Marius "Daytime Aurora"/Rewards

Story Summary

Marius sets up a street art operation in Vikya, trading free portraits for the locals' opinions on the most beautiful scenery on the island. One couple suggests natural phenomena like the midnight sun and the aurora borealis. When the MC chooses the aurora as the one they would be most likely to see on this trip, the couple suggests a famous aurora hunter in the area, a man named Eden Reynolds who runs a local restaurant and bar.

At Eden's bar, Marius and the MC find the owner surly and standoffish, refusing to help the pair with anything other than serving them food. Marius asks the MC to go back to the inn so he can handle the situation. The next morning, as the MC frets about not having heard from Marius since, he knocks on her door, drenched and smelling of alcohol. He showers in her suite and asks for her help blow-drying his hair.

Marius evasively explains that he and Eden had a disagreement after she left the night before, and an accident led to the state he was in when he arrived. He also says a meteorologist friend of his said this evening will be a good night to see the aurora, so the two set out for the city limits and set up two tents to camp out and wait for it to appear. As it lights up the sky enough for the MC to remark that it seems like the impossible midnight sun in winter, Marius begins to cough.

Since Marius is coming down with a cold, the MC wants to drive them both back to town, but Marius refuses. She tries to call for a rescue service since illnesses often worsen suddenly in the night, but the aurora blocks phone signals, so the two try to sleep in their camp. The MC can hear Marius' coughing worsening as the night continues, and she eventually asks to check on him, pulling her sleeping bag beside him to keep him warm as his chills intensify.

The next morning, Marius' condition seems to have improved significantly, though he accuses the MC of talking in her sleep. Eden Reynolds arrives in a jeep, claiming to have been very concerned for the two since he couldn't get a call through. He says that Marius saved his life, explaining that some people believe the aurora is a gateway to the kingdom of the dead, his fame as an aurora hunter was in an effort to see his deceased wife once again, and he hadn't intended to return from the previous night's aurora. Marius had read the man's suicidal intent and contacted his family to intervene just in time. As she's about to question how Marius knew, the MC begins to sneeze.

Back at the inn, as Marius cares for the MC through her illness, he explains how he knew Eden needed help: through his endless business negotiations, he's learned to read people's thoughts and intentions in their eyes, and he'd remembered the desperation in Eden's eyes from that of a middle-aged man who'd committed suicide after having his business proposal rejected half a year prior. A few days later, Marius brings the MC back to the site of the aurora and completes a painting of her standing in a field of flowers, explaining that he'd gone to a lot of trouble to pick a view she liked without her noticing so that he could gift her this painting.

Illustrations

Loving Fragrance"Besides, we smell the same to others." Marius said as if to claim sovereignty.

TremblingGuys also need to protect themselves.

Video Call

Video Call		Marius: Polar Day Aurora (After Story 6)

Video Call script

Marius: Good evening. Did you receive the painting I sent you? I got someone to frame it especially for you.

Marius: Why am I wearing a suit in my studio? Oh, that's because I just tidied up some matters with the Pax group, and I suddenly had the urge to draw. So, here I am.

Marius: Next time, you should come too. That way, I can slowly teach you all about art, starting from the fundamentals.

Marius: But... I've never taught someone else how to paint before. Don't get mad at me if I turn out to be a bad teacher.

Marius: What's up? That's a rather odd expression you have on. Are you worried about me getting mad at you because you don't have the knack for art?

Marius: Don't worry, I won't laugh at you. I'm not strict when it comes to painting.

Marius: Creating something is a way of relieving stress. Many things that usually can't be expressed in words can be easily done so through a painting.

Marius: In my opinion, those kinds of works are all worthy of respect. And that nothing's entirely good or bad.

Marius: Are you eager to try now? That's good. I'm looking forward to experiencing various kinds of emotions from your works.

Marius: Don't worry, it's not all that difficult. Here, I'll give you an example.

Marius: ...I actually put some hidden meaning into the painting I gave you before.

Marius: Because of its uniqueness, instead of signing it using "Z", I signed "Marius von Hagen" instead.

Marius: I thought the emotions I'd imbued into it was strong enough. You should know, right...?

Marius: Okay, I'll stop teasing you. If you get too excited right before sleeping, you might not get a good night's sleep because of the dreams that you might have.

Marius: As for me, I suddenly got a bout of inspiration. So, I think I'll paint for a while longer. You should sleep first. Night-Night.

Story Locations

Skadi Island
Vikya

Skadi Island
Vox Bar

Skadi Island
Bed-and-Breakfast Inn

Skadi Island

Skadi Island

Story Characters

Marius von Hagen

Marius von Hagen

Restaurant Owner

Tourist A

Couple A

Couple B