level_act32side_04_beg

No. There's absolutely no way I'm letting Reynell's lackeys join our festival as long as I'm here.

The festival is just around the corner, and I have to make sure nothing goes wrong.

But they've already returned the medicine, and Reynell is fine with it too...

We don't know what they could be hiding up their sleeves. Can you promise me that their intentions are only good?

Why so quiet, Tecno?

Papá, I know they're Reynell's people, the papers are full of pictures of them and Reynell together. There's no arguing that.

But that day... when my Oripathy flared up, I fell to the ground and couldn't move. I was all alone... I thought I was done for.

Just as I was about to accept my fate, they showed up and saved me, and brought me back to the neighborhood.

I felt the same kind of despair in that fire many years ago, Papá. Until you came and saved me from the flames.

How's that the same thing? I'm a firefighter, Tecno. Saving you is my job, and I wanted nothing more than that. But them? Are you sure they have no ulterior motives?

I'll get someone to keep an eye on them if you're worried. Can't we just let them watch, Papá? Please?

Why are you being so stubborn, Tecno? If you vouch for them... you'll be the first one blamed if something really goes wrong.

Come on, Papá. I won't let them make any trouble.

*sigh* Why do you always start acting so spoiled every time we argue?

Oh... please, Papá, please...

Fine. Stop batting your eyelashes, it doesn't work on me.

But it used to...

Is that so? You didn't have such outrageously colorful hair then, you didn't drape yourself in black yet, and didn't make clinking noises with every step.

Ya estuvo suave... *sigh* What's wrong with dressing up all pretty like you did before?

Hmph...

Enough. Quit your pouting and get their leader to come find me for a quick talk.

Should I tell her to come here?

No, we'll chat on the beach.

Miss Ela. Do you know why I'm here?

Probably not for the beach.

I'm sure this beach is nothing compared to the amazing views you must enjoy working for Reynell.

Hard to say. A clean beach behind an alley full of trash makes for a surprisingly pleasant view. The way the light hits is much prettier than how it shines on the neighborhood.

Nothing much we can do about that. There's too many buildings with uneven heights there.

As for the trash... it used to be even worse. I had to bring a team here myself to clear it all, and now any aspiring litterbug faces my wrath.

I believe anyone visiting Dossoles should always get a chance to enjoy the beach.

Am I right, Miss Ela?

I didn't come here to litter, Mr. Diaz. Only to enjoy the view, same as you are now.

I like how clean and quiet it is. No rowdy tourists or casino ads in sight.

That's because the wind is so strong here, no one wants to develop the area.

I can see it in the trees. Their leaves only grow where the wind doesn't blow.

They're resilient, and they still thrive even though la brisa is so strong.

You mean el viento.

Sorry, I'm not good with your local language.

Miss Ela... you say you just want to watch us, and it's not like we have anything to hide. But you should remember to keep your hands to yourself at all times.

Tecno likes hanging out with you, and the community is happy to have your people here as well, so I'll play the bad guy here.

If you betray her trust and hurt her feelings, I'll make sure you pay the price, even if it costs me my life.

You care very much for Miss Tecno. Isn't she just your subordinate?

I never married or had children. Since I saved her from a fire, she has essentially become my daughter.

That's all I have to say. I'll leave the rest for you to decide.

What a roundabout way of showing paternal love.

(Whispering) An infectious disease caused by an industrial mineral that people here can't live without. It manifests discreetly, has a variety of symptoms and so far, cannot be cured...

(Whispering) I can't imagine what it would be like if something like oil was infectious...

Did you say something, Señor Gustave?

Oh, nothing. Just rambling to myself.

Here's the medicine and equipment you asked for. Anything you need?

I think this should be enough.

Since the loss of the doctor in charge of this neighborhood, there's been a shortage of medical help here. Everyone's glad that you've been lending a hand.

Ah, that's his notebook on Oripathy over there. He was Infected many years before he eventually... *sigh*

I can tell from just his handwriting that he was patient and meticulous in his work.

All of us do miss him very much.

Oh, also, about the people you were looking for... I sent a Messenger to get your request out quick.

I only met them a few times before, so I'm not too sure if those operators are the same ones you've been looking for, but... having hope is better than having nothing, right?

Certainly. I can't thank you enough.

But... a Messenger?

That's right.

Do you not have international calling here?

International...?

Señor Ernesto, I have an appointment today, and it's now.

Oh, it's you, Ellie. This is Señor Gustave, our new doctor.

Hello, Señor Gustave. Mama made some bread for the new doctor, so this is yours.

Oh, please thank her for me. What kind of bread is it?

A ker-sont.

Non, my little friend. It's croissant. You say it like this, 'cwuh-son'.

Weird... no one says it like that...

Trust me, that's the proper way.

Eh? Don't most people usually pronounce it like 'ker-sont?'

Non, non... I can't believe this is happening.

Are you okay, doctor? You don't look so good.

*ahem* No, I'm fine... have you been feeling unwell at all lately?

Hey, you two! That arm needs to be a bit higher, so it can connect to the shoulder later.

You got it!

Making two puppets dance together... ambitious.

It took us half a year from concept to making the actual thing, but it looks like our efforts haven't been in vain.

Did you plan all this?

Me? No, the original idea came from Papá.

M-Mr. Diaz? I can't believe he'd actually...

The year that fire happened was particularly dry. When the dance hall went up in flames, the blaze was so intense that people couldn't escape.

