Althemia

Euden: Hm? Who is that...?
Althemia: Amazing... Incredible! Stupendous!
Althemia: This castle is absolutely dripping with ancient magic!
Althemia: It's a treasure trove of past wisdom. I want to— No, I MUST study it from top to bottom!
Euden: Excuse me—
Althemia: Gaaah!
Euden: Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you.
Euden: I'm Euden, and this is my castle.
Euden: How exactly did you get in here? I don't recall ever seeing you before.
Althemia: Oh! Well, I, um... You see...
Althemia: Deep breaths, Althemia. Calm down...
Althemia: J-just... Just answer the question...
Euden: Sorry; did you say something? You're a bit...mumbly.
Althemia: Oh, I... I was just t-talking. To myself.
Althemia: Um, you see... Th-this castle, it... It's really...really...old.
Euden: Uh, yep. It sure is.
Euden: I was told it was built many generations ago. Er, but what does its age have to do with anything?
Althemia: Uhh, well, because it's old, there's a lot of... Uh, what I mean is... I kind of want to look around and...inspect it?
Euden: You want to inspect the castle because it's old?
Euden: Is it dangerous or something? I know we're a bit behind on repairs, but—
Althemia: N-no! I'm not here to do repairs! I just want to look around!
Euden: I'm sorry. I'm very confused.
Althemia: It's... Look, I'm trying to tell you... Oh, for heaven's sake!
Althemia: This castle is of the utmost academic importance!
Althemia: It's squandered serving as mere shelter for unlearned neophytes like you!
Althemia: I doubt there is a single qualified scholar among your numbers.
Althemia: Luckily for you I, the great Althemia, came along. You should be grateful I'm here to study this castle for you!
Euden: ...Yikes.
Althemia: Oh...
Althemia: I...I didn't... I didn't mean it that way... I'm...
Euden: Let me see if I understand you correctly. You want to research this castle, yes?
Althemia: Uh... Y-yes, that... That's right.
Euden: I see. Well, you could have just said that from the start.
Euden: But yes, that's fine. There's plenty I'd like to learn about it, so having someone dedicated to research would be helpful.
Althemia: You mean... It's okay? Even after how I spoke to you...?
Euden: Well, it WAS a bit hard to parse what you were after at first.
Althemia: N-no, I mean... The horrible things I said. I know I must have offended you.
Euden: Oh, I've heard worse.
Euden: In any case, welcome to the castle, Althemia. We're happy to have you.
Althemia: I...um... It's m-my pleasure...

Ranzal: Hey, it's Althemia!
Euden: How are your studies of the castle progressing?
Althemia: U-um...
Ranzal: Found anything interesting yet?
Ranzal: All I can see are borin' old stone walls.
Althemia: Wh-what do I do, what do I do? S-say something!
Ranzal: Huh? Speak up there. I can't hear ya.
Althemia: Oh! Um... I-interesting, you say?
Althemia: Take this wall, for example. It's just one of many saturated with fascinating history!
Althemia: Like these scrawled runes here!
Althemia: I'm sure you know just by looking, but these inscriptions are mixed with the arcane techniques of a strange civilization—
Ranzal: This ain't just some fancy decoration?
Althemia: Not at all! There are vestiges of ancient magic. You live here—you ought to take more interest in such things!
Ranzal: R-right...
Althemia: I...
Althemia: Um...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that. That was very rude.
Euden: Hmm... You're right, Althemia.
Euden: We've never really appreciated our home like we should.
Althemia: What...?
Euden: I have a favor to ask.
Euden: Would you mind teaching me all there is to know about this castle?
Althemia: I... That... Um...
Althemia: W-well, if I must.
Althemia: But it will take me until morning to explain everything to you, and I won't abide any complaints!
Euden: I'm happy to listen for as long as it takes.
Ranzal: All NIGHT?!
Ranzal: I, uh... I just remembered, there's this thing I gotta do. Somewhere else.
Althemia: Right. The first thing you need to know about this castle is...

