Grandmother's Trial
After parting ways with Nerine, Drusilla returns home for the first time since joining the crew. She reunites with her grandmother and expresses her desire to continue skyfaring. Upon hearing her words, Drusilla's grandmother initiates the Trial of Fair Ladies to see if the young girl is ready to keep going.
Since Drusilla's fateful encounter with Nerine, the young Harvin has embarked on several grand adventures.
Today, the airship is headed for familiar lands. Aboard the Grandcypher, Drusilla peers over the deck as a distinctive island jumps into view.
Drusilla: At last! My homeland, Port Breeze!
Homlet: Tweet, tweet!
Drusilla: That's right, Homlet! This is where my family happily resides!
Lyria: Isn't it exciting? It'll be your first time seeing them since joining us!
Drusilla: Indeed! Oh, I am ever so grateful, (Captain). Thank you for agreeing to stop by my humble abode while on assignment.
Vyrn: Y'know, I can't help but feel a bit worried. Your grandma's a strict one, isn't she?
Drusilla: W-well... It is true that I left in a bit of an imprudent fashion. And I knew my exit might earn Grandmother's scorn.
Drusilla: But all is well! She was quite warm and supportive in her letter, you see!
Grandma's Letter: "I am incredibly proud of you for embarking alone on your journey that day."
Grandma's Letter: "I have no doubt that you must be feeling anxious, but I myself am not concerned in the least."
Grandma's Letter: "You have always been an intelligent child who never fails to understand what is truly important."
Grandma's Letter: "If you do choose to visit home someday, I shall bake you your favorite cookies."
Drusilla beams with excitement as she clasps the letter to her chest.
Drusilla: It's been a while since I've indulged in Grandmother's cookies!
Drusilla: There's so much to talk about... Oooh, I just can't wait!
Upon arrival at Port Breeze, the crew disembarks and immediately heads off to Drusilla's house.
Grandmother: Drusillaaa! You've got some explaining to do!
Drusilla: Ahhhh!
Standing at the front door is Drusilla's grandmother, her voice bristling with fury.
Grandmother: Why didn't you write back at all? Do you have any idea how worried we were about you?
Drusilla: What? B-but the letters said you weren't worried—
Grandmother: Good heavens, I'm not talking about your decision to travel, I'm talking about your health and safety!
Grandmother: For all we knew, you could've been dead in a ditch at the end of the sky! You should have been contacting us, not the other way around!
Vyrn: (Dang... She's really flyin' off the handle...)
Lyria: (Ahaha... I guess this is what you call tough love...)
Drusilla: Ahhhh! I'm so sorry! Please forgive me!
Grandmother: I hope you've learned your lesson. Now wipe your eyes.
Drusilla: Nngh... Yes, Grandmother...
Grandmother: You must be (Captain). I apologize for such an unseemly sight...
Grandmother: Thank you for taking care of Drusilla. I hope she has not been a bother to you. She can be a bit of a handful sometimes.
- Not at all.
- Actually, she's been a great help.
Choose: Not at all.
Choose: Actually, she's been a great help.Lyria: Drusilla's been keeping track of the crew's finances! It's really wonderful having her around!
Vyrn: Yep, you got that right! She's a real pro with the abacus!
Grandmother: Well then, glad to hear it. It sounds like she's making herself useful.
Drusilla's grandmother nods in approval and beckons the skyfarers to enter the house.
Grandmother: Please, come inside. I've prepared tea for us.
The crew walks down the foyer and into the drawing room, where they are greeted by the fragrance of exquisite black tea.
Drusilla: Excuse me, Grandmother... Where's Mother and Father?
Grandmother: They're in the middle of important negotiations and won't be back before nightfall.
Drusilla: Oh, negotiations... It sounds like they're very busy...
Grandmother: Yes... They deeply regret not being able to welcome you back home today.
Grandmother: But now that you've returned, you'll be able to ease some of their burden—perhaps by working the register?
Drusilla: Grandmother? Whatever do you mean?
Grandmother: As you know, I wholeheartedly support your life choices. I'm sure you've gained a great many experiences in your travels.
