Elmo Library › Girls' Frontline 2: Exilium 少女前线2：追放 › Doll stories

Balthilde

巴希达

23 chapters · 910 lines · English and Chinese below. Japanese and Korean, voices and theatre mode are in the reader.

Wasteland Blossoms 1 废土生花1

(Click. I switch on my flashlight.)（我打开手电筒。）

(In its beam, the bullet holes and countless dents covering the jeep become stunningly apparent.)（强光下，吉普车身上的弹痕与碰撞凹痕清晰可见。）

BalthildeCommander? What're you doing out here?指挥官？你怎么在这里？

CommanderIt crossed my mind that I hadn't checked on the jeep for a while, so I just came to take a look to make sure everything's good.我突然想起有段时间没检查过车况了，所以来确认一下载具安全。

BalthildeOh, no need to fret. I personally inspect every vehicle after they return.哦，不用担心，每次车辆返回后，我都会确认车况。

BalthildeIf you still see one parked around, that means it's running just fine—with perhaps a few more bumps and scratches than before.你现在能看见的车性能都没问题，只是外表划痕多一点。

CommanderWhat about you, Balthilde? I was under the impression you haven't been out and about recently.巴希达呢？我记得你最近没有外勤任务？

BalthildeYeppers, I'm off duty right now.嗯，现在是自由时间。

BalthildeGonna head out to pick up some stuff.我想出去捡点东西。

(Balthilde climbs into a jeep parked in the corner as she speaks. After a few moments, the engine roars to life.)（巴希达说着，钻进角落的一台吉普车。引擎随即发动。）

CommanderWait! You're going alone?等等！你就一个人去吗？

(I quickly open the passenger door before Balthilde could hit the gas. Seeing this, she slams the brakes as soon as she could.)（在巴希达踩下油门之前，我及时打开了副驾驶的车门。巴希达立刻踩下了刹车。）

BalthildeThe hell are you on?! What if I hit you there?!你在干什么？刚才万一撞到你怎么办？！

CommanderIt's dangerous to be alone out in the Yellow Zones.巴希达，在黄区独自行动太危险了。

CommanderPlus, you never know when you'll need a helping hand. Let me come with you.需不需要我帮忙？我跟你一起去。

BalthildeI've already backed myself up. Just reload my neural cloud if I don't come back.我做过备份了，要是回不来，重新载入一次心智就行。

BalthildeEven if it's you coming along... Well, I firmly hold the opinion that a human-Doll duo proves to be less effective than a Doll operating alone.倒是指挥官你……我认为，人类加人形的双人组合还不如人形单独行动。

Commander...Well, if you say so. Sorry for bothering you.……呃，好吧，打扰了。

(Balthilde's gaze lingers on me. A few moments pass; her brows are tightly furrowed with guilt welling up in her eyes, yet she remains silent.)（巴希达的眼神仍然落在我身上。她看了我一会儿，眉头皱得死紧，眼中有歉疚，偏偏一言不发。）

CommanderWhat's wrong?怎么了？

Balthilde...Commander. Was I too rude just now? Too intimidating?……指挥官，我刚才，是不是很凶？凶到你了吗？

BalthildeI-if so, that's not what I intended... I didn't want to make you feel bad.那、那不是我的本意，我没想让你难过。

BalthildeIt's not that I dislike you. In fact, I should thank you for what you did for Wolfiin. Had it not been for your help, she might never have had the chance to wake up again...我没有讨厌你。沃尔芬的事还要谢谢你，如果不是你分享的资源，她都没机会醒来……

(Wolfiin. I've heard of her from Lotta. She's an agricultural Doll and a mutual friend of Balthilde's.)（沃尔芬。我从洛塔那里听说过，她和巴希达有个共同的朋友，是个名为沃尔芬的农业人形。）

(After the Elmo established long-term cooperation with the Doll Community, I provided them with many scarce parts and materials that would allow dormant Dolls to be reactivated. Wolfiin, who specializes in agriculture, was among the first to reawaken.)（艾莫号与人形社区建立合作之后，我提供了一些紧缺材料，让人形社区休眠中的人形能分批醒来，擅长农业工作的沃尔芬就在第一批苏醒的人形中。）

CommanderHaha, don't sweat it.哈哈，没关系。

CommanderI know you didn't mean it, Balthilde.我知道巴希达没有坏心思。

Balthilde...Then why are you coming with me?……你为什么愿意跟着我？

Commander...Hmm?……嗯？

BalthildeCommander, why would you want to accompany me?指挥官，你为什么愿意陪我一起去？

BalthildeDon't you dislike me?你不讨厌我吗？

CommanderHuh? Why would you think that?呃？我为什么要讨厌你？

BalthildeUh, because I'm sort of an asshole?因为我就是讨人厌啊。

BalthildeHumans think I'm pesky and Dolls think I'm nothing but a misfit. I was destined to be a nuisance the moment my model rolled off the production line.人类嫌我冒犯，人形觉得我不合群，我这个型号从出厂开始，就注定会被讨厌的。

CommanderThat's not quite how I see it.不会啊。

CommanderThere's plenty to like about you, Balthilde. Being a mechanic requires you to be steady, precise, patient, and calm... All those are qualities people would appreciate.巴希达的优势有很多，机械修理需要稳定精准的双手，足够的耐心，冷静的判断力……这些都是巴希达的讨喜之处。

BalthildeBut I always end up saying things that upset people by accident.但我说出的话，总是一不小心就伤害到别人。

BalthildeSooner or later, I'll wind up hurting you too, Commander. So don't get too close.指挥官，别来接近我，我会伤害你的。

CommanderSo what you're saying is... the reason why you're avoiding the prospect of making new friends and going about life like a "lone wolf" is that you're afraid of hurting people?你是怕自己伤害到别人，所以才不愿意交新朋友，宁可独自行动的？

Balthilde...Hmph.……哼。

CommanderHaha, what a good girl.哈哈，真是善良的好人形。

(Balthilde's hand jerks. The jeep's horn blares in place of her own voice while a trace of embarrassment flashes across her face.)（巴希达的手一抖，吉普车喇叭刺耳地响了一声。巴希达脸上露出些许羞恼。）

BalthildePlease, don't say that. It's so cheesy.别这样说我，太肉麻了。

CommanderI don't mind, Balthilde.巴希达，我不介意的。

CommanderCome on. Let me be your friend.走吧，我来做你的朋友。

Balthilde...Just so you know, scavenging for junk is about as exciting as watching paint dry.……先说好了，捡垃圾挺无聊的。

BalthildeAnd I'm a pretty boring Doll too. Don't expect me to keep you entertained.我也是很无聊的人形，别指望我能娱乐你。

CommanderI'm fine with anything.做什么都行。

CommanderI've just realized we never really spend much time together, so I wanted to do something with you.只是想到以前没怎么和巴希达相处过，想跟你一起做点事。

(Instead of answering, Balthilde lets out a quiet "hmph".)（巴希达没有说话，只是轻哼了一声。）

Balthilde...This one's only got a warped casing. Should still work after repairs. Grab it.……这个只是外壳变形，修一下还能用，收着。

BalthildeThis one just needs a new battery. Nab it too.这个只是电池坏了，也收着。

CommanderGuess you'd never know how much treasure is lying hidden in a pile of trash until you start digging through it.不搜不知道，原来这附近还有物资这么丰富的废墟。

BalthildeThat ain't really the case. I only found this place abandoned whilst patrolling yesterday, even though there were still people living here just last week.想什么呢，上周这里还有人，我也是昨天巡逻的时候才发现这里多了个新废墟。

BalthildeIf we didn't drop by today, someone else would've collected everything by tomorrow.如果今天不来收拾，可能明天就会被其他人捡走吧。

CommanderThis seems to be a big deal for you, Balthilde.巴希达很紧张这些物资呢。

CommanderY'know, you don't have to do stuff like this anymore. Just head over my way, and I'll hook you guys up with parts that you're short on.其实，你不再做废品回收也没关系。有什么急缺的零件，我会支持你们。

BalthildeTrue, but it's just a shame to leave these out to waste.嗯，我只是觉得就这样报废了很可惜。

BalthildeThey still work and fulfill their design. The only flaws they've got are some minor and easily-patchable kinks.这些机器，最核心的功能是完好的，仅仅只是有些缺陷而已。

BalthildeWe Dolls aren't so different from them...人形和它们也差不多……

(Balthilde's voice slowly trails off. I patiently wait for her to continue.)（巴希达沉默下来，我很有耐心地等待。）

(The majority of Balthilde's processing power is almost always dedicated to machinery simulation and analysis, while her emotional and expression modules run at minimal capacity. This renders her more sluggish than other Dolls when it comes to processing complicated feelings.)（巴希达的大部分算力，分配给了机械检修相关的模块。情感分析和表达模块只在最低功率下运行，她需要比其他人形更多的时间来理清复杂的心绪。）

Balthilde...I'm just like these discarded machines—we're still usable, we just have flaws.……我和这些被弃用的机器差不多，我们明明是可以用的，只是有缺点而已。

BalthildeBut just because we're not perfect, we get tossed and thrown to the wayside. Ah, Dolls and machines; passing hands till we eventually are abandoned.就因为不那么完美，所以机器会被丢掉，人形会被抛弃、被转手。

BalthildeIt's too cruel a fate for these machines. That's why repairing them means so much to me.对机器来说太残酷了，我修好这些不完美的机器是有意义的。

CommanderSo... you keep bringing back these machines to give them another chance because, deep down, you hope someone will take home an imperfect Doll as well?你坚持要包容这些机器，给它们重启的机会，是因为你的内心深处，也希望有人能包容不完美的人形？

Balthilde...I guess so.……是吧。你懂我。

CommanderI see.我明白了。

CommanderIf so... Once you've repaired them, if there are any you want to sell, you can head my way.那……等你修好了，如果有想要出售的设备，可以找我。我会让它们继续在艾莫号发光发热的。

(Balthilde's eyes light up. She nods firmly, and I take the opportunity to press a little further.)（巴希达的眼睛亮了亮，再一次重重点头，我趁机更近一步。）

CommanderYou know, Balthilde, being imperfect is perfectly normal, whether you're a human or a Doll.巴希达，不完美是很正常的。人类也好人形也好，都很难做到尽善尽美。

CommanderIf they choose to overlook your worth over a few blemishes, that's on them—not on your flaws.就因为存在缺点而漠视其他的优点，是对方的错误，不是缺陷的错误。

CommanderYou don't need to feel hurt because of someone else's ignorance.你不必为对方的错误失落。

(Balthilde stops as she's about to lift another hunk of metal up.)（巴希达搬运的动作停下了。）

Balthilde...Right.……嗯。

CommanderEveryone has shortcomings, and that's okay.大家各有各的缺陷，但没关系。

CommanderI'm flawed too. Would you dislike me because of that?我也有不完美之处，你会嫌弃我吗？

BalthildeOf course not.当然不会。

CommanderThen naturally I won't hold your flaws against you either. That's what friends are for. They see your strengths and accept your weaknesses.我也不会在意巴希达的缺陷。如果是朋友，就会看见你的优点，包容你的不足。

CommanderWhy not try making more friends, Balthilde?巴希达，去交更多的朋友吧。

Balthilde...Y-you make it sound as if that's an easy—……说、说得容易。

(Meeting my eyes, her softened tone betrays her hasty objection.)（对上我的眼神，巴希达本就软化的语气变成了妥协。）

BalthildeAh, dang it. Fine! I'll give it a shot.好啦，我知道了！我会试试看的。

CommanderThen... The next time you go scavenging, would you mind bringing a friend along?那……以后要外出探索的话，可以优先考虑和朋友一起吗？

CommanderIf the Dolls are all busy, you can always ask me.如果人形们没时间，你也可以找我。

CommanderDon't just disappear without a word again. I'll get worried about you.别再一声不吭地独自离开了，我会很担心的。

Balthilde...S-sure...……知、知道了。

BalthildeIt's a promise then. You'll HAVE to say "yes" when I ask you to, or I'll just go by myself if you say no.那就说好了，到时候你要答应我啊，要是你拒绝我的话，我就自己去。

(Balthilde stares at me, yet behind her no-nonsense expression hides the nervousness of someone afraid of being turned down.)（巴希达认真地看着我，超凶的眼神背后隐藏着担心被我拒绝的紧张。）

(Adorable. Unexpected as it may be to see her like this, it's a welcome sight. A smile creeps its way onto my face.)（这样的巴希达格外可爱，我的语气忍不住带上了笑意。）

CommanderDeal. Don't worry. I can squeeze out that much time.好。放心，这点时间，我还是挤得出来的。

Wasteland Blossoms 2 废土生花2

(While taking a walk between work, I pass by the training room and spot an unusual sight—)（工作之余的日常散步时间，我路过训练室，发现了稀客。）

(Today, Balthilde is practicing her marksmanship.)（巴希达在练习射击。）

(Bang! Bang! Bang!)（砰！砰！砰！）

(Despite her furrowed brow and serious expression, the electronic target returns with the following readout: 5, miss, miss.)（她皱着眉，神情认真。电子报靶器却显示：5环，脱靶，脱靶。）

Balthilde...Hah, what's this bullsh—……什么情况？

BalthildeAh... Commander, why are you...啊……指挥官，你怎么……

CommanderIt's okay. I was just passing by.别紧张，我只是路过。

CommanderWorking on your aim?在练习？

BalthildeSort of. I found this random piece of junk a while ago and got it back in working order...算是吧。之前捡到的破烂，我修了一下，感觉能用。

Balthilde...Or so I thought.不过这份感觉好像是错的。

CommanderHmm? That gun...嗯？你这把枪……

CommanderThat model's been out of production for years, if not decades, if my memory serves me right. It belongs in a museum.我记得这个型号已经停产很久了，很少见。

CommanderThe design's a little unconventional and it's not the easiest to handle. One could say it takes some practice to get the hang of it.设计有点反常规，是不太好掌握，要用好它有点小技巧。

BalthildeSo you're saying it's the gun's fault?这么说是设计如此？

BalthildeI figured there was something wrong. Just didn't know whether it was me or the gun.我还以为我和枪里面，至少有一个出毛病了。

CommanderCan I take a look?我可以看看吗？

BalthildeSure, here.喏，给你。

(I take the gun and carefully inspect what Balthilde managed to patch up before nodding.)（我接过枪，仔细检查被巴希达修复过的枪体各处后，点点头。）

CommanderGreat gunsmithing you've got going on here. You've restored it well.手艺挺好的，修得没毛病。

CommanderMind if I put a few rounds down the range?我来试试？

(I shoulder the gun, deliberately slowing down my movements to demonstrate to her the proper stance.)（我举起枪。为了给巴希达演示姿态，我特意略微放慢了动作。）

(Bang bang bang! 9, 9, 10.)（砰砰砰！9环，9环，10环。）

CommanderWhew... Guess I'm feeling lucky today.呼……今天状态不错啊。

Balthilde...So it's not the gun.……原来枪没问题。

BalthildeLet me try again.让我也试试。

(Balthilde extends her hand over to me.)（巴希达向我伸出手。）

(I hand the gun back to her. She imitates my posture, adjusts her stance, and raises the weapon accordingly.)（我将枪交还给她，她学着我的样子调整姿势，重新举起枪。）

CommanderYou're too stiff. Here, loosen up a little.太紧张了。这里，松一点。

(I tap Balthilde's shoulder. She stiffens slightly at my touch, but soon corrects her posture.)（我点了点巴希达的肩膀。巴希达身体微微僵硬，但很快调整了姿势。）

(This time, her results improve drastically: 9, 9, 10.)（这一次，巴希达的状态显著提升：9环，10环，10环。）

BalthildeDid you see that?!你看见了吗！

CommanderYou're a fast learner. We're basically tied now.学得很快啊。这下我们平手了。

(Balthilde's lips curl up before she has to consciously force them back down, trying to find her usual slightly intimidating expression.)（巴希达的嘴角往上翘，又努力压下去，想要变回那副有点凶的样子。）

CommanderHow long have you been at it for? Wanna take a break?你测试多久了？要不要休息一会儿？

BalthildeSounds good to me.也行。

(Balthilde sits down next to me. As she's not the chatty type, the training room falls silent.)（巴希达在我身边坐下。她还是不善言辞，训练室一时陷入寂静。）

(To prevent the silence from becoming awkward, I turn toward her.)（为了避免寂静变成尴尬，我转向巴希达。）

CommanderI don't see you in the training room often. Is there a reason for that?巴希达平时很少来训练室吧，是有什么原因吗？

BalthildeYes. I... I don't like being here.嗯。我……不爱待在这里。

BalthildeI hate conflict, I hate weapons, and I hate the endless fighting that comes with them.我讨厌纷争，讨厌武器，总是和它们连在一起的战斗也很讨厌。

CommanderYeah, that I understand.嗯，我知道。

CommanderYou're a builder, not a destroyer, so this kind of thing doesn't come to you naturally.比起破坏，巴希达更擅长修复和创造。

BalthildeYou're giving me too much credit. I just...抬举我了，我只是……

Balthilde...I guess it's a bit of a sore spot for me.算是有点阴影吧。

(Balthilde isn't used to laying her feelings bare like this. She stares at her hands resting on her knees for a while before standing back up and starts to maintain the gun, as if doing so would let her avoid my attention.)（巴希达不习惯自白。她看了一会儿自己放在膝盖上的双手，重新站起来，一边说一边开始护理枪械，仿佛这么做就能逃避我的关注。）

BalthildeWeapons are tools of war. Things are bound to get damaged, get broken the moment they're put into use, and then people would come screaming at me, begging me to repair their stuff.只有战斗的时候会用上武器，用上武器就会出现损伤，人们就会找我来修理。

Balthilde...But I'm just not built to handle stressed and emotional humans. I would always end up unintentionally angering them with just a few sentences, then a new conflict would spark right then and there in the repair shop.……可我没办法和那些还在应激状态的人好好相处，我总是几句话就惹怒他们，然后新的纷争就会在修理铺里再次上演。

CommanderBeing unable to stay rational all the time is indeed a human flaw.不能一直保持理性，是人类的问题。

BalthildeDon't try to brush it off like that. I know I am the problem.别用这种话糊弄我，就是我的问题。

BalthildeI've worked with human mechanics before. I was always the one causing trouble constantly...我和人类机械师共事过，只有我会高频次地引发冲突……

(I look at Balthilde, unsure how to explain that, to many people, Dolls are merely objects. Objects they can treat however they like; objects they can haphazardly vent their emotions into. Their malice, then, becomes an unbridled rage when directed at Dolls.)（我看着巴希达，不知道该怎么向她解释。人形对很多人来说，是可以被随意对待的、可以轻率地发泄情绪的死物。在面对人形的时候，他们的恶意格外地放肆。）

