Alberich: ...I sense something!
Alberich pulls up a fish!
Sitri: Whoa, it's big!
Ashigara: Nice! I'll get a big one too!
Alberich: Stop wiggling, you dumb fish! But also, this is fun!
Ebisu: You're doing great!
Time to rewind for some context!
Hotei: Great rap battle! I think we got closer Hermes. How about we get even closer than that?
Hermes: Back off, buddy boy. It's not like I HATE it, but maybe have a little more consideration?
Hotei: Aww come on. We Wanderers are either the cute type or the rough n' tough type. You could be the bridge between us!
Hermes: What!? And you want me in the middle of things...?
Hotei: Just kiddin'! But in other news, you gotta go up against Ebisu next. Whatcha gonna do?
Ebisu: What? Um... I was already paid so...
Ashigara: I'm hungry.
Sitri: All you did was dance... but I'm getting hungry too.
Volkh: Okay I made a mistake in not assigning a quartermaster for our crew to keep track of meals...
Ebisu: (claps hands) Oh! How about a fishing contest? We can fish up dinner too.
And that's how this happened. Also Ebisu is happy to give fishing advice despite this being a contest.
MC: this is less contest and more fishing class
Volkh: Indeed. I have little experience fishing and Ebisu's complimentary teaching style is making me feel things!
Hermes: He's still kicking our asses. Literally every time he throws his lure in, he gets something!
MC: Ebisu, pay attention to me too!
Ebisu: Okay, I'll be there soon! (flies over) Okay, good pole grip. Now you want to be gentle when you get a bite. Play a little until you get that sweet spot. Also wow this fishing spot is nice. Wanna join my fishing group? We got Sarutahiko, Nobumichi, and Yamasachi among others.
MC: YES / I'll think about it
Ashigara: I got something, I got something! Sitri, help!
Hotei: Wait, me too! Ebisu, help!
Ebisu: Sure.
And so the party continues fishing for a while.
Dinner time! Ebisu cooks.
Ashigara: oh my god this is so good I could die!
Sitri: Did you mean cry? Because you're projectile crying so hard. Understandable tho. More please!
Ebisu: Don't worry, there's plenty.
Alberich: Mmm, such rich flavors to the soup. My compliments to the chef!
Ebisu: That's just seafood miso soup with fresh ingredients.
Volkh: This herbal tea is amazing. I should report this back to Perun bring some back.
Ebisu: Maybe those herbs are good for tempura too. And camp cooking.
Volkh: ...I apologize for having you cook and teach fishing to us when this is supposed to be a match.
Ebisu: It's fine, I like doing this! Plus I'm glad you're so interested in my dishes.
Volkh: And Hotei, I must thank you for your logistical work in bringing tools and rice! Just how much can your bag carry!?
Hotei: Who cares? Aegir just asked me to make a cool party. I get paid, I get class credit at Umamichi, I get to know Hermes better. Today is great!
MC: You guys get class credit for this? / yeah it has been! / (smile at Hermes)
(A) Hotei: It's like interning, and that's without getting into the side benefits.
(B) Hotei: Right? So wanna join me as a comedy partner?
(C) Hermes: ...what? Spit it out already. Actually on second thought, shut up!
Hermes: Dammit Hotei, you're throwing off my groove.
Hotei: Aww, don't you just wanna throw it all outta whack sometimes? Also you were plenty off your groove before I got here.
Hermes: what?
Hotei: In a good way, I mean! Like, beforehand I was always wonderin' what's on your mind.
Hermes: (stares)
Sitri: We are, like, what? Three out of four "assassinations" that turned into random partying activities? It's been fun, but still.
Alberich: Well boy, Aegir did say pirating is all about partying! ...still, I'm getting antsy with the gold so near!
Ashigara: Welp, gotta eat before we get to working on it!
Alberich: The peasant bear makes sense. Kitchen boy, more soup!
Ebisu: Coming right up!
Later
Hotei: H'okay y'all time for us to go. But first, here's your event plot hint!
Ebisu: Oh right, me too. Here you are.
Hotei and Ebisu grab stuff out of their swimsuits (somehow). Nobody bothers to comment on this.
Hotei: Oh wait, are y'all campin' here tonight too? One more thing for y'all then!
Hotei pulls camp equipment out of his bag.
Ashigara: Oh my god it's everything!
