In the hall, a slender plant stands, with green flower buds clinging to its stalk.
Its branches sway in a metered rhythm.
Oliver Fog : Here's what happened.
Oliver Fog : A few days ago, I asked A Knight to tell me the story of Pepin the Short.
Oliver Fog : So I knocked on the door to his room, but no one answered. Then I went to check the patio, but he wasn't there either.
Oliver Fog : Next, I asked Vertin, but … She didn't know either.
An-an Lee: Ah! I understand, Sir Fog! So you want to know where Sir Knight has gone.
An-an Lee: Well, it is true I am the very best when it comes to ghost hunting! But Sir Knight is not exactly a ghost. He's more of a haunting character …
Oliver Fog : Apologies, I suppose I don't quite understand your arcane skill, but … perhaps you still have a knack for finding people.
Oliver Fog fishes out a few Sharpodonties from his pocket.
Oliver Fog : This is work. I know the rules.
Oliver Fog : I did not prepare much, but maybe I can pay a deposit first.
An-an Lee: Huh? What's this?
It dawns on her.
An-an Lee: Oh, how generous! In that case, I'll certainly help you.
An-an Lee: Besides catching ghosts, asking Lord Lao Zi for a little direction is a simple matter …
She takes the two pieces from Oliver's hand.
An-an Lee: And it is a kind gesture to help out a friend …
An-an Lee: Hm, what was it that Grandma taught me again?
An-an Lee: Whatever. As long as you truly believe it, that's all that matters!
An-an Lee cups three arcade tokens in her hands, clasping them together and shaking them forcefully.
An-an Lee: Spirits of heaven and earth …
Oliver Fog : …
Oliver Fog : At first, I thought A Knight might have been on a mission outside … So, I specifically asked Ms. Vertin.
Oliver Fog : But Ms. Vertin said that A Knight hasn't been on any missions recently.
Oliver Fog : But he had asked Vertin for several days of leave.
Oliver Fog : I wonder if he has some important matters to attend to?
An-an Lee: Hm … yes, I see him!
The young ghost hunter begins her soothsaying.
An-an Lee: I see that Sir Knight is as he was before. He still loves telling those dreadful jokes.
An-an Lee: But—it seems he has been collecting something recently! They look like small colorful banners and trumpets …
An-an Lee: It's not clear to me what he's doing!
She stops her hands and examines the answer the coins give.
An-an Lee: Hmm …
An-an Lee: The first hexagram, Lesser Yin; the second hexagram, Lesser Yang …
An-an Lee: The sixth hexagram, Old Yin ... Changing to the Hexagram of Earth over Water.
An-an Lee falls silent.
An-an Lee: Oh, ho!
She has learned her grandma's exaggerated manner of shouting.
An-an Lee: Oh dear, that's terrible, Sir Fog!
Oliver Fog : What does all of this mean?
An-an Lee: The Hexagram of Earth over Water shows that Sir Knight is going to war and that the war will be both unpredictable and hazardous.
An-an Lee: And this changing of the Hexagram shows ... there may be traitors among Sir Knight's forces, so he must be extra cautious.
Oliver Fog : Going to war?
Oliver Fog : In the suitcase?
Oliver Fog : This sounds rather more like a tall tale …
An-an Lee: Hmm ... The war indicated in the hexagram isn't some mere skirmish.
The branches of the potted plant stop their rhythm and begin to tremble.
And though perhaps it is only old circuits, the fluorescent lights in the hall begin to flicker faintly.
The orange light in the vision pulses slowly, like twilight in a memory.
Oliver Fog : Perhaps …
The pair look at each other.
Oliver Fog : … Ms. An-an, do you know what era it is outside right now?