BalthildeEverything I worked on had been repaired to the best of my ability. I always inspected every single one of my works carefully.我修好的东西绝对没问题，每一件我都认真检查过。

BalthildeAnd if they were lost causes, I always explained it beforehand and turned down the job.修不好的我也事先说明清楚了，拒绝了这种维修单。

BalthildeI just don't understand what I did wrong...我不明白我做错了什么……

CommanderYou didn't do anything wrong. You've done everything a mechanic Doll could and should.你没有做错，你已经完成了维修人形能做的全部。

CommanderBesides, think about nowadays. Anyone still argue with you over repairs?而且，想想现在。现在还有人会因为维修工作和你争吵吗？

(I intentionally guide Balthilde toward brighter thoughts, reminding her of the present, and her expression soon softens.)（我有意让巴希达走出阴霾。巴希达想起现在的生活，脸色好转起来。）

BalthildeThat's only because the Dolls in the Doll Community are a patient and kind bunch.因为人形社区的大家都很耐心友善。

CommanderExactly. No one in the Community's the sort to treat you so unreasonably.是啊，社区的大家不会让你再受到无理的对待的。

BalthildeAnd so are you.你也不会。

BalthildeYou and Mayling are both kind humans... I'm really grateful.你和美玲都是温柔的人……我很谢谢你们。

CommanderYou deserve the respect, no need to thank us or anything.这是你应该获得的尊重，不用道谢。

BalthildeYou know, that's exactly why I'm willing to pick up a gun now.所以，现在的我才愿意拿起武器。

BalthildeBeing a mechanic alone is not enough to protect the Doll Community. I don't want to be a burden to everyone.光是维修机械，保护不了人形社区。我不想做同伴的累赘。

CommanderDon't say that. No one sees non-combat Dolls as a burden. I certainly don't.别这么说，大家肯定不会觉得非战斗人形是累赘，我也不觉得。

CommanderEvery Doll is valuable and unique in her own way.每个人形都是宝贵又独一无二的。

BalthildeBut no matter what you say, I AM a burden!但我会嫌弃自己！

BalthildeA lot happened recently. And watching you all fight made me realize—最近发生了很多事，我看着你们一直在战斗，才慢慢明白——

BalthildeAs long as those who refuse to reason and only worship violence exist, I need something in my hands to stop them, to protect what I cherish.在对方不讲道理只推崇暴力的时候，如果我想从中保护什么，那么我的手里一定要有能让对方“停下来”的东西。

(Balthilde places her newly repaired gun back into its case and picks up another weapon, seemingly intending to disassemble it. After a moment, however, she gives up and simply turns around, carefully choosing her words.)（巴希达将她的新枪放回了武器匣里，又拿起其他的武器，似乎试图再拆一把。但她看了看，还是放弃了，只是转过脸，专心地处理措辞。）

BalthildeBesides... There's also you.更何况……还有你。

BalthildeHumans are too fragile. A bullet hits you and you bleed. Fall from a high place and you break your bones. Not to mention how incredibly difficult you are to "repair". And even if you can be repaired, there's always a ticking clock. You just die when time runs out.人类太脆弱了。被子弹打中就会流血，从高处掉下去就会散架，修起来还特别麻烦，就算可以修，还有个倒计时一直挂着，“超时”了没修好也会死掉。

BalthildeA Doll can stay dormant for years or even decades and still get back up again, but once a human's gone, they're gone. There'll never be a second one of them in this world!人形就算休眠几年几十年也有机会重新站起来，一个人类没有了就是没有了，这个世界上再也不会有第二个了！

(Balthilde looks at me with fear lingering in her eyes. She's worried about me. Her voice grows quieter and eventually fades, but every syllable remains perfectly clear.)（巴希达看着我，眼里装着后怕，她在担心我。她的声音越来越小，但每个字都很清晰。）

BalthildeI don't want to watch something important break in front of me again, especially one that I can't stop, nor fix.我不想再看到重要的东西在我面前坏掉了。尤其是我阻止不了，也修不好。

BalthildeThat's why I've got to be the one at the frontlines. At least I'm made of metal and can soak up a few bullets to the forehead.所以，我要站到你前面。我好歹也是金属做的，至少比你抗打。

BalthildeIf we could take care of the fighting ourselves... would you finally... stop putting yourself out there in harm's way?如果战斗的事我们都能解决，你是不是就会……老实一点待在后方？

CommanderWell... Haha...呃……哈哈……

CommanderUhm, anyway, it's a good thing you're willing to train.那个，总之，你愿意训练是好事。

BalthildeHmph... I knew you wouldn't grace me with an answer for that one.哼……就知道你不会消停的。

BalthildeFine. I'll protect you anyway.算了，我会保护你。

(With that, Balthilde glances at me before immediately lowering her head again. The tips of her ears seem to blush red.)（说完，巴希达飞快地抬头瞟了我一眼，又立刻低下头，耳朵尖似乎有点泛红。）

CommanderBalthilde.巴希达。

CommanderThank you in advance, for your bravery and for protecting me.你很勇敢，提前谢谢你的保护。

Balthilde...!……！

(Balthilde stares at me blankly for several seconds before turning around and stuffing the cleaned gun into a nearby locker, then slamming the door shut with a clang.)（巴希达愣愣地看了我几秒，然后转身把保养好的枪塞进一旁的枪柜里，哐地一声关上门。）

Balthilde...Don't you make fun of me! I'm going back now!……你就敷衍我吧！我回去了！

Balthilde...I'll be here again tomorrow evening.明晚，我还会来的。

CommanderAlright. See you tomorrow.好，明天见。

(Balthilde only lets out a hmph before making long strides far and away. Her footsteps gradually fade down the hallway.)（巴希达只是哼了一声，大步走开，脚步声在走廊里渐渐远去。）

(The training room returns to silence. Feeling the warmth Balthilde has left behind, I smile and head out as well.)（训练室里恢复了安静。我感受着巴希达带来的暖意，笑了笑，也跟着离开。）

Wasteland Blossoms 3 废土生花3

(A steady knocking sounds from outside the ops room door, the rhythm rigid and almost mechanical.)（指挥室外传来规律的敲门声，节奏有些刻板。）

(As the door slides open, Balthilde is standing there perfectly straight. Her hands hang at her sides, clenched nervously.)（门开后，只见巴希达笔直地站在那里，垂在身侧的双手有些紧张地握成了拳头。）

Balthilde...Commander.……指挥官。

CommanderBalthilde? What's wrong?巴希达？怎么了？

BalthildeDo you have a moment?你有时间吗？

BalthildeI found an old CNC machine and hauled it into the hangar.我捡到了一台古老的数控机床，拉到格纳库去了。

BalthildeIt's a pretty complicated machine. It'll take me some time to inspect it fully on my own, so if you're free...结构有点复杂，靠我一个解析它的全部架构，需要很久。如果你有空……

(A day where Balthilde asks me for help is a rare day indeed. I glance at my schedule and give her a steady nod.)（难得巴希达有求于我，我看了看日程表，点点头。）

CommanderI've got a break. Lead the way.正好是休息时间，我跟你一起去。

(Balthilde and I head toward the hangar. I expected her to walk ahead of me and lead the way as she normally did, but instead she deliberately matches my pace, with us walking side by side. The backs of our hands occasionally brush together before separating again.)（巴希达和我走向格纳库。我本以为她会像以前一样走到我前面带路，没想到她却有意控制着步速，与我并肩而行。我们行走时手背不经意地接触，又分离。）

CommanderSorry.抱歉。

CommanderI remember you don't really like unexpected physical contact.我记得你好像不习惯别人突然碰到你。

BalthildeWhat are you apologizing for?! You know I'm not that unreasonable. We're bound to bump into each other when we walk like this.这有什么好道歉的！我又不是不讲道理，这样走路一定会碰到。

Balthilde...Ahem, I wasn't trying to snap at you. Sorry.……不是，我没想凶你，对不起。

CommanderHaha, it's okay. I know you didn't mean it.哈哈，没事的，我知道你不是这个意思。

BalthildeUh, well...呃，那……

(Balthilde's eyes avoid me while she slips her soft hand into mine.)（巴希达不看我，只是把软软的手塞进我的手心里。）

BalthildeI-If we do this, there won't be any "unexpected" physical contact anymore.只、只要一直这样，就不会有“突然”的碰触了。

(What a sight. Seeing the faint redness around her ears, I chuckle and tighten my grip around her hand. Balthilde squirms restlessly in my grasp for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh and giving up.)（这可真是难得。看着她微红的耳根，我轻笑着握紧巴希达的手。巴希达在我的手心里不安分地挣扎了片刻，随即轻叹了声，放弃挣扎。）

(The unfamiliar piece of industrial equipment dominates the floor space. Balthilde gestures for me to come closer while opening her toolbox and retrieving gears of various purposes.)（陌生大型设备的存在感十分强烈。巴希达一边示意我走近它，一边打开自己的工具箱，取出各种规格的工具。）

BalthildeI've already dusted it off. Now, we'll remove the protective panels, 3D scan it, and then plug it into a terminal.之前做过除尘了，我现在拆掉所有的防尘盖板，先绘制3D图纸，然后连接终端。

CommanderAlright.好。

Balthilde...Commander.……指挥官。

CommanderYes?嗯？

BalthildeThe innards of this thing are surely rusted. Best to take some cautionary measures for your hands.过程中可能会触碰到锈蚀的部件，手容易干裂。

(She pulls a tube of hand cream from her plate carrier and offers it to me. The motion somewhat stiff.)（她说着，从战术背心中摸出一支护手霜递过来，动作有些僵硬。）

Commander...Thanks.……谢谢。

(Balthilde watches me apply the cream with a frown, seemingly dissatisfied with my technique.)（巴希达盯着我抹护手霜，皱着眉头，似乎对我的涂抹方式不太满意。）

BalthildeNeed help?要帮忙吗？

Commander...Huh?……啊？

(Before I can react, Balthilde has already taken my hands into hers. She rubs the cream in with extraordinary care, with such expert dedication that it reminds me of the salons back in the Green Zones.)（不等我反应过来，巴希达已经捧住了我的手。她极其细致地搓揉，周到程度让我联想起绿区的手部护理专业店铺。）

CommanderThat's enough, Balthilde. It's fully applied already.巴希达，可以了，已经完全抹匀吸收了。

Balthilde...Is it? I think there's still a little left.……是吗？我觉得还有一点吸收不全。

CommanderHey, don't we need to get a 3D scan of this thing? Let's get started.好了，不是要做3D图纸吗？快开始吧。

BalthildeDo you hate me touching you?你讨厌我碰你吗？

CommanderHow could I ever? Though I must say... you seem weirdly enthusiastic today.怎么会？倒是你，今天好像……格外热情？

(Balthilde shoots me a glare tinged with irritation. Still, she pulls her hands back.)（巴希达瞪了我一眼，眼神带着点焦躁。她还是收回了手。）

(A while later, she picks up a screwdriver and points it toward a completely mismatched screw.)（过了一会儿，她拿起一把螺丝刀，指向某个完全不匹配的螺丝。）

BalthildeHmm.. How do I loosen this one again? Care to teach me?这个……嗯，这个怎么拧开？可以教我吗？

CommanderBalthilde.巴希达。

BalthildeWah?!哇啊！

Balthilde...Why'd you suddenly call out my name?……你干嘛突然叫我？

CommanderYou've got the wrong screwdriver. That's too rookie of a mistake for you.你拿错刀了。这种失误，不像平时的你哦。

(Balthilde freezes. Her fingers unconsciously rub the handle of the screwdriver.)（巴希达僵住了，手指无意识地搓着螺丝刀的握把。）

CommanderWhat's wrong?你怎么了？

CommanderYou can just tell me if something happened.有什么话，可以直接跟我说。

(Balthilde falls silent for a moment. She glances at me before finally summoning the courage.)（巴希达沉默片刻，看看我，终于鼓起勇气。）

Balthilde...I lost a "Truth or Dare" game.……“大冒险”输了。

CommanderTruth or Dare?大冒险？

BalthildeLast night... I was playing a board game with Lotta, Wolfiin, and the others. The punishment for losing was a Truth or Dare.昨晚……和洛塔、沃尔芬她们玩了桌游，输掉的惩罚是“大冒险”。

CommanderNow that's an answer I didn't expect...这……可真是意料之外的答案……

CommanderStill, it sounds like you were getting along pretty well with your friends.不过，听起来巴希达和朋友们相处得不错呢。

BalthildeWell, with how much you drilled those "friendship tips" into my head, simply memorizing and following them step by step was enough for me to handle most social situations.毕竟你灌输了一大堆“交友秘诀”，就算是全部背出来对照着执行，也够应付简单的社交了。

CommanderHahaha, so you knew what I was up to... and yet you remembered all of it.哈哈哈，你意识到了啊……而且全都记得。

BalthildeHey, how could I ever forget something you told me?你说的话，我怎么会忘。

BalthildeYes, I might be slow, but after you kept repeating that advice every time we were together, even I could tell what you wanted me to do.我确实迟钝，但是你每次见到我都反反复复地念叨这些社交套路，就算是我也能意识到你希望我怎么做啊。

CommanderGood, now you can make even more friends in the future.不错不错，以后你会有更多朋友的！

(Balthilde lets out a hmph but doesn't argue with me.)（巴希达轻哼了一声，没有反驳我。）

CommanderSo what was the dare? Surely it wasn't just holding hands with me, applying hand cream for me, or having me teach you how to use a screwdriver.所以，任务是什么？不会就是牵手走路、给我送护手霜和问怎么拧螺丝吧？

Balthilde...No. Those were meant to naturally lead into the real challenge—……不是。那只是为了更自然地引出真正的任务——

BalthildeInterlock my hand... for ten minutes... with a human...与人类……十指交扣……十分钟……

BalthildeYou must think it's unbelievably stupid.你是不是觉得无聊透顶？

Balthilde...So feel free to make fun of me all you want.……想嘲笑我的话就直接笑吧。

(Balthilde tries to act as if this does not bother her in the slightest, yet her tone and microexpressions betray her nervousness.)（巴希达似乎想要表现出不在意，但语气和微表情还是出卖了她的忐忑。）

CommanderNo, not at all.没有，没有。

CommanderI'm glad that you thought of me first for this. Though truthfully, there aren't really any other humans around...我很高兴你能第一时间想到找我。毕竟这附近也不是没有别的人类……

BalthildeHmph. I could've asked Mayling for help but I didn't want to waste her valuable work hours on something this pointless...哼。我本来也可以找美玲，只是我不想用这种无聊的事情浪费她宝贵的工作时间……

BalthildeBut if it's you... Uh, with you... I think I can handle it.如果是你，呃，只有你……我觉得我可以试试。

CommanderThen let's do it. Ten minutes, right?那开始吧。十分钟，对吧？

CommanderWhich hand do you prefer? Maybe both?你喜欢哪只手？还是两只一起？

Balthilde...It wasn't specified. Either is fine, I suppose.……大冒险规则里没说，这种事怎么都可以啦。

(Despite her words, her eyes intently drift back and forth between my left hand and right hand.)（嘴上说着怎么都可以，巴希达的眼神却认真地在我的左手和右手之间徘徊。）

Balthilde...Ah, forget it!……算了！

BalthildeIf we're doing this, we're going all the way!既然做了就要做到极致，还是一起吧！

(As if finally making up her mind, Balthilde extends both hands.)（巴希达像是终于下定了决心，伸出双手。）

(Her slightly cold fingers carefully glide between mine, intertwining into completion.)（微凉的十指，小心翼翼地嵌入了我的指缝间，紧密相合。）

CommanderHaha. I just realized this technically makes it interlock "hands" and not "hand".哈哈，忽然发现，这样是“二十指相扣”了。

CommanderI wonder if that counts as cheating.不知道这样算不算“犯规”。

BalthildeCourse not! We're doing way more than what we gotta do!才不会犯规呢，这是两倍完成任务！

(The mechanic's dexterous fingers now turn noticeably stiff. I can feel her discomfort, as well as the deliberate gentleness with which she tightens her grip, as if genuinely worried about crushing my bones.)（机械师一向灵巧的手指此刻有些僵硬。我感受着她的不自在，还有收拢时有些刻意的轻柔力度。她好像担心会捏碎我的手骨。）

CommanderRelax. My hands aren't that fragile.别紧张，我的手没这么脆弱。

BalthildeHow am I supposed to relax? I've never held a human's hand before.怎么可能不紧张？我以前又没摸过人类的手。

BalthildeStarting the timer, now.开始计时。

(Staying completely still for ten minutes is surprisingly difficult for a human. After about two minutes of being a statue alongside Balthilde, I can no longer endure it.)（对人类来说，保持十分钟完全不动其实很有挑战性。陪着巴希达当了两分钟雕像之后，我实在难以继续奉陪。）

Commander...Erm... Balthilde, I need to move my hands a little.……那个……巴希达，我想动一下手。

BalthildeHuh? Doesn't that reset the timer...哈？那该不会要重新计时……

CommanderNo, it won't affect the timer. I'll just flex my joints a little.不会影响计时的，你看，我只是小幅度地活动一下关节。

CommanderYou don't want both my hands to seize up after helping you complete the dare, do you?你也不想我陪你完成任务之后，两只手都僵死了吧？

BalthildeI-It won't be that bad, right?!会、会这么严重吗？

BalthildeThen hurry up and move a bit!那你赶快多动动。

Commander...You really believe everything I say, huh. You gullible little thing.……怎么我说什么都信？真是淳朴的孩子。

BalthildeStop joking about things like that!别拿这种事开玩笑！

CommanderFine, fine. But you can stop worrying about me.好啦好啦，别担心我。

CommanderHere, you try moving your fingers as well.来，你也试试。

(Balthilde hesitates before awkwardly flexing her fingers. Somehow, her form only stiffens afterwards. The warmth of her palms slowly rises to a discernible heat.)（巴希达顿了顿，别别扭扭地试着动了动十指，似乎更僵硬了一点。她手心的温度，似乎有些发烫。）

BalthildeCommander, my... core temperature is rising... Need to prioritize cooling...指挥官，我……核心温度上升……需要调整散热优先级……

CommanderAre you running a self-diagnostic?你在给自己做系统诊断吗？

BalthildeHas any Doll... ever overheated and crashed after being in physical contact with you for ten minutes?以前有没有人形……跟你接触十分钟之后过热宕机？

CommanderI think that's entirely possible for shy Dolls.对一些害羞的人形来说，是有这种可能性的。

CommanderBut honestly, I never thought you'd fall into that camp.不过，我一直以为巴希达不用担心这一点。

