Fragile Dreams transcription

[estirose]

This is my transcription of Fragile Dreams. I'll be adding the various parts in comments. (The numbering system is kind of odd, for which I apologize, but it's there for me to keep track of which video I was transcribing from.)


Part 1.1: Navigating the observatory, old man's letter
Part 1.2: Meeting the silver-haired girl, going into the station, meeting Personal Frame (PF).
Part 1.3: Station navigation, learning about invisible enemies, learning how to fight jellyfish ghosts.
Part 2.1: Picking up the paper crane, turnstile entry, lighting a fire.
Part 2.2: Paper crane and mother's shoe memories, finding the shutter door key, meeting the Merchant.
Part 3.1: Seto and PF head down to the train platform, PF offers advice, and we get the Toy memory.
Part 3.2: Outside, Seto and PF discuss dawn and the silver-haired girl, and PF advises where to go.
Part 4.1: In the storehouse, Seto meets a ghostly little girl and is forced to play tag to get the key.

Comments

[estirose]

Seto: At the very end of a summer that was all too short, the old man I was living with passed away. Even after all the years we spent together, I never knew his name. Later that evening, I dug a shallow grave in the front yard of our home and buried him there. At that moment, I was truly alone in the world.


(Regarding the TV in his home)

Seto: I’ve always wondered what this weird box was. It looks like a mirror, but….


(In the library, we encounter a cat and as we explore, a bleeding mask type creature.)

Voice (Mask): Stubborn little things. I thought they were all dead, but I see at least one survived.

Seto: Who’s there?!? Who are you?! How’d you get in here?

Mask: Why should I answer?

(After combat)


Mask: How pathetic. Such a useless creature.

Seto: W-what… what are you?

Mask: I do not have to answer to you.

(Mask fades out)

Seto (reading old man’s letter): “By the time you read this, I’ll already be gone. Before, I really didn’t care if I was dead or alive. I never considered myself worthy of living. And yet, I knew not even death could atone for my sins. You have no idea how hard it was for me to even write you this letter. It’s strange, really… for having wasted so much of my life… now that the end is finally in sight, I never dreamed I’d feel like this. Only the time I spent with you gave meaning to my worthless life. Only now do I regret that I didn’t open my heart to you before. Why is it, as I say goodbye, that I’m brimming with so many things I wish I could have said to you? Please forgive this foolish old man.

"Head east of here and you will reach a tall red tower. I can’t promise, but you might find other survivors besides yourself. When I am gone, you must go east. Now go… and Seto…"

Old Man’s voice: and Seto… thank you for everything.

[estirose]

(music plays as Seto wanders and we are shown images of a white-haired girl in a blue dress, who sings.)

(We’re released from the cutscene so that Seto can walk up on a ruined railway station surrounded by water lilies. As soon as he walks close enough, another cutscene where the girl’s singing to the moon and stars. Seto steps on something squeaky)


Girl: Huh? Who’s there? (falls)

Seto: Are you okay? (pause) Oh, I hope she’s not dead….

Girl: (waking up) Mmm… you touched me.

Seto: Yeah, but, well, I was just making sure you were still alive.

Girl: I don’t know you.

Seto: Well no… but I’m…

(The girl runs into the railway station)

Seto: I touched her. (pause) No, wait! Don’t go!

(Seto peers downstairs)

Seto (narration): On my journey through the world, all the people I thought I saw slipped away like they were just a mirage. But that girl… her cheek was warm to the touch.

(More cutscene - down the stairs/ images of white-haired girl)

Seto (narration): I was fifteen years old at the end of that summer. When we met, the tower in the distance was bathed in crimson light. That one encounter changed my life in ways I never could have expected. That brief moment we shared transformed me to my very core. Even now, I remember it as if it was yesterday. The stuffy, humid air, the last vestige of summer. Her silver hair fluttering in the breeze. The big, silver moon.

(Now, we explore the station. And cutscene.)

Voice (PF): Please help me. I am in danger of malfunctioning. (pause) I am not completely waterproof. Please help me.

Seto: Is someone there?

Voice (PF): Yes! Over here! I am here, please come quickly! I am here, please help me!

(Go downstairs after a tutorial on how to find the owner of the voice)

Voice (PF): Please help me. I am in danger of malfunctioning. Anyone?

Seto: It’s coming from the other side. If I crouch down, I should be able to squeeze through.


