nowell

Ugh... *sob*...

C-Calm down, sir!

Someone has already gone to get Operator Nowell! I-If you could move that needle away from her temple—

I'm not moving until he shows up.

But I suggest you avoid making any sudden moves.

Otherwise, I can't promise my hand will stay steady.

*pant*—*pant*—

I-I'm here. Who's... what happened—

—Huh?

Mr. Nowell.

That's me. And you are...?

Operator Nowell is here, Mr. Eroshka! Can you put the needle down now?

Your name is Eroshka?

You don't remember me...

I shouldn't be surprised. I've changed a lot since we last met.

I'm sorry, I don't. But you wanted me, and I'm here. Can you let the hostage go now? You can have me instead.

I'm coming to you, slowly. Can you let go of the girl?

Come alone and stop two steps before me. Then I'll let go of her.

No weapons.

Be careful, Mr. Nowell...

Alright.

Nowell puts down his Arts Unit and optometric equipment, gestures to the old man, and then starts walking forward.

One more step.

I've done as you said. Now—

Oh—!

Uh—

I'm a man of my word.

...I came to Rhodes Island at the recommendation of an old client after I left Londinium.

Rhodes Island is a pharmaceutical company specializing in Oripathy research and treatment. They have branches and clinics in many places. That's why I've resurfaced.

Oripathy. Hmph.

You cure uncurable diseases now?

That's outside the scope of my work, and beyond my abilities.

Right. You're an optician, not a doctor.

I've gained sufficient basic medical knowledge to save lives in the broad sense.

Someone who spent his entire life trying to die, now making it his life's work to save lives...

Is this some kind of sick joke?

It's no joke, Eroshka.

I've said a lot. What about you? You didn't do all this just to remember old times with me, did you?

If that was it, you wouldn't have to threaten these kids. They would have brought you to me.

Or are you simply being impulsive and dramatic, just like old times?

I never expected that would get you to recognize me so quickly.

Then why?

Because your people were taking down your tents and preparing to move out.

You know as well as I do why Oripathy clinics in Ursus operate like traveling circuses, ready to move at a moment's notice.

Yes, Oripathy, the Patrol Unit, the civil rights situation... same old story. That's not my point.

I came as soon as I heard you were here, only to see your people packing up and getting ready to leave.

Only the girl I held up was working in the tent up front. She apologized to me and said that you weren't taking patients, because you were moving elsewhere.

You're right. I should have told her I wasn't a patient, asked her if there was a man named Nowell here, and to take me to him.

But I couldn't wait.

...Have you been searching for me?

Hah.

I said, I'm a man of my word.

Wait, go no further.

Get out of my way! Let me go back!

I'm going back to them! Even if we die, we'll die together!

...*sigh*.

There's no point.

Wh-What did you say?

What's the point of going in there?

I get out of the way, you go into the fire and die with your family... no one will ever remember what happened here.

That's better than being the only one to live! I'm not a coward!

Surely you understand what true cowardice would be.

Someone has to suffer the consequences of choosing the wrong side. But if the 'silencing' has taken place before the Emperor's edict—

Then the worst that can happen to those who survive this human-caused tragedy is exile.

Wh-What are you trying to say?!

Is it not clear enough? They sacrificed themselves to protect you.

Protect me? Ha... hahahaha! Protect me!

It was you, wasn't it? You're the one who killed them! And you say it was their choice, to protect me—

...Eroshka. That's your name?

Alors, Eroshka. I'm just a traveling optician. I'm not even from Ursus, and I have no interest in intervening in your conflicts.

I simply came to repay a favor. Your father asked me to save your life, and I did. That's all.

Do you think I would believe your shit—

No, I thought you would be wiser. Impulsive and dramatic behavior is the privilege of the young, and you're not THAT young.

...I know it. It was you—it has to be you!

How could you know so much, if you were really just a simple optician?!

Unless you were part of it to begin with...

Yes, yes. That must be it!

I'm going to kill you.

I'll kill you!

You're welcome to try. You'll earn my gratitude.

The soot has blackened the Ursus youth's hands. Without a second thought, he raises his only weapon and runs it through the unmoving man.

The dagger misses the man's heart and becomes stuck several inches under his ribs.

Damn—

*cough* *cough*...

Wh-Why didn't you dodge?!

Because, if you actually manage to kill me, that would be the greatest birthday present of all.

If I hadn't forgotten my birthday... it's been... such a long time ago.

Do you think you could make your death less painful by taunting me?

I don't know. All you can do is, try.

*pant*... *pant*...

Argh—*cough* *cough*

Why—

Why won't you die?!

*cough*... hah.

Trust me, I've tried everything I can think of.

Nowell forces down the blood that has rushed up his throat. He knows that his wounds will soon miraculously heal.

After a moment of stillness, he pushes himself up from the snow.

The pain lingers, but never on the surface.

...What?

I've seen many tragedies like this one, in Victoria, Leithanien, even Gaul. What has happened to you is simply a much cleaner imitation.