Scenario:Cherine - Strong Will, Weak Will

Strong Will, Weak Will

After hearing Lich's tragic love story, Cherine decides to pray for Lich. Despite realizing that Lich had merely been trifling with her, Cherine feels more cheerful and continues with her cleaning. Just as her impulses act up again, she bumps into Indala, who ends up taking over all of Cherine's remaining work.

---

Cherine has been hard at work cooking and cleaning on the Grandcypher, hoping to make up for the trouble she had caused the crew.

She is exploring the ship's storage room when her usual impulses seize her—and she finds herself face-to-face with Lich.

Lich: Did I scare you? Betcha didn't expect there to be someone else in this dark, gloomy corner of the ship.

Cherine: Um, well...

Lich runs her eyes up and down Cherine before raising an eyebrow, as if she has caught on to something.

Lich: Aha. Forget about being an intro—you're a walking hazard, aren't you? Those gems on your face look tragically toxic to me.

Cherine: ...!

Lich: It's a miracle how you haven't been completely cast out by this society of extros. Leave it to (Captain) to let someone as dangerous as you on board.

Cherine: So you've seen through me...

Lich: Duh. I am a primal beast, after all.

Cherine: (...!
Why's there a primal beast on the Grandcypher?)

Lich: Heehee. Ooh, I like that reaction.

Lich: The name's Lich, but you can call me Lichi.

Cherine: O-okay. Thank you, Lichi...

Cherine: Um, I know we just met, but... do you think you could listen to what I have to say?

Lich: Hm... I guess I could. You know what they say: The enemy of your enemy—in other words, extros—is a friend.

Cherine: Er... What?

Lich: Let's hear it. I'm sick of listening to extros yap all day!

Cherine: Okay... Well, just now, I met Camieux in the galley...

Cherine shares how she hesitated to pat Camieux on the head earlier, despite finding her so amicable.

Lich: Oh yeah, I know exactly what you mean. You can't stop thinking how bloodstained your hands are, right?

Cherine: Yes...

Lich: And because of that, you feel you don't have the right to be affectionate toward anyone. I getcha.

Lich: I lost my beloved Jason... all because I was a primal beast.

Cherine: No way!

Lich: That was our fate. It was not meant to be for a primal beast to love a mortal...

Cherine: Lichi...

Cherine: Please don't be sad. Your love must've been so deep for it to hurt you even now...

Cherine: I'm sure Jason felt blessed to have received such love from you, Lichi.

Lich: Oh... Yeah, maybe...

Cherine: I know there's not much I can do for you...

Cherine takes both of Lich's hands and holds them close to her own chest.

Cherine: I hope your love can reach Jason, even now—

Lich: Gyaaah, stop that! Let go of my hands!

Cherine: But you should acknowledge the fact that your feelings are irreplaceable—

Lich: Bleeeh!

Lich: (I thought she was just another quirky intro... but it's way worse than that! Her heart's nothing but a flimsy sheet of glass!)

Cherine: Oh no, you're bleeding! It's my hands, isn't it? I shouldn't have touched you...

Cherine: I'm sorry, Lichi! Here, I'll wipe it for you... Let's get the inside of your mouth cleaned too.

Clutching a white handkerchief in her hand, Cherine frantically attempts to shove it into Lich's mouth.

Lich: Stooop!

Cherine: Sorry, Lichi! I'll go get a doctor once you're all cleaned up, so be nice and stop thrashing!

Lich: I-I'll be fine! I've got James watching over me from his grave!

Cherine: James? I thought it was Jason.

Lich: Ah...

Lich: Eheh.

Cherine: Oh, Lichi! You shouldn't tease me like that...

Lich: Heehee. All right, I apologize. If you ever feel like you need to talk again, you can come find me.

Cherine: Okay! Thanks, Lichi!

Cherine: Huh? But what about the bleeding?

Lich: Don't worry about it. Comes with being an intro and all.

Lich: (This girl's insane... A top-level, lethal hazard. I need to get outta here.)

Lich: Anyway, Rose needs me, so I gotta go. Bye-bye.

Cherine: See you next time, Lichi!

Cherine: Hehe, she really cheered me up. All right, time to get back to cleaning!

Some hours pass, enough for Lich's nausea to subside and for Cherine to be done with most of her cleaning.

Cherine: Okay! I've mopped all the floors, and the hallways and toilets are sparkling clean.

Cherine: I'll give the window sills a wipe too... Huh? Where did my cloth go?

Cherine: It's not here... It's not anywhere! What do I do now? I haven't cleaned the bathroom yet and it's almost time to make dinner!

