The Wanderer's Home

The Wanderer's Home

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Beagle Hibiscus Lava Vulcan Ceobe Logistics Operator HR Director

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1

“

Hibiscus and Lava return home with a wanderer and temporarily entrust her with Vulcan. Vulcan decides to name her Ceobe. Now, it is up to Ceobe to judge for herself whether she wishes to join Rhodes Island.

”

<Background 1>
Rhodes Island Landship Medical Examination Room 6
Hibiscus	Open. Say "aahh."
???	........
Hibiscus	Say "aahh."
???	Hmph.
Hibiscus	Come on, open your mouth, please? I'm just checking your teeth. I promise I won't hurt you.
???	........
Hibiscus	Come on.... Don't make me pull out the big guns every time. Hmph, I'll make you behave. Hey! Look, Miss Perro, what do I have here?
???	?
Hibiscus	It's your favorite, isn't it? If you're a good girl and help me finish my exam.... These honey biscuits are all yours.
???	(Sniffing) ........
Hibiscus	That's weird. Why isn't she reacting to the honey biscuits?
Lava	There's something wrong with your recipe, Hibiscus. How many times have I told you not to put weird stuff in your food? You never listen. Here, little Perro, I'll give you this.
What?	(Sniffing)
???	Awoo.
Lava	But you have to be a good girl.
???	Mmmm— Awoo. Ah—
Hibiscus	It worked! That's my little Lava. So reliable.
Lava	Too bad you're not.
Hibiscus	Okay, let's proceed with the oral exam. Swallow the crumbs, okay, and open wide...
Lava	Hey, Hibiscus?
Hibiscus	Watch your tongue, Miss Perro—Hm, what?
Lava	Why did we bring her back with us?
Hibiscus	Because we felt bad for her. Her infection is very serious. And the head of the Leithanian branch even said: "It's a good thing you subdued her. There would have been no hope for her if the police or bounty hunters found her first." "An Infected person as far gone as her, with the way the laws in Leithanien have changed, almost certainly would have been euthanized." "If it's at all possible, please at least get her out of Leithanian territory. Thank you."
Lava	Even if she wasn't Infected, the way she was just attacking people on the road would probably not have ended well for her. At least twenty-four groups of travelers got attacked before us. She hurt nearly a hundred people. And that's just in Leithanien. Who knows what she did anywhere else. Not to mention her fighting skills. I don't think the five of us could've pulled off attacks like that.
Hibiscus	But all she did was take some food. She was just hungry—Ow!
Lava	She almost killed me! If Kroos wasn't looking out for me and Beagle wasn't so quick with her shield, this Perro would've crushed your little sister with that rock-covered javelin.
Hibiscus	Miss Perro, please don't bite my hand!
???	Waah.
Hibiscus	Okay, okay. Your teeth are almost finished. Just a little longer. Hang in there! Yeah. Good girl. Come on, Lava, don't be like that.
Lava	Like what? I'm just stating facts.
Hibiscus	What's with you all of a sudden? Getting pissy about every little thing. I thought you loved Miss Perro?
Lava	Yeah, she's great. She loves me too. That's why she threw all kinds of rocks and flames and ice and pretty much everything at me. How did she master so many different complex Arts anyway? Hey, little Perro. Are you sure you've never studied Originium Arts?
???	Ooh?
Hibiscus	Heyyy, I told you not to move—Lava, quit screwing around!
Lava	I'm just asking...
Hibiscus	LA—VA—!
Lava	All right, all right. My bad. Whatever.
???	Mmm?
Hibiscus	Ah, sorry, Miss Perro, just a little longer. And now here, and here. ........
Lava	........
Hibiscus	Whew. And that should be it. Now, Miss Perro, we're pretty much done. Rinse your mouth with this glass of water, and be sure to spit it out. Don't swallow.
???	Mmm. (Gulp.)
Hibiscus	Little Lava.
Lava	Huh?
Hibiscus	Something's bothering you.
Lava	None of your business.
Hibiscus	You were the first one in the squad to give her something nice to eat.
Lava	What's that got to do with anything?
Hibiscus	After starving for that long, she shouldn't be consuming much sugar, from a nutritional standpoint. But she really needs to supplement pretty much everything at this point. That's why...
Lava	Wait....
Hibiscus	You snuck off and bought a bunch of candy. Only later realizing you'd spent all your money.
Lava	That's enough...
