Schwarz: The Day We Left Home

Operator Record The Day We Left Home
What is the meaning of life? That is the question. Unlock conditions Raise Schwarz to Elite 2 Level 1. Have at least 50% Trust with Schwarz.

Characters
Ceylon Schwarz Herman Bodyguard A (Charlie) Tourist A Tourist B Secretary
Backgrounds
1 2 3 4

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After the Siesta incident, Schwarz decides to accompany Ceylon as she leaves home for Rhodes Island. Before she goes, Mayor Herman gives her a task.

”

<Background 1>
Broadcast	Attention, citizens and guests, do not be alarmed. The earthquake that occurred during the prior day's concert was an abnormal occurrence. A thorough analysis by Catastrophe Messenger Mr. Cronin has determined that such a thing will not happen again. Therefore, after careful consideration and consultation with the performers, the city has decided to reconvene the concert three days from today. At the same time, the city government will continue to closely monitor the situation surrounding the volcano. Please enjoy your visit.
[The crowd cheers.]
Tourist A	Whew, that was scary the other night.
Tourist B	Was it really that bad? I was sleeping in the hotel and I just thought there was some fat guy playing jump rope upstairs.
Tourist A	...I really don't know whether I should call that good luck or bad.
Tourist B	But after something that big, I feel like there's still a lot of people out on the street. I'd think the whole town would've gone cold.
Tourist A	A lot of folks did leave, but the city government cleaned things up pretty quickly, so not too many. After they stopped the concert, Mayor Herman came out to explain everything himself, and nothing else happened over the last couple days, so everyone's relaxed a lot.
Tourist B	I'm glad. Siesta's so awesome, I want to stay at least a few more days.
[Schwarz, who were aware of the truth, stood in silence.]
Schwarz	......
Bodyguard A	You wanted to see me, Chief?
Schwarz	I'm not the chief anymore, Charlie. Since the other day, you're Chief of the Public Security Bureau.
Charlie	Huh? You finally found a sense of humor, Chief?
Schwarz	I'm not joking.
Charlie	You're dropping something that big on me right here?
Schwarz	I've got a seat at the bureau, but there's nothing there for me. The Master will have someone send for me. It's enough to tell you.
Charlie	Chief, don't. You've been away for a month at a time before. Why do you have to up and quit?
Schwarz	It's different this time. I have to take Lady Ceylon far, far away, and I will not return for a long time. I've already sent your referral to the Master.
Charlie	But to make me the chief...? I'm not up to that challenge.
Schwarz	Of all the people in the bureau, half are useless morons, and the other half don't know how to adapt. You're the only one I can trust.
Charlie	But I'm not nearly as tough as you, Chief.
Schwarz	I've taught you enough to handle your typical gang of mercenaries. And for the stuff you can't handle... Over all those years with the Master, the only one that comes to mind is that one elderly gentleman.
Charlie	Oh, yeah, that old guy was crazy tough.
Schwarz	But he's an exception. You don't have to worry much. If anything happens, you come to me.
Charlie	Well, it's not like I can say no anyway. I'll do what I can.
Schwarz	You'll do more than that. If the Master comes to harm, I will come for you.
Charlie	Chief, seriously, you really need to learn how to talk to people.
Schwarz	I'm not interested in talking to people. We don't have to talk in this business, and you talk too much.
Charlie	Oh.
Schwarz	Goodbye.
Charlie	Huh? That's it?
Schwarz	That's it. The Master is still doing that interview in the TV tower. I've packed my bags, and I'm going to meet up with him shortly.
Charlie	Oh, then I'll go with you, Chief.
Schwarz	Why?
Charlie	Well, you're about to head off, aren't you? Before you go, I'd like to learn another thing or two for you. And since I'm your successor and all, I should probably go visit with Master Herman for a bit.
Schwarz	......
[Schwarz leaves.]
Charlie	Hey, wait up, Chief!
<Background 2>
Broadcast	Mayor Herman, is it true that your personal secretary, our dear Mr. Cronin, was seriously injured while surveying the volcano the day before yesterday?
