Scenario:Mirin - Sentimental Samurai
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Sentimental Samurai
One day Mirin is approached by a young samurai at a teahouse. They agree to have a match, but Mirin ends up losing and is told that she must find out what it means to be a true samurai. Mirin ponders this and asks Jin for his advice.
Mirin: Sigh...
Vyrn: Uh... Hey, don't worry about it!
Lyria: That's right! Why don't we rest for now and refresh ourselves!
Mirin: Lyria, Vyrn... I...
Mirin: I give up!
In a softly lit room on the Grandcypher, Mirin flops onto a table and lets out a long sigh.
Over the past few hours, (Captain) and Lyria have been trying to cheer Mirin up while Vyrn hovers around them hesitantly.
Mirin's conundrum began several days ago.
After completing a mission, (Captain) and crew visit a teahouse that was recommended to them by their client, located on the main street of a nearby town.
Lyria: Wow! The sweet dumplings here are delicious!
Mirin: Gozaru! These sweet dumplings remind me of when I was little!
Mirin: Back when I was small, every day after sword practice Father and I would have some sweet dumplings at a teahouse before going home.
Mirin: Enjoying the sweet dumplings glazed in sauce after practice was simply divine...
As the crew indulge in the scrumptious desserts in front of them, a figure appears, watching them from a distance.
???: Excuse me... Miss, could that be a sword hanging at your waist?
Mirin: Huh? Oh, yes, it is...
Young Samurai: So it really is! I didn't think I'd find someone like myself in a foreign place like this.
Lyria: Um... You mean you're also a samurai like Mirin?
Young Samurai: No, I'm only a trainee. At the moment, I'm just a blade-wielding agent traveling around while doing some training.
Vyrn: Huh? So you can't be a samurai if you're still training?
Mirin: That's not true. Looking at the way you hold yourself and your blade...
Mirin: I can tell right away that you, sir, are a strong, full-fledged samurai!
Young Samurai: Wow... I'm flattered.
Mirin: A samurai is a warrior who wields a sword.
Mirin: If you can wield a blade that sharp, then I believe you are already fit to be a samurai!
At Mirin's words, the young samurai's expression turns stern.
Lyria: Um... Is something the matter?
Young Samurai: Hm. It must be fate that brought this encounter. If I may ask—would you grant me the honor of a match?
Mirin: A match, you say?
Young Samurai: Yes. After all, the most efficient way to polish one's skill is to exchange blows with an opponent.
Young Samurai: Of course, I wouldn't want to cause any trouble for you...
Mirin: Very well! If that's the case, then I humbly accept your request!
Mirin agrees to the samurai's request for a match, and they head to a place a little ways from the teahouse with the crew in tow.
Young Samurai: Whew... All right, I'm ready.
Mirin: Okay. I won't be taking it easy on you! Now, let us fight...
Mirin: Fair and square!
In that moment, their blades clash, unleashing a gust of wind with the two warriors at its center.
Lyria: Eek! The wind...
Vyrn: Whoa... Their swords are moving so fast my eyes can't keep up!
(Captain), Lyria, and Vyrn watch with bated breath as the fierce battle continues with neither side giving in.
However, gradually, Mirin finds herself being pushed back.
Mirin: (Ugh... That was a hard blow!)
Mirin: (On the other hand, his subtle swordsmanship allows no room for me to go on the offensive!)
Mirin continues to look for an opportunity to make a comeback, but the attacks from the young samurai grow more aggressive. Mirin starts to feel agitated.
And it is in that split second of agitation that Mirin's sword falters.
Mirin: Oh!
Mirin's blade goes flying. She quickly reaches out for it again, but the young samurai brings his sword down, its blade hovering at her neck.
Young Samurai: Hm... It appears the match is over.
Mirin: Ugh... I lost...
Lyria: Mirin, are you all right? Are you hurt?
Mirin: Ahaha, I'm fine, Lyria! It seems I've lost the match though...
Vyrn: But that was one heck of a fight! My heart was pounding just watching it!
Mirin: It appears I haven't trained hard enough. I'll have to take this as a lesson and further train myself...
While Mirin smiles at Lyria and Vyrn, the samurai only looks at her with a severe expression.
Young Samurai: No. At this rate, it will be for nothing no matter how hard you train. You will never be able to defeat me.
Mirin: Huh?
Young Samurai: Sigh... Truly disappointing. No matter how splendid of a blade that may be, it is but dull metal when held by someone as inexperienced as yourself.
Mirin: W-what!
Vyrn: Hey! You don't hafta say it like that!
Vyrn leaps to his friend's defense.
But oblivious to Vyrn's angry cries, the samurai only withdraws his cold gaze and turns to walk away.
