Scenario:Jeanne d'Arc - Of Diseases and Vaccines

Of Diseases and Vaccines

Jeanne's dreams seem to be overwriting her memories. Suspecting a curse, the crew heads to an island filled with skilled mages to find a cure. On the journey there, afraid she will forget the crew, Jeanne tries not to sleep for days on end.

---

There has been a sudden change in Jeanne d'Arc.

She has developed an aversion to battle, and her speech seems unusually genteel.

Suspecting the influence of some unseen and nefarious hand, (Captain) and the others turn the Grandcypher toward an island which is home to many magical experts.

Katalina: How's Jeanne doing, (Captain)?

There is still a ways to travel—they estimate the island to be several days' journey away.

Katalina: I see. Unsurprising, given that she's been unable to sleep this entire time.

Jeanne has had to go without sleep or rest since they set out.

Vyrn: Hey, Jeanne... You hangin' in there?

Jeanne d'Arc: Master Vyrn... (Captain)...

Vira: Is my shift over already?

Vyrn: Yep. We'll hang out with Jeanne.

Vira: Jeanne, please keep your spirits up. You just have to hold out a little longer.

Vira heads out and (Captain) sits on the edge of Jeanne's bed.

Jeanne d'Arc: Forgive me... I'm making such a nuisance of myself...

Vyrn: Geez, Jeanne! We're your friends, y'know! I know you're hurting right now, but you gotta hang in there, okay?

Jeanne d'Arc: I can't... afford to sleep... I might have another one of those dreams...

Jeanne d'Arc: Memories of things that never happened... They began with my youth and have been creeping ever closer to the present.

Jeanne d'Arc: Dreams... Merely dreams... And yet they've burrowed inside me... I feel like they're transforming me into someone else!

It's unclear whether Jeanne even heard Vyrn's words. She almost seems to be speaking to herself.

Vyrn: There's gotta be something we can do for her...

(Captain) and the others have been watching over Jeanne in shifts to keep her from falling asleep.

Jeanne d'Arc: That's right... If I dream that dream again...

Jeanne d'Arc: Haha. You look splendid yourself, Father. The skyfarers will attend, won't they?

King: Yes, of course. We have to show our appreciation for them hunting down those monsters, after all.

Jeanne d'Arc: I'm so excited to meet them. They must be such gallant adventurers...

Jeanne d'Arc: Skyfarers... Skyfarers? Could those skyfarers be (Captain) and the others?

Jeanne d'Arc: If I met the crew in my dream...

Jeanne d'Arc: Would I wake still thinking all of them were strangers to me? That we had only just met?

Vyrn: Hey... It's gonna be okay, Jeanne. You gotta stop torturing yourself.

Jeanne d'Arc: But I forgot my own birthplace—my calling! If I forget all of you too...

With a ghastly expression on her pale face, Jeanne leaps out of bed and dashes to her desk. In a moment, her pen is tearing across a page of her journal.

Jeanne d'Arc: My name is Jeanne d'Arc... I was born and raised in Orleans, where I trained in the sword...

Jeanne d'Arc: I am absolutely not the princess of some fictional country! My sworn mission is to protect the weak!

Vyrn: ...

Jeanne writes out those same assertions over and over, battling fatigue as she tries to engrave those truths into her memory.

Jeanne d'Arc: I fight... for the world... to defend the helpless...

But after days of fending off sleep, Jeanne has reached her limit.

Jeanne d'Arc: My name... is Jeanne... d'Arc...

Her eyelids become heavier with each passing second. She begins to slump across the desk.

Jeanne d'Arc: ...!

Jeanne pushes herself up with a start.

She flips the pen around in her hand, point aimed toward herself. Her clenched fist trembles.

Jeanne d'Arc: ...!

Vyrn: Whoa... What're you doing with that?

Jeanne d'Arc: A good stab with this should keep drowsiness at bay.

Jeanne d'Arc: But... Argh! Why do I suddenly fear the sight of blood?

Jeanne d'Arc: Inflicting wounds... grasping a sword... I've trained to do these things all my life! Why would I turn coward now?

