Scenario:Therese - Casino Royale

Casino Royale

Earlier, Christina had refused Therese's request and told her to rest, pointing out her recent, potentially dangerous craving for her spectators' approval. Unsure of Therese's intentions on the Millionaire Palace, (Captain) and company decide to watch and cheer for their friend on stage in the meantime. When Therese manages to subdue her opponent in the first match, the spectators begin to demand for the loser's execution. Though the cheers appear to stimulate her, the crew's voices of concern help Therese resist her violent urges.

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Therese: Christina...

Christina: Back to your station.

Therese: Um, Christina! What is it that I'm lacking?

Therese: I can't say scouting is my specialty, but I'm worried about the Jewel Resort too, and all the staff here are feeling anxious—

Christina: Anxious?

Usako: Oh dear! Calm down, both of you!

Christina: Sigh... The only thing I'm anxious about is you, Therese.

Therese: M-me?

Christina: Your swordsmanship has gotten even better as of late. I'm sure the little kittens have played a part in that.

Christina: At the same time, the number of challengers you end up injuring has also increased.

Christina: You can't contain your craving for the inflated cheers that come when you overwhelm your opponents.

Therese: ...!

Christina: The attention of the audience is like a drug... In time, your craving for their validation will grow.

Christina: But if it goes too far, what you're doing will no longer be a performance, but simply violence.

Usako: A craving for validation...

Christina: You have quite a few vacation days saved up. This is a good chance for you to take some time off and rest.

Therese: ...

Therese: Very well. I'll take some days off then.

Vyrn: Uh, hey, Therese...

Lyria: Therese...

Several hours into the neoduel...

(Captain) and company watch Therese from among the wild crowd of spectators. Unsure of Therese's intentions, the crew's anxiety grows as they can do nothing but continue rooting for their friend.

Therese: It's my turn! Open the carte!

Therese: Degenerate Smile!

Therese: This carte is effective for one turn, during which the foe will be unable to evade!

One-Eyed Duelist: Wha! I... can't move my legs!

Vyrn: Whoa! I don't really get it, but looks like Therese's got the advantage now!

Lyria: Yeah!
You can do it, Therese!

Therese: Haaah!

One-Eyed Duelist: Gwaaah!

Therese: Hm... A shallow blow.

One-Eyed Duelist: Huff, huff... Damn it! I'm not about to let it end here...

One-Eyed Duelist: It's my turn! Open the carte!

One-Eyed Duelist: Midsummer Dream!

One-Eyed Duelist: This carte is effective for three turns, during which fiery blasts of wind will blow and scorch any duelist on the field!

Vyrn: Fiery blasts? That sounds really bad!

Lyria: That doesn't sound fair! Why does that duelist get to have three turns?

Therese: ...

One-Eyed Duelist: Bwahaha! You may be a star duelist on the Jewel Resort... but here on the Palace, it's all about the cartes!

One-Eyed Duelist: Now dieee!

One-Eyed Duelist: ...

One-Eyed Duelist: Gurk...

Therese: What a fool... The carte scorches any duelists on the field—including yourself.

Therese: Now, let the next duelist come! The night is still young!

Vyrn: Whew... Therese managed to win the fight, but that really made me sweat.

Lyria: You never know what carte you'll get, so you really can't let your guard down...

Vyrn: In the end it's all about luck, huh? Still, why's Therese fightin' here on the Palace?

Lyria: Hmm...

Gambler: Kill! Kill!

Spectators: Kill! Kill!
Kill! Kill!

Vyrn: Wait... kill? Are they bein' serious?

Lyria: No way... It may be a duel, but it's still just a game, right? They don't have to go that far...

Therese: Sigh...

Therese: I see. So this is the Palace's infamous execution time.

Therese: Perfect! After all, it's my job to show the audience what they want! Keep your eyes peeled and watch closely!

Vyrn: Wait a second! Therese is actually agreein' to be a part of this? Is she cravin' for their approval that much?

Lyria: Y-you can't, Therese! Even if that's what the people are asking for, you can't give it to them!

Lyria: Don't do it!

Therese: ...!
(Captain)? And...

