Scenario:Cassius - The Price of Love
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The Price of Love
One day, Cassius is at a pastry shop in town when he notices that the prices of desserts have risen as of late. The pastry chef tells Cassius that prices are higher because baked goods are being made with special affection for Valentine's. Cassius fails to understand the difference, until the crew tells him that the rise in prices is due to the high demand of sweets during the season. Satisfied with this logic, Cassius joins the others in exploring the seasonal sweets fair in town.
No version of Cassius (Event SSR) in crew
Cassius—a warrior from the moon who was once sent to the skies on a mission.
For a brief time, he had returned to the moon with Isaac, a fellow moon descendant.
He was then held prisoner by the moon's Central Axis, used as a sample for information on the Sky Realm and the girl in blue.
The moondwellers proceeded to use the information extracted from Cassius's brain to carry out their plans for the destruction of the skies.
Thanks to the efforts of (Captain)'s crew, Isaac, and members of the Society, Cassius was eventually revived and fought hard in the battle to protect the skies.
After successfully defending against the moon's threats, Cassius finally settles down into his new life in the peaceful Sky Realm.
One early afternoon, just before Valentine's Day. Some time has passed since Cassius returned to the Sky Realm.
Cassius: Why?
Cassius stands with his brows knit, glaring at the showcase of a pastry shop located at the corner of a street in town.
Pastry Chef: Don't all of them look amazing? This cake and tart over here are seasonal items, so give 'em a try while you can!
Cassius: Indeed, I have not seen those before. There is an appeal in trying something I will not be able to taste again.
Pastry Chef: I have full confidence in any of the pastries here. Nothing would make me happier than to have you taste the wonders I've created!
Cassius: I've heard from Beatrix as well that everything from this shop is top-quality.
Cassius: I had considered giving baked desserts a rest, but these pastries are tempting.
The long-haired young man runs his eyes along the rows of pastries in the case. He cocks his head and looks up at the owner.
Cassius: However, Chef—I believe there is a mistake in the labeled prices.
Cassius: If my memory is correct, the price for each of these pastries is approximately 1.5 times higher than its usual price.
Pastry Chef: Oh... Really?
Cassius: And not only this shop. The prices at all the shops in town have risen slightly.
Cassius: Seasonal products aside, it is unfathomable to me why the prices of regular products that have not changed in the slightest are now higher.
Cassius shifts his gaze to the window and the bustling city street beyond it.
Shops decked in red and pink line the road as people queue outside each of them.
Cassius: Come to think of it, the town has been strange today. Every shop has the same colors and decor, and ashen expressions on people's faces.
Cassius: Reminds me of soldiers preparing for a large battle.
Pastry Chef: ...
Pastry Chef: I have to say, young man, your memory is impeccable, and you're very attentive to your surroundings.
Cassius: ...
The tension builds as Cassius waits quietly for the pastry chef to continue explaining.
Pastry Chef: Like you said, it is a battle. A war in which one must risk their life and soul.
Pastry Chef: The war known as Valentine's!
Cassius: ...
Valentine's.
Valentine's.
Cassius blinks, unable to comprehend.
Pastry Chef: That's right! Have you forgotten that Valentine's is just around the corner? Next week, in fact.
Pastry Chef: Every shop is doing its best to promote its products for the special day, and that's why prices have been rising.
Cassius: I cannot understand why the prices of regular products are also affected by this "Valentine's."
Cassius: Take these pastries, for example. They are labeled as "seasonal," but I do not detect any divergence in them since my last visit.
Cassius: There is no elaborate wrapping either, unlike the box of assorted sweets over there. Can you enlighten me on the difference?
Pastry Chef: Haha. Well you know, all the sweets sold around this time are specially made with affection, and that's what makes the prices go up.
Pastry Chef: Affection adds to the flavor, so it's only fair!
Cassius: Affection?
Pastry Chef: Yep! You know what they say. Tastes the best when it's seasoned with love and affection!
Cassius closes his eyes, reflecting on the chef's words before nodding.
Cassius: True. I've seen something similar in a recipe I read before.
Cassius: This spice called "affection" must be a truly radical type of seasoning for it to have this much influence on prices.
Cassius: If pastries made with this "affection" are a delicacy that can only be eaten during this season, then I must taste it for myself.
Cassius: Chef. I would like to have my usuals, in addition to this seasonal shortcake here.
Pastry Chef: You got it! Thank you very much!
Cassius: Now then.
Having made his way to a plaza in the corner of town, Cassius lowers himself onto a bench, sweets in hand.
Cassius: A dessert seasoned with affection. What kind of flavor does it harbor?
