The Backwoods Bodyguard
(Captain) and company visit a mountain village, where they're mistaken for bandits by a young man trying to protect the village. The crew tries to clear up the misunderstanding, but the man seems to only have eyes for Vyrn.
Another day, another adventure.
One night (Captain) and company visit a mountain village in hopes of securing some overnight lodging.
Vyrn: Look! I finally see the village!
Lyria: Wow... It sure took long enough to find.
Vyrn: Anyway, I bet you're beat too, (Captain). Phew... the things I'd do for a big, fluffy pillow...
Lyria: Wait... there's someone at the village entrance. Maybe they can help us find an inn...
Ryan: Please leave.
Vyrn: Hm? What's your problem?
Ryan: No sir. No one's getting in here. Orders from the chief.
Lyria: Er... did something happen here?
Ryan: Bandits. This village can hardly sleep for fear of an attack. Are you friends of theirs?
Vyrn: How dare you! Do we look like a bunch of bandits to you?
Ryan: Grrr...
Vyrn: What?
Ryan: Grrr...
Lyria: E-excuse me! Vyrn's got a bit of a mouth on him, but I can assure you that he's not a bad little guy.
Ryan: Ah, sorry... Seems I got ahead of myself.
Lyria: Huh?
Ryan: Critters don't lie... and they certainly don't keep company with bad folk.
Vyrn: Who are you calling a critter? I mean, I know how I look, but still!
Ryan: What the?
Vyrn: Hey! Where do you think you're going?
Ryan: Something is afoot... I can sense it. Over yonder...
Lyria: Wait. You dropped something. It's so cute! Is this a stuffed—Yikes!
Ryan: You didn't see, did you? That's right! You didn't! Got it?
Lyria: Uh, yeah...
Ryan: That's right! You saw nothing!
With that, Ryan dashes off to find the bandits.
Lyria: Ah! Hold on just a second! (Captain)! We should help take care of those bandits!
Vyrn: Sounds good! Let's get rid of 'em so they'll let us into the village!
After rooting out the bandits with Ryan, (Captain) and company return to the village to find a warm welcome.
The crew leaves the village after a night of well-deserved rest.
Vyrn: Wait a hot minute! Why are you following us?
Ryan: We got rid of the bandits, so the villagers said maybe I need to look elsewhere for work...
Ryan: Besides... my little sister used to tell me something. She said I needed more pluck.
Ryan: (Captain) is still so young and already the leader of a crew. That's exactly the kind of pluck I need.
Vyrn: Say what? What do you think, (Captain)?
- Pleased to have you.
- It's no walk in the park.
Choose: Pleased to have you.Ryan: Thank you...
Ryan: I used to look after the critters back home. You won't have to worry about Vyrn while I'm around.
Choose: It's no walk in the park.Ryan: I'm ready, and there's nothing I can't do with a cute little critter by my side.
Ryan: You know, kind of like Vyrn...
Continue 1Vyrn: Seriously, dude? Again with the critter talk!
Vyrn: Hey, Lyria? That thing he dropped yesterday. What was it?
Lyria: Hehe. I'm not telling. But it was super cute and fluffy... Maybe he'll let me touch it one day.
With the addition of a burly, brotherly warrior, the crew continues on with fresh new energy.
Save the Stuffed Rabbit!
Ryan finds a fluffy stuffed animal at the Knickknack Shack, but it's actually out of stock, and merchants are on the way to deliver another shipment. As Ryan eagerly waits, word arrives of the merchants being attacked.
Sierokarte: Oho! So you've taken a liking to that? You have fine taste!
Ryan: O-of course not! I'm not interested in stuffed animals like this...
Lyria: Wow! This stuffed bunny is so cute!
Sierokarte: Yup! It's very popular among girls! It's made in a Harvin village and is prized for its fluffiness!
Ryan: F-fluffy...
Sierokarte: But I'm so sorry... We're out of stock right now. And the one you're looking at is already reserved.
Sierokarte: Still, there's supposed to be another shipment arriving today with other merchandise...
Townsperson: Oi! There's a caravan being attacked by monsters near the town!
Townsperson: Hey! If anyone can fight, please help!
Sierokarte: What? This is a disaster! Those stuffed animals should be with that caravan...
Ryan: (Captain), let's go right now. We might still be able to save the merchants and the goods!
Save the Stuffed Rabbit!: Scene 2
Ryan is at first relieved that the stuffed animals were protected. Unfortunately another monster attacks, missing him but tearing apart his stuffed friends.
Vyrn: Fantastic! Looks like we made it on time! No one's hurt and none of the merchandise is damaged!
Vyrn: But there were so many of them. We have to stay alert...
Lyria: Wow! So many stuffed animals! Aren't you glad we moved quickly? Uh, Ryan?
