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| {{tab/header|Story 1}}
| | |cardContact=Luke |
| '''Scene 1: Street'''
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| The sun was waning when you left the client's house. Going back to the office now would be too late. | | |story1Summary=The MC finds herself in the neighborhood of Time's Antiquities, where she sees a man drop a box in front of the shop and run off when called out to. Luke opens it and discovers a fine jewelry box inside among the used books. |
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| You called Celestine to make sure there was no urgent matter to take care of, and then started your weekend early.
| | |story2Summary=Inside the shop, Luke determines the box may be valuable if it's genuine; he and the MC open the box to find photos of the mystery donor with a woman. The photo includes a note that looks like a rejection, with a line "You are like nobody...." Luke recalls that he's seen the man in the photos before in another book he'd held since it belonged to the library. |
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Huh? Isn't this Luke's antique shop?
| | |story3Summary=Luke retrieves the other book, which is a Neruda poetry book that contains a photo of the same couple from the woman's point of view and a love letter to her. The MC points out the poetry book the letter was in, and the two realize the "rejection" was an incomplete line of poetry that was meant to be a love confession. Seeing that the couple had been apart for eight years due to such a serious misunderstanding, Luke becomes determined to track the two down and clear it up. |
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Come to think of it, doesn't that novelist live nearby the antique shop?
| | |story4Summary=Luke and the MC find the Neruda book's donor, arranging a meeting with her at a coffee shop. The woman, Yolanda Jenkins, tells her story of meeting Randy Evans, the man, and then having to go into closed training for a month and missing his love letter. She'd assumed that Randy moved on after not hearing from her for a month; when Luke points out the Neruda quote sounded like a rejection without the poem's context, Yolanda grieves for the lost chance and leaves in tears. Back at the antique shop, Luke collapses in pain as Randy runs away from the shop front again. |
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| You are just about to drop in on Luke when you see a man lurking about suspiciously by the door.
| | |story5Summary=After recovering from his pain episode, Luke decides to use a dried fig leaf from the jewelry box as a lead to track Randy, whom he thinks must live nearby. He calls Peanut, who loves figs, and the two follow Peanut to a nearby residential neighborhood. |
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| The man is holding a large cardboard box, looking hesitant. He looks familiar.
| | |story6Summary=Having tracked Randy at his home, Luke and the MC try to clear up the misunderstood reply from Yolanda, but the attempt causes Randy great pain. He reveals that after failing to get the jewelry box back when Luke had his pain episode, he resigned himself to the relationship's fate and accepted an arranged marriage with another woman. Back at the shop, Luke and the MC are saddened by the tragic ending of the story, but they focus on their own reunion instead. |
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' That cardboard box... Could he be wanting to sell his antiques? Why linger by the door? | | |storyLocations= |
| | {{Background location|name=Street|location=Time's Antiquities|image=Stellis - City Street (Sunset).png}} |
| | {{Background location|name=Antique Shop|location=Time's Antiquities|image=Time's Antiquities - Shop.png}} |
| | {{Background location|name=Detective Agency|location=Time's Antiquities|image=Time's Antiquities - Office (Day).png}} |
| | {{Background location|name=Coffee Shop|location=Misc|image=Misc Location - Restaurant 1 (Day).png}} |
| | {{Background location|name=Outside Randy's Residence|location=Stellis|image=Stellis - Residential Street (Day).png}} |
| | {{Background location|name=|location=Time's Antiquities|image=Stellis - City Street (Night).png}} |
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Excuse me... Are you...
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| | {{Character|name=Luke Pearce|image=Luke character icon 1.png}} |
| | {{Character|name=Yolanda Jenkins|image=Passerby F2 character icon.png|nolink=true}} |
| | {{Character|name=Randy Evans|image=Passerby M1 character icon.png|nolink=true}} |
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| The man turns. Upon seeing you, he drops the box and runs.
