Blanchet's Story

Master, have you heard that rumor?

The one of a pale phantom appearing only at dawn at the border between Sprite Kingdom and Elemental Mountain.

Yes. It seems she avoids anyone she crosses paths with and simply walks around by herself...

Which makes it even more suspicious. Who could that phantom be?

...Hehe.

Hehe.

...Hello, Master. Long time, no see.

Phantom...? Did you mean me?

The rumor...? Oh, I see.

That's okay. I get mistaken for a phantom often.

I was on a walk.

I enjoy seeing the flowers and the world bathed in the soft light of dawn... so I always take a walk at this time.

The blue roses in my garden are also the prettiest at this hour.

Yes. I'm not very good at it... but I go and tend to it whenever I can.

Thank you. If you have time, would you like to have a look?

This way, please.

It was difficult at first, but a sprite who is very good with plants helped me out a lot.

Thanks to her... my roses bloomed beautifully.

Hmm? Yes... I do. It always comforts me when I'm going through a difficult time.

Thank you for coming here with me today.

Thank you. Please don't hesitate to come have a look at the garden if you ever have the opportunity.

Master! Master!

What? No, that was two days ago—Never mind that! This is something different!

My pumpkin patch is in trouble!

My pumpkin friends in the pumpkin patch have been low on energy lately...! What should I do?!

Yes! Do you know anyone who knows how to make pumpkins healthy?

Because you know every corner of Elias! Someone out there must be able to help my pumpkins!

Oh! Have you thought of someone?

Sure! Anything for my pumpkin friends!

...And that's why you came to see me?

Um... I've never grown anything other than roses myself...

But I'll try my best to help.

What kind of flowers are you growing? Freesias? Hydrangeas?

Uh... they're pumpkins!

Aha, pumpkins...! Come again?? Pumpkins?

Please help! My pumpkin friends are losing energy even as we speak...!

Ah, uh... okay... Although I'm not sure if I can be of any help...

This way!

Hmm...

Waaah... I knew it... There's something wrong with them after all, isn't there?

...Huh?

You look sad... It's because my pumpkins are suffering, right?

There's no way you'd look that sad unless my pumpkins were headed straight for the Weekend Farm, would you?!

N-No... Don't alarm yourself... I am not really sad or anything.

...Really?

Yes, really.

...From what I can see, there doesn't seem to be anything particularly problematic about the growing conditions for your pumpkins...

Has anything upsetting happened to you recently?

Uh... to me?

Ummmmm... actually, I got caught sneaking into the Order again two days ago...

My head still hurts from the noogie I got... Sniff...

Hmm. Maybe that's why?

Yes. The little ones that grow in the ground are quite sensitive to the mood of whoever tends to them.

I think if you tend to these pumpkins with happiness and joy, they will quickly become healthy again.

R-Really?!

Of course. That's why you should keep your spirits up in times like these.

You can do that, right?

Yes, absolutely! Thaaank you...!

Alas, I implore you! Please reveal to me...

The mysterious secret, hidden behind the veil—Oh!

M-Master?

I-I... was doing a little acting practice...

Er... yes.

It's okay. It was just some light practice anyway.

Oh, you, Master? Hmm...

Maybe... you could be my acting partner for a bit?

I'll say a few things, and you just respond and have a back-and-forth with me.

I think it would be more helpful if you improvised the dialogue rather than read from the script, Master.

Thank you! Let's start...

Alas, I implore you! Please reveal to me...

The mysterious secret, hidden behind the veil.

O, how can one even begin to express happiness? What words could embody its meaning?

...So that's how you define happiness, I see.

The happiness felt from a garden landscape... perhaps we have that in common.

Oh... I-I see. I suppose there may be someone who would interpret happiness in such a fashion...

Indulging in something tasty is, indeed, a happiness of its own, is it not? I'm sure the one you speak of will find happiness with cake...

Then, tell me this...

What must we do to follow the path of happiness?

A sense of unity? Such a nice way to put it.

I believe it suits you. You always strive to work together with everyone.

I see. The courage to face challenges, eh...?

That answer suits you perfectly since you never back down from a challenge.

...Sigh.

Thank you, Master. That really helped me with my practice.

Oh, stop it... You helped me so much.

You did better that I thought you would... Your projection, your eye contact... great acting!

Yes, of course. I mean it.

Perhaps... We will meet on the same stage one day, Master.

Hmph... I'm bored! Why is there no one fun to tease these days?

Where is everyone hiding? Poo... Oh?

Is that... a phantom I see?

No, not exactly... Ah, an elemental!

Gotcha... you're all mine now, heehee.

Well, hello there... I'm Selene. What's your name, darling?

H-Hello. My name is Blanchet.

Oh, I see! And what are you doing here by your lonesome, dear?

