()||9<黑屏1>0,10BGM_Empty: ()||655<黑屏2>:Dear Blackwell, How I miss those days of sharing sandwiches with you at Hopkins. I was so foolish and innocent back then. +I thought I had all the time in the world, but before I knew it, I already found myself in Beslan. +This is a city with extremely harsh winters, and even the weather is making me mean-spirited. Indeed, you can never imagine what the people here think of me. +Mean-spirited... such a novel word. Also, Sana's allergic reactions are getting more and more severe... +I am starting to lose the will to keep playing the role of "Mother" properly. It cannot be helped. I suppose it is fate. ()||BGM_23S_Winter_Night:Still, I do have some interesting news. I met a student. Hm... compared to Sana, she is much more like me... +We have different hair colors and nationalities... but I have a feeling that she might be a kindred spirit... +Meitner, Beslan, 2047. ()||<黑屏1>: ()||650<黑屏2>:In the winter of 2047, the war is the subject of every conversation. +The whole world reeks of steel and blood. +Even the frigid winter in Beslan cannot put out the raging fire in the people's hearts. ()||<黑屏1>: ()||<黑屏2>654AVG_21Winter_Fire_Alarm<关闭蒙版>:Beslan High School No.1. ()Boy in Classroom||:For Christ's sake, how can he be so stupid? Do all generals on the frontlines have shit for brains? +A pig would make a better commander than this guy! ()Boy in Classroom||:I don't get it! How could they screw this up? Did they not do any intelligence work at all? +This is pissing me off so much! ()Standing Girl||:I hear it's because American spies have infiltrated our ranks... ()||:A few students are huddled over a news report, discussing it in hushed tones and expressing their views. +The girl, who was just saying her piece, spots Xenia walking into the classroom and runs up to her immediately. ()Standing Girl||:Xenia! +Come over here! There's been a new development on the frontlines! ()||:Xenia sighs. NPC-Sinia(0)Xenia0,-58||:... +Things must be pretty bad. NPC-Sinia(0)Standing Girl0,-58<同时置暗>||:You're spot on... +How did you know? NPC-Sinia(0)Xenia0,-58||:Well, if it were good news, it'd be broadcast all over the school by now. NPC-Sinia(0)Standing Girl0,-58<同时置暗>||:Ugh, I can't wait to grow older. +Then I'll be able to help out on the frontlines. +Have you heard? The Command College has established new branches in many places. They even have crash courses... NPC-Sinia(0)Xenia0,-58||:The kind of crash course that will get you prepped and ready for the battlefield in three months? +We'll still have to wait until we finish 11th grade, won't we...? NPC-Sinia(0)Standing Girl0,-58<同时置暗>||:You're right. +...Who knows where the frontline will be. +It could be right here one day. NPC-Sinia(0)Xenia0,-58||:Uh... Don't be ridiculous. We will be victorious! ()||:The two girls share a smile. ()Standing Girl||:You're right. We WILL be victorious. NPC-Sinia(0)Xenia0,-58||:Oh, right, have you finished yesterday's homework? ()Standing Girl||BGM_Empty:... ()Standing Girl||:Not yet! I'm so dead! +Mr. Kuzmin is super scary! Anna? Anna, have you finished it? Let me copy yours! NPC-Ange(33)Anna0,-50||BGM_22Swim_langrensha:... ()||:The girl named Anna lifts her head from her desk and peers groggily at her classmate. ()Standing Girl||:Hey, wake up! Give me your homework, Anna. Just like last time. NPC-Ange(33)Anna0,-50||:... ()||:Anna makes no reply. +Her cold eyes are completely devoid of emotion. +One could easily mistake her for spacing out. ()||ClothingUp:The standing girl reaches into Anna's school bag without asking. ()||AVG_Slap%%type_id=2%%duration=1%%delay=0.1%%range=5:Smack! NPC-Ange(37)Anna0,-50||:...Don't touch my stuff! ()||:Anna smacks the rummaging hand away, but it has already pulled out a book. ()Standing Girl||%%type_id=2%%duration=3%%delay=0.1%%range=3:OWW! That hurt! ()||ClothingUp:The girl draws back her hand quickly. ()||AVG_File_Put:Thud. The book falls onto the floor. +It's not homework... NPC-Sinia(0)Xenia0,-58||:..."Roadside Picnic"? ()||:The pages are yellowed like old wallpaper, and the corners are wrinkled from being heavily dog-eared. +The glue in the spine is on its last leg, and the pages are threatening to come loose. ()||ClothingUp:Xenia bends down to pick up the sci-fi novel