Story Reader / Main Story / 24 Chaos Unsnarled / Story
This "Noctis" guy... Is he really as bad as you make him sound?
Yes. Noctis is a lazy troublemaker.
I'm always there to handle his poop every time Captain is mad at him.
Uhm... are you sure you didn't mean to say that you're always there to deal with the mess he causes?
Yes, that's what I meant.
As No. 21 does a disgusted squint, her Co-Bot raises its legs, apparently wanting to give Noctis a few metaphorical kicks in the butt.
But Captain always goes easy on him. See...
What took you so long? Remember what time Boss said we should be back to get things ready?!
Canon wears the same look on her face, but No. 21 can feel her vibes changing from just moments ago.
It's quite a walk back from the forest.
Think I've never tried walking back from there myself? It took me only 15 minutes when I did that. When are you going to stop slacking off?
I wasn't slacking off.
And today of all days, huh? Why are you doing this when Boss and everyone else here are so nice to you?
The boy's growing volume draws the attention of the two people sitting by the tent who are busy organizing their things. They stand up and walk up this way.
Hey, Canon.
Coming over this way are a friendly old lady and a slender, middle-aged man. The old lady greets Canon in a cheering tone while the middle-aged man sizes No. 21 up.
Hey, Auntie Windger.
No, Granny Windger, we can't...
The old lady pats the teenager on the shoulder, gesturing him to hold fire for the time being. Pouty, the teenager says no more, while his eyes brim with hostility all the same.
See, Canon. This young one is no bad kid. He just says what's on his mind.
Right.
Is this your friend? Lovely... Oh, I've seen her before. She came with the squad from Babylonia... Right, Hoth?
Right. I've seen her by the red-haired captain.
Superb! C'mon in, young lady. I know your squad came to keep us safe.
We're celebrating Self-Salvation Day today—in commemoration of when Salons led us in forming this self-help group.
It's going to get rowdy in a bit. See, Hoth and I were just organizing the light bulbs that we'd be decorating the tents with.
Boss is being too nice to her, I swear to God...
C'mon, Lilin. Let's not go there on a day like this.
Canon has got a way with recon, and Salons always has good things to say about that. Wait, you aren't jealous of her because of that now, are you?
See, Canon is here to help us, and you really don't want to hold a grudge since we're all living together. I'm sure you'll be amazing with a capital A when you grow up.
But she only shows up when we're handing out supplies, and keeping an eye out for potential threats is all she ever does. Hell, she doesn't even really talk when I talk to her. How am I supposed to see her as one of us when she's like that?
And there are always strings attached whenever we need her help. Ain't never seen such a greedy leech, if you ask me!
And I even hear her saying all these words and phrases sometimes that I don't understand. She's just weird!
We would never have asked her to come down here to help us out if Saran didn't go m... And this leech isn't even helping us for free, as we all know!
Lilin!
The old lady's face grows heavy at the mention of the name "Saran".
The middle-aged man by the name of Hoth wastes no time giving Lilin a piece of his mind. Realizing what he's just done, the teenager says nothing.
Sorry, Granny, I didn't mean to... Wait, and I thought you came here with your squad to help us find the people that went missing? What's taking you people so long?!
What are you doing goofing around with the leech? Just go and find Saran already!
Lilin directs the question at No. 21, in a slightly quiet tone, apparently knowing that he isn't going to get the answer he wants to his question out of No. 21.
Hurry up and get in. Dinner should be ready in a bit.
Nodding at Hoth, Canon grabs No. 21 by the arm and dashes off.
When No. 21 looks back, she sees the gray-haired woman in the arms of Hoth, her shoulders shivering slightly.
I'm sorry, 21.
Hmm? What are you sorry for?
For how you were treated back there. It's all my fault.
Oh... I see. A lot of people are like this to me. It might not be your fault.
It's probably you carry different vibes from people.
People here label me as "odd" when they sense something different about me.
Animals accept or reject individuals based on smell.
And humans might differ slightly from animals in certain ways... except feelings don't lie.
Hence the way Lilin treated you. Basically, he saw you as an "oddball," too.
Only saving grace, though, is that he apparently guessed who you were, which is why he didn't spew more venom than he already had.
No. 21 wonders if she somehow picked up Canon's vibes hanging out with her...
And what people think of Vera and Noctis when they see them standing with her.
