Scenario:Zeta and Vaseraga - An Unexpected Vacation

An Unexpected Vacation

Ronan, one of the Society's senior members, orders Zeta and Vaseraga to partake in Halloween festivities. The two don costumes and are passing out sweets when they detect the presence of an enemy.

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Zeta and Vaseraga receive a summons from Ronan, one of the Society's senior members.

Zeta: A vacation? With Vaseraga? Just the two of us?

Ronan: Correct. See to any remaining tasks, then depart. Immediately.

Ronan: Lately, you have been burdened with one grueling mission after another. You need rest.

Vaseraga: I did not expect to be told where to take my vacation. Or with whom.

Ronan: We mean to monitor your recuperation. Currently, we don't have enough personnel to assign one to each of you. So you go as a pair.

Zeta: Wait, so I'm stuck with Vaseraga, and you're keeping tabs on us? Great. Real relaxing, guys.

Ronan: Then take this as an opportunity to build rapport. Join the Halloween festivities together, if need be.

Zeta: ...

Vaseraga: ...

Vaseraga: Very well, but under protest.

Zeta: That goes double for me!

Ronan: I understand your concerns. However, it is your duty to rest. This is, in other words, a mission.

Zeta: A mission?

Ronan: Indeed. A mission.

Vaseraga: We're to be monitored, correct?

Ronan: Yes. For this is a mission.

Zeta & Vaseraga: ...

The two sense that Ronan is hinting at something. They fall silent.

Zeta: All right, fine. I'll go to the festival.

Vaseraga: Don't bore me, Zeta.

Zeta: Huh? Why am I the one looking after you?

Ronan: You two. This may be a vacation, but do not draw attention to yourselves.

Vaseraga: I, at least, can keep my emotions in check.

Zeta: You trying to say something? I've seen you lose it more than once, you know?

Vaseraga: I do not bare my fangs needlessly. Unlike a certain pupper.

Zeta: You!

Ronan: ...

Ronan: Once again. Do not draw any unnecessary attention. And at least act like you're enjoying yourselves.

Vaseraga: Understood. Let's head out, Zeta.

Ronan: Do not let down your guard. Remember, this is a mission.

Zeta: ...

Zeta: What now?

Zeta furrows her brow, at a loss.

Vaseraga: First, costumes.

Vaseraga inspects a map of the village. He seems determined to dive headlong into Halloween celebrations.

Zeta: Huh? Oh. Okay.

He is so different from his usual self that even Zeta is flummoxed.

Vaseraga: Hum-dee-dum...

Zeta: ...

As the two sort through racks of clothing, Vaseraga hums a happy little tune.

Zeta: Uh, what're you doing? Seriously.

Vaseraga: Deciding on an outfit.

Zeta: Okay...

Vaseraga: Will you be wearing that?

Zeta: I guess. Gonna go try it on.

Zeta: Not bad.

Zeta nods at her reflection in the mirror, a smile playing on her lips.

Zeta: Man, that took longer than expected.

Vaseraga: It took as long as I expected. I stocked up on treats as I was waiting.

Zeta: That was, um, nice of you.

Vaseraga: All in the spirit of Halloween.

Zeta: You say that, but all you did was go and stick a pumpkin on your head.

Vaseraga: According to legends, Lost Jack has the head of a pumpkin and wears a ragged cloak. I fit the description.

Zeta: Okay, but if you're gonna dress up, put some heart into it. Where's your sense of fun?

Vaseraga: I would not want to rob you of the spotlight.

Zeta: Much obliged, I'm sure.

The two turn their steps toward the heart of the village. Children have begun running from door to door, asking for sweets.

Vaseraga: Hum-dee-dum...

Zeta: ...

Zeta: Vaseraga, you eat something funny? Dark essence, or something?

Vaseraga: We're being monitored. And we will likely be judged on how much we enjoy ourselves. Or appear to.

Vaseraga: Besides, this is far easier than engaging in battle. It would be a shame if our pay were docked over such a trivial task.

Zeta: Fair enough. But you don't just. Start. Singing.

Vaseraga: Perhaps. Many years have passed since I last sung.

Zeta: ...

Zeta remembers that Vaseraga, too, once had a crew of his own. She imagines bygone nights at the tavern, where throats were wet with drink and the air full of song.

Zeta: The spirit of Halloween, huh?

Vaseraga: Care to join in?

Zeta: What?

Vaseraga: Don't be shy.

Vaseraga: Hum-dee-dum...

Zeta: Whoa, too close! Y-you're in my bubble!

Vaseraga draws nearer to Zeta, as if to intimidate her into singing. Then...

Vaseraga: You sense the overseer?

Zeta: !

Vaseraga speaks quietly, through a pause in the song. Zeta shakes her head in a near imperceptible no.

Vaseraga: Sing the chorus. Improvise if you need to.

Zeta: O-okay...

Zeta: Aa-aa-aah...

Vaseraga: Ronan said we were being monitored. But it was likely a cover.

Vaseraga's words are nearly drowned out by Zeta's humming

Zeta: I thought it was weird he kept going on and on about missions. So it wasn't just me?

Vaseraga: No.

The two take turns improvising small tunes, which hide their conversation from prying ears.

Inquisitive Boy: Hey, miss. What's that song you're singing?

Zeta: Huh? Uh... Ahaha. I dunno. Just felt like makin' up a song, I guess.

Vaseraga: Child. You came to ask something of us, did you not?

Inquisitive Boy: Yeah! Trick or treat!

Vaseraga: Take as much as you'd like. We have plenty.

The boy happily reaches into the giant basket Vaseraga holds out to him.

This catches the attention of all the children nearby. They crowd around the pair.

Zeta: Hey, come on! No pushing! Don't pull on my clothes!

The hubbub draws in a small crowd of curious villagers.

Zeta: Doo-doo-doo...

Zeta and Vaseraga scan their surroundings. There are adults, who stand a short distance away and smile at the clamoring children...

Vaseraga: Hum-dee-dum...

And the children themselves, clustered around the pair.

Vaseraga: The enemy is near. In this crowd, likely.

Zeta: You're not gonna fight a bunch of kids, right?

Suddenly, even the gleam of a toy blade seems sinister. The two continue to inspect the faces around them.

They're looking for a certain expression—vacant eyes, blank features. The mark of one who has been tortured, then brainwashed by the Foe.

Zeta: Is that all of them? Ahaha. Everyone's got a big smile on. I think we're good.

Vaseraga: Perhaps. But here come the reinforcements.

Zeta: Okay! Come and get it! Gotta make sure every last person leaves with a smile.

Vaseraga: Quite the lively festival, eh, Zeta?

Zeta: You can say that again. I'm gonna be sore by the time it's over.

Zeta & Vaseraga: Doo-doo-doo...
Hum-dee-dum...

The two are careful not to betray their suspicions to the Foe. They don't let their eyes wander too fast nor too far.

The tunes they hum grow dissonant and snake through streets filled with the deceptions of Halloween.