Scenario:Arthur - Gentle Tears

Gentle Tears

Arthur, Mordred, and Tornelio have been chosen to be part of an escort for King Carl on an inspection of nearby monster sightings. Arthur is apprehensive about dealing with the monsters as there has been no actual harm done. Lancelot explains that their job as knights is to prioritize the safety and peace of the citizens over their own emotions: a hard truth for Arthur to swallow.

---

Arthur, Mordred, and Tornelio have begun their duties as fledgling knights for the Order of the White Dragons.

Lancelot: Keep an eye on things while I'm out, all right, Vane?

Vane: Sure thing, Lancey! You just make sure to take care of yourself! Oh, and one more thing...

Vane: Arthur, Mordred, Tornelio!

Vane: You guys make sure to carry your weight too!

Arthur: Yessir!

Tornelio: W-we won't let you down!

Mordred: Just leave it to us!

Arthur, Mordred, and Tornelio have been chosen to be part of an escort for King Carl on a progress to a provincial town.

Arthur: The destination is actually pretty close to our home...

Mordred: Not exactly. At least, not with that huge mountain range separating us.

Tornelio: At least you two have a reason—I still have no idea why someone like me was chosen...

Arthur: Why, I mean... They obviously must think that we make a great team!

Tornelio: S-sure...

Henry: Wait just a second, you scoundrels!

Arthur: Henry?

Cruz: Looks like we made it.

Arthur: Cruz! Did you guys come to see us off?

Henry: Humph... As if I'd do something so lame! I came to deliver an important message before you left!

Mordred: Come on, spit it out already. We don't have time for this charade right now.

Henry: Charade? Well, I never!

Henry: Ahem! I'm here to tell you punks not to get too big for your boots just 'cause you've been chosen to escort His Majesty!

Mordred: Yeah, yeah... Let's get a move on, shall we, boys?

Henry: Hey, don't ignore me! I'm serious!

Cruz: Stay safe.

Arthur: You got it! We'll be back before you know it.

The escort leads the way for King Carl and his staff in ranks down a country road.

Arthur, Mordred, and Tornelio are positioned in the center ranks near King Carl himself.

Tornelio: Urk... Aren't you guys nervous?

Arthur: Hmm... Can't say that I am!

Arthur: Hmm... Can't say that I am!

Mordred: Nope! In fact, I'm raring to go!

Mordred: Ahem... But don't get too antsy, you two... The real mission starts here.

Arthur: Haha! Weren't you raring to go just now, Mordred? You're the one gettin' too excited!

Mordred: Pfft! Yeah, right. I ain't a kid, ya know!

Listening to their exchange of words, King Carl can't help but crack a smile.

King Carl: Hahaha. It's good to see you young 'uns in high spirits.

Tornelio: (Yikes, His Majesty noticed us!)

Mordred: (I... idiot! It's 'cause you guys kept making a big fuss over everything!)

Arthur: Our sincerest apologies, Your Majesty! You'll hear no further disturbances from us.

King Carl: Please, no need for apologies.

King Carl: It's quite reassuring to know that such young and spirited knights will be accompanying me on this journey.

Arthur: Th... Thank you very much, Your Majesty!

Tornelio: Oh... He praised us?

Mordred: (I can't believe it! His Majesty spoke directly to us!)

Lancelot: Sigh... Look, it's great that you're all eager, but remember to keep your guard up.

Arthur: Yessir!

Mordred: Of course!

The knights are filled with newfound determination upon receiving King Carl and Lancelot's words.

King Carl and his entourage arrive at their destination on schedule without any problems.

It is not long, however, before the peace is broken.

Arthur: A rumor?

Tornelio: Yeah... I heard some of the people in town talking.

According to Tornelio, there have been frequent monster sightings recently on the outskirts of town.

Arthur: But monsters haven't made their way into town though, right? It doesn't seem that there have been any attacks yet either...

Tornelio: That's true, but who knows? It may just be a matter of time!

Tornelio: U-urk... How scary...

Mordred: Look, Tornelio's already shaking in his boots. The townspeople must be terrified.

Arthur: Yeah...

Lancelot: Attention, men!

With Lancelot's command, the knights immediately sit up straight at attention.

Lancelot: You may have already heard, but it appears that there have been quite a few monster sightings near this town.

Lancelot: I've just discussed this matter with His Majesty, and we've received orders to take care of the monsters.

Arthur: ...

Lancelot: I want this settled before sundown, men. Prepare your armaments, posthaste!

Mordred: Haha, right on time! I was just starting to get bored. Finally, a chance for some real action!

Tornelio: I... I'm going too, aren't I?

Mordred: Of course! Why else would they have brought you all the way here?

Tornelio: U-urk...

Mordred: Geez... What are we gonna do with you? Just stay behind me and Arthur. Got it?

