Story Reader / Affection / Hanying: Solacetune / Story
Hanying: Solacetune I
>Light dances on the afternoon sea, retreating as a small passenger ship leisurely heads toward its destination.
Identified by the Nighter emblem, the ship is not large, but it can comfortably transport a good number of passengers and cargo.
Inside, two mechanoids chat intermittently.
Once we disembark, if I don't take a rust-proof bath right away, my waist is definitely going to wear out again.
Got any spare rust-proofing fluid? I lost my self-check module a while back.
Hmm... Feel free to use mine for now. Just give me a new bottle when you can. We're almost home, after all.
I do like home, though my last owner hardly ever showed up...
Same here, but I prefer more freedom. I've already got ideas for what to paint there.
Outside the window, a bionic swallow swoops low, ending its playful dance with a seagull and perching on the deck railing, wings flickering briefly.
When it quiets down, it looks into the cabin, where a man and someone dressed like a Dragon Child are seated together.
My apprentice's got my back. Heh, I'm calling it quits after this gig.
Who wants to spend their whole life laying bricks and hammering iron, eh?
With a voice much rougher than his frame suggests, the Bixi Crew member hands over a portable terminal to the other man.
Here, see if it works.
It's up and running! Thanks!
It's nothing. If it were on the Nighter, they'd soak you for every Grub.
Laughing, the Bixi Crew member slaps the man on the back and keeps chuckling to himself.
By the way, I never caught your name...
Oh, you can call me Dazhu from here on out.
The bionic swallow, drawn to the creaking of the cabin door, cheerfully bounds over to perch on Hanying's shoulder, nuzzling her earring with affection.
A strand of her hair loosens, dancing in the soothing sea breeze.
You walk up to the deck with Hanying and reach out a hand to feel the early summer sea breeze.
Glad you enjoyed it, Commandant. I can make some more for you when we get there.
The "there" Hanying refers to is none other than the destination of your trip.
Earlier, you received a mail from Hanying.
After what happened at Aerospace City, Hanying resolved to build a settlement with her own hands.
She found an old lodge complex in northern Kowloong and invited you, writing, "Treat it like a getaway. Also, I'd love to learn from your home-rebuilding expertise."
You figured helping out a place that's essentially a conservation area wouldn't be too tough, so you decided to go.
You left at first light, and now it's almost midday. According to the itinerary, this is the final leg of your journey.
You look back at the cabin. A few sailors in Nighter gear mingle with several mechanoids, while the free-spirited Bixi Crew member stands out the most.
You do a quick count—there are maybe a dozen people in all. Before you can say anything, Hanying picks up on your unspoken question.
A few mechanoid architects have arrived early to build a makeshift shelter for wanderers, and a handful have already moved in.
I also had Chaofeng reach out to the Bixi Crew for assistance.
It seems you were worried for nothing.
Everything appears on the right track.
Beside you, Hanying retrieves a photo of some Kowloong-style lodges perched on a hillside. Even though your ship has yet to arrive, her thoughts have already wandered off to that place.
The way she's so wrapped up in it sparks something in you, too.
We're not on a mission this time, right? Got anything in mind for your downtime?
Most mechanoids can't really taste the nuances of tea, and I realize it's been ages since I last had a cup with someone.
Pulao just sent over some oolong tea from Kowloong, but I have a few other blends as well.
Fishing? It's a great way to clear your head, though I'm not exactly an expert. Still, if you'd like to try, I'm up for it.
Please Commandant, you don't have to say that. It's my job to stay by your side.
Don't worry. I'll take care of everything. And please do make yourself at home.
Hanying tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.
I want mechanoids and humans alike to look at this place and feel they're truly home.
Unlike most dreams, this is something we hold in our own hands.
Having stepped out of a dream, she's now ready to bring to life the future once dismissed as a mere "dream."
The ship's engine hums its solitary tune over the calm sea. The bionic swallow, weary from its play, perches on the ship's bow and gazes into the distance.
Under a sky that feels like a grand stage, the sun brushes the horizon, and the air starts to cool.
Before the night wind sets in, a small speck on the horizon unfolds into a newly renovated dock.
Commandant, we're almost there.
Unloading luggage and cargo doesn't take long, and after a brief inventory, the passenger ship heads back to the Nighter.
Having spent the entire day traveling, you still feel a bit off-balance after stepping onto solid ground. At this moment, a mechanoid makes its way toward Hanying and you.
Hanying.
The mechanoid nods politely to greet Hanying.
Boccioni?
Ah, this is Boccioni, an architect. He's here to help us out.
Before Kowloong offered its assistance, he was responsible for building the temporary settlement.
You must be [player name], right? It's a pleasure to meet you.
Hmm, Boccioni, you came all the way to the dock. Has something come up?
I believe it's only proper to welcome Babylonia's commandant in person.
However, that isn't my primary goal...
The mechanoid in front of you, named Boccioni, speaks in a cold voice. Still, you can tell he's doing his utmost to appear friendly.
Today at noon, we took in a group of wanderers, but there are too many for us to accommodate right now...
I'm afraid we can't arrange a private room for our esteemed guest.
Hanying's expression changes—she clearly feels frustrated about not being fully prepared.
It may not be proper etiquette, but it's probably for the best. Or perhaps, you're just saying that out of what Kowloong culture calls "courtesy"? I'm still learning, so please bear with me.
Unfortunately, that's just how it is.
Still, there must be another way, something like...
Hold on.
My room—can we fit another bed in it?
Let me see...
Based on the measurements, your room can indeed accommodate an extra bed, Hanying.
So there's more than enough room for both of you to stay together.
Hanying, however, doesn't look nearly as startled as you. She only pauses briefly, then gives a nod.
Besides, I'm closer to Commandant than everyone else here.
If it makes you uncomfortable, I can just let you have the whole room—it's not like I can't...
With a relieved smile, Hanying relaxes and reaches for your suitcase.
I'm leaving the rest in your capable hands, Boccioni.
Boccioni nods and returns to his tasks.
Commandant, let's go to our quarters. Tomorrow, I'll show you things around here.
With that, Hanying leads you away from the dock.
One, two...
The sheet billows in the air, and along with Hanying, you spread it neatly over the bed.
If you need anything else, just say the word.
Now that there's a second bed in this Kowloong-style room, the space feels a bit tight.
Though modest in size, the room has everything one needs. In fact, the close quarters add to its cozy charm.
You do a quick wash and then lie down, completely spent.
After a long day, you just want to leave everything behind until tomorrow.
As night settles in, the soft yellow light clicks off.
In the distance, a row of Kowloong buildings gleams in the moonlight, while the mountains around them, as always, quietly listen to the nightingales' lullaby.
A bionic swallow scoops up a twig from the ground and flits to the rooftop.
