Scenario:Philosophia - Mystery of the Spinning Top
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Mystery of the Spinning Top
Philosophia, a girl riding a spinning top, suddenly descends onto the airship deck. She proceeds to quiz the crew with philosophical questions about flying, but only (Captain)'s answer interests her. Her fascination compels her to join the crew.
(Captain) and the crew set a course for a nearby island to pick up supplies and to get some rest and relaxation.
As they prepare to land, Vyrn comes flying up.
Vyrn: Hey guys, have you got a minute? I heard something in the tavern we went to the other day.
Vyrn: There's a strange rumor about this island.
Vyrn: There's apparently a girl around here riding a spinning top who appears out of nowhere!
Vyrn: ...
Lyria: ...
Vyrn: Um... Forget what I said. It was probably just nonsense...
Lyria: Ha-ha... Yeah... It doesn't make much sense to me either. But wait... What's that?
Lyria and (Captain) spot a round shadow on the deck.
(Captain) looks up to see what's causing it...
And a girl riding a spinning top suddenly falls from the sky.
Philosophia: Aha-ha.
Lyria: Yeeek!
Philosophia: Tee-hee! Did I startle you? Hey, do you mind if I ask you a question?
Vyrn: I can't believe it! A girl riding a spinning top? The rumor was true!
Philosophia: Would you say that you're flying through the air right now?
Lyria: What?
Lyria: Well... We're on the Grandcypher, which is an airship, so I guess you could say we're flying.
Philosophia: I see... But of course, that's your airship that's flying, not you.
Lyria: Um... I guess that's true. So does that mean we're not flying?
Philosophia: Perhaps... But think about where you are right now. Aren't you up in the air?
Philosophia: Are you sure you're not flying?
Lyria: Um... I'm not sure anymore...
The girl on the spinning top peers at Lyria's confused expression and smiles gleefully.
She then shifts her gaze to Vyrn, who has been watching the proceedings suspiciously.
Philosophia: Wow... You look like you'll do quite nicely.
Vyrn: Huh? Are you talking to me?
The smiling girl nods her head and deftly moves her spinning top closer to Vyrn.
Philosophia: So how about it? Are you flying right now?
Vyrn: Yeah. Obviously.
Philosophia: Oh, is that so?
Philosophia: But is it really that obvious? How can we be sure you're really flying?
Philosophia: Maybe there's a platform that only lizards can perceive, and you're just standing on it.
Vyrn: What? That's nonsense! Of course I'm fly—
Philosophia: People breathe without needing to think about it and they walk without any conscious effort.
Philosophia: So it might be the same with your flying, little lizard. You might not even be conscious of it...
Philosophia: But there might actually be a platform under you that only you can feel.
Vyrn: What? That's ridiculous... I'm flying, right? Right?
Lyria: I'm starting to doubt myself. I wonder what flying even is...
Philosophia observes Lyria and Vyrn's flummoxed expressions with obvious satisfaction.
Philosophia: Aha-ha... You guys are so cute. The faces you pull when you're confused... They're so... so...
Vyrn: Hey! Are you teasing us?
Philosophia: Aha-ha! Maybe I am in one way, but in another, I'm not.
Vyrn: What? I can't understand a word you're saying! Who in the world are you?
The girl moves away from the crew and gracefully tilts her spinning top to offer them a bow.
Philosophia: My name is Philosophia. Some call me a sage, and others call me a philosopher.
Philosophia: But I am merely a fool who delights in challenging people's preconceptions—who spins wild theories for the simple pleasure of knocking them down...
Lyria: Um... I hope you don't mind me asking, but what's a philosopher?
Philosophia: A person who is constantly asking and answering questions, and continually disproving those same answers. Someone locked in eternal contemplation of the world's unanswerable riddles.
Lyria: I see. If I can ask another question, why did you land on our airship?
Philosophia: I was just flying around when I heard someone on this ship talking about me, so I thought I'd come and take a look.
Lyria: Wow! Philosophia, you must have excellent hearing!
Lyria: Um... What do you mean you were flying around?