BalthildeHuh?! No, no, no. I'm fine! Don't underestimate me.啊？我当然没问题！别小看我。

(Whether out of embarrassment or frustration, Balthilde's entire face is flushed, trailing from cheeks to her ears and neck.)（不知是由于羞涩还是羞恼，粉红色已经爬上了巴希达的脸颊。她的脖颈和耳根也染上了浅浅的红晕。）

CommanderTeehee. Say, how much time do we have left?哈哈哈，还有几分钟？

BalthildeCan't wait to be free?迫不及待想要解放了？

CommanderMy, I'm merely curious.只是问问而已。

BalthildeFive minutes left! What, is that too long for you?还有五分多！怎么，嫌长吗？

CommanderMmm... Actually, I feel like time's been passing too quickly and I'm almost a little disappointed.嗯……我觉得时间过得挺快的，有点意犹未尽。

BalthildeDon't even think about extending it.我拒绝加时。

CommanderWhy? Oh, is it because you can't stand this and are just putting up with me?为什么？巴希达现在是在忍受我吗？

BalthildeN-No! ...That would never be the case.没、没有！……也不至于。

BalthildeI'm just overheating a little. My body's getting hotter and hotter, but diagnostics can't find anything wrong...只是有点过热，身体越来越热、越来越热，自动排查也没查出问题……

BalthildeI don't know what's happening to me. This is so strange!我不知道我怎么了，这好奇怪！

BalthildeIs this normal? Do other Dolls experience this too?这是对的吗？其他的人形也是这样的吗？

BalthildeOr, Commander...或者，指挥官……

BalthildeD-Do you also get strange feelings from contact that doesn't really serve any practical purpose?你、你也会因为这种没什么实际意义的接触，变得奇怪吗？

(Balthilde looks at me helplessly. Her eyes slightly glaze over; confusion forming a translucent veneer over them.)（巴希达无措地看着我，眼中蓄积着茫然的水雾。）

BalthildeI don't understand.我不明白。

BalthildeMy processing... isn't built for this... Even if you gave me another ten minutes, I wouldn't be able to figure it out still...我的算力……算不明白，就算再给我十分钟我也不会懂……

(She's deeply unsettled by this unfamiliar reaction in herself.)（她为这种陌生的变化而感到惶惑不安。）

(I move my fingers reassuringly, brushing the back of her hands with my fingertips.)（我安抚地动了动手指，指腹轻轻蹭过巴希达的手背。）

CommanderIt's okay, Balthilde. It's normal.没关系，巴希达，这是正常的。

CommanderJust as how we humans release dopamine when we're happy, a Doll's frame temperature rises in reaction to happiness as well.就像人类开心的时候会分泌多巴胺，人形开心起来素体温度升高也很普遍。

BalthildeCan I really... indulge?我可以这样吗？

BalthildeJust run... wild?就这样……让它有一点失控？

CommanderIt's okay to be a little wild.只是一点失控，没有关系。

CommanderIt's not like we've got some deadline crunching us today. All good to not be in top form.而且今天的我和你都没有紧急任务，不是最佳状态也没有关系。

(Gradually, Balthilde calms down under my gentle reassurance.)（巴希达在我温和的安慰中，逐渐镇定下来。）

BalthildeI see.我知道了。

CommanderTime's almost up, right?时间快到了吧？

Balthilde...Yeah.……嗯。

(Balthilde's fingers apply a subtle pressure, enough for me to sense a trace of reluctance in them.)（巴希达的手指紧了紧，我从这种微妙的力度中感觉出一丝不舍。）

CommanderMy, if you like it that much... we can do this again sometimes, even without a dare over your head.如果你喜欢这种感觉，下一次就算不是大冒险，我们也可以这样做。

BalthildeI do not like it!我没有喜欢！

(The blush on Balthilde's cheeks turns far more saturated, if that were even possible. She suddenly tries to pull her hands away, yet I manage to hold onto her.)（巴希达脸颊上的粉红色顿时加深了不少。她猛地想抽回手，但我稍稍用力留住了她。）

CommanderOh dear, the challenge's not over yet; we've still got thirty seconds. Do you want all your effort to go to waste?还有三十秒。任务还没完成，你想前功尽弃再来一遍吗？

CommanderAlso, would you kindly stop trembling? I'm rather ticklish, y'know...还有，你的手指别抖，我的手有点痒……

(Balthilde immediately freezes, her face now completely red. With her head lowered, our intertwined hands burn hot with a flame she scarcely understands.)（巴希达不动了。她涨红着脸，低着头，与我相合的手滚烫。）

BalthildeAlmost... Three. Two. One.最后几秒……三，二，一。

BalthildeTime's up!时间到！

(Balthilde yanks her hands as though she'd been shocked. She then turns around and frantically begins packing up her toolbox that hardly needed it.)（巴希达触电般地抽回了手，然后转身背对着我，手忙脚乱地收拾起没什么好收拾的工具箱。）

BalthildeChallenge complete! Data recorded! I'm gonna upload the proof now!任务完成！数据已记录！我去给她们上传记录！

CommanderThere's network access here. Where are you going for the upload?这里联网了啊，你要去哪里上传？

(Balthilde doesn't answer. Still with her back facing me, she stiffly walks towards the door.)（巴希达没有回答，她背着我，脚步僵硬地走向门口。）

CommanderIf you act like that, I'm gonna feel like you hated it. Ah, woe is me.你这样表现会显得我被讨厌了哦。

Balthilde—I didn't! I-I didn't hate...——没有！我、我没有讨厌……

Balthilde...You. You're nice. Interlocking hands was nice too. The dare was also nice...你很好，十指相扣也很好，大冒险也很好……

CommanderI see.这样啊。

CommanderThen... remember to come to me if there's another dare like that one. You're always welcome here.那……下次如果还有这种“大冒险”，欢迎再来找我。

BalthildeNo need to tell me that! You're the only human I can ask anyway!不用你说，我也只能找你啊！

(Balthilde flees the scene, only leaving those words behind in her hurry.)（巴希达说完，落荒而逃。）

(I watch as she disappears from sight and can't help let out a chuckle. I raise the hands that had been intertwined with hers moments ago. Clumsy yet charming, that warmth lingers still in my touch.)（我看着她离开的方向，忍不住又笑了。抬起刚才与她交握的双手，上面似乎还残留着属于她的、笨拙的温度。）

Wasteland Blossoms 4 废土生花4

(The sky suddenly changes as the horizon darkens into a foreboding corridor of black.)（天色骤变，地平线的尽头一片昏黑。）

(The Collapse particle monitor onboard the jeep drones with continuous and concerning buzzes.)（吉普车上，坍塌粒子监测器不断发出蜂鸣警报声。）

CommanderThere's a Collapse storm coming, Balthilde... I don't remember reading about that in the forecast this morning...巴希达，坍塌风暴要来了……今天早上的预报没提这个啊。

CommanderToo late for us to head back now. Let's take shelter inside the ruins.现在回程已经来不及了，进废墟深处躲一下吧？

BalthildeWilco.好。

(Balthilde quickly loads the last piece of scrap onto the cart before we retreat into the underground section of the ruins.)（巴希达迅速将最后一件废品搬上推车，我们一起向废墟的地下部分撤退。）

(The gale outside grows ever stronger. Balthilde seals the underground entrance, shutting the howling storm out.)（风势正在不断变大，巴希达关闭地下入口的隔离门，将呼啸的风声隔绝在外。）

CommanderLucky us. This door still works.运气不错，这门居然还能用。

Balthilde...Mmm.……嗯。

(An oddity. She responded in a far more demure fashion than I'd expect. I glance over and see her staring at her own hands; they were plagued with a slight tremble. In the dim light, her silhouette looks unusually tense.)（她的回应很轻。我看向她，发现她正盯着自己的手——手指在微微发抖。昏暗的光线里，她的侧影看起来格外紧绷。）

CommanderBalthilde? What's wrong?巴希达？

BalthildeAh...? Uhm...啊……？呃……

BalthildeThe Collapse storm will likely last several hours. Get some shut-eye, Commander. I'll keep watch.坍塌风暴估计会持续几个小时，指挥官休息，我来值守。

CommanderAre you alright?你还好吗？

BalthildeMe? What could possibly be wrong with me?我？我能有什么不好的？

(Outside, howling has swept something heavy into the air and crashed it back down with a thunderous thud. Balthilde instinctively shrinks her shoulders.)（外面风声凄厉，有重物被卷上天又砸下来，发出巨大的响声，巴希达缩了缩肩膀。）

(I get up to grab the emergency blanket, while Balthilde follows after me as if she were my tail.)（我起身去拿应急毯，巴希达像一条小尾巴跟在我身后转。）

CommanderBalthilde, you... want to lay it out for me?巴希达，要不……你来铺？

BalthildeI'll do it.我来吧。

CommanderThen should I go scout ahead instead?那我去探探路？

CommanderWe've never explored the deeper parts of these ruins before. Who knows, I might even find stuff you'd find interesting.废墟深处还没去过，说不定还有你感兴趣的资源可以捡。

BalthildeStop! Don't go...别走！你不许走……

(I halt my steps. Balthilde is certainly acting strangely, but she had gone through maintenance just yesterday. I'm certain there's nothing wrong with either her neural cloud or her frame.)（我停下脚步。巴希达怪怪的，但她昨天才做过检修，我确定她的心智和素体没问题。）

BalthildeWho knows what's waiting deeper inside? It's too dangerous, I can't let you go alone.谁知道深处有什么？太危险了，我不能让你一个人去。

BalthildeIf you absolutely want to explore it, then I'm coming with you.我告诉你，你非要探索的话，那必须跟我一起。

CommanderBut someone has to guard the entrance.总得有一个人留守在入口附近的。

CommanderAnd if we head too far underground, we won't know when the Collapse storm has ended.如果离地面太远，就没法确认外面的坍塌风暴有没有停了。

BalthildeWe have enough supplies to last half a month out here and it's not like I need any food or water. We can just check on the storm's status later, right?反正我们的物资还够撑半个月，我又不需要食物和水，就算晚一点再确认风暴的情况也没关系吧？

BalthildeAnyway, the point is—don't go alone, and most definitely don't leave me behind!总之，你别去，别离开我！

(As though I've struck a nerve, Balthilde tenses up completely. Panic—a rare emotion for her—flashes across her face.)（像是触发了什么反应一样，巴希达的身体完全绷紧了，神情难得地慌乱。）

(...So it wasn't just my imagination. There's something amiss.)（……看来不是错觉，她的状态的确有异常。）

(I shake my head, sit back down, and pat the spot beside me.)（我摇摇头，重新坐了下来，拍拍身边。）

Commander...Alright then.……好吧。

CommanderI guess... we can chat a little in the meantime instead.那……我们再一起坐会儿，聊聊？

BalthildeYeah! Let's just sit around together instead!对，就继续一起坐着就行！

(She sighs in relief and sits down beside me. While trying to appear calm, she edges ever closer until our arms are nearly touching.)（她似乎松了口气，坐回我身边。她努力表现出镇定的样子，却靠得离我更近了，我们的手臂几乎贴在一起。）

Commander...What's wrong, Balthilde? Don't say "I'm fine." I can tell something's bothering you...……巴希达，你怎么了？别说你没事，我感觉得出来……

CommanderAre you afraid of Collapse storms?你怕坍塌风暴？

Balthilde...No. Collapse storms do not pose a fatal threat to Dolls.……不是，坍塌风暴对人形来说又没有致命影响。

CommanderWe're close friends, aren't we? Feel free to tell me what's on your mind.我们是朋友，对朋友说出心事也没关系的。

Balthilde...……

(I gently place my hand atop hers. Balthilde immediately turns her hand over and grips mine tightly. Her fingers slip through the gaps, transforming the hold into a familiar interlock.)（我伸出手，轻轻放在她手背上。巴希达反手紧紧抓住我，手指穿过我的指缝，由相握变为交扣。）

CommanderI'm right here, Balthilde.巴希达，我在这里呢。

Balthilde...The first time was with an underground broker.……第一次是暗商。

BalthildeThere was a Collapse storm that day as well. He said us civilian Dolls slowed everyone down, told me to stay behind and wait for the next broker's group. I waited for a month... there was never a next broker.那天也有坍塌风暴，那个人说民用人形转移慢，耽误事，让我跟着下一批暗商走，我等了一个月……根本没有下一批人。

BalthildeThe second time was with some bounty hunters.第二次是赏金猎人。

BalthildeThe forecast said a Collapse storm was approaching. They told me to deliver supplies to a nearby settlement and to make sure that I arrived before the storm hit.预报说坍塌风暴正在靠近，他们让我去附近的居住点送物资，一定要赶在风暴前送到。

BalthildeBut the crate I transported only contained my ownership transfer documents—they sold me to that settlement.可是，我运送的物资箱里只有我的权属转移文件，他们把我卖给了那个居住点。

BalthildeMust've been because I was annoying, or because I was difficult to get along with. It must've been... my fault.一定是因为我说话讨人厌，不好相处，所以……是我。

BalthildeThe third time was with a PMC. I repaired all the vehicles, weapons, and pieces of equipment they had. In the short time I stepped out to put away my tools, I heard their engines roar—they had already left.第三次是P.M.C.。我检修好了所有的载具、武器和设备。收个工具的功夫，外面传来发动机的声音，他们就那么走了。

Balthilde...They didn't even give me a reason why I was abandoned.……甚至没有给我一个确切的、不要我的理由。

BalthildeThere were several more times after that, I can't even remember them all now. In the end, I was always the one being left behind.后来还有过几次，我已经记不清了。总之，被放弃的总是我。

BalthildeI'm not afraid of Collapse storms, Commander. I'm just... afraid of being abandoned.指挥官，我不怕坍塌风暴，我只是……怕被丢下。

(I squeeze her hand, hoping the firmness of our interlocked fingers could give her some sense of security.)（我用力回握着巴希达的手。十指交扣的力度能给她增添一点安全感。）

(She finally lifts her head to look at me, her eyes glimmering faintly in the darkness.)（巴希达终于抬起头看我，眼睛在昏暗中闪着微光。）

BalthildeCommander... Will you abandon me as well?指挥官，你也会丢下我吗？

(A blunt question to pose. In her eyes therein lies caution, uncertainty. A wound that has yet to heal lies exposed before me, and it is apparent that she is awaiting my response with bated breath. Would I scorn her, follow what many others had done before me, and rub salt into this wound? The answer is...)（问得那么直白，又那么小心。像在展示一道陈年旧伤，等着看我会不会再撒一把盐。）

CommanderNot once has the Elmo abandoned a companion. The Doll Community hasn't either and neither have I.艾莫号从来没有抛弃过同伴。人形社区没有，我也没有。

CommanderIf the day comes that you must go alone, it'll only be because the mission demands it.如果有一天你必须独自行动，那只会是因为任务需要。

BalthildeAnd no transfers and bequeathments! Don't try to play word games with me!转让和赠送也不行！我不接受任何的文字游戏。

BalthildeI'll only belong to you and the Doll Community. Y-you have to be my last...我只会属于你和人形社区，你、你必须是我的最后一任……

CommanderOf course.当然。

Balthilde...You promise?……你保证不会？

BalthildeI'll dismantle myself in protest should you fail to keep your word!你要是食言，我一定会把自己拆成零件来反抗你！

CommanderYeah, I promise.嗯，我承诺。

CommanderBalthilde will always be Balthilde of the Doll Community. You're family to me and family does not betray one another.巴希达永远会是人形社区的巴希达，我把你当作家人，家人是不会彼此出卖的。

Balthilde...Hmph. I'll trust you for now.……哼，姑且信你。

(She relaxes her grip; our hands no longer so tightly interwoven but bound yet still. Balthilde leans in even closer, close enough that I can feel her hair brushing against my neck.)（扣住十指的力道减轻了，但巴希达靠得更近了，近得我的脖子都能感觉到她的发丝。）

Balthilde...You're really different from other humans I've met.……你果然和所有的人类都不一样。

BalthildeI hate humans. They hate me, look down on me, and use me.我讨厌人类，“他们”厌恶我、贬低我，又要利用我。

BalthildeOnly you. It was only you that was different. You saw something different in me.只有你是特别的，你看见我了。

BalthildeActually... every time I see you lately, the load on my emotional module increases abnormally.其实……最近每次见到你，情感模块的负载都会异常升高。

BalthildeMaybe because I've started to care about you—可能是因为我在乎你——

Balthilde—Care about a human.我开始在乎一个人类了。

(Balthilde rubs her head lightly against my shoulder.)（巴希达的脑袋在我肩颈间蹭了蹭。）

BalthildeIf it's you... only you... I'm willing to risk being hurt again by a human just to get closer.如果是你，只有是你……我愿意冒着再次被人类伤害的风险，靠近你。

BalthildeMy expression module is terrible. It's a struggle to even put it to words. But I think... that's how I feel.我的表达模块很烂，我说不清楚，大概，这就是我的心意。

CommanderI understand.我知道了。

CommanderThank you for giving this human a chance.谢谢你愿意给我这个人类一个机会。

(I gently pat her head. She tenses up awkwardly for a moment but doesn't recoil.)（我摸了摸巴希达的头。她不自在地僵硬了一瞬，但并未躲避。）

(Following a brief silence, Balthilde seems to realize what she had just admitted. Her entire face turns bright red.)（安静了片刻之后，巴希达像是才反应过来自己刚才说了什么，整张脸变得通红。）

BalthildeUhm... D-don't get carried away!呃……你、你别得意忘形啊！

BalthildeYou said it yourself—this is only a chance. Doesn't mean I will necessarily fall for a human.你也说了只是一个彼此靠近的机会。这代表不了什么，我才不会喜欢上人类。

BalthildeNever! Absolutely impossible!不会的！绝对不可能的事！

CommanderI believe you. Sure thing.嗯嗯，好。

(Not intending to expose her painfully obvious denial, I simply smile.)（我无意戳破巴希达拙劣的口是心非，只是微笑。）

Balthilde...……

BalthildeG-go to sleep now! Get some rest already!睡、睡觉了！快点休息！

CommanderHmm, though the storm makes it difficult to see, it's still midday. That's a tall order, y'know?如果我的感觉没错，现在还是大白天吧。

BalthildeI-it's so you can save some energy! What if the storm ends in the middle of the night? Then we'll have to leave in the dark!多、多保存一点体力，万一风暴结束时是半夜，我们就要半夜启程了！

(Perhaps to hide her embarrassment, Balthilde forcefully pins me to the ground. I lie flat on my back, looking up at her face.)（似乎是为了掩盖羞涩，巴希达有些粗鲁地将我按下，我不得不躺平，看着上方巴希达的脸。）

