Tidal Companions

What's the deal? Everyone in the Dragon Palace looks to be in a rush.

Huh?

Eeeeeyaawaaa!

What's the deal with that weird cry?! I feel like I've heard it before...

Urgh! She's too strong!

Are you okay?! Do you need some help?

Yes please! We might just be able to overpower her!

What could be so strong? Is there a monster running amuck?

Uwwaaaaa!

There's that cry again!

I've got to save them!

Here I am to save the day! Where's the monster?!

Wait, what?

You...said something about a monster?

*snort* Hahahahaha!

I take it there's no monster.

Of course not! I was wondering why you'd barge in here like a bull seeing red!

I'm sorry if we gave you the wrong impression. Though to be honest, she's being as difficult as a monster that's for sure.

Are you gonna tell me what's going on?

We've been helping her get dressed in her bridal gown.

But she's not particularly used to getting dressed up, so she's being kind of a brat about it.

Look for yourself!

Gosh darnit... How'd I get myself in this?

Wait? That girl...

Huh? Aldo! Listen to me, will ya?!

Hmm, I don't think we've met before. Didn't realize there was anyone so pretty in the Dragon Palace.

P-Pretty?! Oh...

Hey, c'mon, cut it out, Aldo! It's me, I tell ya! M-E ME!

Huh? You know my name? And that way of speaking...

Are you...Chiyo?!

You bet your britches! Didn't ya recognize me?

Well, you just look so different from normal. What's with the dress?

W-Well...

Listen all'y'all! I've gotta talk with him. Leave us alone, will ya?

But we haven't finished your...

Urgh, I know already! You can come right back!

They mentioned a bridal gown... What's the deal?

Uhhh...

Aldooo! You've gotta help me!

Whoa! What happened, Chiyo?!

I-I...

I'm gettin' hitched!

Hitched?

Wait, WHAT?! You're getting married?!

Yeah, that's what I'm tellin' ya! B-But I ain't ready yet!

Don't you think this is going too fast?

Who are you marrying?

Well, all I know 'bout him is he's a real somebody. Mighty important, he is. The Dragon Palace folks say he's gonna calm the ragin' sea, so I can't go messin' nothin' up. To make things worse, he lives real far away 'n' I've gotta take a sea turtle palanquin to get there.

So you've never met him before? How did this even come about?

Well... I was helpin' out Lady Sheila early in the mornin' the other day, 'n' then I got called to the Dragon Palace. They kept orderin' me about 'n' before I knew it...

They told me I'm tyin' the knot!

Wait, wait, wait! That can't be! Marriage isn't something that can just be decided like that! It can't be that simple!

I hear talk sometimes. It ain't so strange for a sea turtle or squid from a good family to get hitched to someone important...

There's a social hierarchy among sea turtles and squids...I never expected...

Wait, that's not the point! Doesn't Sheila have anything to say about this?

Lady Sheila ain't said a word to no one since this whole weddin' thingy got decided.

She hasn't? Why not? I thought you worked for her.

Ain't got a clue. But whenever I go visit, the guard comes 'n' stops me. Sayin' I can't see her...

That's weird.

Ya think maybe Lady Sheila hates me? She don't need me no more so she's marryin' me off?

No, that can't be right! Even I know how close you two are.

Then, why...

I don't know either. But I'm sure there's a reason. If you get stopped by the guard, how about you hide behind me, and we sneak in to talk to her?

B-But I...

Whatever the reason. I can't stand by and watch you and Sheila grow apart.

Aldo...

You're on to somethin' there, you are. I could talk to her at least! She should be someplace in the outer walls, I reckon! Come along, Aldo.

Yeah, let's go!

Lady Sheila should be in this here room 'round 'bout now. But it's locked. 'N' it ain't usually locked...

So it's normally open? Perhaps she's out? Why don't I try calling out to her? You go hide over there.

You betcha!

Huh?

What the? Someone's there.

Hey, do you have a minute? I'd like to see Sheila...

Oh, you would? This is Lady Sheila's room, but unfortunately...

Huh? You're...

Eeep? Busted! I'm that bad at hidin'?

Go back. You can't see Lady Sheila.

What? But she's in there, right?

No one can see Lady Sheila right now. Especially not her.

What is going on...?!

...... Was that Lady Sheila's decision?

Well...

Whoever I ask, they won't lemme see her. So, at least tell me! Don't Lady Sheila wanna see me?

......

'Cos I wanna see her. I wanna talk to her, not even for long, mind you. I mean, we don't even have to talk, I just wanna tell her... That even if she hates me, I still love her!

Chiyo...

So lemme in that room! Lemme see Lady Sheila!

......

I can't! I really can't! Whatever you do, whatever you say, I can't let you see Lady Sheila!

