Lovinia's Song

Oh, Lovinia!

Hi! Long time no see! How are you?

It really has been a long time. I hadn't seen you in any taverns, I was starting to worry.

Ahahah! Sorry about that! I've been a bit busy lately with all the adventuring.

Lovinia, is this a friend of yours?

Yep, that's right! I see him all the time in the taverns. I used to sing in taverns all over before I joined you!

You know she's a bit of a celebrity in these parts. People say she's imbued with a power. Everyone around here knows her as a great songstress.

Heheheh! Stop exaggerating!

Wow, I had no idea. That's pretty cool.

What's this? You've never heard her sing?!

I have, but not here. And under completely different circumstances. I don't think I've heard her songs the way you guys have.

I knew she sang, but never in front of me. Mostly I've just heard her humming...

This will not do! Everyone needs to hear her at her best at least once! There's nothing quite like it! Even the regulars still can't get enough! Even the most violent thug will be placid as a lamb after hearing her song. Her voice is a gift from the heavens!

Eheheh! Stop, you're making me blush! You really have a way with words!

Well, since you're here, how about giving us a song? I'm sure everyone will enjoy it.

Yeah, I'd like to hear you sing too. A Lovinia original.

Hmm...okay. Fine! Let's do a golden oldie that I've not done in forever! Ahem...

Lalala♪ Do Re Mi♪♪ Fa So La♪ Ti Do♪♪♪

Ah... There really is nothing quite like Lovinia's Song. It's like all your worries are just washed away...

She does have a lovely voice. I feel so relaxed... So this is Lovinia's fabled song.

Ah! That strange lady's singing again!

Hey! What's with the weird song?! You're really weird!

Oi! Stop it, will you?!

So rude. He keeps interrupting her.

Ahahah! It's no good, sir. Children always react that way.

... Who was that kid?

Oh, him? He's a notorious little punk who lives around here. Apparently he's the only child of a rich family. As a result he's grown up a spoiled brat. He spends his days tormenting the adults of the town.

Sir, you're too mean to the poor boy. I feel bad for him now.

I guess there's only so far you can turn a blind eye to a child's mischief.

Is that so? I've never minded him.

Don't you think someone should try to teach him some manners?

Hmm... I guess so? I think we should try talking to him. Let's try and find the poor boy!

Ah! There he is! So this is where he ran off to.

Gah! The strange woman! The strange woman's chasing after me!

Hey! My name isn't "strange woman." It's Lovinia, okay?

Shut up, strange woman! Like I want to know your name! You're a monster! Stay away from me!

Hey. You shouldn't talk like that to your elders, kid.

Wh-Who the heck are you?! Don't come any closer! Are you a monster too?! Stay away from me! Shoo!

Ah! W-Wait! Damn. He's quick, I'll give him that.

Aha! Such a lively young man. It's good to see children with such energy in this day and age!

I guess you're not wrong... Lovinia, don't you think you should be just a little angry at the kid?

Ahahah, don't worry about it. He's only saying those things to make me notice him. It's actually quite cute.

I still think you're going too easy on him... Where did he run off to? Finding him isn't going to be easy.

Maybe he went to the Derismo Highroad? I always see him playing there.

Really? Okay, this time I'll give him a piece of my mind.

Nope, not here. Are you sure you've seen him around here before?

Hmm, I thought so. It sure looks like he's been here recently.

Alone? Does he not have any friends?

I've heard that he has trouble making friends. It must be so lonely, not having friends. Maybe that's why he comes out to my shows, for a bit of human interaction.

I see now. I thought there must be a reason for his behavior.

AAAH!

Wh-What was that?! Someone just screamed!

It came from over there! Aldo, let's go!

Are you all right?! What happened here?

J-Just now, a poor little boy was taken away by a vulgar man!

A little boy... It must be the boy from earlier!

Yes, must be. He comes from a rich family, doesn't he? They must have kidnapped him!

K-Kidnapped?! Oh no! We have to go save him!

Which way did they go?!

They went that way!

To Lake Tiilen. We might be able to catch up to them!

Let's go, Aldo! That poor boy might be in trouble!

Aldo! Look! Over there!

Mwahaha! We finally did it! We got the little brat kid of that rich family!

Oi! Let me go!

Heh! Serves you right for wandering all alone, you little brat!

Sh-Shut up! Just you wait until my father hears about this!

Mwahaha! And just how do you think you'll tell him? You're our prisoner here! Now shut up, before we shut you up.

Wh-What are you going to do to me?

Well...we could sell you to the next merchant who'd take you.

I won't let you do that!

Huh? Wh-Who are you?! Do you know this brat?

I'm his friend!

What?!

Just hold on, I'm here to save you!

Tch! You're outnumbered, there's no way you can win! Don't waste my time. I've prepared something special just in case something like this were to happen. Come get some!

He's got trained monsters?! Lovinia, watch out!

N-No way... My m-monsters... Damn it! I was so close this time!

Are you okay? You're not hurt, are you? I was so worried about you!

......

Hmm? What's wrong? You're not your usual lively self.

Ah! They didn't do anything nasty to you, did they?

No, it's not that. It's just...

...?

We can talk later. Maybe we should get back to the palace first?

It isn't safe out here.

You're right. Let's head back!

All right! We made it back safe and sound! I'm sure you can make your way back from here on your own.

......

See you later. Bye!

Miss, wait!

Why... Why did you save me? I've always been so mean to you.

Hmm... To be sure, you have said some nasty things about me.

......

And I'm not going to lie, some of them have hurt. You made me feel bad about myself.

Th-Then...why save me? You should have just left me...

I couldn't do that. Ever. I would never sink to petty payback for slights done against me. If everyone acted like that, then the whole world would be sad. I don't want that.

......

I have a dream, you see. I want to make the whole world happy through my music! But, I can't just sing. There needs to be an audience. That's why I saved you. You may shout at me, but you still come and listen!

... I don't get it. You're not making any sense.

Really? Ahahah! You know, Aldo says that to me all the time!

... I don't get it. Even though you saved me... What can I say to that... I don't know...

Haha! That one's easy! I'm sorry for the unkind words, and thank you for saving me! What more do you need to say?

...... ...I-I'm sorry...miss. And...thank you for saving me...

Ahahah! Well said! You're very welcome!

You're really something, Lovinia. You're really like a big sister to him.

Huh? Really? Eheheh, I'm glad you think so.