Attack on Verdant Kingdom (Conclusion)

Observer: As the latest battle winds to its inevitable conclusion, it is clear the corrupt army is faltering.
Observer: From where you watch, you can see and hear Morgana shouting orders at them - but it’s to no avail.
Observer: The din of battle has begun to fade, too, as it reaches the scheduled ending time.
Morgana: “GET AWAY FROM MY DRESS YOU FREAK!”
Observer: Your attention is snapped away from pondering the battlefield and directly to Morgana, just as Muramasa flings something- no, someone- away from her.
Observer: Something large, with trashbags attached to it, lands near you. Before you can even process who or what it is, it sprints off, half of Morgana’s gown clutched in its teeth.
Morgana: “I am DONE with this forsaken country and its DISGUSTING VERMIN! WE’RE LEAVING!”
Observer: You’re not the only one evincing surprise at the shrieked pronouncement.
Observer: You notice several corrupted soldiers who were still standing suddenly drop to the ground - probably playing dead in hopes they will be forgotten and left behind…
Observer: Muramasa notes some of them, and forces them back up - but he doesn’t catch all of them.
Muramasa: “If that is what you desire, then we shall. We’ve already achieved what we seek, after all.”
Observer: You watch them leave the battlefield behind, and hurry off yourself after the figure of King Nero.
Observer: You are decontaminated from any spores that might have gotten onto your protective gear near the battlefield, and soon meet with Queen Iola to tell her about what transpired.
Queen Iola: “…they’re… leaving? Just like that?”
King Nero: “You should have seen her face.”
Queen Iola: “I’m sure it was magnificent… Still… What exactly were they seeking if it wasn’t actually about conquering us…?”
Queen Iola: “And what on Aerius did they do with Mother’s statue…”
Observer: As she says it, a maid rushes in, not even curtsying as she wails about something in the Memorial Room.
Observer: The couple exchange exhausted looks before standing, each patting one of her shoulders before they hurry off towards the Memorial Room, with you hot on their heels…

Observer: To your surprise, when you enter it, the statue of Queen Deja is back. It is surrounded by trash and has a stew bowl on its head.
Observer: Attached to it is a note.
Note: «Trash King needed this junk out of the ship so Trash King had room for sufficient trash for the trip back to the Blighted Wilds, got to get more of Morgy’s tasty stockings there.»
Note: «Trash King thinks this would be much more attractive if Lala let her Mom hold some trash.»
Observer: The note is signed, obviously, by the Trash King.
Queen Iola: “I…”
Observer: The queen seems at a complete loss for words as she stares at the note, then at the statue, and then at the room.
Queen Iola: “Was… Is...”
Queen Iola: “I don’t think I even…”
Queen Iola: “Do I… Am I…”
King Nero: “…this has been the most bizarre autumn of my entire life.”
Queen Iola: “That is certainly true.”
King Nero: “…I wonder what they’ll do when they find out the person eating their clothes is on board their ship.”
Observer: Queen Iola can’t stop herself from beginning to giggle.
Queen Iola: “Oh no… I don’t know! They said they exiled them before, didn’t they? How long do you think doing that again will take them…”
King Nero: “I could not possibly guess…”
Queen Iola: “Let’s just… I’ll tell Father that the statue is back, and then we’ll get contractors to work on blockading that cave and the various tunnels.”
Queen Iola: “Once it’s all dealt with, we can clean up the Trash King’s uhh… ‘offerings’ to Mother.”
King Nero: “Sounds like a plan.”
Observer: You are left behind, bemused by the entire experience.

Pay Respects

Observer: The Memorial Room is closer to normal than you have seen it in quite a while, with Deja’s statue returned.
Observer: The stew bowl has been removed from the statue’s head now, and it has been cleaned.
Observer: The less rank trash has been allowed to stay for the moment, since Queen Iola is treating it as an offering to her mother.
Observer: You can’t help but recall your dream of the room during the war, and the soft glow that came from Deja’s statue.
Observer: Combined with what Queen Iola has said of her dreams of her mother, and the inexplicable way you are continually drawn back here, you find yourself wondering…
Observer: …is Deja’s spirit still present in some way?
Observer: You suppose the only way to find out, at least for now, is to continue to pay respects…

Nero's Wheel of Fortune

Observer: As you approach the Wheel, your stomach sinks a little bit…
Observer: Queen Iola is back, and smiling - and the dish in her hand is once again emitting that ominous smoke…
Queen Iola: “I’ve finally been able to cook my stew properly! I’m so excited to be able to offer it to everyone again, after all the stress of the war.”
Observer: King Nero’s smile is strained.
King Nero: “I am sure that… some people… may be excited by this…”
Observer: …hopefully you’ll be lucky enough to get something else instead of the stew…

