act27side

Why study volcanoes?

Because, I hope to play a guitar at the highest spot on Siesta one day. It doesn't have to be at the Obsidian Festival, and preferably at the top of a volcano.

'Volcano Sonatas', that's what I'm planning to call my first album.

I can't wake the volcano up? Ahaha... maybe I should call it 'Volcano Lullabies' instead.

Volcanoes sleep like a log, so I don't think you'll be able to wake it up that easily.

Have you heard of this, about a kind of stone you can find on a volcano?

When the wind blows it away, it makes a sound like beans falling into a bowl.

And if you soak it in water, bubbles fizz like a complex drumline.

Of course it's real. If I find such a stone on a volcano, I'll bring one back to show it to you.

The doctor's been here. How are you feeling today?

An old man lies on the hospital bed, his head tilted sideways as he looks out the window.

Not so bad, if you hadn't come here to specifically remind me that I'm stuck in bed this summer. And a hospital bed should be more comfortable than an office chair.

Thanks for sparing the energy to tease me, but my butt hasn't known the touch of a chair for the past few days.

Perhaps we should switch places.

The old man turns to look at his grandson standing beside the bed.

So, my boy, why have you come to see me today?

There's a letter of intent for relocation, that I hope you can sign.

The city hall staffer whispers the words, as if admitting a mistake.

A tired and bitter silence follows.

It seems like this renovation plan is just so urgent that it can't even wait until I kick the bucket, huh?

That's not it...

I just thought you should know about it. Of course, I'd rather get your consent.

If you want to convince me, you should have at least brought Tysha along to visit.

She's at work right now...

Everything you do is to make a living, right? I really don't get why a girl like that would marry a boring man like you.

Let's just say I've inherited your talent for making girls happy.

Hmph...

The hospital ward is quiet, except for the faint sound of fruit being peeled.

Work must have been tough these last few days.

I've been having nothing but bizarre dreams lately. But after some thinking, I figured I haven't offended anyone, so my guess is that you've been chewed out by a whole lot of people.

Clever old man, you know my job so well.

Well, what's your take? Are you really willing to let this shopping street get demolished, and see the last traces of Old Siesta disappear?

I...

Costa, there's a guitar in the cabinet behind you. Take it out and play a song for me.

No thanks... you know that won't work...

The old man speaks no more, and turns his head away toward the window.

I know that Mockingbird Café has been in Siesta longer than the city hall. Many of the shops on that street chose to stay when we moved from the volcano.

But there are too many factors at play that make our life difficult, and the volcano doesn't even make the list.

Coffee and music can only keep people alive at certain times. If I hadn't lucked out and gotten this job at city hall, your medical bills would be too big a burden on the family.

I'm not complaining, it's just—

Alright, hand me a pen.

You're such a brat, Costa. I hate that about you.

Maybe I should have tossed you into the sea back when you were mixing your drip coffee with sparkling water.

Thank you very much for not doing that... I do like that about you.

You want to rent my hotel?

And make a little modification to the hot springs, with your permission of course—price is negotiable.

I'm not interested in money. It's all the same, not a shred of beauty!

Well, money isn't the only bargaining chip. I definitely have something here that you'll be very interested in.

Like this, for example?

This photo... is that a piece of exhibit-grade obsidian?!

So how about renting these few hot spring hotels of yours to me for a few days, and I'll move this piece of obsidian over?

Don't play around with me, this is from some private museum's precious collection, how could you—

Wait, you...?

Uh-huh.

You'll keep your word?

Words hold no proof, so let's sign a contract, shall we?

Snowsant, can you do some research to check if my plan is feasible?

It's probably... doable...

Good, that means it is! I'll trust your judgement.

No, no, no...! I'm not certain, I'll need some tools and materials... and a bit of... no, a lot of time!

Ga yau! I'll move on to the next step.

Since we've decided to focus on making the residents of this street welcome our redevelopment, we'll have to make sure it's perfect.

We can't waste this chance, with all the tourists drawn in by Bison's ads for his trade fair...

(No, not here...)

('Data Model for Volcanic Eruptions' is definitely not in the files Professor Magna left for Adele.)

(But why does Keller have this notebook with her...?)

Good work today. Cup of coffee?

Ah, no thanks, I'm not a coffee person... is Adele here today?

Today isn't a work day, so what are <i>you</i> doing here?

Do you need these old documents for your work over at city hall?

Keller, why on Terra did you invite Adele here?

I believe I made it quite clear before. The research in this museum is related to the Naumanns, and the imminent eruption of Siesta's volcano is a rare observation opportunity.

Adele is their child, and also an excellent volcanologist, so it is only right I extend an invitation to her.

Only now, after so many years with zero contact?

You didn't attend the Naumanns' funeral after the incident at Mount Unna. You vanished without a trace from academic circles, and stopped your teaching work at the school a year ago.

Just what have you been up to these last few years? What are you running from?

As you can see, the only thing I've done these past few years is organize all the volcanic research materials that now sit in this very museum.

Kahn, everyone has their limits. I no longer have any energy to do volcano field work. I'm preparing to retire after the museum is finished, and I've observed Mount Siesta's eruption.

What... retire? Why would you even consider 'retirement' at all?

The Naumanns left all their unpublished research data to you and Adele, enough to make your mark on the academic world, and yet now you're saying you want to retire?

Or could it be that you've already placed a price tag on that data behind closed doors and gained something even better in exchange?

Kahn, I don't know what you're—

Professor Keller, are you in here?

...Keller.

Whatever your plans, I hope you'll consider the Naumanns before making any decisions.

Adele is their only child, and the only hope they've left behind. She's already contracted Oripathy, and her condition isn't the best either...

...I just hope she can be happy and free.

Professor Keller?

...I'm in here, Adele. Come in!

Professor Keller, I found the exhibit, and already put it back in the display cabinet.

Alright... good work.

Professor, what's wrong?

...Nothing much.

Where did you find the exhibit?

It was with a beckbeast that sneaked into the museum...

How strange...

Alright, if there's nothing else, you can—

Professor Keller, there's something else I wanted to mention! I met a shopkeeper on the street, and he asked me to return this book to you.

A shopkeeper in the commercial street?

Bang!