Scenario:Will - Scientific Method

Scientific Method

One day the crew is enjoying a leisurely game aboard the Grandcypher, when suddenly a roar is heard from within the ship. They go to the scene to find Katalina already engaging with a monster. Will beseeches the crew to calm the monster without causing it harm.

---

One day, on board the Grandcypher...

The crew is enjoying a rare period of downtime from the usual missions with a leisurely game of Sky Quest.

Vyrn: Hmm... Oh! Looks like I get to change classes. In that case, I'm gonna be a knight!

Lyria: Wow, that's great! Now it's my turn—just roll the dice, and...

Lyria: What? I... I got attacked by monsters!

Vyrn: Haha! Oh man, that's unlucky. Looks like you gotta go back to the hospital.

Lyria: Aww, no fair! I didn't even do anything bad, but monsters attacked me!

Lyria: Something's wrong here! I don't wanna go to the hospital!

Vyrn: Bwahaha! You're surprisingly competitive... But you know, monsters will do what monsters do.

Lyria: But... But! (Captain), what do you think? Isn't it strange?

Will: Heh-heh... Indeed, it is strange. A fine observation, Lyria.

Vyrn: Oh, heya, Will.

Will: Greetings, everyone. Oh, playing Sky Quest I see. How nostalgic... Who's in the lead?

Lyria: Vyrn, for now. What observation were you talking about?

Will: Ah, yes. The aggression of
monsters—actually a topic I've been researching lately.

Will: Let's see, answer me this—what is the fundamental reason that monsters attack us?

Vyrn: Hmm... Maybe next time. Anyways... (Captain), you're up next.

Will: Yes, yes, yes, of course! You're just dying to know, aren't you! I understand.

Will: First off, we need to understand what defines a monster. Biologically, they're not too different from normal plants and animals. So! We must look deeper—what separates them psychologically?

Lyria: Ahaha... You sure are fired up.

Will: Oh, but of course! They're always fired up... to attack! Not for food, or even for territory. So what is the root of that impulse to attack people?

Will: There are various theories regarding this... Mysterian scholars believe that it may be caused by an magical phenomenon coming from the Crimson Horizon.

Vyrn: Yeah, I don't really know about that. More importantly, are you all right? You're not going through withdrawal symptoms again, are ya?

Will: Yes, exactly! What is the symptom? Sphirian scholars believe that it's due to a mutation of the mind which made them aggressive.

Will: Over the course of thousands of years, this mutation of aggressive behavior was passed on from generation to generation.

Will: So, whether it's a magical phenomenon or a biological phenomenon, surely something happened long ago that changed them... At least, that's what I've been thinking about.

Lyria: Sorry to interrupt, but are you feeling all right? I know it's been quite some time since you've seen a monster.

Will: What's this, now? My withdrawal symptoms?

Will: Please, I've long grown well accustomed to dry spells by now, traveling with you all.

Vyrn: Yeah... I wanna believe you, but I don't know. You were kinda having a manic episode there.

Will: Ahaha, my apologies. More importantly, about my theory...

Monster Roar: Groooar!

Will: ...!

Lyria: Was that a monster? I heard it coming from the deck!

Vyrn: Jumpin' jawfish! There aren't supposed to be any monsters in these parts!

Katalina: Hah!

Monster: Groooar!

Katalina: This isn't good... I can't keep my feet steady with all this wind. But I can't back down here!

Lyria: Katalina, we're here!

Katalina: Lyria, (Captain)! Thanks, everyone. Stay on your toes!

Vyrn: Roger that! But this monster...

Will: It can't be... How did this...

Will: Everyone, wait! Try to calm this monster without hurting it, all right?

Scientific Method: Scene 2

After investigating the monster, the crew determines that it somehow boarded the ship despite being wingless. As it turns out, Will secretly snuck some on board to test his theory regarding monster aggression, hoping to prove monsters and people could live together.

---

As Will requested, the crew quells the monster while doing minimal harm to it.

Giving it a closer look, Vyrn feels something off about the monster.

Vyrn: Say, what do you guys think? I dunno about you, but something's... weird.

Lyria: Hm, you're right... It's different. But how? What do you think Katalina?

Katalina: Let's see... This one here is quite different from the other monsters in the sky—the fact that it has no wings definitely raises some questions.

Vyrn: Whoa, you're right! How was this guy even flying?

Katalina: Indeed, I thought it may have been concealing its wings somewhere, but I don't see anywhere it could hide them.

Lyria: Hmm... Maybe it's a land monster? Then how did it end up here?

