Flap Those Wings!
Rackam and Eugen assist Mahira with modifications to her mini-airship. An altercation breaks out over how best to go about the task, but Mahira remains calm the entire time.
Days before the end of the year, the crew stops by Golonzo, an island famed for its expertise in shipbuilding.
Their main purpose is to help Mahira prepare for the Joya confrontation.
Mahira: So this thing is a shock absorber?
Rackam: Well, you did say you wanted to get the jump on the Joya. I customized it to fit your mini-airship.
Mahira: Thank you. I'll put it on Clucky right away.
Rackam: Wait, we ought to tweak the load balance first. Should save us some time in the long run.
Mahira: I've already completed calculations for that. A bit of extra weight won't be an issue.
Rackam: Yeah? Gimme some numbers.
Mahira: Right, in just a bit...
Mahira: Actually, I forgot them.
Rackam: Hahaha, I figured! Though I'm sure your calculations are spot-on, of course.
Eugen: So how's the ship lookin'? I picked up a few parts in town that might come in handy.
Mahira: Eugen.
Mahira: Wow, that's a big haul. A lot of those parts are scarce this time of year.
Eugen: Haha, that's what connections are for. I've been around a long time after all.
Rackam: Always appreciate the help, Eugen. Can you lock in the airframe? I need to attach the shock absorber to the bow.
Eugen: I'm on it. Good thing I came with heavy-duty adhesive from the local mechanic's guild.
Mahira: Wow, you really know everyone here.
Mahira: I just hope I'm not taking up too much of your time. What with it being the end of the year and all...
Rackam: Oh, it's fine. Even the Twelve Divine Generals need a little help with skyfaring sometimes, and I'm just glad to help.
Eugen: Yep, what he said. Leave this to us grown-ups. You need to be well-rested for the showdown with the Joya anyway.
Mahira: Rackam, Eugen...
Mahira: It's true I'm still just a young chick in many ways. I may know a lot, but it's nothing without actual experience.
Mahira: That's where you two come in!
Rackam: Mm-hm! Ready to do this, Eugen?
Eugen: Ready as can be! Let's rig this baby!
Mahira and the veteran skyfarers bond over their love of all things aerial, bringing together knowledge, technology, and experience.
But a blind spot remains. Such is the nature of airships.
Mahira: Here I go with the adhesive...
Rackam: Eugen, hold up. Why are you using that old plywood when we've got a fresh lightweight batch right here?
Eugen: Can't vouch for anything I haven't tested myself. She's gonna need the ship in tip-top shape for this face-off.
Rackam: I see what you mean, but trust me when I say this plywood's been battle-tested. Sorry, but I'm gonna tear off the tattered old stuff.
Eugen: Quit it, I already had it just right! C'mon, Rackam. How many times do I gotta tell ya not to put so much faith in the latest tech?
Mahira: Hammering away, dum-de-dum...
Rackam: How about we leave the past out of it? Nowadays I always make sure to test things out for myself—
Eugen: Heh, sounds like you need a refresher, Rackam. Watch me at work and learn.
Rackam: You're kidding, right? I ain't no damn kid anymore!
Eugen: Humph. You're still just a runt if you ask me.
Vyrn: Yoo-hoo, Mahira! How are enhancements on Clucky going?
Lyria: Is there anything we can help with? Ah, looks like you're all in the middle of something...
Mahira: Ah, it's you guys. Yes, everything's going swimmingly.
Rackam: Rgh! You have any idea how out-of-date your design is?
Eugen: Why don't you try learning from the past for once, ya dunce!
Vyrn: Um... What was it that was going swimmingly again?
Lyria: Ahahaha... They always get like this when it comes to the itty-bitty details of airships.
Noa: Hehe... You never change, Rackam.
Mahira: Noa. Thanks for your advice the other day. I patched up the wings just now.
Noa: Yeah, I noticed. They look great. You just might be ready to learn the next step.
???: Hehe... You never change, Rackam.
Mahira: Hm? Could you be...
Vyrn: Noa, good to see ya! Mahira, don't you remember how we mentioned he's the shipwright of the Grandcypher?
Lyria: Um, Rackam? Noa's—
Lyria: Ooh, he's pretty busy.
Noa: Sure is. But it's okay—I already know that you need help with ship modifications.
Continue 1Mahira: Great. I really appreciate it.
Pilot: Huh? That you, Rackam? What's with all this fuss?
Rackam: Good timing, bud! Let's show 'em the rough-and-tumble we helmsmen have to go through!
Shipwright: Y'all young'un's ought to know we shipwrights got our own struggles to deal wit'!
Eugen: Heheh, as if! Them greenhorns are nothin' more than fish in a fish bowl!
Mechanic: That's going too far, Eugen! We young folks even hold study groups to make sure we stay up-to-date!
