Scenario:Manu Ponumau - Laid-Back Living, Endlessly Loafing

Laid-Back Living, Endlessly Loafing

The crew escorts Ponumau to an excavation site, where a monster attack traps everyone inside. She dons a helmet and headbutts through the rocks, saving them all, before boarding the Grandcypher in search of a place to rest.

---

???: Nwaaah? Stop that! Put me down! This is a violation. Of dignity! Utter cruelty!

Having accepted a request this day to subdue monsters, the crew expects a quiet trek along the road.

That is, until they spot a small girl ahead, staggering under a massive load.

Lyria: Um, (Captain)? The girl down there looks unsteady on her feet... I'm a bit worried.

Vyrn: Yeah. She almost tripped just now. Judgin' from her appearance, I'd say she's an earthdweller. A Wolvir, maybe?

Lyria: Maybe we should ask if she'd like some help carrying her things?

(Captain) nods, and the group approaches the girl, calling out to her tentatively.

???: Hm? Who might you be? I'm a bit... busy right now. Walking.

1. Need help carrying your stuff?
2. You okay? You must be tired.

Choose: Need help carrying your stuff?

???: Nwuh? Such kindness. From skydwellers. Thank you.

Go to "Continue 1"

Choose: You okay? You must be tired.

???: "Tired"? More than tired. I'm exhausted. Barely hanging. By a thread.

Lyria: That sounds rough... If you'd like, we'd be happy to help carry your belongings to the next town!

???: Nwuh? That's why you called out. To me? Such kindness. From skydwellers.

Continue 1

???: Just when I was. About to. Take it easy. Lounge about. Enjoy nap-o'-clock.

???: But I have to. Deliver this. Myself. Otherwise. There's no point.

The girl introduces herself as Manu Ponumau and explains she is on her way to deliver supplies to her juniors working in the mountains.

Manu Ponumau: It's been days now. My juniors. Have been working. Up a sweat. Digging a tunnel.

Manu Ponumau: Snacks. Juice. Illustrated storybooks. Fluffy cushions... I want to bring them things. Things they don't have. In the mountains.

Vyrn: All the more reason to let us carry your stuff for ya! You can barely walk as it is.

Manu Ponumau: Nweh. Thank you. But I want to say. I carried it all myself. With pride.

Manu Ponumau: Seeing your senior. Show up. With borrowed help... That's a little uncool. Don't you think?

Lyria: Then how about you carry the items, Ponumau, and we just accompany you instead!

Manu Ponumau: Such kindness. Thank you. Then. Let's go. Heave-ho.

Manu Ponumau: Nwaah... Fwaah...

The Crew: ...

Vyrn: Doesn't seem like it's the carryin' part that's givin' her a hard time...

Manu Ponumau: Nwah... what's this? A small flower.

Lyria: Oh, it's such a pretty pink! Hehe, it's cute.

Manu Ponumau: Nwehehe. When you walk slowly. You notice things. It's fun.

Vyrn: Slowly? Meanin' you're not tired... You're just slackin'?

Manu Ponumau: Nwuh-uh. That's not it. This is just. How fast I walk.

Manu Ponumau: I have more muscle. Than you. But moving quickly. Is a challenge.

Vyrn: So it's not the load slowin' ya down... Still, don't you wanna deliver the stuff sooner?

Manu Ponumau: True. I want to see my juniors. Soon. And surprise them.

Manu Ponumau: Watch my popularity skyrocket. Nwehehehe.

Vyrn: So that's what you're after... You're more down-to-earth than I thought.

Manu Ponumau: That's not true. I am refined. And popular. With my juniors...

Vyrn: You got real unsure all of a sudden. Well, whatever. We don't mind.

Manu Ponumau: N-nwah. Anyway. Let's move on. To my beloved juniors.

Vyrn: You won't budge on that, huh... But at this rate, we'll be here till sunset unless (Captain) carries you.

Manu Ponumau: Carry me? Absolutely not. Out of the question. If my juniors. Found out. It would ruin. My image.

Lyria: I'm sure no one would think less of you for that, Ponumau!

Manu Ponumau: So... you intend to carry me? Would you trample. A senior's dignity?

Vyrn: There are monsters around here. We're on a job to fight 'em off. If we dawdle, it could get dangerous.

Manu Ponumau: When the time comes. It comes. If I get eaten. So be it. So be...

Manu Ponumau: Actually... No. I don't want that... But I can't ask. To be carried... Nwehh...

1. There's nothing to worry about.
2. I'd love to carry you.

Choose: There's nothing to worry about.
Choose: I'd love to carry you.

Manu Ponumau: Nwuh? Really? You truly think so? Then... But still... Nrm...

As Ponumau continues to hesitate at length, (Captain) has no choice but to pick her up and set off, carrying her belongings as well.

The events described thus far are what transpired over the past few hours.

Manu Ponumau: Nwaaah? Stop that! Put me down! This is a violation. Of dignity! Utter cruelty!

Lyria: I-it's okay, Ponumau! And you're so fluffy and cute, it makes me want to carry you too!

Manu Ponumau: Stop... Don't look at me... I am your senior...

Smiling wryly at the dejected Ponumau, (Captain) and the others arrive at the tunnel excavation site in the mountains.

Excavator 1: Ah! It's Ponu! Our great senior excavator is back!

The ones who greet (Captain)'s group are excavation workers clearly older than Ponumau.

Excavator 2: Whoa, that's a ton of juice and snacks! Thanks for playing delivery girl, Ponu!

Manu Ponumau: D-delivery girl?

Manu Ponumau: Ahehem. It's nothing. No need. To pay me back either.

Excavator 2: Whaddya mean? We gave you plenty of money! You just bought extra for yourself, didn't you?

Manu Ponumau: N-nweh... These are. E-emergency supplies. Better safe than sorry.