Katalina: It must've snuck onboard while we were docked and stowed away for a few days. We should check around the ship for others, just in case.

Vyrn: Yeah, no kidding! Hey, Will, about these monsters...

Lyria: Oh! Where is he? He was right here just a moment ago...

Vyrn: What? I've got a bad feeling about this... Where'd he run off to?

Katalina: ...!
That came from the cargo hold!

The crew arrives at the cargo hold to find Rackam armed with his gun, and Will embracing a toolbox.

Rackam: Will! Get away from that box this instant!

Will: Never! This is my box—get away from me!

Rackam: Come on, step aside! We both know there's a monster in there!

Will: Monster? What monster? No monsters in here!

???: Prowrrr...

Will: Oh, drat! Stay quiet would you!

Will: Uh... Prowrrr, prowrrr! Yeah, uh... I say that all the time! Prowrrr!

Rackam: He's lost it... What am I supposed to do with this guy? Oh, hey there, (Captain).

Vyrn: Oh man... He's totally latched onto the box. Maybe we could try prying him off?

Lyria: But... We shouldn't force him. Let's hear what he has to say.

Katalina: That's right. Surely he has his reasons.

(Captain) nods and approaches Will unarmed in order to calm him down.

Will regains his composure in response.

Will: Sorry, (Captain)... I got kind of carried away there.

Will: I was the one who brought these monsters onboard. I was so desperate to show you all...

Will: ...

Will: I wanted to show you all what it'd be like, to live in harmony with monsters. Have you ever imagined what it'd be like?

Rackam: Can't say I can.

Vyrn: Nope.

Will: Right? Everyone has their own dreams, though.

Will: Even though this dream will probably never come true. I know that more than anybody, but...

Lyria: Oh, really?

Katalina: A-ahem... Anyways, let's see where he's going with this.

Will: While observing various monsters on my travels with you all, I came up with a theory.

Will: A theory regarding the root cause and solution for the innate aggression in monsters...

Will: I thought perhaps it may have been due to the minerals within the land, but clearly it seems that isn't the case.

Will: I wish I could apologize to the monsters, getting them involved in this mess all because of my misguided ego.

Vyrn: Hey now—what about us? Well... I guess we should be used to it by this point.

Lyria: It's fine, right? I don't think anyone was injured or hurt. When were you able to get the monsters onboard though?

Will: At the last island, not too long ago. I chose three monsters I thought would be best suited for my theory.

Rackam: I see. Now that you mention it, you were peculiarly late getting back to the ship last time...

Katalina: Hm? Wait a minute. Did you say... three? That means...

Monster: ...!

Will: Oh, there you were! It looks like we haven't taken care of all of them yet.

Will: Remember not to hurt them too badly, (Captain)!

Scientific Method: Scene 3

Will understands what must be done and releases the monsters back to a nearby uninhabited island. However, it seems that one of them has taken a liking to the Grandcypher and refuses to leave. Will decides to keep this to himself for the time being.

---

Vyrn: Hey, Will's back! Were you able to set 'em free all right?

Will: Yeah... They seemed to adjust well to their new surroundings.

Will: ...

Lyria: Will, is everything okay? It sure would be nice if you could live with them someday...

Will: Thanks. Don't worry about me
though—hope that we'll someday know what drives these creatures.

Will: Until that day, my research will never end.

Will: Anyways, shall we head back to the ship?

After releasing the wild monsters to a nearby uninhabited island, the crew returns back to the Grandcypher.

Will heads back to his quarters with a sullen look on his face, clearly remorseful for the situation.

However...

Toolbox Monster: Prrr... rowrrr?

Will: Hee hee hee! I'm back, my dear Mr. Prowrs! The other monsters aren't here anymore.

Will: But is it really all right with you? I mean, I can still release you if that's what you wish...

Mr. Prowrs: Prowrrr!

As if somehow able to comprehend the question, Mr. Prowrs answers by shutting itself inside the toolbox.

Will: Ah! Understood, then. Welcome aboard the Grandcypher, once again! Right, we still need (Captain) to approve, I suppose.

Will: However, you are truly fascinating, indeed... I've never seen such a timid monster in all of my travels! I wonder what it could be about you...

Mr. Prowrs: Prowrrr?

Will: Heh, no need to rush things though, right? You'll need some time to adjust, of course! Don't worry, we have all the time in the skies!

With this newly made friend, Will's research takes its first major step forward.

This man's unwavering bond with monsters will someday unravel the mysteries of the sky, however unbeknownst to anyone yet.