Former Skyfarer: Hah! Sounds like the bare minimum. You've got another thing comin' if you think that alone's gonna keep you up to snuff!
Vyrn: Whoa... Why's everyone from the docks even here? Not to mention we're getting way off topic.
Mahira: Hm, hm, how enlightening. My, you're really deft with your hands, Noa.
Noa: You should know this differs from my usual method though. I figured it'd be nice to try it their way for once.
Lyria: Ahahaha... You two are so calm about this whole thing.
Rackam: Noa! Should've given me a holler if you were around! Back me up here!
Noa: Rackam, don't you think you're taking it too far? The last day of the year draws near.
Rackam: Rgh, gimme a break...
Eugen: Hahahaha! You just got told off like the lil' brat you are!
Rackam: That does it, Eugen!
Vyrn: Ahaha, are they playin' tag now? They're like a pair of kindergarteners!
Noa: It's the same for all who are infatuated with the skies.
Lyria: You think so? How does Mahira stay so calm then?
Mahira: Aha... So I just insert one of these tiny gears in here.
Noa: Hehe... Don't you see how engrossed Mahira is? She's just like them in her own way.
Mahira: Mm-hm... I could probably make a table with the leftover planks.
Mahira: Ah. I've read before about converting a heat source and placing a futon over it...
Mahira: (Captain), I know what to do now. I need to make a kotatsu after we finish up with Clucky.
Vyrn: What? Kotatsu? Come again? Is that another airship like Clucky?
Mahira: Mm... Let's just say it'll help us brave the winter.
Vyrn: Woo-hoo! I can't wait!
Mahira's preparations for the big day with the Joya come to a close amid all the clamor.
The skies and the ships that soar across them. Their wondrous charm is enough to bring out the inner child in any upstanding adult.
The Grateful Rooster
Lyria helps Mahira test out an exercise device she dubs the Kickity-Clucky. When they proceed on to her cooking apparatus, the Cookity-Clucky, they find Katalina, an unconscious Rackam, and a monster in the shape of a mushroom.
With only hours remaining before the date changes, the bustle of New Year's preparations fills the Grandcypher.
In one room is Lyria, out of breath from running.
But strangely enough, she remains fixed in one corner of the room the entire time.
Lyria: Huff... Huff... How am I doing, Mahira?
Mahira: Mm... Only 42.195 meters left.
Mahira: You can do it!
Lyria: I'll try!
Mahira: Goal! Great job powering through the course, Lyria!
Lyria: Wheeze... I'm bushed... So how's the machine working?
Mahira: Hm, let's see... I need to measure the total running distance first...
Mahira: It's perfect. Thanks for taking the Kickity-Clucky on a test drive.
Vyrn: Heyo, whatcha two doin' in here? I thought I heard you running around.
Vyrn: Whoa! What's this thingamajig?
On entering the room, (Captain) and Vyrn are immediately drawn by the mysterious device.
Mahira calls it an indoor running apparatus for the health-conscious.
Mahira: Sorry if the noise startled you. I just wanted to repay my debt to you all.
Vyrn: Debt? You mean like how we helped gear up your mini-airship for the Joya showdown?
Mahira: Yes. With everyone's assistance, I was able to accomplish both my mission and my goal.
Mahira: So I asked around among the crew to find out what I might be able to do to help.
Lyria: And that's when you found the lack of physical activity mid-flight to be a big concern.
Vyrn: Yeah, I hear ya! This oughta help the crew stay in shape during long flights!
Mahira: I have other things in development too. Though I'm still testing a bunch of them. Care to take a look?
The crew follows Mahira to the kitchen.
Vyrn: You've got some kinda prototype here too?
Lyria: Let me guess—it's a machine to cook yummy rice real fast!
Mahira: Close, but no cuckoo. It's a machine to let anyone easily prepare food.
Mahira: Suppose you're craving toast. Just put a slice of bread in the device and press this button. You can even change the heat settings.
Mahira: I call it the Cookity-Clucky.
Vyrn: Sweet! It seems kinda simple, but I'm sure it's gonna come in super handy! With a plain ol' fire, I sometimes doze off and end up overcookin'!
Lyria: Hey, did someone just use the device earlier? It smells like something aw—
Katalina: ...
Mahira: Katalina? Are you okay? Your face is all pale.
Katalina: No, wait! Don't get the wrong idea! I just wanted to make Rackam some toast...
Lyria: Huh? For Rackam? Did you use Mahira's device?
Katalina: Lyria, no! Don't take another step!
Vyrn: Bwuh... You sure everything's cool, Katalina? Something over there?
Rackam: ...
Vyrn: Rackaaam!
(Captain) and the others find Rackam passed out on the floor, a piece of warm toast in his hand and a mysterious substance splattered in all directions.
Lyria: Oh no! Why is he unconscious here?