Lady Engineer: Oh, come on! We can tell you just wanted them for yourself!

Vyrn: (She might be actin' all senior-like, but they're totally messin' with her...)

Manu Ponumau: Well. Back to my nap. Get in some storybook time. Then drift off. Work hard. Juniors.

Ponumau lies down on a cushion at the site and begins reading a storybook while sipping juice.

Vyrn: She's slackin' off the moment she arrives? And she doesn't even work here?

Excavator 1: No—she just settled in here at some point. Showed up one day saying she had excavation experience in the Earthen Realm and even made our helmets.

Manu Ponumau: Settled in? How rude. I'm stationed here. As a senior.

Lady Engineer: Or so she says, hehe. She's a good kid though—even if she does nap all the time.

Manu Ponumau: My juniors. My adorable juniors. Maybe you should. Mind your manne—

Manu Ponumau: Nwuh? We have. An unwelcome guest.

Big Monster: Graaaah!

Vyrn: That's the monster we were hired to take down!

Before (Captain) can react, the monster smashes the rock face, and the collapsing debris seals the cave entrance.

Excavator 1: This is bad—we're trapped! In a space this small, we'll run out of air real quick!

Excavator 2: I heard about this from the last site I was on! A monster that traps people like this and waits for them to weaken before eating them!

Manu Ponumau: Nwahh... It's dark in here. Hard to read.

The excavators panic and try to dig through the rocks, but even (Captain) struggles with how unbudging they are.

Lady Engineer: I don't want to be monster food! But I don't want to die in here either! Someone, help!

Manu Ponumau: We'll be fine. This sort of thing. Happens. Even in the Earthen Realm. Just wait. I'm almost done reading.

Vyrn: This is no time for enjoyin' a storybook! We're gonna run out of air if we don't do somethin' fast!

Manu Ponumau: Nwehehe. Thanks for waiting. That was quite good. The Electric Eal vs. Deepflight Oyster Saga. Now then—

Ponumau rummages through her bag, pulls out a helmet, and puts it on.

Manu Ponumau: Head's so heavy... But I'll manage. My special, sturdy helmet.

Manu Ponumau: Before I get too tired. I'll finish this. In one blow.

Ponumau leans back slowly as her muscles swell, her entire body tensing.

Manu Ponumau: Inhale...

Vyrn: What are ya plannin' to do?

As everyone murmurs in confusion, Ponumau channels all her strength and headbutts the rocks sealing the entrance.

Manu Ponumau: Nooow!

Lyria: Wow! The entrance is open! We can get out now!

The shattered rocks rain down outside onto the waiting monster.

Manu Ponumau: Headbutting with a helmet. Impressive, right? Gathered all my strength. For one strike.

Manu Ponumau: Phew. So heavy. Strained my neck. But we're safe again.

Excavator 1: Whoo-hoo! I thought we were done for! We can't thank you enough, Ponu!

Excavator 2: That headbutt was insane! Your muscles are insane! You're insane! I'll follow you forever!

Manu Ponumau: N-nweh... S-stop it.

Lady Engineer: Ponu! Forgive me for teasing you all this time! You're a true senior to us all!

Manu Ponumau: Nwaah... I can't handle. So much praise... My brain's overheating...

Manu Ponumau: ...

Excavator 1: Crud, we gave her too much credit! She faints whenever she's overwhelmed! Someone carry her!

Transported to a small hut used for breaks, Ponumau wakes and acts as if nothing had happened.

Manu Ponumau: Nwah. Guys... How goes. The excavation?

Vyrn: Don't act like nothin' happened! We freaked out when you fainted outta the blue!

Manu Ponumau: Nwaah... Please stop... Faint? Me? I wouldn't disgrace myself. Not like that. Farewell.

Vyrn: Hey! Where are you goin' with your stuff? Don't you live here?

Manu Ponumau: To a place. Where my shame. Is unknown. A journey. To find. The perfect napping spot...

As everyone tells her not to worry, Ponumau reveals her true feelings.

Manu Ponumau: Truth is. I want more sunlight. Not enough. In a cave. Thought it was. About time I left.

Manu Ponumau: Your helmets. Were so fragile. I stayed. To make you all. Proper helmets.

Manu Ponumau: I actually prefer. Making hats. Cute hats. Stylish hats. I wanted to make them. For everyone. But...

Excavator 1: Ponu... You napped at the site instead of the bed so you could watch over us?

Lady Engineer: Safe travels, Ponu. I'm sure sunlight will feel much better than cave naps.

Manu Ponumau: Guys... Nwehehe. Thank you. I'm off, then.

1. Wait, esteemed senior Ponu!
2. Maybe you could come with us?

Choose: Wait, esteemed senior Ponu!

Manu Ponumau: Nweh? Why stop me? And did you just. Call me. "Esteemed senior"?

Though surprised at the sudden invitation, Ponumau happily sways her tail.

Go to "Continue 2"

Choose: Maybe you could come with us?

Manu Ponumau: With you? But. I'm such an. Unreliable senior.

When (Captain) smiles in reassurance, Ponumau happily sways her tail.

Continue 2

Manu Ponumau: Nwehe. Nwehehehe. Thank you, (Captain)... From now. I'll call you. My junior.

Her shyness not fully subsided, Ponumau bids farewell to the excavators and boards the Grandcypher.

Manu Ponumau: Nwaahn... Perfect napping spot. Right here. On the airship deck. My journey's complete. Done. A grand success.

Manu Ponumau: The sun's so warm... It's different. From the Earthen Realm...

Manu Ponumau: Snore...

Thus Manu Ponumau, the laid-back nap-lover of the Earthen Realm, joins (Captain)'s journey.

Though she acts like a senior, she will surely look after her crewmates in her own way.