Cluck, Line, and Sinker
Mahira convinces the crew to indulge her in some clandestine swimming lessons in Alohas. She proclaims she has calculated every variable she needs, but her hopes are dashed as she repeatedly sinks like a stone. When all hope seems lost, Lunalu suddenly bursts onto the scene.
Mahira: Captain, I wanted to ask if we could pay a visit to Alohas.
The deepest depths of winter might have passed, but a chill still lingers in the air.
Mahira, one of the Divine Generals and Queen of the Roosters, has come to (Captain)'s room aboard the Grandcypher specifically to make this request.
Lyria: It's not often that Mahira is the one asking us out somewhere! Now that you mention it, I wouldn't mind a dip in a nice heated pool myself...
Vyrn: There's no quests comin' up on our schedule either, so sounds good to me! Let's go ask the other Generals if they wanna come!
Mahira: Oh... Sorry if this changes things, but I'd like to do this just with you three—without the others.
Lyria: Oh, really? Wouldn't it be more fun to go with everyone?
Mahira: Ah, let me explain myself.
Everyone cocks their heads in confusion as the Queen of the Roosters stands up a little straighter.
Mahira: I am not asking to go simply to have a pleasant time with you all—I want to go because I want to learn how to swim.
Mahira: I'm not all that good at exercise in general, so I was wondering if (Captain) could keep watch and help me out...
- Consider it done!
- Think you can keep up with us?
Choose: Consider it done!Mahira: Thank you. I've already run the calculations and I should be mostly fine by myself, so it shouldn't be too much of a bother.
Choose: Think you can keep up with us?Mahira: Yes—I've already run the calculations, and the data looks promising.
Continue 1Vyrn: Huh? What's this about "calculations"? Aren't we talkin' about swimming here?
Mahira: Hehe, well, I've calculated the exact angles and motions that all of my joints need to take in order for me to swim perfectly—right down to my pinkies.
On cue, Mahira pulls out sheaves of papers, each page filled to the brim with countless algorithms, vectors, and equations.
Mahira: Since the body is subject to the standard laws of physics, it follows that if I compute every motion using the correct formulae, I should be able to attain a flawless swimming technique.
Vyrn: Who does all this work just to learn how to swim! Your mind is really somethin' else...
Mahira: All that's left is to put my theory into practice. Let us head out as soon as possible—preferably unnoticed. Pretty please.
Face full of determination, Mahira stands tall and boldly points off in the vague direction of Alohas.
Vyrn: I'm not sure why we have to be all sneaky about this when you're just learning how to swim...
Mahira: Let's recap the data—taking into account the buoyancy and drag of fresh water at room temperature, the force needed to propel an object of my total mass and volume would be...
Vyrn: And there she goes again, completely off in la-la land...
Thus, the crew joins Mahira and her confident calculations on a covert excursion to Alohas.
However, when the moment of truth arrives...
Mahira: Cough, hack!
Vyrn & Lyria: Mahira!
Mahira: Needs more time in the oven...
Vyrn: Don't scare us like that! I've never seen someone sink so fast when they hit the water!
Lyria: Do you know what happened? Were your calculations off?
Mahira: Indeed—it appears that I forgot to factor in that I am far worse at exercise than most.
Vyrn: You're kinda jumping the gun there... Maybe you just can't keep up with all those numbers you came up with?
Mahira: Since one of my fundamental variables has changed, I have no choice but to start from scratch. Let's return to the Grandcypher for now.
Lyria: Wait! Maybe (Captain) can just... teach you how to swim instead?
Mahira: Oh, yes, that is why you came here with me, wasn't it? How careless of me.
Mahira: But... would such a delay be permissible? Based on my current rate of success, I have a feeling that this could take a very long time...
- We can practice together!
- I'll be your personal trainer.
Choose: We can practice together!Mahira: (Captain)...
Choose: I'll be your personal trainer.Mahira: "Personal trainer"... Why does the sound of that make me feel so... embarrassed?
Continue 2Mahira: Thank you so much for the offer. Please, teach me all you know!
The swimming lessons begin, but it soon becomes clear that Mahira is in a whole league of her own when it comes to being bad at swimming.
Mahira: Blub, cluck! My feet can't touch the bottom!
Lyria: It's okay, just try to focus, Mahira! As long as (Captain) is holding your hand, you're safe!
Mahira: D-don't let go! Please!
As she flails and kicks her legs wildly for dear life, Mahira maintains a vise-like grip on (Captain)'s hand.
