Scenario:Payila - The Sparkle of a Moment
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The Sparkle of a Moment
Payila recovers from the heat at the beach house, but refuses Lyria's invitation to swim in the ocean as it requires too much effort. (Captain) suggests using a floating bed to relax on the water. Curious and touched by the captain's thoughtfulness, Payila finally agrees to go to the seaside with everyone else.
Payila is already well on her way to becoming a puddle, but the crew take her along with them to the beaches of Auguste.
To evade the intense heat of the summer sun, they first stop by the beach house to order a drink for Payila.
Payila: Gulp... Gulp... Bwah!
Payila: Mmm, that's good!
Payila: Hehe, hehehe... It feels as if I've been restored to life.
Vyrn: Whoa... She downed the Blue Auguste in one go...
Payila: Ah, so it's called a Blue Auguste?
Payila: I like it.
Univa.
Univa.
Univa: Yes, Payila.
Payila: Bring me another one of these. And one each for (Captain) and the others too.
Univa: Very well.
Once she finishes giving out her orders, Payila plops down onto a nearby chair and lets out a breath.
The others are relieved to see that a healthy glow has returned to Payila's face.
Vyrn: Back to normal, huh?
Payila: It seems I've worried you. My apologies.
Lyria: I'm glad you're feeling much better now.
Lyria: When Univa gets back, let's all head out to the seaside together!
Payila: Hm? What are you talking about?
Payila: I'm not swimming.
Lyria & Vyrn: Whaaa!
Payila: Well, it goes without saying. My objective is to witness all of you enjoy your summer. It should be enough to watch from here.
Payila: Swimming would require deliberate use of my stamina. I'd hardly put myself through that under the intense heat.
Lyria: A-are you really not going to swim with us?
Choose: What if you used a float?
Payila: What? Even with a float, I'd need to use my arms to hold my body up. That's clearly going to be tiring.
Choose: Maybe you can play in the sand.
Payila: In this burning hot sand? I'd be completely dried up in no time.
Continue 1
Vyrn: You've got an excuse for everything... Are ya sure it's not just 'cause you can't swim?
Payila: I must pose you a question first, Vyrn.
Payila: Did you actually think I could swim?
Vyrn: I mean, not really! Didja have to say it like that though?
Payila: I'm only stating the truth. Anyway, off you go. Enjoy yourselves out there.
Lyria: Aww... I was really looking forward to spending time with her on the beach.
Vyrn: Yeah, but what can we do? We're not about to drag her out there...
Lyria and Vyrn slouch in disappointment. Seeing this, (Captain) directs their attention to something nearby.
Lyria: Is that... a bed that can float on water?
Vyrn: Ooh! It'd be perfect for Payila. She can lie down and still enjoy the ocean!
Taking a closer look, they realize the floating beds are available for rent from the beach house, among other things.
Lyria: Oh, and look at this! The bottom part of the bed is like a net!
Lyria: I guess the net allows you to dip yourself in the water so it feels nice and cool!
Payila: Oho...
Payila: Immersed in the ocean while lying down... Who knew something like this existed? Auguste is full of surprises indeed.
Payila: That doesn't sound too bad.
Hehe. Seems you found something worthwhile, (Captain).
Hehe. Seems you found something worthwhile, (Captain).
Lyria: Does that mean...
Payila: Yes, I can give it a try. You're putting so much thought into this for me, after all.
Vyrn: Okay... No need to force yourself though. I'm sure there's plenty of other ways to have fun.
Payila: No, it's fine. I'd like to try.
Payila: The fact that all of you are being so considerate is part of that sparkle I see in you.
Payila: As the owner of this treasure, it's only natural for me to cherish that light, is it not?
Payila: Moreover, regaining what has been lost is not an easy feat.
Vyrn: Huh? I've got no clue what you're talkin' about...
Payila: Hehe, it's nothing for you to worry about.
Univa: Payila. I have brought the drinks.
Payila: Good. Then off we go.
Payila stands up as she says this. Adjusting her cover-up, she turns to the crew and smiles.
Payila: Let's go, (Captain).
Payila: You've brought me this far. Now, show me more of that sparkle that's as beautiful as any treasure.
