act35side

♪Night blankets the riverbanks♪

♪Twin moons rise in loving embrace♪

♪In the dark they kiss♪

♪Then the stars illuminate♪

♪And they blush in their glow♪

Whoa!

You gave me a fright, girl! What are you doing here in the middle of the night?

Scared I'm gonna rob you?

Of course not. It's only rich folks around here.

Shouldn't a girl your age be on a date down at Riverside Avenue at this hour? What are you doing in front of the museum?

I'm on the night shift.

Ugh, the youth these days! My lamps used to shine on young couples in the throes of passion, but now you're all doing overtime at ungodly hours.

Go on, I've lit your path. Have a safe trip home when you get off.

Thanks for that!

There really is no one here... guess Titi wasn't messing with me.

Let's see if they've picked up anything new.

Gem workshop artifacts from the Age of Shadow. Hmm... The Originium circuits on this one is really something... assembled from multiple pieces?

No, it was crafted out of a single piece of Originium. Amazing work. Really have to look close to see it.

Wow, ritual instruments from the Age of Flow, found in the jungles. Are those blood spots from ritual sacrifices?

And all these weapons... A ceremony from the Battle of Turbah Al-Sawda?

Well, I'll get to know you later. I have an appointment to keep.

It's here...

Nice to meet you, old man! Sorry for disturbing your peace and quiet tonight, but I have questions that only you can answer.

Please don't get mad at me.

Wow, amazing!

Feline, approximately two meters tall. Most of the body has been replaced with mechanical parts, integrated with the remaining biological tissue.

Skin color is purple, likely from the preservative fluids used, and it remains supple to the touch.

A golden mask and a suit of golden armor. All internal organs have been removed.

Strange. Neither the mummy nor the funerary objects give any clue to the location of the trove.

But everything from the site is here.

Perhaps it's the gem itself that offers a hint...

'First, the heart. At its first beat, we come to be.'

'Second, the lungs. At their first breath, we come to feel.'

'Third, the bowels. We fill them with food, cultivate our tongues, and develop our own likings.'

'Fourth, the liver. We go into the night, awake and alert, for duty and obligation.'

Now how do I use this gem?

Pepe ponders for a while, then reaches into the mummy's chest cavity, placing the gem where the heart should be.

She holds her breath, waiting for something to happen.

Nothing?

No change at all...

No images or text appear. Pepe frowns and tries to retrieve the gem.

Perhaps she simply placed it wrong.

But as soon as she reaches into the chest cavity, she senses that something is off.

There should be an empty space, but it feels like she's put her hand into water. The gem is right there before her eyes, but she feels like she's groping in a bottomless pond.

Huh...

Who goes there? Have you any idea what time it is?

Oh no, it's security.

Pepe closes the glass display case lightly, and sneaks into the darkness, holding her breath.

Who's there?

I thought I heard something.

Was it over here?

(Don't come this way, no!)

Hey, is someone there?

(Yikes! He's right behind me...)

Who is it?!

(There's someone else?)

Meow?

Oh, just a little critter. How did you get in here, cutie?

Meow!

Hey, don't run! Look, I have a can of fins in oil!

(I need to get the gem...)

Where did it go? I just turned a corner and it's gone?

(Why are you coming back?!)

Did the last shift forget to shut the windows? Hot air's blowing in.

I guess that explains the critter. Can't let it run around the museum.

Mroaw—!

Mroaaaw—!

I don't care whose pet you are, one more sound from you and I'll have you castrated tomorrow!

(Softly) Meow...?

*yawn* Sorry, Mio, I was fast asleep and didn't hear you outside.

(Shakes tail irritably)

Did you see that one?

(Nods)

Good work, Mio.

We've waited for so long.

Bring him to me as soon as you can.

(Nods)

Come, I have some jerky for you.

(Nudges with affection)

Pepe...

What were you doing last night?

Come now... You have to tell me...

I-It wasn't me! I didn't do it! I stayed in the whole night! Whatever it is, I didn't do it!

Pepe...?

Anat...?

Pepe, did you... sleep last night?

Why do you ask? I feel fine.

You fell asleep in the middle of a conversation...

*yawn*... Morning, ladies.

You reek of alcohol, Titi. Where were you last night?

I took Pepe out on the town. Not like she's in town every day, after all.

How did you even wake up after drinking so much yesterday? And not one whiff of booze on you? Did you shower?

Oh... yeah! My brain was all foggy, so I took a cold shower.

The opening ceremony is today, Titi.

And you took Pepe out drinking??? Don't I have enough to worry about already?!

Hey, I came first thing in the morning. I've looked at all the details of the exhibition. Your arrangements are perfect, except...

Is something not good enough? Just tell me, while we still have a chance to make changes.

You're too high strung today. Settle down.

Just focus on your speech. Leave this to me, and I guarantee your exhibition will go smoothly.

*sigh* Get changed before you make any promise to me. The guests will complain if they smell all that liquor on you.