Hibiscus	Or when we were bringing Miss Perro back, everyone was worried she'd run off. Only you were brave enough to try to communicate with her, building the trust we needed to take off her shackles.
Lava	Ugh...
Hibiscus	And once we learned she liked honey biscuits, it was you, among the five of us, who worked the hardest to make the best ones.
Lava	Seriously, stop!
Hibiscus	Your big sister is very proud of you.
Lava	Come on, don't talk about this stuff in front of her! I– I just did what I had to do.
Hibiscus	But it's so sweet. No need to hide it. Hehe.
Lava	Oh yeah!
Hibiscus	What?
Lava	So, um, the, like, oral exam, that's the last part, right?
Hibiscus	Yes.
Lava	And then, um, what happens to her?
Hibiscus	Well... That's not up to us. The operators responsible for that are still talking over her case. Orchid said she'd have someone tell us in the afternoon. Anyway, after a busy morning and all those examinations, it's time to find a place for Miss Perro to—
Beagle	Hibiscus, Lava! Are you still not done checking out Miss Perro? If we don't leave now, we'll miss Dobermann's training! I'm going on ahead!
Lava & Hibiscus	Huh?
Lava	Hibiscus?
Hibiscus	Oh, what?
Lava	I thought you said got us out of Dobermann's class!
Hibiscus	Huh? Uh, well.... I, er, I might have forgot...
Lava	Why didn't you say so earlier?
Hibiscus	All I could think about at the time was helping Miss Perro with her checkup...
Lava	We're dead. Let's go pick out a pair of coffins. What are we gonna do?! Okay, how about we take little Perro out now and give her to the first person who comes along? I just hope we can find them again after training.
Hibiscus	That plan is a little...
Lava	Let's see you come up with one! I'm not running laps around the bridge again. And I bet you don't want to memorize anatomy textbooks while doing jumping jacks either.
Hibiscus	Who would?! Okay, fine. We'll do it your way.
Lava	I'll get her weapons. You deal with her.
Hibiscus	B– but what about her mouthwash—
Lava	She already swallowed it! Hurry!
<Background fades out and in>
Rhodes Island Landship Outside Medical Examination Room 6
Lava	(There's someone!) Blacksmith!
Vulcan	Can I help you?
Lava	Can you take care of this girl for a bit? We'll come get her right after training.
Vulcan	What? Girl?
Hibiscus	These honey biscuits are her favorite. If she gets cranky, just give Miss Perro one of these.
Vulcan	Huh?
Lava	And don't let her have her weapons just yet.
Lava & Hibiscus	Thanks!
Lava	C'mon, c'mon, c'mon!
???	Wait!
Lava	I'm sorry, Miss Perro. We'll be right back! Aahhh! Only three minutes! She's gonna kill us! ......
[Hibiscus and Lava rushes off, leaving the Perro girl with Vulcan.]
???	Wah...
Vulcan	??? So, what's your deal? ......
???	......
Vulcan	Just take the biscuits. Eat them whenever.
???	......
Vulcan	You want me to carry your weapons?
???	(shakes head)
Vulcan	Good. Come on. My workshop is this way.
<Background fades out and in>
Rhodes Island Landship Vulcan's Workshop
Vulcan	Come on in. Have a seat. If the forge gets too hot, you can go behind the partition.
???	Thanks (quietly).
Vulcan	Don't mention it.
???	...... Are you... a blacksmith?
Vulcan	I'm Rhodes Island's blacksmith. Codename Vulcan.
???	Vul... can... Vulcan... Vulcan... is... Minoan?
Vulcan	Yes.
???	Can Vulcan check my weapons for me?
Vulcan	I am not authorized to perform maintenance on unregistered weapons. Sorry.
???	Oh... Wahh...
Vulcan	(Although, the weapon she's holding...) (It feels somewhat... familiar...) But there's no harm in just taking a look. Can I see that axe you're holding?
???	! Yes! Here you go!
Vulcan	Thanks. (This is definitely Minoan craftsmanship. Brings back memories.) (It's worn. It's been a while.) (But it's been wiped down surprisingly clean. You're doing what little maintenance you can, at least.) (The construction is solid. Doesn't look like it's too damaged. It would be like new after some basic touches.) (Oddly, no chipping, no warping of the blade. Pretty low temperature steel.) (The steel...) (It's familiar... where have I seen smithing like this before...?) (.......)
???	Um, ma'am?
