Scenario:Mahira - Pa-rum-pum-pum Goddess
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Pa-rum-pum-pum Goddess
Mahira is conducting experiments with a view to reaching the cosmos. On her way into town to buy parts, she meets an old woman and helps her carry a heavy basket of berries. After they part ways in town, Mahira is approached by a young girl who begs for "pa-rum-pum-pum" lessons.
Mahira: Mmm... Phew...
Mahira: I love the smell of pine cones and machine oil in the morning. Today is a perfect day for some experimentation...
Mahira takes a bracing lungful of the cool morning air and smiles.
She stands in a small forest, not far from the grassy field where the Grandcypher has landed.
Mahira turns back to her current mechanical project.
Mahira: Ah... Another explosion.
Mahira: As I suspected, the problem does seem to be the instability of the propulsion system. Should I lower output? But then I'll have the same problem as before with altitude...
Mahira: Sigh...
The cosmos is so far away.
The cosmos is so far away.
The cosmos... A distant place that waits above the skies.
The Joya, during one of its rampages, once flew to those lofty, inky black heights.
Mahira built the Clucky-Doodle, a midsize airship, in order to catch up to the Joya, but in the end her invention wasn't quite up to the job.
Even with the problem of the Joya resolved, Mahira has never been able to shed her desire to reach that realm as yet unexplored by any skydweller.
Mahira: Maybe if I change the conditions as well as the materials used for the shaft...
Mahira: Hm? Oh, that's right. I'm out of flanges. That was my last one.
Mahira: I'll have to go buy more. I need some other things too...
Mahira: Cock-a-doodle-dum... Wing-a-doodle-fly...
Mahira tidies up the shrapnel from the explosion using her floatification powers and hops aboard Clucky to head to the nearest town.
Birds: Cheep, cheep! Che-cheep!
Mahira: Oh, excuse me. I'll fly closer to the ground so as not to disturb you.
Mahira: Hm? That doesn't look good...
Old Woman: Ouch, ouch, ouch... Dearie me. Upsy-daisy.
Mahira spots an old woman carrying a large basket on her back. Mahira touches down beside her.
Mahira: Are you all right, ma'am?
Mahira: Cock-a-doodle-dum! Wing-a-doodle-fly!
Old Woman: Oh, my! All of a sudden, my basket feels so light...
Old Woman: Did you do that, young lady? That was amazing. Thank you so much.
Mahira: Oh no, I still have a lot to learn. But I'm pleased to be of service all the same.
Mahira: Are those berries in your basket? They're so colorful. They look delicious...
Old Woman: Yes, they're in season now. I was just in the woods picking them.
Old Woman: Haha, today is a big day for my granddaughter. I'm planning to bake her a pie, but I picked far more berries than I needed.
Mahira: I see. Seasonal berries...
Mahira: If berries grew in the cosmos, food storage wouldn't be an issue...
Old Woman: What's that?
Mahira: Oh, I'm sorry. I was just talking to myself.
Mahira: Do you live in the town up ahead, ma'am?
Old Woman: Yes, that's right. Do you have business there?
Mahira: Just a few errands to run. That works out well. Why don't we go together?
Mahira hops off Clucky to walk down the quiet country road beside the old woman.
Clucky follows the two of them sedately on autopilot.
Old Woman: Thank you for walking me all the way home. What a considerate young lady you are.
Mahira: Not at all. It was on my way anyhow, and you taught me a great deal about preserving fruit too.
Mahira: ...
Mahira: Um... I'm sure your granddaughter will enjoy that pie.
Old Woman: Hee hee. Thank you. I'll bake it with love.
Mahira: Phew... I remember when approaching people like that was quite the challenge.
Mahira: Hehe, (Captain) must be rubbing off on me.
Mahira: Now, time for some shop—
Girl: E-excuse me!
Mahira: Hm? Are you talking to me?
The girl nods and fixes Mahira with a determined gaze.
Girl: ...
Girl: Goddess, please, teach me to pa-rum-pum-pum!
Mahira: Pa-rum-pum-pum?
The girl bows deeply to Mahira, who blinks at her, dumbfounded.
Pa-rum-pum-pum Goddess: Scene 2
The girl, Nadia, saw Mahira's floating drums and mistook her for the Pa-rum-pum-pum Goddess, a deity of drumming. Nadia has a drum recital coming up and lacks confidence. Mahira relates her own longing for the skies, and explains how her lack of confidence drives her daily efforts to reach her goal. She agrees to watch the girl rehearse.
