Firth City, Autumn
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Story transcript
Narrator: The life of a detective can be harsh. After all, the road to justice can be, more often than not, fraught with obstacles.
Narrator: For, how is justice defined? If not by the existence of those determined to see evil done? It leaves little time or resources for ...much else.
Narrator: At the Chaotix Agency, this kind of constraint seems to be a regular occurrence.
Narrator: Still, big paydays do happen just as regularly. Like some kind of mystical clockwork, we always receive the needed funds just as we're about to break.
Narrator: The bills get paid, the pantry is restocked, Vector's ulcers disappear.
Narrator: Now, we are left with a plethera of free time, which Vector has made mandatory long ago, but... I'll admit that I resented it, at first.
Narrator: Or rather, I resisted his input.
Narrator: Whenever I found time for myself, I dedicated it to further training, aiming to reach the peak perfection of my skills in the ninja arts.
Narrator: Vector insisted that was not real 'rest'. ...he was, per usual, right.
Narrator: Simply just because an activity is something you enjoy doing doesn't mean it won't take a toll physically and mentally.
Narrator: The concept of burnout was alien to me... But my lack of vigor became a hindrance, a risk, with time. Especially after...
Narrator: Ever since, I took Vector's advice, and I decided to dedicate my free days to... more earthly pursuits.
Narrator: Which has brought me to the city of Firth on this sunny, autumn day. I am on a case of my own, we could say.
Narrator: However, I have hardly any information as to the location of my quarry... So, first things first: I need to get a lay of the land.
Narrator: I shall begin by inspecting my surroundings.
Narrator: Autumn is in full swing. What a breathtaking display of colors...
Narrator: Firth is one of the most technologically advanced cities this side of the globe.
Narrator: You can always find a plethora of restructuring and modernization projects underway all over.
Narrator: Remarkably, they endeavor to never interfere with the natural order more than needed, which contributes to a harmonious, thriving environment...
Narrator: Good for them. And it is not due simply to a holistic doctrine.
Narrator: Pragmatically, without the trees and surrounding ecosystem, a city this big would soon become unlivable.
Narrator: This is something the people have truly taken to heart.
Narrator: An empire erected solely on brick, cement, steel, and glass with complete disregard and distain of everything green...
Narrator: It'd only take a small heatwave to turn it into an inferno.
Narrator: But, fortunately, no one expect Eggman would be that stupid, to neglect the importance of protecting the very earth we walk on...
Narrator: Can you imagine how absurd that would be?
Narrator: What a beautifully preserved building... It offers such a unique glimpse into the past.
Narrator: It is also remarkably well-maintained, fully functional, and teeming with life even as things constantly change around it.
Narrator: Inasmuch as a building can understand the passage of time...
Narrator: The people of this city obviously take pride in this landmark.
Narrator: Firth City. The western-most metropolis on the continent, a bustling harbor overlooking the vast ocean...
Narrator: An unexpected haven in times of crisis.
Narrator: I suppose its geographical position, being built on a collection of estuaries, really helped in keeping the zombot hordes at bay...
Narrator: And during the war, there was nothing of interest for Eggman here.
Narrator: Regardless, if we hadn't beaten him and the Six, even this place would have become a graveyard...
Narrator: ...part of me... wishes I could've said more to Sonic, back then. Heat of the moment or not, I...
Narrator: Do I really believe things are fine as they are? Do I really want to just... Accept this world of theirs...?
Narrator: How the heck did I end up thinking about something like that?
Narrator: I was just contemplating the architectural impressiveness of a building!
Narrator: Ugh, those events must have taken more of a toll on me than I expected... Vector is right.
Narrator: I need to learn to let myself rest and recover from my missions, to live a little. Which is what I came here to do.
Narrator: So let's get back on track. Plenty of commercial businesses in this district, I see... And restaurants.
Narrator: Perhaps my search could already be at its end?
Narrator: Although, I'm not so sure. The place I'm looking for is pretty much a word-of-mouth secret, lingering in the shadows like a hidden treasure.
Narrator: It is waiting to be discovered by true enthusiasts. If it were near the central station, it would be quite mainstream by now.
Narrator: These buildings mostly house offices, and the eateries cater to quick lunches and after-hours merry-making.
Narrator: That contrasts with the type of atmosphere recounted by witnesses. No, this cannot be the right area.
Narrator: Stay your course, Espio. You're just at the beginning of the path, and your quarry eludes you yet.
Narrator: Wait... That person...is that...? At first, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me, mayhap I had mistaken one person for another, but...