Right now? I'm just out for a walk...

Aww, what? You're really out here all alone, honey?

Yes... all by myself...

Are you for real? You actually have no friends?!

Oh my... that silence speaks volumes, doesn't it? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be so thoughtless!

Oh, but sweetheart, are you alright? It must be so lonely wandering around all by yourself like that!

Ah... I'm fine on my walks.

This blue bird keeps me company, so I'm not lonely at all.

...What? That bird, you mean?

Yes. We've become friends recently...

Oh, I see. The bird is your friend since you don't have any real ones, huh?

Don't tell me you actually believe that bird is your friend, hm?

Um... It's not about not having friends. We just ended up getting close while I was taking care of its injuries, that's all...

...Ugh!

You're no fun, seriously!

What's with you? You never show any reaction!

You don't even get angry when you hear things like this?

Well, of course I do...

It definitely hurts to hear things like that, and I get angry like everyone else.

I mean, I'm angry now.

Then how is it that you don't express it at all?! Your face looks exactly the same as it did in the beginning!

I wanted to take a picture of you looking super angry, but you're expressionless!

Ah... my facial expression...

Yeah!

Are you sure you're angry? You're the same as that earth elemental, aren't you?

No matter how much I try to provoke you, you don't even flinch!

Oh, uh...

Tch, forget it! I thought I finally found someone fun to mess with, but what a waste of time!

I'm out of here!

Ah... she's gone.

I'm the same as Gabia...? That's not true...

For Gabia... yeah, she's not the type to get riled up by provocations like that.

But for me...

I do feel agitated on the inside, but it just doesn't show on the outside.

That's the only reason you can't tell from my facial expression...

Although I've become used to expressing emotions on stage, it seems I'm still very awkward with that in everyday situations.

You know, just maybe...

If I were to make friends with someone who will accompany me on my strolls, it might help me express myself better?

I'd like to make a friend. Yes... a friend...

Would I be able to make a friend if I could be better at expressing myself...?

What should someone like me do to make friends?

Oh, hello, Master.

Um... actually...

I was wondering what I could do to make a friend.

Yes. A friend.

How can someone like me... make friends?

Huh? Um...

Um...

I actually met a phantom just now.

Yes. She told me I looked lonely, and we had a bit of a chat... That got me thinking...

That I wish I had a friend.

Even though I can't express my feelings when I feel hurt or angry at the moment...

I see...

What she said was true, so I'm fine.

She's not wrong that I don't have friends to go on walks with... Or that I'm just some boring elemental who can't express their feelings.

Sorry?

R-Right now?

But I... I'm still a little scared.

My expression always makes those around me feel sad... and I'm afraid it will be the same with anyone new.

I'm not sure if someone like me is capable of making friends.

Someone... who wouldn't get sad?

Do such individuals exist...?

I-It's nothing. Hehe.

...Excuse me?

Ah, okay—whoa!

Oh? You, too, Master...?

We have a lot of visitors to the ranch today!

Yes. Fortunately, she stopped here.

I think she flew here because she wanted to have a chat with this little one here.

She's a blue bird, you say? she looks so happy!

...Really?

Of course! She's energetic, healthy, and appears to be in a very wonderful mood.

I've seen many birds, but I haven't seen one this happy in a long time.

You raise her yourself, right?

She looks like she's received a lot of affection, hehe.

Oh, yes... I'm just grateful that she's healthy and well.

Thank you for your kind words.

Yes?

Wh-What chance?

Oh...

Um... okay. I'll try.

Excuse me, er... Mago?

Yes, hello!

It's nice to meet you. I'm Blanchet.

You know... you seem to get along pretty well with animals.

Could I maybe ask you a few things about my blue bird?

Yes, of course! Is there a problem or something?

Oh, it's just that... she doesn't seem to like coming out of the birdcage I put up for her recently...

Even today, it took me quite a while to get her to come out for a stroll.

Ah, I don't believe you need to worry about that.

Little walks like today and a good dose of fresh air will help her get back to normal in no time.

Oh, really?

Yes. Hehe, I can tell you're good at heart by the way you treat your blue bird.

You both look very happy.

...Excuse me?

You think I look happy? Me?

You don't think I look... sad?

Sad...? What do you mean?

I don't think you look sad...

Oh, your blue bird is chirping too. She must agree with me, hehe.

Um...

E-Excuse me...

Yes?

Do you think... we could be friends?

Friends...?

...Hehe. Anyone who loves animals is a friend of mine.

Hello, friend!

Ah...!

...Thank you, and hello, friend!

Thank you, Master, for today.

Hehe... You're wrong. If it weren't for you, I would have made no progress today.

I'm very grateful, Master.

I look forward to more of your advice in the future.