Scenario:Catura - Guardian of the North-Northeast

Guardian of the North-Northeast

When the crew land on a small island to visit the Ox Temple, they are approached by a girl named Catura who insists that (Captain) is her prince and asks the captain to marry her. They find out that Catura is, in fact, the keeper of the ranch that serves as the Ox Temple. According to Catura, she has been searching for a partner with whom she can continue protecting the ranch. With her sights set on (Captain), she decides to join the crew on their journey.

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(Captain) and company are on their way north-northeast to a small island where the Ox Temple resides to pay their respects for the new year.

With the Grandcypher being too big for the island's modest port, they land at a field a slight ways from the village.

Vyrn: Whew. Well, touchin' down's one thing, but...

Cow: Moooo!

A single cow trots toward them. When (Captain) reaches out to stroke it, the cow swishes its tail in delight.

Lyria: It seems we're at a ranch... Do you think it's okay for us to leave our ship here in the field?

Vyrn: Dunno... There's plenty of space around here, so it shouldn't get in anyone's way...

As they look thoughtfully at the Grandcypher, they notice someone approaching from afar.

Ranch Girl: ...

Lyria: Is that someone from the ranch? Her outfit's covered in cow prints—it's so cute!

Vyrn: She sure is takin' her time... Let's ask her where we should leave the ship!

The young girl continues to walk closer until she finally stops in front of them.

Lyria: Hello. I'm sorry, we just landed on this island with our ship over there, and we were wondering...

Ranch Girl: I've been waiting for you... My one and only... prince...

Vyrn: Wha?

The girl suddenly grabs (Captain)'s hand, her eyes brimming with tears.

Little Cow: Moooo!

The small cow canters happily as flower petals blow all around, as if to celebrate this miraculous encounter.

Ranch Girl: Finally... you've come for me...

Ranch Girl: Moohoohoo! It's almost like a dream, except it's not...

Vyrn: Uh, hey... Cow Prints? Are you okay?

Vyrn's question falls on deaf ears as the girl continues to gaze at (Captain).

Ranch Girl: U-um, Prince Charming...

Ranch Girl: Please... Please marry me!

A brief silence follows.

The ranch is completely quiet as the girl's words take a moment to sink in.

Lyria: Huh? U-um, what do you mean by that?

Vyrn: Whoa, hang on a second! You only just met (Captain)!

Ranch Girl: I've already decided... to give myself to my destined prince...

Ranch Girl: And I feel it in my heart... that you're the one...

Lyria: Oh dear... Um... Are you really a prince, (Captain)?

Gran is the Main Character

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Vyrn: Come on, no way! Why're you even askin', Lyria?

Lyria: Y-you're right... It's just that she seemed so confident that I thought, maybe...

Go to "Continue 1"

Djeeta is the Main Character

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Vyrn: Come on, no way! Besides, (Captain)'s a girl! Callin' her a prince makes no sense!

Ranch Girl: Hm? But... a prince is a prince...

Ranch Girl: We're going to live together... Does it matter... if it's a boy or a girl?

Lyria: If you put it that way... I guess you're right.

Continue 1

Cow: Moooo!

Ranch Girl: What's that? The prince's touch felt just like Papa's?

Cow: Moooo!

Ranch Girl: Yeah... Arriving on a flying horse... that can travel through the skies... is pretty grand, isn't it?

Ranch Girl: Moohoohoo! Thank you, dear horse... for bringing my prince to me.

The girl turns in the direction of the airship and gives a small bow of thanks.

Ranch Girl: Wow... It's completely different from the cows—it doesn't have any fur at all! But it's so big... and looks absolutely splendid...

Lyria: By "flying horse"... do you mean the Grandcypher?

Ranch Girl: Grand-cy-pher... What a beautiful name for a horse...

Vyrn: Uh... I don't even know what to say anymore.

Ranch Girl: Oh... I haven't introduced myself yet, have I?

Catura: I'm Catura... I live with my mama and papa and our dear cows on this ranch...

Catura: And soon, with my prince as well...