Arthur: ...

Lancelot leads the knights toward the outskirts of town.

Arthur: ...

Lancelot: Arthur, are you feeling okay?

Arthur: Y-yessir! My apologies.

Lancelot: What's the matter? It's unusual to see you like this. Are you nervous?

Arthur: No, not at all, sir! That's not it...

Despite Arthur's protests, his expression remains conflicted.

Arthur: It's just... There haven't been any casualties or anything yet, right?

Lancelot: That's right.

Arthur: If that's so, then...

Lancelot: I understand your concern. However, the townspeople are getting restless, and we don't know if there could be casualties in the future.

Lancelot: As knights of the order, we must prioritize safety and peace for our citizens over our own emotions and desires.

Arthur: O-of course, sir. My apologies.

Lancelot: As long as you understand.

Lancelot smiles, giving Arthur a pat on the shoulder before moving forward.

Arthur: Sigh...

Tornelio: Say, Arthur...

Arthur: Hm?

Tornelio quietly approaches Arthur, who still looks uneasy even after his conversation with Lancelot.

Tornelio: It's okay, I... I'm scared too. Let's not let it get the best of us.

Arthur: Huh? Oh... Yeah, thanks.

The young knight looks up to the sky, lost in thought.

Mordred: Sigh...

Mordred can't help but notice Arthur's visible anxiety. A sigh escapes him.

The knights make their way to the wooded area where the monsters were last sighted, when they suddenly hear a ruffling of feathers.

Monster: !

Lancelot: There it is! Stay in formation, men—approach with caution!

Gentle Tears: Scene 2

Pursuing the monsters deep into the forest, the knights stumble upon a griffin that the monsters have gathered around. After a prolonged standoff, one knight attacks in a sudden panic, causing the situation to go from bad to worse as the monsters become more agitated.

---

Monster: !

Mordred: They're making a getaway!

Lancelot: We haven't lost them yet! Come on, don't let them escape!

Lancelot chases after the fleeing monsters, leading the knights deeper into the forest.

Eventually they find their way to a clearing in the forest.

Lancelot: Wait.

Lancelot's command is barely audible as he approaches the area cautiously.

Griffin: ...

Mordred: Is that... a griffin?

Arthur: ...!

A large griffin stands silently before them in the center of the clearing.

The monsters from earlier return to the clearing, gathering around the griffin.

Knight: I suppose that's the leader?

Lancelot: It must be. Everyone get back in formation—only attack on my signal, got it?

Knight: Yes sir!

The knights move into formation as ordered, surrounding the griffin.

Arthur, Mordred, and Tornelio stay in formation behind Lancelot.

Griffin: ...

Tornelio: Huh... It's not attacking us?

The griffin remains silent, tilting its head as the knights slowly draw closer.

Arthur: ...

Griffin: ...

Arthur: Say... Mordred. Do you think that's...

Arthur is hesitant to ask Mordred but is interrupted before he can finish.

Monster: !

One monster lets out a deafening roar, violently flapping its wings.

Knight: T-take this!

Arthur: No!

Monster: !

A knight stabs the griffin in a sudden panic, causing it to roar out in pain.

Lancelot: Watch out!

Griffin: Kweeeh!

The griffin's roars only get louder as the situation grows more chaotic.

Tornelio: Wh-whoa!

Lancelot: Keep it together, men! Whatever you do, don't break formation!

Lancelot: Surrounding units, make sure the smaller monsters don't escape!

Lancelot: Center unit, stay with me—we're taking on the griffin!

The knights swiftly move into action with Lancelot's commands.

Arthur: ...!

However, Arthur remains hesitant to move, seeming to be conflicted with the predicament he is in.

Arthur: I... I...

Mordred: Snap out of it, man! You trying to get us killed?

Arthur: I... I'm okay!

Gentle Tears: Scene 3

Arthur is in low spirits after returning from the mission, as he fears that the griffin they killed may have been the one he and Mordred secretly took care of when they were younger. However, a reassuring conversation with Mordred whips him back to his optimistic self. As the two return to town, Lancelot watches from afar, concerned that the dangers that await Arthur are surely yet to come.

---

Under Lancelot's leadership, the escort return to town with no casualties and their mission accomplished.

Tornelio: Zzz... Zzz...

Tornelio is already fast asleep, exhausted from the events of the afternoon.

Arthur: ...

Mordred: Sigh...

Arthur has left his room without a word, but it doesn't go unnoticed.

Mordred: Geez... fine.

Unable to contain his concern, Mordred gets up to go look for his friend.

Arthur: ...

It isn't long before he stumbles upon Arthur, sitting under a tree on the outskirts of town, his face buried in his knees.

Mordred: How long do you plan on being like this?

Arthur: ...

Arthur doesn't respond to Mordred's question, keeping his face buried.

