Scenario:Melissabelle - Long-Haired Princess Saga
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Long-Haired Princess Saga
Some time after the events at Goldmaize, Melissabelle calls upon Lunalu for some advice. When Lunalu asks what for, Melissabelle reveals that she brought up CtK4Life while talking to her parents about her travels. Lunalu is utterly flabbergasted when Melissabelle mentions she also showed them their book about Popol Saga, but the latter attempts to bring their conversation back on track.
The commotion at Goldmaize has settled down and some time has passed since the crew departed the island.
Lunalu: Melissa? Anybody home?
Melissabelle: Yeah, I'm here. Sorry to take time out of your schedule, Lunalu.
Lunalu: Oh, it's no trouble! Besides, I have quite a bit of time until my next deadline...
Melissabelle: Hehe... Don't get too complacent, now. You don't want to pull another all-nighter, right?
Lunalu: Right... Of course not!
Lunalu: Hey, um... I... I heard you were going through some things a little while back. Is everything okay now?
Melissabelle: Yeah, everything's great. I've even been able to sleep better as of late.
Lunalu: That's good... So what was it you wanted to talk about?
Melissabelle: Oh, well... It's something I know I can only discuss with you.
Lunalu: O-only with me?
Lunalu: A-all right, let's talk. I know next to nothing about giving friends advice, but I'll try my best!
Melissabelle: Thank you, Lunalu. Okay, where should I start...
Hairrator: After cleaning things up back home, we decided to stay in Goldmaize for a bit.
Hairrator: While we were there, the whole kingdom came together to throw a grand party and entertain (Captain) and the crew.
Hairrator: Following the festivities, and at my parents' insistence, I sat down with them to talk about our journey.
Mallusbelle: Primals, eh... Only thing I know of them is the name. They sound extraordinary.
Mallusbelle: And you all fight them, you say? Being a skyfarer sounds awfully rough...
Elenaletta: Oh, but one of your crewmates, Rosetta, is a primal as well, yes? She was just delightful.
Elenaletta: So delightful in fact, I ended up giving her some of our precious corn oil.
Melissabelle: Ah, the oil that makes hair smooth and silky. Rosetta was so happy to have it. Thank you, Mama.
Elenaletta: Oh, no thanks needed. Truly, it's a pittance compared to the favor they do us of watching over you.
Elenaletta: I do hope the party we put together for (Captain) and the crew shows them just how thankful we are for their kindness...
Melissabelle: I'm sure their bellies got the idea. You served them a Goldmaize-style full course, after all.
Mallusbelle: That we did. It's been a long while since we've thrown such a grand party.
Mallusbelle: I'd say it was perhaps even more opulent than our yearly Harvest Festival!
Elenaletta: As much as I hate to put a damper on this momentous occasion, we may have to reduce your allowance a bit after this one, Mallus.
Elenaletta: You really let loose tonight... Hard to believe this is the same man who cried "danger" and begged his daughter to come home.
Mallusbelle: Forgive me... I've learned my lesson, I promise.
Melissabelle: We're departing tomorrow, so please go easy on him, Mama.
Melissabelle: Go easy on his allowance too, if you can. Growing hair is expensive.
Mallusbelle: Oh, Melissa! My sweet daughter, you are the only soul in this castle that would dare be so kind to me...
Mallusbelle: Are you... really going to leave?
Elenaletta: Mallus!
Mallusbelle: Wait, I just... After hearing the crew's stories about being skyfarers... It sounds like a tough life, that's all...
Mallusbelle: Would it be so bad if all of you stayed here and relaxed just a little while longer?
Melissabelle: You just don't want me to leave, do you?
Mallusbelle: Urp...
Melissabelle: I get that you're upset because your child is leaving...
Melissabelle: But I'm going back on my journey... And I will keep at it until we find (Captain)'s father.
Mallusbelle: I see... I-I suppose that's for the best.
Mallusbelle: I've no doubt (Captain)'s father is out there somewhere waiting to see his child again. Do all that you can to help, Melissa.
Mallusbelle: But if it ever gets too tough, know that you're welcome to come here. Goldmaize will always be here to welcome you all with open arms.
Elenaletta: That's right. And don't forget about that other job you have to take care of as well.
Melissabelle: Huh? What're you talking about?
Elenaletta: Oh, darling, don't be silly. Don't you remember telling us about Citizens of the Kotatsu for Life?