Catura: We'll clean the cows' poop first thing in the morning... Then roll around on the grass and bathe in the sun in the afternoon... And at night, we'll have some delicious stew before heading to bed...

Catura: We'll spend our lives together... until we get old and wrinkly.

1. I'm afraid I can't...
2. That doesn't sound too bad.

Choose: I'm afraid I can't...

(Captain) thinks for a moment on how to resolve the girl's misunderstanding.

Go to "Continue 2"

Choose: That doesn't sound too bad.

Catura: Moohoohoo! I know I still have a lot to work on... but I'm looking forward to spending the rest of my life with—

Vyrn: Wait a minute! You aren't seriously thinkin' of settling down on a farm after we've come this far, are ya?

Hearing Vyrn's objection, (Captain) snaps out of it and thinks on how to resolve the girl's misunderstanding.

Continue 2

The captain explains to the girl that they're skyfarers on a journey to a certain destination.

Catura: Estalucia? Is that... where we're going for our honeymoon?

Vyrn: Oh boy... Okay, time to get that whole gettin' married business outta your mind.

Vyrn: You've got the wrong person. We just happened to be passin' through...

Catura: Mooey! I know I'm not wrong...

Catura puffs out her cheeks in frustration, brows furrowed.

Catura's Mom: Catura! Come inside—lunch is ready!

A woman's voice echoes across the field from a house in the distance.

Catura: Oh, Mama's calling...

Catura: If you're really my prince charming, (Captain)... I'm sure we'll meet again.

Catura: I know how it goes... The handsome stranger ends up being the new transfer student at school... and is put in the same class as the heroine...

Vyrn: The heroine? What're you babblin' about now?

Catura: Moohoohoo! That's what the illustrated books say... And Mama told me too... that it's a classic plot.

Catura: So I'm reeeally sad to go... but we'll see each other soon again, okay? Bye-bye... for now!

Cow: Moooo...

The mysterious girl trudges back to the house, a herd of cows trailing behind her.

Vyrn: What the heck was that... So much was goin' on in that conversation that we didn't end up asking if we can leave the ship here.

Lyria: She certainly was interesting! Who knows, maybe we will see her again.

Still in a daze from their curious encounter, the crew decide to make their way to the village where the Ox Temple is located.

When (Captain) and company arrive at the village, they find the place packed and lively, with shop booths lining the streets like at a festival.

After praying for a safe journey at the temple's altar, the crew takes some time to explore the area.

Vyrn: Hm... There's a lotta people, but it doesn't seem like anything too special is goin' on.

Lyria: You're right... I don't see the keeper of the temple anywhere either.

Vyrn: That's who the year spirit's supposed to be right? One of the Twelve Divine Generals... It'd be nice if we could meet 'em...

Suddenly, they hear someone calling out to them energetically from a booth.

Shopkeeper: Buttered potatoes, anyone? I guarantee they'll be the best thing you eat this New Year's! How 'bout it, travelers?

Lyria: Wow! Those look delicious! Can we try some, (Captain)?

(Captain) nods and orders a buttered potato from the shopkeeper.

Shopkeeper: Heh, thank you very much! Be careful, young lady—it's hot!

Lyria: Oooh! This is hot!

Lyria: Foo... Foo... Nom nom.

Lyria: Mmmm! It's so tasty, and the butter is really rich! It just warms you right up!

Shopkeeper: Haha! I'm glad you're enjoyin' it, young lady!

Shopkeeper: I noticed you guys lookin' around the temple, so I'll let you in on one thing.

Shopkeeper: This place... isn't the actual Ox Temple.

Lyria: Huh? Really? But the guide told us...

Shopkeeper: Well, they're not wrong. But this is what you'd call a branch shrine run by the villagers.

Shopkeeper: The actual Ox Temple isn't a temple but a ranch located slightly outside of town.

Vyrn: We passed by a ranch on our way here, but I'm pretty sure I didn't see any shrines...

Shopkeeper: There's a bit of a history behind it, but in any case, the temple keeper's also at the ranch.

