—Hmm? He's not here today? Javi? Are you there? That's odd. I can always find him here. Hey, Javi! Where did you go? …? A-Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
—Hahah! I can't believe you fell for that!
—A-A pitfall? That's not very nice, Javi… Why would you do that to me?
—Hmph. Because you won't stop following me around. You have any idea how annoying that is?
—That doesn't mean… you have to do something so cruel…
—Hmph. Maybe now you'll learn your lesson and stay away from the beach.
—Waaaah… nnh… Jerk…
—Hmph.
—Mnh… waaaah… aah…
—H-Hey…
—Nnh… W-Waaah…
—Wait– You seriously crying? H-Hey, don't cry…
—Juuuust kidding. I'm not crying!
—Wha– C'mon! You were faking?! You tricked me?!
—You played the first mean prank, Javi. You really scared me there!
—I kept telling you to stay away. It's your fault for constantly refusing to listen. I'm surprised you haven't gotten bored yet. You must have a lot of time on your hands.
—I most certainly do not have a lot of time! My deadline for how long I can be here is quickly approaching. But I'll just get depressed if I spend all that time searching. If I can have some fun with you, Javi, I'll have more energy!
—Fun, eh? So you still haven't found him?
—N-No.
—You don't even know if the guy's alive or dead, just… Forget it. I'm out of here.
—Ah, hold on a sec–O-Ow! Owwww…
—C'mon, you're not going to fool me again.
—No, I'm not joking around, I really… Nngh… I-It looks like I twisted my ankle… A-Ahaha. But I'll be just fine. Don't worry about me.
—...Wait there.
—...Huh?
…..
—C'mon, let me see your foot.
—A-All right…
—Tch. Ankle's swollen. At least learn to land properly.
—Whaaaat? You're going to blame me, when you're the one who dug the hole?
—No one's ever gotten hurt in a trap that basic. At least, none of my friends ever did.
—Wait, I thought you didn't have friends, Javi?
—Oh, shut your damn mouth! I'm going to bandage your ankle.
—Oh, I see… you went to get a bandage for me. Thank you.
—It was… my fault anyway.
—Hehe.
—Swap it out for a real bandage when you can. I'm sure your acquaintance has some.
—Really? It looks just fine to me.
—This filthy thing isn't suitable for someone like you, lady.
—Pauline.
—Quit that!
—What do you mean "not suitable"?
—Do I have to explain everything? You're from a pretty well-off country, aren't you, Pauling? Well, compared to that, this is a poor village. We don't even have clean bandages to spare. Just gross scraps of cloth like this. It's not something you should be wearing.
—You think so…? But you gave it to me, Javi. I won't be changing it anytime soon. Tell me, Javi… do you not like this village?
—The only thing this place has going for it… is the ocean.
—The ocean?
—It's the one thing that doesn't change, no matter what. It's always beautiful.
—I see… You like the ocean too, Javi.
—I just don't have anything else to like.
—Oh, there you go again… Oh, I've got an idea! Javi, Javi!
—What now?
—A rowboat! I want to take a ride in a rowboat! Would anyone get mad if we borrowed the one tied up over there for a little bit?
—I doubt anyone would care if it's just for a little… Can you row, though, lady?
—You'll do the rowing, Javi!
—Huh? Why me?
—What's the big deal?! The water is mostly calm today. I think a little walk on the sea would be lovely.
—Can you call that a "walk"...?
—Sure you can. Come on, let's go! Give me a hand, Javi!
—God, you are one cheeky outsider.
…..
—The breeze feels different on the water than it does on the beach, wouldn't you say?
—You think so? All the same to me.
—No, it's definitely different! The smell of salt is stronger, and there's more moisture in the air. It's kind of like someone gently caressing your cheek.
—I'm not getting any of that. You are way too perceptive, lady.
—Am I? Close your eyes, Javi, and feel the breeze. I bet you'll get what I'm saying! Go on, close your eyes!
—No, I'm not going to.
—Whaaaa? Why not?
—I just… don't want to do what you tell me.
—Oh, no need to be petty.
—The sea… is not always so kind. The hand that's "gently caressing your cheek" can, in the blink of an eye, become the wrinkled hand of a witch that destroys everything it touches. The ocean is a scary thing. It's nothing we humans have any chance of standing up against.
—...You're right. And I know it very… very well. The man I'm searching for… was in a shipwreck. I was told it killed him, but I refuse to believe he would just leave me behind like that. Sometimes, on a whim, the wrinkly witch might have mercy.
—I'm not so sure about that.
—I trust in the sea's gentleness. I don't think it's all scary. This soft breeze, these calm waves… They saved him. I'm sure of it. He loved the ocean too, you know. He was always looking far into the distance out across the water. His head held high, a stern, unwavering look in his eyes.
—I'm assuming he's… your lover?
—Yes. He's very dear to me, and I love him deeply.
—Oh, I see.
—He was really fond of the sea by my hometown.
—You live in a decent town, huh?
—Yep, it's wonderful!
—It's so peaceful, and everyone's so nice! There's not a single bad person living there! Oh, I know, Javi! You should come visit my hometown sometime!
—Visit your home?
—Yeah! The ocean there is really pretty too. The colors are a little deeper than they are here. It's like so many jewels sparkling in the light. I'm sure you'll love it, Javi. I'd love for you to come and visit! We can go see all sorts of things. There's this shop that sells great ham sandwiches!
