Scenario:Vikala - Vikala Begins

Vikala Begins

Due to having lost her parents at a very young age, Vikala grew up not knowing any of her relatives or even her own birthday. With no other facilities willing to take her in, Vikala ended up staying at an orphanage for Harvins. Though her earlier days at the orphanage did not pose any problems, as she grew bigger, it became harder for her to fit in with her surroundings. With no other choice, Vikala was forced to leave the orphanage and take up a job while living on her own.

---

Her oldest memory...

Surfacing in Vikala's mind are not her own parents, but the complicated faces of adults looking down on her.

Townsperson 1: All we have are her name and age. I tried asking the girl, but she doesn't know anything—not her relatives, or her birthday...

Townsperson 2: She's still so young, after all... Unfortunate, really. I wonder what'll happen to her now?

Girl: ...

The adults crowded around the frightened little girl, frowning down at her.

Townsperson 1: The accident happened so suddenly. If we can't find someone to take her in, she'll probably be put in the orphanage.

Townsperson 2: You mean she'll have to leave this island? Poor thing...

Girl: ...?

Townsperson 1: Nothing for it. The only orphanage we've got here is the one for Harvin children.

Townsperson 2: If only it had bigger facilities...

Townsperson 1: If we were a larger country or had some kind of support available, things might be different... but as it stands, we don't have many options.

Townsperson 2: Hopefully there'll be a place willing to take her in soon...

Girl: ...

Townsperson 1: This is bad... The orphanage she was set to go to suddenly said they can't take her.

Townsperson 1: All the paperwork was pretty much done. But when we told them about her condition, the orphanage just decided to reject the application...

Girl: ...?

Townsperson 2: By "condition," you mean... that thing? I didn't think it was much to worry about...

Townsperson 1: We discussed it, and I think we're going to have her stay here on this island. It's not like we don't have an orphanage at all.

Townsperson 2: That's true. It shouldn't be that different for her while she's still young, even if the facilities are meant for smaller folks.

Townsperson 1: Exactly. It won't be difficult for her at all. At least while she's still tiny.

Girl: ...

No one there dared to ask the question that was on all of their minds—of what would happen once she got bigger.

Director: From today, this is your home. Everyone here is your family. Let's get along, okay?

Vikala: ...?

Kid's Voice: Why aren't you saying anything?

Kid's Voice: Can you talk?

Kid's Voice: Where're you from?

Girl: Ah... Ngh... Aah...

Director: Feeling a bit nervous, are we?
Let's be kind to Vikala, okay, everyone?

Kids' Voices: Okaaay!

Kid's Voice: Hey, Vikala. Come play with us!

Vikala: Um... Okay...

Kid's Voice: What do you wanna do today, Vikala? Jump rope or hide-and-seek?

Vikala: Um, hide...

Kid's Voice: Hide-and-seek?

Vikala: Um, jum...

Kid's Voice: Jump rope?

Vikala: Um... B-both...

Kid's Voice: I like both too!

Kid's Voice: Okay, let's do both then!

Vikala: Hehe... Ahaha.

Despite the misfortune that befell in her childhood years, Vikala was able to find a meager peace in the time she spent with children of similar circumstances.

However, eventually an end to that peaceful time came.

Kid's Voice: Hey. What're you staring at? You looking down on us or something?

Vikala: Oh, um... No...

Kid's Voice: Tch... Get away from me. Go hide in a corner or something like you always do.

Vikala: Um, okay...

Though Vikala was the most docile of all the children at the orphanage, by that time, she was already taller than anyone else.

The children were at an age where their rebellious phase was beginning to kick in.

That day, Vikala was standing in the corner of a hallway as told when she felt something bump against her calf.

Kid's Voice: Owww! Why would you hang around in the corner like that?

Vikala: Um, I'm s-s-sorry...

Kid's Voice: Geez, now everything's all over the place! Don't you think you should be more careful since you're so big and all?

Vikala: I'm r-r-really sorry! I-I'll clean it up...

Kid's Voice: Don't touch them! You'll just make an even bigger mess! I mean, you're clumsy as heck!

Vikala: Oh, um... I'll go get some cleaning supplies then...

Kid's Voice: Eep!

Vikala: Um, sorry! A-a-are you oka—

Kid's Voice: Oh... My hair clip broke! That was a present from my mother...

Kid's Voice: You broke it, Vikala! I saw you step on it!

