Part 8: A Butterfly Flaps Its Wings

Eagle: ...
Alone in the cemetery, Eagle stands in front of her father's tombstone.
She hadn't been alone long, only a few moments ago a stranger had been there, leaving her with a troubled mind.
It's already difficult enough to keep composed whenever she's here.
Eagle: Sorry to keep you waiting, dad.
Eagle: Did you hear what he just said? "It isn't too far from Lorentz here."
She crouches over and props up the flowers she brought. Petals from the last time are still caught in the creases of the stone.
Loss makes you age beyond your years—it can't be helped. But maturity has its benefits.
Eagle: He said he was your colleague. That you used to be friends.
Eagle: Like Matt and his friends?
Eagle: But I don't really understand ...
Eagle: He mentioned Lorentz, and Laplace ... What was that all about? Should I know anything about them?
Eagle: And if I do this, what does that mean? Am I following in your footsteps?
Eagle: I can memorize every word in The Scouts Manual, but ...
Eagle: But I'll never know if I made you proud.
She shakes her head, trying to rid herself of that thought.
Eagle: A few days ago, back in Brooklyn, I met someone else.
Eagle: He, um ... did I talk about it already?
Eagle: ...
Eagle: He asked me a question, but I didn't answer. I didn't know how to answer—
Eagle: He asked me, "Want to find something that you can do?"
Eagle: Just like what Mr. X said to me.
Eagle: I'm just confused, dad.
Eagle: But maybe one day I'll understand, right?
Her gaze turned from the worn old sash in her hands back to the tombstone.
Eagle: Right, I will.
She's passing through alleys and over fences, swift as a breath of wind.
It'd been a few days since she and her mom came to visit her aunts. The first thing to do after settling in was to get the lay of the land.
She's learned to do this well, anything to protect her mother and herself.
Eagle: Next corner turn right, and then half a block away ...
Eagle: I need to hurry up ...
Eagle: Or mom will get worried.
She leaps lightly into the room, without drawing any attention.
???: ... would be a better place.
Eagle: Hi mom, I'm back—Mom?
X: Oh, hi. Not your mom, but welcome back!
Eagle: ...!
Eagle: Mr. X! Why are you here?
X: I said see you later. Remember?
Eagle: You—
Mother: Oh, look at you, your shirt is all wet. Go change out of those clothes. Next time I'll go with you, so you don't get up to trouble.
Eagle: Sorry, mom, but there's something ... I need your advice.
Mother: Alright, but we're drying your hair first.
Eagle: I met a man in the cemetery, and he said he worked with dad.
Eagle: Do you think you might know him?
She looks over to X as she talks to her mom. X makes a gesture to the door.
Eagle shakes her head disapprovingly.
Mother: It's possible, sweetie—especially if he recognized you. But, I couldn't say without seeing him myself.
Mother: But please be careful talking to strangers ... especially with you're out there all alone.
Eagle: He told me, father wasn't just in the military, but also a member of "Lorentz."
Eagle: I don't know what that is, but if dad worked there, then maybe ... I can join them instead of the scouts?
Mother: Sweetheart, all I ever wanted is for you to be healthy and happy.
Mother: You can join the scouts or Lorentz, or anything! I will support you, no matter what.
X: Hmm? That sounds like one of my colleagues.
X: Take this question as the continuation of that conversation.
X: Would you like to join Laplace with me?
Eagle: I ... I don't know what Laplace and Lorentz are.
Eagle: But are girls allowed to join?
X: Oh, we don't care about any of that. You can join us even if you're neither a boy nor a girl.
X: But that's really beside the point. As far as you are concerned, Laplace and Lorentz are two different organizations, but we share an office. It's not far from here actually. I can give you a more detailed introduction if you like.
Eagle: But my dad is gone. I need to take care of my mom. Besides, we don't live here, so I can't stay long.
X: Hmm, but your mom just told me you're moving.
Eagle: Is that true?
Mother: Well, your aunties are here, and I want to be closer to your father.
Mother: Though I still can't bear to go there, but I will one day.
Eagle: ...
Eagle: But, why me? I didn't really help all that much.
X: Nah, you were a perfect assistant. Remember, you helped me with that equipment, or was that someone else?
X: Besides, you successfully found "X," both of us, which showed your acute observation skills and capability under pressure.
X: All in all, I think you'd be wasted on the scouts, you deserve to shine bright, not waste your time collecting tin badges.
Eagle: I-I do?
X: You heard me.
X: And I'm here to show you another way.
Eagle: This is ...
Eagle: A uniform, it's a little like yours!
Eagle: Is this an official uniform?
X: Yes, and this is the other way I'm offering you.
X: The way to the Institutum Lorentz.
Eagle: Lorentz. Another way ...
X: That's right.
X: Because after that mission ...
X: I think you shouldn't be looking for a puppy, but a butterfly.