Scenario:Payila - This Is My Treasure

This Is My Treasure

The crew hasn't seen Payila since she boarded the Grandcypher and decides to check in on her. It turns out she's a homebody, relying on her shikigami to tend to her every need. As the crew sits down to have tea with Payila, another shikigami suddenly bursts into the room to report that all of Payila's treasure has been stolen from the Dragon Temple's vault by bandits.

---

A few days have passed since Payila more or less forced her way onto the crew.

Today, (Captain), Lyria, and Vyrn stop by her room to check in on her.

Shikigami 1: Yes, one moment please. Ah, (Captain). What brings you all here on this occasion?

Lyria: We were worried that Payila might be having trouble adjusting and decided to come see for ourselves.

Shikigami 1: Trouble adjusting? In any case, do come in.

The shikigami holds the door open to let the crew members in.

A squad of shikigami are busy tidying up the room while Payila calmly sips tea.

Payila: Oh, it's you. Did we have an appointment?

Vyrn: Gee, she looks right as rain to me.

Payila: Right as rain? Care to elaborate?

Lyria: Well, after you came aboard the ship, we never saw your face again.

Lyria: That made us kind of worried, so...

Payila: Oh, that makes sense. I'll have you know I didn't cloister myself on purpose. It just... tends to happen.

Payila: I apologize for causing undue concern.

Vyrn: You make it sound like you've never left this room...

Payila: So what if I haven't?

Payila's crewmates can't tell if she's joking or not. They ask a shikigami to back up Payila's claim.

Shikigami 1: I can affirm that Payila has not left this room other than to bathe and use the facilities.

Vyrn: I've heard of homebodies but come on.

Vyrn: Bein' waited on hand and foot by all these shikigami while loafin' around all day sounds nice and all...

Vyrn: But doesn't the Keeper of the Dragon Temple have, you know, duties?

Payila: What an odd thing to say. I need to expend energy to manifest my shikigami.

Payila: Therefore they are an extension of my power. Am I not allowed to use my own power however I see fit?

Payila: Besides, I have yet to receive a single complaint about how I'm handling my duties, so I must be doing something right.

Payila: Above all else, I simply have no reason to step out that door. Doing so without a goal in mind would only be a tremendous waste of my time.

Vyrn: Oh brother... She's a total shut-in all right.

Lyria: Ahahaha...

Payila: Call me what you will. Is that all you wanted to discuss?

Payila: If so, you might as well stay and have some tea with me.

Shikigami 2: Hooray! I'll get some water bubbling on the double!

Lyria: Th-thanks.

Shikigami 1: I'll help.

Shikigami 2: Appreciate it!

Lyria: I... I don't know how I feel about being surrounded by so many people with the same face...

Shikigami 4: Bwahaha, you either get used to it or go bonkers.

Shikigami 4: It's not like we have control over our looks or anything.

Vyrn: Yeah, I guess it's out of your hands. But even though you all look the same, I noticed everyone's a little different from each other.

Shikigami 4: Yep, our personalities match our talents. So naturally we're born different.

Lyria: Oh? How does that work?

Payila: They're meant to stand in for me wherever I need them to be.

Payila: Sadly, even I have difficulty creating a singular perfect shikigami.

Payila: It's easier to manifest multiple shikigami who excel at specific tasks.

Vyrn: Gotcha. So that's one way to tell them apart.

Shikigami 4: Bingo!

Shikigami 2: Big thanks for waiting patiently, everyone! Tea and biscuits are served!

(Captain) and the others settle in for teatime with Payila and her shikigami.

Vyrn glances around the room with curiosity between sips.

Vyrn: What's with all the weird decorations, Payila?

Payila: Oh, this stuff? Everything you see is treasure I've collected, but it's only a small portion of my greater trove.

Vyrn: Treasure, huh? Some of this stuff seems pretty normal to me.

Vyrn: I mean sure, you've got fancy jewelry and gemstones, but isn't that a stuffed animal over there?

Lyria: Didn't you also call us your "treasures" too?

1. What makes something a treasure?

Choose: What makes something a treasure?

