Esper Story: Ollie

Ollie?

...Hi, Asenath.

It really is you!

I just spoke to Laura a couple of days ago. And here you are now, in the flesh! In Utgard!

Huh?

She's worried about you, you know?

She knows you're still investigating the... incident. She just wants to make sure you're safe.

Then she should know I'm a grown man. I can take care of myself.

You should tell her that. I'm sure she'd love to hear from you firsthand.

......

Another time, perhaps. I should get going.

You can talk to plants, right?

Yes. Why?

...Forget it. It's nothing. Goodbye.

???

Over here, Asenath.

Ollie! What... What happened? It looks like you haven't slept in days!

Is something wrong?

Yeah, you could say that. I didn't want to involve you, but here goes...

Could you help me figure out what's going on with Frosty?

Frosty? Who's Frosty?

Frosty's my cactus, so named for his white spikes. He's a golden barrel cactus. Technically.

But I've been noticing brown spots since just a couple of days ago...

The weather's been real chilly. I moved him inside. Thought maybe he was cold.

But the brown spots just keep growing. I don't know what's causing it...

...And so you haven't been sleeping well? Because of this?

Yeah. I've had Frosty for a long time. He's never been like this before...

Relax. It's just a common fungal infection, I think. Let me ask him how he feels...

!

Fungal infection? How does that happen? Is it serious?

How is he, Asenath? Is Frosty going to be okay?

From what I can see, I mean, his symptoms, it's a fungal infection.

It could be caused by excess rain or humidity.

I did take him out the other day...

Don't blame yourself, Ollie. You caught it just in time.

I'll send some medicine. Just spray it on. He'll be fine in a few days after.

He says he's feeling okay. But he's afraid you won't want to take him outside in the future.

He shouldn't think that. I know golden barrel cacti are tough. That's why I like 'em.

Plus, I've always enjoyed taking him everywhere I go. I'd never leave him like that.

That's good to know. Frosty is very happy to hear that.

Isn't it great that you heard from him though? Like Frosty's actual words...

You couldn't wait to hear me tell you what he said, right? Straight from the horse's mouth, as it were...

......

I can guess what you're implying, Asenath.

Whatever contact I have with Laura, or lack of it, has nothing to do with anyone else. It's strictly a family matter.

Sure. But Laura's a close friend of mine. I think she deserves some closure.

......

Alright. I'll give her a call.

That's all I wanted...

Hello, sir. I see you've been examining this tea set for a while. Is there anything I can help you with?

Sir, it's just that we're be closing shortly and I would hate to...

Closing?

It's barely night-time. I thought shops here stay open until late.

Yes, that is correct, sir. And would undoubtedly be the case on any other day except that...

...It's the Solstice Festival today. Most of us have already gone home to our families for dinner.

Oh... It's December already?

Indeed, sir.

I imagined you were shopping for a gift.

No. I was just passing and thought I recognized this tea set. I remember it was my sister's favorite, I mean, before she broke it...

Would you like a closer look? We have quite the collection. There must be something in here she would like.

......

Thank you, but that's alright. She's not in Utgard anyway. I don't think I could get it to her in time.

Not a problem! We have an express delivery service available.

All our tea sets are completely unique and cannot be found anywhere else in Grandis. I think it would be a shame if... given what you said... if you didn't buy a set while you're here.

This set, for example, was inspired by the ice sculptures traditionally made to celebrate the Solstice Festival.

Excuse me, sir. It must be my family. I'll be back momentarily.

Daddy? Are you coming home soon?

Don't forget we're going to Saunbert Square for the show!

Of course, I remember, sweetie. I'll be back very soon.

I still have a customer in the shop. I'll talk to you later.

Sorry, sir. I promised to take my child to a show, and so...

That's quite alright. I shouldn't keep you here.

Can you please wrap this up for me? The ice sculpture set.

Very good choice, sir. Can I have the shipping address? I'll arrange for an express delivery right away.

No need. I'll just take it with me.

Always better to present it in person.

Not a problem. I'm sure your sister will love this exquisite piece.

Yes...

Happy New Year, sir.

...Happy New Year to you too.

Ollie!

!

Laura? What are you doing here?!

Can't I celebrate the Solstice Festival with my brother?

We didn't make this year's Human Day in Debia, but at least...

...we can count the year down together as a family. That's good enough.

......

Just another year gone. No big deal.

Come. I've booked a table at the best barbecue joint in town.

The food's fantastic, according to the Gulp reviews anyway. We can even grill the food ourselves if we want.

I mean, we're in Utgard, right? We've got to try it.

Alright. Let's go... And this is for you...

What's this?

A tea set.

I was going to give it to you in Gyrate, but since you're here...

Oh, because I told you about the teacup I broke last month?

I'm surprised you remembered. Thank you!

