Why She Hates Swimsuits
(Captain) and most of the crew are excited about being given swimsuits for working at the beach house, but Zeta isn't happy with hers. After she orders a new one, however, she ends up enjoying her time off more than anyone.
During a battle on a certain island, (Captain) and the crew encounter a knight named Zeta.Zeta fights a primal beast by herself, demonstrating skill that matches her opponent's. She says something unexpected after the battle.
Zeta: Come with us, (Captain)! It's definitely the right course for you!
Zeta serves the Society, an enigmatic organization that hunts primal beasts.
She wants (Captain), a formidable warrior, to join.
Zeta: And you know what? I've decided to patiently wait until you give me an answer, (Captain).
Zeta: In the meantime how would you like it if I help out as part of your crew?
Zeta: Hey! Watch it with that scowl! You should be grateful to have someone like me!
Thus Zeta half-forces her way in to become a member of the crew.
Her abilities prove extremely useful to (Captain) and company as they collect sky map pieces to cross the Grim Basin.
Zeta presses for an answer regarding the Society at every turn, so she naturally tags along when the crew goes on vacation.
The crew is visiting Venera Beach, which is in Auguste, at Sierokarte's invitation.
Sierokarte gives each member of the crew a swimsuit for helping out at the Knickknack Shack, but not all of them are happy about it.
Zeta: ...
Zeta stands there scowling at the yellow one-piece swimsuit she has received.
Vyrn: Hey, what's with the scary face?
Zeta: Huh? Oh, it's nothing.
Vyrn: Hurry up and change then! Siero said we don't have to help out today, so let's hit the beach!
Zeta: Right... I think I'll pass on that today.
Still holding the swimsuit, Zeta wanders off and disappears.
Lyria: I wonder what's gotten into Zeta?
Vyrn: Yeah... Maybe she just doesn't like lazing around?
Lyria: Really? You think that could be it?
Vyrn: Look, Red came to us to score points with the Society, right?
Vyrn: Vaseraga often disappears like he's got better things to do too.
Vyrn: Spiky often disappears like he's got better things to do too.
Vyrn: Maybe they just don't know what to do with themselves when they get stuck somewhere that has nothing to do with primal beasts.
In spite of being worried about Zeta, the crew has fun at the beach. She doesn't return until the sun has set.
Vyrn: So you're back, huh?
Zeta: Is Sierokarte around?
Sierokarte: Yes, what can I do for you?
Zeta: It's about the swimsuit you gave me... I feel bad saying this, but—
Vyrn: You want to give it back? Well, I guess we can't do much about Society-related stuff.
Zeta: What? I never said that.
Vyrn: Huh? But haven't you been in a bad mood because you couldn't carry out your tasks?
Zeta: No, that's not it! I'm just not quite sold on this swimsuit!
Vyrn: Hey, you shouldn't have worried us over stuff like that.
Zeta: Ha-ha. My bad.
Zeta: There's just something about this swimsuit I don't like. And I can't put my finger on it no matter how long I stare at the thing.
Sierokarte: I see. So what shall we do about this?
Zeta: Well, I've made a list of what I
really want, and I'd like to order a new swimsuit from you!
Sierokarte: Got it! Let's hear it then.
Zeta: Right... It should be red for one thing. And the material should be glossier.
Sierokarte listens intently to every last one of Zeta's thirty-three specifications.
Sierokarte: Okay, I think I've got it! Give me a day or so.
Sierokarte wastes no time in ordering Zeta's swimsuit, and it arrives the next morning.
Zeta: Well? What do you think, (Captain)? I tried it on straight away!
Lyria: Wow! It's incredibly daring!
Zeta: Ha-ha. Right? I mean, we're at the beach and all, so you gotta let it all hang out!
Vyrn: Yawn... Lyria, isn't it a bit early for you guys to be up?
Zeta: Huh? Morning, Vyrn.
Vyrn: Morni—
Vyrn: Hey! How come you're already in your swimsuit?
Zeta: Ha-ha. I was dying to see it, so I got up extra early!
Vyrn: Wow, Red. I think you're more excited about the beach than any of us. Even your swimsuit is red.
