Note on part 2: "Black dragons" here is 黒竜族 in Japanese. There was a fight in the game that included that name, ネルデ黒竜族の末裔 ("Descendants of Nelde's Black Dragons"), which Atlus translated simply as "Descendants of Nelde." The more you know. ==================================================================== Gateau's Woes?! ==================================================================== ~~~ Part 1 ~~~ Cierra: Everything's ready now. By my skills as the Scarlet Witch, I swear I'll undo this magic lock today. I just have to chant the spell and everything will be okay. Soo pe soo... Toto suru koo... Ah! Cierra: *cough cough* Oh my... It blew up... It seems I didn't study enough. The people of the ancient kingdom left a lot of magic traps here, so I can't open treasure chests through normal means. Fire magic is my specialty, but it's not going to help me unlock any of them. I should have brought a familiar that's well-versed on traps after all. I can't believe I was so careless... Hm? What could that sound be? Rose: Where even am I? I can't tell with all these trees everywhere. Ein got sucked up in that white light and disappeared, then I flew through the gate to Riviera... *sigh* Then I woke up here. Rose: Ein... Where did you go? Heeey! Eiin! Answer me if you're there! *sigh* Guess he isn't here after all. What kind of place is this, anyway? Huh? There's something past those trees. No way... There are ruins in the middle of the forest? Now that I think about it, this whole forest could have been a huge city a long time ago, or something. Hm, I guess I'll head down and take a look. Rose: Yup, no doubt about it. These buildings were made by sprites. Just how old ARE they? With how this huge tree grew into this building, I'd guess it's about 100 or 200 years old. History sure is interesting. I wonder what kinds of secrets are hidden inside... Hm? Cierra: I could have sworn it came this way... How strange. Rose: Is that... a sprite in bright red clothes over there? What's she doing all the way out here by herself? She didn't even notice me go right past her. Well, whatever. I need to figure out where I am first. I can decide what to do after that. Hm? What's that? A stone monument? It's crumbling a bit... Ooh! These are weird letters! They're all swirly... Oh, this is the watermark writing that the sprites started using after Ragnarok! Rose: Let's see what it says. Uh... "In accordance with the pact made with the Gods, the Binon royal family has protected and guided sprites since ancient times under the providence of the Great Tree, Neldea. And upon this land, Riviera..." Ri-Riviera?! So I really did make it! Rose: *yawn* Oh jeez, I guess I'm a bit sleepy... Well, I did wander around all night looking for Ein. Now that I know I'm in Riviera, I guess a little cat nap won't hurt. Just a small one. Zzz... Ein... I'm right here... zzz... Cierra: Hmm? It's that black kitty. So this is where you were. I'm glad I finally found you. But... Oh no! It's completely exhausted! It looks like it die any minute! I'll have to use my magic potion... Rose: (Aaah, what a nice nap~! I feel great! Wait, where am I? Oh yeah, I'm in Riviera. Now that I know that, I've got to find some clues about where Ein went.) Cierra: Hehe. Rose: (Huh? Sounds like something's meowing. Is there a cat around here?) Cierra: Teehehe. Rose: (It's that girl from before!) Cierra: Thank goodness~. You're looking much better now. I was so worried about you. Rose: (Worried... wait. Wait?! Don't tell me... that wasn't a dream?!) Cierra: Hmm? It's that black kitty. So this is where you were. I'm glad I finally found you. But... Oh no! It's completely exhausted! It looks like it could die any minute! I'll have to use my magic potion... You'll feel all better once you drink this. Rose: (Brr, it's cold! But so tasty...) Cierra: It's a good thing I remembered how to make medicine for kitties. Rose: (Now that you mention it, I haven't had anything to eat or drink since I came here. But maan, I'm not a cat!) Cierra: That's it. Drink it all up. Good kitty~. Rose: (Well... alright. It IS really tasty. I'm getting kind of woozy... Back to sleep...) Rose: (Nooo!) Cierra: Looks like you're all better. Hehehe, thank goodness. Rose: (No, this isn't good at all! This is TERRIBLE!) Cierra: We'll be safe here. My name is Cierra. I hope we can be friends, little kitty~. My, she seems to be rather shy. It's okay, I don't bite. Hm? You want to know why I'm in a place like this? I came here to find a rare plant that's used as a magic