Anticipation coursing through his body, Cassius takes a bite of the pastry.
Cassius: ...
Cassius: ...?
Cassius: (Is this the flavor of "affection"? The sweetness and texture are the same as always...)
He takes another bite, and then another, pondering the possible discrepancy between the baked good in his hand and the ones he has eaten before.
By the time he finishes eating all of the sweets, his brows are furrowed in confusion.
Cassius: I cannot find the distinction. How exactly is affection supposed to taste?
???: Hey, Cassius!
Just then, he hears the sound of approaching footsteps and looks up.
Lyria: Hello, Cassius! Are you here taking a break?
Cassius: You're all here. I was eating some pastries I bought.
Vyrn: When you said you needed to go buy some stuff, you meant confections?
Vyrn: We were just about to go get somethin' to munch on ourselves!
Lyria: There seems to be a Valentine's dessert fair happening in town right now, so we're going to go look around together!
Vyrn: Bet there's gonna be a ton of seasonal sweets that's only for sale around this time of year. Can't wait to try 'em!
Cassius: Seasonal sweets...
Cassius: (Captain). Would you say those seasonal items are especially good because they are made with "affection"?
(Captain) and company are puzzled by their friend's question.
Seeing the crew's confusion, Cassius relays the conversation he had with the pastry chef earlier.
Lyria: I-I see... Now that you mention it, I guess seasonal items are a little more expensive compared to regular confections.
Cassius: It appears the hike in prices during Valentine's is not restricted to the seasonal sweets, but also applies to the items I am usually partial to.
Cassius: The chef has informed me that this is due to the "affection" added in the process of making the desserts, but I cannot detect a difference in its taste.
Vyrn: Well... I doubt the chef was being serious when he said that.
Cassius: ...?
What do you mean?
What do you mean?
Vyrn: I mean, I'm sure there's stuff that's being specially made for the occasion too.
Vyrn: But prices are probably goin' up 'cause of the demand and not the affection.
Cassius: You mean to say that this is a strategy used to boost profits, implemented for the duration of the event called Valentine's when the demand for sweets increase?
Vyrn: That's a pretty blunt way of sayin' it, but basically...
Cassius: It's true that value increases when an item is only made available for a limited time, allowing an unquestioned raise in prices.
Cassius: Such is mortal psychology. An easy and logical method of increasing profit indeed.
Despite his nod, however, there is a hint of disappointment in Cassius's voice.
Lyria: Hmm... For me, I feel it's even more delicious when someone makes something especially for me.
Lyria: So I think it's true that desserts are more tasty when there's affection in them!
Vyrn: Yeah! Sweets from shops might get more expensive around this time...
Vyrn: But Valentine's is still an important day where people can express their feelings through giving!
Vyrn: The shops are thinking about their customers and puttin' out special items, so in a way, that's a way of giving too.
Cassius: Hm... What do you think, (Captain)?
Cassius: Do you believe there are benefits for customers on Valentine's, despite the surge in confection prices?
Choose: Depends how you look at it.
Vyrn: Right. Stuff doesn't have to be homemade for your thoughts to be real, and it's not like everyone has the skill to make desserts.
Vyrn: Some people prefer buyin' something more luxurious and expressin' their feelings in that way instead.
Choose: Price doesn't reflect value.
Vyrn: Right, you can't really judge the value of someone's feelings with money...
Vyrn: There're people who can't make confections themselves but still wanna express their appreciation. In that case, buying somethin' nice from a shop's a great option.
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Cassius: In other words, the benefits depend on the person.
Vyrn: Yup, everyone has their own circumstances. There's no single way to do somethin'.
Cassius nods again, comprehension dawning on his face.
Cassius: However, I still find it difficult to accept that the raise in prices also applies to my usual favorites.
Cassius: I'm not purchasing them for other people, so I fail to see the logic in buying something I will be eating myself at a high price.
Lyria: Oh! Then why don't you come with us and take a look around the sweets fair?
Lyria: I've done some research and listed up some items that are only available this year!
Lyria: That might make buying expensive sweets for yourself a little more reasonable!
Seeing Lyria's enthusiasm, Cassius thinks for a while before giving a small nod.
Cassius: If you insist, Lyria, then I will see for myself as well.
Cassius: I am intrigued by what these seasonal items may be.
Lyria: Leave it to me then! I'm sure there'll be lots of new creations that you'll like, Cassius!
Lyria: Come on! Let's get going on our sweets tour!
Vyrn: Hey, Lyria! We're gonna lose you if you run like that!
Lyria skips on ahead as Vyrn hurriedly follows after her.
Cassius and company head back toward the town center, excited to see what the special occasion may bring.