Esper Story: Chloe

Miss Chloe? I'm here to pick up the design our client ordered last week.

Manager Chloe?

You went with a tulle and lace design to make it more breathable, correct? That won't do it all. The mesh is a little too hard. Can't we just change it to silk satin?

As one of our new summer designs, we need to focus on the practicalities of how it holds up in the heat... and the waistline needs to be tightened up a stretch...

Manager!

Didn't you see the sign? "Authorized Personnel Only"! When I'm laying the finishing touches on our summer catalogue, I don't want to be disturbed!

Yes ma'am. I am fully aware of that, but the orders are piling up from our regular customers. It's been three days, Miss Chloe.

You know what? How about you call the shots? You've been here for two years. You know how we do things. The design you're looking for will be in the third drawer in the cabinet on your right -

So, until I say otherwise... Don't bother me!

Mithra Studio nearly showed us up in that last exhibit. The pressure is on. If we're going to stay on top... we need to do better...

Oh no, don't tell me I've run out of inspiration at a time like this. My goodness...

Oh no, Chloe! What's got you in a huff?

I told you! I don't want to be disturbed!

I've never known you to be so riled up.

David? What are you doing here?

What am I doing? Checking on my buddy Chloe, of course! I was passing by and got a bit of an earful from your poor assistant.

"Authorized Personnel Only"? Well, your old friend David is fully authorized to help you with your stress!

How I wish it were true, David. At any other time, I would love to chat, but I really don't have the energy to deal with this right now.

And I'd say your knowledge of my design work is fairly limited, no? So I don't quite know how you can save me from anything.

Huh! Reaching the heights of Esperhood means I don't have to bother with the nitty gritty details of... fashion.

'Coz I look good in anything!

Please remember to close the door on your way out.

Hey! I'm serious! I know that this has been stressing you out for days! Don't you think that it's time for a bit of a "sea change"?

Why don't you take some time out of your busy schedule to check out a new dance routine I've mastered? Let me inspire you on the "dance floor".

If I promise to watch your new routine, then will you promise to leave?

Well then. Please begin.

Hah! Watch this!

That was... surprisingly creative.

Yeah! That's what they said at the TV station too. They also said it was a little too avant-garde for their show. I'll have to wait a bit before presenting it at one of their dance competitions.

But, as my dear friend, you get to enjoy it without having to watch TV.

David, what's got you so into choreography all of a sudden? You're a fully-fledged Ops Chief in the Esper Union now. You've got a million ways of getting on TV. Why this?

Isn't it obvious? What have I always been about in all the years you've known me? I'm the guy who lights up the room!

I have fun when I'm on mission, and I have fun when I'm a dancer. When have I ever cared what people think?

So you're just doing what you're interested in.

Is there anything wrong with that? People at the Esper Union could benefit from loosening up a bit.

Forthright... happy-go-lucky... devil-may-care...

I've got it! I know exactly what design is going to work now! Stay here for a moment, quietly, while I quickly sketch something up, please?

Uh... Whatever. You do you.

Done! This isn't just a winner, it's a sublime working of the concept of... no the pursuit of... beauty itself...

David, you should have a look! I have you to thank!

David?

...(Snore) ...Leave it... to me. I'll save ... everyone...

After all ... I'm a hero,

You really do march to the beat of your own drum, don't you, David? I'm happy to see that you're comfortable enough to fall asleep in my studio.

Anyway, I can't complain after what you've given me today. Sweet dreams, David.

Who told you that you can set up a studio here? This is our turf!

Your turf? As far as I know, this lease doesn't belong to you.

Hmph!

I'm doing a public service here. I'm not treading on anyone's toes.

If you're not here to buy something or get a design done, then I'm afraid I have to ask you to leave.

You'd better watch out! Our boss'll be here soon and he's not going to forget this!

We're gonna come back! You can't get rid of us that easy!

I was very disappointed to see what happened at your shop, especially considering Graywater is, in some sense, under my jurisdiction...

I'm shocked that the little world we have created for ourselves here can still contain such... undesirable elements. I apologize on their behalf.