Vyrn: Hey, looks like she noticed us!

Lyria: Therese! Please calm down! You can't lose to your cravings!

Therese: ...

Therese: Heh... Scratch that. Sending some small fry to the grave isn't nearly enough fun.

Therese: Come on! Isn't there any duelist who's worth my time?

Manager: Hm...

Manager: Then let's proceed to the next match! Just how far can our rookie duelist here make it?

Manager: Next duelist, come on up!

Casino Royale: Scene 2

Therese continues to win her battles until it is time for the last match. Though many are betting on Therese, the special "cartes" used in the neoduels make the matches challenging. Finally, Therese corners her opponent. Egged on by the shouts of the spectators and oblivious to the crew's anxious cries, Therese makes the final strike.

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Therese: Haaah!

Clownish Duelist: Rrgh... I just need... the right cartes...

Clownish Duelist: ...

Therese: How naive... Only second-rate duelists would rely on the luck of the draw. Get out of here.

Therese plows through battle after battle, easily securing victory for herself. The crowd's excitement is at its highest.

However, among the throng are faces that look less than happy at the outcome.

Dealer: Four consecutive wins... The betting odds of the next match are all out of sorts. Looks like I'll be putting in some overtime tonight.

Broker: Well, you reap what you sow. I've got a ship prepared for you already—at least we're getting something out of this.

Manager: A big thanks to our passionate crowd tonight! I'm just as amazed by our recent arrival's spectacular performance as you are!

Manager: Well then, allow me to call up our strongest duelist on the Palace for the final match of the night!

Manager: Let's hear it for our next duelist!

Aristocrat Lady: Ohohoho! Finally, it is my turn to shine! Excuse my incredible luck and fortune!

Vyrn: Hey, it's that lady that talked to Lyria earlier! Can't believe she was just chillin' like that when she had a match comin' up.

Lyria: So she was a duelist too? She really must be the strongest here if she looks that calm...

Lyria: Do your best, Therese!

Manager: Ready, duelists... Engage!

Aristocrat Lady: It's my turn! Open the carte!

Aristocrat Lady: Legendary Revelations!

Aristocrat Lady: This carte is effective for three turns, during which the power of my special abilities will be anywhere from 50% to 300% of their usual strength!

Aristocrat Lady: Ohoho! A random type of effect is certainly a good omen!

Therese: Gah!

Aristocrat Lady: Oh my, 300% right from the first turn? Allow me to revise my previous statement then. This is a wonderful omen!

Therese: It's my turn... Open the carte!

Therese: Tender Sphere of Confusion!

Therese: This carte allows me the choice of restoring a little of my health, or increasing the power of my special abilities slightly!

Therese: I choose to increase the power of my special abilities!

Vyrn: Wait a second... Why didn't Therese choose to heal herself? Her opponent's still got two turns of extra strong moves!

Lyria: Maybe she has a strategy... But I'm worried she won't be able to pull through...

Aristocrat Lady: Hehe, another lucky one for me. Looks like things will be finishing up soon.

Aristocrat Lady: Wouldn't you agree!

Therese: Tch... 200% power? But I can still make a comeback—

Therese: Gaaah!

Aristocrat Lady: Oh, that's my additional lightning strike. You have to listen to the effects of the cartes properly, you know?

Therese: Pant, pant... You've sure got a lot to say...

Therese: It's my turn! Open the carte!

Therese: Lion King's Sword!

Therese: This carte allows a succession of three attacks with my blade if my weapon is a sword!

Aristocrat Lady: Impossible!

Therese: The tables have turned! I'm ending this here!

Aristocrat Lady: I won't let you! You mean to say I'd succumb to the measly attacks of a girl like you? Never!

Therese: Tempest Blades!

Aristocrat Lady: Aaagh!

Vyrn: She did it! At this rate, Therese is gonna finish the match in just three strikes!

Lyria: Yeah! She's really turning the tide!

Therese: Pant, pant... It doesn't matter what cartes you get... In the end, it boils down to your own capabilities.

Aristocrat Lady: Hmph... Are you lecturing me now?

