Scenario:Helnar - Helnar Gets His Groove Back

Helnar Gets His Groove Back

The young dancer tells him that his father was unable to express his true intentions properly and that he regrets his harsh words toward Helnar. After much introspection, Helnar reconciles with the dancer after making a public apology.

---

News of the legendary blademaster's death travels quickly, but in one remote mountaintop village, Helnar is left in the dark.

Tourist: Hm, you kinda look like the Erune blademaster that died last month. Are you a local?

Helnar: Wait, what did you say?

Helnar hurries back to his hometown and finds it exactly as he'd left it.

The village is calm and quiet with no signs of his father's departure, save for one spotless gravestone in the cemetery.

Helnar: ...

Dancer: Well, well. Look who's back.

Helnar: You...

Dancer: It's been exactly one month since Mr. Heuster passed away.

Helnar: ...

Dancer: It's all right. I won't ask you where you've been or what you've been doing.

Dancer: Moving on, let me tell you Mr. Heuster's last words.

Dancer: After all, it could be a while before I see you again.

Helnar simply stares at the gravestone in dumbfounded silence.

Dancer: Mr. Heuster thought the world of his son.

Dancer: Anyone could achieve what Mr. Heuster did through hard work, but you possess an even greater talent to go beyond that. He personally feared he was a limitation.

Dancer: He didn't want you to chase after him, but to come out from his shadow and follow your own convictions.

Helnar: W-what are you saying?

Dancer: I told you already. I'm only relaying what Mr. Heuster said to me.

Dancer: Sigh. Whether you choose to believe it or not is up to you. Anyway, there's more.

Dancer: It was only natural for you to perceive his comments as scorn.

Dancer: The truth is, he knew he wasn't good at expressing his thoughts. I watched him say all this with a pained look on his face.

Helnar: When did he—

Dancer: Just before you went missing. He thought he'd spoken too harshly to you.

Dancer: He wanted me to know how his bluntness probably crushed your hopes and dreams.

Helnar: ...

Dancer: Your father also seemed to know about our practice sessions.

Dancer: He said to me, I've never seen him swinging his sword so enthusiastically before. Do you know why? It's because he likes magic more than the sword.

Dancer: It was as if he'd been watching us.

Helnar: !

Dancer: After you disappeared, Mr. Heuster was overcome with regret.

Dancer: I told him it wasn't his fault—that you wouldn't get so bent out of shape over a simple argument.

Helnar: Gayne...

Dancer: Well, I guess I was wrong about that.

Helnar: ...

Dancer: You're the son of a legendary blademaster, but what do you have to say for yourself?

Dancer: Well, that no longer concerns me.

Dancer: That's all I have to say to you. Good day.

Helnar lets the words sink in as he watches her leave.

He stands in front of his father's grave in helpless solitude while his heart tears at itself within his chest.

Helnar: Haha... Give me a break...

Helnar: ...

Helnar: It doesn't matter where you go; you're as strict as ever. Isn't that right, Father?

A few days later...

A solo dancer enters the spotlight at a local fighting tournament.

Steely Fighter: Oo-hoo-hoo. My opponent is this cutie? How about we ditch the fight and go have some fun?

Dancer: What are you looking at! That's absolutely vulgar! Show some respect to your opponent before a fight!

???: Is there any man alive who isn't bewitched by your beauty?

Dancer: You!

Sensing the woman's impending danger before a formidable opponent, another figure emerges from the shadows.

Helnar: My lovely Gayne. Are you unharmed?

Dancer: What are you doing here? You pop out of nowhere and start spouting this nonsense?

Helnar: If meeting you was fate, then sword dancing with you must also be fate.

Helnar: With your exquisite footwork and my consummate swordplay...

Helnar: Let me be the yin to your yang.

Helnar: What do you say, Gayne? Shall we dance together, side by side?

Dancer: Huh? Don't go deciding things on your own!

Helnar: Sorry, Gayne. It's just that I want to follow this path in life—with you.

Dancer: Sniff... Just don't fall behind, okay?

Helnar Gets His Groove Back: Scene 2

Vyrn listens intently as Helnar finishes his tale of how the deep bond between him and his dancing partner came to be. Feeling energized by the story, Vyrn can't wait to return to the Grandcypher to see (Captain).

---

The dancing duo's coordinated movements elicit thunderous applause from the crowd, and they make a vow to travel the world together.

Vyrn: Wow. To think you had such a past...

Helnar: The me who desperately tried to be like Father ceased to exist that day. I became free to live my own life.

Helnar: Yeah. She saved me from myself. She's not just my partner—she's my guardian angel.

Vyrn: It's a good thing you met her! Makes me want to go see (Captain) now!

Helnar: Hahaha. You said it. We've been talking for quite a while. We should head back soon.

Vyrn: Yeah! It's gotten dark outside, so watch out for monsters!

Helnar Gets His Groove Back: Scene 3

Back at the airship, Helnar's dancing partner, Gayne, surprises him by showing up unexpectedly and suggests that they separate for good after misinterpreting Helnar's reason for joining the fighting competition. He makes a heartfelt plea to let him dance with her once more, which she accepts, but their road ahead continues to be long and complicated.

