Scenario:Metera - No Good Taste Goes Unpunished
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No Good Taste Goes Unpunished
After learning that a large cocktail fair is about to be held on Auguste, Metera proclaims her desire to drink a cocktail called Marine Auguste and insists the crew join her for the fair. However, the bartender who makes Marine Auguste doesn't have the right ingredients and will have to withdraw. Hearing this, Metera and crew take on a request to gather the necessary ingredients.
Under the sunny skies of Auguste, (Captain) and crew are taking a load off.
They dine in a local establishment now to fill their empty stomachs.
Lyria: So... there's going to be a big cocktail fair where people present their new creations?
Owner: Sure is. It's held once a year, and all of Auguste's bartenders gather for it.
Vyrn: Huh... Had no idea somethin' like that had a fair.
Owner: You mean you didn't come to Auguste specifically for it?
Lyria: Ahaha... We're a little too young for alcohol—
Metera: (Captain)! We're going to that fair!
Vyrn: Wh-whoa, what's gotten into you?
Metera: I was treated to a specific cocktail in Auguste a while back.
Metera: I've never forgotten the taste of it... It was so good...
Metera: It was a bartender's original mix, see...
Metera: And with that bartender always bouncing from bar to bar...
Metera: I haven't had a drop of that cocktail since.
Metera: But if this fair has got every mixer in Auguste arriving, surely I can track down the person.
Lyria: Do you really like cocktails that much?
Metera: More like love. Me and Korwa go out for them whenever we can.
Metera: Besides, knowing good drinks is a great way to pick up some decent guys.
Vyrn: You say that, but I bet that's the part you actually care about.
Metera: Why do they have to be mutually exclusive? Hotties are the ideal snack to go with tasty cocktails.
Metera: Not that kiddos like you would know...
Metera: Anyway, the point is we're going to this fair, like it or not.
Vyrn: Most of us aren't exactly old enough to drink though...
Metera: You say that like nonalcoholic cocktails don't exist.
Vyrn: Isn't that stuff just juice? No point tourin' a whole fair for it.
Metera: The two aren't even remotely the same! But I guess you can't be expected to know if you've never tried any.
Metera: How about this: the first drinks are on me.
Metera: You can't tell me you're not at least a little interested in what adulthood tastes like.
Vyrn: If you're pushin' for it that much... Okay. I'm in for one drink.
Lyria: Me too. I'm curious to see what all the excitement's about.
(Captain) agrees to join too.
Metera: Then it's a date! Only thing left is...
Metera: Figuring out if the creator of Marine Auguste will be there.
Owner: Sorry to interrupt, but unfortunately that bartender won't be participating this year.
Metera: Are you serious? Ugh, what a total bummer.
Suddenly deflated, Metera lays her head down on the table.
Owner: Trust me when I say they wanted to come, but there's not much a person can do if they can't round up the ingredients they need.
The shop owner pulls out a sheet of paper and lays it down in front of the crew.
Written on it is a list of ingredients and a request to have them supplied.
Owner: They posted this request, but nobody took it since the payment was low.
Owner: On top of that, one of the things on the list is a fruit from an uninhabited island in Auguste's outskirts.
Owner: With the seas as rough as they are lately, traveling to and from that island is near impossible—
Metera: I'll do it!
Vyrn: Wait, what?
Metera: This'll be easy. I can just fly away if the going gets tough.
Choose: I'll grab the rest of the list then.
Metera: Oh? You want to help, (Captain)?
(Captain) gives an insistent nod.
Metera: Don't worry about it. This is my own thing.
Metera: You guys should just kick back in the meantime.
Metera: It'll go faster solo anyway. I've got this.
Metera: Duh. This is my own thing.
Metera: It'll be fine. I'll be back before you know it.
Continue 1
Vyrn: You definitely ain't no pushover.
Vyrn: But you sure you can carry everything? This list is huge.
Lyria: We'd be more than willing to lend a hand.
Lyria: Plus we'd love to get a taste of this cocktail you're so interested in.
Metera: Sigh... Should've expected as much from you do-gooders. All right.
Metera: Thanks for the offer. Now let's put you to work and get this done.
The group look closely at the list before readying themselves for the task ahead.
No Good Taste Goes Unpunished: Scene 2
In order to obtain a fruit needed to make Marine Auguste, (Captain) and Metera head to an uninhabited island. By a stroke of bad luck, a storm blows in and strands them there. They take shelter in a cave and, in an effort to stay warm, cuddle together before drifting to sleep. Lyria and Vyrn wake them up the next morning, explaining they came over when Metera and (Captain) never returned. With not much time left before the fair starts, the group hurry back with the ingredients they gathered.
