Ulterior Motives

Ulterior Motives

• Related Event: The Miracle of Dragonyule/December 2018
• Release Date: December 17, 2018
• Featured Characters: Dragonyule Xander, Hildegarde, Lowen, Luca, Luther, Orion, Orsem, Waike

Dialogue

Must you spend all of your time gadding about? You should live with austerity in line with the goddess's teachings! Doesn't she EVER lighten up? Hey, I know! Once Dragonyule finally comes around... On the day of Dragonyule... Welcome, Hildegarde! What is that meaning of this? Why have I been summoned here? No one "summoned" you—it's a party! We all wanted to thank you for everything you've done for us. You have saved us all on more than one occasion with your healing magic. We just wanted a chance to show you how grateful we are. I appreciate the sentiment—but as one who practices moderation in all things, I cannot possibly accept. Be that as it may, I still cannot help but want to see you happy. Even your king has come to this festival— so enjoy it before I have you clapped in irons and taken away! I do not mean to reject your kindness, yet I must follow the teachings of the goddess above all else. But Dragonyule is the goddess's birthday! Surely she wants everyone to have fun on her special day, right? That is...a fair point. Very well. I shall join you—but only briefly! That's more like it! Now c'mon— the guest of honor sits over here. Would you like something to drink? Certainly. Thank you. Oh, the bottom of your glass is wet. Let me wipe it with my handkerchief. My thanks. Ha HA! Behold, your king brings the finest food in all the land! Hmm. You know, that Saint Starfall outfit rather suits you. Let me liven things up with a song! ♪♪♪ What a fine voice you have. (So far, so good. If she can manage to have fun today, that should soften her up a bit!) If I may say, Hildegarde, you seem quieter than usual today. Hmm. Well, it IS my first time at a party, so I do feel somewhat uncomfortable. Perhaps that is the reason. Then allow me to teach you how to best enjoy such an occasion. Escorting fine ladies is my role in life, after all. Preposterous! If anyone is to instruct her in such matters, it should be the most important person here—and that is clearly me! As such, I will take the responsibility of entertaining our guest. Bah! I know how to take care of flowers better than anyone. An amateur like you should keep quiet and let me speak. I have never known anyone NOT to appreciate the escort of royalty. Now begone, churl! Grrr... I fear I must decline both invitations. What?! Oh, for heaven's sake. Why must you both always be like this? (Uh oh—here comes the lecture. I've gotta stop this!) So, Hildegarde! Here's something I bet you didn't know—I can do magic tricks! Oh? Interesting. Now watch as I steal something of yours without taking a single step! Three...two...one...aaaand PRESTO! You stole nothing. Ah, but there you would be wrong. For in those seconds, I stole your gaze! ...... Oof. Tough crowd. I think I shall be going now. Where should I put my dishes? (Damn it! Nothing's gonna change if she's allowed to leave now!) But... Please, don't go yet. You're always trying to help us by putting everyone else before yourself... But you can only keep doing that for so long before you become exhausted! Hmm. Do you truly believe such? I do, yeah. And I also REALLY want you to stay here and have more fun! Yeah, the kid's right! Isn't he, everyone?! Bowstrings are the same as people— they need to be loosened once in a while or they'll snap from the pressure. The finest work comes from those who also enjoy recreation. You deserve a reward for all the hard work you do. The goddess would never want you to deny yourself that. So stay and have some more fun, okay? You can always start breaking rocks or whatever tomorrow. Hmm... See, you know we're making sense. Now come on in, boys! Let's up the fun! DID SOMEONE SAY "DANCE"?! ...Er, no? No one actually said that? ...Well, I'm gonna dance ANYWAY! With me, everyone! Right turn! Left turn! Right turn! Left turn! Um... Saint Starfall has a special gift for you: a dancing lesson! I will teach you the art of dancing if you but take my hand. No, I couldn't possibly... There's no joy in simply sitting around on occasions like these. You need to have fun and unwind with the rest of us. Oh, very well. In that case, I shall be counting on the two of you. Now THIS is what I call a celebration! By the time it came to an end, everyone was convinced their plan to make Hildegarde lighten up had been a rousing success. However... Stop slacking! Dragonyule is over! We must welcome in the new year with solemnity and introspection! What?! You're even stricter than ever! We enjoyed ourselves during Dragonyule, which means we must live with even MORE austerity to restore the balance! That goes for every facet of your life, so I expect you to look sharp! This wasn't how it was supposed to gooo!