Vulcan	(Ma'am?) (Whatever. She can call me that if she wants.)
???	On the axe, near the grip, There's a word. It's my name! In Minoan! I wanted to go to Minos, but it's a long walk. No one I met could tell me my name. They could only tell me it's Minoan. Since Vulcan is a Minoan, you must know how to read it! Can you read it to me?
Vulcan	Let's see here. (....) (Good thing, it hasn't completely rubbed away.) (These characters...) (They're definitely Minoan.) (In standard pronunciation, this would be...) (Ce... O... Be...) "Ceobe." Should be Ceobe.
Ceobe	Ce... O... Be...
Vulcan	Ceobe.
Ceobe	Ce... obe. Ceobe. I'm Ceobe! I've got a name! Hm... Vulcan, ma'am?
Vulcan	(Ma'am... again...?) (Maybe I should give her a little nudge...) Wh– what?
Ceobe	People usually have two names, don't they? Like Lava has a different name when her sister calls her. She's "Little Lava," or something. I want one of those.
Vulcan	Sorry, I'm not very good at naming things...
Ceobe	Vulcan is a blacksmith. Blacksmiths are good people. And good people are good at naming.
Vulcan	(What is this logic?) (Whatever. She's just a kid.) Let me think for a moment.
Ceobe	Yeah!
Vulcan	(She wants a nickname?) (But I only know how to name weapons. What should I do?) (Ceobesius? Ceobenie? Ceobetia?) (No, no, no. She's not a weapon. I need another scheme.) (Think, Vulcan...) ........
Ceobe	Vulcan?
Vulcan	(She mentioned "Little Lava" before, didn't she?) ........
Ceobe	Are you okay, Vulcan?
Vulcan	(Well, there's a pretty easy way out of this... might as well take it.) We'll call you "Kay."
Ceobe	Kay?
Vulcan	Yes. (It kinda sucks...)
Ceobe	Kay... Ceobe... Thank you so much, Vulcan, ma'am!
Vulcan	You're welcome.
[Someone knocks the door.]
Ceobe	!
Vulcan	?! Don't be scared, Kay, it's just someone looking for me. No bad guys here. Put down the weapon, okay?
Ceobe	No bad guys?
Vulcan	No bad guys. There's no bad guys at Rhodes Island. If you're scared, you can go behind the partition.
Ceobe	Ceobe isn't scared of anything.
Vulcan	Good.
Logistics Operator	Vulcan, are you in?
Vulcan	Who is it?
Logistics Operator	Hello, Vulcan, I'm an operator with the logistics department. I've come to relay the decision regarding the little Perro girl who was brought to Rhodes Island yesterday. Operator Hibiscus said she entrusted the Perro girl to you. Is she still with you?
Vulcan	Yes, come in.
Ceobe	Vulcan!
Vulcan	Don't worry, it's okay.
[The R.I. logistics operator enters the room.]
Logistics Operator	Good day, operator Vulcan. Good day, little Perro girl.
Ceobe	Don't call me Perro girl. My name is Ceobe.
Logistics Operator	Oh? All right, Ceobe. Now then, we have been over the details surrounding your rescue, our determination is as follows. Please listen carefully. Due to the circumstances surrounding your arrival, your personal freedom had been temporarily restricted. We apologize for that. But from this point on, you will enjoy the right to free movement, effective immediately.
Ceobe	???
Logistics Operator	Am I not being sufficiently clear?
Vulcan	I think she may not be getting some of the legalese here. Just give me the documents. I'll make sure she gets it.
Logistics Operator	That would be a big help.
Vulcan	........ .................. Okay. Kay.
Ceobe	Hm?
Vulcan	Why were you out on your own back there?
Ceobe	I wanted to go to Minos. But I think I went the wrong way.
Logistics Operator	According to information provided by the Leithanian branch, she traveled from Bolívar all the way to the Trijunction of the East, where she then turned back. At that point, she made a large arc across the north, until finally being rescued by our people in Leithanien. This girl can walk. But why do you ask?
Vulcan	If you made it to Minos, what were you going to do?
Ceobe	Ask my name. And then... And then.... I haven't thought that far ahead yet.
Logistics Operator	Operator Vulcan, please inform her of the situation and let her make her decision.
Vulcan	So what would you want to do after that?
Ceobe	I don't know....
Vulcan	Think it through. It's important.
Ceobe	I... I want to eat until I'm full every day.
