Unworked Pride/Story

Unworked Pride - Opening

Diamant	Whew, the foes of this world are no slouches. But it's all right—we just have to push through. Soon, we'll be able to regroup with the Divine Dragon and the others. How are you three holding up?
I-I'm fine!		Alcryst
Lapis	Hanging in there.
I'm quite all right, thank you for asking.		Citrinne
Diamant	Good. I'm proud of you all. You're fighting like true Brodians!
Not me. I've been totally unhelpful. If anything, I'd say I'm holding us back. Maybe I should be a decoy—get them to aim their attacks at me. Then at least you three can survive.		Alcryst
Lapis	Don't talk like that, Prince Alcryst! If anyone's going to distract them, it ought to be me and Citrinne.
I agree. Such duties should naturally fall to your retainers.		Citrinne
Alcryst	No, please! Your lives are worth far more than my piddling existence!
*sigh* There's that trademark modesty...		Citrinne
Lapis	We're not going to let you get hurt, Prince Alcryst. Or you, for that matter, Prince Diamant. Since your retainers aren't here, Citrinne and I will make it our job to keep you safe as well.
Thank you. I know my brother and I are in good hands.		Diamant
Alcryst	Diamant, look! Enemies behind us. Not many, but they look formidable.
Good spotting, Alcryst. Now, prepare for battle!		Diamant
Lapis	Let's lay them low!
With any luck, we'll be back at the castle by dinnertime.		Citrinne

Unworked Pride - C

Diamant	It looks as if we’ve shaken off those pursuers. Well done, everyone.
I still haven’t gotten used to fighting the enemies here. But the important thing is that you two are safe.		Lapis
Citrinne	Hold that thought. We are not alone just yet.
I see it too—a figure emerging out of the thicket. Whoever they are, they don’t appear to be hostile.		Alcryst
Diamant	Could it be the Divine Dragon?
I don’t think so, no. But they do look oddly familiar...		Alcryst
Roy	I’m glad to see you’re all unharmed.
Emblem Roy? Is that you?!		Alcryst
Diamant	But I’ve never heard of an Emblem appearing alone. Who did the Divine Dragon entrust your ring to?
Whoa there, slow down. I’m not an Emblem—I’m the real thing.		Roy
Diamant	The...real thing?
That’s right. Son of the marquess of Pherae, born on Elibe and summoned here some time ago. Alear told me that in your world, there exists a simulacrum of me called an Emblem. I have to say I was doubtful. But judging by your reactions, it seems what Alear said was true.		Roy
Diamant	Yes. And actually, your Emblem holds special significance in Brodia. I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say it’s a huge honor to meet you in the flesh.
Right, well, this is a little awkward, but I’m sure my Emblem counterpart would be proud.		Roy
Diamant	I should introduce myself. I’m Diamant, crown prince of Brodia. This feels like introducing myself to someone I already know well... I hope we get along in this world too.
Likewise.		Roy
Alcryst	So sorry to interrupt, but I see figures coming this way! And these ones do not look friendly...
Time to get moving. Come on, Diamant—let’s work together to cut a safe path out of here.		Roy
Diamant	Right behind you!

Unworked Pride - B

Diamant	Impressive as ever, Roy. You wiped out that entire detachment easily.
Not just me—all of us. It’s strange how I can coordinate so well with people I just met... Clearly we have a shared trust that goes beyond how long we’ve known one another.		Roy
Alcryst	I can’t take much credit... But I do think Father would be very proud if he saw us today.
I know he would.		Diamant
Roy	The king of Brodia? He must be a marvelous man to have raised sons like you.
And your father, Roy? What kind of person is he?		Diamant
Roy	Well, where do I begin? Oh, excellent timing—our backup is here, and if I’m not mistaken...
My apologies for the delay. Well done thinning them out.		Eliwood
Roy	Introducing my father, the marquess of Pherae. You may call him Eliwood.
Excuse me? This is your father?!		Diamant
Alcryst	You’re pulling our leg, right? He can’t be much older than Diamant...
Ah, this version of my father is from before I was born. Heroes may be in varying stages of their lives when they answer the summoner’s call, you see. Variances in ages—and also in state of mind—are actually quite common here in Askr. Believe me, it was a surprise to me as well the first time I saw him.		Roy
Eliwood	Well, imagine my shock to learn I was to fight alongside my future son!
So this kind of thing happens all the time here?! Wait—that means Father could be summoned from before...		Alcryst
Diamant	Just what I was thinking, Alcryst. If that happens, we’ll have to give him the sparring session of a lifetime.
Yes. Just like old times!		Alcryst
Diamant	Lord Eliwood, it will be an honor to fight by your side. As an Emblem, your son has been a stalwart protector of our kingdom.
Is that so? I am very proud to hear it. That said, I think we should get moving. Soon we will be able to regroup with the main force.		Eliwood
Diamant	Understood. Everyone fall in!

Unworked Pride - A

Alear	You’re back! I’m so glad to see you all return unharmed.
Divine One! Finally!		Diamant
Lapis	It looks like the Divine Dragon has gotten by OK without us. That’s a load off my mind...
And just as I predicted, we made it in time for dinner.		Citrinne
Alcryst	Lords Roy and Eliwood, thank you so much for getting us all back here in one piece!
No thanks needed. Honestly, I’m glad this journey gave us all the chance to talk to each other. I was curious what my Emblem self’s companions were like. Now I know!		Roy
Eliwood	Happy to have been of service. Roy and I are needed elsewhere, but let us speak again soon.
After you, Father.		Roy
Diamant	Off they go... You really can tell that those two are family.
I know—isn’t it sweet? Ages aside, Roy still loves Eliwood like a father.		Alear
Diamant	I wonder, Divine One... Do you think we’ll be reunited with our family members here in Askr? Alcryst and I with our father... You with Queen Lumera.
It’s possible. I know I’d be overjoyed to meet my mother again. Then, she could see the promise I made coming true... But that wouldn’t erase the fact of her death. The truth is, if some other version of Lumera was here, she would not be the mother I lost. And I would not be her child. We’d have come from different worlds.		Alear
Diamant	I hadn’t thought about it like that.
Sorry—too much? I didn’t mean to bring down the mood.		Alear
Diamant	Not at all. I can find little fault— no fault with what you say. And yet... If I could make my father appear here, if I could speak to him again, I’d seize the chance. Above all, I’d want the two of us to have a sparring match together as warriors. Going up against him at the height of his strength... I can’t think of any greater honor. It’s something I never experienced back in my world.
I understand, Diamant. And after hearing you talk about it, I hope that day comes as well. If it does, you’ll have to let me take a turn or two sparring against King Morion, all right? If memory serves, he was really hoping for me to transform into a mighty dragon. Whoosh! Roar!		Alear
Diamant	Haha. I’d certainly like to see that happen as well.

Scenario
Strength in Service ←		Unworked Pride		Turn of Fate →
Diamant	Lapis		Alcryst		Citrinne

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