Another Eden story · Character quests, Suzuné
Mystery! He Dies Again!
An account of an undertaker in Elzion and the strange request she received.
6 scenes, 211 lines
1. Scene 1
50 linesMiss, I ain't gonna lie. When you quit your job at the delivery company to open up a mortuary, I was pretty worried aboutcha... But I'll be damned, your business is boomin'!
Hehe!
I'm glad everything's working out. After all, this was your goal from the beginning.
That commercial was really something else though. It's like I was watchin' a completely different person on that screen.
Indeed, it rather bolsters my reputation as a dapper dame who knows her onions! What can I say? Method acting is my forte!
Well, as much as I'd like to stay and chat, my area ain't gonna manage itself. We'll catch up again some time! Best of luck to you and your business!
Do I...know that guy from somewhere?
Why hello there, Renri!
Ah, there you are!
I didn't know Renri and Macaron were coming today!
Aldo? I didn't know you were involved.
I didn't know Renri was coming today! And with her...
Aldo?! I didn't know you knew Suzuné! Are you involved too?
...Wait, haven't I introduced, I don't think I have... This is my partner...
The name's Macaron, lady of the shadows, working to expose evildoers wherever they may hide! At your service!
N-Nice to meet you... I'm just shocked you know Suzuné too. Small world...
My, I guess we can skip the introductions.
Wait...what am I involved in?
I contacted Renri as I required the services of a skilled journalist in order to locate a certain individual.
Suzuné, who's this?
This lovely lady is, well...
Hold on! I've got this. Allow me to introduce myself... I...
I-I swear I've got a business card around here somewhere...
Renri's the name, and freelance journalism's the game. Glad to make your acquaintance.
And I'm Macaron, lady of the shadows, working to expose evildoers wherever they may hide!
(Another Renri? Maybe she's from another time layer.)
(Another Renri? What a weird coincidence...)
N-Nice to meet you both...
I contacted Renri as I required the services of a skilled journalist in order to locate a certain individual.
Searching for someone?
We're searchin' alright, but today we came up empty-handed...
That bein' said, It feel like we're so close to wrappin' our fingers around a real lead.
So...you came here to report that you have nothing to report?
Y-You got it... Here to give a...uh, progress report...
We reporters must never lie! Renri is here to mooch a free meal!
M-Macaron! Q-Quiet!
My, my... If that was the case my dear, you needed only speak with candor.
Oh! D-Does that mean you'll...
Alas, I am afraid it is not a possibility today. I have a meeting with a funeral client I must be on my way to.
Oh... *stomach rumbles*
Please allow me to treat you when next we meet!
Ooh!
Ah, I had meant to ask you, Aldo, might you assist me with my work today? The client I am meeting with is a boy near to you in age. I thought the conversation might go more smoothly with you present.
Sure, I can join you. Where is the meeting?
Oh, you know, just...Route 99...
That doesn't seem like a very safe place to have a meeting...
Yes, I believe you and I are on the same page about that. Let us head over there and see what it is all about.
Until next time, Renri!
I guess I have no choice but to feed myself. The loss of a free meal causes hunger pangs so fierce that only food can soothe them...
...Isn't that the same for all hunger?
2. Scene 2
54 linesWell, this is where we were supposed to meet, yet...
You said this was for a funeral consultation, right? Is this really the kind of a place a client would choose for a meeting?
I would. This place fits well, in my opinion.
Are you Morton, here for the consultation?
Yeah.
It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Suzuné, the undertaker of Grin and Bury It Mortuary.
Here with me today is Aldo, my...assistant.
Nice to meet you, Morton.
Yeah, sure, uh... Nice to meet you.
This location must have you feeling uneasy. Perhaps it would behoove us to move to a more comfortable...
No. It's fine.
O-Oh... Is that so? And might I inquire whom you are requiring funeral services for?
My...self.
Huh?
I beg your pardon?
It's not that confusing. Right now, I'm going to kill myself.
Just read the email I sent. It explains what I want done with my stuff after I die and how I want my funeral to be. That's all I had to say. Goodbye...
Hey, wait! You're not thinking clearly!
Get outta my way! I'm done with my life! I'm done with everything!
Stop! Time-out! Allow us at least the chance to discuss this further!
...Bullying from your fellow peers... I see.
