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CB-ST3
Crack of Dawn
Code of Brawl: Downtown
Previous CB-10 (Story)

Those lurking behind the curtains always have much to gossip about, perhaps to make the next show a bit more exciting, or perhaps just to cross each others' palms.
Characters
Passerby
Punk
Backgrounds
Bar
1
Lungmen Streets
2
Lungmen Cemetery
3
Lungmen Highway
4
In the abandoned bar, wine and words mix, and people sneak uninhibited. Someone from Laterano named Suffering(?) comes to take Mostima away. Sunset approaches, bringing another brawl with it.
<Background 1>
3:21 AM \ Clear
Downtown Lungmen, "The Ends of the Earth" lounge, ruins
Penguin Logistics Cheers!!
Cheers!!
Exusiai Whew, tonight sure was a good time.
Croissant You wouldn't think it from the stinkin' pile of garbage we're sittin' in, but it was great. Just thinkin' about somebody else footin' the bill for all our expenses makes me all warm inside!
Sora Texas, if you figured it out earlier, you should have told us.
Texas I just guessed.
Sora You're a really bad liar, you know that...?
Exusiai The boss had it all planned out, didn't he? Don't sweat it~ Eating, drinking, and fighting are good for the body and good for the soul.
<Background fades out and in>
Bison ......
Mostima What's wrong? You're not going to join them?
Bison No, I'm okay.
I just, how can I say this? I just feel like I can't accept it.
Mostima You get used to it.
Bison If I'm used to it then it's all over.
Like what was everything tonight even for? And Emperor, he...
Mostima ...gave his life to make the party more fun.
Bison Mostima, you told me you would be giving me a grade for my performance at Penguin Logistics, didn't you?
Mostima I did. I've been thinking about it. And while you didn't exactly mesh with everybody, you made some great strides. That much is clear. Maybe...
Bison No.
I'm not staying here.
Mostima Oh? I thought with everything that happened, you'd need Penguin Logistics to be a springboard for you to bigger and better things.
Bison That was the original idea. Turns out you had that all figured out...
It's not that I think Penguin Logistics is terrible. Well, it is terrible.
But I think, with Messengers like this, who live like this...
Even though my common sense tells me it's ridiculously dangerous...
I think it might be... what I actually want.
Or maybe it's like I'll start to question reality if I don't look at it this way.
...like one, completely insane dream.
Mostima Yeah. Fistfights, explosions, and high altitude drops will do that to you.
Bison Getting thrown into the deep end with Penguin Logistics isn't great for your mental health.
Mostima But if you've made your decision, and as your fellow Messenger, I wish you luck.
Bison ...Thanks.
Mostima Especially since it means your father won't have any grounds to dock my pay.
Bison D– dad! I totally forgot about that. I need to talk to him. But what is he even doing right now...?
Exusiai Mostima! Drink up!
Mostima Cheers.
What's with you suddenly flitting over here? You spilled all over yourself.
Exusiai If I take my eyes off you for one second, you could vanish. And I got a lottttt of questions to ask you.
Mostima A lot, huh...? Like about that incident back in Laterano?
With your sister? Or maybe... my horns?
Exusiai
Mostima Hahaha, you're dumbstruck? Oh, Exusiai, you never change. You're always so easy to read.
Exusiai MOS! TI! MA!
Mostima All right, all right. I'll tell you.
...But right not now. You've been digging into it on your own for a while now, so you must understand.
Exusiai Um, I don't know why, but it's classified as a state secret now. Does that matter?
I have to get closure on everything about you.
Mostima You really do, huh...?
It could be a long and treacherous path, with your precious guns confiscated, the wicked watching you, hounding you to the mouth of hell?
Exusiai Hm, that's weirdly specific.
But no big deal. I run pretty fast. They'll never catch me!
Mostima Fine.
Exusiai You give up?
Mostima I give up. Not that anyone could ever tell you what to do.
