Scenario:Cocopio - The Devoted Shield

The Devoted Shield

One day, (Captain) and company wake up to find the ship's deck cleaner than it has ever been before, all thanks to Cocopio. Their new friend explains that in addition to keeping the sovereign safe, the head of the lordguard is expected to ensure that everything is perfect, from cleaning and cooking to doing the laundry. But when Cocopio accidentally breaks a vase, flashbacks of his severe upbringing overwhelm him.

---

One early morning on the Grandcypher...

Lyria's Voice: (Captain)! Vyrn! I can't believe it!

Vyrn: Yaaawn... Lyria?

Lyria's Voice: Good morning! Something incredible happened to the deck... Can you come take a look?

Vyrn: The deck? What's goin' on?

Lyria's Voice: It's just incredible! In any case, come take a look!

Vyrn: Hm? What could it be... Guess we should go check it out, (Captain).

Vyrn: Whoa! Every corner of the deck's sparkling clean!

Lyria: When I saw this earlier, I almost thought we'd gotten a brand new deck! It's so sparkly!

Vyrn: What happened? It's not cleaning time yet, right? So who could've done this?

Cocopio: Morning. Another sunny day today!

Lyria: Cocopio! Could it be that you're the one who cleaned the deck?

Cocopio: Oh, yeah. You're letting me travel with you, after all. Making sure the place is perfectly clean is the least I can do.

Cocopio: I've finished with laundry and making breakfast too. Hope you all like it—go grab a bite at the dining hall.

Vyrn: Seriously? Wow... you're sure workin' hard.

Vyrn: But you don't hafta do all this just 'cause you're new to the crew, ya know.

Lyria: That's right. We really appreciate it, but feel free to relax and spend your time however you like.

Cocopio: Don't worry about it. Cooking, laundry, cleaning, chores... They're just everyday things to me.

Cocopio: It's the role of the lordguard to make sure everything in the sovereign's life goes as smoothly as possible.

Vyrn: Everything? You mean in addition to keepin' him safe, you're responsible for everything else in his life too?

Cocopio: Yep. If the sovereign's still young, sometimes we're in charge of his studies too.

Lyria: Even his education? So you're basically his guard, secretary, teacher, caretaker, and...

Cocopio: Exactly. As head especially, I have to make sure everything's absolutely perfect.

Cocopio: Well then, I'm off to clean the inside of the ship next.

Cocopio: See you later.

Lyria: Wow... Being head of the lordguard must be a tough job.

Vyrn: Yeah, I'm surprised. I know it's his duty and stuff, but it's impressive.

Vyrn: Which makes it all the more a mystery why that Charulu guy would wanna run away when they're takin' care of him so well.

Lyria: Right... I wonder what it was that he wasn't happy with.

Vyrn: Hrm...

Cocopio's Voice: Waaah!

Vyrn: Huh? What was that?

Lyria: That was Cocopio's voice. Let's take a look!

Cocopio: ...

Vyrn: Uh-oh. Is that a broken vase on the floor?

Lyria: Looks like it. I think it sat on that big shelf over there.

Cocopio: I'm... sorry...

Vyrn: Ahaha, what's with the serious face?

Lyria: Yeah, no big deal at all. Maybe we can ask someone else to clean the high-up places...

Cocopio: This won't do...

Vyrn: Hm? Cocopio?

Cocopio: This just won't do!

Cocopio: I need to be perfect... The perfect head of the lordguard!

Father's Voice: You're such a useless son!

Mother's Voice: At this rate, you'll never be part of the lordguard, much less the head!

Father's Voice: Now, again! Until you can do everything perfectly!

Mother's Voice: You need to become head of the guard!

Father's Voice: Cocopio!

Mother's Voice: Cocopio!

Cocopio: ...

The Devoted Shield: Scene 2

Cocopio tells the others that he comes from a distinguished family which has produced members of the lordguard for generations. As such, he was raised with high expectations for him to become the perfect head of the lordguard. To this day, he is unsure why the sovereign chose him to lead the guard, finding himself far from the lofty ideal set for him. Just then, the crew feels the ship jolt.

---

When (Captain) and the others notice Cocopio becoming increasingly pale, they take him back to his room.

Eventually, color returns to the earthdweller's face.

Vyrn: How're you feelin' now? Have ya calmed down a bit?

Cocopio: Yeah... Sorry I caused such a big fuss.

Lyria: That's okay. But what happened? You just stood there frozen...

Cocopio: ...

