Story Reader / Main Story / 34 Dream till the Timeless End / Story
World Government Association of Art
Babylonia
9:00
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Ayla responded to your earlier message, so you come to the WGAA with the drinks you got from the Shopping District on the day you agreed upon.
You arrive at Ayla's private studio on the second floor and notice a framed poem hanging on the hallway wall.
Royal blue ink flows elegant lettering like spring buds—subtle and tender—blooming against the cold, hard wall.
<i>I love your feet<i>
Because
<i>They've traveled the world<i>
<i>Across waters and channels<i>
<i>Until you and me finally meet<i>
You freeze at the words. They stir a faint ripple in your thoughts.
You touch the edge of the frame. Your fingers gently caress it before reaching the label beneath.
"***For W*AA"
A few characters on the label have become blurred due to the passage of time, or the carelessness of a cleaning staff.
You ignore the blurred words without further thinking and keep walking toward Ayla's room.
Ayla sits before several portrait sculptures in her private studio. Her body is perfectly still as her fingers gently trace the facial features of one. She doesn't react to your movements.
After watching her for a while, you notice her pupils are not focusing. She's lost in thought.
Gasp—[player name]?
When did you get here?
Ayla is startled. She blinks in confusion before coming back to her senses.
Hmm—?
Oh, you're here. When did you get here?
Not at all. Even if you did, it's fine! You're always welcome here.
Ayla casually pulls up a chair for you to sit down.
Haven't I already done that?
Ayla chuckles softly and tilts her head, continuing to gently caress the figurine. After a moment, she begins to explain.
I've been feeling inspired. In my dreams, I keep seeing a silhouette.
Hmm... a field, yes, a field. In my dream, there's this vast open field... with lots of flowers, many different kinds and so many of them... That person... is standing among the flowers.
Sometimes she's just standing there... The sky in my dreams is always dim, so I can't see her movements clearly. Several times, her silhouette became so ethereal that it seemed to merge with the sunset glow on the horizon.
I want to reach out and hold onto her... but I can't get close... I feel like I know her... and she shouldn't be in such a lonely, desolate scene.
As she continues, Ayla's brow furrows and her voice takes on a hint of urgency.
Who is she... why is she there? I don't know. It's weird... I can't explain what I'm feeling...
As you gently pat Ayla, her body gradually relaxes.
You take Ayla's hand to help her relax.
Huff...
I'm sorry you had to see me like that. It's just that I've been dreaming about this so often lately, and it feels...
Ayla gives up on explaining and lets out a sigh instead.
I did try, but...
Ayla scratches her head, leaving traces of paint on the tips of her hair.
The rest of it turned out fine, but the face... no matter how hard I try, I can't capture that feeling from my dream.
As Ayla speaks, her fingers trace over the eyes of the human sculpture, as if trying to capture that elusive spark of inspiration hovering just beyond her grasp.
Ayla makes a soft sound in agreement, turns around, and rubs her temple with a frown.
Yeah... so now I'm stuck.
It's not a big deal. This happens all the time in creative work. Whether it's painting or writing, time nurtures beauty...
Her finger slides downward, and Ayla snaps out of her thoughts.
Oh, right, would you like to see it? It's is in the back. It's still just a rough draft, though.
Ayla nods happily and begins cleaning up her supplies.
Your gaze follows her movements. Art supplies are spread across the table. Almost every item bears the WGAA stamp, and you suddenly remember something.
You take out a blank letter from your pocket. You were going to ask Allen, the head of the WGAA, about it, but he seems to be off work today.
Ayla pauses for a moment, wipes her hands, and puts on a pair of clean, transparent gloves before taking the letter. She looks at it carefully.
Is this... a letter? What's wrong with it?
The paper does have the WGAA stamp on it, but I can't tell if it actually came from the Association.
Our stationery isn't just for internal use. It's also available through Babylonia's shops... Wait...?
Ayla stops when the letter paper catches the light at a particular angle.
Ayla examines it for a bit longer, then shakes her head and hands the letter back.
No... I just thought it looked familiar, but that's normal, since it's our Association's paper.
Sorry, I don't think I can help you. Is it urgent? I could connect you with someone who specializes in authentication?