CommanderBut I'm not tired yet.可是我还不困啊。

CommanderI've listened to your story, Balthilde. Would you like to hear mine?巴希达，我听了你的故事，你要不要听听我的？

Balthilde...Isn't that kind of information reserved for companion Dolls?……这种机密，一般是陪伴型的人形才有特权了解的。

BalthildeAre you really going to tell me?你真要让我听吗？

CommanderOf course.你当然可以听。

CommanderA Doll is a Doll. No need to divide them into meaningless and arbitrary roles.人形就是人形，为什么要把她们细分成陪伴的、干活的、打仗的？

BalthildeOh... Thank you.哦……谢谢你。

(I nudge aside in the emergency blanket to create some space for her. Balthilde hesitates briefly before lying down beside me.)（我给巴希达留出了小半个应急毯的空间。巴希达只是略作迟疑，便跟着在我身侧躺了下来。）

(The wind continues howling outside, so I know we still have plenty of time.)（外面风声不止，我知道，我们还有很多时间。）

BalthildeSo close. I can feel your body heat.好近，你的体温都透过来了。

CommanderYou too. Your frame's temperature seems a little high.你也是，素体温度好像有点高。

Balthilde...Don't say that! Weren't you going to tell your story?……别提这个！不是要说你的故事吗？

Commander...Right.……嗯。

(What I'm recounting to her now seems like an eternity ago, so distant that they feel like events from another lifetime. I tell her about the battles, the sacrifices, the turmoil, and the hardships. I tell her about Frankfurt, and the ten years that followed.)（那对我来说，也已经是很久远的事情了，远到恍如隔世。我给她讲那些战火和牺牲、雷雨和风雪，讲法兰克福，讲后来的十年。）

(Balthilde listens intently, her eyes shining; my words seem to have brought those memories back to life in front of her.)（巴希达像是被我的讲述带回了那段过去之中。她听得很认真，眼睛闪闪发光。）

BalthildeMany Dolls on the Elmo have talked of these stories before... Even though I hate to admit it, I have always been a little jealous of them... because they got to meet you and stay by your side so early.艾莫号上的人形也提起过这些，那时候……虽然不想承认，我其实……有一点点羡慕她们，能那么早认识你，跟在你身边。

BalthildeWhile I still hardly know anything about you.指挥官，我对你的了解还远远不够。

BalthildeIs there more? I want to learn more about your life.还有吗？我想听你说你的事。

CommanderBut it sounds like the storm has died down.外面的风好像停了哦。

BalthildeIt really picked the worst possible time to stop.停得真不是时候。

Balthilde...No, hey. I wasn't hoping that the storm would last forever.……不，我没有期待这场风暴持续得越久越好。

CommanderHahaha. If you want me to regale you with another tale, you can always come to me after we get back to the Elmo.哈哈哈，如果你还想听故事，回到艾莫号之后也可以找我。

Balthilde...O-oh, okay...……哦、哦……

(Balthilde's face suddenly flushes red again. She awkwardly tugs at the strap around her waist and begins to stand up.)（巴希达的脸莫名地红起来。她有些局促地拉扯了一下腰侧的束带，想要起身向外。）

BalthildeT-Then I should go check on the vehicle and the road conditions now.那、那我现在去外面确认一下车况路况？

BalthildeAnd one more thing. All the nonsense I said... and everything weird I did today... You know about them, I know about them, and that's enough. Don't you dare let anyone else know!还有，今天我……我那些胡说八道的话，神志不清的举动，你知我知，绝对不准告诉任何人！

(She glares at me, her eyes overflowing with embarrassment and panic.)（她瞪着我，眼中盛满羞涩和慌乱。）

CommanderKnow what? Like the moment when you wouldn't let go of my hand? Or when you said I'm special?哪些话？是你拉着我的手不放，还是你说我很特别？

BalthildeNONE of it!都不准说！

BalthildeIf you start telling everyone, I'm never taking you out scavenging again.说出去的话，下次捡垃圾就不带你了。

CommanderWorry not. I can keep a secret.放心，我的嘴很严的。

(Balthilde huffs and finally lets me off the hook.)（巴希达哼了一声，终于放过了我。）

(On our way back, Balthilde sneaks a glance at me every so often while driving the jeep. Whenever I return the look, her gaze quietly darts away.)（回程路上，巴希达开着车，时不时偷瞄我一眼。我回视她，那道视线又默默移开。）

(As though making a promise, I gently rest my hand on hers.)（像是承诺一般，我轻轻握住她的手。）

CommanderBalthilde, I'll still be at your side... whenever the next storm comes...巴希达，下次风暴，我还会在的。

(The jeep brakes abruptly. Balthilde turns her head. Her bright eyes lock directly onto mine.)（吉普车一个突兀的点刹，巴希达转过头，亮晶晶的眼睛直直地盯着我。）

BalthildePromise me that.那就，说好了啊。

BalthildeNo taking it back, no lying about it.不准反悔，也不准骗人。

BalthildeThis is my last bit of trust in humanity.这可是我对人类最后的信任。

BalthildeIf you can't keep a girl a promise, I'll—如果你做不到，我——

CommanderI promise you.我答应你，我一定会做到。

Balthilde...Right.……嗯。

(Balthilde responds quietly and shifts her eyes back toward the road ahead.)（巴希达轻轻地应了一声，回头看向前方。）

(Are you sick? Feeling dizzy? Did you get your brain fried?)（你……你发烧了吗？脑袋晕不晕？是不是神志不太清醒？）

(I smile and look out the window with her toward the endless horizon.)（我笑了笑，与她一同望向车外无尽的远方。）

(From that moment on, something between Balthilde and me... has changed.)（似乎就是从这一刻开始，我和巴希达之间，有什么开始不一样了。）

Covenant 铭契

Balthilde...Me? Out of all people?! Are you out of your mind?!给我？！搞错了吧？

BalthildeAre you sick? Feeling dizzy? Did you get your brain fried?你……你发烧了吗？脑袋晕不晕？是不是神智不太清醒？

BalthildeYou think I look like a Doll capable of satisfying human emotional needs?你觉得我像是能满足人类情感需求的样子吗？

BalthildeI'm just an ordinary bot with a bad temper who likes to tinker with machines...我只是个修机器的、坏脾气的普通人形。

BalthildeWait until your brain's working properly again before deciding whether you want to form this covenant with me, mkay?等你的脑子恢复正常，再考虑要不要铭契我吧？

BalthildeI-If only by then... you're still willing to choose me... I'll have no choice but to give you everything I have to live up to your expectations.如、如果……你还是愿意，那我也只能拼尽全力满足你的期待了。

BalthildeUhm... I'm actually really happy... that you chose me... It's the first time that someone has ever chosen me as their one and only...……呃，你选我……我其实很开心。这是第一次，有人愿意选我……

Love Nourishes 爱意养人

CommanderBalthilde, your checkup's done, everything looks good.巴希达，你的检修完成了，没问题。

BalthildeOh, okay.哦，好。

(Balthilde seems to prefer having me perform her maintenance inspections instead of a professional like Rosalind or Mayling, and I try to satisfy her demands whenever I have the time.)（比起罗莎琳和美玲，巴希达似乎更喜欢让我来帮她做检修。有空的时候，我会尽量亲自为巴希达做维护。）

Balthilde...Hmm?……嗯？

BalthildeThe straps on my plate carrier seem a little loose...战术背心的调节带扣好像有点松脱……

(Balthilde turns to present her back to me, signaling me to help her adjust the quick-release straps.)（巴希达转身背对着我，示意我帮她调整背后的快拆调节带。）

(I slide my fingers into the gap between the backplate and the soft synthetic flesh beneath, giving the straps a gentle tug.)（我让手指穿过软肉与带扣之间的空隙，轻轻扯了扯。）

CommanderIt's indeed a little loose.是有点松。

CommanderSpeaking of which, you've been using this one for quite a long time, haven't you?说到这个，你的战术背心已经用了很久了吧？

CommanderMy, wearing the same equipment every day. Have you considered swapping it out for a new one just for the sake of it?每天都用同样的装备，巴希达会觉得没有新鲜感吗？

BalthildeWhy would I get rid of it for something as vague and meaningless as that?我为什么要因为新鲜感这种虚无缥缈的东西抛弃它？

BalthildeIt's perfectly functional, practical, and carries all the tools I need on a daily basis.这件背心很实用，可以容纳我最趁手的工具。

BalthildeThe fit's perfect too. The pressure on my chest once the straps are tightened is just right and gives me a sense of security.尺寸也正好，系带扣紧之后恰当的压力能给我充足的安全感。

BalthildeIn other words, I just think it's perfect for me, and I've taken very good care of it so far.总之，这是一件再完美不过的背心，我将它保养得很好。

CommanderHaha. I never knew you liked it that much. You sure are more sentimental than I expected.哈哈，你这么喜欢它啊。真是念旧的人形。

(I continue chatting with Balthilde as I gradually tighten the loose straps.)（我一边慢慢地收紧松垮的系带，一边随口和巴希达闲聊）

BalthildeWhat does that mean?念旧是什么意思？

Balthilde...Ah, Commander, you've tightened it too much.……啊，指挥官，你收得太紧了。

(I quickly loosen it a little. After being done with the straps, I begin adjusting the webbing around Balthilde's waist.)（我连忙重新放出一些余量。背后的部分处理好之后，我开始调节巴希达腰后的织带。）

CommanderIt means... you are more likely to treasure the people and things you've formed bonds with.念旧就是……对已经产生了羁绊的人和物，非常珍惜爱护。

BalthildeHmm, that sounds about right. I do prefer older stuff over brand-new things.嗯，是这样没错，比起全新的东西，我就是更喜欢旧的。

BalthildeAnd you're someone I've formed a bond with, Commander, which is why I value and care about you more than the others.指挥官也是已经和我产生羁绊的人，我确实很珍惜爱护你。

(That passing thought of hers has me stop in my tracks. Adorable. Just adorable... Ah, my hand slips.)（巴希达的联想过分可爱，我的手抖了抖。）

(In response to my errant twitch, Balthilde flinches as if she'd been shocked.)（巴希达像是被电了一下，立刻跳开来。）

(I freeze for a moment, unsure as to what to say since Balthilde has long grown accustomed to my touch. It's been a very long time since she last reacted this strongly.)（我一时有些无措。现在的巴希达早已习惯我的触碰，已经很久没有这么敏感过了。）

BalthildeS-so, you need to value and care about me too.你……你也要珍惜爱护我。

Balthilde—Which also means, don't take the opportunity to tickle me!——我是说，别趁机挠我痒痒！

CommanderAh, sorry. That wasn't on purpose...呃，抱歉，我刚才没注意……

(Thinking back to where my fingertips just traveled... It seems I did accidentally brush against Balthilde's most sensitive spot.)（回想方才指腹的轨迹，好像……确实不小心蹭到了巴希达最敏感的部分。）

Balthilde...Don't do it again.……下不为例。

CommanderYes, yes, I won't.是是是。

(Under my reassurance, the wariness fades from Balthilde's eyes as her gaze grows unclouded—like skies after a storm.)（在我的安抚下，巴希达眼中的警惕褪去，看向我的目光恢复了清澈明亮。）

CommanderBalthilde, do you ever feel like you've changed compared to before?巴希达，你觉不觉得，你好像和以前不太一样了？

BalthildeHmm? What do you mean?嗯？什么？

CommanderLike, being much more confident when dealing with people now.待人接物，比以前更理直气壮了。

CommanderYou used to put on a tough facade as well, but I could tell you were insecure about something...以前的你，在人前虽然也能硬撑出一副强硬的态度，但好像一直在担心什么……

BalthildeI guess so. Looking back, it does feel like an eternity ago.是吧。回头想想，已经像是很遥远的事了。

BalthildeAfter all, you'd never abandon me, so what's wrong with being a little more confident?反正，你不会抛弃我的，理直气壮一点又怎么了？

CommanderNothing wrong with that.没什么。

Commander...I like the current Balthilde more.……我更喜欢现在的巴希达。

BalthildeHmph, I don't remember asking for your feedback.哼。谁让你点评了。

(Despite the tongue-in-cheek reply, Balthilde opens her arms and wraps me in a soft embrace.)（嘴上不屑着，巴希达还是伸出双臂，拥抱了我。）

Balthilde...Still, thanks for the compliment.……不过，谢谢你的好评。

BalthildeI'm really happy.我很开心。

Food Tasting 1 美食品尝1

The first taste astounds, immediately awakening slumbering taste buds.入口的惊艳，瞬间唤醒沉睡的味蕾。

CommanderEvery mouthful tastes like bliss.每一口都是幸福的味道。

BalthildeWhy are you here? I mean, have a seat. Feel free to have a chat with me.你怎么来了？我的意思是，坐一会儿吧，随便聊聊。

About Friends关于朋友

About Pets关于宠物

About Hobbies关于爱好

About Combat关于战斗

About Emotions关于情感

About Sleep关于睡眠

CommanderHave you contacted your friends recently?最近和朋友们联络过吗？

BalthildeFriends? I have few friends. Most of them aren't in operation. I would love to contact them if I could.朋友？我的朋友很少，基本上都已经停止运行了，我倒是想联络得上。

BalthildeIf you're referring to the Dolls at the Doll Community, I've been sending lots of emails to... Hmph! I'm just a little worried about them, that's all.如果你指的是人形社区那边，电子邮件是没少发……哼！有点放心不下而已。

CommanderThis means that you do see them as friends now. It's okay to be honest with yourself.这说明你把她们当成朋友了，坦率一点也没关系。

CommanderHave you ever considered raising a pet? Are you on the side of cat lovers or dog lovers?考虑过养宠物吗？巴希达属于猫派还是狗派？

BalthildeIt was too much of a luxury to raise any pets back then. But now that my living conditions have stabilized a bit, I can consider it...养宠物对以前的我来说太奢侈了，不过现在生存条件稳定了一点，是可以考虑一下……

BalthildeOrganic life is far too fragile. I'm more inclined to keep a Dinergate or a Goliath.有机生命还是太脆弱了，我觉得养个兵蚁或者歌利亚都不错。

CommanderHaha, quite the reasonable choice.哈哈，非常理性的选择。

CommanderWhat do you do outside of missions?没有任务的时候你会做什么？

BalthildeI collect electronic refuse and turn them into interesting objects with a bit of elbow grease.收电子废品，改造一下之后有机会变成很有趣的东西。

BalthildeOther than that... I guess I do horticulture? I tried growing all sorts of plants, but it's hard for any to survive in the Yellow Zone.除此之外……种植也算一个吧，蔬果花草都努力试种了，只是在黄区很难养活。

CommanderI didn't expect horticulture to be one of your hobbies. Be sure to give me a call when you want to try it again.想不到你还有这个爱好，下次可以叫我一起。

CommanderAre you a bit more used to combat now?现在的巴希达习惯战斗了吗？

BalthildeWhy would I ever be? I hate fighting. Whenever we go into combat, all the effort I spend fixing up machines goes to waste.怎么可能习惯得了，我讨厌战斗。一打起来，我好不容易修好的机械都白修了。

Balthilde...That's what I say, but if I have to fight to protect what is precious to me, I'll give my all and fight till the very end.……话是这么说，如果是为了保护自己重要的东西，我会拼尽全力战斗到最后的。

CommanderHm, your determination is admirable.嗯嗯，很不错的决心。

CommanderDo you consider yourself an emotive Doll?巴希达觉得自己属于感情丰富的人形吗？

Balthilde...Do I seem like an emotive Doll to you?……你看我像是感情丰富的样子吗？

BalthildeWell, I did improve a lot. Most of my emotional reactions only started appearing once I came here.当然，现在比以前好多了，我大部分的情绪反应都是在来到这里之后才出现的。

BalthildeMostly thanks to you. You know that, don't you?这一点主要是你的功劳，你最清楚不过了吧？

CommanderI've never seen you sleep much at all...好像没怎么看你休息过呢……

BalthildeSleep isn't an absolute necessity for Dolls, you know?对人形来说，休眠也不是绝对必要的吧？

BalthildeSome Dolls like sleeping, some Dolls don't like wasting time. What's wrong with that?有喜欢睡觉的人形就会有不喜欢浪费时间的人形，有什么问题？

CommanderNothing, I was just curious. It's a good thing that you're always full of vigor. Keep up the good work.只是了解一下而已。精力充沛挺好的，继续保持吧。

The wafting aroma enchants, carrying away every trace of my weariness.扑鼻的芬芳，顷刻带走满身的疲惫。

The flavors blooming upon my tongue delight, filling my body with warmth and happiness.舌尖的绽放，幸福的暖意随即拥抱全身。

Vestigial Display · 2 循迹追演·2

Cautious Normal DollHave you heard? Ullrid's suggesting that we carry on with the celebration.听说了吗？乌尔丽德提议继续举办庆典。

Rational Tactical DollYeah, I voted for it. Still... I'm worried about another windstorm like the last one.嗯，我投了赞成票，不过……果然还是很担心再来一次风暴啊。

Cautious Normal DollYeah, if one of them hits during the celebration, we'll all be blown away into the valley.对啊，要是在庆典的时候刮那么大的风，我们会被吹到山谷下面的！

Rational Tactical DollI'm sure Littara will prepare for it, but if things really don't work out... I guess the celebration will have to be cancelled.莉塔拉会对此做好充分的准备，但如果实在不行……庆典就会终止。

Suomi...……

(Suomi slips between the chatting Dolls, clutching a big bag of parts to her chest.)（索米抱着一大堆机械零件，从聊天中的人形身旁走过。）

Cautious Normal DollSuomi? What are those?索米？这些东西是？

SuomiUm... I broke something and I need to fix it.嗯……我有点坏掉的东西要修。

Rational Tactical DollYou broke something? Oh, I know, was it busted up by that storm?坏掉的？我知道啦，是之前被风暴损坏的物资吧？

SuomiUh... yeah...嗯……对……

(Suddenly anxious, Suomi forces a smile to her face before hurrying off.)（索米有些着急，在勉强露出笑容后便匆忙离开了。）

SuomiWhew...好……

(Suomi returns to her room, where the broken bubble gun sits in a miserable heap on the ground, awaiting repairs.)（她回到自己的房间。地板上，坏掉的泡泡枪正以一副狼狈的模样，等待着维修。）

SuomiDoes this cable... go here? No... does it go here?这条线……是接这里的吗？不对……是这里？

BalthildeJust so you know, I didn't barge in. I knocked, but I don't think you heard me.我没有擅闯哦，敲了门的，但你好像没听到。

Suomi...Miss Balthilde?……巴希达小姐？

BalthildeYou know... if you don't have the right replacement parts, you won't be able to fix this thing.我说……如果没有替换的零件，不管你怎么努力，这台机器都是不可能修好的。

