Esper Story: Daylon

I need to go away for a few days on a mission, Daylon. Could I ask you for a favor?

Could you please look after my kitten, Chili, while I'm gone?

Y-You're asking me?

Well, out of all my friends, you're the most patient.

Is there anything in particular I need to know?

Nope! Chili's very well behaved, so no need to worry.

Okay! I promise I'll look after her.

Thank you!

I've got a feeling that you two will get on just fine.

Wanna munch a goldfish, Chili?

*Meow* (No).

Wanna play a game?

*Meow* (I said no).

Can I help you to brush your fur, cutie?

*Meoww* (No way)!!

Chili seems annoyed... Doesn't she like me?

Or maybe... she's just a little nervous in a new environment.

I should probably pick up some more cat food and toys, bond with her first.

Chili! I'm back! Look what I have for you–tuna and fish toys and...

...This new scratching post! It's all for you.

*Meow* (Yeah! Tuna!)

Oh great, I think she likes it! Can I pet you now?

*Me-ow* (Nope.)

...Doesn't seem like it. Fine then, maybe next time.

Kaylee's back tomorrow! I should make the most of my final day with Chili... What about getting her something special?

Hey, what was that?

And why's the door open...?

Oh, no! Hold on... Chili! Don't run–

Chili's really timid... Could she be hiding somewhere...?

Alright, calm down Daylon. Think... Where would a cat hide??

Where are you, Chili?

There you are, Chili!

Don't be scared! I'm here to take you home.

Meowowo.

What happened to you? Poor thing, let's get you home.

Meowowoo.

Your fur is so soft, and lovely to stroke. Want some dried fish?

*Meow* (Yes!)

Lots of other yummy flavors too! Come over here.

?!

Wait, how come there are two Chilis?

But didn't Chili get out...?

So who are you, little guy?

*Meow*

I'm baaaack! Thanks a bunch for looking after Chili!

But, uh, how come there's double Chili?

Erm... I thought Chili had gotten out, but when I thought I'd found her and brought her home, it turns out she'd been here the whole time.

Although they're both ginger, there are some differences if you look closely. Chili's got a white patch on her front paw.

Well, that explains it!

I never noticed it because Chili wouldn't let me touch her...

They seem to have totally clicked. What are you gonna do about the new one?

Since she's here now, I should probably look after her.

See? She loves being close to me.

Hmm...

*Meowww*

*Meowww*

Daylon, emergency! Come help me, quick–I've lost an extremely important letter!

You'd lose your head if it wasn't screwed on...

Let's go find your letter then.

Daylon–my most reliable friend! I was sure you'd help.

When did you see the letter last?

Um, yesterday afternoon? No... Morning.

Right, so, where have you been from then until now?

Let me see... The dormitory, the cafeteria... I took my cat out for a bit too...

Let's go retrace your steps then, starting from the dormitory.

Weird, I've got deja vu, like I've done all this before.

I can't find my I.D. card! I must have dropped it somewhere... Oh, getting a replacement is a real hassle.

What am I going to do...?

That symbol... Is he a member of the Esper Union?

Argh... Just do it!

Hi there, are you...

Can I help you?

I've lost my I.D. card. Would you help me look for it? If it's not too much trouble, that is...

Sure.

Okay, sure.

Can you tell me where you had been before noticing it was missing?

Well, I came out of my building and went to the park. I wandered around a little bit, and ended up near the Esper Union building.

Let's start from your building then.

Wait a minute... that shiny thing beneath the stray cat... could it be?

What a disappointment! Just an ad paper.

Right, let's move on. It's easy to accidentally drop stuff when wandering around.

Aww, you're cute with all those leaves stuck to you.

?

Sorry, it's just... Honestly, at first I was a little afraid to ask you for help. I almost didn't dare speak to you.

Thank you so much for taking all this time for me!

......

No worries.

Oh, forget it. I give up. Might as well just get a replacement.

Hang on. Could you stand up a second?

Huh? Lemme just sit for a minute... This is my favorite little corner of the park, too.

My I.D.!!!

I don't know how to thank you, Daylon!

That's when I realized you really can't judge a book by its cover! You're clearly a gentle, solid guy!

Is that right?

It just seems to me that you've been careless ever since we first met.

Hey!

Uh... I swear I looked there!

*Sighs* I believe you. Now, take it.

Well, why don't you open it? It's for you, as it happens.

I'm sorry to ask something else, after you've helped me find it...

Oh. Okay. Thanks.

(No one is in, and Daylon isn't replying. I'm actually getting a little worried.)

(I gave him those seeds he really wanted a few days ago, but haven't heard from him since then...)

Excuse me! Sorry to bother you, but I haven't been able to get in touch with Daylon for a week... Have you seen him?

Daylon?

I think she's talking about tall Daylon, that quiet guy who lives next door to you?