—...I don't have the money for a trip.
—Maybe not now, but you could in the future. Or… if you're interested at all… I could ask Orlando… to bring you back with us, Javi. If you don't want to stay here, that is.
—Along with the guy you're looking for?
—Yep! I'm sure he'd be happy to have you along. Give it some thought. You would enjoy it, I'm sure.
—You sound like a child…
—Huh?
—...Nothing. I doubt I could even get permission to leave.
—Permission? Oh, right. Are your parents pretty strict, Javi?
—No…
…..
—They're dead, both my mom and dad.
—Wha…?
—They were murdered. So I'm staying with an acquaintance. They try to work me like a horse, though, so I sneak out here when I get the chance.
—...W-Was it… in the war?
—The war? What are you talking about, lady?
—Huh? Wasn't this country involved in a war not too long ago?
—There was a war, yes, but no soldiers ever reached this village.
—Then… why would they… be killed?
—It was the beast.
—The… beast?
—Yes, the beast. He showed up one day and destroyed everything. The peace, my family, my friends. Merchants and travelers visiting the village. Everyone and everything. He slaughtered everything, and then he disappeared. That man… that bestia destroyed everything! He's a murderous beast! The whole village is terrified of him! They go through their days like lifeless dolls, enveloped in his stormcloud of terror!
—Bestia… A murderous beast…
"So the grim air hanging in the village… isn't because of the war? It's because… a beast has been killing people? A beast…? Why would… But…"
—H-Hey, Javi… You said there were merchants and travelers visiting the village. Can you describe them for me?
—There were all sorts. Like one who stopped by on the road to somewhere else… and an international trader on his way to purchase goods…
—...!
…..
"Water… water, water. Water, water. I just need some water. Just some water."
—Hahh, hah… hah, haah…
"Will they attack me again? No, if I ask–Did they look like they were open to requests? No, they tried to kill me. They almost killed me. They threw stones at me. They did more than that. Hose and knives and sticks and I don't know, things I didn't even recognize. They hit me with them."
—Hahh… hah, hahh… haah, nhaah, nnh…
"They tried to kill me. They looked like they were going to kill me. I almost died. I'm on the verge of death even now. My throat is sore. It hurts… No, I don't feel pain anymore. It burns? Does it burn? I don't know… I don't know… I don't know… I don't know… I don't know anything… I'm so thirsty… Water… I just need water… Will they not even give me any water? Why? Why not? Because… I'm a "bestia"?"
—Hah… hahh… nnh… nnnngh.
"Because I'm… a beast… Because I don't need to live… Because I don't deserve to live. Are beasts meant to die? Am I meant to die? I'm… thirsty. My stomach is probably empty too… I don't know anymore, but I'm hungry. So very hungry… I can't take it, I can't take it, I can't take it, I can't take it, I can't take it, I can't take it, I can't take it."
—Aaah… aaaaaaaah… nnnnnnnnnnnngh…
"Water… I just need water… Just some water… What must I do… to get some water… from that village? A well… A well. I can find a well. There has to be a well. I know what that is. I know what a well is. What else do I know? Nothing… Nothing, nothing. I have no memories. I have nothing. I am a beast. A newborn beast."
—Ngh, hnh, mmn… hah… hahhh…
…..
"What is this…? It's buried… It's red… It feels rough…"
—Hahh… hah, hahh… haah… Ahh.
"Ahh… ahh, ahh, ahh! Ahh! There was something! There is something! Something I know! I know this! This is mine… It must be. It's mine! I know this! It's mine! I know… how to use it, how to touch it, how to hold it, how to swing it! I know… what this is, what to do with it, what it's for! I know… that with this, I can fight on equal with footing with them! A beast… beast, beast. I am a beast. Beasts are meant to be ridiculed, to be hated, to be resented, to die. But I want to live. Which means… I have only one option. Only one way. Only one. With this! I must overthrow! Those who tormented me! I can do that! Water… and food… I can get that… I can get anything!
—Hah, hah, hahah, hahahahahahahahah!
…..
—Who could that be at this time of night…? … Who's there?
—You shouldn't answer it. It's probably a beggar or something. These are dangerous times.
—You're right… How unpleasant a world we live in, that we should have to fear for our lives in this little village.
—Unpleasant indeed. I hope things go back to how they used to be soon enough. Gah, you just don't give up. Who's there?! You're not coming in without identifying yourself!
—This is rather strange…
—What's going on, Dad?
—Oh, did the noise wake you? There's nothing to worry about, son. Go back to bed, it'll quiet down soon…
—The door–... Huh?
—*************************
—Ah… AAAAH! GAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
—Wha– Wha– What's–?!
—********************
—... Mom…?
—Ahh… aaaaaah… aahhhh… J-Javi! L-Look away! Wh-Why is… Why is the bestia–?!
—****************
—Run, you hear me! Go out the back door… and let everyone know… Shout as loud as you–Graaaah, GAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
—Wh-What is this…? What's going on?! Why… There's blood? Wh-Why…? It can't be… What the… How did this… Why…? Why?! Mom! Dad!
—******************************
—B-Bestia… Bestia! The bestia… You… why would you–?!
—*****************************
—W-W-Waaaaaaaah!