Narrator: No. That is, indeed, Tangle the Lemur I'm looking at. What is she doing in Firth City? Well, whatever it is... It is not any business of mine.
Narrator: Although, hm. She is a friend, so... I should at least go and say hi, no?
Narrator: Tangle shares one peculiar quality with Sonic: the ability to derail any situation she's in. Strange, she seems alone.
Narrator: Without her usual partners around, I could become the receptacle of her exuberance. Though charming, she is unpredictable. I need to focus.
Narrator: Indeed... While rude, I think it would be better to make like I haven't seen her and move along.
Narrator: I'll have to make it up to her when next I see her... Wait, if I do that, I will need to explain what I'm making up for, and-
Tangle: HE-LLO, ESPIO!
Espio: MOTHER-!
Tangle: Nihihihi, got you good, ninja-man~ You made it too easy! I could almost smell the smoke coming out the sides of your head!
Tangle: What's got you so lost in thought?
Espio: T-Tangle! How did... I mean, uhm... Yeah, I guess I was distracted. A-hem.
Espio: An unsightly show for one who walks the path of the shinobi. I have no excuse.
Tangle: Whaaaa? Oh, who cares about that! Hey, it's just a little prank! Don't overthink it.
Tangle: More importantly, ohmygosh I'm so glad I ran into you!
Espio: Aaaah... Are you, now? You are glad to see me, you say... Why?
Tangle: Glad is putting it lightly! I'm ha-ppy! As for why, isn't it obvious?!
Espio: N-No. I mean, erm, yes! I am a detective after all...for the sake of continuity, and n-not because I don't understand, please do elaborate.
Tangle: Right, right! I forgot I was talking with Lone Musashi, of the Wolf clan.
Espio: It's Joe of the Oboro...
Tangle: Riiiiiiiiiight! Anyway, I'm happy because I was lonely! And, uhm, a little scared...
Tangle: And unsure if what I did was smart since, ya know, coming here alone was my idea in the first place...
Tangle: So, I'm just happy to see a familiar face in this big old town!
Espio: Hmm... I see. However, I may need to clarify your assumptions.
Espio: I treasure the gift of friendship, and am thankful for having people I can trust.
Espio: I do not seek loneliness, nor do I prefer it over camaraderie.
Tangle: Huh, could've fooled me! All those cool 'alone in moonlight' poses look tough! Do you practice?
Espio: Heh, it comes naturally with training. But the point is-
Narrator: Wait... Did she just say 'cool'?
Tangle: Yeah? The point? What's the point?
Espio: Ehm, rather, the point is...
Espio: W-What I mean is that there are some things a person can or rather must do alone.
Tangle: I mean... I guess you're right about that.
Tangle: And then again, there's stuff you just think you have to do on your own... When you really shouldn't. Or can't.
Espio: Exactly. So, you understand.
Tangle: Aaaaaall too well. Uhm, not right now! There's nothing specific like that on my mind right now!
Espio: You... pretty much implied there is?
Tangle: Well, yeah! Because I wanted to visit Firth and I came here alone and I'm a country girl and it's soooo big! Nothing else!
Narrator: So there's definitely something else... For all her qualities, she's not a particularly good liar.
Narrator: Whatever it is, it is up to her to decide when to share it and who with. I will take her admission at face value.
Tangle: Aaaaanyway, I'm happy to see you! Aren't you?! I mean, it's fine if you're not...
Espio: Well... It's always good to meet a friendly face.
Tangle: Eeeeeh?! Sounds like something more is implied there.
Espio: Deception is most dishonorable. A true shinobi must never lie, but nonetheless retain mystery in both word and deed.
Tangle: So, what brings you to Firth? You ever been?
Espio: I have not. I am in a similar situation to yours, where I know nothing about the city expect what I can obtain from the Network.
Tangle: Which is not a lot! I had no idea how much stuff got lost when Eggman went all warlord on us!
Espio: The debacle taught us the dangers of relying solely on digital media, among other things... But.
Espio: From what I understand, Firth City has changed a lot since the war. Most of the city is newly built.
Tangle: Right! And they made so much cool stuff for the Network, too! They have an app that lets you rent a bike from wherever in the city! It's great!
Tangle: Wanna grab a pair and go?! We could race to the marina!
Espio: I will need to decline, unfortunately.
Tangle: Moooou, no fun! I swear I'm going to be good! No wall-slides, cross my heart!
Tangle: Or maybe you think you can't keep up? I guess I could go easy on you~
Espio: N-Not... The issue. And I could most definitely keep up, make no mistake.