Dialogue/Eternal Winter's Ark Sub Story: Fleurir en mémoire

Translated by Khosen

Fleurir en mémoire

Part 1.

Commander:

I was walking around the ark when I remembered how Mnemosyne had invited me to come over when I needed something.

This was...the path towards the residential area, right? (Choice)

I started walking towards a small aisle in the corner of the main lobby, where my crew was bustling.

When I arrived at the end of the aisle, I knocked on the door.

Mnemosyne, you there? (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

Voice recognition...complete. Welcome, Administrator.

Commander:

Mnemosyne stood up from a small stool next to her bed as I went inside her room.

Hey, what were you up to?

Mnemosyne:

I was idle to conserve energy.

I know falling asleep is more efficient, but I try not to sleep after the incident as I won't be able to handle any contingency.

Commander:

So you just sit down doing nothing? (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

Yes.

Commander:

Wouldn't it be better if you do something while you're at it? Like, finding a hobby. (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

Incomprehensible. This current entity does not require a 'hobby.'

Commander:

But, aren't you bored? (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

This current entity was designed to look after the Ark of Memories for a long time by oneself.

Such humane emotions will compromise this entity's ability to work efficiently.

Commander:

I, I see. (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

...Administrator?

Commander:

Yeah? (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

Why...are you sitting down?

Commander:

Ah, my bad. I suppose we're not close enough for me to sit on your bed, right? (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

Not necessarily.

But...do you have any particular requests for this current entity?

Commander:

No, not really. (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

...

Commander:

It's just a little weird when we're having a conversation standing up. (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

Conversation...with this current entity?

Commander:

Yeah, why don't you take a seat too, Mnemosyne? (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

...Accepting your request. What would you like to talk about?

Commander:

Uhh...(Choice)

I did not expect her to ask me that.

For the rest of the day, I ended up asking her abstract questions, and she answered them with a few words.

Part 2.

Commander:

A few days later, I was looking around the system in the information sector and found something interesting.

This...is a browser history? (Choice)

Judging from the ID named 'Administrator,' I'd assume this is Mnemosyne.

Hmm...(Choice)

I could not help myself to look around.

A few crew in the room were all focusing on their individual work.

I know this isn't the right thing to do...but just a peek...(Choice)

My curiosity of wanting to know about what the machine-like Mnemosyne is interested in won over my conscience.

The browser history was organized categorically.

Amongst them, the ID named Administrator only looked up into Living Organisms - Plants - Flowers. And she looked it up a few thousand times.

... (Choice)

I remembered how she had a small pot of flowers in her room. They were small but very well taken care of.

So she did have a hobby, huh. (Choice)

For some reason, looking at this made my heart warm. And I started walking towards Mnemosyne's room.

Mnemosyne welcomed me into her room just like last time.

Mnemosyne, do you like wildflowers? (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

...

Commander:

For the first time, I noticed how she showed a facial expression.

Mnemosyne looked at her feet for a while until she finally looked up to me.

Mnemosyne:

...Incomprehensible.

Commander:

I accidentally stumbled across the browser history. (Choice)

To prove I was correct, a small pot of a white flower was on her bedside.

And I noticed how you were really into wildflowers. (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

Ah...

Commander:

I couldn't tell if she was amazed or ashamed, but as soon as I mentioned what I had found, she stood in between me and the flower.

Mnemosyne:

...I request you to reconsider, Administrator.

The behaviour of this entity was precisely calculated, so it didn't hinder this entity's regular duties. If you check my records -

Commander:

Hmm? No, no. You're not in trouble. (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

Then why did you bring the topic up?

Commander:

Well...(Choice)

I really don't know what to say when she asks me why again.

...Just cause? (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

...Incomprehensible. Every action has a reason, a motive, and a why.

Commander:

I awkwardly scratched my head and decided to be honest with her.

Well...I just want to get to know you better. (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

...?