I've tried to just ignore it and suck it up, but I can't take it any more...
That's awful... Let's put a stop to this right away!
Tch. It's not that easy... Even if my parents or teachers got involved and stopped it from happening in public, it'd just gonna get worse for me online.
Once they decide you're their target, you've already lost... If getting p'd off and marching toward them was enough to stop this, don't you think I'd have done it by now?!
...I believe you, and I understand. You are not wrong... I have studied this era's culture since arriving, but this "social media" is truly a double-edged sword. I cannot decide if it has the potential to be a generational cure...or if it is the deadliest poison to ever be consumed by mankind.
I don't really know much about it, but does it really complicate things that much?
It doesn't matter anyway. Their parents all have important positions in some really big companies. Even if we tried to make noise and raise awareness, they'd all just wave their power and money around to cover it up. I can't run. I can't hide. I can't do anything. That's why my only way out is...
Hey! How can you think that's the answer?! You life isn't something to just throw away!
You still don't get it! Just leave me alone!
Even though given to you by your parents, it is still your life. ...And thereby, your choice with what to do with it. I shall respect your decision.
H-How can you even say that, Suzuné? What about all the people who will be in pain if he dies?!
I am sure he himself has thought about that in detail, suffered from internal turmoil, and yet still reached the same decision.
Though "decision" is perhaps a strong word, for you are still quite hesitant, are you not?
Wh-What? N-No, I'm sure...
Oh? Then why else would you have called me here? You sent all of the details by email, did you not? Everything was in order, so you could have ended your life here alone today.
Yeah, but that's... I was just...
......
Here is an idea... If you are planning to go out anyway, how about one last attempt to exact revenge upon those bullies? We can ensure it is all done anonymously, of course to protect the loved ones you intend to leave behind.
Suzuné, are you sure about this?
Whether what I am suggesting is "right" or "wrong" is entirely another discussion...
But the alternative bothers me, him having no choice but to suffer in solitude due to wholly unsolicited circumstances.
......
I simply want to you to see there are other possibilities.
If you have already resolved to throw it all away, then surely you feel you have nothing to lose with one more try... Right, Morton?
......
Okay. One last try, since it doesn't matter anyway.
In that case, all you need to do to bring them down with you is hold their hands when you jump! That would give me multiple clients all at once, ooh, maybe I could offer a group discount!
S-Suzuné!
Just a little dark humor, natural in my line of work. Now then, shall we invite the perpetrators in question to the ruinous area nearby?
Will they really come if invited to a place like that?
I am not worried about that. People like them would dare not decline, lest they be perceived as cowardly.
3. Scene 3
49 linesHow do I look?
You look ready for the part!
Back when you started talking about this, I was getting a little hyped up, but now that it's getting closer... These guys aren't all talk, you know? They have the muscle to back it up too. I'm starting to question whether getting back at them is even possible...
You can leave worrying about that to me. Despite how I may look, I am quite strong for a lady, myself.
Plus, I will...
There is no need to dirty your hands, as it were. Though, please do keep an eye on Morton and ensure his safety.
You guys sure this is the right place?
Ooh, they have arrived! Places, everyone!
Whoever invited us here must be so stupid. Which of the freaks do you think it was?
Who cares? What kind of loser calls us out and then hides? They probably heard us coming and wet themselves. Come out, come out, wherever you are, you little wimps!
Here I am, boys...
Do you know how to act when a charming lady appears before you?
Huh? Who are you?!
I hear your mischief has got out of hand... A lack of discipline, perhaps?
I thought I might offer a stern hand to fill that role for you today...
Huh? Forget all that. How about we have a little fun instead?
"Fun"?
Yeah, "fun"...for us!
...What the?!
Are you not having fun? Why? What did you have in mind, hmm?
D-Dammit! You asked for it!
Hehehe...
How's she doing that?! Th-This is some trick!
D-Dammit! You asked for it!
My, children nowadays play with such dangerous toys!
*sigh* I am afraid I must now teach you all a lesson about reckless behavior...
Now then, what punishment do you think befits your crimes?
R-Run!!!
P-P-Please...
Your chance is now, should you so wish!
......
Wh-Who the hell are you?!
Hey! That's mine!
The floor is yours, what will you do? You could beat him freely with your fists, or you could even make use of his own gun, if that more so tickles your fancy.