---

Lyria: Vyrn! Helnar! You two finally made it back. I've been waiting for you!

Vyrn: Hey, Lyria! Were you waiting for us so we could all eat dinner together?

Lyria: Um, no, it's not that...

???: Oh, you're finally back, huh? Seriously, how long were you going to make me wait? You haven't changed a bit!

Helnar: Gasp... Gayne?

Vyrn: Say what! That girl with frills is the dancer you've been looking for?

Lyria: She came here in the afternoon asking for you, Helnar. She's been like this the whole time!

Gayne: Is this your answer?

Helnar: What are you talking about?

Gayne: Humph. The Phantom Fencer. Thanks for showing me you that haven't lost your touch.

Gayne: You know the significance of this day. If that's your answer, then I have nothing more to say to you.

Gayne: It's time to decide. Can I assume we'll be going our own separate ways?

Helnar: Gayne. Hear me out.

Gayne: Humph. Why should I listen to you?

Helnar: Sigh. I'm not a swordsman. I'm your one and only partner, Helnar. Did you forget that?

Gayne: Stop it. I'm fed up with being your partner!

Helnar: Please don't say that, Gayne. I've never once forgotten the vow we made when we left town together.

Helnar: Even my father confided in you.

Helnar: Won't you give me another chance to be your partner?

Gayne: How many times have I done that, only for you to turn your back on me?

Gayne: You made a vow to only yourself.

Helnar: Yeah, I know. I... The path I selfishly chose was for my own sake.

Helnar: But I've realized that I'll never be able to achieve my dreams without you.

Helnar: My feelings have never changed since the day your dancing captivated me. Gayne... I'm sorry.

Helnar: Please, I'm begging you. Won't you let me be your partner again?

Gayne: Helnar...

Gayne's normally snappy comebacks fall silent at Helnar's sincere plea.

She meets his piercing gaze and catches a glimpse of his firm resolve.

After some time passes...

Gayne: If you've truly reflected on your heart, then I accept your apology.

Gayne: The fact that you're still the best partner I've ever had hasn't changed.

Helnar: Thank you, Gayne. Our performances will definitely make them shout our names throughout the skydoms!

The two hold each other's hands and vow to start anew.

Vyrn: Phew, so are we finally back to normal?

Lyria: I'm so glad those two made up!

Old Woman: Ah, seems like you've got your father's way with words as well.

Lyria: Wah! Who are you?

Vyrn: Hey, you're that granny from the bar! What are you doing here?

Old Woman: How is everyone? I was just worried about this young man, is all.

Helnar: Forgive me, but have we met before?

Old Woman: Mmm. The more I look at ya, the more ya resemble him. Those eyes, those ears, and those mannerisms... Reminds me of young Heuster.

Lyria: Who is she talking about, Vyrn?

Vyrn: Oh, that's Helnar's dad. He was a famous Erune blademaster.

Helnar: You mentioned something about my father earlier as well. Did you know him?

Old Woman: Oh my, my, my... Why, he was the star of my generation.

Old Woman: All the girls were in love with him.

Old Woman: I met him as the president of the Heuster Fan Club.

Helnar: What?

Old Woman: Coincidentally, he also fought in the competition you won earlier.

Old Woman: When he strode out into that spotlight, oh dearie me, the shrieks from the girls were deafening. You've still got a ways to go, boyo.

Old Woman: You're not ready to take center stage just yet. Keep growing, young'un, and give this old hag one final show.

Helnar: Ngh...

Helnar is having a crisis.

The thought of his uptight father having a fan club, with such zealous fans at that, is too much for him to handle.

Helnar: He... He got more girls than me?

Vyrn: Well, I'm sure it's more complicated than that.

Helnar: I won't lose!

Vyrn: Ack!

Helnar: I don't care if his swordsmanship is better than mine, but I can't—no, I won't—let him beat me when it comes to the ladies!

Vyrn: Uh... What?

Lyria: Um, Helnar? Let's try to calm down, okay?

Helnar: Oops! Shoot, I just acted like an idiot in front of the girls.

Helnar: Ahem. So, uh, Lyria.

Helnar: Given a grey-haired, middle-aged chap or a Helnar in his prime...

Helnar: In the eyes of those poor fan girls, who would you say is more desirable?

Lyria: Huh? Um, um, I don't really know about that kind of stuff...

Helnar: There's no need to be shy. Just let your true feelings escape from those pretty lips of yours.

Helnar: Mwah.

Gayne: Cut that out this instant! Sheesh. After all that's happened, this doofus still hasn't learned a single thing!

Lyria: Aah! Are you okay, Helnar!

Vyrn: Oy, I don't think you've learned anything either!

Helnar has re-established the strong bonds he shares with his long-time partner, Gayne.

Or so it seems, but there are still many things that need to be ironed out.

Gayne: Now you just stay there and think about what you said!

Helnar: Ngh...

Vyrn: These two are unbelievable...

Although there are bound to be hiccups along the way, they will surely be able to reach the end of the long road ahead. Well, that's what Vyrn thinks anyway.

Helnar Gets His Groove Back.

The End.