Scenario:Lucio - A Salty Evening Breeze

A Salty Evening Breeze

Sandalphon works hard to manage the beach house, with (Captain), Lucio, and the crew there to help. However, the shop is overrun with customers as they are drawn by Lucio's beauty one after another, which upsets Sandalphon. Even after the shop runs out of drinks and closes for the day, Sandalphon remains disgruntled.

---

Vyrn: Looks like we've got a huge swarm of customers again...

A long, winding line stretches out in front of the food stall Sierokarte has placed in Sandalphon's care.

Lyria: Hehe. Let's go greet them all with big, bright smiles!

The crew sets to work, energized by the unexpected crowd. But one member doesn't seem too happy.

Sandalphon: ...

Sandalphon glares, clearly in a foul mood.

Sandalphon: ...

The object of his displeasure is none other than a certain waiter.

Lucio: Are you ready to order?

Male Patron 1: Y-yes. I'll have... your contact info please.

Lucio: Heh. Unfortunately I have no such information, but you're welcome to visit me here anytime. How about a refreshing beverage? I recommend the—

Male Patron 1: Give me one of everything on the menu! I-I'm going to drink until I burst!

Lucio: Thank you for your patronage. But take care not to push yourself too hard.

Sandalphon: ...

Lucio attracts customer after customer to the food stall, merely by being himself.

Female Patron 1: Darn, this place looks pretty busy. Maybe we should try somewhere... else...

Lucio: Oh, are you searching for a place to rest?

Female Patrons: ...!
Yes!

Sandalphon: ...

Female Patrons: We're ready to order!

Vyrn: We've got a couple more orders for apple-orange fusions!

Sandalphon: Understood.

Lyria: I-I have some more orders too! Three for apple juice, two for pineapple, one orange, one grape...

Vyrn: Isn't this gettin' kinda crazy? At this rate we're gonna run out of drinks! Wouldn't be surprised if we had to close up early...

Meanwhile the line outside continues growing longer and longer.

Lucio: Heh...

Male Patron 2: ...!

People from all over the beach continue to be drawn to Lucio with no end in sight.

Vyrn: Here I am talkin' about sellin' out, and the line's gone and doubled in the time it took me to say it.

Sandalphon: ...

Sandalphon: Go buy all the fruit you can find.

Vyrn: Oh, uh, you got it!

Sandalphon: Now then.

Sandalphon tosses fruit into a large shaker and summons swirling winds to peel them with ease.

Female Patrons: Wow!

He then adds water to the container and shakes it, once again using wind to empty the contents into two glasses.

Sandalphon: Sorry for the wait. Here are your apple-orange fusions.

Female Patrons: Whoooa!

Female Patron 2: How did you do that?

Sandalphon: It's a trade secret.

Female Patron 1: Ooh, how mysterious...
The manager's really handsome, don't you think? What a great place!

Female Patron 2: You said it! But the guy who first caught my eye was that one waiter...

Lucio: Heh.

Female Patrons: Oh my...

Sandalphon: Tch!

Lucio: I cleared away all the empty glasses, Sandy.

Sandalphon: Good.

Lucio: Is there anything else I can do?

Female Patrons: He's so dreamy...

Sandalphon: ...

Sandalphon: We're running low on glasses and mugs. Go wash dishes in the back.

Lucio: I'd be happy to.

Lucio retreats into the kitchen. But before his fans even have a chance to be disappointed by his departure...

Lucio: I'm finished, Sandy.

Sandalphon: A-already?

Lucio: Cleaning dishes is merely a matter of removing impurities, so it was a simple task. What would you like me to do next?

Sandalphon: Clean the kitchen.

Lucio: Right away.

Lucio: All clean.

Sandalphon: ...

Lucio: What now, Sandy?

Sandalphon: Go back to the kitchen and count the grains of rice.

Lucio: Oh, no need. There are three million, four hundred and ten thousand—

Sandalphon: Enough. Just stay in the back.

Lucio: Oh? But why?

Sandalphon: ...

Sandalphon looks over at the patrons trying to squeeze past each other to catch a glimpse of Lucio.

Patrons: Oh my...

Sandalphon: For mere mortals to appraise his face... It's irreverent!

Lucio: I see.

Lucio: Understood. Then I shall make myself sparse and tend to things in the kitchen.

Sandalphon: ...

With Lucio out of sight, the unusual flow of customers begins to taper off little by little.

But sales continue to be strong, and the crew is in high spirits as afternoon rolls around and they begin cleaning up for the day.

Sandalphon: Why must he be like that!

However, Sandalphon alone wears a conflicted expression.