Jeanne d'Arc: Urgh...

Jeanne bites down hard on her lower lip, shaking with frustration.

(Captain) and Vyrn can think of no words of comfort to offer.

Of Diseases and Vaccines: Scene 2

The last of Jeanne's memories are overwritten by dreams. No one on the next island wants anything to do with Jeanne except for one man, who asks the crew to follow him. He reveals himself as undead and attacks. He appears to be responsible for Jeanne's condition.

---

Jeanne d'Arc: ...

Preparations for the banquet completed, Princess Jeanne waits nervously for the guests of honor—the valiant skyfarers—to arrive.

King: What has you so anxious, my dear? The banquet is about to begin.

Jeanne d'Arc: But what if I somehow give offense, Father?

King: Hahaha. You don't need to overthink it. Just act as you always do.

Knight: Presenting (Captain) and the Grandcypher crew, the heroes who slew the monsters!

The guests all look toward the banquet hall entrance.

At the sight of the heroic adventurers, the assembly bursts into riotous applause.

Amid their cheers, the king and princess make their way toward their guests.

Jeanne d'Arc: Brave adventurers, I am Princess Jeanne.

Jeanne d'Arc: Your strength and bravery saved countless lives. On behalf of my people, I humbly thank you.

Her words are chased by even more thunderous applause.

Katalina: My name is Katalina Aryze. I am gratified we were able to be of use to you.

Jeanne d'Arc: Pleased to meet you, Dame Katalina.

Vira: My name is Vira Lillie. You honor us with this lavish reception.

Jeanne d'Arc: It's a pleasure, Dame Vira.

Vyrn: And this is our captain, (Captain)! I'm Vyrn, and this is Lyria!

Jeanne d'Arc: Oh, what an adorable little lizard! And you can speak!

Vyrn: What! I ain't no lizard!

Jeanne d'Arc: O-oh! I'm terribly sorry, Mr. Vyrn.

The court smiles indulgently at their flustered princess.

Vyrn: I'm really not a "mister" kinda guy. Just call me by my name. That's what most of the crew does.

Jeanne d'Arc: Very well then... Vyrn!

Jeanne d'Arc: This night is full of surprises. Let me try again: Pleased to meet you, Vyrn. And you as well, Captain (Captain). Miss Lyria.

Jeanne d'Arc: Leading a crew of skyfarers at such a young age is an impressive accomplishment, Captain (Captain).

(Captain) fidgets, embarrassed in the face of Jeanne's frank admiration.

Jeanne d'Arc: I felt so helpless before you arrived. I can't even hold a sword, much less lead troops into battle...

Vyrn: Jeanne? Hey, Jeanne!

Jeanne d'Arc: Huh?

Jeanne had fallen asleep in the literal blink of an eye, in the midst of conversation with Vyrn, Lyria, and (Captain).

Vyrn: Don't tell me you were asleep just now. Are you okay?

Jeanne d'Arc: Oh... Vyrn. Haha... Airship travel is so new to me. I must be rather tired.

Vyrn: Whuh?

Jeanne d'Arc: Yawn... I'm terribly sorry to be so uncouth. Perhaps we should call it a night and continue this little get-together tomorrow?

(Captain) and the others look at one another but can't figure out what to say.

Jeanne d'Arc: Zzz...

Before they can reply, Jeanne has slipped into bed and is sound asleep.

Katalina: I see... This is troubling indeed.

Vira: She went for three days without sleep. She must have reached the breaking point.

Vyrn: She's callin' me "Vyrn" now. She always calls me "Master Vyrn."

Katalina: We're close to our destination. Let's pray we can find some remedy for what ails her there.

Jeanne d'Arc: My, what a lovely little town!

Jeanne d'Arc: I was so surprised when you asked me to accompany you on your journey, right in the middle of the banquet!

Jeanne d'Arc: But I'm glad I decided to give it a try! I'm so grateful to you for convincing Father to allow it, Miss Aryze and Miss Lillie!

All Three: ...