Vyrn: I've never seen Mahira this scared before—not even when we went to the cosmos that one time!
Mahira: Ah, wait. I think I've figured out what I'm supposed to do now. Could you let go for a little bit?
Vyrn: Are you sure that's a good idea?
Mahira: Trust me on this one—I know what I'm doing.
Mahira: Cough, glub!
- Mahira!
Choose: Mahira!The Divine General valiantly struggles through several more attempts to swim.
Mahira: I feel like I'm getting used to the kickboard now... Maybe I'll be able to try without it soon!
Mahira: Maybe the momentum from the slide will help!
Mahira: L-let's try the kiddy pool!
Mahira: Pant... Wheeze... I'm sorry, but it seems nothing is working.
Vyrn: You've only just started! Don't throw in the towel just yet.
Mahira: But... judging from my performance thus far...
Failure after failure wears down Mahira's mood, bringing down everyone else's with it. Just when all hope seems lost, a familiar voice calls out from one end of the pool.
???: I've seen this story many times before.
Vyrn: Huh? Is that...
Lunalu: So, you want to teach Mahira how to swim, huh? Say no more!
All Three: Lunalu!
The illusory artist appears just in the nick of time, promising to be the salvation the crew needs.
Will she prove to be the shining light that guides Mahira from bedraggled rooster to graceful swan?
Water off a Chicken's Back
To help Mahira learn how to swim, Lunalu convinces her to learn through imitation of good swimmers. Despite channeling her inner penguin and trying Handsome Gorilla Triple Attack, the Divine General still fails. She pleads for an experimental supplement, but just before she can drink it, Zooey descends to stop her.
Mahira has traveled with the crew to Alohas in order to learn how to swim, under the condition that none of the other Divine Generals catch wind of her exploits.
Despite trying a variety of methods and teaching styles, none have been effective at keeping the Queen of the Roosters afloat, and now the crew is in dire straits.
Just when defeat begins to loom, who else should appear but Lunalu, with timing so perfect it almost seems fated.
Mahira: Lunalu... What are you doing here?
Lunalu: Well, I was planning on putting a pool in my next storybook, so I was scouting out places to get some inspo!
Lunalu: More importantly, I couldn't help but overhear what's going on with you guys. You're trying to learn how to swim, Mahira?
Lunalu: Honestly, I'm also pretty bad at it, but I can try to help! You all look as desperate as I do when I'm stuck with writer's block and try to give myself counseling in my mirror.
Vyrn: Uh... I see.
Mahira: I really appreciate this, Lunalu. So, what have you got?
Lunalu: So, first off, this is based on me learning how to draw, so bear with. In my eyes there are two different ways to learn a new skill.
Lunalu: The first is to cram all the theory into your brain before diving into practice... but that didn't work for you, did it?
Mahira: Correct. Even under (Captain)'s tutelage, and despite all my planning ahead.
Lunalu: And that's fine, 'cause you still have one more method to try!
Lunalu: Imitation—the closer, the better! Follow in the footsteps of all the greats!
Mahira: You mean... copying someone else?
Lunalu: Even I copy the works of god-tier artists to practice the basics—it's pretty normal! I feel like it's a good fit for how you learn too!
Mahira: You really think so? I'm not very good at this...
Lunalu: Remember when you read those Popol Saga stories aloud before? You got perfectly in character! You need that creativity and focus now, too!
Lunalu: Try and imagine what kind of swimming would be best suited to you, and then act it out! That's the key to success!
Mahira: Hmm... Let me try it.
Mahira closes both of her eyes and lets her mind wander off into the deep ocean of thought, trawling the depths as her body sways in time with the waves.
Mahira: I am a penguin... A bird who glides through the sea as if it were the sky... A penguin, through and through...
Lyria: That's her muse?
Vyrn: I think she might be barking up the wrong iceberg...
Lunalu: No. This is what Mahira thinks of when she pictures swimming—this is what she wants!
The Divine General is completely focused on her vision—as Lunalu predicted—and waddles ever nearer to the water's edge.
Mahira: Cluck... Cluck... Cluck...
Lunalu: That's it, Mahira! Become the penguin you've always wanted to be inside! Embrace the penguin!
Vyrn: I don't think that's the noise penguins make...
Lunalu: Behold—your ocean awaits! Dive in and taste true freedom!
Mahira: Cluuuck!
Mahira: Glub bubble glub...
- Mahira!
