The Explorer
Seeing Soriz in a sorry state of affairs aboard a Nordvjast fishing boat, Lyria mentions that her first impression of him was wrong. Seeing that Lyria has stopped working, an older fisherman comes in to reprimand her, but is intercepted by Soriz. Soriz reveals to the ever-positive Lyria that it is his dedication to achieving his goal that keeps him going through whatever hard times come his way.
The massive island of Nordvjast extends throughout a number of different Skydoms.
(Captain) and crew are aboard a research vessel studying the area and giving ice fishing a go.
Though nominally a research vessel, the ship's captain gave it a rough and ready air.
Lyria: Wow, the fishermen on board are all quite… characterful, aren't they?
Vyrn: They're really going for it, aren't they? But the stamping and shouting's a bit much, I think.
Lyria: Huh? Over there, on all fours… Is that Soriz?
(Captain) looks to where Lyria is pointing, and indeed sees Soriz on the floor on his hands and knees.
Soriz: C'mon, there's gotta be some around here. Someone must've dropped some spare change.
Soriz: All I need is a single rupie and I can make it back to the top. That'll show 'em!
Vyrn: Looks like he's lookin' for spare change. Shouldn't he be working?
Lyria: Poor Soriz, he's had nothing but bad luck recently.
Lyria: He's not acting like himself, to be honest I'm a little worried about him.
Soriz: Oh… Oh, oh, OH! A coin!
Soriz: Hahahah! Now I can start amassing my fortune! That'll wipe the smile of their faces!
(Captain) and the others work tirelessly day in and day out.
An exhausted Lyria trips while carrying her latest catch.
Lyria: Eek! Oh no, the fish!
Vyrn: H-hey, Lyria! are you OK?
Rough Fisherman: Hey, girlie! What'chu think yer doin'? We can't sell the fish if it's damaged!
Lyria: I-I'm sorry. I'll be more careful next time.
Rough Fisherman: NEXT TIME? Ye'll be lucky if I let there be a next time!
(Captain) sees that things are about to get out of hand with the fisherman, and steps in to protect Lyria.
However, before (Captain) can get to her Soriz stands in the way and grabs the fisherman by his arm.
Lyria: Ah! Soriz!
Soriz: Don't you dare raise your hand to a child. Now, go and think about what you've done wrong!
Rough Fisherman: Hey, that hurts! Let go of me arm! Ye're gonna break it!
Soriz: Heh! You act all tough when you're bullying a defenseless young girl, but now look at ya! Squirming like a worm on a hook!
Soriz: All right! I'm letting go, now beat it!
Rough Fisherman: Ugh! Stupid old man!
Lyria: Thank you so much, Soriz! And (Captain), I know you were about to protect me as well, so thank you to you too.
Soriz: No worries. Are you hurt? What was that guy thinkin'?
Lyria: Hee hee…
Soriz: Huh? Lyria, what're you laughin' at?
Lyria: It's just, the longer we're on this boat the more I realize my first impression of you was wrong.
Lyria: Hee hee, I first thought you were a bit scary, but you're really a nice guy!
Soriz: What? I think you've got it all wrong, Lyria.
Soriz: To be sure, life on this ship can be hard.
Soriz: But it's not enough to break my spirit!
Soriz: Not as long as I have my dream!
Soriz: I don't mind going through hard times like this if it means I get to live out my dream.
Soriz: (…That's right… I have to find the treasure in that hidden hot spring…)
Lyria: You're right! It's good to have something to work toward! We have a goal, too, you know!
Vyrn: That's right! We can't let this boat get in the way of our goal!
Vyrn: Heheh. C'mon, (Captain)! We got a trollkrabbe to catch!
(Captain) and crew's goal may be different to Soriz's…
But working together as friends they can overcome any obstacles in their way.
Not even the icy cold of Nordvjast or the salty demeanor of Captain Sanza could put a damper on the crew's spirits.
Search for Steam in the North
Soriz overhears that Eugen and Jin want to go back to Ginya, a secluded hot spring deep within Nordvjast, he tells them that they must go after what they want. Together they persuade (Captain) to return to Nordvjast, and Soriz is full of hopes that this time he will find the buried treasure.
It has been some time since the crew finished fishing for trollkrabbes in Nordvjast.
Eugen and Jin are talking about the last hot spring they visited, the secluded "Ginya" hot spring.
Eugen: I gotta say, I've never felt so relaxed as I did in that hot-spring.
Jin: I have to say I agree. The snowy vista, the bite of the cold air mixed with the warmth of the water, it was most pleasant.
Eugen: I wouldn't mind coming back here, if we ever get the chance.
Soriz: If we get the chance? What're you saying! If you put your mind to it you can force that chance to come!
Eugen: Soriz! You were listening?
Soriz: Of course! The moment I heard "Ginya" I knew I just had to join in.
Soriz: I was just thinking that I had to go back there soon as well!
Soriz: A hot spring in the farthest north… You don't get many chances to visit. That's why you have to make it happen yourself!
