Nodens starts narrating, and he talks about remembering that one day invaders from space came to invade and conquer the planet. It was the day he lost his throne as king of the planet, and he was driven to the abyss in the land of dreams where he spent his days having retired from the world. Even someone as wise as him had nothing better to do there beyond mulling over his old dreams, and this was by will of the creator who made everything in the world including him, Azathoth. Nodens did not have the power to oppose this state of being, and all he could do was accept it. But still, it's not like he was having a case of sour grapes over his new life. And it's not to say his life was empty now either.
Nodens' life having anything in it at all had to be because he wasn't alone in the Dream Land. His new dominion was also the home of the race known as the night gaunts. He was surprised and perplexed by them at first, what with how they lived by parasitizing dreamers. They were mischievous yet cowardly, wicked yet charming on some level. With no one else around to talk to after so many days, Nodens tried to make contact with them and approach them. It could just be mutual comfort, yet they needed each other to live. So Nodens lived his life with them over many years. His emotions engaged, and he embraced his friendship with them. Or perhaps he adored them. But because of those feelings, Nodens was unable to accept that the world of Old Ones had come to a dead end. He couldn't accept the cruel reality that he couldn't give the night gaunts who stayed with him in his final days a new dream. They were born to a world that has lost, and they were fated to be unable to take a step forward. So Nodens wished to show them the future, even if he had to discard his vaunted wisdom.
Over in the Tokyo Cathedral, Michael and Duo are talking to each other with Michael looking off into the distance. The conversation tunes in at the point where Duo finishes telling Michael about what happened in the Nightglows incident, and Duo adds that all the victims of the night gaunts are sleeping peacefully in the Agate Castle. He compares this to how participants who have lost at a battle royal are invited to watch the rest of the game in the stands. Everyone there seems to be seeing the same dream, a dream where the fate of humanity hangs in the balance of a space war. But that said, if they didn't wake up their dream would be no different from reality, and Duo asks Michael if he's satisfied with that explanation.
Michael is surprised at the idea of an invasion from space, especially by the fact that Old Ones of all worlds managed to do this. Something like that would send shockwaves among the 'players.' But now that the security hole they exploited to make this happen is closed, Michael asks why they did it now. Duo notes that day was the same day where unusual heavenly phenomenon happens once every so many decades, even in Tokyo. Duo suggests it could just be like that time the Resident at the Top of the Tower did something in the sky using media manipulation, but a lot of people looked up at the sky because of TV and internet news. Nodens then probably took that moment to show a memory of his past, a memory of an invasion of Earth from space.
Many people had seen that phantom spectacle of space invaders descending upon the planet. Then those many people had their thoughts frozen upon seeing all that, leading them to accept it as true. Duo talks about how things become real if enough people believe it, even if it were originally an illusion. This would include an overworld shift that involved outer space as well. When the shift was resolved, the events falling within its borders were reverted, but it was big enough that the reversal was on the level of a great reversal of time like the loops. It's big enough that you can hear waves, and it's also big enough that most people involved in it have lost their memories from it. Few can correctly perceive what had happened, such as Pillars like him. The experiment that spanned specific wards from the other day proved it, as the great reversion that happened there took people's memories as well.
Michael talks about how Utopia has cutting edge technology for System management and defense, and he asks if the help given for this incident came from their vigilance. Duo says the incident was something that happened beyond his own assumptions, and if he made one mistake he wouldn't have been able to resist either and the game would have been over. Duo admits he doesn't remember much about what happened in this incident either, but he remembers naturally being recognized as the last commander of humanity. He believes it's highly likely the Game Masters intervened by setting him up with the role of a space army to resist against the faith of a space invasion. From another perspective, that's all the threat the faith Nodens hacked into almost all of Tokyo amounted to.
Michael decides to ask just in case if Transients from Utopia can pull off the same trick Nodens did. Duo is quiet for a moment before he denies the possibility, at least if they're going with the same methods. Utopia and Old Ones have different views on What the Universe is Like. The latter says terror comes forth from the unknown, and the former says science uses the unknown as a starting premise instead. Michael decides to accept Duo's explanation, saying they probably won't need unknown madness to cause dependence. He smugly comments that Utopians (which he groups Duo with) say science is enough to function as their religion, though he thinks that in itself is mad in his view.