Choose: Mahira!Everyone: ...
Lunalu: Sorry, I think I got carried away there. I forgot she can't actually become a penguin...
Vyrn: How could you forget that!
Mahira tries to emulate numerous other friends, animals, and objects, but all to no avail.
Mahira: I am the great monkey, Andie, and the pool is calling to me!
Mahira: Haha! Here comes Mahi!
Mahira: This body of mine... is augmented...
With each plunge to bottom of the pool, Mahira continues to also plunge through her list of acquaintances.
Mahira: After all that, I still can't become a waterfowl... Just a bumbling duckling that can't swim...
Vyrn: You really tried though! Not sure if they were all good swimmers though. Some were a bit out there...
Lunalu: I didn't want to have to resort to this, but it might be time to bring out the big guns.
Lunalu: Here, Mahira, take this.
Mahira: But this is...
All Three: Handsome Gorilla Triple Attack!
Mahira: This is just what I need! I'll try this right now!
As the saying goes, "When the swimming gets tough, the tough become gorillas." Mahira downs the contents of the little bottle without a moment's hesitation.
Vyrn: Wait, why would that be "the big guns"? It's just some energy drink, right? Though I've heard stories about the side effects being kinda nasty.
Lunalu: Ah, I see you all are yet to see Mahira when she's unleashed her inner gorilla.
Mahira: Ooh-aaahhh!
Lunalu: I see your physical abilities have been amplified as well—your acceleration was impressive.
Lunalu: You see, when Mahira gets some of this in her, she goes absolutely bananas! She can do crazy athletic stuff like you've never seen!
Vyrn: How the heck does that even work!
Mahira: Ooh-ooh-aaahhh!
Lyria: Oh wow... She's terrifying!
Vyrn: Gulp... Here's hoping she can actually pull it off like this...
Mahira: Ooh-aah!
Mahira: Ooh-blub-blub-blub!
- Mahira!
Choose: Mahira!Lunalu: Aw man, even the gorilla can't do it?
Mahira: You shouldn't get down about it, Lunalu. The more someone takes a supplement, the less effective it becomes.
Lunalu: Ah, makes sense that it'd wear off a lot faster as well.
Lunalu: Ugh, I started off so confident too... Now I just feel awkward...
Mahira: However. You told me before you also have an... "experimental prototype." Would you perhaps still have it on you?
Lunalu: Experimental... oh. Oh no, you don't mean—
Mahira: Handsome Gorilla Quadruple Attack.
Lunalu: Are you crazy! Absolutely not! Do you have a death wish or something?
Mahira: Lunalu... You have done so much for me, but now that I have started down this path, I cannot turn back. I have no choice but to learn how to swim—by any means necessary.
Mahira: I want to break past my limits and be who I'm truly meant to be! And you have something that lets me do that...
Lunalu: Gah! I cannot bear those pure, earnest eyes! So this is what it feels like to see off a friend as they march towards certain death... Oh, the cruelty of it all!
Lunalu collapses to her knees and, from her pocket, she withdraws a single wild-colored vial of fluid. She holds it up to Mahira, her hands shaking.
Lunalu: I understand. Promise me you'll come back in one piece, okay, Mahira?
Mahira: I will. You have to trust me.
Vyrn: It's just a lil' supplement... right?
???: Don't do this.
Lunalu: Please, do not interfere! Mahira has already made her choice!
Zooey: Oh no she hasn't—I won't allow this to go on any longer.
All Three: Zooey!
Water off a Chicken's Back: Scene 2
Zooey admonishes them for being reckless with vitamins but is informed of the situation. Mahira refuses Zooey's idea to use a swimming aid, instead wanting to swim by herself. She seems suddenly able to swim but simply got caught on Vaseraga's head. He also tries to instruct the ailing General, but to no avail.
Once upon a time, Zooey had been the arbitrator that maintained the Sky Realm's fragile balance, including aiding the Divine Generals in pacifying a rampaging Joya.
Even though she has been freed from her former role, she still possesses power far surpassing many of her ilk, and commands an imposing presence among mortals.
Zooey: Let me be frank with you—that is no mere supplement. Drinking that vial will have untold consequences. You must desist.
Vyrn: Are you being for real right now! That teensy little drink could upset the balance of the whole Sky Realm?
Mahira & Lunalu: ...!
Zooey: It will be ruinous for your health.
Zooey: A sudden sense of foreboding struck me, so I came as fast as I could. And I'm glad that I did—too much nutrition can be just as bad for you as having too little, you know.
