Scenario:Monika - Well-Earned Vacay
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Well-Earned Vacay
Monika performs a live show of Magical Girl Lovely-Heart Monika at Alohas as part of a public relations campaign for the Enforcers. After the show, she decides to use her vacation time to stay at the resort with Lecia. They run into Maria Theresa, who happens to be vacationing there too with (Captain)'s crew, and the three women enjoy Alohas's amenities together.
The Crew of Enforcers periodically puts on performances at orphanages around the skies as part of a general public relations campaign.
One of those shows was titled Magical Girl Lovely-Heart Monika.
When the higher-ups learned of the glowing reviews the show had garnered, they realized they had a potential hit on their hands and made the call for another run.
They chose Alohas for their second showing, hoping to reach a wider audience.
Monika: Magical Girl Lovely-Heart Monika! In the name of the skies, I'll lead you!
Monika: Never thought I'd be pulling this costume out of the closet again...
Monika: I wonder how long I'll have to play this alter ego.
Lecia: Ahaha... As long as you keep putting on amazing performances like the last one, I guess.
Lecia: The kids loved it.
Monika: Did they? Well, that's good to hear.
Although Monika is relieved to hear the positive feedback, it does little to change her rigid expression.
Lecia: By the way, Monika, you're scheduled for a two-day leave of absence starting today, aren't you?
Monika: Hm? Yes. What about it?
Lecia: Seeing as how we're already at a world-famous resort, why don't we just stay here to recharge our batteries?
Lecia: Our workload's been killer lately, so much so that asking for time off is, for all intents and purposes, impossible.
Monika: ...
Lecia: Stress and fatigue adds up over time, you know...
Monika: You're right about that. Actually, it had crossed my mind that I needed to kick up my heels and clear my head.
Monika: Days off don't come without a fight, and now that I finally have them, I ought to make the most of them.
Lecia: That's the right idea!
Monika: Okay, you win! Let's get me out of this outfit and into my bathing suit.
Monika: Hehe... To tell you the truth, I've had my eye on the main pool ever since we got here.
Having decided on a course of action, the two women head off to get changed.
They step out of the changing rooms—now perfectly geared for splash fights—and hit the pool.
Monika: Wow! I'd heard how nice it was, but it's even more stunning up close!
A vast swimming pool stretches for as far as the eye can see. Guests dot the waves, engaging in a multitude of activities, from cannonballing to dueling with water guns.
Lecia: Look. There are people inside those giant inflatable bubbles. What's that about?
Monika: Yeah, I'm curious about those too, but let's save them for later. There's something else at the top of my list.
Monika: Our first order of business should be to conquer this pool's crowning centerpiece: the giant waterslide.
Lecia: You want to tackle that monster right off the bat?
Monika: Why not? We'll have to ride the star attraction eventually, otherwise we'll have no right to claim we enjoyed the pool!
With a huge grin on her face, Monika sets off for the waterslide.
Monika: ...
Lecia: ...
Up on the towering slide—which is much taller than she'd anticipated—Monika's grin has evaporated. In its place is a look of heavy doubt.
Monika: I should be used to operating at high altitudes thanks to our work in the field, but this is...
Lecia: Almost too high... It didn't look so bad from afar...
Alohas Staff 1: Step right up, next rider.
Monika: H-here I go.
Alohas Staff 1: Lie flat on your back and place your hands over your stomach.
Monika: Like this?
Alohas Staff 1: Yep, you got it. Enjoy the ride!
Suddenly, the attendant gives Monika a gentle push from behind.
Monika: Huh?
Monika: Yaaaagh!
Monika streaks down the chute like a bullet fired from a gun, and her trailing screams can be heard from the farthest reaches of the pool.
After crossing off the waterslide from their to-do list, the two Enforcers move on to perhaps their greatest challenge yet.
Monika: I-it's so hard to keep my bal—bwah!
Lecia: Moni—kaaa!
Monika slips and faceplants against the inner wall of the bubble, which sends the giant inflatable rolling forward.
As a result, Lecia trips and slides along the backside of the bubble. After traveling upward for half a revolution, she tumbles straight down.
Monika: Sorry, Lecia. Let me just—
Lecia: No! Stop! Don't make any sudden—
Monika: Waaah!
Lecia: Gyaaah!
Monika: Ngh... My head is spinning...
Lecia: What I was trying to say was you have to stand up slowly inside these things.
Monika: I know, I know... E-easier said than done—aaagh!
Lecia: Eep!
