Rodrigo/Stories

General Stories Misc

Quotes

Adventurer Story Episodes

Episode 1

A Misguided Gift

Cleo: What in the world...?

Ranzal: Somethin' wrong, Cleo? Yer just standin' there lookin' all googly-eyed.

Cleo: When I awoke this morning, I found this package had arrived at the castle. And inside...

Cleo: W-well, take a look for yourself.

Ranzal: What is it? Lemme see...

Ranzal: The hell?!

Euden: Is that a giant haunch of fiendmeat?

Ranzal: That ain't all.

Ranzal: There was a freshly skinned fiendpelt underneath, plus more meat in thin slices.

Cleo: The truth is, packages like this have been arriving here for the past handful of days.

Cleo: At first they were full of flowers or fruits, but eventually they became like this. Full of...animal skins and the like.

Ranzal: We better hurry up and catch whatever monster is pullin' this sick stunt.

Euden: If you say this has been happening for a few days, this person could very well make another delivery tomorrow.

Euden: And we'll be ready and waiting when that happens.

Euden: Look—someone's there! And he's setting down a package!

Ranzal: He won't get away with this!

Ranzal: Gotcha! What're you playin' at, sendin' us all this weird stuff?!

Rodrigo: I say! What do you mean? I haven't sent anything ＂weird＂ at all!

Rodrigo: I... I just...

Cleo: What is it?

Rodrigo: Well, you see...

Rodrigo: I merely wished to make you happy!

Cleo: You... Wait, you mean ME?

Ranzal: Who the hell'd be happy gettin' a box full'a dead fiends?!

Rodrigo: Are you saying this...displeased you?

Ranzal: That's the understatement of the year.

Rodrigo: I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to upset you.

Rodrigo: I was so certain this would please her...

Euden: Wait. Do you have FEELINGS for Cleo?

Rodrigo: F-feelings! O-of course not! I simply... I merely wanted to bring some joy to everyone in the castle.

Euden: What are you getting so flustered about?

Ranzal: Bwa ha ha! This poor sucker wears his heart on his sleeve.

Ranzal: Kinda makes ya wanna help him out.

Ranzal: Hey, Euden, whaddya say we let him stay with us at the castle?

Euden: Well, this is sudden.

Ranzal: The meat he sent us came from a pretty tough fiend. If he can take somethin' like that down, we could use his strength.

Euden: Is that so? Well, anyone who might fight beside us is more than welcome...

Ranzal: Exactly. Plus, if we're keeping an eye on him, he can't do any more weird stuff. Two birds, one stone.

Euden: Indeed. Well, if you think it's a good idea, Ranzal, then I have no objections.

Rodrigo: Th-then I can...stay here with you?

Cleo: Why are you looking at me?

Rodrigo: N-no reason! I... Um, that is...

Rodrigo: I hope I will prove worthy!

Episode 2

Gifting Lessons

Rodrigo: Hraaaagh!

Ranzal: Ya took that thing down in a single strike. Pretty impressive.

Rodrigo: Well, I've been a mercenary for more years than I can count.

Rodrigo: A-and you... You're quite strong yourself.

Euden: I really am grateful to count someone as skilled as you among my allies.

Euden: And you haven't done anything untoward since you joined us, either.

Rodrigo: What do you mean?

Ranzal: He's talking about that hunk'a fiendmeat ya sent Cleo.

Ranzal: I know ya wanted to make her happy and all, but it totally backfired.

Ranzal: She was pretty unsettled. I wouldn't be surprised if she hates yer guts.

Rodrigo: Sh-she hates me?!

Rodrigo: I should give her something to apologize. Like...a stuffed animal!

Ranzal: A doll, yeah? Not an actual dead animal?

Rodrigo: I can explain that it's only for decoration, so she won't be frightened. Then she can grow accustomed to seeing fiends!

Euden: Uh, Rodrigo?

Euden: You don't really think Cleo would be happy to get a stuffed fiend, do you?

Rodrigo: But it's stuffed! That makes it adorable!

Euden: I'm not sure she'll think so...

Rodrigo: But...but it's cute!

Euden: If you're going to give someone a present, you have to think about how they'll feel when they receive it.

Rodrigo: How would she feel...? Hmm... Hmmmm... Goodness, I don't know.

Rodrigo: I've spent my entire life around rough-and-tumble mercenaries.

Rodrigo: I've never spoken to anyone quite like her.

Rodrigo: There have been others to whom I have given gifts...

Rodrigo: But now I see they were all afraid of me.

Euden: Honestly, I'd be a little scared if someone gave me a bloody haunch of fiendmeat.

Rodrigo: Hmmm. I must put more thought into what would most please the recipient.

Rodrigo: Thank you, Euden.

Rodrigo: I nearly did something to upset Cleo anew.

Rodrigo: Still, it boggles me to learn fiend goods make inappropriate gifts. I thought they were perfect for any occasion!

Episode 3

The Benefits of Fiendmeat

Ranzal: Yer turnin' into a fine swordsman. Each day ya get a little better.

Euden: Thanks for training with me, Ranzal.

Cleo: Dinner is nearly ready. I think that's enough for one day.

Euden: Already? Well, training does make time fly, I suppose. I can't wait to see what's for dinner!

Rodrigo: I have returned! Er, what are you all doing here?

Cleo: You!

Cleo: Please tell me that thing in your hand is not a dead fiend!

Euden: What in the world are you carrying that around for, Rodrigo?

Ranzal: Ya better not be thinkin'a trussin' it up for another ＂present＂ to Cleo!

Rodrigo: N-no! Of course not! I was merely planning to clean and dress my kill.

Ranzal: Yer gonna what?

Rodrigo: Watch!

