act27side

I can taste the fatigue in the air, so painfully bitter and sickeningly sour. Just who is it coming from?

Mr. Dolly! You scared me... why are you here?

I just saw a beautiful streak of blue across the city. Want to go to a hot spring?

Mr. Dolly, I still have some research to do...

No, no, no. 'Research', such a bitter word it makes you all wrinkly. The volcano is right there, and the material won't disappear either, so you can always come back to continue your research anytime, but—

Dolly lightly tips his toes and spins in mid-air, in what looks to be a somewhat comical dance.

Some things are so fleeting that you'll never get a second chance to see if you miss it.

For example—

Eyja—finally found you!

Let's go. Want to visit the hot springs together?

Hot springs?

I don't have the ability to control people's hearts, by the way.

But...

But what? Didn't bring a swimsuit? That's fine, I have some over there!

Besides us two, Snowsant will be there too, and we'll also call Ceylon in a bit. I even bought some of the latest facial cream—they say there's volcanic ash inside.

Plus, I have an important thing to ask of you, and you're the only one who can do it!

Is this... the latest record player on the Columbian market? I didn't think I would be able to see one in Siesta...! I've been paying close attention, they only started selling these just a few days ago!

But these are the leftover stock, you already missed the first wave...

You don't know this, but there was a super long line here this morning. The limited editions with Emperor's signature even come with a copy of his latest album, and that sold out forever ago!

EMPEROR'S LATEST ALBUM?! Isn't that dropping next week? Is this what they call an early access batch? Who could even pull this off?!

It's not just Emperor's album either! There's also signed copies of Miss Sora's album, a Kazimierzian Radiant Knight helmet model replica, and 'Czerny's Klavier Kollektion'! ...Wait, what's this?

Huh, to think I'd find one of our Sargonian Crabbie Pumpies here... but what use does it even have here in Siesta?

Who cares, it's cute and that's all that matters! Did you miss the line of people queueing up to buy them?

Whoa, they even got dates here!

Dates?

Excuse me, Mr. Sargonian.

Byrd casually strums a Sargon style ditty.

Can you tell me a story of plucking dates in the hot and dry breeze?

This are instruments imported from Leithanien, and I have to say, those Leithanians sure are stellar at any music-related stuff. You can try if you like, and if you don't know how to play one, I can teach you a little too!

The piece I just played? I performed it when me and my wife confessed our feelings to each other, hehe. If you fancy learning it, I have a sheet here that you can have!

The best snacks around here, you ask? See that bearded old man on the left? His ice cream is the best!

Slowly now, take it easy. Strawberry for you, orange for you, yours is coffee, and what else? Coconut with chocolate? Oww... No need to rush, we have plenty here...

Mister, give me a tea flavored one.

Sure, coming right up!

Thank you.

I'll send this to Schwarz too... it'll will make her drool.

Dr. Ceylon! You here for the trade fair too?

Stopped by for a stroll since I happened to have some time today.

Enis, you good lad! Thanks again for fixing the cash register this morning, things would've been so hectic otherwise.

It's nothing, just helping out is all! How's business?

So good I almost thought I was back in the old Siesta.

But why haven't I seen that Costa fellow anywhere today? He spent the whole day running all over the place for this, and now that everything is in motion, that man is nowhere to be found.

Maybe there's other work to do at city hall today...

That rascal. Doesn't even know how to ditch work...

Boss, gimme a cone!

Coming!

Feel free to come try our cocktails over at the White Volcano too!

...You brat!

Haha!

Enis leans against the soda fountain, watching the surrounding people come and go.

Did you see my little siblings earlier?

It's their first time in such a bustling place. They kept clamoring for some volcano coffee or something on our way here, but as soon as I handed them a little pocket money, they were gone in a flash.

Pfft.

Though, I don't think I've spotted any kids here...

The little runts aren't here. If you want to find them, you have to over to east street!

They say there's a new amusement park over there or something, and my own brat even told me over breakfast he'd help me look after the store. Hmph, I haven't heard from him ever since he learned about the place!

An amusement park?

Can I open my eyes now, Miss Swire? Also, what was the important thing you were mentioning earlier?

Did some of those secretly mined obsidian appear in this hotel too? Or do you need a nominal volcanologist for your work? Or...?

Neither!

No volcanoes here, and no data either. Only a comforting hot spring, so now you just have to get into some pretty clothes, and then—

Alright, you can open your eyes now!

Wow... there's so many tourists!

What happened here? Wasn't it just a hot spring before?

It's so lively, just like Siesta a few years back...

A few tourists erupt into cheering, and Adele recovers from her surprise.

There's so many kayaks and water installations here, Miss Swire, are these your...?

Yup, this is the waterpark I'm setting up for the commercial street!

Wow... did you do all of this by yourself?

Not by myself, of course. I provided the plans, but we have our Chief Genius Engineer from Lungmen to thank for making this a reality, Snowsant!

Um! Miss, Miss Swire... that title is a bit too much...!

Hmm~? Really now?

Yan's number one, <i>Terra's</i> number one Genius Engineer?

Ahhh—!!

Wait, Snowsant! Don't run around like that, be careful!

Ohhhh—!!

It—It's flying—!!

How did you do that? How are these surf kayaks actually flying straight from one hot spring channel to the other?

Um, actually, it's not as complicated as it looks, we just needed to add a pneumatic ejection device on the waterways, so once the kayak reaches this spot, it'll trigger the mechanism, and then it'll—

Yay! I can fly!

Mama——!!

Um, there aren't any guardrails on the waterways, so I'm a little worried about—

I redesigned the kayaks according to Swire's plan, and they come equipped with a comprehensive emergency cushioning system.

It's also the second way you can play with these, as bumper kayaks! They can freely collide on the waterways, and the cushioning system will absorb all the impact force, using it to power the kayaks' water guns that spray water forward.

I didn't mention it to the tourists, but many of them seem to have already mastered this secret.

Look, over there—

Ah—Ahh—!

Along with a shriek, a kayak spins in the waterway, seemingly about to fall off the channel.

The airbags at the kayak's edge quickly inflate, wrapping up the passengers. But as the kayak drops, its trajectory is interrupted suddenly, as if there is a transparent barrier in the air.

Water splashes onto the ground, the completely wrapped kayak sways and falls downward.

Hey—! You alright? Anyone hurt?

I'll go take a look first, Eyja. Just wait here a second!

Tourists surround the fallen kayak, but there is only giggling bubbling from the center.

With a puff of the bulging air cushions, two children emerge from within.

Hmph! It's all your fault for moving around so much!

We didn't catch the little lamb, and our 'Siestan Adventure' is ruined!

Nuh-uh, it's not my fault the lamb ran so fast!

Lamb?

I don't see them here either... it must be tiring taking care of your younger siblings, yes? Children of that age love to play around and make so much noise.

*sigh* Thanks for the concern, but it's fine this way too. They're having fun at least.