Monday, April 12, 2021

Live A Hero Chapter 3 Episode 2: My Mother the Moon

Twenty minutes after the phone call with Maculata, the front door rings at the office. Mokdai briefly panics as he says he'll come get the door, though he stops to ask you if his bedhead is fixed. You tell him it's probably okay, say he might be too worked up about this, or say you can't tell because he wraps his head up with a bandana. But in any case, Mokdai hurries to the door, returning with Maculata clacking her heels away behind him. She greets Huckle as Mr. Huckle, commenting that it's been a while since she saw him in person. Huckle greets her back as Miss Maculata and says she's as beautiful as ever. She laughs and says it's because her motto is to always be on the attack.
 
Crowne greets Maculata next, and when Maculata returns the greeting she comments on how unusual it is to see her there. But three seconds later, Maculata snaps and notices that Crowne is doing a terrible job trying to cover something up with makeup. Crowne tries to argue that it's not a big deal since she's hanging around with people who know who she is already, but Maculata insists that skin care is super important. She sighs that Crowne is still so young, but she's wasting her good looks like that.
 
You comment on Maculata going hardcore on her beauty check and say you understand the others' reactions now. Crowne attempts to change the subject by pointing you out to her and saying she ought to greet you. Maculata is curious when she sees you, asking if you're that new hire she's been hearing about. Huckle introduces you to her, noting that while Sui has met you already this would be her first meeting. Maculata introduces herself and says she's Sui's teacher, so you politely greet her or comment on how beautiful she is. C gets an extra line as Maculata is flattered and accepts your compliment, saying you have a way with words.
 
Anyways, Maculata looks you over and comments you're just as Sui said about you. She considers whether you'd fit a more cool look or a sweet one after a bit more work on your clothes and hair, but either way she feels you're a diamond in the rough. You could definitely look better, and Maculata thinks it'd be good to emphasize your body lines as she tells you to come to her studio sometime.
 
Crowne and the others sigh about the heat being off them, and Crowne apologizes for making you a decoy. Huckle tells Maculata there's also one other new hire of a hero, but he's on his day off. Over to the side, Ryekie whispers to Mokdai saying it seems like Maculata hasn't noticed them slacking off on their grooming, which Mokdai agrees with and thanks you. Maculate snaps and reveals that she can hear them and rounds on Mokdai first. She says that trying to wet down his bedhead is a middle school level trick and that he should git gud because he's damaging his hair or fur. Mokdai is shocked she noticed and says he understands. Maculata moves onto Ryekie and says that for all his hero work, he could stand to pay more attention to his appearance. She understands that static can make his fur stand on end, but it's unsightly when it affects his split ends too. Ryekie is also cowed by the lecture and says he'll do so.
 
You are taken aback at how thoroughly Maculata is doing her checks, comment that the guys couldn't get out of it, and/or agree that Maculata is strict about appearances. Crowne says she's always like this towards herself and to other people. Huckle steps in to change the subject and ask why she's come over since it probably wasn't to act as the fashion police. Maculata is mildly chastised at letting herself get distracted, so she says she came to talk business with you guys. To be specific, she wants to borrow a hero and an operator for two to three days. Ryekie is surprised and asks if she's hiring temp workers.
 
Some time later, Maculata sits down on the sofa in the reception area and takes the envelope out of her bag. She explains that the letter came in that morning, and Huckle comments on how old school it is to see a handwritten letter in this day and age. Maculata says that would be unusual on its own, but the real problem is what's inside it. Huckle pulls out the letter and unfolds it, and as you happen to be sitting next to him you read the letter with him. All the letter says is "Dear Sui, I'm waiting for you at the Hill of Memories. Shizuku"
 
You ask about the letter being addressed to Sui, wonder what the hill of memories thing is, and/or ask who Shizuku is. Crowne understands the problem now, but Huckle does not, although he admits it's weird. Maculata explains that the weird part is the sender's name and says that Shizuku is Sui's mother's name. She's her old friend, and it's because of that relationship that she took on Sui. Ryekie asks what's so strange about getting a letter from her, only to be shocked when Crowne informs him that Shizuku was eaten by Monsters a long time ago.
 