Mahira: ...
Mahira & Lunalu: I guess...
Both of them resolve to keep a closer eye on their nutritional intake.
Zooey: Ah, now I understand the situation. Why don't I lend you a hand?
Zooey: I can create some sort of device to help you while you're learning how to swim—like those ride-on floats I've made before.
Vyrn: You mean like a kickboard or some water wings? 'Cause Alohas already has those...
Zooey: In that case, let's try something more unique. Maybe a ring that lets you breathe underwater, or earrings that ensure you never slip beneath the surface?
Vyrn: When did you learn how to make stuff like that?
Zooey: I haven't, but it doesn't hurt to try. They'll be filled to the brim with Astral power—much like a slice of pie just bursting with cinnamon.
Vyrn: We ain't making a pie here, you know...
Mahira: ...
Mahira: While I'm happy you wish to help... I refuse.
Zooey: Oh? I thought that would allow you to fulfill your wish...
Mahira: That's true, but I don't want to rely on machines to aid me this time.
Mahira: I want to be able to swim entirely under my own power. Thank you for the thought, but... I don't want to go that route.
Lyria: Come to think of it, you haven't mentioned machines or inventions once this whole time, have you?
Zooey: I see your heart is set on this. Well then, allow me to keep watch over you until you have reached your goal.
Mahira: That itself is a big help.
With her words towards Zooey buoying her spirit, Mahira lightly slaps her face to get into a more serious frame of mind.
Mahira: Thank you all—I now feel like I'm ready to give this another shot.
Lunalu: Are you sure? Don't do anything crazy if you don't want to!
Mahira: PS Mahira, roll out!
Together: She's swimming!
Lunalu: Our efforts have finally paid off! Look at her go!
Zooey: Look at that speed... Goes to show you that a little will can go a long way...
Vaseraga: Shoot, I think I'm snagged on something.
Together: Vaseraga?
Vaseraga!
Spiky!
Lyria: And that's why we were all trying to help Mahira learn how to swim.
Vaseraga: I see. If you would want more help, I'd be happy to offer it for Mahira. I am forever in her debt, after all.
Mahira: Thank you—and I'm sorry for accidentally riding on your head.
Vaseraga: No, that's entirely my fault. My apologies for scaring you.
Before them stands the Society warrior Vaseraga, known for his outstanding exploits extracting Cassius from the clutches of lunar assassins.
Mahira had also been a crucial component of that mission, helping design the moon-bound cosmoship, as well as ensuring the mission objective was completed successfully.
Lunalu: (Showing off all that muscle while keeping your face hidden away in a big helmet... That's a big-brained kink...)
Vyrn: So what're you doing over here in Alohas, Spiky?
Vaseraga: I'm also here on vacation. Apparently there was some sort of group discount, so we were brought along to make up the numbers.
Mahira: Does that mean Zeta and Beatrix are also here?
Vaseraga: Indeed they are, but we're currently all off doing our own things. I'm the only one here at the pool right now—wanted to get a few lengths in.
Vaseraga: Zeta's gone off to the spa, the commander is getting a massage, and Cassius is off trying everything at the food court.
Mahira: Cassius came with you too? How's he faring back in the Sky Realm? Is he back to his old eating habits?
Vaseraga: He's relapsed a few times—had a brief fascination with a noodle shop and almost ate their whole stock.
Vaseraga: But, for the most part, he seems to be as fit as ever—no small part in thanks to the indoor running machine you made for him.
Mahira: Gaining and losing all that weight over and over must have been hard on him... I'm glad it's been put to good use!
The crew asks for Vaseraga to review all the methods Mahira has tried to use thus far, and to observe how she sinks in the water.
He also looks over all of the Divine General's calculations, letting out a soft chuckle to himself out of admiration.
Vaseraga: I never thought anyone would try to learn how to swim by calculating every single motion of their own body... Sure is an interesting method.
Vaseraga: But I think you've definitely tried to run when you should have been learning to walk.
Mahira: Hmm? Can you elaborate?
Vaseraga: Well, a body's motion is always primarily subconscious—to actively control its every aspect, you need to either be a true master of every single muscle, or a machine.
Vaseraga: Most of the time you try and force the body to act, your movements become stiff and unnatural, and that makes even the most innate of abilities hard to pull off.
Vaseraga: If each footstep is precisely calculated with no room for deviation or adaptation, you'll end up stumbling on every single step.