Zeta: What'd you expect? The whole point of working hard is to play hard!
Zeta: So what do you think, (Captain)?
- Avert your eyes.
- Gawk.
Choose: Avert your eyes.Zeta: Hey! Why're you lookin' away? Look at me, and give me your honest opinion!
- It's too... I can't...
- Um... Pass.
Choose: It's too... I can't...
Zeta: Pfft! What, are you embarrassed?
Zeta: You're never going to be popular if you wimp out at times like this, (Captain).
Zeta: Not sure how to respond to that coming from another woman. Ha-ha.
(Captain) is left with no choice but to take another look.
Choose: Um... Pass.Zeta: Excuse me? How dare you!
Zeta: I'm mad now! Let's just see how you look in your swimsuit!
Zeta: Get changed! Now!
Inspired by Zeta's example, the other members of the crew change into their swimsuits, and the morning preparations are complete.
Choose: Gawk.(Captain) is left with no choice but to take another look.
Zeta: Don't let those eyes wander, buster!
Zeta: What? You're scaring me! At least say something!
Inspired by Zeta's example, the other members of the crew change into their swimsuits, and the morning preparations are complete.
Continue 1Vyrn: Oh no! We need to get ready to open the beach house. There's no time to fool around!
Lyria: Oh, you're right! We're supposed to help out! The swimsuits were our payment for that!
Zeta: Yikes! You guys are right!
Zeta: Fine... Whatever! I'm gonna finish all my chores here at the beach house to the letter!
To enjoy her vacation, Zeta dives headfirst into her chores.
With their tasks completed, Zeta and the crew have a blast in the sand.
Swimsuit and Spear of Arvess
As the crew plays on the beach, Vyrn asks Zeta why she always has her spear with her. Before she explains herself, she ends up jumping at the chance to fight some local fishermen, which gives Vyrn his answer.
(Captain) and company finish their chores at the beach house and head to the shore for some fun.
As the sun shines overhead, they think about collecting seashells.
Vyrn: So, Red, you carry around that spear even when you're just playing on the beach, huh?
Zeta: What? Oh, I guess so. Ha-ha.
Vyrn: There aren't any primal beasts around, so doesn't it just get in the way? You could leave it in the beach house.
Zeta: Hmm... Sadly I can't do that. I have my reasons.
The crew members talk as they walk along the shore. A couple of locals suddenly stop to stare at Zeta's swimsuit.
Local Fisherman 1: Oho, what do we have here?
Local Fisherman 2: Yeah, she's quite a catch! Shall we go and say hello?
Local Fisherman 1: Absolutely. Hey! You in the red swimsuit! How're you doing?
The fishermen call out to Zeta, but she's busy talking to Vyrn and doesn't hear them.
Local Fisherman 1: Whoa, she didn't even pretend to look at us.
Local Fisherman 2: Does she think she's better than us? C'mon.
The two angered men start to make their way toward Zeta, but she doesn't notice as she continues talking to Vyrn.
Zeta: There's no big story behind it. It's just that—
Local Fisherman 2: Hey, why are you ignoring us?
Zeta: Huh? Oh, I'm sorry. We're just in a bit of a hurry.
Local Fisherman 1: Come on, you can chat with us for a little while, can't you?
The fisherman grabs Zeta by the shoulder. Her good mood sours in a hurry.
Zeta: Don't touch me.
She spits out the words as she smacks his hand away.
Local Fisherman 1: Nobody talks to us like that and gets away with it! You're gonna regret this, pig!
Zeta: Is that so? It sounds like you're the ones who need a lesson on how to talk.
Vyrn: Good grief... So that's why you brought your spear to the beach.
Vyrn: I'd forgotten how much you like to fight.
Swimsuit and Spear of Arvess: Scene 2
The fishermen are awed by the fighting prowess of (Captain) and Zeta. When they find out that the Spear of Arvess is used to defeat primal beasts, they lead the crew to a cave where a troublesome local primal beast dwells.
Local Fisherman 1: N-no way!
Zeta quickly deals with the two fishermen. Thanks to her mastery of the spear, they're practically unharmed.
