act25side

I grew up in an orphanage in Trenton, near Trimounts.

The headmaster said I was found on the doorsteps of the orphanage. No one knows who my parents are.

I realized at an early age that I was different.

My powers are unique, but they are not Originium Arts. I'm much more sensitive to Originium than most people; even a slight increase in Originium concentration is enough to affect my health.

What am I? No one knows.

That's why I've searched for the answer since I was little. Ironically, it's also the reason why my grades have always been good.

Finally, I found that word hidden away in some ancient books.

'Elves.'

The word is not unknown to you... you do have many secrets, don't you, Doctor?

Well, it's not important.

Anyway, I tracked down my biological parents' old Trimounts home, but the house had long since changed hands.

I followed the trail they left behind, and eventually found where they went.

It's this village right here... so remote I thought I made a mistake. Most of the buildings have fallen into ruin, they look to be centuries-old.

I didn't see anyone. I had a feeling as I went into the hills behind the village...

I saw a simple cemetery surrounded by pale firs, where dozens of tombstones lay.

This village was not an Elven settlement. It was their graveyard.

Muelsyse stands up, looks at you, and fades away into the mist before the firs.

Your partner returns to your side.

Elven nature forced you to distance yourselves from modern civilization.;Why did your parents abandon you?

Distancing oneself from modern civilization is easier said than done.

To spend your life in remote mountains, when you know that a more convenient, more advanced, more interesting life is right there, waiting for you to reach out.

How are we, with our long lifespans, supposed to accept it?

Some of my people faded away in sorrow, some chose to end their own lives.

More Elves chose to go into society, including my parents.

They lived cautiously but bravely, looking for ways to survive in civilization without coming into contact with Originium.

They knew Originium would kill them, someday. They accepted it.

They contracted Oripathy.

Elves are highly sensitive to Originium and lack resistance to Oripathy symptoms. Few live more than a month after contracting Oripathy.

Like most Elves, they could not accept spending the rest of their days in remote mountains, and sought a more convenient, more advanced, more interesting life, despite the dangers.

They knew Originium would kill them, someday. They accepted it.

Knowing their days were numbered, they left me behind in a village far away from the cities, and returned to the place where they came from, to await the coming of death.

Do you find it regrettable? Or absurd?;Are you looking for a way to change the fate of your people?

Next dance, Doctor.

More droplets rise in the vivarium, as the music enters a new passage.

The smile returns to Muelsyse's face. The melody sings on. You do not know if the topic will continue.

Sometimes I envy Rhodes Island. There are so many people there.

You came to Rhodes Island.

Oh, you knew?

I sneaked in once or twice to see if Iffy was doing well, and see what Saria was doing.

And I saw someone standing on the deck, gazing at the sunset, lost in thought.

I didn't notice you.

Don't tell anyone. Just one of my tiny clones. No danger to anybody.

I thought, why would you be up on the deck with only your thoughts for company, when there's so much joy waiting down below?

I wanted to see if I could remember anything.;I feel like there used to be someone I would watch the sunset with.

Did you find any memories of that person?

No.;......;After all these years, all I know is a name.

So there are answers beyond even your reach. That makes things seem a little bit fairer.

She leads you on, doing a half pirouette.

You're a good dancer.

Of course I am. I was the ace of my university dance team.

After I left the village, I spent all my time studying.

Every Columbian child knows that science and tech are the best way to change your life.

I studied to become the top of my class, then went to school in Trimounts, where I stayed on top.

I spent a lot of effort to blend into modern life. Fashion, gaming, literature, music, dance... I studied etiquette, met a lot of people.

For others, these are hobbies, but for me, it's a mission, an exploration, a test.

I know it sounds weird, but I tasked myself to live life as hard as I could.

It's been a long time since I danced, though.

With Saria and Kristen?

The droplets go around you. The lights of the vivarium cannot penetrate them. They hold fragments of the past, gentle, clear, yet untouchable.

The newly renovated lab, mostly empty bottles... Saria, and Kristen? And Muelsyse, with a disappointed look on her face.

The three stare at each other in middle of the room, like three wooden mannequins.

New Year's Eve, not long after Rhine Lab was founded... everyone was happy. I was the happiest.

I met Kristen and Saria shortly before I graduated.

Kristen is not your average investor's preferred partner. You know you're in for surprises the moment you see her, and not all of them are gonna be pleasant. As for Saria, she just felt steady as a rock.

My advisor happened to be involved with a project of theirs, but she wasn't very interested, so she sent me in her stead.

I had nothing back then, other than my obsession with living hard. I tried everything and went nowhere. They helped me get over a period when I was lost between my identities as a graduating student and as an Elf.

It was just me, Kristen, Saria, Parvis and Ferdinand at the time.

Parvis hid himself upstairs, saying he couldn't stay up all night. Ferdinand left early for other business.

Can you believe it? At the end of the day, I couldn't find anyone to dance with me.

I ended up grabbing Saria... and Kristen.

None of us knew how to dance in threes. I can still remember the looks on their faces!

Why are you so obsessed with Kristen?;Rhine Lab is important to you.

Because of my dream.

We agreed she would help Nasti set out on her journey, and she'll bring my dream with her.

...To be more precise, Saria and Kristen are important to me.

I've always believed that we'll only get where we really want to be if the two of them work together.

The music ends. The vivarium is empty, except for Muelsyse standing opposite you, calm as a pale fir.

You hear the sound of the air circulation system running.

The wind on your face feels unusually moist. The scent of plants, the soft earth... you realize that the droplets of water, the music, and the dance really existed.

You've found my wobbliness, Doctor. Yes, I'm trying to manipulate everyone, including you...

But everything I do, I do for myself, the few kin that I have left, so we can breathe, feel the wind, run, travel freely...

To make our journey a little less hard.

All I've done, I did to keep the few friends I have, so that in this city, I won't be so...

This is all I can tell you. All I can promise you.

There are a lot of things you haven't made clear.;There are a lot of gaps in your story.

Should I trust you?;You didn't really manipulate me.

And so...

Help me one more time, Muelsyse.

Hm?

I must find Loken Williams.

Even if I could help you... why do you not ask me to help you and Rosmontis get out of Trimounts safely?

We've come too far to turn back now.;Rhodes Island only goes forward.

Saria and Dr. Kal'tsit have reason to get involved. But what about you? Will you get to the bottom of all this, even if the price is a two-front war with the military and Maylander?

That's not the most logical choice.

I want to help Rosmontis.;I want the truth.;I want to find myself.

She's sleeping soundly...

You want to find her lost past?

Are you so interested in Kristen's dream?

Do you believe you'll find your past in Trimounts?

Alright... we have a deal.