Scenario:Lobelia - Every Move He Makes
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Every Move He Makes
When Lobelia disappears from the Grandcypher, (Captain) and company discover a shell and follow its voice to find Lobelia making a hobby of fortune-telling. Much to the crew's surprise, Lobelia correctly pinpoints each client's problems. After following Lobelia's advice, clients come back to report that their problems have been resolved and insist on paying him for the help. Suspicious, (Captain) decides to investigate.
Gossiping Lady 1: Hey, did you hear about that phantom fortune teller? The one who's been the talk of the town! I wonder where he is now.
Gossiping Lady 2: I've heard about him! People say he's amazing at finding the right things in your life for you, right? Let's go look for him!
Fickle rumors have been spreading across town as Valentine's Day draws close.
Meanwhile, (Captain) and the crew hardly have the time for gossip as they run around the ship frantically, searching high and low.
Lyria: Not here either! I looked around our rooms and even in the storage, but no luck...
Vyrn: Are you serious? Dang it, where the heck did he go?
This is Lobelia, a highly dangerous man who does not hesitate to destroy others for his own delight.
After promising (Captain) he will no longer ruin people for pleasure, he is currently traveling with the crew as they keep watch over him.
Vyrn: He just disappeared without tellin' us. This isn't the first time either... There's really no stoppin' that guy, huh?
Lyria: It'd be nice if he could let us know before going somewhere...
Nodding in agreement, the captain is about to continue with the search when a sudden voice greets the three.
Lobelia's Voice: Salut, (Captain)! You seem a bit distressed there. Looking for something?
The somewhat irritating phrasing and manner of speaking are immediately recognizable as Lobelia's voice echoes—seemingly from the captain's pocket.
(Captain) digs around a shirt pocket to find a small conch—one often used as part of the Evoker's audiomancy.
Lobelia: Ah, you were looking for me? Were you feeling lonely without me by your side?
(Captain) grows increasingly annoyed as Lobelia takes his time teasing the crew through the small shell.
Vyrn: That's the shell Lobelia uses for his audiomancy... Calls it a conque, right? When'd he stick that in your pocket?
Lyria: Lobelia, where are you right now?
Lobelia: I've worried you all, haven't I? I'd love for us to see each other again soon, but I think it'd be better if you came to me.
Vyrn: You went off on your own, and now you want us to go find ya? Who do you think you are?
Lobelia: I promise it's something nice. You've heard the rumor about a certain fortune teller, yes? Why, I'll let you meet the man himself!
The magician's voice continues to talk excitedly as the crew heads for where Lobelia is.
Lobelia: The fortune teller is known to make spectacular matches and life changes, you see. But he's a bit of a phantom and shows up at a different place every day.
Lobelia: People scramble to look for clues on his location and to catch a session with him.
Lobelia: Any choice suggested by that particular fortune teller is bound to be a wise one.
Lobelia: And every time he guesses the client's background, it's parfait! Of course that's going to spur some rumors.
Choose: So what?
Choose: Whatever. Just stop running away.
Lobelia: Hey, don't get so angry. You'll ruin that cute little face of yours—I mean, not that I can see it right now, but you know.
Lobelia: Don't worry, I won't be going anywhere. I'll be a good boy and wait right here for you.
Lobelia: I keep my ears open, so naturally the rumors get around to me. In fact, I even know where he'll be today.
Lobelia: And we've arrived. The fortune teller's in that shop over there.
Lyria: You mean both you and the fortune teller are here?
Lobelia: Salut! Ahh, it's much better seeing your face in person rather than interacting only with our voices.
Vyrn: Let's leave it at that. Otherwise you're gonna get punched again...
Lyria: Oh? You're wearing something new today!
Lobelia: I thought it'd be nice to switch it up. Look more like the part, you know?
Lyria: More like... the part? Speaking of which, where's the fortune teller you were talking about earlier?
Lobelia's smile grows wider as he whips out a stack of cards from his pocket.