Grandmother: But what reason do you have to continue such a dangerous journey?
Drusilla: Well... I mean...
Grandmother: You've found Homlet now, haven't you? I recall that was why you left in the first place.
Grandmother: I was under the impression that your return here was no mere visit, but an end to your skyfaring.
Lyria: What! Drusilla, you're not going to leave the crew, are you?
Drusilla: Of course not! It would be foolish of me to leave so soon!
Drusilla: I must continue... until the day I can embark on a journey with Nerine!
Drusilla: Besides, if I stop sending her letters of my grand adventures, she'll be in a huff.
Grandmother: Hmm... It seems like you've found your calling.
Drusilla: Yes! I'm determined to see this through.
Vyrn: Granny, you're not against Drusilla's decision, are you?
Grandmother: Of course not. As long as she acts with a clear mind and heart, then the whole family is behind her.
Grandmother: Regardless though... it wouldn't hurt to test that conviction of yours, Drusilla.
Drusilla: Test?
Grandmother: Yes. I need to see how much you've grown, to see if you have what it takes to continue sailing the skies.
Grandmother: It is time for... the Trial of Fair Ladies!
Lyria: The Trial of Fair Ladies?
Drusilla: It can't be! The legendary test that you and Mother barely survived?
Grandmother: Oh, so you knew already. Yes, it's been a tradition in our family for generations, and separates the girls from the women.
Vyrn: Erm... We're skyfarers, y'know? I don't think a froufrou little test is gonna—
Grandmother: Then you will all take it.
Lyria: Whaaat!
Vyrn: Why! Not all of us are girls, y'know!
Grandmother: The essence of being a lady comes from the heart, not from your chromosomes.
Grandmother: (Captain). You and your crew will accompany Drusilla during this task.
Grandmother: Depending on your performance, I will deem you fit or not to continue caring for my granddaughter.
Grandmother: Are there any objections?
Knowing their fate is sealed, the captain accepts these conditions.
Grandmother: The test is simple—it consists of only one question.
Grandmother: "What is of utmost importance to being a lady?"
Grandmother: You have until sunset to find your answer. I will leave you all to it.
Drusilla's grandmother turns on her heel and exits the room, leaving only fresh confusion in her wake.
Drusilla: Oh bother!
Drusilla: What a predicament! What shall we do now?
An unexpected challenge has forced its way into Drusilla's journey.
Homlet: Tweet?
In the midst of the young Harvin's panic, Homlet tilts her head to the side, oblivious to the impending crisis.
Grandmother: Hehe... You've already grown so much, my dear Drusilla...
Grandmother: I don't suspect you'll disappoint me now.
The End... or Is It?
Drusilla puzzles over the question, "What is of utmost importance to being a lady?" As an attempt to find clues, she explores the skills her grandmother imparted. After watching the young Harvin reenact her practice sessions, the crew figures out the answer to the test. Before Drusilla can react, however, (Captain) and company rush her out to where her grandmother eagerly awaits.
The crew has stopped by Port Breeze to visit Drusilla's house.
There, the young Harvin's grandmother challenged the crew to a daunting task—the Trial of Fair Ladies.
Drusilla: If I don't pass this test, then I won't be able to continue traveling with you all!
Drusilla: But there isn't much time left before sunset...
Wh-what am I to do!
Vyrn: All right, let's calm down for a second. Remember, your mom and grandma passed it.
Vyrn: That means it's not impossible. We just gotta put our heads together and think.
Lyria: Your grandmother wants us to find what's important for being a lady, right?
Lyria: Does anything ring a bell, Drusilla? You two might've talked about it in the past...
Drusilla: Hmm... Grandmother has enriched me with knowledge from the arts to the sciences...
Drusilla: But I don't recall a single lecture on what it means to be a lady!
Vyrn: Well, let's think more general. Did you do any ladylike stuff when you were learning about arts and sciences?
Drusilla: Of course! I have dedicated countless weeks to honing my tea party decorum, ballroom dancing skills, and—
Drusilla: Oh! Perhaps the secret lies within practicing those skills!
