- First Affection

Hello, Commander.

Are you busy?

Good.

Hmm...

Can you come to the Police Station?

We have a small issue.

It'd be better if you came down here in person.

Okay, great. I'll meet you there.

Hey, Commander.

Nice to see you!

Well...

Mighty Tools are doing some work on the pipes,

and they accidently scraped up against something.

Now a massive cesspool has formed, and the smell is horrendous!

It's a common occurrence during construction jobs, so they assured us they'd be able to take care of it, no problem.

However...

Commander! Commander!

Help me! Commander!

Let me out!

Commander, you've gotta let me outta here!

Yes. First she dove straight into the cesspool,

then she began traipsing about the Outpost.

*Urp*

I'm sorry, but I've gotta get out of here, or I'm gonna lose my lunch right here.

Try and hold it in for just a moment longer.

We had to lock her up before she ended up affecting anyone else.

We lured her in here under the pretext of wanting to play cops and robbers.

Now that she found out we pulled a fast one on her, she's causing a scene.

Coommmaaander!

We can't even call this place a Police Station anymore.

Even the Rehabilitation Center is preferable to this place right now... urrrp...

Miranda, for goodness sake, at least go outside before you blow chunks!

We would greatly appreciate that.

Urp... Commander...

Huh? So can I leave?

Okay!

Let's blow this joint!

...

I'll send you the repair bill separately.

Marian. Don't move.

Not even a little bit.

Ugh... Rapi, I can't take this anymore.

I recommend that you all shut off your olfactory sensor.

I've already told you this before. If you do that, it makes you less human... argh!

...

Can I move now?

All of this walking has made me quite tired, and I'd like to lie down.

Anis washed her bedsheets recently, so go lie down there.

Okay, thanks.

If you so much as get near my bedsheets, I'll kill you.

Neon, go fetch us all the clean towels that you can scrounge up.

Anis, make sure that the shower in the Commander's Room is ready to go.

We're going to use the towels to make a path leading to the shower.

What should we do with the towels afterwards?

Throw them out.

Okay, I'll go bring some of Anis's towels.

Don't even think about it!

Let's move fast, before this stench permeates the entire building.

Phew... we definitely gave her a thorough scrubbing.

Huh, that's strange. I can't smell anything.

You should visit the Repair Center later. I think there might be an issue with your olfactory sensor.

Can I leave now?

Wha... no! You're stark naked!

Commander! Are you outside?

We've got to put something on her. Can you bring some of our clothes?

One outfit from each of our wardrobes should cover it.

No matter what you do though, you're not to open up my drawer. You hear me?

We've got to put some clothes on you before we head out, Marian.

Let's start with Neon's clothes.

Okay.

Ow! This is too tight...

Especially around the chest.

...

I coulda told you that wasn't gonna work.

How come you're so sure?!

Try mine.

Okay.

Hmmm... they keep falling down.

I don't think this will work either.

Really?

Hmmm, oh well.

...

... Try mine.

Sure thing.

Ah, perfect! I'll be able to wear this, no problem.

Good. Then let's head out...

Uh-oh, some of the buttons flew off!

...

...

My clothes...

Uh... Commander, are you still out there?

We're gonna need something else to cover up Marian with.

Anything from your wardrobe will do. Just make sure it's big enough.

Do you have a shirt?

Just an ordinary shirt should be fine.

Okay, this should do the trick.

Here, put this on, Marian.

Huh? What is this?

Oooh, it has the Commander's smell on it. I love it!

You did wash this after wearing it, didn't you, Commander?

*Sniff sniff*

Wow, you smell wonderful, Commander.

...

*Sniff sniff*

Wow...

Can... Can I get a whiff?

Pull yourself together, Anis.

Huh... oh! Sorry.

Are we good to go?

Anis.

Not with the way Marian looks now, no.

Hmm... you're right.

We've gotta find something else to cover her up with.

Commander, do you have anything else that we can cover up her front with?

We can't have her going out like this.

Did you say doll?

I want a Commander doll!

Then I'm fine going out like this.