Althemia: ...And there you have it!
Althemia: Ahh, I'm so happy I found this castle!
Euden: ......
Althemia: Oh, but I've been rambling on and on!
Althemia: Y-you must've been so bored. I'm sorry...
Euden: Hmm... That was really enlightening.
Euden: Thank you for telling me the time to teach me all of that, Althemia.
Althemia: What...?
Euden: There was a lot I didn't understand, but I know much more about this castle now than I did before.
Euden: Please let me know whenever you discover something new.
Althemia: I, um... Sure.
Althemia: Thank you...for listening to me.
Althemia: And for teaching me something. Heh...

Euden: Phew... I'm not sure how we managed that, but we did.
Althemia: *sniff* No thanks to me... I was totally useless in that fight...
Althemia: I studied so much about that fiend, and it still got the best of me.
Elisanne: Althemia, what was it that prevented you from coming to my aid when I asked?
Althemia: Uh. That I... Well...
Althemia: Th-the characteristic of that fiend is...um... That fiend, its weakness is... *sniff*
Elisanne: What is it? Do not mince words.
Althemia: *sniff*
Althemia: I-if I knew...how to do that...I would. Don't you think I'd have already explained?
Althemia: S-sorry I can't just spit it out! Excuuuse me!
Althemia: Not everyone can be as perfect as you!
Elisanne: Althemia, wait! ...What's come over her?

Althemia: I did it again...
Althemia: Why can't I just say what I want to say...?
Euden: There you are, Althemia.
Althemia: Euden...
Althemia: C-come to laugh at me?
Euden: No. Why would I—
Althemia: I am laughable, aren't I?
Althemia: I can jabber on about the most useless trivia, but when it comes down to anything important, I can't string words together.
Althemia: No wonder Elisanne is frustrated with me.
Althemia: I know you poke fun behind my back.
Althemia: Don't try to deny it.
Althemia: I know everyone hates me!
Althemia: And I...I can't blame you...
Althemia: Even I can't stand myself...
Euden: I'd never make fun of you, Althemia.
Euden: All I came to do was talk to you.
Euden: You were trying to explain something to Elisanne earlier, right?
Althemia: You...you could tell?
Althemia: The...the truth is, I...thought of a good way to...to defeat the fiends.
Althemia: I, um...figured it out from studying them.
Althemia: But since I...I can't really explain it right, I just... I couldn't tell her, so...
Elisanne: Althemia.
Althemia: Elisanne...? W-were you listening this whole time?
Elisanne: Allow me to apologize for earlier.
Elisanne: The way I phrased my question was incredibly rude. I understand why you struggled to form a response.
Althemia: E-exactly! You should be asha— No, wait! I mean...
Althemia: I'm sorry, too. That evening, inside the castle
Althemia: This...the way I am...isn't working. I have to change...
Althemia: Because Euden and Elisanne are so nice to me... I have to!

Euden: Don't let all those fiends surround you!
Althemia: T-today's the day... My research is finally going to pay off for everyone!
Euden: They may have greater numbers, but they aren't that strong!
Euden: Just stay calm and deal with them one at a time!
Althemia: N-no! Th-these fiends are... They...they...
Althemia: Why? Why can't I...when it matters most... Why do my words fail me?!
Euden: Althemia! Do you have any ideas?
Althemia: Me...?
Euden: Now's the time to tell me if you do! I can't read these fiends at all.
Euden: I could really use your wisdom!
Althemia: B-but I... I don't know if...I can explain...
Euden: I know you can! You told me all about the castle the other day, didn't you?
Althemia: ......
Althemia: Those fiends... They...
Althemia: The cries they make... It's their way of communicating, so we...we can't just go after them at random.
Euden: They're working in tandem?
Euden: That's why we can't read their movements when we face them one-on-one?
Althemia: Y-yeah... But it's j-just some of them, leading the whole pack... They give the orders, and the...the others follow.
Althemia: I...I can figure out which...which ones they are.
Althemia: S-so everyone needs to drive them into one spot...
Althemia: Then the rest of the fiends will gather together, and...
Althemia: And I can hit them with my magic all at once...
Euden: All right.
Euden: Everyone, we need to chase the fiends Althemia points out up to that high ground!