Vaseraga: If you keep forcing your body to do this all-or-nothing approach, it'll end up becoming a habit, and it will have a knock-on effect on every other time you try to practice.
Vyrn: All that from just a little look... You're really somethin', Spiky!
Mahira: "It'll become a habit"... So then, how do I fix it?
Vaseraga: Your body must learn what it feels like to lose its strength—to be languid. (Captain), give me a hand.
Following Vaseraga's instructions, (Captain) supports Mahira as she lies face-up on the surface of the pool.
Vaseraga: This technique is known as the "back float"—if you let all the tension and strength leave your body, you can float on water as light as a feather.
Vaseraga: Just imagine yourself all alone and relaxed in your room, drinking by yourself, completely calm.
Mahira: Drinking?
Vaseraga: Ah, right, you can't do that yet... Then...
Vaseraga: After a long, arduous, bloody battle, finally getting to rest by the crackle of warm fire...
Mahira: Cluck?
Vaseraga: ...
Vaseraga: Can someone please field some other scenarios for me here?
Vyrn: You always go straight from zero to a hundred, don't you?
Lunalu: What about when you're hanging out with us under the kotatsu?
Mahira: Oh, that's perfect. Yes, I'm under the kotatsu... All warm and cozy...
Vaseraga: There we go... perfect. Feel the tension in your muscles release.
Mahira: Warm... fluffy... floaty...
Vaseraga: She's gone completely limp! Now, (Captain), try letting her go—gently.
Mahira: Blub glub blub...
- Mahira!
Choose: Mahira!Vaseraga: I... see. This matter is more complex than it first seems.
No matter how many different methods they try, and no matter how long they spend on each one, Mahira gets no closer to learning how to swim.
Water off a Chicken's Back: Scene 3
Mahira starts to muse about her friends and friendship itself, revealing that she wants to surprise the other Divine Generals by swimming with them. Suddenly, Lunalu slips into the water and is saved by none other than Mahira. Later, she joins the other Generals on a swimming trip, able to swim alongside them at last.
Vyrn: Even Spiky's advice didn't do a thing to help...
Vaseraga: It's not out of the realm of possibility that our problem lies with some innate characteristics of Harvin biology...
Vaseraga: See, they have a high head size to body size ratio, and this—along with the weight distribution it brings—means they tend not to be very good at swimming.
Zooey: But there have been skilled Harvin swimmers too. We have some hope, at least.
Vaseraga: You're right. Let's think of other things we can try.
Lunalu: If only I could manifest an idea... Hnnngh!
Mahira: ...
Lunalu: Oh... Keep your head up, Mahira! If anyone can do it, you can!
Mahira: ...
Lunalu: Mahira? Hellooo? Anyone in there?
Mahira: Oh, no, I'm okay. I just thought it was odd.
Lunalu: Odd? What's odd?
Mahira: This thought just... appeared in my brain.
Mahira: I've been so busy tinkering with my machines all by myself, I never noticed just how many new friends I had made.
Mahira: S-sorry. You're all trying to think of solutions, and I just blurted out something wildly off-topic...
Hearing Mahira's feelings slip out, all of her friends look at each other and smile warmly.
Lunalu: That's not a weird thought to have at all! Though I do admit I also think it's super odd how that happens.
Lunalu: But, y'know, friends just kinda... do that!
Mahira: Hm?
Lunalu: Being honest, I don't have much to back that up, but remember when we discussed all about Popol Saga? And that whole thing with the insane deadline for my manuscript?
Lunalu: Y'know how we realized the actually fun bit was doing all that together? Well, that's what now feels like too!
Mahira: Lunalu...
Lunalu: Ah, shoot, I just went and said something really cringe, didn't I? H-hey, Prof. Vaseraga, what d'you think about this stuff?
Vaseraga: Oh, so now it's my turn?
Lunalu: Well, you're a proper adult that does... adulting things! I'm sure you can put this way better than I can!
Vaseraga: Well, if I have to, then you should know I also had no reason to stay here and help out other than because I wanted to, Mahira.
Vaseraga: That's all there is to it... What about you, Zooey?
Zooey: I'd say we all simply wanted to be here with you and help out if you needed it.
Mahira: You... You really...
Mahira: Th-thank you, everyone. I guess you're all right about not everything needing logic and reason.
Zooey: There is one thing I wanted to ask you about, though.
Mahira: That's true, but I don't want to rely on machines to aid me this time.