ingredient. But why are you here, kitty? How strange... You're so quiet, but that Cat's Meow medicine should have fixed you right up. Rose: (Don't tell me... that tasty liquid was...) Cierra: Oh, wonderful~. You've found your voice. Rose: (You've got it backwards. I've LOST it!) Cierra: Now, what should I call you... Rose: (R-o-s-e! Not that you can understand me...) Cierra: Hmm. You must be a lost cat. Rose: (I'm not a cat. ... but I am lost.) Cierra: Oh dear... It's going to be difficult to find your owner without your name. Rose: (I told you! It's ROSE! Jeez...) Cierra: I'll just have to give you one myself. Hmm... Let's see... I'm sure I put it in hee... I found it! Natalia's Recipe Book of Delicious Treats. Rose: (What do you need that for?) Cierra: Everything written in here sounds so adorable. Rose: (Ugh... Don't tell me...) Cierra: Hehe. This one might be good. Panna Cotta. Rose: (P... Panna Cotta?) Cierra: Oh, do you not like it? Then... what about this? It's sweet, smooth, and refreshing... Madeleine. Rose: (Uh, that's not the issue...) Cierra: Hmm... I guess it doesn't fit your image. In that case... How about a tasty Fromage? Rose: (Uh... Uhhh...) Cierra: Frappuccino. Cierra: Chocotart. Cierra: Strawberry Bavarois. Cierra: Pumpkin Souffle. Cierra: Choco Banango. Cierra: Buche de Noel. Marrionner Eclair. Sweet Chiffon. Brownie Mousse. Creamy Charlotte. Lost Peperoncino. Milky Corne. Nut Muffin. Lemonade Pie. Mascarpone. Banango Tart. A La Mode. Almond Chocolat. Condensed Milk. Cherry Pound Cake. Marron de Mont Blanc. Gateau. Rose: (Oh my god... Just go with that one.) Cierra: Oh? You like Gateau? Rose: *sigh*... Cierra: What a cute name~! It fits you perfectly. Let's have a lot of fun together, okay, Gateau? Rose: (Nooo. My name is ROSE. How many times do I have to tell you?!) ~~~ Ein: So that's what happened. I think Gateau is kind of a cute name, though. Rose: (Ugh, not you too, Ein...) Ein: Haha, sorry... Fia: Ein and Gateau sure get along well with each other. Serene: Yeah. It's almost like they're talking. Ein: W-well... Lina: Rose? Gateau? Which one is it? This is confusing. Cierra: It's simple. Gateau is Gateau. Serene: I don't think it really matters. My vote's on Gateau, though. It sounds delicious! Lina: Then Lina will call her Rose. Nice to meet you, Rose! Rose: (Bah, "it doesn't matter," she says...) Fia: You have two wonderful names, Gateau. Rose: (... Thanks, I guess.) Ein: But Rose, why were you hiding all the way up in that tree when we found you? Rose: (That brings back even MORE painful memories...) ~~~ Part 2 ~~~ Cierra: Who knew there was such a wonderful spring in Wiese Forest! Thanks to my magic, it's just the right temperature, too. Come on in, Gateau. Rose: (I said I'll pass! Uh, wait! Your clothes!) Cierra: Oh, Gateau, you look so upset... Do you not like baths? Rose: (Whoa, her skin's so pretty...) Cierra: You won't be able to attract any nice lady-cats if you're all dirty. Now, let's get ourselves squeaky clean! Hehe, even your tail ribbon is clean now. Let's put on some of this perfume now. My, you smell so nice! Rose: (You even cleaned my ribbon for me... Thanks.) ~~~ Rose: (Something smells great!) Cierra: It's a good thing we stumbled upon that Pelga nest. There were so many fresh eggs! This is turning out to be a wonderful day. Sunny side up is nice, but having eggs this way is nice sometimes, too. Magic adjustments are all complete. Fire! Hehehe, my delicious scrambled eggs are done! Let's eat up, Gateau. Rose: (It's been days since I had a good meal!) Cierra: My, it's so delicious! Well, Gateau? Isn't it sweet and scrumptious? Rose: (Let's see... !! T... t... too hot!) Cierra: Goodness! You must really like my cooking if it has you that excited. But you shouldn't run around during mealtime, Gateau. Rose: (Water!) Cierra: Now that we've all had some food, we should get going. Rose: (I wouldn't call THAT food... A... a... Achoo! Ugh... I think I've got a cold. Jeez... and my ribbon's all wet again, too...) Cierra: Oh? Are you sick? I have just the medicine for that... Rose: (No! No more "medicine"!) ~~~ Cierra: According to ancient literature, there's a prismatic grass that grows in Wiese Forest. It's said that it shines with all the colors of the rainbow. Rose: (Prismatic grass?) Cierra: The grass is legendary. The only records of it exist in old books. If I can find it, it'll be the greatest discovery of the century. Rose: (Uh huh. The greatest discovery.) Cierra: So I'll be counting on your help, Gateau! Rose: (Why me?! I'm