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Zandik: Testing, testing. Can you hear me?
25: Clearly.
18: What a strange feeling.
35: You'll get used to it.
8: Wow, we can speak to each other even if we are far away?
65: Basically, yes.
Zandik: You're all familiar with this communication method to some extent. Now I've brought it to perfection. My only request is to avoid thinking... too loud.
25: Got it. Well then, anyone knows how my tools ended up in the opposite side of the laboratory?
65: I believe we defined borders of our workplaces last week.
45: They didn't seem to last more than the said week though.
35: I had to expand the workspace for my experiment.
25: Have you noticed that practically anything you do requires an enormous amount of space?
35: Because everything I do is far more valuable?
25: Ugh, you...
18: Who drew those ugly round creatures on my report!?
8: They are not ugly.
18: You missed the whole point!
Zandik: ...
65: We are gathered here to discuss a serious matter. Zandik's birthday is in a few days. Any suggestions? Keep in mind that we are limited in funds.
18: Why can't we ask Pantalone for a favor?
45: Regrator always makes his own gifts. Besides, requesting for funding now would increase the chance of his rejection next time.
25: If none of us lived up to his age, how can we know what does he want?
18: The real question is, does he want anything at all? Every time I see him these days old man has a grumpy look on his face. Maybe the best gift would be just leaving him alone.
65: Absolutely not. We must express our gratitude to the Original. Did you forget we wouldn't exist if not him?
35: It's not like we asked to be created.
8: I have an idea. We should order a big sweet cake for Zandik.
18: It's because you want a big sweet cake yourself, isn't it?
35: I agree with 8. The cake sounds good.
25: Me too.
65: Me too.
45: Me too.
18: Hmph.
35: Have any of you seen Columbina lately?
45: The last time I saw her, she was fluttering around Marionette.
65: I noticed some time ago that those two became quite close to each other.
8: Does that mean Columbina won't play with me anymore?
18: Seriously, when will you grow up? Ah, I forgot - you can't.
45: Did he really do that?
35: You mean 18? Yes, this time he did leave.
25: We're only a few years apart but I find that behavior rather embarrassing.
65: This would hardly be the first time. After all, the younger "me" was prone to outbursts of anger.
45: Leaving Snezhnaya was something new though.
Zandik: As if we never felt that way. Give him a few days and he will be back.
8: I hope he turns into an icicle.
35: Oh, you're back from Fontaine. Did you get what I asked for?
25: Unfortunately, I couldn't access the Tower of Ipsissimus. But I acquired some of Narzissenkreuz's research notes at the underground auction.
65: Are you two still entertained by that Narzissenkreuz Ordo nonsense?
25: ...What do you mean by that?
35: Nonsense?
65: Nothing personal, but his ideas are simply unrealistic. So many theories are based on outdated information, devoid of a point of contact with reality.
65: But I must say, it's not bad... For an occultist's study.
25: Didn't know future "me" would acquire such a conservative mindset.
65: This is not conservatism, this is experience.
45: The puppet is back from the Abyss with amazing results once again. I think we can expect his promotion soon.
35: Regrator, Columbina and now the puppet is becoming a Harbinger too... Time really flies fast. I feel so old.
65: No, you don't.
35: Still, I'm honestly impressed how we managed to keep our little secret from him for centuries.
45: I remember it like yesterday, listening to his resentful speech about gods and mortals. Such innocence is mesmerizing. One might say that he hasn't changed at all.
18: Huh? What are you talking about?
45: Nothing.
35: Nothing, really.
45: ...I told you we should've kept our undercover agents in at least two nations.
25: Who knew that Crucabena was planning to end her life like that and the next Knave would turn on us?
45: No one, but we shouldn't have relied on her so much either. Now we're stuck without constant source of test subjects.
45: Oh, on the bright side, I brought something interesting.
35: Looks like liquid fire with a touch of Abyss corruption. Where did you get this?
45: Behold, the blood sample of a royal descendant of the Crimson Moon dynasty.
25: I thought they were all exterminated.
45: She gave it to us for the research purposes. Seems like she is no less interested in results as we are.
35: So that Knave would rather offer her own blood than the blood of her children. How amusing.
65: There is a letter from Signora. Intriguing.
25: Hasn't she stated multiple times that she detest our company? Well, except 8. And maybe 18, on rare occasions.
18: Oh, are you jealous?
25: Me? No. She just loves problem children, that's it.
18: And can't stand annoying adults, that's it.
45: Come to think of it, didn't she have a good relationship with Original at all stages of his life? Something must've changed after he died.
65: Maybe she believes we were the cause of his death and therefore takes out her frustration on us.
25: Seriously? After all these years?
35: Such a tender heart under the cover of ice.
8: What does the letter say?
65: It's a... group invitation to the Korolevskiy Troupe?
8: That new Harbinger is exceptionally dense.
25: What happened?
8: I encountered him in the Palace and he didn't let me go until I tell him where are my parents.
18: BWAHAHAHA! Did he really think-
45: What did you say?
8: I told him it was none of his business, but he was so stubborn! He tried to pick me up and I bit him like you taught me.
65: I believe that all new Harbingers should be briefed on such matters.
35: You think there will be new Harbingers?
45: I can't believe you're actually wearing this on public.
35: You used to wear the same a decade ago.
45: Touché.
25: I can't believe it's you two who got a chance to visit Sumeru after so long.
45: Well, everyone else refused to change the haircut to match me.
35: Match me, you wanted to say?
18: Hmm, I wonder if Puspa Café still exists. Would love to taste their baklava once more.
25: Agree. Oh, and if it's not too much trouble, provide me with the fresh batch of specimens. I'm running low on them.
8: And bring me aranara! Bring me living, breathing aranara!
45: As you command, Lord Harbinger.
65: It's finally our turn. The dream of a man-made god is coming true on the way back home. I can't help but see a hidden irony in this. And, of course, we shall bring two Gnoses to the throne of Her Majesty. So, good luck to "me" in this honorable mission.
35: Good luck to "me", indeed.