Friday, August 5, 2022

Live A Hero Reminiscence of Ghostwoods Episode 1 (Abridged)

One day at Parallel Flight, MC is staring at their work computer.
MC: Uggggh...
Ryekie: We're back!
Huckle: ...MC, why are you making faces?
MC: Oh, Director! Ryekie! Welcome back! It's nothing. (closes computer)
Ryekie: What's wrong!? Are you having problems with work!? I can help you if you are!
Huckle: I can help you too if you need it. If it's really hard, that's what I'm here for.
MC: It's not like that!
Huckle: ...so what's wrong then?
Mokdai comes back with a tray of cups.

Mokdai: MC, you done yet? Oh hi guys, welcome back. Want tea?
Huckle: Oh, sure thank you. Any idea what's up with MC?
Mokdai: MC's making plans with their paid leave. 

Mokdai is making more tea.
Mokdai: MC hasn't used any of their paid leave since they got here, so they've been checking the schedule.
Huckle: Oh, okay. So why the big sigh then? Shouldn't making plans be fun?
MC: Making plans? Meh, effort. / Checking with other agencies is a pain / But I love my job!
Huckle: ...I see then. Well our job can be pretty demanding, which is all the more reason you should relax on your days off. We all know that.
Ryekie: Yeah, don't worry about us! How about you go put in your leave request and go on a trip!?
MC: Ooh, where should I go? / But there's nothing I really wanna do... / But I won't see anyone here...

Ding dong. Sui walks in.
Sui: Hi guys. Tea break? My master asked me to come over. Ryekie, your hero show suit repairs are done. Check it later to see if it's all good. I also have Akashi's...but he's not here today.
Mokdai: Hi Sui. Akashi said he has a big test coming up so he can't come in today.
Sui: Oh okay. Huh, that reminds me that Akashi really is a student.
Ryekie: He's doing his best in work and sports! I'm glad he's doing his best in school! Let's have a party when he's done!
Huckle: Oh right, I've seen him use those memorization apps lately in the office on his breaks.
MC: Maybe I should do something nice for him on my time off.
Sui: Oh, are you taking time off? Do you have any plans?
MC: Nope.

Sui: Oh, me too. That reminds me...
Sui pulls out her phone and shows a video of falling flowers and dancing people.

Ryekie: Whoa, it's an e-ticket!
Sui: Master gave it to me. Apparently some planet called Wehrmalt or something is having a big festival. It's a really famous flower festival. This ticket is for two, and you can use it if you want. (sends ticket to MC)
Huckle: That's a pretty peaceful place so it'd be perfect for relaxing.
Mokdai: Have you ever been there before, Director? It's pretty far away so I only ever heard about that planet.
Huckle: I was there for work once before I became an Observer. The festival was a lot smaller back then.
Sui: This year is a milestone anniversary festival, so Master said it's even bigger than usual. Apparently they're having a big fireworks show at the end. What do you think, MC? Since you're going on break, you could invite Akashi or Mokdai to go with you.

Mokdai hands tea to everyone.
Mokdai: Hmm. It sounds interesting, but I'm taking over MC's work while they're gone. And Akashi has his test to do and won't make it in time.
Huckle: ...hmm. Sui, you got that ticket from Maculata, right?
Sui: Yes, why?
Huckle: I was curious. Did she say anything when she gave it to you?
Sui: Uhh, she told me to take a real vacation...I don't have any plans though, and I don't have anyone to ask to go to another galaxy with me...
Ryekie: Haha! You two are so devoted to your work and that's nice, but great workers know when to take a rest! You two can grow in that regard! So, why don't you two go together then!?
Sui: Hmm...I've never been on a trip before, but if MC is going then I could go too. What do you think?
MC: It's cool. / Yay, trip! / What kinda souvenirs do you guys want?
---
(A) Sui: Okay, thank you. I didn't want to waste a present from my Master, and if I'm with you I don't need to get all worked up.
(B) Huckle: Make sure you're both ready so you won't have any trouble over there.
Ryekie: Haha, you sound like their parent! It should be fine, they got their heads on straight!
Huckle: I know, but I always worry about our employees.
(C) Mokdai: Ooh! Ooh! Their honey candy is famous!
Sui: Heh, you're always fast to check on that. I'll look for something good. I also want to get something for Akashi, Crowne, Exio, and everyone else.
---
And so Sui and MC started planning out their schedules.