Lunalu: Hooold on a second!
Melissabelle: What's the matter, Lunalu?
Lunalu: Y-y-you t-told your p-parents!
Melissabelle: About CtK4Life? Of course, when I introduced them to Milly and Lao.
Melissabelle: My fondest memories after joining the crew are with our little group, so I figured I'd tell them about it. Hehe...
Lunalu: A-ah, okay... S-so, I'm really, really glad you like us enough to tell your parents, but, umm...
Lunalu: (Deep breaths, Lunalu, deep breaths... I'm sure all she talked about was the name of our group!)
Lunalu: By the way... How did you introduce us?
Melissabelle: Oh, umm... I said you were my creative friends who make art.
Lunalu: (Phew... Thank the skies. She just introduced us as comrades in art...)
Melissabelle: I showed them some of our work too, like the storybook on Popol Saga—
Lunalu: You showed them Popol!
Melissabelle: It's fine, Lunalu. My mother was actually intensely interested in our activities. She raved about Popol Saga.
Melissabelle: She was moved by the ending we came up with through imagination tuning, the one where Osanne lives.
Lunalu: Wh-what? O-oh, th-that's nice... S-sorry, I think I need a glass of water...
Lunalu: Sigh... Um, so is the thing you wanted to talk about related to CtK4Life?
Melissabelle: Well, yes and no. We're getting ahead of ourselves here. Let me tell you the rest of the story first...
Long-Haired Princess Saga: Scene 2
While he enjoyed listening to his daughter talk about her adventures, Mallusbelle couldn't hide the worry he felt upon hearing her resolve to continue on. To ease her father's anxieties, Melissabelle wants to create a book that will show him just how fun her journey is. After racking their brains together for ideas, Lunalu and Melissabelle decide to create a book based on Melissabelle's own life story.
Hairrator: After I had my parents read CtK4Life's book, we talked about it.
Mallusbelle: Well, I think it's great.
Elenaletta: I agree, it's wonderful. I could feel the passion of everyone who created it.
Elenaletta: Your father and I really should have gone to the Sphiria Book Fair too... Sigh...
Melissabelle: Wow, Mama, that you'd be interested in Popol Saga never even crossed my mind...
Mallusbelle: Books have always made you sleepy, haven't they, Melissa?
Mallusbelle: We'd read to you when you were a baby to put you to sleep, but you never showed an interest in books. We're surprised you even asked us to read this one.
Elenaletta: I suppose there wasn't much time for leisurely reading with three children around...
Elenaletta: Regardless, I never would have imagined our Melissa would write such a lovely book...
Melissabelle: Oh, no, I didn't write it. Lunalu did, one of my friends from CtK4Life, the group I told you about earlier...
Melissabelle: All I did was use my hair to clean up the pages.
Melissabelle: Ah, I helped act out the scenes with the other members and write some of the dialogue too.
Elenaletta: Our daughter's made terrific contributions to this book, wouldn't you agree, Mallus? This certainly brings back memories. Your father used to be crazy about writing.
Mallusbelle: I was. Though, it was less about writing, and more about asserting myself as a creative, if that makes sense.
Melissabelle: Papa... Did you dabble in being a creative too?
Mallusbelle: I would gather data on corn production and write all sorts of things about it. Looking back, I suppose you could say I was into writing essays...
Elenaletta: That were riddled with mistakes.
Mallusbelle: Hahaha... Back then, your mother was a colleague chastising me for my errors. That's how I met her.
Melissabelle: Mama's not from Goldmaize, so I had always wondered how you two met, Papa.
Elenaletta: Yes, at the time, we were writers contributing to the same magazine.
Elenaletta: Mallus would write his essays about corn... While I sent in stories I had penned.
Mallusbelle: And boy, those were fun reads. They were enjoyable even for a man like—
Elenaletta: Never mind what I wrote about.
Elenaletta: Creating is a wonderful thing. It brings people together, adding spice and happiness to everyone's lives...
Elenaletta: I'm absolutely thrilled that you've found an interest in it, Melissa.
Melissabelle: Mama...
Elenaletta: We wish you all the best on your journey with (Captain), but we would very much like it if you kept creating as well. Wouldn't we, Mallus?
Mallusbelle: We would...
Melissabelle: ...
Hairrator: That's the talk I had with my parents the night before we left.
