Scenario:Melissabelle - An Ominous Letter

An Ominous Letter

Melissabelle senses something's wrong after receiving a short, cryptic letter, and quickly returns to her home, Goldmaize, with (Captain) and the crew. Melissabelle's mother, Elenaletta, tells her that her father and king of Goldmaize, Mallusbelle, is bedridden after being poisoned by bandits in a surprise attack. Melissabelle and the crew vow to capture them.

---

The sun has just moved past its peak on an ordinary, warm day.

Melissabelle naps next to a window, her signature locks taking the shape of a comfy hammock underneath her.

Melissabelle: Zzz... Zzz...

Bianco: Hoot... Hoot!

Melissabelle: Nghaa?

Bianco: Hoot!

Melissabelle: Bianco! Are you all right? Hold on, let me open the window!

The clumsy owl pulls himself off the glass and wobbles into the room.

Melissabelle: I don't know why you'd choose to fly through the window... You could've just come right in from the deck...

Bianco: Hoot, hoot!

Bianco hurriedly flaps over to Melissabelle and drops a letter in her hand.

Melissabelle: A letter? It's sealed with the royal stamp...

Melissabelle: This is for me?

Bianco gives her a tiny nod. His odd behavior and the letter's formal appearance make Melissabelle's heart skip a beat.

Melissabelle: I... I wonder if something's happened...

She fumbles nervously trying to open it, and as she reads what's written, her eyes widen...

Lyria: Ahh... The weather's great today.

Vyrn: Times like this, it feels extra nice to have no missions! We can just kick back and relax!

Milleore: If I was still a mercenary, I'd probably grumble about being too free and push myself to find some work.

Sahli Lao: Being able to enjoy downtime when you have it is just one of the great perks of belonging to a team, right, Milly?

Milleore: Yeah, you're right. It's nice out today, (Captain). You should relax too.

Lyria: We should all take a breather once in a while to make sure we're full of energy for the journey ahead!

Melissabelle: (Captain)! Please... I need... Pant... Pant...

Milleore: Melissa! What's wrong, did something happen?

Lyria: L-let's all just calm down first, okay? Take a deep breath...

Melissabelle: Fuuu... Haaa... Thank you, Lyria, Milly. I think I'm all right now...

Melissabelle: Um, I... B-Bianco just delivered this letter to me.

Melissabelle hands the parchment over to (Captain).

Vyrn: Let's have a look... "Father... Dan... ger... Come home now..."

Vyrn: Dan... ger... Wait, danger! Well, that doesn't sound good!

Melissabelle: Nothing's written but those words. No explanation, nothing. So I have no clue what's going on.

Melissabelle: Can you take me back to my home? To Goldmaize? If anything's happened to my father, I don't know what I'd do...

1. Let's go now!

Choose: Let's go now!

Lyria: Right! I'll go ask Rackam to take us there!

Milleore: Looks like our little break is over. We should get ready too, Lao.

Sahli Lao: Yeah! Through thick and thin, we're here to help you no matter what, Melissa!

Melissabelle: Milly... Lao... Thank you so much.

The cryptic, ominous letter forces the crew to cut their peaceful day short, and they fly full-speed-ahead for Melissabelle's home, Goldmaize.

Hairrator: Goldmaize is a tiny island located in a remote region of the Phantagrande Skydom.

Hairrator: The island has been under the rule of a royal family for generations. Save for its famous corn, there is nothing particularly remarkable about Goldmaize...

Hairrator: That is, until a certain long-haired princess was born...

The crew arrive at Goldmaize, and while waiting for the ship to go through landing procedures, they recount what has happened thus far with Melissabelle.

Lyria: So things changed when people started to come after your powerful hair, huh...

Melissabelle: Correct. Though since I left, things seemed to have calmed down a bit.

Milleore: True... As far as I can see, the island looks as peaceful as can be.

Sahli Lao: But the letter... Didn't it say the king's in danger? The people sure aren't acting like he is...

