Wolf: Look at all these suckers! Time to make some money!
Some thug is rummaging through his stuff in an alley near the main street. He's got old ass veggies and stale fruit crammed in his bag.
Wolf: A little bit of cooking and bargain bin trash food can go for festival prices! Candy wrap these fruits, and no one will notice... Perfect! And now I got scrap soup and trash candied fruits! I think I'll set a combo for 1200 space coins! I only have to sell a few of those to break even. Bwahaha--oops, I gotta keep that customer service attitude. Then I can use this money and help Bro in the slammer and--
Fog wells up behind the wolf and starts filling the area.
Wolf: Wait what the hell is with the fog? I can't sell sh--
The fog starts approaching the wolf. Like it's alive! It's all very creepy and it feels like someone is in the haze.
Wolf: Was someone listening to me? Ugh, I gotta shut them up if ya know what I mean. (holds up vegetable knife)
The fog squirms. Someone the wolf recognizes is standing to their back to him.
Wolf: B-Bro!? But you're supposed to be in the slammer!
The wolf really wants to see him. The fog squirms some more like it's trying to swallow him up.
Wolf: Bro...w-wait, what!?
More shadows appear behind the wolf in the fog. Now there's his family who died from illness. His best friend he never saw again. That crush he never asked out.
Wolf: Impossible!
The fog changes color, and then...
Wolf: AAAAAHHH
Title card: Alert
The party is sharing festival food!
Sui: Wow, this edible flower gets sweeter every time I chew. These purple petals are kind of hot. Want to try some, MC?
MC: Sure, thanks. Try some of this one too.
Flamier: The storekeepers told me Wehrmalt's edible flower cuisine is both beautiful AND nutritious. They go great with meats and pasta. Gorou, would you like these snacks?
Gorou: Ooh, thanks! The seasonings are awesome! The fish and meat are great, and I can't stop drinking the booze.
Gentle sunlight shines on the dishes as the party talks over lunch.
Flamier: I've heard a lot of customs about the flower festival. Apparently it started by spreading flower petals to convey your thoughts and feelings.
Sui: Wow.
Flamier: Yes, the locals spread flowers to send all kinds of feelings, like love and friendship too. They associate sending flowers with feelings. Isn't that wonderful?
Sui: There's something similar on Earth, though I guess it being bigger here is because Wehrmalt having more flowers.
Gorou: Yeah! Like on Muirauqa, when you fish up a big whopper you send it to someone special! (drinks more booze)
Gorou: Whew! Having all this great food makes life awesome! I like this weird sauce I've never seen before.
Flamier: Wehrmalt seems to be a popular trading place with other planets, so that probably links to all the novel dishes. It's normally a quiet place, but the festival is important for business too.
Gorou: Oh, so they use their unique veggies and flowers for local specialties to export to other planets and get tourists. The festival's got some old customs that it can use to get other planets' interests.
Flamier: Yes. Lots of media outlets report on this festival actually.
MC: Oh my god, Gorou can have an intellectual conversation?
Gorou: Hell yeah I can! I read a lot and I like studying, you know? I can talk about even bigger brain topics! Hmm...I need more energy for that. Waiter! Bring me another barrel of booze!
Flamier: Tee hee, Gorou does better with some drinks in him.
Gorou: Good booze, good snacks, and good talks is the best thing ever! ...what were we talking about?
MC: Try not to drink too much, okay?
Sui: Oh yeah, I have heard a lot of news outlets talking about the flower festival. That must be why Crowne said it'd be a good chance to test out her research.
Flamier: Research? Crowne's a spaceship engineer, right?
Sui: Uh, for her day job yes. She's doing personal research with Hisaki and my master too.
Flamier: Oh my, she likes researching then? I love fireworks and aim to be the best I can be in teaching chemistry, so I know how it feels to do private research. What kind of research is it?
MC: Oh! Actually could you help us with it?
Flamier: ...hm? What's going on?
One explanation later.
Flamier: Oh of course! I'd be happy to help. I just have to wear that necklace for long enough?
MC: Yep. Thanks!
Gorou: Wow, that looks way prettier than I'd expect some trial product to be. First class design.
Sui: They did their best to make it. I wonder what Flamier's suit will look like? I'm interested as a fashion designer.
Flamier: How exciting! Let's go enjoy the festival in the meantime.
And so the party finished lunch and headed for the stall area.
Later
Gorou: Wow, I've never seen flower-made beer before.
Flamier: They also have herb and honey infused alcohol too.