Absolutely not.

Then give me a Commander doll.

We've already told you, nothing like that exists!

Then I wanna go outside like this.

For crying out loud, no!

Then give me a Commander doll.

It's like talking to a brick wall...

Amazing. She's got us by the short hairs, and she knows it.

Commander.

We need you to come up with something... please.

Hey, Old-Timer!

Did you come alone?

??

How come you're so down?

Are you okay?

What exactly have you got in mind?

...

...

This is incredible! A new product just came in today.

How did you know?

Wait a moment.

Tah-dah!

Since you're the man of the hour, as it were,

some people pooled their money together to get a doll made in your likeness.

They finished it recently, so we just got one!

We were going to put it in our display window, but if you need it, you're more than welcome to it.

You're really something, Old-Timer.

Wanting a doll that looks like you.

Then again, self-love is important.

Lalala~

*Sniff sniff*

Lalala~

Jeez, she's as happy as a clam.

Well, she's wearing the shirt that carries the scent of Master, and has a doll that looks like him.

From Marian's perspective, it's like she's right beside him.

...

I just can't get over the fact that there's a doll like that.

How come I haven't gotten mine yet? I was one of the backers...

What was that?

Oh, um... nothing.

Anyway, are we just about done here?

For the moment, yes.

Then let's take five. I'm pooped.

How hilarious would it be if we got an emergency order right now?

Don't jinx it!

...

...

... I'll go prepare.

Have Neon do this mission solo. She's the one who jinxed us.

... Sorry.

Marian, cover me.

Got it!

We're not going to let her fight dressed like that, are we?

What can we do? There's nothing else for her to wear.

Have her stay home!

She'd find a way to follow us, and you know it.

... That is true.

Marian is also an integral part of our team.

Her being here will be a major help.

Yeah! I'm super helpful!

More than Anis and Neon, that's for sure. They're a bunch of weenies.

...

...

Let's go, Commander. I'll protect you.

...

We should have at least put some shoes on her...

You're probably right.

Hey! Where do you think you're going?! I'll show you who's a weenie!

Yeah, what she said!

All clear.

Let's head back.

...

What's wrong?

Marian, are you okay?

The clothes the Commander gave me...

they're dirty.

His smell is gone.

Don't freak, that's an easy fix.

Neon.

On it.

So what if the smell is gone when you've got the genuine article right here?

Yeah, rub up on him all you want.

...

*Sniff sniff*

You smell wonderful, Commander.

See? You can wash those dirty rags anytime,

then nuzzle up to the Commander to get the scent back on.

Right.

So long as the Commander is here,

you'll always be able to bring the scent back.

Fantastic!

...

...

There you are.

Come and eat. I cooked something special today.

You made something yourself?

Nice, I'm looking forward to it.

What about Crown?

She's waiting at the table, knife and fork in hand.

And with no small amount of drool, may I say.

Oh boy, I better get a move on then.

Yes, let's hurry.

What were you doing here, anyway?

I...

was just thinking about the past.

About time you showed up.

I've been trying my best not to dig in.

It would have hardly been dignified of me to start eating before everyone arrived.

Sorry, we didn't keep you waiting long, did we?

Nothing I can't handle. Waiting is what I do best.

You're drooling...

Oh, this? This is not drool.

This is merely a sign of the admiration I have for this scrumptious meal before us.

Ah, good point! We should always pay our respects to a fine meal.

Well, should we dig in?

Help yourself, Marian.

Thank you.

Is there no alcohol available?

...

...

A meal without alcohol can hardly be called a proper meal.

A little something I recently acquired from Scarlet.

You'll all partake, won't you?

...

Ah, and I also found some of these outside today.

They've been fattening up quite nicely.

Snow White told me that this is the time of year when they taste the best.

...

Wow, just look at those little guys go.

Actually, they look a bit like the protagonist XX from that book Rapunzel showed me... Unbridled Passion, was it?

The way they squirm, the size... the resemblance is uncanny!

...

...

Anyway,

bon appétit, everyone.

Bon... appétit.

... Bon appétit.