Ranzal: Okay, we've got 'em all right where we want 'em!
Elisanne: Incredible... Althemia was right! The rest of them followed the leaders.
Euden: Althemia—now!
Althemia: Take this!
Fiend: Graaaagghhhhh!
Ranzal: Whoa!
Ranzal: What'd ya do, Althemia? They're paralyzed!
Althemia: I-I used sonic magic to numb their semicircular canals, since they're sensitive to sound... Uh, that doesn't matter right now! Attack them before it wears off!

Elisanne: Thank you, Althemia.
Elisanne: With your strategy, we were able to defeat those fiends without sustaining injuries.
Elisanne: Never have I fought such an easy battle.
Elisanne: I am truly grateful.
Althemia: I...I... It...uh...
Althemia: Th-that's nothing to be impressed by!
Althemia: You sound ridiculous, making it out to be such a big deal!
Elisanne: Er, did I say something insensitive again?
Euden: No, I don't think so... I think she's just flustered.

Althemia: I'm doing it again!
Althemia: Why? She was complimenting me! Stupid, stupid, stupid!

Althemia: Ah—there you are, Euden!
Euden: You're absolutely beaming, Althemia. Did something good happen?
Althemia: Yes! I'm finally seeing results from the research I've conducted on this castle!
Ranzal: Please don't tell me that means ya got another all-night lecture in store.
Euden: I can't wait for you to tell me everything you learned.
Althemia: Then wait no more! Listen to this!
Althemia: This castle contains way more mana than normal. That means... Later that evening
Althemia: ...And thusly, things that have arcane patterns woven into them might also be related to the mana levels!
Ranzal: Does anyone actually understand any'a this gibberish?
Cleo: I'm afraid it's far too technical for me.
Euden: She's clearly trying to communicate something to us, though.
Althemia: ...Wh-what's wrong? Are you...bored?
Elisanne: Not at all. There are just a great number of unfamiliar terms.
Althemia: Hmph! Your confusion is written all over your faces! I...I mean...
Althemia: T-try to put it in a way they'll understand... Think about it from their perspective... Easy words...
Althemia: Wh-what part are you having trouble with?
Althemia: J-just tell me and I'll do my best to explain.

Althemia: I had to explain every little thing! That took forever!
Euden: It was time well spent. Now we all know a little more about this castle.
Euden: Thank you, Althemia.
Althemia: R-really...?
Althemia: Um... Euden?
Althemia: I...I've pretty much researched all I can about the castle, so I was wondering...
Althemia: Would...would you let me study your shapeshifting? I mean, if you have time!
Euden: I would think you'd want to take a break after finishing a big research project, not leap right into another one.
Euden: Your passion for knowledge never ceases to amaze me.
Althemia: I just...want to know more about you.
Euden: You do?
Althemia: N-not you, per se, but your abilities! How you turn into a dragon?
Euden: Well... Sure, I don't mind.
Euden: You can study me to your heart's content.
Althemia: Oh, that's... That's good.
Althemia: Well, who wouldn't want to be the subject of my research? You'd have to be a fool to refuse.
Althemia: I mean... Um...
Althemia: Thank you, Euden. I...I really appreciate it.
Euden: Appreciate what?
Euden: All I did was say you could research me.
Althemia: It's not just that. It's... Oh, never mind!
Althemia: In any case, I'd like to begin my research, so come with me!
Althemia: This is going to take some time, I'm afraid.
Althemia: You're going to be stuck with me for a while, Euden!