Commander:

I noticed how you like wildflowers, so I thought it would be a nice icebreaker. (Choice)

Mnemosyne said nothing but blinked her eyes as she stared at me and then stepped aside.

Mnemosyne:

...As you mentioned, this entity is particularly interested in this living organism classified as a 'wildflower.'

Commander:

I see. What's its name? (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

From Kingdom Plantae, it is a Tracheopytha Angiosperm Eudicots, belonging to the Ranunculaceae family, also known as Anemone.

Commander:

Anemone...sounds like you, Mnemosyne. (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

...Oh?

Commander:

What's wrong? (Choice)

I suppose this is the expression someone would make when they first experience the feeling of astonishment.

Mnemosyne gazed at me for a long time until opening her mouth again.

Mnemosyne:

...Never have this entity thought about it, not even once.

In the way, you just have mentioned...never.

Commander:

Yeah? I mean, it just came to my mind. Mnemosyne, Anemone. (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

...

Is that so.

Commander:

It was very subtle, but I could see her eyes twitching as she mumbled Mnemosyne and Anemone after me.

Mnemosyne:

Administrator. Do you like wildflowers?

Commander:

Unlike before, I could tell Mnemosyne sounded a little more enthusiastic when she began talking about wildflowers.

Part 3.

Mnemosyne:

...This is the first time this entity is seeing a live penguin and chinchilla.

Commander:

And? (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

This entity feels...elevated.

Empress:

Hehe, isn't Pengsoonie cute?

Saetti:

Wow...Tiger is behaving himself...

Empress:

Are you sure Tiger gets anxious easily?

I've never seen him getting anxious in front of people.

Saetti:

H, he is...

Commander:

This time, I brought Empress and Saetti with me.

As expected, Mnemosyne showed great interest in Tiger and Pengsoonie.

Mnemosyne:

Would it be okay for this entity to pet this penguin...'Pengsoonie?'

Empress:

Of course. Unlike Tiger, she's quiet and - ow!

Saetti:

T, Tiger!

Empress:

D, did he just bite me?

Whoaaa?!

Mnemosyne:

...

Commander:

Despite what's going on around her, thanks to Tiger, Mnemosyne was solely focused on petting Pengsoonie.

Mnemosyne:

...ing.

Commander:

Hmm? (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

This is an extremely intriguing...feeling.

Commander:

Yeah, I agree - oh? (Choice)

Mnemosyne kept petting Pengsoonie when suddenly, she placed her hand on my cheek out of the blue.

Uhh...Mnemosyne? (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

...You feel different compared to this entity, and Pensoonie, Administrator.

Commander:

Well...I guess. (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

...

Commander:

...

Mnemosyne:

...

Commander:

...Mnemosyne? (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

...Ah.

...Was that uncomfortable?

Commander:

No, not really - (Choice)

Empress:

C, Commander! Help me get Tiger off of me-!

Saetti:

T, Tiger...!

Commander:

Tiger held onto Empress's index finger tightly with his cheek swollen up.

Mnemosyne:

Please hold still.

Empress:

What are you trying to - Oh?

Commander:

Mnemosyne gently wrapped around Tiger with her two hands, and like magic, Tiger had let go of Empress' finger.

Empress:

...I feel extremely betrayed right now. It's natural, right?

Tiger and I go way back!

Saetti:

I, I'm sorry, I'm sorry...

Mnemosyne:

There you go. This entity believes 'Tiger' is 'very cute.'

Saetti:

Ah...y, yes...

Commander:

And for a while, Mnemosyne took turns touching and feeling Tiger, Pengsoonie, and I.

Part 4.

Mnemosyne:

Something this entity would like to do, Administrator?

Commander:

Yeah. (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

Requesting to be informed of...why you're doing this.

Commander:

Reason...(Choice)

I realized something from her encounter with Tiger and Pengsoonie before and having some meaningful conversation with her.

Mnemosyne has feelings. It's just, she does not know what those feelings are.

See, I thought since you spent so much time inside the ark, I wanted to know if you wanted to experience something new. (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

...Then, this entity would like to try going for a 'picnic.'

