The Tuba God's Guidance
The crew visit Robertina's home village and are introduced to the children's orchestra to which Robertina once belonged. At the request of its leader, Robertina agrees to play for the children and answer their questions. A young Harvin girl named Susan speaks up, telling Robertina that she wants to play the tuba but struggles due to her small stature and limited lung capacity. Robertina then decides to train Susan.
(Captain) and the others have decided to visit the village where Robertina grew up.
They first visited Robertina's old home to say hello to her parents. However...
Vyrn: They looked really busy, huh...
Robertina: I forgot that the village festival is coming up soon... Ma and Pa are really busy around this time of year.
Robertina: I'm sorry they couldn't do much more than say hello, even after you all came out so far.
Lyria: Don't sweat it! We're the ones who decided to drop by unannounced...
Vyrn: Besides, your mom and dad must be pretty important people to be in charge of putting the festival together.
Robertina: We're not exactly higher-ups around here or anything... But our family has been entrusted with taking care of the sacred mountain for generations.
Robertina: So it's our job to make offerings to the god there and help manage preparations for the festival.
Robertina: Easy to see why I was always spending so much time up there as a kid.
Robertina: Imagine my surprise when I found out the mountain god was joined up there by the tuba god...
Vyrn: I'm more imagining your parents' surprise at hearing about that...
Lyria: Hehe, I'm just glad to have learned another Robertina fact!
Robertina: Oh, that's right! You came here today because you wanted to know more about me. Right?
Robertina: It's a little embarrassing, but since you've come all this way, I'll make sure to tell you everything there is to know.
Robertina: Let's get started on Miss Tina's village tour!
Robertina: First up is that store in the corner over there! It's the only candy store in the whole village, and it's been around for a long time.
Robertina: Their candy is as visually appealing as it is tasty... I'll buy some later and we can eat it together.
Lyria: Oh, look at that candy jar! It's sparkling like a jewel... So pretty!
Robertina: And then... Oh yeah, that granny's house over there is awesome, too!
Robertina: She used to give me homemade pudding whenever I went over to play.
Robertina: It always had an unbelievably soft texture, like that cake from earlier... I'd love to try some again.
Robertina: And that grocery store over there? They've got the best buttered corn on the cob ever...
Vyrn: ...Hey, wait a second! We've been looking at nothing but snack spots!
Robertina: Something wrong? I thought snack spots would be the most interesting.
Vyrn: But don't you have any other kinds of places you wanna show us?
Robertina: I see Vyrn's got some extravagant tastes... Very well...
Robertina: Ah, right, I can introduce you to the children's orchestra!
Robertina: You remember the story of how I met the tuba god on the sacred mountain when I was a kid, don't you?
Lyria: Yes, a tuba fell out of the sky and landed next to you, and you've been playing it every day since then. Right?
Robertina: Yeah. For the longest time, I did all my practicing alone.
Robertina: Then one day, Mom told me that I was getting pretty good at it.
Robertina: She was all, "Since you've gotten so good with that thing, why don't you try playing with others sometime?"
Robertina: So I decided to join my village's orchestra for kids.
Robertina: Hello, it's been a while.
Orchestra Leader: Hello, there. What can I help... Oh?
Orchestra Leader: Robertina, it's you! You haven't stopped by in ages.
Robertina: I've been so busy lately that even when I manage a visit, I've just been saying hi to my folks before running off again.
Robertina: This time, I thought I'd show my dear friends around the village.
Orchestra Leader: Hehe. We welcome your friends with open arms, Robertina. Please come in, everyone.
(Captain) and the others are brought into an area where the village children are happily picking out their instruments.
Lyria: They look like they're all having fun! Is everyone here new to music?
Orchestra Leader: Yes, we mainly perform at festivals, so we receive a lot of new players around this time of year.
Orchestra Leader: Right now, they're picking out their instruments.
Orchestra Leader: Everyone has their natural proclivities when it comes to skill, but the most important thing is to practice the instrument you want to play.
Robertina: It's nice seeing them have fun choosing an instrument. It reminds me of how excited I was when the tuba god gave me my tuba.
Girl: ...
Robertina: Huh? That kid...
Orchestra Leader: Oh, that's right. Robertina, you brought your tuba today, didn't you?
Orchestra Leader: If you don't mind, could you play them a song?
Orchestra Leader: I'm sure they'll be delighted to hear a performance by our local member of the Sky Philharmonic Orchestra.
Robertina: All right, then. If I may, I would like to play something for you all.
Robertina finishes performing, and the children erupt into applause.
Orchestra Leader: That was wonderful, Robertina!
