Nino: This is a bit specific, but... Nino: You said that crossing between worlds is impossible, because of the barrier. Nino: So I started wondering how I crossed over to here myself... Aria: Oh, actually! Aria: At the time the divide was created, it was very strong. Aria: But as years went by, it started thinning out. Aria: There are rumors about multiple secret openings in it... Aria: You probably passed through one of them! Aria: Well, those rumors are nothing for certain, but that's the only explanation I can think of. Nino: Hmmh, I see. Nino: I guess it's the most plausible. Nino: Oh, what is the barrier made of? Nino: And the dome? Aria: It's not made of anything tangible. Aria: If that makes any sense... Ahaha... Nino:…

Aria: Monsters and humans used to live without a divide between them. Aria: The two worlds naturally overlapped, and you could freely move from one to the other. Aria: Monsters and humans were on seemingly good terms. Aria: But they did not truly accept one another beneath the surface. Aria: Because of that, it was frowned upon to surround yourself with monsters if you're a human, and vice versa. Aria: But it wasn't exactly disallowed, so many monsters and humans adapted to this lifestyle. Aria: My family was one of these, we settled in a humble small village around here long ago! Nino: Oh, really? Nino: How was the life there? Wouldn't you have had a hard time because of the other monsters? Nino: Also this tea is kind of…

Nino: Hey so, I'm a little curious... Nino: I hope this isn't intruding on your business or anything. Nino: But I was wondering, how did you used to live before coming to this world? Aria: Ahaha well, I've always been living in the monster world with my family. Aria: I didn't really "come" here, I was always in this world. Nino: Huh? But... Nino: How come? Nino: Monsters hate humans! Nino: There's no way you could just... Live with monsters like that! Aria: Um... Nino, what are you talking about? Aria: Don't you know all of this already? Aria: Monsters and humans used to be able to live together. Aria: You know, before the war and all that?? Nino: ...War? Aria: Okay, something is definitely wrong with you. Nino: Hey,…

Fucking bring it on. You DRAMATICALLY make a swift grab for a stray blue crayon. It's time to show this cocky small child who's the TRUE artmaster here. With the force of one thousand burning suns multiplied by a hundred, you furiously ETCH your lines on the paper. Hotblooded action music would be playing right now if this were a scene in one of your favorite ANIME shows, no doubt. You're already imagining it in your head. Soon enough, you slow down the sheer force you're pulling into your strokes, stopping your movement before the paper rips apart. Nino: draw a muffin. You've finished your masterpiece. This is the best fucking drawing anyone's ever done. ...Okay, maybe not, maybe that's just the RUSH in your FLEETING ARTISTIC HEART making it…

Ok sure you're just going to stuff this piece of paper down the hatch, get it all nice and snug down there, delicious, best meal of your goddamn life. Nino: Start eating a crayon too because you're just that hungry. Oh yeah shove that too down your trap you garbage boy. You disgusting person. Nothing in this world will survive your immense hunger. Truly, such fearful craving knows no bounds. What a horrifying sight. Just kidding, no way in hell you'd do any of that. Although, those colorful scented crayons are looking real slick. That mandarin orange, the blueberry blue... Lemonade yellow, brownie brown, strawberry pink... You struggle to restrain yourself for a fraction of a second. This situation is not dire enough for crayon consumption. Not yet, you tell…

Nino: Holy shit. Aria: You're probably wondering how you got here! Aria: I made Ludwig carry you along the way. Aria: We got some weird looks but nobody really bothered enough to intrude and ask anything, thankfully. Aria: I wouldn't know what to say if anyone stopped me to question what I'm doing with an unconscious boy on a dog! Nino: Yeah, yeah sure, awkward, so about those MUFFI- Aria: Oh!! I almost forgot that Kotori asked me something earlier! Aria: She said she wants to talk to you about something in private. Aria: I haven't the slightest clue as to what it might be though! Nino: Sure sure sure I'll do whatever, anyway the muf- Aria: But I'm sure it's nothing bad, there's no need to be nervous... Aria:…

This is a ridiculously long command suggestion! And who the hell are those people? Who are you talking about? Aria? Song? Five? Nino? What? Okay well, you suddenly remembered that the last name is yours. Duh, you are Nino. Who are those other names supposed to be now? Whose bed are you on? Why are you in someone else's bed? Nino: Ponder on why the picture frame on the nightstand is pointed at your direction. Okay, anyway, you'd rather not theorize about the mostly weird reasons you could be in someone else's bed right now. Quick, picture frame distraction go! Whoever this bed belongs to must sleep every night looking at this, seeing as it is pointed towards this direction. Nino: What do you remember? You take a closer look…

Ugh. What happened last night. You slowly open your eyes. How long have you been asleep for? The last thing you remember was the distinct horrible stench of smoke and a lot of running. Where are you now? What happened to you? Why does it smell like cake??? So many questions!! But the most important question of all presents itself now. Just what the hell are you looking at?? You're starting to see triples, ugh. You close your eyes and shake your head a little, letting out a small groan of pain. Your head. It feels like absolute chaos in your head. It's like your brain went out drinking all night, puked on the couch and stepped in dog shit while running away from the cops because it committed some…

