Encore with the Concertmaster
While on a request to transport instruments to various concerts, (Captain), Caro, Cantate, and the crew encounter Novei, who happens to be participating in the same events as part of her training. Impressed by her dedication, they invite her to travel with them.
Several regional orchestras are facing an instrument shortage due to maintenance and unexpected absences, putting their upcoming performances in jeopardy.
Fortunately, a larger symphony orchestra has agreed to lend some of its own and has reached out for help in transporting them.
Having accepted this request, (Captain) and company arrive on the island to collect the loaners for delivery.
Lyria: Wow... I've never seen so many instruments gathered in one place!
Vyrn: And we're in charge of haulin' 'em around? Talk about pressure.
Cantate: Y-y-you can say that, again. This is, a lot.
Cantate: B-but why, are we here too?
Caro: I have a hunch as to the reason. You need our musical instrument know-how, am I right?
- Bingo!
- There's more to it than that.
Choose: Bingo!Vyrn: We know we can trust you two when it comes to handlin' instruments!
Vyrn: One wrong move could change their sound or even break somethin', right?
Lyria: That's why we asked you both to come along, just to be safe.
Cantate: M-makes sense. Taking care of instruments, I can do.
Caro: Sounds like they're really depending on us, Cantate.
Cantate: Y-yeah. I'll give it, my all!
Lyria: Same here! Let's all do our very best!
Choose: There's more to it than that.Cantate: ...?
What, do you mean?
Vyrn: You two don't really get out much, right? Especially you, Craftsgirl.
Vyrn: We figured comin' with us might be a nice change of pace.
Lyria: Sorry if it turned out to be a hassle...
Cantate: N-n-no! It's not, a hassle!
Caro: Cantate's actually pretty active from what I've seen. She's not always cooped up or anything.
Caro: In fact, I bet she's happy to be invited along. Isn't that right, Cantate?
Cantate: Y-yeah! It's n-n-nice.
Continue 1And so, with the help of Caro and Cantate, the crew loads up the instruments entrusted to them by the island's orchestra.
On their way to the port, they spot a familiar figure.
Vyrn: Hey, (Captain). Don't we know that gal in front of the bar?
Novei: ...
Lyria: Novei? Is everything okay? You look so serious...
Novei: Oh, (Captain). And the crew too. Hello there.
The young woman turns out to be Novei, concertmaster of the Sky Philharmonic Orchestra.
Vyrn: She's the one who played violin with that crazy good orchestra, right?
Lyria: Hello, Novei! What a surprise running into you here!
Novei: Oh, (Captain)! And the crew too. It's good to see you again.
The young woman turns out to be Novei, concertmaster of the Sky Philharmonic Orchestra.
Vyrn: Whatcha up to? You were really starin' down that sign.
Lyria: Is that the menu for the bar? It looks like they have a lot of drinks to choose from.
Novei: Oh, well... One of the upcoming selections caught my eye, you see.
Novei: I was just wondering if I could make it back to this island before it leaves the menu.
Caro: Does that mean you're going to be traveling soon?
Novei: Yes. I'm actually slated to play in a series of concerts on different islands.
Novei: I'm excited to perform in so many places, but it's a little nerve-racking too.
Caro: Some level of nerves can be a good thing, I'd say.
Novei: That's true. But the circumstances this time around are a bit complicated.
Novei: Apparently, a number of orchestras have lost members due to illness or other urgent matters...
Novei: And in some cases, even the concertmaster is unable to perform.
Cantate: Th-the concertmaster? That's definitely, a big problem.
Caro: So you're going to be stepping in to fill those sudden vacancies?
Novei: That's right. It's a big responsibility, but as concertmaster of the Sky Phil, I couldn't ignore fellow musicians in need.
Novei: So I've accepted all requests to stand in.
Lyria: Concerts on different islands? Does that mean...
Vyrn: Huh? Wait, don't tell me...
Novei: Oh? Speaking of... what brings you all here?
(Captain) explains the nature of their mission to Novei.
Her reaction confirms Lyria and Vyrn's suspicions.
Novei: Well, fancy that! I just got back from greeting that very same orchestra myself.
Novei: Could it be the concerts you mentioned are the same ones I'm scheduled to perform in?
Cantate: Wh-what a crazy, coincidence! Hehe...
Novei: Haha, it sure is. Something like this could only be the work of fate.
Vyrn: So I guess we're headin' to the same place then, huh? Have you already booked a ship?
Novei: No, not yet. There's still some time left before I leave, but I was planning to look into it soon.
Vyrn: Gotcha. In that case, why don't ya ride with us?
The captain smiles and nods in agreement.
