The Exception, The Guardian, and The Monster

Plat 

Two days pass since the battle at the compound. Sunlight streams in from the cracks of the curtains in Alise's bedroom. She herself is tucked snugly, her hands and feet having been fitted with her sleeping pair of metallic gear.

Momo 

Alise: >Slowly waking up to the light, the memories of her kidnap seem but a faint dream at first. They flood back into her though as a sharp twitch from her lower back giver her a painful reminder of the events. She sits up in her bed quickly, and regrets the decision in an instant as her body aches.< ugh... wh... >She seems surprised to find herself in her room.<

Plat 

The room would seem untouched, if not for the fact that it appears to have been tidied up a little. Nobody's in here but you.

Momo 

Alise: >She looks around a bit longer.< ... Levi? .... Esredes? Hello?

Plat 

No one replies. If you listen carefully, however, you might hear someone walking around downstairs.

Momo 

Alise: >She starts to grow on edge. Carefully, she climbs out of her bed and walks across the floor. Her whole body feels like it's on fire, but she pushes on regardless, trying to make her way downstairs.<

Plat 

As you make your way downstairs, you'll see someone appear in the hallway to investigate the noises on the stairs. From a distance, it doesn't appear to be either Esredes or Levi, but instead a woman with short blue hair. She's dressed in a relatively straightforward way that doesn't give any clear indication of who or what she might be, but she seems surprised upon spotting you.
Ceila: Oh...! Hello, you're finally awake!

Momo 

Alise: ... ... h...hello? Uhh... >She looks around a bit.< ... did.. you bring me here?

Plat 

Ceila: I did. You have an interesting place here, I didn't expect it to have a workshop. I tried to clean the place up a bit, I hope you don't mind.

Momo 

Alise: You... haven't seen a man around, have you? Goggles? Peg leg?

Plat 

Ceila: >She tilts her head slightly.< No, nobody's been in here but me. Is it your roommate you're expecting?

Momo 

Alise: Ah, yeah... He's away right now.... >She continues to climb down the stairs, gripping onto the railing to keep her balance.< Um... who.... are you? If you don't mind me asking. I appreciate the help.

Plat 

Ceila: Well, I guess you could call me your babysitter. >She smiles in a way that indicates she's just finding herself funny, though.< I'm a friend of Esredes. He couldn't take you home, so he asked me to do it. I was starting to worry you'd never wake up, too. It's been two days.

Momo 

Alise: >Her eyes widen.< T... Two days? Ugh... no wonder my stomach aches... I haven't eaten anything proper in... three? No, four days now.

Plat 

Ceila: >Her smile drops at that.< Oh dear. I can get you something. I tried leaving something for you the other night, but it... went spoiled.

Momo 

Alise: It's okay... I'll need to go out into town... get supplies.... I- >She looks down at her hands.< ... I... I- >She spins and looks over her shoulder.< I... don't have a tail...

Plat 

Ceila: Nope, you're back to being a regular human. According to him, your uncanny features disappeared soon after you passed out.

Momo 

Alise: >She starts to smile a bit as she looks her arms over.< ... Thank the gods... >She takes a large deep breath< ... Wait- what happened? >She looks to Ceila.< To Thiessen- are the other knochen okay? Did anyone die? Where's Jack?

Plat 

Ceila: Who's Jack? The only people dead are almost all of her army. She only escaped thanks to her gas.

Momo 

Alise: Jack is a.... he's a skinny kid. A skinny knochen that she manipulated. I knocked him out so he wouldn't get in the fight. He's the one who kidnapped me.

Plat 

Ceila: Oh, I didn't know that... Uh, skinny and kid sounds familiar. Pretty sure we took him prisoner for information. And to, you know... get him away from her.

Momo 

Alise: I see... And, uh... the... red guy- >She states awkwardly, unsure if Ceila knows if the two are already acquainted or not.< Es...redes? He told you to bring me here?

Plat 

Ceila: Aw, did you forget his name? >she says that in a teasing manner.< Yeah, he told me his little secret. He couldn't bring you here when he had the group we brought to attend to. >She walks closer to her now.< I was told to try and rescue you if he couldn't too, but it seems he found you first.

Momo 

Alise: >Her face flushes up a bit as she stares at the ground.< O-Oh... kay... Then... I want to apologize. I didn't want any of you to be placed in danger. It's really relieving to know that your group was alright.

Plat 

Ceila: Well, from what I heard, you took out a lot of hunters and uncanny yourself. I think we all owe it to you to some extent. Besides, that woman needs to be stopped. She's a danger to our entire faction.

Momo 

Alise: She's a monster to the whole damn world... >She shivers a bit.< Ugh... I know I need to eat but I'm worried I can't keep it down. >She starts to walk into the kitchen to get herself a glass of water.<

Plat 

Ceila: >She watches idly from her spot for a moment before following.< So how are you feeling now, then? Sore? Aching? Anything hurt?

Momo 

Alise: My entire body aches. >She starts pouring herself a glass of water.< My back mostly... My eyes hurt. It feels like it's too bright but I have been out for two days. >She starts drinking down the glass, rather quickly, without taking a break. Once she finishes the whole glass, she lets out a large sigh.< ... and mentally... I'm trying to keep it together.

Plat 

Ceila: You poor thing. Hopefully in another couple days the aches will start to go away. You're going to need to keep resting, that's for sure.

Momo 

Alise: ... >She pours herself another large drink of water and gulps it down before setting the glass down.< .... I need to think about something. Anything. Literally anything- talk to me- tell me something.

Plat 

Ceila: I'd be glad to. Well, for one thing, my name's Ceila. Unless you want my full name. Esredes always says it's weirder than his.

Momo 

Alise: Ceila... I like it. >She takes a deep breath and turns towards her.< What is... your favorite color, favorite food, and favorite flower?

Plat 

Ceila: Deep blue, deep blue like midnight. Though, you know what else is pretty? Ivory. It looks pretty on a lot of things, it's an underused color. I have a bit of a thing for fish, but also sorrel plants. I hear even humans like to put them on salads. As for flower, hm... >She pauses a moment to think.< Let's go with violets. They're such a pretty shade of purple.

Momo 

Alise: >She nods, trying to register the information.< ... Esrey's nice friend who likes the color deep blue and ivory and enjoys fish and plants and violets. It's nice to officially meet you. I'm Alise. I.. like the colors red and orange. I really like stew with beef and carrots... and my favorite flower is a day lily. >She replies as if she's trying to remember things in her life that make her happy.<

Plat 

Ceila: Day lilies are pretty too... good choice. Alise is also pretty. Simple, but effective. I like that name.

