Scenario:Seruel - A Needed Retreat

A Needed Retreat

Seeing how much the former prince has overworked himself, Heles and Scathacha send Seruel to the former royal villa to survey its worth as a potential tourist destination, and to get some desperately needed rest. He's encouraged to bring Naoise along, and to invite (Captain) and the rest of the crew to join them.

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On Alster Island, a handsome young man stands at the edge of a picturesque lake. His eyes shimmer with nostalgia.

Seruel: (Last I came here, I was only a child... Yet it looks exactly how I remember it.)

Seruel: (Why am I doing this... I haven't come here to reminisce.)

His name is Seruel, prince of the Irestill Kingdom. Or at least he used to be...

Following the collapse of Irestill by hordes of monsters, he now works as a private citizen to revitalize Alster Island.

Presently, the island is in a period of recovery after suffering two attacks by the True Dragon Medb.

Concerned Seruel might work himself sick, his sister, Heles, has arranged a summer retreat for him to get some rest and relaxation.

Vyrn: Seruel? Helloooo? Whatcha thinkin' about?

Seruel: ...!

Seruel: What in the!

While Seruel is deep in thought, (Captain) seizes the opportunity to playfully push him into the water.

Vyrn: You left yourself wide open, Seruel. What did you expect? Right, (Captain)?

Seruel: Blurgh! I'd expect that kind of behavior from my sister, but not you!

Vyrn: Hahaha! C'mon, what's a vacation without some shenanigans?

Lyria: Oh my! Seruel, are you all right?

Seruel: Yes, I'm quite fine, Lyria. I'm... rather used to this level of tomfoolery.

Vyrn: You just looked so glum! We thought we'd remind you that you're supposed to be in vacation mode!

Naoise: (He looks to be a bit anxious about the work he's left behind...)

Naoise: (All of the stress can't be good for him. I hope this retreat will help him get some much-needed rest, if only for a short while.)

Naoise: Sorry I couldn't stop (Captain) from pushing you in, Seruel.

Seruel: Not to worry, Naoise.

Seruel: I was confused as to why (Captain) was so adamant I put on swimwear, but I think I get it now.

Seruel lifts himself out of the lake and onto the bank, droplets of water trickling from his hair as he marches toward (Captain).

Seruel: They say revenge is best served cold. I'm not sure I agree.

In one swift move, Seruel hoists (Captain) up and gracefully heaves the troublemaker right into the lake.

Vyrn: Bwahaha! Now you're the one that's soaked, (Captain)!

Lyria: Ahaha, serves you right, (Captain)! Now that we're all in the same boat, time for some splashing!

Seruel: Well... at least someone's having fun. I suppose inviting you was worth it after all.

Vyrn: Y'know, I was kinda worried... Is it okay for us to be tagging along with you on this trip?

Seruel: Why wouldn't it be? Ah, yes, I almost forgot. I've yet to talk about whose idea it was to invite you...

Seruel: Sigh...

Though the lives of Alster Island residents were upended by Medb, they swiftly banded together to focus on restoring their home.

Among these residents is Scathacha, the alias of the True Dragon Deidre, who used her great power to protect Alster.

Due to Medb's machinations, Scathacha's core had been damaged, forcing her to focus all of her energy into preserving it.

While she recovers, Seruel works tirelessly, running himself ragged to ensure the island is well-defended even without her.

Seruel: Huff...

And the toll of toiling day in and day out is beginning to show on his face.

Heles: Look at you, Seruel. You're practically working yourself to death.

Seruel: Heles... Now is exactly the time for me to buckle down and focus my efforts into defending this island. Surely, you realize that?

Heles: ...

Heles: Take another look at these calculations for additional guards. Do these numbers look right to you?

Seruel: Ah, yes. I put an order in for more guards so Scathacha can get all the rest she needs.

Heles: And what of the volunteers that have gathered from across the island? Have you considered stationing them anywhere?

Seruel: ...

Seruel: They seem to have slipped my mind...

Heles: It isn't like you to make mistakes like this. You're clearly exhausted.

Heles: The council reviews these orders, so I'm sure they would've noticed, but I much prefer lapses like this be caught beforehand.

Seruel: Yes, you're right...

Heles: Honestly, Seruel... Really take a look at yourself. You look ghastly.

At the behest of his sister, Seruel turns to look at himself in a window, and his reflection stares back, gray hair dull and eyes sunken.

Heles: You must take a vacation, I insist—before your health takes a turn for the worse.