Payila: Hm, what indeed... Generally speaking, it must embody beauty.

Payila: So in that sense, jewels and precious metals obviously grace the list.

Payila: But there's also beauty to be found in the way people carry themselves and live their lives.

The Divine Dragon fixes her gaze on the crew.

Payila: And it just so happens that I find you and your friends to be especially beautiful.

Lyria: W-we are?

Payila: Yes. Out of all the magnificent treasures in my possession, I would rank your beauty among the top.

The crew stare back at Payila with expressions of puzzlement.

The Divine Dragon returns their stares with adoring eyes.

Payila: Don't you get it? You people adhere to a peculiar belief system.

Payila: Some might even go so far as to call it a type of folly.

Payila: Whatever the case may be, you walk a path that seeks to help others without the need for compensation.

Lyria: But helping people who need it is just normal, isn't it?

Payila: Hehe... Ahahaha! That's just it! It's abnormal to assume that's common sense.

Payila: Your purity is uncommon in this day and age. I'd be a fool to ignore your stunning radiance.

Payila: All I could think at the time was that I absolutely had to add you all to my collection.

Lyria: Oh dear. I'm afraid I still don't understand what you mean.

Payila: That's fine. Keep doing what you are doing.

Vyrn: Sounds like you know an awful lot about us somehow...

Payila: We've been traveling together, haven't we? It's only natural that I look into my travel companions.

Payila leans back in her chair with her arms folded across her chest, and the crew seem content to leave it at that.

Shikigami 3: Payila!

The door suddenly flings open and a shikigami bursts into the room.

Payila: Quiet down. I'm in the middle of a tea party with some guests.

Payila: If it's a minor matter, bring it up with the others—

Shikigami 3: I just received an urgent message from the Dragon Temple.

Shikigami 3: Bandits broke into the treasure vault and stole your treasures. They took everything...

Payila: What!

(Captain) has never seen Payila look this shocked before.

This Is My Treasure: Scene 2

The Divine Dragon possesses weather control powers which are passed down from keeper to keeper. Payila's compatibility with that power was so great that the previous keeper sealed away some of Payila's power into the dragon pearl before hiding it somewhere in the skies. Evidence suggests that the bandits used the dragon pearl to open the vault. Payila orders her shikigami to search the island for clues.

---

Payila has just heard the news that her entire treasure trove has been looted from the temple's treasure vault.

A wave of rage washes over her face.

Payila: How was that possible? I sealed the vault shut with my power.

Payila: Furthermore, Quiniva and the other temple acolytes were supposed to be on guard duty.

Shikigami 3: According to the letter, the seal was broken by a power just like yours.

Payila: Just like mine?

Payila: But that would mean... It couldn't be! Those bandits have the dragon pearl?

Shikigami 3: It would appear so...

Payila: ...

Lyria: Um... What's the dragon pearl?

Payila: Remember how I said I can manipulate the weather?

Lyria: Yes. Like the way it got cloudy that one time at the temple.

Payila: Good memory. Well, the dragon pearl contains that very same power.

Payila: Which means whosoever commands the dragon pearl, commands the weather.

Vyrn: Jeepers!

The severity of the situation begins to dawn on the crew.

Vyrn: How'd a bunch of no-goodniks get their hands on something that dangerous?

Payila: The previous keeper stole a portion of my power and locked it away within a jewel.

Payila: They then left for the outside world, taking the dragon pearl with them to hide it somewhere.

Lyria: Why would the previous keeper do that though?

Shikigami 3: For Payila's sake.

Shikigami 3: Tradition holds that the Dragon Temple's successor inherits the power to control the weather from the previous keeper.

Shikigami 3: The extent of that power seems to vary based on its compatibility with the keeper.

Payila: Turns out I have an especially strong affinity.

Payila: So strong in fact that I exceeded my predecessor in every way right from the moment of my inheritance.

Shikigami 3: Instead of reacting with pride, the previous keeper grew concerned and viewed Payila's immense power as a risk.