You also express shock at finding out that Sui's mom was eaten by Kaibutsu, and Maculata says it's been about four years now. Sui and Shizuku were living on Copernicus Colony on the moon, but then there was a monster attack. Multiple outbreaks were happening at the same time, so help from heroes was slow to arrive. Unfortunately, Sui's home happened to be near where one of the outbreak points was. Mokdai says Sui once told him about how she saw her mother was eaten in front of her, and the last thing she ever told her was to run away.
 
You either stay quiet or express concern for Sui, and Crowne picks up on the exposition by saying Sui was sent to live with her relatives because her father wasn't in the picture for some reason. They weren't very accepting people though, so Sui was isolated. That's why Maculata took her in. Maculata says all she could do was give Sui a room and work, but she stops talking about that point to emphasize that it should be impossible for a letter to have come from Shizuku. Ryekie says he understands now, but Mokdai asks who the letter came from in that case and wonders if it's some cruel trick by her relatives. Maculata denies the possibility since no one should remember who Shizuku is, and since Sui's relatives don't remember her they just cut off contact with Sui from their end.
 
You wonder aloud about who could have sent the letter then, so Huckle says the only people who can remember someone who was eaten by Kaibutsu are heroes, Observers, and villains. Anyone around would be suspicious, and Maculata says that's why she wanted to take some precautions. Anyone who would go through the trouble of sending that letter now is at best insensitive. Even if Maculata decides to leave Sui on Earth, they already know where her workplace is. It's not clear that they would only focus on herself, and with no idea how many people may be in on this, Maculata being the only hero present isn't a good idea.
 
Huckle asks Maculata about cancelling her business trip, but Maculata shoots down the idea because she'd have no way to explain it to her clients. She can't let unknown parties interfere with important work with her customers. Crowne comments on how stubborn Maculata is, though she also says that's so like her. Huckle decides to agree to Maculata's request, but he worries about this being a 2-3 day overnight trip that is also going to outer space. Ryekie notes that Akashi can't go in this case because he has a practice match two days from then. Huckle nods and says that Ryekie has to go to the hospital while he has a meeting at the bank. You realize this leaves you and Mokdai or be disappointed that Akashi can't come along. In the former, Huckle says that seems to be the case and is apologetic about the sudden business trip being put on you. In the latter, Mokdai is shocked that you're put out by that and asks if that means you don't have faith in him.
 
Anyways, Mokdai says he doesn't mind going, but he hopes that nothing will happen. He then asks if you'll be fine with taking a trip into outer space. You either answer that you'll be fine, say you're a little worried, or say you're more or less okay with this since you're used to being forced on sudden trips. B gets an extra line with Huckle says there are things to worry about with you and asks Mokdai to look after you. Mokdai gets nervous at being asked this and the pressure it brings. C gets a different extra line where Mokdai wonders if that's something you shouldn't be getting used to.
 
Crowne volunteers to come along if you have any worries about going into space. Since she's on her off season at work, things have been slow. She may not be a hero, but she can pilot a spaceship and work a camera at least. Maculata is thankful for the offer to drive but suggests she could do that herself, but Crowne says that going somewhere as close as the moon would still wear on her nerves. Since she has other work to do once they get there, Crowne offers to drive instead. Huckle notes it would be cheaper to use a private ship for a close range round trip than it would be to arrange a flight, so he agrees to Crowne's idea. Crowne says she'll drive the ship a hundred times more comfortably than Mokdai can. Mokdai is shocked at this dig, though he admits to not having any experience flying a space ship. You either are confused at the concept of someone being inexperienced with driving a spaceship or say Crowne's idea would be reassuring. Anyways, Huckle says he'll set up a spending account for the trip and asks you guys to get ready. Maculata thanks you guys for joining her the next few days.
 
Time passes to the point where Maculata gets back to her office where Sui greets her return. Maculata informs Sui about three people from Parallel Flight coming along for the business trip. And while they're on the subject, Maculata starts to say something about it when Sui says she's ready to go and asks about joining her. Maculata is surprised by Sui being more forceful than usual, then tries to ask Sui to stay behind this time.
 
