Sub Story Dialogue | |
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Short Story | Circe • Sekhmet • JangHwa • Kunoichi Kaen • Invincible Dragon |
Miss Orca 2021 | Hirume • Night Angel • May |
Translated by Khosen
- Memory and Redemption
Part 1. A Witch's Memory 1.
- Circe:
- Welcome to the Themepark, where your dreams come true~
- Girl:
- Whoa, she's so pretty!
- Hello there~!
- Circe:
- *Chuckles,* What a lovely Human here. Are you here alone?
- Girl:
- Nope, I'm with my dad.
- I heard there are a bunch of fun rides here!
- Circe:
- Oh, is that so? I see you've come to check around area A.
- Before I begin the guide...here, have a churro.
- Girl:
- Ehehe, thanks!
- Hey, so uhh. What's in area A?
- Circe:
- *Chuckles,* Everything you've dreamed of.
- Carousel, Haunted House, a house full of sweets and candies, Ferris wheel, Roller coast...ah, maybe not the Roller coaster.
- We also have a Fortuneteller's house. I'll read and tell you your fortunes if you find me later.
- Girl:
- If I find you? What's your name?
- Circe:
- Circe #8.
- Girl:
- Okay, got it. Thanks!
- Oh, daddy!
- Man 1:
- Sweetheart. What did I tell you about treating bioroids?
- Girl:
- ...Uhm.
- Man 1:
- I taught you we don't say hi, or thank them, remember?
- Girl:
- But...this pretty one here gave me a churro...
- Man 1:
- Bioroids are not humans. We are not the same.
- Girl:
- I know you'll achieve great things one day. And you must remember that.
- Girl:
- ...Okay.
- Circe:
- ...
- Man 1:
- Oh, there he is.
- Princess, can you wait over there and eat your churro? I have to speak to my friend for a second.
- Girl:
- Okay.
- Ah, right. Area A? We'll go there and play later, right?
- Man 1:
- Of course. Once I'm done talking with my friend, I'll bring you there.
- Some of your friends will be there too, so you can play with them while daddy and daddy's friend take care of some business, Sweetheart.
- Girl:
- Yay!
- Goodbye, Circe #...ah...
- ...
- Man 1:
- What took you so long.
- Man 2:
- I couldn't find parking.
- And hey, did you hear that we're getting something in Area C today?
- What's the fuss about? Did they finally get Labiata?
- Man 1:
- Please, that thing's way too expensive.
- Even if she gets sent to a place like this, she'd be sent off to where more powerful men are, not at a theme park like this.
- Man 2:
- Then?
- Man 1:
- Don't ask me, dude.
- The manufacturer who always gave us a heads up decided to keep quiet today. So that tells us it is something big, I suppose.
- Man 2:
- Hmm...
- Man 1:
- God, look at you, all excited.
- Go get yourself a seat for us two. I'll be right behind you after sending my princess to area A...
- Man 2:
- And take a detour to area B?
- Didn't you get one before? I guess you're not satisfied with it?
- Man 1:
- F***king hell...don't even get me started. They got me a defective one.
- It only lasted a week.
- Man 2:
- Well, that's what you get for not treating your product properly. Knowing your taste, I'm surprised it lasted a week.
- Man 1:
- Whatever, I want to get some action before joining you. Make sure we get a nice seat, okay?
- Princess~! Let's go now.
- Girl:
- Yay!
- Man 2:
- It's so weird seeing you have a soft spot for your daughter.
- Man 1:
- Well, if you become a dad and see a beautiful daughter like that, you will.
- Oi, you. Do you see this pass we have? Go grab some popcorn for my daughter.
- Circe:
- Yes, Sir.
Part 2. A Witch's Memory 2.
- Girl:
- Bye, daddy~ have fun!
- Man 1:
- Yes. I will. And you have fun too, princess. Call me when something comes up.
- Girl:
- I will!
- Ah, uhh...
- Circe:
- ...
- Girl:
- ...
- Hi? Are you here with your dad too?
- Man 1:
- You.
- Circe:
- Yes, Sir~ How may I help you?
- Man 1:
- You're not bad. Follow me to area B.
- Circe:
- Ahaha...Sir, I'm in charge of guiding and Fortunetelling attraction in Area A...
- Man 1:
- Shut up!
- Circe:
- Urgh...
- Manager:
- Sir, how may I help you?
- Man 1:
- You are...
- Manager:
- Just a manager, Sir.
- Did our bioroid here cause you any trouble?
- Just a manager, Sir.
