Scenario:Utsusemi - Bird of Paradise
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Bird of Paradise
In a certain town, the crew is tricked into shouldering a massive debt, and the Grandcypher is taken as collateral. As they stand shocked, a woman named Utsusemi approaches them and offers to help them in exchange for a favor. Though not fully trusting her enchanting smile, the crew agrees to her deal.
Lyria: ...
Vyrn: I don't think things are looking up for us...
???: Now now, wipe those gloomy looks off your faces. You're going to be representing this establishment, so you must never seem sad in front of the customers.
Seemingly indifferent to their uneasiness, the enchantingly beautiful woman leading the three skyfarers to their destination gives them a quick warning.
Vyrn: Yeah, but I mean... We've never done work like this before, so what do you expect?
???: For goodness' sake... You're so straightforward that it makes me pity you. Honesty is no virtue in this town, you know?
???: This is the red-light district, where our falsehoods feed the fires of our customers' dreams as we harvest the smoke for their money. You'll need to learn how to spin a tall tale or two.
???: Right then, this will be your new home.
???: I'll teach you the job and how to live here in this town. You'd best listen well.
Both: ...
???: Now, stop standing there looking dazed and follow me. Welcome to The Siskin's Perch, where dreams and lies converge.
With a gulp, (Captain), Vyrn, and Lyria enter the ostentatious building.
It all started a few hours prior, when the early afternoon sun could just barely be seen through the clouds.
From a small corner of a certain town located in the eastern reaches of the Phantagrande Skydom rings out an impassioned protest.
Lyria: That can't be true! We never signed anything like that! There must be some mistake!
Moneylender: Whoa there little lady, lying's not going to get you anywhere. I've got your captain's signature right here, see?
The man holds up a piece of paper on which (Captain)'s signature can indeed be found.
Vyrn: Urgh... I mean, that sure is (Captain)'s handwriting...
Vyrn: But there's no way! We never applied for any loans!
Vyrn: And what's more, there's no way we'd ever put the Grandcypher up as collateral!
Moneylender: Deny it all you want, little guy, but this signature is as genuine as can be.
Moneylender: Moreover, this clause on guarantorship is perfectly clear about what it means to become a co-signer. The contract is perfectly legitimate.
Moneylender: I lent that merchant five million rupies, and the late fee was two million.
Moneylender: Now that he's run off with the money, the co-signers—in other words you all—owe me seven million.
Lyria: Merchant?
Lyria: Oh! Could it be that...
The moneylender's words remind the trio of a job they had completed a few days earlier.
They had been asked to make a delivery to a merchant who lives on this island. Upon receiving the package, the merchant had asked (Captain) to sign a receipt.
Vyrn: No way! So that was a contract for taking out a loan, not a receipt?
Lyria: W-we were tricked! We didn't know that paper was actually a contract!
Moneylender: Tricked, huh?
Moneylender: If you're telling the truth then you've got my sympathy, but I'm running a business here. In the end, all that matters is what's written on this contract.
Moneylender: So far as I'm concerned, you give me my money and I can get out of your hair. With seven million rupies, this all goes away.
Vyrn: Okay, but how do you expect us to prepare that much money...
Moneylender: Well if you can't, then as per the terms of the contract, I'll be holding on to your ship. Till I find a buyer for it, of course.
Moneylender: She's certainly no spring chicken, but with the speed she can put out I should be able to get a decent price for her. If you're lucky, she might cover your whole debt.
Lyria: That's right! We could never, ever sell the Grandcypher!
Moneylender: What do you suggest then? If you can't cough up the dough and won't sell your ship, are you going to run out on me too?
Moneylender: You look like you're still kids, but if you've been making a living as skyfarers then you know what'll happen if you break a contract, right?
Lyria: W-we'll take on a lot of jobs and save up the seven million!
Moneylender: And I'm just supposed to wait until you're done? The longer you take, the more interest is going to accumulate, you know.
Moneylender: But... listen, I've got a heart just like anyone else. If you all are serious about paying me back, I can give you a little leeway.
Lyria: Really?
Moneylender: However, you've only got five days. I'm not waiting any longer than that.
Vyrn: Wha—! Seven million in five days? That's ridiculous!
Moneylender: If you don't like my offer, feel free to turn it down. Though as soon as you do, I'll head off to put your ship up for sale.
Vyrn: Rrrgh...
Moneylender: I guess that's settled then. Well, do your best. I won't get my hopes up.
The moneylender pats (Captain)'s shoulder as he makes his snide parting remark. Finally rid of the man, the crew members release a sigh, but not one of relief.
