Scenario:Baal - Blue Sky and Starry Sea

Blue Sky and Starry Sea

The Primal Pals and crew land on a deserted island to gather the materials for Baal's strings—threads made of a special alloy that are spun by the monsters there. Medusa seems strangely desperate to improve her guitar playing, which concerns the others.

---

After borrowing Baal's guitar to practice with, Medusa ends up snapping one of the strings.

A weary Baal explains that every bit of his instrument is personalized—including the strings, which are specially made.

In order to procure the necessary materials, the Primal Pals visit a certain island together with the crew.

Medusa: This is where we're going to find the strings you need? On this tiny deserted island?

Baal: That's right.

Vyrn: Rackam was pretty surprised too. According to him, not many people would bother landin' on an island like this.

Baal: Honestly, it's better that way. It'd be a tragedy for this place to be robbed of such precious resources.

Medusa: So what exactly are we supposed to be collecting out here in the boonies?

Baal: The threads spun by the monsters on this island. I don't know the full story behind it, but the ones they spew out are made of a special mythril alloy.

Nezha: So you were using the threads created by those monsters for your guitar strings?

Baal: Correct. They produce a highly unique timbre—one completely different from that of catgut or steel.

Baal: On top of being tough enough to withstand even the most intense strumming, their light and flexible quality allows them to generate a wide range of tones.

Nezha: I see. In other words, they assist you behind the scenes in creating resonance with various sounds and amplifying their appeal.

Baal: Well, I suppose that's true. They're an essential factor in the creation of my ideal sound.

Baal: The threads are fairly difficult to get a hold of, but the trade-off is their longevity as strings.

Baal: Normally they can't be broken so easily.

Medusa: Urgh... Y-you don't have to rub it in! It was just an accident, okay?

Baal: Ah, an accident. What a typical excuse.

Medusa: Huh? What's that supposed to mean!

Satyr: Come on, you two. Let's try to stay calm, okay?

Nezha: Incidentally, if the strings are of such high quality, why not use them on Medusa's guitar as well?

Satyr: Ooh, good idea! We can pick up strings for Meddy, and some spares for Baally too while we're at it!

Baal: Unfortunately, it's not that simple. You see, this island was first discovered by a certain musician-turned-skyfarer.

Baal: Since then, its coordinates have only been known to a very small number of musicians.

Baal: I assume you can guess the reason?

Satyr: Ooh, to prevent overharvesting.

Baal: Exactly. They're exceedingly valuable strings.

Baal: They don't deserve to be wiped out at the hands of posers who don't understand their true value.

Medusa: ...

Satyr: Hehe. Don't worry, Meddy. Baally's not calling you a poser or anything.

Medusa: Then what's the problem? I don't see anything else it could be!

Satyr: Well... when it comes to playing an instrument, every person is different, right? In terms of their level and style, I mean.

Satyr: So you can't just jump in assuming what works for somebody else is going to work for you too. You've got to find something that jibes with your own personal quirks.

Satyr: I think that's the gist of it. It's the same with weapons and stuff too!

Satyr: Isn't that right, Baally?

Baal: Mhm...

Medusa: But then it still all comes down to the fact that I'm a total amateur!

Medusa: I mean, I'm well aware of that already. But at this rate...

Nezha: Medusa? What's wrong?

Medusa: Nothing! Let's get thread hunting already!

Vyrn: Th-the heck? Snake Girl looked really upset all of a sudden...

Baal: ...

Blue Sky and Starry Sea: Scene 2

(Captain) and the crew admire the Primal Pals' friendship, remarking that they were completely in sync when they played as a band. Eventually Baal and company arrive at the location of the threads, but the moment they attempt to take one, a monster attacks.

---

Satyr: Meddy...

Medusa's Voice: What're you all just standing around for? I'm going to leave you behind!

Baal: That's awfully bossy coming from the cause of all this...

Satyr: Oh, Baally...

Baal: The fact of the matter is, if Medusa hadn't broken that string, we wouldn't have had to come here at all.

Satyr: Yeah, that's true. But then that begs the question—how'd Meddy use up all her strings in the first place?

Satyr: Do you know the answer, Baally?

