Scenario:Night Pareidolia - Chapter 1: Perturbation - Episode 1

Night Pareidolia - Chapter 1: Perturbation - Episode 1

Before the Accordants can process Tikoh's claim that Ferdinand is still alive, Fiorito arrives alongside the supposedly dead Lavirita with her own host of revelations. She reports that her father and Manamel's sister are Chairmen and that Manamel switched sides, forcing Lavirita to step in and save her.

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Feather: Ferdinand...

Randall: Is alive?

The information that Tikoh and Cupitan have brought leaves their crewmates dumbstruck.

Ragazzo: Don't be stupid!

Ragazzo: I... I did him in with my own hands!

Tikoh: There were stelae on Ovuque Island that documented Navis's history and ideals.

Tikoh: "The observant ones claim Argo was born without a core, splitting into twenty-three pieces at the moment of genesis."

Tikoh: "That's twenty-three sacrificial weapons—bringing them together in their consummate states to manifest Argo is our goal."

Tikoh: Sacrificial weapons... These must be the Horoscopes.

Tikoh: "By granting Argo a core and a purpose of our choosing, its extraordinary capabilities—"

Tikoh: Would allow it to grant a single wish?

Tikoh: "World domination, soul purification, resurrection of the dead, spatiotemporal breakthrough, travel between worlds—nothing is impossible."

Tikoh: Could this be what Navis is gathering the Horoscopes for?

Tikoh: And in the list of Navis's inaugural members, I found his name.

Tikoh: It's not clear exactly how ancient those stelae were, but there's no question that they're older than he should be.

Cupitan: And what's more... I finally remembered.

Cupitan: Ris and I didn't kill just anyone that day. It was Ferdinand.

Ragazzo: You're telling me he's come back to life before?

Cupitan: I don't want to believe it either, but that's the only thing that makes sense.

Ragazzo: ...!

Feather: Ragazzo...

Ragazzo: There's no damn way... Then, what the hell did I...

Fiorito: Ferdinand's alive, no doubt about it.

Fiorito appears before the group, and from behind her emerges another figure.

Lavirita: Regrettably, the man is quite tricky to dispose of.

Randall: Fiorito! And hold up, you're...

Kolulu: Lavirita! Did you come back to life too?

Lavirita: Long time no see, everyone—though I suppose we were never formally introduced. Yes, I am indeed Lavirita.

Lavirita—Auditor Quinto and the Accordant for the Bird Eye.

Having fallen in battle against Fiorito as part of Navis's plans, he was supposed to be dead.

(Captain) and the others prepare to fight, but Fiorito quickly raises a hand to stop them.

Fiorito: Hold on, it's all right. Lavirita's not an enemy. In fact, he saved—

Fiorito: Ugh...

Fiorito puts a hand on her abdomen, which is wrapped in bloody bandages.

Feather: Whoa, are you okay? What happened?

Lavirita: I administered first aid, but Dr. Tikoh will have to take it from here.

Cupitan looks closely at Lavirita as he helps Fiorito lay down on a couch.

Cupitan: I don't see any hostility in him. In fact, this kind shade of orange is...

Lavirita: I'd prefer to keep my privacy, if you don't mind. How much will that cost me?

Cupitan: Oh, I'm sorry! It was just such a pretty color...

Vyrn: And how're ya planning to pay her off in the first place? Didn't Muscle Lady get all your savings?

Lavirita: Hehe, who's to say?

Though surprised by the turn of events, the crew members decide to trust Lavirita for the time being and turn their attention to Fiorito.

Tikoh: You were slashed right in the stomach, but it looks like it didn't reach your organs. I should be able to heal you up fine.

As Tikoh gets ready to treat her, Ragazzo approaches Fiorito.

Ragazzo: So, what was that you said about Ferdinand being alive?

Vyrn: And where's Manamel? We thought she was with ya.

Fiorito: ...

Fiorito: We might not ever get to see Manamel again...