The crew is at a loss for a response as Jeanne exclaims over all the sights she imagines she's seeing for the first time.

At some point, she traded in her usual garb for a dress—one she claims was a present from the king.

She said she liked it so much, she had it modified to stand up to the rigors of a long journey.

The dress's existence seems to have cemented those false memories in her mind.

Jeanne d'Arc: Visiting other countries is so educational! This island is rich in magic, didn't you say? Do you have some business with a magic user?

Katalina: Yes... That's right. There's a... remedy we need.

Jeanne d'Arc: Oh dear. Is someone on the crew injured? I certainly hope they'll recover quickly.

Vyrn: Yeah... So do we.

Unable to tell Jeanne that she is that crew member, (Captain) and the others search the town for someone skilled in healing and lifting curses.

Their diligence, however, is not rewarded.

Mage 1: Hate to say it, but this case is beyond me.

Mage 2: I'm sorry you came all this way, but there's really nothing I can do for you.

As soon as they lay eyes on Jeanne, every mage says the same thing.

Vira: Isn't there anything you can tell us? We would pay handsomely just for a nudge in the right direction.

Mage 2: I can tell you for sure, whoever laid that curse is someone best left alone.

Mage 2: Any idiot who blunders in trying to treat her will wind up wishing they were dead. You lot would do better to leave that woman in your wake.

Vira's suspicions seem to be confirmed: Jeanne's condition was caused deliberately.

As door after door is closed in their faces, however, (Captain) and the others come no closer to a solution.

Vyrn: ...

Katalina: ...

Vira: ...

Their helplessness in the face of Jeanne's affliction weighs heavier with every passing hour.

Jeanne d'Arc: Er... Cheer up, everyone! I'm sure we'll find the cure your friend needs!

Jeanne d'Arc: Please, don't look so down! I know we can save them!

Jeanne throws out her arms, doing her best to bolster her traveling companions' spirits.

Jeanne d'Arc: Hm?

The gesture shakes something loose from her sleeve. A sealed envelope falls to the ground.

Jeanne d'Arc: What's this? A letter? It's addressed to "Master Vyrn" and (Captain).

(Captain) takes the proffered envelope and slits it open.

Inside is a torn sheet of notepaper.

Letter: My name is Jeanne d'Arc
Born and raised in Orleans
I am no princess

Letter: Jeanne d'Arc was born and raised in Orleans
She is no princess
Jeanne d'Arc was charged to save the world

Letter: I am not I am absolutely not a princess My name is Jeanne d'Arc and I have been charged to protect the weak I will save the world I have been entrusted with this revelation I am Jeanne—

Perhaps the previous night, Jeanne had a flash of lucidity.

Were these scrawled assertions a last-ditch effort to convince herself of her own identity?

At the bottom of the page is one sentence, set apart from the rest.

Letter: Forgive me, Master Vyrn.

The words are shaky, faint, as if the writer barely had the strength to put pen to paper.

Vyrn: ...

Jeanne looks on, bemused, as her companions sink into dismal silence.

Man: Excuse me... Are you the people searching for an expert in curses?

A lone man calls out to them.

Vyrn: Yeah... And it's rough going. No one'll give us the time of day.

Man: Yes, from the looks of it, you're in dire straits. I'd like to offer my assistance, for what it's worth.

The crew exchanges a look, then follows the man down a back alley.

Jeanne d'Arc: Thank goodness. I was beginning to think no one would help us.

Man: I'm not surprised. Anyone familiar with such things would be able to see what kind of power is at work here and know they have no business trifling with it.

Katalina: If this is something none of the mages in town will so much as touch, can we really trust this man?

Vyrn: What else are we gonna do? This is our first lead.

Vira: Don't worry, Katalina. If he so much as takes an aggressive breath, I'll cut him down where he stands.

(Captain) and the others trade rapid whispers as they follow a few paces behind Jeanne and the stranger.

This would-be benefactor's arrival seems a little too convenient.

Man: Well, here we are.

Katalina: And for what purpose?

The crew can't hide their suspicion.

