Scenario:Chichiri - A Toughy-Woughy Duty

A Toughy-Woughy Duty

While giving the crew massages, Chichiri goes into detail about the Cardinal Saints and the role of the yupei, the item Zhuque dropped earlier. She takes the yupei from (Captain) and attempts to perform a wake, but things go awry and she quickly gives it back. (Captain) and the crew are left puzzled as Chichiri leaves to provide her services to the townsfolk.

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Vyrn: Yowie-yowie-yowie-yow!

Lyria: Nggh... Ahh... Grrgh...

Upon arriving at Chichiri's abode, she unleashes her special surprise on the crew in the form of acupressure massages.

While Vyrn's and Lyria's yelps of pain bounce off the room's walls, (Captain) somehow manages to suppress the urge to scream.

Chichiri: Ahaha. You guys are aching all over, I bet? Ah, and I know just the trouble spot.

Chichiri: Cootchie-coo. The soles of the feet are especially susceptible to achy-breakies.

Vyrn: Gaah! Is it supposed to hurt this much? I'm gonna lose my voice from all this screaming...

Chichiri: You don't have to hold it in. Shout! Shout! Let it all out!

Lyria: But does it have to be so p-p-painful? I can't move my body anymore!

Chichiri: That's because I hit your pressure points. They're sort of like gates that affect the internal flow of a living organism.

Chichiri: These are the points I aim for in combat to immobilize my opponent, and then I go in for the kill!

Chichiri: Of course, the purpose of this massage is for life, not death. So relax. No one's leaving until I'm done, okay?

Vyrn: Urgh... Gah... Yeah, right. This is revenge for stealin' your kill, plain and simple...

Lyria: A-actually... My body's starting to feel comfy all over...

Chichiri: Yep, that's me drawing out the stiffness. Hm... I still haven't heard a peep out of (Captain) though...

Chichiri: But that's cool! I admire a guru who has a high tolerance for pain!

Vyrn: Still, there's only one of you and three of us. I'm impressed you can give three massages at the same time—

Vyrn: Uh... And there are three of you... how?

Chichiri: Willpower!

Vyrn: Sure, why not...

Vyrn is too busy squirming in pain to think straight.

On the other hand, (Captain) and Lyria lie in refreshing comfort. They try to think of what they should ask Chichiri.

Lyria: I'm getting sleepy... Can you tell us more about the Cardinal Saints and the yupei before I doze off?

Chichiri: Hm... The Cardinal Saints are skydwellers deemed worthy by the cardinal beasts, you could say? The proof is in the budding crystal formations on our bodies.

Chichiri: The crystals start growing on the Saints from the time we're born.

Vyrn: A-almost sounds supernatural... By cardinal beasts you mean the Zhuque bunch?

Chichiri: Yep. Zhuque, Qinglong, Baihu, and Xuanwu. We call 'em the cardinal beasts.

Chichiri: Those four always regenerate, and the more they do, the stronger they get.

Chichiri: Eventually they take on the form of natural disasters. Just look at what Zhuque's done so far.

Lyria: But defeating them only makes them come back stronger than before.

Vyrn: So what's the answer? 'Cause it kinda sounds like a lose-lose situation.

Chichiri: Enter the Cardinal Saints!

Vyrn: Aha! Let me guess—you guys have the power to stop their resurrection?

Chichiri: As if!

Vyrn: Well, then don't frame it that way! You made it sound like you could!

Chichiri: Mwahaha. Kudos for having the right idea. While I can't stop Zhuque's revival, I can alleviate its power.

Chichiri: Which doesn't solve the crux of the issue, but... Hey, it's better than nothing, yeah?

Vyrn: So once those beasties build up too much power, the Saints defeat 'em to reset that power, sorta like venting pent-up steam?

Chichiri: Bingo. By the way, there are three other Saints aside from myself.

Chichiri: And I just love 'em to bits! Buncha quirky toughy-woughies in their own right!

Vyrn: Even more than you?

Chichiri: Take this!

Vyrn: Yaaaargh!

Chichiri: Aw, the shrimpy-wimpy guru can't handle a little tough love. That's adorable.

Chichiri: Anyway, back to the topic of the Cardinal Saints, it's our duty to pacify the cardinal beasts!

