Vanessa/Stories
Quotes
Adventurer Story Episodes
Hungry to Lose
Cleo: ...Hmm? Do you have business here at the Halidom?
Vanessa: Ah. You live here?
Cleo: I do. My name is Cleo. And you are?
Vanessa: Vanessa. A warrior out training afield.
Vanessa: I heard talk of this place and came to sign up.
Vanessa: I'm not one to brag, but I'm undefeated in combat.
Vanessa: I'm sure I'll be a useful addition.
Cleo: Not a single loss? That IS impressive.
Vanessa: Not one—and I'm DYING to finally see what it's like.
Cleo: Yes, I would imagine you... Wait, you're eager to see what it feels like to LOSE?
Vanessa: Ha ha ha! Not something you hear every day, right? And yet, it's true.
Vanessa: ＂To know defeat is to tread the first step to true strength.＂ That's something I was taught a long time ago.
Vanessa: I've been traveling around looking for someone to beat me ever since.
Cleo: Goodness... I see. I suppose there is a certain logic to that?
Vanessa: Right? I just need one little loss, then I can start REALLY making strides!
Vanessa: Ahh, I can't WAIT to lose!
Cleo: ...No, definitely still strange.
Vanessa: You can't grow without experience! And new experiences mean the chance for new growth.
Vanessa: Loss is just another new experience. Or new to me, at least. Is that so strange?
Cleo: I suppose not, when you explain it that way.
Cleo: But are you certain a person capable of defeating you even exists?
Vanessa: I've got a lead on one.
Vanessa: I saw her years back, in a little harbor town. You never saw such a knight.
Cleo: A knight?
Vanessa: Until she took lance in hand, at least. Then she was like a hurricane.
Vanessa: She'll beat me. I'm counting on it.
Cleo: A female knight and master of the lance... Elisanne?
Vanessa: Hm? You say something?
Cleo: No. Nothing important.
Cleo: You're a welcome guest in the Halidom, but I would ask you not to go picking fights at random.
Vanessa: Hah! I'll mind my manners. And thanks. Now it's time to track down the strongest one here...
Cleo: Perhaps I should tell Elisanne.
Teach Me Defeat!
Elisanne: Rgh, this fiend is hardy...
Elisanne: But what of THIS?! HAAAH!
Vanessa: That lance handling... It has to be!
Vanessa: It was YOU, Elisanne! Finally, my search is over!
Elisanne: I'm afraid I don't know what—
Vanessa: No more talk! We fight, here and now! FACE ME!
Elisanne: What?! What cause have we to fight?
Vanessa: I've spent years searching for the lance- wielding knight I saw that day!
Elisanne: And that knight is me? You're cer—
Vanessa: Absolutely certain.
Vanessa: That form just now is exactly the same as the one etched in my memory all this time.
Vanessa: You stood resolute on the wharf against an entire ship of pirates, sending one after the next into the sea.
Vanessa: You were unstoppable. A force of nature.
Vanessa: I knew in that moment you would be the one to defeat me.
Vanessa: Now, face me! Let me taste defeat!
Vanessa: Start me down the path to greater strength!
Elisanne: I certainly understand the drive to improve, but I still don't see why we must fight.
Elisanne: If you wished to train together, I would gladly join you. We could even spar, if that is more to your—
Vanessa: Spar?! Out of the question.
Vanessa: I'm talking about a proper duel! We fight for our lives and don't stop till one of us can fight no more!
Elisanne: Then I must decline.
Elisanne: I see no merit to be had in trading injuries among allies.
Vanessa: Wait, Elisanne! No... Not after I've finally found you.
Vanessa: I'm not backing down!
Fiend: Graooooowr!
Vanessa: Elisanne! Fight me!
Elisanne: What?! Surely now is not the time!
Fiend: Graaaarrgghh!
Vanessa: Elisanne! Urgent news!
Vanessa: I've a pressing message from Euden.
Elisanne: What? What did he say?