Melissabelle: My father saw me off, but... I think he's still worried about me. I'm sure he'd want nothing more than for me to come back...
Lunalu: Yeah... From his point of view, the evil men that attacked you are gone. There's no threat to you anymore...
Lunalu: I could see why he'd want you to quit roaming the dangerous skies and stay home instead...
Melissabelle: Right... But I can't do that. I've made up my mind to keep journeying.
Melissabelle: I want him to truly support the decision I've made...
Melissabelle: And to get his endorsement, I need to show him that my life isn't all danger, that there's plenty of enjoyment in it as well.
Melissabelle: That's why I want to try my hand at writing.
Lunalu: So... You called me?
Melissabelle: I tried doing it by myself, but I couldn't come up with any ideas. I can't even bring myself to put pen to paper...
Melissabelle: Since I haven't decided what to write yet, I was wondering if you could help me think of something... You know, if it's not too much trouble...
Lunalu: It's no trouble at all! Wait here!
Lunalu gets up and dashes out of the room.
Lunalu: I'm back!
She returns in a flash carrying a sketchbook and a few writing instruments in her arms.
Lunalu: What you have is an idea block... Everyone gets those once in a while! You know what to do to solve it, right, Melissa?
Lunalu: The only way to get rid of a block... is to think, think, and think some more!
Lunalu: And thinking is way easier with two brains instead of one!
Lunalu: So until you come up with an idea, I'll be right here with you. Let's put our minds to work!
Melissabelle: Lunalu... Right, let's do it!
With pen in hand, Lunalu and Melissabelle face a blank page, ready to jot down whatever comes to mind.
Melissabelle: Well, I know I want the story to be fun.
Lunalu: Of course. We have to get your father to see this journey as a good thing.
Melissabelle: Maybe we should make it about a person?
Melissabelle: I'd like to try writing a big story like Popol Saga, but I think it might be a bit difficult for me.
Lunalu: Yeah, maybe a sweeping war epic isn't the greatest choice for your first outing. No point in setting yourself up for failure.
Melissabelle: Right... When I was home, I saw my younger brothers, who happen to be twins, for the first time in ages. I was reminded of Popol Saga.
Melissabelle: That's when I came up with the idea of creating a similar story.
Melissabelle: I thought basing the characters on people from my family or my friends would make writing easier... You know?
Lunalu: Twin princes! I know exactly what you mean!
Melissabelle: But then I realized how complicated that would be...
Lunalu: True. Using real people can be dangerous. It's hard to figure out where to draw the line.
Melissabelle: Ah, I knew that'd be a problem...
Melissabelle: I also thought I could make it about what happened at Auguste and the sauna, you know, something fun? Do you think that'd work?
Lunalu: Yeah, that could work. But if you decide to write a story based on real events, you'll have to do interviews and research...
Melissabelle: I see... If I write a story about a place or event I haven't experienced, I might depict it incorrectly, huh...
Lunalu: Exactly! And misconstruing things could land you in hot water...
Lunalu: But once you get used to writing, I think it'd be good to challenge yourself and try anyway!
Lunalu: Oh, by the way, I forgot to ask you an important question.
Lunalu: So when you say you're going to write... Do you mean like a novel?
Melissabelle: Ah, right. If I decide to make it an illustrated storybook, I'll need pictures.
Melissabelle: Only thing is I can't really draw...
Lunalu: You don't have to worry about that just yet! It's common for novels and their illustrations to be done separately!
Melissabelle: Could... you draw the pictures for me, Lunalu?
Lunalu: W-well... If it's a genre I know how to illustrate, then sure...
Melissabelle: All right then... Let's make an illustrated storybook. Or maybe a picture book.
Melissabelle: But only if that's fine with you, of course...
Lunalu: Why wouldn't it be! Just leave the drawing to me!
Lunalu: Okay, so we've decided to do an illustrated storybook or a picture book...
Melissabelle: Lunalu... Will the pictures you draw for my book be the same aesthetic as the ones we did for Popol Saga?
Lunalu: Wh-whoa, calm down! As much as your mother might like that, don't forget your father's going to be reading this too!
Lunalu: Besides, this will be your first story, right?
Lunalu: Don't worry about me. Try to focus on what you want to create instead.
Lunalu: But if you decide to write romantic scenes, then... I'll do my best to draw for them. Either way, I plan to give it my all.
