Dislyte story · Esper Stories
Esper Story: Ain
4 scenes, 258 lines
1. The Thief
59 linesBackyard: Ain's Warehouse
What happened to that piece of iron and copper wire I put here yesterday...?
I know I put it here... Weird.
(After a few days, Ain's parts and tools go missing again.)
Must be a thief!
Oh, you think you can steal from me?! I'll show you...
This guy thinks he can come and take whatever he wants... He'll probably be back.
(Ain makes a booby trap.)
Heh heh... Try to steal from me now!
I'll teach him a lesson he won't ever forget!
(That night, Ain's trap catches the thief. In the net, a small girl stares at Ain in bewilderment.)
So, you're the one that's been stealing my stuff?
...
What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?
...
This... This... This part here... You took all of these, right?
(Ain places the parts and tools in front of the girl. The girl actually seems happy, and stuffs them in her bag.)
Why you little...!
(The girl just keeps staring at Ain. She points to her own ears and then waves her hand.)
Wait... Are you deaf?
(Ain writes down her words on a piece of paper. The girl reads it and nods.)
(Ain and the girl start having a conversation through her notebook.)
"Why did you steal my parts?"
"The door was open. I thought this was a junkyard. I thought you were here to throw things away too."
"I'm Ain! This is my warehouse! This isn't a junkyard!"
"These parts aren't trash either! These are important tools! I spent a lot of time collecting them!"
"Sorry... I didn't know."
(Seeing the poor girl's reaction, Ain releases the net.)
"Get outta here! Don't let me catch you here again!"
(After a few days, the girl returns with a bag and hands it to Ain.)
Are these... My parts?
(Then the girl stuffs some banknotes into Ain's hand.)
(Seeing the girl turn around and about to leave, Ain stops her.)
(Ain takes out a pen and starts writing.)
"Where is your family? How come you're out here all alone?"
"I have no family."
"Last year, my parents died in an incident, and my ears were blown deaf."
...
"So you came to my warehouse to steal things to sell?"
"Sorry, I really didn't know this was your warehouse..."
"Okay, fine, I forgive you."
"Do you live near here?"
(The girl nods, and then draws the route to her house.)
"I don't want to know where you live."
"I just wanna tell you that this area isn't safe. You shouldn't look for junk around here."
(The girl nods, and waves goodbye to Ain.)
(The next day...)
Slums: Girl's House
(Ain shows up at the girl's house early the next morning.)
(Ain takes out all kinds of tools from her bag. The girl looks at Ain in confusion.)
Just so we're clear... I'm not pitying you.
I just wanted to test out my new hearing aid... And you're a good test subject is all.
???
You'll be able to hear again in a little bit.
(After taking measurements, Ain quickly completes the hearing aid, and puts it on the girl's ears.)
So? Can you hear me?
Alright!
Thank you, big sis Ain!
(Seeing the girl so happy at recovering her hearing, Ain lets out a smile.)
2. The Apprentice
59 linesBackyard: Ain's Workshop
(Ain is busying cleaning an engine, when suddenly she hears a knock.)
(A girl stands in the doorway. Her eyes full of anticipation and determination.)
You again?
Master Ain, please take me under your wing!
I already told you, I don't take trainees.
But I love machines! I wanna be a great machinist just like you!
Creating machines isn't all fun and games.
You need a good foundation and incredible patience. You also need to be really good with your hands.
I know I can do it! I'll learn everything from the bottom!
(Looking at how badly the girl wants this, Ain reluctantly shakes her head.)
... Fine, we'll try it, but no promises!
Thank you Master Ain! I won't let you down!
Just stay quiet and follow my lead. Listen, learn, and do. Got it?
Got it!
(The girl jumps up and down with excitement, and accidentally knocks a part to the ground.)
(She bends down to pick it up at the same time as Ain. They bump heads, and then she steps on the part.)
*CRACK*!
My part!
Ugh... You! This was a very important part!
You're here to learn, not to get in my way!
Sorry... I didn't mean to...
Forget it... Clean up here. Later I'll teach you how to tell the difference between these parts.
Listen and learn... And don't break any more parts!
Got it! I'll be more careful.
