Duet Night Abyss story · Side stories
Little Researcher
Chapter Noctoyager
1 scenes, 80 lines
1. Speak with Theo
80 linesHmm... I've made up my mind, hello, Test Subject No. 1!
(The boy peers up at you, his wide eyes gleaming with anticipation.)
(He's wearing a neatly kept, well-made uniform, looks like he might be a student.)
What's the test about? Is it part of your homework?
Nope! It's my personal research, my very own project!
(It's not really safe for a kid to be out here alone.)
It's not exactly safe for a little boy to be wandering around here. Want me to walk you home?
That's so kind of you! But I have to finish my test first, then I'll head back, promise.
(Ask if there's any reward involved.)
Huh? Um... yes! Of course you'll get paid! You can have all of my pocket money.
Here's the deal: I'm conducting a scientific study on Charon folk! And guess what? You've just been selected as my very first test subject!
Why me?
Uh... it was totally a random draw! That's how we avoid bias, obviously!
Ahem.. let's start with your name. What should I call you?
I am the Flame of Rebirth, Guardian of Icelake, the Glorious One, originally from Purgatorio Island, Vita!
Whoa, wait, slow down... Flame of... something... Icelake... Purg, what now?
Aww, that name's way too long! How about I call you... Miss {$XiAoTag(Value_1,Value_2)$|Purr:Sibylle}!
I'm Sibylle.
Hmm... that name sounds super familiar. Feels like I've heard it somewhere before...
Eh, whatever! Right then, Miss {$XiAoTag(Value_1,Value_2)$|Purr:Sibylle}, let's begin!
Don't worry, it's super simple! All you need to do is fill out this survey!
(The boy holds out a thick stack of papers, clutching them in both hands.)
(The edges are rough, as if ripped straight from a school notebook. The pages are filled with childish but tidy handwriting, listing hundreds of questions, all carefully numbered.)
Your survey's a bit long, don't you think?
Is it? I only put 777 questions on the list!
For a survey this big, I'm gonna have to charge you extra.
Ah... but I'm already out of pocket... Can I maybe pay you in instalments?
Sure. I'll answer in instalments too, how about over the next ten years?
Huh!? Ten years!?
Please... pretty pleeeease! Out of all the Charons in Icelake, I picked you! It's gotta be fate!
(Just then, a tall, broad-shouldered Charon strolls past, and the boy vanishes in a flash. You glance over your shoulder and spot him, tucked neatly into your shadow.)
(As soon as the stranger is gone, he pops right back to where he was, like nothing ever happened.)
So... what do you say, miss?
What was that? Were you scared?
N, No way! I, I was just... worried it'd be rude not to say hello!
Researchers aren't supposed to lie, you know.
Uh... well... maybe just a tiny bit... But anyway! That's not the point!
Where were we... oh, right! The survey! If you really don't want to fill it out, I'll just pick a few super important questions, and you can just tell me your answers!
If you've got time right now, we can start straight away!
Alright! Listen up, first question!
Question #1: Why do you only have one horn?
I was born that way.
Oh... so it's just a natural difference. Interesting...
I sold the other one for cash.
Really!? You can sell horns!?
I totally wanna buy one for research...!
Only smart kids can see the other one.
...Uh-huh. Nope, not buying it. I'm not that gullible.
Still... I didn't know Charons made jokes too!
Hmm... next up, Question #2: What does your horn feel like? Can you slice a piece off for me as a sample?
It'd hurt. So, no.
Oh, sorry! ...Wait, really? So Demon's Children feel pain too? That's not what my dad told me...
Sure. That'll be 3000 silver coins.
What!? Uh, n, never mind...
Touch it, and you'll get poisoned.
Really!? How bad is it? Is there a cure? Do you get poisoned too?
...Nah, just messing with you. My horn isn't poisonous. But slicing a piece off would definitely hurt, so that's a no.
Oh, sorry! ...Wait, really? So Demon's Children feel pain too? That's not what my dad told me...
Speaking of which... what do your mum and dad look like? As Demon's Children, they must look super scary, right? Like monsters who could swallow a person whole?
Just ordinary Charon folk, I think.
Oh... that's kinda boring.
No idea. Never met them.
"No conclusion without firsthand observation" hey, you'd make a great researcher too!
They're fairies.
Huh... that's funny, another Charon told me the same thing once!
A few years back, I met this really nice Charon gentleman. He told me he was a "fairy."
He was in a rush to meet someone, so I didn't get to ask much more...
But he was the first person who ever gave me a different answer about where Charons come from. I've always wondered about it since... But I never saw him again.
He really was a fairy.
Mhm... if you both say so, then it must be true!
He's returned to the sky, where the fairies belong.
I see... I guess I really won't see him again then.
Hmm... everyone seems to have a different answer for Question #3. Looks like I'll need lots more samples.
Next up, Question #4...
I'm gonna stop you right there. Your questions are making me uncomfortable. I'm done.
Actually, I just remembered I've got somewhere to be.
More questions? That'll cost you extra.
Ahh... o, okay... let's call it a day then.
Thank you, miss! Here's your payment for helping with my survey.
I'll save up more pocket money and come back to ask you the next questions!