Story Reader / Affection / Rosetta: Rigor / Story
The field survey mission is divided into several stages. We will need to make several trips, and even need to stay overnight in the wilds.
After the mission began, Rosetta took you to a snowfield some distance from the ARU. Here, you see a vast expanse of snow adorned with several lonely-looking trees.
So I was thinking, you should familiarize yourself with life in the Arctic.
Quick on the draw as always, Commandant.
That's not the same. True knowledge is acquired by applying them in the field.
So, to better complete our mission... Our first step is to build a fire.
Out in the wild, one's ability to start a fire is the difference between life and death. I'm sure you get the gist, Commandant.
Do you really? I'm talking about the primitive way of building a fire.
Obviously, with the help of tools. But Forest Guards prefer to do it the natural way.
Generally speaking, other than the basic materials, the Forest Guards gather tinder and firewood from the surrounding area.
At which point, Rosetta begins collecting branches and arranging them into a pile.
Which reminds me, us Forest Guards have a custom for building a fire to welcome newcomers. You aren't exactly wet behind the ears, but let's not pass up the opportunity.
Think you can help me collect firewood, Commandant?
The Forest Guards aren't exactly some easygoing organization. A lot of things you still need to do yourself.
Thanks. It's just another custom of ours. I'm not sure if it'll live up to your expectations, Commandant.
——
After searching the area, you find enough firewood to build a fire.
These branches aren't exactly ideal for firewood, but they should still get the job done.
Ensuring the firewood is sufficiently dry, Rosetta clears away a patch of snow. To your puzzlement, Rosetta lets out a sigh of relief at the sight of dirt beneath.
Thankfully, it's not ice underneath...
No, but that would've been just my luck. Just in case.
No, but it always seems to be the case for me.
Looks like you might be my lucky charm, Commandant. Had I known this, I would've teamed up with you during the card game.
Because it's fun and I like the artwork, of course. But with my luck, I always end up drawing the wrong cards.
The rules of the game are fairly simple. You'll learn them soon enough.
Anyway, let's get this fire started first.
Rosetta fishes out a flint rock and strikes it a few times to light up the lower layer of the firewood.
The embers slowly grow into a flame as they eat up the firewood, converging into a warm bonfire shortly thereafter.
Now it's time for your welcoming.
Once the bonfire is burning at a steady pace, Rosetta gestures you to sit by the fire and slowly leans over.
Careful, you don't want to kick the bonfire.
Yeah, I've never done this for an outsider. Guess I need some more practice.
Rosetta takes you by surprise as she approaches, but she does not seem to pay any mind.
Rosetta continues, inching closer and closer, her breath almost palpable...
But just then...
An earthquake!?
The sudden tremors stop Rosetta in her tracks. Following the direction of the rumbling, you see a giant ten-meter tall snowball rolling your way.
I don't know, but let's get out of here!
Roger. Let's over to the trees!
Thanks to your quick reaction, you and Rosetta avoid disaster. However, the same cannot be said about your hard-earned bonfire which is swept away by the snowball, leaving not so much as a trace.
...
Rosetta is taken aback by the strange happening. Shortly after, you hear familiar footsteps—hoofsteps—coming from the direction of the snowball.
Oh? Rosetta and [player name]? What are you two doing here?
Well, I was going to give Commandant a small welcome before the mission began, but I wasn't expecting a snowball to come flying out of nowhere.
That was probably a snowball we made for building a snowman. It didn't destroy your bonfire... Did it?
The ARU is on holiday today, so I asked some members to build a snowman with me. But I didn't think the snowball would get so big that it'd roll away.
Which is why I'm here, looking for it. Did you see it go by?
...
It really isn't my lucky day...