Orchestra Leader: Could I request one more thing of you? I think the children have a lot of questions they'd like you to answer.
Orchestra Leader: For example, why you started playing an instrument in the first place, or how you got into the Sky Philharmonic Orchestra.
Robertina: Heh-heh, sure. You're in luck, kids. I'll answer any question you throw at me today.
Robertina responds to everyone's questions with a bit of pride as the children ask her one question after another.
The waves of questions eventually calm down somewhat, and a girl timidly approaches Robertina.
Girl: Um, Miss Robertina.
Robertina: Hm?
Robertina: Oh, you're the girl from earlier with the sad look on her face. Got something you wanna ask me?
Girl: Why did you choose to play a tuba when you're a Harvin?
Girl: Don't you think a smaller instrument would be better for small people like us?
Robertina: Why? Well... I said so earlier. The tuba god guided me down this path.
Robertina: But, yeah, it is a little big for small-framed Harvins like us.
Girl: ...
Robertina: Why did you... Oh, wait. You wanna play the tuba, too?
Girl: How did you...
Robertina: Perfect! The tuba's a super-duper instrument, you know.
Girl: B-but I'm still a Harvin, and the last time I tried to hold one up, I couldn't even keep it straight...
Girl: I tried blowing into it, but I couldn't get nearly enough air for a good sound. So I thought it was impossible...
Robertina: Then you gave up and tried out another instrument?
Robertina: There's no way you believe Harvins can't play the tuba. You saw me play it just a moment ago, didn't you?
Girl: But that doesn't change the fact that I can't play it...
Girl: Unlike you, I was probably born without tuba talents...
Robertina: Listen, talent has nothing to do with it. The tuba god doesn't discriminate like that.
Robertina: Giving up now with obvious regret in your heart would be disrespecting the tuba god.
Robertina: As one who has been blessed with the tuba god's divine protection, I cannot allow such a slight to go unnoticed!
Robertina then turns and faces (Captain) and the others.
Robertina: Hey (Captain), can I bother you for one more thing?
Robertina: Would you mind extending the ship's stay in West Varia?
Robertina: I've gotta train this kid to play the tuba before I go.
- Until our next request comes in, sure.
- Is there anything we can do to help?
Choose: Until our next request comes in, sure.Robertina: Now hold up, does that imply you all are willing to stay in the village yourselves too?
Lyria: Of course! Let us help you, Miss Tina!
Robertina: I couldn't be happier to hear that. All right, then you'll be training along with us!
Choose: Is there anything we can do to help?Robertina: As kindhearted as always, [;nickname].
Robertina: Okay, then. Could I ask you guys to watch over our training?
Robertina: The training's gonna be pretty wild, so I'm a little worried about things getting out of hand.
Continue 1Girl: U-um... I never, um, said anything about wanting to train...
Robertina: But you're not ready to give up on the tuba just yet, right?
Girl: ...
Robertina: In that case, just follow my lead for a bit. What's your name?
Susan: It's... Susan.
Robertina: Okay, Susan. We'll start our training tomorrow!
And so Robertina takes the young Susan under her wing. Firmly.
(Captain) and the others settle into the village, ready to see where this training may lead.
The Tuba God's Guidance: Scene 2
Susan's training begins the following day on the sacred mountain, and Robertina reveals the training techniques she used to increase her own physical endurance and lung capacity. When Susan asks Robertina how she was able to persevere in her goal to become a tubist, Robertina explains what the tuba means to her. Susan is moved by Robertina's honesty and decides to devote herself to her training.
The next day at dawn, (Captain) and the others visit the sacred mountain.
Susan: Ooh, it's so cold... Why do we gotta climb a mountain so early in the morning... What kinda training is this?
Susan: Is it so you can play the tuba early in the morning and not bother anybody?
Robertina: Heh... Not quite. What's the point of practicing the tuba if you can't even hold it up in the first place?
Robertina: We didn't come here to play the tuba.
Robertina: We came here to get ourselves a workout from some friends!
Saying this, Robertina jabs a finger in the direction of the mountain summit.
Mountain Monsters: ...
Vyrn: Those are just monsters!
Robertina: They are not! They're envoys of the tuba god, sent to help with our training!
Robertina: Running around playing tag with them is how I built up my stamina!
Robertina: We'd go at it until they'd leave around noon or so, marking the end of the day's training.
Susan: A-are you sure that wasn't just the monsters giving up on their prey and going home?
Robertina: So it's thanks to them I developed the endurance and lung capacity I needed.
Robertina: Anyway, let's get started!