Melissabelle: Hmm, that's just how they are... I think. Even during the whole debacle involving me, most of them kept calm and went on with their lives.

Vyrn: Yeah... I was watching Rackam as he was going through the port procedures, and they were pretty loose about checking the ship too.

Melissabelle: My father is well-liked by the people... They may be keeping things secret so as not to cause a commotion...

Melissabelle: In any case, now that the port business is finished, we should head to the castle. I'm sure we'll get a better understanding if we go there...

Vyrn: O-oh boy, look at those guys in armor, they're walking right toward us!

???: Melissa!

Melissabelle: Mama!

All: Mama?

???: I would like to thank you all once again for making the journey here.

Elenaletta: My name is Elenaletta, and I am the wife of King Mallusbelle.

Elenaletta: I have taken over the affairs of the kingdom in place of my husband for the time being.

Elenaletta: Well then, dear visitors, may I ask what brings you here to Goldmaize?

Melissabelle: You having to take over for Papa is exactly why we've come.

Melissabelle: Bianco brought me this letter.

Melissabelle hands the letter to her mother.

Elenaletta: Ah... I see.

Elenaletta: I suppose there's no use hiding things from you all, seeing as you're somewhat privy to the situation.

Elenaletta: About a month prior, Mallusbelle was attacked by bandits.

Melissabelle: He was attacked!

Elenaletta: He and his guards fought back gallantly, but in the midst of the struggle... one of the bandits let loose an arrow.

Elenaletta: Thankfully, it only just grazed him, leaving him with a minor wound. But...

Milleore: Don't tell me... It was laced with poison?

Elenaletta: Yes. The effects of it are what has him confined to his bed.

Elenaletta: His condition has improved in some ways, though not in others... There's not much else I can say about it at the present.

Melissabelle: Mama... Let me see him, please.

Elenaletta: I'm... I'm afraid I can't let you, darling. I can't let anyone see your father. By his own words, it brings him pain to see even my face.

Melissabelle: But he sent me this urgent letter!

Elenaletta: And I'll ask him about that later. For now, let him rest.

Elenaletta: Everything is fine. Things are not nearly as urgent as you may think they are.

Melissabelle: M-my hair... Maybe my hair can help him!

Elenaletta: Darling... I don't think your father sent that letter hoping for some assistance from your hair.

Elenaletta: Give him some time. That's all you... or I can do for him at the moment.

Everyone is frustrated by Elenaletta's explanation, which raises more questions than answers.

(Captain) and the rest of the crew try to think of something to say to the dismayed Melissabelle, but they come up with nothing.

Melissabelle herself is the first to break the prolonged, uncomfortable silence.

Melissabelle: Were they caught? The bandits?

Elenaletta: Not yet... We haven't had the time to pursue them.

Melissabelle: Then I'll do it. I'll get them. If we just let them roam free, they might come back and attack Papa again.

Milleore: She's right. I'm sure the bandits are already aware that the king's alive given how restful the people are.

Milleore: They wanted to kill him so badly, they coated an arrowhead in poison. I've no doubt they'll try again.

Sahli Lao: There's a possibility you could be in danger too, Madam Elenaletta. I agree that we should take care of the bandits.

Lyria: And if they've already left the island, we can chase after them on the Grandcypher!

1. We won't let them get away with this.

Choose: We won't let them get away with this.

Melissabelle: Everyone...

Elenaletta: Well then... Can I trust you all to take care of them?

Vyrn: Leave 'em to us! C'mon, gang, our friend's dad is in pain! We gotta help her out!

Milleore: Besides, I'm willing to bet those bandits have some kind of antidote or serum for the poison they used.

Sahli Lao: And if we get our hands on that, we can help the king!

Melissabelle: Mama... Tell Papa to keep fighting for us... We'll be out there fighting for him.

Elenaletta: I will. I'm counting on you, Melissa.