Herman	Yes. It's tragic, but he'll be in hospital for quite some time, I'm afraid.
Broadcast	Oh. We're all very moved by the great sacrifice Mr. Cronin has made to protect Siesta.
Herman	Indeed. I am most grateful for his dedication to Siesta over the years, and I ask all concerned citizens not to worry. We are treating him with the very best, state-of-the-art technology.
Broadcast	We're sure Mr. Cronin will come back to us. Now then, it's time for a commercial break. Up next, we'll have some questions for Mayor Herman about the new city under construction.
Tourist A	Who's Cronin?
Tourist B	He's that one Catastrophe Messenger who was always on TV.
Tourist A	Oh yeah. That good-looking guy who comes off kinda pretentious.
Tourist B	That's the one. I never thought that much of him, but who would've expected him to give that much for Siesta. I had him all wrong.
Schwarz	......
Charlie	I mean, I know we locked Cronin up, but it feels kinda bad how we keep talking him up to the public.
Schwarz	We don't want the people to panic.
Charlie	Right, but you don't like it either, do you, Chief? I don't know exactly how it went down, but I heard he did you and the Lady dirty.
Schwarz	You should know better than to believe rumors.
Charlie	Sure, let's talk about something else. Where exactly are you going?
Schwarz	I'm taking Lady Ceylon to work for Rhodes Island.
Charlie	Oh, those real, live heroes. I heard the Lady was getting along well with them. Turns out she's already signed up. Alright, I get it. The Lady's heading out to work, of course you have to go with her. It's a pharmaceutical company, and I guess also secretly a mercenary outfit? I guess they'll have something for you to do.
Schwarz	Maybe.
Charlie	Can't believe it, I turn my head and the Lady's already out getting a job.
Schwarz	Don't talk like you know her.
Charlie	Hey, I've been in Siesta for five years. I was with the team that took the Lady to school in Victoria.
Schwarz	Hmph.
Charlie	But I really don't think she's changed all that much in the years since.
Schwarz	True enough.
Charlie	And neither have you, Chief.
Schwarz	Really?
Charlie	Really. For as long as we've been working for you, all of us feel like you're pretty much the same as you ever were.
Schwarz	In what way?
Charlie	Well... hmm, how should I put it? The way you're so focused on the Master and Lady Ceylon, without any regard for yourself. Our line of work is obviously all about the paymaster, yeah, but you're clearly not in this for the money. You've got a lot more heart in this game than any of us.
Schwarz	I go to the seaside and sit on the beach, I wander around the music festivals, is that not enough self care?
Charlie	It's your life, at the end of the day. Live it how you want. It's just, I've been watching you all these years and I can't believe someone could actually live like that.
Schwarz	Live like what?
Charlie	Promise me you won't kick my ass first.
Schwarz	As if I'm so petty.
Charlie	We get paid, and the Master's good enough to us. I wouldn't call it love from the bottom of his heart, but the affection's been there these past few years. When me and the wife got married, the Master even showed up to say a few words. That made us big shots in the neighborhood, and the misses reminds me every day to work hard for the Master. And me, I appreciate him too. So if you're gonna dump this on me, I'll grit my teeth and bear it. But I can't say I'll give everything to the Master, Chief. If maybe someday somebody threatened my family, I can't promise I'd side with him.
Schwarz	I'm not asking that much of you.
Charlie	I know, it's just an example. But honestly, Chief, that's only something you could ever do, because you don't have anyone else. All you've got to worry about in the world is Lady Ceylon and the Master.
Schwarz	...They're my family.
Charlie	No, they're not. You're not getting it. What I mean is, setting aside the Master altogether, if it's my life and my wife's life on the line, I'd hesitate. But you wouldn't.
Schwarz	I wouldn't?
Charlie	You wouldn't.
Schwarz	...... I'm afraid I wouldn't.
Charlie	Right. As far as you're concerned, the only thing that matters is taking care of the Master and the Lady, it's the only thought in your mind.
Schwarz	What goes on in my mind is none of your business.
Charlie	Sure enough it isn't, and I'm in no position to say if that's right or wrong. I'm just talking here. You can tell me if my guess hit the mark or not.