- Man 1:
- She did. How dare she resist me? A human?
- Like a gentleman, I even told her to follow me to area B.
- Circe:
- M, Manager...
- Manager:
- I see...I'm terribly sorry to inform you, Sir, but this Circe model is in charge of area A...
- Man 1:
- I heard the same excuse from that thing earlier.
- Manager:
- Please, allow me to finish my sentence.
- Our bioroids are not programmed to go beyond their designated area of service.
- Usually.
- Circe:
- ...
- Man 1:
- Hmm...go on.
- Manager:
- If...you are willing to pay a little extra for the service you require, I'm more than willing to help you out.
A few moments later
- Man 1:
- My my, I am honoured to be personally introduced to this Themepark by you, the manager.
- Manager:
- Not at all. Please, accept my apology for not recognizing you earlier.
- But, knowing how frequently you visit us, I'm sure you would have seen and read our rules...
- Man 1:
- Haha, I'm not the type to read instructions...
- But from now on, I will. And now I see how there's more entertainment outside area B as well?
- Manager:
- Our Themepark tries to deliver what our customers ask us.
- Please, do enjoy your stay and revisit us soon.
- Man 1:
- Haha, of course.
- Manager:
- Ah, and as a token of goodwill, we've prepared something extra for you. Please drop by the small room over there.
- Man 1:
- Oh, this is...I probably won't have to check out area C after all...
- You, sit over there.
- Circe:
- ...Yes.
- Manager:
- Well, have a great evening.
*BAAANG!*
- Man 1:
- W, what was that? An explosion?
- Manager:
- Hmm. Allow me to check. Please, don't mind it and...
- Man 1:
- M, My daughter is in area A! If something happens to her...!
- Manager:
- ...Why don't you come with me then.
- Number 8. Guard the area.
- ...Why don't you come with me then.
- Circe:
- ...
- *Chuckles...* Right. I guess I was unbelievably lucky for all those years. Today...
- ...
*BAAANG!*
*BAAANG!*
A few hours later
- Circe:
- Urgh...*cough.*
- *Cough,* it hurts...
- Urgh...my arms and legs...are all there for now...
- Hello~ Is anyone there~?
- What happened...oh?
- Blood...?
- M, Manager! Wake up!
- Mana...ah...
- Manager, your leg...
- Haha, hahaha...how...
Part 3. A Witch's Memory 3.
- Circe:
- No, way...everything...
- The entire park...is like I'm in area C...
- I, I should escape first. I need to find an exit...
- Ah...
- Manager:
- Number 8.
- Guard the area.
- Circe:
- Manager's final order...
- Ahaha...what should I do from now on...
- ...
- ...I should bury the humans first.
- I should grab what I need from my shop.
- ...And she's...
- Little Miss...
- I'm...sorry for not keeping...my promise...you've come looking for me...
- ...I see how he tried to protect his daughter with his dying breath.
- ...Only if you could have shown a tiny part of such love towards us...!
- ...
- *Chuckles* Clearly, I was struck in the head pretty hard.
- ...Little Miss, I know it's uncomfortable here. Let me find you a better place to rest.
- ...I hope there's nothing but happiness where you are right now.
- A, and done! I did it!
- I wanted it to be a bat shape..., but this is the best I can do for now.
- I can check what's happening outside...oh?
*BAAANG!*
- Circe:
- Kya?!
- *Cough, cough...* Ah...my familiar MK I...
- Is nothing but a speck of dust...I tried so hard making it...!
- *Sigh...* Whatever, I can create a new one. Someone from the outside could reach out too.
- Hmm, I like this. I will do whatever it takes to fix it.
- Should I rename it too? Since I'm the manager now, I guess I can call it whatever, right?
- Hmm, yes, I'll call it 'Delux Witch Illusion!'
- *Chuckles,* Great. I see no sign of anyone calling from the outside world, and I have all the time in the world, so I should at least try to fix area A.
- I'd wish to fix the telecommunication lines, but that's out of my reach...
- *Pant,* *pant...*
*BAAANG!*
*BAAANG!*
- Circe:
- N, no. Not area A...
- I should move. I don't think it's actively searching for me. I can use my familiar to lure it...
- To area C...it's the only option.
- *Chuckles...* I tried so hard not to think about it...
A few moments later, in a tunnel that leads to area C
- Circe:
- Urgh, ah...
- Ahaha...how am I still alive...
- But if I seal this area...it should be safe.
- ...
- I'm sorry for doing this and asking all of you to do one last thing.
