act27side

I'm telling you, everything's weird about that Ann-Maier no-tail!

She eats food and gets eggshell in her mouth, she takes her turn crossing a bridge and the rope somehow snaps, she builds a house and a waterfall floods it, she goes fincatching and gets caught BY a big fin!

Oh, I remember Inam said something about being, uh, what was it? Born under an unhunky star?

Born under an <i>unlucky</i> star.

Don't forget to give Ann-Maier your thanks, you two. With the way you practically party on the job, who knows how long building these houses would've taken without her!

BOOM—

*cough* *cough*, *cough* *cough*!

Wh-What's going on? How did the door explode?

It's fine, I can fix it up ASAP... I was blow-drying the glue on the hinges, and I probably futzed the hairdryer, hahaha...

Glue?

That's my wine pot. My old nocih gave it to me.

*ahem* You've moved everything over, right?

Everything's here now. We spent all morning shifting it! I'm gonna take myself a good long bath tonight.

All morning? This is freight of some kind... coffee?

Yes, it's Siestan coffee. We've opened up a trade route with Siestan merchants, and these are the first goods they sent.

Let me take a look, I think I can see the instructions on these bags... 'Roast the flower seeds and coffee beans together'... Siestans adjust the bitterness of their coffee that way.

My grandpa made coffee like that too, when I was young.

I believe he was a Siestan, Miss Ann-Maier?

Yeah... but we moved to Columbia so long ago. Once I finish work this month, I'll have enough saved to catch a ride back to Siesta!

Huh? I would've let Siesta's merchants take you back if I knew. They left just over an hour ago.

What?

Observation Diary:

Mount Unna, northern Leithanien, September 3rd 1095

Goal of observation: Obtain first-hand survey data for the eruption of Mount Unna, calculate numerical Originium particulate concentration gradient decrease in surrounding environment at time of eruption, establish a theoretical model

Estimated observation time: Five hours

Observation team: Katia, Magna, Keller

In an old notebook is sandwiched a photograph.

Three people lined up in mountaineering gear, three smiling faces reddened by the alpine wind.

Professor Keller was... there in the team lineup too.

She was meant to be a member by all rights on that investigation.

But the day before they ascended, Keller suddenly left the team, and went back to Wilhelm University.

She withdrew just like that? Was there some reason for it?

It's a mystery, and the observation diaries don't make a single mention of it. All we know is right after that accident, Keller showed up at a meeting between Wilhelm University and the Leithanian government.

Mr. Dolly, were you there then...?

*sigh*... You still won't pay attention to me until I find what you're looking for...?

You know, Mr. Dolly, have you heard of volcano watchers? They're a kind of flower that changes color based on a volcano's activity. Is it the seeds of those flowers you're looking for?

Or... obsidian, maybe? With how they're buried in the soil, the black crystals look a lot like seeds too, don't they...?

Adele mumbles to herself, garnering no response, and the tremendous volcanic rock specimen before her is as taciturn as ever.

Am I just overthinking this...?

Mr. Dolly, I'll only be able to find what you're looking for that quickly if you give me more of a hint...

Adele? Are you searching for something?

...No, Professor Keller.

Keller watches Adele close the notebook, and put it away in the storage box.

Adele hangs her head, picks up the other files around her, and buries her parents' notes beneath them.

Adele... if anything is gnawing at you, you can come straight to me.

Adele is silent for a spell.

Nothing I can think of, Professor Keller.

I'm here to catch you up on some matters.

According to data sent back from the forward sensor station, and analysis of the obsidian sample, we've concluded that Mount Siesta's eruption may well come a few days soon.

Readings from the mountain have always been unusual. Active energy from its internal Originium veins peaked two years prior in the summer, then rapidly fell after, before once more slowly rising.

We don't have much time left to prepare; we'll need to act fast.

Oh! The volcano's erupting sooner? How lucky can we be?

(Whisper) Mr. Dolly! Please don't jump out of nowhere...

Adele, are you listening?

Yes! I'm listening!

Adele, I know with the ample experience you already boast as a scholar, pre-observation prep work amounts to little more than busywork for you. But please maintain your focus, okay?

