Esper Story: Zora

Zora, do you mind visiting the toy shop with me?

Uh. And why would we be going there?

A friend wants a special toy for his kid's birthday.

He said the toy is only available in Gyrate's flagship toy store.

That's pretty inconvenient...

Can't you go alone? I'll wait for you here.

I'm not great at picking gifts. I'd be much better off with some advice.

...Okay. Fine.

What's your friend after, exactly?

Let me check our chat history... Toys from... Bunny Wonderland? Is this the one?

That's from Bunny Manor. The first floor is Bunny Wonderland.

Look, the ears are different.

Right, I hadn't noticed that.

Well, which one is "Alice" then...?

You can stop looking. These are all "Alice".

This is Alice in a dress... This is Alice in an explorer's outfit.

And this is Alice in a combat outfit, the latest. Her armor blocks flames. Pretty cool, eh?

Now's the easy part. Just pick one.

Thanks! Hmm... They all look pretty good...

Wait here. I'll go pay.

Wait... Why are you giving it to me?...

You're a fan, right? I could tell. And I think you liked this one.

So, consider it my thanks for your help today!

Our teacher in the orphanage was always showing us cartoons.

It's not like I'm into toys. I just find them... familiar...?

(Training Ground's closing soon. I need to finish my meal and get out of here soon if I want to train tonight.)

Why are you sitting here all by yourself? Waiting for someone?

Waiting for my niece. We were going to have dinner.

I know the one. Mary-Jane, right? I just saw her at the Training Ground.

...She's been in there almost every day since that tragedy with her parents.

You know, they ran into trouble on a mission... Oh, sorry.

It's okay. It's getting late. You'd better go home soon. I can wait for her if you want?

......

(About time for another round of exercise.)

T-thanks... Ouch.

You hurt?

I think I twisted my ankle...

Let me help you to the bench.

It's getting dark. Could be dangerous to keep at it this late.

You'd better get home. Training Ground is closing anyway.

What? I thought it was open 24/7.

Is this your first time here?

...No. I used to wait for my parents here.

They'd pick me up before dinner.

Where are they now?

Th-They're gone...

......

Oh, is your name Mary-Jane, by any chance?

Do you know me?

Someone mentioned you over at the lounge. A guy is waiting for you to join him for dinner.

That's my uncle. But... I don't want to go.

Are you training now too?

Yeah...

You look about my age... Can I ask you a question?

What?

Isn't it scary being a bounty hunter? Your mission are so dangerous.

Well, I'm getting better at it all the time. And if I'm really good at my job, I don't think there's that much to fear.

My parents trained here every day. They still died fighting Miramon.

That's why I don't want to be a bounty hunter...

No one's forcing anyone to be a bounty hunter. Especially if you're not comfortable with it.

...But, I've watched them train since I was little girl.

They're gone now but... I really don't know what else I can do besides following in their footsteps.

You've got to have other goals and dreams in life.

You were running just now, right? For example: whatever you want to do, you gotta try to keep healthy.

For what? It doesn't even matter that much anyway...

I can't do anything.

Anything used to trip me up when I was a kid. And I had to leave home when I was practically a baby.

So you're doing much better than me.

How old were you then?

Five.

That's so young... Have you ever gone back?

No. We were from Estero Harbor. Miracle destroyed it.

Oh, so you lost your parents too?... I'm sorry.

Is that why you became a bounty hunter?

Well, that and some other reasons. At least I'm good at it. And I enjoy it too.

I see. But what do you think I should do?

I haven't eaten anything today.

How about we go get something then?

Whatever you want to do, you gotta take care of yourself first.

...You're right. I will.

How's your ankle? I'll come with you to the lounge. It's got a great fireplace.

Look at that. Something's got her fired up, do you think?

Absolutely. She was just teaching me how to use the equipment.

She was saying she wants to go study in the city. But has to train herself up first.

She's showing us all how it's done... I suppose the guild will give her the funds?

Tell me I'm wrong, Zora. You've asked for a day off?

Have I got my bounty hunters mixed up? It's amazing! Unbelievable!

Whatever happened to Zora the workaholic?

I'm just going to Debia to do some shopping.

Shopping? I see. And it can't wait for the weekend?

...That's none of your concern.

Come on, Zora! I consider you a good friend. You can tell me...

It's... a skir...

What?

A skirt... For my bunny doll.

And you have to go to Debia to buy it?

The one I want is only available there. There's only a few per store.

And it's available tomorrow morning. I'll miss out if I have to wait for the weekend.

Ah, I see. What do you say to me going with you? Two are better than one when it comes to shopping, right?

...Oh, fine. But remember I didn't ask you to come. So don't complain if you find it boring.

When do we leave?

Zora, I heard you're taking a day off. You're not ill, are you?... Oh hi, Xiao Yin.

Good timing! Zora isn't sick, no. It's far more important than that.

Ouch, my foot!

Xiao Yin is talking nonsense again.

...Am not. Zora is going to Debia to buy a skirt for her toy doll. And it can't wait. It's a limited edition, super hard to find skirt.

So I plan to go with her to help make her plan a success.

Oh, right. Well, it just so happens I'm also off duty then. So, if you need an extra hand, I'd be happy to make it a group effort.

Guys, this is really just a very small thing, it's hardly worth wasting your time over...

Nothing's too small for a friend in need. How about we go now?

......

This is crazy. They're not kidding when they said it was "limited edition", huh?

