thorns

Welcome!

Oh, you're...

One set meal to go, please.

Here's the money.

Okay, exact change... No, wait a second!

What are you doing here? And your clothes... Did another experiment go wrong?

No, it went well.

Just a bit of an accident at the end. No problem at all.

You call that 'no problem'... I'll never understand you outsiders.

Also, didn't I say I'd deliver meals for you and Felipe? If you just come here like this...

The eyes in the small tavern converge upon the two, most of them not exactly friendly.

All around, conversations cut themselves off as the other customers take in the presence of the unfamiliar Ægir face.

The silence is soon replaced by excited whispers.

Is that the one? The outsider here for some sort of 'cooperation.'

Looks like a normal guy to me.

Shh, he's Ægir.

Didn't the Inquisition agree to allow their return?

You can't trust everything you hear.

I don't want to get dragged into it if he gets arrested or something.

Things may have gotten better in recent years, but don't tell me you forgot how it was a decade ago, when the Inquisition was dragging people off on the regular.

Of course I haven't. I was young then, but I remember being interrogated for a long time. I was almost taken away.

You're right, better safe than sorry. He's Ægir, after all...

Noisy.

The Ægir casually picks up the cup from the table.

Then he lets it slip from his fingers, and it shatters on the ground with a bang.

The tavern instantly quiets down.

He didn't hear us, did he?

Shh, who knows? Best keep our mouths shut.

You...

I'll pay for the cup.

...That's not what I'm concerned about.

Yeah, don't worry about it.

I should be saying that... er, don't worry about it.

They're not bad people. It's just that...

Not a problem. Just a matter of getting used to it.

But isn't it hard to take?

I heard from the mayor that you and your friends are here to help us.

We're the ones asking for help, yet we're treating you like this...

Huh? You misunderstand me.

I don't care what other people think of me. What I meant was that the rest of you Iberians have to get used to it.

Huh?

The Inquisition has made its choice.

A window has opened. Ægirs who were once forced to leave are now returning. There will only be more of us in the future.

If you've decided to accept our help, then you need to get used to seeing us on the streets.

...Is that why you go out for a walk in town every day?

I'm not just walking, I'm measuring. I need to know how wide the roads are.

I was surprised to find that time seems to have stopped for decades here. Many things need to be fixed or replaced.

It's the same thing... walking on the streets like you own the place. All the customers have been talking about you.

Doesn't matter to me.

Ha... alright, as long as you're okay with it.

So how are preparations going with you and Felipe?

Are you planning a surprise? Felipe said it was a celebration... but I don't remember any festive dates this time of year.

I'm just helping out. Felipe has a good idea; we just need to hammer out the details.

You'll know more soon enough.

You're not about to do anything crazy, are you?

I heard there were festivals that last for days, with flowers and cheering crowds everyday, and fireworks in broad daylight... I can't even imagine.

We haven't had anything like that for a long time.

It's not too late.

Felipe wants everyone to be able to participate, like in the Iberia of yore.

Is he still reading those books? <i>The Adventures of Captain Alfonso</i>, <i>The Pirate King and the Golden Kingdom</i>... he hasn't outgrown them?

Nothing wrong with that.

Iberia in its Golden Age may have been arrogant, but at least there was something to be proud of, compared to the shambled state it's in today.

Felipe has a knack for working with machines. He really should go out into the world and broaden his horizons, if the opportunity presents itself.

Go out and see the world...

That would be really nice.

Here's your set meal.

And this one's for Felipe.

How much?

Don't worry about it.

Treat it as a token of appreciation on behalf of the others. To tell the truth, I'm kind of looking forward to the surprise you and Felipe are planning.

I hope it'll be like in the books.

Okay.

Okay? What do you mean—

He's gone.

Weird guy...

Hold it, Felipe.

Didn't you hear us?

...Did you need something?

I'm in a hurry. If you don't have anything important—

Where do you think you're going?

You're not fiddling around with that Ægir again, are you?

That's none of your business.

Besides, Mr. Thorns is here by invitation. You should show some respect.

Respect is one thing, keeping your distance is another.

Besides, he won't even tell you his real name, just a code name. Who's to say he didn't use to be a bandit or something?

Mr. Thorns said he's an employee of Rhodes Island!

He's an Iberian expatriate, forced to leave after certain events...

Rhodes what? Never heard of it.

And what events, exactly? How do we know for sure he's not the same as those crazy Ægir?

Maybe he's one that the Inquisition is after, just good at hiding things—

Shut up!

Er—

This is all baseless accusation, pure speculation!

Don't any of you remember that tomorrow is—

Tomorrow is what?

...You'll find out tomorrow.

I trust the Inquisition's judgment. And I know that Mr. Thorns isn't like that.

...Alright, Felipe, I guess I went too far. That Ægir—the one who calls himself Thorns—may be useful.

As for tomorrow, I'm not sure what you're planning... but we'll be waiting.

Just remember that we're really worried about you. You should open your eyes and stay away from the Ægir!