Ryan: Like a mountain of fluffiness... Is this heaven?
Lyria: Good for you, Ryan! It looks like the stuffed rabbits are okay!
Ryan: Yeah... Just thinking about what could have happened to them makes me shudder...
Lyria: Hehe. Ryan, you really like cute things, don't you?
Ryan: N-no, I don't! This is, well... just a gift for my sister back in my village...
- No need to hide it.
- Let's send it to her right now!
Choose: No need to hide it.Lyria: You said it! I like stuffed animals too, you know!
Choose: Let's send it to her right now!Lyria: Stop it! Oh, (Captain)! Don't say mean stuff like that! Right, Ryan?
Continue 1Ryan: A-anyway! It's not as if I like stuffed animals or anything...
Vyrn: Whoa! Hey, watch out! Behind you!
Ryan: What?
With the speed of a wild animal, Ryan dodges the monster's blow.
However, all the stuffed animals are torn apart.
Vyrn: Phew... I'm glad no one was hurt.
Lyria: Yes... But the stuffed animals...
Ryan: They will pay for this...
Lyria: Ryan...
Ryan: How dare you... How dare you... destroy my stuffed rabbits... No! My stuffed bunnies!
Lyria: What? Why'd he say it like that?
Ryan: This is too cruel! Even if the heavens forgive you, I won't!
Ryan: (Captain)! Help me! We'll annihilate every last one of these fiends!
Save the Stuffed Rabbit!: Scene 3
Ryan is distraught by the destruction of the stuffed animals. Luckily, Siero finds one still intact and gives it to Ryan by way of thanks. Ryan hugs it with childlike joy.
(Captain) and company defeat the monsters, but Ryan is depressed by the remains of the stuffed animals.
Ryan: I'm sorry... Bunnies... I couldn't protect you...
Lyria: Um... Please don't feel down...
Sierokarte: Hmm... It should be around here somewhere...
Vyrn: Hm? Knickknack! What are you doing?
Sierokarte: Huh? I found it! Here it is! What a relief!
Sierokarte: Hehehe! One of the stuffed rabbits was safe!
Sierokarte: Now then. Here you go, Ryan!
Ryan: Wait. What? What's going on?
Sierokarte: Ha ha! It's yours! It's just a little thank you for protecting my fellow merchants and merchandise!
Ryan: Are you sure? Really?
Sierokarte: But of course!
Ryan: I-I... Thank you!
Lyria: Ha ha. Ryan looks so happy. How wonderful!
Vyrn: Well, it looks really strange to see a great warrior like Ryan hugging a stuffed bunny, but whatever.
Ryan: Hehehe... Fluffy...
His wish granted, the rustic warrior looks truly happy as he embraces the stuffed animal.
Picking the Perfect Present
Ryan enlists Io's help to choose a birthday gift for his sister. They find the perfect hair clip, but it is broken by a thief. Io offers up some of her own accessories for spare parts and instructs Ryan on how to fix it. In the end, his gift is even more personal for it.
One day aboard the Grandcypher, (Captain) and the others find Ryan pacing the deck.
Vyrn: Hey, Ryan, what's up with you? You're all twitchy.
Ryan: Oh, hey, Vyrn... It's no big deal.
Lyria: You know you can talk to us about anything, right? Even if it's not a big deal!
Ryan: Well... Actually, you know what? That would really help!
Ryan decides to share what's been troubling him.
Ryan: Well, um... You guys know my sister back home? Her birthday's coming up soon and I have no idea what I should get her.
Vyrn: So that's what's eating you.
Vyrn: Any ideas, Lyria?
Lyria: Hmm, I feel like it's the thought that counts. It just needs to be something that shows how much you care.
Lyria: Sorry... I guess that doesn't narrow it down at all.
Ryan: Nah... I appreciate the effort, Lyria. Thanks.
Ryan: Sigh... Something fluffy, maybe?
Vyrn: Hm? You look like you've got an idea, (Captain).
- Sure do! Let's ask Katalina!
- I bet Io could help us!
Choose: Sure do! Let's ask Katalina!Lyria: Great idea! Katalina always gives wonderful advice!
Vyrn: If you say so, (Captain)... Let's give it a shot.
The group puts the problem before Katalina.
Ryan: What do you think, Katalina? Can you point me in the right direction?
Katalina: Hm... Let's see. Oh! I have it!
Katalina: Why don't you make her a life-size Vyrn plushie?
Vyrn: What!
Ryan: A Vyrn... plushie?
Katalina: Hehe... Just think of it! Vyrn's so cuddly... She could squeeze him all day long!
Ryan: Cuddly, you say... You're a genius, Katalina! I'll make her a nice, squeezable Vyrn plushie!
Ryan: Sigh... A Vyrn plushie... or a plushie Vyrn...
