The hidden spectator's mind drifts away, still lost in the brilliance of the Oresteia.
His breath, soft and steady, releases a gentle warmth.
Undoubtedly, this lucky spectator has enjoyed a deep and restful sleep.
???: ...
???: The Theater of Dionysos is truly mesmerizing ... and the wine here is beyond compare. Athens—so much greater than the history books could have ever taught us ...
???: Ah, this APPLe believes I've found my true home ...
???: Hmm ... but who brought me this blanket ... So comfortable ...
The drunken observer turns over, pulling the blanket closer around him.
A faint melody reaches Mr. APPLe's ears. Somewhere beneath his tree, a few festival goers dance joyfully, while wicker baskets filled with flowers and fruit sway gently along the river.
The vine weaves across the boundless earth,
Scattering far the bountiful gifts of Dionysos.
Under your watchful gaze, the world brims with hope.
Basking in the warm sunlight, accompanied by a humid breeze and joyful melodies—
What a cozy environment for Mr. APPLe.
After days and nights soaked in wine, Mr. APPLe has lost the golden "skin" he once acquired in Florence.
APPLe: Wait ... Wasn't I in the Theater of Dionysos?
Out of panic, he wraps himself in his blanket—a leaf, to be precise.
The rustling sound of the leaves draws the attention of the followers below.
Follower I: Look, an apple! I've never seen an apple so big before!
One of the revelers tiptoes over and picks the apple from its treetop perch.
Follower II: sniffs
Follower II: Oh, incredible! It has a rich aroma of fine wine coming from its rind.
APPLe: ...
Follower I: I can't believe my ears! Is this apple ... snoring?
Follower II: Everyone, Dionysos's blessing is surely upon us! He must rejoice to see that we will hold the Dionysia as planned.
Follower I: But a magical apple such as this must be used to honor our patron ... I suggest we make it into a fine wine!
APPLe: ...!
Follower III: It's too late for that, my friends. By the time this apple will have fermented the Dionysia will be long over.
Follower III: And even so, we'd need many large, sweet apples like this one for such an offering.
A hand grabs Mr. APPLe and tosses him into a basket full of fruits.
APPLe: Captain ... Vertin ... Save me ...
Regulus: Achoo!
Regulus: This is bad; this is bad-bad, Vertin! I've turned the whole city upside down and backwards; not a single soul has seen a flying apple!
Regulus: How was your luck?
Vertin: I'm afraid all I found were ... these.
She shows Regulus the apples she received; a mix of round and misshapen ones, some green, some yellow.
Vertin: The Athenians were very generous. When they learned I was searching for an apple, they insisted on giving me every apple they could find, some of them look freshly plucked.
Vertin: They even offered me some of their wine, they said it might help me see my "flying apple."
Regulus: Sod it all. None of these lousy things look like Mr. APPLe!
Regulus paces back and forth along the stone tiles, angrily biting into one of the apples.
Regulus: Uh …
Regulus: Oh! This tastes awful, Vertin. Don't tell me the Athenians actually enjoy eating sour fruit like this?!
Vertin: Regulus, we've arrived in Classical Greece during the Peloponnesian War.
Vertin: This was before apples underwent the cross-breeding necessary to gain their modern sweet taste. In fact, most people of this time would prefer grapes and figs.
Vertin: Apples were considered to be used as offerings to the gods.
Regulus: Y-You mean ... we'll never ever find Mr. APPLe?!
Vertin: N-No, Regulus ... What I meant is ...
Vertin: Perhaps Mr. APPLe has accidentally become part of some offering, we should be on the lookout, but we need to be careful; we can't just pluck him from an offering without causing offense.
Regulus: ...
Regulus: If only we could broadcast a missing apple alert! Or at least hand out some posters ...
Vertin: I don't think we have enough money left. With what we have we could scarcely afford to buy a few sheets of papyrus.
Vertin: If we wanted to make posters for Mr. APPLe, we may need to ask Ms. Sotheby for help—though she's not part of this operation.
Accustomed to the conveniences of modern society, the duo struggles to come up with a solid plan in this strange and unfamiliar era.
For perhaps the first time, Regulus truly grasps the devastation brought by the "Storm."
Regulus scratches her head with a rather serious look on her face.
Regulus: Vertin, we've got to solve the "Storm," once and for all!
Vertin: ...?
Regulus: Ahem, it's nothing! All I meant is that we should thank Lorentz for their great invention, the Stage in the Rain!
Joking around at a time like this only adds to her anxiety.
Regulus knocks her head, as if trying to fix a broken mood switch.
Regulus: Just pondering here, but what would we need to whip up a loudspeaker in Ancient Greece, eh Vertin?
Regulus: And what are the odds of us getting acquainted with some local scoundrels or—rock gods forgive me—even a cop?
Regulus: Do you think Mr. APPLe could regenerate if we only find his core?
Inspirations explode in Regulus's mind like supernovas, only to collapse into one black hole after another.
Regulus: ...
Regulus: There's no use for it ... I'll have to put together a remembrance set for my next broadcast.
Regulus nods helplessly, her inspiration running dry—as a firm, warm hand lands on her shoulder.
Vertin: You've got the right idea, Regulus.
Vertin: When in Athens, do as the Athenians do.
Regulus: So then we're going to get help from some local scoundrels?
Vertin: I'm not sure about scoundrels, but there are sure to be mercenaries around or informants.
Regulus: ...!
Regulus's eyes light up with her reply. As memories of cheering crowds and singing birds return to her.
Regulus: Too right! Just as London had me to keep the pulse on the city, there's sure to be some kind-hearted legend who knows every nook and cranny of Athens!
Regulus: You just leave it to me, Vertin!
Regulus: Just think, a like-minded rocker of the ancient world! We'll get on like jam on toast! And once we're thick as thieves, we'll get that information for a song.
The "Legend of London" has found her groove once again, dashing off into the busy streets of the ancient city.