Melissabelle: Don't worry, Mama. I am the daughter of this royal house, after all.

Melissabelle: But I'm not just that. I'm a skyfarer too. Danger is a good friend of mine.

Elenaletta: You've grown to be... so brave. Someone, please escort these valiant skyfarers to where the king was attacked!

At the behest of Elenaletta, guards guide the crew out of the throne room to take them to the scene of the attack.

Elenaletta watches them leave, her heart full of hope.

An Ominous Letter: Scene 2

The crew strikes the bandits at their cave base and comes face-to-face with their leader—the man who assaulted Melissabelle and stole her hair long ago. He reveals to them that he tried to sell the hair, but ultimately failed. As an act of revenge, he concocted a poison out of her locks and used it in his attack on Mallusbelle. He looses an arrow at Melissabelle in an attempt to poison her as well, but it's ineffective. The princess gets her own revenge and shaves the man bald.

---

The crew is led to where the king was attacked, and upon confirming the exact location, they begin their search for the bandits.

Not long after starting their hunt, Milleore and Sahli Lao come back with intel.

Milleore: Allow us to give you all a quick report on what we've found.

Milleore: First off, we've located what we believe is their hiding place.

Lyria: Already? Way to go, you two!

Sahli Lao: Well, they left plenty of evidence for us to work with. We discovered they'd visited the site numerous times since the attack.

Milleore: In doing so, they left a whole mess of tracks. Apparently, these bandits are a sloppy bunch.

Sahli Lao: By the look of their skill and numbers, we've determined they'll be easy to capture. And the two of us will be more than enough for the job.

Vyrn: Why would a bunch of goons try to go after a big shot like the king?

Melissabelle: Speaks to just how peaceful the island is, I suppose. The thought of someone being hostile doesn't seem to occur to any of our people.

Melissabelle: Back when I was attacked, I never saw it coming either.

Melissabelle: Of course, that was a while ago, so I imagine it's become even easier since then for bad actors to get around.

Melissabelle: They must have been preparing their attack for a long time. I don't understand... All anyone ever did on this island was live in peace...

Milleore: Melissa...

Melissabelle: Milly, Lao... Do you have some sort of plan?

Sahli Lao: To be honest, I'm not sure we'll need one to take on this bunch.

Sahli Lao: But we figured it'd be best to distract them before striking, in case they find out what we're really after—the antidote to their poison.

Milleore: We don't want any of it to spill onto the ground or for them to use it to negotiate with us.

Milleore: Also, don't worry about the distraction. We've already taken care of that.

Melissabelle: Good work, girls. (Captain), Lyria, Vyrn... I'm sorry for involving you all in this risky mission...

Vyrn: It's no biggie! Let's take care of these punks quick so we can help your dad!

1. Let's get moving, team!

Choose: Let's get moving, team!

(Captain) issues the order, and the crew promptly sets off for the bandits' base, located in a cave on the outskirts of the island.

Bandit 1: Hey... You smell that? Smells like something's burning...

Bandit 2: Probably just a guy cooking corn...

Bandit 1: No, look over there! Our food and all of our supplies are on fire!

The bandits' store of supplies situated next to their base burns red hot. The distraction Milleore talked of earlier has gone off without a hitch.

Bandit 2: Aaagh! G-get everyone! We gotta put out this fire!

Having heard the commotion, bandits come pouring out of the cave carrying buckets of water.

While they're busy putting out the fire, a few diminutive shadows sneak past them, entering the cave unnoticed.

Sahli Lao: They're in!

Milleore: All right, let's take care of these guys quick and meet up with them.

Sahli Lao: Roger that!

(Captain) and crew venture further into the cave, unnerved by the dead silence.

Vyrn: Did everyone go outside?

Lyria: Well, there was quite a ruckus out by the entrance... I hope Milleore and Sahli Lao are okay...

Melissabelle: Milly said they could make quick work of mostly unarmed bandits. I'm sure they're just fine.

