Scenario:A Peace of the Pie - Chapter 2: Heart of Ice - Episode 2

A Peace of the Pie - Chapter 2: Heart of Ice - Episode 2

The crew learns more about Lily's mission from Erin: to secure the help of the spring that suppresses Crystalia frost so that the three groups can engage in peace talks.

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Led by Erin, the party continues along the underground passageway from the little shrine.

They emerge to the sight of a dazzling ice palace, fitting in such perfect harmony with its surroundings as to defy belief.

Neither Lyria nor Vyrn can hide their astonishment at the spectacle.

Lyria: Oh, wow! It's, it's magnificent! So beautiful!

Vyrn: Holy scales! I was only kidding when I said it needs maintenance! Seriously, I don't want to upset whatever god must have created this paradise!

Lyria: That chill... Is that because the palace is made of ice?

Vyrn: Is it ice though? Or is it crystal? Whatever it is, it's definitely not made by people!

Vyrn: What is it made of, Lily? Lily? Hey, where'd she go?

Erin: Lily is just over there. She's been summoned by the Snow Maiden.

Lyria: Who's that again? Oh yeah, the important person who called to Lily on the wind!

Erin: Yes... I suppose in the outside world, you would call her important.

Erin: She's the Goddess of Ice, the forebear of the Crystalia people, a mother to us all. She is the spirit of ice that presides over this palace.

Vyrn: Hold on, I'm confused! This one maiden is all those things?

Erin: Yes.

Vyrn: So, um, are you Crystalia actually spirits then?

Erin: Hm, an interesting question...

Vyrn: Huh? I'm actually looking for answers here, you know! What are you all exactly?

Erin: That's... hard to say.

Erin: We are what we are. If I asked you to explain what you are, could you do it?

Vyrn: Of course I could! Just look at me! I'm a dragon!

Erin: And what is a dragon?

Vyrn: You know, a creature with wings... and fangs... and stuff.

Erin: Like a bat?

Vyrn: Hey, I ain't no bat! Dragons are way bigger than bats, right? And way cooler!

Erin: Well, you don't look much bigger than a bat to me. And what do you mean by cooler? Cool like ice? Like us?

Vyrn: Look, there are all different kinds of dragons, okay? And I mean cool as in... um...

Erin: ...

Vyrn: Hmm, how can I explain it? I mean, I'm... well... Oh man, what am I?

Lyria: Oh Vyrn, don't feel bad! It's okay. I know what you are, and that's what matters.

Erin: I'm sorry... I didn't mean to distress you.

Erin: Perhaps we can say that one's kind is defined by a shared sense of identity? Communities are formed based on a shared perception of the world.

Erin: Or so I've read anyway.

Vyrn: Shared perception, huh?

Erin: Yes. So you see... We struggle to understand each other because us Crystalia are such different beings and see the world so differently.

Erin: I'm guessing you're curious why the Snow Maiden summoned Lily?

Lyria: Oh, yes. I suppose she wanted to talk about Lily's mission?

Erin: If only that was the only reason...

Erin: ...

Vyrn: Hm? Actually, about that. What's this thing about Lily's mission to bring back spring?

Vyrn: I mean, what's (Captain) actually going to have to do? Lily mentioned something about building bridges.

Erin: Lily is our hope. Spring is how we refer to the person with the key to preserving our species.

Erin: You see, after a long history of warfare, we Crystalia are heading for extinction.

Lyria: What!

Erin: It's true. That's why the Snow Maiden has decided we must strive for peaceful coexistence with other species.

Erin: But the cold we exude—what humans call our hearts of ice—just freezes other beings to death.

Erin: So we could never propose coexistence even if we wanted to.

Vyrn: Right, now I'm starting to get it. That's why you need this spring. To get rid of the chill, huh?

Erin: Exactly... In our history there have been several recordings of beings that can counteract our coldness.

Erin: Thus we've been looking for someone with that special quality. Someone to help us build bridges to facilitate peace talks.

Lyria: Gosh, all this talk of building bridges and talks... Lily and (Captain) have a lot riding on them, don't they?

Erin: In truth I wish I could take Lily's place, but it's a mission that must be carried out by our princesses.

Vyrn: Princesses? You mean Lily is a princess? Actually that kinda makes sense. There's something... refined about her.

Erin: Well, our princesses are not like yours. I mean, they do command respect, but there is no idea of royalty here.

Vyrn: Oh, right. You guys sure do things funny around here. It's really fascinating!

Erin: Do you think so? From my perspective... it's you people who do things strangely.

Vyrn: Haha, yeah, you could be right about that. Is it okay if I ask you more questions? My mind's buzzing now!

Erin: It would be my pleasure to try to answer, though I'm not sure I'll be able to explain very well.

Lyria: (I hope Lily's okay.)