Scenario:Sui - Posthumous Poetry

Posthumous Poetry

The remaining fragment of the freak of nature wavers over the morality of living on as Kuzure's daughter, Sui. But after attending a festival with Yuel and Societte where the locals give the aberration a lute that Kuzure left behind for it, the aberration gains the strength and will to move on as Sui.

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Both: Stay close, but not too close!

The sudden appearance of the two is marked by a firm declaration.

Kou, You, Societte, and Yuel—four mysterious Erunes with fox ears and tails.

Being descended from lost royal families, they each possess the power of Ninetails and are currently enlisted in (Captain)'s crew.

They have recently befriended a fifth royal family successor.

That successor is likely the one currently being tailed by Kou and You. Her name is—

Sui: Sui.

Sui: Traversing the skies

A true, beloved daughter

Now dust in the wind

Playing a lute covered in a jade flame, the girl utters her own name as if it were someone else's.

Truth be told, Sui both is and is not herself.

She continues plucking away under the tree's shadow, speaking in hushed tones to the gentle jade flame before her.

Sui: A most tragic tale

Of love known and held steadfast

And lost, all for what?

Sui: Fire of life kindled

The seventh's marvelous gift

Instilled a new hope

Sui: O dearest Father

The flame you thought the world of

Flickers to this day

She stops playing to whip up a mixture of black mist and jade flame with her right hand.

She stares longingly at it through her face veil.

Sui: This form nothing more

Than a wish of who she'd be

Had the girl lived on

Sui: A freak that's lost all

Hopes to make up for lost dreams

But still she falters

Images of loved ones flash through the mind of this aberration taking on Sui's form.

Those loved ones fully acknowledged the aberration as a friend, as Sui.

Sui: It makes me happy to know they care about me... And as long as that's true, I guess it's okay for me to keep being Sui...

Sui: But something just... doesn't feel right!

Sui: I'm not the same Sui... that Kuzure loved as his daughter...

Sui: It hurts... not knowing what to do...

Yuel: Hey, Sui! Still lookin' fer yer dad's flame?

Sui: Yuel... Societte...

Sui: Waha! Hey, long time no see! Came back to say hello?

Yuel: Mm-hm. Yer practically a little sister to us now.

Societte: We just knew we had to see you again, but... what I'd really like is for us to travel together.

Sui: Waha, you're too good to me.

Sui: Thing is...

Yuel: It's all right if ya need more time to get yer feelings in order. I know it ain't easy.

Societte: Sorry if it felt like I was rushing you... Take all the time you need.

Sui: Okay...

Yuel: Anyhoo, gotta say that's a pretty handy body you've got there, bein' able to switch between child and adult at will.

Societte: Um... Is it okay to continue using the freak of nature's power though?

The freak of nature is Sui's true form. It is neither primal beast nor monster.

It was once vanquished after falling to the depths of the skies, but not before leaving behind a fragment of its power. It is from that fragment that the current Sui was born.

Sui: You might be right... Sorry, I'm not entirely sure myself.

Sui: Child Sui and adult Sui are the only two forms I can take now. I don't even know if this can be called the freak of nature's power anymore...

Societte: I guess you're more comfortable in the child form since that's how you look whenever you're with us?

Sui: Er, well... I wouldn't say I'm more comfortable one way or the other... Let's just say it's complicated.

Yuel: Fine by me. Nothin' beats a huggable, lovable Sui.

Yuel: But can ya make an exception just for today and come with us as an adult?

Sui: Why though?

Societte: We'll be attending a mysterious festival that's open only to adults and were hoping you could join us.

Sui: ...?

You: Sneaky, sneaky...

(Captain) and company, having agreed to the idea of tailing Sui, come along on the excursion.

Adult Sui is seen walking alongside Yuel and Societte at the festival grounds of a bustling town.

Both: Sneaky, sneaky, sneaky...

Vyrn: Ya know, sayin' "sneaky" out loud isn't gonna make us any sneakier...