Melissabelle: We have to find some clues about the poison they used before things settle back down...

Lyria: I don't see a space where they could possibly work on poisons in here... Maybe it's that open area in the back?

Melissabelle: Maybe... Let's go check it out. Just don't go ahead of me, all right?

Melissabelle: As long as you stay behind me, I can protect you with my hair.

Melissabelle smiles softly at the crew, hoping to alleviate any anxiety they may have.

Suddenly, (Captain) moves to stand in front of her.

1. Someone's gotta protect you too, right?

Choose: Someone's gotta protect you too, right?

Melissabelle: Oh come on, (Captain). But... I appreciate it.

With (Captain) at the front, the group move forward into a wide-open space within the cave where they're met with a surprise.

Bandit Boss: So you finally found us. Gotta say, not bad for a bunch of complacent sheep.

Bandit Boss: But too bad for you, huh! I ain't letting any of you out of here scot-free! I'll make you regret ever coming to look for us.

A lone man stands there, glaring in the crew's direction before dropping his scowl in shock.

Both: You!

Lyria: Um, Melissabelle? Do you know him?

Melissabelle: It's him... The man that attacked me long ago!

Bandit Boss: Well, if it ain't the long-haired princess! Ooh boy, is it my lucky day!

Melissabelle: ...

Bandit Boss: I was planning on offing that peace-loving idiot king to get my revenge... But I never expected the princess herself to show up right on my cave-step.

Bandit Boss: Let's settle things right here and now.

Melissabelle: What? Revenge? Settle things? What are you talking about?

Melissabelle: You were after my hair. You got what you wanted and left. What else to the story is there?

Bandit Boss: Hmph... As much as it pains me, I'll tell you exactly what happened—a parting gift for your trip to the Crimson Horizon...

Bandit Boss: After we cut your hair, I put it on the black market. Figured some locks from the long-haired princess of legend would fetch a nice sum.

Bandit Boss: Your hair was supposed to make me filthy rich... and yet!

Bandit Boss: Imagine my surprise when I found out it's only as powerful as a damn bottle of medicine! You made a fool out of me!

Vyrn: And why are we supposed to care about that! You attacked her dad just because she shamed you?

Lyria: Now that's shameful!

Bandit Boss: Oh yeah! What would a bunch of stupid twerps like you know, huh! I'll make you all suffer like I did that stupid king!

The man reaches behind himself to grab something.

Melissabelle: Lyria, (Captain)! Don't move!

He draws a crossbow, and the moment he pulls the trigger, a bundle of golden locks moves swiftly to meet the arrow that is loosed.

Split in two, the arrow falls to the ground.

Bandit Boss: What the!

Melissabelle: That was a close one... Lyria, are you all right?

Lyria: Y-yes... I'm fine. Thank you, Melissabelle.

Vyrn: That jerk! He was aiming right for Lyria!

Sword gripped tightly in hand, (Captain) takes a step toward the bandit, then stops when Melissabelle makes a sudden movement.

Melissabelle: ...!

Lyria: Melissabelle!

She nearly falls over, but Lyria quickly catches her.

Melissabelle: Agh... Ughh... My body... It's burning...

Bandit Boss: Hehehe... It really is my lucky day...

Bandit Boss: Who'd have thought the long-haired princess herself would be the victim of my last shot!

Vyrn: No... You poisoned her with the same concoction you used on her dad, didn't you!

Bandit Boss: Bingo! And while you're all here, I'll let you in on a little secret—I made this special poison with her very own hair!

Bandit Boss: Last guy I used it on lost every single strand of hair on his body, and hasn't showed his bald face in public since!

Lyria: M-Melissabelle...

Melissabelle: Ahh... Haah... Nghaa...

Bandit Boss: Hah hah hah! Now that I got her, nothing else matters!

Bandit Boss: The long-haired princess of legend! Hah, what a load of garbage! All you are is a weird kid with weird hair!

