Beauty For Another

I do like this town. It's so beautiful, yet so calming.

For me, there's too much to take in. I find it the opposite of calming.

Ah, growing up in Eeza, I'm used to the hustle and bustle. For you, this place must be way too loud.

I guess Eeza is to you what Baruoki is to me.

I suppose. It is my hometown, and the home of the Clan, my family. Maybe not by blood, but in all that counts.

Ladies and gentlemen, gather round! The Goldfish Meister Katze's new goldfish will soon be unveiled!

Goldfish Meister?

Yes, a craftsman of fake goldfish. Take a look at this goldfish bowl and see for yourself.

Fascinating. The hologram distracted me initially, but now I see it! The gill area doesn't look quite real.

An exquisite model, don't you think?

So, um, why use fake goldfish?

People used to keep real ones, but goldfish tend to get stressed out easily, poor things. Plus, goldfish don't naturally live all that long anyway. The ability to craft a quality fake, as the Goldfish Meisters do, is much sought after.

Interesting.

Shh, it's starting.

Shall we begin? Meister Katze, if you please. Show us your latest creation!

It's so glittery! It's the prettiest thing I've ever seen!

And look how its tail flaps! I just want to grab hold of it!

It is beauty and grace from gills to fin. A work of art!

The crowd really seems to love it.

They seem utterly mesmerized by it. It's wonderful to see.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your attention! I am overjoyed by your reaction to my latest creation. I will endeavor to achieve the same success with my next piece!

Now, my work awaits me. So long!

This goldfish is just a model, huh? Hmm...

Nope, no matter how hard I try, I can't see it. It looks totally real to me.

You don't need to be able to see the difference. All that matters is how it makes you feel, not whether it's real or fake. So long as you look at the goldfish and smile, then the Goldfish Meister has done his job.

Wait. There's something next to the goldfish bowl.

It's a bag. And it has a goldfish model inside! Maybe it belongs to that Katze guy?

Perhaps. Hm, I wonder if there's a lost and found nearby.

Let's just go after him! If we leave now, we should catch up to him.

Very well. I suppose that works, too.

I was sure he came this way.

You just don't get it, Dad!

Huh?

Kino, give me that medicine. Daddy needs it. I rely on that stuff for inspiration. It makes me feel like I see the truth of the world.

What does that even mean? It's like you turn into a zombie or something when you take it. Why can't you just quit already?

Now, Kino. Don't cause trouble for Daddy, okay? Everybody's waiting for me to create the next goldfish.

......{lang-nuance}Now, Kino. Don't cause trouble for{/lang-nuance}

Fine. Have it your way. My supplies had nearly run dry anyway. I'll just go out and buy some more.

Dad!

Hey, kid. You got a minute?

Maybe. What do you want from me?

We came to return this bag to your dad. He left it by his goldfish bowl earlier.

He's even forgetting his work tools now? Ugh, that stupid medicine...

Tell me about this medicine. What is it? Something to lift his spirits, perhaps?

It's called Catnip X. Dad insists he needs it to help him come up with new ideas for work. But he's been acting weird ever since he started taking it. And when it wears off, he's like a whole other person.

This Catnip X sounds like potent stuff. Different time layer, same poisons, it would seem.

Do you have some idea what this medicine could be?

You know that I play keyboards for the Paradoxical Dreamers, right?

Yeah, I saw you on stage with Mildy and the others.

It's actually a lot of fun. Music has become part of my life, and I hope it remains so. However, behind the glittering stage is a reality that's not so beautiful. You're always having to live up to others' expectations, fearing the day your audience gets tired of you... I've seen so many talented artists crushed under this pressure. And I've seen so many others... Turn to unsafe medicine to escape their anxieties and fears, ruining both mind and body in the process.

......{lang-nuance}It's actually a lot of fun. Music has{/lang-nuance}

That's terrible! We have to stop that stuff from being distributed!

Somehow I thought you'd say that. Sure, we can only try.

You're gonna help my dad?

Of course. We can't let your dad continue to wreck his health like this. The issue is, we don't know who's selling this catnip stuff, or where. How do we find that kind of thing out?

I might have an idea. Kid, do you know anywhere in town where I might tickle the ivories? Somewhere with a piano or keyboard?

Um, the tavern, maybe? The guy there likes to hold concerts every now and then.

He'd probably let you borrow it if you asked him nicely. This way!

......{lang-nuance}He'd probably let you borrow it if{/lang-nuance}

Thank you. That makes me so very happy to hear.

But to be honest with you, I've been wondering about calling it quits. The fans support me now, but only because I'm still just barely living up to their expectations. You have to be perfect all the time. One misstep, and they could turn on me. I live with this fear day in, day out, and I can't take much more of it. Maybe it's time to call it quits.

Are you sure this will lure the bad folks in?

Don't worry, Kamlanage knows what he's doing.

Mind if I join ya?

Hey, I recognize you. You were watching my performance just now.