Flu Season/Winter Spirit (Daily)

Observer: When you have access to the teleporters, most of Aerius is easy to get to - even Glacia in the middle of winter.
Observer: Frozen Horn is extremely frigid, but the atmosphere is still festive as you approach the Glacia Archives.
Observer: Inside stands Thimble, serving hot chocolate to a line of visitors. Only a few people join after you.
Observer: When it’s your turn, she smiles happily at you.
Thimble: “Happy Winter! I hope you enjoy your hot chocolate!”
Observer: She seems wildly different from the shrinking, panicked way she acted in the Ouchies, Ouchies, Go Away! clinic…
Observer: Suddenly, though, she is shrinking again.
Thimble: “O-oh, Doctor McBizzarolli, I… I didn’t expect to see you…”
Peppy: “Well, you did miss our follow-up appointment. I had to make sure you weren’t dead or something.”
Thimble: “Oh- I- it- it just slipped my mind…”
Peppy: “Always does for people who are afraid of needles…”
Observer: The doctor shakes her head, looking annoyed.
Peppy: “Look, Iola cares about you, and I care about not having big spreader events.”
Peppy: “So, I’ve looked up your doctor here, and talked to her.”
Thimble: “What?”
Peppy: “She’ll make sure to have nasal vaccines early for you next year. Don’t let this happen again.”
Observer: There’s something… chilling about the way she says that, and Thimble gulps.
Thimble: “It won’t! I promise! I’m sorry!”
Peppy: “There you go, it’s not that hard! Always talk to your doctor if you’re afraid of a health procedure, don’t just go without!”
Peppy: “Thanks for the hot chocolate!”
Observer: She strolls out of the archives, and after a moment, Thimble buries her face in her hands.
Thimble: “How do I tell my doctor I’m not scared of shots, just her…?”
Observer: She shudders, but manages to lower her hands.
Thimble: “At least there weren’t a lot of people for that… Don’t want to spoil the festivities…”

Verdant Castle

Observer: Now that the confusion has (maybe) worn off, you are curious how Queen Iola is handling things.
Observer: Of all the possible answers to that you thought of when your feet brought you down that familiar path, an argument was not on the list.
Queen Iola: “Really, I don’t need an extra guard. They’ve left, and we’re having renovations to ensure there can’t be a repeat.”
King Nero: “Iola, the renovations mean more people - strangers - around the palace…”
King Nero: “And we still don’t know what it was they were really after…”
King Nero: “Please…”
Queen Iola: “I’m already surrounded for so much of my day by guards… They’re right in the other room still…”
Queen Iola: “I just want peaceful time by myself sometimes…”
Observer: You get the feeling you should stop eavesdropping now, and hurry off towards the Memorial Room.
Observer: Just after you turn the corner, you hear the creak of the door you were at opening…

Crystal Casino

Observer: The buzz of the casino is louder than you’ve heard it in quite a while.
Observer: Many already had stopped caring about the war in Verdant Kingdom before its undignified conclusion, but it is clear that the last vestiges of concern for the other nation are ended.
Observer: Well, it is a little hard to take a wannabe world conqueror seriously after seeing their clothing eaten by an unidentified person.
Observer: You’re pretty sure you overhear no fewer than ten people whispering about how Morgana and Muramasa have really ‘let themselves go’.
Observer: About the only thing you don’t find as normal in the casino is that there is no sign of the Queens.
Observer: Though you do hear people joking that Queen Ashe must be happy to have Queen Diana back to herself now that everything is over.
Observer: You’re still wondering why Queen Ashe seemed to be the more exhausted of the pair, but it is clear answers won’t be forthcoming anytime soon…

Abella's Boutique

Observer: There is no sign of the lockettes who guarded Abella’s Boutique through the war, when you arrive.
Observer: There is, however, a sizable crowd, eager for the newest winter fashions.
Observer: The boutique is packed, and there is little room for you to maneuver in the shop, let alone to speak to the owner.
Observer: Although from the little you can see of her at the counter, she seems a bit overwhelmed, so maybe it’s best not to add to her stress.
Observer: She still manages a somewhat strained wave to you, even so, before you duck out.
Observer: You wonder why she is so certain she needs to do everything by herself…
Observer: Hopefully you will figure it out someday.