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| He's definitely up to something!
| | |videoCallTitle=Perfect Partner |
| | | |videoCallScript= |
| You pull out your phone and are just about to call Luke when you hear his voice behind you.
| | {{SL|Luke|It's me.}} |
| | | {{SL|Luke|Nothing's up. I just suddenly wanted to hear your voice...}} |
| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' (Name)? Why are you here?
| | {{SL|Luke|Oh yeah, I found a special photo when I was organizing stuff today. Wanna take a guess?}} |
| | | {{SL|Luke|Hehe. It's when we went camping for my birthday, and your dad took a pic of when I forced you to make a wish with me.}} |
| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' I thought I heard you. Turns out I wasn't imagining it.
| | {{SL|Luke|You weren't willing at first, saying that it wouldn't work. It took a lot to convince you.}} |
| | | {{SL|Luke|The wish I made? Of course I remember it.}} |
| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Luke! Just in time! A suspicious man left some dangerous items at your door! Did you piss off anybody lately?
| | {{SL|Luke|That we'll always be by each other's side, no matter what happens.}} |
| | | {{SL|Luke|Now that I think about it, maybe that wish is why we were able to reunite.}} |
| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Dangerous items?
| | {{SL|Luke|How do I feel about our reunion? ...Very happy, and very lucky.}} |
| | | {{SL|Luke|Not everyone has the chance to relive the happiest part of their lives a second time.}} |
| Luke looks about, and then notices the cardboard box.
| | {{SL|Luke|Every single second now is a precious and wonderful memory.}} |
| | | {{SL|Luke|How about you? Are you happy that we're together again?}} |
| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' You mean this box?
| | {{SL|Luke|I'm glad you're also happy! Then, how about we go camping together when you have time? I have a surprise for you.}} |
| | | {{SL|Luke|What kind of surprise? You'll find out when we go.}} |
| Luke kneels down to inspect the box. Upon seeing him touching the box carelessly, you stop him.
| | {{SL|Luke|Please look forward to it, my Watson.}} |
| | | }} |
| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Be careful! What if it's a bomb?
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Bomb... Really, (Name)? What got into you lately?
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' I just took on a case about a famous novelist being blackmailed.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' His latest novel has a tragic ending; a fan got upset because of it and started mailing razors to his house.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' He didn't take it seriously initially, but a few days ago, a bomb was delivered to his door!
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' That's so unbelievable! Did anyone get hurt?
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Fortunately, the bomb maker seems to be quite the amateur; the bomb turned out to be a dud...
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' So the novelist called the police, and then came to our office to file a lawsuit.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' I mean, the guy's only a novelist! As a detective dealing with a lot of money, you should be more careful.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Don't worry. I know what my job is like. I know how to protect myself.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Maybe I was really spooked... That suspicious man just reminded me of that case I'm working on.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Well, would it put you at ease if I inspect it for explosives? Stand back. I'll get my equipment.
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| Luke has the equipment to find explosives? Did he make it himself?
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| You stand aside while Luke comes back out with something that resembles a handheld POS machine.
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| He performs a complete circular scan of the box with the machine, but nothing shows up on the machine.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' No hazardous materials or explosives inside. I peeked inside and saw only books. We should be fine.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' I've been collecting second-hand books to donate to orphanages. Maybe the man just came to drop off some books.
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| He points at the sign outside the door that reads, "Second-hand books wanted."
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' If that's the case, why did he run when I confronted him?
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Well, it is better to be safe than sorry. I'll look it over some more after I get it inside.
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| Luke picks up the box, his coral-colored eyes full of smiles.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Though I'm living alone, I do take good care of myself. I also prioritize my safety when out on jobs.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' No need to worry about me anymore. I'm no longer that emotional and reckless kid you knew back then.
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| Luke's words break the awkward silence. The way he cherishes and cares for you is evident and heartwarming.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' You have always been reliable, even when you were just a kid...
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Anyway, let's check out the box. I'm a bit curious myself...
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| Suddenly, the bottom of the box collapses from the weight of the contents inside. All the books fall out.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' The guy didn't even tape it up? What was he thinking... Books are heavy. Did he not take into account that the box might not hold up?
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| You kneel down to pick up the books for Luke. A small crimson box among them catches your attention.
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| The box is made of wood, about the size of your palm, with animals made out of mica flakes inlaid on the surfaces.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' What a beautiful jewelry box!
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Hmm... Mahogany, delicate craftsmanship... Probably from the Old Dynasty period.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' So it's an antique?
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Possibly. I'm no expert, but it definitely shouldn't be given to me instead of some antique market.
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| Luke tapes up the bottom of the cardboard box and puts all the books back in.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Come. We'll take a better look once inside.