She wonders if people want to throw Vera and Noctis into the garbage yard, too, just because they hate the Cerberus.
Just when No. 21's M.I.N.D. is about to grow agitated, she feels a sting from the restraint around her neck, subduing the ripples in her head with pain.
...
Are you feeling okay?
Hey, c'mon over now! It's about to start!
Already? I'm not even done here yet! Hey, wait up!
Before No. 21 can answer Canon's question, their surroundings grow rowdy with people gathering toward the biggest tent in the base.
...Hey, if you aren't in a hurry, would you mind if I walk out with you after claiming my share of supplies?
I doubt there will be anything useful left after for me to claim if I don't do it myself.
Canon asks No. 21 with a somewhat awkward expression. When No. 21 nods, Canon once again ensures that No. 21 feels fine, before they head toward the tent with the crowd.
The inside of the big reinforced tent bustles with people, most of whom with a smile on their faces. Caught right in the middle of the festive vibes, No. 21 feels slightly out of place.
Mixed with the burnt smell of low-quality tobacco and the odor of human bodies, the smell of heated food fills the air and warms the body.
With all the unneeded decorations put away either outside the tent or in the corners, the center of the tent now holds a makeshift wooden stage.
One side of the wooden stage is lined with a slightly disorganized row of long tables, with cups sitting on one of them. People gather around that table to get drinks.
Another table carries some food—food made with canned food and ingredients that had been sitting around for quite some time.
Two of the pots sitting on the table seem only passably decorated.
Drooling, all the adults and kids are all looking at the food, but none of them fight over it.
Canon has been talking with a woman in a hat since she entered the tent while No. 21 remains standing where she is.
Looking up, No. 21 sees yellowish lightbulbs hanging at the ceiling of the tent. Flashing cords of light line the overhead beams, in addition to the main source of light.
Many of the light bulbs don't work anymore, but the specks of light here and there still mesmerize No. 21.
I just asked around and found that Salans was about to give a speech in a bit. Let's get some food after that and bounce.
You need to eat?
...I don't, but I can get some useful stuff if I exchange my food with people.
There are merchants passing by this conservation area all the time, and it's from them that I get... well, what I need for my body.
I see.
Right then, at the clangs of someone beating on a piece of enamel tableware, people all turn in unison to face where the clangs come from—and with it, the crowd falls quiet.
On the stage that's only big enough for one occupant, a tall man greets the crowd with a smile.
How's everyone doing today?!
The simple greeting sets off a tsunami of applause. Seeing people raising their arms to greet him, the man nods back with a grin.
Thank you all for being here today.
We're all here today not only to celebrate having lived through yet another year, but also in commemoration of what's happened over the past few years and the people we shall not forget.
We're living through a time in which the whole of who we are is greater than the sum of our parts—and trust, my dear friends, is what makes us strong.
Now, I've never failed to take the opportunity to recount the hardship we'd had to live through on this special day every year, but in the interest of time, I'll save all of us the pain of having to listen to the same old stories this year.
Hey, don't do that! I'm new here and I'm all ears!
Is that a bedtime story?
Raise your hand if you want him to tell a bedtime story!
As they speak, people wait in anticipation for their leader to take them down memory lane—one with times they can still recount by heart.
When Salans raises his hand with yet another smile, people stop talking and return their gaze to him.
Let me take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt welcome to our new friends. You can try to catch me or someone else who knows all about our stories to bring you up to speed, but do allow me to skip a few things here and there as we go.
With that said, however, I'd still like to ask all of us to pay our respect where our respect is due—to everything we have overcome together, and to all those who have sacrificed themselves for us to be here!
With it, the tent falls completely quiet, reminiscent of a church without a single soul. With Salans leading the prayer, everyone is fully immersed in the mood of the moment, even the children.
These people might have come from different walks of life, but here they are, remembering the darkest moments they've all lived through together.
About a minute later, the crowd finally emerges out of the prayer as the noise of talking resumes.
I'd like to thank all of us here for your trust—because without you, we would not have been here to see this light that shines through the night today.
Says Salans, as he passes his eyes over every face in the audience.
There are many who have known him for years. When they meet Salans in the eye, their eyes brim with tears.
As all of you already know, we're currently facing some difficult challenges. Some of us have come back home wounded, while some... have gone missing with their whereabouts unknown.