Robertina blasts her tuba as loud as she can.
Mountain Monsters: ...!
The sound of which startles the monsters, and they furiously rush toward the group.
Susan: Ahhh!
Robertina: Stop screaming and run!
Robertina: (Captain) will take over if things get dicey, so don't worry.
Susan: Ahhh!
Mountain Monsters: ...
Susan: Oooh... They finally stopped chasing us...
Robertina: Wow... That was great for a first-timer. You've got the potential to give even me a run for my money.
Robertina: In that case, next up is a race to the summit. Let's go!
Susan: H-huh? W-wait for me, Robertina!
Despite her complaints, Susan somehow succeeds in making her way to the top of the mountain.
Susan: Hah, hah... I'm so tired...
Robertina: Yeah, I think you've really put the work in already. Let's take a little break.
Robertina, not a bead of sweat on her face, plops down next to the slumped-over Susan and pulls out some snacks and tea.
Robertina: You know, you've got some real guts, kid. Have these snacks as a reward―you earned it!
Robertina: Look, I've even got candy from the corner shop!
Susan: O-okay... Thank you...
Robertina: You all come have a seat too. It's snack time for everyone!
Lyria: Haah... Phew... You don't even look tired, Miss Tina! I'm impressed!
Vyrn: Well, I wasn't sure I believed you when you said you've been doing this kinda stuff since you were a kid...
Vyrn: But with stamina like this, I guess I've gotta believe you.
Robertina: What would be the point of lying about something silly like that?
Robertina: As a kid, I wanted to be able to hold my tuba up straight, and I was ready to work for it.
Robertina says this while puffing out her chest with pride.
Susan begins timidly preparing to say something to Robertina.
Susan: Um... You know, that tuba god... And that whole thing about a tuba falling from the sky...
Susan: Why did such a weird event make you so motivated?
Susan: I can't imagine sticking to this training was easy...
Robertina: Well, explaining it is kind of tough...
Robertina: True, it took dedication to make myself fit for an instrument that wasn't exactly fit for me.
Robertina: When it comes down to it, I guess what hooked me is just what a great sound it made when I first breathed into it.
Robertina: It sounded like something that would... Put some sorta spark in my life.
Robertina: Hearing that sound for the first time made me want to get better with it, playing even more beautiful sounds.
Robertina: Then the rest is history. And I have the tuba god's guidance to thank for all of it.
Susan: No... More than a god's guidance, that was your own―
Susan: Or, no... Maybe there really is a tuba god to guide tubists...
Robertina: Oh, it looks like you've finally come to believe in the tuba god!
Robertina: Don't worry. To the faithful, the tuba god will surely bring salvation.
Robertina: Now, then. Once you've finished with the snacks, we're doing a hundred push-ups!
Susan: Wha...
Susan: O-okay! I'll do it, Miss Tina!
Robertina: That's the spirit! Here we go!
Susan nods enthusiastically, seemingly fired up from Robertina's words.
The two of them continued training until sunset.
The Tuba God's Guidance: Scene 3
After roughly two weeks, Susan's able to produce a full sound with the tuba. She returns to the children's orchestra and—due to Robertina's prior arrangement—is given a spot in the upcoming festival performance. Susan sincerely thanks Robertina, declaring Robertina the tuba god in her eyes. Red in the face, Robertina reasserts her own devotion to the tuba.
About two weeks have passed since Robertina and Susan began their training on the sacred mountain.
Robertina: Just one more round trip to the summit! Don't drag your feet, and let's get this over with!
Susan: Yes, Miss Tina!
Mountain Monsters: ...!
Robertina: For today's tag, I'll switch to being on the team of the tuba god's envoys! Don't let me catch you!
Susan: Yes, Miss Tina! I'll show you how far I've come!
Under Robertina's fervent guidance, Susan's physical fitness has improved to the point where someone could mistake her for another person entirely.
Robertina: I imagined a girl from my village would be strong to begin with, but you've exceeded my expectations.
Robertina: You'll be just fine without my help in no time.
Susan: I'm not ready yet, Miss Tina...
Robertina: Yes you are. Come on, try playing the tuba.
Robertina hands Susan the tuba, and she blows into it very nervously.
A single note echoes through the area.
Susan: It made a real sound!
Robertina: Your lung capacity has increased from all the running, and your posture has also improved from climbing the mountain and training your muscles.
Robertina: The sound was steady and smooth. At this rate, you'll be playing in no time.
Susan: Yes, ma'am!
Robertina: Now then, let's go back to the orchestra and claim yourself that tuba part!
