Scenario:Randall - Contagious Passion

Contagious Passion

While in recovery, Randall considers how he was completely overwhelmed by Ragazzo, whereas Feather didn't seem the least bit fazed. It makes him wonder whether he's truly a worthy rival for Feather.

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Randall: Huff... Huff...

Randall: Tch, talk about pathetic... Can't believe I'm outta breath just from taking a walk.

Randall stops to collect himself and recalls the circumstances under which he came to suffer this injury.

The crew arrived at Stella Island, a remote island known for its research on astronomy.

They were there to handle a monster extermination request and completed it with little difficulty.

During their sojourn on the island, however, they suffered an attack from a mysterious organization known as Navis.

There was a particularly heated confrontation with one of their elite members, Ragazzo.

Ragazzo: I don't have to tell you a damn thing.

Ragazzo: Get outta my face already!

Feather: ...!

Randall: Feather!

Ragazzo's flaming fists close in before Feather's eyes.

Randall: Gaaah!

Taking the full brunt of Ragazzo's attack, Randall suffered a near-fatal wound.

Though he survived thanks to Tikoh's restorative magic, the caustic nature of the wound left behind a deep scar.

A major blow was dealt to Randall's pride as well, making him realize how much stronger Ragazzo is than him.

More surprising than that, however, is the fiery passion Feather has for a rematch with this foe.

Randall had never seen his childhood friend so fired up before.

Randall: Thought soaking in the rain might calm my nerves a bit, but all it's done is make my head fuzzier.

Randall: Come to think of it, this feeling's not new.

Randall: We had a pretty heated exchange the first time he fought that Ragazzo guy too.

Feather: You gotta let me up! I wanna find that guy and fight him!

Randall: Feather, who are you chasing after? I wouldn't mind smashing his face in for you.

Feather: You... wouldn't be able to take him down.

Randall: What?

Feather: Same goes for me... I probably wouldn't stand a chance either.

Randall: Of course you wouldn't! You already got slammed once!

Feather: Yeah... And in one hit too!

Randall: In... in one hit?

Vyrn: You sure you wanna rematch against someone that strong?

Feather: Heck yeah I do! Meeting him gave my fighting spirit a boost!

Feather: I just know that if we exchange fists, I'll be able to push myself to new limits! So you gotta let me go!

Days have passed since Feather's first encounter with Ragazzo.

Randall: ...

Randall: (I've kinda been on edge ever since hearing about that punk getting knocked out in a single blow...)

Randall: (I've got this weird feeling... as if I've got fish bones stuck in my throat.)

Randall: Damn it!

Predator: Clearly, something's bothering you. Want to talk about it?

Predator, whose real name is Ema, has lived her life as an assassin hoping to avenge her father's death one day.

Having since achieved that goal, she's given up the assassin trade and now travels the skies in search of a new goal.

Randall: Predator... Meh, it's nothing.

Predator: It certainly doesn't seem like nothing.

Randall: You've got a keen eye... All those years as an assassin must've paid off.

Predator: Let's just say being observant's become a bit of a habit for me.

Randall: No point in hiding it, huh?

Predator: I'm willing to listen if you want to talk about it. Just getting it off your chest can be a big relief sometimes.

Randall: Thought you might say that. But no thanks.

Predator: You'd prefer I not care?

Randall: Nah, more like I just dunno how to explain this thing.

Randall: I'm in a bad mood 'cause I can't figure out what exactly's eating away at me.

Predator: ...

Predator: Randall... You're too attached to Feather, perhaps more than you realize.

Randall: Huh? Who ever said anything about that loudmouth?

Predator: Do you remember when you first heard that Feather lost to Ragazzo?

Predator: At first I thought you were angry for your friend's sake.

Predator: In which case, any hostility or obsession you felt should have been directed at Ragazzo.

Predator: And yet, you directed those feelings toward Feather.

Randall: Aw, cut the crap! Stop talking as if you can read me like an open book.

Predator: Sorry, I guess that wasn't the best way to put it. It's just that I've lived for revenge for such a long time myself...

Predator: Should I call what you two share a symbiotic relationship? After all, you and Feather are who you are because of each other.

Randall: Pssh... As if that numbskull'd have any effect on me!

Randall: He's never gonna get that legs trump fists until my foot finds his face and knocks him out.

Randall: That's the extent of our relationship—no more, no less.

Predator: I'm sorry if I caused offense.

Predator: Though I do think you two have something special.

Randall: ...
Eh, no worries. I'll just take it as a bit of chitchat.

Randall: ...

Randall: Maybe Predator was right after all.

Randall: I sure hate the thought of someone other than me giving Feather a good beatdown.

Randall: I was so ready to go teach that Ragazzo a lesson, until I realized I wouldn't stand a chance and chickened out.

Randall: Feather, though, wasn't fazed in the least and is looking forward to a rematch...

Randall clenches his fists and recalls the battle between Feather and Ragazzo once more.

Randall: (I've never seen that knucklehead get so serious.)

Randall: (He's ready to trade blows with Ragazzo no matter what it takes.)

Randall: (But me? Where do I and my obsession with Feather stand in all of this?)

Randall: (Would Feather even consider me a worthy opponent now?)

The bout with Ragazzo helps Randall better understand the nature of the relationship he's always had with Feather.

However, a new question surfaces in Randall's mind, eating away at him like a plague.