SuomiMiss Balthilde, you've fixed many things before, haven't you? Can you help me out?巴希达小姐，你以前有修过很多东西吧，能不能帮我？

BalthildeLook, it's not that I don't want to help you, it's because it can't be fixed right now! All the parts you brought back are the wrong ones!你怎么不明白，不是我不帮你，而是它现在就是修不好，你找的这些零件也没一个是对的！

BalthildeAll we can do is wait until the celebration ends and the excavation teams head out again. With luck, we might be able to find something that'll work as a substitute...只能等到庆典结束，探索队要到那时才会出发，运气好的话，或许能找到维修用的物品。

Suomi...……

BalthildeUh... Sorry if that sounded harsh. I didn't meant to hurt you.我……我说话是有点难听啦，你不要在意。

(Suomi seems very reluctant to accept the state of things, but in the end she quietly puts down the parts she is holding.（索米看上去很不甘心，但还是默默地放下手中的零件。）

SuomiIf only you'd helped me look after the bubble gun back then...你当时有帮我看好泡泡枪就好了……

BalthildeBack then? You mean when the wind picked up?当时？你是说起风的时候吗？

BalthildeWell ...Yeah, I was assigned to watch over the outdoor supply crates.确实……那个时候是我在负责看管户外的物资。

Balthilde...But the storm came so suddenly! There were many things that we couldn't tie down in time.……但是，风暴来得太突然，很多东西没来得及固定。

BalthildePlus, there were lots of other things I had to save back then besides your bubble gun, I just didn't have the time to...而且除了你的泡泡枪外，还有那么多重要的物品需要抢救，根本顾不上……

SuomiI know that.这我知道。

SuomiI understand the rational reason for not saving it. But that bubble gun meant a lot to me. It was a gift from the Commander, Miss Mayling and everyone board the Elmo which they gave me before I left...这些道理我都懂……但这个泡泡枪对我很重要，那是指挥官、美玲小姐，还有艾莫号的大家在分别时给我的礼物……

(Balthilde panics as she sees that Suomi is on the verge of tears. As someone who is singularly unsuited to interacting with others, she has no idea how to deal with Suomi's emotional outburst.)（索米一副要哭出来的样子，巴希达不知所措起来，面对抱怨，不会与人相处的她完全不知道该怎么应对。）

Balthilde...I, er... Actually... I wanted to get you so we could help Lotta prepare for the celebration.……我其实……是来找你一起，去帮洛塔做庆典准备的。

SuomiI don't want to go right now, though... please leave me be for now.我现在不想去……就让我一个人待着吧。

BalthildeOh... okay.哦……好。

LottaWhat should we do? Suomi must be mad now.怎么办啊，索米她一定生气了。

BalthildeHeck if I know, it's not like it's totally my fault, right?我哪知道，这也不全是我的错吧。

LottaBut what if Suomi ends up hating us? Will she cry and say we're bullying her? If it gets out, everyone will ostracize us...要是索米就此记恨了我们，会不会……哭诉我们欺负她啊？之后再传出去，我们就被所有人形孤立……

BalthildeYou're overthinking this, there's no way Suomi would do that... She was just sad, that's all.想多了，索米怎么可能那么做……她只是太难过，忍不住向我哭诉而已。

BalthildeI mean, it's not like I WANTED to make her that way, but there's really no way to fix that bubble gun. I don't want her to keep fixating on it and beating herself up for nothing.我也不想她那样的，但那台泡泡枪机器现在修不好，我不希望她继续钻牛角尖，一直难受。

BalthildeI DID tell her that maybe we should wait for the celebration to end and for the excavation teams to explore the nearby ruins. Maybe they'll turn up something.我也说了……或许等庆典结束，对附近的探索重启后，就会有办法。

LottaI think Suomi was really looking forward to the celebration, though. My guess is that she was planning to use that bubble gun during the event.索米好像一直很期待着庆典，那台泡泡机器，或许是要在庆典上用。

LottaAlso, its got a special significance to Suomi, so she can't put it out of mind just like that.而且，那个东西对索米来说有特别的意义，她没法简单放下……

LottaBoth machines and Dolls become something precious in your heart once they find a place in your memories... You can't just forget these things...不管机器也好，人形也好，一旦成为谁心里的记忆，就会变成珍贵的东西，一时间……是忘不掉的……

Balthilde...If one of my friends was broken, I'd try to fix her. Even if I couldn't fix her, I'd try to get her a new frame.……如果是重要的伙伴坏掉了，我就算修不好，也会想办法给她弄个新的素体。

BalthildeHm... A new frame? Wait a minute... That might actually work!嗯……新的素体？对啊……还可以这样！

LottaW-What are you talking about?怎、怎么了？

BalthildeRelax, it's about the bubble gun. I think I know how to help Suomi fix it!你别紧张。是泡泡枪，我想到办法帮索米修好它了！

Vestigial Display · 3 循迹追演·3

(The metal door goes down with a loud crash and three small silhouettes dart into the warehouse.)（随着金属门倒下的声音响起，三个娇小的影子闯进了仓库中）

LottaY-You're being too loud, Balthilde!声、声音太大了，巴希达！

BalthildeRelax, I came here to look around before, the security systems are all offline.没事的，我之前来看过，警备系统早就停止了。

SuomiThis is... this is the turbine room. Are you sure we can find the parts to fix the bubble gun here?这里是……汽轮机室，在这里能找到修好泡泡枪的零件吗？

BalthildeYup. There are tons of pipes and conduits here for fluid transfer. We can strip some of the valves and use them for the bubble maker.啊，这里有很多用来输送液体的管道，阀门则可以拆下来，作为泡泡机的开关。

BalthildeSo yeah, rather than just fix it, we might as well rebuild the internals of the bubble gun. But yeah, I'll preserve whatever I can preserve.所以，与其说是修好，不如说是把泡泡枪的内部构造重做一遍，当然，能保留的部分我也会保留。

BalthildeIt won't look any different on the outside either, so it'll be like... yeah, it'll be like giving a Doll a new frame.外形上应该也不会有变化，就像是……对，像是给人形换个新的素体。

SuomiThat's alright. All I wanted was to let everyone see big, beautiful bubbles during the celebration, so it's okay even if the gun looks a little different. Thank you, Miss Balthilde.没关系的，我想在庆典上给大家看漂亮的泡泡，就算和之前有些不同也不要紧，谢谢你，巴希达小姐。

BalthildeDon't thank me yet... Save that for when the repairs are complete.谢什么的……等修好再说吧。

LottaBalthilde's our best machinist. I'm sure it'll be fine.巴希达的技术是我们之中最好的，一定没问题。

BalthildeWell, I WAS taught by Rosalind, you know. Still, the person who built this bubble maker was quite something too.我毕竟有得到罗莎琳的教导嘛，不过，制造这台泡泡机装置的人也相当厉害。

SuomiIt's called the Rainbow Bubble Gun.它叫五彩泡泡枪。

BalthildeRight, the Rainbow Bubble Gun. I examined it and it has lots of parts which can be replaced or substituted.对，五彩泡泡枪，我仔细看过了，里面有大量的零件可以批量更换或找到替用。

BalthildeDid that machinist called Mayling consider that it might need to be fixed?那个叫做美玲的机械师，难道提前考虑到了可能需要维修的情况吗？

SuomiYeah! Miss Mayling's a great machinist! And... she's really nice too!美玲小姐确实是非常厉害的机械师！而且……非常温柔！

BalthildeIs she now... I hope we get to meet someday.是嘛……希望有机会可以见面。

BalthildeIn any case, let's find the parts and equipment we need. Follow the list I made and mark the items when you find them.总之，先来找我们需要的零件和设备吧，对着我列好的清单，找到后就标注一下。

LottaAh! I found a Collapse crystal like the list says. Will this do?啊！我找到清单里要的坍塌结晶了，这块可以吗？

BalthildeNope, it needs to be bigger to keep the internal electronics from being damaged by radiation.这个不行，为了保护内部的电子器件不被辐射损坏，它还要再大一点。

LottaAlright, then... I'll keep looking.好吧……那再找找。

(For a while, everyone is too busy looking for the items on their lists to speak.)（有一段时间，仓库里没人说话，所有人都在翻找东西。）

Suomi...Ah, Miss Balthilde...……那个，巴希达小姐。

BalthildeWhat? Found something?发现什么了？

SuomiNo, I... I want to apologize to you.不，我想……向你道个歉。

SuomiEarlier, when you came to look for me in my room... I know you were concerned about me, but I blew up at you. I'm sorry for that.之前你来房间找我的时候……我知道你在关心我，结果却忍不住发脾气，对不起。

BalthildeD-do you even need to apologize for that... it's not like it bothered me at all...还……还用道歉啊……我才不在意呢。

BalthildeAnd besides, it was kind of my fault too... I'm always too loud and I always mean-mug everyone...毕竟，我也有不对的地方……我总是说话太大声，眼神也很凶……

LottaUwah!哇！

BalthildeHoly crap, Lotta, what happened? Why'd you scream all of a sudden, you nearly scared my parts off! Was it because of my glare...吓我一跳，怎么了洛塔，干嘛突然大叫？不会是被我的眼神……

LottaI think I heard strange noises outside!我好像听到外面有怪声！

BalthildeStrange noises? But I don't hear anything...怪声？没有啊……

SuomiAh, it's a transmission from Big Sis! Hello?啊，是姐姐的通讯！喂！

UllridSuomi— guys... going on?索米——你们……怎么样？

SuomiThe signal seems to be breaking up... Big Sis, we're in the turbine room now. Miss Balthilde's helping me find parts to fix my bubble gun.信号好像不太好……姐姐，我们正在汽轮机室，巴希达小姐在帮我找修泡泡枪需要的东西。

UllridHurry—there—快——有——

LottaThe signal's so bad that we can't make anything out.信号太差了根本听不清楚。

BalthildeThere might be another storm brewing nearby. Give me the communicator. I might be able to tweak it and make it work right.可能是附近又出现风暴了，通讯器给我看看，这种程度调一下频段或许可以解决。

(Balthilde fiddles with the device and Ullrid's voice immediately clears up.)（巴希达摆弄了几下通讯器，乌尔丽德的声音真的变得清晰起来。）

Ullrid—Incoming ELIDs! A miniature windstorm is driving them in your direction!有生骸！几只生骸被附近的小型风暴驱赶，朝着你们那边来了！

SuomiHuh?诶？

ELID—!——！

(Just as Ullrid finishes speaking, several ELIDs barge into the warehouse.)（通讯里，乌尔丽德的声音刚落，几只生骸就闯入了仓库中。）

BalthildeOh no! When did they...?糟糕！什么时候……

LottaI, I told you, didn't I? I really did hear some weird noises, I wasn't wrong!所、所以说……刚才听到了怪声嘛，我没有听错！

SuomiMiss Balthilde, Miss Lotta! Hurry over to the storeroom!巴希达小姐、洛塔小姐！快点，先去仓库里面！

Vestigial Display · 5 循迹追演·5

(It is the day of the celebrating. A small public square has been set up, piled high with various supply crates and devices.)（庆典当天，热电厂外的空地上，由各种物资与设备堆积起来的小型广场已经成型。）

UllridNo ELIDs sighted, no signs of Collapse storms, and radiation levels are lower than usual...没有生骸出没，没有坍塌风暴的迹象，辐射浓度也处于比较低的水平……

Littara[I checked; the probability of another windstorm over the next couple of days is less than 3%. The ELID packs wandering near the power plant have also been cleared out] —Littara「我测算过，最近两天，再次发生风暴的可能性不足3%。在热电厂附近徘徊的生骸也已经清扫干净了。」——莉塔拉

Littara[Just in case, I'd still recommend we hold the celebration indoors, but the interior layout is too complex and we probably won't be able to free up enough space for it.] —Littara「以防万一的话，庆典还是在室内举行比较好，但是热电厂内的结构太复杂，很难腾出这么大的空间。」——莉塔拉

UllridThat'll do. We can't hope to take everything into account.已经可以了，我们不可能把所有事情都考虑周密。

(After making the final confirmation with Littara, she turns to the members of the Doll community who are assembled in the public square before her.)（乌尔丽德通过二级平层与莉塔拉进行了最后的确认，在她们前方的广场上，人形社区的“成员”们已经聚在了一起。）

Cautious Normal DollSo we're still holding the celebration in the end, huh... I have to say, I'm feeling a little uneasy about this.最终还是举行庆典了啊……我好不安。

Rational Tactical DollWell, everyone's been wound up pretty tight thanks to the storm and the ELID attack. The mood in the air... well, it's less of an open house than a field exercise.刚刚经历了风暴与生骸袭击，大家都很紧张，这种气氛……与其说是集市庆典，更像是军事演习。

Ullrid...……

(Ullrid can hear this discussion too, and she's at a bit of a loss for how to announce the beginning of the festivities.)（乌尔丽德也能听到一些议论声，低落的气氛，让她不知该怎么宣布庆典的开始。）

Littara[It seems everyone's still worried about the Collapse storms. I wonder if we were being too hard-headed by insisting on holding the celebration...] —Littara「果然，大家还是对坍塌风暴不放心，坚持在这种时候举行庆典是不是太着急了……」——莉塔拉

Cautious Normal DollWait... are those bubbles?那个是……泡泡？

Rational Tactical DollAh... they're free-floating spherical liquid-film membranes with polychromatic exteriors enclosing some kind of gas.啊……是由液体张力形成的彩虹表面空心水膜吧。

DushevnayaNo, they're actually fairies of color, here to hand down a final judgement of blessing and joy.不，那是其实彩色的妖精，给世间带来祝福和欢愉的启示录。

RosalindHuh— I didn't know they had stuff like this in store. They look pretty.诶——还有这种准备啊，挺漂亮的。

(Suddenly, a huge mass of bubbles fills the air above the square. The breeze scatters them in all directions, instantly brightening up the dreary sky of the contaminated zone.)（突然间，广场上空出现了大量的泡泡，它们随着微风分散飞舞，改变了污染区天空沉闷的色彩。）

(The Dolls' unease immediately turns to surprise, and Ullrid senses an opportunity.)（原本不安的人形们为此感到惊喜，这让乌尔丽德意识到这是个不错的机会。）

UllridLadies, the initial refurbishing of our power plant homebase is complete. In order to celebrate this memorable occasion, we've decided to hold a miniature open house celebration!各位，热电厂据点的初步建设已经完成，为了庆祝这个值得纪念的日子，我们决定在今天举行小型的集市庆典！

UllridI hope we can all forget our hardships and wandering for a while. Instead, let us relax and enjoy the fruits of our labors.希望大家能暂时忘记漂泊的辛苦，放松心情，享受眼前成果。

UllridI declare the celebration officially open!我宣布，庆典开始！

Littara[Excellent work, Ullrid. Everyone liked that little stunt with the bubbles. How did you set it up?] —Littara「太好了，大家的反响很热烈，乌尔丽德，这些泡泡是你事先安排的吗？」——莉塔拉

UllridI didn't arrange it.我没有做过这样的安排。

Littara[Then could it have been Suomi and the others?] —Littara「那难道是索米她们做的？」——莉塔拉

UllridSo that's why she wanted to fix the bubble gun. I knew it; that girl never only thinks of herself.所以她才一直想要修好泡泡枪吧，那个孩子，从来都不是只想着自己的。

SuomiThe bubble gun's working again! Thank you, Balthilde!泡泡枪真的修好了，谢谢你，巴希达！

LottaI can hear everyone from the square. Did they find out that we weren't at the opening ceremony?广场那边传来了好多人的声音，是不是我们没去参加庆典开幕式的事情被发现了啊！

BalthildeRelax, it's just everyone being happy about the celebration thing. And besides, the whole point of rushing the repairs to the bubble gun was so that we could get it working in time for the celebration.放心，这是大家在为庆典的开幕感到开心，我们抢在今天把泡泡枪修好，本来就是为了在庆典上展示。

BalthildeBecause that's what you wanted, right, Suomi?这就是你想做的，对吧，索米？

SuomiYup!嗯！

SuomiAh, there's lots of bubbles over there! Balthilde, Lotta, let's head over!啊，那边的泡泡好多，巴希达，洛塔，我们去那边！

(Suomi grabs their hands and runs toward where the bubbles are densest.)（索米拉住两人的手，跑向泡泡最密集的地方。）

LottaS-Suomi, d-don't spin me around... I'm getting dizzy...索……索米，不要拉着我转……头好晕……

SuomiAlright then, take a break, Balthilde!好吧，那你休息会儿，巴希达！

BalthildeW-Wait, not so fast!等等，你别跑那么快！

(The bubble gun sprays an endless stream of soap bubbles behind her, turning the entire plaza into a riot of colors.)（她们的身后，泡泡枪不断制造出五彩的肥皂泡，整个广场都因此变得缤纷绚烂。）

BalthildeThis bubble gun is amazing.厉害啊，这个泡泡枪。

SuomiI know, right? If you fit it with a propulsion module, it can even fly through the air while spraying bubbles all around!对吧，如果装上行驶模块，它还能一边飞驰，一边喷射泡泡哦！

BalthildeThat said, isn't this TOO many bubbles?但是，泡泡的量是不是太大了？

SuomiA little, I think? I still remember how we blasted an entire room with soapy water the first time we fired it up. It frightened the Commander and everyone else on the Elmo pretty badly.有一点吧，记得第一次启动的时候，艾莫号的一整个房间里都沾上了肥皂水，指挥官还有艾莫号上的大家都很惊慌呢。

Balthilde...Um. Suomi, it's true that I was responsible for your precious bubble gun getting broken.……那个索米，之前让你宝贵的泡泡枪损坏，我确实有责任。

BalthildeBack then, I didn't know it meant so much to you, so I focused on protecting other things when the storm hit.我当时，不知道它对你这么重要，所以风暴发生的时候，我优先保护了其它物资。

BalthildeBut as it turned out, your bubble gun was the most fragile of the lot... I realized it back then, but it didn't really register in my mind...但实际上，你的泡泡枪是最容易摔坏的，我当时注意到了这点，却没有重视……

SuomiIt's alright, Balthilde. I felt really down back then, but it really wasn't your fault. And besides, you DID help me fix it after all.没关系巴希达，那时我虽然很难受，但这真的不是你的错，而且，你也帮我修好了啊。

BalthildeStill, I changed a lot of its parts, and while it's fixed and looks the same as before... In many ways, it's no longer the same bubble gun that Mayling gave you.但我换了好多零件，虽然修好了，看起来也和以前一样，但其实……它在很多地方都不是美玲之前给你的那个了。

BalthildeIt's just like Dolls, you know, their neural clouds might be the same, but their frames...这就像是人形一样，虽然心智相同，但素体也……

