Esper Story: Berenice

Hey, Bennie!

Brynn, long time no see!

You look quite tired. Are you keeping well?

I'm, uh, I'm not sick or anything.

I just haven't been sleeping well. I'm not feeling that great is all.

I know this may seem a bit out of the blue...

But do you remember I gave you a bottle of perfume a while back?

I just wanted to ask you, did you get a chance to use it?

I just wasn't sure whether you really liked it. Actually, you know...

I absolutely loved the perfume, thank you so much!

Did you get to use it?

Of course, why wouldn't I? It was your gift to me and I've been using it, it's great!

You really liked it?

Definitely. No other perfume compares.

A perfect harmony of orange essence and minty vanilla on a sublime olive-y base. It feels like a "symphony of blue skies".

Not to mention the subtle, pepper, cinnamon and juniper that gives it such a beautiful kick!

You've really thought about it...

Mm! A pretty good explanation, I'd say.

Bennie, I promise you, I've never found a better perfume anywhere.

There's just one problem...

I often have trouble sleeping after a show. I get a bit wired.

So I started applying this perfume before bed, and what do you know...?

Uh, you sleep easily?

Yeah! It helps me get to sleep somehow, as well as smelling great of course.

So basically, I've started to apply it every night.

So I ended up going through the bottle really fast...

So your problem is that you're running out too quickly?

I've already run out! I've been trying to find it everywhere, but it's like no one in Utgard has even heard of it.

I've tried shopping malls, salons, online shops...

So I've been meaning to ask you: where'd you get it?

I, uh, can give you another one.

Well, that would be great, but at the rate I'm going, I'll have to buy it eventually.

If you like it a lot then... maybe, I can keep giving them to you?

What is it, Brynn?

Oh. Wow! I hadn't thought of that, but you made it yourself, didn't you?

Of course not, how could I...

If you didn't make it, then how come I can't find it anywhere? Yet somehow you're able to gift me a steady supply?

Bennie, I think the truth is that you're a genius perfumer. You've literally made the best perfume ever!

Uh, I guess? I mean, I'm just happy you like what I made... and that's great.

When you said you weren't sleeping well I was worried that maybe you didn't like the perfume.

You know, I've actually improved it. The latest batch has a longer-lasting aroma.

I think it'll mean using less each time.

Here you are, Brynn. Your very own tailor-made perfume!

My goodness, Bennie, do you know how excited this makes me? I never have to worry about sleepless nights or running out again!

I hope so!

Like I said, I'm really happy to keep giving them to you.

And, of course, I'm going to keep improving my formula based on your feedback. Brynn, it's like your very own tailored perfume!

Thanks, Bennie, thank you... Have you thought of a name for it?

What about... the "Déesse Rocheuse"?

Sounds good!

I'm looking forwards to introducing it to my friends as Bennie's tailor-made "Déesse Rocheuse" fragrance -

Please, don't!

Brynn! Brynn! Brynn!

You made it, Bennie!

Of course! I'm your diehard fan!

You must be exhausted. Here, have some water.

That's a wrap!

So how are you doing? Good day?

I'm all fired up as always!

It's so cool what you can do with that guitar and your voice.

Anyone can learn to play guitar. You could perform like me if you worked at it.

Me? There's no way... no way I...

Why, what's stopping you?

I'm not gifted like you.

Seriously, anyone can learn to play music.

?!

Try strumming it with your right hand.

Cool.

Brynn, could you teach me a song?

Of course.

I remember my mother used to sing this lullaby to me every night...

A lullaby...

No problem. I'll teach you.

Sleep, sleep, my darling.

The guitar takes a while. Why don't you try singing? I'll be your accompaniment.

Yikes. I told you, I'm not good at music.

You can't think that way, Bennie.

There's a kind of entry bar, but one of the things people love about music is that it's so universal.

And there are literally hundreds of ways that you can get involved in performing your own music.

I'll be on melody, you do rhythm, okay Bennie?

Rhythm?

Even the bell on your wrist is a kind of an instrument.

Nice, Bennie!

If only mom were still here...

......

Believe me, somewhere, somehow, your mom can still hear those bells.

The power of music is... infinite.

I'm... tired...

Night, Bennie. Sweet dreams!

*Cry*Cry*

Don't cry. We'll find a way...

What happened, Jamie?

Boss!

The wind blew her balloon into that tree, but it's too high for me to reach.

Hey, look at me.

Wow, you're amazing!

Here you go. Be careful not to let the wind get it next time.

Wow, you're really impressive!

I think I impressed you even more than her.

I'm serious.

Right, but I'm still not giving you my number.

See what I mean? You saw right through me.

Hey, can I ask where you learned that? Maybe you can teach me?

I've noticed you around, helping folks out. Maybe I could, I don't know, help you? I mean, if I had the skills.

...Alright, I'll let you in on my little secret since you're so keen.

It's all about reaction speed.

That's how you got to the top of the tree like that?

Pretty much.

Hmm, so then what do I need to do specifically? Is there anything I can practice?

Specifically? No, but there are few things you can do. Hmm...

What do you mean? Is there anything I can do right now?

Right now? No. I suppose you'll need to use some tools...

Tools? What kind of tools? Where can I buy them?

Ah... you know, just your standard tools... those that move back and forth

Back and forth?

Like this?

......

......

This...

......

!!!

So that's what happened...

That's it! From now on, what you've just done is forbidden! Do you understand me?

And if your dare tell anyone else what happened today, then...

Yes, boss!

So... are you still going to teach me?

Haven't you been listening? It's all about reaction speed!

Now go back and do 200 squats and crunches. I'll pick up the next phase of your training when you're stronger!