Michael becomes even more cautious against Utopia, and it's noted that he believes their science and logic surpasses self-indulgent insanity. Their two worlds may be opposites but they are aware of their differing ideologies. Michael comments that the Game Masters can take care of the security hole now that it's been exposed. Duo says he also certifies the plan to deal with it and that there's no problem with anything.
Michael changes the subject to ask where the trophy is and if this incident has influenced them in any way. Duo is slow to answer that nothing's changed with them and things are going 'just like always.' They're probably going back to their regular life of being helped and helping others. Michael scoffs at how kind they are, just like always. But anyways, while the records may be the same as usual, Michael asks if Duo can share his memories of this incident with him. He's understood what happened based off Duo's oral report, but he says he wants to experience the feelings that went with it too.
Duo comments that their cooperative relationship does have him sharing loop memories as part of the deal, but he points out that Michael can only ask him for his memories, not demand them from him. Michael argues that the incident should be shared with everyone, and he asks if Duo plans on keeping it all to himself. It's presented as a right and proper proposal of action, all in the interest of fairness. The result would be that they show the other parties their hands, but then they get to see theirs as well.
Duo is quiet for a moment before asking Michael if he's sure he wants these memories made public record for the main players. It includes how Michael died, yelling someone's name. Duo whispers those last words into Michael's ears, causing him to stagger in response. Michael then whispers back harshly, demanding to know if Duo actually saw that and if he showed that to his allies. A moment later, Michael takes a slow breath as he composes himself again, then thanks Duo as he says this meeting was very important. He admits that sharing memories through artifacts could turn out to be a one-sided disadvantage for the Utopia faction. He agrees to leave the incident report as just an oral report, and he says he'll use his authority to put a stopgap in their information. If anyone complains, Michael offers to talk to them about it instead. Duo thanks him, then promises he 'won't speak a word of it to anyone.' Michael leaves it at that and walks off. Duo watches him go before walking off elsewhere himself.
Duo goes to meet Bertro later, who comments on how humanistic and sweet smelling the flower of wiliness smells. He asks about Duo making an overbearing move and figuring Michael must have made a sharp expression. Duo comments that Bertro speaks like he saw it himself, but he confirms as much and says the clean up is done now. Bertro comments that it's sad whenever a festival ends and comments that the endless days are starting up. He called this incident insanity, and he says that's correct. But can Duo say right now that isn't the case, that they aren't insane right now? Maybe they were in their right minds in that one-time area.
Duo asks Vice Commander Bertro if he liked it. Bertro laughs in response and plays coy with his answer, but he admits that a small part of him feels like something is different. It might've been fine to stay that way, he says to Commander Duo. Bertro then walks off, and Duo watches him go. Once he's gone Duo shifts his gaze to the clear skies of Tokyo. No stars shine above up there, only down below within his chest.
The next day, things tune in over at Shinjuku Station where Jambavan is putting up fliers for Alice and asks how many he's put up already. Alice says that's his job as she asks if counting is supposed to be part of a researcher's duties. Jambavan answers that the medical research lab he goes in and out of isn't supposed to send him out to count out fliers and stick them up around town though. Even a generous guy like him would have to protest being called up by a little girl in the morning to carry a mountain of fliers to stick up everywhere.
Jambavan decides to ask just in case if Alice got permission to put up the fliers she's making him put up since he'd rather not have a police officer get on his case for it. Alice suggests it should be fine, and if anything the police should be thanking her for all this. Jambavan expresses his doubt for that, and it turns out the posters have a weird drawing of a star with a burning eye at the top. Jambavan comments that looking at it reminds him of bird repellent eyeball balloons that would get hung up in farm fields, then wonders if he spent a day putting them up in a pumpkin patch.
Alice concedes that the posters may be similar to those balloons, then asks Jambavan if he knows that the eye in the center used to be open. Jambavan asks if that means they used to be a normal eye, so Alice says it was a terrible eye that saw through everything. It was the eye of someone or something that could see past time and space, the transcendent one who viewed everything greedily. The eye was meant to stop the old ones, the ancients, and the abyssals. When man brought forth fire, that eye was burned. It burns even now in that drawing. Alice hopes that they never see that Certain Someone from Somewhere.