SuomiBut that's fine, Balthilde. Whether it's machines or Dolls, the important thing is the memories they leave in your heart. Those memories are what give meaning to their existence.那就行了啊，巴希达，不管是机器还是人形，最重要的是在谁的心中留下了记忆。只要有记忆，它们便拥有了存在过的意义。

SuomiNow this Rainbow Bubble Gun doesn't just include memories of the Commander, Miss Mayling and everyone from the Elmo, but also my adventure with you and Lotta. So it's even more precious to me now!现在的五彩泡泡枪，除了包含与指挥官、美玲小姐、艾莫号大家的记忆以外，还多了与你和洛塔一起冒险的回忆。所以，它在我心中比之前更珍贵了！

Balthilde...Haha!……哈哈！

SuomiDid I say something funny?为什么要笑啊？

BalthildeWell, what you said sounded a lot like what Lotta said in the past. Did you guys plan this together or something?因为，你说的这些话，和之前洛塔的话好像，你们不会是私下串通过吧？

SuomiNo, it's just a... a coincidence, I guess? Hehe...没有啊，这是……巧合？嘿嘿……

Balthilde...I'll keep this thing in good shape for you from now on.……我以后也会帮你维护好这台机器的。

BalthildeAfter all, like you said, this Rainbow Bubble Gun is a keepsake for our precious memories.就像你们说的那样，这台五彩泡泡枪，已经是见证我们回忆的重要的宝物了。

World's No. 1 Nice Person Ⅰ 世界上第一个好人·Ⅰ

BalthildeCommander, please move aside. You're blocking the bear's paw from receiving sunlight.指挥官，请让一让。你挡到熊童子的阳光了。

CommanderHuh? What’s the bear's paw...啊？熊童子是……

BalthildeThe bear's paw is a type of succulent that I've been growing aboard the Elmo. They've been in a rather poor state lately, so I looked up lots of information and determined that they are suffering from a lack of direct sunlight.熊童子是艾莫号上养殖的抗辐射多肉植物。它们最近状态不佳，我查阅了许多资料，判断结果是缺少阳光直射。

BalthildeI brought them into my dorm room as the daylighting furnishings here are capable of helping them meet their sunlight requirements.我把它们挪到了我的休息室。这里的采光环境能满足它们的日照需求。

(Balthilde stands unmoving, tool-laden hands at her sides like some sort of stiff, unpowered bot on standby.)（巴希达站在原地，握着工具钳的双手垂在身体两侧，看起来有些僵硬。）

CommanderOh... I... see... Good work, Balthilde.哦，哦……巴希达做得挺好。

BalthildeAnything you need, Commander?指挥官，你还有别的事吗？

CommanderNothing much. I just wanted to check how you were doing.没什么要紧事，就是来看看你的情况。

BalthildeI'm good.我很好。

CommanderMm...嗯……

(Balthilde approaches me with a pair of pliers in her hands, then turns to repair a small hair dryer. The dismantled hair dryer's various parts are arranged according to category and size. An open toolbox is sitting on her table.)（巴希达拿着工具钳来到我身边，开始对一个小型吹风机进行修理。吹风机已经被拆开，所有零件分门别类、按照大小顺序摆放在桌面上。桌面上还摆着一个打开的工具箱。）

CommanderYou seem busy...巴希达看起来很忙啊……

BalthildeNot really.并不怎么忙。

CommanderThen... maybe I should come again when you're free?那，等巴希达闲暇时，我再过来？

BalthildeI'm not busy.我不忙。

CommanderHuh...?啊……？

BalthildeI'm already done with dismantling the hair dryer. Now, I just have to replace the broken parts and reassemble it.要修理的吹风机，结构和零件已经拆解完毕。我只需要将损坏零件进行更换，再进行组装重组。

BalthildeI don't have to spend much computing power on this kind of thing.这些工作占用的算力非常少。

CommanderSo Balthilde, you mean that I can talk to you while you work on the repairs?巴希达的意思是，可以一边工作一边和我交谈？

(Balthilde lowers her head, then gives me a subtle nod. A faint blush quietly shows itself on her cheeks.)（巴希达低下头，又缓缓点了一点头。一丝绯红悄悄爬上她的脸颊。）

CommanderYou're the one who handles most mechanical engineering tasks like these in the Doll Community, right? Great work.在机械工程这方面，巴希达做得很好啊。平常人形社区的这些工作，都是巴希达解决的吧？

BalthildeWork is a responsibility. Plus, this is all I'm good for.工作是职责，我也只有这点本事了。

CommanderMore people should learn from your work ethic.这种精神很值得大家学习。

BalthildePerhaps.还行。

(Balthilde finishes assembling the hair dryer. She connects it to power before giving it to me.)（巴希达停下了手中的工作，吹风机已经被组装完毕。她将电源接上，然后将吹风机递给我。）

BalthildeDo you want to try it out, Commander?指挥官要不要试试看？

(I take the hair dryer offered to me and raise the heat level by one notch. A torrent of heat blasts me in the face; I was even more unprepared for the hair dryer to vibrate this much and I lose my grip.)（我接过巴希达递过来的吹风机，将热度调大了一档，一股热浪席卷而来，吹风机的震动让我有些猝不及防，一时没有握紧。）

BalthildeWatch out, Commander!指挥官小心！

Balthilde(Hisses in pain) I'm fine. Stay put, I'll turn it off.嘶——！我没事，放着，我关它。

(Balthilde manages to catch the hair dryer before it hits the ground, but sustains a burn to the synthetic skin on her hand. She turns it off and looks at me.)（在吹风机落下前，巴希达接住了它。但她手部的仿生皮肤也被高温烫了一下。关掉吹风机后，巴希达看向我。）

CommanderSorry, I'll get some ice for your hand.抱歉，我去给巴希达拿冰块敷一敷。

BalthildeNo need. I'm a Doll. We're not that delicate.不用，我是人形，没那么娇贵。

BalthildeThis kind of thing happens quite often whenever I'm working at the Doll Community.在社区工作时，这种情况很常见。

World's No. 1 Nice Person Ⅱ 世界上第一个好人·Ⅱ

CommanderDoesn't it hurt?巴希达，这样会疼吗？

BalthildeI'm used to it. Much worse has happened before.习惯了，和以前相比，根本不算什么。

CommanderSorry, I guess it was a pretty stupid question.对不起，这确实是个很蠢的问题。

BalthildeStupid? What are you referring to?蠢？指挥官指的是？

CommanderI'll go get a towel and some ice for you. Wait for me.我去给你拿冰块和毛巾，稍等一下。

(When I got back to Balthilde's room, she was already working on fixing a terminal that was used to the point of breakage. The cover had been removed, exposing the circuit board.)（我拿好东西回到巴希达的房间时，她已经开始修理以前用坏了的终端了。终端外壳被拆开，电路板摊开在她面前。）

CommanderWhy don't you take a break, Balthilde?巴希达，歇一会吧。

BalthildeI'm not tired.我不累。

CommanderBut we still have to treat your hand.但你的手还是要处理一下。

BalthildeIt's just a minor injury. Nothing much for a Doll.只是一点小伤，对人形来说，这不算什么。

CommanderI'm your Commander.我是指挥官。

Balthilde...Alright. Since it's an order from you, I'll follow it.……我知道了，既然是指挥官的命令，我会好好遵从的。

(Balthilde sits on the chair, looking at me with unease. She seems unsure of how to conduct herself.)（巴希达乖乖地坐在椅子上，局促地看着我，一副不知道该如何自处的模样。）

Commander...Give me your hand.……把手伸出来。

BalthildeOkay.好。

CommanderThe hand with the injury.只伸受伤的那只手。

BalthildeSorry.对不起。

(I wrap an ice cube in the towel and wait for it to melt a little before covering Balthilde's scalded skin with the towel. Her expression is that of confusion, before she lowers her head, unable to meet my gaze.)（我将冰块包在毛巾里，待冰块稍稍融化后，将湿润的毛巾盖在巴希达被烫过的皮肤上。她的表情有些茫然，很快又低下头，不敢看我。）

BalthildeThanks...谢谢……

BalthildeCommander, there's something that I have to tell you.指挥官，有件事，要和您讲。

(We converse while I hold her hand in mine, checking to see if the swelling has gone down.)（我握着巴希达的手，一边观察消肿的情况，一边和她谈话。）

CommanderWhat's wrong?你说。

BalthildeI told you that there is no need to spend this much effort to take care of an injury this minor. I'm a Doll, you know?我说过，这种程度的受伤，不需要花费很多精力。我是人形，不需要。

BalthildeYou're just wasting resources and your labor trying to treat it with ice, Commander.指挥官用冰块给我敷手，是无效劳动和资源浪费。

BalthildeThere is no need for you to do this if it happens again in the future.以后不用这么做了。

BalthildeI know that you're my superior and that I should listen to your orders, but I have the responsibility to inform you of any low-quality decisions that you're making.您是我的上级，我应该听从您的命令。但目前您的决策质量不佳，我需要告诉您。

BalthildeWith all that said, I did do something wrong here. I shouldn't have asked you to check whether or not the hair dryer was successfully repaired.但是，吹风机烫手这件事里，我也有错。我不该让您来检验吹风机是否修好。

BalthildeI didn't anticipate that you would lose your grip on it, so it was a failure on my part as your subordinate when I decided to hand you a dangerous object. I would like to apologize for this.没有预判到指挥官可能松手，就贸然将有危险的物品递给指挥官，是身为下属的我的失职。我为这件事向您道歉。

BalthildeThat's all.我说完了。

CommanderHmm...嗯……

BalthildeYou've been quiet for a long time, Commander.指挥官的沉默时间很长。

BalthildeDid I say something wrong again? Sorry. I shouldn't be like this.我又说错话了？对不起，我不该这样。

CommanderYou're quick to apologize, but do you know what was wrong with what you said?巴希达道歉的速度很快。巴希达知道自己哪里说的不对吗？

BalthildeI...我……

(Balthilde lowers her head in dejection. She stares at the circuit board with her peripheral vision, gripping her pliers tighter.)（巴希达沮丧地垂下头，眼角的余光盯着电路板。握着工具钳的那只手也握得更紧了。）

BalthildeI don't know, but whenever I put things plainly as they are, people are unhappy about it.我不知道。但是，我实话实说时，大家都会不高兴。

BalthildeSo whenever something similar happens, I apologize immediately as people's moods seem to return to normal if I do that. However, this happens over and over again.在类似的情况下，我马上道歉，大家的情绪就会好起来。但是，下次还会出现这种情况。

BalthildeI don't know what to do anymore, Commander. I don't know what's wrong with the way I talk, or why I keep upsetting other people.指挥官，我不知道怎么办。但我不明白，我之前说的那些话错在哪里，为什么我的话总是会让大家心情不好。

BalthildeI should just stay quiet. Can't cause problems if nothing is said.我只能沉默，不说。不说，就不会出现问题。

CommanderI believe I have a pretty good grasp on what's going on now. You haven't done anything wrong, Balthilde. Let us deal with this together the next time it happens.我大概清楚是怎么回事了。这不是巴希达的错哦，下次我们来好好地处理这个问题吧。

World's No. 1 Nice Person Ⅲ 世界上第一个好人·Ⅲ

CommanderCan you trust me, Balthilde?巴希达，信任我吗？

(Balthilde's head shoots back up, her eyes looking into mine with determination.)（巴希达猛地抬起头，眼神坚定地看着我。）

Balthilde...I don't like humans very much, but you're different from the others, Commander.……虽然我不喜欢人类，但指挥官，和那些人是不同的。

BalthildeWhen I chose you, I chose to place my very existence in your hands.我选择了指挥官，就是把我自身的存在，交付到了您的手里。

CommanderHmm, let us do a small exercise for starters. Balthilde, can you tell what kind of emotional state I'm in right now?那我们先做一个小训练，巴希达，你能不能判断一下，我现在是什么情绪状态？

BalthildeCalm and serious?平静，认真？

BalthildeWhy did you ask me to do that, Commander?指挥官，您为什么要让我这么做？

CommanderTry to give it a think, Balthilde. Why did I ask you to do that?巴希达可以先想一想，我让你这么做的理由是什么？

BalthildeI... It's because...我……理由是……

BalthildeIf I can accurately determine the emotional state of my audience, I could adjust my statements based on their current status...如果我能准确判断他人的情绪状态，就可以根据其情绪状态进行合理应对……

BalthildeFor example, you're displaying calmness and seriousness right now, so I can ask you more questions...比如，指挥官现在很平静，也很认真，我就可以向指挥官请教更多问题……？

Balthilde...without you getting angry or frustrated...?指挥官，也不会生气和为难……？

CommanderThat's about right, Balthilde. You have a real knack for this. How did you feel when you were trying to determine my state of mind?判断基本准确。巴希达在这方面很有天赋嘛，做这种判断时，巴希达的感受怎么样？

Balthilde...It felt strange. It's tiring.……很奇怪，很累。

BalthildeI've practically never done such things before. My sensory module feels like it's overloading. I've spent... too much computing power...以前基本不会这么做，我的感知模块在超负荷工作，算力……消耗过度……

BalthildeIt's... difficult for me to play along with people's emotions, as a Doll with reduced emotion analysis capabilities.他人情绪拟合……对削弱了情感分析这方面机能的我来说，是一件很难的事。

CommanderYou weren't designed for such tasks, so it's normal that you feel that it's difficult and tiring.巴希达被设计为不擅长做这类事，感到累和难很正常。

CommanderBut these frustrations aren't limited to Dolls. Humans often encounter such difficulties as well.但不仅仅是人形，人类也常常会有这方面的烦恼。

CommanderWe agonize over how to better communicate with others, how to improve our own likability so that we'd be more valued and loved.不知该怎么更好地和人交流，不知道该怎么提高的宜人性，让自身更受重视、更被喜爱。

CommanderYet these troubles won't stop people from becoming likable. It doesn't matter whether we are good at socializing or not, intention matters the most.但是，这并不会妨碍这些人成为让人喜爱的人，重要的并不是擅长或者不擅长，而是自己的心愿如何。

BalthildeIntention...心愿……

CommanderYou're always thinking about others, repairing and maintaining so many Dolls in silence. Plus, you're quite the courageous Doll in combat. People will like you even if you are a little dull.经常为大家着想，默默地修理和维护着这么多人形，战场也很勇敢的巴希达，就算迟钝一点，也一定能成为大家的中心。

Balthilde...! W-what the heck are you saying, Commander—……！说，说什么呢，指挥官——

CommanderIn addition, you'll get better at analyzing people's emotions the more you do it. As long as you keep practicing, your speed and accuracy will definitely go up.况且，情绪分析这方面的问题可以通过训练逐步解决，巴希达练习得越多，对他人的情绪状态判断得越准确，越快速。

CommanderWe're just like the molds used to make modifying tools more convenient... Humans aren't that different from Dolls.就好像为了改造工具方便而制造的各种模具……其实人类本身也不过是如此，和人形没有什么不同。

CommanderIt's just a matter of time, so I know you'll do well in the future. Don't worry and try not to feel too anxious about it. Keep calm and believe in yourself.这些都是时间问题，我想巴希达能做好。别担心，也不要紧张，保持稳定，保持信心。

BalthildeYou... have a way with words...指挥官……很会说话……

BalthildeYou make, people happy.让人，很高兴。

BalthildeI don't understand how making me happy benefits you, but I'll take it as a gain for myself.虽然我不知道让我高兴这一点对你来说有什么好处，但是，我也就当做自己赚到了吧。

World's No. 1 Nice Person Ⅳ 世界上第一个好人·Ⅳ

BalthildeCommander, the exercise that you mentioned before... I just have to imitate you and things will go well, right?指挥官上次说的训练……我只要模仿指挥官，是不是就可以了？

CommanderI don't have a problem with that, but I'm not exactly the best at reading people's expressions and emotions. Wouldn't imitating me make things worse?虽然没关系，但是，我可不是很擅长察言观色的那类人啊，模仿我只会有反效果吧？

BalthildeReally? I don't know many humans, but you seem to handle various underground brokers and Dolls with ease.真的吗？虽然我认识的人类不多，但是指挥官你不管是面对暗商还是人形都能游刃有余。

BalthildeLet's not forget how much Suomi and the others adore you. Ullrid relies on you a lot, too. I've observed a whole bunch of things like this.不要说索米她们有多爱戴你，乌尔丽德也一直都非常依赖你，这一切我可是都看在眼里的。

BalthildeYou stand out as the classic, quintessential heartthrob among all the humans I know.在我接触的人类里，指挥官你可是典型的万人迷啊。

CommanderI... I don't recall becoming something like that... My former colleagues would die laughing if they heard all this..我，我可不记得自己什么时候成为万人迷的……这话让我以前的同僚听到会笑死的吧。

BalthildeNo way. Even a Doll like me enjoys spending time with the Commander I love. It's actually my first time doing so... but if I compare myself with the other Dolls, I too, believe that my affection for you won't lose to the other Dolls.没这回事，就算是我也喜欢和指挥官待在一起，这不但是我迄今为止的第一次……而且和其他人形比较，我也有自己对指挥官的爱不会输的自信。

CommanderThank you.谢谢。

BalthildeYou're welcome.不客气。

Commander...Wait. What did you say just now?……嗯，你刚刚说什么？

Balthilde...Eh?……咦？

Balthilde...……

BalthildeAhhhh! W-what did I say?!啊啊啊啊！我，我说了什么！？

BalthildeWhy did I say "love"?! It's not love or whatever! I have a normal human-Doll working relationship with you, I came here for the sake of everyone in the Doll Community, It's not...爱是什么！才不是爱啊！我和指挥官是人形和人类之间的关系，为了社区的大家我才登上艾莫号的，才不是……

BalthildeIt's not... because of love, or whatever... Uuuu...才不是……爱什么的，呜——

CommanderHey... Why are you crying?喂你怎么还哭上了！

BalthildeBut... but... I'm a Doll! A Doll, you know?! I swore to keep my distance from humans and live with everyone in the Doll Community...因为，因为，我明明是人形，明明是人形！明明决定了要远离人类和大家一起……

CommanderThere, there. There's no need to be so worked up.好啦，好啦，巴希达，冷静下来。

(I reach out and bring Balthilde into my embrace.)（我伸出手，把巴希达抱入了怀中。）

Balthilde...Ahhhh Hey what are you doing, Commander?! I'm going to crash! I'm going to crash—!……啊喂你做什么指挥官！要宕机了！要宕机了啊啊——！

BalthildePhew! What a dangerous man! Looks like I can't let my guard down around humans even if I'm just dealing with the Commander...呼，呼，真是个危险的家伙！就算是指挥官也好，对人类可不能掉以轻心呢！