...Gun?! Th-That's a little...
I-I will use...
S-Stop! What kind of people would gang up on someone who can't even fight back?!
......
You would...which is why I won't. I'm not like you!
Hehe...
Wh-What?! No!
Ha! I knew my dad's drones would save me!
Interrupting my lesson...
First that gun, and now this? Where are students getting their hands on this stuff?!
Morton, stay back!
We've gotta handle this, Suzuné!
Indeed. Let us make quick work of them!
4. Scene 4
7 linesWell, that was a hoot, holler, and half! I nearly broke a sweat!
I'm just glad we broke them, and not the other way around...
Now, where were we?
......
What is next on the menu? Shall I go chase that boy down?
No, it's fine. Could we actually just go back to Route 99 for now?
...Certainly.
5. Scene 5
38 lines......
I had every opportunity to get back at him, but my body froze... I-I was too scared, I... I'm weak and I deserve this...
Is that how you see it? Because the way I saw it, you had restraint against someone who's made you suffer so much you've wanted to end your life... ...Because you didn't want to stoop to the level of cowards like them.
I just didn't have the courage...
Choosing not to hurt someone takes way more strength and courage than hurting them does.
But in the end, nothing has changed about my situation...
Are you certain this will lead to an outcome you desire? Let us suppose that you do die here; what trajectory might the future take? From my humble position in society, I have been observing the people of this era and have come to understand much about them.
I am certain those students' public-facing delinquent behavior will be short-lived, as their parents all have high-profile jobs. However, as they grow older and we start to believe they turned over a new leaf and truly changed...
...Instead they will utter a line that will make you roll in your grave. Can you guess what that might be? "Our classmate, Morton, who was dear to all of us, tragically passed away before we could save him..."
...N-No, !
Indeed, your death will equip them with a tear-jerking story, allowing them to milk sympathy from whomever they wish.
That's not what I...
Of course not, my dear, but nevertheless, it will still come to pass. Do you know why? It is because they do not possess the same level of courage that you displayed today. After all, these spoiled, snot-nosed hellions have always relied on their parents' power and know not the meaning of accountability.
Snot-nosed...hellions?
Believe me, that was the nicest choice out of the words my mind had prescribed them.
Now back to the point... By that logic, does dying not seem counter- intuitive to you, given that it benefits them far greater than it does you?
......
You are correct that nothing has changed about your circumstances, but you yourself can change from this.
Easier said than done...
Oh, I agree! It will be quite the challenge! I myself recently underwent quite a change from the person I had been for decades and it has most certainly not been easy...
But was it worth it?
Well, time will tell, I suppose, as it always seems to do.
Though, for what it is worth, the current me has begun to feel a tad proud of my past self for having taken the leap to change.
So it takes a leap...
H-Hey! What did you just, ?!
Do not be alarmed, the current you still has a shadow. We simply bid farewell to the shadow of your past self.
Would you then be willing to take your new one for a little test stroll? I have faith that someone like you, who has the courage to make decisions for yourself, can also change things for yourself.
Your path remains the same, but from now on, whenever you experience suffering, you may come to me for a consultation.
Of course, in such cases, I will offer you our discount for repeat customers!
......
...Fine. I don't have my hopes up, but I guess I can test it out... ...And also, thank you.
Alas, this was not a big enough victory to truly feel satisfied by it...
I think you did everything you could just by convincing him to keep walking. All we can do now is hope that the future ahead of him is bright.
......
Let us return to Elzion. I just remembered a loose end I must tie up...
...Loose end?
Well, we at Grin and Bury It Mortuary make sure that all of our clients find peace in the end...
You're not going to... Are you?
6. Scene 6
13 linesWh-What is this?!
Your spirit is forfeit... Your spirit is forfeit...
Wh-Who are you?!
Hehehe... Your acts of evil have been judged... The eyes of god are always watching!
AHHH! P-Please forgive me, god! I p-p-promise, I'll never do anything b-bad ever again!
...All tied up?
Indeed, no ends remain loose.
A-Are you sure that was okay to do?
Oh, do not be so dramatic. All I did was pretend to be a god, scare them half to death, and threaten them. Nothing serious.
But...you're not a god anymore...
Yes, that is why I said "pretend." Though I am now but an ordinary lady, you must not forget...
...Method acting is my forte!
Hehehe...