Exusiai That's not true. There's the boss. And Texas, I'll listen to Texas. Sometimes. Kinda.
<Background fades out and in>
Texas ......
Croissant Ya hear what they're whisperin' about?
I think I heard most of the story already, but to tell the truth, I'm all kinds of curious right now.
What kinda place is Laterano anyway?
Texas ...Don't go digging too deep. It's her choice.
Sora But what about Bison?
Texas He lost his temper quite a few times tonight. He'll get used to it.
Sora He's an excellent new-comer to this industry. Is it okay to leave him like that?
Croissant Bison~ Lemme give ya a copy of the Great Foodie Guide. I did it up myself after real, in-person, on-site investigations!
Bison You wrote the Foodie Guide!
Croissant Hehe. Advertisin's a real important revenue stream!
Mostima ...Wow. Okay, you'll have to give me some secret recommendations.
Exusiai By the way, there's some fancy rich guy butler-looking dude standing outside the door?
<Background fades out and in>
Butler ......
<Background fades out and in>
Croissant Can ya really say he's outside the door when the walls are crumbled like so? *Sigh* And we have to pay the retainage for the small thruster this month...
Bison ...I'm going to get some air.
<Background 2>
Butler Young Master.
Bison I know everything.
Father and Emperor had a deal at the same time a Siracusan gang came up against the Rat King, is that right?
Butler Everything has a purpose, Young Master. You performed spectacularly well, given the circumstances. The Master of the House is most pleased.
And yet, I...
Bison Twice. That's how many times you followed my dad's order and did the trick with my shield.
Butler Thank you... Young Master.
Bison *Sigh* Having been through so much, how can we still relax and enjoy a party over broken glass and splintered barstools?
Butler This kind of boundless optimism is born from the innumerable life-or-death experiences of a life well lived, Young Master.
Bison I know. But they're Messengers. Why do they always risk their lives?
Butler That's what a Messenger does. Should you leave home, leave the Master of the House, and leave Lungmen, you too will come to understand.
Bison ...I hope so.
Butler Shall we head back and see the Master of the House?
Bison Father's probably plotting something with Chief Wei right now. I'm sure it's something very important that I can't concern myself with.
Butler You are very clever, but the Master of the House did not make these choices to be rid of you. You will grow stronger, and more tenacious.
[Bison recalls his experience of being around with the P.L. crew throughout the gig in Lungmen.]
Bison ...Maybe. I'm not sure if I really will see that day.
Bison You go to my father. I need to... cut loose a bit.
Butler I understand. Do enjoy yourself, Young Master.
Bison Oh, there was one more thing.
Butler Hm?
Bison I did have a very good time tonight.
<Background 1>
Exusiai ...Nnng...
Mostima She gets drunk and makes trouble.
But she sure is cute when she's quiet, isn't she? A little sister to be proud of.
??? I don't care about her or her sister, but you need to stop her from digging any deeper into that stuff. We don't need that trouble.
Not to mention, the most important thing...
[The mysterious Lateran Liberi from before, who turns out to be Mostima's supervisor Fiammetta, appears.]
??? Weren't you just telling me not to talk in such a roundabout way?
Mostima What do you mean? Isn't it scarier how you can apparently hear everything I say all the time? Did you bug the place or something?
??? You should always remember who made me your keeper.
Mostima ...Okay then, Miss "Keeper," what are you calling yourself these days?
??? Why do you ask?
Mostima It's time for your routine report, isn't it? I've been waiting all night. The big shots up top don't have any new ideas?
??? Why should I tell you?
Mostima I have a right to know. We're colleagues, aren't we?
And I'm personally very interested in the way you change your duties each month.
??? Fine. I guess we would need codenames to refer to each other in case something happens.
I'm under the Notarial Hall this time. The usual. Independent special operations. Duty name... it's...
Mostima What's the name?
??? ...Suffering.
Mostima ......
??? ......
Mostima Um. What? Why?
