Unexpected Annoyance

Mountain, some of the bounty hunters went your way! Quite a few of them, too!

Don't worry. I can handle this much.

Hmph, where did these guys come from? Rhodes Island, remember this! I'll be back for you, you motherf...

Unfortunately, this is as far as you go.

Don't you think you can take us all down just because you're big!

Lads, let's go!

Hmph.

Looks like there are quite a few bounty hunters over there. Let's go back Mountain up.

Eh, sure, but I'm not too worried about him.

I doubt these guys are any match for Mountain.

Huh, you think so? I mean, he looks pretty tough, but he's always so polite. He just doesn't seem like that kind of guy.

This is your first time on a mission with him, huh?

That's what I used to think too. I thought maybe he just looked strong.

But it didn't take long for me to realize I got the wrong idea about him. This new guy's something else.

I mean...

Mean what?

*Howls*!!!

Yeah...

What was that?

We'll talk about this later. Let's go around to his twelve and see if we can catch a few guys that slipped past him.

What a... monster...

I'm nothing compared to others.

Phew...

I suppose trying to take on this many without help is pushing myself a little too far.

Mountain, we caught a few of these shitheads that got away.

Much appreciated.

Whoa, look at them, all beaten to a pulp. Now I feel sorry for them...

And look at this tree, ripped apart right down the middle. Now I see why you said I shouldn't have worried.

Right?

My apologies. I'm not very accustomed to team operations yet. I should've contacted you to come assist me.

Oh, no harm done. You handled yourself pretty well.

I wouldn't say that. Our mission objective is to stop the bounty hunters from being a nuisance to the nearby villages. Had any one of them managed to escape, we would not have solved the issue at hand.

If it wasn't for you two, our mission would have been a failure.

Well, look at you. What a diligent fella.

I hope that isn't a problem.

No, far from it. It's been a long time since we've had a new guy as diligent as you.

Enough about that. Are you okay?

I'm fine. Only a few scratches here and there. They'll heal up in no time.

I'm not talking about your scratches. I'm talking about your digs.

My clothes?

Mountain, your outfit is all burned up. You're basically naked right now.

Oh, uh, my apologies. This is quite embarrassing.

I tend to lose sight of these issues while I'm in a fight.

Haha, no worries. The exact same thing happened last time, though. Are you sure you don't want a different uniform just for field ops?

It's a waste to have to keep replacing a formal getup like that after every mission.

I'm used to dressing formally. You have a point, however. I will consider it.

You want formal clothing that's suitable for combat... am I correct?

Yes, and naturally, if this is too unreasonable of a request, please don't trouble yourself.

Hmm... First, I'm sure someone has already told you, but your uniforms need a special application.

Right. My Logistics operator told me that because there is no standard uniform suitable for my size, I'll need to apply for one.

At the time, I did not expect that I'd find myself in so many battles as an operator here, which is why I've never applied.

And your outfit's been getting torn into shreds after just a few missions.

Right.

Doesn't it get expensive when you need to keep paying for those fancy outfits?

To tell you the truth, I spent most of my first month's salary buying myself new clothes.

Huh? No way!

I'd just broken out of... Ahem, just left home. The equipment that Rhodes Island provides is more than adequate. There's not much I have to buy at my own expense, so this isn't a huge problem.

Nonetheless, I can imagine it turning into one sooner or later.

I guess you could probably just wear something else in combat... and that would solve most of the problem?

Indeed, and as I've already mentioned, I'm not actually adamant about wearing this.

However, I am rather fond of this style of attire. I've also noticed that the operators get rather personalized with the way they are dressed, so I thought I would ask if it would be possible.

If it isn't, then I will apply for a more durable combat uniform.

Hmm... Well, we don't get requests like this that often.

Our operators may have pretty unique wardrobes, but their outfits don't get in the way most of the time.

In that case, forget I asked.

Wait, I'm not done yet! I said we don't get these requests often, but I never said I'm turning you down.

Hm?