(A tutorial on crouching later, we go through. At first, I go the wrong way)

Seto: It’s not coming from over here….

(Finally, opening the doors nearby. Cutscene)

Voice (PF): Warning: I am not completely waterproof. Please help me. I am in serious danger of malfunction. Warning: I am not completely waterproof.

(We retrieve the machine that’s been talking to us.

PF: Hello, I am a personal frame, an interactive personal assistant equipped to respond to my user’s emotional state, whatever that may be.

Seto: Hello, my name is-

(Area shakes)

PF: Let us save introductions for later. We are in danger in our current location. I will quickly navigate a route to safety for us.

Seto: A route? Navigate?

PF: We must hurry.

Seto: O-okay.

[estirose]

PF: First, fasten me to your back.

Seto: Uh, like this?

PF: Did you fasten my sides until they made a clicking sound?

Seto: Y-you mean these here?

PF: Good, that should do. I am a Personal Frame, or PF for short. My primary function is analysing the situation a user is in, and offering a sound solution.

Seto: Well, I dunno… but I don’t think we should stay here.

PF: Of course. However, there is more that I must tell you about-

Seto: Later.

PF: (once Seto’s out of the office) You should be able to build a fire there.

(Lighting a fire)

PF: So, do you feel warm?

Seto: Yeah, it feels good.

PF: I know we must evacuate, but I am picking up signs of dangerous enemies nearby.

Seto: (swinging stick) This stick should do the job, right?

PF: That will suffice for the time being, but it would be in our best interest to acquire something more durable. Ah, hold on one moment. There should be something serviceable as a weapon ahead. Proceed, but exercise caution.

Seto: Right.

(Save, head forward.)

Seto; I’ve got a bad feeling about this.

PF: Please stay alert. I am sensing something that means to do us harm, straight ahead.

Seto: Do us harm?

PF: Is something wrong?

Seto: It’s nothing. Never mind.

PF: For now, please head right. No matter how urgent our escape, your safety calls for a stronger weapon.

Seto: Good point. Right it is then.

PF: Do you understand? The direction of the hand you hold pencils with.

Seto: Oh, but I use my left hand.

PF: Well, in that case, it’s um…

Seto: Heh, heh. It’s okay. I’m going right.

(Go forward a little.)

PF: Oh yes, I forgot to mention something.

Seto: What is it?

PF: Whenever there is something on the ground, a gathering of fireflies just above it will signal its position to you.

Seto: Why would fireflies be attracted to it?

PF: Indeed. Well… maybe… because it is summer? Perhaps?

Seto: Huh. Right.

(Chase down bamboo sword)

PF: Pardon me, but there’s something else I’ve been meaning to tell you.

Seto: Huh? What is it?

PF: This area is suffused with what you might call… malicious thought entities.

Seto: Malicious thought entities?

PF: Yes. They are manifestation of the undying feelings left over from those who passed away. They are hostile towards the living and seek to confront them. This can-

Seto: Wait. You’re saying that we can be attacked?

PF: Simply put, that is exactly the case.

Seto: So what do these thought entities look like?

PF: Depending on the sentiment, they can take many forms. What is most troubling is that they are invisible to the naked eye.

Seto: What?! Then what am I supposed to do?

PF: These thought entities are crippled by light. Therefore, the beam of your flashlight should work. It will strip them of their cover and weaken them considerably.

Seto: So even when the coast looks clear, I should shine my light around to really scour the area?

PF: Yes. So please be careful.

(Defeat ghostly jellyfish, save)

[estirose]

(When we last left, we had just fought ghosts. Now, we’re wandering around, trying to get out of the station.)

Seto: There’s something on the ground.

PF: It is a paper crane. Somebody must have dropped it.

Seto: Paper crane? Oh, I guess it does look like a crane.

PF: So, you’ve seen a crane before?

Seto: No, just in a book once. It’s a big white bird, right?

PF: Correct. Cranes are a waterfowl with prominently long beaks.

Seto: You sure know a lot about them. Have you seen them before?

PF: That is… not quite correct. I was only referring to the entry I have in my memory banks.

Seto: You’ve never seen them? But the way you describe it…

PF: Oh… Yes. Well, it is merely a matter of possessing the right data.

Seto: Oh, okay. I hope we get to see one together.

PF: Together… as in… with me?

Seto: Of course.

PF: Agreed.

