Arcana (Hermes)/Side Tale 4

===False Plants===
Characters involved: , , 
Dialogue
(Esper Union: A greenhouse in Union HQ)
: Phew. This greenhouse is a most unexpectedly relaxing place.
(ARCANA: Union Ops Chief, Good at Painting & Forgery)
Arcana strolls leisurely around the premises. He makes one misstep and accidentally crushes one of the potted plants.
“Crack”
: Did I just step on something? Hold on… Oh no, that’s one of Chang Pu’s!
: This is a very unfortunate start to the day…
Arcana paces nervously. He spots a statue and excitedly clicks his finger.
: Ah. I’ve got it!
Half an hour later
: Ah-ha! No one will be able to tell from this angle.
: But something is missing… a few more leaves should do the trick…
: Perfect! Hopefully no one will notice that this is a fake for some time - enough for me to buy a replacement.
Arcana leaves the greenhouse humming happily after placing his imitation potted plant where he is sure no one will notice it.
Several days later
(Esper Union: Lobby)
: Arcana! Enough with the phone already! We still haven’t completed our mission!
(MONA: Union Ops Chief, Arcana’s Squad Member)
: It does one’s health no good to forever separate work and pleasure.
: Cut it out!
: Reading you loud and clear, my dear. Just two more minutes.
Just as Arcana locates a nearby plant nursery on his phone, Chang Pu rushes in, accidentally bumping into him as she goes.
: Oh, Arcana, I’m so sorry.
(CHANG PU: Union Medical Ops Chief, Greenhouse Supervisor)
: What’s wrong, Chang Pu? Why the rush?
: It’s because… (She cries)
: Please, don’t cry! What can we can do to help you?
: I just came back from the greenhouse… I was moving my plants when I found… I couldn’t move the soil from one of them…
: ??
: Someone had replaced one of my plants with a fake!
: Oh no, why would anyone do that…?
: Huh? Do you know anything about this, Arcana?
: Oh no, no - I know almost nothing about plants.
: Do you think someone’s stealing from the greenhosue?
: But if there is a thief, why would they go to so much effort to recreate a pot plant?
: And why? I was going to give the cuttings away to everybody for free anyway.
: I’m sure we can figure it out. How about I come with you to the greenhouse to take a closer look?
: (Oh no. Another turn for the worse…)
Mona and Chang Pu are about to make their way to the greenhouse when Arcana interjects.
: What’s wrong, Arcana?
: Although we can’t rule out the existence of a thief, I doubt we can discover anything useful after so many days.
After listening to Arcana, Chang Pu’s head drops dejectedly.
: Hold on a moment, Arcana. How do you know how many days it’s been?
: I, uh…
: Out with it already!
: I actually, uh… made that fake potted plant.
: It was so convincing, even I didn’t notice! But why?
: Why, Arcana? Why go to all that effort just to trick me?
: I’m so sorry, truly! You see, I accidentally stepped on and destroyed the original… by accident.
: I was worried you’d be angry, and I couldn’t find a replacement right away, so I took the liberty of… making a lifelike replica.
: So, that’s what happened.
: I fully intended to buy you a new plant from a local nursery.
: But it turned out to be impossible with the rush of missions over the last few days. I just didn’t have any time…
: I see! I trust you didn’t mean any harm.
: Having said that, I must admit I am rather impressed with how lifelike the replica is
: Chang Pu, you can’t let him get away with this!
: Mona, please, forgive me.
: Come with me to the nursery and buy a replacement for Chang Pu. Then I’ll accept your apology!