Man: Oh, there are many preparations to be made.

Jeanne d'Arc: What's wrong, everyone? I'm sure this gentleman is trustworthy!

Man: What makes you say that?

Jeanne d'Arc: Hehe, I just feel at ease in your presence.

Jeanne d'Arc: Your voice is so much like my father's...

All Three: !

(Captain) and the others draw their weapons, realizing that this man is somehow connected to the changes in Jeanne's memory.

Man: I see. One does encounter the most astounding coincidences in this life... But this isn't one of them.

Otherworldly Being: You see, I am your father.

Jeanne d'Arc: Father! Why, whatever are you doing here? Why would you disguise yourself like that?

Vyrn: Jeanne, are you nuts! There's no way that's your father! Get away from him!

Otherworldly Being: This is how I've appeared in all her dreams, you see.

Otherworldly Being: Children take so long to grow up. But thanks to all the time I put in, she is fully convinced that I am her father.

Jeanne d'Arc: Father?

Otherworldly Being: Which makes this all too easy.

Jeanne d'Arc: Aaah!

Jeanne d'Arc lets out a startled cry as the Otherworldly being seizes her by the throat.

Otherworldly Being: Dream or no, that time seemed to drag on forever. Which is why I'll relish this all the more...

Katalina: Let go of her!

Vira: Luminiera!

Otherworldly Being: Ahh, yes. The pack of you were rather strong, as I recall. But you pose nowhere near the threat that she does.

Otherworldly Being: You can play with my friends here, while I dispose of her.

Otherworld Horde: Grrruuuhhh...

Of Diseases and Vaccines: Scene 3

The being who cursed Jeanne is in fact from the Otherworld. Jeanne's power is deadly to Otherworlders, so they set out to seal her power using the medium of her dreams, the same way a certain powerful entity gave Jeanne her revelation to save the world. As the compromised Jeanne hesitates to fight back, the visions with which the Otherworldly being taunts her ultimately help her remember her calling.

---

Katalina: Damn!

Vira: Katalina! (Captain)! Get behind me!

Vira shifts Luminiera's power toward defense to hold the forces of the Otherworld at bay.

Vyrn: Dang it! We're surrounded! What do we do now, (Captain)?

This isn't the first time the crew has squared off against the Otherworld, but (Captain) senses something off.

Otherworldly Being: I suppose you're wondering why we seem so strong.

Otherworldly Being: This place is at the boundary between the Sky Realm and the Crimson Horizon. So close to home, of course we have the advantage.

Otherworldly Being: With the holy maiden Jeanne d'Arc in this condition, you don't stand a chance.

Jeanne d'Arc: Urgh... Cough...

Otherworldly Being: Still...

The Otherworldly being glares at the hand wrapped around Jeanne's throat. Smoke curls from between its fingers.

Otherworldly Being: Agh! Hot!

The creature flings Jeanne away like a rag doll.

Jeanne d'Arc: Ngh!

Otherworldly Being: Ugh, she burned my hand. Look at this—my skin is actually smoking.

The creature waves its hand petulantly to disperse the smoke.

Otherworldly Being: Your power is not to be taken lightly, I see... Even if it's just the dregs of what rubbed off from contact with it...

Jeanne d'Arc: My... power?

Otherworldly Being: Something reached out to you in a dream and shared its power with you. See this burn? That's what's responsible.

Otherworldly Being: Your sensitivity to that sort of communication is exactly what made it so easy for me to manipulate your sleeping mind.

Vyrn: You slimebucket! What are you after?

Otherworldly Being: She is something like a vaccine for your realm. And we're the disease, so let's just say we don't appreciate her.

Otherworldly Being: Any blade she wields is poisonous to us... She had to be neutralized.

Vyrn: Then... Jeanne! Attack that creep! Doesn't matter how, just hit him!

Jeanne d'Arc: What... What? Why?

Vyrn: Weren't you listening? He said you've got the power to beat him!

Otherworld Horde: Urrrggghhh!

Vyrn: Yikes!