Accompanied by Robertina, Susan goes to visit the leader of the children's orchestra.
Susan: Um... Maybe you already decided who will be playing what, but...
Susan: I really want to play the tuba, so... Please let me play the tuba!
Orchestra Leader: Hehe, good for you, Susan. Robertina already told me everything. Your hard work really paid off, didn't it?
Susan: M-Miss Tina told you about me?
Orchestra Leader: As a matter of fact, she told me to leave one of the tuba spots open for you.
Robertina: I promise that she'll be able to play the tuba when we're done training.
Robertina: So can you do me a favor and make a spot for her?
Orchestra Leader: Of course. I want the kids to play whatever instrument they like most, after all.
Susan: Miss Tina...
Orchestra Leader: Hehe, but you've got a lot of practicing to do starting from today. The festival isn't so far off now.
Orchestra Leader: I'll make sure you get caught up, so hang in there!
Susan: Okay! I'll do my best!
Saying this, Susan bows enthusiastically to the woman in charge.
She then turns to Robertina and bows the same way again.
Susan: Um, thank you so much, Miss Tina! I said some very rude things to you before, but you still taught me anyway...
Robertina: Don't sweat it, Susan. You just had a little guidance from the tuba god, too.
Robertina: Heh-heh... You know what that means? You and I are both divinely guided tubists.
Susan: Yeah, you're right... But I think there's one thing you and I see differently.
Susan ponders Robertina's words for a moment, and then shakes her head with a grin.
Susan: As far as I'm concerned... you're the tuba god.
Susan: Thanks to you, I didn't give up on playing the tuba. And I have you to thank for that, not the tuba god.
Robertina: H-huh? You think... I'm the tuba god?
Susan: Yeah! From here on out, I'll praise you in my heart every time I practice.
Robertina: Come on, you gotta be exaggerating... Calling me the tuba god, that's...
Robertina: I mean, that's just too much for little old me...
Lyria: Wow! Miss Tina's blushing!
Vyrn: First time for everything...
Robertina: Oh, come on! Don't stare at me!
Robertina: A-ahem!
Robertina: But, well... If you really respect me that much, I guess I have to live up to it.
Robertina: I've been blessed with the opportunity to be an envoy of the tuba god, so I've got to fulfill my obligations accordingly!
Robertina: Susan, make me proud and keep on practicing.
Robertina: And for my part, I'll do my best to not get so red whenever you call me the tuba god.
Robertina: And then... Someday, we should play in an orchestra together!
Susan: Yes, Miss Tina!
Their promises made, Robertina and Susan firmly shake hands.
(Captain) and the others look on, with Robertina smiling and looking prouder than ever.
Stall-Hopping in Namvia
Hearing that Namvia is famous for its culture of stall-hopping, (Captain) and the others invite Robertina to accompany them on a visit. Robertina introduces the crew to various local specialties, and everyone is thoroughly satisfied. When the conversation shifts to Robertina's home village, she agrees to take the crew there for a visit.
(Captain) and the others have arrived in the town of Namvia to hunt monsters and to check out its comedy scene.
The uproar from the King of Manzai Awards comedy competition has died down, and the crew has begun making plans for the next leg of their journey.
However, they've found a certain something that they want to do in town before they leave.
Robertina: I'll say though, I'm glad you've all taken a liking to Namvia.
Robertina: And from the invitation to go stall-hopping... You must've figured out this town is more than just its comedy.
???: I'm glad you've all taken a liking to Namvia.
???: And from the invitation to go stall-hopping... You must've figured out this town is more than just its comedy.
Robertina is a tubist in the Sky Philharmonic Orchestra, the oldest orchestra in the sky.
(Captain) and the others met her when they were providing security for the orchestra, and they helped her on her journey to meet the tuba god.
Since that time, she has been traveling with the crew when not performing.
Lyria: Lauphit told us that Namvia is known not only for its comedy but also for its culture of walking around and sampling different food...
Lyria: So we wanted to try it out for ourselves before we left!
Vyrn: We tried lookin' around a bunch, but asking a local what's tastiest is probably our best bet.
Vyrn: So we thought maybe you could help us find something nice, Robertina.
Robertina: Heh-heh... You know me too well. I take my comedy seriously, but I'm even more serious about snacks.
Robertina: Just be warned that once we start, I won't let you be leaving on anything less than a full stomach!
Robertina: And when I say full, I mean bulging! Hope you're ready!
Lyria: Okay! I'm looking forward to it, Miss Tina!
With a high-spirited Robertina leading the way, the group heads into the heart of town.
Robertina: First off, let me introduce you to my personal favorite: briny crackers!
