Scenario:Almeida - Uncovering the Mask

Uncovering the Mask

The crew has defeated numerous primal beasts following Almeida's arrival. While tinkering with her weapon in the pursuit of perfection, the masked man known as Vaseraga shows up for an unexpected reunion. He tells her to abandon her dream causing her to run away.

---

Since Almeida joined, the crew has defeated numerous primal beasts.

And today, as usual, she's tinkering with the Vaserav Hammer thinking of ways to make it more powerful.

Almeida: Hmm, I don't think power consumption's the problem here. It feels more like a power connection.

Almeida: But how? I don't think magic was used...

Almeida: ...

Almeida: Gah, this is getting me nowhere!

Io: Hiya, Almeida! Still trying to figure things out?

Almeida: Huh? Yeah, I guess.

Io: Teehee, I might know a thing or two!

Almeida: Oh, nice! What can you tell me?

Lyria: Something good I bet! I can tell from how confident Io looks! Even I want to know all her secrets!

Almeida: Tell us! Tell us!

Io: What you're trying to figure out is... why you're in love!

Almeida: L-love? Did you really have to bring that up again?

Io: Come on. Talking about love is so much fun!

Almeida: Wargh! Quit saying love already! Seriously! I'm sick of this, Io!

Io: It's just a word, though. Love! See? Was that so bad?

Almeida: How many times do I have to explain this? The scythe he was carrying is what I care about! Not him!

Io: You just don't realize you're in love yet! Most people don't at first... I think...

Io: You can do it, Almeida! Love only blossoms when you're true to your feelings... Probably...

Lyria: Hahaha, you sure seem to be enjoying this, Io!

Almeida: That's the fifth time you've said love! I'm reporting this to the archduke!

Vyrn: Hey, Almeida! You have a second?

Almeida: Hm? You better not say the L word!

Vyrn: Actually, it's about the masked man...

Almeida: I knew it! Just you wait, I'm gonna tell the archduke about this, and... and...

Vaseraga: ...

Almeida: Gasp! Vaserav, is that you?

Lyria: Oh my gosh, Vaserav was Vaseraga all along?

Io: Wow! Now that you mention it, though, it does make sense.

Vaseraga is a crew member

---

Vyrn: Yeah, I thought it might be Vaseraga. And I was just telling him about you, Almeida.

Vaseraga not in crew

---

The stalwart warrior Vaseraga once fought alongside the crew during an investigation of a certain island.

However much about him still remains a mystery. He seems to belong to an organization that tasks him with hunting primal beasts.

Vyrn: I bumped into him at the port and was just telling him about you, Almeida!

Vaseraga: You... We've met once before in Valtz.

Almeida: T-thanks! Y-you really jammed me out of that bust!

Almeida: O-oh right, about this hammer! I couldn't stop thinking about your scythe, so—

Vaseraga: Enough. This obsession of yours with my weapon must end.

Almeida: Huh?

Vaseraga: It's more than you can handle. Forget about it and go back to Valtz.

Almeida: !

Io: H-hey! Why would you say something so mean!

Almeida: It's okay, Io. It's my fault for trying to copy his weapon. I wasn't thinking about his feelings.

Almeida: I'm sorry, Vaserav.

Almeida: Still... Creating the perfect weapon is my dream! Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?

Vaseraga: Don't make me repeat myself. Saving you wasn't my intention. Forget about me and about my weapon.

Almeida: !

Almeida: You didn't... mean to save me?

Lyria: Wait! Almeida!

Io: What's wrong with you! Why are you being so mean to Almeida!

Vaseraga: ...

Vyrn: It's my fault for opening my big mouth. We gotta go after her!

Uncovering the Mask: Scene 2

Vaseraga explains that her pursuit will lead Almeida down a dangerous path. Convinced by his sincerity, she capitulates. In a suspicious turn of events, a band of thugs attempts to kidnap her, but thankfully the crew quickly puts a stop to their attempt.

---

The crew catches up with Almeida who once again attempts to speak with Vaseraga.

Almeida: So... umm...

Vaseraga: ...

