Scenario:Makura and Payila - Bonds Strengthen through Hardship

Bonds Strengthen through Hardship?

Since their disappearance years ago, Nitotsuisou and Hanaorimito have supposedly resurfaced and fallen in Payila's collection. Upon hearing this, Makura pays a visit to the Dragon Temple, only to incur Payila's wrath during her search for the two swords. After being kicked out of the treasure room, Makura creates an opportunity to get back on Payila's good side. The two reconcile and spend the evening gazing at the moon while sipping on drinks.

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Hanging from Makura's belt are her beloved swords, Nitotsuisou and Hanaorimito.

However, despite their appearances, they are fake copies.

Harry: Ahaha! That's hilarious!

Makura: I didn't have another choice!

Makura: It's all because of my predecessor...

Makura: Sigh...

A long time ago...

The second head of the Rabbit Temple loved high-stakes gambling, but had neither talent nor luck. With mounting debt, the head needed to take out a loan.

Nitotsuisou and Hanaorimito were used as collateral. However, time had passed, and with no one to come back and claim the swords, they were pawned off to an unknown location.

Makura: But, but, but!

Makura: Things have changed! I heard a rumor that they've found their way to Payila's treasure collection!

Makura wastes no time and hurries off to the Dragon Temple, only to hear unfortunate news.

Makura: What, no way! Out of all the people, that shut-in Payila went outside?

Duva: My apologies. You came all the way here too...

Makura: No, there's no need for you to apologize. I'm the one who showed up without warning.

Makura: I'm looking for something and I'd love to know if you've heard anything of the sort...

Makura: Is it true that Payila obtained two swords that look just like the ones on my belt?

Duva: Indeed, that is correct! But I'm not familiar with the details.

Makura: I see. Well, I'll come back later! Tell her I said hi!

Over the next few days, Makura continues to visit Payila, only to be met with her absence.

Makura: Nnnghhh...

Harrington: At this point, I believe we've shown more than enough decorum.

Harry: "Decorum"? What's that?

Harrington: What! Once again, I see you're lacking in your studies! Decorum means—

Makura: All right, I've decided! I'm going to wait right here until Payila comes back!

Duva: Whaaat! U-um, you need Payila's permission for that...

Makura: Don't sweat over the details! Anyway, the guest room should be over there...

Duva: M-Makura! You can't just enter!

Makura: It's fine! I'm Payila's friend!

Duva: Makura! Please stop!

And so, Makura forces her way into staying the night at the Dragon Temple.

The night is quiet and still.

Harley: Nngh... Mmm... I can't eat anymore...

Makura: ...!

Makura's ears twitch in response as they pick up on something.

Harrington: Hmm, what's the matter?

Makura: Hehe, looks like Payila's finally back!

Harrington: But Boss! It would be rude of us to visit at this hour!

Makura's Voice: We're pals! It'll be fine!

Duva: M-Makura? What brings you here at this time—

Makura: I'm going into the treasure room!

Duva: Wha! Please wait a moment!

Ignoring the shikigami's pleas, Makura brazenly opens the treasure room's elegant door and walks right in.

There, in the midst of carefully examining her treasure, is Payila.

Payila: Hehe...

Makura: Payila! I finally found you!

Payila: I was wondering where all that ruckus was coming from... So it was you, Makura. A rather unpleasant coincidence.

Payila glances at Makura for a fleeting moment before turning back to caring for her treasure.

Makura: Hey now! A friend came all the way over to visit you, and you're giving her the cold shoulder?

Payila: A fool who barges into my sanctuary in the middle of the night has no right to complain.

Makura: Ugh...

Harry: Ahaha! She got ya there, Boss!

Payila: But how in the skies did you know I was here? Did my shikigami inform you?

Makura: Ehehe, not exactly. I have my ways.

Payila: Hmph, I suppose those big ears aren't just for show.

Duva: Payila, I'm deeply sorry for not being able to carry out your orders.

Payila: No need to fret. Nobody can stop Makura's audacity.