Lyria: You's so cute when she says it, so I just followed her example... Ehehe...

Vyrn: Hehe, I know what ya mean. Is there a point to bein' stealthy in the first place though? Can't you royal family successors sense each other?

Kou: You're right. They might've even noticed us already. Must be why they occasionally glance this way.

You: Still, I can't just sit around doing nothing.

You: I mean, can you believe Sis Yuel didn't even invite us? I'm sure she has her reasons, but...

You: It hurts sooo much to think that I'm not wanted! Sneaking around like this is my only choice!

Vyrn: Yeah, it's weird how they didn't invite you two, huh...

Lyria: It doesn't make sense to me either... I would think they'd want you to join in on the fun together...

You: And why's Sui in her adult form? It's all so weird... I have to know why!

Societte: Ahaha... We told 'em to be good and wait for us, yet here they are.

Yuel: Guess we were askin' fer the impossible. There's no way they'd leave Sui be.

Sui: Hehe... Maybe we can invite them too? Surely that'd make things a lot easier...

Yuel: Nuh-uh. Like I said, the festival's fer grown-ups only. Not to mention—

Kou: Wha? You need proof of our age? What do you mean children aren't allowed!

You: L-let us through! Please, please, pretty please!

Sui: Hm, you weren't kidding about this being for grown-ups only...

Sui: I've never heard of something like this... Not even in Kuzure's stories...

Yuel: I'd go as far as sayin' this festival's somethin' you need.

Sui: Oh?

Tilting her head in puzzlement, Sui follows behind the smiling Yuel and Societte.

It is hours later and the sun has set. The grown-ups have gathered at the plaza, quietly sipping on the drinks that have been handed out.

Sui: This smell... Is it ale? I've never had alcohol before...

Yuel: Don't worry, there's hardly any alcohol in it. Consider the drinks a mood setter for the ceremony. Should be fine if ya don't want any though.

Sui: Hm... I guess this is a festival where we can try out brews and sausages from various lands?

Sui: Now I'm curious... What's with the kindling in the center of the plaza?

Societte: Hehe, just wait and see. You'll find out soon enough.

Following Societte's words, the plaza slowly quiets down.

Amid the increasingly solemn atmosphere, a man approaches the center of the plaza with an object in hand.

Sui: Wha... How... How does he—

The lute storyteller widens her eyes in surprise. There is no mistaking it. That man is in possession of items Sui would recognize anywhere.

Sui: Kuzure's flame and lute...

She can hardy believe the sight before her. In the man's hands are a lute and a torch with a jade flame.

After making a grand display of the jade flame, he sets fire to the kindling.

Sui: How...

Sui: How is it that you have Kuzure's flame and lute?

Sui is now standing beside the man, desperate for an answer.

Elder: Quite the knowledgeable young lady, aren't you. Not many outsiders know the name of the hero who saved our town—

Elder: H-hold your horses! That lovely green hair and shiny tail can only mean one thing...

Elder: Listen well, everyone! The daughter of the great hero has come to us! We bask in her presence!

Sui: Huh? Wait a second... I'm not really—

Elder: We have waited too long to be blessed by your arrival! It is thanks to your father that our town remains standing to this day!

Sui: Um... What exactly did Kuzure do here?

Elder: He purged a cannibalistic demon that targets children, thereby saving all of our offspring.

Sui: I had no idea...

Elder: Well, no matter. I'd be more than happy to regale you with the tale of the blind lute storyteller—a tale we share amongst ourselves.

Elder: About ten years ago, when the town was just a simple village, there was a sinister beast that feasted on children. We lived in constant fear...

Elder: Kuzure showed up one day and listened to our plight.

Elder: Though he wore a veil covering his face, the raging anger he felt was evident.

Elder: He purged the monster with flame almost instantaneously. Oddly enough, the flame remained with us even long after Kuzure left.

Sui: And that flame is what I'm looking at right now...

Elder: Yes, it's kept all manner of monster and beast at bay, allowing the village to expand into a prosperous town.

