Scenario:Illnott - A Not-Ill Date
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A Not-Ill Date
Illnott and (Captain) walk the town as she agonizes over having become a goody two-shoes. After stops at a popular cafe and holiday-themed clothing store, they eventually arrive at an art museum. (Captain) leads her to a crowd of museumgoers enraptured by an exhibit—one of graffiti art by the King of the Night. Moved by both the sight and the captain's thoughtful gesture, Illnott's hidden resolve hardens.
Following (Captain)'s suggestion, the two leave the currently docked airship and head out to the island's main street.
Illnott: Hey there, granny. Watch out. You dropped your purse.
Grandma: Oh? Well, so I did. Thank you very much, dear. You're quite the sweetheart.
Illnott: Hrk. You're, uh... welcome, I guess.
Illnott: Huff... Huff... Huh?
Illnott: Hey, kid!
Illnott suddenly dashes forward, catching a nearby child mid-fall.
Child: Ah! Thank you, miss. Ehehe, you're really nice!
Illnott: Huff... Hrgh... Argh... Right... Just be more careful next time...
Illnott: Ugh... It's happening again... My head... It's gonna explode...
Illnott: W-we gotta get off the streets, little dude. If I'm out here much longer I'm gonna lose myself to the forces of good...
Though not unamused watching Illnott succumb to admirable temptations, (Captain) answers her plea by pointing to a nearby store.
Illnott: That some kind of cafe? Really living up to the daytime reputation of normal.
Choose: Today's for the things you can't do at night.
Illnott: Never seen a cafe like that open at night, true.
Illnott: Well, you're the one in charge today. Take my hand and lead me where you please.
With that, Illnott looks at (Captain) and extends her hand. The captain looks away—but takes it.
Illnott: Sniff... Sniff... This smell... It's nice and calming. Very chill.
The two grab a table by one of the windows, and as they sit down, a waft of coffee floats into the room.
Shopkeeper: Welcome. How may I help you today?
Illnott: We'll have two of whatever that smell is coming from.
Shopkeeper: All right... Two house blends. Will that be all?
Illnott: Blend? Nah, I might as well go for a hit of something pure strain...
Shopkeeper: Pardon?
Choose: Two house blends, please.
Shopkeeper: C-coming right up...
Illnott: Sigh... Hey, little dude. Can't we try something other than the house blend?
Illnott: What's that, you wanna try something we can't get from the ship's cafe? We have one of those?
Illnott: Oh right, it's probably not open during my hours.
Illnott: No night hours, I guess... Wait, I can just go during normal hours now. Starting to see what you mean.
Shopkeeper: Excuse me. Here are your drinks. Two house blends, freshly brewed.
The server ever so gracefully places the two cups of coffee in front of the pair before heading back to the bar.
Before she begins drinking, Illnott takes a deep breath, inhaling the fragrant fumes rising from the small cup.
Illnott: Sniff... Whew... Damn, it's even better taken straight. Feels like blowing the dust outta my brain..
(Captain), by now used to the eccentricities of Illnott's speech, doesn't raise a brow. The rest of the cafe, however, struggles not to gawk.
Illnott: Mm. It even tastes good. All the better for knowing you and I are drinking the same stuff.
Illnott: How you liking it, little dude?
...
Illnott: Phew. Already done with my cup. That was great. How long's it been since I last had coffee?
Illnott: Used to think coffee just tasted like dirt water, but this was an eye-opener. Guess I owe you one, kid.
Choose: This place offers free refills.
Illnott: You serious?
Illnott: Damn, you're right. You mean I can have as much of this stuff as I want? Dope.
Illnott: Hey, little dude. How about another round?
Illnott, having downed five entire cups of coffee, leaves the cafe more awake than when she entered.
Illnott: Y'know, this sunshine isn't bugging me as much as it was earlier. Anyway, where we headed to next?
Illnott: Shopping, huh? Sounds fun. Classic daytime thing. Count on the King of the Knights to make an honorable choice.
Illnott: Haha, nah, I'm not teasing you. Everything's fun when I'm with you, little dude.
Illnott: Ah, but don't forget. If you want me to tag along, you have to personally lead me.
Illnott once again extends her hand for (Captain) to grab, and the two continue walking.
