Vyn "Lingering Warmth"/Rewards
Scene 1: Vyn's study
Vyn: Wait for me here. I'll go make some tea.
You: Thank you, Dr. Richter.
Vyn smiles at you and heads downstairs to make tea.
A few days ago, Dr. Richter invited you for tea over the weekend to celebrate the arrival of his new tea set.
You have some psychology-related questions that you wanted to consult Vyn about, so you accepted his invitation.
You: Hm? What are all these books on Dr. Richter's desk?
After Vyn leaves, you take a look around his study.
When your eyes fall on his desk, you unexpectedly notice something unusual.
You: Poker cards... dice... tablecloth? What are these for?
These poker cards look quite ordinary, not the same gold-plated ones that you saw during your first visit.
You: And... are those wires on the other side? What are the shiny things in that box? Pigments...?
You: Why are these things on Dr. Richter's desk? How peculiar...
You stare at Vyn's desk trying to figure out how these items are related, but still remain clueless after a while.
You: (ls Dr. Richter experimenting with a new psychology test...?)
Vyn: The black tea is quite hot. Be careful.
While you are deep in thought, Vyn's voice comes from behind.
Vyn: Ah, thank you, Dr. Richter!
You turn around and see Vyn holding a tea set in his hands.
The porcelain tea set is gold gilded and painted with flowers. Small rabbits were also sculpted on the handles and cups of the set.
You: Ah! Is this tea set the same prop that the magician used on stage when we went to see him perform that day...?
Vyn: Hehe, the one on stage was a prop. This set is made of real china and is the prototype for that prop.
You: (Real China? It must be expensive...)
You sit next to the small desk and pick up the tea set carefully.
Vyn takes this opportunity to quickly remove all the odd items from his desk and place them inside the drawer.
You: Dr. Richter, did your magician friend return to his home country already?
Vyn: ... Yes. He returned home after finishing his tour in Stellis City.
You: I see... Hopefully, he'll get the opportunity to come here for a tour again!
As you recall that grand magic show, fond memories return.
You: It would be great to see his performance once again...
Vyn: ...
Vyn tightens his grip on the tea cup in his hands while you are not looking.
Scene 2: Opera House
Last weekend, Vyn invited you to the opera house to watch a grand magic show.
He was a friend of Vyn's from abroad. The magician was now on a global tour performing the international award-winning "Mad Alice."
You: Wow! Dr. Richter, the background scenes are beautiful! But, my eyes can barely keep up because it keeps changing...
Vyn: They are meant to show the mental state of Alice as she gradually turns mad.
Vyn: The faster the scenes of the Wonderland change, the darker and more distorted her mind becomes.
You: My eyes can't keep up anymore... Dr. Richter, can you still tell how many scene changes there were?
Vyn: This is the fifth. If we include all the minor scenes in between, I am afraid even I have lost count myself.
You: Incredible... this is not just a magic show, it's actually a work of art...!
The scenes on the stage continuously change, while the gripping performance keep delivering surprises.
During the tea party of the Mad Hatter, played by the magician, there was also a cute bunny performing alongside him.
The entire show ends with thunderous applause. You stand up and enthusiastically applaud the magician.
After everyone had left, Vyn's friend comes to meet Vyn and you at the front stage.
Magician: Vilhelm, long time no see. I am really honored to have you at my show.
You: (Huh? He's speaking in...)
Suddenly you hear a foreign language. You realize that this must be Vyn's native language.
You: (Looks like I won't be understanding their conversation for a while. I'll wait until they're done before asking Dr. Richter about it.)
Vyn: Long time no see, Carl. Congratulations on winning the world championship. This must be a dream come true.
Magician: Yes! I promised you a few years back that I would win first prize. I finally did it.
While you are confused by their conversation since you couldn't understand anything, Vyn turns around and introduces you to the magician.
Vyn: (Name), this is Carl, a friend of mine from when I was abroad.
Vyn: The show tickets were a gift from him.
Then, he turns back to Carl but does not continue speaking in their native tongue.
Vyn: Carl, this is (Name), my...
Magician: Your date, right? Sorry for prattling on like that, my lady. That was rude of me.
You: (... So he does know our language!)
Carl smiles apologetically and greets you, which actually makes you feel a little bad.
Vyn, who had been interrupted by Carl, made no move to correct him.
You: Hello, Mr. Carl.
Magician: Hello, my dear Ms. (Name).
Magician: Actually, I was just about to ask... Vilhelm, I can't believe you brought a date along to see my show!
You: ... Huh?
You are surprised at what he just said.
Magician: You used to come alone all the time. When you asked for two tickets this time around, I was quite shocked.
Magician: But if it is because of this lady... hehe, I can understand.
Vyn: Do not go making wild guesses regarding me.
Magician: Was I making wild guesses? I don't think so...
Magician: I know you well and can easily determine if it was just a wild guess.
Vyn: ...
Listening to their conversation in what seemed like riddles, you couldn't quite wrap your head around it.
The magician suddenly smirks and diverts his gaze away from Vyn to you.
You: ...?
Magician: Allow me to introduce my lovely partner to this dear lady...
While talking, Carl takes out the top hat from his performance. He bows and turns the hat upside down.
Suddenly, two white bunny ears popped out from within the hat that had been turned upside-down.
Following that, a furry white head pops up and stares at you with a pair of shiny, red pupils.
You: Ah... a bunny...!
You: So cute!!
