Scenario:Nier - The Unyielding Lover

The Unyielding Lover

After delivering supplies to a summer retreat, Nier learns of a white rose that is said to eternally bind two people. While searching for the rose, Nier is accosted by skirt chasers, who in turn are chased off by Anthuria. She helps Nier pick out her first yukata, and the two strengthen their friendship—as well as their rivalry for (Captain)'s affection.

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The crew has been tasked with delivering supplies to a summer retreat.

It's an easy job that they complete with aplomb, so (Captain) and company decide to stick around and relax.

Each crew member heads off to do their own thing, with Nier electing to take a stroll around a nearby lake.

Death: Do yoo not intend to spend time with the others?

Nier: Not right now at least. I want to see if I can find it first.

Client: Yep, it's quite the old wives' tale actually, though some people say it's more creepy than endearing.

Client: We're known for having roses that bloom all year round. However, there's one—and only one—white rose that blossoms once a year.

Client: As the story goes, picking that particular rose and giving it to someone special means the two of you will be together forever.

Nier: So if someone does find that rose, they're allowed to pick it?

Client: Sure. Whoever finds it first may do as they wish with it.

Client: But please don't go uprooting any other roses aside from the white one.

Nier: I want to go look for the white rose. Will you help me, Death?

Death: Koo kee kee! Of course I will! Yoor wish is my command, my beloved.

Nier: Thank you. Okay, let's be on our way.

Given the sheer number of roses growing along the lakeshore, Nier considers it to be the perfect place to begin her hunt, but other hunters are out on the prowl as well.

Skirt Chaser 1: What's up, babe? Lookin' for something? Like, say, a good time?

Nier: ...

Nier: (Not this again. I don't have time to deal with these people.)

Nier: Um, I'm sorry. I have some... business to take care of. I'm not interested in hanging out...

Skirt Chaser 2: Yeah, yeah, that's what they all say. Don't be mean to your heart and deny what it really wants.

Nier tries to brush past the men, but one of them grabs her arm.

Nier: Hey!

Skirt Chaser 1: We didn't say you could leave.

Nier: L-let go of me! I—

Skirt Chaser 2: Don't pretend like you don't like it. Once we get bored, we'll dump you for another toy, and you'll be free to go.

Nier: Of course you will... Because you just can't help yourselves, can you?

Nier: Amoral people like you deserve to be erased. Death, get—

???: Guards! Over here! Two creeps are harassing a woman!

Skirt Chaser 1: ...!

The two men immediately flee from the scene, unleashing a torrent of curses on their way out.

Anthuria: Phew... That could've gotten real messy.

Nier: Anthuria? Where are the guards?

Anthuria: When I saw you were in trouble, I kind of just reacted. Luckily my bluff paid off.

Nier: I see... Thank you.

Nier: (I don't think she noticed that I was about to summon Death.)

Nier: (Death didn't have a chance to draw blood, so there shouldn't be any way for (Captain) to find out about what almost happened and get angry with me.)

Nier: (So it's fine. Everything is... fine.)

Anthuria: More importantly, did they hurt you? I thought I saw one of them grabbing your arm.

Nier: Oh, yeah. One of them did, but don't worry. I'm okay.

Anthuria: That's a relief. It's such a shame that unruly fans and pickup artists can be found anywhere these days.

Nier: Really? Do you deal with those kinds of people a lot?

Anthuria: Yeah, unfortunately. Certain fans take things a step too far, and dealing with them is always a hassle.

Nier: You too, huh? I also seem to attract the wrong sort of attention.

The two crewmates let out a deep sigh of frustration at the same time, which then gives way to giggles.

Anthuria: Hey, here's an idea. Why don't we stick together in case other creeps try their luck? You know, strength in numbers?

Nier: Um...

Anthuria: Oh, unless you already had plans? In that case, I'll—

Nier: Actually, I wouldn't call it "plans" per se... But I was in the middle of looking for a white rose...

Anthuria: Wait, as in the white rose the client mentioned?

Anthuria: I see. Well, I'll join you if you'll have me. Two pairs of eyes are better than one, yes?

Nier: I... I guess I'm fine with that, but are you sure you want to come along?

Anthuria: Sure as sure can be. I was hoping for a chat partner anyway. Plus I'm curious about the story myself.

Anthuria: It might help to ask the townsfolk if they know anything else about the rose. Shall we head back real quick?

Nier nods, and they set off for town.

Nier: Practically everyone's wearing a yukata. I just noticed you're wearing one too...

Anthuria: Apparently we arrived in the middle of a festival, so I figured I'd dress for the occasion.