Suffering? How should I know! They said they watched some slasher flick and then decided they were going to change it to this with no explanation...
Mostima Suffering? All right. At least it's less cringey than last time's "Chosen Overseer."
Chosen Overseer? Hmph. They're taking the piss out of someone else's job, and why did the Notarial Hall agree to it?
Did they think for even a moment, what if I had to meet Wei Yenwu? How am I supposed to announce myself?!
Mostima "Hello. I'm Suffering from the Laterano Notarial Hall. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Suffering? ......
Mostima Was "Tomb Knight" better? Or "Super Sticky" from last month? Or "Treasure Guardian" that came earlier than them?
When you first volunteered to go with me, I really thought Laterano had an organization called the Treasure Guardians, you know...?
Treasure Guardian? That's enough!
...I'm writing a letter to Laterano right now. If they don't give me a perfectly ordinary assignment, they better not expect to get regular correspondences from me anymore.
Mostima You need to understand where they're coming from. It's not easy to trust a horned Sankta.
Treasure Guardian? Can't they just give me a normal assignment?!
Mostima An exceptional promotion would be cause for suspicion. And being so frantic all the time will give you wrinkles, Miss Suffering.
Suffering?
Mostima Woah, don't take it so seriously. Drawing your gun at the first disagreement is a pretty bad habit.
Suffering? Whatever. Watching your performance all night made me sick. You're such a ham.
Mostima Then is it about time we leave Lungmen? I could take you shopping, as a way of making it up to you.
Suffering? ...Yeah, that's a good idea.
Mostima and Exusiai Tender Moments
Suffering? Which reminds me, you must've made a lot of money this time around? How about sending some my way? A little hospitality?
Mostima We're both from Laterano. Who's the host here?
Suffering? Fine. By the way, this angel's halo is blindingly bright.
Mostima They get in the way sometimes.
Suffering? Lucky you don't have that problem, fallen angel.
Mostima Are you jealous? I could buy you a fluorescent lamp to wear on your head.
Suffering? Sounds like a pain. How do you deal with it?
Mostima Instinct. The moment we start using language, the halo appears.
Suffering? Like the first time you blurt out "mama" or "dada?" What a beautiful image.
Mostima Haha. Exusiai's first word was "sis." Even though they're not blood related, they still...
Suffering? Enough. Let's not talk about her sister. Even if Laterano doesn't care, it's not a topic for casual conversation.
It's because you leveled this precious gun at the captain that you fell.
Do you really plan to tell her the whole story someday? The little sister of your beloved battle-sister?
Mostima Hm... You've followed me this long and I still haven't told you. It might be that you, also my "beloved battle-sister..." have a really bad temper?
Suffering? I'm only under obligation to remind you that you must not speak even one word of what happened at Kazdel.
Mostima But what about my travel memoir?
Suffering? Sounds great. Hey, why don't you go get your staff back from that freaky guy before I write you up for it.
You're running out of time.
<Background 1>
Mostima Yep. You're right. I'll do exactly as Suffering says.
Suffering? You...
Mostima ...Boss, is there more work to do?
[Emperor, who turned out to be alive and well despite of – clearly – being backstabbed by the Rat King earlier, appears.]
Emperor Before you leave Lungmen, I'll have a real pain in the ass job for you, no doubt.
Suffering? Wait, you're not dead...? How much did you hear?
Emperor A gentleman don't eavesdrop on two ladies havin' a private conversation.
Plus I don't need to. Bein' omniscient and all.
Suffering? ...so you heard everything.
Whatever. You're Emperor. It's fine.
Mostima Did you really feel like you wanted to kill him back there...? I guess that's our Suffering...
Suffering? Shove it. Don't talk about me like I'm some kind of villain.
Mostima Would you ever consider joining Penguin Logistics? You wouldn't have to keep swapping around these cringey codenames.
Suffering? ...I must keep track of you, as a Laterano.
Mostima Right. It's just an idea I had. It's hard not to use your real name, you know.
