Dislyte story · Esper Stories
Esper Story: Ethan
5 scenes, 258 lines
1. Pilfered Food
44 linesTangton: Street Restaurant
(Ethan is holding his food tray as he tries to find a seat in the crowded restaurant.)
(For some reason, he feels like someone is fixing their gaze on him. It's making him uncomfortable.)
Is someone looking at me...?
(He looks around and spots Li Ao sitting in the corner with an empty seat beside him. He walks on over.)
Hi, can I sit here?
U-Uh, sure...
Ah... There are so many people here today. I couldn't find an empty seat.
It's okay. I just finished. You can eat here.
Great! I didn't want to take up too much of your space.
What combo is that! It looks good. Never tried that before.
Haha! It's the vegetarian specialty here in this place.
Vegetarian?
Yep, all vegetables.
Let me see! Whoa! That smells good!
Is that the sweet & sour lotus root? Looks amazing!
Meh, it's okay. You can find this in other places too. Nothing special.
That fried skewers look tasty. Must be super crispy.
They use portobello mushrooms. Looks and tastes like meat.
Really, I've never tried one of these before...
*Gulp*
What about that hamburger? Is that made from vegetables too? I wanna try it!
Yea, the patty is made from a mixture of chopped vegetables.
It tastes quite different than real meat, though. Meat lovers might not like it.
(As Ethan bites into the large burger, the tasty juices flow down his chin. Li Ao starts to drool.)
I wonder what it tastes like...?
This is all made for vegetarians. There's no meat at all. You wouldn't like it.
No way! Other than spicy food, there's nothing I don't like to eat!
Vegetarian food can be tasty too!
Haha... That's true.
(Ethan ignores Li Ao's hints and pretends not to notice his eyes fixating on his hamburger.)
(Li Ao wipes his drool and tries another hint.)
Well... You ordered a lot. You think you're gonna finish everything?
Of course! I stood in line for so long. I'm starving.
(Li Ao is a little anxious that Ethan isn't taking the hint. He looks like he may finish everything.)
Huh? Look over there! I think they're fighting!
What? Who?
(As Ethan turns to look, Li Ao grabs the hamburger off his tray and stuffs it into his mouth.)
(He planned to act nonchalantly, but Li Ao wasn't expecting to have his taste buds flooded with spicy hotness.)
!!!
*Cough*Cough*
W-What is this?!
(Ethan's laughter follows Li Ao as he rushes to the trash can in agony.)
Hey, what do you think of that super spicy veggie burger?
2. Cat Divination
57 linesTangton: Street Corner
Ladies and gentlemen, come and see!
Ever wonder what your cat is thinking? What future adventures will they have?
Step right up and let this Esper amaze you with my divination powers. I can answer all that you've ever wanted to know!
(Ethan stands on the street corner with a sign saying "Cat Divination" at his side. His loud voice soon catches enough attention to warrant a crowd.)
Can you divine if my cat will ever find a boyfriend? I want to know which lucky cat end up with my Cabby.
Miss, your cat looks almost as adorable as you.
Let me see... She's a year old now, isn't she?
*Meow!*
She's still young. She prefers to stay single this year.
Really? That's good to know. What a good kitty you are.
Can you tell me how long my cat, Dumpling, will live? He's been with me for 10 years already...
He hasn't been very energetic these days. I took him to the vet, and they couldn't find anything wrong with him, but I'm really worried...
Let me see...
*Meow...*
Mister, your cat doesn't like to exercise, right?
Yes! All he wants to do is eat!
(*Sigh*... Another over-fed cat...)
Your Dumpling may be in danger of over-eating. You'd better get him on a good diet and out for some exercise so he can get in shape!
I foresee his life in the future. As long as you help him, he'll be with you for a long time!
*Meow!*
Really?!
If you're still worried about him, you can buy some of these charms. They contain my divine power and can protect your cat from harm.
I'll take five! Thanks!
Those charms are so cute! I want one for my cat too!
(After selling several charms, Ethan happily looks down and counts the money.)
I've been watching you. You don't have any powers of divination, do you?
You've only given them details about obvious facts in order to gain their trust.
Your "readings" are quite vague and ambiguous. Most of the time, you only say things they want to hear.
All this proves that... you are a fraud!
(Who's this annoying guy...)
(Ethan turns around impatiently and comes eye to eye with a magnifying glass.)
Crap! It's a big cat!!!
Are you really a cat? Can I touch your paws?
???
*Meowww!!!*
(Hearing the unpleasant meowing of the cats around him, Ethan realizes something's wrong and tries to talk his way out of it.)
I'm an Esper. It's perfectly normal for me to have powers of divination.
Look, even the cats can't tolerate your lies.
*Meowww*
You might be able to communicate with cats, but you can't foretell...
