Scenario:Alec - Goodbyes Aren't Allowed

Goodbyes Aren't Allowed

Katalina enrolls Alec in a school where most of his classmates are interested in him, but one student makes fun of him, which is enough to drive him out of the school. When one of the kids from the school tries to bring something Alec forgot back to the airship, the kid is attacked by monsters.

---

Due to an unexpected fault with the Grandcypher, (Captain) and company make an emergency landing on a nearby island.

Rackam: Sorry about this, everyone. Looks like it's gonna take some time to fix.

Katalina: Don't worry, Rackam. It can't be helped.

Katalina: Well then, while Rackam works on the repairs, why don't we have Eugen go with (Captain) to gather some supplies?

Eugen: Sure, no problem.

Katalina: And... Let's see... Lyria, Vyrn, and Io... Could you three do some shopping for us?

Io: Roger! Leave it to us.

Katalina: I'll head to town to take care of a few things then.

Eugen: Hold on, that'd leave Alec by himself. Why don't you have him join the shoppin' group or somethin'?

Katalina: No, there's no need for that. I've already made arrangements.

Eugen: Huh? Arrangements? For what?

Katalina: Hee-hee... For school.

Eugen: Uh? School? But why would you bother?

Katalina: Well, you see... I saw a poster at the town hall and had the idea: why don't we enroll him in one? Just for a little while.

Katalina: What do you think? I'm hoping it'll teach him what it means to work as a team.

Eugen: Ha-ha, it's your lucky day, Alec! I did think you were gettin' a touch too mischievous lately. You could use some discipline.

Alec: Th-this isn't funny, you two! There's no way I'm going to school! No way!

Teacher: Well, class, I'd like you all to welcome our new student, Alec, who will be joining us for a short time. Make him feel at home.

Kids: Okay!

Alec: Geez, what'd I ever do to deserve this?

Boy: Hey, Alec, is it true that you're a skyfarer?

Alec: I guess so...

Girl: Um... Are you maybe one of the people from that ship on the coast? What was it called again?

Alec: Yeah, I am. It's called the Grandcypher.

Girl: Wow, cool! Can you show me sometime?

Alec: Huh? Well, I guess I could ask them to let you on the deck at least.

Boy: Awesome! Really?

Cynical Youth: Ha! Who does he think he is, callin' himself a skyfarer? I'll show everyone what a poser he is soon enough.

But lessons in the town's school have a steep learning curve, and Alec soon falls behind in class.

Cynical Youth: Heh, so much for the big bad skyfarer! Look at him! He can't do anything!

Alec: Shut up. What's your problem?

Cynical Youth: Hey, wimp. All that stuff about being a skyfarer was just a big lie. Admit it!

Cynical Youth: Right? As if a kid who can't even eat his veggies can fight monsters and stuff.

Boy: Huh? Alec, you were making it all up?

Girl: Why'd you lie to us? I'm so disappointed. And I thought you were so cool...

Alec: ...

Teacher: Wait! Alec, where are you going? Stop this instant!

Alec: ...

Rackam: Oh! Back already, Alec? That was fast.

Rackam: So how was it? You make lots of friends?

Alec: ...

Alec: Forget school. I'm not going there again.

Rackam: Hey. What's wrong, Alec? Did something happen? Tell me.

Monster: Groar!

Boy: Aahh! Someone... Help!

The scream comes from below the ship: one of the kids, who's coming to return something Alec forgot, is about to be attacked by monsters.

Alec: Huh? What's he doing here?

Rackam: Hey! What are you waiting for? Let's go!

Goodbyes Aren't Allowed: Scene 2

When Alec goes back to school the next day, he's again the center of attention, and even the youth who made fun of him wants Alec to teach him magic. Alec refuses due to the risks, causing the youth to run into a cave, and the crew goes after him.

---

When Alec tries going to school again the next day, his classmates are excitedly waiting for him due to what they've heard.

Girl: Hey, Alec. I heard you defeated a monster! That's so cool!

Boy: Yeah, that's right. He was awesome.

Girl: Wow... I guess you really are a skyfarer!

Alec: I-it was no big deal.

From a little ways away, someone closely watches the proceedings.

He then approaches discreetly from the side and whispers something over Alec's shoulder.

Cynical Youth: Hey, Alec. Hang with me on the way back, okay?

Alec: ...

The youth leads Alec to a deserted cave in the outskirts of the forest.

Alec, expecting some kind of fight, is caught off guard by the youth's next words.

Cynical Youth: Well, you see... This place is my secret base. I only tell friends I think are cool about it.

Cynical Youth: Okay, I told you one of my secrets. Now you tell me the secret to your magic.

Alec: Huh? Why would you want to know that?

Cynical Youth: To get stronger.

Cynical Youth: Just tell me. Help a guy out!

Alec: ...

Alec: I can't.

Cynical Youth: Ugh! But why?

Alec: Well, fair's fair. I guess I will tell you one of my secrets.

Alec: My powers aren't as amazing as you think.

Alec: They've actually caused some serious trouble for me.

Alec: If I use them thoughtlessly, they'll even shorten my life span.

Alec: You sure you want to know about such dangerous powers?

Cynical Youth: Argh! Don't underestimate me. I'm not scared of your threats!

Alec: I'm not trying to threaten you. I'm just trying to be honest.

Cynical Youth: Just hurry up and teach me already! I'm gonna destroy some monsters!

Alec: Sorry, but there's no way I'm teaching you.

Cynical Youth: You... Don't be so full of yourself! You think you're so hot?

Alec: I would never teach these powers to someone who called me a friend!