Melissabelle: I'm not particularly bent on having those scenes in my work... I just remember how much fun we had working after drinking Handsome Gorilla.
Melissabelle: I want my story to convey all of the fun times I've had, like then, you know...
Melissabelle stares down at the sketchbook, the once blank page now full of ideas.
Melissabelle: Real people... Fun stuff... Illustrated storybook... Real experiences...
Melissabelle: Hey, Lunalu...
Lunalu: Oh, that face! You have an idea, don't you!
Melissabelle: What about a story... with me as the main character?
Lunalu: A story about you...
Melissabelle: If I write a story about myself, I bet I could avoid mix-ups and make it tons of fun.
Melissabelle: But what do you think? Maybe making the protagonist myself is weird...
Lunalu: No way! I think that's a great idea!
Melissabelle: You really think so! Can I still count on you for the illustrations?
Lunalu: O-of course you can! Just give me some time to practice...
Melissabelle: Thank you so much, Lunalu! I'll work hard to write something great!
Melissabelle and Lunalu exchange a firm handshake, solidifying their new partnership as author and illustrator.
And thus, with a bit of help from her talented friend, Melissabelle takes her first momentous step as a creator.
Long-Haired Princess Saga: Scene 3
Bianco delivers a picture book to Mallusbelle and Elenaletta in Goldmaize, and they promptly sit down to read it. The book tells the story of the Long-Haired Princess Melissabelle and her rough but riveting journey. After reading his daughter's book, Mallusbelle expresses his desire to read what comes next and decides to support her life in the skies. While penning a fan letter to Melissabelle, Mallusbelle discovers a few hairs growing on his head, and he beams with joy.
Some time has passed since the Grandcypher departed from Goldmaize.
Despite his newly bald head, Mallusbelle has returned to his duties as king, and ordinary days have come back to the kingdom.
Mallusbelle: Our corn harvest is looking good this year. Perhaps even better than good!
Mallusbelle: Let's send a shipment of this fine harvest to (Captain)'s crew! A large one with enough corn for everybody!
Elenaletta: Mallus, dear, you don't think that'll be too much? I fear a shipment of that size would be awfully bothersome for them...
Mallusbelle: Skyfarers make bedfellows with danger! I bet they'd welcome any and all supplies they can get.
Elenaletta: I'm sure you're right, but still...
Bird's Call: Hoot!
Mallusbelle: Oh, Bianco? Hold on, let me open the window...
Mallusbelle pushes open the window and Bianco hops on in.
In his talons, he carries a small book.
Elenaletta: What is this? A book?
Mallusbelle: Looks to me like a picture book. The Adventures of the Long-Haired Princess... Could it be from Melissa?
Elenaletta: Look, it has "written by Melissabelle" on it.
Mallusbelle: That it does. It has "illustrated by Lunalu" and "with cooperation from CtK4Life" printed on it as well.
Mallusbelle: Those are the creative friends Melissa told us about, aren't they.
Elenaletta: Hehe... Looks like she went straight to work and sent us a copy of her own creation.
Mallusbelle: How about we give it a read, shall we? Come, Bianco, you can read with us.
Bianco: Hoo-hoot!
With Bianco perched on his shoulder, Mallusbelle takes a seat on a sofa next to his wife before opening the picture book.
He begins by reading aloud the opening passage on the first page...
Mallusbelle: Once upon a time, there was a small, peaceful kingdom called Goldmaize...
Hairrator: There, a little girl was born.
Hairrator: She was the daughter of the royal family, and from her head flowed brilliant, golden locks. The entire kingdom celebrated her birth.
Hairrator: But what they did not know was that the little girl had a big secret.
Hairrator: Her locks were as odd and powerful as they were sunny and radiant. They grew to long lengths, moved as if they were alive, and even had the ability to heal.
Hairrator: The girl with peculiar hair was likened to a legend among the people. They called her the Long-Haired Princess.
Hairrator: Hearing of the power the fabled princess possessed, many in Goldmaize began to devise devious schemes to make her power their own.
Hairrator: The princess had been abducted by ruffians, the castle hoodwinked by crooked merchants, all in pursuit of the girl's power. The Kingdom of Goldmaize was in trouble.
Hairrator: Seeing her home put in danger, the princess thought to herself, "If I were to leave, I am certain peace will return to the kingdom..."