BalthildeThat combo attack you used just now... It's part of a tactic to make me crash, isn't it?!刚刚那一系列的组合攻击，都是为了让我宕机而采取的战术吧！？

CommanderThose weren't tactics at all... but this is.那些并不是战术……但这个可以算是。

(Balthilde stares at me blankly. Watching her dorky expression, I couldn't help but reach out to swipe her fringe aside and give her a good flick on the forehead.)（看着巴希达木木呆呆的模样，我忍不住伸手撩开她额前的刘海儿，弹了她一个脑瓜崩。）

BalthildeOw! That hurts...!嗷！疼……！

BalthildeCommander?指挥官？

BalthildeWhy did you do that? Are you playing me for amusement or something?! Alright then, I'm not gonna hold back either!指挥官为什么弹我？难道说，这是在拿我寻开心吗！好啊，那我也不客气了！

(Balthilde launches a counterattack... good thing I managed to dodge it.)（巴希达对我反击——幸好我及时地躲开了。）

BalthildeHmph, you're impressive alright, but you're still a human in the end! Eat this!哼，你这家伙，果然还是个人类！指挥官，看招！

CommanderWait, let's have a ceasefire for now! You're not done with that repair yet!等一下等一下，休战休战，还有工作没做完呢！

(I squish and squeeze her succulent cheeks. It feels great.)（我捏了捏巴希达肉肉的脸，手感很好。）

CommanderI'll join you again once you're done, alright?等你做完后，我再奉陪吧，好吗？

BalthildeSure. From now on, I'll always be by your side, Commander. Regardless of whether there's anything I can learn from you!当然啦，不管能不能从你身上学到东西，从此以后，我都会和你待在一起的，指挥官！

Collection Overview 1 收藏展示1

BalthildeCommander, I checked through the Elmo's electronics and indoor plants and discovered several issues.指挥官，我对艾莫号的电子设备、室内绿植进行了检查，发现了不少问题。

BalthildeI've listed the outstanding issues here, so please have a look.待解决事项清单已经列出，请您查收。

BalthildeWe'll have to make some purchases if we are to solve these issues. Please check and inform whether or not you'll approve the budget.要将问题一一解决，需要购买相应物资，是否批准经费，请告知。

Use {0}消耗{0}

Sorry to bother you...打扰了…

BalthildeUnderstood.收到。

BalthildeI see... Understood.既然如此……收到。

Kitchen Chat 1 厨房闲谈1

BalthildeHah? You're telling me that you haven't eaten anything for today? Here's something that I just finished cooking. Take it and eat before it gets cold.哈？你今天还没有吃过东西？我这里有刚做好的，你赶紧拿去吃吧。

A mellow richness lingers between the lips and teeth, its rapturous aftertaste long and enduring.醇厚的滋味在唇齿间缱绻，幸福的余韵悠长，经久不散。

CommanderEvery mouthful tastes like bliss.每一口都是幸福的味道。

BalthildeHow does it taste?味道还可以吧？

Smells great!好香！

Perfect all-round.外观和调味都恰到好处。

CommanderThe steam is carrying the scent very well. Well done.热气激发出了香味，很不错。

BalthildeHmph. I'll admit that you have some taste.哼，算你品味不错。

CommanderDelicious!美味可口！

CommanderPerfect in both seasonings and appearances.外观和调味都恰到好处。

The deep aroma coils around the tongue, wrapping me in a cloud of tenderness.浓郁的香气萦绕舌尖，仿佛坠入温柔的云端。

Kitchen Chat 2 厨房闲谈2

BalthildeThe dishes here are experimental. Feel free to eat them if you're hungry, but make sure to give me your feedback afterwards.桌上的菜还在试验阶段，你要是饿了可以吃掉，记得告诉我评价。

Her thoughtful cooking brings out soul-stirring flavors from even the simplest ingredients.合理的烹调让最简单的食材碰撞出令人动容的滋味。

CommanderThe perfectly managed heat brings out a natural harmony of taste.恰到好处的火候，食材的美味浑然天成。

BalthildeSpeak. How does it taste?说吧，口味怎么样？

Needs more moisture.再增加一些湿度吧。

A little bland.稍微有点淡。

CommanderPretty good, but it might need more moisture.挺好的，再增加一些湿度吧。

BalthildeOh, alright. Things should be easy enough now that I know what you like.哦，好。知道了你的偏好，改良起来就方便了。

CommanderBig portions!量大管饱！

CommanderNot bad, just that it tastes a little bland.还不错，只是稍微有点淡。

With a single bite, their freshness blooms upon the palate.一口下去，食材的鲜味在口中绽放。

Kitchen Chat 3 厨房闲谈3

BalthildeCommander, I just came up with this new dish. How does it taste?指挥官，这是我新做的，你尝尝味道怎么样？

An indescribably complex sensation surges in my chest, leaving my mind in a daze.难以名状的复杂口感涌上心间，以至脑海只剩一片茫然。

CommanderA mysterious flavour—yet somehow, it feels familiar.迷之口感，但吃起来有点熟悉。

BalthildeWhy are you so silent? Tell me how it is.你怎么不说话了？到底怎么样，你倒是说啊。

Really wakes you up!呃，提神醒脑！

Quite... experimental.非常……新奇。

CommanderUh, well! It really wakes you up, that's what I'll say!呃，提神醒脑！

BalthildeSpit it back out if it's too bad. Hey! You're not gonna swallow that on my watch!觉得难吃你就直接吐出来好了，喂，不许咽下去！

CommanderIs this really edible?真的能吃？

CommanderIt's... unbelievable.简直……令人难以想象。

My once-keen sense of taste slowly loses its bearings amid this strange experience.昔日敏锐的味觉在此刻陌生的体验中逐渐迷失了方向。

Equipment Maintenance 设备维护

BalthildeAh, Commander, you're here. I had a question for you.指挥官，你来了啊，我有话要问你。

BalthildeWho's in charge of maintaining the equipment here? I can make some time to share the load.现在是谁在维护这里的设备？我有时间，可以分担一些工作。

Help me fix up the armory.帮忙维护武器室吧。

I'll leave the rec room to you.娱乐室就交给你了。

CommanderSome weapons are more complex than others, so feel free to look for me or Mayling if you have any issues.有些武器设计比较复杂，如果有问题可以找我或者美玲。

BalthildeGot it. I've always been pretty good at weapon maintenance and repair, so don't worry about it.知道了，武器维护和维修算是我比较擅长的领域，放心吧。

BalthildeI promise your babies will always be in top condition.我保证让你的宝贝们随时保持在最佳状态。

BalthildeRecreation... Now that's a word I haven't heard before, not from the moment I was rolled out.娱乐……很陌生的词，我从被生产出来到现在都没怎么沾过。

Balthilde...Why are you looking at me like that? Relax, I'll make sure to study up before I start working on it.……你这是什么眼神？别担心了，上手之前，我会好好学习。

BalthildeI mean, it's all circuits and mechanical parts, I'll manage somehow.估计就是些电路和机械结构，我还应付得来。

First Enjoyment 第一次玩乐

BalthildeOi, Commander, come over... er, I mean, Commander, please come over here.喂，指挥官，你过来一下……呃，我是说，请您。

BalthildeI want to learn more about those big machines over there. Should I start with the arcade machines or the gacha machine?我想研究一下那边的几台大家伙，你推荐先从游戏机开始还是扭蛋机开始？

Start with the arcade machines.先玩游戏机吧。

Start with the gacha machine.先玩扭蛋机吧。

BalthildeHm, I can tell this is a screen for displaying data.嗯，我能认出输出数据用的屏幕。

BalthildeSo the rest of it are input devices? What's this one called, a joystick?其他的就是输入数据用的操作组了吧？叫什么？摇杆？

BalthildeHm? Put the screwdriver away? Why can't I open it up and take a look inside?嗯？你叫我把螺丝刀收回去？不能拆开看看嘛？

BalthildeSo you use that mechanical claw to grab stuff inside it?用那个机械手抓里面的东西？

Balthilde...That seems really inefficient. I'll install a net to speed things up.……效率好低，明明可以加装网兜的，我现在就装。

BalthildeHm? Stop? But why?嗯？住手？为什么？

Dorm Dialogue 1 宿舍对话1

BalthildeSomething you want repaired? Leave it here.你有要修理的东西吗？放在这里吧。

Balthilde...Keep a smile on your face, don't look too murderous, stay smiling... What, do I still look menacing? ...Hmph, you won't be saying that ever again after today! ...No, I need to smile...……保持微笑，眼神不能太凶，保持微笑……干嘛啦，我看上去还是很凶狠吗？……哼，今天之后你们就不能再这么说了！……不行，保持微笑……

Inventory Impressions 库存感想

BalthildeWe haven't cleared up the Doll Community's warehouses in a long time.人形社区的库存很久没整理了。

BalthildeWe should be able to find some usable decorations if we look through our inventory.翻一翻库存应该能找到还能用的装饰品。

BalthildeAnd if we modify our old stuff, we can turn them into new items.改造一下过去的东西就能变成全新的道具了。

BalthildeThe virtues of an ordinary life.这是平凡生活的美德。

Affinity Records 契合度记录

Record 1Balthilde was originally a civilian mechanic Doll who worked at an appliance repair shop in one of the many satellite cities. Diligence, meticulousness, and an unwavering commitment to the truth—those were the virtues imparted unto her, written into her base layer by her designers in the hope that they would help her provide customers with nothing but the most reliable service imaginable. Unfortunately, those ingredients proved to have been too much for the pot; Balthilde had significant shortcomings when it came to communication and self-expression. The vast majority of her processing power was allocated to mechanic-related work, causing her to struggle to respond appropriately to others' emotions and, as such, would cause her to express whatever disagreement she had with all the bluntness of a hammer. Naturally, this made it particularly difficult for others, no matter who they were, to get along with her. After the unexpected passing of the appliance shop owner, Balthilde found herself a vagrant, wandering the contamination zones. Because of her less-than-pleasant personality, she could never find a place to stay long-term, finding herself in a constant loop of expulsion and displacement. Due to these negative experiences, she grew increasingly pessimistic, defaulting to meeting others with harsh cynicism; after all, why bother with interpersonal relationships if they never worked out? While Balthilde admittedly found her own shortcomings troubling, any degree of self-improvement in this aspect proved to be an insurmountable challenge. It was not until she gained friends, acquainting herself with Wolfiin and Lotta that she began to rein in her sharp tongue. After meeting Ullrid, she slowly acclimated to the broader Doll Community family. Even to this day, Balthilde finds herself struggling to find the right words; yet whenever she is reminded of her friends within the Doll Community or the Commander, a faint smile makes itself known on her face, brightening that stern and rigid exterior of hers. "...Hey, Commander. You're not allowed to dislike me, capiche?"巴希达最初是在卫星城中的电器维修店工作的维修类民用人形。 认真、细致、坚持真理——人形设计师赋予了巴希达这样的性格底色，希望她能为客人提供最可靠的维修服务。 遗憾的是，由于巴希达的算力大多分配于机修相关模块，在沟通表达方面表现出了较为明显的缺陷。巴希达无法妥善回应他人的情感，发表异议时也极为生硬，不讨人喜欢。 电器店主意外去世之后，流落至污染区的巴希达因性格问题，被迫辗转各处。这样的负面经历使巴希达在人情往来上越发消极，习惯于用恶言恶语回应他人。 巴希达虽然对自己的缺陷感到苦恼，却也难以改进。直到结识了沃尔芬和洛塔，拥有朋友之后，巴希达才逐渐收敛起恶言恶语的习惯；在遇到乌尔丽德后，慢慢融入了人形社区的大家庭。 如今的巴希达虽然仍旧不善言辞，但想到人形社区的朋友们，想到指挥官，那张严肃刻板的小脸上也会露出浅浅的微笑。 “……喂，指挥官。你，不准讨厌我啊。”

Record 2Balthilde enjoys spending time in the Doll Community's experimental farms. Whenever there is nothing in need of repairs, she finds herself dropping by the farms, working to maintain the automated agricultural machines. Ah, yes. She also makes sure to greet the tomatoes and purple sweet potatoes. Though production is mostly automated, there are still plenty of tasks that need manual labor. For instance, testing soil conditions, replenishing fertilizer, wiping leaves, and pruning dying branches. And of course, chatting with the tomatoes and telling them stories. She found all this to be incredibly relaxing. After all, no matter what she says, tomatoes cannot be hurt by her words. Should she, objectively speaking, describe a tomato as "ugly", there is plenty that it cannot do in response. It cannot spring up in rage. It cannot file a complaint. It cannot argue with her or dock her wages. The same cannot be said of the humans she's dealt with in the past. Looking back, Balthilde is still baffled by how so many conflicts arose. ...She had merely informed them that an item "couldn't be repaired", or that "a part needs to be replaced". Why were they suddenly getting so upset, shouting things like: "What the hell's up with that attitude"? Why were they suddenly accusing her, saying things like: "You're trying to scam me, aren't you"? And why then, did they suddenly escalate, proclaiming with finality: "I'm never coming back to this damn sham of a business ever again"? Tomatoes and purple sweet potatoes have no such sensitivity. As long as the machines are maintained, as long as water and sunlight are provided, these tomatoes shall grow into delicious treats for all. Whether her stories are entertaining, it matters not. A farmer's hard work will simply be repaid in kind. How rational, how friendly they are. They bring such peace and tranquility to a Doll's heart. As she stands alone in this placid plantation, a content smile forms on her face. Ah, tomatoes... How great thou art.巴希达很喜欢待在人形社区的试验田里。 没有其他机械要修理的时候，巴希达就会去试验田维护那些自动化农业机械，顺便问候试验田里的番茄和紫薯。 即使种植产线已经高度自动化，仍有不少等待着人形们手工维护的工作。 测试土壤状态，增补肥料，擦拭叶片，摘取弱枝，又或者只是与番茄们聊聊天、讲讲故事。 巴希达觉得这些工作很能放松身心。 毕竟，番茄不会被她的言语伤到。就算她如实将一只番茄描述为“丑陋”，那只番茄也不会气得跳起来投诉她，与她争吵，扣她工资。 这和巴希达以前打过交道的人类完全不同。 回顾过去，巴希达至今仍对许多场冲突的发生感到不解。 ……明明只是如实告知“修不好”或者“要换零件”，为什么对方就会突然生气，高声说起“你这什么态度”“我看你就是想骗钱”，最后上升到“再也不来你这种黑店”呢？ 番茄和紫薯就不会这么敏感啊。 即使她的故事讲得不够动听，只要那些自动化设施维护得好，番茄还是会长成美味的番茄。用酸甜可口的滋味回报农夫的努力耕耘。 真是理智又友善的番茄啊。 番茄使人形内心宁静而平和。 在安静的空无一人的试验田中，巴希达露出了怡然自得的微笑。 让我们赞美番茄。

Record 3Was it the wandering, the impoverished state that she often found herself in that led her to form such a habit? The Yellow Zones had a way of driving people mad, and for Balthilde, it gave her a constant need to hoard whatever resources she could lay her hands upon. No machinery was exempt from this fixation of hers. No matter what was left behind by humans, she found herself breaking them down to their smallest constituents. Reusable parts, such as screws and nuts were carefully sorted and stored, whereas larger components were carried back, stockpiled till there was enough to smelt into ingots to be used in the future. What her injured comrades left behind also found themselves subject to her whims. Doll limbs were meticulously inspected for anything that could be reused. When she began assisting with maintenance aboard the Elmo and working alongside Rosalind and Mayling, the three of them found themselves exchanging certain stories during shift handovers. "A part of Lotta's current leg came from Suomi's previous leg. A part of my left hand came from one of Suomi's." "Ullrid and Dushevnaya were a bit of a doozy. Their components were not as compatible with the others due to the height differences. With that in mind, I proposed that we should replace everyone's frames with a standardized model, but that was rejected." A trace of disappointment flashed on Balthilde's face as she said this. Rosalind smiled in response, shaking her head. "It should be noted that not all Dolls' neural clouds are compatible with all frames. Standardization will surely not work out for everyone." "Ain't that a shame." Balthilde continued, dejection plastered across her countenance. "I got that arm I damaged last time working again, but nobody's in need of an arm right now so it's just been sitting all pretty on the shelf." Mayling awkwardly chuckled. "As they say, gotta make do with what you get, that's just how it goes..." Rosalind turned to Balthilde, smiling as she did. "Still, I must say thanks. Thanks to your great insistence on conserving resources and recycling parts, the Doll Community has managed to stand on its feet for this long. We'd never have survived till the day we met with the Elmo otherwise." Such praise had Balthilde red from ear to ear. "You can't just say that, y'hear?" Although filled with embarrassment and irritation, as she turned away, the corners of her mouth curled into a hidden smile.或许是在黄区辗转流浪了太久，也或许是过惯了捉襟见肘的日子，巴希达对物资储备有一定的执念。 人类留在废墟中的一切机械，巴希达都会将之拆卸为最小零件单元。尚能重复使用的通用件，如螺丝螺母，要分门别类地存放好。较大块的金属板，可以先背回营地，收集一批之后一起熔炼为块状备用。 就算是从战损的友人身上拆卸下来的人形肢体配件，巴希达也要仔细检查过是否还有能够重复利用的地方。 开始协助艾莫号进行维修工作后，巴希达随人形社区机械师罗莎琳一起与美玲做交接，互通情报。 “洛塔的部分腿部零件是索米的上一条腿。我的左手则部分出自于索米的上一只手。” “乌尔丽德和杜莎妮有些麻烦，因为身高的原因很难通用。我提议过全员换成统一的素体规格，被驳回了。” 巴希达流露出些许不甘心。 罗莎琳笑着摇头：“战术人形的心智和素体有适配度的概念，统一规格的想法是不行的。” “真是浪费，”巴希达恹恹道，“上次我坏掉的那条手修好了，还不知道给谁用呢。” 美玲在一旁干笑：“真是新三年，旧三年，缝缝补补又三年呀……” 罗莎琳看着巴希达微笑：“不过，也多亏了巴希达不怕麻烦，一直坚持节约资源回收零件，人形社区才能支撑到现在，遇到艾莫号。” 巴希达的脸红起来：“要你多话。” 虽然满面羞恼，但背转身时，巴希达偷偷地扬起了嘴角。

