Scenario:Uruki - Chilly Piggyback Ride
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Chilly Piggyback Ride
At Northern Solitary, the crew finds Xuanwu encased in ice. An enigmatic girl named Uruki warns them to stay away from the cardinal beast, only to then—oddly enough—escort them to a restaurant she helps out at for a meal.
A barren land, where no signs of life can be felt, lies in profound silence.
Under a glacial cold that would tear the skin off most mortals, a bonneted girl and a colossal beast face each other.
???: Everything's going to be just fine.
???: Because I'm here to keep you safe.
Xuanwu: ...
The beast is silent. Or rather, it is incapable of responding as an ice sculpture.
The girl shoots it a tender gaze, gently brushing off the frost from the sculpture while continuing to stroke it softly.
???: It's time for me to go... I'll see you later, Xuanwu.
Lyria: Mng, it's awfully chilly today. How are you feeling, (Captain)? We'll have to be careful not to catch a cold...
Vyrn: Achoo.
Vyrn: The sooner we get this done with, the sooner we can go indoors. Let's get a move on.
Lyria: But we can hardly get around in this blizzard. The heavy snow makes it hard to see what's ahead...
Lyria: I'll be happy if we can just complete this assignment...
Their exchange reminds (Captain) of why they've come to Xuanwu's deserted island in the first place.
Vyrn: A missing person request?
Sierokarte: Mm-hm. Coinciding with Xuanwu's mysterious appearance are reports of a missing person on a nearby island.
Sierokarte: While it's not yet clear how they're connected, I'd like you to look for the missing person and defeat Xuanwu.
Lyria: Of course... But on that note, do you think it's safe to assume that Xuanwu is going around kidnapping people?
Vyrn: There's a lot we dunno about the beast, but it never seemed like the type to do such a thing.
Sierokarte: Truth be told, I find it puzzling myself.
Sierokarte: There's even word that Xuanwu left its island and appeared in town elsewhere. And that's when the person went missing.
Vyrn: And here I thought it only showed up on its own island. We've got a lot to uncover.
Vyrn: Anyhoo, first thing we'll have to do is figure out if Xuanwu and the missing person are connected somehow.
Vyrn: It's great we found our way to Northern Solitary, but there's not a single person here. No trace of Xuanwu either.
Lyria: Ah... The blizzard stopped! We should be able to make out our surroundings now—
Xuanwu: ...
Lyria: Eep!
Vyrn: Wh-what the... How long has Xuanwu been there!
Vyrn: Hey, no kidding. Seems to be an ice sculpture? No wonder I couldn't sense it.
Lyria: I wonder who could have made such a detailed ice sculpture.
Choose: Did someone make this?
Lyria: It's an ice sculpture, I think? A very well-made one, at that!
Vyrn: Nah... It's way too detailed to be a sculpture. Looks more like the actual Xuanwu frozen solid to me.
Continue 1
Lyria: Hm... O-oh my gosh!
Lyria, who had reached out to touch the sculpture, suddenly squeals and hides behind the captain.
Feeling curious, (Captain), too, places a hand on the sculpture and immediately understands Lyria's reaction.
Vyrn: No way! You mean this Xuanwu's the real deal?
Lyria: It's hard to tell just by looking, but you can feel a pulse if you touch it.
Monster: Gwoaar...
Vyrn: Urk! (Captain), behind us!
The bewildered (Captain) is slow to notice the approaching monster from behind.
Just as the captain prepares to take action...
Monster: ...
Lyria: I-it turned to ice in an instant!
???: Are you okay? Please tell me you're okay. Pretty please?
Something atop the frozen monster begins to fidget before gently leaping off.
That something lands on the shoulder of (Captain), who is rooted in place, trying to process what has just transpired.
???: Ooh, it's so comfy up here. Ehehe.
Vyrn: The heck? You're the one that froze the monster?
???: I did? Maybe I did. But I'm just glad you're not hurt. Thank goodness.
Vyrn: Err... Appreciate the concern, but can you get off of (Captain)?
???: But it's sooo cozy up here. Are you sure I can't make this my new home?
Vyrn: Positive. (Captain) can only piggyback ya for so long.
Lyria: Um... You saved us just now, right?
???: You think so? Maybe it's time to rethink that.
Vyrn: Make up your mind.
???: Ehehe, maybe you didn't need my help after all. Sorry if it seemed like I was butting in.
???: I mean, you guys are obviously crazy strong. Just one light touch, and I could tell.
(Captain) gently lifts the mysterious girl and lowers her to the ground.
???: Aw, I've been forcefully evicted...
???: Hey, want to make a snowman with me? I'll make the body, while you guys make the face!
Vyrn: Hold your horses! Why are we makin' a snowman outta the blue?
???: No horses please. Snowman only.
Vyrn: Gah, this is goin' nowhere!
Lyria: Did you freeze Xuanwu too... like you froze that monster?
???: Maybe? Your guess is as good as mine. Wish I could tell you. But I'm busy making a snowman here.
Vyrn: Seriously, I can't figure this girl out... What's her deal anyway?
???: Well, now that the source of the anomaly's gone, the sky should be clearing up soon enough.
???: Forget about Xuanwu and come play with me already! C'mon, the snowman's waiting!
Vyrn: True. The blizzard's stopped and it does feel a bit warmer, but still...
Lyria: Defeating Xuanwu is only part of our job. We also have other things to look into.
???: Guh, how stubborn! I'll just have to melt your icy resolve with my charm!
???: Starting with lots and lots of pats!
Vyrn: Brr! Don't touch me with the same ice-cold hands that are makin' the snowman!
???: Ehehehe! Come join in on the fun, lady with the pretty hair!
Lyria: Um, I really appreciate the offer, but we have to get back to work...
???: You don't want to get involved.
Vyrn: Huh?
???: Don't worry about it too much! Worrying about everything isn't good for you.
???: But if you insist on getting involved with Xuanwu, then I'll have to get serious...
(Captain) and company feel a chill run through their bodies, despite the blizzard having stopped a while ago.
The girl who had been happily playing with the snow just moments ago now shoots the crew a cold, piercing gaze.
Vyrn: She's not playin'. Watch out, (Captain)... There's no tellin' what she'll do next.
???: ...
While keeping the cold expression on her face, the girl swiftly moves to grab (Captain)'s hand.
???: Thank you for waiting! Here's some fluffy strawberry sherbet! I've also added a chilled dessert soup!
Lyria: Mmmm! The fluffy ice is melting in my mouth; it's so delicious that my cheeks are doing a happy dance!
Vyrn: This soup is amazing too... But how's it bursting with such a strong fruit flavor and aroma when it's so cold?
Vyrn: Wait, why are we having a feast to begin with! You led us by the hand... all the way back to our own airship!
Lyria: We followed her into town as she asked us to, and before we knew it... she had made all this delicious food for us.
???: There's plenty more where that came from! Hey, Manager, I'm borrowing the kitchen again!
Vyrn: We... we've completely fallen into her pace...
Uruki: I'm not just any "her." I'm Uruki. Call me Uru!
Uruki, a girl as elusive as the melting ice in one's hand, hums a tune as she carries the dishes.
The crew exchange confused glances, but decide to properly introduce themselves to her and take another bite of the food she serves.