Scenario:Scathacha - A Fragrant Suggestion

A Fragrant Suggestion

Heles introduces Scathacha to Elisheba, proposing Elisheba become Scathacha's personal attendant. Some time later, intrigued by the flurry of Valentine's Day preparations in town, Scathacha enlists (Captain) and the crew to help her investigate, starting with chocolate-monster hunting on Chocolae Island.

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Scathacha is a crew member

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Scathacha created an Erune vessel to house her consciousness, allowing her to travel with (Captain) and the crew.

After quite some time away, Scathacha returns to Alster Island. Heles comes to speak with her.

Scathacha not in crew

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True Dragon Deirdre is the one responsible for maintaining peace with the monsters on Alster Island.

The dragon transfers her consciousness into an Erune vessel and travels all over the island incognito under the name Scathacha.

Eventually, she settles at the Great Court of Alster Island. One day, the former princess Heles comes to speak with her.

Scathacha: My own personal attendant, you say?

Heles: Yes. As well as looking after your day-to-day needs, she could keep track of correspondence from parliament while you are away.

Heles: I also thought it might be wise to have someone watch over your true dragon form while your consciousness is traveling in your temporary vessel.

Scathacha: Heh heh. That brother of yours would probably just say I need minding.

Heles: That boy is far too informal when he addresses you...

Scathacha: Don't worry about it. I've come to realize that it's a sign of intimacy—he knows he can get away with it because we're close.

Heles: I truly wish he would grow up a little. The trouble he puts me through...

Scathacha: You don't look all that troubled... But anyway, let's return to the matter of this attendant.

Scathacha: While I was away, I felt bad about making the parliament members come see me.

Scathacha: I don't need the other services, but having my own representative in parliament would be a great help.

Heles: Thank you for accepting my proposal.

Scathacha: But working at my side sounds like a tall order for a mortal.

Scathacha: It would be one thing in my mortal vessel, but I'd worry for them when I was in my true dragon form.

Heles: No need to worry on that score. I've already selected the perfect person.

Scathacha: Two steps ahead as always. And what manner of person have you selected?

Heles: Someone who has served as royal chamberlain ever since raising my brother and I. Shall I introduce you?

Scathacha: Yes, by all means. I'd like to meet this person.

Heles: Well then, Elisheba, please come in.

The door opens and a woman steps inside.

Elisheba: It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Sir Uisneach's wife, Elisheba.

Elisheba: It will be my honor to serve you from this moment onward, Deirdre.

Scathacha: So you're the one Heles selected...
Hm?

Scathacha: (She bears a resemblance to Naoise. And there's definitely some magic potential there...)

Scathacha: (No, wait. Heles said she was her adoptive mother. In which case...)

Elisheba smiles at Scathacha's perplexed expression.

Scathacha: You said you were Uisneach's wife.

Elisheba: Yes...

Heles: As you've surmised, she is indeed Naoise's mother.

Scathacha: I thought so. Why didn't you say so in the first place?

Elisheba: Forgive me if I've offended you. I didn't intend to conceal that fact.

Elisheba: However, I've decided not to acknowledge him as my son again until he has truly atoned for his transgressions.

Elisheba: If I were to call myself his mother or see him in person, my maternal affection would surely come to the fore, and I feel that would be unforgivable.

Scathacha: His transgressions. You mean injuring me?

Elisheba: Yes, and causing the fall of the kingdom.

Elisheba: A knight is bound to serve the royal family and protect the people... I can't forgive his actions.

Scathacha: I see... So that is your stance as nurse to the royal heirs, as royal chamberlain, and as the wife of a knight.

Elisheba: Just as you say.

Scathacha: (Hm... The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, as they say.)

Scathacha: I respect your position. You will serve me on your own merits, Elisheba, not based on your spousal or maternal relationships.

Elisheba: Thank you for your consideration, Deirdre. I shall do so with all my heart and soul!

Scathacha: Good. For your first duty, I'd like you to fetch me some tea.

Elisheba: At once, Deirdre.

Scathacha: You've chosen well, Heles.

Heles: Haha... She was a loyal retainer to my mother, Queen Mugain, as well. I was sure you would take a liking to her.

Heles: Please don't hesitate to ask me if there is anything else I can do to be of service.

Scathacha: Thank you. I will.

And so Elisheba came to be Scathacha's personal attendant. Days and weeks passed, as they are wont to do.

Scathacha: I'm back. How has the island been in my absence?

Elisheba: Welcome home, Deirdre.

Elisheba: There have been several reports from parliament. Here...

Scathacha: Hm? Is this all you want me to read?

Elisheba: Yes. I've taken the liberty of compiling and summarizing everything that needs a decision from you.

Scathacha: Oho? You've judged for yourself which matters require my personal attention, have you?

Elisheba: I couldn't be sure my decisions were unbiased, so I asked for confirmation from the parliament members.

