Vyn "Fluttering Wings"/Rewards

Story Summary

This story takes place in an Alternate Universe (AU) or possible past life. Its events do not affect the main timeline.

In Gerig Town of Bakerlon, the Main Character sits alone in her room thinking about her pen pal, Vyn. The two became pen pals when the MC enjoyed a travelogue about his journeys on the Tellus Train enough to write to him, and they've been in contact for the eight months since. In her most recent letter, she asked Vyn for advice dealing with her uncle, Count Stoker, who is trying to arrange an unwanted marriage for her. Today, she's received the reply, which directs her to an acquaintance of Vyn's: a man from the wealthy Haspran family who has just moved to Gerig Town, whom he says she can trust completely. Her uncle then asks her to come out to meet her newest suitor, who turns out to be Haspran himself. Evaluating him as unremarkable compared to other nobles she's met, she still offers Haspran a tour of the town. As they explore the town, the MC confides in Haspran, saying she wants to see the world and not get married; Haspran points out that staying single doesn't necessarily mean she'll be able to leave.

The MC grows confused at Haspran's words, since she thought Vyn directed her to him so that he could help her change the Count's mind. He tells her that how he helps is up to her and quotes a line about the next journey being her own decision, which the MC thinks is from Vyn's travelogue. Haspran asks her to show him how far she's willing to go to reach the outside world. When she returns home, her uncle tells her that she's going to be engaged to Haspran right away. She tries to decline, but her uncle shouts at her and demands her obedience. She fears Haspran isn't interested in helping her at all, and that night, she decides to run away. As she escapes through the abandoned garden, Haspran catches her. She tries to say they have nothing to talk about; he points out that although he's dealt with the estate's guards to create an opening for her and is impressed by her decisiveness, her escape plan was so obvious that she's unlikely to be able to survive on her own.

As the MC tries to get Haspran to step aside and let her leave, he encourages her to think through her situation: her uncle obviously needs her to marry to achieve some unknown goal. He removes a pistol from his pocket and says that there are two kinds of people -- the strong and powerful, like a gun, and those who live in fear of a bullet. He places the pistol in her hand and helps her aim it at a bird, pointing out that the bird doesn't have any idea how much danger it's in. She realizes that even if she runs, her uncle will catch her and bring her back. She agrees not to run away and instead face the issue head-on by finding out her uncle's goals. Back in her room, she tries to find the line Haspran quoted earlier in Vyn's travelogue; when she can't find it, she realizes it's from Vyn's private letters instead. She rereads Vyn's letters and finds that the text shows a very similar personality to Haspran, and she begins to suspect the two are the same person.

The next night, the MC sneaks into the guestroom, where her uncle entertains secretive business clients, and hides behind a bookshelf. She overhears a conversation between Count Stoker and Haspran, in which the Count asks for Haspran's financial support in exchange for the MC's hand. Haspran comments on the unusual rush with which he wants the money, asking whether it has to do with how badly his speculative business ventures have gone and how little of the MC's inheritance from her father must be left. Her uncle produces a contract for Haspran to sign; as he reads over the contract, he subtly makes it known to the MC that he knows she's there. Haspran berates the Count for his lack of sympathy for the MC's feelings and asks what he'll do to her if he refuses to sign or if she runs away. The response is poor enough to make him sign the contract. The Count briefly questions whether he's really "Haspran," then leaves. Haspran and the MC talk. She accepts that marriage is not the problem -- her uncle is -- and she asks whether Haspran is Vyn, which he confirms.

The two discuss Vyn's strange method of hiding his identity and leading her to discover the truth on her own instead of telling her directly. He swears on their friendship that he's trying to help her, but she hopes it's more than just friendship; his response is to quote the line about the next journey being her decision once again. The next day, Vyn asks to plan their engagement banquet with a few special surprises to ruin her uncle's reputation. She agrees, and the banquet is held three days later. The Count introduces Haspran, raising his glass to someone unfamiliar whom Vyn confirms is the real "Haspran." Count Stoker then outs Vyn as an imposter, claiming he seduced the MC and tried to saddle him with the MC's debts. As he calls for Vyn's arrest, Vyn has a number of "special guests" arrive at the banquet.

