act7mini

Miss, might you wait a moment?

Hm?

I'd like to tell you a story too. Would that agree with you?

You've told me so much, and I haven't given you one word. I feel quite awkward for that.

Oh, do wait a moment. You must be thirsty, Miss. I'll bring you a cup of water.

(Man, there she is... stepping up again...)

(What's going on?)

(Am I popular now?)

Here's your water.

Thanks~

(Bait taken~)

Well, then. Let me tell you a ghostly story of a Victorian city in exchange.

As a...

(Thank-you.)

Thank-you.

Oh, sure.

It's not everyday someone wants to talk to me.

Oh, yeah! I'm Kirara. What do you want me to call you?

Can I tell you this tale before I answer?

Sure.

Hee-hee. Thank you, Miss.

This story begins in Victoria, in a place named Lyndon—

It's raining again...

And I don't know where Mum and Dad are...

Oh, well. I needn't wonder about them. They don't mean as much as a bowl of hot soup would.

Hey, you Caprinae scamp. What are you hanging outside my door for?

Getting out of the rain. What else could I do?

Tch, you have the balls to sit right here when you can't even speak Victorian clearly? Go back to Leithanien where you came from.

Did you not understand me? Get lost, you're not welcome at my door.

I'm just sitting here to avoid the rain. I'm not coming inside your home.

Don't know when to give up, do you?! Bloody prick! I can handle a scolding from that bloody long-horns foreman, but you think you can talk back to me, you little shit?

Get out of my sight and never come back!

Urgh...

It hurts...

Let's shelter somewhere else...

If it comes to the worst...

Dropping from the city's edge... shouldn't hurt too much...

Hm?

Has someone fallen over there too?

It seems to be... an old lady?

Eek!

Granny, granny, are you alright?

Thank you, little lamb. There are so few children who would help an old lady up these days.

Oh, the children here. All they know is to ask me for apples. Not a soul in sight the moment I'd like a little help from them.

It's not often there's a child as kind to others as you. How good of you, how wonderful.

Granny, your clothes are dirty.

And yours, little lamb. Look, you've even gotten hurt here.

I'll be alright. It'll wash away in the rain.

You silly lamb. What if you caught a cold, drenched like this?

Hurry on back, now. I live quite close, and as rickety as I am, I can always make it home by myself.

Don't make your family worry.

I... haven't got one...

My Mum and Dad asked me to wait for them at a fountain square, and then I never saw them again.

Well, dearie me. Poor little lamb.

Coincidentally, I live all by myself, I do, and it's very lonely. Would you mind a bit of a chat with an old woman like me?

A chat...? I don't see why not.

(At least I can get out of the rain.)

Hoho, thank you, little lamb.

Erk...

What's wrong, Granny?

I'm old, is what it is. Beyond repair.

Little lamb, could I trouble you to carry my fruit basket for me?

It's all full of apples I picked not a bit earlier. Oh, slipping over, carrying this heavy basket all the while. My arms and legs just don't have the strength.

You're strong, little lamb. Could you help me?

I'll take over for you, Granny.

Say, Granny.

What is it?

Why would you go apple-picking on a rainy day? With rains as stormy as this, wouldn't it be better to stay in?

Hohoho, you don't understand, little lamb.

Only the apples washed by rain like this are the good, strong and sweet ones.

Granny, is this the place?

Yes, it is.

Just wait one moment. Let me find my key.

Here it is.

Come in, little lamb.

Welcome home.

Why, how warm!

A-And how pretty!

Hohoho, I do like hearing a little flattery every now and then.

Now just hold still.

Ah! My wound—it's stopped hurting?

Though I've not much ability to speak of, I can find it in me to heal the little scrapes.

Would you like to change into something pretty?

Mm-hm!

Then follow me, it's right upstairs.

It's so—dark in here.

This is where my darling granddaughter rests, after all.

Rests? Granny, weren't you the only person here?

Yes, I've always been the only 'person' here.

Come, meet my darling granddaughter.

This?

A doll? About as tall as me, and so finely detailed.

This is my granddaughter. Her name, you know, is Annie, an adorable Caprinae.

Just like you.

You see, I've always been looking for something, and today I finally found it in you, little lamb.

You've already helped so much. Granny is so very thankful.

Now, could you help me with one final thing?

Anything, Granny.

Oh, thank you, you darling little lamb.

Well, then, please, close your eyes.