Mr. Triki...

I will see to it that these hoodlums are dealt with in the strictest possible manner. You don't need to do anything.

However, it's clear that if I didn't punish them, you'd have no problem doing so for yourself.

Rest assured that they will not bother you again.

Hello and welcome. Can I help you with anything today?

Not at present. I was just passing through. I didn't expect all that commotion, let alone that I would see Miss Chloe ready to do battle with her Esper powers.

I have heard much of your extraordinary eye for fashion and excellent design work. I see your combat capabilities may well be just as strong.

I wonder whether you would consider joining the Hunter's Guild?

Thank you for your kind words, sir, but I'm not sure I'd be a good match for the Guild.

Oh? Can you tell me more?

Some people think that, given our powers, we Espers should always be focused on fighting off Miramon, or completing missions and whatnot.

Truthfully, I've received lots of similar invitations over the years, even from some of my very best friends.

But that's not what I'm about. What I'm about, and what I've always been about, is bringing my unique sense of fashion to the world.

No offense, but bringing joy to people through my work is what matters to me most.

So, I'm very sorry, but I can't accept your kind offer.

Miss Chloe, my olive branch is not about to wither on the vine. You can take as much time as you need before declining.

I don't intend to pursue any other careers in my life except fashion and design, Mr Triki.

An inspiring attitude, Miss Chloe.

I think I understand you.

Thank you for your understanding.

I still have a bit of time. Maybe this is a good opportunity, seeing as I'm here, to have a look at your fine apparel.

Of course, you're most welcome to my Fashion Studio!

Keratin! Another bottle of keratin!

Protein lotion? And don't forget there should be a facial cleanser in there somewhere. Bring it out!

Business is going especially well this week. We stock up on some more products.

Sorry, boss, do you think we could also hire a few more staff? We've only got a few, and it's getting a bit chaotic.

Let me have a look... Our customer numbers have more than doubled in the last two weeks. Inventory turnover is just about reaching saturation.

Is that our new product range at work?

Exactly! Last month you revealed you're opening a new range of hair and fur care services for Espers. We were kind of taken aback.

Hm?

Uh, What I mean to say is that you're amazing at reading the market. It's really taken off!

Of course, it has. Hardly anyone is doing hair and fur care.

We've got heaps of new customers just from word-of-mouth alone, we've hardly done any advertising. Gross profit is up like nothing we've ever seen, even better than ads on the radio.

I'm sorry, I must have been pretty hard on the team these last few weeks. I'll be sure to give everyone their bonuses once things have settled down a bit more.

Uh, no problem! We'll do our best. Don't worry about it!

By the way, I've been noting down customer needs that we've been unable to accommodate. You can have a look when you get a moment.

Feather and scale care, polishing for beaks and talons... It looks like our potential customer base is even bigger than I realized.

Every customer has a right to the highest standard of "beauty". The market has spoken. Who are we to say no?

So this is why you invited me?

That's right. We've just kicked off our feather care program. Rest assured you're in the best hands possible.

My goodness, it's truly... It's been so long since I knew what this felt like. My wings haven't looked this good since I first got them.

Truly, they are my pride and joy, proof of my Esperhood. How can I thank you?

I'm just happy to be of service, but if you could help spread the word to your friends, that would be the best thanks we could ask for.

Excellent. Allow me to see you out.

Now... how about our next goal?

Scales require a bigger care commitment than "water moisture-based" skin.

Scales... I've got it!

Good evening. Can I trouble you to wake up for a moment?

No response. Okay then. Can you help me get him into the shop anyway?

Huh? Get him into the shop? The serpent or the young guy?

The serpent! Oh, actually, let's move them both. I don't want to deprive that young man of his bodyguard.

Yawn..., What is this? Where am I?

You're dreaming.

Is that so? I'll take it. It's much more comfortable here than on the sidewalk...

Exactly. A very comfortable place. Just keep on snoozing... I think the "scales care" should be just about done.

"Scales care"? What's that? I'm so tired... Just let me sleep.

