What might you want my help with, Doctor? Why don't you decide?

Here's the operational report from the Athenius branch office over the last two quarters. You'll be able to gloss what you need from the summary… Hm? You want to hear me report in detail? Now that would take quite some time. Things have been eventful for me, since my return to Minos.

Doctor! Visiting the Convalescent Garden? Perfect, we can catch up while we—hmm? Is that… Podenco? Did she move her entire bed into the greenhouse? *sigh* I'm barely aboard these days, Doctor. Keep an eye on her so she doesn't overwork herself, please?

All the new names are gradually outnumbering the old on the Garden's guestbook… When melilotus ripens, its slender pods can fire its seeds a great distance away. So too has Rhodes Island ripened… Melancholy? Me? Well, for all you know, I'm only waxing poetic as Minoans do.

Going back to Minos isn't without its own headaches. Minoans all think their dreams of heroism are dashed the moment they contract Oripathy. They become totally apathetic. They hardly even bother with treatment… Do you know what? I'd have those wandering bards touring the Three Poleis, singing tales of how Infected can become heroes too!

People can't help absorbing themselves in their own proficiencies, can they? That's what being a perfumer is for me, and I spent the longest time sheltering within it when I came aboard Rhodes Island. These days… Now that I know I'm made of more than that, I think it's finally, truly become mine.

Origanon, thyme, Athos's parsley... It's back to keeping the Minoan plants I knew best of all in my seed pouch. I used to keep such a distance from these, and now they're in my hands again… These seeds haven't changed a bit, but young Lena would be shocked by just how she's grown.

Me and… Lydia? Oh, dear, I didn't expect that name to come from you… Well, she's one of my cousins, a bit of a dependent type. If you want to know more about her, I can tell you, certainly. But if you want a story, well, I can't say the way it ends is very fun.

Doctor, your fragrance today isn't quite the same as the usual. Did something happen? Or, did you run out of the perfume I gave you…? If it's the latter, then tell me beforehand from now on. How else will I top you off in time?

Doctor? Oh, and you're not even using lavender today. Let's see, I'll just put you on break for the next two hours… Hmm? What on Terra are all these deferred holidays for?

I'm back, Doctor. Oh, these boronias on your desk are fresh. It seems Podenco's been minding you and the Convalescent Garden well. Anyhow, I'm back on Rhodes Island for a spell. Home for the holidays, I might say… No, no, that's a joke.

Oh… You seem to make more sense to me now, Doctor. I used to think you were a little slapdash here and there, but now I see how almost frighteningly meticulous you are.

When I first took over the Convalescent Garden, I had every intention to spend the rest of my life here, never to leave again… Whenever I intend that, fate points me in a different direction. Still, I'm starting to grow fond of how the 'unexpected' feels.

My odyssey to Minos wasn't as hard as I thought it'd be. It only struck me, when I was standing in front of my family again, just how… old all those old pains had really become. Not worth dwelling on any longer. Now I'm the perfumer Lena of Rhodes Island, and that suits me just splendid.

Certainly. Remember to have everyone double-check their supplies.

Of course. I'm getting quite comfortable in the lead now.

I'll look after you, everyone.

Remember to put safety first.

Doctor?

Someone's deep in thought, Doctor.

I'm in position. Assistance is at the ready.

Don't worry, everyone. I have your positions confirmed.

Deep breaths. Let the odor molecules enter your circulatory system.

I know it stings, but this'll promote your blood flow.

Calm, now. Give your lungs time to exchange those gases.

I know it's bitter, but this'll help ignore the pain.

Mm-hmm… there it is, that incense. I smell it about you from time to time after a high-risk mission. Oh, I've missed it so, Doctor.

I might like to learn your knack for seeing the big picture… Say, in exchange for a 'present', how about you explain it to me when we get back? I have a lot more to mentally juggle these days.

You might need to destress a little, Doctor… Don't let your nerves pull you thin.

Doctor, give the order. I'll conduct the evacuation… Don't let it get to you now, it's alright.

And I'm home.

Today's scent? It's cardamom.

Keep this up, Doctor, and before long you'll have my scent on you.

Arknights.

New Year's certainly takes me back. They light the colossal torch in Athenius, but I think I much prefer to see the white smoke of Rhodes Island as it sails… You think I just wanted to see you? Oh, my, you have seen right through me.

Good morning, Doctor… Oh, my, still half-asleep. Hold on… Give this a smell? How's that, nice and awake now?

Could I invite you to the greenhouse, Doctor? I've been growing a flower that just so happens to be blooming today… What are you laughing about—right, fine, it doesn't 'just so happen'. But there you go, that's my present. Now, will you come to the greenhouse and collect it?

It was through being 'lent' Rhodes Island's ideals that Lena Athopoulou could become 'Dr. Lena'. It's the kind of future that the young Lena could never have imagined, and yet it's better than I ever dared dream… I get to be here with you all, doing the right thing. I couldn't be happier with that.