Shikigami 3: The previous keeper didn't want tragedy to occur in the event of Payila losing control of her powers.

Vyrn: Ah, okay. So they drained off some of Payila's power for, like, safety reasons?

Vyrn: Couldn't the previous keeper have kept the dragon pearl safe at the temple though? Why'd they leave with it?

Shikigami 3: Because Payila is a recluse.

Vyrn & Lyria: Huh?

Shikigami 3: What was the best way to get Payila to go outside? That's a question the former keeper wrestled with day and night.

Shikigami 3: They knew that Payila only stirred when a treasure-worthy object caught her attention.

Shikigami 3: Either that or hope Payila was in a mood to get up, which usually only happened when there was a banquet stocked with wine.

Shikigami 3: Then the former keeper hit upon an idea.

Shikigami 3: By hiding the dragon pearl out in the vast blue skies, even Payila would have reason enough to set off into the outside world.

The crew can't believe their ears. They stare wide-eyed at Payila.

Vyrn: So this is technically your fault!

Payila: All this buzzing is noisier than a bee's hive. As was once said, "Right is not right; so is not so."

Payila: Context is always paramount. Learn not to swallow the first hook that appears before you.

Payila: Don't forget that my performance as the Keeper of the Dragon Temple has been stellar.

Payila: I had no reason to see to other matters aside from my temple obligations.

Lyria: H-haha...

1. Ever think about looking for it?

Choose: Ever think about looking for it?

Payila: Of course, and I did search for it, though I did so my way.

Payila: Thanks to my strategy, I gathered a wealth of information regarding treasure.

Payila: Unfortunately, as far as the dragon pearl itself was concerned, the leads were nonexistent.

Shikigami 3: Payila is incredibly talented, but staying inside all the time has had a hugely negative impact on her body.

Shikigami 3: So much so that her weather control power is a crutch that supports her when she walks.

Shikigami 3: And forget about asking her to do everyday chores. A journey on her own to find the dragon pearl would have been a recipe for disaster.

Shikigami 3: For those reasons, her options for recovering the dragon pearl were rather limited.

Payila: "One who holds no power should not speak as if they do." You've said more than enough.

Shikigami 3: "The contradictions of ten thousand cannot choke the conviction of one."

Shikigami 3: If I am confident that my words are true, I will bravely speak them and face the consequences.

Shikigami 3: Even if you come to despise me, as your shikigami I believe it is my duty to correct you when you veer too far off course.

Payila: You certainly like to talk. I hadn't planned on manifesting one with such boldness...

Payila: Whatever. (Captain), let us return to the Dragon Temple.

Payila: Scoundrels have taken my treasure, and I need to teach them a proper lesson on what that entails.

Payila seethes with quiet anger.

The crew don't dare say no, and they set a course for the Dragon Temple.

Once the Grandcypher touches down at its destination, Payila leads the crew to the vault.

A shikigami, her head bowed low, stands beside a smashed vault door.

Payila: I'm going to crush those bandits like ants.

The clouds outside begin to roil, matching the anger swirling inside the Divine Dragon.

Vyrn: Yikes, it's really startin' to come down out there. Listen to that wind howl.

Lyria: Eeek! Was that thunder?

Shikigami 5: I-I am so sorry, Lady Payila. I failed to uphold the responsibility you bestowed upon me.

Payila: Raise your head, Quiniva. The fault lies on the villains with the dragon pearl. There was nothing you could have done.

Payila: Those bandits are going to get what's coming to them.

Payila: Seniva, Septiva, Octova, Novema, Decema. Emerge.

Five shikigami instantly appear in a flash of light.

Decema: Are we on the clock?

Payila: You got it. I need you five to track down the perpetrators who dared to raid my vault.

Decema: On it.

Payila: Univa, Triva, question the temple vendors and artisans that I have bestowed my approval seals to.

Payila: Find out if they have overheard any mention of black market deals.

Univa: It shall be done.

Triva: As you command.

The shikigami bow and disappear.

Payila: Now to sit tight until the familiars return with news.

Lyria: Wow!

Payila's swift orders seem to take the crew by surprise.