Illnott: Been a while since I've seen so many open stores...
Choose: You? Active during the day?
Illnott: It was a long time ago. You curious about my past or something?
Illnott: Hehe, we'll talk about it some other night. Let's focus on enjoying ourselves for now.
Illnott: Not anything interesting. The bare essentials—water, food, and the occasional set of clothes. Nothing worth remembering.
Illnott: On second thought, technically I wasn't shopping. I was a bad apple, after all.
Continue 1
Upon answering (Captain)'s question, Illnott squints, looking ahead at the pedestrians wandering about the street before them.
Girl: Daddy! Mommy! I know what I want to ask Santa Claus for!
Father: Hm? Is that so? I guess we'd better get to writing that letter then.
Mother: So what did you decide on, dear?
Girl: A toy airship—like the one here at the island! It's super cool, and so are the skyfarers aboard it!
Girl: When I grow up, I want to be just like them! I'll ride a ship like that and fly all across the skies!
Illnott: Heh. You got a fan, little dude. But she's right—the Grandcypher is a pretty sick ride. The kid's got taste.
Illnott: ...
Guess that coffee didn't help as much I hoped.
Guess that coffee didn't help as much I hoped.
Seeing Illnott fall back into her earlier mood, (Captain) steps in to change the subject.
Choose: Speaking of... What'd you get?
Illnott: Huh? Like, presents? Hang on, I know I'm acting all nice today, but don't you ever forget that I'm a real troublemaker at heart.
Illnott: Though that reminds me. Always used to get a burglar sneaking in around this time of year.
Illnott: He was terrible at it, always leaving his loot behind and forgetting to steal anything.
(Captain) valiantly suppresses the urge to point out the obvious.
It appears the captain is not alone in putting Illnott on the nice list.
Illnott: People always let loose on the big night.
Illnott: Heck, crowds look pretty loose now, days away and with the sun still up. Easy to imagine a burglar trying to take advantage and just fumbling it, right?
Illnott: Anyway. Never really noticed in the dark, but they really go hard on the decorations here. Wreaths and those trees everywhere you look.
Illnott: And that place there is even selling holiday clothes. Do people really need to play dress-up too?
Illnott: Sheesh. Leave the costumes to Santa Claus.
Illnott: Wait. Actually, that outfit looks kinda nice, not gonna lie...
One particular costume catches Illnott's eye, and the caffeine-fueled night owl briskly walks over to the store where it is being displayed.
Illnott: Hrm... Gimme a sec, little dude.
Illnott takes a moment to browse the store's selection, then grabs a few outfits before heading to the changing rooms in the back.
Illnott: How's my fit, kid?
Illnott: Simple answer, but not a bad one. If you like it that much, it was worth the price.
Choose: Looks a bit... naughty.
Illnott: Hehe... You're making me wanna see what you'd look like in something naughty.
Illnott: But we'll leave that for another time.
Continue 2
Illnott: All right then. Now that I've embraced the season, on to our next stop.
Illnott: Lead the way, little dude.
(Captain) spends a moment in thought, then makes a decision.
Illnott: An art museum?
Illnott: So this is what it's like...
Illnott: Hey, don't worry about me. As long as you're here, I'm having fun.
Illnott: Was just wondering if you were gonna try to get me into painting fine art.
Illnott: You're not? No problem then. I'll admit, this is my first time at one of these.
Illnott: It's fine though. This is nice. It's definitely not somewhere I'd come in my own free time—kinda like the cafe.
Illnott: That said, I don't really have any opinion on the poor stuff they have strung up here. Definitely not my thing. I'm sure it's good, but that's about it.
Although the street artist feigns disinterest in the museum's various exhibits, (Captain) catches her sneaking looks at several of the summaries as they stroll through the halls.
Illnott: Hey, you notice how we're almost the only ones here? Guess most people aren't spending their holidays on a museum.
Illnott: Or not. I guess the big draw's over there?
The two continue their stroll, eventually reaching the edge of the crowd.
Museum Visitor 1: I never thought I'd see it with my own two eyes! It's even cooler than I imagined!
Museum Visitor 2: Right? It's exquisite! Nothing beats the King of the Night's graffiti!
Illnott: ...?