After accepting the request to gather ingredients for Marine Auguste, the crew split up their tasks.
(Captain) and Metera end up traveling to the uninhabited island on the outer edges of Auguste.
Metera: Let's grab that fruit and wrap this up quick.
Metera: Sigh... If only there wasn't so much to carry. I could've flown and been done in a flash.
Laughing a bit, (Captain) starts to scour the foliage for their target fruit.
Metera: Well, this amount should be enough. Now the real issue is...
A fierce wind whips against the island, accompanied by the rumbling of thunder.
Metera: I know we were told about the weather being moody lately, and the sea does have a tendency to change on the fly...
Metera: Still, I didn't expect it to change quite this fast.
Metera: Sigh... No way we're getting back through a storm.
Choose: We should take shelter in that cave.
Metera: Guess so. That's probably our only option.
(Captain) and Metera proceed through the dark, rock-ridden cave.
It is all too easy for Metera's heel to catch on a stone, sending her tumbling.
Metera: Ah!
(Captain) manages to grab her before she hits the ground.
Metera: Th-thanks. A fall in this getup could've been ugly.
Metera: Ugh, it's so hard to see in this darkness.
Agreeing, (Captain) takes Metera by the hand and guides her slowly forward.
Metera: Oh? You'll escort me?
Metera: If you're offering, I won't say no.
Metera presses herself against (Captain)'s arm, a mischievous smile on her lips.
Metera: Hehe, what are you stiffening up for? You said you'd escort me—
Thunder booms throughout the sky. At the same time, the cave rumbles and shakes.
Metera: (Captain)?
(Captain) envelops Metera in a protective hug, shielding her from falling rocks.
Metera: Th-thank you.
Metera: (Who knew (Captain) would end up protecting me like this?)
Continue 1
Metera: (And since when was our captain this strong?)
Metera finds her gaze drawn toward (Captain)'s arm.
Metera: (The little boy's finally growing up...)
Metera: (Maybe I should've been keeping my eye on him.)
Metera: (He shows me respect and treats me well...)
Metera: (Takes the lead when push comes to shove.)
Metera: (He's still childish in a lot of ways, but...)
Metera: (He'll be quite the catch in the future.)
Metera: ((Captain)'s become real dependable...)
Metera: (Now that I think about it, our captain checks a lot of my boxes for the perfect guy.)
Metera: (She shows me respect and treats me well...)
Metera: (Takes the lead when push comes to shove.)
Metera: (She's still childish in a lot of ways, but...)
Metera: (Maybe if she were a guy...)
Metera: (Heh. If she's got me thinking like that, she'll be quite the catch in the future. Makes me almost jealous.)
Continue 2
Metera: Not that any of it matters right now. (Captain)'s currently outside of my taste range...
Metera: Anyway, let's head a little further in.
Metera: I'm feeling a breeze, which means there's an opening of some sort ahead.
(Captain) concurs, and together they walk deeper into the cave.
In the open area they come across, (Captain) starts a fire for warmth.
Metera: All right, (Captain). Show me your shoulder.
Metera: You got hit hard by those falling rocks, yeah?
Metera: Who do you take me for? Now enough stalling. Show me.
Choose: It's fine. Just a flesh wound.
Metera: I'll be the judge of that. Now enough stalling. Show me.
Continue 3
Giving up, (Captain) lets Metera see the injury.
Metera: You're bleeding, but it doesn't seem too bad. For the moment...
Metera removes her stole and wraps it around (Captain)'s shoulder.
Choose: But it'll get stained by the blood...
Metera: Who cares? You're more important.
Metera: You got injured protecting me, so this is the least I can do.
Metera: There, you're all patched up. Does it hurt at all?
(Captain) answers with a negative.
Metera: Is that right? Then...
Metera: Achoo.
Metera: Ugh, it's gotten pretty chilly. This must be the storm's fault.
Metera: We should do something, otherwise we'll catch a cold.
Metera: Making the fire bigger is out of the question...
Metera: I've got an idea, but I'm not sure it'll work. Worth trying though.
Metera: (Captain), can you sit over there?
Head tilted in confusion, (Captain) does as asked and sits.
Metera: Good. Here we go...
Metera saunters up, plops down in (Captain)'s lap, and wraps herself around the captain's body.
Metera: Don't tell me you've never heard how people trapped in a blizzard stay warm by cuddling naked?
Metera: Why are you panicking? It's not like I'm going to eat you. Calm down.