Jambavan looks back and forth between Alice giggling and the flier in his hand, then decides to pretend he hadn't heard anything and didn't ask about anything. He doesn't want to know what happens next or hear anything about it either. Alice approves as she calls Jambavan a good boy. Jambavan is unhappy about that as he's sure the flier can't be about anything good and asks as much to Alice. Alice denies it and tells him the thing it's for is already over. Jambavan is shocked by that and asks what the point was in putting them up. Alice says it's the key to a treasure chest, though the contents of said chest are already 'stolen.' Jambavan says he doesn't get why an empty box should be locked, and Alice agrees with the point.
Alice looks pleased, as though she's found some beautiful jewel in front of her. She tells Jambavan that he needs to keep going since he still has 710,042 fliers to put out. Jambavan protests it would take more than a day to put out that many, so Alice offers to let him go after he puts up just 42 more fliers. It's all pointless after all. Jambavan then points out that he could've just not done all of this to begin with, them pleads for Alice to not walk off on her own as he chases after her. The two then disappear into the crowds.
Scene shifts over to the Crafters' guildhouse where Oz has come to visit as usual, weaving through all the work going on to see Kurogane. Kurogane apologizes for keeping him waiting, saying his work took him a while. Oz says it's fine and says he should be the one apologizing, since he had to break a promise to deal with some sudden work from his student council. Kurogane brushes it off and asks what Oz wants to do that day. Oz shyly tells Kurogane he bought a new telescope, so he tries to invite Kurogane to stargaze with him that night.
Kurogane is happy for the invite, but he tells Oz he heard it was supposed to rain tonight to his shock. Kurogane puts his hand on the disappointed lion's shoulder, then suggests an alternative plan where they go to his room where Oz can show him his telescope there. They can talk about stuff besides the stars too. Oz trips over his words as he agrees, saying he wanted to talk to him about something as well.
Kurogane asks Oz if something happened, figuring he must have had something rough come up through his work as a student council member. Oz says it's not that and more about him having a nightmare recently. Something big and dark fell from the sky and swooped down at him, and he's been having trouble sleeping ever since. Kurogane sympathizes, then decides to invite Oz to stay over then. Oz is surprised at the offer but accepts. Kurogane quickly apologizes before saying he had a nice dream himself. Oz is interested as he asks if he was dreaming about a rocket, but Kurogane says he dreamed about a giant space cruiser. He doesn't actually remember anything else though, and he comments that it felt strangely real. Oz thinks it sounds fun and asks to hear more about it, so Kurogane agrees as he leads the way for Oz.
Over at Shinjuku Chuo Park you are helping Nomad put up a big fold-up tent, and he takes a big breath after getting it up. Nomad then asks you to bring him the gas stove, and you comply as you either say yes sir, comment that he's really getting into the food stall state or comment that he's pretty much stopped being a detective. Nomad starts venting to you and asks you what you think his first thought was when he woke up that morning. It was him needing to go to the supermarket to get stocked up for the stall. But it feels like everyone has the wrong idea about him. He is a detective goddammit, not a street vendor! Even the Kabukicho people have offered to set him up with a stall with more foot traffic if he goes over there! And then there's Andvari offering to write up a year's contract to work as a seller for him. Where are the damn detective jobs!? Looking for missing people, spying on suspected adulterers, even finding lost pets man. Can't anyone give him work that gets him money and information? He finally got himself a lead, but these cost of living expenses are killing him!
You either comment that Nomad is having an identity crisis (in English), say Nomad has started smelling like some nice sauce lately, or note that stand vendors get a surprising amount of information. In A, Nomad says you're reminding him of that one CEO. Ever since he started working in public spaces he's been getting a lot of compliments on his work. "You could make a blue ocean in that area if you did it," he said. Why the hell is he so good at this kinda business? Is that the star he was born under? In B, Nomad says he's been grilling yakisoba noodles every day so the smell of the sauce has been sticking to his fur. And goddammit that is so not in line with the hardboiled detective image! He showers every day and it still won't go away. It's some kind of joke, man. In C, Nomad says he thought the same thing when he first did this, and it surprised him how it went. But the customers kept coming so he never got a break. There wasn't even any time to be cool and get some negotiations going! All he could talk about was about his sales but not about what he was going after, and he can't even go elsewhere for that!