Momo 

Alise: Thanks... Levi gave it to me... my roommate. >She continues to take deep breaths, starting to truly relax.< ... I'm so embarrassed, I nearly freaked out there.

Plat 

Ceila: >Oh, so it's not your real name? I guess you have a reason not to reveal it.< Trust me, Esredes has done much more embarrassing things.

Momo 

Alise: ... you wouldn't happen to want to tell me, would you? I need to keep my mind occupied and this sounds interesting.

Plat 

Ceila: You're just as bad as I am. He'd get mad at me if I told you, he probably thinks I'm going to anyway. How much has he even told you about himself to begin with?

Momo 

Alise: I know his nickname is Esrey. I know he murders people. And I know he owes me some murder mystery stories. >She thinks for a moment.< ... He hasn't said these things, but I can tell he's a straightforward and driven person, who still cares about the comrades and people he works with. So, he's a bit of a softie when the moment is right.

Plat 

Ceila: Oh, cool, I don't have to use his full name every time. And you're right, that's about what he is. He tends to be a dork underneath his serious demeanor. I can't help but find it adorable.

Momo 

Alise: ... it is quite endearing. >She replies.< Do you think he'll be visiting? Not that I- not that I care- I just want to thank him.

Plat 

Ceila: He should be visiting sometime today. Probably in a couple hours. He's probably busy sorting things out after the battle, but he's coming here as soon as possible.

Momo 

Alise: I see... Then, I'm going to attempt to eat something... Uh... >She glances down.< Mind if I bother you.. to help me shop? Just to carry the basket, I won't be getting much.

Plat 

Ceila: Are you sure you want to make the trip yourself like this? I can buy it all for you if you tell me what to get.

Momo 

Alise: I don't want to cause you any more trouble. You've already brought me here, you helped clean my place, and you're been here for two days.

Plat 

Ceila: I've had to do a lot worse things than all this. It's been kind of like a mini vacation here, exploring this town while you've been asleep. Though this village really has some rude humans in it.

Momo 

Alise: Punch them in the throat and they will leave you alone. >She replies.< ... If you can head to the market and find an old woman named Mrs. Lafferty, just ask her for my usual order and she'll take care of everything. >She opens one of the drawers in the kitchen and pulls out a small coin satchel.< This should cover it. And if you could pick up meat... any sort of meat. I'm not picky at this point.

Plat 

Ceila: I remember seeing where they sold the meat yesterday. I can get all of that no problem. Be back as soon as I can. >After taking the satchel, she heads for the door.<

Momo 

Alise: Ceila! >She follows after her a bit.< ... thank you.

Plat 

Ceila: >She turns around a moment when you call her name, a bit surprised, but then smiles at her.< You're welcome, Alise.

Ceila: >Around twenty minutes later, she returns, carrying a couple bags.< She told me to tell you to stay in bed and rest and make tea. Looks like everyone who knows you is on the same page.

Momo 

Alise: >She is seen pacing in the hallway. When she spots Ceila, she walks over to help with the bags.< Ah, she would say that... she's far too kind.

Plat 

Ceila: She seems like a nice old lady. I like her too. Probably the nicest person I've talked to so far here. >She does hand off one bag to Alise, but keeps the heavier one.< I settled on ham and a couple sausages.

Momo 

Alise: Thank you. >She smiles a bit and brings the ingredients into the kitchen, quickly getting to work. Her method of cooking is a little more odd than how regular humans cook. In the beginning, everything seems relatively normal. She washes and cuts all the vegetables and seasons the meat. However, when all of that is done, she pulls off her metal gauntlets. The rest of her cooking is done with her hands, either holding the pan that's cooking the meat or holding the pot that's boiling the vegetables.<

Plat 

Ceila: >She idly observes you from the side, watching your cooking.< I'd offer to help with my own fire, but you seem to have it under control. Honestly, I'd probably burn it by accident.

Momo 

Alise: It's taken a lot of practice.... it's good to see that these haven't changed much. >She looks at her hands.< They're not hotter, nor colder than they were before... so that's a good thing.

Plat 

Ceila: I agree. Fire's much more than a force that burns things and keeps you warm. It's got its own beauty to it.

Momo 

Alise: It does. My roommate, Levi, strives to create all these inventions that can help with human progression without the use of magic. I've been helping him with these powers to accomplish most of his stuff.

Plat 

Ceila: Well, that sounds kind of ironic.

Momo 

Alise: It is a bit. He's been looking for ways to power his machines without me, but I'm able to help him test concepts and prototypes.

Plat 

Ceila: And from there he figures out how to do it without you...?

Momo 

Alise: He figures out things he can make for people, so that they can do it without us. He wants people to rely on their own strength. I admire that about him.

Plat 

Ceila: >She doesn't entirely get what she just said, but goes along with it.< It's a good thing for anyone to want others to do. Everyone has their own way of being strong.

Momo 

Alise: Yeah... >She seems to be wrapping up her meal and instinctively sets up two plates. Once she finishes, she turns towards Ceila.< ... ... oh. Ah- do you... want to eat? Esrey always refuses and I'm so used to preparing for two.

Plat 

Ceila: Sure, I'll take you up on that. I'll be able to say I tried something cooked by hand.

Momo 

Alise: Literally. >She smiles and hands Ceila a plate with a fork and knife. She guides them to the small dining table and sits down. At first, Alise takes a bite or two out of her meal. However, she quickly realizes how hungry she is and starts to devour her meal.<

Plat 

Ceila: >She disregards the silverware, eating it with her hands. She watches as Alise devours her meal.< You sure you made enough for yourself?

Momo 

Alise: If I- mm- eat too much... I'll throw it up less than an hour later. >She takes a large gulp of water and exhales.< I'll eat more when my body allows it tomorrow.

Plat 

Ceila: You're right, it's probably for the best. Does it make you feel better?

Momo 

Alise: Definitely... I'm a bit upset I never got to eat that stew I was making that day. I'll have to make another one. >She starts to finish up her meal.< ... Do you like it? The food I mean.

Plat 

Ceila: Yeah, it was nice. Thanks for making it too.