Aerius Archives

Observer: The Archives seem to have returned to a state of relative normalcy now.
Observer: Well, there is a hot chocolate station set up now - and a cookie making bar?
Observer: Before you can dwell too long on that, you see King Nero talking to Symphony at the counter.
King Nero: “-just need someone Iola won’t see as a guard…”
Symphony: “Hmm… That’s a tall order, a lockette who is highly powerful, willing to act as a guard, and capable of behaving as though they aren’t a guard…”
Symphony: “Give me a little bit to go over my contacts list and see who might be able to fit the bill…”
Observer: You make yourself almost six cookies at the cookie bar in the time it takes Symphony to go over her contacts.
Symphony: “Oh, she’d be perfect…”
King Nero: “Who?”
Symphony: “Her name is Bonnie. She works as a for hire bodyguard, has nine summons who are all able to act independently.”
Symphony: “I think she might even be between jobs right now…”
Symphony: “Let me transfer her contact information to you, and then I’ll message her to let her know you’ll reach out soon.”
King Nero: “Thank you so much, Symphony. If she’s willing, it would ease my worries so much…”
Observer: They talk a little more before King Nero leaves, and you decide to leave not long after…
Observer: Mostly, you want to leave before Symphony realizes you had shoved almost twenty cookies into your mouth while she and the King talked…

Enchanted Elixirs

Observer: When you set foot into Enchanted Elixirs, you can hear muffled arguing.
Observer: Mirrani stands behind the counter, looking like she wants to be literally anywhere else.
Observer: She shakes her head at you in negation before you even get your mouth open.
Observer: Hopefully the next time you visit you can find out what Violet and the Mysterious Shopkeeper were arguing about…
Observer: …and who was arguing, if it wasn’t the two of them.

Rodeo Ruff Pets

Observer: Even before you set foot past the gate to Rodeo Ruff, you can hear Milk and Boone talking as they stand near the scavengers’ aviary.
Milk: “-makes sense you don’t want to carry those. What about cowcaps?”
Boone: “Oh, you’re just like Blossom about them aren’t you?”
Milk: “Oh, do you know Blossom too?”
Observer: You are pretty sure Blossom is a fairly common name, but maybe Milk knows something you don’t?
Boone: “Blossom Bloom, spotted frill fins, hooves, and flowers growing off her chest about here?”
Observer: He gestures at his chest and horns, and Milk nods happily.
Milk: “We used to work on a farm near each other back about… Oh I don’t know, a century or so ago?”
Boone: “Huh. Small world.”
Milk: “Oh yeah, that’s exactly how the travel advertisers on Maquette always refer to Aerius!”
Observer: Boone shakes his head.
Boone: “Well, she loves cowcaps a lot.”
Boone: “Can’t say I dislike ‘em, but I can’t handle them when they’re sprouts.”
Boone: “I’m good with animal stages, not plant stages, but good luck getting supplies of cowcaps in their adult stages.”
Milk: “Oh, I assumed they must be popular since we worked with them on that farm…”
Boone: “They’ve had their phases, same as any pet. Lot better suited to it than scavengers.”
Boone: “If you want to talk to Blossom about it, her shop isn’t too far from here.”
Observer: Milk’s taken off in excitement before Boone can say anything else.
Observer: Boone shakes his head, looks at you, and grins.
Boone: “Give him a minute and he’ll be back to ask…”
Observer: Indeed, he is back in a moment.
Milk: “Um… what is her shop’s name?”
Boone: “Strawberry Gardens. Big pink and white greenhouse.”
Milk: “Thanks Boone, see you in a bit!”
Observer: Boone laughs a little bit as Milk takes off again.
Boone: “Glad things are more settled, that people can just go run about the city…”
Boone: “Still all seems surreal to me. How’s someone eating clothing deter those two? Doesn’t make any damn sense.”
Observer: You shrug about it, and he soon heads back into the store. Maybe you should follow Milk to see what his conversation with Blossom is like…

Strawberry Gardens

Observer: As you stroll into Strawberry Gardens, you’re surprised to already see Milk standing near the counter with Blossom.
Milk: “-you’ve never considered carrying cowcap spores before?”
Blossom: “Well, I’ve considered it, but I haven’t gotten an opening with a supplier for the right fertilizer.”
Blossom: “They need specialized fertilizer, compared to other types of mushrooms.”
Blossom: “High-protein fertilizer is a little harder to get than regular fertilizer, at least on Aerius.”
Milk: “Hmm… That’s a shame.”
Milk: “I do know someone who runs a fertilizer company in Maquette, maybe they could help?”
Blossom: “It’s possible? I know Maquette and Aerius do have different soil compositions and the plants and fungi in both need different things… but there are occasional overlaps…”
Milk: “I’ve heard there’s been more overlaps since the Glade has expanded more over the past couple decades.”
Milk: “It has a climate closer to Aerius’, from what I’ve heard.”
Blossom: “Well, I’ll take a look at least.”
Blossom: “It’d be amazing, I hate dealing with the companies that have the fertilizers I’d need.”
Observer: When she starts talking about Aerius’ anti-trust laws and the ways the companies are skirting them, you can tell Milk doesn’t know what she is talking about.
Observer: Honestly, you’re not sure you totally understand either, but… You’d definitely like to learn more about cowcaps though…