Baal: No. I still haven't been given a proper explanation.

Satyr: Well, the truth is, Meddy—

Medusa: Satyr!

Medusa: It's fine. Now's not the time for that.

Medusa: Let's skip the chitchat and get this over with! See? Look at Nezha! He's already got his game face on—

Nezha: Hmm... Baal. What sort of places do these monsters inhabit?

Nezha: Do they use their threads for building nests? Or perhaps for hunting?

Medusa: Like that matters!

Vyrn: Sheesh. These guys are always on totally different pages.

Lyria: Hehe. It just shows how close they are.

Medusa: Hey! We're not that close!

Medusa: Ugh, all this retorting is wearing me out...

Lyria: But when you all played together as a band, you were completely in sync!

Baal: ...!

Satyr: Baally? Is something wrong?

Baal: No, it's nothing. Anyway, our destination is just ahead, so watch out for those monsters I mentioned.

Nezha: Is this it?

Baal: Yep, we're here.

Vyrn: Huh? Just looks like a big, empty forest to me.

Lyria: Wait! If you squint, you can see lots of sparkling thread-like things stretched between the trees.

Vyrn: Whoa, you're right!

Satyr: Wow, they really are mythril threads! How beautiful!

Medusa: Yeah, I guess they are kind of pretty...

Nezha: There's something about them that really draws you in.

Lyria: So those are what you use for your strings!

Baal: That's right. We'll take a few for ourselves while the monsters aren't around.

Baal: That way we can avoid a big hassle.

Medusa: Then let's grab them already!

Medusa: Oh! This one looks pretty good!

Baal: Hey, wait! If you touch the threads haphazardly like that—

Medusa: Huh?

Monster: Gwaaah!

Lyria: Eek! A-a monster!

Nezha: Ah, I see. By stretching out their threads to form a nest, they can detect prey from the vibrations transmitted through the strings.

Nezha: So by carelessly touching one, you alerted the monsters to your presence. How fascinating.

Satyr: Wow, that's our Nez! You know everything!

Medusa: Is this really the time for a pleasant chat?

Monster: Groooar!

Baal: Tch! I should've known it would turn out like this!

Medusa: Yikes. That monster's ready and raring to fight.

Baal: I suppose we'll just have to drive it away. Make sure to keep your power in check, Medusa.

Medusa: I know that! Satyr, Nezha, don't forget to do the same!

Satyr: Okie-dokie!

Nezha: Understood.

Baal: Let's begin!

Blue Sky and Starry Sea: Scene 3

After driving away the monster and collecting enough threads, Medusa apologizes to Baal, confessing that she had been practicing for the sake of their band Primal-★-Slap. Baal's pals explain that they want to do many things together, including playing as a band again.

---

Monster: Gyah... Gwoh!

Baal: Looks like we got rid of it.

Medusa: Heh. Well, you had me with you!

Baal: Please. Who was it that almost made us kill an innocent monster for no good reason?

Medusa: I-I know, I know! It was my fault!

Satyr: We'd better have Baally teach us his ways before the next one!

Nezha: Indeed. How can we collect the threads without provoking the monsters?

Medusa: It might also help to know what sort of threads are best suited as strings. Like, their thickness, length, and whatnot.

Baal: That's true. Let's see... The most important thing is, first of all, to avoid riling the monsters up.

Medusa: Yeah, I figured that much out already, thanks!

Medusa: I got the threads like you asked. Is this enough?

Baal: Yeah, this should do.

Satyr: I wish we could bring back a bunch more, but I guess that'd be frowned upon, huh?

Nezha: Since they're precious commodities, we must refrain from overharvesting them.

Baal: Exactly. We'll be taking only as much as we absolutely need. No more, no less.

Medusa: ...

Satyr: What's wrong, Meddy?

Medusa: This means your guitar will be fixed, right?

Baal: Right. Though it'll take some time to replace the strings and break them in.

Medusa: Okay. That's good.

Medusa: So, um...

Baal: What? Do you have something to say?

Medusa: Listen, Baal...

Medusa: I'm sorry!

Baal: Wha... Huh?

Satyr: Hehe. You finally got it out, Meddy.