We need to put together a new outfit for you anyway. It'll take just a bit more work. It's okay.

Oh, right. This is perfect.

Orchid?

What now? I'm busy here. If you want to have tea, try somebody else.

Oh, that isn't what this is about, Orchid. Actually...

......

Please, Orchid?

This is giving me a headache already.

Oh, don't be like that. Look, you're always complaining about how boring it is to work in Logistics. This might just be a lot more fun than sitting in an office.

I basically run this place by myself. I'm exhausted.

There's a bonus in it.

No kidding?

Of course. You'll be helping solve our operators' problems.

That's a fairly nice motivator, and it almost worked, but I'm at most a designer, not a seamstress. If you need someone to work on clothes, I'm not the right person to ask.

Eh...

Hah... Fine, it just so happens I know who to ask.

Your codename is Mountain, correct?

Yes, ma'am.

Ma'am... No need for that. My codename is Orchid, and it'll do fine. Come with me.

Thank you very much, Orchid.

Be sure to save a slice of cake for me this afternoon.

Okay!

Orchid.

Hm?

About that conversation, is there a dedicated dressmaker at Rhodes Island?

No, I'm taking you to another operator here. She moonlights as a dressmaker.

Is that allowed?

What do you mean?

From my time here, I've always thought of Rhodes Island as something like a PMC.

I've never heard of a part-time dressmaker in these organizations.

You haven't spent much time at Rhodes Island yet, then.

What do you mean?

You have a grave misunderstanding about us here.

......

Okay, maybe it isn't really a misunderstanding. When I first came onboard, I felt more or less the same.

Care to elaborate?

The way you talk grates on my nerves just as much as Midnight, only in a different way...

Well, I could tell you, but you will know what I mean in a minute.

Oh, good afternoon, Orchid.

Yes, hello.

May I ask who this is...?

I'm a new operator here, codename Mountain.

Oh, nice to meet you. I'm codename Bibeak.

Do you have any missions today?

Yes, but it isn't for another two hours.

Um, did you need me for something?

Two hours are plenty. Here's the thing...

Oh, I see. So Mountain wants formalwear that he can fight in!

If it's too much to ask for...

Not at all!

Actually, please let me work on it!

I need only to use fabrics suitable for combat... No, that isn't quite right. That would affect the beauty of the end product...

Bibeak, let's not stand here and talk about that. Give it a try.

Oh, yes!

I'm sorry. I haven't tried something like this before. It might take a while.

Not a problem. If this will lead somewhere, I am willing to give it some time.

Then please come with me.

What about you, Orchid? Will you come?

I still have a pile of documents to finish... as well as my cake... though I guess I could stay to take a look at the design.

I'm pretty curious how this outfit will turn out myself.

Is there something that makes you so insistent on wearing such formal attire?

No, I wouldn't say that.

Ever since I was a child, my father has made me dress in this particular manner, and I grew accustomed to it after a while.

Besides...

Oh, if you'd rather not talk about that, you don't have to. I'm just being curious.

No, not at all. I'm merely wondering whether I truly want to myself.

I've lived far away from my family for a very long period of time.

During that time, life has been... hard to say the least. I never had the opportunity to wear anything like this.

When I was finally able to leave that place behind and come to Rhodes Island, I bought myself a set of formalwear.

I can't say for certain whether this is partly because I miss my family... my parents.

I see... so you still can't see your parents, even now?

That's correct. One of the reasons I came to Rhodes Island is because I hope to be able to see them one day.

At the beginning of those difficult times, I very much missed my parents.

But as time went on, I also grew accustomed to life without them.

That is why I'm not certain whether this attire is something I choose to wear because I'm used to it or because I want it to serve as a reminder.

Why not both? That doesn't seem too odd.

You're right...

Speaking of which, are you a dressmaker, Bibeak?

Oh, I'm not. I just like to do some sewing on my off time.

It's been a while since I joined Rhodes Island, and many of our operators know about this hobby of mine, so they sometimes come to me for this.

