Cleaning 101
Cleo: Cleaning 101 dictates that we start at the top and work our way down. Dust, then sweep.
Aldred: Rgh... Remind me why I have to do this again?
Cleo: I told you. You're going to learn what normal, everyday life is like.
Cleo: And right now, that means housework! Next, you will scrub the floors.
Aldred: Ugh. This dirt won't come off. Wait— *gasp*
Aldred: This is a Syndicate cipher disguised as dirt, isn't it?!
Cleo: Oh, for goodness sake. Quell your imagination for five seconds and CLEAN!
Cleo: Next, we'll focus on cooking.
Cleo: Given your inexperience, we'll begin with something simple. I'd like you to simply boil these vegetables.
Aldred: Hah. I'm not THAT pea-brained. Save the lesson for someone who needs it.
Cleo: Confident, are you? Then I'll observe from over here. Go ahead.
Aldred: First, I cut the vegetables and put them in the pot.
Cleo: (He didn't even peel them.)
Aldred: Then, I fill the pot with water!
Cleo: (That's too much...)
Aldred: Now to crank up the heat!
Cleo: (He needs to turn the burner down, or the pot will—)
Aldred: What?! The pot's boiling over!
Cleo: (As I expected.)
Aldred: Rrgh. I can't believe the Syndicate sabotaged my cooking pot!
Cleo: What did I say about blaming the Syndicate for everything?!
Euden: Hey, Cleo. How's Aldred doing?
Cleo: It was something of a struggle at first, but he's managing now.
Cleo: He's stopped mentioning the Syndicate every few minutes, at least.
Ranzal: Hey, that's a huge step.
Cleo: And his growth does not stop there. He seems to have a hobby now.
Euden: That's almost hard to picture. So what's he into?
Cleo: Tending a vegetable garden.
Ranzal: Say WHAT? Ain't raisin' veggies a little outta character for a hothead like him?
Cleo: He's quite passionate about it, to be sure. And as long as we're on the subject...
Cleo: You see? Aldred tended to all the vegetables here.
Ranzal: Whoa. Never woulda expected ol' danger-boy to have such a green thumb.
Cleo: Well, look who's decided to join us.
Ranzal: 'Sup, Aldred. You here ta give the veggies some TLC?
Aldred: I guess Cleo told you. What, is there some rule saying I can't?
Ranzal: Course not. Have at 'em.
Euden: I think it's a great hobby, Aldred.
Aldred: Hah. Bet you think it doesn't suit me at all. Go ahead and say it.
Euden: Hey, that's not true.
Cleo: Isn't he a shy one? If anyone is worried about their actions not suiting their image, it's him.
Ranzal: Ta be fair, his life's been nothin' but break-or-be-broken so far.
Ranzal: I think he's startin' to understand that not everyone's out to get him.
Euden: Mhm. If things stay peaceful like this, then maybe he'll— Huh?!
Euden: Aldred, watch out! An arrow!
Aldred: What?!
Aldred: A Syndicate surprise attack! You'll regret this folly, you dastards!
Aldred: Taaake thi— Ah!
Luca: M-my bad! Did anyone get hurt?!
Euden: Luca? YOU shot that arrow?
Luca: Yeah, I was practicing and my hand slipped. Sorry! Are you all okay?
Euden: We're fine, but Aldred, well...
Luca: Criminy! Did he get hurt? Show me, quick!
Aldred: A single arrow isn't gonna take me down. I'll have your head, you—
Aldred: ...No, wait. You fought against the Syndicate, too. You can't be one of them.
Luca: Heh. Right you are. 'Preciate the trust, Aldred.
Ranzal: I'm just glad nobody lost an eye. And good job keepin' yer cool, Aldred.
Ranzal: Heck, just about anyone woulda swung back after that. Did ya realize somehow it was just Luca?
Aldred: No, I didn't know who it was. But right as I was about to attack...
Euden: Hm? What are you looking at? ...Oh, I get it!
Euden: If you'd retaliated, then the vegetable garden would've been caught in the carnage.
Ranzal: Heck, we'd be lookin' at a smokin' crater instead of tomorrow's salad greens.
Aldred: The vegetables deserved better than that.
Cleo: Outstanding! It seems you're starting to understand, Aldred.
Cleo: Taking good care of what you CAN observe, rather than detesting an invisible foe—
Cleo: That is what a normal life is like.
Aldred: A normal life...
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