act25side

Good morning, Ferdinand.

One more cup of tea and the sun should be up. Time for me to go to work on the other side.

Enough with the act, Parvis. When did you start working with Kristen?

Hm?

You, Jara, Justin Jr., and Nasti. You fooled me into thinking that I had Kristen isolated, that I was just one step from success.

I became a laughing stock! My gamble, all my efforts, just another rung on the ladder for her to climb!

Tea, Ferdinand?

You...

Underhanded old goat?

Let me make one thing clear: I don't know where Kristen is. She doesn't trust me so much, and I'm not so interested in her secret.

But you didn't come to ask questions. Otherwise, you would have brought the muscle you borrowed from that colonel, as you did with Jara.

It's not like you to swallow insults from Pioneers, and come back to grovel at the feet of the Colonel after he abandoned you once.

You set your mind to it. Why did you give up so close to the truth?

No wild guesses.

Perhaps you should look at yourself in the mirror, Ferdinand.

You're jealous of her.

You're jealous that she gets men to fight for her, even when she's not around.

You're jealous that it only took her a few words to earn the loyalty that took you so much time and money to buy.

You're jealous of her charisma.

There's a part of you, somewhere deep down, that's enthralled by her. The more you deny it, the more you hate her—

Why are you telling me this?

Because it's how I feel.

Look outside, Ferdinand.

When I was little, I never saw stars in the night sky.

All I saw was the silhouette of the great spire, the light of witchcraft lightning up the skies.

Adults told me it was the eye of the Witch King, watching over every inch of Leithanien.

And I thought, what was the meaning of life, if the Witch King was the sole miracle chosen by fate?

Didn't you despise the efforts of those stupid casters who wanted to summon the Witch King's souls?

Yes, I opposed it.

My kin and former colleagues spent their entire lives trying to recreate a fleeting miracle in this time and age.

But in my long years of research, I've realized that a miracle is so because it is a coincidence that cannot be controlled or recreated.

Only such a coincidence can break the cage of fate that traps us all.

You see Kristen as that coincidence?

She has the potential to create miracles.

You have your dream, and I have mine. If she is the fated miracle, than what are we? Waste coming off the production line? Meaningless noise?

Why despair, Ferdinand?

Perhaps the fate of mankind does hinge upon one singularity, who will break all shackles and become the eyes of all, to see sights that we could not have imagined.

But that does not mean our lives are destined to fall by the wayside.

Miracles are born in the journey of evolution. A journey made up of all our dreams: Yours, mine, even that foolish tramp outside.

Why are you telling me this?

Feeling better? Have some tea. It'll put some color in your face, so you won't be so embarrassed when the kids see you on their way to work.

I've lost everything. There isn't much for you to remember.

I'm in no hurry. We can talk about work once you're done with your tea.

It's always good to chat with an old friend. We took our first steps together, after all.

Hello there, good sir!

Megaphone and sign boards?

This is what you spent the money on? Not food and blankets?

There are things more important than creature comforts!

Give me that board.

'Rhine Lab.' At least spell the company's name right if you're going to protest it.

That's much better! Thank you, sir!

Tell me.

What do you dream of? What is the future you're fighting for?

How do you like my vivarium, Doctor?

Nobody can just barge in. And Rosmontis seems to like it.

Rosmontis stands quietly in the verdant lab.

She carefully observes each plant, then meticulously records their form in her notebook.

Her gaze stops on the last page of the notebook.

You know it is where that letter is kept.

Are you still reading the letter, Rosmontis?

Yes, Doctor.

I want to remember what happened today and record it in my terminal, before I forget.

Loken... Loken Williams...

What is the 'home' that he talked about like? Is it like Rhodes Island?

No.;No way.

Then he's not my family.

I don't like him, Doctor. I came into contact with many feelings that I didn't like through him.

I want to pick them out and put them somewhere that won't bother me. Amiya helped me clean them up before she left, but they keep growing.

What kind of feelings?

...Loss.

And... destruction.

I want to destroy them. It's not right. Pith would be angry...

I shouldn't see Loken again, should I, Doctor?

Do you want to learn about your past, Rosmontis?

Memory is precious. I don't want to use it on bad things.

But I want to see with my own eyes again. I want to know what I would do.

It may not be to learn... it may be to throw it away again.

But I'll say goodbye properly this time.

Okay.;We'll find Loken.

Get some rest before that, though.

Mm-hm...

(Give Rosmontis your jacket);(Put your jacket on Rosmontis's shoulders)

Go to sleep.

Mm... Doctor...

The young Feline lies down at your side, clutching the jacket you gave her tightly.

Her breathing is fragile yet resilient, as it is when she is awake.

She's tired.

Rosmontis's Arts are heavily dependent on intention.;The day took a toll on her.

What about you, Doctor?

Let's talk somewhere else, let Rosmontis sleep.

Your brow's furrowed.

Should I cooperate with the army's investigation?;Should I surrender to the Maylander Foundation?;Rhodes Island has been dragged into the maelstrom of Trimounts.

I arranged for you to go to Rhine. I have proof that you had legitimate reasons to enter the HQ building, and that you have nothing to do with the attack on the Vice President.

The army can't actually do anything about you. Don't worry about them.

Ho'olheyak just loves to drag people into these messes... kooky bint.

There's no real witness to the 'crime scene,' though.

Hard to say if the Maylander Foundation would really believe that some completely unrelated person lopped off the head of one of their top agents, or if they suspect that it's all just an act.

The explosion at the Triton factory, the attack on the Vice President, Kristen's disappearance... Trimounts is in chaos right now.

It may be irresponsible to say this, but neither the army nor the Maylander Foundation have time to deal with Rhodes Island. You're not at the center of the maelstrom.

No need to be so nervous, Doctor.