Vikala: Ah... I...

Kid's Voice: Are you all right? Let's go tell the director... Maybe it can still be fixed.

Kid's Voice: I'm okay... I'll go by myself...

Vikala: U-um... I'm... I'm really sorry... I'll come with y—

Kid's Voice: Stay away from us! You probably did it on purpose, for all we know!

Vikala: Um, I-I'd never do... something like...

Regardless of the fact that they had all grown up together, Vikala had come to be singled out—a target of criticism from the others every day.

Vikala had grown to a height where it was no longer possible for her to fit in with the other children, or move comfortably around the small facilities.

Then, one day.

Vikala: Huh? Um... what did you just...

Director: Right, like I was saying... how about you try leaving the orphanage and living by yourself? After all, it doesn't seem like you quite fit in here.

Director: I did try finding another place for you to go, but...

Finding an orphanage willing to take in a girl approaching the age of thirteen proved difficult.

Director: It seems places are quite full... so I discussed the matter with the town association.

Vikala: Wha? Um...

Director: The association has offered to arrange a place for you to live, as well as a job. That sounds pretty good to me—what do you think, Vikala? Why don't you give it a shot?

Vikala: Um... Um, okay... Thank you for everything...

That was how Vikala came to leave the orphanage she grew up in to live on her own.

Vikala Begins: Scene 2

Life wasn't easy for Vikala outside of the orphanage. One day, a steel trap by the name of Dormouse appeared in front of Vikala, telling her that she is the next Divine Rat. Despite Vikala's refusal to become a Divine General, Dormouse made itself at home at her house. When Delilah—Vikala's friend from the orphanage—visited her house, it became apparent that Delilah was unable to hear Dormouse's voice, misinterpreting their conversation as Vikala talking to an imaginary friend.

---

Store Manager: There's still a spot on this plate! I told you before, didn't I? Do you even listen?

Vikala: Um, I'm sorry!

Store Manager: Good grief... You can't even wash dishes properly.

Though Vikala was out of the orphanage that had become too small for her, she still found it hard to adapt to the outside world.

Vikala: ...

Vikala was heading home from work for the day, when suddenly she heard a sound from the bushes.

Mysterious Voice: Whew, there you are!

Vikala: Huh...

Mysterious Voice: I didn't expect to find you so fast. Guess I lucked out that you were still on this island.

Vikala: Huh? Um... Wh-who might you be?

Mysterious Voice: I'm here to get you.

Vikala: To... get me? Um, where are you talking from? Are you sure you don't have the wrong person...

Mysterious Voice: No way I'd get the wrong person. I know for sure...

Mysterious Voice: That you're the next Divine Rat of the Twelve Divine Generals!

Vikala: Um, I can't...

Mysterious Voice: ...

Vikala: So, um... goodbye...

Vikala shuffled away as fast as she could.

Vikala: Sigh... What in the skies was that?

???: Well, that's rude of you!

Vikala: Eek!

???: You can't just leave like that when someone came all the way to see you! Seriously, we were in the middle of a conversation there!

Vikala: H-huh? The voice from earlier... What... is this?

Dormouse: I suppose that's a normal reaction. I'm Dormouse—a steel trap for monsters.

Vikala: Dor... what? Um, what... do you want from me?

Dormouse: Like I just told you, you're the next Divine Rat. Set to be a full-fledged Divine General.

Vikala: Um... me? A Divine General? I-I can't...

???: Vikala, are you there?

Vikala: Y-y-yes, I am! R-right here!

???: What were you talking about? Is someone else here?

Vikala: Oh, well, um... there's this—

Dormouse: By the way, no one can hear my voice but you.

Vikala: Wha! R-really? Th-that's... a rather convenient feature...

???: Huh? Convenient feature?

Vikala: Oh, nothing... Um...

Dormouse: Maybe you should just stop talking about me. Our conversation can wait till after.

Vikala: Um, right... I was just talking to myself... Like to an imaginary friend, you know?

???: Okay... Well, anyway... maybe don't do that when you're in front of other people. It's pretty scary to see.

Dormouse: Who's this young lady?

Vikala: Um, Delilah grew up with me at the orphanage. Sometimes she comes to check up on me...

Dormouse & Delilah: Orphanage?
Freaky!

Delilah: That is so scary! Could you please not introduce me to your imaginary friend?

Dormouse: What do you mean you grew up at an orphanage? What about your parents!

