story_platnm_1_1

Rhodes Island Landship

Outside the Doctor's Office

Zzz... zzz...

Hm...

Hmm...? *Yawn*

The Doctor still isn't back after my sweet little nap?

Hmph... Next time, I'll just go right in and put my leave request on the desk.

Why is it that every time I want to take some time off, the Doctor's in a meeting? I wouldn't have agreed to take this assistant job, if I knew temporary or not... Hm...

My hair's in my eyes... Ugh.

Oh, Doctor—

—Doctor?

Why'd you just go into your room without a word... Are you mad? Did I do something wrong...? Hm...

That can't be right. Probably just didn't see me...

Hey! Doctor, I'm over here—

Where am I?

Platinum finds herself in an Ursus villa, flanked by a mountain and lakes.

There is also a tall tower far off in the distance.

It soars straight through the clouds up above.

What are you doing here, Armorless?

Oh... The Radiant Knight...?

I could ask you the same.

I work for Rhodes Island too. Of course I can—

This isn't Rhodes Island.

I guess you're right.

So? Where are we? What's with the tower?

This... is a place for reprieve. As for the tower, you'll have to ask yourself.

Platinum looks at the tower in silence.

It's not easy to make out the tower's features with the bright sunlight reflecting off its surface; it could also be the unfamiliar angle she is looking at the tower from.

Nonetheless, the tower stands there, scraping the skies like a mirage.

The General Chamber of Commerce? Since when is the K.G.C.C. Tower that big?

We never left.

And they never changed.

That doesn't sound like something the Radiant Knight would say.

Hmm... Oh, well. I'm only here to look for the Doctor.

If the Doctor's not here, then you'll have to excuse—

The Radiant Knight doesn't speak. The ever-shining champion simply stands in silence, gazing out at the world.

What do you need the Doctor for...?

It's been a while since I came to Rhodes Island. I just want to enjoy some alone time.

Is that so?

Take that door. You'll find the Doctor there.

Thanks.

What's this place now?

A Bolívarian resort town. The climate's just right, and the service is good. It's much comfier than the log cabins up north.

Roy... First the Radiant Knight, and now you?

Oh, come on, you're not happy to see me?

I thought we got along better than that, little Platinum?

Cut loose a little. We're here on vacation. The sun's shining bright, and check out the amazing scenery. Don't let work bum you out.

Relax. Why don't I get you some sweets? A nice dessert is just the right thing for people like us, always working under so much pressure. I'm sure you can agree on that.

Waiter! A raspado for the señorita here!

The shaved ice strikes Platinum with a strange, familiar feeling.

The flakes of ice in the cup have been molded into shapes of varying sizes. They've been painted with colorful fruit syrups.

They look just like—

A mountain—

With a private villa?

Spare the unpleasant thoughts while you're on vacation. It's there, and you can't do anything about that.

Or are you saying you'll get distracted as long as it's there?

Well...

What's the point of having that long vacation you finally managed to get approved, then?

Maybe you should head back and take care of things first. Take a real holiday after that. What do you say?

Take care of... what?

You'll have to ask yourself that.

No worries. Leave all the other troublesome things to me.

You might want to hurry, though.

Roy points at a spot of light in the distance.

Everyone's got something they're afraid of, after all.

Platinum looks into the distance. There are three Darksteel arrows bound together as one, blazing through the sky as they let out a sharp howl.

The arrows are fast, but also not that fast. They are so fast that they will pierce through Platinum's body the next second, but they are also so slow that they are no match for the pedestrians' leisurely pace.

You know your way back to the Grand Knight Territory, don't you?

Yeah.

That's good.

You...

Hm?

I think you looked better with black hair.

Before the flabbergasted Roy can even let out half a chuckle, Platinum has already turned around and dived into the water.

She's not the tiniest bit interested in Roy's reaction. She simply wanted to say it.

She has pondered for a long time.

Miss Centaurea. Miss Centaurea?

Hm?

Something the matter?

Would you be interested in trying out for the knight preliminaries?

No.

Platinum ignores the knight scout following close behind and dashes toward the General Chamber of Commerce Tower.

She imagined the K.G.C.C. building as crowded as the Grand Knight Territory.

But all she sees is statues. All kinds of statue. All pure white, color unadulterated.

The receptionist at the front desk, the security guard at the door, and the staff members walking down the hallway...

All of them are frozen in some unknown time.

Well, this sucks. I don't have access to the part of the building where the directors hang out.

The elevator doors aren't opening, and there's no taking the stairs. The secret passages are sealed shut, too.

Hmm...

Hm?

Light floods into the building through the ceiling in the center, illuminating the entire atrium with an unnaturally bright glow.

If I recall correctly... I'm a pegasus?

Platinum looks at the sky above her and leaps upward.

Contrary to what she expected, she doesn't immediately fall to the ground. Instead, she rises higher and higher, accelerating as she goes, toward the ends of the light.

The warm sunlight slowly envelops her—

Followed by the advent of darkness.

Platinum! You can't sleep here!