Overwhelmed by the performance put on by (Captain) and Zeta, the fishermen are left trembling in their boots.
Zeta: And now to finish this.
Zeta: Spear of Arvess! Give form to my faith and become a piercing fang!
Zeta's spear starts burning with a brilliant flame, shining with a light capable of subduing even primal beasts.
Vyrn: Wait! You don't need to go that far!
Local Fisherman 2: Hey! What do you think you're doin'?
Zeta: Apologies, my friends. If these fiends are to learn their lesson, I must finish what I've started.
Vyrn: Wait! They're just guys, not primal beasts! Imagine what your spear'll do to 'em!
Zeta: (Hee-hee. Relax. I'm just trying to scare them.)
Vyrn: (You know, you scare me sometimes.)
Local Fisherman 1: Primal beasts, you say?
Vyrn: Yep. Her spear has the power to destroy primal beasts.
Vyrn: So why don't you guys get lost before she smashes you?
Local Fisherman 1: W-wait! Won't you at least hear us out first?
Zeta: Oh? So you have something to say?
The fishermen tell a story of a primal beast that awakens ever few years and attacks their town.
The beast is expected to appear soon, so the fishermen ask Zeta to destroy it and protect the locals.
Zeta: Hmm... A primal beast that regularly attacks, huh?
Local Fisherman 1: Please... We depend on tourists these days. If the beast scares them away, we're done for.
Zeta: Is that so? Well, I can't ignore a plea for aid. I'll take on this primal beast!
Local Fisherman 1: Thank you. Come on. I'll take you to its cave.
Local Fisherman 1: Dealing with primal beasts sounds like hungry work, so you better get something ready to make these fine heroes feel welcome.
Local Fisherman 2: Oh, I hear you. I'll get something ready for them all right. Heh-heh...
Vyrn: Hey, are you sure we should be doing this, Red?
Zeta: Hee-hee... Normally I wouldn't interrupt a vacation for anything, but primal beast hunting is an exception!
Zeta: Let's be off!
Swimsuit and Spear of Arvess: Scene 3
As the crew heads into the cave, Lyria says she can't sense any primal beast and worries that the fishermen are leading them into a trap. The fishermen and their friends do indeed ambush the crew to try to take Zeta's spear, which is another reason she always keeps it with her.
Zeta: Hmm... So this is the primal beast's lair, huh? Interesting.
Local Fisherman 1: Once we get through this tunnel, the cave opens up into a huge cavern. The primal beast should be in there.
Zeta: Got it! Well, lead the way.
As the crew ventures deeper into the cave, Lyria anxiously pulls on (Captain)'s sleeve.
Lyria: Um... (Captain)... Something feels off to me.
Vyrn: What do you mean?
Lyria: There's supposed to be a primal beast in here, right? But I'm not sensing anything.
Lyria: I'm starting to wonder whether these fishermen are telling us the truth.
Zeta: Ha-ha. You too? I've been thinking that for a while now.
Zeta: It's always like this. People get entranced by the power of my spear.
Ruffians: ...
Local Fisherman 2: Hey. I brought some buddies of mine, and we're all ready to welcome you idiots properly now.
Local Fisherman 1: Yep. Why don't you be a good girl and hand over that spear? Looks like it's worth plenty.
Local Fisherman 2: Heh-heh. Do as he says, or we'll show you just what we think of high-and-mighty heroes.
Zeta: And there it is. This happens all the time.
Zeta: I know that if I leave it anywhere, it'll be stolen before long. That's another reason I never let go of the spear.
Vyrn: This isn't my fault is it? I'm the one who mentioned primal beasts and all.
Zeta: Ha-ha! Don't you worry! I'm the one who used the spear against them after all!
Local Fisherman 1: Hey, I don't think you quite get what kinda trouble you're in.
Local Fisherman 2: Yeah, there's no way you can take all of us on. Just hand over the spear.
Zeta: Sigh... So you get the attention of a fine warrior like me, and all you want is my spear. How typical.
Local Fisherman 1: How's it feel to be the fish on our hook?
Zeta: I hope you realize how pissed I am. I really don't like being lied to.