The new guests -- the owners of Gerig City's factories, and the Count's creditors -- swarm the banquet. The guards are nowhere to be found, and the MC removes Vyn's pistol from his pocket and shoots a balloon that's filled with strips of paper detailing all her uncle's wrongdoings, which fall down over the guests. Vyn and the MC leave the banquet as it turns into an angry mob, and she thanks him for helping her discover her courage. He asks her to come away with him, giving her a box filled with more slips of paper; the two climb onto the ladder of a flying machine and scatter the paper over the city, and Vyn and the MC confess to each other how much they've wanted to be together as they imagine their future journeys.

Illustrations

Accompanying GazeThe cruel truth of everything is obstructed by your eyes. With you watching me, I feel as if I can face anything.

After Story

After Story script

Vyn: There you are. I was admiring the scenery. Yes, this has been a wonderful journey for me as well.

Intimate Interaction

Point 1 (Background)

(After leaving Gerig Town, I heard that Uncle had been taken to court for fraud and was awaiting sentencing.)

(Vyn and I boarded the Tellus Train from a nearby town and embarked on a journey together.)

(With the destination still up in the air, we stopped whenever the train stops at an interesting place.)

Point 2 (Head)

You: Vyn, you're not wearing a hat today? I always thought a top hat would look better on you than a bowler hat.

Vyn: ...I prefer top hats as well. Not that I am old-school, but because I love equestrianism, where top hats are a better fit.

Vyn: Equestrianism? I've never seen you ride a horse before. Let's go together sometime.

(if repeated)

(Although I've never seen Vyn ride a horse, I can already picture it in my mind...)

Point 3 (Scarf)

(In my first encounter with Vyn, I noticed how exquisite the amethyst on his bow tie was.)

Vyn: What is it? You keep staring at me. Is there something wrong with my attire today?

You: Sorry... I was fascinated by how beautiful that amethyst is.

Vyn: This is a raw gemstone that a friend of mine brought back from a new continent. I asked a jeweler to craft a brooch with it using my design.

You: You designed it yourself? That's amazing.

Vyn: In fact, my friend brought back two raw gemstones. I had yet to find a suitable use for the other gemstone.

Vyn: But now, might I have the honor of designing a brooch for the beautiful woman before me?

(if repeated)

(And I will wear that brooch every day.)

Manuscript...

You: Eh? A draft? Vyn, are you writing a new book?

Vyn: Yes, this journey has bestowed me with new insights, so I will record them in a travelogue.

You: May I read it?

Vyn: Of course. If you like, I can read it to you.

Vyn: "The story begins in a small industrial town named Gerig. In the rolling dust clouds, I had a fated encounter with the other protagonist..."

You: W-Wait... Isn't this a travelogue? Why does it sound like a story about us...?

Vyn: After all, this journey is our story, except we have only completed a portion of it.

Vyn: I do not believe this story will end until the day our journey does.

You: Eh? Then I'm looking forward to the end of the journey so that I can read the whole story.

Vyn: I, on the other hand, hope that this journey will never end. I want to keep recording every single detail of our story.

Vyn: Our temporary separation at night makes me feel that every morning is our reunion, a new story waiting to unfold.

You: Well, it doesn't matter if this journey ends. The next journey will be waiting for us, and the next.

Vyn: Yes... It is the most important that we are together.

You: Have you already thought of a name for your new book?

Vyn: Not yet. Do you have any suggestions?

You: Hmm... "Tellus Travelogue 2"? "Bakerlon Logs"? "The Journey from South to North"? No... those sound too plain.

You: Hmm? Were those names terrible... Why are you looking at me like that all of a sudden?

Vyn: No, that is not it. How about "Every Moment With Her"? I want everyone to know that I wrote this book for you.

Story Locations

Bakerlon
Bedroom

Bakerlon
Wellington Street

Bakerlon
Reception Area

Bakerlon
Abandoned Garden

Bakerlon
Bedroom

Bakerlon
Reception Area

Bakerlon
Dance Hall

Story Characters

Haspran

Haspran

Vyn Richter

Vyn Richter

Maid

Count Stoker

Passenger