Cherine: Ah... Oh no, oh no...

Cherine: (Ugh, the impulses again... and I've got a bad feeling about it this time!)

Cherine: (I don't know what's going to happen if I give in like this...)

She puts a hand on her chest, feeling around for the talisman underneath her clothes.

Cherine: (What if the talisman affixed to me activates? I'm going to...)

Cherine: I'm going to die!

Cherine tries to suppress the surging impulses as she continues scouring the ship for her missing cloth.

Cherine: (Oh, there's someone over there...)

She spots a woman cleaning intensely, accompanied by a white snake.

Indala: Hehe. Look at that, Shiro. This cleaning substance makes even the boards on the shelf shine.

Shiro: Yaaawn. As thorough as always with your work...

Cherine: Um, excuse me!

Indala: Oh, you're... someone who joined the crew recently, aren't you? You're looking rather pale. Did something happen?

Cherine: I c-can't find my cleaning cloth... and I need to wipe the window sills!

Indala: Cleaning cloth?

Indala: Ah, sorry. I was asking if you're feeling unwell, since you look a bit haggard.

Indala: Although limited to minor symptoms, I can relieve pain by touching the affected area, you see.

In a single moment, Cherine forgets all about her impulses, her eyes widening.

Cherine: That's amazing! What a benevolent ability you have.

Indala: Hehe, is that so? I've never thought of it as benevolent.

Indala: I do admit it's quite nice to have, as it's proven useful on many an occasion.

Cherine: I see. Sounds like it's the perfect ability for you!

Cherine: Oh! But back to my cleaning cloth... Can you tell me where it is? I'm not hurting anywhere. I just need my cloth back!

Indala: Really? Then maybe you're feeling fatigued. You should rest—I can finish the cleaning for you.

Cherine: I c-can't ask you to do that! There's no way I can take it easy when someone else is working hard.

Indala: Hrm... A lot of people back at the temple have said the same thing to me before.

Indala: But I usually feel fine even if I don't sleep for twelve days, so you needn't worry.

Shiro: At this point, she's already stayed up for ten days. She's doing chores by day, and dealing with her own temple work by night.

Cherine: Wha! You're going to die at this rate!

Indala: What are you talking about? You're the one who looks like you're about to pass out. It'll all come to nothing if you die from overwork.

Cherine: Hrgh... I can't believe someone who's stayed up for ten whole days is telling me this...

Indala: You're different from me, so you shouldn't push yourself. Each person's capacity varies.

Cherine: Hmm... I don't know about that...

Cherine remains unconvinced. Indala starts to fidget, blushing slightly.

Indala: What I'm saying is...

Indala: If you still have some unfinished work, I'd love to take it off your hands. My job will be done after cleaning this.

Shiro: In other words, she's starving for some work and wants you to give her something to do.

Cherine: I-I see...

Cherine: (I'd really like to help (Captain) and the others more as a form of apology... but my body's reaching its limit.)

Cherine: In that case... I'll gladly accept the offer...

Indala: Thank you, I appreciate it. That should be enough to fill my days until my next sleep.

Cherine: (I should be the one to thank her for helping... but she looks genuinely happy about the extra work.)

Shiro: Lucky you. Well then, as I'm lacking in sleep myself, it's time for me to rest. Yaaawn...

And with that, Cherine reluctantly surrenders the rest of her cleaning to Indala.

Strong Will, Weak Will: Scene 2

Without anything left to do, Cherine visits the dining hall, where she shares her insecurities with Sevastien. Talking with Sevastien helps Cherine realize the small victories that she has accumulated from resisting her impulses. That night, Rosamia asks Cherine why she had stayed with Zaryda for so long. Though unsure of how to feel, Cherine is determined to find Zaryda again someday.

---

With Indala taking over all of her work, Cherine finds herself without a purpose to get through the day.

Cherine: Now I have nothing to do...

Cherine: (Should I go back to my room? Somehow I don't want to...)

Cherine: Hnnngh... Aah.

Cherine: (Hm? I just realized that the impulses have subsided...)

Cherine: (Maybe so many things surprised me that my brain didn't have time to think about any other sensation.)

Cherine: (Still... who knows when they'll come back again.)

Elbows propped up on the table, Cherine is anxiously resting her chin in her hands when a cup of tea slides in front of her.

Sevastien: How about a cup of tea for the afternoon?

Cherine: Oh, you're...

Sevastien: Please, call me Sevas. I am but an elderly man who enjoys cooking on this ship I currently have the honor of sailing on.

Cherine: Sevas... Thank you for the tea.

Sevastien's calm, lighthearted chatter slowly helps Cherine open up.

