estell

By our standards, it's neither thick or thin... It doesn't really stand out.

But...

Doesn't that mean that it's normal?

Really?

I look normal to you?

But back home, people laughed at me and called me a weirdo because of it...

They don't understand. Sometimes, it's prettier this way.

Like, take Gavial—

(Did Gavial have horns too?)

People like her not just because of how she looks, but because of how strong she is, the way she's invincible in battle.

Oh—ah!

So you mean I should become strong?

Not quite.

I've thought about it a lot, and I think the reason people like Gavial is because she's Gavial.

I don't understand.

Be yourself. The people who like you will like you. You don't have to make yourself uncomfortable just to get people to like you.

R-Really?

(That's how another Archosauria sees my horns?)

I once read a book called 'One Step from Confidence.' It said that people's tastes change all the time; the important thing is what you think about yourself.

Come find me if you want to borrow it.

Thank you.

It's really a pain sometimes though. I might accidentally poke the door when I'm going to the Doctor's office, and it's harder to swing a sword like the Ash Princess.

Hm... I guess so.

But not only does it help you balance, it can also be used as a weapon. That more than makes up for making it a little harder to swing a sword.

So if you think about it, a tail is very useful.

I see!

(So she was talking about my tail...? I guess she misunderstood what I meant... I like my tail...)

(My horns are heavy, but the tail helps me keep my balance.)

(It's a good tail.)

(But she seems totally unconcerned about my horns... I guess not everyone cares about them... I didn't expect it to be so easy to talk to another Archosauria...)

I like you too.

Really?!

Yes. That's why we're friends.

Not as good as Gavial, but like, 0.7 Gavials.

T-Thank you!

(Does she use Gavial as a unit of measurement?)

(0.7 Gavials must be high praise.)

So... how many Gavials is the Doctor?

Never thought about it...

Maybe we can score everyone on Rhodes Island later.

Measured in Gavials?

Yes.

Mm.

Let's do it!

Oh, looks like Gavial went back.

Let's go spy on her again.

Sorry... I have to get back to work.

(Rhodes Island might throw me out if I don't work hard enough...)

What do you do here, Estelle? Are you in the combat squad too?

Huh?

(Where'd that come from?)

(Is this how friends talk?)

I am, but I usually work more on the support and rescue side.

Like carrying stuff, moving patients, or evacuating the wounded.

Sometimes I'm also involved in direct combat, like when rescuing the wounded in the heat of battle.

Or escorting our doctors.

Incredible...

It's nothing, really...

Just imagine being hurt on the battlefield, surrounded by enemies and at your wit's end, then seeing Estelle dash to the rescue.

You'd shine so brightly in their eyes. You might even go as high as 0.9 Gavials!

Really?!

(So even a job like this earns people's respect.)

Even better if you deliver them straight to Gavial for treatment.

0.9 Gavials plus 1 Gavial is... 8 Gavials...?

Yes, they'll recover even quicker, for sure.

Right. I'll try to send them to Gavial next time then.

But, er, I really do have to go... it's getting late.

It was nice chatting with you.

Me too.

(I wish I could keep things at 0.9 Gavials.)

7:23 P.M. Engineering Department

(I never knew making a friend would make me so happy.)

Oh? You're still working, Estelle?

Um...

Breeze said there might be dispatch missions next week, so I wanted to load some supplies first.

There's no overtime pay for this, you know.

That's fine.

(I often ride in Greypaw's car when I'm on a mission with Breeze.)

(The roof's been modified to give more room for supplies, and more importantly, my horns.)

(I'm less nervous when I'm talking to someone I know.)

Kids like you should learn to rest when you can.

Otherwise, you'll pay the price when you get older.

Just look at all the neck and back pain I get.

A few more long-distance trips, and I'd just about break into a thousand pieces.

Does it hurt that much?

Yeah.

I think I know how to help.

(I wonder if Gavial's still on duty.)

Really? Hope it works.

Wait—

8:20 P.M. Medical Department Corridor

You're back, Estelle.

I just brought a colleague who's not feeling well.

Looks like Gavial's gonna be there for a while longer.

I'm waiting to eat with her.

I'm waiting for Greypaw's treatment to finish.

Wait, it's just a bit of neck pain!

Well, since you're here, how about a little massage?

No! I'm fine! It doesn't hurt at all!

Aaaaaaaahhhh––!