(A tutorial on memory items, which contain the last thoughts and memories, and how to access them at campfires. But we wander into the shutter, and so more dialogue ensues)

PF: Beyond this turnstile, we can follow the train tracks out to the surface.

Seto: Okay. (Tries to open shutter) I can’t open it.

PF: Nonsense. Try a little harder!

Seto: I mean it. It won’t budge.

PF: Please stand by. I will run another scan over the area. Oh, well, actually, it might just be locked. At least, I think.

Seto: We’ll never get it open then. What do we do?


PF: Just a moment. Ah, a key. We should find the key. There is a high probability that it is not far from here.

Seto: …Okay then. Let’s go find that key.

PF: There is a firepit where you can build a fire just ahead. Perhaps a short respite is in order.

(And ending it here. Soon, we will be reading the paper crane memory!)

[estirose]

(Paper crane memory)
Mother: Hee hee hee! So, dear, what do you want to play next?
Child: Um... Um... I know! Hide-and-go-seek!
Mother: You really do love playing hide-and-go-seek, don't you?
Child: Yep! And I like apples and running races, too!
Mother: Oh really? But you always come in last place in races.
Child: Yeah, but I still like them! And! And! I love Mommy best!
Mother: And mommy loves you too.
Child: Hee hee!
Mother: Ha ha ha.

Mother's Shoe memory:
Huh, what's going on? Another earthquake! O-oh dear! I have to get back to her. Oh no! Aaaah! (screams) I have... I have to get home... Hold on... I-I'll be there soon...

And into the men's bathroom:

Seto: Whoa! Is this what I think it is?
PF: It is a key. After analysis, I can report that there is a 75% chance that it is the key to the turnstile shutter.
Seto: Great! Then that means that we can open the shutter now!
PF: Wait. Please hold on. At a probability of 75%, that means that there is a 25% risk that it will not open it for us.
Seto: I'm sure it'll work. I mean, 75% is way more than 25%.
PF: I suppose that is a valid statement. Yes, it might work. Indeed. A 75% probability.
Seto: Yeah, we'll be fine!
PF: Yes! We will be fine.
Seto: Heh heh heh. (laughing)
PF: Ha ha. Now let us go open the shutter.

(Let's save and go! On our way to a bonfire, we encounter a man with a chicken head.)

Man: Well now, this is a rare treat. It's not every day I chance upon someone.
Seto: Huh? Whoa! W-who are you?
Man: Ah, oh yes, pardon me. I roam these parts in search of unique treasures. And if I do say so myself, you seem to have a few eye-catching pieces. Care to barter, my lad?
Seto: I've picked up some stuff, but none of it's that great...
Man: Well, have it your way. In honor of this most destined encounter, I have a gift. It's on the house! (gives you a Healing Candy Drop) Use this dandy little number to ease your tired, troubled, traveling self.
Seto: Thank you.
Man: And with that, I must be on my way. Until we meet again!
(Leaves)
Seto: Who in the heck was that guy?
PF: That is a much warranted question. Well, regardless of his nature, we too should hurry on our way.

[estirose]

PF: Ahead is the train platform. And beyond that, the tracks. If we follow them, they will lead us outside.
Seto: Another earthquake.
PF: If there is a stronger quake, the structure could be compromised.
Seto: You mean we'll be in trouble?
PF: Yes. Grave trouble. We must hurry. But...
Seto: But what?
PF: I sense great danger coming from the platform. Do not linger while traversing, and do not straing yourself. Turning back is sometimes the most appropriate action. The likelihood that you will have a safe passage is... I mean, you will be fine. I am sure!
Seto: Heh heh. Yeah, together we'll be fine.
PF: Yes!
(rush down)
PF: You can build a fire over there. Believe me when I say that rest and retreat can be heroic in their own ways.
(pick up mystery item, build fire)

Toy memory:
Mother: Don't let in any strangers while I'm gone.
Child: Okay!
Mother: Don't worry. Mommy will be back very soon. I promise. Has mommy ever broken a promise to you?
Child: Promise.
Mother: That's right. I promise.
Child: ...Mommy?
Mother: Yes, sweetie?
Child: Come back home quick, okay?
(end of memory)

[estirose]

