Scenario:Yuel and Societte - The Gift of a Smile

The Gift of a Smile

Upon arriving at their tour destination, Yuel and Societte go fruit picking, where they learn about a secret spot from an elderly woman who is a tour veteran. After saving her traveling companion from a monster attack, they perform a healing dance for the two women.

---

Yuel and Societte have left on an autumn tour after receiving a pair of tickets from Kou and You.

Their sightseeing boat carries them to the island where the tour is to take place.

Tour Guide: Welcome to your vacation destination, everyone! I hope you had a pleasant journey through the peaceful skies.

Tour Guide: Now, with that out of the way, it's time for one of the main attractions of our special tour—fruit picking!

Yuel: Ooh, here it comes!

Tour Guide: I know we have some first-timers with us, so allow me to start by going over the rules.

Tour Guide: You see, this farm has an exclusive agreement with our tour...

Yuel: Yeesh... I thought he'd never stop talkin'...

Societte: Ahaha... I guess what it all boils down to is there are some mighty generous farmers out there.

Tour Guide: Well, now that the farmers have been properly introduced, I suppose it's about time for us to get started!

Yuel: Hey, this is it, Societte! We're gonna get loads of stuff to bring back as souvenirs for the others!

Societte: Yeah! Let's give it our best shot, Yuel!

Tour Guide: You have one hour. Every single piece of fruit growing on this farm is fair game!

Tour Guide: So without further ado, let the fruit picking...

Tour Guide: Begin!

The moment the tour guide gives the signal, the tourists take off running at full speed.

Yuel: Wah! It's like a stampede!

Societte: Yuel, we're gettin' left in the dust!

Yuel: Oh no! At this rate, there ain't gonna be any left for us! Let's get a move on, Societte!

Yuel and Societte rush out onto the farm grounds after the others. However...

Yuel: There ain't a single piece of fruit to be seen... The others picked the whole farm clean!

Societte: Everybody must've been in such a hurry 'cause they wanted to find a good spot...

Societte: B-but look, Yuel. There are a few tasty-lookin' fruits growing around here too...

Yuel: Yeah... But not nearly enough to bring back to the crew. Guess we oughta go ahead and pick what we can though.

Woman's Voice: Excuse me, girls.

They turn to see an elderly woman carrying a basket overflowing with fruit.

Elderly Woman 1: You seem to have gotten a late start.

Societte: Yeah... Everybody was movin' so fast...

Elderly Woman 1: Here, come this way. I know an out-of-the-way spot that no one ever goes to.

Yuel: Really? Lead the way, gran!

Elderly Woman 1: Yes, really and truly. Now then, follow me.

With the elderly woman guiding them, they eventually come upon an area bursting with so much fruit it appears almost untouched.

Societte: Wow, I don't believe it! Look at all this huge fruit!

Yuel: How'd ya know this place was here? Are ya a farmer too or somethin'?

Elderly Woman 1: I'm just an old lady who likes to travel. This is actually the fifth time I've been on this tour.

Societte: The fifth? But this tour was the grand prize in a lottery, so it's gotta be pretty pricey...

Elderly Woman 1: I've got more time and rupies than I know what to do with. This is one of the few things I look forward to in my old age.

Elderly Woman 1: So let's keep this spot a secret between us.

Yuel: You got it!
Societte, there ain't much time left, so let's get pickin'!

Societte: Okay!
Thanks so much, gran.

Elderly Woman 1: You're more than welcome.
Now then, where'd that old bird run off to...

Societte: Are you here with a friend too?

Elderly Woman 1: Yes, I always travel with another old-timer like myself. All these years, and I still haven't managed to shake her off.

Yuel: Aw, you say that, but I can tell y'all are close.
Right, Societte?

Societte: Hehe, yeah.
If you want, we can help you look for her.

Elderly Woman 1: Oh, that's all right. You girls focus on gathering fruit. She probably just went farther in to pick some bigger ones—

Scream: Aaahh!

Elderly Woman 1: That voice!

Yuel: Hurry, Societte! You've got yer weapon, right?

Societte: Yep! Let's go, Yuel!

Monster: ...!

Elderly Woman 2: Ngh... My back!

Yuel and Societte sprint toward another elderly woman who lies slumped on the ground before a swarm of monsters.

Yuel: Crimson Dance: Yugetsu!

Societte: Alabaster Dance: Tenka!

Faced with a barrage of slashes and flames unleashed by the pair's dances, the monsters quickly scatter and fly away.