(Captain) and Illnott peer through the throng and get a glimpse at the center of the everyone's attention.
Displayed with great prominence within a glass case is a section of brick wall covered in vibrant graffiti.
A plate shows the name of the presumed artist—the King of the Night.
Illnott: Where'd I do that one... Don't remember, but yeah that's definitely mine.
Illnott: This what you wanted to show me, kid?
(Captain) looks instead at the people forming the enormous crowd surrounding Illnott's graffiti.
Museum Visitor 1: Wow, thanks for bringing me here!
Museum Visitor 2: You're very welcome! Think of it as an early present.
It isn't just couples—visitors of all ages have their eyes glued to the glass case containing the King of the Night's work.
Illnott: Aha. So this was your plan. You really are a bad one.
Illnott: Some noise you only get to hear during the day, huh.
Between Illnott's reaction and the happy voices spilling from the crowd, (Captain)'s face melts into a gentle smile.
Illnott: C'mon, little dude...
Illnott: (Sheesh... If you're gonna give me that look, I guess I really do need to hurry...)
Illnott: (You got me hopped up on inspiration, so as long as I start back up tonight...)
A Not-Ill Date: Scene 2
Illnott resumes her nighttime activities, yet appears more tired by the day. Upon hearing she's been continuing her daytime activities as well, a worried (Captain) dashes out to the town in search of her. Finding instead only illusory, inky remnants of Illnott, (Captain) soon discovers that the artist has been using ink made with vampire grass—a herb that causes hallucinations and disrupts sleep patterns.
Night falls, and Illnott once again wanders the town's dark alleys.
If her return to the night realm was all that changed, perhaps you could even call things normal, but—
Vyrn: Somethin' ain't right...
Vyrn: Not that there's ever been anythin' right with Splatters.
Lyria: I only saw her face for a second, but she looked exhausted for some reason...
Lyria: I could be imagining things though. I haven't talked to her or anything...
Vyrn: Hasn't Splatters been up during the day recently? Maybe she just needs some sleep...
(Captain) briefly considers the possibility this is simply a case of choosing to stay up too late.
But quickly rules it out—the King of the Night is not usually one to fight her own instincts. Not successfully, anyway.
Choose: I'm gonna hit the town. Be back soon.
Lyria: Huh? Are you going out? At this hour? But it's pitch-dark outside!
Vyrn: Yeah! If you're gonna go out, at least go with someone else!
Lyria: Ah, we're too late...
Vyrn: Splatters must be rubbin' off on (Captain) pretty hard... Since when were they so buddy-buddy?
With the big night right around the corner, the town is eerily silent.
(Captain) listens carefully for the sound of spray paint while navigating the area's back alleys in search of places that Illnott could potentially bomb.
Illnott: ...
(Captain) turns the corner and spots Illnott collapsed on the ground.
(Captain) rushes to her side and picks her up.
The body (Captain) holds is extremely lightweight—almost ethereal—and quickly dissipates into the air.
The increasingly anxious captain continues to wander the town, looking for any signs of Illnott's activity.
(Captain) spots another Illnott at the end of the path ahead and once again rushes over, only for the body to disappear a second time.
Even after a full circuit around town, the real Illnott remains missing.
Nearly despondent, (Captain) looks down at the trembling hands that have now cradled so many illusions of the artist.
And notices, upon the fingertips, a hint of ink.
Vyrn: So what you're sayin' is... the reason why Splatters has been up during the day is 'cause of that ink?
Lyria: Vampire grass... That's not a plant I've ever heard of.
The ink that had stained (Captain)'s hands carried a clue—its scent was not quite the same as Illnott's usual.
Suspecting it may hold the answer to both the illusions and Illnott's flipped schedule, (Captain) investigated the substance with the help of other crewmates.
These efforts revealed both the main ingredient—leaves of the plant known as vampire grass—and some of the more unique properties its scent carries.
Vyrn: A plant that reverses your sleep schedule if you smell too much of it? That's so weird...
Lyria: And then it also creates illusions? Put together, I suppose that does sound like a fairy-tale vampire.
Vyrn: Come to think of it, Splatters was a vampire fan, wasn't she?
Lyria: Ahaha... Yes, but I doubt that's related...