Payila: Hm? What is it?

Vyrn: I thought you were just a shut-in, but you just put the "general" in Divine General.

Lyria: Yeah! You were so cool giving out orders!

Payila: Hmph... Is that so?

Vyrn: By the way, I can't believe you had even more shikigami.

Payila: Why wouldn't I? As I am right now, I'm able to summon ten at once.

Payila: And it goes without saying that manifesting shikigami takes a lot out of me.

Payila: Normally I limit myself to no more than five at any given time.

Vyrn: Hang on. How many have you summoned so far?

Payila: When my treasure is on the line, I don't have time to complain about feeling exhausted.

Vyrn: Just don't overdo it, okay? You're not getting anything back if you pass out.

Payila: I understand that. Nevertheless, your concern is welcome.

Lyria: Once things calm down, we'd like to meet the other shikigami if that's okay with you.

Lyria: I didn't know they had their own names.

Payila: That can be arranged—assuming this matter draws to a satisfying conclusion.

Lyria: Right! So we'll head into town and do our own investigating.

Vyrn: Mm-hm. More hands on deck means faster results.

Payila: ...

Lyria: Um... Is something wrong?

Payila: Don't worry about it. I should have expected that from you and the crew.

Lyria: ...?
Okay, so we'll—

Payila: No, you needn't spring into action.

Payila: I'm grateful for your consideration, but it would be more efficient to leave everything to the shikigami.

Payila: Hehe... Those bandits chose the wrong person to mess with.

Payila: "Heaven's reach is limited, but its retribution is not." Those insects can't hide from me, and when I find them...

Something about Payila's devilish smile sends chills down the spines of (Captain) and the others.

This Is My Treasure: Scene 3

Payila conjures a storm that prevents the bandits' getaway ship from leaving port. She takes out the bandits and recovers her treasure, which includes letters and a plush gifted to her by the kids of a local orphanage. The bandit leader only had a shard of the dragon pearl, prompting Payila to make the decision to proactively search for the rest of the dragon pearl to prevent further incidents.

---

The crew grows restless from waiting for the shikigami to return with news.

(Captain) paces around back and forth.

Univa: I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Payila. We have returned.

Hearing a voice behind them, the crew turn around and are greeted by ten shikigami.

Payila: Good work. I hope you've brought back positive news.

Univa: I'll begin with what we learned from the vendors.

Univa: A crew of suspicious-looking men were seen loading expensive items onto a large airship in the town's port.

Univa: A number of vendors claimed to have recognized several objects they had sold to you.

Payila: That must be their getaway ship. So they've already fled the island.

Univa: No, they hit a snag and are still anchored in port.

Payila: Well, well... Luck swings in our favor. Do you know what's keeping them?

Univa: Decema says the helmsman was struck by lightning and is now hospitalized.

Payila: Hm, did they have an accident while handling the dragon pearl?

Payila: Regardless, the vendors' testimonies have proven invaluable. Be sure to thank them properly.

Univa: We will.

Decema: PS—the helmsman's getting out of the hospital today.

Vyrn: Seriously? You should've said so sooner!

Payila: Then there's only one thing I can do.

Payila turns to address her shikigami.

Payila: "Negativity is the ultimate killer." I will do everything in my power to avert misfortune. Shikigami, you are all dismissed.

The shikigami nod in unison and vanish in a flash of light.

Payila: The last thing I need is for those bandits to slink away when I'm so close. I think I'll start by breaking their legs.

A shadow creeps over the town in concert with the dark storm clouds rolling in above.

Weather conditions grow increasingly worse, and before long the entire town is in the grip of a fierce storm.

Payila: I would honestly be impressed if their ship managed to fly out of that tempest.

Payila: (Captain), I'm going ahead first. I expect the rest of you to be right behind me.

Payila floats into the air and soars off toward the wind-battered town.

Vyrn: What the heck! She can fly?

Lyria: Come on! We're falling behind!

The crew steel themselves and chase after Payila.

Lyria: Oh my gosh! Look!