Monika tries to stand up again, but she immediately loses her balance and wipes out.
Monika: Sorry about this, Lecia. I need your support now more than ever.
Monika: It pains me to admit it, but I don't think I can stay upright on my own.
Lecia: Haha. It's not a problem at all.
Monika shimmies up Lecia's legs as she tries to steady herself against the bubble's unstable surface.
Guest 1: Hey, check it out. That girl's clinging to her friend like a cat wrapped around a branch.
Guest 2: Cut her some slack. It's hard to get your balance in one of those.
Guest 2: That is pretty cute though. Teehee, they must be close friends.
Monika: Ngh, this is so humiliating. Sadly I have no choice but to suffer this indignity.
Lecia: Hahaha...
The pair finish their water bubble excursion and discuss what to do next.
Monika: I think we've more or less covered the thrill rides.
Monika: I don't know about you, but I could go for a nice float in the pool to unwind.
Lecia: That sounds—
A loud growl from Lecia's stomach butts into their conversation.
Lecia immediately turns beet red.
Lecia: Geez...
Monika: Haha, I hear you. It's around lunchtime anyway. Let's grab some food.
Lecia: Yeah...
Lecia nods, and Monika consults the nearest map board of the resort.
Monika: Wow. We've got a plethora of places to choose from, and they all offer takeout too...
Monika: Lecia, I say we split up for now.
Lecia: What are you thinking?
Monika: I'm thinking it'd be boring for both of us to order from the same restaurant when there are so many options available.
Lecia: Haha, true enough. Then let's pick out what we want and split it.
Monika: Oho, good idea.
The two Enforcers then go off in different directions to search for an appetizing lunch.
Monika's hunt brings her to one of the resort's many food courts.
Monika: Seems like all the other guests decided to take their lunch break now too. I'm having trouble getting through this crowd.
Monika: Oops, my apologies. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going.
Suddenly, Monika is bumped from behind, and she stumbles toward the floor.
Fortunately, someone grabs her by the arm and keeps her from falling.
???: Oh, I'm so sorry! I was shoved back by the crowd. Are you all right?
???: Wait, aren't you...
Monika: You must be...
Maria Theresa not in crew
This is Maria Theresa, one of the ten Evokers and pactbearer to primal beast Justice.
During an expedition into the replicated world, Monika became acquainted with the Evokers via (Captain)'s crew.
Once the Evokers joined forces with the crew, that greatly accelerated the investigation into the Arcarum.
Monika: This is perhaps the last place I expected to bump into you, Theresa.
Maria Theresa: Haha, I suppose it would be. I never thought I'd see you at Alohas either.
Maria Theresa: I and few others came here with (Captain) for vacation. How about you? Is this a business trip?
Monika: No, I'm staying as a guest too. Speaking of the crew, are they off doing their own thing right now?
Monika looks around to see if she can spot anyone else she might know.
Maria Theresa: Yeah, everyone's got their own itinerary.
Maria Theresa: I was starving, so I came to the food court for lunch.
Monika: Ah, I see. Actually, Lecia and I were also about to settle in for a meal. Care to join us?
Monika: We decided we'd each buy something we like and then rendezvous to eat together.
Monika: Oh, but don't feel pressured to eat with us or anything.
Maria Theresa: Not at all. If you're offering me a seat at the table, then I'd be delighted to take it.
Monika: Perfect. So without further ado, let's see what these restaurants have to offer.
Monika and Maria Theresa begin discussing the kinds of food they like.
Monika: Is this the shop you were talking about?
Maria Theresa: Yep. I once had a client come in for an appraisal, and they couldn't stop gushing about this place.
Maria Theresa: I remembered that it was at Alohas, so I knew I had to come see what all the fuss was about.
Monika: Hm... Now you've got me intrigued.
Maria Theresa: Then shall we each pick out something different to share?
Maria Theresa: More variety means more satisfaction, wouldn't you agree?
Monika: Haha... Lecia and I had the exact same conversation.
Monika: Oh, whoa. I didn't know they had a location at Alohas.
Maria Theresa: Do you know this store?
Monika: Yes, I'm a loyal customer as a matter of fact. Their desserts pair well with pretty much everything.
Maria Theresa: If it comes with your seal of approval, then I simply must try it.
Maria Theresa: (Captain) mentioned your discerning taste for sweets.
Monika: That's... probably a bit of an exaggeration, but I do enjoy going for walks while biting down on the occasional treat. I can point out a few of the store's bestsellers if you'd like.