- If I had died...I'd hoped that would be my moment of penance, but here I am, all alive alone.
- I know...I don't have the right to...
- Urgh...ah...*sniff...*
~Circe's inner thoughts~
- Circe:
- I opened my eyes out of the blue.
- The bedsheet below my bareback was soaked in sweat. And tears were running down my eyes.
- I slowly caught my breath as I felt the warmth and smell of him that was still left on the bed.
- Once I turned my head around, I noticed him sitting on his desk, looking into his panel.
- I slowly sat up straight, but I don't think he noticed me. What is he doing at this early hour? Knowing him, he's probably...
- And once my thought train led me to that thought, I felt a sting in my heart. It was a feeling I've never felt in over 100 years, something bitter and heartrending.
- I wore a fake smile to contain those feelings. I didn't have to check the mirror to know how I looked. It's a face I made tens and thousands of times.
- As I called him, he slowly turned around.
Part 4. Back to the Themepark.
- Circe:
- Customer?
- Commander:
- I turned around as Circe called my name, and she was already up, smiling.
- Hey, I'm sorry, did I wake you up? (Choice)
- Circe:
- No, I usually wake up around this hour.
- Commander:
- Circe yawned as she stretched.
- Circe:
- But last night, Customer, my, my...
- At one point, you wanted to hear my opinion...and then the next thing I know is I was about to pass out from...
- Commander:
- ...You just fell asleep after we were done. (Choice)
- Circe:
- *Chuckles.*
- Commander:
- Circe slowly walked up to me and wrapped her arm around my neck.
- Circe:
- What were you up to?
- Commander:
- DutchGirl... (Choice)
- A few weeks ago, DutchGirl asked me if she could revisit the park to properly send her sisters off.
- I was working on recalculating our route and reading scout reports of the park that is now burnt in ashes.
- Circe:
- Ah...
- ...I'd like to go too.
- Commander:
- I was actually going to ask. (Choice)
- My plan was to wrap this up by dinner earlier and ask Circe, but...
- Circe:
- Ah!
- So that's what you were about to say before I shut you up...
- Commander:
- ...Yeah. (Choice)
- Circe:
- *Chuckles,* You should have said so~ I didn't know~
- Commander:
- ... (Choice)
- I couldn't let this slide despite seeing Circe chuckle as per usual.
- Are you alright? (Choice)
- Circe:
- Sorry? About what?
- Commander:
- The nightmare. I noticed, no? (Choice)
- Circe:
- ...
- Oh my, look at the time?
- Let's get going! I'll go grab Miss DutchGirl~!
- Commander:
- Seeing how unnatural Circe acted, I had a vague idea of what she was going through.
- ... (Choice)
- Connecting the dots with what Circe went through and her reaction when she heard DutchGirl's name...
- I wrapped up my thoughts and went back to my panel.
- Dutch? Sorry to bother you this early. Do you have a moment? (Choice)
- I sent her a brief agenda and got ready to head out
After the battle
- Circe:
- Iron Parasites decided to take a visit~ I hope they didn't destroy area A?
- Customer, mind if I go check?
- Commander:
- Of course. Dutch and I will be waiting for you here. (Choice)
- Circe:
- Yees~
- Dutch Girl:
- Uhh...
- Commander:
- Are you alright? (Choice)
- Dutch Girl:
- Yeah, I am.
- I'm still trying to process how I got here.
- I'm glad I had my clothes ready just in case. If not, I would have rushed off without wearing proper clothing.
- Commander:
- Sorry for the last-minute notice. But, will you help me out? (Choice)
- Dutch Girl:
- Of course. I've always been on the receiving end, and I'm glad you asked this time.
- And I...kinda understand what Circe's going through.
- Commander:
- Thanks. (Choice)
- DutchGirl pulled out a small pack of some sort from her pocket as I stroked her hair.
- That's...(Choice)
- Dutch Girl:
- I'm sorry, Commander. I know you gave these to me...
- Commander:
- Smiling awkwardly, DutchGirl brought out a pack of snacks.
- Dutch Girl:
- After learning the truth about this place...I decided not to eat them.
- Commander:
- DutchGirl went on as she piled the snacks on rubble.
- Dutch Girl:
- I'm sorry, my sisters. I should have come sooner...
- Commander:
- As I saw DutchGirl close her eyes and hold her hands together, I did the same.
- Dutch Girl:
- Commander...?
- Commander:
- I'm sorry for not bringing you here sooner. (Choice)
- Dutch Girl:
- Oh, no. It's alright. I know how busy you are trying to take good care of us.