Lightning bolts rain down incessantly from pitch-black clouds.

Cyclonic flames erupt from the point of each lightning strike, illuminating the town in an eerie red glow.

Vyrn: There's only one person I can think of who can do that...

Lyria: Payila...

Vyrn: We'd better hustle over there before the whole port gets wiped off the map!

The others nod and pick up the pace.

Lyria: Huff... Huff... We made it...

Payila: What took you all so long?

Vyrn: Huff... Wheeze... Never mind that. How's it goin' over here?

The crew scan their surroundings while catching their breath.

Dozens of men lie sprawled on the ground, making the town look more like a war-torn battlefield.

Vyrn: Is it over already?

Payila: Not yet. Their leader still breathes.

Payila: Show yourself. You're out of lackeys to hide behind.

Bandit Leader: Urgh! Damn it! Were you just toying with me?

A man emerges from behind a large crate.

Payila: Naturally. Did you truly think you could run from me?

Bandit Leader: Oooh, I'm so scared! You screwed up big when your attack missed me earlier, and now it's gonna cost you yer life!

Bandit Leader: Eat this!

The man raises his arms, summoning violent winds that wrap around Payila and transform into a tornado.

Lyria: Payila!

Bandit Leader: Bye-bye now!

Bandit Leader: Haha! Bull's-eye! She ain't getting up after that—

Payila: You call that tickle of static a strike? That's so funny I forgot to laugh. I'm almost disappointed in the dragon pearl's power.

Bandit Leader: What the... It didn't even leave a mark!

Payila: I guess that means it's my turn. And let me clear up any misconceptions about my accuracy you might have.

Payila: I pulled that lightning strike to the left for a reason.

Payila: Charred corpses can't talk, much less answer questions.

Payila: But if you insist on playing hardball, then I'll grant you your death wish.

Payila: Have a taste of the punishment that's coming your way.

Coils of wind restrain the man, binding his entire body.

Payila: Don't worry. Your life isn't in danger, though you'll probably wish you were dead.

The entire town lights up for multiple seconds as numerous thunderbolts hit the man.

Bandit Leader: Gwaaaah!

Bandit Leader: E-enough! I yield! I yield! I'll give everything back too! Now make it stop!

Payila: I'm sorry, did you say something?

Bandit Leader: Gyaaaah!

Payila: I think he's probably learned his lesson.

Vyrn: Er... Are you sure he's not dead?

The crew stare down at the bandit, who lies twitching in the mud with smoke rising off of his body.

Bandit Leader: ...

Payila: Wake up.

Bandit Leader: Argh!

Payila: Good morning. You're going to be a good boy and tell me everything I want to know.

Payila: But if I detect deception, I won't be as nice as I was before. Understand?

The clouds above growl with menacing thunder. The man lifts his head, fear plastered on his face, and nods furiously.

Bandit Leader: Wh-whatever you want! I swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth!

Payila: Is all the treasure you stole from my vault aboard that ship?

Bandit Leader: Yes!

Payila: Emerge.

Shikigami manifest from a ball of light summoned in front of Payila.

Univa: Yes, Payila?

Payila: Confirm that the entirety of my collection is accounted for.

Univa: Understood.

The shikigami humbly bow and then board the bandit ship.

Payila: Next question. Where is the dragon pearl?

Bandit Leader: Dragon pearl? The heck is that?

Payila: Oh? You have guts playing dumb with me. Or is this your way of begging for more discipline?

Bandit Leader: Ack! I-I swear I don't know nothin'!

Payila: Hm... It appears you're actually telling the truth.

Payila: Okay, let me rephrase that question. How were you able to control wind and lightning?

Bandit Leader: Uh... I...

The man goes quiet and refuses to look Payila in the eye.

Payila: ...

Bandit Leader: Mercy! Here! It's because of this thing!

Frantically digging into his pants pocket, the man pulls out a vial with what looks like a shard of glass inside and tosses it to Payila.

Payila: Is this a piece of the dragon pearl?

Payila: No wonder the "storms" he produced felt like mere drizzles.

Payila: Where did you get this shard?