Vanessa: Listen carefully... ＂You have to fight Vanessa!＂
Elisanne: He said no such thing!
Elisanne: Honestly, Vanessa is impossible...
Elisanne: It's been a long day. I'm eager to get in—
Elisanne: AAAAH! VANESSA! Why are you hiding in my bed?!
Vanessa: ...Fwite me?
Elisanne: Saying it in a cute voice doesn't change my answer!
Elisanne: *pant* Just how long does she intend to hound me...?
Euden: Seems like you and Vanessa are fast friends lately, Elly.
Elisanne: What?! Surely you jest!
Elisanne: What part of this waking nightmare looks like friendship to you?!
Euden: Er...all of it?
Vanessa: Ooh! Found you, Elly!
Elisanne: Eep!
Elisanne: (She shouldn't be able to find me as long as I stay hidden in here...)
Vanessa: Ellyyy! Oh, Elisaaaaanne! Come out, come out, wherever you aaaaare!
Vanessa: Hmm, I'll have to remember to block off any escape routes before I challenge her next time.
Vanessa: Hmm, maybe the baths?!
Elisanne: N-no! Stop! Stay back!
Vanessa: Oh, THERE you are, Elly!
Elisanne: LEAVE ME ALONE!
A Chat with Matilda
Vanessa: I'm just asking for one little fight. Just one!
Elisanne: Hmm? That's Vanessa's voice—and it's coming from my room! Er, but whoever could she be talking to?
Vanessa: Maybe you could put in a good word for me? Help change her mind?
Matilda: ......
Elisanne: MATILDA!
Vanessa: Wha—?! Oh! Hey, Elly.
Elisanne: What have you done to Matilda?!
Vanessa: What? Nothing! We're just talking. Isn't that right, Matilda?
Matilda: ......
Elisanne: Get away from her, you!
Elisanne: It's bad enough you've stolen into my room without permission, but I will NOT suffer you to touch her!
Elisanne: This madness ends now, Vanessa. I'll give you the fight you want.
Vanessa: Really?!
Elisanne: Yes. But I hope you're prepared to live with the results.
Vanessa: Of course! Oh, thank you, Elisanne!
Vanessa: You too, Matilda! You're the best!
Matilda: ......
Vanessa: And, uh...sorry. I know I shouldn't have touched Matilda without permission. That was wrong.
Vanessa: She's just so easy to talk to that I wound up asking her for advice.
Elisanne: Advice? I hesitate to even ask, but...you do know Matilda is a stuffed animal, right?
Vanessa: Uh...yeah? I thought that was pretty obvious. You feeling okay, Elly?
Elisanne: I...I am perfectly fine. I just...wanted to be certain.
Vanessa: Yeesh, Matilda. I'm getting a little worried about your owner here. You hearing this?
Matilda: ......
Elisanne: I'm not her owner, Vanessa. I'm her friend.
Vanessa: Her friend? You two are friends?
Elisanne: Is there a problem?
Elisanne: I would invite you to choose your reply very carefully.
Vanessa: Aw, don't get me wrong. I think it's great. Just...a little surprising, I guess.
Elisanne: I suppose my impression of you has changed a bit as well.
Elisanne: Come, then. Let us be done with this duel. Oh, and I'm using a practice lance.
Elisanne: I won't have to hold back that way.
Vanessa: Fair enough! I'll lay into you with one of the training axes then!
Despite the Setback...
Elisanne: Heh heh. It seems I win, Vanessa.
Vanessa: DAMN! Not again! How many times is this, and I haven't beat you once?!
Elisanne: You were the one who desired to know the pain of loss. I am merely the instrument that grants your request.
Vanessa: Well, yeah, but...
Vanessa: The point was for me to get stronger, not just keep losing over and over!
Elisanne: What was it you said? ＂To know defeat is to tread the first step to true strength＂?
Vanessa: Yeah. First time I heard it, it sounded really deep.
