Vista
><i>...</i>
<i>When I come across it, it's covered with moss and withered branches.</i>
<i>Sunlight and cloud shadows dance and mingle on its mottled form.</i>
<i>...</i>
<i>Lush leaves are poems the forest pens, longer than branches, yet shorter than longing.</i>
<i>I secretly jotted down a few poems. I'll read them to you when we meet again.</i>
<i>...</i>
<i>The mountain breeze sweeps away the annoying cicada calls, and crushed ice soothes the stifling summer heat.</i>
<i>But it still feels like something's missing. Only then does it hit me—summer has other meanings after all.</i>
<i>Without you here, it's just "hot weather."</i>
<i>...</i>
Pale blue ink seems to doze across the letter paper, the lazy handwriting a bit rougher than usual, with a spontaneous flair.
Fingertips brush the paper, as if they can feel the smile that spreads as the writer's pen glides across the page.
As if the letter's closing words stir things up, the ordinary weather suddenly becomes a bit much.
You glance up at the nearby liaison officer, also your guide and driver, who's still getting ready. There's still a bit before departure.
So you tuck away the letter, pull out your terminal, and tap on the familiar Portrait.
You wanted to write back, but since you suddenly got a field mission, you can only send your greetings this way for now.
Before long, a message pops up on the terminal.
Is it a long-term deployment? If you need anything, I can lend a hand after I wrap up my mission.
No need to worry. It's just that the schedule's tight. The actual work is a lot like the mission you're on—nothing particularly dangerous.
That's good. Speaking of which...
...
Time always seems to fly by when you're just chatting. When you snap back to reality, you notice the liaison officer has already finished getting everything ready and is waving to get your attention.
Ah... looks like it's time to hit the road.
The "typing..." indicator on the screen freezes for a long time. The notification appears and disappears, repeating several times, before the screen finally refreshes with a new message.
Stay safe out there. When we see each other again, let's exchange stories.
Sure.
You tuck away your terminal and head over to the liaison officer.
We're good to go. Apologies for the hold-up—getting all the supplies together took a minute. The team had quite the shopping list.
It's not often we get to swing back to the conservation area for supplies, so we always end up hauling back all sorts of bits and bobs. Commandant, anything else you need to square away before we go?
As you say this, the liaison officer and you climb into the vehicle, one right after the other.
You buckle up, but instead of firing up the engine, the liaison officer reaches across the steering wheel and fumbles with something on the dashboard.
It's a little memento. They hand these out to anyone who spends a few bucks or joins in on activities in the conservation area.
Construction is really humming along here. After getting some small businesses off the ground, they even managed to dig into some of the local cultural traditions.
There's a special local festival happening in two days. What do you think? Pretty neat, right?
The liaison officer pulls their hands back with a touch of pride, giving you a full view of the memento.
It's an exquisite, little, spring-loaded ornament—a black fox and a white fox standing guard over a large bell.
At their prompting, you reach out and press it. Two fox figures sway back and forth around the bell, looking utterly comical.
I thought so too! The archaeological team that came here to study the local culture even helped design it!
Oh, absolutely! The archaeological team lives by a creed: recover, restore, inherit, and then promote all forms of art.
It's restoration, not just repair—it goes way beyond that. Our full creed is to recover, restore, inherit, and then promote all forms of art.
After all, things are much better preserved when they actually impact people's lives, instead of just being studied and then filed away in the WGAA's dusty archives...
As the liaison officer starts the engine, she suddenly remembers something and pulls a cold drink from a bag beside her.
Almost forgot! Here, this should help you beat the heat.
This is the flavor you like, right?
You are still a bit dazed, but you can't help but notice the packaging clearly states your favorite flavor.
Selena put it in her personal procurement request.
If there are options, please get this flavor. I want to try what [player name] likes.
As the explanation sinks in, a clear image forms in your mind: Selena, meticulously writing that request.
She's leaning over a stone table, sipping her tea, swaying gently in the mountain breeze. Ice cubes clink musically in her glass as her pen glides across the paper with serene, unhurried grace.
The mountain breeze sweeps away the annoying cicada calls, and crushed ice soothes the stifling summer heat.
Lost in thought, you take a sip. The cold liquid glides down your throat, settling in your chest and washing away any lingering discomfort, leaving only a sense of calm.
As you savor the drink, you find yourself looking up at the hazy, distant mountains beyond the conservation area, a smile forming on your face without you even realizing it.
Survey Point 23 Camp
Outskirts of Conservation Area 357
Midday
Midday, Outskirts of Conservation Area 357, Survey Point 23 Camp
Lush forests blanket the landscape, with rolling green mountains stretching as far as the eye can see.
At the entrance to the mountain range, a few modular prefabricated buildings are scattered along the creekside terrace, forming a makeshift camp alongside two parked RVs.
The vehicle's engine sputters to a stop in front of two side-by-side prefabricated buildings.
The one on the right is empty, but the building on the left shows signs of a personal touch—homemade eaves with wind chimes swaying gently, and windowsills adorned with vibrant bouquets of blue and purple flowers.
I'll leave your luggage here for now, and...
She notices your gaze, her eyes tracing to the decorations sprucing up the doors and windows. Then, a grin spreads across her face as she reaches into her pocket.
She has no idea you're showing up yet. The team leader specifically told everyone to keep it on the down-low.
Oh, that's just grand! It's like something right out of a storybook. Why am I suddenly green with envy?
Haha, just pulling your leg! Here, take these—the keys and the camera.
This camera is standard issue for folks on the archaeological team. I know you're here to back us up on security, but when in Rome, do as the Romans do—getting a feel for our work and how we live won't hurt a bit.