Cocopio: I come from a distinguished family that's known for producing members of the lordguard every generation.

Cocopio: Since I was little, I was thoroughly taught the skills needed to become part of the lordguard.

Cocopio: My parents especially wanted me to become head of it.

Cocopio: The best head of the guard in history, who can handle anything and everything perfectly.

Vyrn: Perfectly, huh? That's a lot to ask of a kid.

Cocopio: Haha... Is it? It's pretty normal in my family.

Lyria: Is that why you're so fixated on perfection?

Cocopio: Yes, that's right...

Cocopio: But... I wasn't able to reach that perfection.

Vyrn: Hm? Why do you think that?

Cocopio: If I was perfect, I would've been able to stop the sovereign from running away.

Cocopio: Or if I'd taken care of him more perfectly, maybe he wouldn't have felt the need to get away.

Lyria: But that's...

Cocopio: My results before I was selected were average at best... The other candidates did way better.

Cocopio: So why did the sovereign choose someone like me...

Charulu: Cocopio. You're going to be the head of my lordguard.

Cocopio: What? Me?

Charulu: Did you not hear me?

Cocopio: But... there are many others who perform better than myself. So why...

Charulu: Did you not hear me ask if you heard me?

Cocopio: Ah... M-my apologies!

Charulu: Be ready by tomorrow morning. Holding a ceremony for your appointment would only be a bother, so we're not having one.

Charulu: Any complaints?

Cocopio: No, my sovereign! Your wish is my command!

Cocopio: Thinking back...

Cocopio: Maybe the sovereign appointed me to be head of his lordguard because he was planning to run away from the beginning.

Cocopio: He probably knew I was incompetent, and thought it'd be easier to escape this way...

Vyrn: Hey, come on. Aren'tcha bein' too hard on yourself?

Lyria: That's right. You should have more confidence in yourself.

Cocopio: Urk... But...

Vyrn: Whoa! What happened?

Lyria: It feels like something hit our ship!

Cocopio: It couldn't be...
(Captain)! Let's go take a look from the deck!

The Devoted Shield: Scene 3

Outside, (Captain) and company find large boulders flying about due to the wild air current. Cocopio comes to the rescue by enlarging his refleform shield and breaking apart the boulders. The crew thanks Cocopio for his quick thinking, boosting the knight's self-confidence just a little.

---

When the crew reach the deck, they can't believe their eyes.

The skies had been so peaceful in the morning. But now, stormy winds whip around them as large rocks fly about.

Vyrn: This is bad... Did the air current in this area change because of the Grand Uplift?

Lyria: The shaking just now must've been one of those rocks hitting the bottom of our ship!

Lyria: At this rate, the Grandcypher's going to...

Vyrn: Watch out, Lyria! Incoming boulder!

Lyria: Huh?

Lyria: Eeek!

Cocopio: You three, get behind me!

Lyria: Th-thank you!

Vyrn: This is crazy... We just gotta leave it to Rackam to...

Vyrn: Wait! Look over there!

When Vyrn points at something, the others turn to find a giant mass of rock hurtling toward them.

Lyria: That's a huge rock! And it's heading for us really fast!

Vyrn: Dang! We won't be able to evade it fast enough!

Vyrn: I'll go let Rackam know! Lyria, tell everyone in the crew to get ready for—

Cocopio: Wait!

Cocopio: Hold on. Think you could leave this to me?

Lyria: Cocopio?

Vyrn: Are ya serious! What're you plannin' to do? Even your shield refleform won't be able to handle...

Cocopio: A refleform represents the shape of your heart.

Cocopio: And now, I'm gonna bring the power of my heart to its full potential!

Cocopio: Taaah!

Vyrn: Whoa! His refleform shield got bigger...

Lyria: It managed to smash the rock apart!

Cocopio: Huff... Huff...

Cocopio: Nice. It seems like the air current's settled down too. That's good...

Vyrn: That was amazing, Cocopio! Who said you weren't a good lordguard?

Lyria: Yeah! You were absolutely incredible!

Cocopio: Huh? Um, was I?

Vyrn: Of course! You're more impressive than you think, ya know!

Lyria: That's right! You should be proud of yourself!

Cocopio: ...

Cocopio: I see... I should take pride in protecting the sovereign... and other people too.

Cocopio: You're right! Thanks, everyone!

The Grandcypher and its crew are unharmed from the crisis, thanks to Cocopio's quick response.

With newfound confidence, the head of the lordguard continues searching for his sovereign as he sails across the blue skies.