Momo  
Alise: Of course, it's the least I could do. >She smiles a bit.< I'm surprised to see Esredes, no, the nochmal group have someone as cheerful as you. Then again, I shouldn't be so shocked.
Plat  
Ceila: Well, I've always been this way. Him and the group need someone as optimistic as me to keep them going. I'm like a source of fuel.
Momo  
Alise: You and my roommate would get along. He also likes the color blue, enjoys fish, and he's about the most optimistic man I've ever met.
Plat  
Ceila: Oh, really? Does he keep you going too?
Momo  
Alise: Yeah... he made the gauntlets I wear, and got this place for us to live in. He keeps me busy with his experiments- >She freezes for a minute.< ... inventions. I meant inventions.
Plat  
Ceila: >She looks a bit concerned for a split second, then relaxes to her bright smile.< That sounds like fun.
Momo  
Alise: It is. It's annoying and loud sometimes, but in the end, it's always fun.
Plat  
Ceila: What kind of things does he invent?
Momo  
Alise: He makes mechanical arms and legs, works on steam powered vehicles. Those take a bit longer to work on. He likes to make tiny cherry bombs too, just for fun.
Plat  
Ceila: That's quite the range of inventions... At what parts do you get to test them out?
Momo  
Alise: Usually the steam powered ones. I help build up the steam in the big containers he makes and then he sees how long he can use the steam to power his machines. He's got this one small boat I can power all on my own.
Plat  
Ceila: >How does steam even power machines?< Does that make you a boat captain?
Momo  
Alise: I guess it does. >She smiles a bit.< We've crashed it once though, so I'm not excited to go down with that ship next time it fails.
Plat  
Ceila: Oh dear... I wouldn't be either. Those gauntlets look like they'd make swimming impossible.
Momo  
Alise: They certainly don't help. Neither do the weighted shoes.
Plat  
Ceila: You're just going to have to learn how to become a fish. >Her smile makes it clear she's joking with that statement.<
Momo  
Alise: Pff- >She chuckles a bit.< The water doesn't agree with me.
Plat  
Ceila: All right, then you'll learn how to repel water itself. Nothing will stand in your way.
Momo  
Alise: You're really optimistic... I'm glad Esredes has someone like you around. >She starts to yawn a bit.< Mmm... I shouldn't let myself fall asleep.
Plat  
Ceila: He's glad he does too. >She pauses as Alise yawns.< Do you need to make yourself tea?
Momo  
Alise: Mmm... that's right... >She stands up and heads into the kitchen again to get her kettle of water filled. She sets her hand on the kettle and sighs.< I wonder what kind of tea I should make... Ceila, do you want to try any?
Plat  
Ceila: Do you have any of the herbal kinds? I am curious as to what those taste like.
Momo  
Alise: I do. I should probably make those anyway to help with my recovery... >She waits for the water to boil and pulls out two cups and a tea strainer. Once she prepares everything, she brings the two cups of tea into the dining room.< Esredes always refuses the tea.... It's weird that I get you to drink a cup first before him.
Plat  
Ceila: He tends to be more afraid of human things than I am. I can't even get him to appreciate his human form.
Momo  
Alise: I can tell... he always seems a bit uncomfortable in his skin when he visits. Or, rather, he seems eager to show off his knochen form whenever he gets the chance to show mere glimpses of it.
Plat  
Ceila: That sounds about right. He's never liked the form, even after he spent months trying to develop it. I never fully understood it. It's not like he's really becoming a human by using it. It's just an elaborate disguise.
Momo  
Alise: ... i mean... after partially transforming the other day, I can begin to understand him. I didn't feel like I was me, even though every part that grew was a part of me. He just prefers to be in one state than the other.
Plat  
Ceila: That's because you've never done it before, and you're not supposed to be able to. That'd feel unnatural to anyone.
Momo  
Alise: That's true... although I grew attached to the tail. That thing was fun to whack people with. Really convenient.
Plat  
Ceila: >She chuckles a bit at that.< I can imagine it was. That's one of the best features of a tail.
Momo  
Alise: >She takes a sip of her tea.< And the scales, they helped a lot too... As much as I want to forget that night... there's a lot that I'm glad I remembered.
Plat  
Ceila: See? It's all working out in the end. You're back home safe and you got to make your fury known.
Momo  
Alise: Yeah... home safe.... >She takes another sip, looking around in a moment of paranoia.<
Plat  
Ceila: .... >She quietly takes her own sip.< On top of that, you'll get to see him again soon. I'm sure that makes you feel better, right?
Momo  
Alise: It does... This is just going to take some getting used to again... but I've done it before.
Plat  
Ceila: And you can do it again. You seem like a strong person.
Momo  
Alise: ... thank you. I don't really feel like one right now.
Plat  
Ceila: Esrey wouldn't become friends with someone weak. He doesn't like those kinds of people. You just need to relax and recover.
Momo  
Alise: >She nods and sips her tea again.< I'll do my best then. With someone as kind as you, I can already feel my recovery speed doubling..
Plat  
Ceila: That's how my power works. Like I said, it's how I keep everyone going.
==The two of them spend the next couple hours chatting, and generally keeping Alise's mind off of things. Finally, the door to the house opens, altering the two to someone's presence.==
Ceila: Oh! Looks like he's here. >She stands up, and walks to the entrance room.<
Momo  
Alise: >Her eyes widen a bit as she carefully stands up.< Wait- are you sure it's him-?
Plat  
Ceila: What, are you expecting anybody else to walk in?
Momo  
Alise: ... you never know. >She mumbles, following Ceila.<
Plat  
>As the two head into the entrance, they'll see Esredes having just closed the door. His expression lights up in relief as he sees both of them come into view.<
Esredes: Ceila, Alise... >he's quiet a moment, as if he doesn't even know what to start with.< ...How have things been holding up here?
Momo  
Alise: >She seems a bit frozen, as if everything with Ceila had just been a dream, and now with Esredes here, it seems more of a reality.< ... I... w... we.... I don't have a tail.
Plat  
Ceila: >She sighs, but more in an amused manner than a frustrated one, putting her hands on her hips as she looks at Esredes< She only woke up a couple hours ago. She's sore, but give her a few days and she'll probably be feeling much better.
Esredes: I see... Thank you so much for being willing to look after her. I know I sprung this entire thing on you, but there's no one else I'd trust with this.
Momo  
Alise: >She attempts to say something else, but she's worried to blurt out something again.< >Finally, she manages to say something.< Thank you... Esrey.
Plat  
Esredes: ...You're welcome, Alise. I'm glad you're okay.
Ceila: And you're welcome too. I can sense that you two need a moment to catch up. Take your time. >She goes to exit the room.<
Esredes: >....He feels bad letting her cast herself aside like Levi always ends up doing, but he doesn't say anything. She's right, they do need a moment. He moves his gaze back to Alise.<
Momo  
Alise: >She shifts her gaze up at him. Her eyes water a bit but she does her best to hold them back.< ... I'm glad you.. didn't get hurt. I know you're strong, but you can't blame me for being worried.
Plat  
Esredes: No, I can't. >He moves closer to her, so that he's right in front of her.< I was worried about you too. Very worried. I wasn't sure if you'd survive another procedure by her…

Momo 

Alise: Yeah... I wasn't sure either but... I wasn't ready to go while she had a plan to take you guys down next. >She wipes her eyes and looks up at him again.< ... I can see why you kept gloating about your knochen form. It was pretty cool.