Lyria: Um, anyway... How are we going to undo the effects of the vampire grass?
Vyrn: Says here there's no antidote... But also that it's supposed to wear off after a few days?
The crew's discussion leads to the conclusion that, most likely, the ink-making process led to Illnott receiving a high level of exposure and thus prolonged symptoms.
Lyria: So the best way to help her is by letting her sleep it off, right?
Vyrn: There's some folk remedy stuff for it here too, but it all looks like just superstition.
Lyria: Then sleep it is! Maybe she'll go to bed if we're all her body pillows!
Vyrn: Like last time? Sigh... Fine, if we have to. Can't just be lettin' her ruin her health.
Choose: I'll go find her then.
Lyria: Right... Staying up for days at a time has to be taking it's toll!
Vyrn: And it'd suck to have to pay for it by being sick in bed over the holidays.
Lyria: Let's all pitch in and look for her together!
Vyrn: Hey! Why're you runnin' off by yourself again?
(Captain) bolts out of the room, headed straight for the town.
Having experienced firsthand how much of the town is already dotted with the street artist's trompe l'oeil graffiti, there's one thing the captain is sure of.
Illnott—or rather, the King of the Night—is planning something big. And whatever it is, it's going to be bad.
A Not-Ill Date: Scene 3
(Captain) finally finds Illnott hard at work in the town's alleyways. She adds a finishing touch to her holiday graffiti, then passes out from exhaustion. Her work, however, comes to life, and the townspeople witness a holiday miracle. Illnott awakens a full day later, back on her usual schedule. As she notices the effort (Captain) put in for her sake—including evidence of a folk remedy on her neck—the artist's face is painted a holiday red.
It's the holiest night of the year, and despite the late hour, people can still be seen wandering the dark streets.
Museum Visitor 1: Whoa, it's snowing!
Museum Visitor 2: You're right... We should head back to the inn before it gets too cold.
(Captain) pays the other pedestrians little attention and, following the strange ink's scent, beelines for the town's back alleys.
Familiar Voice: Phew... Almost done...
At long last, (Captain) spots the real King of the Night hard at work.
Illnott: Is that... the little dude's voice I hear? Shouldn't be out at this hour...
Illnott: Sniff... Whew... Maybe I'm just imagining things. I need some more coffee... That's all...
Illnott: Just... a bit more... I'm almost done. Even in my imagination, the little dude worries too much. Chill out and wait for a sec...
Continue 1
(Captain) moves over to Illnott's side, determined to show her that she's not dreaming.
Illnott: Ah...
Illnott almost topples to the ground, but (Captain) manages to catch the exhausted artist in time.
Illnott: Oh... Thought I was going crazy for a second there... Hey, little dude... 'sup?
Illnott: Hah, you look pretty down... Guess you were pretty lonely without me...
Illnott: Sorry 'bout that, kid... But I'm done now...
Illnott: Zzz...
It's hard to tell if she has fallen asleep or has simply passed out.
Lifting her up, (Captain) stares at the dark bags beneath Illnott's eyes.
Someone's Voice: Wha—!
(Captain) hears the shocked voices of a few passersby reverberating throughout the alleyway and peeks around the corner to see what's going on.
Museum Visitor 2: Why's there an airship right in the middle of town?
Girl: Wow! Mommy, Daddy! Look, there's an airship coming this way!
Father: Don't be silly, sweetie. Someone must be playing some kinda trick...
Mother: I don't know, dear... It looks pretty real to me...
While the strange airship looks astonishingly similar to the Grandcypher, its size gives away the fact that it is, in fact, some kind of replica—albeit a very convincing one.
In the midst of the confusion, the illusory airship slowly begins to float up toward the skies above town.
Girl: This is so cool!
Father: Ah, don't touch it sweetie! You might hurt yourself!
Pop-up Text: Happy holidays!
The little girl reaches out to touch the ship, and as soon as she makes contact, a single celebratory line of text pops into view.
Girl: Wooow!
Her eyes sparkling, the girl touches the ship a few more times.
Pop-up Text: Happy holidays!
Happy holidays!
Happy holidays!
Happy holidays!
Happy holidays!
Girl: Ahaha! I love it! Hey, Mommy! Daddy! You touch it too!
