Scenario:Chichiri - An Earth-Shattering Bow
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An Earth-Shattering Bow
On their way to face Zhuque, the crew happen upon a girl named Chichiri who has beat them to the scene. (Captain) interjects, slaying the bird and discovering a mysterious item left in its wake. Chichiri reveals herself to be a Cardinal Saint tasked with defeating Zhuque. She thanks the crew for their help and asks them to take her on as a disciple. Though unwilling, the crew accepts.
The air is on fire.
No, not just the air. Coiling, bewitching flames skip across the ground, devouring any plant or creature unlucky enough to be caught.
And in the midst of this hellish conflagration, there strolls a young girl.
Haughty Girl: Well, here we are again. Except this time I'm gonna make it happen.
Haughty Girl: Grampy's final wish, along with my duty, are on the line. So with that said...
The young girl pierces the calamitous inferno with an arrogant scowl.
Zhuque: ...
Haughty Girl: Hand over your life.
Vyrn: Ick... Can't stand this heat. Feels like I'm melting...
(Captain) and company have accepted a request to slay Zhuque, a fiery entity steeped in mystery, before its heat and flames cause any more damage.
The mercury jumps as the crew approaches the wandering island known as Southern Solitary. Soon they're smothered in a sweltering blanket of aridity.
Vyrn: Was Zhuque always this much of a pain in the butt? It never seemed to wreck things up so badly before.
Vyrn: And how's it keep comin' back from the dead anyway? We musta brought it down a bajillion times already!
Every visit by (Captain) to Southern Solitary had resulted in Zhuque's defeat.
Yet without fail, the bird's vitality eventually reignites, and the sight of its burning island signals its menacing return.
Lyria: Have you noticed it too, (Captain)? No matter how many times we defeat Zhuque, all we're doing is taking away its physical body.
Lyria: And then the next time we see it, it's even stronger than before.
Vyrn: There's so much we don't know about it. Oh well, a job's a job, ya know?
(Captain) pauses to consider Vyrn's words, recalling the moment the crew took the request.
Client: Many places have been set alight ever since Zhuque and its island showed up. Cities, towns, forests, lake shores—you name it.
Client: Thanks again for agreeing to slay that creature.
Client: Oh, before heading out to that wandering island, there's one thing you ought to know.
Client: Rumor has it that someone has already been engaging Zhuque in battle since yesterday. Take that as you will.
Lyria: If someone's already fighting Zhuque, do you think that person is doing okay?
Vyrn: Hm... We'd better pick up the pace.
Zhuque: ...
Vyrn: Wait, is that Zhuque? I don't remember it bein' that powerful.
Lyria: Look, (Captain)! There's someone standing in front of Zhuque! Could that be the person the client was talking about?
Haughty Girl: ...
The hems of the unknown girl's clothing are singed, and patches of soot blot her exposed skin.
However, the stranger stands defiant with an imperious gaze trained on Zhuque.
For its part, the motionless bird challenges the gaze with one of equal intensity. It seems to regard its opponent with great caution.
Vyrn: Looks like they got a staredown goin' on. Maybe that's part of her strategy?
Vyrn: Tryin' to be intimidating or whatever? Like two prize fighters sizin' each other up, waitin' for the other to flinch.
Lyria: I don't know... I think the girl might be at a disadvantage...
Vyrn: Yeah, that bird ain't backin' down. Let's jump in!
In a flash, (Captain) gets between the two combatants and delivers a fatal slash to Zhuque.
Zhuque: ...!
Vyrn: Huh? Birdo flamed out faster than a candle in a tornado. Coulda sworn it looked tougher than that.
Lyria: It might just be my imagination, but Zhuque's power seemed to weaken as soon as it noticed (Captain)...
Vyrn: Hey, check this out. It dropped something.
Lyria: I wonder what it is? There's a tiny bit of Zhuque's power emanating from it...