Io: Vaseraga... Tell us what's going on. Otherwise it just seems like you're being heartless.

Vaseraga: I cannot. There are certain rules I am bound to.

Vaseraga: What I can say is that it's all for her.
The perfection you crave is dangerous, Almeida.

Vaseraga: I know you have the talent to do what you must not. I'm sorry if I sound heartless to you.

Almeida: ...

Almeida: I get it. I'll stop.

Lyria: Are you sure, Almeida?

Almeida: He saved my life. If he wants me to stop, then I will. He's trying to protect me after all.

Almeida: I'm just glad to know I was right about you, Vaserav. You really are a softie at heart.

Vaseraga: I am nothing of the sort. There are simply certain unpredictable—

Almeida: It's okay, I get it. You have rules to follow, right?

Io: Okay, then! Can you make me a new staff, Almeida?

Vyrn: Y-you can count on us to help, too!

Almeida: Ahahaha! You don't need to change the subject like that.

Almeida: But... I'm sorry... I need a little time to myself.

The crew watches her trudge off into the distance, unable to think of anything worth saying.

Just as she walks out of the forest—

Thug 1: I've got the girl! Bring the carriage over!

Almeida: Gah! Let me go, you rotten scumbag!

Vyrn: Huh? What are those guys doing?

Lyria: Oh no, they're trying to force Almeida into that carriage!

Vaseraga: Io! I need a spell in the direction that carriage is headed!

Io: Got it! How about... this!

Thug 2: Waugh! They're using magic? Hurry up and get us out of here!

Thug 3: What do you think I'm trying to do? The horse's hooves are frozen!

Vaseraga: Urgh!

Thug 3: Arrgh!

Almeida: Let go of me, creep!

Thug 1: Augh!

Thug 2: I don't believe this! These guys are way tougher than they said!

Vaseraga: Hm... So you're hired hands...

Vaseraga: You're going to tell us who you work for. Don't let any of them escape, Almeida!

Almeida: Huh? R-right! You've got it, Vaserav!

Uncovering the Mask: Scene 3

With the thugs taken care of, Vaseraga retracts his previous admonishment of Almeida and advises her to follow her heart. In contrast to the overjoyed Almeida, Vaseraga grows concerned after deducing his organization's involvement in her attempted kidnapping.

---

After taking out the thugs and returning to town, Almeida approaches Vaseraga.

Almeida: Thanks for saving me again, Vaserav.

Vaseraga: Don't mention it.

Almeida: I gotta say though, the way you rocked that scythe was incredible! There's gotta be some primal be—

Vaseraga: ...

Almeida: Oh right... Sorry. Rules are rules. Just forget what I said.

Vaseraga: Understood. But I'd like to retract my previous statement as well. Do as your heart wills.

Almeida: Huh? Then does that mean... you'd be okay with me making that weapon?

Vaseraga: That is correct. It appears that circumstances have changed. If forging will help you find a way forward, then—

Vaseraga: I've said too much.

Almeida: Thanks, Vaserav! I'll give it my all!

Io: Good going, Almeida!

Vyrn: Haha. Hurray! Just leave the primal beasts to us!

Lyria: By the way, I've been meaning to ask. What's your real name?

Vaseraga: Vaseraga.

Almeida: Ahahaha, looks like I misheard you the first time. Sorry, Vaserav!

Almeida: Whoops...

Vaseraga: Hahaha.

And thus concludes Almeida's fruitful reunion with Vaseraga.

Now more determined than ever, Almeida proves to be a valuable addition to the crew.

Client: I'm sorry! Please, you gotta listen to me! I'm way down the totem pole! I have no idea who ordered this, I swear!

Vaseraga: Humph. A flawless cover-up, as usual.

Client: So uh, can I go? I promise I'll never lay hands on that girl ever again!

Vaseraga: Hm. So this is the organization's doing. Are they trying to scare her? Or worse?

Vaseraga: Whatever happens, I'll be waiting for their next move.

Meanwhile, the reunion with Almeida allows Vaseraga to sense the advent of something larger looming in the distance.