Societte: Thank goodness we made it in time. Can you stand, gran?

Elderly Woman 2: ...

Societte: G-gran! You okay?

Elderly Woman 2: Ah... Forgive me. Your dances were just so beautiful, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven...

Yuel: You shouldn't joke about things like that... Anyway, are ya hurt?

Societte: We can perform healin' dances too, so let us know if you have pain anywhere. We'll fix you up in a jiffy.

Elderly Woman 1: Huff... Puff... I-I'm so sorry for getting you girls mixed up in all this... Cough, cough...

Elderly Woman 2: I'll be fine, but that old fusspot over there looks like she could use some healing... Ow-ow-ow...

The elderly woman attempts to stand up, but immediately crouches over holding her back.

Yuel and Societte exchange affectionate smiles before launching into a healing dance.

Elderly Woman 1: How beautiful...

Elderly Woman 2: Yes... It certainly is...

The two women fall silent for a time, awed by the beauty of the dance being performed before them.

The Gift of a Smile: Scene 2

While waiting at the inn for a safety check to be completed before the tour can resume, Yuel and Societte's monster-hunting plans are interrupted when they receive an invitation to play cards with their two elderly friends. The women tell them that their previous dance had been fun to watch, giving Yuel an idea.

---

Carrying the elderly women on their backs, Yuel and Societte return from the wooded area and inform the tour guide of what happened.

Tour Guide: I apologize profusely for the glaring oversight in our safety protocols!

Yuel: Don't beat yerself up so much! Everybody made it out safe and sound.

Elderly Woman 1: This kind of thing is exactly why we have insurance.

Elderly Woman 2: Yes, this will eventually just be another fond memory of our trip. So there's no reason to fret.

Tour Guide: No, this must be addressed. The purpose of this tour is to allow our guests to experience the joys of autumn in a safe and secure environment.

Tour Guide: There's no guarantee that a similar accident won't occur. I should confirm the safety of our remaining activities as soon as possible...

Societte: If it's just monsters like those, we can handle 'em no problem.

Yuel: Yeah, leave it to us!

Tour Guide: That's kind of you to offer...

Tour Guide: But the entire point of this tour is for you to unwind and forget about life for a while. I couldn't ask you to do something like that...

Tour Guide: The safety checks will be completed soon, so please remain at the inn for the time being.

Tour Guide: In the meantime, I'll need to inform the other guests... and ask the inn to prepare everyone's meals early... Mumble, mumble...

The tour guide hurries off with a grim look on his face.

Yuel: Societte, those monsters were part of a larger group, right?

Societte: Yeah. We took down a number of 'em, but the rest got away...

They stare in the direction the tour guide had gone, their expressions anxious.

Soon afterward, the tour participants return to the inn ahead of schedule to await further instructions.

Back in their room at the inn, Yuel and Societte chat after enjoying a freshly prepared meal.

Yuel: Whew, what a treat. The food on the ship's always super tasty, but that was a whole new experience!

Societte: Yeah, all the dishes had such an elegant flavor. I really love this sorta thing, y'know. My stomach's feelin' nice and happy...

Yuel: It didn't look like much food at first glance, but after clearin' my plate, I'm surprisingly full.

Societte: They must take that into account when makin' the meals. Pretty amazing...

Yuel: Guess that's why this tour was the grand prize in that lotto. We really can't thank Kou and You enough.

Yuel: But... I wonder what's gonna happen tomorrow.

Societte: The guide hasn't gotten back yet... Think he's still working on those safety checks?

Yuel: He oughta just let us take care o' things. I mean, we are skyfarers. We'd have all those monsters dealt with in no time flat.

Societte: Well, you heard what he said. He probably doesn't want to make his customers do somethin' like that...

Yuel: Mm, but I feel bad for the other guests...

Yuel: Hey, I know! Let's go for a walk, Societte!

Societte: Where'd that come from?

Yuel: Nobody'd blame us if we took down a monster or two that we ran into while out for a breath of fresh air, would they?

Societte: Ohhh. Yeah, I'm sure that'd be completely understandable.

Yuel: Right? Besides, I betcha an evenin' stroll'd be just lovely. The autumn leaves are so pretty and whatnot.

They nod at each other and turn to leave the room.

Elderly Woman's Voice: Are you girls still awake?

Societte: Was that the ol' gran from today?

Yuel: Wonder why she's here.

Exchanging curious looks, they put away their weapons and open the door to their room.