Bandit Leader: I lifted it off some peddler in town.

Bandit Leader: No idea where they got it from.

Payila: How unfortunate.

Payila: Just when I thought I had finally found a clue...

Payila puts her hands on her hips and heaves a heavy sigh.

Vyrn: Aw, cheer up! We have a ton of contacts we can ask who might know something.

Lyria: Uh-huh! We'll all pitch in to solve this mystery, so hang in there!

Payila: Sorry for the trouble. And thank you.

Payila: Whatever funding you need to uncover new information, simply ask and I'll cover it.

Payila: I promise you'll be awarded handsomely after the dragon pearl is found.

Payila: It's only fair that I pay for your help.

1. It's all good. We're friends.

Choose: It's all good. We're friends.

Payila: "Without sufficient depth, water will not float large ships."
"The perfect man ignores the self."

Lyria: Um...

Payila: In other words, one cannot accomplish lofty ambitions without the support of a strong, understanding heart.

Payila: Moreover, the person who possesses the most enrichment is the one who focuses on others.

Payila: Haha, as always my appraising eyes are as sharp as ever. Your crew may have been my best find yet.

Payila beams with pride.

Univa: Payila, may I speak?

Payila: You may.

Univa: The majority of the stolen treasures are still in pristine condition.

Payila: Only the majority?

Univa: Yes. Unfortunately several items couldn't be found.

Univa hands Payila a slip of paper.

Payila: Ah... I see.

The Divine Dragon's cheerful expression is gone in an instant, replaced by one of fury.

Bandit Leader: W-w-wait! I didn't lie! We crammed everything we took onto the ship!

Payila: What about a stuffed animal and a bundle of letters? Where did those go?

Bandit Leader: A stuffed animal and letters? Oh, yeah, I remember now... We tossed that junk into the trash—

Payila: ...

Bandit Leader: Gyaaaah!

Vyrn: Yikes! What was that for!

Payila spots a nearby trash can. Without bothering to answer Vyrn, she fishes through the garbage.

Payila: Ah, found them. Thank goodness they're still here.

With a relieved smile, Payila extracts a bundle of letters and a patchwork plush.

Lyria: Are those the missing treasures?

Payila: The very ones.

Payila: There's an orphanage near the Dragon Temple. The children there poured their hearts and prayers into these gifts for me.

Payila: These are the embodiments of childlike purity and innocence.

Payila: Therefore they are more than worthy of being my treasures.

Having said that, Payila hugs the letters and plush to her chest.

(Captain) and the others watch on with smiles, now understanding a little better Payila's philosophy on treasure.

The recovery of Payila's stolen treasures wraps up without a hitch.

Once every item is secured, Payila and the crew return to the vault at the Dragon Temple.

Vyrn: Whew. That's the last of 'em.

Payila: Thank you. Now to redo the seal.

A shimmering haze suddenly fills the room, and the vault door starts to vanish.

Lyria: Oh my! The door's gone! There's only a wall there now!

Payila: No, the door is still there. This white hazy glaze over the surface only gives off the impression of a wall.

Payila: Think of it as a mirage if you will.

Payila: I leave the rest to you, Quiniva.

Quiniva: Understood. I shall not fail twice in my duties.

Payila: Good. All that remains is what to do about the dragon pearl.

Payila takes out the vial containing the dragon pearl shard from her pocket.

Payila: I've always taken a reactive approach as opposed to a proactive one. But considering what's at stake this time, it seems my days of seclusion are over.

Payila: As bothersome as it is to take the initiative, I don't have a choice if history is not to repeat itself.

Vyrn: You won't go it alone. We'll do this together!

Payila: Right. I did promise to protect your crew as well.

Lyria: Huh? You did?

Payila: Need I remind you that you are my treasures?

Payila: No self-respecting collector would ever allow their sparkling masterpieces to become scuffed and dinged.

Whether the crew likes it or not, Payila's decision to treat them as her treasures is final.

(Captain) and friends shrug and accept their fate with bemused smiles—that's just the way the Divine Dragon is.