Story Reader / Affection / Noctis: Indomitus / Story
He's here.
The regular customer, who kindly volunteered to keep watch outside, hastily returns to Vegetable Stew.
Noctis meets your gaze and nods in acknowledgment before making his way into the kitchen.
Bam!
Sykes makes his entrance with his usual dramatic demeanor.
The same group of people, the same plain expression.
He walks straight to the counter and takes a seat there.
I want Wanderer's Biscuits, some real ones as it's claimed on your menu.
Having placed his order, Sykes appears to lose interest in the unfolding situation. He falls into silence, redirecting his gaze toward those around who are observing him intently.
After a round of meeting eyes, Sykes' resolute gaze holds a dominating presence, akin to a forceful gust of wind sweeping over grass. It compels other customers to lower their heads in fear, avoiding direct eye contact with him.
Those who can maintain their composure and not flinch also choose to turn away, not wishing to provoke any trouble for Vegetable Stew.
Hmph...
The prolonged and monotonous wait fills the entire tavern with a heavy silence. The only sound audible is the grating of the lint-free cloth in your hand as it rubs against the glass.
Where's Ed?
To your surprise, it is Sykes who breaks the ice. You pause your current task and begin to recollect the words spoken by the owner.
Out? Is he gonna ditch his tavern or what?
You're not searching for the gun under the counter, are you?
But that's what Ed would do. Search it up, and see if you can find one.
Sykes leans forward, exuding an aura devoid of fear yet filled with provocation.
This is no good... You can feel you are touching something with a dangerous shape...
Regulations? Who made those? Babylonia? I didn't know there were any regulations that you gave a damn about.
Your weapon is in the kitchen.
Your... companion? A commandant who considers a Construct as a companion? Now that's something. And to top it off, it's none other than the commandant of the famous Gray Raven.
You investigated me?
...
I used to think I had him all figured out, but turned out I was the only one feeling that way.
The moment he made the decision to leave with some of our members, that's when we went our separate ways.
We were just a group of wanderers, victims of the Great Evacuation. Nothing is really noteworthy about us.
You, the Gray Raven Commandant, are interested in us?
Surprisingly earnest, aren't you...
Here are your Wanderer's Biscuits.
Noctis, as the chef, personally brings the dish from the kitchen and sets it before Sykes.
On the plate rests a collection of beautifully baked biscuits. The presentation is simple, yet the attention to detail and the care put in by the chef is evident.
However, with just a single glance, Sykes abruptly stands up from his seat and prepares to leave.
Hey, hold your horses. I put in some serious effort baking those. You're not gonna take a bite?
No need. This is not what I want.
Sykes throws some Black Cards onto the table.
Ask Ed to come and meet me...
I know what you want is that coal-black burnt stuff.
Since you know, why did you serve me this?
Don't get me wrong. I didn't change the ingredients, so they will taste just the same weird.
However, we will never serve that kind of food here in Vegetable Stew.
But those are the real Wanderer's Biscuits, or to say, those were what helped us survive.
That's why I used all those random ingredients to make them, out of respect for our customer's request.
As for using an appropriate utensil to bake them, it's one of the basic rules we hold in this tavern.
Should I see it as Babylonia's answer?
Anyway, I've already given you what you asked for. No matter how many times you make me do it over, I'll never turn them into coal-black lumps.
By the way, don't you think it's dumb to reflect on happiness by recalling all the suffering?
The owner wants everyone to chow down and have a blast here, and that's why he's all strict about how we serve stuff in Vegetable Stew, isn't it?
Come to visit more often, and the owner may offer you a discount.
Are you kidding me?!
In anger, Sykes knocks the plate and the biscuits off the table.
The shattering sound of the plate instantly fills the air, causing a sudden surge of tension that permeates the entire space.
But that was the only damn food we had, and we scarfed it down like there was no tomorrow.
So you're telling me they only deserve to be used as bait to lure in customers? Our painful past should just be some idle conversation topic, something we casually chat about?
And we're just supposed to pretend like nothing ever happened?
...
As Sykes's harsh words cut through the air, silence engulfs the tavern.
Everyone is holding their breath, casting their gaze upon you.
Because you, the Gray Raven Commandant, are standing right before them, and they hope you can offer an answer.
Just like what happened when you first arrived, before you slowly grew more acquainted with one another.
Ask Ed to come and meet me...
That the Task Force will do everything in our power to reclaim the surface and ensure that history doesn't repeat itself.
So we hope all of you from the Clean Zone can join us on this path, pressing onward with us.
Noctis rubs his hair after hearing your words. Though reluctant, he still chooses to lower his head.
My opinion is the same as the commandant's. In short, I will try my best to work with the commandant and wipe out the Punishing Virus or whatever.
You and Noctis bow to everyone present, including Sykes and his companions, to show your respect.
In silence, you wait... and wait...
Until a resounding clap echoes through the air, followed by a spreading wave of applause that completely shatters the silence.
That's what I expected from the Gray Raven Commandant!
Honestly, when you first showed up, I thought you were just here for some run-of-the-mill marketing gig.
More than one pair of hands extend toward your shoulders, offering gentle support as they help you rise from your position.
We've all seen how hard you've worked, [player name]. We believe in you.
Other customers join in, affirming their support for you.
When you first arrived, you and Noctis encountered numerous misunderstandings and challenges stemming from baseless rumors.
But it could have been a plate of delectable fried potatoes or a refreshing beer.
Over time, the harsh words and speeches subsided, giving way to lighthearted jokes and casual chitchats among acquaintances and friends.
It was during that period that both you and Noctis came to realize that someone who talked big was the last thing they desired.
