Scenario:Europa - A Present to Give

A Present to Give

Hoping to participate in holiday traditions, Europa tries to think up a gift for (Captain). She goes to Vyrn and Lyria for advice and is told to gift what she wants to. Later, Gabriel also gives her own bit of advice, which helps Europa figure out the perfect gift. Europa creates herself a holiday outfit, then spends the next few nights in the mountains working on her present.

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On a day like any other, (Captain) and company walk through the Grandcypher.

Along the way, they spot a familiar figure lost in thought.

Europa: ...

Lyria: Oh, it's Europa.

Vyrn: Hey there! You doin' all right?

Europa: Ah... Hello, everyone. I'm perfectly fine. I was simply contemplating the slight change in atmosphere on the ship...

Lyria: What do you mean?

Europa: Crew members have been restlessly moving here and there, muttering about "presents" for reasons unknown to me.

Vyrn: Heheh, is that all? It's just the season for it!

Lyria: Yeah, the holy night's almost here!

Europa: The holy night? I see... I'd completely forgotten about it.

Vyrn: Everyone's talkin' about presents because they're figuring out what they want to gift to people!

Europa: So these presents are gifts for others...

Europa: But who are they giving presents to?

Lyria: Well... That depends on the person.

Vyrn: Yeah, normally you just gift to whoever you want to.

Europa: Interesting. Thank you for answering my questions.

Europa smiles and nods, seemingly enlightened. When no more questions come their way, (Captain) and friends bid her farewell.

Just as the trio turns away, Europa gently grabs Vyrn and Lyria by their shoulders.

Vyrn: Whoa!

Lyria: Oh! D-did you still need something?

Europa: (Captain), please excuse us. There's something I'd like to speak with Vyrn and Lyria about.

Acquiescing to Europa's request, (Captain) nods and departs.

Vyrn: So uh... What is it?

Europa: I'm sincerely sorry for surprising you in such a manner. I wished to ask for your advice.

Europa: What would make a fitting present?

Vyrn: What a question...

Lyria: I think as long as you choose something heartfelt, anyone would be happy to receive it!

Vyrn: Think I'd hafta agree there. Most important thing is the thought behind the gift, not the gift itself.

Europa: Is that so...

Europa: (I suppose I would be overjoyed to receive any manner of gift from Gabriel or (Captain).)

Europa: (But would the opposite be true? Would any gift from me bring joy, regardless of its contents?)

Europa: (I'd like to learn more about these gift-giving customs, as they are part of mortal holy night tradition.)

Europa: (Or rather... I simply wish to give (Captain) a present.)

Vyrn: U-uh... Earth to Europa?

Europa: (I also wish to do something in return for the beautiful flowers that the captain gave me before.)

Europa thinks of the bouquet that (Captain) gifted to her when they visited Auguste. She treasures it dearly even now, having preserved it in ice.

Lyria: Um... Europa?

Europa: (However, is someone such as myself capable of selecting a heartfelt present?)

Europa: (If it's to be heartfelt, it should be from the heart... But how would I manifest something from there?)

Vyrn: Hey!

Europa: Vyrn? Is something the matter?

Vyrn: That's what I wanna ask. You've been spacing out on us, y'know.

Europa: My apologies. I started pondering the nature of one's heart.

Vyrn: The heck... Do I even wanna know why?

Lyria: Haha... Europa, you sure have changed since you first joined our crew.

Vyrn: Heh, guess that's true. You were a lot harder to approach back then.

Vyrn: Now you're pretty loosened up enough to be seen as one of us.

Europa: Do you truly think so?

Lyria: I do. It's like you've relaxed since then.

Europa: I never would have expected you to say as much...

Europa: Given how many times I've caused trouble due to my lack of knowledge on common mortal customs. Even now I take care to watch my behavior.

Europa: Perhaps you are overestimating my abilities...

Vyrn: You haven't caused any fuss lately, right? Sounds to me like you're getting the hang of it.

Lyria: Yes, you don't need to be so cautious. Like for the present—just do whatever you feel like doing.

Europa: Whatever I feel like doing... Thank you for the advice. If you'll excuse me...

