A Candid Wish
As the holy night draws closer, Zooey overhears a mother and child discussing Santa Claus. Sensing Zooey's interest in Santa, Yuni offers to help her better understand what being Santa is like. Now decked out in festive outfits, Cosmos compliments them on their appearance, but, seeing Zooey's discomfort, declines to join them in going out into town.
Winter is in full swing, and as the holidays draw near, a certain town bustles with activity, its residents preparing for the big day.
Little Girl: Is the big holiday today, mommy?
Bustling Mother: Not quite yet, my lovely.
Little Girl: So he's coming tomorrow?
Bustling Mother: He's all busy until the holy night, when he gives everyone their presents!
Zooey: ...
Zooey looks on fondly as the mother and daughter wend their way through the street.
Little Girl: Are you sure Mr. Santa got my wish list?
Bustling Mother: Don't you worry! I made double sure that it got to him!
Zooey: Hehe...
Vyrn: And what's put a skip in your step?
Lyria: Did you find something nice out there, Zooey?
Zooey: Something nice... I suppose you could call it that.
Little Girl: I want the holy night to be here already!
Zooey: It's just that, I see all of these people excited for the holidays...
Zooey: And I just can't stop myself from feeling a bit warm and fuzzy inside.
Lyria: We know exactly what you mean! Everyone's buzzing with excitement up on the Grandcypher too!
Zooey: I can see that.
Zooey takes in the view of the city streets, a soft smile on her face.
Zooey: Funny to think that once, I was nothing more than a manifestation of Cosmos.
Cosmos—the primal beast that once commanded the balance of the Sky Realm with her powers of arbitration.
Zooey was created in her image to take her place amongst the skies, while Cosmos herself remained hidden away in the Astral Realm.
Zooey: My role used to be to maintain the equilibrium of the skies.
Zooey: But I have always felt that I was really brought into this world by the wishes of the people that reside here.
Zooey: Good people, who wish for peace—who love the skies. Their prayers were always there with me.
However, Cosmos had already forfeited her role as the arbitrator.
Zooey: I abandoned my old role as Cosmos's manifestation in this world, and with it, the ability to sense when it would face its peril.
Zooey: Yet still, I cannot fail to feel my heart swell when I see people wishing so sincerely—so earnestly.
As the words tumble forth, Zooey once again looks up at the people making their merry way along the street.
Zooey: And now that the holidays are drawing near, I feel it more keenly than ever.
Lyria: Hehe! Well, everyone is looking forward to what presents they'll be getting from Santa!
Zooey: Ah yes, Santa... He seems like an incredible figure.
Zooey: Taking a wish as precious and pure as a child's and actually granting it...
Zooey: He has the most wonderful job in the world.
???: I agree.
Zooey turns around to find the source of the sudden voice.
Zooey: Yuni!
Yuni: Do you look up to Santa Claus too?
Zooey: Look up to him? I suppose I do.
Yuni: Have you ever wanted to help him?
Zooey: Help him? No, I don't think that's ever crossed my mind...
Yuni: I've been doing some hands-on research into how he does it. Do you want to join me, Zooey?
Zooey: Research? Exactly what kind of research?
Vyrn: Oh, I get it!
Vyrn: We'd better get Miss Flippy-Hair here some stylish threads to match Yuni's, right?
Zooey: Th-threads?
Lyria: That's a wonderful idea, Vyrn! Come on, everyone, we have an outfit to get!
Lyria: Oh, you look amazing, Zooey! It suits you perfectly!
Zooey: Y-you really think so?
Yuni: I think it looks good on you.
Now back on the Grandcypher, Zooey and Yuni both find themselves adorned in matching festive outfits.
Zooey: I feel kind of... silly.
Yuni: Don't worry, Zooey. I felt like that too at first, but it helped me get into the right mindset to research Santa Claus.
Yuni: And I think wearing this will help you do the same.
Zooey: I see. I guess there's no better way to learn how someone feels than by stepping into their shoes—literally, in this case.
Lyria: You two look super cute together—like two peas in a pod!
Zooey: We do?
Zooey and Yuni look at each other and beam when they realize Lyria's words ring true.
Cosmos: What's all this?
Yuni: Cosmos!
Cosmos: Yuni. You look like you're having fun.
Cosmos: Are you dressed up as Santa Claus?
Yuni: Yes. Zooey and I both look up to him, so we wanted to see what it's like being him...
Cosmos: I see. It's a fetching look on you too, Zooey.
Zooey: Th-thank you...
The arbitrator withers slightly under her forerunner's gaze.