Title card: A Brief Rest

It's the day of the trip! Wehrmalt or whatever is in the Sunflower Galaxy, and MC and Sui are taking a space taxi over. Shaft is the driver and he's getting things ready to go.
Sui: It feels kind of weird to take a vacation trip somewhere with you. Thanks for going with me. Thinking about how everyone else is working right now makes me restless.
MC: Yeah it's kinda awkward / You're a bit of a workaholic too
Shaft: Oh are you two taking time off?
Sui: Yes, we were told to use our vacation time. Not like we were forced to work though.
Shaft: I see. You guys usually call me for a business trip, so this feels new. And you're going to Wehrmalt? Sounds fun! (looks into the rearview monitor)
Shaft: I'm starting to have fun too! But I still have work of course...
MC: I'll buy you a present too / sorry about that

Shaft: N-no no, it's okay! I'd be happy to hear about how your trip went afterwards.
Sui: So you know about the flower festival over there?
Shaft: Yes. I've never attended, but I've taken other passengers to it. They told me about it. I've been there before, so I know how to get there! ...wait...I-I'm just rechecking just to make sure which path I'm supposed to take! Where do I turn...?
Sui: ...I'm worried now. Oh right, MC. Master gave me something, so I'll give it to you before I forget about it. Uhh...here it is.
Sui pulls out a ring-shaped pendant out of her bag. It's a silver ring with a faint blue light coming from it.
MC: Thanks Sui. Crowne told me about it.
Sui: I'm glad you understand. After I came to the agency to bring the suits, I told Master I'd be going to Wehrmart with you.

Flashback!
Maculata: Oh hey Sui, welcome back.
Sui: Hello, I'm back. I've delivered Ryekie and Akashi's suits.
Crowne: Hey Sui. There's something new about seeing you here.
Sui: Hello. So you've come here today, huh?
Crowne: Yeah, I got stuff to do with Hisaki and thought I'd swing by on the way to say hi.
Crowne is tossing teacakes into her mouth. Maculata disapproves.

Maculata: Crowne, we need to make a hero show suit for you too. Also stop wearing crinkly shirts all the time. You're a hero now, fix yourself up a bit in case you run into a fan.
Crowne: N-never mind me! Anyways Sui, I hear you're giong to Wehrmart? Maculata gave you a ticket, right?
Sui: Uh, y-yes...? I was thinking it over, but then MC...
Sui recaps what happened at Parallel Flight.

Crowne: Oh okay. If you're with MC you can transform if Monsters show up. Anyways, sounds like a good plan! Nice quiet place.
Maculata: Yes, if you have fun there then it was worth it giving you that ticket. Don't worry about us.
Sui: Thank you very much. I'll sort my work later so things will be fine while I'm out.
Maculata: Oh, well that would help... Crowne are you listening?
Crowne: Oh yeah. It's nice how dependable Sui's grown up to be.
Maculata: I mean yes, but stop trying to change the subject with jokes.
Crowne: Haha, I'll try. On another subject, got a minute Sui?

Crowne: If you're going to the flower festival, could you do me a favor? Hisaki and I are researching VP conversion efficiency.
Sui: And that means...?
Crowne: So you know how Observers can change one person's VP into energy right? But when events and stuff happen, the same amount of Observers can get even more VP. That means the VP conversion efficiency went up. If we can figure out how that works we can use it better in battle. Hisaki and I are looking into that, but we need more data. Would you mind getting some at the flower festival? We took that transformation context reference device we made before and modded it for this event. Try using it if you get a chance. (glances at Maculata)
Maculata: ...okay, I get it. You need new suit designs for the flower festival. But Sui and MC are going there for leisure, so no asking them to do work.
Sui: W-well if it's just a transformation it's not that big a deal...
Maculata: No Sui, you need to take a real vacation for once! So Crowne, go ask other heroes to help with your research.
Crowne: B-but it's just a transformation!
Maculata: Yes, and Sui works for me. She has a right to her time off and you can't barge in on that. Or you could go with them and I can bill your agency for the designs and the lost vacation time if you want.
Crowne: O-okay okay...I'll give you the device once it's done Maculata. Could you give it to Sui then? She can just give it to MC afterwards.

Present
Sui hands over the necklace and a note with it.

Crowne's Note: Hey, sorry to ask for your help while you're on vacation. If you can, try asking a hero to help you over there. If on the off chance you need to battle, it'll match things up. Have fun!
MC: Well Crowne seems busy. I wonder if we'll find anyone to help us?
Shaft: We're almost there guys! And I didn't get lost on the way!
MC: (Can't ask Shaft since he's in the middle of work)
Sui: Thank you. MC, we should get ready to go.
Shaft: Would you like to go to the festival directly? I can take your things to the hotel if you like.
Sui: Huh? Is that okay? Won't you have to drive more...?
Shaft: Of course! Parallel Flight has always done me favors! I know the way and you've also asked me for a return trip back, so I can throw this in for free.