Katalina: Oh, it's going to be so adorable! Please, let me help you! I'm getting all fluttery just thinking about it!
Katalina: All right! Now all we need to do is take Vyrn's measurements...
Vyrn: Hey! Hold up just a second! I'm not a toy!
Lyria: Hehe... I'm pretty sure they both just want a plushie for themselves...
Vyrn: Gah! I'm done with you jerks! Should've just talked to Io in the first place!
The group decides to get a second opinion from Io.
Choose: I bet Io could help us!Vyrn: Io's bound to have some good advice for us!
Lyria: That's true. Her fashion sense is always on point—she told me so!
The group decides to get some input from Io.
Continue 1Ryan: So, Io, you think you could help me pick out a birthday present for my sister?
Io: Sure! We'll knock her socks off, guaranteed!
Ryan: Awesome! Thanks a bunch!
Io: Hehe. Don't you worry. You're in good hands!
Io: All right then! Let's hit the shops!
The party follows Io to town in search of a suitable birthday present.
She takes them to a wide array of different stores.
Io: Hmm... This little bird brooch is cute, but probably too childish...
Ryan: Wow... Look at all these plushies. What about this kitty cat? Oh wait, this squirrel is adorable too. Ah, so many options...
Io: What d'you think about this pendant? Actually, maybe it's too plain...
Ryan: Cute fluffy things as far as the eye can see... This shop is paradise!
Io: Hey, focus up, Ryan! Are you serious about finding your sister a present?
Ryan: But the plushies... I mean, uh... Never mind.
Io: Sigh... Do you really think your sister wants a stuffed animal?
Ryan: I... Well... Erm...
Io: Listen. A present should be something the recipient wants, not something you want to give them. You got that?
Ryan: Urk... You're right... Absolutely right...
Io: Hey, enough with the kicked puppy look! I'm just telling you the truth here!
Io: All right. Pull yourself together and let's head to the next store!
Ryan: Wait... Wait for me!
The group visits what feel like a thousand different shops before Ryan finally finds a present for his sister.
Ryan: Thanks, Io. This hair clip is perfect. I never would've found it if it wasn't for you.
Io: Teehee! Lucky we showed up when we did! That was the last one in stock!
Lyria: Yeah! You really were the right person for the job, Io!
Io: Haha! What can I say? I solve problems like this in my sleep!
Just as the gift-hunters are patting each other on the back, a scream rings out nearby.
Woman: Stop! Thief!
Thief: Hey, you! Get outta my way!
The thief crashes straight into Ryan. Before anyone can react, the miscreant is off and running.
Vyrn: Hey, Ryan, you okay?
Io: Oh no! The hair clip... It's broken...
Ryan: Why you dirty... thieving... How dare you ruin my sister's present!
Thief: Yeeek!
Ryan races after the thief, his face contorted into a mask of demonic rage. In the blink of an eye, he overtakes and captures the ruffian.
But apprehending the thief does little to lift Ryan's spirits. The perfect gift is no more.
Ryan: This is the worst... And after Io worked so hard to find it...
Vyrn: C'mon, Ryan, cheer up.
Lyria: It's... It's okay, Ryan! We'll all go back out and find something else!
Ryan: Sigh... After all the time it took to settle on that clip, I don't see how we're gonna find anything better.
Io: Leave it to me! It ain't over till the primal beast sings!
Io beams confidently as she nearly drags the group back to the Grandcypher.
Once aboard, she runs to her room and returns proudly holding a jewelry box bursting with accessories.
Io: Hehe. My collection to the rescue!
Vyrn: Uh... I dunno how happy Ryan's sister's gonna be with a hand-me-down.
Io: Who said we were gonna give her a hand-me-down? We're going to repurpose some parts to fix up that hair clip!
Lyria: Ohhh! You're so smart, Io!
Io: Hee hee. Everything I own is super stylish, so we'll get that clip looking even better than new!
Ryan: Are you sure? I don't want you to have to ruin stuff you like.
Io: It's fine! Just check with me before you take anything apart, okay?
Ryan: Seriously... I can't thank you enough.
Ryan sits down to breathe new life into the hair clip using transplants from other accessories.
At least, he tries to.
Ryan: Um, Io? Help.
Io: I could've sworn you said you were good at arts and crafts...
Ryan: I like them. I never said I was good at 'em.
Io: Sigh... Fine, fine. I'll get you started, but I'm not doing it all for you!
Vyrn: Yeesh, Io. How about a little carrot to go with that stick?
Io: Oh, be quiet! What kind of gift would it be if it came from me instead of Ryan?
Lyria: Hehe... I can't wait to see how it turns out.
Under Io's watchful and caring eye, Ryan repairs the clip.
In the end, his sister receives a far more personal gift than he could have bought in any store.