Zooey: Um... C-Cosmos... It-it's nice to see you!
Cosmos: Nice to see you too, Zooey.
Zooey: ...
Yuni: Are you okay, Zooey? Is something wrong?
Zooey: N-nothing! Nothing wrong here.
Yuni: You sure?
Vyrn: Uh, well... how about we hit the town and take your new threads for a test run?
Lyria: That sounds perfect! Let's get going!
Zooey: Okay... let's go.
Yuni: Will you be coming with us, Cosmos?
Cosmos: Ah, no, I...
Cosmos glances over at Zooey, who still looks somewhat perturbed.
Cosmos: I'm fine with staying here for now. You all go and enjoy yourselves.
Yuni: Okay. We'll see you when we get back then.
The crew disembark, their festive ensemble in tow, and leave Cosmos behind as they head out to experience the delights of the season.
A Hidden Hope
Dressed up in their merry apparel, Zooey and Yuni take in the joyful sights of the town with the crew. However, Zooey senses something amiss down a side alley and stumbles upon a group of thieves planning a robbery. Upon realizing that they're being watched, the thieves swiftly flee the scene.
Decked in clothes both red and jolly, Zooey and Yuni are led out into the bustling city streets by (Captain) and the crew.
Zooey: ...
Lyria: What's the matter, Zooey?
Zooey: Nothing, it's just... I don't really know how to explain it...
Zooey: Even though we already walked around town, it feels completely different now that I have this outfit on...
Vyrn: Nice! I guess that means you're having fun, right?
Zooey: Yes... You're right! I feel happy inside, buoyant.
Lyria: I'm glad!
Lyria: Now that we're starting to really get into the festive spirit, why don't we go get some sweet treats?
Lyria: The holy night's only a few sleeps away! I'm sure I saw a few places with special holiday menus up...
Vyrn: Yup, that's our Lyria, always letting her stomach lead the way.
Lyria: Can you blame me, Vyrn?
Lyria: I mean, look at all of the stores! They've put the treats front and center! They want me to think about food...
Zooey: Look over there. That store looks like it's selling something different from the standard fare.
Yuni: It smells nice too.
Lyria: What are we waiting for? Let's go take a look!
Vyrn: I forgot you're all just as bad as Lyria! All you guys ever think about is food!
Lyria: Hurry up, Vyrn, or we'll miss out!
Vyrn: I'm coming, I'm coming...
Zooey: There's too many shops... I want to try them all...
Lyria: I don't even know where to begin!
Vyrn: C'mon, guys, let's just pick a place already. Even I'm gettin' hungry now...
Zooey: Hm?
Yuni: Huh? Zooey? Are you all right?
Zooey: Oh, I just thought...
As the group strolls past a narrow alley nestled between the stores, something catches Zooey's eye.
Lyria: That's just one of the service alleys, right? Ooh, did you see another little shop tucked away down there?
Zooey: Not quite... Can't you feel it? Something's off.
Uncertain, Zooey gingerly takes a step into the alleyway.
The crew and Yuni all look at each other for a moment before taking the plunge and tiptoeing after her.
The change in atmosphere from the cheer and lights of the main street is palpable. The gloom of the alley hems them in from all sides, the air thick and oppressive.
Vyrn: This doesn't seem like a place where someone'd open a shop...
Zooey: Shh! I hear something.
Shady Voice: So once these places have shuttered for the night, they'll be left totally empty.
Yuni: Someone's talking...
Zooey: And they're just around that corner.
Treading as softly as they can, the crew poke their heads around the bend and find the source of the mysterious voice.
Gruff Man: You triple-checked where they keep the dough?
Young Man: Yeah—stuffed in a lockbox in the back.
Young Man: I can crack open the lock on the back door no problem. Just gotta wait till they close...
Gruff Man: Wait! Who's that! There's someone there!
Lyria: Eep!
Yuni: They've spotted us!
Gruff Man: Leg it!
Young Man: On it!
Zooey: Stop right there!
A Hidden Hope: Scene 2
In an attempt to track down the would-be burglars without sending the entire town into chaos, (Captain) enlists the help of every crew member available to covertly keep watch for any trouble. Zooey begins to doubt herself and her plan, but after a pep talk from Yuni the pair set off, determined to catch their suspects.
Lyria: Huff... huff...
Vyrn: Aw, darn it! Where'd they go?
(Captain) and the crew set off in hot pursuit of the would-be burglars, but the labyrinthine twists and turns of the dark backstreets soon make them lose their way.
Yuni: They clearly know their way around.
