Fantasia of the Dream-Protecting Acrobats ~Western Country & Central Country~

Akira: Whoa! This place is huge!

Akira: What do you think we should get? From tapestries to sweets, it's like there's endless options.

Murr: Master sage, check out this little moving lion model! Roaaar!

Akira: Whoa, its mouth opens when you get close to it!

Murr: I think we should get it, make it way bigger with magic, and put it on the front step of the manor.

Akira: I'm pretty sure somebody would get bitten...

Murr: I'm naming it Oz.

Oz: I am not a lion.

Shylock: That's quite enough, Murr. Look. This liqueur has gold leaf in it. It seems like it's drawing thematic inspiration from the lion as well.

Rustica: I think this brooch would make a lovely gift for Chloe. It looks just like the lion statue in the square.

Akira: I think both are good options!

Akira: (But that said...)

At that moment, I looked around.

From baked goods with enticing aromas, to elegant ornamental figures, to opulent decorative rugs... just about everything for sale shared something in common.

Akira: All the souvenirs they're selling here seem to be lion-themed. Is that lion statue we saw in the square some kind of symbol of the city or something?

Shylock: The statue has been there ever since the city was founded, so I imagine it is somewhat iconic.

Akira: I see...

(I was taken aback when the statue turned out to talk; but it did seem to be pretty beloved, so I supposed we should get some lion goods as souvenirs.)

Akira: Oz, what do you think we should get for the other central wizards?

Oz: ...

Oz: These lion-shaped cookies.

Cain: So first of all, it seems like we need to get in touch with the head trapeze artist, a girl named Marie.

Chloe: Right. I won't know what kind of costume I need to make until I talk to her.

Arthur: The troupe members we asked said she should be around here somewhere...

Riquet: Look. There's a redheaded girl over there, behind that curtain.

Chloe: Maybe that's her! Let's ask her.

Redheaded Girl: ...

Chloe: Hello! Ah, you wouldn't happen to be Marie, would you?

Marie: That's correct... who are you?

Chloe: Oh, I'm sorry, I just walked up and started asking you questions without introducing myself, didn't I! I'm Chloe, one of the sage's wizards. These are Arthur, Cain, and Riquet– they're sage's wizards, too.

Cain: It's a pleasure to meet you, Marie. If it's alright, would you allow me to shake your hand?

Marie: Sure...

Marie: But I heard people talking about the sage's wizards being here. What are you doing here? What do you want from me?

Chloe: Oh, I guess nobody told you?

Chloe: The ringmaster tasked us with making a performance costume that you'll be happy with!

Chloe: So tell me: what colors and patterns do you like? What textures? What are your favorite costumes you've ever had, the ones that you feel great in?

Marie: A costume I'll be happy with...?

Cain: We want you to feel like you can go out and perform on the trapeze again!

Riquet: And we were told that in order to do that, a new costume would be necessary.

Marie: Ah...

Arthur: We just met up with the ringleader of the Comus troupe, and he told us–

Marie: Oh, of course he's gone and started telling people that... I never said that I didn't like the costumes...

Chloe: You didn't?

Marie: He probably misinterpreted something I said about my costume getting torn a couple days ago.

Marie: He's a very competent ringleader, but he's very hasty and jumps to conclusions all the time...

Cain: Somehow, I feel like I'm willing to believe that.

Chloe: So the wardrobe was never really the problem after all, huh?

Marie: That's correct.

Marie: I didn't complain about the costumes as they are, and I already have a replacement for the one that got torn.

Riquet: So then you'll be able to perform your trapeze show tomorrow as planned?

Marie: ... that...

Marie: ... I'm sorry for getting your hopes up.

Arthur, Riquet, Cain: Huh?

Marie: ... I've decided I won't go out unless the costumes are more flashy after all.

Chloe: ...

Chloe: Alright, then! Marie, what kind of costume do you want? Don't hesitate to ask for anything you'd like!

Marie: Um...

Marie: Well, I guess I... I want to be colorful, and exciting! I want to be really dreamy and pretty!

Marie: But I also want it to look smart, and mature, and beautiful too!

Marie: ... yeah. Yeah, that's right! I won't go on stage unless I'm in an outfit that does all of that!

Chloe: ... I understand.

Chloe: I'll make all your dreams come true.

Marie: ... really?

Chloe: Yep! I'll try my best to make an outfit that makes you want to stand on stage! I hope you'll look forward to it.

Riquet: Chloe, you seemed to act differently from usual just then.

Chloe: Ah, well... that girl was acting a little strange, so I wanted to take the pressure off a little bit.

Arthur: That would be why, then. You really had a very cool, dependable sort of air to you just then, Chloe. It was very mature.

Cain: For real. It was just like a professional tailor.

Chloe: Thank you! But even if I talk a big game, it doesn't mean anything if I can't back it up.

Chloe: I'll try my hardest to meet all her requests. If I try my hardest for her, maybe she'll open up to us a little more...

Arthur: Yeah... she seemed to be playing her cards very close to her chest.

Cain: Maybe whatever secret she's holding in is why she can't go out on stage, instead of the outfits.

Chloe: Yeah...

Akira: We're back!

After our walk through the market, we met up with everyone at the hotel that we had made arrangements at.

Rustica: Were you able to talk to the trapeze artist?

Chloe: Yeah, we had the chance to talk to her. Her name is Marie, and the truth is...

...

Rustica: I see. It's truly admirable of you to take on such a difficult order, Chloe.

Shylock: I do wonder what that girl could be hiding... but for the time being, shall we help you make that costume?