Elisanne: Less impressed now?
Vanessa: Duh, of course! I'm not stronger at ALL!
Vanessa: I've lost plenty, and I'm not anywhere CLOSE to catching you.
Elisanne: I don't think that's true at all. With each round, you're growing stronger.
Vanessa: You really think so?!
Elisanne: Of course. I wouldn't lie about something like that.
Vanessa: Whew, good! Then it's just a matter of time before I beat you!
Elisanne: I didn't say that. You're not the only one getting stronger, after all.
Vanessa: That just means it'll be all the sweeter when it happens!
Vanessa: Beating an even stronger version of you will mean I've REALLY grown!
Elisanne: Ever the optimist.
Elisanne: It's a lovely trait.
Vanessa: Y-you think? Gosh...thanks, I guess.
Vanessa: All right, enough talk. I want a rematch!
Elisanne: Again? That was our fifth round today.
Vanessa: So...no?
Elisanne: Well, I don't suppose I can turn down a request from my friend.
Vanessa: F-friend...?
Elisanne: Hm? Why the puzzled look?
Vanessa: N-nothing! Come on, let's fight already!
Thanks, Matilda
Vanessa: Wh-what? No, I'm just...
Elisanne: Won't you tell me? Please? We're friends.
Vanessa: No. We...we aren't.
Elisanne: I...I see. It seems I was indulging in a one-sided fantasy.
Vanessa: *wince*
Elisanne: There were a few bumps along the way, but I feel we've gotten on well together. Unless I imagined that as well...
Elisanne: Will you at least tell me why it is you think we can't be friends?
Vanessa: It's... I don't want to say. I can't. Not to you.
Elisanne: I see. Then...how about to her?
Vanessa: Huh?
Matilda: ＂Vanessa, if you're unhoppy, I hop you'll tell me why.＂
Vanessa: Low blow, Elly.
Elisanne: Do not look to me! It is Matilda who speaks to you now.
Vanessa: ...Heh heh. Right.
Vanessa: Okay, fine. But this is for your ears only, Matilda. Don't go spreading it around.
Matilda: ＂Bunny's honor.＂
Vanessa: I always thought I couldn't be friends with someone weaker than me.
Vanessa: That I'd never be able to look at them as an equal...
Matilda: ＂...Buuut?＂
Vanessa: But it's different with Elly.
Vanessa: I've never beat her once, but she still treats me like a peer. Like a friend!
Vanessa: I feel like that's a sign of what really makes her stronger than me.
Vanessa: Ever since I first saw her, I wanted to be that strong. And now that I know her, I want it more than ever!
Matilda: ＂You ARE strong, Vanessa!＂
Vanessa: I don't—
Matilda: ＂No! You listen to me! The first time you met me, you treated me as a friend.＂
Matilda: ＂Do you think a cute little bunny is stronger than you? No! But that didn't change a thing. You gotta give yourself credit!＂
Vanessa: Elly...
Matilda: ＂It's clear who you are when you're talking to me. That's why I—er, why ELISANNE— knew she wanted to be your friend.＂
Elisanne: Aren't we friends, Vanessa? Can't we be?
Vanessa: ...Geez, I'm sorry, Elly.
Vanessa: And thank you. My head feels a lot clearer now.
Vanessa: I want friends, Matilda.
Vanessa: And I want you to be my friend.
Elisanne: ＂You're a little late, silly. We've been friends for a while now.＂
Vanessa: Thanks, Matilda.
Vanessa: You too, Elly.
Elisanne: Er, yes. You're very welcome. It's just... This is all a little ticklish. Talk to Matilda.
Vanessa: Oh, Matilda and I are gonna do a lot of talking. If that's all right with my best bun?
Matilda: ＂I'd be hoppy to! We can talk for hours and hours! I love you, Vanessa!＂
Vanessa: I love you too, Elly.
Elisanne: That wasn't me—that was Matilda. I'm already blushing up a storm. Don't make this worse.