Sui tries to ask why, so Maculata says there's a chance of danger popping up on the trip. Sui argues that Maculata already promised to bring her and that she was set to submit a fashion design of her own. Not only that, Sui is also supposed to be holding the presentation. She brings up that Maculata has told her that she ultimately is responsible for her work until the end and accuses Maculata of going back on that. Maculata attempts to deny it but doesn't have an argument. She's picked up on Sui being a lot more insistent today, along with Sui's undertone about holding it against her if she won't bring her with her on the trip.
 
Maculata caves to Sui's demand, saying she's glad Sui is so passionate about her work. However, Maculata does insist that Sui stay with her at all times once they get up to the moon. Sui thanks her and apologizes for raising her voice, then excuses herself to go shopping. After the door shuts behind her, Maculata sighs and reasons to herself that if the letter was targeting Sui, it's better to not leave her on her own. She does wonder what got into her all of a sudden and suspects she knows what's in the letter for a moment, but then she remembers she still has it. Maculata does hope things don't take a turn for the strange though.
 
Time passes to the next day and tunes in at the Orient City International Spaceport's private flights lobby. Huckle asks you all to be careful and to call him if anything comes up. Akashi is disappointed about missing out on a trip to the moon, so Ryekie laughs and reminds him that you guys are going there for work. Plus, they have their own work to do in protecting the peace of Orient City. Akashi says he knows, then asks Mokdai to get a Lunar specialty as a souvenir present, whatever tastes the best. Mokdai is happy as he says he'll take care of it. The checking in is done, and he asks Akashi to take care of stuff while you guys are away.
 
Akashi tells you and Sui to do your best, and he promises to win his practice match tomorrow. Sui is preoccupied, prompting Akashi to ask her what's wrong. She breaks out of her reverie and says that nothing is wrong, and Akashi accepts the answer for the time being, albeit weirded out. The PA system announces that flights (or is it seats?) A-201 to A-210 will be taking off in thirty minutes and asks that everyone be ready to go. Crowne says that's your cue, and Maculata directs you guys her way and tells Huckle she'll see him again when she gets back. Huckle says he'll be hoping for her success and wishes her luck. Ryekie tells you guys to be careful and says they'll handle things here.
 
As you head for the gate, Akashi stops you to talk for a second. You ask him what's up, so he asks you to keep an eye on Sui for as much as possible. He's getting the feeling she's up to something that isn't good, but he doesn't know what that is. You wonder what he means, but Akashi isn't sure either and says it could be his imagination. Before he can say anymore, Crowne calls to you to hurry it up, so he apologizes for holding you up and tells you to be careful as he runs off.
 
Time passes a bit as you board the spaceship, which is in an area that looks like an underground parking space. It's described as being like a large make of car with a thick build to it, and once you get in you strap in your seat belts. You observe out loud about this being a private ship or ask if it's okay for it to be like a car. The latter gets an extra line from Mokdai who is confused, telling you that all spaceships are like that and wondering what you were expecting.
 
Crowne tells you guys to make sure you're strapped in since it's pretty dangerous at takeoff. Maculata reprimands Mokdai and says she won't be going easy on him if he opens up some strong smelling snacks insider her spaceship, so he quickly apologizes and says he understands. Sui is staring off into space again, prompting Crowne to ask if she's listening and to ask her to buckle up. Sui apologizes, and Mokdai wonders if something is wrong with her. Maculata has also noticed Sui being out of it and figures something is wrong.
 
Once the underground area opens up, the ship is automatically moved outside until it stops before takeoff procedures. The traffic control tower links in to narrate the launch procedures, which include an orbital path safety check and a cooling of the linear catapult. Once cooling is complete the countdown is set to 15 seconds, and traffic control asks that everyone checks that they are buckled up and ready. Crowne radios in that prep is done and asks for the launch to proceed. Traffic control counts off the countdown, and once it hits zero the ship floats sodtly as it rockets out. As it shoots up into the sky, the view of Orient City quickly shrinks from sight. Crowne reads off that you guys have reached takeoff velocity and says she'll taking off the catapult. Traffic control confirms as such and wishes you all safe travels, and the ship flies out.
 
You notice that Sui is looking out of it as she stares out the window, with clouds shooting by as you guys breach the atmosphere. The game flashes back a few minutes ago to Akashi telling you to keep an eye on Sui, and you agree that she seems to be acting strangely. Sui talks to herself about needing to check for herself about the letter and the bookmark as she grips said bookmark in her pocket, and the episode ends.
 

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