Vira: Agh! You're just riling them up, Vyrn!

Otherworldly Being: Well, now you know the full story. So what will you do, Jeanne? Do you plan to fight me?

Jeanne d'Arc: Ahh!

Otherworldly Being: I didn't think so.

The Otherworldly being snickers, then kicks her savagely, lifting her off the ground.

Jeanne d'Arc: Aaahh!

Otherworldly Being: The Jeanne d'Arc who laid waste to my comrades is no more.

Jeanne d'Arc: I... I could never...

Man: That's right. You can't.

Jeanne d'Arc: Aaah! Hngh...

Otherworldly Being: You've had a whole lifetime to learn just how powerless you are. Each memory carefully crafted by me.

Otherworldly Being: But that dream we shared doesn't change what you did to my brothers and sisters, Jeanne d'Arc.

Jeanne d'Arc: I... What?

True memories erased, Jeanne cannot make sense of the creature's words. She remains frozen on her hands and knees.

Katalina: Get up, Jeanne! Find something you can use as a weapon!

Jeanne d'Arc: Pant... Pant...
A weapon?

Katalina: Yes! You're strong, Jeanne! You have to remember! These creatures are no match for you!

Katalina urges Jeanne to fight back even as she herself struggles with the Otherworlders.

Otherworldly Being: But war is such a terrible thing... You know that, don't you, Princess? Look...

Jeanne d'Arc: ...!

Otherworldly Being: Do you recognize that smell? It's the stench of burning skydweller flesh.

Jeanne d'Arc: S-skydwellers?

Otherworldly Being: Want to see if they're a nice golden brown yet? I think you'll recognize some of these faces.

Jeanne d'Arc: ...!

Before her, Jeanne sees the faces of people who loved her in that dream world, now twisted in hideous agony.

Jeanne d'Arc: Nooo!

Otherworldly Being: Miss...

Otherworldly Being: Princess Jeanne...

Otherworldly Being: Princess...

Jeanne d'Arc: ...!

A wave of nausea sweeps over Jeanne. She clasps both hands over her mouth.

Jeanne d'Arc: Urp... Cough...

Otherworldly Being: That's enough horror, isn't it? Wouldn't you like your dreams to be more peaceful? I can make that happen.

Jeanne d'Arc: ...

Jeanne's face is blank with shock. The Otherworldly being whispers in her ear.

Otherworldly Being: You can never leave this place... but that means you can be free from battle forever. Anything you want can be yours.

Jeanne d'Arc: Any... thing?

Otherworldly Being: Oh yes. It'll all be recycled from dead people and lost items, but nonetheless—anything. Think carefully, Jeanne.

Otherworldly Being: You can leave all that fighting behind and enjoy your life here, doing whatever you please. Work on your embroidery, or your cooking... Forever.

Jeanne d'Arc: ...

The look in Jeanne's eyes is so hollow, it seems she might be on the verge of accepting the creature's offer.

Vyrn: Dang it!

Vyrn makes a flying dash toward her.

Katalina: Vyrn!

Vyrn: Yo, snap out of it! You've gotta remember what you've been fighting for all this time!

Jeanne d'Arc: ...!

As Vyrn's little paws clasp Jeanne's face, a light rekindles in her eyes.

Vyrn: You musta seen something awful! I can tell you're suffering! But you've gotta face it!

The Otherworldly being seizes Vyrn and wrenches him away from Jeanne.

Otherworldly Being: Our ultimate goal was you, as a matter of fact. I'll admit I didn't think you'd just fall into our lap like this.

Vyrn: Lemme go! Get your stinkin' mitts off me!

The creature turns back toward (Captain) and the crew and sends yet another wave of the dead lumbering toward them.

Jeanne d'Arc: ...

The Dead: ...

As she gazes at the horde of charred revenants, something stirs in Jeanne's memory.

Jeanne d'Arc: ...

Those dead eyes staring directly at her are familiar, but is that only because of her recent dreams?

Villager: Ngh... It's hot... Help meee!

Jeanne d'Arc: ...!