Maria Theresa: Please do! I have quite the sweet tooth myself.
The women inadvertently go on a shopping spree at the food court.
They don't realize the extent of their purchases until it's too late.
Maria Theresa: Hm... I think we may have gone overboard. This is what happens when you shop for food on an empty stomach...
Looking at the stuffed bags in each of their hands, they sheepishly chuckle.
Monika: Haha... We definitely splurged, didn't we? Lecia's probably waiting for us by now. I'm confident we can make a sizable dent between the three of us.
Monika hefts her bags and sets off with Maria Theresa to find Lecia.
Lecia: Ah, there you—er, is that... Theresa?
Maria Theresa: Good afternoon, Lecia. I hope you don't mind me being a third wheel.
Monika: Theresa literally bumped into me in the food court. She and (Captain)'s crew are here on vacation.
Lecia: Huh, how 'bout that? Please, by all means, hang out with us.
The three women spread out their purchases and proceed to dig in.
Lecia: Mm... This is amazing!
Monika: It sure is. It's from a shop that someone recommended to Theresa. I must say, that person has good taste.
Maria Theresa: Heehee, it's always nice to discover a new thing that agrees with you. Speaking of which, I wonder if we were born with the same taste buds?
Maria Theresa: Because this dessert you picked out is to die for, Monika!
Maria Theresa's eyes had lit up with surprise the moment she'd taken a bite of Monika's dessert.
Maria Theresa: Hey, I've got an idea. What do you say we sample some more foods while we walk and talk sometime?
Lecia: Choke, cough...
That's a bad idea, Theresa...
That's a bad idea, Theresa...
The suggestion nearly causes Lecia to choke. She tries to dissuade Maria Theresa in between coughs.
Maria Theresa: Oh dear. How come?
Lecia: Monika has a knack for picking out tasty snacks, but her self-control ends up taking a backseat...
Lecia: You have to consider if all the extra calories and sugar are really worth the price...
Maria Theresa: Oh, that! It's fine! The key to canceling out a huge meal is to do a huge workout right after!
Maria Theresa: As a tea party aficionado, I've eaten my share of pastries, and Justice gives me some grief about my snacking habits every time.
Maria Theresa: So at the very least, I aim to burn the calories I just consumed so as not to tip the scales. The alternative is to sacrifice my guilty pleasure, and I don't want to do that.
Monika: There is a case to be made for the negative impacts of imposing self-restrictions on what you enjoy.
Monika: That being said...
Lecia: I feel like your method of keeping off the weight is too good to be true...
The Enforcers look Maria Theresa up and down.
Maria Theresa: Erm... Could you two not do that? It's kind of awkward.
Monika: S-sorry.
Lecia: My apologies.
Maria Theresa: Haha. In any case, this is the first time we've had the chance to engage in girl talk.
Monika: Now that you mention it, you're right.
Monika: All those other times when (Captain) was around, our conversations would always gravitate toward work-related topics.
Maria Theresa: Right, sorry. We Evokers have proven to be real pains in the tush.
Monika: Don't worry about it. Anyway, cumbersome conversations like that are best saved for the office.
Monika: We're here to take a load off.
Maria Theresa: You're right about that. How rude of me to bring it up.
With a quiet smile, Maria Theresa bows her head.
Monika: So what are your plans after this?
Maria Theresa: Hm, nothing's on my agenda... Oh, wait. I was thinking about getting a spa treatment.
Maria Theresa: All the missions I've been taking recently have done a number on my skin, and that's on top of the accompanying aches and pains.
Maria Theresa: A full-body massage is just what the doctor ordered.
Monika: A spa treatment, huh...
Monika: (I can already picture how good it'd feel to get the knots out.)
Maria Theresa: If you're both free, shall we go together?
Monika: That does sound good. Filing paperwork at my desk for hours on end isn't doing my neck and back any favors.
Lecia: Haha, same. Plus I'm a little worried by how rough my skin's gotten.
Maria Theresa: Then it's settled! Hopefully they have enough openings for three.
They all nod in agreement and continue eating and chatting.
After wrapping up lunch and letting it digest for a bit, the three hit the spa.
Monika: (So this is what an oil massage feels like... I could definitely get used to this.)
Monika: (When was my last vacation anyway? Like a billion years ago?)
Monika: (Maybe I can work out a plan to take leave more often...)
Monika: (In the meantime, I'm going to immerse myself in Alohas's luxury...)
As Monika has the fatigue kneaded out of her body, her eyes grow heavy, and she drifts off into quiet bliss.