Hairrator: So one night, the long-haired princess stowed herself away on a cargo ship, and left her home, Goldmaize, behind.
Mallusbelle's hand stops on a page with an illustration of the long-haired princess balled up, hiding amongst large cargo.
Mallusbelle: Melissa...
Elenaletta: Dear, there's still plenty left to read...
Mallusbelle: Yes, there is...
He starts again and turns to the next page.
It's another illustration of the princess, this time standing in the middle of a town with a bewildered look in her eyes.
Hairrator: The princess had arrived on a foreign island. Now she was the one in trouble.
Hairrator: Away from her home, she had no friends. Her reasons for leaving alone, she could not tell a single soul.
Hairrator: Though sympathetic passersby extended their hands to the lonely princess, she would not accept their help.
Hairrator: Tired of having to distance herself from people, she chose to live in solitude—in a rural area deep in the mountains where she grew corn to get by.
Hairrator: Out of concern for the long-haired princess, the family's ever-loyal owl came looking for her. He was her escape from complete isolation, however small.
Hairrator: Over time, she grew accustomed to her life of seclusion. Then, one day, with pangs of hunger wracking her body, the princess fainted.
Hairrator: To her aid came a group of people she had never met before—a crew of skyfarers.
Hairrator: They were kind and gentle. So much so, the princess found herself wanting to go with them.
Hairrator: Perhaps with these skyfarers, she thought, she could strike back against the evil souls who pushed her into living a life of fear.
Hairrator: Thus the princess decided to join them, and took her first step on a new adventure.
Hairrator: The skyfarers had a myriad of fantastic comrades on their side, with whom the princess grew close.
Hairrator: Among them, a mighty knight who bent over backwards in an attempt to grow tall...
Hairrator: Two boys, one kind-hearted with a command over fire and lightning, the other wild and raucous with a love for sunbathing...
Hairrator: A couple of girls, one a passionate artist, the other a skillful engineer who built gizmos that flew into the cosmos...
Hairrator: A pair of strong, rugged mercenaries, and an eccentric shopkeeper who could procure just about anything.
Hairrator: She bonded with these last five girls over their shared love of the kotatsu, and later made a book with them. There was no shortage of fun and surprise on her journey.
Hairrator: Just as she grew to enjoy her time in the sky, she received an alarming letter—her father was in grave danger.
Hairrator: With great resolve, the long-haired princess returned home, defeated the evil-doers, and saved her father and the kingdom. Finally, she had avenged herself.
Hairrator: However, though she had accomplished the purpose of her journey, the princess chose to venture onward.
Hairrator: But instead of receiving help, she would be the one offering it—to the skyfarers and their friends.
Hairrator: To this day, somewhere in the sky, the princess continues her voyage, living this very tale.
Hairrator: With her fine friends, she forges ahead in search of places unseen, on a grand and fantastic adventure.
Mallusbelle: The end...
Accompanying those closing words on the last page is an illustration of the creators putting the book together.
Melissabelle and Lunalu are depicted as working frantically, their friends smiling as they do what they can to help.
Elenaletta: Mallus... I think it might be time for you to stop fretting over our daughter...
Mallusbelle: You know what... You're right. I know Melissa will be fine... She and her friends.
Mallusbelle: Besides... If there's more to this story, I'd like nothing more than to read it.
Elenaletta: Then why not try sending her a letter? This time as a fan. Hehe... At least now you have an excuse to pen one.
Mallusbelle: I should. Bianco, could you hold on for a second? I have to write a letter to our little authoress.
Bianco: Hoo-hoot!
Mallusbelle: Now, how should I start it...
Pen in hand, Mallusbelle mumbles to himself, ruminating before reaching up to scratch his head.
Mallusbelle: H-huh? What the...
Mallusbelle: E-Elena, dear! Come look! Look at my head!
Elenaletta: Why, is that peach fuzz? Your hair is growing back! How wonderful!
Though thin and wispy, a few strands of gold hair can be seen sprouting out of Mallusbelle's scalp.
Mallusbelle: And the doctor all but gave up on me! But not you, Melissa, my sweet angel! All right, now I know how I want to start this letter!
Mallusbelle puts pen to paper and starts to write with terrific speed.
Many nights pass after he sends his letter.
Then one day, at his feet arrives the sequel to the long-haired princess's adventures—a gripping tale detailing the secret behind her hair's power...
Hairrator: But that's a story for another time.