Schwarz	Maybe.
<Background 3>
[Someone knocks the door.]
Secretary	Mr. Mayor, you have Mr. House's banquet next...
Herman	Bump it. Did you forget Ms. Eva's invitation? Prioritize.
Secretary	Ah, o-of course.
Herman	Hm? Schwarz, welcome.
Schwarz	Master.
Charlie	Master.
Herman	Charlie, Schwarz has told me what good work you do.
Charlie	Oh?
Herman	By the way, please push my schedule thirty minutes.
Secretary	What for, may I ask?
Herman	I have to speak to the Chief Emeritus of my Public Security Bureau.
Secretary	Th-This is... oh, I-I see.
Herman	Schwarz, come.
Schwarz	Oh?
Herman	Charlie, since you're here, let's have you go work out some of the formalities with my secretary. He's good with these sorts of things.
Charlie	Alright.
Schwarz	Charlie.
Charlie	What is it, Chief?
Schwarz	Siesta's in your hands now.
Charlie	...Right.
<Background 4>
Herman	Cronin had his rebellious streak, but he came in handy. This replacement is worse by a country mile. Good help is hard to find, Schwarz.
Schwarz	With some training, he'll prove useful.
Herman	Maybe. How old were you when you came to kill me? Do you still remember?
Schwarz	Twelve-years-old, Master.
Herman	Yes, right, twelve. A twelve-year-old assassin. Hah! If you didn't give up on your own, I'm afraid you really might've gotten me.
Schwarz	As I've told you, the child assassin is not an uncommon tool. It's very effective at lowering the target's guard.
Herman	I know all that. Thanks to you, I can spot a killer at a glance. Take that fellow over there in the swimsuit. The way he's looking every which way, wearing those sunglasses, he's a killer.
Schwarz	He's untrained. And I think he's just scouting the women.
Herman	Oh?
Schwarz	I would say so.
Herman	Looks like my kill-dar could use some calibration.
Schwarz	You have me for that.
Herman	But aren't you leaving?
Schwarz	...Do you not want me to?
Herman	Quite the opposite. Schwarz, there's a question that's been troubling me for years now.
Schwarz	What is it?
Herman	Your future.
Schwarz	I don't think you need to worry about me at all.
Herman	That's exactly why I'm worried. I often think of you as an extension of myself, like a third arm. There when I need, and no trouble at all when I don't.
Schwarz	Charlie said something similar not too long ago. It's my choice, Master. And I think there's nothing wrong with it. You gave me this life, and even if you sent me away, I wouldn't leave.
Herman	*Sigh*, what a stubborn girl you are. I watched you grow. The others may not understand you, but I know you truly do believe there's nothing wrong with that life. *Sigh*. I always thought of you as another daughter, Schwarz.
Schwarz	Yes.
Herman	When I talk to the movers and shakers of society, they always complain that even after all hope for their children, they're always disappointed when they don't follow the paths they've designed for them. And at times like this, I always think to myself: "I'm so lucky. I have a daughter who, despite our strained relationship, is in all ways the spitting image of a wealthy young girl they speak of, and a daughter who I need not worry about in the slightest." I have no such worries.
Schwarz	And so you could comfortably turn your energies to the development of Siesta.
Herman	Indeed. That's how I once thought. But I've grown tired, Schwarz. The new city is nearly complete, and the people will be able to move in as soon as the formalities are settled. I told that Rhodes Island Doctor that Siesta would not perish from the face of this world. But what I didn't tell the Doctor is that the Siesta in my heart is already long gone. The Siesta I promised to Barbara, the Siesta I built for her... I'm abandoning it, in the end.
Schwarz	There's... nothing you could have done.
Herman	No, that one would have had a way. That's a person who always has a way. After Barbara passed, I made the construction of this city my one goal. I did everything to achieve it. And now, for such a simple reason, I give it up. I can't accept it, Schwarz.
Schwarz	Master...
