LUNAR STROLLING SCHOOL CHAPTER 5: BUTTERFLIES FLUTTER IN THE DORM Narration: With their residence destroyed, the three are forced to move into the dorm... [Elie, Rena, and Senia find themselves inside the entrance to the dorm.] Rena: All this excitement has gotten my stomach rumbling! I could go for something to eat... Senia: Really? OK, let's go find the cafeteria... Rena: Well, they say that strenuous exercise is the best appetizer... [The girls go look for the cafeteria. Should they attempt to go outside...] Rena: HEY! My stomach's GROWLIN'! D'ya hear me?! ~Chit-chat~ -Dorm, 1st floor- NPC: Hey, what happened to you all? Dorm Ward: I give up. You kids make no sense at all! Cook: Well, you girls look bright and chipper today! -Dorm, 2nd floor- Frizzy-Haired NPC: You're new students, aren't you? Would you please keep out of my room? NPC: Everyone's talking about yesterday's explosion! NPC: I'm too busy to worry about matters that're over and done with! NPC: Say, who do you think sabotaged Dadis's labyrinth? NPC: Blowing up your classroom is going a bit too far. NPC: An explosion? ...Nah, didn't notice it. -Dorm, 3rd floor- NPC: An explosion?! Really...must've happened while I was asleep. NPC: You guys blew up your classroom? You're...you're my idols... Dorm Ward: You really screwed things up, didn't you?! I'm SPEECHLESS! NPC: Hey, I wonder what's gonna happen today? Maybe the dorm'll blow up...I wish. [The gals find the cafeteria on the first floor.] Senia: Hey...shouldn't the food be laid out for us already?! Rena: ABSOLUTELY! Hmph! Looks like they don't see any need to make us new students feel welcome! We'll just have to make ourselves at home, then. Senia: But won't they get mad if we eat in the kitchen? Rena: Hey, the food'll spoil if it's not eaten...we can't let it go to waste! Elie: (sweatdrop) [Suddenly, the cook, a portly, matronly woman with brown hair, enters the room.] Cook: What're you gals doin' over there?! [The gals head further into the cafeteria and meet the cook by a table.] Cook: Ohhh...you girls are the explosive new students I've been hearing about, right? Rena: Right! Pleased to meet you! Cook: I'm Stella, the school cook and dorm mother! That is, everyone here looks up to me as a sort of proxy mother... Senia: We'd like to register in the dorm, but... Stella: Oh, yes - Dadis told me about you all! Elie, Rena, and Senia, right? [Raise your hand if you're absolutely amazed that Dadis remembered all three of the girls' names.] Stella: Seems like you've gotten in a lot of trouble, hmmm? Senia: Er, um...a-hahahahaha! Rena [smiling]: Are we not allowed to eat because of that? Stella: Ha! Not at all! C'mon, I just whipped up some food for Ant and his friends! Senia: Huh--? You're not telling me that THOSE brats live here TOO, are you? Stella: They might be brats, but they're the best-behaved kids around this dorm! Rena: "Best-behaved"? THEM?! How can these "good kids" be the same jerks we found stumbling around Dadis's maze? Rena [smiling]: Could they actually have some redeeming qualities? Stella: Well, around here, leaving food on your dish is considered the greatest sin of all! And those boys always clean their plates. Senia: They're "good" just because they eat all their food? Stella: Say, if I make you girls wait any longer, your food's gonna get cold! Rena [grinning]: Yeah! Yeah! Stella: Let me get you something to eat, OK? Rena: All right! [Stella gets the girls some food; they all sit down.] Elie: Bon appetit! Rena: This dish just...MELTS on my tongue! The taste spreads so smoothly across the whole palette - it perfectly complements the aroma! Stella: Quite the connoisseur, isn't she? This's filet of sole! It's supposed to be served with wine to bring out the flavor... Rena: It's GREAT the way it is! Stella: Oh, go on. Don't flatter me! Rena: Let's dig in! Senia: Where does a runt like you PUT it all? Elie: (sweatdrop) [Stella leaves; the gals continue to eat. Suddenly, a student - the puffy-haired girl from the second floor of the dorm - sneaks in, steals something when the girls aren't looking, and sneaks out. Then...] Senia: Oh, no! Rena: What's wrong, Senia! Senia: M-my soup--oh!...some creep came in and took it on me! Rena: Argh! Ant strikes