I've already synced the work schedule and map info to your terminal. If you run into any other questions, just come find me.
After hearing that, she gives a dismissive wave, hops in the vehicle, and tosses out a playful remark as the engine roars to life.
Well, I'm off! Wouldn't want to hold up the Gray Raven Commandant's crucial mission, now would I?
A resigned chuckle escapes you. You turn back, your gaze sweeping over the courtyard—it feels oddly familiar, even though this is your first time here. A thought strikes you, and you pull out your terminal.
The empty status indicator quickly turns read-receipt green.
Are you at the mission location yet?
The empty status indicator quickly turns read-receipt green.
I'm documenting info about today's research subject. Have you landed at your mission location yet?
Yeah, the surroundings look pretty good, and the folks I'm staying with seem easy to get along with.
Hmm, speaking of which, the room next to mine in the dormitory is still empty. I wonder when someone will move in.
I hope my future neighbor is easy to get along with... though it would be even better if the room just stayed empty.
Then I'll just move in there.
That would be wonderful! I'm really hoping your mission wraps up before mine does...
Speaking of missions, would it be a bad idea chatting with me right now?
Not really...
Mid-message, she glances at the camera beside her, and an interesting idea starts to perk up in her mind.
I'm actually getting ready to meet my mission target. It's a rare lull.
Oh, hey, do you have any scenery photos you could share? Your letter really struck a chord with me.
Of course! Let me get them organized and send them over in the order of my journey.
This way, [player name], you can get a little taste of the journey too, and hopefully soak in the good vibes.
Soon after, a string of stunning landscape photos comes through. Even just looking at the screen, you can feel the photographer's emotion from the very moment she snapped the shot.
Just like her letter, it's all so chill and easygoing.
After a quick breather, you follow the map's lead into the mountains and stumble upon an ancient stone path, completely swallowed by nature within the lush forest.
Just as the first stone lantern appears, your terminal buzzes with new photos from Selena, along with a few casual comments.
Since the torii gate's crossbeam had already rotted away, we had to piece together information about these ruins from documents and faint etchings on the stone monuments.
But actually, we have this incredible scholar on our team who totally guessed the shrine's origins just from the style of the stone lanterns when we first got on the mountain path.
You reach out and touch the stone lantern. Time has left its mark, mottling the surface with uneven spots that look like countless kisses from the passing years.
You scroll back through your terminal to find Selena's first photo, comparing it with the stone pillar right in front of you. This confirms you are standing in the exact spot she visited earlier today.
【Reply: Photo】 Is this the photo you were talking about?
Yes, that's the one. What do you make of my shot?
The scene selection is excellent, the composition is unique, and the lighting is just perfect, but...
Hmm, it's alright. I'd like to hear your honest opinion—don't hold back.
Maybe what I really want to see is you—the way you look when you're taking these photos.
Well then... next time, I'll be the scenery for you instead.
I really wish I could've been right there with you when you were taking those photos.
Then let's go together next time. There are so many places I want to see with you. We'll get our chance, I'm sure of it.
As you keep your casual conversation going, you make your way deeper into the mountain forest, step by step.
The forest is full of diverging paths and winding corners. You constantly check the photos in your chat history, comparing them with your surroundings.
After taking several wrong turns and backtracking more than once, finally...
The scene from the last photograph lines up perfectly with the forest right in front of you.
She... she must be just beyond these leaves. Just one step forward, a soft call of her name, and you could meet.
Suddenly, your heart fills with an unexplainable nervousness.
On your terminal, Selena's messages keep coming in.
Here are all the photos I took on my way up today.
[player name], if you want to see more, I can snap some for you after I finish work today.
You take a moment to collect yourself before sending a reply.
Come to think of it, am I actually interrupting your work?
Not at all. Chatting with you is the best kind of relaxation.
A-although... my work hasn't really been moving forward much...
Alright... that's enough chatting for now, I say. I'll send you one last photo to cap things off.
You've been doing all the sharing up till now, you point out. I've actually found a beautiful view I'm keen to show you too.
Yes, I'd absolutely love to see it. I really want to see the scenery through your eyes right now, Conductor. Even though we're apart, it'll put my heart at ease.
Her gentle words carry a subtle warmth, and an unconscious smile spreads across your face.
Alright, just a second, let me find the best camera angle.
After sending the message, I put my terminal away, gently push aside the branches in front of me, and aim my camera forward.
Through the lens, sunlight streams through gaps in the forest canopy, as moss creeps over the tip of a stone fox's tail.
Mountain mist lifts the ends of her hair as the gentle sound of pen on paper blends with the rustling of leaves.
The scene is so picture-perfect that you instinctively hold your breath, afraid to break the spell of serenity.
After a long beat, I snap back to reality and hit the shutter button.
CRUNCH—
...?
The jarring sound and flash grab the attention of the person in the frame.
Selena initially jumps, then turns her head. Recognition lights up her face, and a smile blossoms on her lips.
Instead of speaking or standing up right away, she pulls out her terminal.
Did you take it yet? The photo you said you'd send?
[Image]
So you're on a mission with another Construct. No wonder you needed to get the angle just right.
Yeah, because this particular Construct is quite stunning. To really do her justice, I had to put in some extra effort.
[Expression: Pouting] Is that why she's smiling so happily at you? Because she heard your compliment?
[Expression: Innocent] I'm not sure. Could you help me guess what she might be thinking?
I guess...
You step through the tangled branches and move to Selena's side. Leaning down, you share a smile as your eyes meet.
Her answer isn't just text anymore; it's real—her voice carrying a gentle warmth.
Your unexpected arrival must have filled her with absolute joy.