Lobelia: Now, let's get to the divination, shall we? Sit wherever you like!
Lyria: Huh?
Whaaa! You mean you're the fortune teller, Lobelia?
Whaaa! You mean you're the fortune teller, Lobelia?
Lobelia: Oui! Surprised?
Vyrn: It all makes sense now. I was wonderin' why you knew so much about the fortune teller... You were talkin' about yourself.
Lyria: How did this all start?
Lobelia: I started not long ago, as a hobby. Somehow I developed a positive reputation, and so I've upgraded to renting little places like this to work from.
Vyrn: I'm gettin' kinda suspicious... You sure you're not just sayin' whatever to your clients?
Lobelia: That's not very nice. It may be just a hobby, but I take it seriously, you know? Plus, the results speak for themselves.
Lobelia: Just watch. A client's sure to track me down any moment now.
Despondent Man: Um, excuse me... Is the fortune teller Lobelia here, by any chance?
Vyrn: Whoa... you were right.
Lobelia: They found me so quickly today.
Come this way. My divinations will guide you to your happiness.
Come this way. My divinations will guide you to your happiness.
Dubious, the crew watches as Lobelia and the client begin to converse.
Lobelia takes out his deck of cards and shuffles them. With a grand flourish, he lays out five cards on the table.
Lobelia: These cards here will tell your fortune. Let's take a look at the first card, which will reveal your current circumstances...
Lobelia: Oho, The Tower. It signifies disaster and misfortune... Dear me, what a terrible situation you're finding yourself in.
Lobelia: Now, the next card will tell us the problem and cause of this disaster.
Let's see—ah, The Tower once again. It seems you have quite the difficult destiny.
Let's see—ah, The Tower once again. It seems you have quite the difficult destiny.
Vyrn: Hm? The Tower again? Weird that the same card came up twice...
Lobelia: Then, the next card will show your future...
Ohoho, it's The Tower again!
Ohoho, it's The Tower again!
Lobelia: How vulgar. Do behave with more élégance, (Captain).
Lobelia: Wait, wait! Don't fiddle with my cards! I'm still in the middle of my divination!
When (Captain) inspects the cards, it's quickly revealed that all the other cards on the table and in the deck are also of The Tower.
Vyrn: What the heck, you got nothin' but Towers! Why even bother if you're using all the same card?
Lobelia: Non! You'll see that I'm not. Take a closer look!
Lobelia: This Tower's making a peace sign! And over here, this Tower's got a cool pose going!
Lyria: Y-you're right... All the Towers have slightly different poses and face different directions.
Vyrn: How's anyone gonna spot the difference! Besides, all the pictures look kinda wonky, like they're hand-drawn or somethin'. Wait, did you...
Lobelia: I'd say these are pretty well-drawn! I even had my partner do poses for me so I could reproduce them on these cards, you know!
Lyria: Um... Well, the art style does have a certain charm to it!
Vyrn: I always had the impression you were a monster who's only bad at explainin' things... but I guess that's not the only thing you're crap at.
Lobelia: Haha... I'm going to cry.
Despondent Man: Um... Sorry to interrupt when you're all having fun, but... are you a fraud, sir?
Lobelia: Ah, apologies for making you worry. That was nothing but a false accusation—there's no reason to doubt me whatsoever.
Lobelia: Let's begin dechiphering. You were unjustly dismissed and lost your job, isn't that right?
Despondent Man: Wha! How did you...
Vyrn: Are you kiddin' me! His quack divination was right?
Despondent Man: Th-that's correct... Not only was I discharged under unreasonable circumstances, but they said I even owe them money now.
Lobelia: And this event caused you and your beloved partner to break up... something that you initiated.
Despondent Man: Hngh... Yes. I didn't want to burden her with my life's troubles...
Lobelia: You're very kind in putting the happiness of others over your own. Not everyone can do that.
Lobelia: Nevertheless, the decision was difficult. After saying goodbye to your partner, you haven't been able to eat these past two days.
