Babylonia
Pathways Along Commercial Street
Commandant, the photoshoot is complete.
The blue-haired maid slowly lowers her vintage CCD camera. On the low-resolution display—made up of only a few hundred pixels—a perfectly formal, upright portrait gradually comes into view.
That's right. For the past half hour, no matter how you moved around the Commercial Street to change angles, no matter what poses were struck, this girl has persistently framed only the commandant's face at close range, capturing nothing but formal, front-facing portraits.
The meticulously composed, square-framed portrait on the screen looks like it could be submitted directly with an F.O.S. enrollment application.
Sorry, it seems I've misinterpreted the mission requirement.
The girl frowns slightly, switching to a serious, battle-ready stance.
Is it because this attire is too casual and unsuitable for publicity purposes?
If that's the case, I can design a more appropriate formal outfit for you, Commandant.
Please provide clear instructions. I will re-shoot according to your requirements.
You gently take the metal-cased device from the girl's tightly clenched hand, trying to ease her tension.
I see...
Following the instruction, she shifts her gaze past the figure beside her, looking further into the distance.
After a moment, she closes her eyes and begins to describe the scenes lingering in her M.I.N.D.
I see a vast commercial plaza hosting a promotional event, with cargo boxes scattered across the ground. Above hangs a blue artificial sky dome, likely simulating the "midday" time period.
What draws my attention is an ice cream stand advertising vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate flavors on its sign. Beside it stands a mother and daughter buying ice cream together.
Under the artificial sunlight, the scoops seem slightly melted... but my olfactory sensors are still filled with that sweet aroma.
...Commandant, was my answer accurate and concise enough?
Feelings...?
Discord is momentarily taken aback, but she still approaches this unexpected "requirement" with the same careful consideration and thoroughness she applies to everything else.
This is a somewhat abstract question, but I'll try to answer it thoroughly.
These details remind me of those warm, peaceful moments from my childhood...
When I was little, my foster father bought me an ice cream cone just like that from a stand. Ever since then, whenever I catch that scent, I'm reminded of how I felt that afternoon.
...Yes, those feelings are "joy" and "peace of mind."
If I am to "share" them... I need to convey the feelings I'm experiencing right now, right?
She places her hand over her chest, carefully recalling and savoring the emotional imprint that afternoon left within her heart.
To convey that emotional moment, I might try to capture the instant when the child takes her first lick of ice cream.
Or perhaps the moment when she eagerly receives the cone—that would make for a beautiful composition too.
After sharing these ideas—which are slightly bolder than usual for her—she shyly lowers her head.
Sorry... I got carried away sharing my personal thoughts.
Standing beside her, you affirm the courage she has just shown.
...Okay.
After hearing those words of encouragement, a rare spark of excitement spreads across the maid girl's face.
I'll go ask for their permission right away. Please wait a moment, Commandant.
The mother and daughter readily agreed to Discord's request. A few minutes later, she comes running back with her vintage camera now filled with new photo files.
...I did it, Commandant!
She excitedly displays her "masterpieces" one by one on the screen, her voice overflowing with undisguised joy.
I captured this moment from a distance, taking the shot quickly before the little girl noticed.
Even though the subject wasn't looking at the camera, the photo turned out surprisingly well.
Her mother even complimented me, saying the photo captured a real "slice of life." It would be wonderful if it could be selected by an editor from the World Government Association of Art and published...
Commandant...
A blush instantly spreads across the girl's face as she unconsciously takes a step back.
Ouch...!
Then, as she accidentally trips over a cargo box on the ground, her body tilts backward—
Sorry... Commandant.
She also reaches out to grasp your hand, feeling the soft texture of your shirt cuff brush gently against the back of her hand.
Those delicate, tight stitches were sewn by her own hands.
I want to... keep being a tailor, to pour my feelings into the clothes I make.
I want peaceful days to come sooner.
In that moment, she suddenly understands everything.
Just like those stitches that once carried her countless unspoken feelings, she now understands the meaning of photography as a way to preserve moments in time, and why the person before her wanted her to see the world with her own eyes.
It must be the same feeling she had when she handed over that shirt she had sewn herself, filled with anticipation, to the person before her.
Commandant, I think... I may have found my answer.
After regaining her balance, the girl lets out a long breath. The stiffness from her expression minutes ago has vanished, replaced by the smile that suits her best.
Indeed... I don't need to capture a "photo" that merely fits the task, because what's more important is to preserve this "time" I'm spending with you.
She raises her vintage camera once more, bringing the viewfinder to her eye and framing the silhouette of her cherished companion within the narrow, inverted image behind the lens.
Though it could hardly be called repayment, she wants to preserve an equally precious moment for the person who has taught her something so important.
Commandant, would you pose for me one more time?
...I have a feeling that this next one might be the most important photograph of my life.
