Scenario:Deliford and Garma - Just Beyond Reach

Just Beyond Reach

Chivalrous knight Deliford and former bandit Garma take on a job to protect some children. Garma's rough demeanor toward their charges does nothing to dispel Deliford's prejudices against bandits. In the end, Garma reveals that his behavior was not without reason, forcing Deliford to reexamine his assessment of Garma's character. The unlikely pair grow a little closer.

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Deliford: What!
Very well. Garma and I shall undertake this task.

Garma: We will?

Several hours earlier, (Captain) tells Deliford and the rest of the crew about a job.

The job is to protect a group of wealthy children who are being chased by monsters as they evacuate to somewhere safe.

Deliford and Garma, now separated from the rest of the crew, make their way through a dense forest with the children.

Garma: This way. Hurry up.

Child 1: ...

Child 2: ...

Deliford: Garma, is there no way you could speak more gently? You're scaring them.

Garma: No. I'm here to protect the kids. No one said anything about talking nice.

The two skyfarers can't seem to stop bickering as they carry out their escort mission.

Deliford: (What could have possessed (Captain) to allow such an uncouth person into the crew?)

The serious and chivalrous Deliford does not think highly of the former bandit, Garma.

Deliford: (How many bandits did I encounter during my time in the army? And not a decent man among them...)

"Children depend on adults, so it is the duty of adults to be dependable."

Deliford, who believes wholeheartedly in this creed, finds it difficult to trust Garma.

Deliford: (But I suppose if (Captain) trusts him, then I should give him the benefit of the doubt...)

A child trips in the mud and falls over.

Child 1: Ugh, I don't wanna walk anymore!

Garma: Stop being such a crybaby. Get up—we need to keep moving.

Garma carries on in his irascible way.

Child 2: What! How dare you! I've had quite enough of your insolence! You've been paid to do a job, now do it!

Garma: We've been paid to protect you, so we are. Coddling costs extra.

Deliford: Inconceivable... To talk in such a way to such small children...

Deliford gently helps the child to his feet.

Child 1: Th-thanks...

Deliford: Not necessary. After all, if children are to depend on adults, it is the duty of adults to be dependable.

Deliford: Now, let us venture forth! I shall take responsibility for your safety from here on!

Garma: ...

As soon as Deliford leads the children out of sight of Garma, something leaps out from the bushes.

Monster: Graaaarrr!

In the blink of an eye, Garma dashes over and shields the children.

Garma: Ugh!

Deliford: Huh? Garma!

Garma: Rgh! Don't fuss over me! Get that monster!

Deliford: Haaaahh!

Garma and Deliford successfully fend off the monster.

Deliford: Apologies... If I hadn't gone off with the children, this never would have happened...

Deliford: I'm sorry, Garma... In the end, it was you who saved the children.

Garma: I said I was here to do a job, didn't I?

Deliford: Heh. I was wrong about you, Garma.

Deliford turns to face the weakened monster and is about to put it out of its misery.

Garma: Deliford, wait.

Garma stops Deliford, then pushes the children toward the monster.

Child 1: Eek!

Child 2: Agh! What are you doing?

Monster: Grrrr!

Deliford: What! What is the meaning of this?

Garma: Come on, now. Hand it over.

The children open their bag and pull something out.

It is a monster egg. The monster retrieves the egg and runs away.

Deliford: So that is why the monster has been pursuing these children.

Child 1: Sob... Sniff... W-we're sorry...

Child 2: Waaaah! We won't do it again, we promise! Just don't tell our parents!

Garma: I will tell them. Brats need to be taught a lesson while they're young.

Garma may be harsh, but he did ferret out the real reason why the children were being harassed by the monster.

As they head back to make their report to the client, Deliford asks Garma a question.

Deliford: How did you know that the children had stolen that egg?

Garma: Heh, it was obvious. You can tell by looking in someone's eyes if they're hiding something.

Deliford looks at him admiringly.

Deliford: Impressive... You were keeping a closer eye on the children than I was the entire time.

Deliford is embarrassed by the fact that he let his preoccupation with Garma get in the way of his duty to protect the children.

Deliford: It seems there is still a lot I need to learn...

Deliford has gained a newfound respect for Garma.

Several days later, Deliford spots Garma on the deck of the Grandcypher.

Deliford: Well, well! If it isn't Garma! So this is where you've been hiding!

Garma: What's up? Another job?

Deliford: No, no new job...

Garma: Then what? I can't think of any other reason you'd come and talk to me.

Deliford: Heh. Do I need a special reason to talk to a fellow crewmate?

Garma: Tch... I sense an incoming pain in the horns...

Deliford: Hahahaha! Don't be difficult. A little small talk won't kill you!

Ignoring Garma's unwelcoming demeanor, Deliford makes himself right at home.

From then on, Garma can often be seen on deck, suffering through Deliford's obliviously merry conversation.