A girl appears before Mahira, begging to be taught to "pa-rum-pum-pum."
Her name is Nadia, and she leads the Divine General to a nearby empty lot to explain.
Nadia: There's a pa-rum-pum-pum recital today. I've been practicing forever, but I just can't do it right...
Nadia: So please teach me, Pa-rum-pum-pum Goddess!
Mahira: I think you have me confused with someone else. I'm the Guardian of the West.
Mahira: I specialize in being early to bed, early to rise, and I like to tinker with machines... Whatever "pa-rum-pum-pum" is, I think it may be outside my jurisdiction.
Nadia: But you've got those pa-rum-pum-pums floating all around you.
Nadia points to the little drums drifting idly through the air around Mahira.
Mahira: Ohh. You mean my drums.
Nadia: Please, hear my prayer! I desperately need some pointers!
Nadia pulls out her own drum and begins to play.
Mahira listens attentively to the girl's performance. When it comes to a close, Mahira applauds.
Mahira: That was some lovely drumming.
Mahira: Impressive. Your use of the cord to modulate the drum's tone was particularly skillful.
Nadia: Really?
Nadia: But it's just not good enough! Granny's pa-rum-pum-pumming was much cooler...
Nadia: Sigh... Granny's even coming to watch me play... I just don't feel confident about it.
Mahira: ...
Mahira: No confidence, hm? I understand. I lack confidence too.
Nadia: You?
Mahira: You see, I've always wanted to fly.
Mahira hesitates, then decides to be frank.
Mahira: It was my dream. No matter what people thought of me, I couldn't give up on it.
Mahira: I lost myself in study, and performed endless experiments. In the end, I was able to get airborne, but I still have so much more to learn...
Mahira: Embarrassing as it is to admit, just this morning, I had another failure.
Nadia: Even though you're a goddess?
Mahira: Ahaha... Yes, even so.
Mahira: So I don't have any confidence... Which is why I just try to be diligent in my studies every day.
Mahira: I'm sure you're the same way. Practicing day in and day out, till your hands are bruised and aching...
Nadia: ...!
Nadia: That's right. My chest gets all tight with anxiety...
I didn't know even goddesses felt that way.
I didn't know even goddesses felt that way.
Nadia gazes at her hands. They are scattered with scrapes and calluses.
Mahira: ...
Mahira: You're going to practice right up until your recital, aren't you?
Nadia: Yeah, that's the plan. I'm going to give it my all!
Mahira: I may be overstepping here, but... would you mind if I watched?
Mahira: I'd like to know how things turn out.
Nadia: Really? Yay! I'll feel much better with a goddess watching over me!
Mahira: Ahaha... I'll only be watching, unfortunately. There's really nothing I can teach you.
Nadia: Why not?
Mahira: Mm... How should I put this? Because my drums can't be played by hand.
Mahira's divine power flows outward, and the drums floating around her begin to play.
Nadia: Wooowww! You really are the Pa-rum-pum-pum Goddess!
Mahira: Erm... Actually...
Mahira: Yes. You're right. My name is Mahira, Pa-rum-pum-pum Goddess.
Nadia: Ehehe, I'm totally going to brag about this to Granny, once the recital's over.
Mahira: Haha, I'm glad to see you smiling. You remind me of Andie.
Nadia: Andie?
Mahira: Oh, um... Andie is my... goddess friend. A happy, cheeky little monkey...
As the two of them chat, Nadia's anxiety begins to fade.
Once it does, Mahira looks on kindly as the young musician throws herself into rehearsal.
Pa-rum-pum-pum Goddess: Scene 3
At the recital venue, Mahira is reunited with the old woman from that morning who has come to watch her granddaughter perform. The old woman has baked a berry pie for the occasion, but is worried that her granddaughter is torturing herself over her drumming practice. Mahira assures the old woman her granddaughter looks quite happy today, just as Nadia takes the stage.
As Nadia's turn onstage approaches, she and Mahira head for the concert hall.
Nadia: Agh... I don't know if I'm ready for this...
Mahira: I'm sure you are. I'll be watching from the audience.
Nadia: Okay... But...
Mahira: ...
Mahira: Cock-a-doodle-dum! Wing-a-doodle-fly!
Nadia: Cock-a-what now?
Mahira: It's a spell. More or less.