Elderly Woman 2: Sorry to bother you so late. We just wanted to thank you properly for what you did today.

Societte: Aw, there's no need for that. We just did what anybody woulda done, really...

Elderly Woman 1: We also thought you might be bored since you're not used to traveling.

Elderly Woman 1: This kind of thing can happen on any trip. But as long as you're prepared, there's nothing to worry about.

Saying this, the elderly woman produces a deck of cards.

Elderly Woman 1: What do you say? Care to play a quick game with this old lady? It'll make for another nice memory.

Elderly Woman 2: Don't be afraid to turn her down, now. The truth is, she's just bored too.

Societte: W-well...

Societte: (What do we do, Yuel?)

Yuel: (Hmm... I guess there ain't no harm. We can just go for our walk later tonight.)

Societte: Sure, we'd be happy to join you. But I'm sorry to say, we don't know how to play...

Elderly Woman 1: Hahaha. Then this old bird'll teach you all the ins and outs of the game!

Elderly Woman 1: By the end of the night, you'll be good enough to strike it rich at the Jewel Resort!

Yuel: Hmm, really?

The elderly woman chuckles at the obvious doubt in Yuel's voice.

Elderly Woman 1: Hahaha! Another win for me!

Yuel: Aw, c'mon! Why is this happenin'? Is it normal to keep losin' at cards like this?

Yuel: Grr! Okay, one more round! Let's do this!

The other woman and Societte watch the heated battle from a nearby sofa.

Elderly Woman 2: I'm not sure Yuel is cut out for the Jewel Resort...

Societte: I agree. How can anybody lose that many times?

Elderly Woman 2: Well, card-playing ability comes with age. It's just a matter of experience.

Societte: I see...

Elderly Woman 2: ...
Societte, I'm sorry.

Societte: About today? It's fine, really...

Elderly Woman 2: The fact of the matter is, I should have swiftly dealt with that monster or run away.

Elderly Woman 2: I guess I still think my body's how it was back in my prime...

Societte: What do you mean?

Elderly Woman 2: The two of us old ladies used to be skyfarers just like you and Yuel.

Societte: Really? That makes you seasoned veterans!

Elderly Woman 2: No, I was never that impressive. And I ended up retiring pretty early.

Elderly Woman 2: But I loved the feeling of sailing through the endless blue as a skyfarer. That's why I'm still traveling to this day.

Elderly Woman 2: And it's rare to see active skyfarers participate in a tour like this. We couldn't help but stick our noses in.

Societte: So that's why you told us about that secret spot...

The other woman stops shuffling cards and looks up.

Elderly Woman 1: By the way, weren't you girls going to go defeat those monsters?

Yuel: You heard that?

Elderly Woman 1: When you get to be our age, you develop a sixth sense about these things.

Yuel: Huh... Wait, if y'all were skyfarers too, ya must know defeatin' those monsters is the right call, yeah?

Elderly Woman 1: Yes, you may be correct. But even so, you shouldn't work during your time off.

Elderly Woman 1: When you're resting, rest well. When you're having fun, enjoy yourself to the fullest. That's the best way to go about life.

Societte: But we don't know how long those safety checks are gonna take. I'd feel real bad if everybody was stuck in the inn the whole time.

Elderly Woman 2: You're very kind, Societte. But you two aren't the only skyfarers out there, you know?

Elderly Woman 2: If skyfarers are really needed here, a request will have been sent already. So don't take someone else's job away from them.

Yuel: That's a good point. But still...

Trailing off, Yuel turns her gaze back to the woman dealing the cards.

Elderly Woman 1: I know I'm just an old gal nearing her deathbed, but I think trips like these make for priceless memories after the fact.

Elderly Woman 1: Besides, nothing says the entire tour is ruined, right? Everything could be back to normal tomorrow.

Elderly Woman 2: Though I'm sure the company of us old-timers isn't helping to improve your vacation...

Yuel: Aw, don't be silly! Playin' cards is fun, and I can't quit 'til I've won a game!

Societte: Yeah, I'm having fun talkin' with you too.

Elderly Woman 2: Thank you for the kind words. In that case, I have a question I'd like to ask you.

Elderly Woman 2: Is that dance fighting you did earlier the trend among skyfarers these days?

Societte: A trend? Oh, no. Those dances have been passed down in our family for generations.

Elderly Woman 2: My, you two must come from quite a well-to-do household.

Societte: I ain't sure I'd call it that... but it's got lots of history and tradition, I guess.