Oh, well then, sure! I saw him just yesterday.

Really? Is he okay? I don't know why but I just can't get in ahold of him.

Seems like... he's probably just tired.

I noticed him carrying a huge bag of something last night. Looked like he'd been through the wars.

Oh, that's right! He had blood on his hands too, and his clothes were all messed up.

Huh?!

Was he alright??

I'm sure he's fine. It was probably just a vicious fight with a Miramon!

He was smiling as he went back into his room. It was, how should I put it...

A little unsettling.

Daylon!

Asenath? G'morning.

How come I couldn't get in touch with you? I was getting worried.

Oh, I'm sorry. I've been a little busy these last couple days.

As long as you're okay. I just wanted to make sure.

Thanks, I'm fine. In fact, I was just about to ask Odette to help me revamp my room.

Revamp?

Daylon hopes I can make his room as cold as the snowfields!

Please?! You're the only one who can.

He ALSO wants some indoor blizzards.

?

I've never had such a crazy request before...

But it's gotta be for some sort of training! So I'm all for it, Daylon, and hope it goes well!

Well... not really... but thanks.

Anyway, no more time to waste! Let's get started!

Alright. See you around, Asenath.

Bye, Asenath. I appreciate your concern too, and I'm just fine!

Um... okay. Bye then!

Revamp... the room?

Forget it... the important thing is that he's okay.

Asenath!

Look! Look at my flowers! I've finally done it, all thanks to you and those seeds!!

Wow...

They're beautiful! But hang on... I didn't know they were these species?!

Huh? What?

You asked Odette to lower your room's temperature...

Yep!

I did my research, and these flowers only grow in cold environments.

Air conditioning alone can't lower the temperature enough. I had to ask Odette to get it freezing!

...Is that so?

Well, I heard that you came back in the middle of the night, carrying some kind of bloody spoils. That couldn't have been...

Spoils? Ha! If only... I was digging up frozen earth in the icefields.

I was so busy that day that I didn't have time to reply to your message. I'm sorry if I worried you.

Hold on! So... what's with the dripping blood?

These flowers like a special sort of nutrient. It comes in this red liquid once processed.

It's gotta be that I just overfilled the bottle and it leaked out.

But regardless, just look at this! It may have been a lot of work, but it's worth it, right?

Heehee... really good going!

Daylon! Have you got a minute to help with something, please?

What's going on?

Soooo... yesterday, the actor who plays the bad guy came down with appendicitis...!

There's no way he can take part in the fairy tale festival in the park, and we're desperate for a replacement.

So you want me to come play the villain?

Yes! You'd be absolutely perfect! Please, Daylon

I'm not sure if that's a compliment.

*Sighs* Fine. What exactly do I need to do?

Yes! For you, I don't think you even need a costume.

......

Actually, sorry... here's the script. You'll show up in this scene, and I do think you might need to wear this.

I see you're going for the stereotypical bad guy look...

Pleeease, Daylon! Your lines are really easy!

I will destroy anyone who opposes me!

Um... don't think you can get away from me.

Waaah!

Woohoo! Come on, good guy! You can't let the bad guy win!

(What's the next line??)

You should all just give up and surrender... er, why're you standing up?

Blast...! I will not lose!

Yay for the good guy! You can do it! Take him down!

Awesome! That was a great performance, Daylon!

...Really? I thought I fluffed some of my lines.

It's not like anyone noticed! Quick, come join the group photo!

Uhh...

Oh, don't worry! Kids are just like that!

Anyway, could I ask you to help out again next week? Our actor's going to be out of commission for two weeks.

Oh, uh...

Is there any way I could have another role? I'd want to have fun with the kids, as they all seem a little scared of me...

Ah... I'll think about it.

I'm not the villain this time?

Hehe! I specifically asked the other producers to tweak the script.

This time, your mighty Captain Crocodile is a fighter of sea monsters!

Brave Captain Crocodile saves the day when they run into mortal peril. He stares death in the face, unafraid, as he rescues everyone! I guarantee the children will love it.

Sounds good.

I will lead us all to victory against this monster...

Pull your socks up, everyone! Now is not the time to give up!

It seems like this time, Captain Crocodile isn't a bad guy! Is he the hero who saves everyone?

Looks like it's retreating, for now... but we can't let our guard down!

Only united can we weather the storm!

I still like Captain Crocodile as a bad guy. He was scary when he came on stage!

Totally!

Hmm... seems like everyone prefers me as the villain, right?

Is being 'really scary' all part of the fun, for kids?

Can you make a scary pose for me please, sir?

I think you're great when you look really scary!

Oh.. Is that really so?

Aaaarghh!

SO COOL!

AAAAAHHH!!!

Mom! Come take a picture for me!

I want one too! Can you pretend like you're gonna eat me, sir?!

Hey, no, come on now! No pushing. One by one, you guys...!