Charles embraced hid old friend in a firm hug and the two men let out boisterous laughs. Their voices resounded through the quiet port as the other researches were packing their belongings and moving cargo on to the ship.
"Roy! How have you been!?" Charles exclaimed as he let go.
"Fine fine, how's your wife been doing?"
"Bah, what do you think? Making my life miserable as all women do. I can't so much as hit the bar after work unless I want to hear her nagging. As such, I must thank you my good friend. This trip to the islands is like a vacation."
The two men laughed in unison. They were men in their thirties. Normally they kept their beards untrimmed as these researches cared little of appearances. Their concern was primarily in the pursuit of knowledge. But the night before they had cleanly shaven their faces and their chins held but small frizzles and stubble of sharp hair. The Blossom Duck Isles were said to be unbearably humid and so the men trimmed their beards and hair.
Charles wore a pastel pocket shirt and shorts that barely reached his kneecaps for the journey. He was a man of medium height. The humid weather of the islands they were heading to did a favor for him as his shaven beard gave him a handsome grizzled look. Normally the long unkempt beard he had made him look like a homeless man, much to the chagrin of his wife.
As the two men spoke of old times and made small chit-chat, they were soon interrupted by the sounds of boots approaching them. The audible thump of the pier's wood beginning to close on them made them turn their gaze towards a dazzling figure. Both Charles and Roy had to open their mouth.
Before them was a woman of extraordinary beauty. A blonde woman who tied her hair in neat buns with a red ribbon. A beautiful blue pleated dress and lovely white gloves. Her skin was the color of light milk. The most entrancing of all were her turquoise-like eyes. She was like a refined noble lady; perhaps a princess of some royal family. The girl placed her luggage on the floor.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Sirs. I will travel anywhere to meet your request. Auto-Memory Doll, Violet Evergarden at your service.
"O-Oh... Yes, a pleasure to meet your acquaintance," Roy stammered.
"I was told I would be recording notes and documents."
"Ahh, yes, that would be why we hired you. You'll be working with several researchers, some of which include..."
Charles let out a small sigh. His wife would be quite upset if she found out he was working with such an exquisite beauty.