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[The Grumpearl projects an image: a long-furred Yungoos seated primly on a wooden Canopy platform. Her grin is restrained, showing only a sliver of her sharp fangs, and her surroundings are awash with color: the greens of lush foliage and the vibrant blossoms of various flowers, both growing naturally in the trees and collected for display around the edges of the platform.]

Hello, everyone. I hope you are all faring well, in spite of the extraordinary circumstances. I am still familiarizing myself with this "Grumpearl" device, so I also hope you can forgive me for any technical difficulties that may arise.

[Observing her in this moment, it's hard to imagine that there even could be any such technical difficulties. She is perfectly framed and her thoughts are silent—almost eerily so. Try as she might to make it all seem effortless, it seems she is trying very hard, in fact, to keep them focused and to herself. Not a single stray thought allowed.]

My name is Lusamine Mendel, and I was very recently recruited into the Cheri Guild. Although I am still new to this world, I intend to do everything I can to be of assistance to you all. If there is ever anything I might be able to help you with, please do not hesitate to ask.

[The dark green gem fastened around her neck gleams as she tilts her head.]

Now, I have a simple question for recent arrivals and longtime residents of Bottlecap Bay alike, if you wouldn't mind indulging me. What is the last thing you recall happening before you were transported into this world?

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Oh... I see.

[Her voice is soft, sympathetic.]

What was her name, if I may ask?

[Anasui doesn't want to talk about it. He doesn't like socialising and the only replied because he wanted to know what information Lusamine had gathered already and see if there was anything interesting there. But Jolyne was everything to him and he's already talking before he can stop himself.]

Jolyne. Jolyne Cujoh. I fell in love with her at first sight. Her focus and determination... Her pure heart shines a light on the darkness of my own. She was... She is wonderful.

Jolyne Cujoh... She's very beautiful, in your memory.

[She senses that Anasui doesn't think he wants to talk about the girl, and perhaps she shouldn't admit outright that his memories are in her mind now, but it's so sweet (and familiar; and painful) that has to say something. It makes her feel...

Well, it's still difficult to tell what exactly Lusamine is feeling. But there is a certain sadness—an old, never-quite-healed wound—buried there.]

It's unspeakably terrible, when our loved ones are taken from us... But surely she would have wanted you to continue on. [There is a hesitant pause before she adds,] Perhaps there is even still a chance that you will be reunited again, in this world. You were brought here, after all, and you mentioned another who is also from your world, didn't you?

[It's strange. Anasui usually would jump at any opportunity to talk to or about Jolyne. He makes no secret that he loves her and he's not really bothered Lusamine is in his mind. He just doesn't want anyone to know her fate and what happened. He doesn't need ~~deserve~~ any pity.

So he latches on to the feeling Lusamine is experiencing. It's not unlike what Anasui is experiencing, except Anasui's version of it is much more raw. It's only been two... maybe three months for him. And he has the guilt that he could have done something to save Jolyne.]

I'm continuing on. Here or not, I want to be a man that Jolyne can be proud of. There was never any question about that... [Anasui sighs.] But maybe... I hope I'll see her. It's already a miracle I have the kid here.

...Perhaps it'll be the same for you.

[There was once a time that Mohn occupied Lusamine's every thought in the same way that Jolyne does Anasui's. After all, everything she'd done had been for him—to save him, to bring him back to his family... Until it wasn't. At some point, she lost herself as well, and it ceased being about him at all.

Truthfully, it's been a long time since she allowed herself to dwell on the memory of him, let alone consider that they might still be reunited somehow. Now, for a single, dangerous moment, she lets herself entertain the thought of finding him again here, impossible though it is.

Through their psychic connection, Anasui will feel from her a sudden, potent surge of emotion: anguish, rage, and above all, terror. And then—nothing, as she banishes the thought from her mind again.

No, she thinks. It won't be the same for her at all.]

[In a way that she hopes (but isn't) subtle, she tries to shift the focus back onto Anasui.]

"The kid", you said... Yours?

[Jolyne did look rather young to be having children, but...]

[From the calm, there's a storm. A burst of emotions and unexpected horror, changing as suddenly as the weather. But even before Anasui can brace for impact, it's gone, leaving silence in its wake. Anasui's never felt anything like it but it does remind him of his oldest... allies from prison. Someone who seemed so calm and unassuming but who held a volatile heart, one hidden from even themselves.

This woman was dangerous.

It takes Anasui a moment to respond but he responds naturally, as if he hadn't just felt that at all ~~Weirder things have happened~~. He lets himself snort in amusement.]

Absolutely not. Emporio's some kid that I found in the prison I was sent to. I've known him for like... four years? Apparently, he was born there. He's a Cubone here, if that means anything to you.

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