Local Fisherman 2: Heh-heh. There's no way outta here. You're gonna regret not being nicer to us!
Zeta: Humph. We'll just see who ends up praying for an exit.
Zeta: (Captain), let's do this!
Swimsuit and Spear of Arvess: Scene 4
The fishermen surround Zeta, and one of them manages to take the spear. When he triggers its power, he succeeds only in burning himself to a crisp. The fishermen later apologize to Zeta by bringing her some delicious seafood, and she forgives them immediately.
Zeta: Well then, I think we're about done here, so let's get back. I'm hungry!
Having dealt with the fishermen for a second time, (Captain) and company turn their backs on the collapsed figures and start heading for the exit.
Zeta: Wha?
Local Fisherman 1: Ha-ha! Gotcha!
Zeta: No... Stop!
A concealed fisherman snatches Zeta's spear, and she can only watch in horror.
Local Fisherman 1: Heh-heh. Has the mighty warrior finally met her match?
Zeta: Ugh!
Local Fisherman 1: Ha-ha! Now let's see what this spear can do!
Vyrn: You coward! Let Red go!
Local Fisherman 1: Hmm... What were the magic words again?
Zeta: Stop! You don't know what you're doing!
Local Fisherman 1: It was spear of something...
Local Fisherman 1: Spear of Ar—Arrrgh!
Vyrn: What's going on?
As soon as the fisherman begins the incantation, the spear is wreathed in brilliant flames.
The blackened and burnt fisherman falls to the ground.
Zeta: I warned him.
Vyrn: Hey, what just happened?
Zeta: That's the third reason I keep the spear with me at all times.
Zeta: The Society installs a fail-safe on its weapons. It's dangerous for anyone without the proper training to even touch them.
Vyrn: Wow. I knew that spear was harder to handle than it looked.
Zeta: Of course it is! It took me forever to master it.
Zeta: Now what shall we do about this fellow here?
Local Fisherman 1: A... Agh...
Leaving the scorched fisherman to his friends, the crew exits the cave and returns to the beach house.
Local Fisherman 1: A-about earlier...
Vyrn: You! You're the guy from the cave! What is it this time?
Local Fisherman 1: I was just hoping I could apologize...
Zeta: Why the sudden change of heart?
Local Fisherman 1: I had no idea you were so close to Sierokarte. I really am sorry.
Local Fisherman 1: The Knickknack Shack is one of our main buyers, and I can't afford to do anything that'll make her think less of us.
Local Fisherman 2: We're so sorry! We've brought you a bunch of stuff to prove it, so please!
The fishermen throw themselves to the ground and literally beg for forgiveness. It's almost hard for the crew to watch.
Then they hand the crew a mountain of delicious seafood and leave.
Vyrn: They said this food is a rare treat even around here, so what should we do with it?
Zeta: Yum! Vif if goof! (This is good!)
Lyria: Mm! Delifouf! (Delicious!)
Vyrn: Hey, how'd you manage to cook that so fast?
Zeta: I'm just so hungry! It's way past dinnertime!
Vyrn: But doesn't eating that mean you forgive them? You sure you're cool with that?
Zeta: Sure. I think they're growing on me.
Zeta: Come on, Vyrn. (Captain), you too! Eat up!
Vyrn: If you say so, Red.
The crew enjoys the seafood platter left by the apologetic fishermen.
The fishermen promise to bring more seafood the following day, much to Zeta's delight.
Zeta: Oh, now that was quite a meal. I'm so full.
Vyrn: You sure you should be eating so much? You won't be able to squeeze into your swimsuit anymore.
Zeta: Grrr... It'll be fine! Fighting burns calories in a hurry!
Zeta: And I can always switch to the one-piece swimsuit Sierokarte gave me to begin with if I have to!
Vyrn: Hey, you were complaining about that swimsuit earlier, and now you're going to wear it?
Zeta: Of course! It was a present after all. Waste not, want not!
Zeta: I wonder what kind of food they'll bring tomorrow. I can't wait to find out! Ha-ha!
It's hard to believe that the Zeta now relaxing on Venera Beach is the same one who fights primal beasts.
She shows her softer side to everyone present—at least until her vacation comes to an end.