Halloween Althemia: I'll try to... Um, try my best to...to try and help out with all the decorations. F-for the Halloween party...
Euden: Hey, could someone please hold the other end of this streamer?
Halloween Althemia: I...I can...um...
Elisanne: I'll do it. Is this all right?
Halloween Althemia: ...Oh.
Euden: Perfect, thanks. Now let's put the rest of these up as well.
Halloween Althemia: ...... Not that I was ever going to be much help to anyone. *sigh*
Euden: Hmm?
Ranzal: Euden? What're ya lookin' at? ...Oh, Althemia? What, ya got a thing for bunny ears?
Euden: She just seems so reluctant to join in with the rest of us.
Ranzal: Yeah, true. I barely hear a peep outta her unless it's about whatever egghead stuff she's researchin'.
Euden: But when she does talk about her research, she's so full of joy and... Hmm. Research... Halloween... Vampires?
Ranzal: Ya okay there, buddy?
Euden: It's perfect! Everyone, gather around for a second.
Elisanne: Is something the matter, Your Highness?
Euden: You all know we're dressing as vampires for the upcoming fiend hunt, right? But do any of you really know much about them?
Elisanne: Just that they're some manner of fiend from legend. Past that, I couldn't say.
Euden: And I'm no different. So don't you think we ought to learn more before the hunt?
Elisanne: Fair enough. But if we wish to consult an expert, it would have to be the person who made these costumes. ...Where IS Althemia, anyway?
Halloween Althemia: Er...w-were you talking about me?
Elisanne: Ah, there you are. As it happens, we have a favor to ask of you.
Halloween Althemia: A favor...from me?
Euden: Can you teach us about vampires?
Halloween Althemia: Eeep! Er, I'm not really the teaching sort. I always get so caught up in the subject, I lose all track of everything else...like whether my students are following me.
Elisanne: Might you make an exception this time? Please? These costumes are the key to our next mission. They're rather more...revealing than I would have chosen, but there must be some meaning to that.
Halloween Althemia: Well, obviously! Vampires lure their victims in with their seductive charms, so the design HAD to reflect that. Now, there are a number of competing theories as to exactly how they hunted, but my research seems to indicate... Er...
Euden: Please don't stop. You're doing great!
Halloween Althemia: Y-you don't have to beg... I just don't... Oh, fine! I'll do it! Shut your traps and open your ears, because Professor Althemia's vampire seminar starts NOW!

Halloween Althemia: Listen up, students! Professor Althemia's vampire seminar starts now, so get those pencils READY!
Ranzal: Man, she's really gettin' into this...
Halloween Althemia: Do you have something to share with the class, Ranzal?!
Ranzal: No, ma'am! Thank you, ma'am!
Halloween Althemia: Good! ...Then let's begin. I assume you at least know that vampires were fiends thought to drink human blood. Is that correct?
Ranzal: I remember readin' that in a book for kids way back when, but I dunno much else.
Halloween Althemia: Then listen up! Lesson number one: Vampires lure prey with seduction! ...Repeat it!
Everyone: Vampires lure prey with seduction!
Halloween Althemia: Very good. That's why I've made your costumes so gosh-darn adorable.
Ranzal: But it ain't like vampires just used skimpy clothes, yeah? When I hear seduction, I think more like... Ya know? This! ...Hey, sweet stuff! Over here! Aw-oooooooo! Hubba hubba! *pant pant* *wolf whistle*
Everyone: ......
Ranzal: Er, y'all stunned by my hotness or what?
Notte: You just drove everyone in the room away. Congratulations, Ranzal—you've found the polar opposite of seduction.
Halloween Althemia: That was NOTHING like a vampire!
Ranzal: Well then, what WERE they like, Professor?!
Halloween Althemia: W-well, it was... It was probably something like...this? Hey...baby?
Euden: Althemia, did you just...
Halloween Althemia: STOP! Don't say a word. I know. I don't have an alluring bone in my body. There's no way I could do a convincing vampire impression. But go ahead. Have your laughs.
Euden: No one's laughing, Althemia. I think it's impressive that you'd try something you clearly weren't very confident about. Being willing to take those risks and push yourself is incredibly important for your future growth.
Halloween Althemia: You...think there's a chance for growth?
Ranzal: Hell yeah—but ya gotta keep throwin' yerself at it headlong. Ain't nobody ever got better by runnin' away.
Notte: Your attempt was less throwing yourself at it headlong and more slamming yourself into it face-first, Ranzal.
Ranzal: Aw, come on! It wasn't THAT bad!
Notte: It transcended the concept of ＂good＂ or ＂bad.＂ It was... Nope! Sorry. My brain blocked out the memory in self-defense.
Ranzal: Sounds like runnin' away to me! So what say we keep tryin' till it works?
Notte: Nooooooooo!
Euden: Ha ha ha!
Halloween Althemia: ...... (The importance of taking risks and pushing yourself to grow... Interesting.)