But I'm sure we'll do everything we can to find them like we have so many times before—and I'm sure all of us will contribute to that!
And seeing as they aren't here with us today, we'll hold a homecoming party for them when they're back home again!
Yes, let's do that!
Another tsunami of applause drowns the place, with sobs and cries coming from here and there.
I've got some good news to share, too. Given our proximity to the Clean Zone, we're likely going to be the next group of people to move there!
And we'll all be safe and free of worries once we're there. I think we're close to the end of the tunnel here!
And last but not least, please help yourselves to the food and drinks. One serving per person, though. You know the drill. Oops, guess y'all need no reminder, do you?
But do bear with this one last announcement. Yes, I promise this is going to be the last announcement of the day.
This gathering is only going to last for two hours, and you're free to go on partying in your respective tents after that. Please refrain from being outside after the gathering. And that's that!
The good news and Salans' good sense of humor lighten up the mood. People from the fringe of the crowd start making their way toward the table with food.
Another group of people surrounds Salans, shaking his hand and making small talk with him as he walks down the stage.
I'm done.
Canon made her way to the long table with food even before Salans finished his speech and got her share of food before people started gathering by the table.
No. 21 keeps her eyes fixed on the group of people surrounding Salans, apparently not ready to go.
Hey, what's the matter?
What are they doing? Why are they doing that? Don't they need their supplies?
...People do that to ease themselves of the pain they feel inside.
What about you, then? The big guy just thanked everyone here, and that includes you, Canon.
Salans is probably a reliable and trustworthy person, but he's their leader here.
Anyone who wants to be a leader here has to become part of them.
Which is not something I can do.
It's just like what you said, No. 21. You have no idea why some people are hostile against you.
That's because there is no way you can become part of what you don't belong to... unless you forgive up on being who you are.
But I don't want to be assimilated and become someone I don't even recognize just so I get to enjoy being part of the group.
I just can't become part of something else that I am not.
Assimilated...
No. 21 repeats what Canon just said.
C'mon, let's get going. We just need to cross this conservation area and keep walking down that path there, and we'll reach your encampment.
Sure.
Having only taken a few steps, however, No. 21 stops Canon.
What if—this is what I saw on my terminal— a wolf pup goes missing after it's born? How will it ever find its way back to the other wolves?
Well... I guess it's gonna be hard. Without another wolf around to teach it how to survive the world, it won't last even a few days.
And even if the baby wolf is lucky enough to fend for itself and even find food, it won't last long on its own. A wolf pack doesn't take in some wolf they don't know.
...I see.
...
Let's go.
Ready to leave, No. 21 starts walking.
Canon, wait!
Right when No. 21 and Canon are about to exit the tent, Salans call their names from behind. He makes a beeline for them as he refuses the drinks that people try to pass him.
Not going to stick around just a little longer, Canon? And this... is a Construct from Babylonia, I presume? How are you?
I can't do that. It's almost my shift now.
But I thought it was supposed to be Musar's shift? Oh boy... guess he meant it when he said he was going to drink until he dropped tonight.
Canon responds with a nod, apparently not wanting to continue the conversation. In a quiet tone, Salans says what's on his mind.
I heard about how Lilin treated you today. I'm sorry for what happened. He just has a hard time changing the way he is.
I talk about "one for all and all for one" all the time and I'm sure he got that off me. I mean, that's what's been helping us through the toughest of days here... Anyhow, I'll have a talk with him.
He's really helpful, and he's on good terms with most people here.
The way you live can come across as a little special here. That's not to say you need to change the way you live, of course, and I'm sure you know that. It's just that the way you live your life probably reminds Lilin of what he's experienced in the past.
And it's because of what happened that he... Ahem, anyhow, do allow me to apologize to you on his behalf.
That's fine. Auntie Windger had it all smoothed out for us.
Oh, is that so. That's great, then...
Right when Salans is about to say something more, a dead-drunk woman shows up and stuffs a mug of beer into his hand.
Sa—Salans! That! That was great what you said! You are... burp!
Geeze, Suzie, how much did you drink? Just wait...
Hey, c'mon! We gotta do this! Here, bottoms up! And you! You just do whatever floats your boat! Glek, glek...
Seeing what's happening, Canon nods at Salans and, elbowing her way through the crowd that's gathering this way for a look at the scene, leaves the tent.