(That day, Ain taught the girl many things about machines.)
Now answer me this: What's the principle behind this device?
To form a circuit!
Bah! Maybe if you want it to break!
Hehe... I just thought maybe it could work like that too.
Stop giggling. Next, try putting these two parts together.
Okay, this I know.
Huh? Why won't they go together?
Hmm... No... I think there's a crack.
...
(After a week of studying, the girl has made absolutely no progress...)
(If it's not breaking parts, it's assembling things wrong. Even basic maintenance seems too hard for her.)
(Looking at another broken part... Ain feels her blood pressure rising.)
My patience has limits. If you break another part today, I'm kicking you out.
Master Ain, I promise I'll get it right today!
"Ding Ding! You have a new repair request!"
(Ain opens the package from the client, and takes out the device that requires repair.)
Lemme see... This part here is broken... Need to replace it.
But we just ran out of this model. The next shipment isn't for another week...
Master Ain! Can we use this model to replace it?
No, it might short circuit.
What if we connect these two parts, and change their pathway?
Stop guessing...
(As the girl draws a blueprint, Ain looks at the girl's rough hands and gets an idea.)
Wait... It might just work! Lemme see.
(Ten minutes later...)
It worked!
Really? Did I help?
Yes! In fact, after using your new pathway idea, this device actually works better than before!
So... I'm not kicked out? Heh heh...
Well... You are pretty terrible around machines, but...
Perhaps you'll excel when it comes to creativity and designing.
Starting tomorrow, I'll prepare some new lessons for you. Hope you're ready!
Yes, master Ain!
3. Ain's New Pet
68 linesNear Ain's House: Lawn
(Ain spots a curled up furball near her home.)
A kitty... So dirty... Looks like its leg is injured too...
Meow...
Poor thing. You wanna go home with me?
Meow!
(After taking the cat home, Ain builds it a mechanical cat house.)
Welcome to your new home.
You're so cute... I know, we'll call you Wrench!
Meowww!
I built you a cast for your leg. Stay still.
Okay all set! Don't run around, let it heal.
Meow!
(Wrench's leg has healed. She spends her days lounging around the warehouse.)
(To prevent Wrench from getting lost, Ain placed a GPS collar on her.)
(Wrench decided today was a good day to go for a stroll. Ain followed the signal to the Central District.)
Central District: Pet Market
There you are, Wrench!
Meow!
Why did you run this far?
Meow...
(Wrench purrs softly, eyeing the canned tuna in a store window.)
You want some tuna?
Meow! Meow!
(Ain sighs and enters the pet store. Wrench meows loudly when they get to the canned cat food section.)
Canned fish meat... Wow, this stuff is expensive!
But if Wrench likes it...
Good taste Wrench... You're just like me... Only the good stuff!
Meow! Meow!
Okay, now you got your treat. No more running away!
(Ain gets ready to return home along with Wrench when she notices a poster on a telephone pole nearby.)
Missing Cat?
Looks just like Wrench...
(Ain gets a closer look, and realizes that the missing cat is Wrench.)
(The time the cat went missing was also the same as when she found Wrench...)
...
So you aren't a stray, huh?
Meow?
No, it can't be that much of a coincidence.
(Ain takes Wrench home. After a few days, Wrench runs away again.)
(Following the GPS signal, Ain once again returns to the Pet Market. She sees Wrench standing in front of the Missing Cat poster meowing to it.)
Wrench... Are you looking for your previous owner?
Meow...
Is this girl on the poster your owner?
Meow!
...
(Being torn on what to do, Ain finally decides to contact the girl on the poster, Kaylee.)
My poor little Chili! Where'd you go?! I've been looking everywhere for you!
Meow!
Are you the person who found Chili? Thank you soooo much!
I found her in the bushes near my warehouse... She was injured, but I took care of it.
How can I ever repay you?! I'll definitely pay you back for taking care of Chili!
... It was my own choice to take care of her... Didn't cost anything.
Really? That's so generous!
Hmph, if Wren... Chili wasn't so cute, I'd charge you!
Chili loves to run around everywhere. As her owner, you should watch her better.
Sorry, I must've forgot to close the window last time, and she ran out.
I'll definitely be more careful next time!