Vikala: Um, I'm sorry! It gets overwhelming when you're both talking to me at the same time!

Delilah: You mean I'm talking to you at the same time as your imaginary friend?

Vikala: Um, well... Ah...

Delilah: Get a hold of yourself!

Delilah swung her right hand and slapped Vikala across the face.

Vikala: Gwah!

Delilah: I understand living by yourself can be tough... But you can't lose your sanity like this!

Vikala: R-right... Sorry...

Vikala: Um, about your brooch...

The hair clip Vikala had once broken in her earlier days at the orphanage now sat as a brooch on Delilah's chest.

Vikala: U-um... I'm really sorry I broke it... I-I...

Delilah: It's fine. It was a good chance to remodel it into something else anyway. I'm not really at an age where wearing hair clips is a thing anymore.

Seeing that Vikala was still doing well on her own, Delilah returned to the orphanage shortly after that.

Dormouse: The Harvin girl just now... She's rather tall, isn't she?

Vikala: Oh, Delilah is really amazing... Since a long time ago, she's been eating, sleeping, and doing jump squats a lot in order to grow taller.

Vikala: Now she has a job that involves hunting with a spear. She's kind of like everyone's big sister at the orphanage...

Dormouse: Oh yeah, about the orphanage! Explain!

As demanded, Vikala told Dormouse about her life at the orphanage and why she was living by herself.

Dormouse: Okay, I get the situation now. But how did you end up at an orphanage for Harvins in the first place?

Vikala: Um, well... I did hear that I was originally supposed to be sent to an orphanage on another island...

Vikala: At the time, sometimes my hair would turn white all of a sudden... The orphanage got scared when they heard about it and ended up rejecting my application...

Dormouse: ...!

Dormouse: (I don't believe it! She's the direct descendant of the very first Divine Rat...)

Dormouse: (But her lineage ended up causing such a tragic childhood... Even the incident with her hair is because of the blood flowing in her veins!)

Dormouse: (After all that crap she went through, is she going to throw a fit once she learns about where she comes from?)

Dormouse: (What if she asks why I didn't come to get her sooner? Oh no...)

Vikala: S-so, um... why are you so intent on getting me to become... a Divine General?

Dormouse: Just... Just because! As a shikigami partner, I kind of have that sixth sense. I can tell when someone looks up to the job!

Vikala: I-I'm not sure your sixth sense is working so well right now...

Dormouse: It's working just fine! Anyway, I've already decided! The next Divine Rat is gonna be you!

Vikala: Wha... No way... Now what am I going to do?

Vikala: Ooh... This blues me out...

And that was how Dormouse came to stay at Vikala's house from that day on.

Vikala Begins: Scene 3

Eventually accepting her role as the Divine Rat, Vikala began to think of how she could bring to reality the ideal self she pictured in her head. She carefully put together a new outfit and rat ears in hopes of being a positive Yangtopian who can bring smiles to all. The moment she put on the ears, the power of the Divine Rat awakened within Vikala.

---

Vikala's Voice: I-I-I'll be heading home now... G-good night...

Vikala: Oh, Dorrie... You're here today too.

Dormouse: Nice work. I could hear the manager yelling at you from outside.

Vikala: Um, yeah, I'm clumsy... so I don't do anything well...

Dormouse: (That's strange... With her lineage, she should be blessed with immense talent...)

Vikala: Um, so, um... I can be a... Divine General... if you want...

Dormouse: Huh! Really?

Vikala: Y-yeah... You're trying so hard and everything, so... if having an introverted Yintopian like me as a General is okay with you...

Dormouse: That's the spirit! Still, your power as the Divine Rat hasn't awoken yet.

Dormouse: The first Divine Rat was like a leader figure who guided the Twelve Divine Generals.

Dormouse: Such was the case for a lot of the Divine Rats up until now. That's why we're going to get you to that status too.

Dormouse: Let's make you into someone that can shine—a powerful existence loved by all!

Vikala: Um, that's...

Dormouse: What?

Vikala: Um, well... Since long ago, I've always had this ideal image of myself... where I'm an extroverted Yangtopian... Pretty much like what you described, Dorrie.

Dormouse: Oh? Tell me more.

Vikala: S-since I always end up a mess like this, I don't really fit in with others... so I end up fantasizing by myself a lot...

Vikala: I have this reflection time at night every time I do something wrong, where I think about what I would've done instead if I was my ideal self...