Logistics Operator	Operator Vulcan, what are you—
Vulcan	Shh! Quiet!
Logistics Operator	........
Ceobe	I want to spend half the day in a hot bath, and then wrap myself in a warm blanket. And lay there until I'm hungry again. And... and... And I want a big house where I can keep all my treasures. Carrying them around all day is kind of hard. Especially when I'm hungry. And I guess that's it.
Vulcan	Understood. If there was a place where you could eat and drink and have a house to sleep in, would you want to stay there?
Ceobe	Who wouldn't?
Vulcan	But most of the time, you have to think a lot, and you have to fight a lot of bad guys, and sometimes you might not sleep for days. Even then, would you want to stay there?
Ceobe	I'm not very good with thinking... But... Vulcan, ma'am, are you talking about being a hero?
Vulcan	A hero?
Logistics Operator	Haha—Ah, um, ahem.
Vulcan	Heh. Yes. I'm talking about being a hero.
Ceobe	I want to go there. I want to eat, and be a hero. What more could I ever want?
Vulcan	Good.
Logistics Operator	Shouldn't you help her—
Vulcan	She's made up her mind, please take care of her paperwork. If she needs a sponsor, you can put down my name.
Logistics Operator	But you're—
Vulcan	Should I repeat myself?
Logistics Operator	Uh... If you insist, I have nothing more to say. I'll prepare a follow-up test for Ceobe at once. But please be aware that you will need to attach the appropriate guarantees— —and an explanation.
Vulcan	I will.
Logistics Operator	Well, I'll take my leave then.
Vulcan	See yourself out.
[The R.I. logistics operator leave.]
<Background fades out and in>
Ceobe	Hmmm.... What's happening?
Vulcan	Nothing. You still have a lot to learn, a lot of fights to fight. It'll be a lot of work. Get some rest while you still can.
Ceobe	Oh. Hm.... Ma'am?
Vulcan	Huh? (We'll get used to that.)
Ceobe	You want a honey biscuit? Lava baked them. They're good.
Vulcan	May I?
Ceobe	Here.
Vulcan	Thanks. ........ (What's this flavor?) (It's kind of...) (The crust isn't crispy enough, and something's wrong with the honey seasoning.) (Other than that, it tastes exactly like the ones in Minos.)
Ceobe	Is it good?
Vulcan	Very good.
Ceobe	Right?
Vulcan	But.
Ceobe	Huh?
Vulcan	A biscuit like this should be eaten fresh out of the oven. Put some jam on it, and pair it with a cup of tea.
Ceobe	Will it taste better?
Vulcan	Yes. I'll ask Matterhorn next door to make some for you, when I get a chance. He's great at making these sorts of things.
Ceobe	R– really?
Vulcan	Yes.
Ceobe	Thank you, ma'am!
Vulcan	You're going to be subjected to a lot of testing over the next few days. We'll have to fix you up a bit, and your weapons too. How do you want them?
Ceobe	Y– you'll fix them for me?
Vulcan	It's a blacksmith's duty to make sure a weapon meets its wielder's needs. Just tell me what you need.
Ceobe	Um, I want all my treasures to look as good as the weapons here in your house. And, um, I want the other weapons to be the same color as my axe. Is that too much trouble?
Vulcan	That won't take much time. I might be done in time for you to surprise Hibiscus and Lava.
Ceobe	Really?
Vulcan	Yes. Bring your weapons. Let's get started.
Ceobe	Yeah!!!
<Background fades out and in>
Lava	Phew. *Pant*. *Pant*. I'm exhausted. Little Perro is gonna be okay, right Hibiscus?
Hibiscus	She's so good at fighting, and Vulcan is so nice. What could go wrong?
Lava	Huh? Vulcan? Nice? Anyway, I know she won't do anything bad. But I'm more worried about that logistics operator who showed up in the middle of training. He had a pretty big file with him. Gave me a bad feeling.
Hibiscus	Uh oh, not this again. In my experience, your "bad feelings" usually signal good things.
Lava	I hope you're right... oh, we're here.
[Lava knocks the door.]
Vulcan	Who is it?
Lava	It's Lava. We're here to see the little Pe—Miss Perro.
Vulcan	It's unlocked. Come on in.
[Hibiscus and Lava enters the room.]
Ceobe	Ah, Lava and Hibiscus! You're here!
Hibiscus	Huh? Miss Perro?
Lava	Wh– what happened to your weapons?