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| {{tab/header|Story 2}} | |
| '''Scene 1: Antique Shop'''
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| You've seen a suspicious man outside of Luke's antique shop.
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| The man left a cardboard box full of books and an antique mahogany jewelry box.
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| Luke studies the wooden box under a magnifying glass and finally finds something.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Here it is. A date at the bottom of the box. It's from the Old Dynasty period and made for the royals.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' If it isn't a knock-off, it'd worth quite a bit. It makes no sense to just throw something like this away.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Maybe he didn't realize it was in here?
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' If that's the case, we better give it back to him.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' But we don't have any info on him...
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Also, if he didn't even want to be seen donating the books, I don't think he'd want to come for this box.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' True. Dunno what he's thinking...
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| Luke pulls on the seemingly pure gold ring on the box, and then puts it to his ear and shakes it cautiously.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' It's locked, and there's something inside.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Hm... I better try to open it. Such a luxurious box must hold something of great value.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' If that's indeed the case, we'll have to report it to the police.
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| Luke really has thought everything through. You nod your head as he takes out several small tools from his tool bag.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' You better be careful. We don't want to damage it...
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Have some faith in me. The box is valuable, sure, but the lock on it isn't anything complicated.
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| By the time he finishes the sentence, he has already unlocked the box with a clean "click."
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Photos! You rarely see actual photo prints nowadays!
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| You glance at the photo and then it hits you.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' | just realized why he looks so familiar. He looks like [[Jacque Dennis]]!
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| The photo features the man and a woman at one of Jacque Dennis' live performances.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Jacque Dennis? The famous singer from here who uses a foreign stage name? The one who's topped the charts for 15 years?
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' The resemblance is striking...
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| One of the pictures features Jacques Dennis with the couple. Anyone would be fooled into thinking the two men are twins.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' He looks familiar to me, too, not because he looks like Jacque Dennis, but because I've seen him somewhere...
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Could this woman be the man's girlfriend or wife?
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Both of them look like fans of Jacque Dennis.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' From the pictures, they seem to have toured around the world with Jacque Dennis.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' If I were to analyze, the woman wasn't in a romantic relationship with the man... At least, not yet.
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| Luke picks out two pictures and hands them to you.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' See. They stood together side by side, but there was no physical contact at all.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' They kept a friendly distance away from each other.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Com'on, don't tell me you don't see how they look at each other.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Really? Well... This is why I don't take any relationship-related cases... I really can't tell.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Hey! There's a card!
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| There is a hand-written card with an embossed rose amidst the photos. The handwriting is neat and elegant, evidently written by a woman.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' "You don't have to do it like this. You are like nobody..."
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' That sounds like a rejection.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Wait! Now I remember! I did meet the man! Follow me.
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| Luke suddenly grabs your hand and leads you upstairs.
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| His hand is soft with some calluses on the upper palm that tickle your wrist.
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| This is in no way a casual distance. Looking at Luke's back, you can't stifle your internal laughter.
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| He would definitely blush if you were to tease him about it. At the same time, you hear your heart beating louder.
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| '''Scene 2: Detective Agency'''
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| Luke heads straight for his file cabinet upon reaching the second floor and soon takes out an old and yellowed book.
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| He opens the book, snatches out a photo from within the pages and hands it to you.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Look. Doesn't it look like one of the photos from the wooden box?
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| {{tab/header|Story 3}} | |
| '''Scene 1: Detective Agency'''
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' It's from an old book that I got last month, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pablo_Neruda Neruda]'s "Twenty Love Poems and A Song of Despair."
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| You take a look at the photo. It does look like it belongs with the photos found inside the wooden box.
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| The same locale, the same man and woman, but taken at different angles.
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| The photo that Luke has seems to be a selfie taken by the woman.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' There's also a letter that came with the photo.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' I've read it. It's a love letter to the woman.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' A love letter?
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Yeah... and a pitiful one at that, if I may say so.
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| You take a look at the letter in question, and find yourself agreeing with Luke's assessment.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' "I know you love only him, but don't I also resemble him in many ways?"
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' "If you'd just give me a chance, I can become even more like him. All I ask for is to love and take care of you..."
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' "Even if I were just his mere reflection..."