All they truly needed was a person who could stand by their side; this, in itself, was the most effective way of marketing.
Why ain't nobody got me up? Hello? I'm still down here bowing.
Hold your horses. Everything has an order, right?
Is that it?
His deep voice dampens the buoyancy that permeates the atmosphere.
You think you can just leave everything in the past behind by doing that?
No one is asking you to say goodbye to your past.
Noctis chooses to walk up to Sykes himself this time.
He points at himself, with the usual grin on his face.
Take me as an example. I've got things that I'm not willing to bring up even to this day.
But if I look ahead, I'll be able to press on again.
With a contented smile, Noctis runs his hand through his hair, showing a sense of gratitude for the path he has chosen.
And that's how I met Commandant.
So, at the end of the day, I've ended up with more than what I lost.
There was this person, Nigel, one of the people I was close with from back in the Purifying Force days...
He was also... the last person I killed with my own hands in the Purifying Force...
Commandant...
This is the past that Noctis once mentioned to you.
Despite his attempt to maintain composure, the subtle narrations still provide you enough glimpses into the hidden echoes of past anguish.
As a commandant, you know better than anyone about the courage and determination concealed behind that perpetual smile.
In a world ravaged by the Punishing Virus, such memories are abundant and ever-present.
Even to this day, the pain persists, akin to wounds inflicted by blades upon people's minds.
Even so, we still have to press on.
We cannot forget or avoid responsibilities, yet we must not stop despite all that.
You take a step forward.
Pick up one of the biscuits scattered on the table, holding it in front of your face.
You put the biscuit into your mouth and take a firm bite, letting the peculiar flavors flood your senses.
...
Don't think you can end things this easily.
C'mon, what else do you want?
Now that we've come this far, let's see if you truly mean it when you talk about "sharing pain," Commandant.
Having said that, Sykes suddenly throws a punch at you.
Just as the unexpected attack approaches, a strong and formidable arm emerges, swiftly restraining Sykes and preventing him from advancing any closer to you.
Hey, hey, who do you think you are, attacking the commandant? Now you've really ticked me off...
Well, I just wanna see if the commandant chickens out and runs back to Babylonia like some coward after getting hit.
You better drop that idea now...
I should be the one joining the party here.
Don't worry, Commandant.
Let me demonstrate the go-to solution of Vegetable Stew when it comes to handling this kinda problem.
In response, Noctis swiftly retaliates by throwing a powerful punch in Sykes' direction.
Sykes manages to block Noctis' punch with his arms, his face growing pale from the impact. Despite the strain, he gathers his remaining strength and forces out another strike.
Soon, the two are locked in a relentless exchange of blows.
Boss! Boss, what should we do now?!
Are you dumb? This ain't no fancy knight duel; it's a straight-up brawl! Forget about the rules and come to help me.
C'mon, guys, let's go!
It's okay, Commandant. Even with my strength held back, I can still...
Hey! I thought no weapons were involved. What's with that chair? Man up and use your fists!
Noctis... Noctis...
Guys, we can't let [player name] lose the fight. Join me if you can!
Sure. You take the lead, and I'll follow right behind. Let's go.
In a matter of moments, Vegetable Stew transforms into a chaotic battlefield. Some onlookers stand aside, cheering for their companions, while others secretly grab water and douse their perceived adversaries.
A few individuals muster up their courage halfway into the fight, hastily gulping down a drink before rolling up their sleeves and joining the fray.
In the heart of the "battlefield," Sykes and Noctis, the protagonists of the brawl, spontaneously opt to clash head-on, colliding with each other.
...
Heehee, get a taste of my metal-made head! Bet that hurts like hell, huh?
Boss, take the table.
Ouch, that hurts!
What are you staring at? Go get the commandant, now!
You better not lay a finger on the commandant! Unless you've got the guts to take my unrestricted punches!
There ain't no rule against it... So quit making excuses and step back if you can't handle it.
Well, looks like I just made a new rule on the spot. If you've got a problem with it, then come and fight me.
Amidst the chaotic scenes unfolding in Vegetable Stew, the owner, Ed, maintains his composure, standing calmly outside the door.
He only moves when chairs and wooden boards are thrown out, picking them up and carefully setting them aside.
Resting against the wall, he takes out a box where the lost CD used to be stored. Now, all that remains within is a weathered photograph.
We have to move on, don't we...
As he tenderly caresses the faces captured in the photograph, Ed's mind travels back to that afternoon, memories flooding his thoughts.
Like Noctis said, the past continues to resonate as if it were just yesterday...
Done and done!
In response to his announcement of closure, a wave of joyous applause fills the air.
The owner peeks through the door, only to discover that the chaos within Vegetable Stew has already subsided. Noctis stands there, hugging his commandant, both of them cheering in jubilant celebration.
Someone flicks on the antique jukebox in the tavern, and a joyful melody instantly sweeps through the space.
As if offering a musical tribute to their grand victory.
Huh, turns out my CD is inside the jukebox this whole time. Finally found it.
Boss... Ed... is over there.
You son of a... Quick... Let's go... beat him up.
??
[player name], Noctis, help!
...
Vegetable Stew closed early today.
Because of the "battle," all those present were summoned for interrogation by the management staff of the Clean Zone.
To your surprise, each and every person offered only a vague account of the "battle," insisting that it was merely the result of trivial misunderstandings.
Despite the recent exchange of punches, none of them harbored any lingering grudges, all claiming that the conflict was nothing more than a trivial bickering.
At the end of the day, the management staff refrained from further intervention in the situation at Vegetable Stew, thanks to the reassurances provided by Sykes and Noctis, the leaders of the two groups involved.
Today... em... could be considered a peaceful day.