Jeanne's mind conjures a scene of unspeakable suffering.

It is clearly the aftermath of a battle, almost identical to the scene just used to terrify her.

Jeanne d'Arc: What I... want...

Otherworldly Being: Hm?

Jeanne d'Arc: What I seek...

Orleans Soldier: No... I don't want to go... I don't want to die yet!

Jeanne d'Arc: Is the power to end war!

Otherworldly Being: Ah... Don't tell me you've recovered your memories.

Jeanne d'Arc: ...!

Otherworldly Being: Not yet, I see. You don't actually plan to fight, do you? As weak and helpless as you are?

Jeanne d'Arc: My... mission! I have... a calling!

Villager: We believed you would save us... Why did we have to perish?

Jeanne d'Arc: Those atrocities must not be repeated. And I will be the one to prevent them!

Jeanne d'Arc: That's why...

Jeanne d'Arc: That is why I wield my sword!

Of Diseases and Vaccines: Scene 4

Jeanne regains her will to fight and raises her banner on high, filling (Captain) and the others with the certainty of their victory. They defeat the Otherworld forces with ease. Jeanne realizes that, along with her revelation, she was given the power to instill bravery and strength in others. When she is still uneasy about sleeping that night, (Captain) suggests she cuddle up with Vyrn. This does the trick.

---

Jeanne d'Arc: Haaahhh!

Otherworldly Being: Hurgh!

Jeanne's mighty blow knocks the Otherworldly being back.

Otherworld Horde: Grooohhh!

The dead swarm forward to shield their leader.

Jeanne d'Arc: The dead wandering the Crimson Horizon hold no fear for me! My banner flies for justice!

Vira: ...!

Katalina: What is this?

(Captain) and the others have been backed into a corner, fighting for their lives, but the sight of Jeanne's banner raised on high seems to lighten the weapons they carry.

The certainty of victory swells in their hearts—the same certainty, they realize, shared by the troops during their last battle against the dead.

Katalina: (Captain)! We have to get to Jeanne!

The crew is filled with the knowledge that Jeanne d'Arc has a higher purpose. They fight their way toward her, spurred on by that conviction.

All Three: Haaahhh!

They burst through the ranks of the dead to reach Jeanne at last. The four warriors array themselves back-to-back, ready to repel attacks from all directions.

The turning of the tide is surreal. One by one, the crew cut down the Otherworlders who had seemed so strong just moments ago. The gap in numbers dwindles rapidly.

Otherworldly Being: You really are no end of trouble...

The Otherworldly being is panting for breath. It would seem the single wound Jeanne inflicted has proven fatal.

Cracks spread outward from the wound and begin to rot, as if her blade had been coated in poison.

Jeanne d'Arc: My contact with that great being is what gave me this power...

Otherworldly Being: Even the dregs of that power are formidable...

Otherworldly Being: Agh... If only I'd gotten my hands on that lizard... Things would have been different.
Damn it... First the automagods, then that hooded bastard... and now...

As the creature's body disintegrates, so too does the spatial distortion it created. The crew find themselves once more in a back alley in town.

Jeanne d'Arc: I am deeply sorry.

Katalina: Come on, now... Enough with the formality. You have your memories back, don't you?

Jeanne d'Arc: Yes. But I don't know how I can ever atone for exposing Master Vyrn and all of you to such danger!

Vira: I'd say you were the one who suffered most, Jeanne.

Jeanne d'Arc: But this is the second time! To think I could be manipulated for evil purposes through my dreams not once, but twice! It's unacceptable!

Vyrn: Hey, look, enough already! We're all safe and sound, aren't we?

Vyrn: And what about that stunt you pulled in battle, huh? When you waved your banner, it pumped everyone up like crazy!

Jeanne d'Arc: Master Vyrn...

Jeanne realizes Vyrn is changing the subject in an attempt to comfort her and gratitude fills her eyes.

Vira: That was spectacular. It felt like my blade had become twice as sharp.

(Captain) had gotten the same feeling.

Katalina: That single moment turned the tide of battle completely. Was it your power that did that?