Chichiri: Our lineages date back to over 1,000 years ago.

Lyria: Have the Saints really been around for that long? How come I've never heard of them until now?

Chichiri: Hnnngh, that struck a nerve, and you have no idea how much it hurts.

Vyrn: Yeowch! Speak for yourself!

Chichiri: Then again, I suppose it's only natural you haven't heard about us.

Chichiri: It's been centuries since the Cardinal Saints have fulfilled their duties, myself included.

Lyria: How come?

Chichiri: Oh, lots of reasons really. We kind of just...

Chichiri: Say, remember that trinket you picked up? The yupei? To complete our duty of pacifying a beast, we perform a wake on the appropriate yupei.

Vyrn: Sounds like we nabbed ourselves an important treasure, huh?

Chichiri: Depends. I was certain that only the Saints could ever get 'em. I'm not sure what to make of this...

Chichiri: Since (Captain) was able to obtain one though, that's gotta be an incredible feat.

Chichiri: Zhuque must think (Captain)'s an awesome possum instead of me. Way to go, you!

Lyria: So based on what you just said, now that we have this yupei, you'll be able to relieve Zhuque's power, right?

Chichiri: Yep. I can finally fulfill my duty! Talk about being lucky... Hm, or am I?

Chichiri: After what Grampy and my ancestors went through, is it okay to take this shortcut? Kinda feels like I'm cheating.

Chichiri: Nah, if my gurus are kind enough to offer it to me, I shouldn't hesitate to accept the opportunity!

Chichiri: Say your prayers, shrimpy-wimpy Zhuque!

Despite the girl's bravado, the mood is unquestionably tense.

The crystals on Chichiri's body begin to glow, and in response, the yupei emits its own splendid light.

Chichiri: Um, hello? This doesn't seem to be working...

Chichiri: Urk...

Chichiri: ...!
Take it back, (Captain)! Catch!

Chichiri's face has gone pale. She quickly tosses the yupei at the captain.

Lyria: A-are you all right? What happened with the wake?

Chichiri: Okay, that was funky. Looks like I can't perform it for some reason.

Chichiri: Would you mind hanging onto the yupei until I figure out why?

Vyrn: Sure, we can handle a bit of safekeeping, but I hope this isn't anything serious...

Chichiri: N-not at all! Say, you know what (Captain) needs right now? A nice, long nap! I still haven't finished your massage yet!

Chichiri returns to kneading the knots in (Captain)'s body. It's certainly relaxing, though the captain can't help but notice Chichiri's agitation.

Chichiri: And that's a wrap!

Lyria: Yawn... I totally fell asleep.

Vyrn: Sigh, glad that's over with... Forget about sleep—I was so tensed up, I couldn't even close my eyes...

Vyrn: Whoa! What's happened to me? I haven't been this nimble in forever!

Lyria: Gosh, me too! My arms and legs feel so light. It's like I'm in someone else's body!

But that's not all. (Captain)'s fatigue has been lifted from every muscle.

Furthermore, (Captain) feels free-flowing energy coursing within.

Chichiri: Hehe, how is it? Rejuvenated much?

Vyrn: This is fantastic! I seriously thought you were torturing me 'cause we took out Zhuque before you could.

Chichiri: Aw, you and your imagination! I never held a grudge for a second! But if you still don't believe me, I can always bow down and apologize again.

Vyrn: D-don't even think about it!

Chichiri: No? Okay then, that does it for my surprise. Next I'll—

Elderly Lady: Chichiri-dearie! Ya done with that massage session yet?

Elderly Gent: How much longer do we have to wait! My poor ticker's tickin' away here!

Chichiri: Ack! J-just a moment, everyone! I'm still taking care of the gurus...

Lyria: Hahaha, you sure are in demand, Chichiri.

Vyrn: After gettin' such a great massage, I can see why. We'll chill out here while you do your thing.

Chichiri: Oh, but... I mean...

Lyria: Is there something urgent you want to talk about?

Chichiri: Nope! D-don't worry about it! Make yourselves at home while I'm gone!

Lyria: I wonder if there's something on her mind...

Despite their concern for Chichiri, (Captain) and the others decide they'll address it later when she gets back.