Urgh! I can't take this no more!

Wargh! Lemme see Lady Sheila!

Ngh... Stop that!

Hound me all you like, it won't change anything. So long as you keep doing that, Lady Sheila is not going to leave this room. Quiet down, go back, and carry out your duties!

Lady Sheila, ya really don't wanna see me?

Fine. If that's what you want, I'll give up, I will.

Are you sure, Chiyo?

I'm Lady Sheila's handmaiden. I ain't got no choice. If she's made up her mind, I've gotta obey.

But...

But there's still a way for me to tell her how I feel. Even without seein' her. So let's get goin', Aldo.

*sigh* She was so aggressive I almost forgot my duty.

She's so fired up this year...

I knew it. Didn't I tell ya? Lady Sheila don't wanna see me...

I still don't believe it. Why would Sheila keep you away?

Could be 'cos I've been such a clumsy oaf lately.

I thought you were always clumsy though?

Hey, what did ya just say?!

Oops, sorry! I could have phrased that better...

What I mean is, surely Sheila's seen you act clumsy countless times before? I don't think a little blunder's going to change Sheila's opinion of you.

Ya could be right... But I went 'n' messed up real big the other day. I bet she just couldn't stand it no more.

What happened?

Lady Sheila's been real busy every day bein' Otohime in both Dragon Palaces. I wanted to lend a hand, so I've been workin' nights. But then I gone fell asleep durin' some important work 'n' I confused this Dragon Palace for the other un.

You were just exhausted. That doesn't sound like a big deal.

But if I put Lady Sheila out instead o' helping her, I ain't got no right to call meself her handmaiden! That musta been the final straw... That's why she's wantin' to send me far away 'n' marry me off. She'll never have to see me again.

Wait, you don't know that for sure!

Anyway, you said before, you had a way to tell Sheila how you felt. Is there something you want to do?

There's somethin' I always wanted to give her.

There is?

Yeah. There's this fish with these real nice scales, see. We used to chase it. We wanted to make a hairpin outta them scales... But I'd always end up messin' up 'n' lettin' the fish get away. We never got to make that hairpin.

Oh, I see. So you want to find that fish and make the hairpin?

Yeah, that's what I'm thinkin'! I'm about to get married off... But even when I'm far away, I wanna make sure she's got somethin' close by, that shows her how I feel.

Even if I annoyed Lady Sheila...

Judging from the looks of that guard, it did seem like there must be a reason for all this. There's got to be something we can do. If there's a way to help make your feelings known, I'm in.

Aldo...

You two used to spend time together at the past Dragon Palace, right? Let's go and find that fish. I'll help you make the hairpin.

So which fish's scales do we need to make this hairpin?

I'm a bit fuzzy on the details.

But the fish was kinda ghost-like, all see-through and stuff, and there was this dim light comin' from its fins. It's always hidin' in coral 'n' seaweed. It's not an easy thing to find, I tell ya.

I see...

Wait! Is that it?!

Yeah, that's it! But...

Huh? Where'd it go?

Yeah, I didn't get around to tellin' ya before, but when it hears voices, it gets all startled and disappears!

Oh...

Teehee, this takes me back, it does. I always used to lose 'em like this. Way back when, me 'n' Lady Sheila'd sneak outta our lessons 'n' go lookin' for that fish. But whenever she'd find it, I'd go makin' a huge scene 'n' scare the fish away... We tried for ages, we did, but we never got them scales 'n' we never made that hairpin.

So that's what you two used do.

Gotta admit, I was the teeniest bit happy whenever I'd scare them fishes away.

You were? Why?

See, if we'd made that hairpin, Lady Sheila and me wouldn'ta had no reason to skip out on our lessons. I felt kinda bad for her 'cos she really wanted that hairpin. But me, I always treasured the time with Lady Sheila way more than any hair do-dah.

From the sounds of things, you're more like her friend than her handmaiden.

WHAT?! W-We ain't friends! How could ya say somethin' so absurd?! Lady Sheila saved me life, she did! I've gotta serve her as best I can to try 'n' pay her back!

How could ya call us "friends"?! Eeeek... Eeeeek! It's so disrespectful that it's makin' me tremble!

C'mon, stop exaggerating. I didn't realize you felt so indebted to her.

She saved you when some children attacked you, right?

Hey, they were no ordinary kids, I'm tellin' ya! Kids'll be kids 'n' all, but that bunch were full on pirates! I can never forgive 'em. I'd gotten caught in a violent tide, see. Nearin' death's door. 'N' then they circled 'round me 'n' poked me with sticks.

No way! Were you badly hurt?! This is the first I've heard of this...

Yeah! I washed up on the beach, barely escapin' with me life, but me shell was cracked 'n' me eyes were all blurry.

