We wait until the time comes, and naturally, you may find your old relation then, and pass on to her our invitation.

She is not sure to come.

She will come. She will come seeking me herself.

You're back again!

We live in the best building in the whole north area. Look, this door still closes. A door that shuts closed is one of your best friends on a rainy day.

People are nearby. Two of them.

They're, well, they're usually here.

One-hundred-and-thirty, one-hundred-and-thirty-one, one-hundred-and-thirty-two...

Hi, Brick, are you doing good today?

One, two, three...

I'm sorry!

Poor guy, now he has to start over again. He's always sitting here, counting all the bricks in the street. Don't tell him I said, but each day's count isn't much like the last.

And also, that one's Stonecolumn. He likes making his way all around the street pillars. When it's all dark and rainy he doesn't come out. He's a little old, and his legs start hurting when he gets wet.

You can just ignore them, and they'll ignore you too, just like they ignore me.

Come in, singer. Let me give you an official introduction. In here is my home.

Hi, Sheetmetal. Hi, Drywall. You're awake!

(Strokes case)