Katalina: I'm sorry... I used the device to make some toast for Rackam, but I couldn't foresee this happening...
Mahira: It's supposed to be usable by anyone... Did you do anything other than push the button?
Katalina: No, not really. But since we're out of jam, I was afraid it'd taste too plain, so I—
Monster: Fshaa!
Mahira: Hm? What a strange creepy crawler. Is this a mushroom?
Katalina: The mushroom I put on the toast must have been an imposter... It's poisoned Rackam!
Vyrn: Wait... Did you say you put a mushroom on toast?
Mahira: What a... unique topping.
Katalina: Careful! Hope you're ready to lend a hand, (Captain)!
The Grateful Rooster: Scene 2
(Captain) and the others go out on deck to try out Mahira's latest invention—the Grandcypher's very own outdoor pool. Io and Eugen seem to be having so much fun with it that monsters from the skies swoop down, perhaps hoping to join in.
The mushroom monster is no more. After nursing Rackam back to health, the crew heads out on deck to inspect Mahira's other prototypes.
Io: Really, Eugen? If you're not gonna swim, then get out!
Eugen: Haha, gimme a break. It's so nice and warm in here. Feels like I'm takin' a bath.
Io: Ugh, now you're treating this like a hot spring... Just don't blame me when the water splashes all over your face!
Eugen: All right already...
Ah, (Captain), you guys here for a dip too?
The party beholds a large circular container filled to the brim with water kept warm by a heat source.
Mahira: I call it the Eggity-Eggy, because it'll keep you as cozy as a chick before it hatches. Perfect for both exercise and relaxation.
Lyria: Wow, this is amazing! How are you enjoying it, Io?
Io: It's so much fun! Being able to swim in the winter is the greatest!
Vyrn: Color me impressed! Just look how chipper Eugen is.
Eugen: Yeah, this is where it's at! A classy outdoor bath with a pristine view of the skies!
Eugen: Hey, Mahira. Any chance we can tweak the water temperature on this thing?
Mahira: Mm-hm. That's what this remote is for. And this gadget here keeps the water fresh—
Fowl: Cheep, cheep!
Lyria: Ah, a bird! It's on the edge of the Eggity-Eggy!
Io: Ahaha, it's so cute! It must be cold for birds too this time of year.
Mahira: True. This just happens to be a fine place for them to rest their weary wings.
Vyrn: Yeah, I can see that... Whoa, something else is comin' this way.
Eugen: Seems Eggity-Eggy's not just a big hit with the chicks, but even the big birds.
Monster: Grooaaar!
Vyrn: Whoa! That's not just any bird—it's a monster!
Mahira: Well, this is unexpected...
Mahira: I wonder if it was drawn by the heat, the water, or just us. I'll have to ask someone knowledgeable about monsters.
Lyria: Mahira, there's time for studying later! We have to deal with the monster first!
Mahira: Ah, right.
Mahira: Here goes... Cock-a-doodle-dum. Wing-a-doodle-fly!
The Grateful Rooster: Scene 3
After dealing with the monsters and testing out all her prototypes, Mahira reveals that she must return to the Rooster Temple now that her duties are complete. However, she ends up agreeing to stay in the crew to continue repaying (Captain) and the others for all their help.
With the threat to the Eggity-Eggy defeated, the crew checks out a few more of Mahira's prototypes before retreating to her room for a rest.
Vyrn: Whew... I can't get enough of this kotatsu. Mahira's an absolute genius for coming up with it!
Lyria: Yeah! I'm ready to take a nice, comfy nap under it!
Mahira: Ahaha. I didn't make it all by myself though. I had a lot of help from the crew.
Vyrn: Hey, you mentioned "repaying debts" a little earlier. Does that mean you'll be returning to the Rooster Temple after New Year's?
Mahira: Yes... That's how it's supposed to be.
Lyria: But I wanted to travel with you some more! We could've soared the skies together to—
Mahira: Lyria...
Mahira: Thank you. Fortunately the rules are nothing more than a guideline really. The Rooster Temple is particularly lax to begin with.
Mahira: And there's so much more work to be done on these prototypes.
Mahira: So, erm...
Mahira: (Captain). If it's all right with you, can I stay on as a crew member?
- We always have a spot open for you.
- Pleased to greet you.
Choose: We always have a spot open for you.Mahira: You're the best, (Captain).
Choose: Pleased to greet you.Mahira: Ahaha. That's my line.
Continue 1Mahira: Well then...
Mahira: Pleased to stay onboard!
Vyrn: Woo-hoo! Let's get to work on new gizmos for the ship right away! I could use an infinite apple generator!
Lyria: Yay! I have a few ideas too! Like, um...
The lively chitchat about exciting new facilities for the Grandcypher continues well into the new year.
Mahira's vast wealth of knowledge as one of the Twelve Divine Generals will surely come in handy for the journeys to come.