Seruel: Heles, there are still a mountain of issues that I need to take care of. I can't just leave them unfinished.

Heles: Fine. Scathacha should be having tea right around now. You come with me.

Seruel: Okay?

Scathacha: Hm? You look more chipper than usual. Did something happen?

Heles: I've come to share some good news with you. We've come up with a way to settle a long-standing issue.

Heles passes a document to Scathacha, who gives it a quick read and sighs in relief.

Scathacha: Good news, indeed! Sorry for all the trouble, you two. I really appreciate your efforts.

Seruel: We're just glad we'll be able to keep you safe.

Heles: Now that that's taken care of, I will be putting Seruel on leave.

Seruel: Heles!

Scathacha takes another look at Seruel, and his gaunt face makes her jump.

Scathacha: I apologize for not taking note of your fatigue sooner, Seruel. You get plenty of rest on this vacation of yours, all right?

Seruel: Scathacha, despite your condition, you have kindly lent an ear to the people of the island...

Seruel: Given the circumstances, it is unthinkable for me to even consider taking leave.

Scathacha: How bold of you to refuse seeing as you once ordered Heles to take time off.

Seruel: Well... some are more apt than others at handling so much work...

Heles: Oh, so I'm weak and you're strong? I needed the break and you don't, do I have that right?

Seruel: Heles...

Scathacha: Whatever the case, the council wouldn't react well to a man with a face as dreadful as yours.

Scathacha: You must take some time off.

Seruel: But Scathacha...

Heles: I feel a bit responsible for pushing you to work yourself so hard.

Heles: Rest assured, I'll do what I can in your absence to make sure things get done.

Seruel: But I...

Elisheba: Heles, if I remember correctly, there were plans to turn the former royal villa into a resort destination, were there not?

Heles: Ah, yes, there were. And I believe Medb's attack forced those plans to go on hold.

Heles: Hehe, nice thinking, Elisheba.

Elisheba: Apologies for the intrusion. I'm glad I could be of some assistance.

Heles instantly catches on to Elisheba's intent and turns to face Seruel.

Heles: Seruel, I want you to survey the villa—see for yourself if it's vacation-worthy, as it were.

Seruel: Sister, perhaps we should be focusing our efforts on the island's restoration rather than tourism.

Heles: You must sow the seeds before reaping the harvest, Seruel. You keep that in mind while you're surveying the villa.

Seruel: Heles, that's not—

Scathacha: Give it up, Seruel.

Heles: And you can take Naoise with you for protection.

Seruel: All right... If I must, I guess I'll take you up on your offer. Looks like you're coming with me, Naoise.

Naoise: Yes sir! I will guard you with my life!

Scathacha: ...

Seruel: Is something wrong, Scathacha? You look troubled. Did you want to come with us?

Scathacha sighs, glancing back and forth at the pained Seruel and passionate Naoise.

Scathacha: I can't imagine this vacation will be at all relaxing with the two of you taking it so seriously.

Scathacha: Hmm, how do we fix this... Ah, maybe invite (Captain) and the crew along? I'm sure they'll make your vacation one to remember.

Scathacha: (And perhaps Seruel will feel more at ease if he has someone to play host to...)

Naoise: That's a wonderful plan, Scathacha. I'll contact (Captain) right away.

Seruel: That's how you and your companions came to be invited on this combination trip of business and leisure.

Vyrn: We hadn't met in a while, so to see you burnt out like that was scary. But it all makes sense now.

Vyrn: Anyway, since you're surveyin' the place, we should keep an eye out for what makes it great... and have an awesome time doing it!

Lyria: Vyrn's right! We should focus on having fun! Don't you think, (Captain)?

(Captain) nods and Seruel lets out a plaintive huff.

Seruel: Well, all right... I suppose I can't argue with that.

As soon as Seruel admits defeat, Vyrn and Lyria yell in excitement.

Lyria: Yaaay! Better watch out, Seruel! I'm gonna splash you with so much water!

Seruel: Getting rowdy, are we, Lyria? Perhaps I shall get my revenge on you next.

Though exasperated, Seruel plays with Lyria and the others, while Naoise watches on with a relieved grin.

Naoise: (Seruel... I think this is exactly what you need to loosen up a little after devoting so much of yourself to your duties.)

Naoise: (I just knew inviting the crew would be a great idea...)

Naoise joins in on the fun, and the crew of vacationers splash each other until they're all soaking wet.