Gorou: Ooh, lemme see... that looks good... and the bottle's cute too. Maybe it's too cool to send as a present for Isaribi...
Sui: It smells great though. Maybe I'll buy some for Master.
Flamier: They have non-alcoholic drinks too. Want to try some together?
Later again
Sui: ...this flower is beautiful. It'd look great with an all white dress.
Clerk: Yes, it's wonderful. This one only blooms high in the mountains. Oh, but the leaves are poisonous.
Sui: Wait, it's poisonous? I couldn't tell from its appearance...
Gorou: Every rose has its thorns as they say. When I was a greenhorn I got ripped off so bad...
Sui: ...what?
Flamier: Oh, this flower's an ingredient for headache medicine. This is my first time seeing it in person.
Gorou: Poison becoming medicine means it really is out of your league...
Sui: ...is he drunk?
Later
Gorou: Okay maybe I drank too much my head is starting to hurt...
MC: You okay? / Want a veggie smoothie?
---
(A) Gorou: Yeah, it's just been forever since I cut loose like this. I'll be fine after sitting down a bit.
(B) Gorou: Those veggie juice things? Thanks, but I'll stick with water...
---
The party sits down for a break.
Flamier: I'm a little tired from walking too. This place is so big I don't think I'll see it all in time.
Sui: They're apparently doing a circus and hero show by the stage too.
Flamier: I hear this year is a milestone year for Something, so it's bigger than usual.
Gorou: What's it a milestone for?
Flamier: I asked, but no one seems to remember...
MC: What? How?
Flamier: Well, I suppose it's less they don't remember and more they don't seem to care. Still seems strange though...oh?
The necklace is starting to glow blue!
MC: Oh! Maybe it's just about ready.
MC opens up their phone.
Phone: Compatible Path with reference point vision detected. Connect?
Sui: Looks like it's good. Flamier, are you okay to transform here?
Flamier: Yes, it's fine. Please do, MC.
MC: Right. Here we go! (click)
A blue light instead of the usual one wraps around Flamier. Once it goes away, Flamier is in a new outfit and Parallel Weapon.
Flamier: Oh my!
Sui: Wow, it looks like the tradition outfit that was on the ticket. It looks good on you.
Gorou: Wow, so that's what your research has turned up? You look like one of the locals now!
Flamier: Oh thank you! This research is fascinating! And this suit...hm? (stares at dress, then at the champagne gold shoes)
MC: ...Ms. Flamier? Is something wrong?
Flamier: Oh, no. I was thinking of how lovely it looks, but... the shoes seemed familiar. Don't worry about me.
Gorou: Well anyways, a tool to get new hero suits is an awesome invention. Can I look at that necklace?
Flamier: Would that be fine, MC?
MC: Sure. You interested, Gorou?
Gorou: Well I'm pretty good with my hands, so I was curious about how it was made. I'll borrow it for a bit. (accepts the necklace and looks at it in the light)
Flamier: So MC, what should I do n--
Fest Worker: Oh! Miss! The folk dance is starting soon!
Flamier: ...um, I...
The festival worker pulls Flamier towards the stage.
Fest Worker: Oh, excuse me I thought you were one of the dancers. Are you a tourist? The dance is open to everyone, so feel free to join in if you like. Your dress looks great! Come join us, the more the merrier!
Flamier: D-dance? ...okay. For one song then. MC, I'll be dancing for a moment. Please watch me.
Flamier and the worker leave.
Sui: Can Flamier dance...?
Gorou: W-wait, is this okay?
MC: If she's okay with it, then it's cool. Makes it easier to film too. How's the Views?
MC starts filming Flamier as she gets on stage. She is disoriented at first but soon tunes in with the music.
Flamier: Oh, how nostalgic. This reminds me of old times. It feels good to dance with nice music...Grandfather.
The dancers dance among the colorful petals. Flamier's new dress flutters in the wind as she joins in.
Gorou: Wow, her dance is amazing...
Sui: Yes, and she really seems to be enjoying it.
Flamier's dancing is attracting a lot of cheers. Once the music stops, Flamier curtseys and gets off the stage.
Flamier: That was fun! My apologies for leaving so suddenly.
Sui: You're great at dancing, Flamier.
Gorou: Yeah, did you hear the cheering? How was it, MC?
MC: Great! The View count data came out fine too.
MC checks the View count data on their phone and the records of the count change after Flamier got on stage.
MC: I THINK there was more than before. I dunno, Hisaki and Crowne can figure it out.