It was Papá then who insisted on fighting the fire and saving us despite the orders he had. He tried his best, but couldn't save everyone...

The fire scarred us all, and nobody wants to talk about it. We can't dance the night away like before. Not with all that pain still inside us.

But within the last few years, people have slowly regained the desire to dance.

Except for Papá... he still feels guilty over the people he couldn't save.

And yet he still went and proposed this...

Papá says he can't dance with everyone, but he can at least be the one that gets everyone together.

You know what, Tecno?

I was shocked when I first got here. Chaotic city planning has the place crammed with illegally built structures and jam-packed with people. I thought the whole place was a giant fire hazard.

But there are lots of fire-fighting facilities in your streets and alleys. You've got quick evacuation routes and plans in every building.

And then I thought, whoever runs this place is actually pretty capable.

And I'm doubly sure of that now.

That goes without saying...

Hey, what's going on over there?

What happened? I think that arm stopped moving.

What's going on?

This is bad, the arm got tangled with the puppet's body cables when it moved.

Can we detach and reposition it?

No, it's jammed pretty tight.

Where, exactly? I'll get someone to untangle it.

It's an awkward spot... between the third and fourth floors, far away from the windows.

Use a safety harness?

Maybe... we'll give it a try.

Isn't it kind of dangerous to send someone down from the eighth floor like that? That's much higher than the puppet's head.

They don't have other options... They can't find a spot to anchor their ropes on lower floors.

Can you not move it with a remote control...? Oh, that building's outer walls don't have any good spots for easy climbing.

We handcrafted these puppets and their internal structure is real complicated... only someone super familiar with them could handle this.

Be careful...

Almost... just a little bit more to the left—

Oh no! The technician fell!

Phew... he's fine, he has a safety harness on.

Can he try again?

I'm afraid not... that drop has his legs shaking uncontrollably.

No, hermano... I really can't do it, I'm afraid of heights... I, I...

But you're the one who's the most familiar with the puppets' internals... anyone else would just find it near impossible to fix...

No... it was so scary, when I fell... I really thought I was a goner...

Wh-Why not call Tecno? She... designed it, after all...

Tecno! Tecno!

Is he alright?

He's fine, but he's scared out of his wits. So the boss was hoping you could try your hand at it...

I don't know a thing about the insides, though.

Huh? Didn't you design them?

I mean, I only designed what they look like, I wasn't involved in the actual production.

Then... wh-what should we do?

Tecno, mind letting me and Fuze have a try? We both have experience with heavy machinery.

Huh? Miss Ela, you're already done talking with Papá?

Give us a chance, Tecno.

But didn't Papá say...?

I can help out too, Tecno. We all have some engineering experience, so I'm sure we can do something.

I... I...

You're not afraid of heights, Señorita? That's the eighth floor... Knowing theory isn't exactly enough.

I once dropped out of a twenty-story building, mister. This'll be a piece of cake.

No, you can't do that... You stay here, I'll go up myself.

Tecno?

I'm sorry, Ela. It's not that I doubt you, but I promised Papá I wouldn't let you participate, no matter what.

But will you be able to fix it, Tecno?

I'll try my best.

*sigh*...

Can you do me a favor, Meijer?

Of course. What is it?

Those guys over there with their eyes on me? Get them off my tail if they follow me, I need to find Fuze.

Oh, so Papá Diaz sent some backup.

I can do it, but where are you going?

Up there. There's no way Tecno can handle the big guy.

Ela! Hey!

Damn it, where did that lady go?

*sigh*

Sorry, Mister, but I need your help with something!

Huh?

Ugh...

You can't just sleep here.

Miłosz?

That mechanical restorationist from Iberia is here. Are you ready to see her?

Of course, bring her in.

Señor Reynell. May I ask what it is you need me to see?

The music box, on the table.

Oh... the famous designer Alizja's sensational masterpiece from fifteen years ago... it is truly beautiful.

I can feel a sense of comforting tranquility...

Just look at the carving of the female figure on the lid. Serene and beautiful, her eyes full of compassion, with a faint hint of bitterness on her lips. Truly an indescribable work of beauty.

You can spare me the details, madam. I've spent the past several days with it, so I'm well acquainted with its form.

The drum is badly damaged, and I'm not sure it can be fully repaired.

It's fine, that was my doing. I don't need it repaired.

There is a music score in the center of the box, and I hope you can make a new drum to play that.

A hidden compartment?

The man picks up the music box from the table and turns it upside-down. He lodges a fingernail into the seemingly tightly sealed bottom panel, and it opens to reveal a folded note inside.

Reynell carefully unfolds the note and places it on the table, its yellowed hue showing its age.

It is a neatly handwritten music score.

How did you know about this hidden compartment?

Oh, I was there when my mother worked on this box. I saw her put the note in there.

Are you sure about this? Going up to the eighth floor from here and then rappelling down?

Of course, it's the quickest way to get to our target.

Also the most dangerous way.

You don't trust me to keep you from falling?

No, I do. But we are not welcome here.

Such a public move will only make us a target for criticism when they decide to make us their enemies.

You're talking more than usual.

And you're talking less sense than usual.

I just don't want their idea to go to waste.

Why are you so concerned with these delusional artists?

What's wrong with delusions? It just means jaws will drop to the ground when they actually succeed in their impossibly difficult self-imposed challenges.

When you put it that way, all our operations are just like that.

And who would say otherwise?

You need to move fast when you land. People are after us and they'll catch up soon.

But don't rush yourself either. I'll buy you enough time.

...Thanks.