again, eh? [Stella comes back in the cafeteria.] Stella: Rena, where're you going all of a sudden? Rena: To pulverize some jerks that pulled a trick on Senia! Stella: WAIT! No fighting! Just for my sake, OK? I can't bear to see my precious students hurt each other! Rena: Ummm...oh, OK. Stella: Layla and her friends are always playing jokes on the new students - you might want to check with them! But, remember, be careful! NO FIGHTING!! Rena: Yes, ma'am! Senia: But we won't let 'em get away! Rena: Right! First, we're gonna get an apology outta that troll that did that! [The gals take off to seek justice.] ~Chit-chat~ -Dadis's house- Dadis: Thanks to YOU... er...what was I saying? NPC: I wonder when the labyrinth will be repaired. NPC: I didn't think the labyrinth COULD be destroyed... -Shop in Dadis's house Shopkeep: [entering] Welcome! Would you buy some of our magic stones? They're infused with strange magical powers! [exiting] Thank you! -lab behind Dadis's house- NPC blocking door: No, no, no! You can't go in there! -Iason's dojo- NPC: Hey, how were you able to blow up the cave? NPC: If I were a tough, real man, maybe I could have prevented the maze from collapsing... NPC: If only I weren't still a mere student...I would've stopped that explosion! Iason: To become a strong man, you need magic training! Return when you've gained more strength. I see you're causing trouble for Dadis now... I have enough problems of my own to contend with; leave me. -Tereina's school- NPC: That blast was impressive even from here! It must've been awesome at the actual site! NPC: That explosion was so COOL! NPC: We were practicing singing in chorus yesterday. NPC: Miss Tereina ran and hid when she heard that explosion! NPC: Hey! Don't blow US up! Tereina: Your explosion RUINED our chorus yesterday! And it was going so wonderfully, too! -Offices, 1st floor- NPC: You're a burden on Dadis, too! Those repairs'll take forever! NPC: That was really spectacular, what you guys did! NPC: You cute little girls caused that explosion? Hmm. You really CAN'T judge a book by its cover. NPC: You blew up the cave? How on earth did you pull THAT off?! [The girls talk to Emma.] Emma: Recovery magic, hm? It's important to maintain one's spiritual balance! Well, then, I'll teach you a spell! Narration: Rena learned "Cure"! Yesterday seemed pretty dire. Are you living in the dorm now? Take care this time, OK? Ha ha! ~Chit-chat~ Emma [subsequent occasions]: Recovery magic, hm? It's important to maintain one's spiritual balance! When you get a little stronger, come on back! I'll teach you some magic! Yesterday seemed pretty dire. Are you living in the dorm now? Take care this time, OK? Ha ha! -Offices, 3rd floor- NPC: Dadis's place blew up yesterday because a new student unleashed an incredibly powerful magic spell! NPC: Oh, that explosion was just HORRIBLE!! Eleonora: They say that you girls are pretty hot stuff. But there was no sense in blowing up that labyrinth. Brown: Hey...Elie, are you all right? They say the cave is totalled, but I'm glad you're safe. [The girls talk to Steel.] Steel: Prospective magicians must pass many milestones in their training. Let me teach you some magic, then. Narration: Elie learned Lightning! Rena learned Sai Swayer! Senia learned Fierce Lightning! Many interesting events unfolded yesterday, am I correct? But the important thing is that you're not hurt. ~Chit-chat~ Steel [subsequent occasions]: Prospective magicians must pass many milestones in their training. When you've gained enough power, return, and I'll teach you some extraordinary magic. Many interesting events unfolded yesterday, am I correct? But the important thing is that you're not hurt. -Aruba's shop- Shopkeep: [entering] Hey, welcome! We've got some good items here today! [exiting] We're always coming up with new items here at Aruba's Tool Shop, so stop back soon! If you ever need a tool or item, don't hesitate to drop by! NPC: So, if I do this...huh? Did I mess up? NPC: The explosion yesterday? Hey, if I didn't SEE it, I can't EXPLAIN it, y'know?! NPC: Our research is more important than any stupid explosion! Aruba: So, Dadis has had misfortune befall him as well... -Brune's greenhouse- Shopkeep: [entering] Welcome. [exiting] Master