Halloween Althemia: Professor Althemia's vampire seminar lesson number two: Vampires are immortal!
Euden: Do undying fiends really exist?
Ranzal: Man, I'm jealous! I bet immortals can get away with lots'a crazy junk.
Cleo: I'm not envious at all. Eternal life would be a heavy burden. Living on as everyone you love slowly ages and dies?
Euden: Oh, right. You sylvans would know, seeing how you live longer than we do.
Halloween Althemia: Yes. It's entirely likely that Cleo and I will outlive all of you by a good margin.
Cleo: We're all having a fun time of it now, but in a hundred years... Well, let's just say being long-lived has its drawbacks as well.
Halloween Althemia: I agree. It's a lot to bear.
Ranzal: Er, right. Sorry. Guess I didn't really think that through.
Everyone: ...... ......
Euden: Well, enough of that gloomy talk!
Halloween Althemia: Euden...
Euden: Look, we all know that humans and sylvans have different lifespans and we won't be able to stay together to the end. So why spoil what time we DO have by moping about what can't be changed? We'll live our lives to the fullest, share in our joys, and create good memories to last us all our lives.
Cleo: Agreed.
Euden: Does that work for you, Althemia?
Halloween Althemia: I-I don't want... I don't need to...!
Euden: You don't want memories of us?
Halloween Althemia: I...I don't... You have to try, Althemia... Take a risk, push yourself, and say what you're feeling.
Euden: ...Althemia?
Halloween Althemia: I...want them. I want memories of you all. I want memories of us! ALL of us! I want to share in the joy!
Ranzal: Well, hell! Ain't that sweet?
Halloween Althemia: H-hey! Don't mock me just because I—
Cleo: You just said you wanted to share in the joy and you're starting a fight already?
Halloween Althemia: ...S-sorry.
Cleo: Heh. Very good. I'm proud of you, Professor Althemia.
Halloween Althemia: H-hey, don't pat my head! My ears are ticklish. ...Hee! Eeeeee hee hee!

Euden: So to recap, vampires seduce their prey and drink their blood, and they also live forever.
Ranzal: So how do we beat somethin' like that if one of 'em turns up?
Halloween Althemia: Well, they're creatures of legend, so I expect the chances of actually encountering one are quite low. But I suppose there's no harm in learning their weaknesses. All right! Time for lesson number three: Vampires have many vulnerabilities! For one, they can't enter a house unless someone invites them in.
Ranzal: Nice! So if we can make it back to the castle, we're safe. ...Actually, scratch that. We're doomed.
Euden: Why do you say that, Ranzal? The Halidom is quite well defended.
Ranzal: Sure, but we ain't safe from vampires. Not with you in charge!
Euden: Wait, I'M endangering us?!
Elisanne: Ah, I see where you're going with this.
Cleo: Euden does have a habit of inviting strangers inside willy-nilly.
Notte: He'd be the first to tell a vampire to make themselves at home.
Euden: I...I don't think I'd do that.
Halloween Althemia: You absolutely would.
Ranzal: Right then! Time for a remedial lesson!
Euden: What?!
Ranzal: Ya need practice if yer gonna resist the urge to let the first vampire with a sob story come strollin' into the Halidom.
Euden: Well, if you all have so little faith in me...
Ranzal: Now then, considerin' yer already dressed for the part... Althemia, you'll play the vampire.
Halloween Althemia: Me?!
Ranzal: Yep! You be the vampire and try to get ol' Softy here to letcha in the castle. And Euden? You just gotta tell her no.
Euden: Very well. Ready to begin, Althemia?
Halloween Althemia: I don't appear to have a choice in this particular matter, so yes.
Ranzal: Okay, take it from the top! Aaand, GO!
Halloween Althemia: H-hello there...
Euden: Hi.
Halloween Althemia: I'm a... Ummm... I mean, I really respect the work you're doing here, and I...um...want to help? Sooooo...c-can I come in?
Euden: Of course! Any new ally is welcome!
Notte: Bzzzzzzzt! WRONG!
Cleo: Euden, did you fail to grasp the purpose of this exercise?
Euden: Sorry! Force of habit.
Cleo: Well, I can't say I blame you entirely. She WAS quite charming.
Notte: Right?! Althemia makes a SUPER cute vampire.
Ranzal: Hell, I might've even let her in.
Halloween Althemia: Have you all gone completely mad?!
Elisanne: It's the honest truth.
Halloween Althemia: UGH! You're all hopeless! I can't trust ANY of you to handle a vampire. If one shows up, just come get me, all right? Just...let me handle it.
Euden: All right, thank you. It's a wonderful thing to have a friend you can rely on.
Halloween Althemia: Wait, a friend? A...reliable friend?
Euden: Oh, very. You're extremely capable, Althemia—and a fine friend.
Halloween Althemia: Wow... Um, th-thanks!