Remember? Remember what? This doesn't feel right. Nothing feels right. Someone is gripping your shoulders, talking to you, shaking you, but you can't seem to focus on them anymore. You can't even hear them. You can barely formulate any thoughts right now. Nino: Remember, remember, everything that you didn't want to. What are you supposed to remember? Your home? Your world? The war? It's all foggy details in your head. Scary, vague details of awful, awful memories. How would you even do that? You can't just force yourself to remember. At least, you think that you can't. You sure as hell don't want to try to remember any more anyway. You don't know. You don't know anything. And it is so, so frustratingly scary to be this lost. You're starting…

Well, of course it is, spending time on a stranger's grave would be weird! But perhaps it is someone close... Maybe it wouldn't hurt to ask. Nino: Go Comfort Aria. Nino: Aria, are you alright? Nino: Sorry if I'm intruding or anything!! Nino: I just wanted to check up on you... Aria: Oh, Nino... Aria: Sorry, I didn't see you there. Nino: That's alright. Nino: ... Nino: Is it someone you were close to? Aria: It's... yeah. Aria: This is my mother's grave. Nino: Oh... Nino: Offer your condolences. Don't ask her too much. You just met. Nino: ... Nino: Sorry. Aria: No, it's... It's alright. Aria: It's been years, anyway. Aria: I make sure to visit her grave and leave a few red tulips whenever I can. Aria: Before…

Ludwig: BORK Nino: So you want to go on the wooden swing? Five: Yes!!! Five: Five wants swing!! Five seems very happy. Seeing her this happy makes you yourself happy too! What an infectious innocent laugh. Ludwig seems to be busy having fun too! As well as... As... Aria? What is she doing over there? Whatever she's doing, it doesn't exactly look fun.

Nino: I thought we were in Redtulip Town for a moment there. Nino: I guess... I sure am glad Redtulip isn't a graveyard after all! Nino: ...Right? Nino: Please tell me the town isn't a goddamn graveyard. Aria: Oh, what are you talking about? Aria: OBVIOUSLY it is a graveyard... Aria: ...A graveyard of DEAD HUMANS! Nino: D: ! Five: :0 Aria: Hehe, not really. Aria: Stop frowning like that, I'm just messing around with you! Nino: Wait-- Oh! Nino: Damn it, I see that I didn't give you enough credit. Nino: My goats have been perfectly gotten, each and every single goat. Nino: Oh how will I make a LIVING now without goats to SELL Aria: Are you a goat salesman in this convoluted silly scenario of yours? Nino:…

Kotori: Anyway, I'm a busy person, so-- Nino: So!! Red Tulip Town huh? Nino: Quite a fantastic name, probably poetic on some level or something! Nino: Think you could show me around sometime? Kotori: Um. Kotori: ...Are you asking me out or something. Nino: I-- Uh-- No-- Why would you think so? Kotori: I told you before, you have Aria with you. Kotori: She can just show you around. Kotori: I don't see why I'd have to help with that. Nino: Oh. Kotori: Dumbass. Don't interrupt people like that again. Aria: Tori, that's kinda harsh... Kotori: AS I was saying, before I got RUDELY interrupted. Nino: ...Sorry. Kotori: I'm busy, so I'll let you be on your way now. Aria: Are you still on watch around here? Kotori: Yeah, I…

Kotori: So, now that formal greets are out of the way, Kotori: Red Tulip Town's right up ahead, if you need a quick rest. Kotori: You have Aria with you, so just let her show you around. Kotori: Also. Kotori: ask kindly for the spear that Nino has in his inventory back Kotori: Give me back my SHIT. Kotori: BOTH of you. NOW. Aria: (O-oh, yeah, that's right...) Nino: Oh, right. Nino: Us having your spears wasn't a thing that stopped being a thing or anything, whoops. Nino: Sorry, I kinda forgot! Kotori: Cut the sass and just give 'em back! Shake hand, return spears, be the diplomat. You and Aria quickly work it out and give Kotori her spears back, which she quickly stows into her inventory, not giving…

Looks like everything's good now. You HOPE it's all good, at least. The guard-- err, Kotori, that's what she said her name was, right?? Anyway, Kotori doesn't seem on the verge of ending your entire bloodline, as opposed to how she was before. You gain +3 Diplomacy points.

Seems like you've got no choice now. Nino: What are you waiting for? Shake it like your life depended on it, because it does! You can only hope this will go well. Nino: N-nice to meet you too.

Oh. ????: ... ????: My bad, Aria. ????: I somehow thought your friend was a human. ????: Heh! Amateur mistake. I haven't had this job for that long. Aria: E-easy mistake, haha. Aria: It's alright. Nino: (I can't believe that worked.) ????: Anyway, you haven't introduced me to this person yet. Aria: Ah, yeah, um- Aria: Nino, this is Kotori, a guard who works in this area. Aria: She and I are acquaintances. Aria: And Kotori, this is Nino, um, a friend of mine. Kotori: Drop the formalities and just call me Tori. Kotori: It's what everyone calls me, for short. Kotori: Nice to meet you.

Nino: Ha ha, what, human? Who said anything about them? Nino: I'm not a hum- ????: Cut the act. Nino: B-but hey, like I said before, we can just give you back the spears, and... Nino: And pretend nothing here happened! ????: Does it look like that's an option in this situation? Nino: You sure being diplomatic is going to help in this situation at all? ????: Get away from Aria. Nino: You know Aria? ????: That's besides the point. ????: You're dangerous, and you ought to be disposed of. Nino: S-stop waving that spear in my face Nino: Just let me explain myself! ????: You mean, make more excuses for yourself? Nino: E-excuses? No, I just-- ????: Yeah, no. You're coming with me. ????: Right now. Aria: Intervene! Aria:…