Scenario:Mission Merrymaking - Let Them Eat Cake

Mission Merrymaking - Let Them Eat Cake

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The streets of the town are aglow with brightly colored lights in celebration of the holidays.

A large crowd can be seen milling about the market in the central square.

The townspeople have come to the market to buy cakes and other delectable dishes for a special holiday meal with their loved ones.

Ferry and Metera stand outside a store on the corner, donned in festive attire.

They have been tasked with a mission to help at a cake shop in desperate need of staff.

Ferry: C-cakes! Get your cakes here! W-we have a delicious selection to choose from!

Ferry: H-how about enjoying a nice cake... with your family on this special night? Cakes for sale! Come and get them!

People: ...

Ferry: Sigh. People aren't even stopping to look, much less buying anything.

Ferry desperately attempts to advertise to passersby, but they don't even spare her a second glance.

Metera: Ugh... What was (Captain) thinking accepting a request like this?

Metera: I want to be out on the prowl for a man, not selling cakes.

Ferry: Apparently the shop was really understaffed, so I bet the captain had a hard time declining.

Metera: Ugh, I can't take this! Just look at that couple over there showing off.

Ferry: For now let's focus on attracting as many customers as we can.

Ferry: If we hurry and sell these cakes, we can go out and enjoy ourselves.

Metera: ...

Ferry: Back to business...

Ferry frowns in thought as she stares at the mountain of remaining cakes, seeing that they've barely made a dent.

Ferry: (But how exactly do we sell more cakes?)

Ferry: ...

Ferry: Well... We at least have to try. We came here to sell cakes, so that's what we're going to do.

With the fire relit within her, Ferry resumes her efforts.

Ferry: W-welcome! G-get your cakes here, everyone!

Ferry: Our cakes are, um... very delicious! And, uh...

Metera: (Sheesh. Look at her. That girl just doesn't know when to give up.)

Ferry: U-um! Come take a look... We have a wide selection of cakes available...

Ferry earnestly calls out to the people walking by, but to no avail.

Nevertheless, she keeps trying.

Metera: ...

Metera sits watching Ferry in silence.

Metera: (Ugh... No one's going to stop no matter how hard she tries. Why even bother?)

Metera: (I just don't get it.)

Metera: (But something about this feels familiar...)

Metera: (Oh! Ahaha, I know. She's exactly like Sutera.)

Metera: (They're both earnest and a little awkward... Oh, and honest to a fault. Suddenly it all makes sense.)

Metera rises from her chair to stand beside Ferry.

Metera: Well, if I'm going to be stuck here anyway, I might as well put in my share of the work.

Metera: And besides, I want to get this over with so I can go snag myself a man.

Ferry: Metera...

Metera: Watch and learn. I'll show you how it's done.

Metera fixes her gaze on a man walking by and links her arm with his.

Metera: Say, handsome. How about a sweet, sugary cake on this steamy holiday evening?

Man 1: Huh? W-well, er...

Metera: A guy like you must have a nice girl waiting for him. I bet she'd be over the moon if you brought home a delicious cake.

Man 1: How did you know that?

Metera: Well, let's just say I have a lot of experience. I wouldn't want to ruffle any feathers by making a pass at a claimed man.

Metera: But enough about all that. What do you say? Actions do speak louder than words after all. Nothing beats a nice present.

Man 1: You have a point... All right, I'll take one.

Metera's smooth talking convinces the man to buy a cake, and he leaves the shop in high spirits.

Ferry: Wow... You sold one in no time flat.

Metera: Now, time for round two.

Metera: My, look at those pecs! Might I have a word?

Man 2: Haha! Can I help you with something, ma'am?

Metera: I just have a teeny-tiny favor to ask.

Man 2: Oh? Of course. Anything for you.

Metera: Really? Thank you! One holiday cake for this gentleman here!

Man 2: C-cake?

Man 2: Now hang on a second. I never said anything about buying a cake—

Metera: Whaaat? But you just said you'd do anything!

Metera: Or wait... Was that a lie? And you call yourself a man!

Man 2: Fine, you got me. Not like I have anything against sweets anyway.

Metera employs various strategies to win over prospective customers.

She gushes about how delicious the cakes are, and occasionally she dashes out into the street, calling out in a loud voice to get people's attention.

Soon the cakes begin to disappear one by one.

Ferry: We started out with a mountain of cakes, but now they're just flying off the shelves...

Ferry: You're incredible, Metera. I never could have managed this on my own.

Metera: Now, now.

Metera: Don't make that face! Those cute clothes will go to waste.

Metera: Come on, give me a smile!

Metera: Don't worry. I'll teach you all you need to know about making sales.

Ferry: ...

Metera: Listen closely. You need to show excitement—there's no point in calling out to people in such a meek little voice.

Metera: Select your target and attack.

Metera: Simply stating the cakes are delicious isn't going to create a vivid image in anyone's mind.