Alright then. But can you just promise me one thing before you fall asleep?

Uh?

My name is Chloe, the manager of this beauty store. I'm going to give your snake a proper makeover to give it a taste of the potential benefits of "scale care".

And, in return, please enjoy the privilege of a restful, undisturbed sleep.

"Scales care" for my "serpent"? And I get to keep sleeping?

Yes. Now, would you like a pillow, sir?

You're a kind soul, giving a man a place to sleep...

Did you hear that? Be good now. Don't bite Chloe, okay? So sleepy... Goodnight.

And he's away. Alright.

So, let our scale care experiment begin -

Alright then, Tiye, this is where you'll be doing your practice rounds.

Truly the stars shine with equal brightness on every soul on this planet.

Good luck! if you have any questions or if anything confuses you, then feel free to ask any of the other volunteer directors.

A new face! You're a trainee from the Esper Union?

I'm here to distribute the blessings of the Universe.

I'm also involved in the charity event, I'm the local fashion designer. I could use an assistant if you don't mind.

My name is Chloe, by the way.

I'm Tiye, from the Beloved World, doing my part for the Universe.

You are shrouded in luminescence! You must be Beloved as well.

Uh... I'm not quite sure what you mean... Anyway, please follow me.

What do those Beloved by the Universe have to do with this "Land of the Nomad"?

It's "No Man's Land". Come with me, I'll take you on a tour to help you understand what we really do here.

Dearly beloved ones...

By the way, the nicer you are to people around here, the more you'll get out of the experience, a lot more.

Do you see those outfits they're wearing? Extra warm thermal outfits we prepared for them during the last charity event.

We didn't earn more than a few baskets of fruit and some kind words, but seeing their smiles today, and knowing that they're keeping warm, really makes me think the whole thing's incredibly worthwhile.

Will the Faithful revere me as well?

Will they thank you? Of course, they will. We're getting ready to provide them with a complete makeover and a change of outfit. You can help me drum up some interest.

Faithful Ones, come. The Light of Love is here.

Thanks for that. It'll be a lot easier for me to give everyone a trim now.

Attention all: this is your chance to pass this wintry sea in glorious comfort!

You two are lifesavers! You've not only saved us from the hands of the Miramon, but you've taken care of our other essential needs as well!

Miramon? Is there a Miracle nearby?

There is indeed a Miracle nearby and, on the rare occasions they break through the Union's defenses, the Miramon can get all the way over here.

But don't worry, we'll deal with that if it happens!

It is no wonder you are Beloved, oh Chloe! Your powers may be even greater than those of the "Heart of the Universe".

Hah! I get the feeling I should thank you for the compliments even if I'm not quite sure what they mean. It is a compliment, right?

I must be better as a fellow Carer of this World.

I shall go in search of new Faithful Ones.

What a nice young woman. If everyone else could put as much effort into looking after the refugees in No Man's Land as she does, we'd be in a much better place.

Oh People Beloved by the Light of the Stars, gather to me...

Eh? Who are you? Do you need the Light of the Stars?

Tut tut. What's a girl like you doing all alone in a place like this? I'll tell you what, you'd better hand over all your valuables!

Highwaymen!

In the name of the Stars, I summon the Power of the Heavens!

Don't worry, Tiye. They're nothing.

Hiya fellas. Don't tell me you weren't happy with the "payoff" you got for disrupting our last event?

Chloe! You're back? Stay, Stay well back! Keep your distance!

Don't tell me you're here to disrupt our charity event again?

Don't, Don't! Please! We were just lost! Please, don't take off all our hair again!

It's been six months! We're not making trouble, okay?!

See ya.

Heh! That's what you get if you mess with Chloe.

Next time, if there is a next time, I'm going to shave their eyebrows too!

Your light far exceeds even that of the Moon and Stars.

The Universe will thank you for your selfless love.

Ah... I guess I don't quite understand what you're saying, but I think you're thanking me, aren't you?

Then... shall we allow our light to shine once more upon our... uh... Faithful?