Herman	You know, there's been a thought plaguing my mind. The idea that if I can't do anything for this city, if I can only abandon it to its fate, then I should go down with it. That I wouldn't be able to live on anyway. So when the migration to the new city is complete, I will bring a chair out here, by myself, and sit on this beach, where I made my promise to Barbara. I'll face this sea, where I buried her. And that will be my end.
Schwarz	No, Master. I won't let you.
Herman	Haha, rest assured, if I'm telling you about it, it means I'm not actually going to do it.
Schwarz	You can't... for the Lady's sake.
Herman	That's where you're wrong. If there's another reason I can't die, it's you, Schwarz.
Schwarz	The Lady doesn't hate you so much.
Herman	It doesn't matter. All is well at this point. What's more, I don't worry much about the future of my girl Ceylon. I got lucky with that daughter. She'll have a good enough life. I give her what she wants, and that's enough. But you, I worry about you. Parents always want the best for their children. Only the most rotten old man would keep his children chained to his side, keeping them forever under his control. But me, I'd rather die while you're off living your own life with no time to visit me at all.
Schwarz	My own life...
Herman	And your life can't be Ceylon's life. That's not the way of the world, Schwarz. One can have a goal to strive for, but that goal can't be another person. I, as a father, don't want my daughter to suffer through that. Do you know why I had you go with Ceylon to that Rhodes Island company?
Schwarz	Not to protect her?
Herman	That was one reason, yes. But you've seen how capable they are. I spoke with their leader, and they won't have Ceylon doing anything that dangerous. More than sending you to look after her, I'm counting you to keep an eye on them, to make sure they don't do her wrong. The reason I'm sending you, and more importantly, the reason I'm exercising my authority as a parent...
Schwarz	I don't understand.
Herman	I am laying a path for you that you will not like. That is why I am sending you to Rhodes Island. They may welcome my daughter into their fold, but you are different, Schwarz. Do you know why?
Schwarz	Because I am accompanying the Lady?
Herman	Correct. No matter the company in question, they will always want someone willing to follow orders. But you? You have never served them. You will, of course, serve Ceylon first and foremost, obeying them only secondarily. This will be a source of some conflict. And knowing you, you'd rather resist them and continue to follow Ceylon. But that is not an option. I need you to solve this conflict. You are not a bodyguard accompanying Ceylon on her work. I've fired you. You are now my daughter, looking for a new job. I want you to go find your own life's work. Ceylon and myself can be involved, but your life's work can't BE Ceylon or myself.
Schwarz	I...
Herman	As for Ceylon, she's been living in Victoria, and judging from this past incident, she's learned to stand on her own two feet. But you haven't, Schwarz. On this point, you're quite different from her. You haven't really ever really left home to do your own thing.
Schwarz	I did... to get revenge...
Herman	That's your past. I'm talking about your future. So this time, you will truly leave home. Do you understand?
Schwarz	But... can I come back?
Herman	......
<Flashback starts here>
<Background 3>
Schwarz	Master, after I've killed those enemies, can I come back?
Herman	...... Of course you can.
<Flashback ends here>
<Background 4>
Herman	Hahaha! Come here, Schwarz!
Schwarz slowly approaches Herman, who places his hand on her head and rubs it intensely.
Herman	While I could never be so cold-blooded as to refuse my own daughter entry into my home... If you don't take this seriously, I just might kill myself on this beach someday.
Schwarz	You can't threaten me like that...
Herman	But this truly is the one worry I still have weighing on my heart.
Schwarz	I'll do what I can.
Herman	You'll do more than that. If you fail, you won't be allowed back home.
Schwarz	...Right.
Herman	Alright is right.
[Schwarz's phone rings.]
Schwarz	Just a moment.
[Schwarz picks up a call from Ceylon.]
Ceylon	Hello, Schwarz, where are you?
Schwarz	With the Master.
Ceylon	If you're not too busy, could you help me move some things? I have too much luggage!
Schwarz	Alright, I'll be there soon.
[Schwarz hangs up.]
Herman	Right. You go to Ceylon then. By the time you leave with Rhodes Island, I'll have gone to the new city. I won't be there to see you off.
Schwarz	Okay.
Herman	...Schwarz.
Schwarz	Master?
Herman	Live well.
Schwarz	...Right.