erato

*glug* *glug*—

Hah, how intoxicating the aroma of fine wine is.

Open up, Erato.

Erato—you won't get anywhere even if you shut yourself inside. I suggest you give up.

Everyone and their mother can hear you, you binge-drinking priestess.

I'm merely worried about you, Erato.

Last night, while I was enjoying my wine, by chance I overheard the conversation of a few operators. I heard you've locked yourself in your room for two full days and nights now.

As a priestess, naturally I am concerned. Look, the morning sunlight has only just reached your windowsill, and I am already come to visit.

Visit? ...What's that you're holding?

Fine wine.

O Mountains of Minos, would you grant me your blessings, and keep those with poor taste in alcohol far away?

Seeing how you still have the strength for sarcasm, I take it your new poem is coming along nicely?

...How did you know I'm working on a new poem?

You've been idling about ever since your arrival in Rhodes Island... What are you planning to write?

A long epic. One about a number of heroes with a variety of talents and personalities, who together lead the oppressed in their quest to triumph over their hardships and reach a land of hope... or something like that.

Sadly... writer's block.

Beset by a blank page then?

That's not true! I... I finished the title!

I had three heroes in mind so far: an adept warrior, a genius smith, and a gracious healer...

Maybe because it's been a while since I wrote, but I can't quite grasp the characters, and the story I had in mind is also lacking in realism. I'm finding it hard to establish their characters too... I need more inspiration.

Perhaps we can let the wine flow while we discuss these heroic legends, just like we do back home?

And loosened by wine, surely you'll be plucking inspiration like apples from the tree of wisdom.

Please don't make up excuses to drink that wine you brought.

Maybe leaf through some literature then, or take a stroll outside? No doubt you know the ways of the Minoan poets better than I.

Of course. Can't you see I was getting ready to leave in search of heroics?

Speaking of heroics, aside from our homeland, Victoria and Kazimierz should both be wonderful places for inspiration too. Among your many choices.

I won't be going anywhere that far. I already have a place in mind.

Let's chat another time. I need to hurry.

Hold on.

What else do you want?

I've always been very interested in how you write your poems.

Given how rarely such an opportunity presents itself, surely you wouldn't refuse if I proposed to join you on your journey?

Fine, follow me.

This is my first stop.

What a surprise. So you never even planned to leave Rhodes Island?

Of course not. There's more than enough inspiration on board.

And when it comes to finding masterful warriors, where better than the training room?

But did we come too early? There doesn't seem to be anyone here...

Hah! How about that?

Someone's speaking.

Yes, I also have ears— Hello?

Take this!

Oh, it's Flint.

You're Pallas. And... you're...

You're not very tall, and you don't come to the training grounds often. I don't remember you.

I'm Erato. I spend most of my time on field operations. We've only met a few times.

Oh, hello.

Right, Erato. Wanna fight?

Huh?! What's with this all of a sudden?!

If you don't want to, then never mind.

Sorry. I'm not very good at melee combat, but maybe I can challenge you at archery.

It's fine.

(Turns back to the sandbag)

Ha!

We'd best wait a little longer. Considering the time, there will be more operators here soon enough.

Erato?

I've heard about how strong Flint is, but this is the first time I've seen her fighting form in person.

That valiant posture, those fierce blows... This is exactly what I am looking for...

Flint, no, O Warrior Adept! I wish to learn of extraordinary deeds, and surely a hero such as you has many to her name. Might you indulge me in one or two?

Hero? I don't really get anything else you just said, but I've never even seen a hero.

And these 'deeds' you're talking about... what're they even good for?

I'm looking for heroic deeds as inspiration, to help me write my next epic!

Oh, I see. You want inspiration.

Come here, then.

Hm?

Come. Stand here.

This is a sandbag. Pound it.

Uh... Like this?

That was too weak. Stronger.

Like this?

Still too weak. Try punching it harder.

Hah! Ow... that hurt...

Yes, just like that! Did you feel anything?

Pain...

And?

Just pain...

No way. You didn't feel inspired?

Not at all.

Weird. Whenever I'm sparring I get super inspired, like I'll suddenly think of a feint I can work into a low jab.

Any kind of problem should be solved with your fists. Maybe you just need more practice fighting.

Come on, try it out a few more times.

Wait, let's stop here...

Flint? Flint, are you there?

I'm here.

Ah, Erato and Pallas are here too.

Flint, take a good look at this list of compensation expenses incurred from your last field mission. Logistics racked up a huge bill settling the problems you left behind.

And this one line from your mission report: 'I knocked that tall guy down because he was looking down at me so fiercely.'

You didn't just 'knock him down,' you beat him up so badly he was rolling around in pain and even managed to smash through two doors!

No way, I was holding back. Come on, I only hit him twice...

Anyway, I'm just advising you to be extra careful not damage public property while on missions, because if this happens again—

The sandbag......

Exploded with one punch...

Sorry.

Ah, forget it. Flint, this is for you.

What is it?

A thank you letter from the girl you saved on that last mission.

Oh, okay.

(Stuffs the letter into her glove)

I'll go get a new sandbag.

Phew...