Metera: Even if you have to stretch the truth a bit, just keep describing how amazing the cakes are.

Metera: Well... The most important thing is to not think too hard—just get out there and do it!

Ferry: ...

Ferry: I wonder if I'll ever be able to sell them as well as y—

Ferry: Ouch!

Metera pinches Ferry's cheek, cutting her off mid-sentence.

Metera: I told you to just get out there! Eventually the confidence will follow.

Metera: I know you can do it, Ferry. Trust me.

Metera smiles and lets go of Ferry's cheek.

Ferry: The confidence will follow, huh...

Ferry: E-excuse me!

Man 3: Wh-what is it?

Ferry: (I need to be forceful... throw myself into the role... and speak loudly!)

Ferry: Please buy one of our cakes!

Man 3: Huh?

Ferry: The owner of this shop poured his love into baking these holiday cakes—they're his prized creations!

Ferry: Just one bite and you'll agree that it's the best cake you've ever eaten in your entire life!

Man 3: ...

Ferry: (And now... I top it off with a smile!)

Ferry: So what do you say? Would you like one?

Ferry flashes the man her best smile.

As though won over by her passionate display, the man's puzzled expression transforms into a smile, and he nods.

Man 3: All right then. I'll take one of your recommended holiday cakes.

Ferry: Thank you!

Ferry continues thanking the man who bought the cake until he disappears from view.

Ferry: Metera... I did it! I sold a cake!

Metera: Of course you did. That's why we're here after all.

Ferry: Thank you. I couldn't have done it without you.

Metera: Oh, please... If you could smile like that, you should have done it in the first place!

Metera ruffles Ferry's hair as if to draw attention away from her own embarrassment.

But the affectionate exchange is suddenly interrupted by a loud, gruff voice.

???: Hey, girlie! Got a sec?

Ferry: Of course. Welcome to—

Hooligan 2: Heh. Whaddya say we have some fun? Let's take this relationship to the next level.

Hooligan 1: Aww yeah! If you've got time to sell a bunch of dumb cakes, you've got time to hang with us!

Ferry: ...

Metera: Ugh, enough. You're interfering with our sales.

Hooligan 1: Ooh, we've got a spunky one here! Just how I like my women.

Hooligan 2: The quiet one's more my type. Hyahaha!

Metera: I said you're in the way. Why don't you do us a favor and get lost? Now.

Hooligan 1: Hah... Don't push your luck!

The hooligan overturns the display, sending the cakes there tumbling to the ground.

Ferry: ...!
The cakes!

Hooligan 1: Heh. Serves you r—

Hooligan 1: Urgh!

Metera: Are the two of you too boneheaded to understand what we're doing right now?

Metera: You see, we're selling these cakes. She and I are trying to finish this together.

Ferry: Together...

Metera: But you two ruined that, didn't you? You're going to cough up every rupie those cakes were worth!

Mission Merrymaking - Let Them Eat Cake: Scene 2

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Metera and Ferry see to it that the hooligans are punished thoroughly for their ill deeds.

They also force the men to hand over payment for every single cake they ruined.

Metera: They'll still taste fine even though they're all smashed. Make sure not to leave a single crumb.

Hooligan 1: Y-yes, ma'am...

The hooligans disappear into the crowd, heads hung low in utter defeat.

Metera: Now then... I guess that means our holiday cakes are all sold out!

Ferry: A-are you sure it was okay to end things that way? I don't think they'll be able to finish all that cake...

Metera: They'll eat every bite if they know what's good for them. If we catch them throwing any out, we'll just have to teach them another lesson.

Cake Shop Owner: I-I heard a lot of commotion out here... Is something wrong?

Metera: Oh... No, everything's fine!

Metera: But have we got news for you! We sold every last cake! So I guess that means the request is complete, right?

Amazed that the mountain of cakes has vanished, the cake shop owner addresses them happily.

Cake Shop Owner: You two are lifesavers! I'm so glad I had you girls around to help! Thank you so much!

Metera: Well, it was a breeze for the two of us together.

Metera: Isn't that right, Ferry?

Ferry: Well, I suppose that's true. I was able to sell cakes because Metera was there to teach me how.

Cake Shop Owner: Oh, I almost forgot! I have a little something for you on top of your compensation...

Cake Shop Owner: This is a token of my gratitude. I hope you two will enjoy it later.

The shop owner presents them with a large, freshly baked cake.

Ferry: Thank you. I bet this cake would go wonderfully with some herbal tea.

Metera: That sounds lovely.

Cake Shop Owner: Now then, my wife and kids are waiting for me, so what do you say we clean up and head out?

After bidding farewell to the cake shop owner, Metera and Ferry look at each other and smile.

Metera: Well, that wasn't as bad as I expected.

Ferry: It was a very valuable learning experience.

Metera: Is that so?

The pair quickly finish tidying up the shop and prepare to head out.

Afterward they devour the cake they were given while enjoying a delicious teatime together.