Jeanne d'Arc: No... Not mine.

Jeanne d'Arc: I think that creature from the Otherworld was right... It has to do with my link to the great being who gave me my dream revelation.

Jeanne d'Arc: Perhaps it was because I was only partially in possession of my own memories at the time, but at that moment, I could distinctly feel the great being's presence, where it has been only a vague impression before.

Jeanne d'Arc: Some part of the great one was with me in battle, shielding me.

The power left to Jeanne by the author of her revelation acts on her allies as well, it seems, granting them the necessary strength to vanquish the forces of the Otherworld.

And so the crew emerge from the back alley with a stronger understanding of Jeanne's incredible abilities as a commander.

(Captain) and the others decide to spend the night at an inn to recover from the rigors of battle before departing the island.

That night...

Vyrn: Huh? You still up?

Jeanne d'Arc: (Captain). Master Vyrn.

Jeanne d'Arc: I'm ashamed to admit this, but I'm a little hesitant to close my eyes.

Vyrn: That's not surprising, with what just went down.

Vyrn: But you went without sleeping for so long—you really need the rest.

Jeanne d'Arc: I know... But I find myself thinking...

Jeanne d'Arc: Even after I received my revelation, I didn't know from what threat I was meant to save the world, or how.

Jeanne d'Arc: However... I think this incident brought me a step closer to an answer.

Jeanne d'Arc: There is more than one group with designs upon the Sky Realm... Whether it's the Astrals or the Otherworld... I have a duty to stop them.

Jeanne d'Arc: I will continue to fight, of course. But rather than agonizing over the nature of that great being's will, I will simply act on the people's behalf.

Jeanne d'Arc: Still... When I think that I could fall victim to manipulation like this again...

Jeanne's gaze falls to the ground.

(Captain) struggles to find something to say.

1. Why don't you snuggle up with Vyrn?

Choose: Why don't you snuggle up with Vyrn?

Jeanne d'Arc: What?

As a child, (Captain) curled up with the little dragon whenever it was hard to fall asleep.

Vyrn: Hey! Don't go loaning me out without asking me! I ain't no teddy bear!

Jeanne d'Arc: I-I could never! I'm not worthy!

Jeanne protests. Perhaps just a hair too much.

Jeanne d'Arc: ...

To the friends who know her so well, her anxiety is all too easy to read.

Vyrn: ...

Vyrn: I guess if it helps Jeanne sleep. But what if it doesn't do any good, huh? Then what?

Jeanne d'Arc: Don't tell me you're agreeing to this, Master Vyrn!

Vyrn: Enh. No harm in trying, right? I had to put this goof to bed often enough back in Zinkenstill. I'm used to cradle-rockin' duty.

Vyrn: Just for tonight though, okay? Like I said—I ain't no teddy bear.

Jeanne d'Arc: Of course. I know better than anyone that you are no teddy bear, and most definitely no lizard!

Jeanne d'Arc: But... Thank you. It's extremely considerate of you. Haha...

Vyrn: Knock off that formal stuff! Now get your butt to bed already! It's late!

Vyrn puts on the same stern expression he used to wear when it was (Captain)'s bedtime and boots Jeanne in the direction of her room.

Jeanne d'Arc: Zzz...

Almost as soon as she enters the room, Jeanne falls into bed and sinks into a deep slumber.

Perhaps it is the proximity of the presence she sensed upon her first meeting with Vyrn that finally brings her the necessary peace of mind.

Vyrn: Yeesh...

Jeanne d'Arc: Master... Vyrn...

Vyrn: So we're back to "Master Vyrn" again, huh?

Vyrn sighs as he watches over his sleeping friend.

Vyrn: I don't really like bein' put on a pedestal or treated like a stuffed animal...

Jeanne d'Arc: Mm...

Vyrn: But I'm really glad you're back, Jeanne.

Vyrn tucks the blanket in around Jeanne's shoulders.

As he watches the lines of worry and exhaustion in her face slowly relax, Vyrn, too, falls asleep.