Anthuria: Besides, it's easy to forget how to put one on if it sits in the closet for too long. I'm glad I got to shake off the rust since everyone's planning on checking out the festivities later.

Anthuria: And I'd never forgive myself for looking anything less than immaculate in front of (Captain).

Anthuria: What about you, Nier? Saving yours for later?

Nier: Um, no... I don't own a yukata. There never seemed to be a good time to wear one.

Anthuria: Well, this is as good of a time as any if you ask me. Wanna go browse?

Nier: Okay... I'll follow you.

After getting directions to a yukata shop, the pair make their way over and step inside.

Anthuria: Ready to strut your stuff?

Nier: Um, almost... Okay, I think I'm ready.

Nier: Did I... do this right?

Anthuria: Eh... Stand up straight, arms slightly up.

Anthuria fidgets with Nier's yukata, correcting her rookie mistakes.

Anthuria: Sash needs to be fastened tighter here... Let's go ahead and close the top so it's less puffy... Voila. Much better.

Anthuria: Now you're looking fantastic. Very cute.

Nier: Th-thank you. Do you think... (Captain) will also tell me I look cute?

Anthuria: ...

Anthuria: Hey, can I ask why you're so eager to find the white rose?

Nier: I guess it's my way of making a wish to the heavens. The truth is I... I like (Captain)...

Anthuria: ...

Nier: I don't want the captain to leave me. I would do anything for (Captain).

Nier: And I mean anything—even sacrifice my entire being. That's how strongly I feel.

Nier: But I'm filled with this anxiety at the same time.

Nier: I fear that (Captain) will one day discard me like those men at the lake planned on doing.

Anthuria: (Captain) would never—

Nier: I know. That's not who (Captain) is. But the notion is stuck in the back of my head.

Anthuria: Which is why you want to bet on that rose.

Nier: Yeah... Whatever will help lessen my insecurity, even if just a little—

Nier: Um, is something wrong, Anthuria? You don't look too happy...

Anthuria: To tell you the truth, I... I also have the hots for (Captain).

Nier: Huh?

Despite it being a warm day, Anthuria's confession casts a chilly pall over the two.

Nier: Are you... going to take (Captain) away from me?

Anthuria: At the end of the day, it's (Captain)'s call. Not that I expect anyone to outduel me for the captain's affection.

Anthuria: If you must know, (Captain) and I have already... s-spent the night together, so...

Nier: Gasp! Y-you have?

Nier: B-but I've also spent a night with (Captain)... I even showed off a side of me no one has ever seen...

Anthuria: You what?

Another heavy silence ensues. Then without warning, Nier cracks an awkward smile.

Nier: Haha, it's like we're two rivals competing for love in some kind of romance novel.

Anthuria: Yeah, we sort of are when you put it that way. Then let's take a page from that book and promise to keep this a fair competition.

Anthuria: And whomever (Captain) ultimately picks, we'll respect that decision. Agreed?

Anthuria: Because I just want to see that (Captain) is happy.

Nier: Sure, sounds good to me. But I doubt anyone loves (Captain) as much as I do.

Nier: Not you or anyone else.

Anthuria: That's my line. You'll see how much I l-love (Captain) too.

Nier: Erm... Your face just became super red...

Anthuria: I-it doesn't matter! L-let's just decide on where to go next!

Nier: Huh? You still want to hang out with me even after making our wager?

Anthuria: Why not? It's true we're rivals in love, but we're still crewmates... and friends, aren't we?

Nier: Friends?

Anthuria: Or... not? Maybe I was just hoping that'd be the case.

Nier: N-no, I didn't mean it that way... I just wasn't expecting it...

Nier: I never had friends growing up because of my family.

Nier: The only people who have ever spent quality time with me are (Captain) and a few others in the crew, so I'm really glad to hear you say that.

Nier can't hold back her grateful tears any longer and soon her cheeks are wet.

Anthuria quietly strokes Nier's head to help calm her down.

Anthuria: I'll wait for you outside, okay?

Death: What would yoo like me to do, my beloved? Will she be a problem?

Nier: No, Death. Anthuria is my precious friend who recognizes me as an equal.

Nier: What's more, I won't do anything that will cause (Captain) grief. So no.

Death: Very well.

Nier: Death... Ever since we started traveling with (Captain), our world has really changed.

Nier: I never thought I could make any friends, let alone a fellow challenger for someone's feelings. It's like I'm living in a storybook...

Nier: And honestly? I think I like it.

Death studies her pactbearer. She's proud of this version of Nier, who seems to have found a new confident voice.