Zooey: You were more than willing to accept everyone else's help, but you refuse to accept the help of your own machines.
Zooey: Why in the skies are you so focused on swimming under your own power, instead of just at all?
Mahira: Fair point. Actually, if all I wanted was to be able to go in the water without difficulty, I could make myself an underwater respirator, no problem.
Vyrn: Wait, you can make a crazy gadget like that too?
Lunalu: So, what is it you really wanted to do?
Mahira: I... want to go swimming with the rest of the Divine Generals sometime.
A misty look comes over Mahira's face, as she appears to stare off at some imagined scene, smiling.
Mahira: Every time we've met up for the assembly lately, there have been increasingly more chances for us to relax and spend time in the water.
Mahira: Seeing Andie and the others all having fun swimming about and playing games... I just want to be a part of that too.
Mahira: So, I promised myself I would learn to swim like they all can, no matter how long it took.
Vaseraga: I understand now. Rather than the mere ability to swim, you want the experience of swimming with others, correct?
Zooey: And using a machine to meet that end would nullify the experience...
Mahira: It's a bit embarrassing to admit it, but exactly.
Lunalu: But then why keep this a secret from the Divine Generals, instead of asking them for help?
Mahira: Well... We were planning to visit Alohas together again in the near future.
Mahira: I was thinking I could surprise them all by suddenly jumping in the water and swimming about with them...
Lunalu: Mahira...
Lunalu: Now I want to help you learn how to swim more than ever! We have to make that dream come true!
Mahira: I want to swim more than anything! I need to.
Lyria: Careful you don't boil the water with all that fire, hehe! Well then everyone, time to resume our training!
Lunalu: I'll go get us some drinks!
Lunalu jumps up excitedly, dashing toward the poolside shop to get refreshments, when—
Lunalu: Waaaaagh!
Her feet skid on the wet tiles, and she goes careening straight into the pool.
Lyria: This is bad! Lunalu's gone into the water!
Lunalu: Cough, hack! I c-can't swim!
- Lunalu!
Choose: Lunalu!Mahira: Lunalu!
Lunalu: Blargh, cough! There'sh water in my noshe...
Mahira: Phew, the scare's over... Are you okay, Lunalu?
Lunalu: I owe you big time, Mahira! That was sooo scary! I thought I was gonna drown!
Vyrn: At least Mahira was here to save the day! Three cheers for M...
Vyrn: W-wait, Mahira saved the day?
- Mahira, you swam!
Choose: Mahira, you swam!Mahira: Cluck?
Zooey: Seems like a friend being in a crisis helped kick your inner strength into gear.
Mahira: I don't know how it happened, but I just found myself pushing through the water...
Vaseraga: Sounds like your fight-or-flight response finally cracked the code. That proves that your instincts were the key component here, not your reasoning.
Mahira: You're right... I couldn't remember how to replicate those motions if I tried.
Vaseraga: However, while I'm glad it worked out this time, you would have also been in serious danger if it hadn't. Don't pull that sort of stunt again, even if a friend is in big trouble.
Mahira: Understood. I'm sorry for making you worry.
Mahira: At least now the seal is broken—can you all help me try to unlock it for good?
Mahira spends the rest of the day being coached by her friends, utterly devoted to recapturing that brief moment of natatorial clarity.
Several days later...
Andira: Hey, Kumbhi, you wanna race to the other end?
Kumbhira: You're just full of beans today, aren't you? Sure, but I'm not going to go easy on you!
Andira: Nuh-uh, that's my line! As if I'm gonna lose to you!
Kumbhira: Hehe, get ready, get set...
Mahira: I'm also joining.
Kumbhira: Mahira?
Andira: Haha, c'mon, Mahi! You know floaties are no match for...
Andira: Hey, where are your floaties?
Andira & Kumbhira: Whaaaa?
Mahira: Ta-da.
Andira: Wh-when did Mahi learn how to swim?
Kumbhira: When... How... You're so fast!
Mahira: Hehe, better catch up before I leave you in the dust then, shouldn't you?
Andira: Whoooa! I never thought we'd get to see Mahi swimming with us!
Mahira: Hehe, hahaha!
As she thunders through the water, Mahira catches sight of the blue sky gleaming through the skylight above.
Mahira: I can do anything with you all by my side.
Hidden by the burble of the pool, the words are meant for her, and her alone. The sunlight glints off of the water's surface, as dazzling and bright as the future that lies before her.