Seto: The sky's red. It must be dawn.
PF: Yes, dawn is the time od day when the sun is below the horizon. Sunlight bounces off particles in the upper atmosphere and scatters, causing the phenomenon of a colorful sky. With today's strong winds, more particles must have been kicked up to result in the exceptionally deep red we percieve now. (pause) ...Um, excuse me, are you listening?
Seto: Yeah, it's so red and pretty.
PF: Yes, it is stunning.
Seto: Just beautiful... (pause) By the way, I've been meaning to ask you something....
PF: Yes? Being of assistance to my user is my primary protocol. Ask anything you so desire.
Seto: Well, uh... before... I saw... a silver-haired girl. Have you seen her around here?
PF: A silver-haired girl, you say? Just a moment. Please stand by while I conduct a search of my data banks... (pause) I should mention that an ongoing power shortage has restricted access to the compressed files in my database. I was unable to scan all of my records, but...
Seto: You know her?
PF: Yes! I mean... no.
Seto: Which is it?
PF: Pardon me. It is just that of the memory I was able to access, a silver haired girl might or might not have shown up.
Seto: You've seen her.
PF: It's possible. And yet, it's possible I have not...
Seto: Oh. So you haven't seen her.
PF: But wait! I might be able to estimate where the girl would be at present. This is only a theoretical calcuation, but when it comes to the general location of people, the underground shopping mall in the station we were just at was always lively with crowds. So perhaps...
Seto: Some people might still be there?!
PF: Yes, in the past, it was always bustling with activity, so there is a possibility that it is that way now.
Seto: Okay. How do we get to this underground mall?
PF: the entrance to the underground mall can be found on the second floor of the station where we just were. However, that passage is always kept locked. Oh, but... do not worry. There is a chance tha tthe key to the passage is being kept in that storehouse up ahead. Hm... I'd say it is at least an 80% chance.
Seto: All right, then. Let's head to that storehouse, right?
PF: Affirmative. Inside, you will need to locate a thin, gold-plated key. And one more thing... please be careful.
Seto: Yeah. I know.

[estirose]

(We continue by going to the storehouse. As we walk down the tracks in the storehouse, a voice comes out of nowhere. It sounds a lot like the child in the paper crane, mother's shoe, and toy memories.)

Little Girl: Who is it? Mommy?
Seto: I hear someone. (A little girl in a red coat appears.) Whoa!
PF: Ah!
Little Girl: Hmmmm... You're not my mommy.
Seto: Uh, hi. Look, I'm trying to find a key, but... I guess you wouldn't know about it.
Little Girl: Hey! Hey! Play with me! Play a game with me!
PF: Now, be a good girl and listen. We are looking for a gold-
Little Girl: I am too listening! You're looking for this key. (Takes a key from her pocket)
Seto: It's gold and thin, so...
PF: There is a 97% chance that it is the key we need.
Seto: Listen! Uh... could you let us borrow that key?
Little Girl: No!
PF: We are on a very important mission. Please.
Little Girl: No no no! It's sparkly and pretty. It's mine!
PF: Stop being so bratty and hand it over immediately!
Little Girl: Waa-waaah! I'm scared! Waaaah!
Seto: Uh-oh! C-Come on, don't cry.
Little Girl: Uwaaah! I'm scared! Boo hoo!
Seto: Wh-what should we do?
PF: Beats me.
Little Girl: Play with me.
Seto: Huh?
Little Girl: I said play with me!
Seto: O-Okay then. What do you wanna play?
Little Girl: Hide-and-go-seek!
Seto: Hide-and-go-seek?
Little Girl: Yeah! I'll go hide and you'll find me! If you win, I'll give you the key.
PF: It seems we must comply.
Seto: Yeah, guess so. Okay then, come on, let's play hide-and-go-seek!
Little Girl: Yay! I'm gonna go hide now! (disappears) I'm ready!
(After catching her once)
Seto: Gotcha!
Little Girl: Phooey, no fair! You found me. Hmph. You just got lucky. You won't get me next time!
(Second time)
Seto; Gotcha!
Little Girl: Eek! Aaaw! Not again! I won't stay put this time. You'll never, ever find me. So there! Huh! This time, if I hear your footsteps, I'll just run away and you'll never catch me!
(Third time)
Seto: Gotcha!
Little Girl: Uh-oh, you found me! That means you win the game!
Seto: Wow, you were good at that. It wasn't easy finding you.
Little Girl: It wasn't? Hee hee hee! I'm pretty good at hiding! But I'm not so good at running.