Following the instructions written in Lavirita's letter, Fiorito had happened to meet Manamel on the way to Ovuque Island.

Upon heading to the arena together, they each see a completely unexpected face on the stage.

Manamel: Sister!

Fiorito: Da... d?

The Two: ...

Manamel: Sister! Sister, Sister, Sister!

Manamel joyfully takes off towards Nereus, but something else flies at her even faster.

Vegalta: ...!

Manamel: V-Vega! What're you doing?

Nereus: Perhaps Vegalta wanted a hug too.

Manamel: Sister! I've missed you so much!

While the two embrace each other, Fiorito finally manages to open her mouth.

Fiorito: Dad... Why're you here?

Fiorito: That woman's really bad news... You need to get away from...

Ferdinand's Voice: Allow me to explain.

Audaciously making use of the fly system, Ferdinand lowers himself onto the stage from above.

Ferdinand: Judah is actually a very good friend of ours. He's one of us Chairmen, you see.

Fiorito: ...!

Judah: ...
I didn't know you'd arrived.

Ferdinand: How could you hold a meeting without me? Have I fallen out of favor with you two?

Judah: We were just being mindful of your condition.

Ferdinand: In that case, there's no need to worry. The growing pains were quite stimulating, but they're just fond memories now.

Fiorito: ...
Look at me, Dad. Wasn't Navis supposed to be the enemy?

Ferdinand: Why, Fiorito. You've seen how our constellations determined the paths of all your fellow companions, haven't you?

Ferdinand: Are you sure that deep down, you don't grasp the situation?

Fiorito: I'm not talking to you. I'm talking to my dad.

Judah: ...

Fiorito: Dad!

Fiorito: You're...

Morilynn: Stay away from him.

Morilynn: That's not your dad anymore. He's my Judah now.

Fiorito: Grh!

Fiorito: (That's right, I can't let myself be touched!)

Morilynn: You flutter around so gracefully, Miss Macho... Or rather, Fiorito.

Morilynn: However, I happen to have a daily routine of studying moths as they flutter about.

Fiorito: Crap—

Having anticipated Fiorito's movements, Morilynn reaches their hand out toward her.

Fiorito: Sphairai... I devote my entire being. Let my spirit bloom!

Morilynn: Hmm, it seems I only hit your gauntlet.

Fiorito: (...?
What was that I just felt?)

Morilynn: But how long can you keep that up? No matter how long a game of tag goes, the chaser never loses.

Fiorito: I'm not here to play with you. My dad and I have something to—

Fiorito: Argh!

Manamel: Could you pipe down? I'm trying to have a moment here.

Fiorito: Mana... mel?

Manamel: If you're going to fight my sister-boo's friends, then I'm obviously your enemy now.

Manamel: So would you, like, mind disappearing somewhere? Shoo, shoo!

Morilynn: Don't worry about us, Manamel. I'll finish her off.

Morilynn: Now...

Crouching down and opening Fiorito's pouch, Morilynn takes out a book.

Morilynn: "The Roses and the Prince"... This sure brings back memories, doesn't it?

Fiorito: Huh?

Morilynn: Well, don't worry about it. You're going to wither and die here, after all.

Morilynn: Oh?

Lavirita: Come along now, Fiorito.

Fiorito: Lavirita!

Lavirita: I just threw a magic item that spreads darkness around itself, somewhat like a smoke bomb. It's quite pricey, you know?

Lavirita: However, I have no guarantee that Morilynn's senses work the same way ours do. We should make a quick exit.

Fiorito: B-but!

Lavirita: We can talk later. For now, just run like your life depends on it.

Fiorito: ...
All right.

Ferdinand's Voice: My, are you leaving already?

As Lavirita takes Fiorito by the hand and leads her away, a voice rings out from the unnaturally dark arena.

Ferdinand's Voice: How unfortunate. But considering what's happened here, I'm sure that we'll meet again quite soon.

Morilynn: ...

After being guided to Lavirita's skyskimmer, Fiorito manages to escape from Ovuque Island alive.