Scathacha: Indeed?

Elisheba: In the end, I think this will end up lightening their load as well.

Scathacha: I see. Some extra trouble now to avert future obstacles. Very well. You may continue.

Elisheba: I'm gratified that you approve.
I've put aside all the correspondence that arrived for you here.

Elisheba: There are some heartfelt seasonal greetings as well. Please have a look should you feel so inclined.

Scathacha: You appear to have thought of everything. Yes, I'll take them.

Elisheba: Are you going out, Deirdre?

Scathacha: Yes, I want to check on the city. You need not accompany me.

Elisheba: Understood.

Elisheba: Ah, by the way, I believe you'll find that accessory stand you frequent is closed at the moment.

Elisheba: If you wish to see the proprietress, you may find her at her son's shop.

Scathacha: Indeed? Very well, then. I shall be off.

Elisheba: Please enjoy yourself!

Scathacha: (Those clouds look ominous... It's about to rain.)

Scathacha: (It's a good thing the old woman isn't working at her stall today, or else...)

Scathacha: (Wait. Running that stall is really more of a hobby for her. She could always have closed up shop early if and when the weather turned.)

Scathacha: (Is that how Elisheba predicted I'd find it closed?)

Scathacha: (What foresight. She really is an unparalleled attendant!)

Elisheba serves Scathacha with the same skill and attention with which she raised the royal siblings.

It doesn't take her long to earn Scathacha's trust.

One day, as Scathacha inspects the town in her Erune form, she notices something out of the ordinary.

Scathacha: (What is that sweet scent? It seems to pervade the entire town...)

Following her nose, the suspicious dragon pinpoints the source, located at the center of town.

Scathacha: (It isn't only that aroma. An unusual number of mortals are gathered here.)

Scathacha: (As well as a number of street stalls I've never seen. It looks as if they're preparing for some sort of festival.)

As she peers around at the townspeople, two young women walk by laden with shopping bags.

Bag-Toting Girl 1: Do you think we have enough ingredients? We got chocolate, walnuts, and...

Bag-Toting Girl 2: Hey, hold everything! You can't use that bag! It's way too plain!

Bag-Toting Girl 2: If you don't pour your heart into every detail, all the way down to the wrapping paper, how are you supposed to get your feelings across?

Bag-Toting Girl 1: Oh... Well, let's stop at the supply shop on our way home then.

Bag-Toting Girl 2: Okay. I'll come with you. We're going to make the best chocolates ever!

Scathacha: (Get their feelings across? Hm... Come to think of it, the stalls have similar slogans written on their banners...)

Scathacha: ("For that special someone."
"Show them you care.")

Most of the shops sporting the curious slogans are selling the same chocolate the young women were carrying.

Scathacha: (Why are so many people selling chocolate?)

Scathacha: (No matter how popular it is, surely they're dooming themselves to fruitless competition by all offering the same product.)

Scathacha: (Perhaps Elisheba can shed some light on this.)

Turning over the strange state of the town in her mind, Scathacha heads back to the Great Court.

Elisheba: Confectionery stalls? Yes, in recent years, they've become rather a sign of the turning seasons. Valentine's Day is coming up.

Scathacha: Valentine's Day? So it's a festival that has the mortals so stirred up?

Elisheba: Not a festival, exactly. More of a seasonal activity.

Elisheba: On Valentine's Day, people give gifts to those important to them—relatives, friends, romantic partners, or others toward whom they feel gratitude.

Scathacha: There's nothing preventing them from showing their appreciation on other days of the year, is there?

Elisheba: Haha... Some mortals need a little extra push when it comes to expressing affection or thanks.

Elisheba: Originally the tradition involved hunting the chocolate monster for ingredients and using those to make confectioneries.

Elisheba: But the hunt was difficult for many, so in recent years, it's become more common to buy commercial ingredients instead.

Scathacha: Not just anyone can hunt monsters and spirits, it's true. So that's why there were so many establishments selling chocolate.

Scathacha: Sweet gifts to express one's feelings. How fascinating.

Scathacha: I would like to participate in this tradition myself.

Elisheba: You would? Shall I procure some chocolate for you?

Scathacha: Haha. Come now. I'm sure you know what I wish of you.

Elisheba: Of course! I'll bring you a Sky Map immediately.

Scathacha: Do so! If I am to participate in this tradition, only the unadulterated form will do.

Scathacha: As long as we're about it, we may as well invite (Captain) along to the chocolate monsters' island.

Elisheba: Understood. If (Captain) and the others are unavailable, I will arrange for another airship.

Scathacha: Thank you. If that's the case, I'll have to hunt some extra monsters for the crew as well.

Scathacha takes a look at a map to plan her route to Chocolae Island, then heads out to rendezvous with the Grandcypher.

The crew is eager to join in, so Scathacha's hunt for ingredients is soon underway.