Cherine: Hehe, I see. So the lady of your household is a fully grown adult who loves Little Skyfarer's Lunches.

Sevastien: Indeed. Seeing her growth sparks excitement even in these old bones.

Sevastien: The madam has a tendency to sprint down her chosen path, so catching up to her takes quite the toll on these feeble legs.

Despite the nonchalant tone in his voice, Sevastien's gaze softens, as if looking at something precious in the distance.

Cherine: (It's clear that Sevas adores the lady wholeheartedly.)

Cherine: (Zaryda... If only the relationship between you and me was like this. Things might have turned out differently...)

Sevastien: I'm sure that heavy spear you carry is not the only thing weighing down your heart.

Cherine: How do you know about my spear?

Sevastien: ...

Cherine: You're right... It's all very heavy. I'm not sure how I've managed to survive up until now without being crushed by the weight.

Cherine: To be honest, I'd planned to make it up to (Captain) and the others by doing a lot today. But my will wasn't strong enough...

Sevastien: There are things that cannot be accomplished through will alone—I understand that very well myself.

Sevastien takes a sip of his tea, as if to loosen his own lips.

Sevastien: In a faraway land, there is an order of holy knights led by a single, petite Harvin.

Sevastien: The captain pushes forward day and night, always adhering to virtue, integrity, and honor.

Sevastien: Certainly, one could argue such values hold no weight in the face of reality.

Sevastien: Our world is a harsh one. Thus I chose a path of solitude and tried to put everything behind me. But then...

Charlotta: What's so wrong about relying on your friends? Are you that afraid of being a bother?

Charlotta: Open your eyes! You're no longer alone!

Sevastien: Her noble, unbending form serves as a beacon for everyone in the order, leading them onward toward their ideals.

Sevastien: From her, I've learned there is great meaning in advocating for what you believe in.

Cherine: Sevas... So there's someone who serves as a guide in your life.

Cherine: (Is my guide... Rosamia?)

Cherine: Even so... I don't have the will anymore to walk toward my ideals...

Sevastien: Hm... So you claim, but just now, you decided to come to the dining hall rather than return to your room. Is that not of your own will?

Cherine: ...!

Sevastien: Although I do not know what burden it is that you carry, I believe you unconsciously knew that it would be best to go to a place where others were present.

Cherine: Hehe... It's like you know me better than myself, Sevas.

Cherine: I want to be able to conquer this just like you. I want to overcome my impulses with my own will.

Sevastien: Hoho. Today has already proved to be a small victory, Miss Cherine.

Cherine: A small victory, huh?

Cherine: (If it's true that even this much counts as a step forward... then maybe...)

Cherine: Sevas, I want to find something I can do on this ship for (Captain) and the crew.

Cherine's eyes are filled with a determined light.

Sevastien: Oho, very well. How do you feel about cooking? I know some very special recipes.

Sevastien: After all, the time spent with everyone around the table is something invaluable.

Cherine: ...!
I would love it if you shared your recipes with me!

Sevastien: Hohoho. Be warned—I can be rather strict in my teaching. I'm quite particular when it comes to my hobbies, you see.

Cherine: Understood. I'll give it my best shot!

With that, Sevastien agrees to teach Cherine how to cook some promising dishes.

That night...

Rosamia sits by herself in a field near where the Grandcypher is docked, looking up at the night sky.

Cherine: Sorry to keep you waiting, Rosamia!

Rosamia: You're certainly in a good mood. That usually means you've been thinking too much into things...

Cherine: Hehe, that's not true.

Cherine: (Rosamia and I used to meet like this under the stairs back at the facility... Hehe.)

With a bright smile on her face, Cherine sits down next to Rosamia.

Rosamia: In any case, I'm glad you seem to be better. You looked awful this morning.

Cherine: Is that so?

Rosamia: Yes. Almost like how you looked when you were on a rampage with Zaryda.

Cherine: Well...

Rosamia's expression grows serious as she turns to face Cherine.

Rosamia: Hey. Why did you listen to her?

Cherine: Because I lost to my mask's impulses...

Rosamia: That's not what I meant. Why did you stay with her for so long? Why didn't you run away?

Rosamia: Was it because her underlings always kept watch over you? Or...

Rosamia: Was it because I'd escaped from the facility... and left you all by yourself?

Cherine: Hm...

Pursing her lips, Cherine reaches out to pluck a blade of grass at her feet, twirling it between her fingers.

Cherine: I wonder why.

Zaryda: You don't need to think about sin or forgiveness. You just need to obey me.

Zaryda: I've got my back to the wall here. Please, help me.

