clour

11:00 A.M. \ Sunny, clear

Rhodes Island Dormitories

A heavy pelt tightly covers the window, the room barely illuminated by a cluster of candles.

A small Vulpo girl raises her bow and nocks an arrow, cautiously looking ahead.

...The terminal's ringing.

Noisy... How do I use this thing again?

Hello?

Vermeil...

Huh, where'd it go... Sorry, Vermeil, give me a sec. That's weird, I could've sworn I just put it in the toolbox.

Oh, here it is! How'd it end up in the accessories box? Sorry to keep you waiting–– Hibiscus? What are you doing here?

Adnachiel, have you seen Vermeil?

I was just about to ask you. She was here a moment ago.

I was adjusting her prosthetics and wanted to grab her some snacks, but she disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Any idea where she might be going next?

Didn't ask. She's been on leave lately, right? She could be pretty much anywhere.

Though, you look like you're in quite a rush... Did something happen with her?

She... She had an Oripathy treatment scheduled for today, but didn't show up at Medical this afternoon and also cancelled all her appointments.

After I heard the news, I went over to her dorm, only to find that she wasn't there either. A lot of stuff seemed to be missing from her room too.

I asked around, and nobody seemed to know where she went. The people who did see her said she was heading out.

That doesn't sound right. When she came to see me, she didn't seem to be acting particularly strangely. That said, there was one thing that stuck out.

After I finished the tune-up, she suddenly gave me a gift with no explanation. The old her wouldn't have done anything like that, right?

What did she give you? Mind if I take a look?

Here, it's this.

A beast tooth necklace...

By the way, Hibiscus, since you're already here, want to try the dessert I just made––

Hey, don't just get up and leave like that!

Sorry, next time! Promise! I need to find Vermeil first and see what's going on.

Those are some serious bags around your eyes, Lina. Have you not been sleeping well lately?

It's nothing to worry about, just dealing with a bit of overtime. You know how many field operators have been coming back from their missions lately, so Medical's been swamped all of a sudden.

But that's perfectly normal. Lots of our seniors work way more overtime than we do, and once we get over the hump it should be smooth sailing.

(Stops walking)

That's how life in the Medical Department goes. Sometimes you're crazy busy, other times there's not a whole lot to do. So don't worry, I'll be catching up on that sleep debt soon enou–– Whooa!

Vermeil? When did you get here?

And what are you doing lugging around all this stuff? Are you visiting home? Or maybe going on a trip to Dossoles?

I'm not going home...

Do you know where I can find medicinal herbs on Rhodes Island?

Oh, are you not feeling well? I can do a quick check-up for you for right now, or take you down to Medical...

I'm fine. Just wanted to know where I can find some herbs. Do you know?

If you want herbs, I heard that Miss Lena has a variety of plants and flowers over at the Convalescent Garden. You might find something with medicinal value there.

Thanks. I'll go look for her.

Oh, this is for you.

A polished bone fragment? ...What's it for?

Huh? Where'd she go?

Coming, coming.

Podenco, please don't bring any more orders here at this hour... Huh?

Lena...

Oh, Vermeil? Please, come in.

Sorry, you're usually out in the field, so I didn't expect to see you in the rest area. It's quite unusual for you to come looking for me without notice.

Is there anything I can help you with?

I'd like a few types of herbs. Do you have them here?

You're looking for plants with medicinal properties? No problem. Just tell me their names.

...I don't know what they're called, but I'll know when I see them.

Hmm... Then come take a look around the courtyard with me.

Did you find any of the plants you were looking for?

This one, this one, and that grass with the little red flowers.

(All flowers with soothing and calming properties...)

Anything else? ...Hm?

Do you have that kind of grass... with a bunch of little bumps on the leaves?

Grass with bumps on the leaves? Oh, are you talking about motherwort? It does help regulate emotions, so I planted some in the garden.

If you cut your neck, you can chew 'em into pieces and stick it on the wound, and it won't hurt anymore.

Ehh...

Those vines are very durable. Can use them to break bones.

...Let's not worry about that for now, Vermeil. Do you need any other plants?

No, I'm good now.

Here, I've put everything in this box.

Thank you.

These herbs are all very valuable, so I'll need to think about what I can offer in exchange for them.

Exchange?

I can't give you my bow, or my arm... The only other thing of value I have on me is this dagger.

Here.

There's no need for that. Here, just take them. You don't need to pay me for some herbs and flowers; there's plenty more in the garden.

No. A hunt in exchange for a bounty, a job in exchange for a meal.

A dagger... in exchange for Lena's herbs.

Vermeil, I don't need you to do that for me. Did something happen?

Not good enough? Then I'll think of something else I can give you...

That's not what I meant. The dagger's quite nice... Ugh, fine, maybe I can find some use for it around the garden... Alright, I'll take the dagger, okay?

Mhm.

But listen to me – don't go around pushing your stuff onto other people in the future! Got it?

I'll be taking the herbs then. Thank you. ...Bye, Lena.

Wait, Vermeil. I wanted to ask you – what... are you going to do with those plants?

I...

Lena, I don't want to go yet.

And that's what happened... By the time I got to the door, she was already gone without a trace.

Thank you... *sigh* Sounds like we'll need to look elsewhere. Hypothetically, if she needed to process the herbs next, then the lab would make sense... I'll head over and take a look.

Hibiscus, what did Vermeil mean when she said that? ...Is she going to leave Rhodes Island?

HR hasn't received a letter of resignation. She's been performing exceptionally in her field operations, and there's no way she failed her provisionary period.

So... I'm just as confused about her situation as you are.

What I'm more worried about is whether Executor told her properly when he first brought her here. That her home is—

Don't worry, Lena.

Whatever prompted her to do all this, I'm not letting her go until I hear the full truth from her.

I'm not allowed in right now?

Sorry, the kitchen's already closed for the day.

Okay.

Kitchenware. Where can I get kitchenware... I remember seeing instant noodle bowls in someone's office...

Hold on a moment, please. Judging from your appearance, are you about to head out on a mission?

No...

My goodness. You can't just set off for a long journey on an empty stomach... I might have some dried food and canned sandworms in my room. I'll go grab them for you right now.

Could you keep an eye on this place while I'm gone? I'm in charge of security tonight, since people have been breaking into the kitchen and cafeteria in the dead of night.

Appreciate it! I'll be right back!

So, I can go into the back kitchen. Understood.