Story Reader / Event Story / The Meandering Three / Story
The sandstorm covering the sky rules over the wild land, hiding even the night behind its veil.
Tch... I'm bored.
Leaning outside the cave, Noctis has nothing to do on his watch. He dusts off the sand on him before heading back inside the cave.
What is it? Is something wrong?
Nah. I'm just tired of standing outside like a lamppost.
You can count cacti.
Can't see shit through this sandstorm.
Noctis scratches his head and turns toward where Beardy is supposed to be resting—
Eh? Where did he go?
Hm?
The corner they save for Beardy in the cave is empty except for the motorcycle he drives.
Neither Beardy nor the projector he always has with him is there.
There's a note under the rock.
It says... "Someone stole my films in the middle of the night. I'm going after them."
That's it?
That's it.
Vera takes the note from No. 21. There is indeed nothing but a hastily written line on the stained paper.
A thief?
Did we lose anything important? Let's make sure.
We don't have anything but our weapons and equipment. What can we possibly lose?
Why would there be thieves in this weather? Can you smell anyone else, No. 21?
No. 21 spins around before shaking her head.
It's too dusty outside. My smell module isn't working very well.
I can't smell anyone else. I... can't even smell where Beardy went.
He's going to kill himself, leaving in this weather.
We'll wait, then. We have no idea where he went to find his stuff.
Those were his belongings, anyway... I told him Cerberus won't slow down or stop for anyone.
But...
Vera puts the note back in the corner where Beardy was resting under a rock.
...He hasn't told us how the movie ended yet.
It's just a movie... We'll find someone from WGAA to look up its file for you when we're back on Babylonia.
How can you inherit someone else's things when you so easily throw your life away...
Vera turns around and stops talking.
But Noctis said he'd make a movie with Beardy.
Bullshit. I never said that.
They're movies! Even I can make them! Find me if you're making one next time. It'll be so much better than this crappy B-movie.
No. 21 does an impression of Noctis and repeats what he said half a day ago.
Did I say that? I don't remember...
You were drinking with Beardy.
Alcohol makes you stupid, Noctis.
Oh... I might have said it, then.
Noctis touches his chin contemplatively, seemingly trying very hard to recall what he said.
Well... if I said that, it's a promise.
It doesn't feel right to let him die, then. I'll go look for him.
Noctis nods before immediately marching toward the entrance of the cave, ready to leave and search for him.
Stop.
Who let you act without authorization?
What now? I'm just trying to find a guy.
The mission deadline is still a while away, right? We don't have much to do with this sandstorm out there anyway.
Captain... is hesitant.
Why would I be hesitant about some unrelated human?
Well, I suppose we can tell Murray about it afterward.
Someone stole something under our watch, and we did nothing about it.
Bullshit. Weren't you keeping watch?
Weren't you and 21 inside the cave?
...
I hate people who carry other people's wishes without knowing their weight.
Sounds like you should find him and punch him in the face.
Vera glares at Noctis and No. 21, and she sighs.
This idiot... was probably heading northeast.
You saw him?
I happened to see him sneak out.
Let's go.
No. 21 tugs Vera's sleeve.
I'll go look for him with you, Captain. Noctis will go, too.
Hey! Why am I moving alone?
You were the one who suggested we look for him in the first place.
Vera grabs her banner spear. The sandstorm rages on, and the banner flutters in the air.