Vikala: B-but before I knew it... it was in my head all the time... doing what I would do if I was really my ideal self...

Vikala: I'd... I'd encourage people who were feeling down and brighten up their day... I'd be super energetic and have a really funny personality...

Dormouse: That might be a sign—you need to let that side of yourself come to the surface. Try letting it out of your head.

Vikala: But... I can't... Besides, it's just a fantasy and... completely different from my usual personality...

Vikala: M-my ideal self isn't boring like this... I'm wearing this huge ribbon... and a frilly skirt...

Dormouse: Then we'll get just that! Whatever it takes to help you become that person, we can arrange for it!

Vikala: I c-can't just waltz into a clothing store... Those kinds of places are for Yangtopians. I'm sure there's an unspoken rule that people like me can't be there...

Vikala: Oh...

Vikala's gaze stopped at a corner of the street where a pile of garbage sat.

Vikala: Rrgh... Oof. It's a bit old, but it'll do nicely...

Vikala brought home a torso mannequin that she found among the garbage, putting it in a corner of her room.

Dormouse: You're gonna make the outfit you picture your ideal self wearing? Can you?

Vikala: Um, yeah... It'd be easier to make it myself than to go into a clothing store, so...

Dormouse: (Pretty sure it's usually the other way around!)

And so Vikala began making the clothes she pictured her ideal self wearing.

Vikala: Sigh... I'm glad the cloth was on sale...

One day, Vikala was walking home in town after picking up some materials for her outfit-making.

Townswoman: Sob... Sooob...

Dormouse: What's with that lady? Why is she crying?

Dormouse hid in the shadows, following Vikala around while avoiding the attention of people in the streets.

Vikala: I-I heard that lady recently lost her partner... He was a soldier...

Dormouse: So he died on the battlefield, huh? Tale as old as time, unfortunately. And she's been crying ever since?

Vikala: Y-yeah... Everyone knows about her. Everywhere the lady goes she's reminded of him, whether it's in the house or outside, so she ends up crying...

Vikala: At f-first, everyone tried their best to comfort her, but she just couldn't bring herself to feel better, even after some time...

Dormouse: She must feel a sadness no one else can understand...

Dormouse: The outfit's progressing nicely.

Dormouse: You're really good at this. Have you always had this kind of skill?

Vikala: Oh, um... We used to have the occasional side job at the orphanage where we took in items from people and worked together to mend them... We saved up funds that way...

Vikala: B-but it was just a temporary thing, so we didn't make a whole lot, and it wasn't a stable job...

Delilah: Hey, how's it going?

Vikala: Oh, Delilah... H-h-hello...

Vikala: U-um, actually... I have a favor to ask you, Delilah, if... that's okay...

Vikala: Do y-you think you could t-teach me how to... g-g-get along with other people?

Dormouse: Oho! Fantastic idea!

Delilah: What's the matter all of a sudden? Did something happen?

Vikala: Oh, no, I was just thinking I should probably... grow up a bit. I-if it's too hard for you though, I totally understand...

Delilah: I don't mind.

Vikala: R-really?

Delilah: You know what, why don't we give it a try now? Pretend I'm someone you don't know and approach me in a cheerful way.

Vikala: Ch-cheerful way? Um... Okay...

Vikala: Y-yooo! You feelin'... the vibes?

Delilah: Gross!

Delilah: There's a difference between cheerful and plain obnoxious!

Vikala: Oh... Sorry... I don't really know how much distance to put between myself and others... I thought I'd just act all Yang...

Delilah: Other people aren't as scary as you think, so no need to be that nervous. Just talk to them naturally.

Vikala: O-okay...

As her outfit progressed, Vikala also began to undergo training from Delilah on effective interpersonal skills.

Townsperson 1: ...

Vikala: Um, hello... N-nice weather, huh?

Townsperson 1: Hm? Yeah, but I hear it's gonna start raining from the evening.

Vikala: Um, how are you today? I... I was born on this island, you know.

Vikala: What are your hobbies? I-I like to blow bubbles in the afternoon...

Townsperson 1: ...?

Delilah: Cut it out with the one-sided conversations!

Vikala: S-sorry! I, um, tried to say the lines like how you wrote them out for me...

Delilah: That's great and all, but did you also read what I wrote about listening and reacting to what the other person is saying too?

Just then, they heard a loud sob from nearby.

Townswoman: Sob... Aah...

