Pickles: Woof woof ... <Wendy's bouncy ball should be here ...>
Pickles: Woo, woof ... <Wait, I think I see it ...>
The dog moves towards the ball, fighting his way through the jungle of human calves.
But a pair of thin "trunks" stop before him.
Diggers: What a happy coincidence, little puppy! We meet again!
A pair of hands land on his head, rubbing through his long fur and then moving to the both sides of his head, gently squeezing his ears and cheeks.
Diggers: What are you doing here? Are you also looking for some inspiration for art?
Pickles: Boo ... <Please let go of me, Mr. Diggers ... >
"Doggie": The puppy wishes to keep a distance.
Diggers: Aw, don't give me the cold shoulder! We are friends now!
Diggers: Let me see your warm smile ... Remember what we said? Love needs to be shown to the people you care about!
A slight disturbance occurs from the far end of the enthusiastic crowd.
Kids in newsboy hat squeeze themselves out of the crowd, each with a stack of the latest magazines in their hands.
Newsboy: Welcome to UTTU Retail, strange friends.
Pickles: Wumm? <Is this ... a book?>
Newsboy: This is a magazine, my reading-loving puppy friend.
Newsboy: You don't seem to know much about the Flash Gathering. Don't worry, this only makes our encounter more rewarding.
Pickles: Woof? Woof? <Flash Gathering? What is that?>
Newsboy: Here's a copy of FLASH: FAME for you.
Pickles: Whoo, woof ... woof? <Sorry, I'm not very into magazine ... Hmm?>
Suddenly, he finds himself standing there alone. The group of newsboy have disappeared into thin air, as if they were never there.
Diggers: Boy, those kids were quick acting. I barely saw their faces.
Diggers: What is this ... "Trophy of the Past Glory"?
Diggers: Whoa, look at the cover, this is smart devising! Those boring soccer magazines ought to take a look at this ...
???: Ah ... Damn! I miss it again!
The voice coming from afar is a bit muffled, but familiar.
Melania: Ms. Acey, I know the outcome is not exactly what we hoped for, but we didn't make any mistake during the process. Would you take it into consideration when you rate this mission ...
Ms. Acey: 60
Melania: ... *sighs
Melania: Ok, it's okay! No big deal. Pull yourself together, Melania!
Melania: We only need to find one more ... one more magazine to locate UTTU Market ... I need to look at the map and see where those newsboys will show up next ...
Diggers: Hey!
Melania: Waah ...!
Melania: It's ... it's you, Mr. Diggers! And puppy!
Melania: Are you here for the Flash Gathering too?
Melania straightens her glasses, looking surprised.
Melania: So ... the theme of this gathering is "Trophy of the Past Glory" ... But what are you doing here? You don't strike me as a sports fan.
Diggers: Hey, that's an awful stereotype! Can't I be interested in sports while on my quest to the palace of art?
Diggers: I won't be defined by labels! The great artist is now a humble part of the sports club ...
Melania: No, not sports club. This is the Flash Gathering.
Diggers: What's that?
Melania: Umm ... Okay, I will keep this as brief as possible.
Melania: Flash Gathering is a reading club started by UTTU Magazine. It is getting quite a name in the arcanist community in recent years.
Melania: It doesn't have a fixed venue, nor a fixed theme. The only thing remains unchanged is the numerous interesting books it provides and the great rewards.
Pickles: Mmm ... <It's hard to imagine reading with a group of people ... >
"Doggie": The puppy feels uneasy.
Melania: Don't worry. You'd have a good time at the Flash Gathering! Any book lovers would feel at home there.
The girl bends down and gently pats the dog on the his back.
Melania: As you can see, those newsboys with FLASH:FAME are as hard to find as household bugs.
Melania: They are in one place in one moment, and then nowhere to be found in the next. You need both luck and wit to locate them.
Melania: After collecting enough copies of FLASH:FAME, you will be led to the "UTTU Market," a place where you can find UTTU:FLASH.
Melania: Sadly, I still need one more FLASH:FAME to work out the location of the market, which means I will be led around by these elusive newsboys for a bit longer ...
Pickles: Whoo ... <One more FLASH:FAME ...>
Pickles: ... !
Melania: What is it, puppy?
The dog shakes his fur, a booklet tucked under his collar by one of the newsboys falls to the ground.
Diggers: I think he's trying to tell you ... "Here is one!"
This is the beginning of the Flash Gathering and its readers.
