100 Ways to Charm Aldo

Hm? It's morning already?

*yawn* Can't remember the last time I didn't have to get woken up. I must be improving.

Good job, Aldo! Congrats on waking up all by yourself!

What the?! Shanie?! What are you doing in my room?!

I was watching you sleep, silly.

Um, okay...

Actually, no. Not okay. If you're gonna come into my room, at least wake me up.

But you love sleeping! I didn't wanna take that from you.

Although, it did look like you were in a much lighter sleep than usual. You even cried out a few times... You doing okay? 'Cause stress can lead to poor sleep. You can always talk to me, you know.

Yeah, I know. But I'm fine, honest.

(Wait. What did Shanie mean by "than usual"? How does she know how I usually sleep?) (Please don't tell me she's done this before...) (No, I must be reading too much into this.)

And what about you? Are you doing okay? Those dark circles under your eyes imply you haven't slept a wink.

Oh, sleeping's such a waste of time.

But I'm okay. Gazing at your lovely face does me more good than sleeping ever could.

Um. I have a question. How long have you been in my room?

Oh, the whole time.

I was already here before you came in.

Didn't Varuo spot you?

Oh, Varuo's such a good kitty. He wouldn't let the cat out of the bag, so to speak.

Varuo!

Teehee. He probably went out to get something to eat. We should do the same.

Yeah, I guess. If anywhere's open this early.

Early? It's already past noon!

Whoa, I seriously overslept! Why didn't you wake me up?

Everyone's probably mad... I should go apologize.

But what about our lunch date?

Sorry, Shanie. Not now.

(I thought I was doing him a favor by letting him sleep, but I guess not.) (Are people gonna get mad at poor Aldo?) I should buy him some food at the tavern to make it up to him.

How do I get Aldo to fall in love with me?

No means no! Quit bugging me already!

Hm? I wonder what's going on.

C'mon, don't be like that! Come an' have some fun with us.

Come to our base an' we'll give you an experience you'll never forget.

Yeah, likely story. I'm not going anywhere with you.

Looks like she don't trust us.

Hey, come tell the li'l lady what she's missin' out on.

Wh-What are you doing?

Heheheh. See, the thing about our base...

Is we got all these gorgeous white flowers growin'... Weave 'em together, and you got yourself a cute li'l flower crown. C'mon, what d'you say, gorgeous?

That's not what I was expecting... But it's still a no.

Then how's about I make you a ring?

(Are they trying to hit on her?) (I need to get out of here before they see me, or my curse will really rile them up.)

(Oh yeah, my curse has been lifted. I don't need to worry about that anymore.)

I don't think she's interested, guys.

Nobody asked you, lady.

Whoa! What the?!

I SAID she's not interested.

Okay, okay, we get it! Just make it stop!

Whoa, that was amazing! What was that? Magic?

If anything, I guess it's more like a curse. It's not much, but it's a useful trick.

Well, whatever it was, thanks for helping me. Those guys just wouldn't take no for an answer.

Don't mention it. When someone's in trouble, you help them.

That's what the man I love says.

Oh, that's so sweet!

Teeheehee...

Okay, you gotta let me make this up to you somehow. Do you like juice?

I'm more of an eater than a drinker, to be honest.

Do you know anywhere that serves food to-go?

Sure! Let me show you around. I know this place like the back of my hand.

Ah, I almost forgot to introduce myself! I'm Shanie. I'm a traveler.

You're Shanie? That's such a weird coincidence! I'm Shanie, too.

Whoa, that's so weird!

You and I must have SO much to talk about! Okay, that settles it! I was gonna show you to the tavern and be on my way, but now I've GOTTA join you!

B-But...

Pleeease? I hate eating alone! And I won't take up much of your time, I swear!

Well, okay then...

Yay! Then let's go to the tavern! Their food is to die for.

(She's so cheerful and charming and sweet... I wonder if this is what Aldo likes in a girl?)

Oh my gosh, so your boyfriend and you haven't, Oh, you're so pure!