Museum Visitor 1: The fact that we can touch it means it's real, right? But being able to touch a flying airship from the ground doesn't make any sense...
Museum Visitor 2: Do you think this is some sort of graffiti?
Museum Visitor 1: There's no way. You just have graffiti on the brain after seeing the King of the Night's work.
Museum Visitor 2: Yeah, but they say it's like magic, right? You never know...
Listening in on couple's conversation, (Captain) can't help but nod along in agreement.
All the fake Illnotts from yesterday must have been her test runs for this.
Extensive graffiti of the airship, spread all across the town's walls, has created the illusion of its flight.
Illnott: The daytime noise wasn't half bad. Glad I got to hear it with you.
Illnott: But still... Nothing suits you and I like the roar of the night.
Illnott: So for this special night tonight, I wanted to really go all out...
Illnott: Thanks for everything, little dude. And happy holidays.
As soon as the words fade, (Captain)'s shoulder returns to being a pillow.
Illnott: ...
It looks like she's dozed off for real this time.
The captain worries. Sleeping now means waking up in the morning—the source of Illnott's stress will remain.
Choose: If this doesn't work... Sorry.
Illnott: Ngrh...
Illnott: Oh, I'm in my room. Wait... What happened after I bombed the town?
Illnott: Right, the little dude came and picked me up.
Illnott: And I conked right out after that. I think I remember now.
Illnott: All right then...
Illnott gets up, walks herself to the closest window, and opens the shutters.
Illnott: Dope, I got up at the right time. Goodbye sunshine, and good riddance.
The King of the Night gazes off into the distance and smiles—darkness for as far as the eye can see.
Illnott: Guess this means I was out an entire day, huh? All that coffee macrodosing to stay up paid off.
Illnott: Now then... I wonder if my little prankster's awake...
Illnott hits the halls, her feet as light as feathers and as silent as the night itself.
Illnott: Hah, finally found you.
Illnott: Nighty-night, little dude. What are you doing up this late? You're gonna get in trouble.
Hearing Illnott's voice, (Captain) jolts up and turns toward its source.
Illnott: The King of the Night is ready to roll. If you're gonna clap, now's the time. I also accept hugs.
Illnott spreads her arms—and (Captain) dodges past under one, fleeing the room entirely.
Illnott: Wasn't in the mood, huh? Fine, not everyone can be naughty every night.
Illnott: Huh? What's this here?
Sitting atop the table where (Captain) had been sitting moments earlier is a large book left wide-open.
Illnott: Some kinda encyclopedia... for plants? Kid trying to add "bookworm" to the list?
Illnott: Vampire grass...
The open page's margins are crammed with notes, clearly the work of several different people.
Illnott: "Treatment for excessive exposure. One, plenty of sleep. Two, proper nutrition."
Illnott: ...
So this was all research for my sake...
So this was all research for my sake...
Illnott: Seems like the answer was to sleep it off... Hm?
One of the corners is etched with what appears to be (Captain)'s handwriting.
Illnott: "Note: folk remedy.
Have someone close to the patient (family, friend, lover, etc.) bite them on the neck."
Have someone close to the patient (family, friend, lover, etc.) bite them on the neck."
Illnott: "The deeper their bond, the quicker the recovery. They say. Long shot, but worth trying."
Illnott: ...!
Illnott hands shoot to her neck. What she finds paints her face a bright red.
Illnott: Damn... You're naughtier than I thought... Not bad, kid...
The red spreads to cover her ears, but her hands don't leave her neck.
Until eventually color begins to stain the night sky, Illnott stays glued to (Captain)'s seat.
Categories:
- Scenario Character: Illnott
- Scenario Character: Grandma
- Scenario Character: Child
- Scenario Character: Shopkeeper
- Scenario Character: Girl
- Scenario Character: Father
- Scenario Character: Mother
- Scenario Character: Museum Visitor 1
- Scenario Character: Museum Visitor 2
- Fate Gender Check
- Character Fate Scenario
- Skill Fate
- Scenario Character: Vyrn
- Scenario Character: Lyria
- Scenario Character: Familiar Voice
- Scenario Character: Someone's Voice
- Scenario Character: Pop-up Text