Metera: Or... do you actually want me to snatch you right up?
Metera: I wouldn't mind if that's what you really want.
Metera: Yes, that was a joke. You're cute when you get flustered.
Metera: Like I said, this is just so we don't shiver to death.
Continue 4
Metera: But you know what? Now that we're trying it, it's kind of nice sharing body warmth...
Metera: Achoo.
Ugh, we're staying put until we warm up.
Ugh, we're staying put until we warm up.
Metera: I'd rather not miss out on Marine Auguste because of a cold.
Unsure of how else to react, (Captain) goes along with the cuddling.
Some hours pass. (Captain) and Metera remain cuddled as they wait for the storm to clear up.
Metera: All this free time, and nothing to do. You got any stories you could...
Metera: Hey. (Captain)?
Metera turns to face (Captain), noticing the captain is strangely silent.
To her surprise, her companion is fast asleep.
Metera: And here I thought you'd grown up a bit. Guess a kid's still a kid.
Continue 5
Metera: Don't you know it's rude to fall asleep first when you've got a pretty gal in your arms?
Metera: Leaving a pretty gal alone and falling asleep first...
Metera: An adult would've taken advantage of this quality bonding time.
Continue 6
With a fond grin, Metera gently pinches (Captain)'s cheek.
Metera: I shouldn't be too mad. You exhausted yourself helping me.
Metera: When you're asleep like this, you look like a napping babe. Totally different from your focused self...
Yawn...
Yawn...
Metera: Seeing you so relaxed has me feeling drowsy too.
Metera: Might as well nap until the storm's passed.
Metera: Night, (Captain).
She closes her eyes and lets herself drift off.
Vyrn: Hey... up...
Lyria: Please...
Distant voices rouse (Captain) from the land of dreams.
When the captain's eyes finally flutter open, Vyrn and Lyria are nearby wearing concerned expressions.
Vyrn: Phew... Glad to see you're all right.
Choose: How did you get here? The storm...
Vyrn: When you and Ms. Shameless never came back, we went lookin' for ya.
Vyrn: Lyria had Leviathan get rid of the storm somehow.
Vyrn: But, uh, the heck were you and Ms. Shameless doin' before we got here?
Lyria: We were so worried about you two, but you were just...
Lyria and Vyrn, both bright red, stare at (Captain)'s and Metera's entangled forms.
(Captain) hurriedly explains the events of the previous day.
Vyrn: Huh... I guess if that was the case...
Lyria: Gosh... I thought you'd turned into a different person, (Captain)...
Vyrn: The most important thing is you guys're fine, but did you manage to find the stuff you needed?
(Captain) nods and points at the fruit they had gathered.
Vyrn: Cool. Let's head back then.
Vyrn: We'll miss the fair if we don't hurry.
Vyrn: Rise and shine, sleeping beauty. Time to let go of (Captain).
Metera: Can you be any louder? Wait... Is it... morning?
Metera: Oh, yeah. I fell asleep too, didn't I...
Metera: Ugh, my hair's a mess. The tangles...
Metera: And it's sticky from the sea breeze. This is just the worst.
Vyrn: Come on, up and at 'em. We gotta make it back before we miss the fair.
Metera: Why didn't you say that sooner?
Metera: I didn't come all this way just to miss out on my chance to drink Marine Auguste!
Metera jumps up, grabs the fruit, and runs toward the cave's exit.
Lyria: Ah! P-please wait for us, Metera!
The rest of the crew scrambles after her.
No Good Taste Goes Unpunished: Scene 3
With their task complete, (Captain) and crew head to the festival. Metera treats them to nonalcoholic Marine Augustes, which the crew fully enjoys. That night, a restless (Captain) leaves their inn and walks to the beach, finding Metera stargazing alone and sipping a cocktail. The two spend the rest of the night chatting away until daybreak.
The request for Marine Auguste's ingredients has been successfully completed.
With the job done, the crew is free to walk around the cocktail fair and explore everyone's new creations.
Lyria: Ahaha... I feel really out of place here...
Vyrn: Same. This thing has got a serious "adults only" vibe to it.
(Captain) agrees as well, awkwardly observing their surroundings.
Metera: There you are. I was looking for you.
Vyrn: What's up, Ms. Shameless? I thought you were goin' to get that drink of yours.
Metera: I promised the first drinks were on me, remember?
Metera holds out the tray of blue cocktails in her hands.
Lyria: B-but we can't have alcohol...
Metera: For the last time, I know. I brought you guys the nonalcoholic kind.
Metera: So don't tell me you can't have these.
