Episode 10

original air date: 6.5.02

Compensation

In Calmina Gaderica Bear is talking to another player, asking how he is and what's new with him.  The other asks Bear for financial assistance. Bear talks to him, as he is a relative, talking about a car payment and mentioning "mom." (could be a sibling- but more likely his son)  Tsukasa sees Bear from afar and has a surprised look on his face as he watches him.  Bear sees him, as does the man he is talking to.  Right before he logs out, he tells Bear to "use this account. Anytime's fine."  Tsukasa asks Bear if he has interrupted anything, he tells him no and not to worry about it.  Bear asks him if he comes to this server frequently - answering no.  Tsukasa mentions that's is strange- that person making Bear worry.  Bear and Tsukasa walk through a bustling merchant's area, and Bear asks Tsukasa where he is headed.  Bear asks Tsukasa if he's ever though about doing anything in "The World" while he is there.  Tsukasa is not quite sure what he means.  Bear offers suggestions such as "I want to become like Subaru" or "I'm going to find the hidden legendary treasure."  He goes on to say that it would be more reasonable to consider what to do rather than let time pass by meaninglessly.  Tsukasa gets upset and tells him to do what he wants and walks away.

In Aura's domain Tsukasa again asks questions about who she is, and why he is the only one "like this."  "Will I understand if I think about it? What am I supposed to do?" He says he is thinking about it.

Bear runs into Mimiru in Dona Roriak, she asks him if he is bored.  She tells him she was supposed to meet Tsukasa, but she couldn't make it.  He asks her if the place they were supposed to meet was Calmina Gaderica, she tells him it was, but wonders why he asks.  He tells her he ran into Tsukasa, she is surprised and asks what kind of meeting it was, and if something happened.  When he doesn't answer she says something DID happen.  Bear asks Mimiru for a favor, and goes to tell her that he said some "unnecessary" things to Tsukasa, that the lectured him on quite a few things.  Because of this he asks Mimiru to follow him, saying he's meddled a bit too much in Tsukasa's affairs.  Mimiru tells him it won't do much good- for even if she does follow him, and put herself between Bear and Tsukasa nothing good will come of it.   Bear goes on to ask if there was any business between her and Tsukasa, she tells him they were going to the dungeon together.   Mimiru tells him that Tsukasa can accomplish anything, and how when he's fighting his guardian will appear and help- although he hasn't been using it recently.  She tells him that Tsukasa doesn't have a time limit - so might be able to help her raise a level- but it would be boring.  Bear suggests forgetting the dungeon mission and... Mimiru interrupts him before he can finish and mentions how fun it would be to form a party.  Bear is a bit surprised at this idea, but considers it.  Bear apologizes for asking such a request and starts to walk away. As he is Mimiru tells him she got mail from someone called Helba, and if he read it as well.  This stops Bear in his tracks.

In the forest BT recites the mail from Helba to Bear. "When the Eye of Twilight awakens, paths that lead to my location will appear.  By bestowing on me and my words, over exceeding the power of the father that will become the key that shall turn over everything."  BT thinks that the hidden fragment has some significance.  "Temple, naval, water" are the pieces BT is thinking about.  She asks Bear how they should interpret it.  She asks if the deadline is troubling him, and even though he says it's not it- she thinks she has "hit the mine," or found out what he is worried about.  She asks him what's wrong- saying it's not like him to be the way he is.  

In the Wasteland A20 is screaming for help- saying she can't handle this, as Mimiru lunges toward a monster they are fighting.  A20 tells her she doesn't want to die, which prompts Mimiru to say "That's why I told you to save in advance!!"  A20 tries to protest, as Mimiru finishes the monster off, saying that she's always telling them to stop dying and coming back- cause it's useless.  A20 is happy because she did it at her own pace- Mimiru tells her she only says that cause they won.  A20 goes on to ask if it would have been easier if Tsukasa were there.  Mimiru says she's sorry, but A20 tells her it's not something she should feel sorry about.  She also asks her if she really does know Tsukasa.  A20 tells her that she's heard about things that Tsukasa has been involved in and wonders if he would really get along with people like themselves.  She then refers to Tsukasa as a celebrity, and that's how celebrities act.  Mimiru disagrees with her, saying if she had to describe Tsukasa she would say he's just clumsy with making friends, that's all.  A20 tells her she talks of Tsukasa as if he's a friend, which Mimiru responds with "That's right! I am his friend."

Bear is lying in BT's lap as they discuss where they are in their search for The Key of the Twilight.  They discuss how Bear feels about meddling in the affairs of others in The World, and she tells him that it's ok, for it affects others, not just the one person.  She goes on to say how he feels about Tsukasa, almost like a surrogate father.  "Your experience in "The World" is what you can't do in reality."  She goes on to say that things people cannot do in the real world they can act out in The World.  She says she does not mean to criticize him- and that she hopes he doesn't take it the wrong way.  BT says that meeting others online can be kind of like a surrogate love if you analyze their actions online too much.- and can make you act differently to people online than you would if you met them in real life.  "And the people around you will be fun as well."  "Like Crim?" Bear asks.  BT tells him she has yet to meet him offline. She goes on to say she is currently looking for Tsukasa, for she really wants to know about The Key of the Twilight and believes it to be connected to Tsukasa somehow.  She tells him because of this is why she met Crim- to try and work with him to figure it out.  She finishes saying it's really all for her - and really has nothing to do with Tsukasa at all. 