Record 4Ever since the Elmo and the Doll Community established stable relations, Balthilde found herself receiving some... truly bizarre orders. There were the hazardous ones, like— "A specialized injection apparatus capable of administering medication to humans without pain; a set of handcuffs with a locking mechanism linked to a Doll's internal program, and finally, some chairs equipped with restraints with the capability of outputting mild electrical currents..." Balthilde rejected every request in this category, bar none. "What in tarnation do you want to use this for? Do we need to put you guys on a watchlist?" Then, there were the fantastical ones, like— "An invisibility cloak for slacking off; a stone pedestal for the one and only Excalibur; a giant pumpkin carriage capable of carrying at least one Doll..." Baffled didn't even come close to how Balthilde felt reading all of these. This had nothing to do with her field of expertise. Not at all. Why were these requests even being sent her way anyway? After that debacle, Balthilde added a stipulation for any and all requests sent her way: all Dolls must include a design blueprint for whatever they request. Eventually, some relatively normal items arose from the tide of questionable requests. "A pillow capable of fully inflating within 0.5 seconds; alarms that buzz upon detecting ketchup in Guo Bao Rou; a whetstone designed specifically for use on a blade protruding from someone's head..." Balthilde did her best to produce handicrafts in line with the specifications of the requests, but there were times when she honest to god had no idea where to even begin. "Look here, I'm just a mechanic. Not a genie or a wishing fountain. Do you expect me to be able to make every random thingamajig that happens to cross your noggins?" "Seriously. Do you folks have any idea what is and isn't possible to make?"艾莫号与人形社区建立稳固的关系之后，巴希达经常收到来自艾莫号的神奇订单。 有危险物品类—— 希望她打造可以无痛为人类注射药物的特殊针具、锁定开关与人形内置程序绑定的手铐、带有束缚道具能释放微电流的椅子…… 巴希达对此类需求一概回绝：“到底是想用在哪里啊？我应该向谁实名举报吗？” 有梦幻物品类—— 摸鱼专用隐形斗篷、放置石中剑的墩子、能载至少一名人形的巨大南瓜马车…… 巴希达摸不着头脑。 这和机械已经完全没有关系了，为什么订单会送到她这里呢？ 巴希达定下了新规定，要求人形们下创意订单时附带设计图纸。 终于，出现了相对正常的日常用品类—— 能在0.5秒内完成充气的枕头、在锅包肉中检测到番茄酱就发出蜂鸣的警报器、适合蹭脑袋的磨刀石板…… 巴希达尽其所能地制作满足这些要求的订制品，但偶尔也会无从下手。 “我只是个机械修理工。” “不要把我当成阿拉丁神灯或者许愿池，不是梦到什么都能做出来的。” “这种东西我能不能做你们自己心里没数吗？”

Record 5"I used to hate weapons more than anything." Balthilde fired two shots. An ELID that was approaching the Doll Community collapsed in turn. In the past, the Community would occasionally come under attack by either Varjagers or ELIDs. For most of its existence, one could count the number of Dolls within the Community who could put up a fight on one hand. They were, however, usually tied down by resource expeditions. At one point, Littara worried over whether this immense burden would eventually overwhelm Ullrid. Fortunately, the situation has improved since. After undergoing the Tactical Doll conversion procedure, Balthilde has joined Littara and Lotta in forming the Community's defense squad. Whenever she had no repair duties to attend to, she would return to the Community and help safeguard it. Yet, despite becoming a member of the squad and having taken up arms, Balthilde nonetheless found herself somewhat reluctant. "Getting myself into a situation where I must pick up a weapon just ain't ideal. Don't like it one bit. Things tend to break when people get into a fight, which means sooner or later they'll come to me for repairs." "When they come in for repairs, we'll just get into an argument and tons of unpleasant words are gonna get thrown around." "And who's to blame for all this? That's right, it's the firearms. That's why I hate weapons more than anything." Indeed, humans are governed by hormones and instincts they have yet to shed. As long as they do, they cannot remain calm and objective. As such, they are but a stick of dynamite with their fuse held close to the flames of their passions, forever ready to erupt into a fireball that shall envelop themselves and others around them in an infernal blaze of destruction. Littara wrote down a message and showed it to Balthilde. [You've gotten really good at this. You've taken out more ELIDs than everyone else.] —Littara "Hmph." Balthilde thought for a moment. "That's only because neither you people nor the Commander ever argues with me." The reluctance on her face gradually faded. Lotta spoke up cautiously. "T-That means you've finally found a home of your own, right?" What answered Lotta was Balthilde's tacit gunfire. A pause. "...Yeah, I suppose." "If it's to protect my home and the family that's important to me, then picking up a weapon isn't a bad thing, I guess." The last trace of reluctance disappeared from Balthilde's expression. Lotta and Littara exchanged a smile. [Let's all do our best together. That way, Ullrid won't have to carry everything on her own anymore.] —Littara "E-Everyone's bound to improve..." Lotta said, summoning her courage as she gently patted Balthilde on the shoulder. Unlike before, Balthilde did not stiffen or get startled the moment someone touched her. She merely huffed and smiled.“我以前，最讨厌武器了。” 巴希达这样说着，开了两枪，不远处一具正在接近人形社区的生骸应声倒地。 从前，人形社区偶尔会遭遇瓦良格帮与生骸的袭击。 社区内擅战的人形有限，而有限的擅战人形还时常需要外出寻找资源，莉塔拉一度担忧过巨大的压力会将乌尔丽德压垮。 幸好，现在的情况发生了变化。 在完成战术人形改造后，巴希达和莉塔拉、洛塔组成了防卫小队。没有维修任务的时候，巴希达便会从艾莫号返回社区，参与防卫。 尽管加入了队伍，拿起了武器，巴希达的脸上仍有些不情愿。 “一旦到了动用武器的地步，就一定会出现损伤。一有人损物损，战斗人员就会来找我修复。” “然后我就会跟他们吵起来，听很多难听的话。” “一切的起因就是热武器。所以我最讨厌武器了。” 人类啊，在尚未褪去的种种激素控制之下，总是无法保持冷静客观，总像一只只已经被点燃了引信的炸药桶，爆炸只是时间问题。 莉塔拉写字给巴希达看。 「巴希达现在做得很顺手呢，你击落的生骸最多。」——莉塔拉 “哼。”巴希达想了想，“因为不管是你们还是那位指挥官，都不会跟我吵架啊。” 巴希达脸上的不情愿开始淡去。 洛塔小心翼翼地开口：“这、这说明巴希达找到自己的家了吧？” 回答洛塔的首先是巴希达的枪声。 “……嗯，是吧。” “如果是为了保卫自己的家园和重要的家人，那拿起武器也行。” 巴希达最后的一丝不情愿也消失了。 洛塔和莉塔拉相视而笑。 「一起加油吧。这样乌尔丽德也不用独自承担一切了。」——莉塔拉 “大、大家都会成长的……”洛塔鼓起勇气，拍了拍巴希达的肩膀。 巴希达并未像过去一样，一被接触就变得僵硬。 她只是哼了一声，扬起嘴角。

Record 6"So... why me?" Balthilde was still puzzled by the fact that I chose to form a covenant with her. "I'm a mediocre fighter at best, I'm not pleasant to talk with, and there's nothing remarkable about my appearance." "...I'm the type of Doll humans would typically find annoying, aren't I?" "Has your brain been fried so badly that you'd actually choose me?" Balthilde's tone was as harsh as ever, but the way her gaze remained fixated on me revealed how much she cared about the answer. I gently patted her head and said, "It's because you're adorable, Balthilde." "What? N-no way...! What are you even saying?!" Balthilde's face instantly flushed bright red. "You're teasing me, right? One simple sentence and I'm already on the verge of crashing..." "No wonder everyone said that it's important to 'watch out' for you." Balthilde backed off warily, avoiding my hand while covering her blushing face. I quietly admired the sight of Balthilde being flustered, restless, and completely at a loss for words. As expected, I wasn't mistaken, she truly was special. Smiling, I gazed at her. "You're selling yourself short, Balthilde." "You're an exceptional mechanic. Both Mayling and Rosalind speak highly of you, and I... well, I like you very much too." "Come, give me your hand. Let me take a look at the mark on it. How does it feel?" Balthilde glared at me for moments before finally placing her soft hand into my palm. "...My hand just moved on its own. Hey, what kind of trickery do you humans have up your sleeves?" "Oh my word! How could I possibly wrestle with such terrifying underhanded tactics!" Faced with Balthilde's accusation, all I could do was to smile and gently pat her head once more to reassure her.“所以，为什么是我？” 关于我会铭契她这件事，巴希达始终抱有疑惑。 “我战斗力一般，说话也不好听，外形也没什么特别的。” “……一般来说，我属于那种讨人厌的类型吧。” “指挥官是发烧了脑袋发热才决定和我铭契的吗？” 巴希达的语气一如既往地生硬，但紧紧盯着我的眼神暴露了她的在意。 我摸摸巴希达的头：“巴希达很可爱啊。” “什么？怎、怎么可能……你在说什么啊！” 巴希达的脸涨得通红。 “你一定是在逗我吧？简简单单一句话就让我快要宕机……” “难怪大家都说你很厉害……” 巴希达戒备地退后，躲开我抚摸发顶的手，捂住自己发红发烫的脸。 我欣赏着巴希达害羞、躁动又词穷的样子。 果然，我的眼光不会错，她很特别。 我笑眯眯地看着巴希达：“巴希达太看轻自己了。” “你可是最优秀的机修人形。美玲和罗莎琳对你赞不绝口，我也……很喜欢你。” “来，手给我。让我看看你手上的标记，感觉还好吗？” 巴希达瞪了我片刻，终于将她肉乎乎的手放进了我的手心。 “……手不由自主地就动起来了。这到底是人类的什么战术？” “指挥官的手段，太恐怖了！哼！” 面对巴希达的无端控诉，我只能笑着再次摸摸她的头，聊表安抚。

Record 7"You must be really good at that brick tower game, right? Want to play a round?" One evening, I spotted a visibly bored Balthilde on the crew deck. Other Dolls had gathered here and there, chatting amongst themselves, but Balthilde sat alone, her expression calm and detached. She was not interested in accommodating others and showed little enthusiasm for group activities. Yet somehow, I could faintly sense her loneliness. So, I decided to invite her to a game. "You mean Jenga? I've heard of it, but I've never played." Balthilde seemed rather intrigued. I took the wooden blocks out of the box. "The rules are simple. I'll explain as we go." Balthilde grasped the game quickly. Before long, the tower collapsed under my misplays. A subtle grin appeared on her face, accompanied by a prideful look. "Hmph. I can calculate the forces at play way more precisely, and my movements are far more stable than those of a human. I wouldn't have expected any other outcome." We gathered the blocks and prepared for another round. A sudden idea popped into my head. "This is a little too tame. How about some stakes? Say, a punishment game where the loser does what the winner says?" Balthilde stared at me in disbelief. "There's no way I'd lose. You know, if you wanna be bullied, you can just come out and say it." "Overconfidence is a slow and insidious killer, my dear. The outcome has yet to be decided," I said, convinced that the previous loss had simply been a momentary lapse of judgement on my part. After losing to Balthilde three more times, I finally clawed one point back. Balthilde frowned as she looked at her own hand. "I should have Mayling run a diagnostic on me tomorrow." I had an idea for punishment in mind long before winning that round. "Are you ticklish, Balthilde?" I asked the question, trying to probe her. The components making up Balthilde's waist unit had long since been discontinued and differed significantly from those of other Dolls. I had been dying to know what they felt like for quite some time now. Balthilde looked at me as if I had said something utterly ridiculous. "Don't you know a Doll's sensory input can be adjusted? I can be ticklish, or not, depending on what I feel like that day." "Thanks for the reminder," I said with a nod. "Please crank it up to 11 then." Balthilde's jaw dropped, but honest as she was, she actually adjusted the setting as instructed. I then flexed my fingers. "...Hahaha... ha... Pffffft... C-Commander... stop that... hahaha..." The sensation was soft yet firm; slowly, I found myself addicted. And Balthilde seemed far more ticklish than I had imagined. "Hahahahaha... I will... will never beg for... Hahaha... please stop..." Balthilde instinctively curled up into a ball and tightly clung to my arm, trying to prevent me from reaching her sides. Chuckling alongside her, I ultimately relented, giving Balthilde a moment to catch her breath. A sheen of tears glimmered in her usually defiant eyes, while her cheeks started to flush red. "The punishment... is over now?" Afraid I might've gone too far, I asked with great concern: "Are you okay? Did you adjust more than just your sensitivity...?" "Hmph. I turned all my anthropomorphic settings all the way up. A loss is a loss, you know. I'm not going to cheat my way out of a punishment." "And besides... You looked like you were having fun." A giggle escaped my mouth despite my composure. "Yeah, because playing with you is a lot of fun, Balthilde."“巴希达应该很擅长‘抽积木’的游戏吧？要不要来玩一局？” 某个夜晚，我在大休息室里遇见了百无聊赖的巴希达。 人形们三三两两地聚在一起，只有巴希达一人独坐，表情淡淡。 巴希达无意迎合其他人形，也并未露出一丝对集体活动的兴趣，但奇妙的是，我能隐约感觉到巴希达的寂寞。 所以，我邀请巴希达进行一场游戏。 “抽积木？听说过，没玩过。”巴希达有些兴趣。 我拿出桌游盒中的积木块：“规则很简单，一边玩一边说明吧。” 巴希达理解得很快。 不久之后，积木山在我的失误下倒塌。 巴希达露出浅浅的笑，有些隐晦的得意：“哼！我能精准计算力学数据，操作也稳定，赢了不足为奇。” 我们将积木归拢，为下一局做准备。 我突发奇想：“只是这样玩好像不够刺激，再加点彩头吧？输了的人要接受赢家的‘惩罚’，如何？” 巴希达不可思议地看着我：“我一定会赢啊，你是故意给我欺负你一下的机会吗？” “别太自信，胜负未定。”我相信，刚才只是我的一时大意。 在又输给巴希达三次之后，我终于赢了一局。 巴希达皱起眉头看着自己的手：“明天我找美玲检修看看。” 我早就想好了“惩罚”。 “巴希达，你怕痒吗？”我做出预告试探。 巴希达素体的腰部关节使用了已停产的特殊组件，与其他人形差别不小，我好奇她腰腹的手感很久了。 巴希达觉得我莫名其妙：“人形的知觉输入强度是可以调节的，我可以怕痒也可以不怕。” “你提醒我了，”我点点头，“请调整到你最怕痒的状态。” 巴希达面色大变。但巴希达是老实忠厚的巴希达，她认真地做了调节。 我开始活动双手。 “……哈哈哈……哈……哈哈……指、指挥官……别挠了……哈哈哈哈哈哈……” 腹部柔软中带着弹韧的手感，意外地让人上瘾。 巴希达似乎比我以为的更怕痒。 “哈哈哈哈哈……我是不会、不会求你……哈哈哈哈……快停下求你了……” 巴希达本能地蜷缩成一团，紧紧抱住我的手，试图阻止我攻击她腰侧的手。 我笑着停下。 巴希达得以喘息，一向桀骜的眼睛染了泪光，微微红着。 “惩罚……结束了吧？” 我担心刚才玩得过火：“你还好吗？我看你好像不止调高了知觉输入强度……” “哼，我把拟人度全开到最高了。” “输了就是输了，我才不会作弊逃避惩罚。” “而且……你、你好像很开心的样子。” 我忍不住轻笑：“嗯，和巴希达一起玩，很开心。”

Record 8"Don't you feel like... our relationship now ain't any different from before our covenant, Commander?" One day long after our ceremony, Balthilde and I lay side by side in the ruins, gazing up at the star-filled night sky. "Ain't any different?" I entertained those words for a moment. "Well, we spend way more time together now, don't we? We rarely had moments like this before." Balthilde seemed unsatisfied with that answer. "No, you would accompany me on outings before as well. Remember, you're the one who said 'it's dangerous to be alone out in the Yellow Zones', and since I don't have many friends..." She was right. "Oh, what about holding hands then?" I gestured toward our interlocked fingers. She shook her head. "Physical contact? That was perfectly normal too, even before... I always... um, wanted to hold your hand." "Then what about sharing a bowl? Feeding you food?" She shook her head again. "Even without the covenant, I'd definitely feed you when both your hands were occupied." "Is there really nothing that we only started doing afterwards?" By the end, Balthilde sounded genuinely frustrated. "If there isn't any... then what was the point of confessing? Or confirming our relationship?" "...There is something." I looked at her and smiled. She stared back at me, puzzled. "Balthilde, there is." Our eyes met. The steadiness in her expression gradually wavered under my gaze. Bright color slowly spread across her cheeks. Her eyes would linger on my face for a moment, then immediately drift away. Amidst our shared gaze, only the wind stirred, flowing through the wilderness. It felt as though only the two of us existed in this world. "Would you like to find out what it is now?" I asked. "Let's do it! I ain't afraid of you." By then, her face had already become as ripe as an apple. I laughed. "Relax. No need to look at me like you're marching off to your end..." Her flushed face filled my vision as I moved in. Her eyes widened as she watched me draw ever closer. Then, I reached out and gently covered those round eyes full of naivete with my hands. ... "Let's do that little something together now... shall we?"“指挥官。你觉不觉得，我们现在和铭契前的相处好像没什么差别？” 很久以后的某日，我和巴希达并肩躺在废墟里，仰望星空。 “……没有差别吗？”我回想了片刻，“独处的时间变长了吧？以前我们好像很少会这样待在一起。” 巴希达对这个解释并不满意：“以前你也会陪我外出啊。毕竟我的朋友不多，你又说过最好不要独自离队……” 也有道理。 “对了，牵手算吗？” 我示意巴希达关注我们十指相扣的双手。 巴希达摇头：“手部接触？很普通啊，以前我也会……呃，想拉着你。” “那……共用一个碗，喂你吃东西？” 巴希达又摇头：“就算没有铭契，如果你双手都在工作空不出来，我也肯定会喂你啊。” “我说，就没有什么只有现在的我们才能做的事吗？” 到最后，巴希达显得有些愤愤：“要是没有……那告白也好，确认关系也好，有什么意思？” “……有的。”我看着巴希达，笑了笑。 巴希达疑惑地看着我。 “巴希达，有的。” 四目相对，在我的凝视下，巴希达直愣愣的眼神变得有些闪烁。 她的脸慢慢地变红，目光落在我脸上，又隐约回避游移。 旷野中只有风声，世界上好像只剩我们两个。 “要现在试试吗？”我询问巴希达。 “来就来啊！我才不怕你。”巴希达的脸已经变成了红苹果。 我笑了：“放轻松，不必用这种英勇就义的眼神看我……” 巴希达红润的脸在我眼中放大，她睁大眼睛，看着我越贴越近。 而我伸出手，轻轻捂住那双小鹿般的圆眼。 …… “只有现在的我们才能做的事……开始了哦。”

Fan archive of the official game scripts. All story text and art belong to their publishers.