Zooey: Better than tourists like us, that's for sure.
Lyria: Oh, but we've got to stop them!
Vyrn: Yeah! Those guys were definitely up to no good!
Zooey: Sounded like they were planning a robbery...
Lyria: How could anyone do something so horrible right before the holidays? Everyone's in good spirits...
Zooey: I remember now.
Zooey: The world is made of light and dark in equal measure, but the fine balance between the two is always in a chaotic state of flux...
Zooey's expression grows dark as she whispers.
Vyrn: What do we do now then? We can't just leave those guys to rob the town blind!
Yuni: There must be guards somewhere nearby. Maybe we can ask them for help?
Vyrn: That sounds like a good bet. We can give them descriptions of the perps, and they can do a sweep for 'em!
Zooey: Hold on a second.
Lyria: What is it, Zooey?
Zooey: I don't want this to get any bigger than it needs to be.
Vyrn: What do you mean?
Zooey: If we tell the guards, then the shops and the townspeople will also find out that something's amiss.
Zooey: If that happens, say goodbye to all that festive cheer.
Zooey: I couldn't do that to everyone when they're so full of hope and joy...
Yuni: You'd rather take care of it quietly so no one's holiday is ruined?
Zooey: Yes. Although, I know that's a selfish wish, and it will definitely make things harder for us.
Zooey: For the town's safety, the best thing to do would be to let people know what's going on, and make sure the town watch stays alert...
Zooey: But... I just don't want to rob people of their joy, especially at this time of year.
Moved by Zooey's conviction, (Captain) can't help but smile and nod in agreement.
Lyria: If we're going to do this ourselves, we'd best start thinking of how.
Lyria: We just have to put our heads together! I'm sure we can come up with something that works!
Vyrn: Okay! Io and Rosetta are making their way to the east side of town!
Lyria: I'll meet up with Katalina and keep tabs on the main street!
Having enlisted the help of their fellow skyfarers, the captain and the crew decide to covertly patrol the town.
Yuni: Eugen said he'll take the north, and Rackam said he'll be in the south.
Zooey: Truly. Thank you, everyone, for listening to my selfish wish.
Vyrn: Don't sweat it! We'll make sure this whole thing blows over with the townsfolk being left none the wiser!
With their plan in place, Zooey and Yuni head off to the backstreets once more to track down the burglars.
Yuni: This was around where we last saw them...
Zooey: Right...
Yuni: Zooey?
Zooey: Hm?
Yuni: Are you okay? You seem distracted.
Zooey: Sorry, I'm just... conflicted—about whether we should really be handling this ourselves.
Yuni: Well... we won't know until it's all over.
Yuni: But I do agree with your approach.
Yuni: Besides, we're still dressed up like Santa Claus, and I'm pretty sure this is part of what he does.
Zooey: Is it really? How so?
Yuni: Well, when all the children are fast asleep, he quietly pays them a visit and leaves them presents.
Yuni: That's kind of like what we're doing, protecting the town in secret, making sure that no one finds out.
Zooey: Hehe, well, when you put it like that...
Zooey: I guess we're just Santas-in-training then, quietly guarding the townsfolk so they can enjoy the holidays in peace.
Donned in their red apparel, they share a silent smile before carrying on with a renewed sense of purpose.
Vyrn: Hey, you two! We've got intel!
Vyrn: Eugen's spotted a couple of shady dudes hanging out by a deserted house just outside town!
Yuni: Ready, Zooey?
Zooey: Ready—let's go catch our burglars.
A Hidden Hope: Scene 3
Having caught the thieves at last, Zooey is shocked to learn one of them despises this time of year. Wishing the world was a little bit kinder, the former arbitrator decides to approach Cosmos to dispel the awkward tension between them. Yuni and Cosmos are overjoyed at the change of heart, and the three of them head out to enjoy the festive cheer together.
Gruff Man: Who the hell are you!
Zooey: No sudden moves! The jig is up!
With the location of their targets known, Zooey and Yuni have little trouble catching their marks.
Gruff Man: Damn it, let me go!
Vyrn: Put a sock in it! We heard you two planning to rob a store loud and clear!
Reedy Man: Shut up! Who gave you the right to go around arresting people!
Yuni: Well, we weren't just going to let you run around and do bad things.
Young Man: ...
Zooey: And what about you? Do you have anything else to say?
Young Man: Not to you, no.
Lyria: Why would you decide to steal now, when everyone in town is busy enjoying the holidays?
Young Man: Holiday this, holiday that... Screw their stupid holiday!