Mordred: Sigh...

With another sigh, Mordred seats himself in front of an adjacent tree.

Mordred: This afternoon with the griffin... You were thinking about that guy, weren't you?

Mordred: The griffin we secretly kept from the sister when we were younger.

Arthur: ...

Arthur: Mordred... What should we do? It's barely moving...

Mordred: Hmm... Oh! Check out its wing—it's injured!

Arthur: We've gotta treat it, now!

Mordred: I'll go grab a first aid kit, so just keep an eye on it, all right?

Mordred: I've seen a picture of this monster before... I think it's called a griffin.

Arthur: A griffin, huh? What a cool name!

Mordred: That's not the point! If the sister finds out you've been taking care of a monster...

Mordred: You'd better say your prayers for real.

Arthur: But it hasn't done anything wrong! I feel like we've been getting through to it lately too.

Mordred: Well, yeah...

Arthur: Look, look! It's starting to fly a little...

Mordred: Whoa! Arthur... You've already fed it by yourself, haven't you?

Arthur: Wha... What? No! I mean, maybe a little... I just thought maybe it was getting hungry...

Mordred: You promised that we'd only feed it together!

Arthur: I'm sorry, Mordred! Don't get angry!

Recalling a childhood memory, Arthur clenches his fists.

Arthur: I thought maybe it was the same as the one from...

Mordred: That's impossible. Don't you remember? The grown-ups in the village... they killed it!

Arthur: We don't know that!

Arthur finally raises his head from his knees, looking directly at Mordred.

Arthur: That's what they said, but we never saw it happen!

Mordred: You're just trying to run from the truth!

Arthur: I... I'm just...

Arthur: Still, even if it wasn't the same griffin... It's not like it attacked anybody.

Arthur: It didn't do anything wrong, but we hunted it down anyway...

Mordred: So what you're saying is, Lancelot's orders were wrong?

Arthur: No! That's not it!

Lancelot: I understand. However, the townspeople are getting restless, and we don't know if there could be casualties in the future.

Lancelot: As knights of the order, we must prioritize safety and peace for our citizens over our own emotions and desires.

Arthur: I understand that we had to do it.

Murmuring, Arthur buries his face back into his knees.

Arthur: Sniff...

Mordred: If you're gonna be a crybaby, just quit.

Mordred: We're knights now—our opponents won't just be monsters, you know.

Mordred: One of these days, we may have to take the life of another person.

Mordred: Do you have it in you to do something like that?

Arthur: I... I...

After a brief silence, Arthur raises his head from his knees once again.

Arthur: I can. As long as it's to protect those dear to my heart.

Mordred: Then spare us the waterworks, at least.

Arthur: Sniff... I'm just...

Arthur: Come on... I'm allowed to be sad about it though, right?

Mordred can't help but sigh, looking down at Arthur sniveling and wiping his tears.

Mordred: Heh... I feel like we've already done this a million times.

Mordred: Despite that, I've never understood this part of you.

Arthur: I'm not asking for you to understand or anything... I just need to cry it out sometimes.

Mordred: Man... If this is how it's gonna be every time, there won't be enough water in the skies to replenish your tears.

Arthur: Oh nooo... At this rate I'll never become captain of the order...

Arthur: Sniff... Heh. I should probably clean my face. Mordred, you got a towel?

Mordred: Why would I have a towel?

Arthur: Why not! Just look at me—my face is a total mess!

Mordred: That ain't my problem! If you're gonna cry, bring your own towel!

Arthur: Humph! That's fine—I didn't want to use your towel anyway, you cheapskate!

Mordred: Yeah, yeah... I'm a cheapskate.

Mordred: Well, it looks like you're doing fine now, so I'm heading back.

Arthur: Oh, wait for me! I'm sorry. Let's go back together!

Mordred: Get movin' already.

The familiar banter is nothing less than comforting, as the two childhood friends share a reassuring smile with each other.

In the distance, two figures watch over the young knights as they make their way back.

King Carl: Hmm...

Lancelot: ...

King Carl: A very kind soul, I must say. Warriors of such purity are a rare breed lately.

Lancelot: Indeed. There is strength to be found in that kindness as well. I have high hopes for their futures.

King Carl: Of course.

Lancelot: Shall we return, Your Majesty?

King Carl: A splendid idea. I do appreciate your company very much, Lancelot.

Lancelot: It is an honor, Your Majesty. Now then, let us head this way...

As King Carl begins to take his leave, Lancelot turns back once again to look at the fledgling knights.

Lancelot: (Come what may, that kindness will inevitably cause him conflict and pain in the future.)

Lancelot: (When that time comes, will I be able to properly guide him as captain?)

Lancelot's worries have just begun, for he knows that the dangers that await Arthur are surely yet to come.