Townsperson 1: Many of us grown-ups are alive today only because of what Kuzure did. He truly is our hero...

Sui: Kuzure...

Elder: And a few years back, he made a surprise appearance at the village once more.

Sui: (It must have been when I was still the freak of nature...)

Elder: He entrusted his lute to us, asking that it be passed down to his daughter should she ever show up. And here you are.

Elder: Please, take it.

Sui: Huh? But at that time, Sui was already... What did he mean by "daughter"?

Yuel: The daughter would be you. That's gotta be it.

Sui: ...

The lute storyteller extends a hand to the instrument, shaking all the while in consternation.

Finally taking it into her own hands, she gazes reverently at the lavishly decorated lute.

Kuzure's familiar handwriting is scratched onto the instrument's surface.

Sui: Sniff...

Sui: It's no fair...

Sui crumples to the ground as tears come pouring out of her eyes, arms tightly wrapped around the lute.

Kuzure: My precious daughters

Whom I will forever love

Keep pushing onward

Kuzure: Forge a most grand tale

Of life once lost now given

To live as you choose

Sui: Waaaaah!

Sui: Dad... Daddy! Sob...

Sui: Do you really accept me... as your daughter, Daddy?

Societte: Well, you saw the words yourself on the instrument.

Sui: Yeah... Sniff...

Societte: This was bugging you for the longest time, right? We went around looking into ways we could help.

Yuel: That's when we came across a rumor about Kuzure stopping by this town. It's a good thing we brought you here.

Sui: Thanks... Yuel, Societte... Sniff...

Elder: What in the world... You've turned into a child...

Yuel: Whoopsie, don't get the wrong idea! How do I put this...

Elder: Perfect!

Societte: Huh?

Elder: This is no a longer an adults-only festival! From now on, children will be able to join in on the merrymaking too!

Elder: Have the children come out! This is going to be a night to remember! Just know your limits, everyone!

Townsperson 2: Of course! Boy are we lucky to meet the hero's daughter! And what a wondrous power she has! I can almost feel her luck rubbing off on me!

Townsperson 1: The hero's daughter... She's adorable as both an adult and a child... Yes, no doubt about it.

Yuel: No one's freaked out by Sui's shapeshiftin'? Haha, talk about a weird town.

Children soon come surging into the plaza.

Among them are (Captain), Lyria, Vyrn, You, and Kou.

You: Sui!

Sui: You...

You: Are those tears? You must be in pain! Where does it hurt?

Sui: Nuh-uh, I'm fine... It doesn't hurt anymore...

Sui: You... It's me, Sui... The Sui that you all consider a friend.

You: Mm-hm.

Sui: But I'm also not Sui. And that won't ever change.

You: Yeah...

Sui: But I learned something very important today... Kuzure is okay with me being his daughter.

You: That's great, Sui. Are you all good now?

Sui: No, I don't think I'll ever be... But it's okay!

Sui: Because I'm ready to move forward now— dragging all of my worries along with me.

Sui: Still, I'll move forward nonetheless... forging my tale wherever it takes me.

Sui: As Kuzure's daughter!

Kou: And we'll be there to help you every step of the way.

You: Because you're our friend!

Sui: Thanks...

Sui: On that note, is it all right if I ask for a favor?

You: C'mon, out with it. No holding back.

Sui: Teehee.

Sui: Um, (Captain)...

Sui: Would it be all right if I joined your crew? I'd like to collect all sorts of stories.

Sui: As my way of pushing onward in life.

Vyrn: Hehe, glad you asked. I was wonderin' when you'd finally join us.

Lyria: Me too, Sui! We're going to have so much fun together!

Sui: Ehehe, thanks for waiting.

Sui: Okay then, enough sentimentality for the day! Because...

Sui: It's storytelling time!

The jade lute storyteller, proud daughter of Kuzure, is full of smiles as she gets up, her composure restored.

Plucking away at her father's memento...

She regales all with tales of heroes past and dreams for the future.