Commander:

Picnic?...Ah. (Choice)

Of course, since she stayed inside for so long, she must be curious about the outside world.

Well, we can't travel that far since the area isn't completely secure, but - (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

Administrator.

Commander:

Yeah? (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

On top of that, this entity would like to ask for one more thing.

Commander:

What is it? (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

The activity known as 'going for a picnic...' This entity would like you to join, Administrator.

Commander:

... (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

It wasn't a long time, but this entity had been experiencing new things with you, Administrator, and every time this entity would feel significantly elevated.

Since it was something this entity never experienced, it tried doing the same activity by itself, without you, Administrator.

However, this entity could not feel the same emotions by itself, Administrator.

As a result, this entity concluded that you are the independent variable this entity needs.

Commander:

...I see. (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

Would accept...the request?

Commander:

Of course. When would you like to head out? (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

It is estimated that it would take 2 hours and 38 minutes for this entity to be ready to go for a 'picnic.'

Requesting to meet in front of the entrance after 3 hours.

Commander:

Oh...yea, very specific. Okay. (Choice)

She nodded slightly and left the room.

I waited for Mnemosyne when it reached our promised time. And soon, Mnemosyne...

...Mnemosyne? (Choice)

Unlike her regular suit, she showed up wearing a beautiful dress.

Mnemosyne:

Apologies, Administrator.

Preparing for a 'Picnic' took longer than the calculations.

Commander:

The dress? (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

Correct. After searching through the archive, this entity concluded that it was the most suitable outfit for a 'picnic.'

Commander:

Yeah, I agree. It's gorgeous. (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

...

Commander:

I could be mistaken, but I think at that moment, Mnemosyne began blushing.

Mnemosyne:

...Incomprehensible. This entity was simply designed this way.

Commander:

Yeah, but that doesn't mean you're not pretty. (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

...

Commander:

Mnemosyne quietly came up next to me.

And together, we began walking across the white snowy fields.

So? How's the 'picnic'? (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

It's very intriguing.

Commander:

It's a bit of shame, though. I wish it was spring. (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

Not necessarily, Administrator.

This entity read a passage that said, 'a flower is the most beautiful when it's waiting for spring beneath the snow.'

So this is a truly magnificent scene.

Commander:

And then Mnemosyne suddenly stood still.

Mnemosyne:

...Administrator, this entity would like to ask you a question.

Commander:

Sure. What is it? (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

Would you inform this entity of what this feeling is...this feeling when it only feels when it's next to you, Administrator?

Commander:

Hmm...(Choice)

How do I answer that question...but as I began pondering, Mnemosyne asked again.

Mnemosyne:

From searching through the archive and self-analysis, this entity is aware that the proper term would be 'having a favourable feeling' or 'affection.'

But...it still doesn't explain why this entity would feel that way...

Commander:

I suppose I can answer that. (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

...?

Commander:

See, Mnemosyne, you may not be a human but a Bioroid. But at the same time, you are a 'person' in the sense that you and I both try our best to live our lives. (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

...Incomprehensible. A human and a person is each other's synonym. There is no example of it being used like you described, Administrator.

Commander:

Well...I guess. I was just playing with the words. You know, like Anemone, Mnemosyne. (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

Ah...

Commander:

Nonetheless, I think there's not that much difference between the Bioroids and me. (Choice)

Mnemosyne:

Like how Anemone and Violet belong in the same category as flowers?

Commander:

Yeah. (Choice)

Mnemosyne looked at me after having her hand on her chest, cherishing what she had just said.

Mnemosyne:

This entity is still not fully comprehending what you have just said. However...

It feels like it's getting the hang of it.

Commander:

And then Mnemosyne took one step towards me.

Mnemosyne:

Administrator, until this entity can define what this feeling is...it would like to request to be by your side.

Commander:

The single flower that bloomed atop of the snowy fields who smiled as she had finished her sentence; was beautiful than any other scene of spring.

END.