Scenario:Jeanne d'Arc - A Maiden's Desire
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A Maiden's Desire
The fountain spirit tells the crew that she wants to enjoy some fun in the sun with them, and they agree to her seemingly harmless demand. Unable to stand seeing herself in such a depraved state any longer, Jeanne returns to the inn alone.
One day, as the crew is washing off in a spring after a mission, a second Jeanne appears before their eyes.
Learning that a fountain spirit has manifested as a reflection of her own desires, Jeanne struggles to return things to normal.
Jeanne d'Arc: Mm... Yes, that's the spot. A little slower, if you will?
Jeanne d'Arc: Hehe. Well, aren't you obedient? You're really getting into this.
Choose: But what about Jeanne?
Jeanne d'Arc: She understands the situation at hand. Hehe, it would be a waste for you not to enjoy yourself too, don't you agree?
Continue 1
The fountain spirit lies face down, the strings of her top dangling at her sides as (Captain) applies sunscreen to her back.
Jeanne d'Arc: (Curse you, fountain spirit! Why must you sully my image so?)
Jeanne d'Arc: (But she'll vanish once she is satisfied. I suppose I must endure for now...)
Jeanne d'Arc: I think my back is just about covered. Now for the front—
Jeanne d'Arc: W-wait! That is undoubtedly crossing the line!
Jeanne d'Arc: Hehe, I was merely jesting. I won't ask you to go that far.
The spirit reties her bathing suit and applies sunscreen to the remaining patches of skin.
Jeanne d'Arc: With that, the preparations are all in order. Let us move on to more naughty deeds.
Jeanne d'Arc: What exactly are you plotting? If it's something that could be considered immoral or indecent, then—
Jeanne d'Arc: I want to enjoy a bit of fun in the sun together with the crew.
Jeanne d'Arc: ...
Come again?
Come again?
Jeanne d'Arc: Swimming in the spring, walking in the woods... That sort of thing.
Vyrn: Wait, did you just want (Captain) to put sunscreen on you so you could play outside?
Jeanne d'Arc: That was the plan all along. Is that all right with you, (Captain)?
Though surprised at the seemingly harmless request, the captain nods.
Jeanne d'Arc: ...
Vyrn: That's a relief, huh, Jeanne? Sounds like a pretty tame demand.
Jeanne d'Arc: Forgive me. I believe I will return to the village and rest at the inn.
Lyria: What's wrong, Jeanne? Are you not feeling well?
Jeanne d'Arc: I simply do not think I can stand to see myself in this depraved state any longer.
Jeanne d'Arc: And if I continue to interfere, we will never succeed in satisfying the fountain spirit.
Jeanne d'Arc: (Captain)... I apologize for placing this burden on you, but please look after my alter ego.
Jeanne d'Arc: ...
Thank you.
Thank you.
Head bowed, Jeanne hurries away from the spring.
Vyrn: Think Jeanne's okay? She didn't really seem like herself...
Jeanne d'Arc: ...
The spirit watches Jeanne leave with a thoughtful expression. But it is soon replaced with an alluring smile as she turns to face the others.
Jeanne d'Arc: Now then—(Captain), Vyrn, Lyria. My idea of fun is rather extreme. But I plan to have you see it through to the end.
Vyrn: Extreme? What exactly are we gonna do?
Jeanne d'Arc: Hehe... I'll show you to a very special place. Follow me.
Licking her lips in apparent anticipation, she marches off.
(Captain) and company follow after her, wondering what awaits them at their destination.
A Maiden's Desire: Scene 2
Though satisfied after barbecuing, swimming in the river, and walking in the forest with the crew, the fountain spirit fails to disappear. She tells the crew to return to the spring the following day, and they head back to the inn.
Jeanne d'Arc: Ohh, (Captain)! It's positively glistening!
Jeanne d'Arc: Hehe, still holding out on me, are you? What a tease. You must have a wealth of experience with this sort of thing.
Jeanne d'Arc: But I don't think I can take it any longer... Hurry, give it to me! Please!
Vyrn: All right already. Here's your grilled fish.
Jeanne d'Arc: Ahh! Seasonal fish dripping with fat... and grilled to perfection.
Lyria: I was a little worried at first, but it turns out all you wanted to do was have a barbecue!
Jeanne d'Arc: Well, since people say not to play with fire, I thought it qualified as "extreme."
After catching fish on the riverbank with the fountain spirit, they proceed to grill and eat their haul.
Jeanne d'Arc: It appears the fish I skewered is ready to eat.
Jeanne d'Arc: Here, (Captain). Open your mouth for me.
Jeanne d'Arc: Say "ahh"...
Jeanne d'Arc: My, is it that delicious? Hehe, I'm delighted.
Lyria: Aw, that's not fair! I want to feed (Captain) too!
Jeanne d'Arc: Hehe, then you should listen to your heart. It's important to be honest with yourself.