Brune's herbs are always fresh-picked! NPC: I wanted to see the explosion, but the herbs needed tending... Brune: Let me tell you something you can use to your advantage. If you combine Aruba's magic waters with herbs, you can create many different kinds of items! Take the Star Herbs. If you combine them with the Water of Light, you'll get Starlights. Also, if you combine them with the Water of Defense, you'll get Star Sparkles, which replenish magic power and soothe a weary spirit. Be sure to take some herbs with you whenever you go out exploring! -Ralph's library- NPC: I cut class to see the explosion...not that he'd notice. [The girls talk to Ralph.] Ralph: Ah! You're just in time! While reading, I ran across a spell that'll suit you well! Shall I teach it to you? Rena: Yeah! Narration: Rena learned Eindy! [Note: the name of that spell is tentative; looking at it the spell being cast, I suspect that it stands for "Angel D" (Strolling School has a whole series of spells that end with "D", for some odd reason).] Since you're so...delicate in battle, Rena, I think this'll fit you perfectly! Rena [smiling]: Didja hear that, Elie?! Master Ralph recognized my naturally delicate constitution... Elie: (sweatdrop) ~Chit-chat~ Ralph [subsequent occasions]: An explosion...? Oh, yes, there WAS some sort of noise yesterday... -Robe shop- Shopkeep: [entering] Welcome! Our robes are famous for their quality and durability! [exiting] We'll be getting some new robes in soon! NPC: Hey, what caused that explosion? -At the town square/flower circle- NPC: AAAAAH! GET AWAY FROM ME! NPC: That explosion was cool, huh? NPC: I-I love this flower bed. It makes me happy. Please don't blow it up! NPC: You were the ones responsible for the explosion? Who would guess that such pretty faces would adorn such little devils? NPC: Hey, what went on yesterday? -Various houses- Gray-haired NPC: You know, to tell the truth, I've blown up that dungeon once myself... Faux-Shopkeep NPC: They're saying that you and your friends are the culprits, Rena! Is that so? NPC: That explosion yesterday was quite a shock, wasn't it? Faux-Shopkeep NPC: It's fallen to my shop to do the repairs on Dadis's maze. NPC: What happened yesterday? Faux-Shopkeep NPC: That cave was so old it was gonna eventually collapse anyway. [The girls find the soup thief on the second floor of the dorm.] Frizzy-Haired NPC: You're new students, aren't-- [The poofy-haired girl recognizes her visitors...] Frizzy-Haired NPC [smiling gloatingly]: Ohhh...I remember now... You're the ones who blew up Dadis's labyrinth, right? Senia [glaring]: You did that on purpose! Rena [glaring]: Where'd you put Senia's soup?! Frizzy-Haired NPC: Hmmmm? I don't know what you're talking about... But barging into someone else's room and shouting is truly bad manners, you know. Could you please keep it down? Senia [glaring]: WHAT?! Why, YOU... Rena [suddenly calm]: Senia, calm down. Frizzy-Haired NPC: I, Miss Layla, can teach you new students many things! Do you know this dorm's secret? [An "I know!"/"I don't know!" prompt appears; if the girls say that they know the secret, Layla says, "Oh, really? Well, then...", and the conversation ends for the time being. If the girls say they don't know the secret...] Layla [smugly grinning]: Well, if you don't know, I'll tell you! This dorm was built by a teacher of construction magic! Rena: Huh? Really-- Layla: This teacher discovered a rare species of butterfly within this building! They say that the teacher ran after this butterfly, and disappeared - never to be seen again... Senia: Oh, brother...you expect us to BELIEVE that story?! Layla: They say that the butterfly was guarding some marvelous treasures! Why don't you go see for yourselves? Oh, but I forgot - Ant and his buddies have ALREADY gone after the treasures, so there's really no need for YOU to-- Senia: Say, why don't YOU go on this treasure hunt?! Layla: I have no interest in treasures. But, then again, perhaps such treasures are too fine for backwater hicks such as yourselves... Senia [mad]: What?! With an attitude like THAT, sister, you must be crazy! Elie, Rena, let's go! Let's go check out what Layla said! Rena: A strange butterfly? Treasure? Sounds