Volkh: Did your bag come from the future!?
Hotei: (gasp!) Are you after my bag? It's my sleeping bag too, so you can't have it!
Volkh: N-no, that's not why I'm interested in it.
Ebisu: Okay, we're going now. Take care!
Hotei: And one last blessing!
ding!
Hotei and Ebisu: Bye!
Hotei and Ebisu wave and leave.
Ashigara: They're such good guys...
Volkh: Yes, such morale lifters.
Hermes: Yeah whatever. So what they'd give us?
More parchment again.
Sitri: Wait, I wanna be the one to figure it out today! First one is...a map of the island?
Alberich: Seems so. But why is the X out in the water?
Volkh: And it's some distance away.
Hermes: Hmm. So it IS an underwater cavern we're going to.
Shocked rest of party!
Ashigara: W-wait, that's where the map goes?
Hermes: oops
Sitri: You knew!?
MC: explain / you were gonna ditch us again, huh? / right, the music code
(A) Hermes: the music code we got last time also said the treasure's in an undersea cave
(B) Hermes: It's...complicated. But that's what the music code said the treasure is,
(C) Hermes: Yeah, that.
Sitri: You didn't mention that before! Were you hiding that!?
Hermes: (surprised)
Alberich: Oh honey, everyone has a few secrets. We all came for the gold, not to make friends. Right?
Sitri: B-but still!
Hermes: Oops, got beat to the punch for self-deprecation. I really am off my groove.
MC: Alberich what are you hiding / eh, it's fine / what's with you all of a sudden
---
(A) Alberich: ...I'm not important right now, the map is! Look at all those arrows!
(B) Alberich: ...let's just focus on the map. Look at all those arrows.
(C) Alberich: Never mind me, focus on the map! Look at all those arrows!
---
Volkh: ...these seem to simply be ocean currents. I suppose we have to ride our way in on them?
Ashigara: With what boat!?
Volkh: ...too bad Makara and Reprobus didn't leave us one. This is my fault.
Alberich: No, it's Hermes's fault! He should've seen this coming if he knew about the cave!
Hermes: ...well if I can make excuses, I was hoping something was here to get us there. I wasn't expecting us to wreck our ship.
MC: Huh, not like you. The stressing or the apologizing.
Hermes: (frown)
Sitri: ...wait, the part he's actually feeling bad about is not speaking up earlier. He coulda trusted us more!
Awkward silence. Then Hermes looks at Sitri.
Hermes: Keeping control of information to stay on top's an old habit... and yeah, I was planning to steal the treasure and bail. It's more about me being bored than needing the money.
Volkh: ...anything else you're keeping from the class?
Hermes: ...the ring Aegir gave us has diving functions. Use it and the wearer can talk and breathe underwater. Agents device.
MC: really? / did Kotaro make this? / (wait)
Hermes: Also the underwater abilities work on people near the wearer too if they're touching. That's what the code said.
Alberich: Oh, so like my ring.
MC: (...wait, we'd be stuck if Hermes wasn't here. Did he already sneak a peek at stuff?)
Hermes: ...that's everything. Sorry about everything, for what it's worth.
Bit of silence as everyone looks at each other.
MC: goddamn wanted criminal / try harder! / (hmm)
Sitri: ...I always thought you were sus, enough to use my artifact to make you fess up. It always pisses me off when people hide things. But we couldn't get this far without you, so I'll let you off if you apologize!
Hermes: Sitri...
Volkh: ...so do you truly wish to pardon him?
Sitri: Yeah. I know he's not all bad!
Ashigara: Yeah, he's our friend!
MC: well you're another guy who came to run from reality / welp, I'm in too / psst, guidance counseling
---
(AC) Ashigara: H-hey, no bullying!
---
Alberich: Psh, I don't care unless it's about the treasure! ...but I will say a REAL criminal wouldn't be so open! Maybe!
MC: alright, ring time / fiiine / yeah you're really open now, Hermes
Hermes: Okay fine, I'll go with the group. Besides...
Hermes shuts up.
Sitri: Besides what?
Hermes: Nevermind.
Volkh: Alright, time to set up camp for the day. We'll think about how to get down another time!
Later, MC wakes up in the middle of the night and leaves their tent.
Volkh: MC? Couldn't sleep either? I just came to look at the moon.
MC sits at the campfire. Volkh hands over some tea.