Well, I'm just happy to be near to him...

You must have the patience of a saint!

But aren't you jealous? Being kind to everyone is a great attribute in a man, but less so in a boyfriend, don't you think?

There's nothing to be jealous of. He and I were destined to be together.

I just need to try harder to get him to like me.

Like I was thinking, maybe I should start acting more like you.

Me?

Yeah. I mean, you're so charming and bubbly! People clearly like that about you.

Sure, but everybody has their own charms. We just need to find yours.

I know. Take that hood off, and we'll see what we're working with.

Oh? (She looks like me...)

Smile for me?

Weirder and weirder. We don't just share a name. You even look like me!

No way. You're way prettier than me.

I'm guessing you don't spend a lot of time looking at your own reflection, do you?

Oh, what a shame you can't see how pretty you are! You know what you need? Confidence. A little self-confidence, and he'll fall head over heels for you for sure.

Self-confidence? Yeah, I guess that could use some work.

How do I get it?

Maybe we start with your clothes? The right outfit can do wonders for your self-esteem.

Oh... I'm like a fish out of water when it comes to fashion.

Lucky for you, I can help! I'll give you the makeover of all makeovers!

Are you sure? I mean, it's a lot of effort to go to for a total stranger.

It's totally fine! This can be my way of thanking you for before.

Okay, let's get going...

To the blacksmith!

The blacksmith?

This seems like an unusual choice for a makeover... Why a blacksmith?

Teehee. This is the best place to get your crush to notice you.

With the right weapons and armor, we can make you look strong.

Strong? And that's a good thing?

When it comes to love, it's always good to show off your strength.

Plus, the stronger you look, the more confident you'll feel.

Hmm. This is all news to me.

I always thought girls were meant to be all sweet and vulnerable and whatnot. Dependent on a man's strength, not actually strong themselves. Then again, it's been a long time since I've interacted with others. Maybe values have changed since then?

This could work well for me. I could take advantage of the self-defense skills I've picked up over the years.

So curses aren't the only string to your bow?

No, but I don't really like to use these skills against others.

I like this one. Nice and pointy.

And I'd like to up my defenses, too. Maybe something like this...

Phew, what a haul! Thanks for helping me carry it all back.

Please, it's the least I could do after I persuaded you to buy all these things.

Okay, I'll go put these in my room.

Huh? Aldo?

Hm? Did she just say "Aldo"?

Hm? Is something wrong?

Excuse me. Is Aldo not back yet?

Aldo? Ah, you mean the swordsman? He went to deal with some bandits at the request of the town elders.

Bandits? What bandits?

They call themselves the Nice Guys. They go around, hitting on all the women in town.

The Nice Guys? They sound like the guys who were harassing me.

Their romantic overtures and rugged looks prove to be seducing all the young women in town.

Huh. So the problem is that they have too much game.

True, it's not like they've attacked anyone... But the elders are worried that the kindness these bandits are showing will be like poison to the women. They see a tough guy picking up a lost puppy in the rain and they can't help but swoon.

When scary meets kind...

Hmph. They don't sound like much of a threat, to be honest.

But maybe this is my chance to show off my strength to Aldo!

You want to go?

Of course I do! If there's gonna be a fight, then this is the best way to show off my strength! Way more natural than randomly cracking out my skills on our travels.

Yeah, I can see where you're coming from. I'll lend you a hand.

So, where are these bandits at?

Keruri Highroad, I think.

Then that's where we'll go!

Aldo... Could it be?

A girl who fights for love, huh? Impressive. I'm almost jealous...

The receptionist said they'd be around here somewhere.

Ah! Look over there!

Aldo!

Shanie?! What are you doing here?

Check this out, Aldo! See how strong I am!

I can defeat any monster! I can protect you!

Whoa, that's one bold way to flirt! We should be takin' a leaf outta her book!

How's he gonna respond?

Thanks, Shanie. I appreciate it.

Obtusely, apparently. Does he seriously think she's just here to help? Blockhead.