and hands it back to the irate Anna. NPC-Sinia(0)Xenia0,-58||:You like the Strugatsky brothers, Anna? +This is a great edition. You really should take better care of it. +It will get even more battered if you just leave it tumbling around in your school bag. NPC-Ange(37)Anna0,-50||:... NPC-Sinia(0)Xenia0,-58||:I have some chemicals for removing yellow discoloration at home. +Why don't you let me give your book a face-lift? NPC-Ange(37)Anna0,-50||:...No, thanks. ()||ClothingUp:Anna replies curtly and snatches "Roadside Picnic" out of Xenia's hands. She dusts off the cover lovingly and places it back inside her school bag with great care. +She then buries her head back in her arms on her desk and returns to her snooze. ()Standing Girl||:... +Hey, what's your problem— ()||:Xenia pats her classmate and gives her a smile. NPC-Sinia(0)Xenia0,-58||:You can copy mine. It's on my desk. +Anna hasn't been here for long and doesn't know us well, so mind your manners. +Don't scare her. ()Standing Girl||:...Fine. +See, you don't have a single mean bone in you. +That's what makes you class captain material. I'd never be able to do it. ()||:The girl gives Xenia an admiring look and walks off without another word. +Xenia looks at Anna, who appears to be asleep already, and lets out a small sigh. NPC-Sinia(0)Xenia0,-58||:... +Ignore me all you want, but... you still have to hand in your homework. ()Anna||:... ()||:Anna keeps her head down. +Xenia doesn't want to give up, but she does not want to say anything out of line either. ()||ClothingUpBGM_Empty:While she is deliberating, someone taps her on the shoulder and speaks to her from behind. NPC-Ahmin(0)???||:Excuse me, are you Xenia from Grade 7, Class 1? ()||:Xenia turns around to find a tall boy with hair as bright as sunshine standing in front of her. NPC-Sinia(0)Xenia0,-58||:You are? NPC-Ahmin(0)Armin||GF_21winter_avg_mahaline:I am Armin from Grade 10, Class 3. Anna's brother. NPC-Sinia(0)Xenia0,-58||:Oh, nice to meet you. +How can I help you? ()||:The boy smiles apologetically. NPC-Ahmin(0)Armin||:Anna forgot her homework, so I've brought it over. +She put all that effort in doing it at home yesterday, but then forgot to put it into her school bag. ()||AVG_20Winter_Book:Xenia takes the exercise book and peers at Anna. +She is still sleeping. +Or still feigning sleep, to be more precise. +Armin gives Xenia a sheepish look and tries to make excuses. NPC-Ahmin(1)Armin||:Sorry, she stayed up pretty late last night. NPC-Sinia(0)Xenia0,-58||:...It's alright. ()||ClothingUp:Armin walks over to Anna and pats her gently on the head. NPC-Ahmin(0)Armin||:Let's go home together today after school. I'll come and pick you up. +Mama made your favorite borsch and golubtsy. They'll taste bad if they get cold. ()||:Anna makes no response, as if she had not heard him. He pauses a little before adding... NPC-Ahmin(0)Armin||:Ramzan has been going to the Guard Regiment every day recently. I've given him an earful for the stupid joke he made a few days ago. ()||ClothingUp:Anna shrugs off the hand on her head and shifts over to sleep on her other arm. NPC-Ahmin(1)Armin||:I'll come get you later then. ()||:He looks over and smiles warmly at Xenia. NPC-Ahmin(0)Armin||:She just needs some time. Please take care of her. NPC-Ahmin(0);NPC-Sinia(0)Xenia0,-58||:Of course. NPC-Ahmin(0)Armin;NPC-Sinia(0)0,-58||:...She isn't the best at communicating. NPC-Ahmin(0);NPC-Sinia(0)Xenia0,-58||:I get it; it's a new environment for her. Her classmates are all very nice and welcoming. I'm sure Anna will be able to adjust very soon. NPC-Ahmin(1)Armin||:Thank you for being so understanding. ()||AVG_Creep:Xenia's eyes follow Armin as he leaves the classroom. She stacks up the exercise books. NPC-Sinia(0)Xenia0,-58||:Phew... that's all of them. ()||:... ()||<黑屏1>: ()||<黑屏2>276BGM_EmptyAVG_20Winter_Door_Open:At the teachers' office. ()||:Mr. Kuzmin's usual jovial chatter can always be heard through the door, but the office is unusually quiet today. ()||AVG_File_Put:Xenia puts down the stack of exercise books on his desk. Even the desk is uncharacteristically tidy. This isn't like him at all. ()||AVG_20Winter_Book:Xenia scans the office. It is completely empty save for the Russian teacher, who is silently leafing