Plat 

Esredes: >He smiles genuinely at that.< Thanks. I wasn't expecting to show it off under those circumstances... but I'm glad you finally got to see it. And to think you've even been carried in it now. You've had the full experience.

Momo 

Alise: My memory is a little fuzzy after that. >She chuckles.< You'll have to show off again to jog my memory.

Plat 

Esredes: Fair enough, best of both worlds. But seriously... so you're holding up all right?

Momo 

Alise: >she glances down, as if checking to see if she is doing alright. After a moment, she slightly nods her head, but her face starts to tear up again.<

Plat 

Esredes: >His expression drops to concern as she tears up.< Hey... come here. >He motions for a hug.<

Momo 

Alise: >She's quick to receive the hug, wrapping her arms around him tightly and hiding her face against his shoulder.<

Plat 

Esredes: >He holds her tightly on his end as well. He's going to let this go on for as long as it needs to, silently embracing her, trying to make it apparent that it's going to be all right.<

Momo 

Alise: >Her arms are slightly shaking and her cries can partially be heard, but after a while, she starts to relax in his arms.< .... Sorry... >She mumbles.< Ceila's nice but... I wasn't really comfortable completely opening up to her...

Plat 

Esredes: I know, it takes you a while to open up to people. I was the same way. I assure you she can be trusted, but I'm sure she understands, too. Even though she just found about all this.

Momo 

Alise: >She nods.< I know... She's very optimistic and cheerful... Reminds me a lot of Levi, except not as much energy. >She chuckles a bit, wiping her eyes a bit and taking a step back from the hug.< .. thanks for the hug.

Plat 

Esredes: I could tell you needed it. And trust me, you haven't seen her at her full potential. She manages to do what he does without being overbearing.

Momo 

Alise: Heheh... I can see why you left her with me then... I appreciate it. I have a lot of questions though, about what happened. If you don't mind catching me up on things.

Plat 

Esredes: Of course. A lot of things sure did happen... Why don't I start from the top.

Momo 

Alise: >She nods.< Ah, we can talk in the dining room... We don't have to keep standing in the hall.

Plat 

Esredes: Would you prefer she continued leaving us to it, or could she join us?

Momo 

Alise: It's your call, I'm fine either way. I'd feel bad if she was left behind though...

Plat 

Esredes: Me too. I think she'd want to know some of the details as well.

In the dining room, Ceila is standing around, and looks towards them as they enter.
Ceila: Are we both feeling a bit better now?

Momo 

Alise: Yeah... A lot better, actually.

Plat 

Ceila: >Her smile flares up.< Great.
Esredes: We've had our moment, so you're more than free to join us now. I have a lot to explain to both you and Alise.

Momo 

Alise: Go ahead... I'm all ears.

Plat 

Ceila: I think I'm going to find this interesting too. >She sits at the table, as the other two join her.<
Esredes: Well... this all began when I showed up here a couple of days after Levi left, having spent the time trying to figure out how to tell my murder mystery stories, and there were a few people gathered outside your house.

Momo 

Alise: We still need that murder mystery story session- but continue.

Plat 

Esredes: Yes, I'll make it up to you. There was a little boy in particular who said he heard screaming, and wondered if the "gauntlet lady" had gone missing. He just stood out there while I panicked and investigated the entire house, saw the pot you left on the stove and the workshop door being off its hinges, and he was still there even after I found that... circle of scorch marks you left with your shoes and came back with them.

Momo 

Alise: .... yeah... yeah, that was Jack. He, uh... >She seems to try and keep herself calm as she goes through the description.< He can mimic voices and he mimicked Levi's... and Thiessen's... and I tried to run.

Plat 

Esredes: Wait... you mean the one that's a kid?

Momo 

Alise: Yeah. His name is Jack. I got to talk with him for a bit while he was guarding me... He's very honest, and curious about people. Ceila said you guys found him, is that right?

Plat 

Esredes: Yes, knocked out where you left him. I didn't realize he was the one who kidnapped you...

Momo 

Alise: He's strong... and he's a smart kid. He knew how to toy with me- as embarrassed as I am to say it.

Plat 

Ceila: >She seems a bit surprised by this too.< But I thought you said he helped you escape?

Momo 

Alise: He did, in a way. While he was guarding me, we spoke... I think he started to feel sympathetic towards me. I took advantage of that and knocked him out, but I kept him underground to avoid the fight. I think he's a good kid following the wrong person.

Plat 

Esredes: Well, that's different than actually helping you escape. I don't doubt he's not aware of what his actions are doing. A kid like that is so easily taken advantage of at that age... but to make them understand that is difficult.

Momo 

Alise: ... I think there's hope for him. >She looks up at Esredes with a fierce determination in her eyes.< I truly do... If you can make it happen, I'd like the chance to speak to him again.

Plat 

Esredes: He's being watched over back at our base. That'd be a bit difficult to make happen.

Momo 

Alise: Then take me to the base.

Plat 

Esredes: Take a human back to the base? Unless I could figure out how to make nobody see you, that'd be extremely dangerous. Not to mention that I don't want anyone recognizing the uncanny girl who turned back to a human. I barely kept our cover on this.

Momo 

Alise: You could use it to your advantage and say you're also investigating me. I mean, technically you are. Unless you guys will kill me right after you investigate me there.

Plat 

Esredes: Well, that happens sometimes, but I would hope not with you if it's made known how much you helped in the fight. You're much more valuable to us alive than you are dead. You're our biggest source of information on Thiessen. You seem to understand how she thinks.

Momo 

Alise: Now you're just making me blush. >She jokes.< It's kinda easy to read Thiessen when she tells you everything she's thinking. Like how she's gonna take apart your friends and use them as add ons in her next experiment on you.