Lyria: Oh, it's such a pretty blue—like Auguste's seas...
Metera: That's why it's named Marine Auguste.
Vyrn: This is what you were hankerin' for this whole time, right?
Metera: Yep. I thought it'd be a shame if you didn't get a taste after all the work you put in to gather ingredients.
Metera: The bartender accepted my special request for a nonalcoholic version without complaint.
Metera: But only for your shares. Mine is properly filled with booze.
Metera: The taste just isn't the same without that intoxicating sting.
Metera: Plus I feel like getting tipsy tonight.
She brings her cocktail to her lips and takes a sip.
Metera: This is just what the doctor ordered. I missed this flavor.
Metera's bliss-filled expression convinces the others to look at their cocktails.
Lyria: We should drink ours too.
Ever so slowly, (Captain) and company raise their glasses to their lips.
Lyria: Wh-whoa! This is... super tasty!
Lyria: It's not as sweet as juice, but the flavors and bubbles are refreshing...
Vyrn: You were right, Ms. Shameless! This is completely different from juice!
(Captain) expresses similar approval, all but chugging the cocktail.
Metera observes their reactions with a pleased grin.
Metera: Nice to see you like it.
Metera: By the way, (Captain), I'll treat you to an extra glass of something special. Consider it thanks for everything you did in the cave.
She walks over to a nearby stall and comes back with another drink.
Metera: Here you go.
Metera: Did you know there's a cocktail language?
Metera: It's like flower language, except with cocktails, obviously.
Leaning in close, she whispers into (Captain)'s ear.
Metera: The drink I just gave you means "one night in heaven together."
Metera: So how about it? Want to be friends with benefits for a night?
(Captain) chokes on air, trying and failing to form a coherent response.
Lyria: (Captain)! Are you okay?
Vyrn: U-uh, somethin' wrong, pal?
(Captain) regains composure long enough to assure Lyria and Vyrn that everything is fine.
Metera: Ahaha, you fall for these jokes too easily. Learn how to keep it together, kiddo.
Metera: Anyway, I kept my promise, so I'll catch you all later.
Vyrn: You goin' somewhere?
Metera: Of course. I still have plenty of cocktails to try and guys to go through.
Metera: Feel free to tour the fair yourselves if you want more tasty treats.
Metera: A lot of these stalls have nonalcoholic options.
Metera: See you tomorrow.
She disappears into the crowd without another word.
Vyrn: There she goes. What do you guys wanna do?
Choose: I want to try a few more drinks.
Vyrn: Should we take a look around then?
Lyria: Sounds good to me!
(Captain) and friends, too, enter the crowd of people to enjoy the fair.
That night, a restless (Captain) leaves their inn and heads to the beach for a walk.
When the captain arrives, Metera is already sitting in the sand, cocktail in one hand while her eyes are focused on the stars.
Metera: (Captain)? Don't worry—this drink doesn't have any booze in it.
Metera: What are you doing out so late? It's way past your bedtime.
Metera: Don't tell me you went out of your way to check on this lonely gal.
Choose: Couldn't find any good dates?
Metera: Sigh... You guessed it. I only ran into trash everywhere I looked.
Metera: Which is why I'm out here drinking alone.
Metera: Well, this isn't so bad. Kind of nice, actually.
Metera: If only being alone wasn't so boring.
Metera: Hey, (Captain). You're not sleepy yet, are you?
Metera: Spend the night with me. Promise I'll make it worth your while.
Despite Metera's questionable phrasing, (Captain) takes a seat next to her.
Metera: Thanks, (Captain). Well then...
Metera starts talking about nothing in particular, taking sips of her cocktail between sentences.
(Captain) lends her an attentive ear all the while.
A few hours pass. The sun begins to peek over the edge of the horizon, dyeing the ocean a warm orange.
Metera: Looks like I got a little carried away with our private session. Not often we get to chat alone, right?
Choose: Yeah... Sorry, I'm pretty sleepy now.
Metera: Hehe, talk about being honest. But you're right. It's getting late... Or should I say early?
They stand up, brushing sand off themselves, and make their way back towards the inn.
Metera: Maybe you're not as much of a kid as I thought.
Metera: You actually managed to make it until sunrise. I was so ready for you to pass out at any moment...
Metera: I appreciate it though. You saved me from a boring night.
Metera: I might even consider letting you entertain me again sometime...
Metera: What do you say? You up for another evening of fun in the future?
Metera: Good. I'll be expecting you to satisfy me again next time.
Her eyes sparkle as she grins over at her companion.
(Captain) can't help but smile back too.