Scenario:Thelonim - A Hero's Dream

A Hero's Dream

Vyrn and company take Thelonim to a weapon dealer to outfit him with something better. Once there, Thelonim shows an unexpected reaction to a sword that a princess once bestowed on her knight. The princess-obsessed Thelonim is just about to buy the sword when a ruffian appears to snatch it away from him.

---

Thelonim is just about used to life with the crew.

Today, he joins (Captain) and company to eat at a nearby town canteen.

Vyrn: Hey, Thelonim, isn't it about time to do something about that equipment of yours?

Thelonim: What do you mean?

Vyrn: I mean, you made it yourself! It always looks like everything's about to fall apart!

Thelonim: Honestly, I'm not worried about it.

Vyrn: I'm not talking about you! We're the ones freaking out every time we see you go into battle!

Lyria: All right, Vyrn, all right. If you're that worried about his equipment, why don't we do some shopping for him?

Vyrn: Heh, now you're talking! What do you say we buy the little guy a proper sword, (Captain)?

Thelonim: (Sigh. What I've got is just fine.)

(Captain) and the crew bring a decidedly unenthused Thelonim to a weapon dealer.

Neither the wondrous assortment of weapons, nor the shopkeeper's effusive sales pitches do anything to sway him.

Shopkeeper: Don't like this one either, eh? You're a tough one to please.

Shopkeeper: I hate to say it, but I might not have anything you'll like.

With a heavy, defeated sigh, the shopkeeper picks up a sword, scratching his head with his spare hand in an attempt to conceal his embarrassment.

Shopkeeper: Actually, I think this might be a good fit. Long ago, this beauty was bestowed upon a noble knight by a princess from a land far to the east.

Thelonim: Um, mister, c-can you repeat that?

Shopkeeper: Repeat what? The part about it being a good fit for you?

Thelonim: No, after that!

Shopkeeper: Hm, the part about it being bestowed upon a noble knight?

Thelonim: No! After that!

Shopkeeper: Ah, that it once belonged to a princess from an eastern kingdom?

Thelonim: A p-p-princess!

Thelonim: Oh, what music to my ears. This sword is absolutely splendid!

Thelonim: Shopkeeper! Please, allow me the honor of using this blade!

Vyrn: That's a total one-eighty from the way you were acting a second ago!

Shopkeeper: Hahaha! I'm not sure what brought you around, but I'll happily make the sale. Come again anytime!

As the shopkeeper reaches to hand the sword to Thelonim, a voice rings out.

Ruffian: Hey, hold it! I saw that bad boy first! Sorry, kid, but the sword's mine!

A Hero's Dream: Scene 2

Strangely enough, the ruffian who suddenly interrupted Thelonim just moments before is another supposed descendant of a great hero. Thelonim is overjoyed to have met another ally, but another thug appears and reveals Thelonim's newfound friend to be a scam artist.

---

Thelonim and the crew defeat the ill-mannered ruffian.

Ruffian: Heh, not bad! Can't believe you beat me, the descendant of a great hero, so easily!

Vyrn: Did I hear that right? Something about that sounded vaguely familiar...

Thelonim: You too? I never expected to run into a fellow scion of a heroic line in a place like this!

Vyrn: Sigh... You know heroes don't just pop out of thin air like this right?

Vyrn: And wait a sec! You haven't even been recognized as a hero yourself, Thelonim!

Ruffian: Bwahaha! I've taken a shine to you, kiddo! Let's grab some grub and talk over the finer points of hero-ing! My treat!

Vyrn: What gives! We just ended up right back where we started!

Lyria: Now, now. It's not so bad, Vyrn. I like this place!

While Lyria cheerfully eats, Vyrn can't help but notice something's amiss.

Vyrn: It's weird, though. Why did you both want that sword?

Thelonim: Because to a hero, meeting a princess is the ultimate aspiration! Part of your destiny!

Lyria: Um, what do you mean, exactly?

Thelonim: I've done my homework. Read all the books. Heard all the fairy tales.

Thelonim: All the heroes spoken of in myth and legend defeat some kind of scary monster or dragon, and then they marry a princess.

Thelonim: No ifs, ands, or buts. If you're a hero, that's what you do. Period.

Vyrn: Well, I guess that does happen a lot in stories.

Lyria: You're right. Katalina's told me lots of stories like that.

Thelonim: Which means as a hero, I'm gonna get to, um, m-marry a... p-princess.

Ruffian: Exactly! Well said, kiddo! Bwahahaha!

A jeering voice cuts across the two would-be heroes' excited chatter.

Barfly: You think you're a hero? Lyin' Luger here's up to his old tricks again, deceivin' folks as usual!

Lyria: What do you mean?

Barfly: Ha ha ha! What do I mean? This guy's specialty is saying just what other people want to hear!

Barfly: Pretends to be your friend when you pass through town, then takes you for a ride when you least expect it! A total con man!

Unable to hide his shock, Thelonim speaks up in a tremulous voice.

Thelonim: I-Is that true, mister? It's not, right?

Ruffian: ...

Barfly: As a matter of fact, he called us here to help him rob you blind!

Thelonim: Hey, he's not telling the truth, is he? Answer me, mister! You're a hero, right?

Ruffian: Gah, you idiots just had to rush things! These birdbrained kids would've been easy marks if you coulda just kept a lid on it!

A Hero's Dream: Scene 3

The crew's attempts to cheer Thelonim up come with limited success, but a coincidental mention of princesses inspires a slightly scary fanaticism from Thelonim, dragging him out of his doldrums.

---

Hollow victory in hand, (Captain) and the crew begin the journey to their next destination.

There's a point of grave concern for the crew, however. Thelonim has yet to utter a single word since returning to the ship.

Vyrn: Hey, Thelonim? Don't worry too much about what happened, okay?

Lyria: Vyrn's right. You have to just ignore bad people like that!

Thelonim: Who cares if it was a lie...

Vyrn: Huh?

Thelonim: It's fine. I'm used to being lied to, after all.

Thelonim: I'm going to become the greatest hero in all the skies. A minor setback like this isn't going to get me down.

Thelonim flashes a courageous smile in an attempt to deflect concern, inspiring a surprising flood of emotions from the crew.

Lyria: Oh, Thelonim...

Vyrn: Cheer up, buddy! Here, you c'n have half of the pink princess apple I bought at the market!

Thelonim: Princess? Did someone say princess? Where?

Vyrn: Stay with me, Thelonim! Princess apples are delicious, but there's no actual princesses involved.

Thelonim: You said princesses! I heard you!

Katalina: Who's been running around the deck in muddy boots? I want to know who the author of these prints is.

Thelonim: Princes? Did you say princes? Do they have sisters? Just point me in their general direction!

Vyrn: She said prints, not prince! Get a grip!

Thelonim: A princess, a princess! I gotta make sure I look heroic when I meet her. Here's my sword... Got my shield...

Thelonim: Oh no, wait! I haven't defeated a single dragon or demon. Vyrn, what will she ever think of me!

Vyrn: How the heck should I know?

Lyria: This is an awful lot like what happened at the weapon shop.

Lyria: Anything princess-related just seems to set him off.

Vyrn: Whoa, you're right... You're one weird little dude, Thelonim.

(Captain) and the others smile ruefully as Thelonim's disappointment is swept away by full-blown princess fever.