Mirin: W-wait!
Mirin: How... How can I become someone strong enough to be worthy of this sword?
In response to Mirin's desperate question, the samurai pauses and, without turning, looks thoughtfully up at the sky.
Young Samurai: Hm... Surely you will find the answer when you understand what it truly means to be a samurai.
Mirin: What it truly means to be a samurai...
Young Samurai: Yes. And when you have found the answer, come back to see me. I will be staying here for a period of two weeks.
And with that, the samurai walks away without sparing Mirin another glance.
Mirin: Since then, I've been training hard and reading every book I have in an attempt to find the answer, but to no avail.
Mirin: I'm not fit to be a samurai! Hngh...
Lyria: Oh, Mirin...
Seeing Mirin so disheartened, the crew is unable to find the right words to say.
Jin: What's the matter, (Captain)? You're looking quite dispirited there...
Any version of Jin (Event) is a crew member
Passing by the room, Jin catches sight of the crestfallen group and looks at them worriedly.
Mirin: Hngh... You see, Jin...
Mirin: Wait a second!
As Mirin looks up at Jin, she catches sight of the sword hanging at his waist. She stands up abruptly.
Mirin: That's right! Yes! We have Jin!
Mirin: That sword you carry and your appearance—you are the very definition of a true samurai!
No version of Jin (Event) in crew
Jin is a wandering swordsman whom the crew was first acquainted with during the incident on Sable Island. He now travels with the crew on the Grandcypher.
Sensing something amiss, Jin looks worriedly between his crewmates.
Vyrn: Well, you see, Mirin—
Mirin: That, at your waist! Could it be!
Vyrn: Whoa! What's gotten into you all of a sudden?
Mirin: Excuse me, sir! Are you perhaps a samurai? You are, aren't you!
Jin: Huh? Well, yes... Though, to be exact, I'm not quite—
Mirin: That splendid sword you carry and your outfit—every bit of you screams samurai!
Mirin: Please! Since we are both samurai, would you be so kind as to train me?
Jin: Um... But I'm not sure I can train—
Mirin: Please, I beg you! I'm at the end of my rope!
Jin: Whoa! Let's calm down first. How about you start by telling me your situation?
Mirin advances on Jin with a frightening expression on her face. Jin looks to (Captain) for help.
(Captain) nods at Lyria and Vyrn, and together they convince Mirin to settle down.
Sentimental Samurai: Scene 2
Jin, Narmaya, and Sevilbarra respond to Mirin's call for help and gather to discuss their definitions of a true samurai. They realize that each of them envisions a different kind of samurai, and that one must first consider his or her own objectives.
(Captain) and the others manage to pry Mirin away from Jin. Settling down, the group proceeds to explain their story to Jin.
Jin: I see... The meaning of a true samurai, huh?
Lyria: Yes... Mirin has been looking for the answer ever since that day, but nothing's come up yet...
Jin: Hm... I would offer you the answer right away if I could, but alas, it's quite the difficult question.
Jin: This isn't something that can be resolved just by me teaching you techniques and swordsmanship.
Mirin: Oh no... At this rate, I won't be able to look Father and Mother in the eyes ever again!
Vyrn: Isn't there someplace we can go to find out about the whole samurai thing?
Jin: Hmm... It's not like I learned what it means to be a samurai from anywhere...
Jin: Perhaps you could ask someone who is familiar with eastern culture and the legacies of famous samurai...
Choose: I might have someone in mind.
Mirin: G-gozaru?
Eahta is a crew member, Any version of Narmaya is a crew member, Any version of Sevilbarra is a crew member
Lyria: You're right... We have someone in our crew who's used to handling samurai swords, after all!
Vyrn: That's true. We have met a few people while traveling who seemed pretty good with that kinda stuff.
Lyria: Then let's ask Sierokarte to help us send out some letters!
Lyria: Someone just might be able to help us!
Jin: Hm, we may be able to find out something by asking. If we combine the knowledge of different people walking the same path, we might get a better idea of what we're looking for.
Vyrn: Then we better get started roundin' them up!
And with that, the crew decides to try asking other samurai in hopes of helping Mirin solve her crisis.
The next day, a number of people gather in a room on the Grandcypher.
Lyria: Thank you so much for coming to help Mirin out, everyone.
Any version of Narmaya is a crew member
Narmaya: Don't worry about it, Lyria. I was worried about Mirin too since she hasn't been looking very happy lately.
Narmaya: Hehe, leave it to me. I'll have this problem solved in no time!
No version of Narmaya in crew
Narmaya: Well... I still have a ways to go myself, so I might not be of much help...