You walk into the inner room with Ayla. She heads straight to the humongous far wall, where a thin white cloth hangs.
Yep.
Ayla glances back with a smile, clearly enjoying your impressed reaction. She gently tugs at the corner of the canvas.
The white cloth falls like a waterfall, revealing the breathtaking artwork behind it.
It's an enormous waist-shot portrait featuring a woman in a blue and white dress, with a cluster of iris flowers on one side. Only her face is blank, as if deliberately erased.
...
Ayla tilts her head up toward the blank space and lets out a soft sigh before getting ready to introduce it.
This is what I was telling you about earlier... Huh?
[player name]...?
A deafening roar crashes like a tsunami against your ears.
Ayla's voice becomes muffled and indistinct. The moment you see the portrait, that strange discomfort returns.
An overwhelming impulse takes control of your body and makes you move closer.
What your eyes see overlaps with what your heart feels, both struggling with a name that refuses to take form.
Dionysus Theater
9:00
Fast City
Line Spacing: 2
Miss Iris...
I'm at the lounge, but he's not here. What should I do...? We're running out of time...
Don't worry. Records show he's booked for today's performance, and his car isn't at his residence.
Iris smiles and nods politely at people passing by while reassuring the female voice in her earpiece.
We have 20 minutes until the performance. Audiences for events like this usually arrive early.
Relax, Dandelion, relax.
As they speak, a waiter and security guard notice Iris. They exchange a look before slowly walking toward her.
...I'm leaving the rest to you. I may need to step away for a moment.
Believe in yourself. You can do this.
Iris turns off her earpiece and casually turns to blend into the crowd. The waiter and security guard pick up their pace.
Dandelion swallows hard amid the static of her earpiece as she carefully navigates between the rows of seats in the hall.
She locates her target soon enough, but...
Is this someone else's seat?
Y-yes, row twelve, seat sixteen. This is the seat I was assigned.
Did you check your ticket? Perhaps you could take it out to check?
Weird, I was sure this was my seat... I'm sorry, let me ask the staff.
The woman looks at Dandelion's ticket with confusion before getting up. Dandelion exhales in relief—this should give her enough time...
Dandelion sits down, subtly glances at the man reading beside her, and ponders the best way to start a conversation. To her surprise, he speaks first.
Misdirection may be a verbal skill, but lying is an entirely different matter. Deceiving others is unforgivable.
Huh...?
"Eurydice", a classic opera returns to the Dionysus Theater after three years. Tickets priced at $30000.
Amounts between $30000 and $100000 qualify as "substantial sums" under Article 266 of the Criminal Code.
However, that is a law from the Orient, which I've been studying recently. Fast City's amounts may differ, though I imagine not by much.
N-no... wait... that's not...
The man closes his book and looks at Dandelion with a scrutinizing gaze.
Madam, the ticket you just presented as evidence is fake, and your deception techniques are terrible.
You've been glancing at me since you sat down. I don't consider myself particularly charming, so this must be about business.
A music plagiarism case? Financial inheritance? Ah... I see, the chemical pollution lawsuit, correct? You're a spokesperson for Mengu Corporation.
W-wait... stop... I think you've got the wrong idea.
The man shakes his head and sighs.
I understand the situation is urgent, but tracking me down like this is uncalled for.
Didn't my firm publish a notice? I'm currently working for the United Government and have no capacity to take on new cases.
Would you just listen to me for a moment!
Caught off guard by the man's assumptions, Dandelion unintentionally raises her voice.
...
Go ahead, I'll let you make up another story.
Who's making up...
Fuming, Dandelion raises the booklet in her hand only to lower it again.
You're so annoying! Why did Iris tell me to... Okay, fine, I am here for you.
See, I knew it...
I'm not here to hire you for some case! And I'm definitely not a sent by that Men-something... gu... Corporation!
I'm here to save you! Hurry up and come with me—your life is in danger!
Danger? What kind of dumb new scam is this—
He barely finishes when a strong tremor shakes the entire hall. At the same time, Dandelion's earpiece reconnects.
She's here! Dandelion, take Jonathan and go!