Cherine: After you were gone, the facility wasn't getting the results they wanted, so the imperial army snubbed out the mystic crystal research project.

Cherine: But before they could get rid of her, Zaryda decided to act first and flee, taking me and her closest aide.

Cherine: We traveled all around, taking shelter and hiding where we could. Eventually, we settled in that underground place...

Rosamia: And that's where she did whatever she wanted with you without the palace knowing, even after the fall of the empire.

Cherine: I guess so...

Cherine: But after spending time with her, I came to realize that she has a cute side to her too.

Rosamia: A cute side? Her?

Cherine: She's cuddled me like a pillow while sleeping before.

Rosamia: ...

Rosamia: C-cuddling? Her?

Cherine: Erm, well... I know she doesn't look like it, but she's pretty soft?

Rosamia: That's not what I'm talking about...

Rosamia frowns, a look of disbelief on her face, which draws a smile from Cherine.

Cherine: Eheh... Could it be that you're worried about me?

Rosamia: Are you really in your right mind? Those crystals better not be acting up...

Rosamia pinches Cherine's crystal-embedded cheek.

Cherine: Ehh... Rosamiaaa...

Rosamia: Sigh... Never mind.

Rosamia: You don't sense Zaryda anywhere today either, do you?

Cherine: No. The crystals in me aren't resonating with anything.

Cherine: The last time I saw Zaryda, she had swallowed a fragment of a mystic crystal.

Cherine: At the time I could feel the crystals in my face itching, so I'm sure I'll get the same feeling if she's somewhere close by.

Cherine: (Zaryda...)

Zaryda: ...

Cherine: (Where are you now, Zaryda?)

Cherine: (Despite receiving such an important mission from Queen Orchis, I have no way of knowing how it's going to end.)

Cherine: (But... I'll definitely find you.)

Cherine tilts her head back, looking up as she wonders where Zaryda could be under the night sky.

Strong Will, Weak Will: Scene 3

Cherine explains that she is worried whether she should be allowed on a ship with such good people. Rosamia assures her friend that she should accept these feelings of happiness, stating that she has no intention of letting Cherine die from the talisman on her chest. A few days later, Cherine prepares countless dishes for the crew as a token of appreciation. She finally begins to believe that there may be a future waiting for her beyond these small victories.

---

As Cherine and Rosamia continue to sit together on the grass, their conversation turns to other topics.

Rosamia: So after (Captain) asked you to help with making lunch, what happened?

Cherine: Quite a lot, actually...

Cherine: I scared Camieux, and then Lichi scared me...

Cherine: Indala helped me with work, and Sevas gave me some words of encouragement.

Rosamia: Certainly sounds like a full day...

Cherine: Yes. Camieux is such a sweet person, and Lichi is actually really nice too.

Cherine: Indala works so hard, it's very admirable. She's also easy to approach when she's got Shiro comfortably curled around her shoulders.

Cherine: And Sevas is just so kind...

Cherine: ...

Rosamia: ...?

Cherine: Erm... Seeing everyone like that... made me think that I have to work hard too!

Rosamia: Don't try that with me. If you have something you want to say, then say it.

Rosamia: You avoided telling the truth back at Mephorash too. You hid the fact that you couldn't control your mask anymore.

Cherine: ...

Cherine: Well... You know, everyone on this ship...

Cherine drops her gaze, staring hard at the ground as her eyes suddenly fill with tears.

Cherine: They're all so nice...

Cherine: I can't help but wonder... if it's really all right for someone like me to be here with them!

Rosamia: Ah...

Cherine: Ngh... S-sorry, Rosamia. I know that's not what you want to hear...

Rosamia: ...

Rosamia: If you're happy... and you feel fulfilled...

Rosamia: Take it all in and savor every moment of it. Don't hold back.

Cherine: ...!

Rosamia: I suppressed my feelings once and tried to manage all on my own before... so trust me when I say you'll want to skip all that.

Cherine: ...!

Cherine: (Rosamia... Why aren't you rejecting me?)

Cherine: (I don't... believe it... Aah...)

Instinctively, Cherine leans over and rests her head on Rosamia's shoulder.

Cherine: Thank you, Rosamia...

Rosamia: It's nothing.

Rosamia: I'm really glad you came to travel on the Grandcypher—although I'm still not happy about putting the talisman on you.

Cherine: (The incinerating talisman uses powdered mystic crystal—a last resort if I ever lose myself to my impulses again. I never want to repeat what happened before...)

Cherine: I tried so hard, but... I'm at my limit!

Cherine: I'm sorry I changed, Rosamia...