Vyrn: Huh? These just look like briny-bites stuck between rice crackers...
Robertina: That little change makes all the difference! These are briny-bites optimized for eating and walking.
Robertina: Just by adding these super-thin crackers, the briny-bites are tender and tasty, yet crispy and convenient!
Lyria: Right... This way you don't need a plate, and it's easy to eat them with one hand!
Robertina: You're gonna have a bad time if you try to eat these in a hurry, though! I can't tell you the amount of times Mom got mad at me for spilling these on my yukata at festivals...
Robertina: Make sure you don't spill it on your dress either, Lyria.
Lyria: Okay! I'll take my time!
Robertina: All right, then. Next up, let's each use our free hand to eat some nice and warm meat buns!
Lyria: Wow! These meat buns are so soft and delicious!
Lyria: The meat's so tender, I can't stop eating it...
Robertina: Pretty good, right? I get super pumped up whenever I get to snack on these.
Robertina: It's a real bummer when I can't find any, though.
Robertina: Whenever you come to Namvia, you've gotta make sure to stock up on these so you can bring 'em home for your friends and family...
Robertina: It was my dream as a kid to make a bed out of these buns and then sleep on it...
Robertina: Well, it's not like I've given up on that dream, either. Shoot, now that I'm all grown up, maybe I could actually pull it off...
Vyrn: Do you realize how many buns you'd have to buy for that...
Robertina: It doesn't matter! If they're from Namvia, there's no limit to the amount I could scarf down!
Vyrn: I'm not worried about whether you can eat 'em or not!
Robertina: Up next on our tour! It's a shop with freshly-baked cheesecake.
Robertina: It's not technically stall food, but it's really good all the same. Let's go in!
Lyria: Wow, look at this, (Captain)! This cheesecake looks all soft and wobbly!
Robertina: The texture's the same on the inside, too.
Robertina: You think you're only going to eat a slice at first, but before you know it, you've already gobbled down the whole cake. Don't underestimate its power...
Vyrn: Gobble this whole giant thing down? It's startin' to sound like some cursed item...
Vyrn: But what the heck's up with this? They've got some middle-aged guy's face stamped onto the cake.
Robertina: I think it's the face of the guy who made the cake.
Robertina: They'll cover the cake in stamps all over if you ask them, so let's do that!
A few hours pass, and the group is resting on a bench in the plaza, their bellies filled to the brim.
Vyrn: I j-just can't eat anything else...
Robertina: Really? That's sad, Vyrn. Lyria looks like she's just getting started.
Lyria: Yes! All these different shops are filled with delicious treats, so I can't help myself...
Robertina: Yeah, Namvia's a pretty bustling city, so you're not short on options here.
Robertina: I got to come out here every so often as a kid on vacation with my family, and I was always bouncing off the walls about it.
Vyrn: Heh, I figured you would have been here all the time since you grew up on this island, but I guess not.
Lyria: West Varia's a big island, after all.
Lyria: Now that you mention it, the sacred mountain you brought us to before was a long way from Namvia, wasn't it?
Robertina: Yeah, the village that I'm from is basically the sticks compared to Namvia.
Robertina: I was busy working around home, so I didn't get too many opportunities to come here as a kid.
Robertina: But whenever I did, Mom and Dad would let me buy as many snacks as I could carry.
Robertina: And after I got back home, I'd stuff all of the candy into a chest and just bask in the sight of it.
Lyria: Wow, what a wonderful memory!
- I want to hear more of your memories.
- I want to visit your village.
Choose: I want to hear more of your memories.Robertina: You wanna hear more? I'd be happy to talk about my village as much as you'd like, but...
Robertina: Hmm, maybe just going there would be better than talking about it?
Vyrn: Now that you mention it, we never stopped at your village when we visited that mountain.
Vyrn: Since we're in the neighborhood, maybe you could show us around!
Robertina: (Captain) looks interested too. Maybe I'll visit a little earlier than I had planned.
Robertina: All right, let's head out to where I grew up!
Choose: I want to visit your village.Robertina: Well now, how assertive. Already want to meet my folks, do ya?
Robertina: Sure, I like a person who knows what they want.
Robertina: I'll introduce you to them and drop the news.
Robertina: Ma, Pa, this is (Captain), the skyfarer captain I told you about. We're getting hitched!
Lyria: H-hitched!
Robertina: I'm just kidding! You always have the most adorable reactions, Lyria.
Lyria: M-Miss Tina!
Robertina: All right, let's head out to where I grew up!
Continue 1With that, everyone begins making their way to Robertina's home village.