Novei: Thank you for the invitation. This must be another twist of fate.
Novei: If you're sure it's all right, I'd be delighted to join you.
Thus, Novei decides to travel together with (Captain) and the crew.
Soon the Grandcypher is soaring through clear, blue skies toward the first concert venue.
Vyrn: By the way, are you gonna be helpin' out with all those concerts by yourself?
Lyria: We thought maybe the rest of the Sky Philharmonic Orchestra would be joining you.
Novei: I took on these performances as a personal commitment. So I can't drag the others into it.
Novei: It would be one thing if I were any other violinist of the Sky Philharmonic Orchestra.
Novei: But as its concertmaster, my invitation would carry extra weight.
Caro: Becoming the concertmaster of such a prestigious orchestra is quite an achievement.
Novei: I appreciate the compliment, but it's mainly just a title to me.
Novei: As an individual violinist, I'm always trying out new ideas in order to create the most magnificent music possible.
Novei: That's precisely why I decided to accept this request—to build more experience.
Novei: Playing in unfamiliar places with different orchestras will give me a fresh perspective.
Novei: I'm hoping it will provide me with new insights I wouldn't get from my usual routine.
Cantate: W-wow, that's some serious, dedication. Nov is really, something else.
Caro: I couldn't agree more. She's constantly working to improve herself and refine her artistic sense.
Caro: Hehe. We ought to take a page out of her book.
Novei doesn't hesitate to express the deep passion she harbors for her craft.
As the ship nears its destination, she gazes ahead with determination, ready to step onto a new stage.
Melodious Pursuit
Arriving on the island for the first concert, Novei heads to rehearsal while (Captain) and the crew make their delivery. After using VIP tickets from Novei to enjoy her magnificent performance as substitute concertmaster, they go backstage to find her visibly exhausted.
Following a pleasant flight, the Grandcypher touches down on the island where the first concert is to be held.
As the crew members disembark from the ship, Novei turns to address them.
Novei: Thank you again for the lift, everyone.
Novei: I need to get to rehearsal, so I'll be heading to the concert hall now.
Vyrn: Aw, okay. Wish we could've headed over together.
Novei: Yes, I would have liked to stay and help with the instruments.
Novei: I'm not sure these will make up for my skipping out on you, but—here.
Lyria: Huh? Are these...
After wishing Novei good luck, the crew sets to work preparing the instruments for transport.
Caro: How's the inventory coming along, Cantate?
Cantate: All g-good! Everything's been marked off, multiple times.
Vyrn: Lyria and I helped count 'em up too!
Lyria: Yeah! They should be good to go!
With their final checks complete, (Captain) and company make their way to the concert venue.
Orchestra Member: Yes, it looks like all the instruments we requested are accounted for.
Orchestra Member: And they seem to be in good condition too. Thank you. You really saved the day.
Vyrn: Phew. Glad we got everything delivered safely.
Lyria: It's all thanks to Caro and Cantate!
Cantate: N-n-no, I didn't do much, really.
Caro: Hehe. I'm glad we were able to help, if even just a little.
Lyria: Okay, we'd better hurry and find our entrance! Let's see...
Lyria takes out the tickets Novei had given them before they parted ways.
Orchestra Member: Oh? Aren't those tickets for special guests?
Orchestra Member: In that case, you can just come in through the backstage entrance. Follow me, and I'll show you to your seats.
(Captain) and the crew are escorted to an exclusive VIP section boasting the best acoustics in the venue.
Lyria: A-all the people around us seem to be musicians...
Vyrn: Novei sure hooked us up with some fancy seats...
Cantate: W-wow... It feels like we'll be able to see, the music flowing, right from the stage!
Caro: Quiet down now, Cantate. The performance is about to start.
Novei: (This is my first time performing as a guest violinist, and I'm the substitute concertmaster to boot.)
Novei: (The responsibility is enormous. The pressure is immense. But even so...)
Just then, Novei catches sight of the crew seated in the audience.
Novei: ...
Novei: All right. It's showtime.
Lyria: (You can do it, Novei!)
Vyrn: (The tension is through the roof. Is she gonna be okay?)
The worries of (Captain) and company are left behind as the concert begins.
Powerful, flowing melodies weave together into one unified sound.
Its sheer intensity serves as a clear testament to the orchestra's skill.
Caro: (Wow, that's quite something. Their approach must be influenced by the musical techniques of the region.)
Caro: (I wonder how a nonlocal stand-in like Novei will go about adapting to it?)
Suddenly, the tone of the music shifts, and Caro senses the climax approaching.
The time has come for the concertmaster's true ability to be tested.
