Deciding the Future/Lucia: Tireless Advisor

Lucia: Tireless Advisor - C

Velouria	Mmm-mmm! Nothing like a good, solid meal to raise your spirits!
Oh? Why, hello there. You look to be enjoying yourself. Those ears... Are you a laguz child from Tellius?		Lucia
Velouria	Laguz? I’m no “laguz”, I’m a wolfskin. My name is Velouria.
My apologies, Velouria. It seems you are different from the laguz I am accustomed to in my world. I am Lucia, of the kingdom of Crimea. I have only just arrived in this place called Askr. Well then, with introductions out of the way... Might I ask what that is you’re feasting on?		Lucia
Velouria	Oh, it’s a lamb shank. I got lucky— this one has so much meat on the bone!
A lamb shank? Hmm... Why do I feel like I’ve heard someone mention a lamb shank before...?		Lucia
Ilyana	Now that our bellies are filled to the brim, we can begin this month’s meeting of the Heavy Plate Corps. Why don’t we start by going around the room and hearing the latest from each member?
This binder contains the dossiers we’ve compiled on the newest restaurants in the castle town!		Ingrid
Effie	Commander Anna requests that we consider reducing our food intake... again.
Motion denied! Food is our fuel. How can we be expected to win our battles without it?		Rinkah
Ilyana	Raphael sent back some things he’s scavenged on his trip so far. They all look especially delicious...
OK, that’s everyone, right? Your attention, please. I have an important proposal to put before the group. Someone who I believe would serve us well as an honorary member has recently arrived in Askr...		Ilyana
Rinkah	Huh? Not a full-fledged member?
You see... Though she herself is not a gourmand, her cooking skills are second to none. The Heavy Plate Club would benefit greatly from her culinary expertise, don’t you think?		Ilyana
Lucia	Forgive me... I did not come to Askr to pursue a career as a chef.
Oh. I see... That’s... I...		Ilyana
Ingrid	Keep it together, Ilyana! The shock of rejection on top of your usual hunger pangs is causing you to tremble! We’re sorry to have troubled you, Lucia. Please, don’t mind us.
You must understand... I made the trip here in order to serve Her Majesty, Queen Elincia of Crimea. With things as they are, I daresay my sword is more valuable than my spatula. Would you not agree?		Lucia
Ilyana	B...b...but...

Lucia: Tireless Advisor - B

Rinkah	I see... Well, it’s not like I can find any fault in her logic. She seems to have a clear goal in mind.
Yes, and she isn’t willing to bend in pursuit of that goal, either. This may be a lost cause...		Ingrid
Ilyana	Aww... I was hoping to sneak a taste of some of the cooking my future self will be able to enjoy...
I wanted her to whip up some snacks that Lady Elise and I could nibble on together...		Effie
Rinkah	We’ve returned with empty stomachs, and that’s that. Let’s not dwell on this one grievous failure. We eat ferociously and in return, fight ferociously. It’s our job to keep up our end of the bargain.
Urgh...		Ilyana
Ingrid	That’s odd. I could have sworn I saw her heading this way...
Hello, Ingrid. Are you looking for someone?		Effie
Ingrid	Ah, Effie! Perfect timing. Have you by chance seen Ilyana?
Erm... Which one?		Effie
Ingrid	Uh... Not the one who attended the harvest festival, or the child...
Oh, in that case, I was just with her on the battlefield, but she seemed a bit out of sorts...		Effie
Ingrid	I knew it! I saw her stumbling around a while ago. She was headed in this direction.
Ah! Look over there... I think someone’s lying in the shade of that pillar.		Effie
Ilyana	Oooooo...
Oh no! Ilyana, are you all right?! Say something, please!		Ingrid
Ilyana	Phew... Much better, I’m stuffed! I haven’t been laid out like that in a while. I’m glad you were there.
It was a first for me, at least on the castle grounds... You must have been pretty ill.		Ingrid
Ilyana	In a sense, yes... My appetite just wasn’t what it used to be...
Could have fooled me. You did just down a full five plates of food, you know...		Rinkah
Effie	Even so, there’s no mistaking that her condition isn’t normal.
Imagine... You follow a little trail of crumbs, fully expecting to find a scrumptious cookie at the end... But the trail just continues on with no end in sight... At some point, it simply becomes too much!		Ilyana
Ilyana	I think this may have something to do with not getting any of Lucia’s cooking...
What do you mean?		Effie
Ilyana	I’m too young to have had the opportunity to try her cooking for myself, but... For some reason, I’ve been stuck thinking about it day and night!
Sounds like you two have some sort of subconscious attachment to her cooking.		Rinkah
Ingrid	With Lucia now here in Askr, Ilyana’s hunger for her cooking must be going into overdrive. Being denied that seems to be having an adverse affect on her health all the while!