Plat 

Esredes: Did she... did she really say that? Like when you were with her a few days ago?
Ceila: Oh my god. That lady is terrible.

Momo 

Alise: >She nods.< ... she told me about when you first encountered the place. I was unconscious in the basement but she woke up to gloat and... said a lot of things like that. >She shivers a bit.< It gave me enough motivation though to let loose and break out.

Plat 

Esredes: She can imagine she'll take us all down in her twisted dreams. Multiple human villages have fallen to us. Her and her army of freaks of nature can't stop us.

Momo 

Alise: She doesn't have to use them. She often analyzes her enemy and uses their weaknesses against them. She's quick at reading someone too...

Plat 

Esredes: Such a crafty one she tries to be. That can only get you so far when faced with the strength of numbers.

Momo 

Alise: ... just make sure to be careful, and never to go after her alone. >She looks up at Esredes.< If you had shown up looking for me and she was expecting you, I don't... I don't even want to think about it.

Plat 

Esredes: I think I've learned that lesson well after what happened. She has a lot more people helping her than I expected.
Ceila: I was surprised, too. Even though her forces were almost entirely human... how could so many people want to help her?

Momo 

Alise: ... power. >She replies.< Thiessen is trying to offer a solution to an ongoing problem. Leveling the playing field between knochen and humans, by giving humans magic without the uncanny effects. It's why she always considered me a success. Imagine if mages didn't need to make more potions to use their powers, or have to worry about uncanny effects. The same with hunters... As for the uncanny, most of them are either dumb enough to follow blindly, or too intimidated to fight back.

Plat 

Esredes: She's like everything wrong with your species given its own body and sent from the core of the earth to try and destroy this world faster than it's already being destroyed. Even the potion maker I talked to was horrified by her and thought she went too far... that one was probably an exception. >It makes me more relieved I didn't let her tell her friends.<

Momo 

Alise: A potion maker with a sane head... But yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if Thiessen had more friends than we realized. For now, it's going to be hard to track her. She's probably going to stay low for a little while.

Plat 

Ceila: But we have a lot of people to interrogate about where she's going. We know what direction she went in.
Esredes: That, and I found another map in the building.

Momo 

Alise: Another map? >Her eyes widen.< What was it? What was on it?

Plat 

Esredes: If she follows through with it, her next target is Lebensdauer. She wants to recover an escaped experiment there.
Ceila: Really? That big place? That sounds pretty difficult...

Momo 

Alise: Lebensdauer.... ... which experiment is she looking for?

Plat 

Esredes: Her notes refer to them as 305. No trace of a real name.

Momo 

Alise: So he's still alive! >She smiles a bit.< That's a relief...

Plat 

Esredes: ....You know that one?

Momo 

Alise: >She nods.< ...  He's the reason I escaped the first time. He and a few other subjects started a riot and released a bunch of us. He's actually a knochen, but Thiessen got her hands on him and modified him to be her personal body guard.

Plat 

Esredes: So he turned loyalties, too. So much for being a body guard.

Momo 

Alise: ... what she did to him was fucked up. There were a lot of rumors. One was that she wiped his memory. Another is that she trained him to command her with the sound of a whistle... And the last is that no one has ever seen him fully transform back into a knochen.

Plat 

Esredes: All of those sounds horrible. Especially the memory wipe and affecting his transformation... that would be an absolutely horrible fate to be stuck in human form.
Ceila: Just like the one she put into a human body. It's almost the same thing.

Momo 

Alise: She'll definitely be after him.... He was strong. The strongest one she's had. We have to find him before she does.

Plat 

Esredes: I thought about figuring out a way to warn the city when I first saw the map. I'm sure you still don't want to go back there yourself.

Momo 

Alise: No... I want to go back. >She looks up at Esredes.< After everything that happened... I'm tired of waiting for me to be ready to go back.

Plat 

Esredes: Wait... really?

Momo 

Alise: Yeah... To tell you the truth... laying on that table and thinking about never seeing my family, my friends, you and levi, ever again... It messes you up.

Plat 

Esredes: ...You were already messed up before that. What's changed in you now?

Momo 

Alise: ... before, I was never really worried that she was going to hurt anyone I knew... I thought after I escaped that if I stayed away, they'd be fine. But she threatened to go after you and Levi next... I couldn't handle that.

Plat 

Esredes: ...So you want to save another friend. Very well. Then you would be the perfect person to warn them.

Momo 

Alise: I'll need to make plans as soon as I'm done recovering.

Plat 

Esredes: Wonderful. >He smiles at this.< ....You're almost like an honorary nochmal member now. Our first and only human member. Isn't that something?
Ceila: It explains why you befriended her, that's for sure.
Esredes: Even if it's only to stop Thiessen, it's funny to think about.

Momo 

Alise: Heheh... do I get like a cool jacket or something for joining? >She smiles back.< First human uniform.

Plat 

Esredes: Maybe you’ll have to adapt a military uniform like I did. Do something that makes you look intimidating and cool.

Momo 

Alise: I'll have to do some looking around. Where did you get your uniform?

Plat 

Esredes: I asked someone in the faction who likes making clothes and armor for our human forms. I got the idea when I killed someone with a similar garment in a battle.

Momo 

Alise: Hm, that's certainly an idea. I could try and find someone to mimic my old uniform then.

Plat 

Esredes: I’d be curious to see what that looked like.

Momo 

Alise: It's usually a tan uniform, but I'm thinking of switching up the colors. I'm seeing a pattern with the color white appearing more recently in my life.

Plat 

Ceila: Maybe white and red? I feel like that’d suit you.

Momo 

Alise: I do like red... I'll find a tailor and ask for their opinion. I'm hardly the one to design any outfit.

Plat 

Esredes: If you actually go through with this idea, I will be excited to see it. I definitely want to see what you’d look like in a military uniform.

Momo 

Alise: I'd appreciate to see what you think. >She smiles a bit.<

Plat 

Esredes: >He smiles too.< I suppose I still need to finish explaining everything, too...

Momo 

Alise: Of course... please continue.

Plat 

Esredes: I ended up telling the little boy to tell everyone you were missing and went to help myself. Then I came back and... wait, Ceila, is that note I left to Levi still here?
Ceila: I wrote that she’s been found underneath, but I wasn’t sure if I should’ve gotten rid of it.
Esredes: I’ll get rid of it later. Anyhow, I wrote him a note and then I followed your scent trail all the way to her secret little base.

Momo 

Alise: He should be back any day now, we'll have to explain what happened to him.