Zooey picks up the would-be thief's mumbling and looks him dead in the eyes.
Zooey: Do you have a grudge against the festivities?
Young Man: Hmph... Why do you care?
Zooey: Hm... I suppose I shouldn't. But now you've made me curious.
Zooey: Even you must realize that what you were planning to do was awful.
Zooey: But just as every pure wish has its reasons, so does every foul impulse.
Zooey: I want to know what yours were.
Young Man: ...
Hate to break it to you, but there weren't any—I just wanted the cash.
Young Man: There ain't many other options out there left for a guy like me.
Zooey: You're still young. Don't you have a home? A family?
Young Man: Not anymore. Not for ten long years. Lost them all in an accident... on that so-called "holy" night.
Zooey: I see...
Young Man: All those uncaring, happy idiots out there, nothing but smiles and presents—they can rot for all I care.
Zooey: Just because you've suffered doesn't mean you have the right to inflict the same suffering on others.
Young Man: Hah! Must be nice to preach your piece from on high to us mere mortals below.
Zooey: I suppose it is...
With that, the young man refuses to speak another word.
The captain and the crew manage to hand the robbers over to the town guards without any further hassle.
Vyrn: Phew! Done and done!
Yuni: Operation Santa Claus went off without a hitch.
Zooey: ...
Lyria: Are you all right, Zooey?
Zooey: I can't stop thinking about what that young man said.
Yuni: The one from before?
Young Man: Hah! Must be nice to preach your piece from on high to us mere mortals below.
Zooey: It's true, I did examine the world "from on high" when I was a manifestation of Cosmos.
Zooey: I beheld the hope and suffering of everyone in the skies...
Zooey: That is how I came to understand that for every moment of joy and aspiration, resentment and ill will would be waiting in the wings.
Zooey: Light and darkness, good and evil—they are two sides of the same coin.
Yuni: Yes. I learned the same thing when I was at Cosmos's side.
Zooey: If I were still the same person I had been back then, I wouldn't have dared to interfere in an incident like this one.
Zooey: A few petty thieves in a small town is not exactly something that would upset the balance of the world.
Yuni: So, what's different now?
Zooey: Now? Ah, well, now...
Zooey: I believe the world is more beautiful when the people that inhabit it are happy—no matter how trifling the reason for their joy may seem.
Zooey: I know that sounds trite, but it's what I believe.
Zooey looks up at the sky, a smile creeping its way onto her face.
Zooey: It seems I'm more selfish than I thought I was.
Yuni: I'm glad to see you finally smile, Zooey.
Yuni: Seeing you happy makes me happy too.
Yuni: The holidays are special. They're a time where wishes come true. That's where Santa Claus comes in—he turns your dreams into reality.
Yuni: So, what do you wish for, Zooey?
Zooey: Me?
Yuni: We all deserve to make a wish during the holidays. For you, can I be the one that grants it?
Zooey: What I would want...
Cosmos: Did you two have fun in the town?
With the town safe and sound, Zooey and Yuni have made their way back to the Grandcypher, where Cosmos awaits.
Yuni: We caught some thieves.
Cosmos: Well, that sounds like quite the tale.
Zooey: ...
Cosmos: Zooey?
Zooey: Um... C-Cosmos.
Zooey: Ever since... since I stepped down as your manifestation, my idea of this world and its people has been constantly changing.
Zooey: My idea of myself has changed too.
Cosmos: Go on.
Zooey: I-I want to share my thoughts with you...
Zooey: What I'm trying to say is, um...
Zooey: I want to talk with you. And I mean more than just like this. A proper talk.
Cosmos: In truth, I've also been thinking much the same thing. I'd be more than happy to oblige, Zooey.
Yuni: Hehe!
Yuni steps between the two and grabs their hands, bridging the divide and deftly breaking the awkward tension.
Yuni: Good. I had wished for you two to become closer—and I think it's come true.
Cosmos: You wished for this?
Yuni: It's what people do this time of year.
As if to emphasize her point, Yuni pulls the arbitrators even closer, practically radiating joy.
Yuni: If you two are going to talk, how about you do it over some good food? What do you say, Cosmos?
Zooey: That's a great idea. Those burglars completely ruined our plans before.
Cosmos: Very well, I'll come with you this time—but in exchange, you two will have to tell me your personal recommendations.
Zooey: Yes. Good food and ample time to talk.
Cosmos: Of course—about anything and everything.
As Zooey, Yuni, and Cosmos head out into the festivities, there is a marked change between them. Gone are the awkward glances—in their place, smiles of genuine joy.