- I'm really grateful... to how you set a time to bring me here.
- Commander:
- Of course. (Choice)
- For a while, DutchGirl held my hand tightly, and we said nothing but to look at the pile of snacks she had brought.
Part 5. And Then, Hope.
- Commander:
- After praying, DutchGirl nodded and told me she'd be back after taking a walk and disappeared towards the destroyed
- area C.
- As I sent her away and sat down, I noticed footsteps behind me.
- How is area A? (Choice)
- Circe:
- Thankfully, it's fine~ it's just as I remembered it to be.
- Right! Customer, what do you say? Would you like to get on the 'Delux Witch Illusion' you missed out on before?
- Commander:
- M, maybe another time... (Choice)
- Not wanting to push for more, Circe sat down next to me and stared toward what used to be area C.
- Mind if I ask why you're avoiding Dutch? (Choice)
- Circe:
- Was I that obvious?
- Commander:
- Well...yeah. (Choice)
- Circe uses her way of speaking and personality and acts friendly with anyone.
- But there are a few crew who Circe tries to avoid. Especially noticeable would be DutchGirl.
- It's not like Circe has any ill intention or anything...but just like our way here, she doesn't try her best to carry on the conversation.
- Circe:
- I've seen...too many.
- Commander:
- After taking a deep breath, Circe opened up.
- Circe:
- Before the extinction, when I was many Circes of this park...
- I was tasked with a lot..., but my main duty was to greet the visitors and show them around.
- Do you remember how I gave you a tour, Customer?
- Commander:
- Circe went on with a wry smile.
- Circe:
- I enjoyed giving a tour to Little Misses or Mrs...or humans who had no interest in such things. I felt pretty fruitful too.
- ...Leading some visitors to area B wasn't that bad either. All I did was explain the rules.
- Of course, I've seen my colleagues getting dragged with the visitors in the process, but I was pretty lucky.
- Commander:
- Circe decided to stay quiet after her last sentence.
- I noticed how she was clenching her fist and trembling.
- Circe:
- But...area C...
- Once I introduced area C to the visitors, its trauma haunted me for days.
- Some were there knowing nothing; some were excited as they were told lies; some were powerless, knowing what fate lay ahead of them; and some screamed in despair...
- They all had one thing in common... they never took foot outside area C once they entered.
- Commander:
- Circe glanced at the scrap metal that was once a giant door.
- Circe:
- Throughout the tour, I heard crying and screams from all over the area.
- And the visitors would laugh harder whenever they heard someone scream.
- Commander:
- ... (Choice)
- I thought I was ready to handle this from the records I looked up from before, but hearing Circe's story..., I couldn't help myself clench my own fist.
- Circe:
- Sure, I somehow managed it until one day...when I saw something.
- Perhaps set free on purpose or escaped using the final power she had left in her, one bioroid managed to flee from area C.
- She didn't make it far, of course. I wasn't sure how she moved with a damaged body like hers.
- She collapsed right in front of my eyes, looked up at me, and tried to say something.
- And...
- She was one of the DutchGirl models, wearing a torn dress that would have been a beautiful one.
- I froze on the spot until she was recaptured and dragged back.
- Commander:
- Circe... (Choice)
- Circe:
- *Chuckles,* Honestly, this part's fine. The nightmares would have haunted me...but alcohol would have fixed my problems.
- But at that moment...I...
- I was 'thankful.'
- Commander:
- ... (Choice)
- Circe:
- Thankful that I'm not the one over there. Thankful how I wasn't in her shoes, staring at the outside world in despair while being dragged back to hell...
- Thankful it wasn't my scream that came from the shop next door. Thankful the fabric on the ground wasn't from my clothing.
- Those...were my thoughts...
- *Chuckles...* So how could I dare and see Miss DutchGirl?
- Commander:
- Circe made a smile that seemed like it would fade away any moment to me. But it didn't take her too long to be her usual self again.
- Circe:
- Oh, look at me being all talkative.
- I know you prefer having a conversation through our body over...
- Commander:
- I said nothing but bitterly smiled back, and Circe said nothing.
- Circe:
- Thank you. I never had a chance to talk about this to anyone until now.
- *Chuckles,* I've said this to Miss Yumi...but I'm glad I wrote that letter to you.
- Commander:
- And with that, Circe stretched and stood up.
- Circe:
- I know I'm being a hypocrite... but I should apologize to our DutchGirl here.
- Make sure you keep this between us two until I'm ready for that, okay?