Vyrn: You goon!

Bandit Boss: Well, my job's done here. Do whatever you want with me. Look, I'm not even gonna fight back.

1. Is there an antidote? Where is it!
2. You'll pay for this...

Choose: Is there an antidote? Where is it!

Bandit Boss: There was. I used it to make the poison. It's all gone now.

Go to "Continue 1"

Choose: You'll pay for this...

Bandit Boss: M-make all the faces you want, kid, you ain't scaring me...

Continue 1

Melissabelle: Don't get angry at him, (Captain). You're wasting your energy.

Melissabelle: Upsy-daisy... Huff... Haa...

Lyria: Melissabelle, take it easy!

Melissabelle: I'm fine, Lyria. I was just shocked is all. I'm all right now.

Bandit Boss: Huh? What's happening?

Melissabelle: You honestly think a poison made from my own hair would work on me? It's been a part of me my entire life.

Melissabelle: I might not be the long-haired princess of legend. I could just be a weird girl with weird hair, like you said.

Melissabelle: But... none of that matters. I can do things without having to be special.

Melissabelle: That's what I learned from my travels, from everything I've seen and experienced. That's why...

Melissabelle: Right here and now, I will finally fulfill the purpose of my journey.

Melissabelle: With some help from my weird hair...

Lyria: Her hair!

Vyrn: It's lookin' way crazier than normal!

Melissabelle: I will defeat you and your ilk... Once and for all!

Bandit Boss: A-aaaaargh!

Milleore: Are you all okay?

Sahli Lao: We heard a scream...

Melissabelle: We're fine, Milly, Lao. It's all over.

Next to Melissabelle, a bald man lies on the ground, his eyes rolled up into his head.

Milleore: So... You gonna tell us what's up with him?

Lyria: Um... Well, Melissabelle... She kind of went ahead and shaved this man bald...

Vyrn: It was the scariest thing... The guy lost consciousness and everything.

Melissabelle: Perhaps I terrorized him a bit too much. So, did you catch the others?

Sahli Lao: Yes, we managed to tie up every single one of them.

Melissabelle: Oh, good. Time to shave them bald too.

Milleore: Uh, umm... Melissa, I'm glad that you're feeling better and all but...

Sahli Lao: What about the poison?

Melissabelle: Don't worry, I have a lead on a solution. And I think we'll be able to save my father.

Melissabelle beams, speaking with a newfound sense of confidence.

And thus, the crew pick up the freshly shaven, fully bald band of bandits, and triumphantly make their way back to the castle.

An Ominous Letter: Scene 3

Elenaletta welcomes the crew back from a successful mission, and Melissabelle makes a plea to see her father. Her mother relents and takes her to see Mallusbelle. The king confesses that the shock of losing his hair from the bandits' poison is what has him bedridden, and apologizes to her for sending such an alarming letter. Melissabelle forgives him, and they all spend time together as a family for the first time in ages.

---

The crew return from their mission with the bald bandits in tow, setting the whole castle abuzz.

They report the entire outing to Elenaletta, who responds with an amazed gasp.

Elenaletta: I can't believe you actually apprehended them...

Melissabelle: I told you about my friends in my letters, didn't I? Our crew is remarkable, you must admit.

Elenaletta: That they are... (Captain), you and yours have my gratitude.

Elenaletta: My husband and I can rest easy now thanks to you.

Melissabelle: Mama... We found out what kind of poison they used on Papa.

Melissabelle: I think I can help. Please, let me see him.

Elenaletta: Very well... After all that's happened, he can't possibly deny a visit from his own daughter.

Elenaletta: (Captain), Lyria, Vyrn, please excuse us for a moment.

Elenaletta: I'll prepare a proper gesture of appreciation for you all later. Melissa, come with me.

Melissabelle: All right. I'll be back soon, everyone.

Melissabelle waves to her friends as she leaves to see her father. As she nears (Captain), she stops to say a few words.