through a copy of the collected works of Dostoevsky. NPC-Sinia(0)Xenia0,-58||:Excuse me, where is Mr. Kuzmin? He is usually at the office around this time... +We've also been told that his class is to be a self-study session today. What happened? NPC-Sinia(0)Russian Teacher0,-58<同时置暗>||:Oh... Hello, Xenia. +Just leave the homework there. The new teacher will look through it when she gets here. NPC-Sinia(0)Xenia0,-58||:The new teacher? What about Mr. Kuzmin? NPC-Sinia(0)Russian Teacher0,-58<同时置暗>||:Kuzmin... (Sighs) ()||ClothingUp:The Russian teacher is a bespectacled middle-aged woman. She lets out a sigh and takes off her glasses to clean them. ()Russian Teacher||Campaion-58-2:...His elder brother gave his life for the country. +He was a decorated hero worthy of respect. +Kuzmin has decided to follow in his footsteps and serve our country. +Bless the man. NPC-Sinia(0)Xenia0,-58||:... ()||:This has been a common occurrence since 2045. +But this time, it hits incredibly close to home. NPC-Sinia(0)Xenia0,-58||:I wish him all the best... NPC-Sinia(0)Russian Teacher0,-58<同时置暗>||:By the way... More and more foreigners have been moving into the area these days. Tell your classmates to be extra careful on their way home. +The Guard Regiment is doing their job, of course, but they can't be on patrol 24/7. +Don't loiter on the road, and make sure you stick together. NPC-Sinia(0)Xenia0,-58||:...Right, I'll tell the others. ()||ClothingUp:Xenia pulls the door shut. +She can't help but take another glance at Mr. Kuzmin's seat, at the empty desk with only a single stack of homework. ()||:This is all too common in these times. +War is inescapable. +It drags everyone along as hostages. ()||<黑屏1>: ()||<黑屏2>9AVG_20Winter_Door_Close:... ()||:Soon after that, news came about Mr. Kuzmin's death. +The headmaster personally identified the body and held a simple memorial service in a chapel nearby. ()||<黑屏1>: ()||<黑屏2>136:A casket lies quietly at the feet of a great statue of the Holy Mother. +The priest and a group of students dressed in black stand to the side solemnly. ()Priest||:You may now put forward items cherished by the deceased. ()Student in Black Veil||:...Mr. Kuzmin loved this kind of bread. ()||ClothingUp:She places a Krasnoselsky loaf lightly into the casket. +She trembles slightly as she sprinkles on some salt. She last saw this teacher not even a week ago. NPC-Sinia(0)Xenia0,-58||:... ()||:Xenia puts an arm around her classmate and gives her a comforting squeeze. NPC-Sinia(0)Xenia0,-58||:Our teacher loved this land more than anything. +He has gone to Heaven to watch over his homeland. ()||ClothingUp:Xenia takes out a small bottle filled with dark brown granules. +She pours them into the casket. NPC-Sinia(0)Xenia0,-58||:This is soil dug from the schoolyard. +You will be our most beloved teacher, forever and always. ()||AVG_20Winter_Gate_Close:When the priest puts the lid on the casket, the tears surge forth like water from a broken dam. +Low singing is accompanied by heart-wrenching sobs. +It is the national anthem that has been played countless times. +It is the best tribute that could be paid to such a warrior. ()Tall Boy||:...I just can't accept it. ()Short Boy||:They say that when the teacher was found, his charred body was still clutching our school emblem. ()Tall Boy||:...It was all because of those sons of bitches. They... they sold us out. +That's what got Mr. Kuzmin killed... ()Student in Black Veil||:I... I can't... (sobs) I can't believe it either... +It all happened... so quickly... ()Tall Boy||:I... I'm gonna avenge Mr. Kuzmin... ()Short Boy||%%type_id=2%%duration=1%%delay=0.1%%range=8Rope:Of course! We've got to avenge him! ()Tall Boy||:Mr. Kuzmin died on the frontlines as a hero! How can we hide behind his back and do nothing?! NPC-Sinia(0)Xenia0,-58||:But what can we do? ()Tall Boy||<震屏3>AVG_Punch_Hit:Dammit!!! ()Short Boy||:Those bastards had better not die before we graduate! ()Tall Boy||:No! There are things we can do without graduating school! ()Short Boy||:You don't mean... ()Tall Boy||:Yes! Have they sent you an invitation as well? ()Short Boy||:...Yeah, I'm still trying to think it through... NPC-Sinia(0)Xenia0,-58||:Let's head back first. We still have class in the afternoon. +Mr. Kuzmin had said many times that his biggest wish was for us to study hard and graduate. ()Tall Boy||:...