flower

Rhodes Island Dormitories

Perfumer's Dormitory

(This area shouldn't need any more alterations.)

(Oh...)

(I'm a little peckish now.)

I wonder what to eat today?

I'm even hallucinating the smell of food.

Hmm?

Hold on, is this—?

(*sniff* *sniff*)

How come I've never smelt any flower like this aboard the Island before?

Just gimme a liiiiittle bit, just a tiny patch, and things'll be gold.

All my little Metal Crabs are starting to grow up, and the new generation's gonna come into the world pretty soon too, so, for the sake of new life, hand me some space and you'll be a winner.

If I don't have enough farm room, I'll raise them in the dorms, seriously. I mean, they're not gonna cause a ruckus, but I don't think all the nice Misses living there are gonna be happy.

Augh, can't you just be a little flexible?! Ugh, I'm done with you. I'll find someone else!

You seem to be dealing with something or other. Is there anything I can help with?

Ah, afternoon. You're—?

I'm Lena, the Perfumer. I'm responsible for managing the Convalescent Garden and tending to the plants.

Nice to meet you, Lena. I'm Beanstalk.

It's about lunchtime right now. If it's convenient for you, perhaps we can eat together? We can chat over our food that way.

Huh, really? It just so happens I'm a little hungry too.

So, you specialize in Metal Crab farming, is that right?

Yep. They're all my sweet little darlings.

They're not like those wild Metal Crabs. They're tame and obedient. Some of them love people more than anything.

Like little Pea here.

(Blinks)

May I—pet it?

Go right ahead. Pea's not scared of strangers.

(It's not aggressive one bit. Well, then.)

(And the fragrance is definitely coming from the flowers on top of its head.)

(I've never scented this before. Perhaps it's an uncommon plant species?)

(It's not heavy, but it has staying power, and its aroma is very stable too.)

(It might not be bad as a base fragrance.)

(As for medicinal value, that'd have to wait until harvesting and further analysis.)

What'cha frozen there for, Miss Lena? What's on your mind?

Ah, I'm very sorry about that. Just a bout of occupational disease.

Pea's scent is very pleasant, I have to say.

Really? Thank you, that's an amazing opinion to get from an expert!

If I might be so bold to ask, would I be allowed to pick the flower on Pea's head?

Go right on.

They snip them off each other or eat them when they're all playing together, you know, but they grow back real fast.

(Is it a stable, symbiotic sort of plant? How interesting.)

(Perhaps I could ask and see if Beanstalk would help me 'plant' some?)

(I've been wanting to keep a few docile animals in the Garden, but just couldn't ever find a suitable breed.)

(This might just be my chance.)

Well, then. Could you hear out a request of mine?

I'm all ears.

I'm actually awfully interested in the plants on these little friends' heads.

These flowers are exceptionally unique. This is my first time ever seeing them.

If we worked on a specific application for them, I can guarantee they'd be very precious as a material.

I just so happened to overhear your chat with the Logistics Operator. You're worrying over cultivation space as well, aren't you?

I'm thinking I could give you some room to settle your little friends down in.

For real?!

For real, indeed. If this works out, I can only presume everyone will reap the rewards.

As long as these little ones are kept and raised well, and they don't scamper all about in the greenhouse.

At appropriate times, they'd interact with Operators coming to the Garden too.

They're all personally raised by me, and they're not hostile with people. You've got no worries.

Thank you for your guarantee. It's a great reassurance.

As for a contract, I'll leave drawing that up to you, if that's fine. We can talk over any associated expenditures and costs when the time comes.

*Bzzzzzt*—

I'm sorry, that's my terminal.

Mhmm, it's me.

You've found somebody? Good, that's wonderful. Thank you so much.

I'll come over right now.

Alright. See you in a moment.

*Bzzzt*

Apologies, Beanstalk, but there's a thing or two that needs me. I'll be heading off first.

This is my card. If you have the contract ready, you can contact me whenever.

Sounds good, Lena.

Thanks a million! You're a real good one, you know!

You can find good ones anywhere. You'll only find someone as caring and sisterly as me right here!

See you later~

Rhodes Island Landship

Outside the Convalescent Garden

Miss, I'm over here!

Podenco, where's your Operator?

Why do I only see—a small tractor?

Bagpipe's behind it. She'll come over just in a moment.

Bagpipe, Bagpipe!

Ah! There you are!

Been a long time, Perfumer!

I brought some soil over here for Podenco.

Already got all the ratios set up like you'd best want 'em. I can kick things off whenever, just waitin' for you to open up the door.

Gave some of it a grindin' down after I noticed the grain was a bit too coarse, so now that should make it easier some to mix.

(She ground down—volcanic rock?)

Miss Lena, what's wrong? You look a little pale. Do you feel unwell, maybe?

Bagpipe, could I bother you just a second?

Aye, go ahead. I'll help however as long as I can.

Then I'd like you, please, to take the soil you mixed and separate it.

You've. Mixed. It. Wrong.

So sorry! I'm sorry! I thought you were mixin' the soil for flowers before you scattered it around the big shed!

Miss, please don't be upset—I—I wasn't aware as well, I'm terribly sorry!

Ha...

(Oh, so be it. I can't blame them. After all, I've done much stupider things...)

(I did once take an engineering vehicle and floor it all the way until I bumped into the cafeteria...)

(So this is Bagpipe. She's very familiar with agriculture, that's true. She should be able to help out.)

(Let's ask her to.)

(After I'm done with a few choice angry words.)

Bagpipe, please, next time, never pull this sort of practical joke again.

Oh, I wasn't...