Yeah. You sure got skills. But you seem troubled, kid. And I think maybe I can help take those troubles away.

You can? How?

Lemme tell you about a li'l secret known as Catnip X. Works wonders for the ol' imagination. Thing is, the nip's so potent, I can't go around givin' it to just anyone. But you, you seem special. I think you can handle it.

Whoa, that sounds cool. I'll have to try some!

Then come with me.

Don't let him fool you!

It's all a trap!

What?

See over there? He's not alone!

Hey, are you the ones who've been sniffin' around us lately? Well, you ain't catchin' me! No way!

Step aside!

No! I can't! Without his medicine, I...

Your head will be filled with shoddy ideas? Or is it that you're scared of letting down your fans?

I'm scared! I'm terrified! The miu are hedonistic and easily bored. Let them down just once, and they'll be done with you forever. Make something amazing, and they'll want more. And more. And more. It never stops. It never ends. I can't even complain. If I do, it will shatter this pedestal they put me on. I have to be perfect.

Why's it gotta be that way? It wasn't like that in the beginning. The first ever goldfish you made was all funny looking! It was the wrong color and the wrong shape!

But you gave it to me anyway! And you just laughed about how ugly it looked!

Things were different back then. Failure is no longer an option.

Ugh, I've had it! You're just tryna make excuses to take that stupid catnip, and I don't wanna hear it!

Kino! Wait!

Don't leave the city alone!

You've got to remember. The most important thing for people like us is to make our fans smile. So really think about it. Who is your number one fan?

Stop selling that stuff!

Get outta here, kid.

Ever since he started takin' your catnip, Dad's been feelin' worse and worse. You shouldn't be sellin' it!

Hey, my customers wanna dream, and that's what I sell 'em. Same as your old man.

It's not the same! My dad's goldfish aren't hurting anyone!

You're really startin' to get on my nerves, you little brat! Thing is, I'm under strict orders not to be followed. Looks like I'll have to leave you to the monsters.

Whoa!

Just in time!

We'll take care of this. Get back, Kino!

How did you... But there were so many...

Whoa! What the?

How does it feel to be bathed in my power, in the potential that lies dormant in all people?

You're the one doing this?

You only have yourself to blame for this. Now, would you be so kind as to listen to what the kid has to say?

I'll say it one more time. Stop selling medicine that makes people act all funny. And make my dad better again.

Well? What do you say to that?

F-Fine! I-I will! I'll stop tradin' the 'nip. And if anyone's sufferin' from their cravings, I'll help 'em out. Okay? Are we good?

Is that a promise?

Looks like that's the end of that, then.

Right. We've played our part. The rest is up to the townsfolk.

Okay, let's head back to Torlutan.

Kino! Are you okay?

Yeah, I'm all good! These guys came and saved me.

How can I ever thank you enough?

Honestly, it's nothing. We just did what anyone would.

Thanks to your son's courage, we were even able to catch the catnip seller.

I see...

Oh dear! It looks like you've scraped your leg, Kino! Doesn't it hurt?

Huh. I hadn't noticed. Nope, doesn't hurt a bit.

My. You've gotten stronger, kiddo.

I can't help but notice that you're looking a lot more cheerful than before.

After we spoke, I started to think back to the day I first made a model goldfish. Kino had tripped and hurt himself, so I made him a goldfish out of clay to try to cheer him up. It looked awful. The ugliest fish ever. But seeing little Kino beam with delight, I knew I'd found my calling. I wanted to bring him even more joy.

So that's why you became a Goldfish Meister?

Yes. I did so for such a simple reason. For me, nothing is more precious than seeing my Kino smile. And so...I'm going to try to give up the catnip.

I'm glad to hear it. For Kino's sake as well as your own, it's best you stop driving yourself so hard.

Your customers want something new and exciting, but they also want something that lasts. They just want to keep on dreaming. If you're going to give them what they want...

You'll have to stop pushing yourself.

I know. And I give you my word, I will do so.

I'm sorry I ever made you sad, Kino. From now on, my only concern is to put a smile on that little face of yours. Okay?

'Kay!

Shall we go, Aldo?

I do hope we helped reduce the trade of that awful catnip.

Yes, me too. Although, I fear that stopping distribution altogether will be nearly impossible. With organizations like that, men on the ground are a dime a dozen. They'll find a replacement before long.

I guess so. Still, it's a step in the right direction. Just like with Katze and his son.

We've lost one of our outlets?

Still, it's not a problem. The 'nip's so cheap, we're practically overrun with folks hankering after the stuff. And that's not to mention all those pathetic starving artist types.

How very presumptuous of you to assume you'll be getting another opportunity.

How I loathe bureaucrats like you. You shall ravage my garden no longer.

W-We haven't ravaged anything! We simply support the art...

Silence! I don't remember saying you could speak! Idiots like you have no place in the palace of Gemlazar! Now get out!

Eeek!

Maybe now I can finally enjoy the arts in peace.