Baal: What do you mean "finally"? You already made up for snapping the strings, so what else is there?

Medusa: Well... it was bothering me that I couldn't bring myself to apologize when I broke the strings in the first place.

Medusa: So I wanted to say I was sorry. Properly.

Vyrn: Huh, listen to Snake Girl wearin' her heart on her sleeve for once!

Satyr: Hehehe. You're so cute when you're being honest, Meddy!

Medusa: H-hush, you! Nobody asked about that!

Baal: While you're actually being honest, I want you to come clean.

Medusa: Y-you make it sound like I'm always lying...

Baal: Tell me—why exactly were you in such a hurry to practice?

Medusa: What does that matter right now!

Baal: Thinking back, you've been strangely brusque all day, even for you.

Baal: Isn't that how all this started?

Medusa: Um, well... About that...

Nezha: Medusa, don't you think it's about time you tell him?

Satyr: Yeah, Nez is right, Meddy! Why don't you have a nice heart-to-heart with Baally right here and now?

Medusa: Fine.

Medusa slowly shifts her gaze to Baal and takes a deep breath.

Medusa: Remember how we formed a band and put on a show for everyone on the ship?

Medusa: That was a really fun experience for me. And yet...

Medusa: Since then, we haven't performed together even once as Primal-★-Slap.

Baal: ...

Medusa: I wanted to play a lot more with you guys.

Medusa: Satyr and Nezha were really happy to hear me say that. Turns out they were thinking the same thing.

Medusa: But... it was hard to bring it up with you, Baal.

Baal: Why?

Medusa: Well, you're always playing the guitar by yourself, you know? So I thought maybe it was more fun for you that way.

Medusa: And besides, it might've worked out for the DossSS and all, but I just started learning, so I knew I'd be dragging you down.

Satyr: It's not just Meddy. Nez and I feel the same way.

Nezha: Our level of performance can't even begin to compare with your masterful technique.

Medusa: So we thought if we worked really hard and got a little closer to your level, then maybe...

Medusa: We could... play together again...

Baal: ...

Satyr: The three of us have been practicing in secret, but Meddy was especially gung-ho about it.

Nezha: As a result, we ran out of strings at a tremendous rate.

Baal: I see. In other words...

Baal: Medusa, you... No. You all want to keep playing together as Primal-★-Slap?

Satyr: Hehe. Well, yeah, but that's not all!

Satyr: The band is just part of it. We want to do lots more things together and get to be even better friends!

Medusa: Hang on, don't put words in my mouth! I didn't say anything about friendship!

Medusa: I just want to get better at the guitar than Baal! I don't like losing out to him, that's all!

Vyrn: Hahaha, there she is! That's the Snake Girl we know!

Satyr: D'aw! You're so cute when you're not being honest, Meddy!

Medusa: Shut up! Enough with the teasing already, you guys!

Blue Sky and Starry Sea: Scene 4

Believing that his relationship with the Primal Pals will open his eyes to a new world, Baal plays with Primal-★-Slap on the Grandcypher once again. They perform a new song that Baal wrote out of gratitude for the bonds shared between primals and mortals, and the concert is a huge success.

---

Some time has passed since the Primal Pals went on their mythril string hunt.

Tonight, Primal-★-Slap is putting on a long-awaited encore performance on the Grandcypher.

Lyria: Wow! They're all incredible!

Vyrn: You're not kiddin'! They've really upped their game since their last concert!

Medusa: (This is crazy! Everyone's really fired up!)

Satyr: Ahaha! Isn't this fun, Meddy?

Nezha: It certainly is. I could do this all night!

Medusa: Satyr... Nezha...

Medusa: Not to mention...

Baal: It's a fine night.

Baal: My heart and soul are sinking deeper and deeper into the swell of sound.

Baal: And it's the greatest feeling ever!

Medusa: (I've never seen Baal so into his performance!)

Medusa: (This really is a blast! I wish this moment would go on forever!)

Medusa: (But...)

Baal: Okay, ladies and gents. It's been a great night.

Baal: But the next is our last number. And our new song.

Baal: So get ready for a real treat!

A few weeks prior, right after the mythril string hunt...