supposed to be looking for Ein!) Cierra: Now then, let's begin our search for the Prism Grass! Rose: (*sigh*... It's not like I'll make much progress alone. Guess I have no choice but to tag along... Boo hoo boo...) Rose: (It's getting hard to see out here...) Cierra: That legendary grass won't be such an easy thing to find, will it? Rose: (The sun's going down. We should stop for the night.) Cierra: Hehe, don't you worry about a thing, Gateau~. I've prepared a lantern for exactly this kind of situation. With a bit of magical light, this will let us see even at night. Rose: (Are you telling me we're going to be looking for this stupid grass all night long?! This sucks...) Cierra: O shining moonlight, dancing across the silent forest... Luminary Wisp! There we go, nice and bright. Here, Gateau, you can carry the lantern. Rose: (Jeez... this girl's a real slave driver.) Cierra: I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful helper~. Hm? There's a faint light over there... I wonder what it could be. Rose: (It kinda looks like it's changing colors...) Cierra: It's like a rainbow! It must be the Prism Grass! Let's hurry! Rose: (This thing... weighs a ton...) ~~~ Cierra: We really found the Prism Grass! And look how much there is! Rose: (Whoa! The whole ground is like a rainbow! You can't see anything like this in Asgard!) Cierra: What a great discovery! Let's gather some to take back! Nelde's black dragons had supposedly picked it to extinction... I can't believe it's managed to survive all this time. Once I get some of this grass, I'll have everything I need for the Great Prism Magic. Each blade is as transparent as glass... And the way they glow is so beautiful. Alright, I'll start with this one. Hm? The Prism Grass... Rose: (I-it moved! Did it... grow legs?) Cierra: Hm? What's going on? Rose: (The grass is running! All the Prism Grass is getting away!) Cierra: We have to catch some quickly. Wait for me, Prism Grass~! Rose: (They're so fast! But they're grass!) Rose: (Look, one of them tripped! Now's our chance!) Cierra: I'll make a leap for it and catch it! Here goes! Cierra: It got away... Rose: (B... b...) Cierra: Hm? What's wrong, Gateau? Rose: (Below you...) Cierra: Strange. It feels like I'm walking on air? What's this? I can't see the ground. That means I'm... standing over a pit? Rose: (Guess so. Hey, wait! You're going to fall, Cierra!) Cierra: Huh? Whaaaat? Rose: (Hey! Are you okay?) Cierra: I'm fine! I landed on a big cushiony leaf! Please help me, Gateau! Rose: (What do I do? Uh... I'll need to get down there first. This cave gives me the creeps... Man, I can't see anything down here! Heeey!) Cierra: I'm further down, Gateau! Rose: (Huh? What was that? Sounds like something's rustling around... Gah! Cut that out, don't just start tickling me out of nowhere... Huh? My leg's stuck... Aah! What the heck?! I'm all tangled up in these vines! Let go of me, you jerk! This cave must be a nest for demons!) Cierra: G-Gateau? The plant's about to... Rose: (Wha? Aack! A cat-eating plant! I have wings and I can talk; I'm not a cat! I'm just a familiar! I wouldn't even taste good! Ahhh!) Cierra: Ah! Gateau! Rose: (I can't see! Save meee!) Cierra: Hmph, how could you do something so terrible to cute little Gateau? I'll burn you to ashes! Magic at full power! Hellfire! Rose: (Y-yowch! That's way too hot!) Rose: (O-oh jeez... I think I'm gonna be sick!) Cierra: Oh no! Gateau! Rose: (Eeeeiiin!) ~~~ Rose: (And when I woke up, I was stuck in that huge tree.) Ein: Sounds like you had a really rough time. But I'm glad you're okay. Rose: (I never want to see another plant again...) Lina: Ooh! I can see Elendia! Cierra: My, what a large tree. That's Elendia, then? It looks like a wonderful place. Fia: We're nearly there. I know you'll just love CoCo's delicious cooking. Serene: Yeah. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. I feel like I could eat for two days straight! Lina: Serene's a piggy~! Serene: P-piggy?! I can't believe I'm hearing that from a girl who does nothing but drool over banangos. Lina: Lina thinks about more than just banangos. There's playing and treasure hunting and... wait, are you making fun of me again?! Serene: Yeah, whatever. Last one to Elendia... is a rotten applecot! Lina: Hey! Wait, Serene! Fia: Be careful not to trip, Lina! Cierra: Hehe, they're so energetic. Rose: (Whew. They're kind of noisy, but we made some pretty nice Sprite friends, didn't we, Ein?) Ein: Yeah. It's up to us to stop the Retribution and protect their home.