Despondent Man: You've seen through everything... I'm surprised you can even tell how long I haven't eaten for.
Lobelia: You have to replenish your energy. When both body and mind become weak, it's easy for one to lose sight of the path to happiness.
Lobelia: The Tower card is, indeed, the worst card to draw. However, the Tower making a peace sign symbolizes revival from ruin.
Lobelia: Don't succumb to your anxiety and be sure to eat properly. There's a lovely cake shop a short walk down the road from here.
Lobelia: Tell them I sent you, and they'll treat you right.
Despondent Man: Thank you...
By the way, how much will this session cost me?
By the way, how much will this session cost me?
Lobelia: Oh, fortune-telling's just a hobby of mine. I could never take money for it. Besides, you need to conserve your finances, don't you?
Lobelia: Everyone has the right to be happy—that's what my parents taught me. You, too, can find happiness in your life.
Lobelia: Use your remaining funds to search for the happiness you deserve. Go on now.
Despondent Man: Right! Oh, thank you so much!
Lyria: That was amazing, Lobelia! You knew what was happening with that person and even gave him advice on what to do!
Vyrn: Yeah... that surprised me. What's your trick in findin' out about that man's background?
Lobelia: Haha, that's a secret, of course. Now, looks like the next client's already here. You can keep watching if you'd like.
And so, Lobelia continues to see troubled soul after troubled soul, reciting each of their backgrounds and offering them words of comfort and encouragement.
Vyrn and Lyria are thoroughly impressed by his performance, but (Captain) continues to watch the magician with suspicion.
Lobelia: Are you still suspecting me of something, (Captain)? That's mean.
Lobelia: I suppose it's only natural to doubt, since we have no way of knowing the results of my advice yet.
Lyria: It didn't seem to me like Lobelia was only saying things off the top of his head.
Vyrn: Yeah, and he's not takin' money from anyone either, so it doesn't look like he's cheating 'em. Maybe we can trust him after all—
Despondent Man: Lobelia!
Lobelia: Ah, welcome back. You look as if you've been restored to life.
Despondent Man: Yes! It was just like you said. When I went to the cake shop... the girl I had broken up with happened to be there.
Despondent Man: She said she's been worried for me all this time... and that she's willing to take on my burdens with me.
Despondent Man: This is all thanks to you, Lobelia! You said you didn't want to charge me anything, but please, take this as a token of my appreciation!
Vyrn: A token of appreciation? But you're in debt...
Despondent Man: Actually... just now, the person who'd dismissed me from my job came to apologize and said he'll write off the debt. He's even going to give me my job back!
Lyria: Wha! That's an incredible string of coincidences!
Despondent Man: Isn't it? Now I don't need to worry too much about my finances. So please, take this!
Lobelia: Goodness, no need to get flustered. I'm not so uncouth as to reject someone's gratitude.
Lobelia: I gladly accept. Live your best life with your beloved.
After that, several other clients from earlier in the day begin pouring in to offer their thanks to Lobelia as well.
Once again, Vyrn and Lyria are stunned by the number of people who claim that Lobelia has helped them move on from their troubles.
Lobelia: Well, since we've received a substantial amount as thanks, why don't we drop by the restaurant for a meal?
Assuming a rather pompous air, the Evoker proceeds to leave the store without waiting for the crew to respond.
Lyria: Um, (Captain)... You've been watching Lobelia intently all day.
Lyria: I understand it's hard to believe, but still, it'd be rude to continue suspecting him...
Choose: It all seems so shady to me.
Knowing for a fact that Lobelia is an unpredictable phenomenon, (Captain) can't help but doubt the man's intentions.
In addition to his fortune telling being too accurate, it's unclear why Lobelia is doing such acts of kindness. The captain explains that, surely, there are ulterior motives.
Vyrn: Hmm. If you really feel that way, then it could be worth takin' a closer look before something bad actually happens.
Unable to shake off their doubts, the three decide to quietly investigate Lobelia's recent good deeds.