Present
Red: So you're saying you and those villains are unrelated.
Yep, the jail again.
Astosis: That happened after I left. Did the Chasseur manage to capture them?
Red: Hmph.
Astosis: So, no then. But I suppose the point of this discussion is MC's status, so...MC didn't contact with them later. You watched, didn't you?
Red: Yeah. We still have people watching that shop.
Astosis: So you can't prove any links between them. Still keeping up the premise anyway?
Red: Well you can't prove they DON'T have links.
Astosis: ...there is something truly remarkable in your ability to blame MC for a mistake you made.
Red: It's how we defend what we have to. Anyways, the last bit we have to go over is...
MC: During the security detail.
Red: Right, we're almost done with this nonsense.
Astosis: That's the part with me, MC's party, the Chasseur, and...
MC: The villains, yeah.
Astosis: Yes, at the masquerade ball where the Poderna got stolen somehow. Still need to figure out who, how, and why.
Red: You can just confess already rather than drag out your guilt.
Astosis: You can stop obstructing truth and justice if you're trying to solve the crime. MC, I apologize for all this. Can you tell us what happened?
MC: Right. So we got to the castle and got told the details of the job...
Title Card: Interlude, the Gorgeous Masquerade
Rewind!
Right, the party's at the castle for the masquerade ball.
MC: big castle
Astosis: It used to be nobility's. It's a museum now and a party hall for festivals.
Nessen: Oh, that design?
Astosis: Something the matter?
Nessen: Oh, no. It's just the same design I saw at a workshop we were at earlier.
Yohack: Oh yeah huh! I think he and his neighbors in the district did the hallway decorations.
Nessen: Oh, that explains why looking at the hall is so fun.
Astosis: I'm happy for you. Let's keep going.
Moving on!
Astosis: So like I said earlier, you'll be part of the masquerade ball. If something hero-related happens, you can transform to deal with it. Anything else can be done by the Chasseur. In short, just stand by for emergencies. MC, Maculata, take these please.
MC: Fancy clothes and mask!
Astosis: There's no actual dress code, but this is a present from me.
Maculata: Fashionable! Thank you, but why are you...?
MC nods along.
Astosis: The Courrèges townsfolk are rather particular about ballroom dressing, so I figured you should get the best. I do want you to enjoy yourselves even while working if you don't mind indulging me.
Maculata: ...well okay then. You good with that, MC?
MC: Okay. Kinda nervous, but I'll do my best!
Astosis: Heh, I was worried this might have been a waste. There are changing rooms this way.
One moment later
Maculata: This dress is so marvelous!
MC: Pretty! / Hmm, first time in fancy clothes. / Do I look nice...?
---
(A) Maculata: Thank you MC. You look great too.
---
Yohack: You two look great! I'm starting to have fun too.
Nessen: Indeed you do.
Astosis: I'm glad you like it. Oh right, Nessen, Yohack. These are for you. I'm sorry this is all I could get on short notice.
Astosis hands over a small bag.
Yohack: Ooh, masks!
Nessen: Um, I'm not officially hired for this job though...
Astosis: It's fine. I'd like you two to join us, so having masks is only natural. Call it a thank you for going along with my ideas.
Nessen: Oh, alright thank you then.
Nessen, Yohack, and Astosis all put on masks.
Yohack: How do I look?
Nessen: So this is how Courrèges celebrates festivals...
Astosis: You all look great. We should get going. I realize this is rather rude towards people I've hired to help, but the Chasseur want to do bodychecks on you. I'm sorry, please cooperate.
Astosis calls over some nearby Space French Guards. Bodycheck time!
Yellow: ...carry on.
Astosis: Thank you for this, and I apologize for any discomfort.
Maculata: It's fine, just work formalities.
Astosis: Your understanding is appreciated. The ball is this way.
MC: Oof, nervous.
Maculata: Oh? Well that's no surprise. Just be bold and it'll be fine! Relax, you look marvelous. (pulls out a box) But I should add a touch of my own too...
Maculata puts earcuffs on MC!
Maculata: Perfect! Let's go!
Later
MC: It's the ball... / My eyes! / whoa...
Nessen: Amazing! Even the food and furnishings are high class!
Yohack: Yeah, the best the workshops have are here!
Nessen: Yes, such quality really does bring to mind that festival participants are like customers.
Astosis: Wonderful. The wine is vintage too, so I hope you enjoy some later.
Maculata: Ooh, lovely.
Ballroom music.
Astosis: Ah, the dance. You should all dance at least once.
MC: Wait, really? / W-well, all part of the experience! / I can't dance!
(A) Astosis: Of course. As long as you're ready to go in an emergency I see no problems with it.
(BC) Astosis: No need to worry. Just follow along with the music if you're worried.
Astosis: Now I would like to ask for your first dance, but I have to speak with the Chasseur. Please enjoy in the meantime.
Astosis excuses himself. That leaves the rest of the party!
MC: Should I ask Maculata? / Should I ask Nessen? / Should I ask Yohack?
(A) Maculata: Oh MC, having fun?
She's having a good time.
Maculata: Getting nervous in new clothes is natural, which is precisely why you should relax. Sometimes you need to play to get things to go well. Too much tension and you'll snap. So get aggressive!
Maculata takes MC's hand!
Maculata: Stand up straight, put your hand right here. And now we dance. Follow the music, or just walk if you have two left feet. Your clothes will follow your lead...so, having fun?
Pretty dancing with Maculata and MC!
Maculata: Nice! Now let's go a bit faster and show everyone what we've got!
Maculata speeds up the dance and gets everyone's attention!