Delilah: She's at it again... Let's go somewhere else.

Delilah: Why're you doing this all of a sudden anyway? What're you trying to accomplish?

Vikala: W-well... I just thought it would be nice if I could cheer people up and help them have a good time...

Delilah: You do realize we're orphans, right? Eventually we'll be out there all on our own—I mean, you're kind of like that already.

Delilah: It's hard enough just surviving in the skies. Generally, we don't have room in our lives to worry about other people.

Delilah: If you spend all your time and effort on others, how do you plan to take care of yourself?

Vikala: Well, u-um... I... h-haven't thought too much about it yet...

Delilah: I started living at the orphanage a little before you arrived, after my single mom passed away.

Delilah: I grew faster than all the other kids and couldn't fit in well with them... until you came.

Vikala: Huh? R-really?

Delilah: Anyway... We're all orphans—none of us blessed with homes or loving environments.

Delilah: Worrying about others isn't a bad thing in itself. But that should be left to people in better situations than us.

Delilah: Why should we be nice to other people anyway? What would we get out of it?

Vikala: Why should we...

Delilah: I don't know what happened, but I think it's okay for us to think more about ourselves first—only ourselves.

The training with Delilah ended for the day, and Vikala was left to think on her own at home.

Vikala: ...

Dormouse: What're you thinking about? Don't tell me you're actually taking what that Delilah told you seriously?

Dormouse: It's true that you're not blessed with the best environment, but you've come this far... You're almost there.

The torso mannequin in Vikala's room sat quietly, dressed from top to the bottom in the clothes designed for the Divine Rat.

Dormouse: Hm?

Mouse: ...!

Noticing a single little mouse huddled in the corner, their eyes met with it before the creature scuttled away and disappeared.

Vikala: Oh, a mouse...

Dormouse: Don't girls around your age usually squeal when they see mice?

Vikala: Y-yeah... Sometimes there were mice at the orphanage, and I was scared of them then. But that mouse just now didn't frighten me all that much.

Dormouse: That's because the mouse was a spirit you produced—something that answers to the beckoning of the Divine Rat.

Vikala: Huh?

Dormouse: The fact that the mouse spirit appeared means you must be close to awakening. You have the true talent of the Divine Rat.

Dormouse: I hope you won't change your mind about being a Divine General...

Vikala: I-I was only thinking about Delilah's question of why I should do something for other people. That's it...

Vikala: The ideal s-self I picture in my head is very concrete... I know it's not a lie.

Vikala: B-before I went to the orphanage, the adults all looked at me like I was a problem for them...

Vikala: Then when I s-started staying at the orphanage, I caused so much trouble for everyone... and they always got mad at me for it...

Vikala: I always felt... so b-bad about it...

Dormouse: What do you mean?

Vikala: I-if only I was better at what I did, I'm sure everyone would laugh a lot more... That's why I want to try and listen to people's feelings...

While mumbling these words, Vikala's gaze was fixed on something she was making with her hands.

Dormouse: Are those... ears?

Vikala: Yeah. I p-picture my ideal self listening to people's negative emotions... and turning them into laughter.

Vikala: S-so these big ears... are for listening to people. Kind of like... my vow to them.

Dormouse: (This girl's experienced so many hardships, I wouldn't blame her if she hated everyone... yet she still wants to dedicate herself to helping other people.)

Vikala: In th-the end, I'm not... doing it for other people...

Vikala: It's just that... I-I feel I can be a brighter person too if I help brighten up other people's days.

Vikala: A Yangtopian who always gives out p-positive energy... who's always smiling, and makes other people smile... Th-that's who I want to be.

Vikala: Someone who everyone wants to talk to... That's the kind of p-paradise I imagine...

Vikala: A "Utopia"!

When Vikala put the ears on her head, Dormouse grew dumbfounded.

Dormouse: Wh-what is this!

Vikala Begins: Scene 4

An event called the "Eccentrical Parade" was put on for Vikala to unveil herself as the new Divine Rat, ending with great success. However, except for Delilah, no one recognized Vikala for who she was. An unexpected encounter with (Captain) propelled Vikala to start her journey with the crew as a skyfarer. In the midst of their travels, one day, the crew receive a letter from the orphanage Vikala had grown up at.

---

Days later, Delilah visited Vikala's house only to find no one answering the door. As she began to walk back to the orphanage, she remembered something.

Delilah: Wait a minute...