Cynical Youth: Wha?

Cynical Youth: Unbelievable... Alec, you...

Cynical Youth: Dang. Whatever. Forget it, traitor!

With these parting words, the youth runs off into the cave.

And another set of footsteps suddenly draws near, as if having awaited this opportunity.

Katalina: Well, well. I saw you come here with your friend in the middle of my shopping. I was concerned, so I came to check on you.

Katalina: What's wrong, Alec? Did you quarrel with your friend or something?

Alec: It's nothing. I'm fine.

Katalina: But... Alec?

Monster's voice: Groar!

Katalina: That sounded like it came from inside the cave!

Alec: Oh no... That's where he went!

Katalina: Wait, Alec!

Goodbyes Aren't Allowed: Scene 3

The youth apparently wants to learn magic to defeat some monsters that have resulted in a school camping trip getting canceled, so Alec sets out to take care of the monsters himself.

---

The youth is attacked by monsters, but Alec and the crew manage to save him just in time.

Witnessing the ferocity of the battle, the youth reconsiders his desires.

Cynical Youth: Monsters are meaner than I thought.

Cynical Youth: Um... Alec, sorry I was so persistent. I won't go thinking about defeating monsters and stuff again.

Alec: Yeah... I think that's a good idea too.

Cynical Youth: But, wow, you really are something. Those terrifying monsters couldn't even make you flinch.

Alec: Yeah, but even I get scared sometimes.

Alec: The only reason I could relax at all this time was because my friends from the Grandcypher were here.

Cynical Youth: Wow... You skyfarers really are amazing. You're strong 'cause you look out for each other, huh?

Alec: Heh-heh, I guess you could say that.

Cynical Youth: Hey, Alec, I've been thinking... There's this favor I'd like to ask of you skyfarers.

Alec: You... You're not after my powers again, are you? I told you to quit that!

Cynical Youth: Don't worry. I've given up on that. This is a different request.

Alec: Okay, spit it out then.

Cynical Youth: Well... There are actually some monsters I'd like you guys to take down.

Alec: Huh? Monsters?

Cynical Youth: Yeah, there's this school camping trip every year...

Cynical Youth: But because some monsters started showing up in the area, they've decided to cancel it.

Cynical Youth: And that just sucks, 'cause everyone's really been looking forward to it. I can't stand to see it get scrapped like that.

Alec: Sigh... So that's all you wanted my powers for, huh?

Cynical Youth: Hey! What do you mean that's all? We've been looking forward to our camping trip practically forever!

Alec: All I meant is that it'd be easy for us to help with something like that.

Cynical Youth: Really? You'd do that for me?

Alec: Well, you're a friend after all.

Cynical Youth: Alec... You...

Alec: Okay, guys. I'm counting on you to help out with this.

Eugen: Oho... Alec's finally startin' to seem like a kid.

Eugen: I'm glad... I feel like he's startin' to express who he really is.

Eugen: Just a minute... Katalina! Was this your plan from the beginnin'?

Katalina: Yes. It looks like sending him to school was the right choice after all.

Alec: Katalina! Eugen! What're you guys doing? C'mon! We have monsters to defeat!

Goodbyes Aren't Allowed: Scene 4

Alec is late on the day of the camping trip, which worries the youth, but then Alec shows up with sandwiches made by Katalina. Just tasting one is almost enough to knock out the youth, and Alec at last learns to laugh with friends his own age.

---

Teacher: Okay, everyone. Lunchtime!

Boy: Sigh... Alec's late today.

Girl: Yeah... What's taking him? I wonder if something happened.

Cynical Youth: (Ugh! Could it be that he's just gonna take off without saying goodbye?)

Cynical Youth: (He can't do that. I still haven't had a chance to really say anything to him.)

???: Hey!

Boy: Huh? Did you hear a voice just now?

Girl: Oh? Could it be?

Alec: Hey, you guys!

Kids: Oh! It's Alec!

Everyone runs up to Alec.

But the first one to get to him is his new friend, the youth.

Pleased to see Alec, he playfully pins his arms behind his back.

Cynical Youth: Took your sweet time, didn't you? What are you doing oversleeping, huh?

Alec: Ouch! Cut it out! That hurts! And I didn't oversleep!

Alec: When I said we were going camping today, Katalina decided to make sandwiches for everyone, and I couldn't stop her.

Cynical Youth: Sandwiches? I love sandwiches!

Alec: Yeah, sorry. I'll give you one if you let me go.

Cynical Youth: Oh! Well, I guess I'll let you off the hook this time.

The youth plucks a sandwich from the basket Alec is carrying, takes a bite, and talks around a mouthful of food.

Cynical Youth: Heh-heh... Camp woulda sucked without you, but I... I...

Cynical Youth: Ugh? Arrrgh!

Cynical Youth: What? What kinda messed up sandwich is this?

Cynical Youth: Gross! Do you skyfarers seriously eat this stuff every day?

Alec: Huh? Now that's odd. Just who was it that said people who don't eat their food are wimps?

Cynical Youth: What are you trying to say? I never said I wasn't gonna eat it. Heh, just watch!

Cynical Youth: Ugh... I'm no wimp... Bleh!

Cynical Youth: So... nasty... Huh? Somethin' squirming? Ugh... Gulp.

Cynical Youth: I ate it! Check it out. It's gone!

Alec: Ha-ha.

Kids: Ha-ha.

Cynical Youth: Heh-heh... Cough! Cough! Ha-ha.

Alec is surrounded by happy laughter.

He joins in himself, laughing with all the joy of one who's recovered something he lost long ago.