(Captain) and company find themselves laughing and enjoying their time together with the fountain spirit.
Although her mannerisms are clearly different from those of the original, it still feels as if they are hanging out with their own Jeanne.
After the barbecue, they join the spirit in splashing in the river and walking through the forest until the sun begins to set.
Jeanne d'Arc: We certainly made the most of our time together, didn't we? I'm feeling very satisfied.
Vyrn: Glad to hear it. I gotta admit, we had fun too.
Lyria: But if you're satisfied, that means we'll be saying goodbye soon, right? That's a little sad...
Jeanne d'Arc: No, I'm not fading yet.
Lyria: What!
Vyrn: Hold up. I thought you were gonna go poof when you were satisfied...
Jeanne d'Arc: Those were the words of the village chief. I never confirmed nor denied such a thing.
Vyrn: Seriously? Then what're we supposed to do now?
Jeanne d'Arc: I would like you to return to this spring tomorrow at midday. If no progress is made at that time... then that will be the end of it.
Lyria: Progress? And what do you mean by "the end"? The end of what?
Jeanne d'Arc: To put it simply, she will be the one to disappear instead of me.
Vyrn: What! Are you plannin' to do somethin' to Jeanne?
Jeanne d'Arc: You three must be tired from all the excitement today. Let us continue this tomorrow.
Jeanne d'Arc: Until then.
Flashing a brazen smile, the fountain spirit dives into the spring.
Overcome with a sense of apprehension, (Captain) and company return to the village inn where Jeanne awaits.
A Maiden's Desire: Scene 3
Unable to sleep that night, Jeanne encounters the fountain spirit, who asserts that Jeanne secretly wants to kick back and relax with the crew. When Jeanne refuses on behalf of her mission, the spirit provides a hint on how to make herself disappear.
Late that night, Jeanne d'Arc finds herself unable to sleep and wanders out of the inn to gaze at the moon.
Jeanne d'Arc: This is quite the predicament I've been dragged into. Not to mention all the trouble it's caused for (Captain) and the others...
Jeanne d'Arc: Why in the skies did the fountain spirit choose me of all people?
???: Save the world.
Jeanne d'Arc: Huh?
Jeanne d'Arc: I suppose I was already chosen... long before this.
Jeanne d'Arc: I cannot afford to remain here resting on my oars.
Jeanne d'Arc: I have been entrusted with a mission. This is no time for dillydallying—
Jeanne d'Arc: I want to enjoy a bit of fun in the sun together with the crew.
Jeanne d'Arc: Swimming in the spring, walking in the woods... That sort of thing.
Jeanne d'Arc: So why... Why does that scene haunt my vision?
???: Were you envious?
Jeanne d'Arc: ...!
Why are you lurking in the shadows!
Why are you lurking in the shadows!
Hearing her own voice behind her, Jeanne reflexively spins around.
Jeanne d'Arc: The sight of me enjoying myself with (Captain) and the others made you unspeakably jealous. Isn't that why you ran away?
Jeanne d'Arc: Those are our true feelings. Escaping back to the inn won't make them go away, as I'm sure you have discovered.
Jeanne d'Arc: Stop speaking nonsense!
Jeanne d'Arc: I am Jeanne d'Arc. I must lead my people and carry out my mission. And to that end, I have abandoned the mundanity of happiness!
Jeanne d'Arc: An admirable mindset. It makes your bravado all the more painful to witness.
Jeanne stares into her own face, half illuminated in the moonlight.
Jeanne d'Arc: Why won't you disappear? Aren't you satisfied after spending all day frolicking around with (Captain) and the others?
Jeanne d'Arc: ...
Jeanne d'Arc: I am a mirror, in essence. Even a child knows how to make their reflection in a mirror smile, don't they?
Jeanne d'Arc: ...!
Jeanne d'Arc: Deep down, you know the answer. The time has come to stop living in denial.
With a gentle smile, the fountain spirit makes her way back into the forest.
Jeanne d'Arc: ...
Jeanne d'Arc: Stop living in denial...
The remaining Jeanne looks back up at the moon, losing herself in thought.
A Maiden's Desire: Scene 4
When (Captain) and company return to the spring, Jeanne asks them to join her in a bit of recreation, proclaiming that both her commitment to her mission and desire for time with the crew make up who she is. As they enjoy some fun together, Jeanne realizes how fortunate she is to have them by her side.
The following day, (Captain) and company return to the spring as the fountain spirit had instructed.
Lyria: Um, Miss Spirit... We're here, so what comes next?
Jeanne d'Arc: I'm not the one you should be asking.
Jeanne d'Arc: Isn't that right, Jeanne?
Jeanne d'Arc: ...
Vyrn: Jeanne? What're you doin' here?
Jeanne d'Arc: (Captain), Master Vyrn, Lyria. I have something to confess, so please hear me out.