Cherine: But I can't stop now. The feeling of stabbing through people's hearts with my partner here...

Cherine: That sensation just moves me like nothing else!

Cherine: It's not enough... Not enough at all!

Cherine: (That's why I asked Rosamia to put the talisman on me...)

Cherine: (If the impulses take over, the talisman will activate and consume my body, reducing it to ashes.)

Cherine: I should be thanking you, Rosamia, for putting the talisman on me.

Cherine: (Rosamia... To me, this isn't a punishment. It's a saving grace.)

Cherine's face is streaked with tears as she smiles. But Rosamia does not let the conversation end there.

Rosamia: Cherine. I may have done what you told me to and given you that fallback, but I want you to know one thing.

Rosamia: I don't intend on letting you die. Not now, not ever.

Cherine: ...

Cherine: (How do you do it, Rosamia?)

Cherine: (How do you always remain so strong?)

Cherine: Do you trust me, Rosamia? I can't even trust myself...

Rosamia: Hm... I'd say more than anything else, I trust in (Captain) and the crew.

Rosamia: And now that you're here with us, I'm sure... there's no need to worry anymore.

Rosamia: So you'll be... fine. You'll be just fine, Cherine.

Rosamia takes Cherine's hand, awkwardly wrapping her hands around it the way Cherine always does to others.

Cherine: Rosamia...

Rosamia: Hehe. This feels stranger than I thought it would.

Rosamia: I've never grasped someone else's hand like this before.

Cherine: Aah... Aah!

Rosamia: There's just no stopping your tears, hm? There, there...

The two gently lean on one another as the stars twinkle quietly above them.

Several days later.

Vyrn: Whoa, what a feast! I thought I walked into some kinda celebration!

Rosamia: Did you make all of this by yourself, Cherine?

Scrumptious dishes are lined up in front of (Captain) and company, who were invited to the dining hall by Cherine.

Cherine: That's right. Sevas taught me a lot of delicious recipes that are sure to cheer anyone up.

Cherine: Now, dig in before it gets cold!

Cherine: And here's the next appetizer. This is a local dish from my hometown Mephorash, fresh out of the oven!

Vyrn: Another appetizer? This is the sixth one!

Cherine: Oh, but I've already taken out the main dish. See?

Vyrn: Main dishes, you mean! There's fish, meat... We've had three different ones already.

Lyria: Ooh, they're all so delicious, but even I'm getting really full.

1. I'm stuffed!
2. I could eat more...

Choose: I'm stuffed!

Cherine: Really? I'm glad you liked the food!

Go to "Continue 1"

Choose: I could eat more...

Cherine: There's still mousse, a tart, fried banana, and pudding for dessert, so eat up!

Vyrn: You're gonna give (Captain) cavities with all that...

Continue 1

Lyria: I never expected you to prepare so much for us... I almost want another stomach just to eat more!

Cherine: Hehe. Well, it'd be a problem if you had another stomach. You see, I don't really want you to be able to finish it.

Lyria: Oh, but why? You don't want any leftovers, right?

Cherine: Not exactly. To show my endless appreciation for all of you, I wanted to make more than you could ever eat.

Cherine: I was worried it wouldn't be enough. Not having enough... isn't a good experience.

Rosamia: I see... That's why you worked so hard to make this much food.

Cherine: That's right. I wanted you, (Captain), and everyone here to eat to your hearts' content.

Cherine looks tenderly over at (Captain).

Cherine: Back then, (Captain) put on the mask for me...

Cherine: That was the first time anyone's willingly chosen to bear the same burden as me.

Her crystal-studded cheeks turn red, and she smiles.

Rosamia: I was expecting you to be exhausted from making all of this for us, but you actually look much better today.

Cherine: Ah...

Cherine: (Come to think of it, I haven't had any intense impulses lately... Why is that?)

Cherine: (Ever since I started sailing on this ship, I've been able to hold back my impulses at times.)

Cherine: I quietly put my hand on my chest, turning away from the others so they won't see.

Cherine: I still don't have full control over my impulses, of course. Sometimes they seize me and cause my heart to waver.

Cherine: There is still a chance that, someday, my impulses will take over me. And before I can point my spear at anyone, the talisman will burn me to death.

Cherine: Still... if I can continue to claim small victories on my own...

Cherine: Perhaps somewhere down this road...

Cherine: There will be a brighter tomorrow waiting for me.

Peering out the window of the dining hall, Cherine sees the vast blue sky unfolding before her.

The Grandcypher continues its journey through the clouds, the bow of the ship charting a course to the future.

Onward, among the endless blue.