Specialty Change: Pearlhorizon

...It's too bright...

It's been so long since I've seen such bright light. I wish we'd left earlier.

There's no point in thinking about the past. Let's just do what we can for now. Our dad sacrificed himself for us, we must move forward so that his death is not in vain.

She's right. I'm sure dad will be watching us from up there.

But, umm... What should we do now?

...I don't know.

Do you have anything in mind, Rose?

No. I only wanted to leave the manor so we could take vengeance on dad. Now that we know it was all a misunderstanding...

Hmph, you wouldn't shut up about leaving the manor, and now that we have, you don't know what to do! You're always nagging me to be prepared, and now look at you.

Ugh, that little...

Please stop fighting...

Hmm... Why don't we start with telling each other about our dreams? We might be able to get an idea of how we want to live from now on.

A great idea! Okay, I'll go first. I want to make lots and lots of friends so that I can play hide-and-seek with them all day long!

I...just need some doll friends to have a tea party with.

I want to live in a house full of dolls! I'll make them so pretty!

That's it? We finally escaped, and that's all you dream of? That's no different from what we did back in the manor.

Then what about you, Chain?

I'll find my prince charming! Someone who will love me for a lifetime...

Oh, come on! Do you still dream of prince charming? Be realistic.

What?! Don't say I didn't warn you!

I just can't put up with her any longer. I don't care where I live just as long as I don't need to see her face anymore!

Hmph! Feeling's mutual!

I don't think living apart is a bad idea. We all have different dreams, so it makes sense to me!

I agree. Maybe that's why we were given our freedom.

Then I guess this discussion is pointless. I'll excuse myself, I have somewhere I'd like to go.

I can't just sit here and waste my time. I need to hurry and find my prince! Farewell, everyone!

Alright, so everyone's suddenly on their own adventure! Looks fun, see you!

In the blink of an eye, everyone's left...except for you. What are you going to do, Rain?

I don't want to go on an adventure. I'm scared of strange places... I'll stay here and see what I can do.

Hmm... I see. But remember what I always say.

Stay strong, and be positive...?

Even if you don't find an answer here, remember that. I'm sure you'll be able to find the courage to break out of your shell.

Has this path always been this scary? It's like something might jump out at any moment.

I've been using this path for years now and nothing has ever happened. Anyway, this is the shortest path there. We're already running late.

Yeah, but...can't we just go somewhere else...?

*wailing*

Kyaaaaa! What was that?!

Why did you scream?! It's just a little girl! You startled me!

...

I-I see... What is she doing out here so late at night?

I don't know. Is she lost? Should we ask?

...You two are very pretty. I can make you even prettier.

...What is she talking about?

No idea. And what's with her hands...? They look so creepy...

I-I don't think she's Human... W-Why is she coming towards us?!

Will you be my dolls? I'll make you the prettiest dolls in the world.

N-No! Stay away from us! Ahhhhh!

Hey! W-Wait for me...!

Oh, no. She escaped... But I still have one of you left!

Ack!

Stop screaming. I don't want to cut your face by accident and ruin my perfect doll. Now, where do I begin...?

W-Wait, hold on a second! Why are you doing this?! Stay away from me! I'm a Human, not a doll!

Oh, I know, I know. But that will change soon enough.

Noooo! Let me go! I'm not some kind of Homunculus, why do I need to be your doll!?

...Homunculus?

*gasping* W-We're not supposed to talk about them... But why did she react like that? Maybe...

...Y-Yeah, Homunculus. You've never heard of them before? I think one of those will make a better doll.

Hmm... I'm listening.

W-Well, they look like Humans, and they act like Humans, but they aren't actually Humans... So they're already pretty much like dolls...

I don't know if it's a good idea to tell her dangerous lies...but I need to save myself first!

Human-like dolls...

I didn't know something like that exists. *chuckling* Homunculus...

I'm sure you have all heard the rumor about the Western Forest.

About the girl with strange hands asking people about Homunculi?

Yes, which has caused people to start avoiding the area.

But why now? Who is she?

Maybe she was part of Friedrich's army? Maybe they're trying to revive their fallen empire or something.

Your insight is truly as sharp as a knife, Katenka!

...We need to capture her and find out. If she really is part of Friedrich's army...

I will make sure this matter is not ignored.

Of course, of course! Since I know my way around the Western Forest, let me handle it.

Okay. I'll leave it to you then.

...

We don't have any real evidence that she was a member of Friedrich's army, so I suppose we should try finding some?

There's no need to waste our time.

Huh? But...

Just asking about Homunculi makes her suspicious enough. And I heard she has weird hands too? Obviously, she was part of some kind of failed experiment.

We've got plenty of evidence already to throw her in jail as soon as we find her. Still, it would be a lot easier for everyone if she were just one of Friedrich's soldiers.

Ugh, you're such a pig... Blinded by greed.

...Oh? There's a girl over there. Judging by those hands, it must be her.

Oh, well. That was easier than I expected. Let's go get her.

Hey, you! What are you doing out here alone?

Oh, it's been so long since anyone has come this way. Do you live near here?

Yes, do you need help?

*giggling* Actually, I have a question for you.

Do you...happen to know what a Homunculus is?

Homunculus? Of course, I do. Extremely well.

Really?!

What do you want to know? There were so many studies about Homunculi, it's quite a lot to explain.

You can just show me where to find the information myself, and I'll take care of the rest...!

*chuckling*... Alright, then. Follow me.

Where are we? How much farther are the archives?