Caro: ...!
The moment Novei begins her violin solo, Caro is struck with a sense of awe and admiration.
Her melody is carefully balanced to be distinct without dominating.
As a result, it blends seamlessly with the orchestra's masterful performance.
Caro & Cantate: ...!
To the general audience, the music is impressive as always, but those with a richer appreciation of its nuances are completely floored.
At last, the concert concludes to the sound of thunderous applause.
Caro: That exceeded all my expectations. I was truly blown away.
Lyria: It really was incredible! My whole body still feels like it's vibrating from the sound!
Vyrn: Yeah, I got serious chills! And Novei was amazing too!
Caro: She sure was. I can't wait to tell her how moved I was by her performance.
Cantate: H-hey, guys. I think that's, the dressing room.
Lyria: Novei! You were great out... there...
Vyrn: We really enjoyed the concert—
Vyrn: Whoa! A-are you okay?
Novei: Huff, puff...
(Captain)... Everyone...
(Captain) and company enter the dressing room to find Novei looking utterly exhausted.
Melodious Pursuit: Scene 2
Novei explains that filling in had left her surprisingly drained, leading Cantate and the rest of the crew to offer their assistance with the remaining concerts. On the final day of the tour, Novei begins a performance on the main street of a town.
Novei appears completely drained, a stark contrast to her earlier presence on stage.
(Captain) and the crew give her some space, allowing her a moment to catch her breath.
Novei: Whew... I'm fine now. Sorry for worrying you.
Vyrn: You sure gave us a scare. Looked like you might keel over at any second.
Lyria: Performing must be incredibly taxing for you to be this worn out.
Novei: Hehe. You're right about that, Lyria. Being on stage is no simple task.
Novei: Since it was my first time with this orchestra, I had to adjust to an unfamiliar arrangement while maintaining a seamless performance.
Novei: Keeping track of every little detail really took a toll on me.
Caro: And then all the adrenaline wore off as soon as you got back to the dressing room?
Novei: That it did. The mix of first-time jitters and excitement ended up being more tiring than I anticipated.
Lyria: To the extent that you almost fainted...
Vyrn: But up on stage, it didn't look like you were havin' a tough time at all.
Novei: Of course. After all, if the audience sensed I was struggling, they wouldn't be able to fully enjoy the music.
Cantate: ...!
Caro: Impressive. I guess that's the mark of a true professional.
Novei: I'm happy you think so. But if I'm like this after the first performance, who knows if I can keep it up...
Cantate: D-d-don't worry! It'll all work out, somehow!
Caro: Cantate? What's gotten into you?
Cantate: Y-your violin, was singing so joyfully.
Cantate: B-b-but if you can't, sing along with it anymore, I'm sure it will be, r-really heartbroken...
Cantate: I-I'll do what I can, to h-help you too!
Novei: What? But...
Vyrn: Good thinkin'! But we're not gonna let ya do it alone, Craftsgirl. The rest of us'll pitch in too!
Lyria: You can count on us to lend a hand with your tour, Novei!
Caro: Luckily, we're all headed the same way. There's plenty to be done, so count me in too.
Novei: Thank you. I'm sorry for imposing...
Novei: But I feel like I'm on the verge of a breakthrough. So I'd be delighted to have you stick with me for just a little while longer!
Thus, the crew's delivery mission and Novei's concert tour merge into a collaborative effort.
Traveling aboard the Grandcypher, Novei is able to begin each performance well-rested in both body and spirit.
At last, the final day of their joint mission comes to a close...
Novei: The concerts went off without a hitch, and it seems all your deliveries were completed successfully. What a relief.
Lyria: Congratulations, everyone!
Vyrn: Heh-heh! Way to go, Novei!
Novei: And now, it's time for the grand finale!
Novei: Enjoy this very last performance to your heart's content!
With Novei's announcement, the clear sound of her violin resonates through the main street.
The impromptu concert elicits a wide range of reactions from people passing by.
What starts as a handful of listeners soon swells into a sizable crowd.
Cantate: W-w-wow! L-look at all, the people!
Caro: Hehe, this is some turnout. But given Novei's talent, I guess it's no surprise.
Caro: Come on, Cantate. We should get started too.
Cantate: R-right! Here goes!
Melodious Pursuit: Scene 3
Novei gives a streetside performance with Caro and Cantate as a way of testing herself, which turns into a rousing success. The night concludes with a joyous celebration at a bar, marking an unforgettable end to the concert tour.
A few hours earlier, just after the last official concert...
Lyria: Novei! Congratulations on finishing the tour!
Novei: Thank you. I couldn't have done it without all of you.
