Scenario:Cassius - Highly Illogical
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Highly Illogical
(Captain), Lyria, and Vyrn take Cassius to a ramen stand, where he proceeds to evaluate the worth of ramen in terms of nutrition and utility. He deems ramen to be highly illogical for sustenance, but for reasons he can't understand, he returns for more the next day.
Unable to find a way back to the moon, Cassius joins (Captain)'s crew in the interim.
The crew decides to try a famous ramen shop.
Vyrn: Holy smokes. Look at that line.
Cassius: So this is that "ramen stand" you were telling me about earlier.
Lyria: Yes. It's famous for its delicious food. That's why we wanted to bring you here.
Cassius: ...
Cassius: Highly illogical.
Vyrn: There he goes again. What's got your goat this time?
Cassius: I fail to see the reason for waiting in a long line as a means of satiating one's hunger.
Cassius: I spot no fewer than fifteen other establishments that offer immediate food distribution.
Lyria: Ahaha... Well, that just shows you how tasty this ramen is.
Cassius: Hmm...
Cassius silently falls into the line, though he's not entirely convinced by Lyria's reasoning.
Vyrn: So what's so special about the menu here anyway?
Lyria: Let's see. An extra-savory broth stewed from pork bones with extra-thin noodles to die for...
Vyrn: Nice. That's where that pork smell's coming from. I can't stop drooling!
Lyria: Heehee. I'm craving a bowl so badly! How about you, (Captain)?
(Captain) smiles and nods.
Cassius: ...
Cassius observes the small group of crewmates who can barely contain their excitement.
Cassius: (They even extract enjoyment from meaningless waiting.)
Cassius: Heh. Quite fascinating.
Vyrn: Huh. Guess you finally found something to look forward to.
Cassius: With reservations.
Lyria: Haha. It's going to be so delicious! You'll see!
After many minutes tick away, the crew members can finally grab seats at the counter.
Steam billows around them, and the aroma of ramen intensifies their salivation. Empty bowls line the countertop, ready to receive their bounty.
Stallkeeper: And your ramen is served!
Lyria: Oooh! It looks even tastier up close!
Cassius: Indeed.
Gleaning how to use chopsticks from his companions, Cassius brings the noodles to his mouth.
Cassius: Slurp...
Vyrn: Hehe! What'd I tell ya! Good, right? Now aren't you glad we waited?
Cassius: Hm...
Cassius: (Wheat flour is stretched into long, thin strands. Quick to heat, easy to prepare, and easy to eat. A sensible design.)
Cassius: (And the flavor is indeed pleasing. These "toppings" arranged in the broth ensure that taste buds do not become complacent. A wise choice.)
Cassius: (However...)
Cassius: (Where do I begin with its nutritional composition? One could say the ratio of salt and carbohydrates to all else is haphazard at best.)
Cassius: (The entire purpose of consuming nutrients is to sustain life. This meal fails completely by that logic.)
Vyrn: You look like you've got a bug up your butt. Ramen not your thing?
Cassius: I wouldn't say that. The flavor is agreeable.
Lyria: Hehe. I'm glad you found something you like, Cassius!
Cassius: (The fact remains that it is unreasonable to expend an inordinate amount of time for a meal of so little nutritional value. Thus I conclude ramen to be highly illogical.)
The meal comes to an end, and everyone returns to their lodgings.
The crew will be in town for a few days to wait for a client. Each member thinks of how they'll pass the time as they drift off to sleep.
Stallkeeper: Come on in!
Cassius: ...
Stallkeeper: Sir, you've come again! Take whichever open seat you like!
Cassius: (Why?)
Cassius: (Why did I come back here alone?)
Not grasping the meaning behind his own illogical actions, Cassius has a seat at the counter.
Highly Illogical: Scene 2
Consecutive days of eating ramen at the same ramen stand has thrown off the nutritional balance in Cassius's body. On his final visit to the ramen stand, the owner thanks him for his patronage with an extra helping of toppings for free. This generosity reminds Cassius of why he finds the Sky Realm and skydwellers to be so fascinating.
Cassius: ...
Cassius scowls at the face he sees in the mirror.
He's been going to the same ramen stand for days, though he still has no idea why. Now he knows what it has cost him.
Cassius: A blemish...
Using the mirror as a guide, he gently brushes the red bump on his face with his fingertips.
Cassius: Consecutive days of consuming ramen have upended the nutritional balance in my body.
Cassius: Regardless of the taste, in terms of health it is worse than the lowest-grade meals served on the moon.
Cassius: There is zero rationale to eating ramen. I will stop today in order to restore balance to my body.
Stallkeeper: Hey, good to see ya again! Come in!
Cassius: ...!
Cassius: (Why am I here? I am certain that all the previous bowls of ramen were enough to complete my analysis, but it appears my interest persists.)
Cassius: (I don't understand. I am clearly being irrational.)
Stallkeeper: Here you go! The usual, yeah?
The owner of the stand sets a familiar bowl in front of Cassius along with a smaller plate to the side.
Cassius: What is this? I do not recall ordering it.
Stallkeeper: Oh, it's an extra helping of boiled egg and roast pork. On the house.
Cassius: What?
Cassius: I do not understand. Why abruptly offer a product without seeking compensation? One would assume there is malicious intent involved.
Stallkeeper: Haha. Paranoid, much? Just wanted to say thanks for coming to my joint every day.
Stallkeeper: Gives me a smile knowing you like my ramen that much.
Stallkeeper: Well, didn't mean to be pushy or anything. You scratched my back, so I'm scratching yours.
Cassius: ...
Cassius: (Here too...)
Beatrix: You're a real weirdo. There's no tricks or anything.
Beatrix: Maybe you think we're butting in, but we're simply doing this out of kindness.
Cassius: Thank you.
Stallkeeper: Sure, don't mention it.
Cassius: ...
Ever since arriving from the moon, Cassius has encountered, in his eyes, many incomprehensible situations.
With conflicting emotions in his chest, he proceeds to finish his final bowl of ramen.
Cassius: (Why did I keep going back to that stand? I could not repress my deep interest in a food I deemed illogical.)
Cassius: (Illogical... Yes, that's it. It has been one mystery after another with this culture.)
Cassius: (That includes (Captain) and those individuals from the Society.)
Cassius: (Not only has flesh proven victorious in conflicts with automagods—some have even communed with them.)
Cassius: (Irrationality overturns rationality, spawning an outcome that is highly... illogical?)
Cassius: (Heh. I was right to find them fascinating.)
Vyrn: Oh, hey. You're back. Didja go for ramen by yourself again?
Cassius: Yes.
Cassius offers a terse response and falls silent.
Vyrn: Hm? Were you hoping we'd come with?
Cassius: No.
Cassius: I have concluded that fossildwellers and ramen are quite similar.
Vyrn: Huh? What's that supposed to mean?
Cassius: Heh. Exactly what I said.
Cassius returns to his room without further elaboration.
Vyrn: Oookay... So much for trying to figure that guy out...
The client that the crew has been waiting for finally arrives shortly thereafter. (Captain) and company prepare to leave town.
Cassius gets dressed, eager to encounter more enigmas as they present themselves.