lolxh

If you ever need any assistance in future, come seek me, why don't you? Let me make up for this mishap.

No need for that. Now that we've found it, all's well that ends well.

(Hugs Xiaohei) Thank you, little Feline.

Mmngh?! What's your deal?!

If it weren't for mew, I would've broken my very own set of rules, and neither my hat nor I would be delighted about that.

(Struggling) I get it. Now let me go.

(Releases Xiaohei)

Hah, hah, hah! So long then, little Feline. With your cuteness, we'd be remiss not to see each other plenty more in future. Meow revoir.

She's such a weirdo. I caught her stealing stuff, and she thanked me for it.

I'd have to assume she's drawn lines she doesn't want to cross, as a thief.

Aren't you mad at her?

I'm more grateful to you than mad at her, Xiaohei. I'd never have found it so easily without your help.

No problem. You're my friend.

And I'm honored to be so.

(Yawn—)

Will you be alright for tomorrow, after staying up this late?

It's okay, there's nothing important happening.

Then could you tell me why you're having trouble sleeping?

I—I miss my Master.

I see.

Xiaohei, the reason I use the same buttons my father did is because doing what he used to lets me feel closer to him.

Though he's no longer here, that feeling remains unchanged.

Perhaps you'd like to try something like that too. Do something your Master would do. It might make you feel better.

Something Master would do...

Mountain! Xiaohei! Excuse me, make way, please! Emergency!

What happened?

That's the Medical Department right up ahead. I assume something happened to a patient and they need emergency treatment.

Do they always work this late?

There's no day or night in Medical. So long as they're needed, they have to stay on call.

I can see the lights in there... It's as bright as daytime.

It seems you're aching for a look. Would you like to visit?

Yeah, I know one of the sick people in there, but I don't know how she's been doing lately. I wanna see her.

Then no time like the present.

Rate of originium crystal expansion is accelerated in patient's lungs, function severely impaired. Not good. Heartbeat faint. Prepare the emergency facilities!

Did the drugs make it yet?

Right here, coming now!

Lend a hand. I'll run through emergency care.

Looks like they're really busy. I'll come back tomorrow.

Very well.

Hphhh—hphhh—

Operator Sussurro, patient is having trouble with voluntary breathing. We have to remove their respirator and intubate.

Anesthetist on standby, please! Emergency intubation! Scalpel!

All ready. I'll hold him steady.

(Breathing resumes)

(Wipes forehead) Good. Let's move him into the theater for the next stage of treatment.

What's so fascinating, Xiaohei?

That lady... she's amazing.

Agreed. These Medic Operators have always been the pride of Rhodes Island.

When they give me missions in future, will I be helping people with the stone disease like they are?

Stone disease? Do you mean Oripathy? We don't do quite what the medics do—usually, our missions are more aimed at improving conditions for sufferers.

But in some extreme cases, we need to make a stand in violent conflicts centered around the Infected.

That sounds like what Master does. He helps out spirits without a home, and hunts down the ones who do bad things.

Spirits...? That's a fine thing, though, wouldn't you say? You'll be doing exactly what your Master does. How do you feel about that?

...Really happy, and really proud, that I can do what he did.

Precisely.

So do you feel a little better now?

Yep!

Then you'd better go get some sleep for real. Go on back.

I've finished all these books. I wonder if I can find Mountain again, and have him recommend more.

Oh, isn't that him right there? Perfect, I'll go say hi.

Meow!

A little black cat? Miss.Christine? Wait, no, that's not her.

(Who's Christine? Oh, I forgot he's never seen me transform before.)

Meow...

You have Xiaohei's scent about you. Do you happen to know him?

(I'll just let him think so for now...)

Mraaow—

Hm? Do you want to read this too? Hahah, come on over. Let's read together.

Mreww...

(I can't read any of these words...)

(Yawns)

(So sleepy...)

*snore*...

Climbing on my shoulder just to fall asleep? You're a curious one. Oh, well, I'll be sure to turn the pages quietly.