warmy

Ai—yah!

Phew... good, good.

Are you okay, Warmy?

Hehe, I'm fine! I caught the dish! And look at the bowls! They're all fine!

Sorry, Nanna Radish Leaves. I just got this staff, so I'm not used to it yet, and I sometimes knock things over when I'm not paying attention.

The girl stands on her tiptoes to put the fallen plates and bowls back to where they belong.

Haha, silly girl.

Remember? Back when you used to come to my place for cystymilk crisps, you needed a little stool to reach your bowl in the cupboard.

Come, let Nanna see. You've grown quite tall...

Hehe, I think so too!

Let's see. Oh dear, your collar's got a snagged thread.

Oh, you're right... I've been traveling for so long, I haven't even noticed...

Come, get changed. I'll patch this up for you.

It's okay, Nanna. I can fix this myself.

Look, I have my own little sewing kit!

*sigh*, you must've had it pretty hard on the road.

Hm?

What's wrong?

Didn't you say in the letter that somebody moved into the room I was in?

It feels like... not a lot has changed here.

After you'd left, I did have a few young men move in. Haven't you heard that they found a new area rich in minerals in the next town over?

Just like you, the kid who stayed here before simply left a letter and took off in a hurry.

What's the matter? Have you talked to your Uncle Fat Head about staying here today? Hold on just a moment. I'll get your room ready.

It's okay, Nanna. I'll be leaving again soon.

I'm back here this time because I wanted to see everybody again... including my dad.

Oh...

I haven't heard anything about your father lately. Maybe you could try asking around. Somebody might just have heard something.

Yep, it's okay.

And there's one other really important thing—

They'll play an outdoor movie at the rundown factory plot this evening.

Why don't you come?! I'll pay for everyone's tickets!

Huh? Why are you laughing? I really will!

We actually made it through all kinds of danger and crossed a sandbeast's paradise that nobody knows about, and found a Feranmut nest there!

There are lots, lots, lots of really tall Originium crystals there... They're even taller than these tower cranes and furnaces!

Hah, good! I believe you!

I'll tell all the workers how you visited that Blinking Valley place far, far away...

It's the Grinning Valley!

Ah, right. The Grinning Valley!

You've been traveling for so long, Warmy. I'm sure you've picked up plenty of new skills.

But you know, I think it's good enough as long as you stay safe out there.

Remember to come back and visit more often.

Mm, but I...

Look at this. What did I just tell you?

I said I'd make this thing as good as new before you finished telling two stories, didn't I?

Now take this folding chair back to your nanna Radish Leaves! Tell her she could tap dance on the chair and it wouldn't break!

Okay! Thanks, Uncle Mustache!

And also...

Hm? What else do you need?

There's gonna be an outdoor movie screening this evening... Let's watch together!

Outdoor movie? Hah, no wonder she wanted to get this folding chair fixed.

Alright, then. I'll go!

It's been years since the last time I watched a movie. All they've been playing are those adventure flicks. That's what young people these days like, no?

Old folks like us prefer those slow-paced family films.

Not at all. I love family movies.

Back then... It was Daddy who asked me to watch movies with him.

I still remember how he would tear up whenever the relatives said goodbye to the main characters with smiles on their faces...

That's even though he was a grown man.

Your old man... right.

He's a sentimental one. We all know it.

My kid—you know the one you called Screwhead—he went to the cities to study engineering.

I couldn't leave for too long, because of my business. It was your old man who took him to school whenever it was time to go back... Remember?

Yep, I remember.

When I was small, every time he left for work, he'd bring me to your shop.

Even though he told me he was going to the mines, I always asked you where he was...

Haha, that's right.

You've always got on so well with your old man. *sigh* You really miss him, don't you?

Mhm.

I heard Screwhead's graduated, stayed in the city, and even got a good job.

I'm so glad!

And I know my daddy would be really happy, too!

Good kid...

Right... right. Your old man definitely knows. He doesn't talk much, but news always gets to him fast.

He's probably working in some mine right now, with a lot of weight on his shoulders... I'm sure of it! I just hope their card games there aren't much different from here.

I know when you two see each other again, he'll be very proud of what a big girl you've become!

Right, that big mining ship you're off to. Where's it headed?

Hm... I'm not really sure.

Lanns and Savage told me that I'm going to Rhodes Island to get treatm—No, that's not all. It's so I can learn lots and lots of new things!

Alright, but promise me this. Take care of yourself, okay?

Yep... I will!

Hey, Ol' Mustache! Here's your loudspeaker.

Alright, got it!

Loudspeaker?

Haha, you've never seen such a strange looking trinket? It's one of the hottest products developed by Screwhead's company.

Kid tells me it's got such a narrow, crooked neck because that's how it carries sound to far-off places.

Well, the workers here just use it to chitchat up on the scaffolding... but that ain't so bad, right?

Uncle Mustache.

Hm?

Is it okay if I borrow this?

Hello, everybody... Huh?

(Loudspeaker) Hello, everybody!

Whoa... Why is it so loud...?

The workers, all dressed in a variety of outfits, look to the source of the sound.

They see a young girl with a loudspeaker poking her head through the rusted shutters.

(Loudspeaker) Hello, everybody! Tonight...!

(Loudspeaker) Tonight, let's watch an outdoor movie together!

(Loudspeaker) At the same place as before, the rundown factory plot!

(Loudspeaker) A-And also...

(Loudspeaker) Remember not too eat too much for dinner. I'll have snacks for everyone!

Huh? There's a movie today? And snacks?

Just the thing I need after spending all night inspecting galvanized steel!