Once More, with Feeling

Once More, with Feeling

• Related Event: Resplendent Refrain/May 2019
• Release Date: May 14, 2019
• Featured Characters: Rodrigo, Cleo, Jakob

Dialogue

This is it. Today, I tell her my true feelings! C-Cleo! Yes, Jakob? What is it? I... Um... Please hold that thought a moment. I hope this box in front of the door isn't what I fear it is. ...I knew it! It's full of fiend fur! This is clearly your doing, Rodrigo. It certainly is! How does it find you? Do you not sense the difference between it and the previous pelts I've given you? It is so soft! So luxurious! So delightful! It came from a fiend, Rodrigo—there's nothing delightful about it. Now please take this away and stop trying to make my life difficult. Oh dear. It seems I have failed again. ...... Er, it's Jakob, yes? Might I inquire as to why you are staring at me? Why are you making Cleo's life difficult? Tell me at once! And if I don't like your answer, I will... I will... I am not TRYING to make her life difficult, sir! I am trying to make it happy! ...That's really all you're doing? Well, I mean, I SUPPOSE there may be another aim in all of this, but... Bah! I don't have to answer to you! Why are you so desperate to defend the woman anyway? I just...want her to be safe. Hmm? Methinks I smell a rat hiding in that non-answer of yours. Wiat, don't tell me you're also in— What, me? No! Wait. Yes. Yes? No. Wait. ...What do you mean by "also"? The two men glared as sparks flew in the air between them. And then... Cleo, my dear! I bring a new present that will fill your heart with wonder! I am growing increasingly weary of having this conversation with you. This is not a pelt, I promise! Instead, I've brought a pair of bloody fiend talon— I DON"T WANT ANY FIEND BITS, YOU DAFT MAN! Ah. I...I see. Good. ...And as for YOU, Jakob! M-me...? Stop following me hither and yon like some kind of cowardly shadow! If you have something to ask me, then do it! I... Erm... Honestly, the two of you are even stranger than normal today. Did something happen? I suppose one might say that, yes. You know what? I don't think I really care. Now both of you go cool your heads somewhere until you're more...normal! Urk... She's right. We ARE acting strangely. ...Yes. Instead of making her happy, we're having the opposite effect—AND getting shouted at in the process! Perhaps we should declare a truce, you and I. ...Yes. I was hoping this might turn into more of a give-and-take type of conversation. I'm not good at talking. Aaaah. So THAT'S why you are unable to confess your true feelings to her. An unenviable position indeed. And you can't seem to give her a present that doesn't make her flee in terror. Just so. Apparently I lack any concept of what to give a person besides random bits from a monster. I was raised by a band of rough-and-tumble mercenaries, so the world of gift-giving is all a little beyond me. I was...also raised by mercenaries. Truly? Ha ha! What a funny coincidence! It is little wonder we're both having so much trouble here. Let me ask your opinion or something. Oh, and a simple "yes" or "no" is fine. Thanks. No need to thank me! Now then, I don't think the way we're currently going about things is going to get us anywhere. Agreed. So what say we put our heads together and try to think of a way to tell Cleo how we feel TOGETHER? ...You really think I can help? I can promise nothing—but seeing as how we come from similar backgrounds, I have a suspicion we might work well together. The only other option is to go ask someone who knows more about this kind of thing—but I'm honestly not certain I'd even understand such advice. You might be right. You see? Now let us put our heads together and see what we can figure out! After much thought, the pair decided to craft a present for Cleo together. For since mercenaries maintain their own gear, they were both quite skilled with their hands. And so, a few days later... There she is. Let us see this thing done! ...I hope she likes it. Cleo! Pray accept this gift. Did it come from a fiend? Did it even TOUCH a fiend? If so, I don't want it. It's...not from a fiend. It's... Um... Enough, Jakob. I shall speak for the both of us. ...Thanks. This is no fiend, Cleo—it is a small bear statue carved from wood. And you're certain it's not actually from some tree-fiend that you chopped down? ...Very well. I suppose I can accept it. Goodness, this is quite skillfully done. Thank you, Rodrigo. Actually, this was made by me and... (Hold a moment. Jakob is barely able to sputter out two words in front of Cleo.) (That means I could pass this off as a creation entirely my own!) (Flashback) I was...also raised by mercenaries. (Flashback) ...You really think I can help? ...... Yes, Rodrigo? You were saying? J-just that this present comes from both Jakob and myself. We poured our hearts into making it, to tell you how we feel about you. For you see, I... No, WE... Um... C-Cleo! I also... Erm... It's all right. I understand. Ah! And it just makes me all the more happy. To be honest, I've never been given a present like this before. I am so glad you understand! I certainly do—this is your apology for getting in the way of my work of late! WHAAAAT?! I now fully understand how sorry you are. Now, if you'll excuse me? *sigh* She didn't understand at all. Still, we DID make her happy. That's better than nothing. Yes, I suppose you're right. Well then, no sense in breaking up a good thing. Let's continue striving to make her happy together!