Lyria: Oh no... What do we do now?
Lyria: All the other members of the crew are off doing different jobs, so I don't think we'll be able to call anyone in to help us...
Vyrn: Darn it, that merchant had better hope we don't ever run into him again!
???: Oh dear... You all look awfully troubled.
Looking up, the three skyfarers see an unfamiliar woman smiling at them.
Lyria: Um...
Utsusemi: Ah, my apologies—I am Utsusemi, a courtesan working at The Siskin's Perch.
Utsusemi: Would you be so kind as to tell me what happened? I might be able to lend you a hand.
Though they hesitate for a moment, Utsusemi's gentle voice entices (Captain), Vyrn, and Lyria to explain what had just transpired.
Utsusemi: My word... You three really came here without any idea of what this place is like, didn't you?
Utsusemi: And on top of that, you seem to be the virtuous sort as well. Never mind a duck walking up holding a leek—you might as well have a bag of rice dangling from your neck too.
Lyria: A duck? A leek?
Utsusemi: The merchant was in league with the moneylender. Their goal was to force you to work in this town the whole time.
Utsusemi explains their situation with a sigh, then looks over the trio as if to evaluate their worth.
Utsusemi: A talking lizard, a girl who's hair is a shade of blue I've never seen the like of, and...
Utsusemi: A young man who seems handsome enough, albeit somewhat rustic. I'm hardly an expert on male courtesans, but I think it's safe to call you a rare find.
Utsusemi: It's fairly common to see people being tricked into debt and having to work in the red-light district around here.
Utsusemi: That said, I've not heard many cases of it happening to children from outside of the island.
Lyria: But then why did it happen to us?
Utsusemi: Merchants are connected to each other in all kinds of ways.
Utsusemi: A couple of children who stand out in a crowd like you are liable to catch someone's attention at some point.
Utsusemi: And on top of that, you own a nice ship, don't you?
Utsusemi: I'd bet they thought they could get quite a profit off of you and it together.
Lyria: Oh no... I had no idea someone would ever give us a job in order to trick us like that.
Vyrn: Do you think there's any way we could undo that contract, Utsusemi?
Vyrn: Like, what if we caught that merchant and made him confess that he tricked us?
Utsusemi: No, that wouldn't work.
Vyrn: Well that was fast...
Utsusemi: A contract's a contract. No matter how it got there, your name's on it, right?
Utsusemi: Even if you go plead your case to the island's authorities, they'll take his side if he has your signature.
Utsusemi: After all, plenty of people try to get out of their debts by claiming they were deceived. I'm sorry to say that you'd be best off giving up on that.
Lyria: Oh no...
Utsusemi: Come now, don't make that face. Walk around like that, and the monsters who call this town their home will be sucking the marrow from your bones in no time.
Utsusemi: ...
All right, then. I'm sure it was fate that brought me here in your time of need. Let's make a deal.
All right, then. I'm sure it was fate that brought me here in your time of need. Let's make a deal.
Utsusemi: I'll solve your debt problem, and you do a favor for me in exchange.
Utsusemi: How does that sound? A good deal, no?
Vyrn: How do we know you're not just tricking us like that merchant?
Utsusemi: My, how uncharitable of you. I really am acting out of sympathy, you know?
Utsusemi: It's one thing when this happens to someone from this island, but you came here ignorant of how this place works, and on top of that you aren't even adults.
Utsusemi: Before my eyes are a couple of children, still capable of dreaming without any help, who are being preyed on by grown-ups who want to take those dreams away.
Utsusemi: As a resident of this town, I have a duty to not turn a blind eye to such savagery.
Utsusemi: And on that note, how do you answer? Whether you accept my terms or not is up to you.
Unable to detect any deception in Utsusemi's eyes, (Captain) thinks for a moment and then nods.
Utsusemi: Hehe, well aren't you agreeable. No wonder someone took you for a good mark.
Choose: I guess we don't have a choice...
Utsusemi: Hehe, well aren't you hesitant. Still, you'd be best off just considering this life experience and accepting it.
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Utsusemi: Right then, let's get started.
Utsusemi: There may be no way to solve this problem taking it head on, but there are specific ways that we do things around here.
Utsusemi: If you work within our conventions, nobody can complain, and what's more, nobody can get away.
Utsusemi: Don't you worry, I'll teach you everything there is to know about living in this town.
With the looming threat of losing their precious ship, the crew members look up to see a hand reached out to save them.
Though still not able to fully trust Utsusemi and her beguiling smile, they decide to accept the potential for salvation that she offers.