And, Orchid, you mentioned being a designer yourself?

That's right. I used to be an editor at a fashion magazine.

Most of Rhodes Island's uniforms are mass-produced, but many of the folks here have got interesting personalities and want something different.

And that's when Bibeak and I shine.

*Sigh*... I used to do this pretty willingly, but, as time went on, I started to feel like we could just keep everyone in their uniforms if they all have to come to me with their weird requests.

Compared to all the other ones, this request is probably on the normal side.

But isn't it really fun to make clothes for others? Some of our requests may be a little weird, but it's actually pretty fun to make those designs come true.

Oh, my sweet child. Most everyone who says that ends up working themselves dead. Don't be so tolerant of others.

I think you're pretty tolerant of everyone in A6, though...

......

You've been pretty quiet. Something the matter?

No. It's just your conversation has left me feeling like I'm taking a stroll down some busy street.

I'm thinking of introducing you to a certain Midnight later.

Is that an operator?

He is, and I'm looking forward to the conversations you two will have with each other.

Oh, there we go.

Is this... a storeroom?

Yes, this place is normally a storeroom, but I also use it to sew.

Now, Mountain, I'd like to take your measurements, if that is okay with you.

Okay.

Right, and that takes care of it.

By the way, do you have any preferences about your outfit's design?

Not at all. Something like what I'm wearing will do.

What about the color?

White will do.

Okay, then. Just leave the rest to me.

I'll come get you once it's ready.

Is that it?

Yes.

Even though you don't have any specific needs, we should probably work on a new design.

Oh, maybe I could modify the design I worked on last month!

The one you showed me?

Right.

Nothing wrong with that design, but I'm afraid it's far too refined for Mountain.

Hmm... You're right.

We're not in a rush with either designing or making the outfit, and the choice of the fabric is what's important.

I'll ask the Logistics operators in charge of uniforms. I'm sure they know what kind of fabrics are the right choice for combat suits.

I'll come with you.

Formalwear needs to be pleasing to the eye. I'm not sure the fabrics they normally use for combat uniforms are good enough aesthetically.

Well, I don't mind a little company, but isn't it about time for your mission?

Oh, shoot! I almost forgot!

I'm very sorry. Is it okay if we go together after I come back?

Of course, but you should report in for your mission.

Right!

Well, you heard her. Go home and wait. If Logistics get their hands on the right fabric, we should have something for you in a week.

Very well...

Mountain, are you done yet?

One more second.

Here we go.

How does it feel?

Very comfortable.

I like the design, and the fabrics you used are very sturdy.

Much appreciated.

No, I should thank you.

The choice of fabric actually bothered me for a long time. I couldn't find anything that I'm satisfied with.

But then I remembered some of the fabrics that my father used when he worked on his industrial outfits.

I never thought of using those in my outfit designs, but I took the chance to give it a try, and it worked surprisingly well.

This has been an eye-opening experience.

I see. That's good to hear.

I suppose designers normally don't use industrial materials for their work... though Rhodes Island is not the place for common sense.

Well, then, I still have a mission, so please excuse me now.

If there are any problems with your outfit, feel free to come to me any time.

Of course.

......

Why are you standing there like an idiot?

No reason... It's just that when I see the two of you... it feels like I haven't fully grasped that I am free.

Thank you very much, Orchid.

No need to thank me for your uniform. I did what anyone should've done.

No, that's only part of it. You made me realize a few of the problems I still have.

I really wish it was Catapult or Midnight saying this to me instead of you.

I beg your pardon?

Nothing, just talking to myself. I don't know what you've been through, nor do I know what you came to Rhodes Island for.

There this one thing that a certain frivolous host asked me before. Maybe I should ask you the same question.

Please.

He asked me, 'What kind of life do you want to lead at Rhodes Island?'

......

Feel free to come to me if you need anything clothing-related.

Or rather, don't come to me. I'm a very busy woman. Try Bibeak if you need anything.

Okay.

Well... Perhaps I should really give some thought about my life here again.