Well, it is Solstice. I had to give you something...

Come on, it's barbecue time! And I'm buying!

Happy New Year, Ollie!

Happy New Year, Laura.

Ollie! Come on in!

Hm.

We have company?

Oh, just kids from around the neighborhood. Anita has her friends over.

She's quite popular. Lots of friends.

I think this new environment is really good for her. She's been a lot happier these days.

Of course she's better off staying with you.

You're a good friend, Laura.

Yeah, but you're the one who saved her.

You know, she talks about you a lot... always asking where you are and if you're going to call.

Why don't you go inside and say hello?

...Maybe later. Too many kids. I'm not much of a babysitter.

I have a tendency to make kids cry...

Alright. Up to you. Wait here. I'll get the tea.

Hm.

Hi Anita. It's me.

Ollie! Come in!

Hm?

What's wrong? Is it not a good time?

I...

Anita, what happened to your hand?

!!!

How did this happen?

I...

*Sob*Sob*... I'm sorry.

That porcelain doll you gave me... One of my friends knocked it over. It broke.

Should've put it somewhere else... What was I thinking?

It's okay, Anita. I'll just buy you a new one.

No, that one was special!

You gave it to me for my birthday.

Ah. Oh.

Ummm... how about I put it back together? Would that make you feel better?

You...you could do that?

Sure. And it could be a joint effort.

Yes! I'll go get the glue!

Wait a minute. Let's bandage your finger first.

I'll do most of it. Just hand me stuff. Wouldn't want you to get cut again.

Yes sir!

Is she asleep?

Yeah. She stayed up until I got the last piece glued in. Then, she was out like a light.

Must've had a busy day.

Right. You know, I distinctly remember...

...someone telling me earlier they weren't much of a babysitter.

In the end, you spent three hours cheering her up and fixing that doll.

......

Cut it out, Laura.

These damn things just keep coming...

Shut up and stick to the plan. Ollie, you're too far from us. Keep close.

Don't worry about me.

*ROAR*

Watch this!

Leave it to me! You guys, pull back!

Hmph! What a showoff? Who does he think he is?

Yeah, Captain! We oughta teach the brat a lesson.

You said it. Kid's always wearing glasses. Let's see how four-eyes goes without them next time...

*Sigh*... Sorry. I'm late.

Misplaced my glasses last night. Took me a while to find them.

It's alright. As long as you're good to go, we'll get moving.

Sure. I'll cover our flank.

Weren't you supposed to steal his glasses?

We did, sir! I even took the lenses off. See? Still got 'em right here.

Hold on. These aren't spectacle lenses. Look! They don't do anything.

Why the heck does he wear glasses then?

Oh no. I've seen glasses like these... in fashion magazines.

Hah. What is he, a supermodel?

*ROAR*

Captain, we got company!

Damn! Who dropped the ball?!

Watch out! Move it!

*ROAR*

Over here! That's right, I'm the one you want!

You guys okay?

Yeah, thanks to you.

Yes. Thank you...

!!!

...From my glasses?

Uh...

...Yes! We found them for you!

Oh? And where did you find them?

Uh...... I......

...Look, I'm sorry. The truth is we stole them as a prank. It was stupid.

Lucky for us it's just a fashion statement. Or we'd be dead.

You think I wear them for fun? To look cool?

You don't?

Of course not.

???

They're to look older.

Hi Laura.

Ollie, it's been a while! How's everything?

Everything's going fine.

...Good to hear.

By the way, have you seen Drew recently? Is the Union keeping him very busy?

Why not ask him yourself? I'm sure he'd be glad to hear from you.

Uhh...

...We haven't spoken for a while. More than a month.

How come?

You mean... Drew hasn't even called once?

I guess he's just very busy.

Nonsense. I see him all the time over at the Union. He's not too busy for a phone call.

......

Did something happen between you two, Ollie?

......

Alright. Look...

He has been calling me. He called me a lot last month. Three times a day, I think.

And more when the weather turns bad.

I mean, I'm not a child anymore. It was getting annoying...

And... you said something?

I told him not to call me anymore.

And then he didn't, did he?

Hm.

*Sigh*...

Hey!

Sorry to be blunt about it, but didn't you get exactly what you wanted...?

No wonder Drew kind of looks a bit down lately.

I didn't mean to, you know...

Look, Ollie, I know Drew can be a little overbearing sometimes...

But when you left without a word last time, it really scared him.

Now he's found you again. I think he's just trying to make up for lost time.

(I know...)

Don't worry, I'll handle it. I'll say something.

It's terribly late. Whoever could that be?

Master Ollie? What are you doing here?

Didn't you say you were returning to Debia last month?

...It's not 12 o'clock yet. So... umm... Happy birthday!

!!!

What are you waiting for? Hurry up and blow out the candles!