Circus Member: Welcome, welcome, distinguished guests!
Circus Member: I guarantee today's performance will exceed your wildest expectations!
Moving with the crowd, Kiperina walks into the tent.
Even now she cannot quite determine if the thumping in her chest is from fear or excitement.
However, all her doubt vanishes as the performance starts.
Circus Member: Now, please welcome our amazing, death-defying virtuoso of the trapeze—Talia!
Amidst the roaring cheers, a lithe young woman steps onto the tightrope.
Yulia: Wow!
Anton: The way she walks is so incredible! It's just like ... like ...
Kiperina: Just like walking on air.
Kiperina gazes upward, focusing on the figure suspended in midair.
It's a girl she has never seen before. All the circus members, both onstage and off, are people she's never seen before.
This isn't her Utrennyaya. Her last glimmer of hope falls away into oblivion.
But strangely, somehow, her heart continues to beat steadily and strongly.
Kiperina: She's amazing! I think she might even be better than I was.
The performance is breathtaking, lighting up the faces of the crowd.
Even with everything so unfamiliar, this is the Utrennyaya she has longed for, the one she feared losing but ultimately had to part with.
Her home.
Kiperina: I had almost forgotten what it was like.
Kiperina: This is what it feels like to watch someone walk a tightrope.
It feels as though this other person has taken her place, flying into the sky, toward the great unknown, flying to the farthest reaches of the universe. Then she looks up.
Up to the canopy that once covered the sky and created a small world for her, cramped but cozy.
But now, it no longer covers her. It was torn away in the storm. This canopy is not the same.
It was different from the one she once knew.
Kiperina: So that's what it's like. I understand now.
It is only when gazing into the universe that one can truly comprehend their own insignificance.
And it is only by looking back at the past and then into the future, immersed in this invisible river of time, that one can truly know—
Kiperina: I see. This moment, right now. There will never be another moment like it.
The resolve that once stirred in her heart now finds firm ground, and she stands more certain than ever.
The past has given her the courage to move forward, and the future still holds hope worth reaching for—
There is no reason to stop moving forward.
Circus Member: Thank you, everyone, for gracing us with your patronage and your applause. What a wonderful audience! Today's show has come at last to its conclusion!
Woman: I know it might sound surprising, but this is actually my first time at the circus. It was even more exciting than I imagined.
Woman: Thank you for bringing us here.
The woman sitting beside her turns to face her, but her words trail off midway.
A moment later, she gives her a knowing look.
Woman: You're leaving, aren't you?
Kiperina: Yes.
Waves of applause are still crashing around her, but Kiperina has already risen from her seat.
She reaches into her pocket and pulls out her last teleport disk.
Kiperina: Ms. Larissa, Anton, Yulia ...
Kiperina: I think I should go.
Now, she moves onward into the future, into the unknown.
GAMEPLAY
The grand hall is filled to bursting with guests. Some dressed in formal attire, while others are still in uniforms or researchers' coats that seem just a little out of place.
Among the crowd, Pointer is one of them.
Foundation Staff Member: Ms. Pointer, I must say, we're quite fascinated by your team's research.
Foundation Staff Member: Will we have the chance to meet the other team members? Maybe Ms. Hissabeth or your young astronaut?
Pointer: Of course, I'd be more than happy to introduce them to you.
Pointer: However, first, I was asked by Mr. Ludwig to inquire whether your branch would be willing to work with our team in Plesetsk on the distribution and utilization of runium.
Pointer: Perhaps we can find the time to discuss those details first.
Despite her robotic nature, Pointer always seems more adept at social responsibilities. Not far off, Hissabeth is savoring the last bite of her dessert.
Hissabeth: Délicieux! Soufflé should be eaten immediately after it's baked. The Foundation's chefs certainly know what they're doing.
Snake I: I'm more interested in the lamb chops over there. Come on, bring us another plate!
Hissabeth: Not the best choice. I don't want to stuff myself on that. I'd rather try the steak tartare next.
Another pointless sibling dispute seems poised to launch before they're interrupted by the arrival of a friend.
Name Day: Ms. Hissabeth.
Hissabeth: Registration all done? Did everything go smoothly?
Voyager smiles and nods in reply.
Voyager: nod
Hissabeth: It does seem that we're just waiting on one last person.
Name Day: Has Ms. Kiperina still not arrived? That's unusual.
Hissabeth: Well, I get the feeling she finds these sorts of gatherings a bit dull, non?
Hissabeth: I have no objections if she wants to enjoy life and not be tied down in endless useless conversation, not like anyone's taking attendance today.
Her tone remains light, but the young man frowns nonetheless.
Name Day: Maybe we shouldn't have let her ...
Before he can finish speaking, he sees Voyager's eyes brighten.
Recalling his assigned task, the young man promptly follows.
Voyager: Alia!
Kiperina: Voyager, here you are! There are so many people; I was afraid I'd never find you.
Kiperina: And Mr. Name Day, hello. Sorry for being late.