Halloween Althemia: And that concludes Professor Althemia's vampire seminar. Class dismissed!
Everyone: Phew...
Ranzal: I was worried we'd be learnin' about vampires till dawn. But that was actually pretty great. Hell, even I could understand it!
Halloween Althemia: ...Really?
Elisanne: I agree, and I am glad for the knowledge. If I'm going to be wearing these clothes, I'd like to make the most of it.
Halloween Althemia: W-wait, you mean... You're going to try to seduce the fiends?!
Elisanne: N-not that I expect to be successful, of course! But I shall at least bear it in mind. So thank you, Althemia.
Halloween Althemia: You're, um... You're welcome. I hope it was at least a little useful.
Cleo: Oh, very. You truly are a font of knowledge.
Notte: Yeah! If you're offering seminars in any other subjects, sign me up!
Halloween Althemia: I'm...glad to hear it. And if I'm honest... I had fun as well.
Elisanne: I'm sure we'll be back with fresh questions before long. Thank you in advance for your assistance at that point!
Halloween Althemia: O-oh! Sure! Phew! I guess I did okay.
Euden: Thank you for today. I'm glad it seems to have broken the ice between you and the others a bit.
Halloween Althemia: Y-yes. It's rare to have the opportunity to interact like that. I was...glad for it.
Euden: I would think those opportunities would be common enough. We're all living here together, after all. If you want, it would be easy enough to come up with more group activities to include you in.
Halloween Althemia: Wait. D-did you... Was THAT the reason you had me give a lecture? Was it all just a plan to bring me and the others closer?
Euden: Er, no! I really was curious to learn more about vampires!
Halloween Althemia: But that's not the only reason. Is it?
Euden: ...No. I also wanted to help you get closer to everyone. I hope we all made it clear that we already consider you a part of the group. And I hope you won't keep us at an arm's length any more. I'm sure that more and more people will come to join us here. But I want to make sure this place stays warm and welcoming to you, Althemia.
Halloween Althemia: But...why do that for me? I'm just a...a...
Euden: No one here thinks you're ＂just＂ anything. No one made you feel that way today, right?
Halloween Althemia: ...N-no. No one said anything like that. They called me a friend, even though I'm... Well, up until now, I've never been able to join in the group, but... From now on, I...I'd like to take that risk and push myself to grow. I'd like to make memories with them. To have fun! And I think that can actually happen because you took the time to invite me in, Euden. ...Aaah! That sounded so embarrassing!
Euden: Er, I'm sorry, but you spoke so quietly that I only caught about half of that. Something about me inviting you in? Are we talking about vampires?
Halloween Althemia: Huh?
Euden: You said vampires can't come into a building unless someone invites them in. Was that it?
Halloween Althemia: Uhh, er...um... Y-yes! That was it! Just...talking about vampires! Talking about how you invited me...as a vampire...into your home.