Ceobe	Don't call me Miss Perro anymore. Call me Ceobe. That's my name!
Lava & Hibiscus	Huh—?!
<Background fades out and in>
(Several weeks later) Rhodes Island Landship Logistics Department, Small Conference Room
HR Director	I think you know why I asked you here today.
Vulcan	How did she do?
HR Director	How do you think? Fancy a guess? She doesn't take orders. She just throws her weapons around and makes a scene. How do you think she did?
Vulcan	Just tell me her results.
HR Director	Her results. Heh. ........ She passed.
Vulcan	Oh.
HR Director	She made a mess of herself and failed a bunch of tests. But her personal character and potential qualify her to be an operator. And, taking into account the opinions of several of her proctors, the other details are less important.
Vulcan	The Doctor is never wrong about anyone.
HR Director	Neither are you. Well then, it's time. Can I get a reason now? Normally, the operator assessment process is initiated by the individual herself. We typically look poorly on situations where an individual has the decision made for her. Especially when there is no guardian or relative involved.
Vulcan	Sorry.
HR Director	That's all I get? Ah well, it's not that big a deal. Rules were made to be broken. Just give me a reason. I have to pass something upstairs.
Vulcan	A girl who likes weapons can't be bad.
HR Director	All right. Hold on, uh, that's it?
Vulcan	Yes.
HR Director	I'm gonna need a little more than that. A few more sentences or there's no way I can finish this report.
Vulcan	I have to?
HR Director	It's important.
Vulcan	Well.... I'm a blacksmith. I don't know people. But I do know weapons. If you have someone with absolutely no knowledge of weapon maintenance and upkeep, her weapons are going to get damaged after a long period of use. Still, she did her best to keep her equipment in good shape, to the best of her abilities. That was enough for me to affirm her talent and potential.
HR Director	How can you be sure she doesn't know weapon maintenance?
Vulcan	She can't use a whetstone, she doesn't know her oils. That's long before we start talking about any rules or scientific principles. The only thing she knows how to do is polish her weapons. And she's good at that.
HR Director	Okay. What else?
Vulcan	That should be enough. You know better than me what has to go on a resume.
HR Director	I do. She's a Bolívarian, traveled the whole world looking for Minos, and never quite found it. Still don't get why. All I can say is her spirit is commendable.
Vulcan	It's always good to have faith.
HR Director	That's what I'm curious about. You usually don't pay much attention to people. This Ceobe, is she that special? What is it about her that caught your attention?
Vulcan	Her weapons.
HR Director	I'm serious, Vulcan.
Vulcan	I'm serious too.
HR Director	How so?
Vulcan	Her name was carved into that axe. Minos isn't Higashi. We don't just tape our names onto weapons in case we lose them. If your name is on a weapon, it means something big. Plus, I couldn't forge that axe. But that technique, I know I've seen it somewhere... I want to help her solve the mystery of that weapon. Then, maybe someday, she'll come back and solve something for me. I guess you could say I'm just a selfish blacksmith.
HR Director	? Hmmm.... You craftsmen have your secrets. Well, whatever. That's enough for me. Sorry to bother you. Go get some rest.
Vulcan	I'm sorry too.
HR Director	No need. I'm just doing my job here.
Vulcan	Thanks.
HR Director	Don't thank me either. Next time you're up for a drink, come by while I'm on. I've got a new mix, I'm calling it "Kazimierz Fury." Give it a try sometime?
Vulcan	Heh. Sure.
<Background fades out and in>
HR Director	Ha.... That's why I say HR ain't easy. Kids these days don't know how to write a proper CV. It takes a good chat to dig up all the juicy stuff hidden down there. It's all mysteries wrapped up in enigmas. Damn it, I'm an HR director, not a detective! (Short, but passionate words in a Victorian dialect)
Logistics Operator	Director?
HR Director	Oh, what is it?
Logistics Operator	Director.... we're ready to interview the new operator. If you would.
HR Director	I see. By the way, here's Ceobe's contract, all signed and notarized. File it for me and then send someone to inform the operator of her formal onboarding.
Logistics Operator	Understood.
HR Director	Just a moment. Be sure operator Vulcan is there for that. She may be needed to explain some of the formal terms and conditions.
Logistics Operator	Understood.
HR Director	Okay, enough chatter, back to work. ........(flipping through new operator files) Heh. Sure enough. Another one who can't write a CV worth a damn. Looks like I'm in for another long evening.