Elderly Woman 1: Goodness... Then what we saw must have been something really special.

Elderly Woman 2: It was a marvelous dance. I had fun just watching.

Yuel: You felt that way too?

Elderly Woman 1: Uh-oh, hear that? Sounds like your compliment was a rehash of one they've heard before.

Elderly Woman 2: I'm fine with that. You can't make someone happy or bring a smile to someone's face too many times.

Elderly Woman 2: I'm truly glad I came on this trip. Thank you.

The woman's gentle smile and words of gratitude are met with a grin from Societte sitting beside her.

Elderly Woman 1: I've traveled to countless places with that old biddy through the years, but I've never seen her smile quite like that before.

Yuel: (Betcha I have the same look on my face right now.)

Yuel: (Kou and You were smilin' like that too. Sure is a nice feelin'—)

Yuel: ...
I've got it!

Societte: What's with the shoutin'?

Yuel: I just thought up a great idea!

The Gift of a Smile: Scene 3

After Yuel and Societte bring smiles to their fellow tourists with a dance, a skyfaring crew defeats the monster threat, allowing them to enjoy the remainder of the tour. As their trip comes to an end, they promise to continue smiling together while making others smile along the way.

---

After having a safety meeting with the representatives of the island, the tour guide makes his way back to the inn.

Tour Guide: Phew... Thank goodness there happened to be a crew of skyfarers nearby. We should be able to manage now...

Tour Guide: (What's with the huge crowd? D-don't tell me they're all here to file complaints!)

Tour Guide: (I can't believe I'm going to have to settle grievances on this historic tour... I'm sorry, my dear wife. I'm definitely going to be fired...)

Tour Guide: F-forgive me, I had to step away from the inn to speak with some of the islanders. If you have a complaint—

Elderly Woman 1: Now's not the time for that! Quick, come see! It's not every day you get to witness something so beautiful!

Tour Guide: A-all right...

At the woman's urging, the tour guide enters the throng of people comprised of not only tourists, but islanders as well.

As he does so, the reason for the crowd becomes clear.

Tour Guide: Ohh...

In the center of the circle are two Erune girls, dancing beneath the brilliant autumn foliage.

Their audience had started as two elderly women, but it wasn't long before their performance was noticed by the other tourists.

One by one, more spectators had joined to watch, until news had spread to even the inn staff and other islanders, and a crowd had formed.

Yuel: Is it just me, or has this kinda turned into a big deal?

Societte: Must be people here from all over the island...

Yuel: Are ya nervous, Societte?

Societte: No, far from it. I'm havin' lots of fun.

Yuel: Really? You've seriously got nerves of steel at times like these...

Societte: There's no way I could be nervous after seeing everybody's faces.

Yuel: Their... faces?

Societte: Yeah. Just take a look.

As she dances, Yuel glances around at the faces of the crowd.

Yuel: Everybody's... smilin'.

Societte: Yeah... When you see 'em all looking so happy 'cause of our dance, it's downright impossible to be nervous, don'tcha think?

Yuel: Guess yer right. It'd be a waste for us to be all tense in this situation.

Yuel: Also, you say everybody else looks happy... but you look plenty happy yerself, y'know.

Societte: Really? Hehe... I guess all their smiles were contagious.

Yuel: (This must've been what that gran meant when she said we oughta have fun when we can.)

Yuel: (Everybody's enjoyin' our dance, and that's makin' Societte happy...)

Yuel: (And Kou told us to have fun too. In that case, I gotta enjoy this to the fullest!)

Yuel: (I'm sure that'll make everybody even happier—including Societte!)

Societte: (Yuel said I looked happy, but that goes for her too.)

Societte: (I gotta do my best. So I can bring even more joy to Yuel, and everybody else...)

Their resonating feelings bring an added sense of harmony to the dance, propelling it to such heights that no one can look away.

The dance swells in tune with their hearts, growing ever more carefree and beautiful until it reaches its climax—

Yuel and Societte: Whew...

The moment the dance comes to an end, the crowd erupts into thunderous applause.

Yuel: Ahaha! Thank you, thank you! The name's Yuel!

Societte: Urgh... Feels like the embarrassment is hittin' me all at once.

Tour Guide: You two were magnificent. I've never been so moved in all my years as a tour guide!

Tour Guide: Did you perhaps decide to perform a dance for the people waiting here at the inn?

Societte: Somethin' like that, I guess. Everybody was really looking forward to the tour, after all...