Vyrn: Our job's wrapped up too, so how 'bout we have a party to celebrate?
Novei: A party? Well...
Caro: Something wrong? You don't seem too keen on the idea.
Novei: Oh, no, I am. It's just, there's one more thing I was hoping to do first...
Lyria: A street jam session?
Cantate: P-playing music out in public, as a small group, and c-coming up with songs, on the fly.
Novei: There's no relying on concert promotions or an orchestra's prestige—it's all about your own talent.
Novei: I want to experiment with that style of performance as a way of testing myself.
Caro: Wow, that sounds fascinating! Assuming it's okay with you, I'd love to join in.
Cantate: If C-Caro's doing it, I'd like to give it a, try too!
Caro: We'll stay on the sidelines so we don't distract from your music. What do you say?
Novei: Of course! The more the merrier. Let's enjoy this final performance—as a trio!
Lyria: People just keep flocking over! Novei, Caro, and Cantate really are incredible!
Vyrn: The crowd is totally lovin' it!
Novei: (My fingers are gliding effortlessly over the strings. My heart is soaring like never before. I feel power welling up inside me...)
Novei: (I'll etch this sensation into my soul so I never forget it!)
Amid the roaring cheers of the crowd, Novei's street performance comes to a triumphant conclusion.
Afterward, she and the crew finally head off for their celebration.
Lyria: Isn't this the bar where we first ran into Novei?
Vyrn: Come to think of it, she was checkin' out the menu then. Does that mean she was plannin' to party here all along?
Caro: Either way, it's a nice place. I like it. How about you, Cantate?
Cantate: U-um, it feels a little, out of my league.
Novei: Hehe. But we put on such a fantastic performance! Let's all relax and have some fun, shall we?
Cantate: I-I-I'll try. B-but I feel almost as nervous, as you were on stage...
Their cheerful chatter is interrupted by the arrival of their order at the table.
Following a quick toast, they each take a sip of their respective drinks.
Lyria: This juice is so yummy!
Vyrn: You can really taste the quality in this apple juice too!
As the pair revel in their juice selections, Novei lets out a hearty sigh.
Novei: Ahh... Nothing beats kicking back with a delicious drink! I'm in paradise!
Caro: You seem to be in a good mood, Novei.
Novei: I can feel all the stress and fatigue from the concert washing away! This is exactly what I needed!
Novei: Cheers to two jobs well done! And cheers to all of you!
Novei: Oh, wait. Did we already do the toast?
Cantate: Sh-sh-she's already, so animated, and she's not even, t-tipsy yet...
Novei: Excuse me. I'll have another one of these, please.
Vyrn: Huh? Haven't you been orderin' the same drink this whole time?
Novei: Yes, in fact. I've decided to stick with this liquor tonight.
Lyria: I can tell it's expensive just from the fancy bottle. Is it true that pricier means better?
Novei: Hehe, not necessarily. In the end, the price tag doesn't have much to do with it.
Novei: There's a little trick to getting the most out of your drink in a place like this.
Caro: I'm intrigued. Mind telling us more?
Novei: It's simple, really. It all comes down to when, where, and with whom you're drinking...
Novei: And for what reason.
Cantate: What reason?
Caro: Ah, I see what you're saying now. That makes perfect sense.
Vyrn: Huh? What makes sense exactly?
Caro: Basically, we're all friends who worked together to achieve our respective goals.
Caro: And we succeeded with flying colors, going far beyond what we believed possible.
Cantate: S-so celebrating with friends, makes any drink, taste delicious?
Lyria: I get it! So that's what she means!
Novei: From reuniting with you all and traveling the skies, right up to our final streetside session, everything came together beautifully.
Novei: Those memories are the finest complement to any drink.
Cantate: Hehe. R-right now, even plain water would probably, taste amazing to you, Nov.
Novei: You said it! I feel like I could get drunk on just about anything at the moment!
Vyrn: Hey, you sure you're okay? Careful not to overdo it.
Novei: What? Overdo it? Please, I'm perfectly sober!
- Try to pace your drinking, okay?
- Easy on the encores.
Choose: Try to pace your drinking, okay?Novei: Not to worry! I'm making sure to leave time for an encore!
Cantate: M-maybe she's not as sober, as she thinks...
Choose: Easy on the encores.Novei: Of course! On the stage or at the bar, moderation is always key!
Caro: I can feel the weight of experience behind that phrase.
Continue 1Novei: And on that note... Cheers!
With a playful grin, Novei happily takes another swig from her glass.
In the company of dear friends, she and the crew savor every moment of their hard-earned success.
Tonight will surely be a night none of them will ever forget.