Jeanne takes a deep breath and turns to look at (Captain) and company, her eyes filled with resolve.
Jeanne d'Arc: I want to... have fun with all of you!
Lyria: Huh?
Jeanne d'Arc: The only way to make your mirror's reflection smile is to smile yourself.
Jeanne d'Arc: In other words, if I am not satisfied, the spirit won't be either.
Jeanne d'Arc: I have to face myself. Not the war maiden persona that I have been tasked to take on, but who I am at the core.
Vyrn: Jeanne...
Jeanne d'Arc: The fountain spirit has been projecting the true feelings that I keep suppressed.
Jeanne d'Arc: I've always wanted to let my hair down and enjoy some leisure time with you all. But I thought doing so would be "naughty" behavior.
Jeanne d'Arc: I believed that fulfilling my mission and being true to my feelings were incompatible.
Jeanne d'Arc: So... will you forsake the world and choose instead to live happily ever after as an ordinary girl?
Jeanne d'Arc: No, I won't.
Jeanne d'Arc: You and I both make up who I am. That is my answer.
Jeanne d'Arc: ...
Jeanne d'Arc: It is impossible for one of us to exist without the other. In the end, we are both Jeanne d'Arc.
Jeanne d'Arc: So (Captain)... please join me in a bit of fun-filled recreation today!
Her expression determined, Jeanne bows deeply to (Captain) and company.
The others exchange glances, unable to keep from smiling at her earnestness.
Vyrn: Thanks for finally tellin' us how you really feel, Jeanne.
Vyrn: Even though invitin' friends to hang out is no big deal, I know it must've taken a bunch of courage for you.
Lyria: I feel the same way! I want to have fun with you too, Jeanne!
Lyria: I know you have a really hard mission, but that's all the more reason to let loose now and then. Otherwise it'll all be too much.
Jeanne d'Arc: ...!
Jeanne d'Arc: Thank you, everyone.
Jeanne d'Arc: Then it's decided. The five of us will spend today enjoying ourselves to the fullest.
Vyrn: Wait, five? Did you just invite yourself along?
Jeanne d'Arc: I don't mind. After all, it isn't every day you have the opportunity to spend time with your own doppelganger.
Jeanne d'Arc: Hehe, thank you. I look forward to having a bit more fun before I disappear.
Thus, (Captain) and company enjoy fishing and barbecuing with the two Jeannes.
Jeanne d'Arc: Oh, I caught one! I believe this is what you call a "lunker"?
Jeanne d'Arc: But the one I caught is far more lustrous and beautiful.
Lyria: They both look delicious! Let's all eat them together!
Jeanne d'Arc: That sounds wonderful.
Jeanne breaks into a bright smile as she enjoys her time without a care in the world.
As the sun begins to set, the fountain spirit tells the crew that it's time for her to say farewell, and they return to the spring.
Jeanne d'Arc: With your assistance, I have come to see myself in a new light. I owe it all to you.
Jeanne d'Arc: Never forget the fact that you're just an ordinary girl named Jeanne d'Arc at heart.
Jeanne d'Arc: Otherwise you may very well lose sight of yourself, end up being manipulated, fail to fulfill your mission... and disappear.
Vyrn: I get it now. So when you said she was gonna be the one to disappear, you were really just worried about her.
The fountain spirit smiles and begins to glow with a white light.
Jeanne d'Arc: Please watch over me. I will prove to you that I can do what I must, as well as what I desire.
Jeanne d'Arc: Hehe. I look forward to it.
Jeanne d'Arc: ...!
As the light fades, the fountain spirit is nowhere to be seen. Only the sound of trickling water remains.
After reporting back to the chief, (Captain) and company depart from the village and head for their next destination.
Vyrn: Things were a little touch and go there for a while, but at the end of the day it was a blast!
Lyria: Yeah! We got to have so much fun with Jeanne!
Jeanne d'Arc: I must extend my heartfelt gratitude to you all for accepting my invitation.
Jeanne d'Arc: (According to the village chief, the fountain spirit brings good fortune...)
Jeanne d'Arc: (But in my case, it simply made me realize how fortunate I already am to have (Captain) and the crew by my side.)
Vyrn: By the way, that fountain spirit was doin' things you secretly wanted to do, right?
Jeanne d'Arc: Yes, as embarrassing as it is to admit...
Vyrn: Then does that mean you'd been wantin' (Captain) to put sunscreen on you this whole time?
Jeanne d'Arc: Huh?
Lyria: Oh yeah! I was wondering about that too!
Jeanne d'Arc: Er, well... You see...
Jeanne d'Arc: Master Vyrn, Lyria, please spare me!
With her cheeks burning brightly, Jeanne appears as no more than an ordinary girl.
She vows to continue fighting for the sake of her mission, while striving to accept herself for who she is.