(B) Nessen: Hello MC. I got drinks, would you like one? You seem nervous. So am I actually...I've been to parties like this, but as a service worker. I'm not sure how to act...would you mind accompanying me?
MC nods. Nessen relaxes.
Nessen: Thank you. Once again, you look wonderful. This is fun already, but would you like to dance for a song? (holds out hand)
Nessen: I've never danced like this before, but I would like to join in on the festivities. May I have your hand?
Nessen and MC step onto the dance floor.
Nessen: Heh, swinging to the music itself is fun. Thank you for this, MC.
Calm moments.
(C) Yohack: Hey MC! Hungry? There's space pumpkin foods and treats! I used to love these as a kid. I can cook, but I could never get it to taste the same...oh wait I shouldn't talk all about me. Have you been having fun...?
MC nods. Yohack smiles and tailwags hard.
Yohack: Yay! It's nice seeing all this again! Oh, wanna dance? (takes MC's hand) You don't need to be good, just have fun!
Yohack and MC dance. People think it's adorable.
Later
Astosis: Anything happen, MC?
Astosis is back. MC has been walking around after the dance.
Astosis: I take it nothing's wrong? And you enjoyed the ball, thankfully.
MC: Yeah, forgot I was working for a bit / Thanks to the new clothes I apparently got! / It was great!
---
(A) Astosis: Great, but you shouldn't stay on edge too long. No one can.
(B) Astosis: I'm glad I got them for you then.
---
Astosis: I'm glad you accepted this job. I honestly didn't think anyone would take it on seriously since every other agency I asked turned me down. And when you accepted, I uncharitably doubted your abilities at first. But you actually did come all this way to meet me, your client. Well anyways, I got some time to enjoy the ball and I'd like to spend it with you. (holds out hand) Might I have this dance?
MC: Okay! / If you're okay with a newbie...
Astosis: Heh, this way please. Don't worry about your experience, I can lead.
Astosis takes MC's hand and leads them over.
Astosis: Yes, don't mind anyone else. Just focus on me.
Dance time! Astosis whispers to MC.
Astosis: Thank you, once again.
Good times.
Astosis: ...it's been wonderful, but it's almost time to go back to work.
MC: Thank you! / tireeed...
Astosis: Heh, well I hoped you could relax somewhat.
Business face Astosis.
Astosis: We should regroup with everyone.
Later
Astosis: Meeting time. No news from the security detail outside. Nothing happened inside, I take it?
MC: Nope, nothing. No Monsters either, I think...
Astosis: Oh good. Since we're here I'd like to show you the Poderna. Stay alert.
Moving over to the display area!
Maculata: Huh...
Astosis: Not what you expected?
Maculata: O-oh, nothing. Don't mind me. It's an impressively novel design...
Nessen: A masterpiece...
Nessen's remembering what that one shopkeep talked about.
MC: Nessen?
Nessen: Oh, excuse me. It's a really nice dress, and I figured out what drew me to this festival.
Nessen stares at the Poderna as he talks.
Nessen: Everything from the Poderna to the festival screams "fun." You figure out who and what you want to reach, then make your thoughts a reality...
Shop talk again!
Nessen: I want to entertain my guests and give the best service I can. I don't know if it will be enough for them, but I still want to try.
MC: Nice! I'm looking forward to whatever you do!
Maculata: Don't forget my invite! I'll bring the whole agency!
Yohack: Me too! I'll try to bring my Muirauqa IV friends!
Nessen: Of course. Once we get back I--
SMASH!
Astosis: What!?
Villains are breaking in through a window! Also...
Gaisei: Oh hello again MC. I was given carte blanche for this job, so let's pick back up fr--
Purple Wolf: Shut up and get to work!
Red Wolf: Yeah!
Mayhem! Screaming! Vandalism!
Maculata: How DARE
Yohack: Oh no!
Astosis: We have to stop them!
MC: Suit up!
Nessen: (gasp!) Do you realize what you people are doing!?
Purple Wolf: Wrecking shit!
So much food and stuff getting destroyed!
Nessen: You would deliberately destroy things people put so much effort into? How dare! MC!
Beep boop!
Phone: New Path detected. Subject: Nessen. Connectivity: Very High.
MC: Here we go!
Ta-dah! Variant Nessen!
Nessen: W-what?
Behold Tuxedo Nessen!
Maculata: Nice!
Yohack: Cool suit!
Astosis: What is--actually, talk later. I'll evacuate the civilians. Maculata, please guard the Poderna.
Maculata: Roger that.
Astosis: MC and everyone else, can you take down the villains?
MC: Yep! Roll out!
Nessen: I have things well in hand.
Yohack: We'll stop you!
Gaisei steps forward.
Gaisei: Oh, a new suit with new powers? Meaning more fun!
Nessen: I will not let you disturb the festival for your own amusement. MC, let's go!
BATTLE START (more happens after)
MC: Get 'em!
Yohack: Nessen, full power!
Yohack's Parallel Weapon shines on Nessen!
Nessen: Thank you! Here I go!
Pow!
Purple Wolf: OOF
Red Wolf: Oh shit he's strong!
Accessory Beam!
Gaisei: Oh wow I can't win! Harder, harder!
MC: Damn he's tough. Keep pushing!
Nessen: Yes, MC!
Gaisei: I'm still up, don't stop yet please!
Nessen and Gaisei collide! Suddenly!
MC: wait WHAT
The lights went out!
Astosis: It's okay MC. The backup generator should turn on soon.
Boop!
Random Guests: Oh no, the Poderna!
MC: WHAT
It's gone!
Chasseur: Stop, criminal scum!
The Space French Guards surround the party!
End of Episode
No comments:
Post a Comment