The Sparkle of a Moment: Scene 2
As she floats leisurely on the ocean, Payila realizes that now may be the only time she can witness this particular moment with (Captain) and the others. The crew notices dark clouds hanging overhead and makes for the shore, but Payila's float flips over. The weather soon clears up again and (Captain) rushes to rescue the drowning Payila, who loses consciousness.
Payila: Whew...
With a Blue Auguste in one hand, Payila floats on the surface of the water as she looks up into the sky.
She sips on her drink leisurely, as if she were lounging on a real bed.
Vyrn: Someone sure is lookin' relaxed...
Lyria: I'm really glad that Payila's enjoying this vacation in her own way! Right, (Captain)?
Vyrn: Yeah, good that she hasn't collapsed again like she did earlier.
Payila: Hehe. No need to hold back—go on and enjoy the beach if you so wish.
Vyrn: All right! Since Payila said so, we should go and have some fun too!
Lyria: Yeah! I think I'll swim out to a deeper area...
Lyria: Eeek! Bwuh...
(Captain) immediately reaches out to grab Lyria's arm before she is carried away by a particularly large wave.
Lyria: Th-thank you! I almost got swept away...
Vyrn: The wind's pretty strong today. You okay?
Lyria: Yeah! I'll be extra careful.
Payila: Hm. The wind, huh?
Payila shifts her watchful gaze from the crew to the sky.
When she narrows her eyes, the gale slowly subsides, and the waves on the water settle once more.
Payila: There we go.
As the others resume their activities, Payila looks on with a smile on her face.
Payila: (They're so bright... More radiant than the sun itself.)
Payila: (What's more, floating on the water is unexpectedly pleasant.)
Payila: Hehe. Back at the Dragon Temple, I never imagined that I'd come to a place like this.
She looks up into the dazzling sun, reaching her hand out toward the summer sky.
Payila: Who would've thought that I'd find myself enjoying this season?
Payila: (It all started when (Captain) suggested that I go with the crew.)
Payila: Hehe... I'm glad I chose to come.
She turns her attention back to her friends—her treasures—whose light is comparable to that of the sun.
Payila: (It's all so beautiful. Their cheerful expressions, their merry voices as they swim about...)
Payila: (From up close, I can feel their light more than ever. This sparkle only found in this very moment... Only now, is it...)
Payila: ...
Payila: (Will I... only be able to see it in this moment?)
As she reflects on the ephemerality of this sparkle, a wave of panic—and a sense of loss—surges within her.
The empty feeling remains, refusing to dwindle away.
Rather, an urge—a sort of longing—starts to grow the more she dwells on it.
Payila: This won't do... It cannot be lost.
Payila: I won't let it. I won't let anyone take this treasure away from me...
Payila: Hm? I feel something on my back...
Payila: ...!
Lyria: Look, (Captain)! There're so many fish in the sea!
Vyrn: Ooh, there's something around your feet too! They seem pretty used to people.
Lyria: Oh, they're nibbling at my feet! That tickles!
(Captain) dives into the ocean to take a look at what is happening underwater.
From beneath the surface, the captain can see that there are fish not only around Lyria, but under the floating bed pecking at Payila's back as well.
Vyrn: There's some where Payila is too? Haha, bet that gave her a scare...
Vyrn: Hm? What's that?
(Captain) looks up to see thick, dark clouds covering the sky above.
That's when the wind picks up again, blowing more violently than ever.
Vyrn: What the... The weather was great until a second ago. Now the clouds are lookin' real menacing...
Lyria: Looks like it's about to rain. We should head back to the beach house for now...
Lyria: Eeek!
Vyrn: Lyria!
Choose: Watch out!
Choose: Hold on!
Vyrn: Are you okay!
Lyria: Y-yeah... Thanks for grabbing onto me so fast, (Captain).
Vyrn: All right, let's get back to shore!
Vyrn: You good with that, Payila?
Payila: ...
From her bed float, Payila is looking straight at (Captain) and company.
With the crew reflected in her gaze, her eyes are as dark as the clouds hanging above.
Lyria: Payila?
(Captain) has a bad feeling and makes to ask Payila if she is okay, when suddenly...
Vyrn: Whoooa! The wind's...
Lyria: P-Payila! Are you all right?
Vyrn: The bed flipped over in the water!
Vyrn: Hm? Wait, the sky's clearing up...