Yuel: We just thought it'd be nice if we could help out somehow.

Societte: We really only did it for fun though, so there ain't no need to thank us or anythin'.

Tour Guide: I appreciate your consideration.
Ah, since everyone's already gathered, I actually have an announcement to make.

Tour Guide: An investigation conducted by the islanders has revealed that there is currently a swarm of insect-type monsters infesting the forest.

Tour Guide: A request has already been sent to the Knickknack Shack, and everything is expected to be resolved by tomorrow evening.

Tour Guide: I apologize for the continued inconvenience, but I hope you will be willing to bear with the situation for just a short while longer!

As the tour guide bows his head deeply in apology, he is greeted with warm words.

Elderly Woman 2: We were already treated to such a wonderful sight. As long as the tour continues eventually, we have no reason to complain.

The other tourists nod their heads in agreement before heading cheerfully back to their rooms.

Elderly Woman 1: The two of us were lucky enough to see you dance twice, so we got even more bang for the buck.

Yuel: Well, you did show us that special spot! Hehe... Sounds like the real tour starts tomorrow, so let's have some fun!

Elderly Woman 1: Yes, and I'll be sure to let you in on some other little-known secrets as well.

Yuel and Societte say good night to the two women, and the evening comes to a close.

The next morning...

Tour Guide: Ahem, may I have your attention, everyone? It seems the monsters have all been defeated.

Tour Guide: I'm honestly as surprised as you are, but since we've been given the green light... As of now, we're back to our regular schedule!

Yuel and Societte: Yay!

Yuel and Societte jump up and join hands as all the tourists break out in cheers.

Between hiking, sweets, and delicious meals, the entire remainder of the trip becomes a truly unforgettable experience.

Armed with plenty of memories and souvenirs, Yuel and Societte head for the island docks.

Yuel: Sigh... I can't believe it's already over...

Societte: Yeah, it sure was a lot of fun. We gotta give Kou and You our thanks again.

Yuel: Next time we oughta get our hands on more tickets so we can invite Kou and You, and (Captain) and Lyria too!

Yuel: Do ya think Vyrn needs a ticket?

Societte: I'd say so. He's pretty sensitive about that sort o' thing, after all. Plus, he's got a healthy appetite.

Yuel: So that makes seven tickets includin' ours. Sounds like this is gonna be a lot o' work...

Yuel: Well, I'm sure we'll all get to go together at least by the time we're as on in years as those two grans!

Societte: Talk about plannin' ahead. If everybody's still good friends when we're that age... I'll be real happy.

Yuel: Whatcha mean? We're obviously gonna be best buds forever. What's got ya talkin' like that all of a sudden?

Societte: It just crossed my mind when we were dancin' in front of everybody. Smiling and being happy is a wonderful thing.

Societte: That's why... I wanna always be around to make you and everybody smile... just like that.

Yuel: I was thinkin' the same thing while I was dancin'!

Yuel: Hehe. Makes me glad to know we were on the same wavelength.

Societte: Me too. Hehe... I'm sure this right here is what I was feelin' then too.

Societte: Yuel, from here on out we're gonna keep on seeing things together and doing things together...

Societte: And laughin' together, right?

Yuel: Yeah. It's a promise.

As Yuel and Societte share a warm smile, the docks come into view.

Realizing their brief trip is almost over, they are hit with a wave of sadness, but just then they overhear their elderly friends gossiping.

Elderly Woman 2: By the way, I hear the crew that defeated the monster swarm is a very famous group.

Elderly Woman 1: Well, I imagine they'd have to be skilled to wrap up the request the same night they received it, wouldn't they?

Elderly Woman 2: That's true... But apparently they only needed four people to handle everything.

Elderly Woman 2: Word has it a pair of Humans and an Erune duo wielding mysterious flames took them down in an instant.

Yuel: What!

Societte: Now that I think of it, (Captain) did say they were gonna wait near the island to pick us up.

Yuel: Sigh... I don't believe it. That had to've been the work of (Captain), Kou, and the gang.

Yuel: Sheesh... If they were around, they should've swung by to say hello. They didn't have to hide it...

Societte: Yuel, I'm sure they just wanted us to focus on enjoying our trip.

Yuel: Yeah, I know.

Yuel: Now we definitely gotta bring 'em here before we're old and gray.

Societte: Yeah... Let's come back again.

With their trip having reached its end, they board the return ship, speaking excitedly of new journeys to come.