Back in Mac Anu Tsukasa is talking to Ginkan, he has told Tsukasa that Subaru would not see him.  Not believing him, Tsukasa asks if that is what she actually said.  Ginkan reiterates what he said, and Tsukasa repeats himself- questioning the fact that Subaru actually said "I will not see him."  Ginkan explains to Tsukasa that it is a knighthood's code- that during this current situation "even talking to you in this manner is considered despicable."  He asks him to leave quickly- and then tells him that he wonders just what Tsukasa has been talking about with Subaru.  He goes on to say that if he truly cares at all for her, that he will stay away from this area and her.  "Why?" Ginkan asks him that he does not trouble Subaru's heart.  He tells him that he should not meet her, " I beg of you!"  Ginkan bows as he says this and turns to leave, leaving Tsukasa puzzled.

Crim is in the desert region, bare chested, with BT. He tells her that he once saw a "fragment."  He goes on to say that it seemed to have been quoted from an argument but it was the only whole sentence that could've been clarified.  "My place.  Talking 'with me.'" He asks BT whom this "with me" is referring to.  BT has no idea- but says if you think of it bluntly it's probably the author.  Crim finds this strange- saying why would he be so redundant and long-winded.  Crim suggests that perhaps he couldn't talk until someone comes to that place.  He proposes the question that maybe he's thinking it's possible to keep waiting until somebody shows up.  BT reminds him Tsukasa is an example of that.  "If there were people before Tsukasa that couldn't log-out... something like that?"  BT suggests that maybe he existed in the game since the beginning- like an AI character of sorts.  But Crim points out of that were true- then how could he post on the BBS.  "Whichever side you're on, you'll find out when you meet him," BT exclaims.  Crim tells her that he can't do that- for his heart is not in it that way.  BT then quickly asks "how about putting it this way?"  She suggests maybe it's the God of this world- the original programmer.  She tells him that it is normal talk that is unknown to the users- but it's assumed that that kind of being does in fact exist.  "The continent that submerged into the sea overnight due to a volcanic eruption, "Daikozui.  God... from time to time, tends to "reset" the world."  Crim states that perhaps the programmer is planning on "resetting" The World using a key that will turn the world over.  He does not like this- and has no intentions of following such a "god."  BT tells him it doesn't work that way- if he wants to do such a thing the programmer will do it, unless someone goes and talks to him.  BT then asks Crim for his schedule this week, suggesting they should discuss it to their heart's content - offline.  Crim does not want to do that.  Crim tells her that this is a game- and wants to keep the playing around in the game, and his real life kept to the real world.  "Is it the same for Subaru as well?" BT asks. 

Subaru is sailing through the rivers of Mac Anu, as she approaches a bridge over the water - she sees a figure standing atop the bridge.  She has a sad look on her face, as she realizes it is Tsukasa.  As she gets closer she gets a hopefully look on her face- only to be replaces by her sad one.  Tsukasa and Subaru exchange looks - not speaking verbally at all but communicating greatly through their stares.  As Subaru passed under the bridge, she stops and gets out of the boat- running up to where Tsukasa is.  When she arrives atop the bridge, an out of breath Subaru finds nothing.  She has a look of failure, and stands in the same spot Tsukasa was only moment earlier.  She is taken out of her trance when Ginkan calls her name out.  She tells him it's nothing. 

Inside the Church Tsukasa is talking with Mimiru.  She is scolding him saying "you promised... what happened?"  She tells him it's ok- but that it was fun.  "That 'A of 20' kid was really interesting..."  She suggests they go, for it's a waste not to, "It is The World after all."  Tsukasa tells her that Bear said the same thing - about wasting time in The World. 

In Mac Anu Bear is speaking with Subaru.  Subaru asks him "why would I?"  He tells her he got the feeling that she might figure out somehow. She tells him regrettably.. no.  "Is that so?" Bear asks.  She asks if something happened to Tsukasa, Bear tells her that it's his problem.  He tells her he doesn't have the confidence to face Tsukasa anymore.  This confuses her.  "I can't take any responsibilities, regarding Tsukasa - and have no right to face him."  She asks if he promised something to him, he tells her no - saying "things like that are... "  Subaru tells him "Well if that is the case what hinders people from facing each other, no... is the strictness becoming a problem?  A precious thing is something that you decide to relate yourself with.  The most cruel way to deal with this is through apathy!"  She tells him that even though all of this- she believes Tsukasa still wants him to meet with him.  She tells him of an old saying "Meetings were created by God, but separation was created by man."  She tells him not to give up - and try harder.  As she tells him this the camera pans out and we see that Ginkan was eavesdropping from a darkened alley.  Bear tells her that he know is starting to understand why the Scarlet Knights look at her as the person to rely on. 

A flashback to the real world (in black and white) a man's hand hands over a piece of paper to another hand.  We see a man sitting at a table being shouted at by a younger man.  "Don't joke around with me! Why can't I do something like that?! Did you call me out just to say that?! If you're not going call, can't you just say that you're not going to call?! Being an assistant for someone... isn't something a father of this time should be doing!"

In Dona Roriak Tsukasa is walking toward a bridge, as he approaches it, Bear calls out from behind a pillar.  He asks Tsukasa if he is free at the moment.  Bear asks him to stick with him for a bit.  "What?" is all Tsukasa says.  Bear goes on to tell him that it's just the whining of an old man who can't resolve anything at the moment.  Tsukasa tells him that's the worst- with a smirk.  Bear tells him that it'll be fine he Tsukasa only hangs around until Mimiru arrives.  Bear asks that if he's not up to it- just pretend he was simply talking to himself and Tsukasa can pretend he didn't hear it.  "You're so irresponsible.  Even though you're an adult."  As the two of them cross the bridge together and the camera pan up we hear Bear "Remember the time you met that sorcerer at Carmina Gaderica?  Actually...  He's my...