Realizing that she hadn't seen the crying lady recently, Delilah found herself growing strangely worried.

Delilah: Um, excuse me! Do you know anything about the person who's usually crying around here?

Worst-case scenarios popping up in her head, Delilah decided to ask someone nearby.

Townsperson 1: Ah, her. She's gotten back up on her feet.

Townsperson 2: Boy am I relieved... There was nothing we could do to console her, so I was really worried what was going to happen...

Delilah: Huh? So what ended up happening?

Townsperson 2: As it turns out, the new Divine Rat's been decided.

Townsperson 1: Thanks to the Divine Rat, she's been able to pick herself back up. Now she's visiting the Rat Temple often to help out with things.

Townsperson 2: Rumors are that the Divine Rat's preparing something incredible for the big unveiling ceremony.

Townsperson 1: Well, looking at previous examples of the Divine Rat, I doubt the ceremony's gonna be anything above average though.

Delilah: Right...

Despite the low expectations of the townspeople, the unveiling of the new Divine Rat ended up going beyond everyone's imagination.

Store Manager: Wooow!

On the day of the ceremony, a procession of large floats and multitudes of dancers walked through the streets of town.

The townspeople stared with their mouths agape at this spectacle called the "Eccentrical Parade."

Delilah: W-wait, that's...

Townsperson 1: So that's the new Divine Rat... The one who will take on the mantle!

Vikala: Haha! Thank you, thank you!

Vikala: I'm Vikala, the new Divine Rat of the Twelve Divine Generals! Just call me Vicky!

Store Manager: Vickyyy!

Townsperson 2: Hm? Hey, look over there! Isn't that dancer...

Delilah: Oh!

Townswoman: ...!

Townsperson 2: Oh my, she certainly looks like she's enjoying herself! So she's become a dancer for the Rat Temple. What an elegant dance...

Townswoman: Hehe...

Delilah: She really has gotten back up on her feet... Did the Divine Rat do that? This Vikala is amazing...

Delilah: Hang on. Vikala?

Vikala: Thank you, thank you!

Delilah: Wait a minute... Waaait a minute!

Everyone in town found themselves smiling as Vikala danced cheerfully, swaying her hips left and right.

Aside from Delilah, no one in the entire town realized who Vikala was—not even the other children or the director at the orphanage.

Vikala: Nice work out there! That was the best parade ever! Looking forward to putting on another fantastic show with everyone!

Townswoman: Thanks, Lady Vikala! Nice work!

Vikala: Now's our chance!

Townswoman: Eep! Wh-what's going on?

Vikala: Happy birthday! It's today, isn't it?
Come on, everyone! Let's clap our hands and celebrate our friend's special day!

Townswoman: H-huh? Oh yeah, it is my birthday... Oh my goodness, I'm so happy... Thank you so much for arranging this for me...

Vikala: Don't worry about a thing! I love celebrating birthdays! Here, put this sticker on so everyone'll know it's your big day today!

Townswoman: Thanks to you, Lady Vikala, I've been feeling a lot better. I've even become friends with the other dancers...

Townswoman: I think I was really lonely. I lost my partner, and I felt like I was all alone in these skies... but it's different now.

Vikala: I'll always be right here next to you! All our friends are here too. You're not alone!

Townswoman: Yes... Thank you very much. I know that he would say the same to me if he were here now.

Vikala smiled, happy the relationship between herself and the dancers she asked for help from was growing. However...

Townswoman: Hm?

Vikala: Um, h-h-hello... I j-just wanted to say th-thanks for everythi—

Townswoman: Whatever is the matter, young lady? You've got quite the dark expression on your face. Something truly tragic must have happened to you.

Vikala: Huh? Um, no, nothing happened... I've always had this face...

Townswoman: Oh, you don't have to hide it... I know! Why don't you try dancing at the Rat Temple?

Townswoman: I'm sure that'll cheer you up—and Lady Vikala will be right there with you! How about giving it a try?

Vikala: Erm, well, you see... physically that's kind of... impossible for me...

Townswoman: You know, I used to do nothing but cry every single day. But then, one day, the new Divine Rat Lady Vikala called out to me in that cheerful voice of hers...

Townswoman: My tears didn't stop there, but Lady Vikala didn't give up. She kept talking to me, again and again, and thanks to her I feel a lot better now.

Vikala: Oh... Right... I'm glad to hear that...