(Seeing the cats bare their teeth at him, Tevor is suddenly unsure about his suspicions.)
Ha! Foretelling the future is easy for me!
For example, I can predict that something will happen to you very soon!
*Meow*
(While Tevor is unaware, Ethan suddenly sprays some catnip on him.)
(The cats, lured by catnip, pounced on Tevor. They begin to passionately lick his fur and playfully nip and scratch him.)
!!!
S-Stop it! It tickles!
(Moments later, Tevor starts to become a bit dizzy as he becomes affected by the catnip as well.)
W-What's that smell...? It smells good...
(As Tevor becomes buried in the pile of cats, Ethan crouches down triumphantly and gently pinches his paw.)
Whoa... It's the first time I've seen such a thorough transformation...
Your paws feel nice.
(By the time Tevor regains consciousness and pushes the cats off of him, Ethan is nowhere to be seen.)
Damn it!
I swear I'll get you someday!!!
3. As Planned
51 linesTangton: Street Corner
(A newly opened bakery on a busy street has suddenly gone viral, drawing a large number of young customers.)
Is this the store everyone is talking about online?
Yeah, this is the one!
Look over there! The fresh batch of cupcakes just sold out again!
Everything smells so good! We gotta buy something since we're already here.
(Under the blazing sun, the aroma of the baked goods drifted down the whole street. A massive line in front of the store grows longer and longer.)
(Ethan rolls out his cart and sets up a roadside stand.)
Hey, have a look! We've got caps, visors, and bottled water... everything you need!
You may need to line for these tasty cupcakes, but my stuff is right here!
Hi, Miss. You need a visor to shield yourself from the sun?
Ah, I didn't put enough sunscreen on this morning. Sure, give me a blue one.
Right! Here you are!
Hey Bro! Your girlfriend looks like she's overheating. You better buy her some water so she doesn't get heatstroke.
Yeah, alright. Give me two bottles of water!
Give me one too!
Sure, no need to push. I've got plenty.
(As the weather grows hotter, Ethan busily goes down the line with his cart. He's sweating from the heat, but he's making a lot of money.)
(The next day...)
Are the cupcakes really that good? Or did they hire those influencers for their promotion?
Look at this line. Smell that aroma. The cupcakes must be good!
They're all here for cupcakes? It's gonna take forever.
Yes, plus you have to wait under the sun too.
I have an idea. You give me a small tip, and I'll have some of my friends stand in line for you.
Then you can shop around and enjoy the nice AC in the mall. When they're ready, we'll deliver your cupcakes right to you!
Alright, I'll take two!
No problem!
A cupcake here is so expensive! I just want to get one to post a picture on my Swiftspace.
How about this? I have a cupcake from the store already. Give me five e-coins, and I'll let you take a photo with it.
Deal!
Pose with it over here. The scenery is better.
(More street vendors show up selling water and visors the next day.)
(Ethan just fans the money in his hand at them with a broad smile.)
(Several days later...)
Tangton: Viral Bakery
Ethan! Thanks to your brilliant idea, our revenue has tripled!
You're welcome. I just hired a group of people to line up in front of your shop. People naturally will be curious.
If you want, I can find some friends to promote your shop around Gyrate.
We're already satisfied with today's results. We had so many people in line that we couldn't keep up!
I'm sure your store will continue to do great!
Haha! Thanks for the kind words.
Here's 10% of the profit! Just like I promised.
Thanks, Buddy! So generous of you!
(Ethan unconsciously smells the air as he sees the freshly baked cupcakes being brought out.)
Your cupcakes smell amazing. I really wanna try one!
You think I could have one on the house?
Of course! I'll box one up for you to take home.
(After thanking the owner, Ethan takes his cupcake and walks out the door, humming a tune.)
When I deliver this cupcake, I'll stress how long the line was.
"Emma, I waited for 4 hours under the blazing sun to get this for you!"
She'll be moved for sure!
4. When Your Chance Comes
63 linesTangton: Street Corner
Ahhhh!
Did you just touch me?
Huh? I was holding my phone! You must mean that guy behind you!
What?!
(As several people argue, people start to crowd around them. During the commotion, someone slips in and steals some of the onlookers' wallets.)
(After the incident is resolved, the Marshal records the onlookers' lost belongings and bumps into Ethan during the investigation.)
It wasn't me!
(Ethan hangs up his phone in anger and realizes the Marshal is looking at him.)
Ethan, what are you doing here?
You didn't cause the commotion just now, did you?
Do all of you Marshals like to accuse innocent people or something?
Who else is accusing you of things?
Wait! *Chuckle*... Let me guess, you were talking to our lovely Emma just now!
Who else could it be? She just accused me of doing something without giving me a chance to defend myself!