Name Day: No need to apologize. I just can't remember you ever being late for anything before.
Name Day: Was there something keeping you?
Kiperina: When Larissa heard I was going to a banquet, she insisted on helping me with my outfit. I tried on a few things, but none of them felt quite right.
Kiperina: I finally settled on my regular outfit. That's why I'm a little late. But Larissa still helped with my braid. How does it look?
Voyager: It's beautiful, Alia.
Name Day: It sounds like you've made some fine friends recently.
Kiperina's warm grin dispels the last of Name Day's worries, and Voyager begins to hum a cheerful melody.
A bouquet of white flowers is presented to Kiperina, with a subtle fragrance that caresses the tip of her nose.
Kiperina: This is ... for me?
Voyager: nod
A peculiar unspoken understanding allows Kiperina to quickly grasp what her friend is trying to say.
Kiperina: Thank you, Voyager. So these are the flowers you found along your journey. They're so pretty.
Kiperina: I'm happy to hear you also had fun on your travels.
After tucking away the exotic flowers, Kiperina looks around the hall.
Name Day: Who are you looking for? Ms. Windsong, or perhaps Hissabeth?
Name Day: Just a while ago, I ran into Ms. Windsong. She told me she'd like to introduce you to Avgust, Nina, Pyotr, and some of her other students.
Yet, as they scan the room, there's no sign of Windsong.
Name Day: I do recall Madam Lucy asking around for her, so you'll probably have to wait a while.
Name Day: As for Ms. Hissabeth, she's right over there.
She follows his hand to a familiar figure perusing the snacks nearby.
Hissabeth: ...
She obviously notices her, yet after a quick glance, she heads toward the exit.
It's a clear signal to follow her. Kiperina matches her speed and exits the room.
They proceed down the corridor, moving ahead until they are alone, and the noise of the crowd is barely audible.
Hissabeth: Ah, the air here is so much fresher, though it is a little cool.
Hissabeth: It's still winter, but after the "Storm," it feels warmer than before. Might just be my senses playing tricks on me, though. I suppose I'll have to check the data when we get back.
Kiperina: Maybe I should have dressed more formally. I didn't think the banquet would be this big.
Hissabeth: No worries, kid. This banquet isn't just for us, anyway.
Hissabeth: In fact, after the last "Storm," Laplace was in utter disarray, but it was Madam Lucy who finally helped put things back in order.
Hissabeth: Things weren't much better here at the Foundation. With the "Storm" back for another round, everyone is in need of some good news.
Hissabeth: Then they'd finally be able to stop working and, if it's even possible, relax.
Hissabeth: Cause if we can finally do that, if we can smile again, then no matter how much damage the "Storm" does, we'll one day make a molehill out of this mountain.
Kiperina: Are you saying that we're the good news? And this party is for everyone else?
Hissabeth: We're just an excuse for everyone else to have fun. There's no gratitude in this world at all, n'est-ce pas?
Kiperina: That's wonderful. Who would've thought our hard work would pay off so well? Looks like it's good news for me as well.
Hissabeth: You ... You've changed a little since I last saw you, non?
Hissabeth looks at the girl inquisitively; it's a look of scientist pleased at their dissection.
Hissabeth: In fact, I've got another tidbit of news. It's still under wraps, but I imagine the Foundation will release it soon enough.
Hissabeth: Either way, it's something I have no doubt you'll be interested in.
She leans over to Kiperina, her voice dropping to a whisper.
Hissabeth: They found someone who can brave the "Storm."
Kiperina's mind goes blank for a moment, as she takes a moment to consider the significance of the statement.
Kiperina: Are you saying that ...?
Hissabeth: Apparently, she's a student at the SPDM. She's to be named the Timekeeper and will take on the responsibility of solving the mystery of the "Storm."
Hissabeth: Now, the Foundation may refuse to lend us this individual, but I'm certain we can obtain further data from this Timekeeper.
Hissabeth: So we now have a secret weapon. We've made another stride in unraveling this damned "Storm" puzzle.
Hissabeth's slit pupils twitch with excitement, and Kiperina feels a wave of emotion rise within her.
Kiperina: This is really really good news.
She had already come to terms with the fact that her efforts, past and future, might not bear immediate fruit.
But then maybe she had been too pessimistic. It appears a spark of hope has now been ignited.
Hissabeth: Hmm? What's that you've got there?
The flowery bouquet she received from Voyager earlier pokes out into view.
Kiperina: Voyager gave me these flowers that she picked on her journey here. I feel like I've seen them before, but I don't really know what they're called.
Kiperina: What's wrong?
Hissabeth looks perplexed.
Hissabeth: These are lilacs.
Hissabeth: You're sure she picked them? Because wild lilacs only bloom in the spring. Quel bizarre.
She laughs suddenly.
Hissabeth: I must be losing my mind, too busy to even remember the time of year.
Kiperina laughs along.
Kiperina: Yes, Ms. Hissabeth. Look.
Kiperina: Spring is here already.