Townswoman: If you need any help, just let me know, okay? I want to put a smile on someone else's face too, just like Lady Vikala!

Store Manager: Hey! Quit dawdling and wash these dishes! Just how long are you gonna stand around?

Vikala: Um, I-I-I'm sorry!

Store Manager: It's Lady Vikala's Eccentrical Parade today! If I end up late to it because of you, I'm never gonna let you hear the end of it!

Vikala: R-r-right! Um, I-I'll get these cleaned up straight away...

Store Manager: Good grief. Here I am all ready for the parade... Can't believe I'm still stuck here. Aah, I can't wait to see Lady Vikala!

Vikala: Oh, those ears...

Store Manager: Hm? Haha, aren't they nice? I lined up at the Rat Temple to get these for three rupies.

Store Manager: Hope I can get a handshake from Lady Vikala today... I might pass out if she takes my hand and smiles at me from up close!

Vikala: Oh, heh... Heh heh...

Store Manager: What's with that flimsy smile on your face? You want these ears for yourself, don't you! No can do! They're my treasure!

Despite Vikala having done nothing to hide her identity, nobody—not even her dancers or her fans—recognized Vikala in her usual form.

Dormouse: Well, that's only to be expected. You might have the same name, but you don't look anything like yourself post-transformation.

Vikala: Right... I know... Well, I don't think anyone I know from before even remembers my name, so... Haha...

Dormouse: Are you sure you're okay with this? Your parade events are coming to an end, aren't they?

Vikala: My mission's a-accomplished... I w-was able to turn myself into a Y-Yangtopian by putting on ears...

Vikala: B-besides, if I keep doing parades all the time, it'll cause trouble for the town...

Vikala: I didn't think word would spread so far that people from outside of the island would start coming too...

Vikala: A-all I want is for this to end peacefully... I mean, I-I've never been one to attract any attention anyway...

Townswoman: Lady Vikala, thank you for this wonderful experience! I'm so grateful you invited me to dance with you!

Vikala: Haha, I'm the one who should be thanking you! I wouldn't have been able to put on this parade without all of you helping me!

Townswoman: If you ever do another Eccentrical Parade, please let me know! I'll be there!

Vikala: Of course! All of you take care, okay? And before you go, let's say the magic words together!

Vikala & Dancers: Lucky! Cookie! Vicky!

After seeing the dancers off, Vikala was left all by herself at the Rat Temple. She quietly changed back into her usual attire.

Vikala: Time for home.

But just as she was about to head home, she heard footsteps and voices approaching.

Someone's Voice: Empty behind the temple too. It doesn't seem like anyone lives here at all...

Someone's Voice: Let's ask that kid over there. Say, have you seen Lady Vikala?

Vikala: Wha! Ah, u-um...

Vikala covered her face with her hands and nodded in the spur of the moment, pointing the strangers toward the forest.

A single person stood unmoving.

(Captain): ...

Vikala: Huh?

Timidly raising her head, Vikala and (Captain)'s eyes met for the first time, changing the Divine Rat's life forever.

The very next day.

Vikala: Huff... Huff... Huff...
Delilah!

Delilah: What's wrong?

Vikala: U-um, you see... Actually, I... um...

Vikala related (Captain) and company's invitation to join their crew to Delilah in great detail.

Delilah: Wha? Are you sure that skyfaring crew's not just some suspicious bunch?

Vikala: Th-they're not suspicious... I think. I-I'm sure they're... good people!

Delilah: Good people, huh? All right then.
So you came all the way here to tell me that?

Vikala: Um, well... You're p-probably the only person who knows me on this island, so...

Vikala: I w-wanted to see what you thought... even though I was so s-s-surprised last night, I just rejected their offer flat-out...

Delilah: ...

Delilah: I don't care where you go. Do what you want. If you go now, you can probably still catch them.

Vikala: O-okay! Ah, um... Th-th-thank you for e-everything, Delilah!

Vikala: S-s-see you!

Delilah: I...

Delilah opened her mouth to say something else, but Vikala was already running toward the port.

Some months have passed since then.

Vyrn: Hey, we got a new request... Isn't this the island you're from, Vikala?

Lyria: Seems like it's a letter from an orphanage!

Vikala: Huh? A letter from... an orphanage, you say?

One day, a letter from the orphanage Vikala once lived at arrives for the crew.

Upon reading that the orphanage is in danger, the crew decides to sail for the island.