"It is our shared duty to maintain the security of Tangton."
"We cannot turn a blind eye to wrongdoing."
(The Marshal laughs at Ethan's imitates Emma)
I'm fed up with this. I've heard it a hundred times.
Can't you guys just stop blaming me for everything?
Well, we all remember all the trouble you used to cause.
So it's our instinct to suspect you first, hahaha.
(After bidding the Marshal goodbye, Ethan was a little angry. He blows a whistle and attracts some stray cats to him.)
My babies, they all suspect me!
Meow?
If I don't do something, then I'm gonna become a scapegoat for doing nothing. Right, guys?
*Meowww*
I'll get to the bottom of this and show them all!
*Meow!*
So tell me, did any of you see the man's face?
*Meowww*
Okay... A short-haired guy in a gray jacket... Is he a thug in this neighborhood?
*Meow!*
Yes? You know where he is? Wonderful!
Tangton: Alleyway
(Following the cats, Ethan finds the thug ducked down in an alleyway as he counts his stolen money.)
(Ethan takes a deep breath and plays the accordion with his powers, calming and affecting the thug's mind.)
Hm?
Where is that music coming from?
(Immersed in the music, the thug relaxes and starts to dance.)
(By the time he regains his senses, he has been surrounded by cats.)
E-Ethan?
Tell me the truth, did you steal the money?
I earned it. It's none of your business!
Didn't you make a living stealing before?
...
(The thug's words catch Ethan off guard. He thinks for a moment before putting on his morally-righteous face.)
I-It is our shared duty... to maintain the security of Tangton!
I cannot turn a blind eye to wrongdoing!
What's up with you today?
Silence! My babies, arrest him!
*Meow!*
(The thug can't defend against the cats' ferocious attacks. He gives up all the wallets he stole.)
(The cats pick up the wallets and dash out of the alleyway, delivering them back to their rightful owners.)
Are we done?
I gave you everything I took. Can I go now?
I'll let you go this time, but I better not catch you at this again!
(Ethan waves his hand and saunters out of the dim alleyway in a much better mood.)
(The thug kicks a can on the floor and slides his hands into his pockets. He's about ready to leave when he realizes something's wrong.)
Where's my wallet?!
Tangton: Street Corner
(Turning a corner, Ethan whistles as he takes the wallet out of his pocket.)
Consider this payment for trying to set me up.
5. The Gift
43 linesTangton: Shopping Street
(Ethan walks into a clothing store and stares at a fine scarf with a hesitant expression.)
Hello, can I help you?
(Nope, everything you sell here is easily worth 3 months of my salary.)
Oh, I remember you. You must be here to buy this scarf for the lady you were with the other day!
(Who would spend a fortune on a scarf?!)
She was beautiful. With this fine scarf on her, she'll be even more radiant.
(She's cute enough without the scarf.)
(Ethan imagines the look on Emma's face when she sees this scarf. This decision is getting tough.)
If you really want it, I can give you 20% off.
(Really? You think 20% off makes that much of a difference?)
Just between you and I, but that lady came in to ask me about the price earlier.
(She really must like this scarf...)
I'm sure she'll be head over heels when she receives it as a gift!
*Sigh*... Okay, pack it up for me.
Of course. Just wait a moment, sir.
(Ethan leaves the store with a delicately wrapped gift in a nice shopping bag and an empty wallet.)
I'll give Emma her surprise right away!
Tangton: Street
*Meow...*
Oh! What's wrong, little kitty?
(A stray cat hiding in a corner senses someone approaching. It places its head into Ethan's hand and rubs against it.)
*Meow...*
(Ethan sees the cat's belly bulging out under its bony body.)
Congrats, you'll be a mom soon.
Come on, have something to eat.
(Ethan gives her some cat food that he always carries. The cat tentatively smells the food and carefully starts to eat.)
(A gust of cold wind blows, and her body shivers and curls itself into a ball again.)
(Ethan thinks for a moment and unwraps the gift, making a warm bed for the cat out of the luxury scarf.)
Don't worry, I'll come and visit you soon.
Promise me that you and your kittens will be fine, won't you?
*Meow...*
Tangton: All-Trades Agency
This is baaaad!
What about Emma's gift?!
(Ethan anxiously walks in circles, looking at the empty shopping bag.)
(He is interrupted by the sound of the doorbell.)
Hello, is this the All-Trades Agency? I have a package here for Mr. Ethan.
I didn't buy anything... Did someone send me a gift?
Miss Emma asked me to deliver it to you.
(Ethan unwraps the package and takes out a handwritten card.)
"I think this scarf suited you when I saw it the other day. I finally saved up enough to buy it. Hope you like it!"
(The exquisite scarf lies silently in the box. The white fluff emits an aura of warmth.)