Plat 

Esredes: We should probably cut out the entire part of the nochmal showing up and both of us carrying you around. You can just say we came to rescue you, you broke out, we all fought her experiments and escaped.

Momo 

Alise: Definitely... But I do need to tell him about the uncanny part of me.

Plat 

Esredes: Of course. You were uncanny during that fight.

Momo 

Alise: That and... It's a lot worse now. You know how I would get overwhelmed and I'd just get flecks of scales here and there... But I have a tail now!!

Plat 

Esredes: Do you really think it’s going to happen like that again?

Momo 

Alise: ..... >She closes her eyes a bit.< .... mmm... >Her face is starting to scale up bit by bit. Whatever she must be thinking about, it's overwhelming her.<

Plat 

>Both of them look kind of scared at this.<
Esredes: Okay, okay, don’t try to test it now.

Momo 

Alise: >She takes a deep breath and the scales start to fade.< Sorry... I can just... feel it. Building up inside over time. It's not going away.

Plat 

Esredes: Worse case scenario, if it does, we at least know you’ll revert.

Momo 

Alise: ... will I? >She looks up to Esredes< Can you say that with a hundred percent certainty?

Plat 

Esredes: ...No, but you looked very uncanny the other night, something even the healer thought was far gone from human, and you reverted within fifteen minutes.

Momo 

Alise: ... I'll still keep an eye on it. I don't know... how to possibly describe something like this. But I just feel like I could be pushed further...

Plat 

Esredes: Then you have to spend some time letting yourself recover emotionally from this. Having Levi back will help a lot.

Momo 

Alise: ... Levi... >She nods and sighs< He's going to blame himself for this... and he probably won't leave my side.

Plat 

Esredes: He shouldn’t leave your side. You need him right now.

Momo 

Alise: ... I do. >She sighs.< ... I'm glad you two are here in place of that for now. I feel silly having baby sitters.

Plat 

Esredes: Right... but we won’t be able to stay longer than a few more hours is the thing.

Momo 

Alise: I understand. I'll be f... >She's about to say she'll be fine by herself, but the thought of that seems to agitate her.< ... I'll just fall asleep before you leave.

Plat 

Esredes: When is Levi due to return?

Momo 

Alise: Sometime tomorrow I think... or late tonight... If memory serves me well. I'm still confused at how many days I've been gone.

Plat 

Esredes: You were taken when, a day after he left?

Momo 

Alise: Yes... Then I was there for another day... out for two days.... He might be coming back tonight.

Plat 

Esredes: Oh, that’d be perfect. All right, so either way you won’t be left alone long. That’s a relief on us.

Momo 

Alise: Yeah.. just make sure I'm asleep before you leave, okay?

Plat 

Esredes: Sure thing.
Ceila: Should we sing you a lullaby? Or tell you murder mystery bedtime stories?

Momo 

Alise: Murder mystery bedtime stories.

Plat 

Esredes: Ceila, you’ll have to join us on this. I told her I’d tell her stories of the time we’ve spent murdering humans, but in the form of a mystery so she has to piece the story together herself.
Ceila: Ooh, that sounds like fun. I can probably come up with a way to tell the most interesting ones I have.

Momo 

Alise: >She smiles.< This is going to be fun.

Plat 

>Both of them are smiling back.<
Esredes: Well... to finish our current story, I ran into this Jack on my way over to the building and knocked him unconscious, but not before he knocked out my hearing for an hour. Then I sent some trees down on the building and almost sent one down on Thiessen when she came out to wave at me.

Momo 

Alise: Of course she would do that.

Plat 

Esredes: Let me ask this, that wasn’t really you she dragged out of the building with a bag on their head, was it?

Momo 

Alise: She... She what? >She shakes her head.< I was knocked out most of the time, but I don't think I was ever moved out of the room.

Plat 

Esredes: I had a feeling. She put your gauntlet on someone and pointed a gun to their head to get me to leave. I had a feeling it was a bluff, but I wasn’t going to risk it.

Momo 

Alise: I'm glad you didn't. It probably would have been a trap.

Plat 

Esredes: Maybe... I came back with a large group of nochmal to take her out and rescue you and the rest is as you’ve seen.

Momo 

Alise: Yeah. I had broken out and the first person I ran into was the shadow guy.

Plat 

Esredes: Shadow guy? Oh, you must’ve met Cypress, then. They were scouting out the place so we could attack.

Momo 

Alise: I ran into them first... they're pretty chill.

Plat 

Esredes: They’re a very dedicated and promising member. I’m expecting them to continue to do great things in the future.
Ceila: They almost got her this time, too. They’re going far in the faction.

Momo 

Alise: I can tell. I remember seeing them going right for Thiessen. Do you know if they're alright?

Plat 

Ceila: I found them face down in a bunch of mud paralyzed, but they stood up a minute later. They’re fine now.

Momo 

Alise: Good... I'm glad. I'm slowly going to meet the whole faction at this rate.

Plat 

Esredes: You’re lucky I avoided having to take you to the leader. That would scare anyone senseless.

Momo 

Alise: I dunno, I seem to have a good running streak of making friends.

Plat 

Esredes: Trust me, you would not make friends with them.

Momo 

Alise: ... Are they that scary?

Plat 

Esredes: Yes.

Momo 

Alise: ... I'll take your word for it.

Plat 

Esredes: It’s just better they don’t know about you. But anyhow, that should hopefully be the only time you interact with us directly. We’ll keep your involvement more behind the scenes.
Ceila: >She holds her palm out, and moves it in a straight line while whispering dramatically,< Little did they all know, hiding in the shadows, there was a secret agent...

Momo 

Alise: I'm used to that by now.

Plat 

Esredes: I figure... You’re still helping a lot though, make no mistake.

Momo 

Alise: Right... I'm a lot more involved now than I intended.

Plat 

Esredes: I don’t think I expected this much either. But Thiessen’s become our problem too.

Momo 

Alise: Yeah... >She shivers a bit.< Ghh...

Plat 

Ceila: Are you okay?

Momo 

Alise: I'm fine... I'm fine.

Plat 

Esredes: Perhaps it’s time we moved on to something else. Is it too early for mysteries?

Momo 

Alise: It is never too early for mysteries.

Plat 

Esredes: >He smiles again.< You’re so eager.

Momo 

Alise: It'll help keep my mind off things.

Plat 

Esredes: All right then. Do you want to start down here or in your bedroom?

Momo 

Alise: If I'm going to be falling asleep, probably my bedroom.

Plat 

Esredes: Let’s move up there, then.