Decore Galore

Observer: Decore Galore has a relaxed mood when you set foot inside once more - there’s fun music on, and Serena is dancing as she cleans up.
Serena: “Oh hi, whale-come back to Decore Galore!”
Serena: “Did you see the news? It’s such a weird resolution, but I’m glad things are over now.”
Serena: “Means I can reef-lax and stop stressing out about if I should actually have brought Ashna back or not…”
Serena: “She’s getting more comfortable around others again, which is exciting.”
Serena: “I hope at some point she’ll feel comfortable enough to be out in the shop when customers come in.”
Observer: Considering your curiosity, you cannot help but echo the sentiment before going to browse the shop.

Trash Kingdom

Observer: You don’t want to be here.
Observer: Nevertheless, your curiosity has led you here once more.
Observer: It is suspiciously quiet, even as you poke around the papier-mâché castles.
Observer: You kind of suspected it, after the reappearance of Deja’s statue, but it is still… strange.
Observer: Well, maybe you’ll be free of coming back here for a while, till they manage to return.
Observer: You don’t know why you are so certain they will wind up returning, you just are.

Nevermore Bookstore

Observer: It is a beautiful evening when you arrive at Nevermore Bookstore.
Observer: There are a few other customers around, sitting and reading or browsing through the shop.
Observer: Keir sits behind the counter, while Vincent leans against it, both looking surprisingly at peace still.
Observer: They greet you with waves.
Keir: “I do not know how much longer we shall have this peace, but it has been a blessing to have it.”
Vincent: “Quite so. I hope that our next shipment of books from Maquette can actually survive to be placed on our shelves…”
Observer: Keir knocks on the wood of the counter, shaking his head slightly.
Keir: “May we be so fortunate…”
Observer: They aren’t exactly the most positive, but hopefully having a break from having their books eaten will improve their outlooks a little bit…
Observer: …you aren’t exactly the most positive either, considering you agree it’s only just a break to having their books eaten.
Observer: As you go to browse the stack yourself, you can’t help but wonder how long it will take Morgana and Muramasa to evict this ‘trash king’ from their kingdom…

Flu Season/Winter Spirit (Shop)

Observer: As you walk, unsure of where exactly you are headed, your attention is caught by distressed crying.
Queen Iola: “Thimble, really, Peppy is a fantastic doctor and friend, I know you’re scared of hospitals…”
Queen Iola: “But the Ouchies, Ouchies, Go Away! clinic isn’t scary like a hospital, it’s just a nice clinic.”
Observer: Intrigued, you follow the Queen and her retinue to a shockingly pink building.
Observer: A video of a bright pink dextroluma with dripping fins plays on a TV inside, but the waiting room is rather quiet until there is a sudden shriek.
Peppy: “IOLA! Oh Em Gee you came to see me at work? You’re the bestest!”
Observer: The pink dextroluma hugging Queen Iola is the very same from the video… but her wide, unblinking smile is even creepier in life…
Queen Iola: “I brought you one of the Archivists, she does a lot of seasonal celebrations, but she has a cold.”
Peppy: “Oh- a patient?”
Observer: You get the sense she isn’t quite as happy about that, but she turns to take a look at the person the Queen indicates.
Thimble: “I- it’s fine- really- I-“
Observer: She covers her face with her arm as she sneezes, and Peppy tuts, putting her hands on her hips.
Peppy: “It’s definitely not fine, Miss…”
Thimble: “…Thimble…”
Peppy: “Miss Thimble! Flu is very contagious and it can be deadly if allowed to spread!”
Peppy: “Queen Iola shouldn’t have to be telling you to be responsible and see a doctor about it. Celebrations can be major spreader events.”
Peppy: “Iola, I’ll need to give you and all your guards treatment too, just to be safe. I don’t want you getting sick.”
Observer: It is unnerving how quickly she shifts between scolding and smiling.
Queen Iola: “Oh, of course. With all the everything, I did forget to get my flu shot this year, didn’t I…?”
Peppy: “Well, you have a lot better excuse than most people.”
Observer: She says it with a bit of a pointed Look at Thimble that makes the other dextroluma shrink back.
Peppy: “Let me take you all into one of the larger exam rooms so I can give you all your flu shots and prescribe medicine as appropriate.”
Observer: She beckons the group along, vanishing from sight.
Observer: As you turn to go, you stop short as you notice a wall covered in… merchandise?
Observer: Do people really love this clinic so much that they buy photos of it?