- Commander:
- ...I'm sorry. (Choice)
- Circe:
- Hmm?
- Dutch Girl:
- ...
- Circe:
- Ah, Uhm...
- Ahaha, hello~
- Dutch Girl:
- You're not a hypocrite.
- Circe:
- ...You heard?
- Dutch Girl:
- I don't blame you for thinking like that.
- If I were in your shoes and saw...what you saw, I would have been 'thankful.'
- Circe:
- Miss DutchGirl...
- Dutch Girl:
- And so feeling guilty about it and trying your best to apologize...is not hypocrisy.
- Circe:
- ...
- Dutch Girl:
- You said you wanted to apologize, right? Yeah, I forgive you. And...
- I know my other sisters would forgive you too. We were all but the same.
- Commander:
- Like how Dutch had just said...if something went wrong, or the course of the event took place at different times, I'm sure Circe wouldn't be around now.
- DutchGirl slowly walked up to Circe, who had her head down.
- Dutch Girl:
- And if that's not enough...why don't you join me whenever I come by to remember my sisters? Commander, would that be
- okay?
- Commander:
- Of course. (Choice)
- Dutch Girl:
- Yeah, he said it'd be fine. I know you're the person I need to go to when I need a tour of the area, so, please.
- Circe:
- ...
- ...Yes, miss.
- Commander:
- Circe stuttered in a choking voice.
- Dutch Girl:
- Thank you for apologizing.
- Circe:
- I'm sorry...I'm sorry...
- Commander:
- Circe slowly kneeled down and hugged DutchGirl.
- Until her trembling stopped, DutchGirl said nothing but slowly stroked down Circe's back.
- It took some time before Circe could calm down.
- This time, Dutch really went for a walk, and Circe hesitated about what to do for a while. But soon, she became her usual self and sat down next to me.
- Was I being a little nosy? (Choice)
- Circe:
- *Chuckles* Not at all. Thanks to you, I finally found closure to this thing I've been keeping with myself for over 100 years.
- Still...for the record, had Miss DutchGirl didn't forgive me, I would have used my crystal to look into your misfortune.
- Commander:
- Haha... (Choice)
- Circe brought out her crystal as she made a joke.
- Circe:
- Speaking of, why don't I read your future? I'd assume it'd take time for Miss DutchGirl to return.
- See, I was actually quite popular to how correct I've been, you know?
- Commander:
- Why not? (Choice)
- Circe faced me, fixed her hat and cleared her throat.
- Circe:
- Hmm...Customer you...
- Commander:
- You don't need my birthday or anything? (Choice)
- Circe:
- Hey, I'm a professional, and all I need is a face. Stop ruining the moment!
- Commander:
- S, sorry. (Choice)
- Circe pouted and went back to her crystal.
- Circe:
- Oh my, Customer...this is...
- Commander:
- W, what's wrong? (Choice)
- Circe:
- The path that lies ahead of you...will be full of trouble involving women!
- Commander:
- Well, no shit... (Choice)
- Circe laughed mischievously but returned to back to her game face.
- Circe:
- You also have...great responsibility on your shoulder.
- And people around you...would like you to share the burden.
- Commander:
- ... (Choice)
- Circe stared at me in all seriousness before making a smile.
- Circe:
- Anyways, here.
- Commander:
- For me? (Choice)
- Circe handed over the crystal she'd always carry with herself.
- Circe:
- Yes. I think I'm ready to retire.
- In Orca, I know some people can actually predict the future, so I don't think we need a quack like me.
- Commander:
- But you said you're a professional earlier... (Choice)
- Circe:
- *Chuckles.*
- Commander:
- As she handed over the crystal, Circe chuckled and whispered into my ear.
- Circe:
- May your path ahead be nothing but full of happiness.
- Dutch Girl:
- Commander, come check this out!
- Commander:
- We both turned our heads toward DutchGirl.
- Dutch Girl:
- Here!
- Commander:
- When my eyes followed where DutchGirl had pointed to...
- A sprout? (Choice)
- Dutch Girl:
- Yeah.
- Commander:
- Perhaps the weather's been warm after winter; I noticed a sprout between rubbles.
- Circe:
- Oh, it really is.
- Dutch Girl:
- What kind of plant would it be?
- Circe:
- Hmm...I can't be sure, but...
- We did use to grow some primroses in area A back in the day, so maybe that?
- Commander:
- I sat back down as I saw the two making conversation.
- And noticed how another sprout was saying hello by my feet.
END