Emperor Aight, time for you to bounce. This ain't a Laterano cathedral. We don't welcome Suffering here.
Suffering? I... whatever.
I'm going to go... send a letter.
...Damn it.
[Fiammetta leaves.]
Emperor Uh huh. Every one of them reports gets some government office swappin' your name around, huh? Seems like you're real popular over there.
Mostima I think at least half the reason they do it is just because it's fun for them.
Emperor It's fun, huh? Mmm, makes sense. Sounds like at least a couple Laterano big shots know how to live.
...Hold up. Fun... someplace fun...
Aight, I got a idea. Mostima, you're gonna like this job. You know what? This job's gonna blow you away. You just wait 'til I hit you up.
Mostima It really worries me when you talk like that, boss... But the sun's almost up. I better go find her.
Since everything here's all wrapped up with a nice little bow, it's time for me to leave. Say goodbye to everyone for me.
Especially Exusiai. And buy her dinner for me.
Emperor Don't worry about it.
We all gonna see each other again real soon.
<Background 3>
Bison ...Wow... the sun's coming up.
How do I get back? Uh oh... I think I'm lost...
Oh, I'm here. How do I always end up coming back here?
Is that...?
<Background fades out and in>
Mostima ......
<Background fades out and in>
Bison Mostima? Oh, she's praying. I better not bother her...
[Bison accidentally bumps to a passerby.]
Passerby I wanna see the sunrise!
Passerby Sorry, he's drunk. Can you let us by? Thanks!
Bison Erm... Okay...
Damn! Mostima... she's already gone.
(But it looked like there was some kind of red shadow next to her? Did I see that right?)
Punk Hey, that kid over there's in the way.
Bison Me?
Punk You're the prince of MDL, aren't you? The rich as hell prince!
Why don't you come with us? Just need a minute of your time.
Bison ...Again?
...Um, heh heh, well...
Punk What are you laughing at?
Hey! The little punk wants to fight! Let's get him, boys!
[Bison was forced into a brawl with the punks.]
<Background black>
Bison in a Car
Speed of Light / DJ OKAWARI
Bison and the Penguin Logistics 2
—Special Thanks—
Candy catering – Victoria Rainbow Sweets
Mostima in the Market
Major expenditures on stupid things – Mountain Dash Logistics
Getting beaten for no reason – Tung's Finballs
Mostima Gets Serious
Extra – Suffering from Laterano...?
Possibly being dead – The Gambino Family
The Gig Ends
Guest appearance while taking a walk – "Rat King" of the Lungmen Slums
Mostima and Exusiai Tender Moments
And the glorious, the incredible, the unstoppable,
who clear any obstacle, solve any case, complete any job,
Penguin Logistics
<Background 4>
Texas This new car is great.
Exusiai Yeah! Let's go to the docks and seek revenge for Bison!
Croissant Texas, can ya take it a little slower, I'm puttin' some cream on Bison...
[Texas suddenly stops the car.]
Croissant Ah! Sorry!
Emperor What's to be sorry for? He got a bloody nose. Just cram the cream up there.
Bison ...It's okay. I'll do it.
Emperor Yeah, that's about right for the son of that dumbass cow. Can't give anybody an inch.
We got three hours and twenty-five minutes until we gotta see off Bison. That's more than enough time for a farewell party.
Let's see how many punks come at us.
Bison Sorry, I didn't mean to be a bother...
Emperor Bother? Nah. No bother.
Honestly, I been watchin' these wannabes for a while. They don't even know how to do crime.
Those clowns tryin' to share a city with us? That's a crime.
Exusiai That makes us sound like we're the most dangerous?
Sora Just up ahead! That warehouse is their hideout!
Emperor Grab whatever you want. Texas, crash us on in there!
Texas On it!
[The P.L. attacks the Siracusan Mafia's hideout as a payback for what they did to Bison throughout the whole Lungmen gig.]
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