Shopkeeper: She wears a cow-themed outfit and might be a strange one at first glance, but she's a nice girl. She delivers fresh milk to the village every morning.

Lyria: A cow outfit... Could it be...

Just then, the crew hears a loud noise resembling that of an engine.

The deafening roar intensifies as it grows closer and closer.

Catura: (Captain)! Finally... I've been look—

Catura: Erm, I mean... Wow! What a coincidence... right? This really must... be fate...

Vyrn: What the, Cow Prints? Wait a sec, what was that about lookin' for us?

Shopkeeper: So you guys know each other already! Catura here's the keeper of the ranch... and the Ox Temple.

Lyria: I knew you were special, Catura!

Catura jumps off her gearcycle and cocks her head thoughtfully.

Catura: Hm... Did I not tell you?

Shopkeeper: Did you come to check up on the branch temple? The chief should be in the office.

Catura: Nope, I came for... my fated reunion with (Captain) today...

Shopkeeper: What? You mean... you're the prince?

1. I guess so?
2. Um, no.

Choose: I guess so?

Shopkeeper: I see... Well, this is great news! Congrats, Catura!

Go to "Continue 3"

Choose: Um, no.

Catura: What do you mean "no"? We managed to meet again... didn't we?

Vyrn: You're not wrong there, but this is definitely more forced than fated...

Shopkeeper: In any case, this is great news! Congrats, Catura!

Continue 3

Shopkeeper: If I'd known you were the prince, I would've given you that potato on the house!

Shopkeeper: I use the fresh milk that Catura brings us to make my butter.

Catura: Moohoohoo! Thank you... for always putting it to such good use...

Villager 1: Hey, did I hear that right? You finally found your prince? Everyone knows just how hard you've tried up until now...

Villager 2: Though sometimes you try a little too hard. Like that time you got your foot stuck in the glass shoe and had the whole village scrambling to get you out of it...

Catura: I-I wanted to practice... after reading a particular illustrated book...

Lyria: Oh! So many people are gathering around us!

Villager 3: Sniff... I'm so glad I'll be able to witness your happiest day during my lifetime...

Catura: Oh, Granny... I'll come give you shoulder massages even after I'm married... okay?

Vyrn: Wait, we haven't said anything about—

Village Chief: Hey, Prince... Make sure you treat Catura right! We're counting on you!

The people of the village continue to swarm (Captain), excitedly congratulating the troubled captain one after another.

Vyrn: Finally... Some personal space...

Catura: U-um... Sorry about that. Things got a bit rowdy back there...

Lyria: Catura, you're amazing! You must get along so well with everyone in this village!

Catura: I do! They're all really nice...

Catura: Um, (Captain)... I want to have a proper talk with you... so will you come back to my house with me?

Vyrn: That might be a good idea, since we wanna know more about the Ox Temple anyway. Let's pay the ranch another visit!

The crew follows Catura as she begins to head home.

Catura: ...

Catura leisurely strolls down the street, at a pace so slow that (Captain) and the others find it hard not to bump into each other.

Vyrn: Hey, can'tcha walk a bit faster? It's gonna be night by the time we get back to the ranch!

Catura: Oh, um... I guess it's hard to tell... but I'm already doing my best to hurry...

Gearcycle: ...!

Catura: Oh, Milky! I'm sorry I left you behind...

Lyria: Ahaha, did you forget about your gearcycle? Now that it's here, you can get home faster!

Catura: Yeah... It makes delivering the milk every day easier too.

Vyrn: Huh? But wait... did that gearcycle just come on its own?

With a more convenient ride home, Catura and the crew arrive back at the ranch in no time.

Catura's Mom: Hello, everyone, welcome! Make yourselves comfortable while I go warm up some milk.

Catura: I can do that...

Catura's Dad: Haha, why don't you leave it to Mama? We wouldn't want you burning yourself again like last time.

Catura: Oh, mooey! You don't have to tell everyone, Papa... It's embarrassing...

(Captain) and company sit down at the table as Catura's mother places steaming cups of hot milk in front of them.

Catura's Mom: (Captain), was it? I'm sorry, you must have been so surprised by everything that's happened today.