Melissabelle: What you did back in the cave was very gallant, (Captain). Thank you for putting yourself out there for me.

She reaches for (Captain)'s hand and squeezes gently before letting go to catch up with her mother.

Elenaletta: Mallus, I'm coming in.

Mallusbelle: Ah, my dear... Is something wrong? It's a bit early for dinner, no?

Melissabelle: Papa... I'm home.

Mallusbelle: Th-that voice... Melissa! Elena, why would you—

Elenaletta: Our little Melissa and her friends have solved all of our problems.

Elenaletta: Given the circumstances, you can't very well lock yourself away in your room for all eternity now, can you, dear?

Mallusbelle: Ah, well... I suppose you're right.

Melissabelle: Papa... You're...

Elenaletta: Yes, darling. All that talk about danger was just a tall tale. In truth, he—

Mallusbelle: Whoa, wait, hold on. I can tell her what's happened.

Mallusbelle: Melissa... It's been a while, my child. And uh, well... I'm not so sure I'm taking to this new way of wearing my hair.

Mallusbelle reaches up toward his own smooth, shiny head and rubs it awkwardly.

Melissabelle: Oh, Papa... You were so proud of your golden hair.

Mallusbelle: Yes... Gold, lustrous locks is the signature of the royal family of Goldmaize, after all.

Elenaletta: He's been adamant that he doesn't want to see anyone while his head is like this.

Mallusbelle: The wound I got from that arrow was a pretty big deal too, I—

Elenaletta: Big deal? Dear, you had seconds at breakfast the next morning.

Elenaletta: Why you would send a letter to our skyfaring daughter to call her back home over such a trifling matter, I don't understand...

Mallusbelle: B-but I came down with a fever and my hair started falling out! Who wouldn't become distressed over that?

Mallusbelle: Yes, the fever went away almost immediately and I'm perfectly healthy despite the hair loss, but... Cut me some slack, dear...

Melissabelle: Well... I'm relieved. Though, I would've thought a poison made from your own daughter's hair would have no effect on you...

Melissabelle: Ah, right. Before I forget...

As soon as Melissabelle starts to whisper, a single strand of her hair reaches toward Mallusbelle's head.

Mallusbelle: Aaaah! What did you do, Melissa!

Melissabelle: If the power of my hair is what made you bald, then I figured I could use that same power to bring your hair back.

Melissabelle: I've just shared with you some of that power. The bandits used but one piece of it. I'm the source.

Melissabelle: I'll teach you some of my hair-growing techniques too. Don't give up just yet, Papa.

Mallusbelle: Ah... Thank you, Melissa. But... Y-you aren't mad at me?

Melissabelle: Well, you had me worried sick... But since you're fine, I suppose I can let it slide.

Melissabelle: But you better apologize to (Captain) and the rest of the crew. You put them through an awful lot of trouble.

Mallusbelle: Ah, of course. I must thank them for always taking care of you as well.

Mallusbelle: Melissa... If it's all right with you, perhaps you and your friends can stay a bit longer in Goldmaize?

Elenaletta: (Captain) seems like a busy person, so don't feel pressured to if you're unable.

Melissabelle: Why not. I bet the crew would be glad to stay awhile. I trust you'll treat them to plenty of that good Goldmaize hospitality.

Mallusbelle: Of course, just leave that to me! We must have a grand corn celebration for the saviors of Goldmaize!

Elenaletta: Well, aren't you suddenly chipper... But yes, that's a great idea. I would love to hear what kind of stories your friends have to tell.

Mallusbelle: Indeed! Reading your letters has been nice, but I had always dreamed of hearing about your adventures directly from the skyfarer herself.

Melissabelle: I hope you're not expecting anything too fantastic... But who knows when we'll get this opportunity again? I guess I can spill...

Melissabelle breaks into a smile.

For the first time in ages, the castle is once again home to a complete family.