I'm sorry! Professor Keller...

Mrohh... So your professor caught you playing hooky.

Oh, yes, have you bumped into any peculiar tourists at the museum lately?

Did something happen?

A whistling rock specimen in the hands-on area went missing.

A whistling rock? One that sounded musical when blown through?

It looks like we'll want to report to city hall's people to increase security at the museum too.

I'll keep a look out myself.

Maybe it's something about the weather—there's been a lot of strange things happening lately, and authorities say cases of people losing their own possessions have been unusually high.

I was listening to the news this morning, and someone apparently took out their grudge on the depot at the unfinished plate too. They made a complete mess of it over there.

Manager, we've run up the damaged goods. Nothing really unaccounted for, it's mainly notable damage to the outer box packaging. Aside from some foodstuffs, we haven't lost too much at all.

Good, noted.

I'm sorry to have this sort of thing happen in Siesta; it was caused by the carelessness of our own work. I can only ask this won't impact your thoughts on collaborating with us...

Of course, if you do decide to suspend partnership, I'll report the full reality to Mayor Herman.

Though in that event, I imagine it'll be tough on him to lose a business partner, and tough on me to lose my job...

Assigning blame is secondary. I first need to ensure nothing like this will happen again.

It looks like... people really aren't welcoming MountainDash's plans for the new plate.

I'm glad that I can still be wholly face-to-face with you to coordinate business.

...Excuse me?

Er, given that having the residents here accept redevelopment isn't meant to be part of your work at all.

MountainDash Logistics's future collaborations with Siesta can't stand independent of their support. I don't want the people to deem the redevelopment a form of unilateral imposition.

That you're concerned at all is really gratifying.

Things being what they are, I'd appreciate city hall keeping an eye on security work around the warehouse. Fingers crossed no accidents like this will be happening again.

Alright, I'll pass on your comments, and I'll make sure they lead to some action.

For my job, my rent, and my worried fiancee's sakes, I thank you, Mr. Bison.

If you have no other arrangements here, I'll be continuing my efforts to talk the commercial district into signing the relocation LOI.

Miss Swire, I'm deeply sorry I couldn't show you the proper hospitality when you paid a visit earlier.

How has your impression of New Siesta been, over your tour these past few days?

Very clean, very eye-candy—but missing a little sense of amusement, possibly even stiff. To be honest, I more prefer how it used to be.

Very coincidentally, my daughter said much the same thing.

But Siesta's been forced to leave its golden shoreline, which means it's only a matter of time before tourism fails as our economic backbone.

Oh, pity. I was quite fond of that 'Old Siesta Fashion Street' and all...

You're very much confident about partnering with MountainDash Logistics, I take it?

I have just as much hope in the differing solution you provide, Miss Swire.

On that note, your family's group maintains its clarion reputation. It was—a surprise, though, that their candidate for investment executive was you.

I also just happened to learn that you've apparently registered a new business here in Siesta, operating in the construction, cultural and recreational fields...?

It appears your trust isn't <i>quite</i> in me, Mr. Mayor. You think I don't hold enough clout in the conglomerate yet?

Of course not—the future is always in your hands as the young ones. Just, the dealings we had with the 'corporation' from Victoria happened to pop into my head. That was thirty-plus years ago by now.

Freeing itself from the swollen ambitions of Victoria wasn't a casual affair for the Siesta of then. Anyone even remotely familiar with Siestan history would understand that.

And the sheer capacity you demonstrated in the dispute, Mayor Herman, still has politicians abuzz today.

For my part, you don't need to be too anxious—I'm not here in any convoluted capacity. Besides, all I've brought are sincere partnership, and more business opportunities.

You, Miss Swire, intend to contest MountainDash Logistics for rights to develop the newly constructed plate. I, of course, am willing to see friendly competition from both sides, and Siesta is always welcoming of partnerships in good faith.

I very much look forward to the proposals you submit at bidding, and wish you pleasant journeys for the rest of your time in Siesta.

After you're back in Lungmen, please, send your grandfather my regards.