Ranzal: Whoa. Ya done that more than once, yeah? Took its skin right off.

Euden: Ah, then you separate the different cuts? Interesting.

Euden: And now you're wrapping thin slices of meat in the ski... Hold on.

Euden: That looks exactly like what you sent Cleo.

Ranzal: If ya brought that thing here to give to her after all—

Rodrigo: Th-that isn't my intention in the slightest! You told me Cleo detests fiends, so I will never give anything like that to her again!

Rodrigo: This is to...um...to eat! Yes. For me. To eat.

Euden: Well, in that case—

Euden: Wait, you're going to eat that?!

Rodrigo: Of course!

Rodrigo: Fiendmeat is rich in nutrients! It's incredibly beneficial to one's health and also helps prevent illness.

Rodrigo: Not to mention the pelt makes for a fine coat to ward off the recent chill of early dawn and late evening.

Cleo: Is it truly all that you say?

Cleo: In truth, I have been feeling a slight cold coming on these last few days...

Rodrigo: Oh! Um—

Rodrigo: Ha ha ha! Is that so? My, what a coincidence!

Ranzal: Ha ha! Yer as easy to read as ever.

Rodrigo: That, um... I mean, er...

Rodrigo: I have to go!

Euden: Wow. He's literally running away. I guess he was just too embarrassed.

Cleo: I do not understand that man.

Ranzal: If ya haven't realized by now, poor Rodrigo doesn't have a prayer.

Episode 4

Only the Best Intentions

Cleo: You said you wished to speak with me?

Rodrigo: I, um... Yes, you see... Er, that is...

Rodrigo: There is something I wish to tell you.

Cleo: Yes?

Rodrigo: I'M SORRY! ...Well, there it is.

Rodrigo: I sent you that fiendmeat without even thinking about the emotional effects.

Rodrigo: So I...I wanted to apologize...for that.

Cleo: At first, I honestly thought it was some sort of malicious torment.

Cleo: I wracked my brain trying to think of anyone who might be nursing a grudge against me.

Rodrigo: I am truly sorry.

Cleo: Then I finally understood when Ranzal told me.

Cleo: You sent flowers and fruit before you started sending...other things.

Cleo: They all bear medicinal or nutritional value. As does fiendmeat.

Cleo: And the pelt protects against any chill.

Cleo: You sent me all of that because you hoped it would help me fend off my cold. Is that right?

Rodrigo: ......

Cleo: Rodrigo, you are very kind, if maladroit.

Rodrigo: Cleo...

Rodrigo: I... I have feelings for—

Euden: I wonder how Rodrigo's doing. Telling someone how you feel is no easy thing.

Euden: Ah, and here he is.

Rodrigo: I'm back, Euden.

Euden: How did it go? What did Cleo say?

Rodrigo: I cleared up the misunderstandings about the presents I sent.

Rodrigo: But...

Rodrigo: In the end, I failed to convey my feelings.

Euden: I'm sorry to hear that.

Rodrigo: Don't be! With the misunderstanding dealt with, I'll be able to express my feelings!

Ranzal: Ya did well back there.

Rodrigo: W-were you watching, Ranzal?!

Ranzal: I'd call that a win, if ya ask me. I'm impressed.

Ranzal: This calls fer a night on the town, Rodrigo. Let's stay out till the break'a dawn!

Rodrigo: Your kindness means the world to me.

Rodrigo: One day I'll be able to tell her how I truly feel...

Episode 5

Progress is Progress

Rodrigo: There you are, Euden!

Euden: Hm? Were you looking for me?

Rodrigo: Yes! I wanted to thank you!

Euden: What for?

Rodrigo: For helping me clear up the misunderstanding between myself and Cleo.

Rodrigo: And for advising me to think about the feelings of the recipient when gifting.

Rodrigo: I owe you a great deal, Euden.

Euden: No, you don't; I didn't do anything. You've become a better person all on your own.

Rodrigo: That is most untrue! Who is to say what strange things I would have tried to give her had you not advised me otherwise?

Rodrigo: Cleo would have certainly grown to loathe me without your coaching.

Rodrigo: Just like all the others I frightened in the past...

Euden: ......

Rodrigo: I gave no thought to what might please them—only to what I would like if I were to receive it myself.

Rodrigo: It never crossed my mind there might be another way.

Rodrigo: But then you showed it to me.

Rodrigo: Your words have left me a changed man.

Euden: Wow. I'm not really sure what to say.

Rodrigo: That's why I wanted to come thank you.

Rodrigo: I would like you to have this as a token of my gratitude and our friendship.

Euden: That's most kind of you.

Euden: It... It wouldn't happen to be fiendmeat or anything like that, would it?

Rodrigo: No, no! I no longer give gifts of that sort. This is something much better.

Euden: Huh? Wh-what is this?!

Rodrigo: It's a bracelet I crafted out of fiendbone!

Euden: This is...kind of amazing.

Euden: You've got some serious talent.

Rodrigo: It also acts as a charm to ward off evil.

Rodrigo: I made it in hopes it would protect you and bring you luck.

Euden: I'm touched, Rodrigo!

Euden: The fact you put so much thought into this is further proof of how much you've grown.

Rodrigo: T-truly?!

Rodrigo: That's wonderful to hear! Then I shall make one for Cleo, too!

Euden: W-wait!

Euden: Just because I like it doesn't mean Cleo will. I don't really think she's into... You know. Bones.

Rodrigo: Oh? Do bones frighten her?

Rodrigo: I see. I must tailor my presents to the preferences of each individual I give them to... Another important lesson. Thank you.

Rodrigo: I hope to learn much more from you going forward!

Euden: Well, he's a little better, I guess.

Euden: But he still has a long way to go before he truly understands others.