Scenario:Sturm - Mercenaries' Night Out

Mercenaries' Night Out

Sturm runs into Tanya at a restaurant after work and joins her at her table. Conversation is awkward at first, but Sturm manages to set Tanya at ease. Just as Sturm is about to ask for Tanya's advice on something, Feena crashes the party.

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One night after work, Sturm stops by a local restaurant.

Sturm: ...

The establishment is doing a roaring trade, and Sturm has to prowl around the tables for quite a while before she finds an empty seat.

Tanya: Ah...

Sturm: (Ah... I've seen her on the Grandcypher...)

No version of Tanya in crew

---

Tanya joined (Captain)'s crew in order to discover the truth behind the death of her father—a mercenary.

Tanya: ...

Sturm: ...

Sturm: (I've barely spoken with her. She probably wouldn't feel comfortable sharing a table with me.)

Thinking it the kinder course, Sturm turns on her heel and heads for the exit.

Tanya: W-would you like to join me for dinner?

Sturm: What?

Tanya: Oh, um... sorry. That was rude of me. I'm Tanya. You're Sturm, right?

Tanya: You might not remember me, but we worked together on a job once... Ah... My hair has grown a little since then, so...

Sturm: I remember your face. But don't feel like you have to share your table just because we've met before.

Tanya: N-not at all. It's not every day you're lucky enough to run into an acquaintance, after all...

Sturm: Weren't you enjoying your meal in peace before I interrupted you?

Tanya: Actually, I'd... really like to... sit down and talk with you, Sturm.

Sturm: Talk, eh?

Tanya: Even if you don't feel like talking... The seat across from me is empty...

Tanya: And I ordered more food than I needed, so... we could just eat it together, quietly?

Sturm: ...

Sturm slips away from Tanya...

And plops down in the seat opposite her.

Tanya: Oh, I'm so glad!

Sturm: This seat just happened to be free, that's all.

Tanya and Sturm face each other across the table.

Sturm: ...

Tanya: ...

They alone seem to inhabit a silent island amid a sea of laughter and conversation.

Tanya: This is one of my favorite restaurants... Their meat dishes are especially good. Like, um, the roast beef, for example.

Sturm: Oh yeah?

Tanya: What, um, what kind of food do you like, Sturm?

Sturm: Meat.

Tanya: Mm, yes. I do too. And the meat dishes are so good here. It's one of my favorite restaurants.

Sturm: So you said. About a second ago.

Tanya: O-oh, yes. That's right. Ha ha...

Tanya: I... I'm sorry...

Sturm: For what?

Tanya: My... conversation skills are... not very good. I'm the one who invited you to join me, but I'm just...

Sturm: Mind if I order?

Sturm flags down a waiter and orders a drink, an appetizer, and some roast beef.

Sturm: No need to push yourself.

Tanya: You're right. I'm sorry.

Sturm: ...

Sturm: Just take it at your own pace.

Sturm: That's what I do.

The waiter returns and sets down Sturm's appetizer and drink.

Sturm: I see you have a drink too. Cheers.

Tanya: Ch... Cheers.

Sturm knocks back a draft of ale, the golden liquid winking in the light. She leans back in her chair and regards Tanya across the rim of her tankard.

Sturm: You're quite the knife handler from what I remember.

Tanya: R-really? You think so? We only met once in the midst of battle though, didn't we?

Sturm: Why would I bother lying about something like that?

Tanya: I-I'm just touched... Because you and your partner really impressed me with your cooperation on the battlefield. You were so in sync.

Tanya: Oh, speaking of your partner... Is Drang not with you?

Sturm: I prefer it this way. It's quieter.

Sturm's roast beef arrives, so rare it's almost bleeding, garnished with fragrant herbs.

Sturm: ...!

Tanya: You really do like meat, don't you? Your pupils dilated.

Sturm: I won't just eat any old meat.

To hide her embarrassment, Sturm stabs a piece of beef and stuffs it into her mouth.

Sturm: Munch, munch...

Tanya: ...

Sturm: This is good. I see why you recommended it.

Tanya: Phew... I'm glad you like it.

Sturm: What difference does it make to you?

Tanya: Haha... Good question.

Sturm: You're an odd one...

The two enjoy their meal in relative—but companionable—silence.

Sturm: Huh... So you joined (Captain)'s crew to investigate your father's death...

Conversation progresses little by little, in between recommendations for beer or side dishes.

Sturm: Is that who taught you your knife skills? Your mercenary father?

Tanya: Huh? How did you know?

Sturm: I didn't know, but I remember hearing a similar story.

Tanya: The knife I use is his. It's a treasured keepsake.

Tanya: I polish it till it shines every day.

Sturm: Did he teach you that too?

Tanya: Yes. He said never to miss a day.

Sturm: Huh...

Sturm: You should be proud.

Tanya: I, uh... Thank you?

Sturm: ...

Tanya: Your face looks a little red... Are you sensitive to alcohol?

Sturm: Are you kidding me? I could drink ten times this much! Ugh, you sound just like him!

Tanya: Hehe... Sorry.

Sturm: ...

Sturm: I'd like to ask your advice on something.

Sturm: You said yourself it was "lucky" we ran into each other, so whether you like it or not—

Feena: Feena, cutest owner of the buttonest nose in the skies, smells something fun going on over here!

Sturm & Tanya: ...!

Feena: Now here's a matchup you don't see every day! Ahh, friendship is such a beautiful thing! Good for you, young'uns!

Feena: Not enough chairs here. You guys mind if I add one at the head of the table?

Feena: Excuse me! Waaaiteeer! Can we get another chair over here?

A hurricane in human form blows in the front door and seats itself at their table.

Feena: Am I lucky or what? I just wandered into this restaurant at random—I had no idea it was girls' night!

Feena: So? What're we talkin' about? Ooh, is this a mercenary girls' chat sesh?

Tanya: Ah... I'm not exactly... a mercenary...

Sturm: I'm leaving.

As the flustered Tanya fumbles for a response to the newly arrived mercenary, Sturm shoves her chair back and stands.

Feena: Nooo, wait! I'm sorry for crashing your party!

Feena: You wanted advice on something, didn't you? Lay it on me, sister! I'm your girl!

Sturm: You were eavesdropping!

Feena: Maybe a liiittle. With hearing as sharp as mine, you just can't help it, y'know?

Feena: It's not every day the great Sturm needs help! I'm here for you! You are too, right, Tanya?

Tanya: Y-yes... If there's some way I can be of assistance, I'd like to!

Swept up in Feena's enthusiasm, Tanya nods eagerly.

Never has Sturm had such immediate cause to regret her actions.