Aristocrat Lady: It's my turn! Open the carte!

Manager: Heh.

Aristocrat Lady: Lion King's Shield!

Aristocrat Lady: This carte is effective for one turn... during which, in exchange for... not be able to move...

Aristocrat Lady: Ngh...

Vyrn: What the heck happened? Did the lady just pass out?

Lyria: Does that mean the match is over? It should be Therese's win then—

Spectators: Kill! Kill!
Kill! Kill!

Vyrn: Whoa, whoa! Execution time's back!

Lyria: Don't listen to them, Therese! Stay strong!

Therese: Hah... Hahaha!

Therese: I've kept all of you waiting for too long! Let's put the finishing touch to this final match, shall we? I'll paint everything a beautiful scarlet!

Vyrn: Hey, Therese! Can't you hear us?

Lyria: Therese!
It's no use. She can't hear us over the loud claps and cheers...

Aristocrat Lady: ...

Therese: Now, watch closely! It's my job to show the audience what they want!

Therese: Maelstrom Blaze!

Manager: Hehehe!

Casino Royale: Scene 3

Therese stops her blade just before it touches her opponent. As it turns out, Christina and Therese had been putting on an act, pretending that Therese was drowning in her desire for approval from her spectators. All of this was in order to find out who the spy within the Jewel Resort was and to trick the manager of the Millionaire Palace. The manager is promptly taken into custody by the Crew of Enforcers for organizing illegal gambling, thus returning balance to the casino industry.

---

Vyrn: What's going on?

Lyria: Therese stopped her sword...

Therese's sword rests a hair's breadth away from the noblewoman's face.

The unexpected turn of events catches the spectators by surprise, rendering them silent.

Aristocrat Lady: But... why? Was your attitude earlier... just an act?

Therese: Of course not—I fought in earnest. Otherwise I would've lost my head by now.

Therese: It was a two-on-two battle—I simply had two opponents. One of them was you... and the other, I had to fool with my extreme performance.

Aristocrat Lady: Two-on-two?

Manager: What's the deal here? Don't tell me you two duelists are colluding?

Manager: Staff! Call security and restrain these two!

Christina: Your security has already been taken into custody. Were you so focused on the match that you failed to notice the Crew of Enforcers? You're surrounded.

Manager: What! The Crew of Enforcers?

Christina: You are being charged on suspicion of illegal gambling. What you've been doing is nastier than I'd thought—you've got guts, I'll give you that.

Manager: Heh. Just what are you going on about? How're you going to make up for this if I'm proven innocent after all, hm?

Christina: Nice try, but we've already got the proof.

Christina: Usako.

Usako: Manager...

Manager: ...!

Christina: A new business like yours was able to gather visitors without a single advertisement.

Christina: That's because you used Usako here and took advantage of her debt to have her steal our guest register, didn't you?

Usako: I-I'm sorry...

Christina: Still, that wasn't enough to make a clear accusation. That's when I had Therese put on an act, pretending as if she had an insatiable desire for the audience's approval.

Christina: We knew that once the payouts favored Therese, you would do something about it.

Christina: The "Lion King's Shield" is a carte designed to launch a counterattack while Therese is reveling in bloodlust.

Manager: Rrgh... Christinaaa!

Christina: I'll leave the rest to you, Enforcers.

Therese: Christina! Has everything been resolved?

Christina: Yes, nice work. You've got some fine acting skills.

Therese: Y-you think so? I'm glad I was able to help...

Vyrn: Phew... We were really worried, ya know. You should've told us what you were up to!

Therese: I'm sorry! Christina instructed me not to tell...

Christina: It was in case anything happened. The more people who knew about the plan, the easier it'd be for the manager to find out.

Lyria: Ahaha... That's true. I can't say I'm the best at acting...

Therese: But nonetheless, thank you for helping us! Now the casino industry is safe again, and we can regain the trust of our valued guests.

Therese: I will repay this debt by continuing to offer my support in your journey across the skies!

The crew relaxes, relieved to see balance restored to the casino industry once more.

Therese stands tall as a member of the crew, determined to protect her friends with the blade she prides herself in.