Anyways, as you and Nomad talk while doing his everyday(?) routine, a streak of light flies through the sky. Nomad notices and comments someone new must have come to Tokyo, so he sorta welcomes them to town. It's just a carefree sort of comment, but it's also only natural. So many different people are guided by the rainbow light of summoning from far away, and here it's just as meaningful as passing by each other. Nomad says it's about time to open shop for the day, then asks you to bring him the cooler box of ingredients. You either cheer about getting the first taste test, say you'll buy the first order of the day since it's almost lunchtime, or say it's time for an honest day's work. In A, Nomad tells you to stop that since this is both his breakfast and lunch. He'll still make you one, so he tells you to wait. In B, Nomad thanks you and says he likes generous customers. That said, you have been helping him so he'll treat you an order. In C, Nomad is depressed about how accustomed to this he is. But he has enough of the small talk for now and says he'll make an order for you as thanks for your assistance.
Nomad deftly cooks up some noodles and vegetables, and the smell of sauce starts wafting up. A voice comments on the nice smell and wanting their host to have some, and you turn to welcome them before trailing off in confusion. Nodens is there and laughs, asking if you live around here and telling you you shouldn't be staring at someone you've never met before. Nomad notices Nodens there and explains to him that the brat kid he's talking to is his assistant. If he could not intimidate you that'd be great thanks. Then he asks if he's there to obstruct business.
Nodens laughs and apologizes, saying their pride getting ticklish is their bad point. Nodens then asks about the tiny bit of food Nomad is making, and Nomad gets offended as he calls his yakisoba is one of Tokyo's best dishes. You think to yourself that Nomad is relatively proud of his noodles, think it is good but Tokyo's best would be pushing it, or just nod along. Nodens is amused and asks for an order, so Nomad obliges as he cooks another one up. Nodens looks fascinated as he watches, and you wonder if Nodens is the Transient who just got summoned to Tokyo.
Nodens takes notice of you again and asks to see your face. He laughs and tells you you don't need to be afraid, he was curious about you since he first saw you. He compares your eyes to the stars in how bright they are, glittering like they would in dreams and something he feels like taking with him when he sees them. Nomad repeats himself as he requests Nodens not cause a problem here, then gives him a rainbow tenkasu yakisoba he ordered. More customers start pouring in, so Nomad turns his attention to them. While he tries serving them one of the randos tries to walk off without paying, prompting Nomad to yell at them to stay and pay.
Nodens starts smiling at Nomad and offers to catch that walker if Nomad will let him off on paying for his order. Nomad is taken aback at the offer, and Nodens then summons some night gaunts and says it's time to be the talk of the town. The night gaunts appear from Nodens' shadow, and Nodens says he doesn't have any money since he just showed up himself before tearing off. Nomad is pissed as he addresses you, so you tell him you'll hold the stall and wish him luck.
Nomad complains about all the problems happening as he pulls out his bike to chase after them all, just another ordinary day in Tokyo. Nodens then teleports back to you after Nomad drives away, having forgotten one other thing. He talks like he was there the whole time, and he leans in closer to your face. You react by either slapping him as hard as you can, tell him stealing is a crime, or snatch his food away from him. In A, Nodens reacts in pain, but he's still amused and says you hit hard enough to wake people up and thought he'd be sent flying. In B, Nodens admits he thinks so too, but he has no patience so he won't bother holding himself back. In C, Nodens is shocked and calls you an even naughtier kid than himself.
Nomad notices Nodens and tells you from offscreen to catch him. Nodens takes note of Nomad calling your name, then says he'll see you later as he teleports away again. It's unclear whether this is just another meeting for you, or if you have just met someone special as this is a regular repeating thing for you. The episode half ends with the title card popping up, and this episode is titled It's Just Like the Stars.
No comments:
Post a Comment