Volkh: ...the full moon usually makes my blood boil, but tonight strangely feels like a night to just sit and look at it. I've been acclimated for years to sleep lightly, but on this adventure I've been sleeping deeper and deeper.
MC: So you're relaxing / you trust us?
Volkh: ...I haven't let my guard down, since I still want the treasure. But one thing that differs from my earlier campaigns is that we are at sea rather than land. And I am no noble here.
Volkh thinks as he looks into the distance.
Volkh: No matter, I have a favor to ask you about Hermes. He feels bound by his role by my impressions. He may be changing since meeting you, so would you mind supporting him?
MC: aww, you're a nice boss / yes captain / so cool!
(A) Volkh: D-don't say that! This is just my job! ...I'm getting some rest. You should too.
(B) Volkh: Keeping group unity is necessary. I'm getting some rest. You should too.
(C) Volkh: A-are you mocking me!? ...I-I'm getting some rest. You should too.
Volkh heads off.
MC: Hm, still can't sleep. I'll go stare at the ocean then.
Hey look, someone's by the water too.
Alberich: ...oh, MC.
Alberich looks over his shoulder, then slowly looks back at the sea.
MC: Can't sleep? / you see the underwater cave? / (stand next to him)
---
(A) Alberich: ...yes. Not with knowing we're so close to the gold.
(B) Alberich: ...yes. Knowing the gold is so close gets me antsy.
(C) Alberich: ...what, you want me all to yourself? Well it's fine for now. I was looking towards the underwater cave. Knowing the gold's so close makes me nervous.
---
Alberich: We can't play around now that we're this far!
MC: so what's your deal with the gold? / is that all you're after? / who are you?
(C) Alberich: I don't know. Wish I knew where I came from or where I'm going.
Alberich: ...me loving gold is the only thing I know about myself. Remember me saying the gold called to me? I hear it even louder now. Also, I feel like I'm missing some part of me. But maybe I'll remember something if I touch the gold on the ocean floor.
Slight pause.
Alberich: ...but maybe I'm afraid of what it is I'll remember.
MC: (sympathize and lore drop)
Alberich: Oh. You have no memories past a certain point either? Our situations are slightly different, but still kind of similar, huh? Different roles versus different beings.
Thinking Alberich. He seems to soften up a bit.
Alberich: ...you should go back to bed. I'll head back soon too. And tomorrow, we are so getting that gold posthaste!
MC starts feeling a little sleepy and heads back. But then they hear music.
MC: Huh. Flute music? (check it out)
MC follows the music to find Hermes sitting on a little hill, playing.
Hermes: Oh, taking a walk? I'm stargazing.
MC: (sit next to him) / (lie down next to him)
---
(A) MC sits almost shoulder to shoulder to Hermes. He's kind of nervous.
(B) MC lies down and Hermes slightly relaxes. Then Hermes lies down too.
---
Pretty stars.
Hermes: ...so, sorry again about before. I was thinking of playing anyways, but I decided to do so when I noticed you were up. What I mean is, I wanted to apologize again... god this is so unlike me.
Hermes smiles wryly, then focuses.
Hermes: But Hotei's right that this isn't just a thing since yesterday. I'd never have thought like this way back when.
MC: How'd you like to be? / you're not bad as you are now / I like the new you
---
(A) Hermes: ...the wind's nice. I wanted to live like this.
(B) Hermes: ...heh. Jackass. Guess I just have to accept things.
(C) Hermes: !! Look at you all composed and shit.
---
Hermes: ...when I left Olympus, I didn't give any thought about what could be out there. I just wanted to escape Zeus's thunder and figure my future from there.
Hermes puts his hand over his brow.
Hermes: ...gotta say, I'm okay with who I am now too.
A breeze rustles tree leaves. Hermes and MC share the moment as shooting stars cross the night sky.
Elsewhere
Sanat Kumara: Ah, youth. Oh, phone call. (beep) Hello?
Merman: Middle manager speaking. Orders from Aegir: "boss battle time, baby! get ready to beef gate!"
Sanat Kumara: Oh. Okay. Thank you.
Merman: No, thank you. Call if anything happens. (boop)
Sanat Kumara: I guess it's almost time... wait, I sense a strange storm. I should check on Motosumi's team. Here I go!
Ohhh, spooky omen~.
End of Episode
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