Scene 1: Opera House
You: Ah... a bunny...!
You: So cute!!
This was the same bunny that played March Hare on stage just now! You've always wanted to pet it...
You: Can I pet it?
Magician: Of course!
With Carl's approval, you hold out your hand towards the bunny.
You: (wow... its fur is so soft! This bunny is so cute!)
Vyn: ...
Magician: Hehe... if you are interested, I can explain to you the design process behind this performance!
You: Wow, really?
Magician: Of course, I am happy to be at the service of pretty ladies.
You: Thank you, Mr. Carl! Please do tell!
Vyn: ...
Afterward, Carl enthusiastically tells you the design process and the inside story of the performance.
In contrast, the usually sociable Vyn remains silent next to you.
You: That's amazing! You have to design the entire performance in addition to the magic!
Magician: Hehe. This is a must for magicians! The concept materials can enrich the magic and bring all kinds of inspirations.
The magician patiently answers all your questions on the magic show as he shows you around onstage.
By the time you return to the front stage, you had already learned a lot about the show's inside story.
Magician: Stellis City is the last stop of my tour. Soon, I will have to start preparing for the next championship.
You: Ah... So that was your last performance. What a shame...
You: However, it's great that you can build on your experiences to create even better performances! I hope you win again!
You: I will eagerly await your next tour at Stellis City!
Magician: I will not let you down.
Vyn: ...
Carl then asks you to wait a moment as he then takes out a piece of red cloth from a box next to him.
You: Mr. Carl...?
Magician: It is an honor to meet such a lovely lady today...
You: Huh...?
Mr. Carl then suddenly walks forward and leans towards you assertively.
You: ...!
Magician: Please accept this gift from me as a token of my admiration.
With a crackle, the red cloth starts burning in his hand.
You: Ahh!!
Then, in the midst of your exclamation, he uses his hand to extinguish the fire.
You look down at the center of his palm, where a red rose quietly laid.
You: Wow...!
Magician: Dear lady, will you please accept my gift?
Carl extends the rose before you.
Somehow, you can't help but feel that there is something more to Carl's actions.
After hesitating a bit, you...
You: (Since he's a friend of Dr. Richter's, I better accept it.)
With that in mind, you reach your hand towards the rose.
Vyn: Carl, are you quite done?
His long, slender fingers gently wrap themselves around your fingers, blocking off Carl's hand.
You: Dr. Richter...?
Vyn gently lets go of your hand.
Surprised, you look at him, only to see displeasure reflected in his eyes.
Magician: Sorry, I was just joking.
Magician: I guess... it was not a wild guess about you and her.
You: (Although he's a friend of Dr. Richter's, giving me flowers on our first meeting's a little...)
You sneak a peek at Vyn, wondering how he'd react to it.
Much to your surprise, Vyn actually appeared upset.
You: (Ah...! I didn't notice that Dr. Richter was upset...!)
You: (Was it because I kept talking to the magician, so he didn't have any time to catch up with his old friend...)
Magician: Huh? What's wrong? You don't like roses?
Magician: If you prefer other kinds of flowers, I can...
Vyn: That is enough, Carl.
Suddenly, Vyn speaks coldly and interrupts the magician.
The magician doesn't seem fazed at the cold look on Vyn's face. Instead, he only raises a playful eyebrow at him.
Afterwards, he says something to Vyn in a foreign language that you didn't understand.
Magician: It's not like you to lose your composure like this, Vilhelm.
Vyn: It is none of your business.
Vyn adverted his gaze, responding coldly to him.
You: (What did they say just now...?)
Perhaps realizing the inappropriateness of his attitude, Vyn returns to his normal self again.
The two of them start talking about the old days again, as if nothing happened. Soon, it was time for you to leave.
Magician: Since you cannot accept the rose, then you must take this gift instead.
When it's time to part ways, Carl gives you a hair tie decorated with rabbit fur.
You: So cute... I will cherish it!
Afterward, you and Vyn bid your farewells and leave the opera house.
Scene 2: Vyn's Study
You: Did Mr. Carl send this tea set from overseas?
Vyn: Yes. According to him, his inspirations came from this tea set.
Vyn: After he won the prize, he specially went to thank the tea set's designer in person.
You: It's amazing how he can design a whole performance, magic and all, around a tea set!
You cannot help but get all excited upon remembering Carl's amazing performance and the dreamlike scenes.
You: It would be great if I had another chance to see his performance!
You: Hmm... Maybe I'll go watch the next live broadcast of the international magic contest online!
You: With Mr. Carl's abilities, winning the championship again should be easy!
Just as you are expressing your admiration for Carl, you realize that Vyn had gone silent again.
Just like last time, Vyn goes quiet after hearing you mention Carl and his magic.
Vyn: (What's wrong with Dr. Richter...)
You tilted your head, attempting to make out his expression behind the hair hanging in front of this face.
Vyn: Magic is nothing profound. It just takes advantage of people's psychological perception to make something fake look real.
Putting down his cup, Vyn looks up and says a few words. He sounds very indifferent saying that.
You: Why do you say that? I think that it's pretty difficult to capture the hearts of so many people during a performance...
You suddenly see a hint of mischief in his eyes.
You: ...Right, I shouldn't be talking about controlling one's psychological perception in front of a psychiatrist.
You: But, wouldn't every magician be skilled at figuring out the audience's mental state of mind if that were the case?
You: Do you have to be a master at psychology before you can become a magician?