- We should try them out!
Choose: We should try them out!Drusilla: Yes! We may discover something useful in the process.
Drusilla: Let's start with tea parties!
Drusilla leaps to her feet and pulls out a tea set from the corner of the room.
Drusilla: My goodness, there's not even a speck of dust to be seen. Grandmother must've been taking great care of it.
Lyria: You're right—the cups are pristine!
Vyrn: Whoa, they're even lighter than they look. And I'm not just saying that because they're Harvin-sized.
Drusilla: These are merely for practice! We fashioned them out of lightweight wood. After all, real porcelain can get chipped rather easily.
Lyria: Oh, you're right. I see some dents here and there...
Lyria: Hehe, you must've practiced a lot, Drusilla!
Drusilla: N-no, I was promptly able to move on from using such inferior cups—
Homlet: Tweet, tweet!
Vyrn: Haha, even Homlet's saying you were workin' your socks off!
Drusilla: Nngh, don't look at me like that—it's quite embarrassing!
Drusilla lowers her head, concealing her warm cheeks as she adeptly arranges the tea set.
Drusilla: Voila!
Vyrn: Wow! That was some serious speed!
Drusilla: Of course—this is the result of my daily trials and tribulations! It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that I could do this with my eyes closed!
Lyria: Aww, you really are passionate about practicing!
Drusilla: A-ahem! Normally I'd have my stuffed animals participate, but today you are my esteemed guests. Please everyone, have a seat.
Settling down, the group unwinds while enjoying aromatic tea and delicate pastries.
Lyria: Mmm... What a lovely way to spend time.
Vyrn: Ahh... I feel so fancy having a tea party.
Drusilla: Hmm... Indeed, such a soothing ambience...
All Three: ...
Drusilla: Oh! We're supposed to be doing the test!
Lyria: Whoops, we got a bit carried away! Now, let's focus—is this activity important to being a lady?
Drusilla: Hmmm... This tea party brings back memories, but none that would satisfy Grandmother's question...
Vyrn: Dang... Well, how about we give ballroom dancing a try?
Drusilla: Certainly! Allow me to prepare!
Within moments, the young Harvin procures a teddy bear and begins dancing gracefully in front of a large mirror.
Drusilla: Studying my reflection has been a great asset, since each movement requires precision.
Drusilla: But of course, it wouldn't be a ballroom dance without my trusty partner, Sir Bearington! Our synergy is unrivaled!
Vyrn: Dang, you practice by yourself all the time?
Drusilla: Yes—save for the occasional one-on-one lesson with Grandmother.
Drusilla: We all know that true progress is born from practice!
Drusilla: After all, a girl doesn't simply grow into a full-fledged lady!
Drusilla marks the end of her dance with a curtsy and stands tall with pride.
(Captain): ...
Almost instinctively, (Captain) reaches out and gives the young girl a gentle pat on the head.
Drusilla: E-excuse me?! What are you doing?
Lyria: Ahhh, I can't hold it back anymore either! Drusilla, let me pat you too!
Vyrn: Yeah! Me three!
Homlet: Tweet, twee-tweet!
Drusilla: Oh my goodness, what's gotten into all of you!
The little girl fidgets awkwardly as the crew smothers her in affection.
Lyria: We're so proud of the work you've done to become an elegant lady!
Vyrn: Yeah! Just thinking about all the hours you've spent alone in this room made me emotional...
Homlet: Twee-tweeeet!
Vyrn: O-ouch! Geez, I got it—you were with her too, Homlet!
Drusilla: Oh... This feels familiar...
Drusilla: Grandmother, may I have a tea set for my room? Pretty please!
Grandmother: ...A tea set? Do you want to play pretend with your dolls?
Drusilla: No, I want to learn about hosting real tea parties!
Drusilla: I need to quickly become a proper lady to make Mother and Father proud!
Grandmother: Drusilla...
Grandmother: I understand. I'll have a wooden tea set prepared for you this evening.
Drusilla: Hooray! Thank you! But isn't it already late today? You don't have to rush, Grandmother.