Makura: Hm? Wait a sec. Did you just say "orders"?

Payila: I'm far too busy caring for my beauties, hence why I told her to turn away all visitors.

Makura: What the heck! So you've been here this entire time?

Payila: Correct.

Makura: Whaaa!

Duva: I-I'm terribly sorry...

Harrington: You were simply trying to obey your master's orders. As a shikigami, you don't need to apologize.

Payila: Heh, you're quite wise for Makura's shikigami.

Makura: Hey!

Payila: Now what is it that you want with me?

Makura: Oh, that's right! You were being so cold to me that I forgot the reason why I came here for a moment.

After Makura explains the situation, Payila rests her hand on her chin and ponders.

Payila: It's true that I've obtained a great variety of swords lately...

Payila: But if I had swords that resembled the ones on your hilt, I would've recognized them immediately. In other words, I don't have what you seek.

The Divine Dragon reveals a mountain of swords stockpiled behind her in the treasure room.

Makura: Holy smokes... Do you always buy this much?

Payila: Every item you see here is a masterpiece. My collection consists of nothing but the finest.

Makura: Hmm...

Makura: Well, if you say you haven't seen it, then I suppose I must've misheard... But it wouldn't hurt to check with my own eyes.

Makura: Lemme just go ahead and take a little peek!

Payila: Wait, Makura! This is my treasure room! You can't just have your way around here!

Payila's warning falls on deaf ears as Makura waltzes further into the treasure room and slips on something.

Makura: Wh-wha!

She knocks into one of the treasure-laden shelves and sends the rest of them toppling over like dominos.

Payila and Shikigami: ...

Makura: Ah... Haha...

Payila: Makura...

Makura: Eeek!

Payila: Heaven's reach is limited, but its retribution is not...

Makura: W-wait, I'm sorry!

The sound of thunder rumbles as a bolt of lightning snakes its way through a crack in the window and flies towards Makura.

Makura: H-how shocking...

Payila: Begone.

Makura: Ahhh!

A powerful gust of wind from Payila sends Makura tumbling out of the treasure room.

Makura: Ugh... That hurt...

Harrington: Boss, we've incurred Payila's wrath. We must repent!

Payila: Sigh...

Duva: U-um, Payila...

Payila: Don't worry—I went easy on her. From now on, make sure that she never steps foot inside this room ever again.

The shikigami bows before leaving the treasure room and closing the door behind her.

Payila: Well then, I must save my poor collection...

Makura's Voice: Payilaaa! I'm really really sorry!

Makura's Voice: I was rushing and didn't pay attention to my surroundings! Please forgive me!

Payila: Sigh... Noisy as ever.

With Makura's apologies painting the background, Payila begins to gently pick up her collection.

As she works through the mess, her eyes stop on the pile of swords.

Payila: I suppose I have no choice. One final check won't hurt.

After several hours of cleaning, the incessant apologizing comes to an end.

Payila: (She was at it for quite a while—I suppose she's finally tired herself out.)

Payila: Perhaps it's time to forgive her.

With a weary smile on her face, Payila is just about to open the door when...

Makura's Voice: Ahahaha! Cheers, everyone!

Duva's Voice: Hey, Makura, what are you doing!

Harry's Voice: Whoooa! Boss, are ya serious! How'd you down that in one gulp? I betcha must've had a lot of stress pent up!

Harley's Voice: Hey, Boss! Can I eat this meat?

Duva's Voice: P-please don't cause another ruckus! Payila will be angry!

Makura's Voice: C'mon, don't worry about it! Feasts are all about being loud and merry, am I right?

Payila: ...!

Payila: (One moment she's apologizing, the next she's throwing a feast... Simply inconceivable...)

Feeling like she's been thrown for a loop, Payila staggers to a nearby chair and sinks down into its luxurious cushion.

Makura's Voice: How about a glass for yourself, Duva?

Duva's Voice: Huh? What are you saying? I can't drin—mmngh!

