3A. Reception Room.
Lin Yie looks at his tea nervously.
"Relax." He hears the mature voice, "There is nothing to be nervous about."
Orchid.
That's her codename, and the first impression she gave him was... normal?
Yes, Orchid looks normal to him, not just her looks and body, which already ceased to matter. After all, Lin Yie has seen a lot of not-so-normal people in Rhodes Island.
For example, the illogical hybrid between a sword saint and a doctor known as Shining, the angry furry with an axe known as Nearl, the talking lizard, and... his good-looking bunny... man?
Compared to them, this woman Orchid looks way more normal. Even the way she is dressed looks different from the others.
She is wearing a white shirt and a black skirt. Her black hat hides most of her face, but the part that shows is really beautiful. Underneath her short hair hides a pair of golden eyes.
(Is she really an operator from Rhodes Island?)
Lin Yie can't help but think.
(Why does she look like an editor of a famous fashion magazine?)
He can't tell her race based on the way she looks. There is no tail, ears or other animalistic features. Maybe they are hidden underneath that hat of hers.
"I am alright." Lin Yie says, "Not that nervous anymore."
Orchid smiles, "If I didn't look into your eyes, I would have believed you."
Lin Yie feels a bit embarrassed. He let out a small chuckle.
"Have some tea." She gestures, "I don't often make tea for others."
"... Thank you." Lin Yie takes the teacup.
(Weird taste...not bad... just odd...)
Orchid continues, "I understand how you feel because I had a similar experience. A year ago, as an Infected, I was sitting where you are right now."
"You are infected?"
Orchid smiles, "Can't you tell? Or perhaps, my disguise is pretty good. As an Infected, I am always troubled by how I should dress. It takes a lot of effort."
Lin Yie nods. He doesn't know what to say. It is best to leave fashion to the ladies. He has no sense of fashion.
"So let's begin." Orchid takes out a folder, "To be honest, this is my first time conducting this type of test."
"... Am I the only one who has come here for an interview recently?"
"No. Why would that be the case?" Orchid shakes her head.
"It is just that the position you applied for is a bit special, so your test is different as well."
"What I am applying for is special? What am I applying for?"
"Hmm? You don't even know what you applied for?" Orchid is surprised, but she smiles again, "So it was Shining who decided for you. Did she not say anything?"
"She only told me to do what I am good at."
"Then that's it." Orchid takes out a document, "Take a look."
Lin Yie takes the document and skims its contents,
"Rhodes Island... psychologist?"
"Yes, psychologist. After discussing, we think this is most suitable for you."
Lin Yie smiles bitterly, "So that means I have to be capable of what Shining said?"
Orchid smiles, "Yes, I read about your ability... or innate talent. To be honest, I was really surprised. If that were real, then the position of a psychologist is best for you. If you pass the test, you will be the first psychologist in Rhodes Island."
"The first?"
"Yes, we don't have a dedicated position for psychologists yet," Orchid says.
"At the moment, I am doing psychology-related work, but I specialize in human resources, so I am not an expert,"
"But you look way more professional than me."
"Really? Thank you." Orchid says softly.
"Unfortunately, very few operators come to me for help."
Lin Yie is confused, "Why?"
"Maybe they had been hurt before, so they closed themselves off very early." Orchid smiles helplessly.
"Alright..." Lin Yie recalls the Nightingale Nearl and Shining mentioned.
"Of course, it is not their fault. It is my inability to help them open up." Orchid says, "But if it were you, you might be able to do it."
Lin Yie smiles bitterly.
"Then, let's begin." Orchid opens the folder with a pen in her hand, "Are you sure you don't want to have a drink? You look nervous."
Lin Yie nods and takes a sip of the tea, "I am ready."
"Hmm. first question." Orchid asks, "Why did you come to Rhodes Island?"
"..."
"Just say whatever you want." Orchid says, "It is a small question, but it is also quite important."
Lin Yie nods, "Does getting tired of my previous life count?"
"Of course." Orchid smiles, "Rhodes Island needs passionate people like you."
"I am just really bored."
"Hmm, next question." Orchid continues, "Have you done similar things before? Shining said you are a really good doctor with experiences of treating patients. Is that true?"
"I guess."
"Give me an example."
"Does sterilize a cat in one minute count?"
"Of course." Orchid writes down something, "Next question."
Lin Yie doesn't know how she came up with so many questions, and they make him feel speechless. It is also really strange to see how she notes down everything.
Is veterinary work really that impressive? He doesn't understand.
And so, when Orchid asks, Lin Yie just answers.
Time slowly passes.
He already lost count of the questions or how many times he answered. He just feels dizzy, and his head is heavy.
Then, he sees Orchid gently swaying a pocket watch.
"Lin Yie, can you hear me?" Orchid asks softly.
He nods intuitively.
"Can you tell me where you came from?"
"Chernobog..."
"Were you always in Chernobog?"
Lin Yie can feel something is off but he doesn't know. He can't think anymore. All he can do is answer like a machine, "No... I wasn't."
"Then where were you?"
Lin Yie doesn't answer. He is resisting subconsciously.
"Tell me, where you came from."
"... I can't tell you."
"No, you can." Orchid encourages him, "Where were you from? What did you do?"
"I can't say... I can't say..."
"Yes, you can. Lin Yie, you can." Orchid says, "Before coming to Rhodes Island, did you work in a similar place?"
"... I don't understand."
"Similar to Rhodes Island, but not in Chernobog. Someplace far away from here."
Lin Yie goes silent.
Orchid whispers, "Tell me, where did you come from?"
Lin Yie struggles visibly. Orchid can tell he is about to open up.
"Where did you come from?" She asks again.
...
Lin Yie looks at Orchid.
(Where am I? What is she asking?)
But the first question he keeps thinking about is where he is.
(... Rhodes Island.)
(What is Rhodes Island?)
(Arknights...)
(What is she asking?)
(Rhodes Island. No, something else, before Arknights.)
(What did I do before Arknights?...)
Soon, he has an answer.
...
He stutters.
"I can't hear you." Orchid says, "Can you speak louder?"
"Gr... Gr..."
"What is it?"
"Grifon... Commander..."