Grandmother: Don't worry, dear. I'm happy as long as you're happy.
Drusilla: Yay! I love it when you pat my head, Grandmother! You never do that!
Grandmother: Hehe... Drusilla, my sweet child, you're our pride and joy.
Drusilla: (Grandmother had the same reaction when I first began studying the elegant arts.)
Vyrn: Hey! I think we figured out what your grandma meant!
Drusilla: You did?
Lyria: That's right! I think it also explains why she wanted us to take the test with you!
(Captain) nods in agreement.
Drusilla: What have you discovered! Please tell me!
Vyrn: You're fine just the way you are, Drusilla—that's the answer! Now let's go find Granny!
Grabbing the confused girl's hands, the crew pulls her out of the room to reconvene with her grandmother.
The End... or Is It?: Scene 2
The crew declares that the answer has been inside Drusilla all this time—her passion for self-improvement. Drusilla passes the test with flying colors, earning her grandmother’s support and approval.
Returning to Drusilla's grandmother, the crew announce that they've reached a solution.
Grandmother: Very well, then. Tell me, what is of utmost importance to being a lady?
Drusilla: You see, well...
Drusilla: (We haven't discussed the answer yet! Oh no, this is much too soon!)
Lyria: The answer to your question... is already within Drusilla!
Lyria: Isn't that right, Grandmother?
Grandmother: ...
Drusilla: Excuse me? A-aren't you going to say something?
Vyrn: Granny, earlier you told us that being a lady comes from the heart, right?
Vyrn: And when it comes to Drusilla's passion for becoming a fair lady, she's got more heart than anyone else!
Drusilla: Do... do I give off that impression?
Vyrn: It's just like the passion skyfarers have for exploring the world and sailing the skies!
Vyrn: What you just showed us in that room—it's obvious the spark's been in you since day one!
Drusilla: How... I'm no more than an inexperienced girl!
Grandmother: Seeing the good parts of ourselves is often difficult.
Grandmother: Sometimes we need people to help us. And it seems like the crew and I share the same opinion—that you are strong, independent, and ambitious.
Drusilla: Even you agree, Grandmother? I had the potential all along?
Grandmother: Yes. The answer is having the passion and dedication to becoming the best version of yourself.
Drusilla's grandmother gives her a gentle smile.
Grandmother: My dear Drusilla, do you know why your parents and I weren't concerned about your adventures?
Grandmother: It's because you already have a true lady's mindset—pursuing your goals with intention and dignity.
Drusilla: Me... a lady? But I still make so many mistakes...
Grandmother: Indeed... I've watched you fail time and time again.
Grandmother: You can't drink coffee without tearing up; classical music immediately puts you to sleep; your ledger is full of miscalculations.
Grandmother: And yet, you've never resigned yourself to failure.
Drusilla: ...!
Drusilla: Urgh... Black coffee is far too bitter!
Drusilla: But I'm going to try my best to get used to it!
Drusilla: My eyes go round and round trying to make sense of this accounting ledger...
Drusilla: But stay strong, Drusilla! As long as you keep at it...
Grandmother: Drusilla, continue to believe in yourself and all the puzzle pieces will fall into place.
Grandmother: Perhaps things seem a bit vague, so listen closely. Confidence, self-love, and humility—these are the tenets of being an elegant lady.
Grandmother: Because you possess those qualities, you've been rewarded with lifelong friends and a greater sense of who you are... but there's even more out there.
Grandmother: And so, my dear, I can't wait to see what you'll discover next on your journey.
Drusilla: Oh, Grandmother! Does that mean I can continue traveling?
Grandmother: Of course. Follow your heart.
Grandmother: Ah, but before you go anywhere, there's one thing I forgot to tell you.
Drusilla: ...?
Grandmother: Welcome back home, Drusilla. I missed you very much.
Drusilla: ...!
Drusilla: Oh, how I adore you, Grandmother!
The young Harvin leaps into her grandmother's outstretched arms, and they give each other a warm embrace.