We're almost there. Such rare information must be hidden somewhere safe.

Hmm... I guess that makes sense.

Great. We're here. Go in there and you'll be able to find all the information you need.

Here? But it's empty...

...*clanking*

...! What are you doing!?

You are under arrest for plotting a rebellion.

A rebellion? What are you talking about?

Do you really think I don't know what you've been up to? You were planning to bring chaos to Ezera using Homunculi! Fortunately, you were stupid enough to tell me.

Bring chaos? There must be a misunderstanding! I was just...!

Ugh, you're so loud. Well, the truth doesn't matter. You are already guilty for walking around asking about Homunculi. *chuckling*

You lied to me...! Do you think I can't break these stupid bars?! I'll kill you right now!

SLAM!

Kyaaaa! It hurts...!

Hahaha! Silly little girl. You really thought I was stupid enough to lock you up in a normal old jail cell?

We've just given them all a big upgrade after a few...incidents. So save your energy and focus on reflecting on your life.

But it's not like it will last much longer anyway.

Urgh, dammit...

It's already been a few days since I was locked up in here... All I can hear are the pained screams of people asking to be released.

I'm innocent. I have no idea what I've done wrong. Why am I locked in here? Is it a crime to chase your dreams?

I'll never forgive him. I'm going to kill him with my own bare hands. I'll teach him who's the stupid one.

To do that...

...I guess this gap is wide enough for me to sneak out.

I may not be able to break the bars, but I can bend them! I've been trying really hard to bend them little by little without anyone noticing.

Alright. Now, which direction did I come in from...?

...Stop. Don't take another step.

...!

I thought I could hear some rustling coming from her cell. She must be severely punished!

How was she able to escape so soon? She sure isn't an ordinary Human. I dread to think what would have happened if we hadn't caught her in time.

...Hmph!

Ah, where do you think you're going?! Stop!

Follow her!

Ack... She's strong, as expected...

Damn these persistent leeches... I need to find a way out of here before they get back up.

Where do you think you're going!?

Ahhh!

Lady Jena, are you okay? I'm sorry I couldn't cover you. I was waiting for the right moment!

I'm fine, you did a good job.

Ugh... Where were they hiding...?

There's no use running. We know this place far better than you do.

So stop struggling and give in peacefully...

*weeping* This is so unfair...

...

I just wanted to learn how to make dolls... What did I do to deserve this humiliation...?

...What?

You only wanted to make dolls? Were you not trying to make an army of Homunculi? Not again...

...Why were you trying to find information on Homunculi? Tell me everything.

So you wanted to make Human-like dolls to play with...?

Yes... But then that guy arrested me...

Now I get it. Sorry, there was a misunderstanding. But in our defense, we had good reason to be overcautious.

Those Homunculi were made for war.

...!

After the war ended, Ezera destroyed all materials related to the creation of Homunculi, in the hopes of keeping such a terrible thing from ever happening again.

And suddenly a random stranger in the forest starts asking about them... We thought you were a soldier from that army.

Oh no... Then...

I'm sorry, but there are no documents about the Homunculi left. Even if there were, I wouldn't have been able to give them to you.

...

I'm sure you had no idea about all this and just made a mistake. Let me get you out of this dungeon.

Lady Jena, that's...

We can't arrest an innocent young girl. And neither should we suspect someone based on their appearance.

We are meant to punish evildoers, not arrest innocent people.

...Understood.

I'm free, but now I have no idea what to do. I've been putting up with all this pain thinking of a happy future surrounded by Homunculi...

I can't even find my own happiness... I had no idea chasing my dream would be so difficult. What should I do now?

Is there really...no other way...?

This is all your fault.

You insisted we go this way, I tried saying no.

But you followed me anyway. That's why we're lost.

Yeah? Then should I have just abandoned you, even though Yuna specifically told us to stick together?

...Wait. Someone's standing in our way.

Who is it? Ugh, the road is too narrow to walk around her...

Excuse me, will you please move? You're in my way.

...

She looks...very sad.

Should we help?

Excuse me, are you okay? Do you need help?

*sobbing* ...What should I do...?

Huh? W-Why are you crying?

Because I wanted to make dolls... Pretty, Human-like dolls... But I can't... It's not allowed...

Human-like dolls? Is she talking about us?

Huh? Are you a Homunculus...?

No, we're Magic Dolls. Some might call us Automatic Dolls too...

Magic...Dolls? Automatic Dolls?

What are they?! Are they different from Homunculi?! Am I allowed to make them? Please, tell me!

Umm... Should we tell her, Lots?

I guess it won't take too long to explain.

Thank you, thank you so much!

Excuse me...

Yes?

Is this the way to Reingar?

Yes, it is.

Are you from Reingar? Do you know about Automatic Dolls?

Automatic Dolls? You mean the dolls that President Yuna made with the energy from the Automaton Tower?

President Yuna, Automaton Tower... Thanks for letting me know.

Oh...?

It's just like those dolls told me. I'm in Reingar, where they were made...

To avoid committing the same mistake again, I've collected information legally, paying for it with my own money.

And from what I've heard, no one has ever tried making an army out of them. What a relief...

This will be my last chance to make my own dolls! I'll figure out how to make them, no matter what it takes!

...Who is she? I've never seen her before. She feels a little...creepy...

Is she just a visitor like Ras? But why did she ask about Automatic Dolls?

It seems like she's looking for President Yuna... Oh! I should have asked if she has a pass.

Otherwise, she'll get arrested by the Public Security Club...