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' I didn't get what it's about at first, but if the woman in the picture was whom the letter was for, it makes sense.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' The man and the woman were both fans of Jacque Dennis. They probably met each other during the tour.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' The man wishes to court the woman, but she loves Dennis and Dennis alone.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' The man resembles Dennis to begin with, but he's willing to imitate Dennis in every way just so he could get the girl... However...
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' The woman turned him down?
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' If the card inside the wooden box was indeed her reply, then yes.
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| You never would have thought to discover such a story from a pile of books...
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| However, there is no mistaking the way the woman looks at him in the photos. They even have the photos printed out as keepsakes...
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Neruda! Did you say the photo and letter were tucked inside Pablo Neruda's poetry book?
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Yeah, Neruda's "Twenty Love Poems and A Song of Despair." Is something—
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Ah! I get it!
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| [[File:Luke "Perfect Partner" CG1.jpg|300px|right]]'''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' This poetry collection's fourteenth poem...
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| Luke frowns slightly, trying to recall the poem.
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| The gentle and warm waning sun fills the whole room, adding a sense of devotion to his eyes that are looking beyond the moment.
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| He then stares into your eyes and recites those beautiful lines softly.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' "You are like nobody since I love you."
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' "Let me spread you out among the yellow garlands. Who writes your name in letters of smoke among the stars of the south?"
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| His voice is a bit low and course, delivering your favorite poem from your student days to perfection.
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| His recitation moves you deeply. You can't resist the urge to recite with him.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' "Oh let me remember you..."
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| '''You & Luke:''' "As you were before you existed."
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| Both of you recite in unison. As two voices become one, you also find your heart riding on the syllables of the lines.
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| The poem has ended with that last line. Still, both of you remain silent.
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| Submerged deep within your thoughts, you feel like you were drowning in the sense of melancholy floating in the air.
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| Luke closes the poetry book, and then his eyes.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' "Aquí te amo..."
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| The evening breeze brushes past your burning cheeks. You turn around, slightly flustered, but are suddenly reminded of the rose-embossed card in your hand.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' She... I don't think it's a rejection at all.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' I mean, though backwards, she IS quoting Neruda here, right?
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| You hear Luke breathing deeply behind you, followed by the sound of pages flipping.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' The woman must have loaned this book out from the library.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' The last borrower on the library book card is a... [[Yolanda Jenkins]].
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| You turn around to look at the library book card in Luke's hands.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Yolanda... Her reply was misinterpreted... How sad.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' You received that book last month, and the man just discarded those treasured photos...
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' They probably never ended up together. | |
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' We can't be sure of him discarding those photos yet. There's a chance he didn't even know they were here.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' The photos are dated eight years ago. Why would they keep the photos all these years just to throw them away so casually?
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' One misunderstanding drove them apart for eight years. Maybe over the years, it has grown into a grudge or obsession.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' In my opinion... If it were me, I'd do my best to make sure there's no misunderstanding even if everything was set in stone.
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| There's a sense of sadness in his tone so unlike his usual self. Something he may not even be aware of himself.
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| What happened during those eight years...?
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Are you going to try to find Yolanda and the man to see if you can help them?
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Although it may be rude to meddle with someone else's relationship like this... But yeah, I do want to try.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' I'm probably too nosy, right?
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| {{tab/start}}
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| {{tab/header|Yes.}} | |
| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' A little. But I don't think it's wrong to want to help them out from the bottom of your heart.
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| {{tab/header|No.}}
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Can't say I blame you, because... I'd want that for them as well.
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| {{tab/end}}
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' I knew you'd be behind me!
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' So, the real question is: how do we find them?
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' This poetry book! It was signed out of the Stellis Public Library. We can start by asking them for Yolanda's contact info.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Yolanda may be in contact with the man. If we find Yolanda, we can probably find the man as well.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' The library should already be closed for the day though...
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| Your stomach suddenly growls.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' ...
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| You feel embarrassed and try to think of something to get out of this awkward situation when Luke rubs his stomach in an exaggerated manner.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' I'm SO hungry I could eat a horse!
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' We can go to the library tomorrow. You're not working tomorrow, are you?
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Nope. It's a Saturday!
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Great! We'll meet up at the library tomorrow morning.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Sure.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Now... Dinner!
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| {{tab/header|Story 4}}
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| {{tab/header|Story 5}} | |
| {{tab/header|Story 6}}
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| {{tab/header|Video Call}}
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| {{tab/end}}
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