Flamier: I'm glad I could help. Thank you for the new suit. Would you mind cancelling the suit n--
???: WAAAAAHH
Sui: MC, something happened! Let's check it out, quick!
Gorou: There's an alley or something over there! Maybe it's a Monster! Transform us!
MC: R-right! Let's go guy!
Beep beep. Heroes transformed and ready to go!
Flamier: I'm going too. Let's hurry, MC!
The party goes over to find...
Wolf: AAHH! S-STAY BACK!
MC: Wait what
The transformed villain is flailing his weapon around wildly and breaking random stuff near him.
Gorou: Dammit, that's dangerous!
Sui: W-what's going on? Is he fighting with something?
Flamier: I understand your confusion, but we must make him settle down first before he causes any more damage.
Sui: R-right. MC, your orders!
MC: Here he comes! Ride on!
BATTLE START (more happens later)
Wolf: B-Bro! You can't be here! A ghost! AAAAHHH! (continues flailing weapon around)
Flamier: Is everyone alright? There's too many people and things around to use any big attacks...
Sui: I-I'm okay! (dodges) Whoa! Calm down you! ...it's no good, he's not listening!
Gorou: Dammit, I don't really like hitting non-Monsters, but... oh well. Sui! Can you use your string to stop his weapon arm for even a second!?
Sui: Okay, I'll try! It's hard to aim because he keeps moving, but... there!
Sui binds the wolf's arm in a flash.
Gorou: You're open! Go take a nap! (pistol whips the back of the wolf's head with the backside of his drill Parallel Weapon)
Wolf: Ack! (flop)
Sui: W-whoa, you hit him with the backside of your weapon Gorou?
Flamier: And so smoothly too.
Gorou: Hehe, it's because of your assist, Sui! Anyways, fight's over I guess.
The frothing at the mouth villain's suit cancels out.
Flamier: He seems too confused to converse but... I wonder what happened?
Gorou: We'd have to ask him... he doesn't seem like waking up anytime soon though.
Sui: And it'd be a problem if he flipped out again when he wakes up. What do we do?
MC: Let's take him to the medic tent / Hand him over to other heroes! / Call the police?
Lilac: Is everyone okay!? Is there a criminal!?
A bunch of festival staff run over. A tall man shouts in surprise upon seeing the party.
Lilac: Are you guys the one who...Gorou? Why are you here?
Gorou: Oh, Lilac! Good, that can make things quick!
MC: You know him? / Nice to meet you Lilac! / H-he's hot...
(C) Lilac: O-oh, thank you. I'm not used to being told that but... you smell nice. Oh, I don't mean that in a weird way!
Gorou: Haha! MC, is that what you're into?
Lilac: Please don't tease, Gorou. You're bothering them too.
Gorou: It's fine, or I wouldn't have said as much. Oh yeah, MC. If you transfer over to Laborer's Site, we got tons of buff guys around! Kidding!
Lilac: Would you get off that and introduce us for real...?
Lilac: Hello everyone. My name is Lilac. I'm a hero in Laborer's Site, just like Gorou. I'm normally a florist, so I usually look like this...but I'm pleased to meet you.
Flamier: Oh, you're a hero. I am Flamier.
Sui: I'm Sui. We're heroes too, and this is Operator MC.
MC: Hello!
Lilac: Hello. So what happened here...? (looks at wolf)
Gorou: Oh right, if there's other heroes with you this works out. Take him somewhere quiet. He might need to be restrained just in case he goes crazy.
Lilac: Very well. Can you also explain the situation to me?
The other staff members take the wolf to a medical facility. The party quits out of their hero suits and explain things to Lilac.
Flamier: That man looked like he was swinging his Parallel Weapon at something invisible.
Sui: Gorou stopped him from hitting anyone else nearby by hitting him with his drill's back.
Lilac: ...oh. I think I understand the gist of things. Thank you all. It's dangerous to swing a Parallel Weapon in town no matter what is happening. It's a good thing you responded so quickly and prevented much in the way of damage.
Lilac looks around. There's not much damage to things besides the wolf's own stall and things have been cleaned up.
Lilac: I smell danger...what was that scent earlier? Things are fine here, so I will return to headquarters. But... why would he be yelling about ghosts?
Gorou: Dunno, but it's kinda creepy.
The party looks further past where the wolf was freaking out. Nothing seems to be there.
Lilac: ...I hope I was just imagining things.
The party leaves, not noticing the wriggling further down the alley.
End of Episode
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