Lyria: Ahaha... None of us knew how to react when the topic of marriage came up.

Catura's Mom: Our little Catura has always been a bit clumsy, in both her actions and words. Her naivety might give off the wrong impression sometimes...

Catura's Mom: But in fact, she's the sweetest, kindest, and most honest girl in all of the skies.

Catura's Dad: Haha... Mama, you started bragging a bit there.

Catura's Mom: Oh dear, look at me!

Vyrn: Haha, it's nice to see such a happy family! It'd be great if you could tell us more about what's goin' on though...

Catura's Mom: Oh yes, of course. Catura isn't very good at explaining, so allow me to tell you about the Ox Temple.

Catura's mother takes a deep breath and begins to explain.

Catura's Mom: The Ox Temple is different from the other temples, you see. Its role is to care for and raise the sacred animals known as cattle.

Catura's Mom: That's why the duty of the Divine Ox is to spend her days at the ranch peacefully in the borrowed guise of a sacred cow.

Lyria: I see... So that's why Catura's wearing so many cow prints!

The Divine Ox is inherited genetically, with Catura's mother serving as the previous Divine Ox.

That is why Catura has spent a great deal of effort up until now to search for her own partner—someone whom she can continue protecting the ranch with.

Catura's Mom: Catura's been waiting for her prince for a long time... I see her looking up at the sky every day.

Catura's Mom: Oh, by the way, that's how I met Papa here as well! He was a skyfarer himself.

Catura: Moohoo. I can't wait to start my own family... just as Mama and Papa did...

Vyrn: Okay, I kinda see the picture now... What I still don't get is why you're callin' your partner a prince.

Catura's Dad: That would be Mama's doing.

Catura's Dad: Have you heard of illustrated books geared toward young women? They're quite popular with the ladies, and the stories usually involve romance.

Catura's Dad: Mama here is a collector of these illustrated books. Catura's been reading the books since she was a little girl... and before we knew it, she had an ideal prince formed in her mind.

Vyrn: Ahh... That'd explain all the talk about flying horses and heroines.

Catura's mother turns to her daughter.

Catura's Mom: Now, Catura... Are you certain (Captain) here is the prince you've been waiting for?

Catura: I'm sure, Mama... I knew as soon as we met...

Catura: I can give plenty of reasons. Arriving on a horse... The message in the constellations... The similarities to Papa...

Catura: But the most important thing... is the special feeling I have in my heart. I knew right away... that it was fate...

Catura's Mom: ...

Catura's Mom: I see... Hehe, this really does remind me of when I first met Papa.

Catura's Mom: But have you thought it out completely, dear? (Captain) is in the middle of a journey.

Catura: ...

Catura: (Captain)... I have a favor to ask...

Catura: Will you... take me with you... on your journey?

Catura's Mom: Oh my!

Catura: There are a lot of things... I don't know...

Catura: But still... I want to be with you... Closer to you...

Catura: Can I... come with you?

1. Of course you can.
2. Let's journey together.

Choose: Of course you can.
Choose: Let's journey together.

(Captain) tells Catura she is welcome to join the crew's journey, marriage talks aside.

Catura: ...!

Catura: Thank you so much! But... I still want us to get married someday...

Vyrn: Haha. Stubborn, aren'tcha? But it'll be a lotta fun havin' you with us, that's for sure!

Lyria: Yes, I'm sure we'll have a great time journeying together, Catura!

Catura's Dad: Oh, Catura... You've grown so much... Look at you, going off on your own!

Catura: Papa... You're being so dramatic...

Catura's Mom: You can leave the ranch to us for now, Catura. So go out and have as much fun as you like in your travels!

Catura: Thanks, Mama! I'll grow even more... and come back with (Captain)...

Catura's Mom: I leave my daughter in your hands, (Captain).

Catura: Moohoohoo. I guess... I'll be in your hands then.

And with that, the dreaming Catura joins the crew on their journey through the skies.

Cow: Moooo!

The cows at the ranch raise their voices in unison, as if to celebrate the beginning of their caretaker's new life.