intriguing! Let's get going! Layla: If you want to find the butterfly, hurry to Master Reheater's room! To find it, just climb the staircase to the right. [The girls do so. When they locate Reheater's room, they also find...a butterfly, flying in a trailing cloud of magic dust!] Rena: HEY - the butterfly! Let's try to catch it! [The students try to catch the butterfly, but when they do...they find themselves instantly warped to a strange labyrinth made out of wood.] Rena: Huh? Senia: What? This's an underground labyrinth! [The girls wander about the labyrinth, all the while being attacked by strange butterfly creatures. Eventually, they happen upon Ant's crew. Ant himself is, of course, wounded, and Rick and Kule are guarding him.] Ant: Dammit! Oh--Rena! Thank God! Please! Heal me! [The girls have an option of whether or not to heal Ant. If they choose "No"....] Ant: Wh-wha?! WHY? Elie, Rena - she told you the secret, too! Rena: Yeah, but that's not the reason. Rena [smiling]: I just don't want to waste my magic power - I have to be prepared, you know! Ant: Ugh...is-is that so! Dammit...I'll remember this! [Ant starts to leave. Both Rick and Kule follow.] Rick & Kule: Wait--ANT!! Senia [smiling]: Hey, fellas, where're you going? [On the other hand, if Rena does indeed agree to heal Ant...] Rick: Whew! You saved our hides! Kule: But wimpy healing magic isn't SUPPOSED to be useful! That's what Ant said... Ant: Um...uh...this's just...a freak example! T-thanks, though... I-I'm just really getting worked over in this maze... Rena: Gee. Imagine that. Ant: HUH? Hey, don't you cop an attitude with ME! Dammit...I'll remember this! [All three leave.] Senia [smiling]: Hey, fellas, where're you going? [The girls head the other way, deeper into the maze, until they spot a short, bald man with a brown handlebar moustache...trapped by one heck of a giant butterfly.] Senia: Hey, there's someone hurt over there! Elie: We have to save him! [The girls fight the giant butterfly, apparently called a Cicely. They eventually defeat the creature and venture over to the injured man.] Man: Whew! You saved me! Senia: Who are you, old man? Man: A-HEM! I am Reheater! My, the butterflies certainly seem quite fond of this building, don't they? Most peculiar... Senia: Um--old man? Reheater: STOP calling me "old man"! Rena: Anyhow...was that some sort of mutant butterfly? Reheater: Beats me! But I DO know that this seems to be a butterfly's paradise... Rena: Maybe the mutant butterfly was protecting all the smaller ones! Elie: It seems so! Senia: But how'd you get wounded, old man? Reheater: I was wandering about collecting butterflies, when that big one just popped up in front of me. I adore butterflies...and I've never seen the likes of that beauty before... So, I rushed toward it... Rena: ...when it got hungry and tried to eat you! Reheater: Mm. That's it! Senia: ......(sweatdrop) Well, let's go, shall we? Rena: But we don't know the way out! Reheater: Ha, ha, ha! You're lost, are you? Well, I created this labyrinth! Senia: You?!?! Reheater: Mm! Since the butterflies didn't have a forest, I built a wooden labyrinth for them... The butterflies are perfectly happy, and you're perfectly lost! It's a grand success all around! Rena: And you got perfectly KO'ed. Brilliant. Reheater: Let's return to the dorm. There's an underground path this way; please, follow me. [Reheater opens the door behind him and walks through it. The girls follow.] Reheater: Mm! Rena: What's the matter? Reheater: Ummm...we're lost. Senia [mad]: We're LOST?! Noooooooo!! I thought you said you MADE this labyrinth! Rena: There, there. Settle down, Senia. [After who-knows-how-long, the girls and Reheater reappear in the dorm proper.] Reheater: Elie, Rena, Senia - well done. Thank you for saving me. Senia: Sure! Reheater: I took a herb with me...you can have it. Narration: Got a Resurrect Herb! Reheater: Feel free to come back to the labyrinth to relax anytime! Elie, Rena, & Senia: (sweatdrop) END CHAPTER 5 Lunar, Lunar Strolling School, et al. are the property of Game Arts and Working Designs; this document is not affiliated with either. Translation by RACapowski@sceneryrecalled.com; please do not repost this document without permission.