Scenario:Reinhardtzar - A Puzzling Holy Night

A Puzzling Holy Night

Reinhardtzar is getting ready for his first holy night since becoming a skyfarer with Cain and Leona when he notices his friends are acting strangely. Realizing that they plan on giving him a present, he is overcome with embarrassment at the idea and plots to be off the ship on the big night.

---

After leaving the Republic of Idelva and finding a routine carry out a number of requests as skyfarers...

Reinhardtzar and his companions settle down in a city in the Nalhegrande Skydom to prepare for the holy night.

Reinhardtzar: I thought it was quiet... Reading a book, are you?

Cain: ...

Reinhardtzar: Oh, it's a magazine. Odd. You're usually reading some dense book on military strategy.

Cain: Odd? I was just studying up on fashion trends and holiday outfits.

Reinhardtzar: Were you always interested in that sort of stuff? You're not getting any funny ideas again, are you?

Cain: No, no, no! Not a chance...

Cain: What about you, Reinhardtzar? Anything catch your eye?

Cain: Just take a look. There are styles for on-duty, off-duty, the holy night, New Year's... It covers everything!

Reinhardtzar: Why are you so interested in what I like?

Cain: Oh, I just want an extra opinion. I can't pick which of these is best.

Reinhardtzar: Hmph. I suppose if I had to choose... Yeah, this one's not bad.

Reinhardtzar: The trinkets are a bit much, though. It'd be hard to move. Best to take them off.

Cain: So you like a practical outfit, eh? I guess you do have your preferences after all.

Reinhardtzar: Don't make it seem bigger than it is! It's normal to think about how clothes will feel when you're wearing them.

Reinhardtzar: I still think it's off, you reading that right here in front of me instead of in your room. Were you trying to bait me?

Cain: Now you're the one making a big deal out of nothing! Everyone likes to dress up for the holidays, you know?

Reinhardtzar: Hmph. All right.

Another day...

Leona: Hey, Reinhardtzar, what should we do for the holiday dinner?

Reinhardtzar: Hmm. Well, the main dish has to be a nice, big roast chicken...

Leona: Did you already order it?

Reinhardtzar: Sure did. It'll be sent by air-ship to a restaurant in town on the day. Just need to pick it up.

Leona: How about the sides? What would you like? Oh, and how tall are you?

Reinhardtzar: For the sides...

Reinhardtzar: Wait... My height?

Reinhardtzar's eyes grow wide at the surprise query, but Leona remains straight-faced as she waits for the answer.

Reinhardtzar: (What's going on? Am I mistaken? No, she definitely said it...)

After a brief hesitation, Reinhardtzar answers both about the sides and his height.

Leona: Got it! Thanks.

Reinhardtzar: S-sure...

Reinhardtzar: (Why'd she want to know my height? Is there some dish that can't be made without that info?)

Leona: We have what we need to make a cake, too... Do you prefer shortcake or chocolate?

Leona: And how wide are your shoulders?

Reinhardtzar: What?

Reinhardtzar: How can the width of my shoulders possibly matter for a cake?

Leona: How?

Leona: Well! You see... You're a big guy, and I want plenty to eat for myself, so I need to make sure it's a huge cake!

Reinhardtzar: As if wide shoulders determine your appetite... You've been acting strangely today.

Leona: N-no! You just do some calculations based on shoulder width and voila! You know how much someone will eat.

Reinhardtzar: ...

Leona: Ha... Haha...

Reinhardtzar: All right... Back when my uniform was made...

Reinhardtzar mutters out the answers Leona needs while she smiles lightly in relief.

Reinhardtzar: (First my height, then my shoulders. If she starts asking about my chest or arms...)

Leona: Oh r-right, we need some alcohol, too! Any favorites? Oh, and what's your waist size?

Reinhardtzar: ...

Reinhardtzar: (Why did Leona need all those measurements? I'm positive that Cain has a hand in this, but what's he planning on making me wear?)

Reinhardtzar: (Well, the holy night's almost here. Could it be? Nah...)

Reinhardtzar: Not a chance.

Though he quickly reaches a conclusion, Reinhardtzar can't bring himself to believe it.

Reinhardtzar: (What should I do if I'm right? Just the idea of receiving a gift makes me restless...)

Reinhardtzar: (But... what else could it be but clothes?)

Reinhardtzar: (Wait... Hmm... Maybe...)

Reinhardtzar: (They want me to play Santa? There'd be no need to hide that, though...)

Reinhardtzar: (I can't really press the issue since it seems like they're hoping to surprise me.)

Reinhardtzar: Tch. What a mess. No point in worrying about it.

Putting it out of his mind, Reinhardtzar collapses onto the bed and falls fast asleep.

At last, the holy night arrives.

Reinhardtzar has spent days in unrest and after reaching maximum discomfort...

Reinhardtzar: Well, I'm outside... But now what should I do?

He rushes out from the airship. Without any particular destination in mind, he heads toward the restaurant.

Reinhardtzar: Not here yet? Well... It is the big night. Guess the skies are crowded.

The cargo ship is apparently delayed and hasn't yet reached the restaurant.

Reinhardtzar speaks with the owner and offers to go to the dock to receive the meat himself.

Reinhardtzar: Things feel a little tense here for some reason...

Reinhardtzar: (There are a lot of mercenaries around. Did something happen?)

Cautious from the unease in the air, Reinhardtzar scans the docks for signs of trouble when...

Drang: Well, now! If it isn't ol' Reinhardtzar!

Reinhardtzar: What? Is that you, Drang?

Reinhardtzar introduced Drang to the mercenaries in Idelva when it was still a kingdom.

Though they haven't had much contact, Reinhardtzar remembers him as a man similar to Cain.

Drang: My goodness! What're you doing here? How've you been?

Drang: A little birdie told me you left Idelva with Cain and Leona?

Reinhardtzar: Yeah. I'm a proper skyfarer now along with them.

Drang: Is that right? Glad to hear everyone's doing well! So, here on a little trip?

Reinhardtzar: Something like that. And you? What've you been up to?

Drang: I may not look it, but I'm on the job right now!

Reinhardtzar: On the job? You're a merc, then?

Drang: Sure enough. Think about it... This time of year, the city's chock full of expensive food and presents, right?

Drang: Plenty of bandits come sniffing around for all the goodies, which means it's busy season for us mercenaries!

Drang: That's why I'm not with Sturm today. Hope she's not too lonely!

Reinhardtzar: Hmm... I see. Still, seems like a lot of mercenaries about. What's going on?

Drang: We're on high alert because it seems that bandits are targeting the incoming cargo ship.

Reinhardtzar: A cargo ship?

As Reinhardtzar furrows his brow, the docks begin bustling with activity. It appears the cargo ship has finally arrived.

Drang: That look tells me you need something they're carrying.

Reinhardtzar: That's right. I'm not looking to get caught up in a scrap, though.

Reinhardtzar: I'll just take my goods and make myself scarce.

Drang: Our employer warned us thieves might come from outside the island... I'd best check inside, too...

Drang: So, I'll just come along with you!

And so...

Reinhardtzar: Oh, come on! This isn't how it's supposed to go...

Drang: Looks like they were on board right from the start!

They encounter suspicious men inside the cargo ship.

Drang: There's a lot of them...

Drang: You still want to get out of here fast, don't you?

Reinhardtzar: Are you asking for my help? Not that I have much choice...

As the thieves carelessly ransack the ship, Reinhardtzar looks on with a frustrated scowl.