As the elderly woman pats Drusilla's head, all seems well in the world, and the young girl can't help but smile.
The End... or Is It?: Scene 3
That evening, Drusilla's parents join in celebrating Drusilla's homecoming over a lavish feast. After an evening full of food and talk, the crew departs for the skies once again. Later on, Drusilla begins writing letters to her family and Nerine. While doing so, a sense of renewed motivation swells in her heart as the young girl vows to become the finest lady in the world.
Later that evening, Drusilla's grandmother lines the table with an assortment of tantalizing dishes in honor of the young Harvin.
Grandmother: The food is ready! Please, help yourselves!
Lyria: Wow! Everything looks amazing!
Vyrn: Oh man, I don't even know where to start!
Drusilla: Hehe! Behold, Grandmother's culinary prowess!
Drusilla: Oh!
Lyria: Hm? What's that you're piling on your plate?
Drusilla: Only the finest fare in all of Port Breeze—Grandmother's cookies!
Grandmother: I got a bit carried away and ended up baking extra. You can take the rest with—
Drusilla: Not eating all of them while they're warm would be a crime! I'll leave no crumb behind!
Drusilla: Mmm, chomp chomp!
Grandmother: Now, now, where are your table manners? The cookies aren't going to run away!
Grandmother: Hehe...
The elderly woman shakes her head and chuckles as Drusilla powers her way through a stack of sweet treats.
Drusilla's Mother: We're hooome! Oh my, something smells delicious!
Drusilla's Father: Drusilla! We missed you so much!
Drusilla: Mother! Father!
With the arrival of Drusilla's parents, the occasion grows only more festive.
Between mouthfuls of cookies, the young girl recounts her adventures until the early hours of the morning.
Grandmother: Well then, it's been a pleasure meeting you, (Captain). Please continue to look after my granddaughter.
- You have my word!
Choose: You have my word!Grandmother: Homlet, be a good bird and stay with Drusilla. Don't go flying off again.
Homlet: Tweet, tweet!
Grandmother: And Drusilla, my dear, don't forget to write this time. Keep us updated on your travels.
Drusilla: Yes, of course! I'll send letters and souvenirs from each place we visit!
Grandmother: Hehe. I can't wait.
Grandmother: Take care, Drusilla.
Drusilla: Bye-bye, Grandmother!
Grandmother: ...
As the Grandcypher takes off, Drusilla's grandmother gazes at the airship until it vanishes into the blue horizon.
Grandmother: Goodness gracious, it seems like my emotions have gotten the best of me.
Grandmother: My dear Drusilla, do you know why your parents and I weren't concerned about your adventures?
Grandmother: It's because you already have a true lady's mindset—pursuing your goals with intention and dignity.
Grandmother: In truth, it matters not whether you're an elegant lady or just a girl.
Grandmother: Whoever you decide to be, to us, you'll always be Drusilla—our one and only pride and joy. Fly safe, sweetheart.
A number of days have passed since Drusilla's visit to Port Breeze.
With an ample amount of news to share, the young Harvin plops down at her desk and begins composing letter after letter.
Drusilla: Phew... I've written quite the novel. Surely this is plenty for my family to read!
Drusilla: All right, next is...
After carefully penning "Dear Nerine" at the top, Drusilla rests her chin on her hand, pausing to think.
Drusilla: First, I must tell her about Grandmother's test—what a shocking revelation that was!
Drusilla: And of course, the recent missions... We've run into Pommern so many times that I've lost count...
Drusilla: My goodness, there's so much to share!
At this rate, I could even consider a career in writing!
Drusilla continues to scribble away, eager to jot down every moment.
Drusilla: Someday, when Nerine and I can fly together...
Drusilla: We'll play in my room and eat all the cookies!
Drusilla: But until that day, I must continue my quest to grow and learn...
Drusilla: For I won't be just any lady—I will be the fairest in the skies!
Having returned home after a prolonged absence, Drusilla has gained a better understanding of herself.
But with the Grandcypher's course set for brighter skies, Drusilla's dreams, too, are bound to shine with greater radiance.