Eugen: I guess you're right. If we leave it to chance, who knows when we'll be back this way again?
Eugen: OK! Let's go ask (Captain) if we can go back there!
Soriz: Yeah! Hahahah, this is gonna be fun!
Soriz: (…I hope this time will be better than last time I was there…)
Soriz: (…The beautiful scenery's all good and well, but I need to get my hands on that treasure…)
Soriz: (…I can't wait to get there and start looking again…)
Soriz: All right! Let's set sail for Nordvjast!
Unable to resist Eugen and Soriz's burning desire to go back, (Captain) decides to return to Ginya.
Search for Steam in the North: Scene 2
On the way to Ginya, the hidden hot spring, (Captain) and crew are hit by a sudden and furious blizzard. To combat the cold Soriz suggests they keep moving, and so Eugen and Jin join him in running around the freezing Lyria and (Captain). Successfully making it through the blizzard, the crew once again starts making its way to the hot spring.
(Captain) and crew arrive once more on Nordvjast, and start to make their way to the secluded hot spring Ginya.
However before they can get there they are struck by a sudden blizzard.
Jin: Ugh! The weather was so clement before, what accursed magic is this blizzard?
Eugen: I can't see at all in this. There's no going forward, but it's too dangerous to go back, as well…
Soriz: You can't give up now! We're so close to Ginya!
Despite Soriz's red hot enthusiasm, the cold starts to get to Lyria and (Captain), who begin to lose consciousness.
Lyria: Oogh… I'm getting sleepy…
Eugen: Hey, Lyria! Pull yourself together! You can't fall asleep now!
Soriz: …I know!
Soriz: We need a way to warm up, right? Then how about this?
Soriz begins to undress.
Jin: Soriz, what're you…
Soriz: A caucus race! If we keep moving, then we won't get cold!
Eugen: …Oh, I get it! That might work!
Jin, Soriz, and Eugen start running around the others in an attempt to stay warm.
Soriz: Come on now, let's show this blizzard's who's boss! Faster! Faster! FASTER!
Eugen: Faster! Faster!
Jin: Faster! Faster!
Eventually (Captain) and Lyria join in and they are all kept warm by each others body heat.
Soriz: …Look! A break in the clouds!
Jin: Oh! The blizzard must nearly be over!
Soriz: OK! Ginya can't be far off now! Let's get going, full steam ahead!
Having successfully survived the blizzard, the crew once again make for the hidden hot spring.
Search for Steam in the North: Scene 3
(Captain) and crew arrive at the hot spring, and rush into the invitingly warm waters. Soriz, however, stays behind, and continues his search for the rumored buried treasure. His search leads him to one of the baths, where he is startled by the sudden appearance of Vyrn. The shock causes Soriz to faint, and he drifts off into a dreams of treasure.
Soriz: Outta the way!
A shocked attendant welcomes the weary (Captain) and crew who travelled through a blizzard to get to the hot spring.
Hot Spring Attendant: I must say I'm impressed you made it here through that blizzard! Please, warm yourselves in our perfectly heated waters!
Eugen: Thanks! I think we're gonna need a few hours in the water to de-frost us!
Eugen, Jin, (Captain) and the others all head toward the warming waters of the hot spring.
Soriz, rather than follow the rest of the crew, goes off in the opposite direction.
Soriz: (…The blizzard's covered the grounds around here with snow, that's gonna make this tricky…)
Soriz: (…Maybe I should give up? No! Never give up!…)
Soriz: (…Snow or no snow, the treasure's there just waiting to be found…)
Soriz: (…Now, where haven't I looked yet? Ah, this looks like a great place to start…)
Soriz: (…I wonder what I'll find down here…)
The excited Soriz finds himself near one of the baths.
Soriz: I'm gonna be so rich!
Soriz pushes his way through a thicket which it turns out was surrounding on of the hot spring baths.
Black-haired Woman: Heehee, who would've thought we'd find the treasure in the hot spring?
Blonde Woman: I know, it's the last place I would've looked!
Black-haired Woman: Ah, but this hot water feels sooo good!
Blonde Woman: Hey, watch where you're splashing!
Soriz: …
Soriz: C'mon, Soriz, this is no time to daydream! This treasure won't find itself!
Soriz: Almost there!
Soriz bursts through the thicket into the hot spring area.
???: Aah, this is nice…
Soriz: !
That voice… Is that…
???: Aaaaaahhh…
Soriz: !
Soriz looks about wildly for the owner of the voice, scared that his treasure hunt has been found out.
Soriz: Wha!
???: Who's there?
Soriz: …Of all the!
Vyrn: Oh, Soriz, it's you! I didn't see you come in.
Soriz: Wha! What're you doing here?
Vyrn: What do you think I'm doing? The water feels reeeally good!
Soriz: Uh…
Soriz faints and falls into the water.
Thoughts of the buried treasure bring a smile to his face even as he lies unconscious.