lolxh

...There's nothing else. Sorry.

That's fine, no doubt it lies elsewhere. Come to think of it though, have you had the chance to try the games here? Logistics has acquired quite a few game disks and tapes.

I don't really play that stuff. Do you?

Er, I can't say I do, these days. If I'm here, it's most likely only to borrow some books.

...I don't really read books either. I only know a few of the shapes in them.

Would you like to, then?

I would! But...

As I recall, there also have picture books here, meant for schooling children... Right, there they are. Here.

So this one has all pictures? Thank you...

All it takes is to be an earnest reader. Be it words or pictures, you'll find yourself reaping the rewards.

Okay, let's be on our way. Hold onto that book. I think we'll visit Miss Lena's garden next—I assisted her with moving some goods around noontime.

Okay.

...Are they gone? I literally play here at night so I *don't* see other people. Who'd have thought someone'd come anyway?

I mean, they are gone by now, right? Like, *gone* gone?

Alright, continue from save, I guess. Let's see... what do I equip? Bow's good for clearing trash in this stage, but melee's better for the boss fight. Choices, choices...

(Puts down controller)

Orrr... maybe I should've tried to say hello when they came in.

How very lucky of us. We came just in time to find the queens of the night in bloom.

These flowers are so pretty! They smell so gentle, too. It's nice.

(Draws a deep breath)

Mmm... okay, we'll have to keep looking for your button, it's not here. Maybe the next place.

There's no need to rush, Xiaohei. You enjoy it here, don't you? We can look around a while longer.

Can we?

Of course.

Miss Lena takes excellent care of this garden, and most of the flowers here are for her own perfumes. If you ever have trouble sleeping again, have her mix some soothing fragrances for your room.

Miss... Lena? Then who's that man over there?

(Shoots a glance at Xiaohei)

Miss Lena bade an operator to help pick the flowers, I presume... After all, queens of the night don't bloom at any other time.

Oh, I get it, no wonder he's got such a long sword. I bet it cuts stuff real neatly.

*sniff* *sniff*

(This queen of the night thing smells really good. I wonder if you can eat it. It couldn't hurt to try a little, right?)

(Moves to bite) Ahh—

Weird little brat. You like how it smells, so you immediately go to give it a bite?

What's so weird about it? Can't you eat these?

Pardon us, sir. Children often think in peculiar ways. We mean no offense.

Suit yourselves. Just don't bother me.

It's not like we'd get in the way of your work from all the way over here.

Wrong. I'm not working.

I'm awaiting the unparalleled beauty revealed by the spectacle of life at the moment it verges on disappearance. It passes in the blink of an eye, so I must devote all my focus to it.

I... didn't get any of that.

I'd imagine he means the queen of the night only blooms for a few hours. Admire it while you can, for it will wilt before you know it.

It only blooms for that long? I'm not eating it, then. Just watching is enough.

(Shaking head) Tch. Children...

I bet... that man's got amazing sword skills, right?

Hahahah, you want to spar with him too? Don't do it here, at least. Miss Lena wouldn't be happy to see people getting into fights in her garden.

Okay! Then let's go to the next place and find your button!

That garden was so pretty though, I wanna bring Xiaobai and Ah Gen there next time. Um, Xiaobai and Ah Gen are my friends.

Well, nothing is stopping you. Miss Lena's garden is open to all operators. Feel free to visit it at any time.

Hello, Mountain, this is awfully early. I almost thought you were Ethan. And who's your friend here?

I'm Xiaohei. I'm helping Mountain look for his button.

I may have lost it here, you see. You wouldn't happen to have to seen it, would you Matterhorn?

If I find any lost items when I'm cleaning, I put them in that box over there. You're welcome to take a look.

Alright then. Thank you.

You're welcome.

Um... I tried sensing just a moment ago. There's no metal in there at all.

Really? How troublesome—this was the last place I visited yesterday. After that, I spent the whole time in the training room until you arrived.

How about we start again from the beginning? I'm sure we'll find it.

I'll spare you the hassle and see you back to the dorms. It's late. Children won't grow tall without enough sleep.

Then what about the button? Are you gonna give up?

Mm. Perhaps someone else picked it up. Tomorrow, I'll post a lost item notice and see where that gets me.

I'm sorry I wasn't any help...

But you wanted to, and that's more than enough for me. Thank you.

What's the matter? You couldn't find it?

Indeed. The boy's more upset about it than I am, and I'm the one who lost it.

Here, Xiaohei, have some candy from my homeland. Don't let it get to you.

Thank you, Matterhorn...

(Pats Xiaohei's head) Come on then, let's be off.

Would you like to learn how to read? I don't have much in the way of upcoming missions, so I can certainly find the time to teach you.

Sure...

Have you tried the candy he gave you? How does it taste?

Not yet...

You don't have to feel so bad, Xiaohei. It's just a tiny little button. It's alright.

But you said it was really important...

Meow, we meet again, you giant boulder. And you've brought a darling Feline along to boot?

Haze. What are you doing out this late?

Shh. Someone had a thirst for a stroll tonight, so I had to come out with.

But there's nobody with you...?

It's my hat. A moment of peace is ever so elusive with this thing around. Don't you agitate it, meow.

(This lady... speaks weird.)

Stay, stay, I'm just giving these two operators a meow-do-you-do. I'll be right on my way. You settle down now.

Yes, I know, it was our titan here who bumped into me on the way to the training room this afternoon. But he apologized, you know. No need to be so mewdy.

(Whisper) Who's she talking to?

(Whisper) Her hat.

Dear me. Boulder, little Feline, I need to be on my way. Even more deranged things will spill out of me if I stay any longer.

(Suddenly furrows brows)

(Wait, what's that... That's it, she has it on her!)

Miss, could you hold on for just for a moment?

What is it, little Feline? Are you looking to prize yet more nonsense out of your friendly witch?

Can I, um, ask what's in your pocket?

Just some loose odds and ends.

(Reaches out, and then suddenly forms a fist)

Oh! Is this some Originium Arts? Why are the things in my pocket flying out at you?!

(Opens hand) Mountain, is this your button?

Hrm. Yes. Haze, why would you have my button on you?

Oh, meow... I've been caught.

I have far more valuable items on me. Why insist on stealing a single button?

(Sticks out tongue) It had far too pretty a design for its own good—my heart leapt on seeing it, and it seemed not to cost so dearly. I would've given it back to you after I had my bit of fun with it.

It may not be valuable, but it's really important to Mountain! He was so worried when he lost it!

You have to understand, my father used to love this kind of button. Add the fact that they don't sell them anymore, and you can see why it's so significant to me.

My apologies. I didn't know it was so precious to you... I had no intent to hurt you, boulder that you are.