Momo 

Alise: >She nods and leads the way. Upstairs, she finds a comfortable spot in her bed to sit and prepares herself. She smiles a bit, excited to get her mind off things.<

Plat 

>The two nochmals sit on either side of the bed, Esrey taking the side closer to her.<
Ceila: You’re much more prepared for this than I am, so please go first. I’ll adapt based off yours.
Esredes: Very well. I thought over the best presentation for a while... and decided I’ll describe it to you in the form of a crime scene.

Momo 

Alise: >She smiles, more brightly than usual.< Start when you're ready!

Plat 

Esredes: The victim is a wealthy human who lives in a large house, the largest one in the village. Last night, he was murdered in his home. His body was found in the bathroom, bleeding out into the bathtub. Three rooms in the house seem to have been affected. The bedroom has a window smashed open, a rock lying on the floor. The bed sheets are cast off. The door to the hallway is thrown open, and there are several bloodstains on the carpet. Finally, the bathroom looks undisturbed except for the open door and body. As for the body itself... there’s a couple slash marks across the back, followed by a stab wound in its center.

Momo 

Alise: Hmmm... Perhaps the man was killed, or at least assaulted, in a different room and then placed into the bathroom.... The rock in the bedroom window could have been used not to harm the man, but distract him so his murderer could catch him offguard.

Plat 

Esredes: You’re right about not being killed in the bathroom. Consider this also. What would the motive be?

Momo 

Alise: Well, he's the richest guy in town. There are plenty of motives for that. People got jealous, or maybe he owed money and wasn't paying up.

Plat 

Esredes: That's true... All right, how about this. The man's occupation was being the head doctor of the village... but from observing the contents of his house, you can tell his salary doesn't pay for everything that he owns.

Momo 

Alise: Hmm... so he had a side job. Is that side job something knochen related? Potion maker?

Plat 

Esredes: You're getting close...

Momo 

Alise: Hmm... ah, he was a doctor. Maybe he helped take apart hunted down knochen for their bones?

Plat 

Esredes: There you go, you nailed it on the head. He took them apart and got his share of the black market money.

Momo 

Alise: I see... so you decided to break into his house and stop him. I wanna guess that the stab through the chest was with your sword. His slash wounds could have been your sword as well, tormenting him over time, or one slash of your big claws.

Plat 

Esredes: In this instance, it was all with the sword. I threw a rock into his window to get in, and as he got out of bed I assaulted him with the sword. He ran out into the hall as I fired a disorient, so I pinned him down and stabbed him. I decided it'd be better to leave him in the bathtub before I left.

Momo 

Alise: The floors were less bloody because of that, and I didn't take into account your... disorient? You used that in the fight too. Magic makes things a little more complicated.

Plat 

Esredes: You're right. It's hard to incorporate that when there's no physical evidence of it.

Momo 

Alise: I was pretty close. Guess I'm a little rusty.

Plat 

Esredes: You were close enough. You had the idea close enough to where you'd be able to arrest me if there was any indication of my existence to be found. They probably arrested someone on the black market for it instead, who knows, who cares.

Momo 

Alise: Better another criminal instead of an innocent person.

Plat 

Esredes: Maybe if it at least prevented them from a hurting a knochen. All right, well, Ceila, do you want a turn?
Ceila: I think I've got the idea of how this works now. Hopefully mine won't be too easy for you...

Momo 

Alise: Go right ahead!

Plat 

Ceila: All right! >she seems excited now, clasping her hands together.< So, crime scene, let's see.. Well, this involves a clearing out in the woods, pretty far from any civilization. There's about... four victims involved. They're all lying somewhat close to one another, and three of them have burn marks around their chests, as well as a hole in them. The fourth one only appears to have a gunshot wound to the head. The ground around where the bodies are lying is burned in some spots, and all of the humans had a gun on them. From a couple bullet holes in a nearby tree, you can tell some shots were fired.

Momo 

Alise: I see... so there are four humans in the woods... and do the burn victims also have a gun shot wound? You said hole but is it the same?

Plat 

Ceila: Oh, the three with burned chests don't have gunshot wounds. They're too small to be from a bullet. They must've been shot by a different kind of projectile.

Momo 

Alise: Hmm... what's smaller than a bullet? .... it's not necessarily smaller but... an arrow?

Plat 

Ceila: Yup! But not just any kind of arrow...

Momo 

Alise: Arrows on fire?

Plat 

Ceila: Basically, yes. So what about the one who didn't get an arrow...?

Momo 

Alise: .... did he shoot himself?

Plat 

Ceila: Nope...

Momo 

Alise: I kinda doubt you shot him.

Plat 

Ceila: Aw, really? Because that’s exactly what I did.

Momo 

Alise: Really? I'm surprised. How come?

Plat 

Ceila: One of them knocked my crossbow away, and the gun of one of the dead ones was lying nearby. I had to think fast.
Esredes: Wow, really? >he laughs a bit at that.< That’s incredible. Shot with their own weapon.

Momo 

Alise: Yeah, I didn't see that coming. You guys seem so anti human that I'd never dream you'd shoot him.

Plat 

Ceila: Well it’s not like I didn’t destroy the guns afterwards, but it was satisfying to turn one on a human.

Momo 

Alise: ... you're a lot more brutal than I expected.

Plat 

Ceila: After seeing knochen shot by humans, could you blame me for wanting to do it back to them?

Momo 

Alise: That's fair, still, I'm a bit surprised.

Plat 

Ceila: What were you expecting instead?

Momo 

Alise: Using your cool fire powers. Or whacking with your tail, that's really useful.

Plat 

Ceila: Well I technically was using my fire powers. I enchant my bolts with its magic so they set something on fire upon impact.

Momo 

Alise: That's pretty neat. You would think Esredes would be the fire knochen though since he's all red.

Plat 

Ceila: And I’m blue and I don’t use water.
Esredes: You’re not the first person to say that. The orange eyes don’t help. Fire and me wouldn’t be a good match. I wouldn’t be able to control it. It’d get out of hand quickly and start a forest fire.

Momo 

Alise: Trust me, I understand. >She replies, holding up her gloved hands.<

Plat 

Esredes: Of course you do. Though in my case it wouldn’t be quite as literal...

Momo 

Alise: Still, once something catches on fire, it's difficult to put out. Ah, I think I'm awake enough for one more story.

Plat 

Esredes: All right, well, I’ll go ahead and tell you the best one I thought of. I hope you’re prepared for this.