Mahira: Your performance will go swimmingly. You have the Pa-rum-pum-pum Goddess's seal of approval!
Nadia: Your seal... Yeah, you're right! A goddess watched me rehearse, after all!
Nadia: I'm gonna go knock 'em dead!
Nadia smiles, then hurries backstage.
Mahira heads into the crowded audience to find an empty seat.
Mahira: Excuse me. Is this seat taken?
Old Woman: Well, if it isn't the young lady from this morning!
Mahira: Oh, hello again, ma'am. Fancy meeting you here.
Mahira: Sniff, sniff...
I smell the forest, and a very sweet aroma. I'm guessing there's a berry pie in that box?
I smell the forest, and a very sweet aroma. I'm guessing there's a berry pie in that box?
Old Woman: There is indeed. I thought my granddaughter and I could eat it together after her performance.
Old Woman: She's up soon.
The old woman's sunny expression clouds over.
Old Woman: When she first started playing the drum, you should have seen the way her eyes shone with every beat.
Old Woman: Now, though, she always seems to be practicing alone, with such a brooding look on her face... I'm a bit worried.
Mahira: I see... Well, perhaps she was brooding before.
Mahira: But she has a brilliant smile on her face today.
Old Woman: Eh? What do you—
Their conversation is interrupted by the MC calling Nadia's name.
Nadia: ...
Nadia steps onstage, but her eyes are downcast, and her expression invisible to her supporters in the audience.
Nadia: It'll be okay...
Cock-a-doodle-dum...
Cock-a-doodle-dum...
Nadia: Wing-a-doodle-fly!
She raises her eyes, and her smile blossoms like a flower on the first day of spring.
An elegant, sprightly beat flows off the skin of her drum and resounds throughout the concert hall.
Pa-rum-pum-pum Goddess: Scene 4
Nadia gives a great performance with a smile on her face. Afterward, she tells her grandmother she owes her success to practicing together with the Pa-rum-pum-pum Goddess. That evening, Mahira shares leftover berry pie with the crew as she recounts the day's events, then falls into a contented slumber.
Nadia: Granny!
The curtain falls, and Nadia comes running to throw her arms around her grandmother.
Nadia: Did you see me? Did you?
Old Woman: Of course I did! You were wonderful, dear!
Old Woman: Such a lively pa-rum-pum-pum, I wanted to get up and dance!
Nadia: Yesss! The truth is, the Pa-rum-pum-pum Goddess—
Nadia: Wait... Granny, you know the goddess?
Nadia stares at her grandmother and Mahira, baffled at finding them together.
Old Woman: Haha, I see. So that's who you are.
Old Woman: Thank you so much, Pa-rum-pum-pum Goddess.
Mahira: Oh, this was far beyond my power. That performance was purely the result of your granddaughter's hard work.
Nadia: No way! It's because we rehearsed together, goddess! That's why my drumming sounded so much better than it usually does when I practice!
Mahira: Together...
Old Woman: Well now. I made you a berry pie. I hope you're hungry.
Nadia: Yaaay! You have to join us, Pa-rum-pum-pum Goddess!
Mahira: Are you sure? Well then, I accept your kind invitation. Thank you.
Mahira: And then we had pie.
Vyrn: So that's where you'd gotten to.
As the sun sinks below the horizon, Mahira returns to the Grandcypher and relates the day's adventures to her friends.
Vyrn: I never figured you for such a mother hen, Mahira. Or are (Captain)'s busybody ways rubbing off on ya?
Mahira: Ahaha. Perhaps.
Lyria: Munch, munch. This berry pie is delicious!
Mahira: There's plenty more. They gave it to me as a souvenir. Don't be shy, (Captain). Dig in.
Mahira: Yaaawn...
Vyrn: Hey, wait a sec. What happened to your shopping trip? I thought new parts were the whole reason you went into town today.
Mahira: Cluck... Cluck?
Choose: Someone's about to fall off her perch.
Choose: You look tired, Mahira.
Vyrn: Hehe. (Captain)'s right, Mahira. But if you're gonna hit the twigs, you should get back to your own nest.
Mahira: That's true... The floor's so warm though...
Mahira: Cluck... Cluck...
Vyrn: Hey, Mahira. Mahira? Are you asleep already?
Lyria: Sounds like she had a really full day... (Captain), will you help me carry her back to her room?
(Captain) nods, looking at Mahira's sleeping face.
Mahira: Zzz...
(Captain) can't help but smile at her cherubic expression.