When light illuminates their surroundings once more, (Captain) and company look up at the sky.
The thick clouds from a moment ago have disappeared, replaced by clear skies in the blink of an eye.
Lyria: Huh? Was that... a passing shower?
Vyrn: The weather's kinda weird today... Anyway, let's make our way back before it acts up again.
Vyrn: Oh, right! How's Payila?
Flustered, the three turn to look at the floating bed, but the Divine Dragon is gone.
They scan the vicinity, but not a trace of Payila is to be seen on the surface of the ocean.
Lyria: Payila's nowhere to be found!
Vyrn: C-crap! She isn't drowning, is she?
(Captain) dips beneath the waves once more and begins to look for any sign of Payila underwater.
The captain notices a stream of tiny bubbles within the dimly lit depths of the ocean.
Payila: Blub, blub, blub...
Vyrn: Payila! She didn't actually drown, did she?
Lyria: H-hang in there, Payila!
Payila: Pant... Pant... I-I'm... Cough, cough...
Payila: I told you... I can't... swim...
Payila: Bweh.
Vyrn: Payilaaa!
The Sparkle of a Moment: Scene 3
Payila wakes up at the beach house. Asking the captain to put on sunscreen for her, she turns and shows the scale on her back to (Captain). She reveals a secret involving the Divine Dragon, explaining that her scale was what caused the storm earlier. When she admits her fear of loss, including cherished moments, (Captain) reminds her that they can always make more memories. Payila is comforted by this, and the trust between the two grows stronger.
Payila: Hng...
Payila: Where... am I?
Floating back to consciousness, Payila finds herself lying in an unfamiliar place.
Payila: ...
Payila: Univa, explain.
Univa: Right away.
(Captain) and the others came back from the beach, carrying you to safety while you were unconscious.
(Captain) and the others came back from the beach, carrying you to safety while you were unconscious.
Univa: They were worried about your condition, so they suggested that you rest here for now.
Payila: I see... Good. As long as they stopped it before it went out of control.
Univa: Payila... Is it what I think it is?
Payila: (Captain).
Seeing Payila awake, (Captain) looks relieved and lets out a breath.
Explaining that Vyrn and Lyria are off preparing a change of clothes for her, the captain takes a seat next to the Divine General.
Payila: Seems I caused Vyrn and Lyria to worry too...
Payila: I'm sorry, (Captain).
Choose: Nothing to apologize for.
Choose: I'm glad you're safe.
Payila: ...
Payila: Leave us, Univa. I'll settle matters here myself.
Univa: Understood. Please call on me if you need anything.
Payila: Now, (Captain). Will you help me reapply my sunscreen?
Without waiting for an answer, Payila turns so that her back faces the captain.
Payila: You're not going to refuse, are you? With no one else here, I only have you to ask.
Left without a choice, (Captain) resigns to the task and lifts up Payila's long hair.
A beautiful scale giving off a turquoise gleam adorns her back.
The scale glows, as if inlaid with a single, precious gem. Drawn by its glimmer, (Captain) can't help but lean in.
Payila: (Captain). You mustn't touch it.
Payila: If anything touches my scale, my power will run wild... and Auguste may find itself plunged into the depths.
When (Captain) pulls away in surprise, Payila lowers her brows and laughs.
Payila: No need to worry. There is no harm in merely looking.
A shadow flickers across her face.
A scale that unleashes its fury when touched. Why did Payila decide to reveal such a vital weakness? The captain decides to ask her directly.
Payila: Well, you see... to take responsibility for my own sins.
Payila: Remember how my power as the Dragon Temple's keeper was taken away by my predecessor?
Every keeper of the Dragon Temple inherits the power to control the weather. Payila had an especially strong affinity with that power, her strength surpassing that of her predecessor since the day she succeeded the role.
However, sensing danger in the possibility of Payila's power spinning out of control, her predecessor had sealed her power into a dragon pearl.
After that, the dragon pearl was hidden somewhere in the Sky Realm so that the reclusive Payila would have a reason to venture into the outside world.
Payila: I was highly compatible with the power of the Guardian of the East-Southeast.
Payila: Despite this, don't you find it strange that the main concern after my inheritance of it... was a lack of control?
Payila: It's as if my predecessor knew that such a thing was bound to happen.