Narmaya: But since all of you thought to ask me, I'll do my best to provide any form of support I can.
Narmaya agrees to help the crew despite the uncertain expression on her face.
Narmaya is a Draph swordswoman whom the crew sought out after hearing rumors of her techniques that combine magic and swordplay.
Though currently on a journey as part of her training, hearing the crew's cry for help, Narmaya has joined them on the Grandcypher.
Sevilbarra: What it means to be a true samurai, huh... That's a difficult question.
Any version of Sevilbarra is a crew member
Sevilbarra: Heh, we are of the same pod. I'll do whatever I can to help.
No version of Sevilbarra in crew
Sevilbarra: Hmm... I don't know how much help I'll be, but I can at least offer what little knowledge I have.
Sevilbarra is a swordsman traveling in search of a legendary blade in order to take revenge for his sister's murder.
Sevilbarra happened to be in a nearby town when he heard of the crew's situation and decided to help.
Jin: Well then, let's get to the meat of the matter.
Narmaya: Hmm... What it means to be a true samurai, right?
Sevilbarra: I may be a warrior with a sword, but if you asked me what being a samurai means exactly, I'd have a hard time answering...
Mirin: I was taught that a samurai is a warrior who wields a sword.
Mirin: I never heard anything about needing any specific skills or certification...
Sevilbarra: How about you, Jin? You call yourself a samurai, so you must have a reason for doing so.
Jin: Well... This is a little embarrassing, but I met a samurai when I was very young and have admired him ever since. In other words, I am merely imitating him—nothing else.
Mirin: Wait, does that mean you know someone worthy of being called a samurai?
Mirin: Maybe we can get some hints from him!
Mirin: How did you meet this samurai, Jin?
Jin: Hm. I don't know if this person thinks of himself as a samurai or not, but...
With these words, Jin begins to tell his story of how he came to meet a particular samurai.
As a child, he encountered some ferocious monsters that were about to attack him when a samurai came and saved his life.
Admiring the bravery the samurai had shown that day, Jin decided as he grew up that he wanted to be someone who saved other people too.
Jin: Everything about me, including my appearance and swordsmanship, is something I took from the samurai who saved me.
Jin: You may even call this my oath. I wish never to forget the admiration I felt when I looked at that samurai as a young boy. It is my desire to become just like him.
Jin: My definition of a samurai is someone like the man I met back then—someone who is selfless and strong enough to save other people.
Mirin: Hmm... So that's what being a true samurai means to you.
Narmaya: I'm similar in a way.
Narmaya: I have an uncle I met only once, a long time ago when I was little, who was a very strong samurai.
Narmaya: I've been training hard ever since so that I can someday receive his approval.
Mirin: You too, Narmaya? So the kind of samurai you want to be is also...
Narmaya: Hmm, that part might be a little different. My uncle... The samurai I envision is someone who is so strong that he's almost completely unapproachable.
Narmaya: Someone who only gives his attention to those he deems strong enough to be worthy of it.
Mirin: I see... So both of you have a clear vision of what kind of samurai you want to be.
Mirin: But I don't have that kind of a role model...
Mirin: And it seems to me that the goals both of you have set for yourselves as samurai are a bit different too.
Sevilbarra: That's because each of them had different reasons for wanting to achieve their goal.
Mirin: Hngh... You're right.
Mirin: The selfless samurai that Jin talked about, and the samurai whose strength reigns supreme that Narmaya envisions...
Mirin: Could it be that a true samurai is someone who embodies both of those ideals?
Lyria: But... the person we met a few days ago said that it's no use just training, didn't he?
Sevilbarra: Hmm... Before we think about what that man meant by a true samurai, first we must consider what a samurai aims to do.
Sevilbarra: If there is a reason to call someone a samurai other than for being a warrior with a sword, then that would be the answer we need.
Mirin: The reason for a samurai to be called a samurai...
Mirin: Come to think of it, I never learned how samurai got their name.
Sevilbarra: I see. Then perhaps looking into the history of the samurai would be a good start.
Sevilbarra: Heh... Looking at the paths our predecessors took may just be the key to solving this mystery.
Mirin: The paths our predecessors took...
Mirin: You're right, Sevilbarra. Maybe it's time to go back to the basics and learn about the samurai from the very beginning.
Mirin: Jin, Narmaya, Sevilbarra. Thank you very much!
Mirin: Hearing what all of you had to say has shed some light on the matter!
Mirin: Now I just have to do it! I'll repay everyone for their efforts by making sure I find the answer that I'm looking for!
The opinions of her fellow samurai have given Mirin some new clues.
Seeing Mirin filled with determination once again, (Captain) and the others breathe a sigh of relief.