Lyria: Oops! Th-that's not important right now! We have to go check on—
Haughty Girl: Wheee! Bye-bye, pain! I feel like a million rupies! Pow, pow!
Lyria: Eep! Y-you gave me a start!
Haughty Girl: Did you guys smack down my Zhuque? Did'ja, did'ja? Hm? Hmmm?
Vyrn: Should we not have? Don't tell me you're mad at us for stealin' your thunder?
Lyria: Gosh, we weren't hunting for glory or anything! We only wanted to help!
Haughty Girl: Pleeease!
Vyrn: What the!
Haughty Girl: Please accept my deepest, dearest apologies! I never expected complete strangers to step in for me! You guys rock!
The girl drops to her hands and knees. Her forehead kisses the ground, thus completing a graceful pose of deference.
Vyrn: Uh... Why are you bowin' to us?
Haughty Girl: Because I'm ashamed! I'm more spineless than a worm!
Hnnngh!
Hnnngh!
Haughty Girl: I don't know what to say to express my gratitude. Just thank you! Thank yooou!
Lyria: I-it's okay! Please get up!
Haughty Girl: No! No excuses for me being full of myself! I owe you guys big time!
Haughty Girl: The truthful truth is, it's my duty as a Cardinal Saint to face Zhuque.
Haughty Girl: Then you guys came along and mopped up for me! Heck, you even got your hands on the yupei.
Vyrn: Er... You mean the thingy (Captain)'s holding?
Haughty Girl: Exactly! Not that I can see it...
Vyrn: Of course you can't see it. Your head's practically buried halfway into the ground from bowing.
Haughty Girl: Normally only we Cardinal Saints can obtain those. At least that's what I thought until you non-Saints got your hands on one.
Haughty Girl: Which proves Zhuque respects you. Impressive! I'm in the presence of truly powerful people! Thank you! Thank you!
Vyrn: Slow down there. Cardinal Saints? Yupei? I have no idea what you're talkin' about.
Haughty Girl: Thank you! Thank you! I will not be lifting my head!
The girl slams her head down with each shout of appreciation, shaking the island with such ferocity that cracks in the ground start to form.
Vyrn: Yikes! C'mon, cut it out with the headbanging already!
Haughty Girl: Nothing's gonna stop my display of contrition! I won't be happy until I've given back to my saviors!
Haughty Girl: Take all my thanks! And take me under your wing as a disciple while you're at it!
Haughty Girl: Sound good?
Haughty Girl: That's right! Accept me as your disciple, O mighty gurus! I'm begging you!
Lyria: A disciple? Well, why don't you get up first and then we can talk about it...
Haughty Girl: My head stays glued to the dirt until my demand is met!
Haughty Girl: Now let me hear you say, "Yes!" Come on, say it!
As the young girl continues to bow, she scootches closer and closer toward (Captain) until her head brushes up against the captain's feet.
Vyrn: Hey! Tuggin' on our heartstrings is devious and unfair!
Choose: Your bowing form is superb.
Vyrn: Don't encourage her! She said she's gonna keep groveling till we cave in, and I think she means it!
Lyria: You've made your point loud and clear! So please lift your head...
Vyrn: Yeah, we're cool! Now stop groveling!
Continue 1
Haughty Girl: Yay! Then the deal is closed! Woohoo!
Haughty Girl: With that out of the way, let's head on over to my house, gurus! I've got a special surprise to give you!
Chichiri: The name's Chichiri, and I'm a Cardinal Saint! It's a pleasure to meet you, toughy-woughy gurus!
Lyria: Toughy-woughy?
Um, it's nice to meet you too.
Um, it's nice to meet you too.
Vyrn: What have we gotten ourselves into... And what's a Cardinal Saint? Boy, do I have a lot of questions.
Chichiri: Hold on to 'em until we get home. I'll answer whatever you want while I give you your surprise!
With introductions out of the way, the peppy Chichiri leads the crew to her residence.