Finally awake, huh?

Mm... Sorry...

You sure had it rough, having to sleep on the floor.

Grr.

You saw nothing. Got it?

I literally just woke you up. How could I—

No, you saw nothing. Got? It?

Oh, whatever.

Here.

Let's see... A leave application form?

I want to take a long vacation... Get away from Rhodes Island and go somewhere far to... yeah... let off some steam.

You'll let me do that, right?

Oh.

I didn't think of that, Doctor... Did you want to come with me on my trip? Well, we're both here right now. Might as well—

Sure.

Uhh... What do you mean by that? Like the coming part, or are you just approving my time off?

Both.

And we're leaving right now.

Oh...

Um, I need time to pack, at least.

Sheesh. Do you know how long you've put off this tiny wish of yours?

W-Wait—Don't pull—

She blinks her eyes, only to find before her the thing she's most familiar with—also the thing that she dreads the most.

Another phone call... *Sigh*...

Now we'll never hear from—

The moment after she smashes the phone into pieces, she finds it restored to pristine condition, ringing yet again.

Can't you quiet down a little?

There's no end to this...

(Picks up the phone)

Hello?

Platinum, you're overstepping your boundaries.

Right. Yes, I am so terribly sorry.

And?

The General Chamber of Commerce's authority is not for you to trample upon like so.

Oh.

(Sets the phone receiver aside)

Okay, get it all off your chest.

Go on. I'll chill here for a bit.

Hm, if I recall correctly, there should be some booze here.

Aha, I knew it...

(Uncorks the bottle)

(Pours half a glass)

Mmm.

The Darksteel arrows are growing bigger and bigger under Kazimierz's night sky.

They blitz through the night like shooting stars. Even the million lights illuminating the Grand Knight Territory cannot shroud their luminance.

Is this... sparkling water?

So they drink more than just wine? Hmm... Okay. I'm not a big fan of their booze anyway...

(Pours half a glass of sparkling water)

To Kazimierz.

This one's for me, and for you.

(Pours the sparkling water on the phone)

The moment the water touches the phone, an intense tirade can be heard blaring out of its receiver, but as soon as the glass has been emptied of the sparkling water, there is a brief buzz, and the phone falls silent once again.

So... What will happen when the arrow pierces the tower?

You seem to be looking forward to something.

Malkiewicz. What are you doing here?

Long time no see, Platinum.

I've always been here.

I can answer your question.

'What will happen when the arrow pierces the tower?'

Nothing will happen.

Oh, this suuucks. How come I'm getting you and the Doctor mixed up in my dream?

We don't control our own dreams, Centaurea.

I can be anyone.

I can be someone you are afraid of.

I can be someone you pity.

I can be someone who you show an interest in.

Together, we form that place you can never leave behind—the very place you dread—the tower.

You grew up there. It was your future. You ran from it, and you still feel as though you have nowhere to go. You are confused and helpless.

The tower...?

Without a single word, Platinum gazes at the dreamscape.

Right as he makes his proclamation, the ceiling starts to open outward, revealing the uppermost level of the General Chamber building.

There are no seats or telephones there.

Only branches extending endlessly into the night sky like those of a tree. At the rate they are growing, the branches will one day engulf even the sun and moon.

Each branch is fabricated from different materials.

Steel, newspapers, wood, and grain.

The different materials all merge into one.

Of the different branches, there is a particular one full of thorns and arrowheads that lets out a sharp roar as it blazes past the winds.

Platinum feels as though she is standing on the head of a giant beast, its wings spread toward the skies, its roots dug deep into the earth.

Its skeleton is welded together from different materials, and all kinds of currency flow within its veins.

As for Platinum herself, she was once an insignificant cell of this beast.

But what about now?

You might be right, Kazimierz.

But––

—I refuse.

Platinum thinks to herself the name of a certain person before she crashes through the window pane and leaps downward.

I hope we never see each other again, Kazimierz.

I want a new life, you know?

Oww...

Oh, you caught me, huh?

I knew you had it in you. I knew I could count on you. And this isn't the first time either, am I right?

So, where are we?

So there are some things you don't know.

What a surprise.

Oh, don't set me down just yet. I'm not really in the mood to move. Let's put an end to this messed up dream already.

Actually, since it's a dream, it's not like you have anything to lose. Hold me for a little longer.

I need to focus and clear my head.

I need to get all that weird Kazimierz stuff wiped clean from my brain.

What's going on?

Platinum—

I'm listening. Go on.

—Wake up.

Platinum!

Hello, Doctor.

You're in a good mood. Did something nice happen?

What's wrong? Why are you taking a nap in front of my office?;You're finally awake. Did you need me for something?

Nothing special.

I just realized something. It's actually pretty easy to tell dreams and reality apart.

*Sigh*... Anyway, here.

A leave application?;......;Again? How many times does that make this month?

You can just deny it. Whatever.

But anyway, I have something else I want to ask you.

Uhh... Let's start with that one first.;What is it this time?

Do you... have some free time right now?