Story Reader / Festival Event Story / The Night Train on Reunion / Story
Let's Eat
When you open your eyes again, you see the rest of Gray Raven around you, seemingly flustered.
This seems to have become something of a "ritual"—one that you are put through once every several months.
And it happens to you no matter where you are—be it in your lounge, when you're out in ruins, or when you're in the bed at Star of Life.
Hey, Commandant!
A few minutes, I think. We just came to ourselves, too.
Allen took us to WGAA's parlor right after we woke up at the theater.
I'm pretty sure we were at WGAA's theater watching a Lantern Festival's play before going into Gestalt.
Speaking of which, don't you all feel like we lived through a play in Gestalt...?
A lot of the parts didn't make any sense and the climax was as bad as the ending. We pretty much only relived everything we'd already experienced.
Ridiculous as it all was, though, ridiculous is what our life is, no?
Totally saw that coming from you, Ayla.
Haha, but hey, I see you're handling yourself a lot better now, Sica.
You mean how I dealt with the ad hoc assignment back at CC? Well, thanks... except I was just trying to get Gestalt over with so I could get back to work... Thank God it's all over, though!
Well, this calls for celebration, then!
What do you mean?
C'mon, there is no better way to pat ourselves on the shoulder for all the hard work done than with a proper celebration, right?
And by the Eastern Calendar, we get together on this very day every year for dinner.
Strike Hawk was last year's organizer, I believe?
Which is why it makes sense for WGAA to do the honor this time.
Totally saw this coming, which is why I set some seed money aside when working up the budget for Iris Warbler.
Uhm, how much are we talking about exactly...
Let's see... Holy, that's not an insignificant amount at all!
Setting some money aside for get-togethers is a cakewalk for WGAA.
The number on Allen's terminal, however, has everyone doubting their eyes.
This is definitely more than I thought.
Alright, all set!
Shall we, then? Would you be so kind as to do us the favor of making a reservation, Leonie and Allen?
...Why me?
Because you have a way with words, Leonie. And while you do that, the rest of us here will be inviting the passengers on the train and everyone else.
Can you still walk, Commandant? We're totally okay with you heading over to the restaurant first with Leonie.
All set? Let's get the show on the road, then!
With it, Ayla leads all of you down the road in high spirits...
On something of a scavenger hunt—one where all of you go around to invite friends from across the world to gather together for the special occasion.
Oops, my bad. Am I late?
A figure stumbles through the door of the Kowloong-style restaurant.
Gaming, I suppose?
Jeez, cut me some slack, will ya? That conductor dude just let me out.
And then you went straight back to gaming.
That's only because that godly player was online again, and dude did a number on me again!
I bet you don't even know when I was woken up...
Haha, but you see... this dude I was talking about is the real deal.
These stewed meatballs are great. Here, try some.
...That's a little too many.
Didn't some of us just get here?
Is it all for me? Thanks!
This is to pay you back for the bento before. I don't like being indebted to anyone.
Hey, that was Ayla's idea...
How's everything coming along, Captain?
Everything's looking good.
I didn't know my dad went into Gestalt, too... They took him to Star of Life for a check-up because he apparently felt lightheaded coming back. Turned out he was okay, though.
But I guess I really could take advantage of the occasion to set myself loose a little bit.
That sure is good news... and it's great being able to hang out with family on a day like this. Are you going back after this?
Chrome nods with a smile.
This tastes surprisingly good. Guess I'll start making it on my own.
Still cook like a chef, Noan?
Nah. Just thought it'd be kind of fun to give it a try...
So I heard you'd passed out cold yourself, sir?
Yup... and this weird mechanoid asked me to call it Conductor.
Dude even gave me lists of all sorts of inpatients living in the Star of Life, which was horrendous...
I'm going to get a drink. Want me to get something for you, Asimov?
Well... some dumplings will do. Actually, anything will do. Thanks.
Casting a look at the buffet area, Asimov lets out a sigh.
Right next to the buffet area sits a table of rowdy souls.
Guess I'll go with you, then.
Mistress, Bambinata is... feeling dizzy.
Not sure if I'm in any position to say this, but kids really shouldn't be drinking.
You don't say.
Yup, so chop chop and move over to that table over there with all the kids.
Why, you little...
Two electrolytes—make one of them alcoholic, but make them both mango-flavored. Burp...
Hey, anyone here...
Cerberus and Strike Hawk got here before Egret because they were the first teams to have received Ayla's invitation.
Seeing that the restaurant has reached its maximum capacity, Ayla decides to seat Vanessa right beside Cerberus.
Are you sure this is okay?
Should be okay since they've got Murray there.
I second that. They're all just trying to get to know one another better, yeah?
Having made his way through the crowd that now fills the restaurant, Hippocrates hands Liv a carefully wrapped present.
I've got a little something for you, Liv.
Huh?!
Just don't forget to take it home with you, yeah?
No, I won't. Thank you so much!
Did you see how Sir Nikola swapped out Sir Hassen's cup just now when Celica wasn't looking?
And Sir Hassen seems to be having a good time there!
It's not every day that you get to see Sir Nikola like that, eh?
Wait, is that Sica over there greeting General Wells?
Yup, that's her. She used to be one of General Wells' star students.
I see...
Well... I guess that means everyone is here, then?
Ayla stands up and runs up toward the center of the restaurant.
Uh-hum, it seems like we're all ready to hear what Commandant [player name] has to say about the year ahead!
With it, the entire restaurant falls silent—as everyone looks your way.
Uh-oh...
C'mon, Commandant. You got this!
Remember what you did before?
And so here goes...
Pulao, hurry up!
Coming!
You feeling alright?
Yup! That power nap was all I needed.
We were all freaking out just now. What happened to you?
Well... I had a dream, and it was a really weird one.
I saw Kowloong many years back, when the place used to bustle with people and things to do during the Lantern Festival.
I even saw tanghulu and sugar paintings.
Well, long story short, it was amazing!
She turns to face Kowloong Metropolis, taking a moment to savor the possibility that Lady Qu, at this moment, might be staring at the very same sky that she is.
It's anyone's wonder how Lady Qu is spending a day like this.
I'm sure Kowloong will shine in its former glory sooner or later.
Damn straight!
What time is it again? Gotta be careful with time so we don't miss the firecrackers.
Coming through with the last dish of the day—Glazed Pork!
Wow, will you just smell that!
Yup, cooked to perfection and all!
I wouldn't doubt that at all. Come on, grab a seat already.
So this... is what you all call a "Reunion dinner"?
Yup! See, we've got cogs made in all sorts of styles here...
What's this thing over here that's on fire?
Oh, that's Burning Cog.
...
...
C'mon. I made these following the recipes Cervantes had given me!
Are you sure?
I hated the idea of breaking it to you, but these dishes look nothing like the dishes they're supposed to be based on...
Good try, though, Zero.
Boy, this engine oil is the bomb!
Yup, but...
I just love being with you all!
And I mean it...
Happy Lantern Festival!