Payila: ...

Makura's Voice: Wooow! Look at you chugaluggin' it down like a champ!

Harry's Voice: It's good, isn't it? This fine wine's the pride and joy of the Rabbit Temple! People have been raving about it lately!

Payila: Fine wine?

Harrington's Voice: It's a true masterpiece brewed in the Rabbit Temple's cellar—smooth, with beautiful fruity tones...

Harrington's Voice: The taste is so unique and unlike anything else that sommeliers have described it to be almost perverse!

Payila: P-perverse!

Payila fidgets in her seat as she listens to the sounds of merrymaking and indulgence. It's hard for her to contain her love for alcohol.

Payila: (Wine brewed by the Rabbit Temple that boasts indescribable flavors... I'm so intrigued...)

Lured by the temptation of the wine, Payila unconsciously rises from her chair before sense kicks back in again.

Payila: (I mustn't. If I go out there now, I'll be playing right into Makura's hands...)

Payila: ...

Makura's Voice: Ahahaha!

Payila: But this rowdiness has gone on for far too long—it's time to put my foot down.

The moment Payila opens the door...

A thin arm shoots forward, reaching in through the crack.

Payila: Wha!

Makura's Voice: Get over here!

Makura grabs onto Payila and yanks her out of the treasure room.

Payila: ...

Makura: Ehehe.

Payila: I never thought you would go so far as to put your hands on me.

Payila: Transgression after transgression... I've had enough—huh?

Payila cuts off mid-sentence as she stares at the scene before her.

Expecting to see a feast set up, the area is completely empty.

Payila: ...

Payila: (I see... It was all just a rouse to get me to come out.)

Harrington: Of course, this must be all very confusing to you, Divine Dragon!

Harrington: The truth is, we were all simply pretending to hold a feast right here.

Makura: Yup! We had a blast drinking!

Makura: Hehe, just kidding.

Duva: My deepest apologies for being unable to stop the Divine Rabbit...

Duva: I will accept any punishment...

Payila: No need. The fault lies only with Makura. I have no intention of punishing you.

Payila casts a steely look at Makura.

Makura: Ah... Ahah...

Harrington: Wait! This is all part of Makura's apology!

Makura and her rabbit shikigami all line up in front of Payila and bend over into a deep bow.

Makura: I am very sorry for harming your treasure!

Harrington: Boss.

Makura: Pass it to me.

Prompted by Harrington, Makura presents two bottles in a bundle to Payila.

Makura: This is the real stuff brewed in the Rabbit Temple's cellar.

Payila: The smooth and fruity fine wine...

Makura: Yes, that one—the rumored "perverse" wine. So please...

Makura: Accept thiiis!

Harry: Lepus Troupe, represent!

Harriet: That was completely unnecessary... You need to learn how to read the room...

Harry: Oops...

Payila: It's fine. I accept.

Makura: Thank you, Payila!

The Divine Rabbit and Divine Dragon reconcile and decide to enjoy their drinks while gazing at the moon.

Makura: Cheers!

Payila: Cheers.

Payila: Oh my, this is delicious. I can see why it's gotten such notoriety.

Makura: Right! It's truly the pride of the Rabbit Temple!

Payila: Heh, you're as loud as ever... But I suppose a bit of noise goes well with the wine.

Makura: Huh? What does that even mean?

Makura: I don't really get it, but for some reason I feel kinda embarrassed. Hehe.

Payila: Before I drink anymore, let me tell you one thing—I searched through my collection but failed to find Nitotsuisou and Hanaorimito.

Payila: If I do find them, I will let you know immediately.

Payila: And so, don't ever step inside my treasure room ever again without my permission. Understood?

Makura: You searched for me even though I made such a huge mess?

Makura: Payila, you're so nice!

Payila: Ugh... Don't cling onto me. I prize having my own personal space...

Despite her retorts, Payila's face is lit up with a smile.

The Divine Dragon enjoys glass after glass of wine until the dusk turns to dawn.