Scenario:Therese - Neoduel

Neoduel

Christina asks (Captain) and company to scout out a new casino liner called the "Millionaire Palace," where she suspects illegal gambling to be taking place. Although Therese asks to go with the crew for the scouting expedition, Christina turns down the duelist's request. At the Millionaire Palace, the crew are conversing among themselves about the casino liner's illicit activities when a one-on-one duel with special rules commences. To (Captain) and company's surprise, Therese appears on stage.

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As the skies grow dark...

A large airship sails across the twilight.

With minimal light and minimal sound, the ship drifts like a phantom despite its sleek and modern design.

Inside, an intense enthusiasm exudes throughout the air carrier as a throng of passengers mingle aboard it.

Gambler: I'm doubling down! I've been waiting for this moment...

Dealer: Heheh. Are you sure? Then let's begin the game.

Aristocrat: Damn it! But now I see the pattern! It's just a numbers game from here...

Broker: Runnin' out of funds there? I can help you out—a zero-interest loan if you return the money on the same day.

Aristocrat Lady: Ohohoho! Seems like I was right again! Excuse my incredible luck and fortune!

Aristocrat Lady: You there, young lady! Here, take this coin. A gift to celebrate my winnings!

Lyria: M-me? U-um, thank you...

Vyrn: Someone's in a good mood... She better not ask for it back later.

Lyria: Ahaha... It sure is busy here though! There's a lot more happening than what we were imagining.

Vyrn: Yeah, rupies are flyin' around like crazy. No wonder everyone's so excited.

Vyrn: If what we heard when we got this request's true, then they're just gettin' started here.

Lyria: Eep... You mean it's going to get even more rowdy?

Vyrn: In any case, we gotta look around for some more information first. Let's listen to what the people in the lobby have to say.

Lyria: G-good idea!

A few days ago on the Jewel Resort Casino Liner.

Vyrn & Lyria: Scouting?

Christina: They call it the "Millionaire Palace," a casino liner that just opened up for business not too long ago.

Christina: It's already earned itself a reputation despite being quite new to the industry and not advertising at all. The casino's shrouded in mystery... and that's where you kittens come in.

Christina: Usako.

Usako: I've brought the tickets to the Millionaire Palace. Here you are, (Captain).

Vyrn: I get it. So you want us to act as spies and check out your business rival. That explains why this place is lookin' like a ghost town.

Lyria: I-I'm sure they're just having a slow day, Vyrn!

Christina: No need to sugarcoat it. It's true that our number of visitors has dropped.

Christina: A "business rival" though...

Christina: If the Palace is raking in their guests by proper means, I wouldn't be asking you kittens to do something sneaky like scout for me. I'd compete fair and square through the quality of our services.

Vyrn: Proper means? So you're sayin'...

Christina: I'm suspecting it may be illegal gambling. There's a possibility the Palace is breaking the rules of the casino industry for inflated profit.

Christina: In addition to manipulating payout rates and offering illegal loans, there are rumors of systematic fraud amongst their dealers and extreme, life-threatening performances.

Usako: Knowingly leading guests to ruin is not viable for our business. That is why we have rules.

Lyria: I-I see... I guess it's important that we go and look for information on them then.

Christina: Right. I'll leave it to you kittens—

Therese: Um, Christina. Do you think I can join the scouting expedition as well?

Vyrn: Ooh, Therese!

Christina: ...

No version of Therese in crew

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Therese, a star duelist of the Jewel Resort arena with a succession of victories under her belt.

The crew has had several opportunities to work with her to resolve a variety of emergencies.

Therese: Would you be all right with that, everyone? I'm rather curious about the unpleasant rumors I've heard about the Palace.

Lyria: Of course! It'd help a lot if you were there with us, Therese!

Therese: I'm glad to hear that. Then I'll quickly make preparations to—

Christina: You aren't going.

Therese: Huh?

Christina: Did you not hear me? I'm telling you to stay put.

Vyrn: H-hang on a sec. Is there somethin' wrong with Therese comin' along with us?

Lyria: Oh... Do you think you could at least tell us why?

Christina: ...

Usako: Oh no... Umm...

Therese: Christina...

Christina: Back to your station.

A few hours into the scouting expedition.

The crew finishes collecting information and gathers at a particular area within the Millionaire Palace.

Vyrn: This is a lot worse than we thought... They're not just ignorin' industry rules—they're downright commitin' crimes.

Vyrn: In return for a chance to score big, people who can't pay up are gettin' sent off on a boat to work...

Lyria: I understand that they put themselves into this mess, but making them work is just too much...

Vyrn: No wonder they operate in the dead of night. If the Crew of Enforcers got wind of this, the Palace would be shut down in no time.

Vyrn: I guess it's not that they don't wanna advertise—they can't.

Lyria: Right...

Lyria: Huh? Then where are...

Vyrn: Hm? Didja think of somethin', Lyria?

Lyria: Oh, um... I was just wondering why there are so many guests if the Palace is operating secretly.

Vyrn: I guess there're rumors goin' around... You know, like how people find out about ramen shops located in small alleyways.

Lyria: But... the Palace isn't exactly in a place where you'd just happen to find it, right?

Vyrn: You've got a point... Come to think of it, that is strange. How in the skies are they gettin' all these people to come?

Manager: Ladies and gentlemen!

Manager: It is time to showcase our Palace's pride and joy... The best gambling show to ever exist!

Manager: I present to you... our "neoduel" of the night!

Vyrn & Lyria: Neoduel?

Manager: For those new here, a neoduel is a mock one-on-one fight between duelists.

Manager: On a special stage designed for duelists, the combatants take turns and switch between offense and defense, fighting until one side is unable to continue.

Manager: Take a look at the playing cards in the center of the stage. At the start of each duelist's offensive turn, they can open one of these "cartes."

Manager: The stage setting will be adjusted so that the duelist on the offensive will gain a special ability and become more powerful!

Vyrn: Wha? Turns? More powerful?

Lyria: So that mountain of playing cards in the middle... Those are called "cartes"? But... why are they fighting until one can't move if it's just a mock duel?

Manager: Don't quite get it yet? Well, a picture is worth a thousand words, so let's get started with today's first duel!

Manager: Come on up, duelist!

???: All right... Time to take out my opponent and get that bonus rupie prize.

Gambler: There he is... The "One-Eyed Kumahachi" who's beaten all his opponents into pulp! The victor's clear already!

Aristocrat: I'm betting all my life savings on Kumahachi! He's going to wrap this up in three turns for sure!

Therese: ...

Vyrn: Therese?

Lyria: It's Therese! Why is she here on the Palace?

Dealer: It's the ace from the Jewel Resort... The star duelist who puts everyone to shame. I didn't think she'd actually switch over...

Broker: Apparently, duelists get some kind of thrill from risking their lives in front of spectators. Probably something we'll never understand.

One-Eyed Duelist: Ooh, we've got a little fighter... Fine bones make a fine sound when they break. I'll snap a few so people can hear 'em.

Therese: Please... Are you trying to be intimidating? Cut the pretentious talk.

Therese: Initiating neoduel!

The crew watch from a distance, unable to hide their surprise at seeing Therese on the suspicious casino liner.

The cartes on the stage flash as the atmosphere intensifies with anticipation from the onlookers.