Momo 

Alise: >She nods, tucking herself into bed with an excited look in her eyes.< Ready!

Plat 

Esredes: >He gets this arrogant smile as he begins to tell this one.< Your setting is a house in another village. In it lives a husband and a wife. The wife was found in the morning sprawled out on her bedroom floor, her face purple, yet there’s no visible marks on her neck. When questioned about who could have done it, the husband says someone had visited the household earlier that day, but left before their evening meal.

Momo 

Alise: Wh.... >She sits up and starts to think.< .... the woman died from lack of oxygen but she wasn't choked?

Plat 

Esredes: No, she was not. The damage was internal.

Momo 

Alise: Internal... you closed her airways with magic? I could see you using your mind powers to make her think she couldn't breathe.

Plat 

Esredes: That would be cool if I could do that, but I can’t. I’ll give you a hint. No magic on this one.

Momo 

Alise: ... Was she just choking on her food? No, it was before the evening meal. Someone came and visited, then they left... was she poisoned?

Plat 

Esredes: There you go. It clogged her airway and lungs. What else can you figure out?

Momo 

Alise: Any other marks on the woman? Otherwise, she was probably poisoned in her sleep and woke up unable to breathe.

Plat 

Esredes: No other marks. But... what do you mean poisoned in her sleep?

Momo 

Alise: It's the only reason I can think that she'd be in her bedroom during the day. That or... she was cheating on her husband and whoever she cheated with poisoned her.

Plat 

Esredes: She was found in the morning. It doesn’t mean she died in the morning.

Momo 

Alise: ... oooh! Hmm... then is it as simple as someone poisoned the food?

Plat 

Esredes: Perhaps, but... who poisoned it?

Momo 

Alise: ... you? That's not really your style though...

Plat 

Esredes: But the other person left before the meal.

Momo 

Alise: .... Hmmmmm.... >She seems stumped on this one.<

Plat 

Esredes: Anything?

Momo 

Alise: I'm stumped. I know the person visiting the house poisoned the woman at some point, and they left before the meal began...

Plat 

Esredes: You’re definitely looking at it wrong.

Momo 

Alise: You're gonna have to tell me then. Unless the third mysterious person doesn't even matter and the husband did it.

Plat 

Esredes: Correct, sort of. I only gave him the poison. >His grin widens.<

Momo 

Alise: >Her eyes go wide< No way! Wh- what did you tell him it was?

Plat 

Esredes: Oh, I told him what it was. He knew exactly what he was doing.

Momo 

Alise: THAT'S MESSED UP!! >She starts laughing, probably the most he's seen her laugh since they met.<

Plat 

>He laughs too, and Ceila joins in a bit as well, mostly for her reaction.<
Ceila: That one is pretty morbid... why’d he want to kill his wife?
Esredes: Bad marriage. The man was actually a knochen who regretted his decision to pretend to be a human. I convinced him to abandon that life and join us. Took more than a few visits to the place, but I could sense his dissatisfaction and I wanted to help him get out.

Momo 

Alise: That is so messed up, but also incredible. >She giggles a bit more, settling herself down.< Man, that's a good story.

Plat 

Esredes: I’m proud of that one. It was one of the first to come to mind, so I had to save it for last. Oh yeah, and it was her drink, not her food.

Momo 

Alise:  What I wouldn't give to work a crime scene like that.

Plat 

Esredes: Too much for you, or do you mean you’d love to have?

Momo 

Alise: I'd love to have it. >She replies.< It's always fun when the stories get interesting.

Plat 

Esredes: I wonder if you would have caught either of us.

Momo 

Alise: Maybe the man, but probably not you.

Plat 

Esredes: I’m too sneaky this time. >He continues grinning.<

Momo 

Alise: Your murder stories will help me think more about how sneaky someone can get.

Plat 

Esredes: Well, that’ll be helpful for us all.

Momo 

Alise: I'd ask for more stories, but you probably have to leave soon, right?

Plat 

Esredes: You said you were too tired for another one.

Momo 

Alise: That was before I heard the last one. >She chuckles a bit.< But I should try and sleep...

Plat 

Esredes: How about this, I still owe you more next time.

Momo 

Alise: Sure! Whenever you get the chance to visit again. I know you're going to be busy though with tracking down Thiessen. Oh, Ceila- >She turns towards her and nods a bit< You're welcome to come over any time as well. I really appreciated everything you did for me.

Plat 

Ceila: I’ll have to see if I get invited back.
Esredes: Oh please, you’re invited back if you want to. Just, you know, we’d have to coordinate that. You’d definitely like Levi.
Ceila: So I’ve been told... It wouldn’t be too far off from what I usually do in my off time to visit. I can sense you two have fun here.

Momo 

Alise: It's usually either plotting or goofing off. Or both.

Plat 

Ceila: Plotting? What do you mean by that?

Momo 

Alise: It's the word I'd use for whenever we talk about Thiessen or my list of hunters I make for him.

Plat 

Ceila: Oh, I see. Well, I’ll have to come back sometime. It’s like a little plotting party you have going on here.

Momo 

Alise: You're always welcome to join the plotting party. >She yawns a bit.< I should try to sleep now...

Plat 

Esredes: You look like you need it. We’ll be here until you do. Feel free to keep talking or go quiet.

Momo 

Alise: I'll go quiet. You two can keep talking if you'd like... >She hides herself under the bed sheets with only the top of her head sticking out.<

Plat 

Ceila: Aww... There she goes under her sea of blankets.
Esredes: I’ll have to tell you what she did the one time I tried to wake her up. >He’s quiet for a moment, staring at Alise.<
Ceila: Does knowing she’s all right make you feel better?
Esredes: Yes... much better. We still have a lot of cleanup to deal with, but having this secure is a big relief.
Ceila: You’re both dealing with a lot. You deserve to feel relieved.
Esredes: True.... >He continues staring at her, looking as if he’s getting lost in thought.<

Momo 

Alise: >She listens to the two talk until she eventually starts to drift off to sleep.<

Plat 

Ceila: I think she’s fallen asleep now. Is she asleep?
Esredes: >He leans a bit closer to her to listen for her breathing.< I think she’s drifted off. >He smiles, and leans a bit closer, whispering< Sleep well, Alise...

Esredes: >He then leans back to an upright position.< We can leave now. >Take care, Alise. I’ll definitely see you soon.<

>The two of them quietly exit the house after that. While it may be back to work for now, the feeling created by the light wind that blows as they leave suggests it won’t be in the same way.<

-END OF ARC 1-