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You were trying to avoid suspicion.

What do you mean?

Bring the guide, Merry. I have a few questions about Director Lunorey that I would like to ask her.

She's gone, sir...

Say what—

Director Lunorey! Nutrition supply to all planters has been cut! But there's no error from the control program, and no sign of hardware damage to the central control computer. It's almost as if...

The command to control them has been revoked.

Yes. The converters that were supposed to supply energy to the planters are now running in reverse. The plants will die in minutes if the commands aren't repaired quickly—

No, they've already begun to wilt.

First the leaves, then the branches, and the trunks... the greenery that covered the lab walls is peeled off in a matter of seconds.

Everyone stops to watch the disaster unfolding before their very eyes. They all know what the shriveled, bony branches signify.

It is not just the trees in desperate straits.

What are you standing there for? Hurry up and move the saplings for the exhibition. Those are our last ones—

Everybody freeze!

What...?

Propeller Paradise Police will take control of the Vivarium, effective immediately, and begin an investigation into this incident. No one may approach the equipment until evidence collection is complete!

Security!

Yes, sir.

Put the Vivarium on lockdown.

Yes, sir.

I'm sorry you lost your experiments, Director Lunorey, but I have to ensure the safety of Propeller Paradise.

Your researchers have to leave the lab until the investigation is complete. I'll get someone else to handle the inspections.

When did those guards show up outside the door? Before the alarm sounded, or after?

I don't know what you're talking about.

The researchers can leave. I won't.

Your timing was a little <i>too</i> perfect, Gordon.

*pant*... *pant*...

Thank goodness... no one's on my tail...

Sorry, Mr. Tannen, I'll have to go back on my promise to meet you in the Vivarium.

I think I found what I need to help the Banshee...

Ferne opens up her hand. A white object is lying in her palm.

Ten minutes ago, she was walking through the Vivarium, while thinking about what can help restore an aging Banshee's mind.

It must be something that is very important to a Banshee, something that would awaken her instincts.

The small object inserted into a tree caught Ferne's eye, as though ordained by fate.

The white surface is covered in esoteric symbols, patterns floating around it like a glowing cardiograph, its allure irresistible.

Ferne has seen similar symbols and patterns before. It is a Banshee bone pen.

Sorry, Director Lunorey, but I'll have to borrow this for a while. I'll return it as soon as my client has recovered.

Hello! Sorry to keep you cooped up in this room all day. I think I found a way to restore your memories—

...Ma'am?

There is no one in the room. Only the creased sheets show any indication that someone used to be here.

Wind blows into the room through the open window. A black feather that fell from a horn quivers on the windowsill.

She's... gone...

Thank you for the hospitality.

The pleasure is all mine. It's such a joy to see a Banshee these days.

Why is that?

Makes it easier for me to ask for an elegy when me or my family reach the end of the road.

Not much has changed with Kazdel, but few Banshees come anymore.

Our departed kin won't find the myriad souls without your guidance.

I'm sorry.

I'll... do my best.

Just kidding. You came to treat that 'Roosting Tree' of yours, right?

Is this the branch?

Incantation analysis failed to discover the reasons behind its decay.

It is the pillar of the entire Banshee race. A friend recommended you as a Child of Soil and Stone familiar with plants. Please—

Let me see what I can do. I'll get some dirt...

Can you get a pot from the backyard? If you see any fowlbeasts stealing vegetables, just chase them away.

'Disperse.'

The fowlbeasts disperse, but the decrepit vegetable garden is not quiet yet. A vegetable sprout vibrates violently in front of Væla.

Then, a black, branch-like horn emerges from the dust-covered leaves.

'Fowlbeasts stealing vegetables', eh...

Get lost or I'll rip your head off!

You shouldn't yell like that. It's bad for your voice.

No need to be afraid. I would not hurt a child.

The young Banshee peeks out from behind the leaves, hiding a half-eaten piece of vegetable leaf behind her back.

Don't you dare take my food.

If it's 'your' food...

What's that in your hand?

Before Væla can react, the young Banshee has snatched the Roosting Tree branch from her hand, and begins trying to eat it.

Pfft. Just a stupid branch that's been lying in the mud. It stinks.

Are you hungry? Let me see... I made some pastries from the dew-caps that grow along the shore of Mist Lake. It's the right season for them.

Hmph! Safer to scrounge food off the dead. Get away from me!

(Menacing howl)

You're not scared? Even those big mercs are scared of that sound.

That is the sound of the Banshees. Of our clan.

I have not heard this note in the song of the Banshees for a long time. Years ago, the last one who sang it...

You are that child...

You know who taught me the sound?

But I've never met you before.

We don't come to Kazdel much these days. Our home is in a distant valley, a place where trees grow, with fruit hanging from their branches.

It's hard to find food. You gotta be ready for a beating.

But let's say the place you're talking about really exists, where fruit just grows on the trees like that... what's the catch?

Clever girl.

Maybe you should come with me. You belong there. You'll like it.

Even if you don't believe it exists.

Why should I?

Your name is Nasti, isn't it?

Is that... the presence of a Banshee I sense? And... what's that? Wither... decay?

No... Nasti... are you...?

Are you trying to repeat the mistakes of the past?

Most of the Rhine staff have evacuated the Vivarium, sir. Only Nasti and a few researchers are staying behind to organize documents. They don't look happy.

Are <i>you</i> happy? The plan wasn't to ruin the whole Vivarium.

You said the tour guide knew too much about the Banshees. This was a chance to expose her and drag Nasti into it. Kill two fowlbeasts with one stone.

It was a rough plan to begin with. Isn't the Vivarium accident a convenient excuse to stop Rhine's inspections?

Convenient? And where do you think we'll find that frickin' guide?

Uh...

I know Nasti. She would never let something like this happen to the Vivarium just <i>accidentally.</i> Besides, there's no way she would risk Rhine's exhibit, with the exhibition right around the corner.

The guide... she was gone before the alarm sounded!

She must have done something.

It's not enough to just evacuate the researchers. There's a good chance that Nasti's already onto my plan, and is just waiting for evidence... evidence that I can't afford to give her.

Tell your men to find Ferne by sundown.