Lucia: Tireless Advisor - A

Lucia	In summary, you’re saying that Ilyana’s condition will only improve if she eats some of my cooking?
That’s the idea. I’m glad you catch on so quickly!		Ilyana
Lucia	When I first met her during the struggle for Crimea, she was barely able to stand on her own two feet. I treated her to a meal simply out of concern for her health. After all, I could hardly leave her in that state.
If she really was on the brink of death, the memory of that meal must be seared in her mind.		Ingrid
Lucia	She seemed pleased with it... Happy enough to eat more than anyone I’ve ever seen, at least. In any case, I can’t worry about that now. If her condition is that bad, it must be addressed straight away. There’s no time to waste. I assume you know where she is... Please, take me to her.
Oh... Hello again, Lucia... I’m sorry to still be such a burden...		Ilyana
Lucia	It’s quite all right. Listen... Do you remember when I told you that you had to stay fit and battle ready?
Yes... When you first introduced yourself...		Ilyana
Lucia	When last we spoke, I told you that I came to Askr to fight, not to cook. This still holds true. However... One could argue that keeping our allies in good health with a proper meal is just as vital to the cause.
You mean, keeping us safe and keeping us full are equally important?		Ilyana
Lucia	Exactly. Here, this soup should help lift your spirits. It’s made to be easy on the stomach.
Oh! It is...*slurp*... I mean, it was delicious.		Ilyana
Ingrid	Blink and it’s gone, huh? To the last drop, no less...
Proof enough that she’s returning to normal! Now that I caught a whiff, it does smell pretty enticing...		Rinkah
Lucia	I was going to warn you to be careful not to burn your tongue, but I suppose that’s no longer necessary.
This is it! This is the flavor that I’ve been missing for so long... I feel...whole again!		Ilyana
Effie	I can see the light returning to those dead eyes as we speak. She’s almost overflowing with vigor!
They were only half-dead, not full dead.		Ilyana
Ilyana	I’m so happy! Lucia, you make such delicious meals. You’re so beautiful and strong... I would eat anything...everything that you cook for me...
Erm... I see. Am I to take this as a sign of your happy recovery?		Lucia
Ilyana	I feel we’re making good progress! I think another ten bowls or so should do the trick...
Ten bowls?! That’s not fair! How will there be any left over for us?		Ilyana
Ingrid	I must agree. This seems like a wonderfully delicious opportunity to expand out palates.
Very well. I’ll make sure that there’s enough to go around. Wait here a moment, would you?		Lucia
Eat up while it’s hot! I hope the Crimean-style seasoning is to everyone’s liking.		Lucia
Ingrid	Thank you for the meal. I can’t believe it’s finally time to dig in! *slurp* Oh... Oh my!
Delish! But...it’s not just hitting my tongue... My muscles feel like they’re bursting!		Rinkah
Ingrid	As do mine! What a strange sensation... It’s like my entire being is shooting toward the sky!
Mmm... I think I’ll need another bowlful or two, just to be sure...		Effie
Lucia	I’d better watch myself, lest they try to take a bite of me... In any case, there’s plenty to go around. Enjoy.

Lucia: Tireless Advisor - S

Rinkah	Whew, that was some feast! I feel totally nourished, in body and spirit!
Now I see why my future self is so fixated on your cooking...		Ilyana
Ingrid	That was indeed a welcome treat. Thank you very much.
Likewise. I enjoy seeing how much my cooking is appreciated. It wasn’t easy to prepare such a large amount, but your smiling faces make it all worth it in the end.		Lucia
Effie	I’ve eaten all kinds of delicious food from all over, including here in Askr... But this may be the first time I’ve eaten something that makes me feel truly happy.
I wonder... What if the reason Lucia’s cooking is so special... Is because she keeps the person she plans on serving it to in mind as she makes it?		Ilyana
Lucia	Hmm...
It’s more than the flavor itself... It’s imbued with a genuine desire to nourish the spirit.		Ilyana
Lucia	Well, it’s true enough that my goal when cooking for you is to ensure that you’re well-fed...
There’s more to a good meal than the ingredients alone, right?		Ingrid
Rinkah	It all makes sense. This is why she nominated Lucia as an honorary member of the Heavy Plate Corps.
Cooking is caring. It’s good to be reminded of that simple truth.		Effie
Ilyana	This isn’t our last meal, right? It would be so wonderful if I could have your cooking again...
Wha— Don’t look at me with those puppy dog eyes!		Lucia
Ilyana	There’s no turning back now, Lucia... Heehee...
Bah. Fine, then... But do not forget that my duty is first and foremost to Queen Elincia, now and forever. When she does not require my attention, I suppose... I can spare some time to cook.		Lucia
Ilyana	Really? I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you ever so much. I don’t need breakfast, lunch, AND dinner. Just one out of the three should be enough...
Er... Every day? Now wait just a minute here...		Lucia

Scenario
← Elincia		Geoffrey →
Deciding the Future
Lucia	Elincia	Bastian	Geoffrey

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