At these words, (Captain) thinks back to the scale on Payila's back.
Payila: You must have an idea by now... as to why my power was sealed.
Payila: Documents left behind at the Dragon Temple stated that there was someone in the past who was also highly compatible with this power.
Payila: That keeper, too, had a scale on their back. And whenever something touched it, the keeper's power would go out of control, putting the realm in imminent danger.
Payila: The storm earlier was a fragment of that power. It most likely happened because the fish prodded the scale on my back.
Payila: But even I'm unaware of what a lack of control over my power would entail. I... must not know.
A subtle tension comes across Payila's face. She continues to explain more on the chilling matter.
Payila: There is a period of time that's omitted from the Dragon Temple's records.
Payila: Everything related to the Divine Dragon from that time is gone—from the materials for their succession to office records, and even personal journal entries.
Payila: The Divine Dragon from that forgotten era was the one who possessed the same scale that I have on my back. But that's all I know.
Payila: From the records of the next Divine Dragon, the scale was called a "reverse scale"—an evil omen that symbolizes an inversion of one's role as protector of the skies.
Payila: A sign of opposition to one's role... And I can only assume that this scale caused a terrible incident in the past.
(Captain)'s mind wanders to the dark clouds that had covered the sky earlier.
The captain swallows, realizing that the sudden storm at sea had been a sliver of Payila's power running wild.
Payila: That is why my predecessor decided to seal my power. If my unrivaled power ever spun out of control, no one would be able to stop it.
Payila: I agreed to sealing the power myself, after everything was explained about my reverse scale and its dangerous potential.
Payila: Regardless...
Payila: Even now, I can't help but think that my power had been taken away from me.
The Divine Dragon lowers her gaze, placing a hand on the nape of her neck.
Payila: After my power was sealed into the dragon pearl, I felt a gaping hole inside me. An empty hole that felt robbed, and lost.
Payila: But since I started seeking out the dragon pearl and searching for treasure, it felt as if something was filling that hole again.
Payila: That's why I wanted treasure. To fill the emptiness that could not be filled otherwise.
Payila: On the other hand... I grew to become more and more afraid of losing what I have.
Payila: I won't let it. I won't let anyone take this treasure away from me...
Payila: "Time is the traveler of a hundred generations." The days that pass by are nomads on a never-ending journey.
Payila: I know there is beauty in the mere act of being transient, much akin to the travels of skyfarers such as yourselves.
Payila: And yet, when I witnessed that precious time at the seaside earlier... I didn't want to lose it.
Payila: Somehow, I had an impulse to ruin that beauty. It would be the same as destroying a treasure.
Payila: It's difficult to regain what's already lost. Real loss is when nothing can fill that emptiness. And yet... I felt an urge.
Payila: That is my sin... that I must atone for.
Payila: Ahh... I'm just terrible. I hate getting things taken away from me, and I even lose myself sometimes.
Her lips twist into a self-deprecating smile.
(Captain) reaches out and gently puts a hand on her shoulder.
Payila: ...
What is it?
What is it?
When Payila turns around, (Captain) smiles at her.
It's true that there is a sadness in the passing of time spent with loved ones, but that in itself is an opportunity to create more memories.
Choose: Let's enjoy the beach together again.
Payila: ...
Payila: Haha... Ahaha!
Payila: Hehe... You're right. Ahh...
Payila: Truly, your beauty never fails.
At Payila's outstretched hand, (Captain) gently smiles.
Payila: (But... this feels a little different to when we first met.)
Payila: (It's different from wanting something badly, or the satisfaction of having obtained a treasure.)
Payila: (Right now... I feel safe, and content.)
Payila: Hehe... I didn't think I'd feel this way when presented with something so beautiful.
Payila: But I don't hate it. In fact... I'm rather fond of it.
Payila softly pats the captain on the head, as if (Captain) was the most precious treasure in the realm.
The smile on her face is not of elation, but of peace.
Payila: In that case, show me more of what this dazzling summer has to offer.
Payila: This is hardly enough to satisfy me. After all, we both know there's much more to the light I see in you.
(Captain) returns Payila's smile—a symbol of trust between the two.
The sparkle in (Captain)'s smile envelops Payila's heart, bringing with it a gentle warmth.