A Salty Evening Breeze: Scene 2

Sandalphon enjoys a cup of coffee alone before shopping for the next day's supplies. Lucio invites him to play beach volleyball with the crew, but Sandalphon refuses. Undaunted, Lucio continues asking him to participate in various activities until Sandalphon becomes angry and snaps at him. Smiling sadly, Lucio takes his leave.

---

With the crowd taken care of, (Captain) and the crew relax before heading out to stock up for the following day.

Lyria: Lucio! It's my serve!

Lucio: Right. I'm ready when you are.

Lyria: Hyah!

Lucio: Heh. You hit that quite well.

Lucio: Hup!

(Captain) and company join Lucio for a relaxing game of beach volleyball.

Sandalphon: ...

Meanwhile, Sandalphon sits at a table in the shade of a tree, unwinding with a cup of coffee.

Sandalphon: Hmph.

His gaze falls on the crew's ball as it comes rolling toward him.

Lucio: Haha. It appears I don't know my own strength.

Sandalphon: ...

Lucio: Why don't you join us for some fun on the beach, Sandy?

Sandalphon: No thank you. I might end up aiming at that face of yours.

Lucio: I see. So you're not a fan of beach volleyball...

Sandalphon: ...

With a thoughtful hum, Lucio retrieves the ball and heads back toward (Captain) and the crew.

Lucio: Heh. I suppose it's my serve next.

Lucio: Haah!

Sandalphon: How unseemly.

Sandalphon continues to sip his coffee, as though trying to occupy himself with its warmth and pleasant bitterness.

Eventually, however, his alone time is interrupted once again.

Lucio: (Captain) and the others are going for a swim. Would you care to accompany them?

Sandalphon: What?

Sandalphon: They can do whatever they like. I'm going to stay here in the shade for a while longer.

Lucio: I see. In that case, how does finding a shady spot to go fishing sound?

Sandalphon: I'd like to stock up on ingredients before the shops close.

Lucio: Hmm... Then what would you say to an evening fireworks extravaganza?

Sandalphon: I have plans to test some alternative coffee brewing methods tonight.

Lucio: Heh. You certainly are a busy bee, Sandy.

Lucio: It's impressive how committed you are to your coffee. I'd like to try some myself someday.

Sandalphon: ...!

Lucio: Whoops...

Sandalphon: Why can't you leave me alone?

Lucio: Well—

Sandalphon: And the way you behave in this tawdry manner, all the while sporting his face!

Lucio: I merely wanted to—

Sandalphon: Why are you like this!

Lucio: Forgive me. It seems I got a little ahead of myself.

Sandalphon: ...

Lucio: I'll give you some space. I hope you'll be willing to speak with me again once we've both settled down.

Sandalphon: ...

Lucio: Believe me when I say that I had no intention of making you upset.

Lucio: Now, if you'll excuse me.

Lucio turns to leave, still smiling so as not to disrupt the crew's fun or make Sandalphon feel worse.

Lucio: Finding the right thing to do is no simple task.

His eyes full of uncertainty, Lucio makes his way back toward the shore.

A Salty Evening Breeze: Scene 3

Lucio and Sandalphon run into each other on the beach just before sunset, and Lucio says he wants to become friends with Sandalphon so he can stop hurting him. Suddenly the sky flashes green, and they watch the emerald sunset together. Later, Sandalphon treats Lucio to a cup of coffee, and the two grow ever so slightly closer.

---

Sandalphon: Hmm, this should be enough.

Sandalphon mutters to himself as he confirms the stock of foodstuffs needed for the stall.

Sandalphon: Hm?

Suddenly overcome with a sense of unease, he hurries out of the pantry.

Sandalphon: I knew something was off. The sunset is abnormally red...

Lucio: ...

Sandalphon & Lucio: Oh...

Having run into each other by coincidence, the two look at each other awkwardly.

Sandalphon: What are you doing?

Lucio: I was entranced by the crimson glow of the sunset.

Sandalphon: ...

Sandalphon feels a pain in his chest at Lucio's somber expression.

Sandalphon: Don't make that expression with his face.

Lucio: Oh... My apologies.

Lucio: I'm afraid I'm not well versed in these things. It's an endless struggle for me.

Lucio: To be honest, I'd give anything if it meant you would not have to experience such pain.

Lucio: But although you possess power greater than any primal beast, your heart is delicate like that of a mortal.

Lucio: I had already resolved not to hurt you any further, but my efforts ended up backfiring.

Sandalphon: It's too late for that. You insist on performing menial tasks and engaging in childish tomfoolery—things Lucifer would never do. And all while parading around with his face.

Lucio: Yes. That's because I'm Lucio... not Lucifer.

Sandalphon: ...

Lucio: This appearance has become a source of conflict for many people. And it's caused even you to suffer.

Lucio: None of it is my intention. Perhaps my master bestowed this form upon me as a sort of trial.

Lucio: If I were to alter what my face looked like, I might be able to ease your pain.

Lucio: But it was my master's will to create me in this image. To defy that would be no less than blasphemy.

Lucio: How, then, do I overcome this trial? My only course of action is to becomes friends with you, Sandy.

Sandalphon: Friends?

Lucio: Yes, as Lucio. I'd rather spare you from seeing me merely as an imitation of Lucifer.

Sandalphon: ...

Before Sandalphon can find the words to respond, there is a sudden flash of color.

Lucio: Look, the sun...

Sandalphon: It's shining... green?

Lucio: They say those who see the emerald sun are blessed with good fortune. But I never imagined it would be so beautiful.

The pair watch in silence as the sun crosses the horizon with a flash of green.

Lucio: This mysterious, wondrous world—that which you've loved and gone to such lengths to protect... It truly is breathtaking.

Sandalphon: That was...

Lucio: Even if it was done in someone else's name, I believe what matters in this world is what is, not for whose sake it came to be.

Lucio: But no matter how beautiful it may be, the threat of destruction will one day come again. Whether by some great evil or my master's will.

Lucio: I believe our power will be necessary to stop it. And when that time comes, I hope we can stand to face it together, hand in hand.

Sandalphon: I see.

Sandalphon: Give me some time to think it through.

Lucio: Of course. I hope for a favorable response.

The sun sinks lower until all that remains is a red tinge on the horizon.

As night falls, Lucio and Sandalphon head toward the inn in silence.

Lucio: What's this, Sandy?

Sandalphon: I assumed that would be obvious. It's coffee. Drink it.

Sandalphon: I tried out a new brewing method, but there was no one else around to test it. You were merely selected by default.

Lucio: Haha, I see. Well, I'd be delighted to give it a taste.

Lucio: ...

Lucio: (What an incredible fragrance. How much time and effort must he have dedicated to perfecting his craft?)

Moved, Lucio closes his eyes and takes a sip of the coffee as Sandalphon looks on.

Lucio: It seems the emerald sunset really did bring me good fortune.

Lucio: I was lucky enough to enjoy this coffee that you poured your heart and soul into creating.

Sandalphon: Is that so.

Lucio: Please allow me to taste-test for you again someday. I'd like to see what lies at the end of the path you've set upon.

Sandalphon turns away, visibly embarrassed, as Lucio continues enjoying his coffee.

Lucio: Ah, I've just thought of a verse.

Lucio: "I beheld them as buds, watching as they transformed into lush greenery. May the blessed warmth of the sun help them ever bloom and grow."

Sandalphon: What was that? Do you write poetry too?

Lucio: No. It's a line from a play I once performed in. I thought it expressed my impression of the flavor quite well.

Sandalphon: I see.

Lucio: By the way, Sandy.

Sandalphon: What?

Lucio: Are you interested in poetry?

Sandalphon: Who knows?

Lucio: I see. So... the poems you've written are in the notebook in your pocket? I'd be honored if you'd let me read them.

Sandalphon: Absolutely not.

Lucio: Heh. Now, now, don't be so quick to refuse. Your writing is splendid. "With wings as white as snow—"

Sandalphon: You... You read them?

Lucio: No, I wouldn't do something like that. You could say I just... intuited the words, that's all.

Sandalphon: A-A...

Sandalphon: Ain Soph Aur!

Vyrn: Wh-what was that noise? Are we bein' attacked by monsters?

Sandalphon: Hyaaaaah!

Lucio: Heheh. I had no idea you were so easily embarrassed.

Sandalphon: The... The impudence!

Vyrn: The heck are those two doin'?

Lyria: Lucio's avoiding Sandalphon's blasts of light without even breaking a sweat...

Lucio: Heh. What harm would there be in allowing me to read a couple of poems?

Sandalphon: I'll never show you a single word!

Vyrn: But y'know, they seem kinda close. Like they're actually friends or somethin'.

Lyria: Ahaha... Well, they say the closer you are, the more you fight.

Sandalphon: I was a fool for even giving you the time of day!

Lucio: How sweet. You remind me of a fussy young child—

Sandalphon: Silence!

One summer's eve, blessed emerald light had illuminated Lucio's wings, if only for a moment.

But whether or not his wish will be granted is still yet to be seen.