They've only got 100 in the store. The staff said everyone in the queue could get one.

Yet, it was already sold out when I reached the desk.

Zora, don't be sad. Maybe some scalpers will come to the rescue in a few days. You can get it online.

Yes, yes. We were just unlucky...

Zora, are... are you alright?

I'm fine. I thought you'd say something like I'm being "childish".

Coming all this way to Debia... Staying up all night just to help me get a toy's skirt...

I'm really thankful, and happy, for you two, truly.

Well, it's a hobby. We've all got hobbies. Got to do what you want.

We've all been out there helping each other out for quite some time. Don't feel like you owe us.

...I'm just annoyed at the vendor.

It's all marketing tactics. Bleh. I'm out.

How about we make a toy skirt ourselves? It'd be even rarer than the limited edition one, because it'll be one of a kind!

Hmm... That's not as silly as it sounds. I actually do know how to sew. I have a sewing machine at home...

If you're sure you can sew something like this, then let's go buy the fabric right now.

Hey, hold on... Are you guys serious? We're seriously gonna make a doll's skirt on our own?

Do we look like we're having a laugh to you?

Pfft...

Zora, can you let me know when you've measured the doll's size?

Zora, I've got something to tell you.

Stewart knows you're in Graywater. He called me asking about you this morning.

...Was I not careful enough? Did I do something?

No. It wasn't anything recent.

He used to take care of you while you were in the orphanage, right?

So he's built up a pretty good picture of you in his mind. Realistically, it's just a matter of time before he finds you, if he truly wants to.

Why is he looking for me? Does he want me to go back there with him?

No. It's something about a "ceremony".

What "ceremony"?

Stewart's been named one of the top 10 teachers in Gyrate. He's known as the "orphans' guide".

That's a big honor for him.

I suppose he wants to share the celebration with his "family".

Family...

Can I just reject the invitation now? I really don't know if I can... I just don't want to meet him.

...It's your call.

If you don't want to meet him, I'm sure he'll understand.

Wait, c-can you... tell me where and when the ceremony is? I may not attend... but...

I'll send the time and location to you. Do with it as you wish.

If you do want to go, you can take the time off. That's fine.

Zora? Is that you? Zora!

I... Eh... Why did you come back?

To fetch something. I didn't expect that... I mean...

Long time no see.

...Long time no see.

......

......

Hahaha... You haven't changed much. I remember you used to love putting gifts on my window, huh?

...Congratulations.

Thank you. Can I open it now?

Don't! Wait until after I leave. I'm going right now anyways.

Wait Zora. Why?

How are you doing in Graywater?

......

I'm living a great life. I've got new friends, and I often go on missions for the guild.

Good to know that you're doing great.

You don't think I've let you down?

Never! Why would you think that?

I remember you were always saying how being an Esper is such an important responsibility.

I was meant to be a Union Ops Chief. You were so encouraging...

Look where I ended up...

I supported you in that because I thought that's what you wanted too.

Whatever you choose to do or be, Zora, I'll always be proud of you.

Even if I don't join the Union?

Of course.

Even if I fight all day? Even if I...

Zora, you're a grown up now. I can't tell you what to do. It's your choice.

Knowing you're doing great now in Graywater is all the good news I needed to hear.

...Teacher, how did you find out I was there?

Remember how you keep hiding around the place when you first came here?

Yeah. You were the only person who could find me.

Yes, I was. And I still am perhaps.

......

When you played hide and seek, you often said it only counted when I found you, not the others.

I know I used to be a bit stern... but I hope you can still see me as a person you can confide in.

You'd still want me to find you, wouldn't you?

Okay... You may open my gift now.

How polite of you! Not touching your dessert before I get here, huh?

I didn't order it.

It's from the person sitting in the corner. At your 10 o'clock.

You mean that guy? He ordered it for you?

The store owner said so when he brought it over.

Quite handsome, huh? Tall...

Is he your type?

What are you talking about?

Zora, come on. Don't you know why he ordered it for you?

Of course I know.

He's obviously a bounty hunter who doesn't have the skills to go head-to-head.

I think he suspects I am too. Hence the cake.

The friendly knife...

Cuts the deepest? Really?

Or... he likes you!

It's so obvious. He keeps checking you out. And doesn't like me. If looks could kill, I'd be dead. Heh.

I bet he thinks I'm your boyfriend. Hahaha...

...Impossible!

You don't think so? I can prove it. Ahem...

All our siblings are married now! You're our only eligible maid, my dear sister!

Hello, I'm Thomas.

Sorry for ordering the Tiramisu. I take it you don't like Tiramisu, right?

No, I actually do like it. I just don't take things from strangers.

......

......

I didn't mean anything untoward. It was just my way of saying "hi".

You know, Tiramisu literally means "pick me up" and "take me with you".

And the flavor is always consistently great. It's the king of desserts, to me.

Tiramisu is Tiramisu. That's it. Who cares about that stuff? Load of fancy rubbish...

Forgive me, I-I've got, uh, some business to attend to... See you, and, uh, sorry for bothering you...

......

Whoa, that was quite the shut-down. You really scared him off.

I'm just telling it like it is. No one cares about the things he said. That's not why people like Tiramisu.

He was just waxing lyrical... looking for an opening. You just totally shut him down.

You're not much one for romance, huh?

Is that what you call romance? It's a distraction. I've got things to do. Like vengeance...

Fine. If you don't like yourself some sweet romance, how about some of that sweet Tiramisu?