Philosophia: Exactly what I said. Don't you remember me falling from above? I was in the middle of flying.
Lyria: But how can you just fly around?
Philosophia: Like this!
She flourishes her staff, sending her top and herself up into the air.
Lyria: Whoa!
Philosophia: This spinning top's name is Crypton. I think, therefore it spins.
Philosophia: The more I think, the more thoughts run their furious circles through my head, the better it flies.
Lyria: Incredible! I've never heard of such a device...
Philosophia: Tee-hee! No surprise there, and yet this world is brimming with even stranger things than Crypton.
Philosophia: That's why I have to keep thinking... even if that means throwing out a wild theory or two when I run out of questions to ponder.
The girl smiles joyfully and then stares at (Captain).
Philosophia: I still haven't heard your opinion on this flying conundrum.
Philosophia: Aha-ha... And I'm sure you'll look awfully cute when you're confused.
Philosophia: So what do you say? Are you flying right now?
Choose: The answer you seek does not exist.
Philosophia: That's harsh... Though you're not wrong. In fact you might be closer to the truth than anyone else.
Philosophia: Aha-ha... You're an interesting one, aren't you?
Choose: We're both flying and falling.
Philosophia: Can you say that one more time?
(Captain) answers the question again, and Philosophia's eyes light up.
Philosophia: Of course. The islands and all the people on them have floated up from the bottom of the sky... We're all both flying and falling.
Philosophia: Aha-ha... You're an interesting one, aren't you?
Continue 1
The spinning top speeds up, raising Philosophia higher into the air.
Philosophia: So what are you all doing riding such a big airship anyway?
Philosophia: I'd really like to know.
(Captain) tells an abridged version of their travels so far to the ecstatic girl with the infectious smile.
Philosophia: I see. So you want to go beyond the sky's edge to Estalucia...
Philosophia: I like the sound of that. It could be a lot of fun!
Philosophia: Okay... I've decided. I'm coming with you.
Lyria: What?
Philosophia: How can I resist those cute faces you all make when you're concentrating?
Philosophia moves her spinning top next to (Captain) so that they're face to face.
Philosophia: You in particular I find most fascinating.
Philosophia: I like the way you think. If I stick with you, I bet I'll find my way into some great debates on the subject of flying.
Philosophia: Of course I'm not expecting a free ride. I'll help out in any way that I can!
Philosophia: So what do you say? Will you take me with you?
Choose: It could be interesting. Welcome aboard!
Philosophia: Wow! Now that's a good answer! Are you perhaps interested in philosophy as well?
Philosophia: Tee-hee... If so, then we have a lot to talk about!
Philosophia: Um... Okay. I suppose I get it. Sorry for asking...
Philosophia looks crestfallen until (Captain) cracks a smile.
Philosophia: What? You were joking? You just wanted to see my expression when I get disappointed?
Philosophia: You just become more and more fascinating, don't you?
Continue 2
Philosophia: By the way, do you guys like sweets? You know, cookies, macarons, that sort of thing?
Lyria: Yes! I just love that stuff!
Philosophia: Then you're in luck! I know an amazing sweet shop in a nearby town. Maybe I can show you the way?
Philosophia, still smiling about the prospect of candy, begins moving toward the edge of the deck.
Vyrn: Hold on! I need an answer! Please! I just have to know!
Vyrn: Am I really flying or not? You've just got to tell me!
Philosophia: Aha-ha... You really are cute. Just look at your little face.
Vyrn: Come on! I give in! Just tell me! Please!
Philosophia: The answer is that there's no answer. You just have to keep on thinking.
And with a smile, Philosophia jumps off the side of the airship.
Vyrn: Hey! What kind of answer is that? That doesn't help at all!
Lyria: It's okay, Vyrn. She's going to show us that sweet shop, so you can ask again there.
Vyrn: I... I guess...
The crew lands on the island. After reuniting with Philosophia and stocking up on supplies, they take a break.
No matter how earnestly Vyrn repeats his question, however, Philosophia cheerfully and adroitly evades answering.