Later
Shaft has dropped Sui and MC in front of the festival area. Lots of people are around.

Sui: Wow, it's beautiful. So this is Wehrmart. We're still at the entrance but I can smell the flowers from here. Look at that small purple one. What's it called?
MC: Look at all the flowers!
Sui: I like lots of kinds of flowers, so let's look around. What do you want to do first?
MC: I'm a little hungry / Let's check out the area by the stage
Sui and MC check their phones for the festival map data when someone from behind starts talking to them.
???: ...oh. Is that you, MC? Sui?
Flamier: Oh it is! Good day. It's been some time since we saw each other.
MC: Hi Flamier!

Sui: Hello Flamier. What a coincidence seeing you here. Are you on a trip?
Flamier: I'm volunteering for the festival, helping with the fireworks show on the last day. Most of the work is done, so I figured I may as well walk around the festival.
Sui: Oh right, you know a lot about fireworks.
Flamier: Yes, it's what I studied for. All that's left is to do smaller adjustments on the last day to account for the wind direction and humidity.
Flamier is getting turned on.

Flamier: Ooh, big bright flowers will bloom in the night sky soon...I can't wait! (stares into the distance)
Sui: U-UHH...?
MC: Oh right, she's just like that.

Flamier: Oops! Excuse me for getting carried away. Have you two had lunch yet? If you haven't, may I join you? I just got out of a meeting, so maybe going in a lab coat would be improper...
Sui: It's fine. We just got here, so we don't know what place is good. Do you  have any recommendations?
Flamier: Oh! I know a cafe with some nice salads and sandwiches. What do you think?
MC: Sounds great!
Flamier leads the way. The wind feels nice.

Flamier: This planet has many warm climates, so it's great for growing plants of all kinds. The cooking here uses a lot of locally grown specialty vegetables and flowers.
Sui: Edible flowers? I wonder what they're like? There's lots of shops here, so maybe we can look through them later.

MC hears somebody!
???: Look at all these local brews here at Space Oktoberfest! Festivals are great!
MC: Hey that voice!
The party looks over to the stalls where Gorou walks out from.

Flamier: Oh...I think I've seen him at a hero agency social party before.
Sui: That reminds me, I think I've seen him before at Laborer's Site's agency when I went there with Master.
MC: Gorou! Long time no see!
Gorou: Hmm? Oh, MC! I don't think I've seen you since that last Monster elimination job we ran into each other in.
MC: Yeah! / Not since helping at the Blue Sky classroom
(A) Gorou: Yeah, been a while. I'm glad you look fine! Hahaha!
(B) Gorou: Oh. Well you haven't changed much! Hahaha!

Gorou swills his booze.
Flamier: I am Flamier, from Heroic Educators. I'm a high school teacher by day, pleased to meet you.
Gorou: Oh, nice. I remember you two. Ms. Flamier and the tailor's...
Sui: This is my actual first time introducing myself to you. I'm Sui. I've come to your agency a few times about some suits.
Gorou: Sui, right. I'm Gorou, a carpenter. I'm not that good with formal intros, but ask MC about me. (winks)
MC: Are you on a trip? Beer tasting?
Gorou: Hey, did you forget what my job is? I mean yeah I love booze, but I'm a first rate carpenter you know! I'm here to built the special stage and tent!
Flamier: Ooh, that one?
Gorou: Yeah, ain't it cool? It came out great if I do say so myself. I gotta stay until the end of the event, so I'm taking it easy until then.
Gorou shows his bottle of booze and a plate of stall food. There's brightly colored veggies and meat and it smells great.

MC: W-whoa!

Sui: There's lots of good stuff down this street. I'm getting hungry.
Gorou: Wanna try a bite? It goes great with the booze!
Sui: Oh, is that okay? No thank you to the alcohol though. Space Japan law says I can't have any.
Flamier: How about we go pick out things we like and share them together then? I'll go buy some salad and sandwiches and we can meet at those benches later. (points at the dining area)
Sui: Sounds great! There's a lot of things I'm curious about but I can't eat that much.
Flamier: Hehe, it's something we can only do at these kinds of events. Please join us if you like, Gorou.
Gorou: You sure? Well having someone to talk with makes beer even better! MC, I just came from that grill place. I think they'll have things you'll like!
MC: Awesome! Maybe it's time to splurge.
And so the party starts enjoying themselves as they get into line. Oh no, some suspicious dude is looking at the party!
End of Episode

No comments:

Post a Comment