Medusa: Hang on, don't put words in my mouth! I didn't say anything about friendship!

Medusa: I just want to get better at the guitar than Baal! I don't like losing out to him, that's all!

Vyrn: Hahaha, there she is! That's the Snake Girl we know!

Satyr: D'aw! You're so cute when you're not being honest, Meddy!

Medusa: Shut up! Enough with the teasing already, you guys!

Baal: You really are an odd bunch. I mean, I already knew that, but still.

Nezha: We wouldn't be the Primal Pals if we weren't.

Satyr: You said it, Nez!

Satyr: But you know what? I feel like this time around was a little special.

Baal: Special? How so?

Satyr: We've done lots of different things together as the Primal Pals.

Satyr: But it's not often you tell us what you want to do, Baally.

Baal: Come to think of it, I guess you're right.

Nezha: So there was only one answer—music.

Medusa: That's right! We're just going along with your hobby here!

Baal: I never asked you to do that.

Medusa: Huh? Well, maybe if you weren't always being so antisocial, we wouldn't have had to take matters into our own hands!

Baal: Yeah, about that. It's not like I prefer solitude or anything.

Medusa: Wait, seriously?

Baal: If I really enjoyed being alone, I wouldn't have spent so many years playing music among mortals.

Nezha: Now that you mention it, you were the one most integrated into mortal society out of all of us.

Baal: I don't mind a bit of privacy and silence, but that's not really what I'm looking for.

Baal: What I want is... Well, let's see...

Baal: First is a sense of frenzy. A burning passion that can move hearts.

Satyr: Passion?

Baal: Next is harmony. It's refreshing when something only makes sense when it exists as part of a group.

Nezha: Harmony...

Baal: And finally, resonance.

Medusa: That's the thing you talk about all the time.

Baal: (And actually, I've added one more. Something I found through my connection with these guys—equality.)

Baal: (Our relationship is based on a mutual understanding of each other. I have no doubt that it will open my eyes to a whole new world.)

Satyr: What's up, Baally?

Baal: ...
Anyway, let's make plans for Primal-★-Slap's next gig when we get back to the ship.

Satyr: Yay, really? I'm so happy!

Nezha: We can demonstrate the results of our hard work.

Medusa: Sounds good to me!

Baal: Medusa... You could do with taking it down a notch. We can't have you wasting any more strings.

Medusa: I-I know, I know!

Medusa: Just wait—I'm going to put on a real show! You won't even recognize me from our last concert!

Baal: You're really building up my expectations. Let's see if you can live up to them.

Baal: We made it!

Baal: Our hearts and souls soared through to the other side of the sky...

Medusa: Woohoo! We really did it!

Satyr: Yeah, we totally killed it out there! We were in perfect sync!

Nezha: It's truly hard to believe that was our first time performing that song in public.

Vyrn: You were really somethin' else out there, Snake Girl! Bravo, bravo! Haha!

Lyria: That was amazing, you guys! No, more than that... It was, um, super amazing!

Medusa: Ahaha! Lyria, you'd better calm down before you hurt yourself.

Lyria: Um... Well, hmm. If I had to put it into words...

Satyr: Yeah?

Lyria: Even though it was just music, it felt really high and wide and deep. And... transparent somehow too.

Nezha: Oh?

Lyria: Like... picture a sky even higher than ours. Then go even higher... That's what it felt like.

Baal: You really nailed the interpretation. This song was written with a place higher than the sky in mind.

Baal: I'm impressed you were able to grasp all that. You've got quite the artistic sense.

Lyria: Ehehe. You're going to make me blush...

Vyrn: So what's that new song of yours called?

Satyr: Hehehe. You do the honors, Baally!

Baal: It's about skyfarers and primal beasts. In short, you all and us.

Baal: Sharing a respect for each other's origins, we met and formed a bond. This song expresses our gratitude for that miracle.

Baal: The title is—"Blue Sky and Starry Sea."

With this, Baal gently raises his guitar and gives the strings a light strum.

An arpeggio rings out, seeming to express his complex thoughts and feelings.

It echoes across the deck of the Grandcypher, resounding within the hearts and souls of all those who hear it.