(Sighs) ()||:Xenia also lets out a sigh. ()||<黑屏1>: ()||<黑屏2>BGM_Empty9AVG_21Winter_Fire_Alarm:The next day, Beslan High School No. 1. ()||<黑屏1>: ()||<黑屏2>654:The morning bell rings. In the gloomy classroom, the students are still grieving after the funeral yesterday. Many of them are still wearing their black veils. +Mr. Kuzmin was supposed to be teaching this lesson. ()||AVG_footsteps_cave:A series of footsteps comes through the door. ()||AVG_20Winter_Door_Open:Everyone's attention is focused on the person who has just entered the classroom. ()||Stop_AVG_loop:It is a tall, slender woman with naturally curly black hair. She looks decidedly unenthusiastic and lethargic in her casual boiler suit. NPC-Laplace(0)???||:...Let me introduce myself. I'm your substitute teacher... ()||ClothingUp:The woman looks around the classroom. She yawns and rakes her fingers through her hair. NPC-Laplace(0)???||:Martha Meitner. ()||:Her introduction is met with silence. +She does not speak Russian very well. +One can just make out her native accent. ()Student in Black Veil||BGM_Room:An American? +Why an amerikos, of all people?! ()Burly Student||:You'd better really be a teacher to come here at a time like this! ()Student in Black Veil||:She's not a spy, is she? ()||:... +The protests grow louder and louder until they cannot be ignored. +Martha rolls her eyes. NPC-Laplace(0)Martha||Stop_AVG_loop:What, not happy with my Russian? +I'm here to teach basic physics, not basic Russian. ()||ClothingUp:An arm shoots up. NPC-Laplace(0)Martha||:Go on. ()||Rope:The student jumps angrily to his feet. He is as big as a full-grown bear. ()Burly Student||:...What gives you the right to steal Mr. Kuzmin's place, amerikos?! NPC-Laplace(0)Martha||:Good question. +"To steal" means to take something without permission. The word does not apply in this scenario. +Your Russian could use some work. ()Standing Student||Rope%%type_id=2%%duration=1%%delay=0.1%%range=4:Why, you!!! NPC-Laplace(1)Martha||:By the way, I'm on a three-month probation. +If you have any complaints, do file them soon. Your school really isn't paying me much. ()||:Martha adds coldly. ()||ClothingUp:Another lean boy is also on his feet. ()Lean Boy||:Who are you to trash talk us? Screw off back to America! NPC-Laplace(1)Martha||:I'm your physics teacher because of my intellect and knowledge of the subject. +What does my nationality have to do with this? ()||<震屏3>AVG_Door_Hit:The lean boy slams his hands on his desk. +He shoves the classroom door open and storms off. +Martha glances at the door. NPC-Laplace(0)Martha||:Who is the class captain here? ()||:All eyes are on Xenia. ()||ClothingUp:She has no choice but to stand up. NPC-Laplace(0)Martha||:Put down his name. Deduct his term credit for truancy. NPC-Sinia(0)Xenia0,-58||:... NPC-Laplace(0)Martha||:Any more questions? ()Standing Student||:You can deduct mine too. ()||ClothingUpAVG_Zipper:The student slings his school bag onto his shoulder and leaves the classroom. NPC-Laplace(0)Martha||:Anyone wants to join them? ()||:The classroom is so quiet one can hear a pin drop. NPC-Laplace(1)Martha||:You are seeking knowledge from me, not the other way round. +Cherish the opportunity. You don't usually get a physics teacher of my caliber. ()||ClothingUp:Still standing, Xenia stares at the empty seats in a daze. Instead of sitting down, she raises her hand. +Martha nods. NPC-Sinia(0)Xenia0,-58||:Miss Meitner, yes? +You probably haven't heard, but the Mr. Kuzmin that you are substituting for wasn't just a teacher of physics to us, but also of personal conduct. +He fought and gave his life for our country. +What about you? Would you fight for your country? NPC-Laplace(1)Martha||:Ha, my life is very precious. I have better things to do than playing lackey to a bunch of filthy opportunists. NPC-Sinia(0)Xenia0,-58||:... ()||AVG_21Winter_Fire_AlarmBGM_Empty:Riiiiing... +The bell rings again, signaling the end of class. +At the same time, a comms notification pops up. ()||AVG_tele_connect:Beep. +Xenia turns on her communicator. ()||<黑屏1>: ()Unknown Sender||<黑屏2>9:The Eternal Flame will soon be lit. Will you fight with us? ()||:... ()||<黑点1>: