Scenario:Mahira - Cluck, Line, and Sinker
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Cluck, Line, and Sinker
Mahira convinces the crew to indulge her in some clandestine swimming lessons in Alohas. She proclaims she has calculated every variable she needs, but her hopes are dashed as she repeatedly sinks like a stone. When all hope seems lost, Lunalu suddenly bursts onto the scene.
Mahira: Captain, I wanted to ask if we could pay a visit to Alohas.
The deepest depths of winter might have passed, but a chill still lingers in the air.
Mahira, one of the Divine Generals and Queen of the Roosters, has come to (Captain)'s room aboard the Grandcypher specifically to make this request.
Lyria: It's not often that Mahira is the one asking us out somewhere! Now that you mention it, I wouldn't mind a dip in a nice heated pool myself...
Vyrn: There's no quests comin' up on our schedule either, so sounds good to me! Let's go ask the other Generals if they wanna come!
Mahira: Oh... Sorry if this changes things, but I'd like to do this just with you three—without the others.
Lyria: Oh, really? Wouldn't it be more fun to go with everyone?
Mahira: Ah, let me explain myself.
Everyone cocks their heads in confusion as the Queen of the Roosters stands up a little straighter.
Mahira: I am not asking to go simply to have a pleasant time with you all—I want to go because I want to learn how to swim.
Mahira: I'm not all that good at exercise in general, so I was wondering if (Captain) could keep watch and help me out...
Mahira: Thank you. I've already run the calculations and I should be mostly fine by myself, so it shouldn't be too much of a bother.
Choose: Think you can keep up with us?
Mahira: Yes—I've already run the calculations, and the data looks promising.
Continue 1
Vyrn: Huh? What's this about "calculations"? Aren't we talkin' about swimming here?
Mahira: Hehe, well, I've calculated the exact angles and motions that all of my joints need to take in order for me to swim perfectly—right down to my pinkies.
On cue, Mahira pulls out sheaves of papers, each page filled to the brim with countless algorithms, vectors, and equations.
Mahira: Since the body is subject to the standard laws of physics, it follows that if I compute every motion using the correct formulae, I should be able to attain a flawless swimming technique.
Vyrn: Who does all this work just to learn how to swim! Your mind is really somethin' else...
Mahira: All that's left is to put my theory into practice. Let us head out as soon as possible—preferably unnoticed. Pretty please.
Face full of determination, Mahira stands tall and boldly points off in the vague direction of Alohas.
Vyrn: I'm not sure why we have to be all sneaky about this when you're just learning how to swim...
Mahira: Let's recap the data—taking into account the buoyancy and drag of fresh water at room temperature, the force needed to propel an object of my total mass and volume would be...
Vyrn: And there she goes again, completely off in la-la land...
Thus, the crew joins Mahira and her confident calculations on a covert excursion to Alohas.
However, when the moment of truth arrives...
Mahira: Cough, hack!
Vyrn & Lyria: Mahira!
Mahira: Needs more time in the oven...
Vyrn: Don't scare us like that! I've never seen someone sink so fast when they hit the water!
Lyria: Do you know what happened? Were your calculations off?
Mahira: Indeed—it appears that I forgot to factor in that I am far worse at exercise than most.
Vyrn: You're kinda jumping the gun there... Maybe you just can't keep up with all those numbers you came up with?
Mahira: Since one of my fundamental variables has changed, I have no choice but to start from scratch. Let's return to the Grandcypher for now.
Lyria: Wait! Maybe (Captain) can just... teach you how to swim instead?
Mahira: Oh, yes, that is why you came here with me, wasn't it? How careless of me.
Mahira: But... would such a delay be permissible? Based on my current rate of success, I have a feeling that this could take a very long time...
Choose: We can practice together!
Mahira: (Captain)...
Choose: I'll be your personal trainer.
Mahira: "Personal trainer"... Why does the sound of that make me feel so... embarrassed?
Continue 2
Mahira: Thank you so much for the offer. Please, teach me all you know!
The swimming lessons begin, but it soon becomes clear that Mahira is in a whole league of her own when it comes to being bad at swimming.
Mahira: Blub, cluck! My feet can't touch the bottom!
Lyria: It's okay, just try to focus, Mahira! As long as (Captain) is holding your hand, you're safe!
Mahira: D-don't let go! Please!
As she flails and kicks her legs wildly for dear life, Mahira maintains a vise-like grip on (Captain)'s hand.
Vyrn: I've never seen Mahira this scared before—not even when we went to the cosmos that one time!
Mahira: Ah, wait. I think I've figured out what I'm supposed to do now. Could you let go for a little bit?
Vyrn: Are you sure that's a good idea?
Mahira: Trust me on this one—I know what I'm doing.
Mahira: Cough, glub!
The Divine General valiantly struggles through several more attempts to swim.
Mahira: I feel like I'm getting used to the kickboard now... Maybe I'll be able to try without it soon!
Mahira: Maybe the momentum from the slide will help!
Mahira: L-let's try the kiddy pool!
Mahira: Pant... Wheeze... I'm sorry, but it seems nothing is working.
Vyrn: You've only just started! Don't throw in the towel just yet.
Mahira: But... judging from my performance thus far...
Failure after failure wears down Mahira's mood, bringing down everyone else's with it. Just when all hope seems lost, a familiar voice calls out from one end of the pool.
???: I've seen this story many times before.
Vyrn: Huh? Is that...
Lunalu: So, you want to teach Mahira how to swim, huh? Say no more!
All Three: Lunalu!
The illusory artist appears just in the nick of time, promising to be the salvation the crew needs.
Will she prove to be the shining light that guides Mahira from bedraggled rooster to graceful swan?