Here, Chili likes this brand of canned food. Buy more for her next time.
(Ain hands over the can reluctantly to Kaylee, never taking her eyes off Chili.)
You're welcome to come over any time to play with her.
I'm pretty busy.
Meow...
I think Chili feels the same way.
*Cough* Well... I mean, you might lose her again... So I guess it couldn't hurt to have another person watching her.
I'll come by when I have some free time.
Meow!
(Chili stretches out and purrs as both Kaylee and Ain pet her.)
4. "The Outlaw"
72 linesOutskirts of Town: Used-Goods Market
I want this... This... And this here.
This is the newest model. 200 E-coins.
You gotta be kiddin' me! This piece is already rusted! 200?! I'll give you 100 E-coins tops.
150, lowest offer. Not a lot of business lately. Gotta eat.
Hmm... Yeah, things seem to be going slow around here, now that you mention it.
Man... It's all cuz' of "The Outlaw".
Outlaw?
You haven't heard? Some guy calling himself "The Outlaw" started selling parts for really cheap...
It's highway thievery is what it is! Cuttin' the rest of us out!
Hmph... Guys like that have no respect for the working class...
(After haggling a little more, Ain takes her prize and leaves, feeling pretty satisfied with herself.)
(The next day, Ain returns to the Used-Goods Market. One of the vendors had a rare part that caught her eye.)
Is your price for real on this part? That's ridiculous for something like this.
Ahh! You know your stuff little lady! I have my ways.
I'll take it all!
No prob... But the rest of the stuff isn't here. You'll have to come back to my warehouse on the farm.
Your farm? Is it far?
In the suburbs.
Since you were generous enough to buy it all, I'll take you there free of charge!
Nice! Okay, time is money. Let's move!
(Ain couldn't believe her luck. It wasn't until she was in the backseat of this stranger's vehicle, that she realized something wasn't right.)
(... Wait... Could this be a trap?)
(He was kind... Too kind... Kinda suspicious... Is he the infamous "Outlaw"...?)
(But I can't pass up an opportunity for such rare and cheap parts...)
(I'll take my chances. I got my weapon. If he really is "The Outlaw", he'll know what it means to mess with the wrong person!)
We're almost there!
(Hmph. Don't try anything stupid...)
Remote Suburbs: Farm
The stuff is in the warehouse. I'll take you to it.
(Ain stays alert and wary as she follows him.)
Take a look at this!
!!!
This... This component stopped production years ago! I've been looking for one of these!
And this!
... I've been searching for an engine like this too!
You really do know your stuff... I have tons of these things.
However... I want to trade you for something...
(Hearing this, Ain suddenly goes back on alert.)
What do you want?
When you first came to the market, I noticed you had something valuable on you...
There's nothing like it on the market... You must have designed the device yourself.
You're right, I made this.
I want to trade you my collection for those.
Okay, which ones do you want?
(Ain opens her bag, careful not to take her eyes off the man in front of her.)
Hmm... These two should do it.
(Ain gives the devices to the man without a second thought. The man shoves everything in his collection into Ain's arms.)
Here, it's all yours!
!!!
That concludes our business! I'll take you back.
...Th... Thanks...?
Hold on.
(The vendor turns and whips back around with a massive gun in his hands.)
(Ain quickly takes aim with her own weapon.)
Freeze! Drop it!
Easy does it... Easy... Just take what you want!
Huh? I thought you were robbing ME!
What? Why would I rob you?
(The two of them realize the misunderstanding and resolve the issue.)
Sorry, I really thought you were "The Outlaw"... I was ready to shoot you back there!
Yeah... Looks like that rumor has got everyone on edge.
I'm really sorry...
It's alright, I'm sorry too.
I wasn't really gonna shoot you. Actually, this gun's broken.
If you want, you can have it... Maybe you can fix it.
Okay, I guess...
Hey, maybe we can keep trading for stuff. I'll give you some of my self-made machinery for your components and parts.
I'd love that!
(After packing up all the components and parts, Ain cautiously looks at the vendor.)
You sure this'll be alright? I mean, you're giving me so much good stuff for so cheap.
Yeah of course! I'm looking forward to doin' business with ya!