Europa: Pardon me, (Captain). Could I have a moment of your time?

Europa: With the holy night approaching, I wished to ask you a question...

As Europa prepares to voice the question, she hesitates.

Europa: (I was told to do whatever I feel like doing, which is why I came to ask (Captain) what might be best...)

Europa: (But now that I'm here, I feel as if the gift should be kept a secret from the receiver...)

Noticing (Captain)'s puzzled expression, Europa quickly changes the subject.

Europa: Would you join me for tea? I'd like to spend some time conversing with you.

Europa: Rest assured, I know proper tea party decorum, as I've had much practice with Gabriel.

Europa: Hehehe...

Europa gives the captain her best smile, and the two proceed to enjoy the impromptu tea together.

Vyrn: Like we said, you just gotta gift something heartfelt.

Europa: I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I don't quite understand what that means.

Lyria: Well... I think you might be overthinking it.

Vyrn: Yeah, there's no need to be so serious about it.

Europa: But I am serious about it.

Vyrn: Er, right...

Lyria: Something heartfelt is like... Um...

Vyrn: Gifting something you wanna give, I guess?

Lyria: Right! As simple as that, probably!

Europa: Are you certain? That sounds like a fairly self-centered method.

Lyria: I don't think so... Whatever you want to give is something that you like yourself, right?

Lyria: So in a way, it's like saying, "I hope we can enjoy the same thing together!"

Vyrn: Let's put it this way—better to share something you like than something you dislike, yeah?

Europa: I believe I'm beginning to see... Your insight on the matter has proven to be extremely valuable. Thank you both!

In a quiet corner of the Grandcypher, Europa contemplates the advice she was given.

Europa: I should gift something I like... But what would that consist of?

Europa: I fear I may be hopeless in such matters...

Gabriel: What are you doing?

Europa: Oh... Good evening, Gabriel. It's very nice to see you.

Gabriel: It's been a while since I've seen you so lost in thought. Worried about mortal customs again, are we?

Gabriel: Come here, my dear.

Europa: Yes, Gabriel...

Gabriel wraps Europa in a comforting embrace, patting her gently on the head.

She listens as her disciple describes her struggle with finding a present for (Captain).

Gabriel: A present for the Singularity? I suppose the holy night is coming up, isn't it...

Europa: When I heard it was a skydweller custom, I wished to participate.

Europa: I thought I knew what to do after receiving advice to gift what I wanted to give...

Gabriel: But you haven't figured out what that is yet. Why don't I give you a little hint?

Europa: A... hint?

Gabriel: Follow your instincts, and act on your desires. They'll naturally lead you to what you're searching for.

Europa: I need to act on my desires...

Gabriel: Yes—picture what you wish to do with the Singularity.

Europa: What I wish to do with (Captain)...

Europa's gaze drifts away, before snapping back in realization.

Europa: I believe I know what to do!

Gabriel: Very good. You have an idea for a present then?

Europa: Yes, I plan to—

Gabriel: Shh...

Gabriel places a finger on Europa's lips and shakes her head.

Gabriel: You'll have to figure out the rest on your own. Presents are usually meant to be kept secret.

Gabriel: But you can tell me about it later, once you've given it. I'll be waiting.

Europa: Very well. I understand.

Gabriel: I hope this serves as a good opportunity for you to deepen your relationship with the Singularity.

Europa: I hope so as well.

Gabriel: Hehe... Good luck.

Having finished what she came to do, Gabriel bids Europa farewell and leaves the Grandcypher.

Europa: I should also depart...

Europa arrives at the peak of a mountain buried in snow and completely devoid of any settlements.

Europa: This place is perfect. I'll choose here as my location.

Europa: Since the holy night is a special holiday, I should fashion myself garments to suit the occasion.

She traces her body with her hands, clothes shifting like flowing water into new material.

Europa: Hehehe... Perhaps I'm getting ahead of myself, but I couldn't resist the urge to partake in the "holiday spirit."

Europa: Now to focus on why I'm here...

The ground rumbles as Europa gathers her power, before all the nearby snow sprays into the air.

For the next five nights, she works in secret at this location.