Maybe chicks dig apathy?

Huh? Shanie?

Hm? Shanie? No, my mistake. But you look so similar...

Are you the Nice Guys? I heard the townsfolk want you gone.

Why? What'd we do?

I know we call ourselves bandits, but we ain't actually doin' anythin' wrong!

I was asked to drive these guys out, but I think it was a misunderstanding. I mean, they just rescued a little lost kitty, so they can't be that bad.

Anyway, it's not safe here. Let's head back to town.

Hm? What's wrong?

Ngh! There's more?

Whoa, look at the size of that thing! Think you can take it?

I don't know. But if I were you, I'd get out of here before you have to find out. Shanie, you take these guys back into town. I'll handle the monster!

Err...which Shanie?

Umm... It doesn't really matter, to be honest...

I'll do it! I wanna prove to Aldo how reliable I am!

Great. Then can I count on you to fight by my side, Shanie?

Huh? Oh. You weren't talking to me.

Wait, you're called Shanie, too?

Sorry it's so confusing. I just have to protect these people, right?

That's right. I'm counting on you, Shanie.

Wait!

I want to fight by his side! I should be the one to protect Aldo!

Then why did you offer yourself up in the first place? I'll take the guys back to town.

Thanks! I appreciate it.

Am I appreciated, Aldo? Aren't you going to ask ME to fight by your side?

Um, sure... Shanie, will you do me the honor of fighting by my side?

With pleasure!

Poor thing, all injured like that. I hate to see it suffer. Should I tend to its wounds or something?

Why defeat it just to turn around and look after it?

I wanted to show you how I could be strong yet kind. But I dunno, it's kinda wrenching at my heart strings.

Um... Yeah, it must be a bit of a shock.

Still, I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't turned up. It's hard to fight and protect at once.

You're glad I was here?

You don't know what you'd do without me?

Yay! I'm so happy you feel this way!

Wait, that's not what I said! You're twisting my words!

Yay, Aldo thanked me. Teeheehee...

Nope, she's definitely not listening.

Okay, why don't we go back to Acteul? I want to make sure everybody got back safely.

Welcome back, you two. Is anyone hurt?

Nope, we're all fine. Thanks for escorting the guys back, by the way. Are they both okay?

Yeah, they're good. They went and took the cat back to its owner, who seemed pretty grateful. Now that the town's stopped hating them, they've decided to stop referring to themselves as bandits.

That sounds like a good call. That name was only asking for trouble.

Now. I have a bone to pick with you, Aldo. Since when have you and she been lovers?

Lovers? We're not lovers! We're just traveling companions.

Oh... That's a relief.

Now. I wanna talk to you...

Are you Shanie's boyfriend? She wasn't exaggerating, you really do seem kind.

Boyfriend? I'm not her boyfriend! We're just traveling companions.

Oh? You're not?

Shanie? Can I talk with you for a minute? In private.

Yes? What is it?

What was that all about?

You have some explaining to do. Why would you lie like that? Why did you tell me you were lovers?

He and I are destined to be together! Just because we aren't yet, doesn't mean we won't be eventually! So I didn't lie; I just used the wrong tense! I don't see the big deal!

Yeah, well, I do!

You see, Aldo is my...

*gasp* Are you saying... Are you and Aldo...

Huh? No, it's not like that!

Homewrecker.

Hey! I liked him first!

And? This isn't first-come first-served!

From now on, you and I are rivals. We'll see who gets him in the end.

Challenge accepted.

You can't just lie and deceive your way into being his only love interest. That's not fair on him.

Why would you care? Unless...*gasp*! You want Aldo for yourself, don't you?

Why is that your first assumption? Friends don't steal each other's crushes!

But Aldo's such a wonderful man. I can't be the only one who wants him.

Then stop lying and make your move. I don't know what you're worrying about; he's a fool if he says no.

Shanie... Thank you.

But don't you ever double-cross me, you got that? Don't even think about it.

Eep...