Shell...?

Surrounded by 'em pirates, I was sure I was gonna die. But then, Lady Sheila appeared!

Ah, I've heard this story before. Sheila let 'em have it, right?

Right! Lady Sheila roared at them hooligans who were pokin' me. They scattered like birds, they did. I was safe at last.

Then everythin' went pitch black.

What?! Were you okay?

Yeah. I thought I'd finally snuffed it. But... When I came to, Lady Sheila was gently caressin' me shell. She looked even sadder than me, 'n' I was near dyin'...

......

I started to warm up where she'd been strokin', 'n' me fins got all itchy...

Everythin' went bright...

And then I turned into me current form!

Your current form? What do you mean? This wasn't your original form?

You what? Didn't I tell ya? I was a sea turtle to begin with! But Lady Sheila saved me 'n' I turned into this!

Wha...

WHAAAAT?!

Huh? Why're ya so surprised?!

Well of course I'm surprised! I've never once heard of a sea turtle turning into a girl!

You ain't? But I'm tellin' ya, I really was a sea turtle! Y'know when we went to that future village? That scholar guy said it, right?

D, N, and umm...

Yeah, that's it!

Come to think of it, he did say he found sea turtle DNA when you went in the pond in Laula Dome.

Then you really are a turtle!

That's what I've been tryna tell ya! In Dragon Palace, squids 'n' fishfolk talk like humans, right? So what's so strange 'bout a sea turtle turnin' into one?

Yeah, you're right. I guess I was more shocked than I should've been...

But how did Sheila give you a human form?

Umm... Well...

I ain't got a clue!

What?!

But even I know that kinda thing ain't possible if ya go at it half-hearted, yup. Lady Sheila saved me life. So I've gotta dedicate the rest o' it to payin' back that debt.

I can see that. If someone did all that for me, I'd want to work as hard as you are, too.

I never, ever thought we'd be havin' to part so soon.

Chiyo...

But I'm slow 'n' I'm thick... I tried real hard to keep up with Lady Sheila 'n' not fall behind, I really did. But I guess she still ended up hatin' me.

Don't think like that.

Heheh. If I keep on complainin', I'ma be late gettin' back, again. C'mon, let's get these scales and get back to the other Dragon Palace!

Okay...

Aldo, look!

Huh?

It's the scales from one o' them fishes! Looks like we found it in scale sheddin' season. There's so many!

We never got to make that hairpin when we were li'l kids... And once I've made it, I'm never gonna see Lady Sheila again...

Chiyo... I still think this has been some kind of misunderstanding. Why else wouldn't Sheila want to see you before you get married?

Nope, it ain't no misunderstandin'! If I wasn't gettin' married, why'd I be dressed in this pretty li'l number? There's a sea turtle palanquin comin' and everythin'!

I-I know that, but...

You're a good guy, Aldo, ya really are. But I ain't got no choice. I've gotta obey Lady Sheila till the very end. So let's get to makin' the finest hairpin in town!

......

Look, Aldo! This is one mighty fine hairpin I've gone 'n' made!

It's beautiful. I'm sure Sheila will love it.

Why're you lookin' so sad? C'mon, let's go back to the other Dragon Palace 'n' give this to Lady Sheila! This'd be so much easier if we could use that sea turtle palanquin...

WHAAA?! Speak o' the devil, it's a sea turtle palanquin for real! Have ya come to get me?!

I have! So this is where you've been hiding, Miss Chiyo!

There's a group of monsters attacking the future Dragon Palace! You've got to come right away!

Wh-Wha?! Okay, gemme to that Dragon Palace, quick as ya can!

You're comin' too, Aldo!

Got it!

There they are! Those monsters are attacking in groups! The Dragon Palace folks tried to subdue 'em, but there's too many!

I-It's them!

Do you recognize them?

I tried to forget 'em. That day I got caught in that ragin' sea, back when I was a sea turtle...I saw 'em.

I was totally helpless in the current, 'n' they kept comin' at me, tryna bite me. I put everythin' I had into tryna escape, but I cracked me shell and hurt me flipper...

Why're they here? They come to get me again?!

Chiyo...

Okay. You get to safety with the others.

Huh?

I'll take care of them. You'd rather forget them, right?

Well, yeah, but...

......

It's fine, Aldo. Lemme fight 'em.

Chiyo?! But...

This is Dragon Palace. If I'm scared o' this, how'm I ever gonna show me face to Lady Sheila again? I-I've gotta protect Lady Sheila's beloved Dragon Palace. That's...

Me final debt paid back to Lady Sheila!

So, c'mon! I ain't scared o' you! I ain't what I was back then! I ain't alone like I was back then!

What the! What's that light coming from your bridal costume?

I won't let ya...

Lay a fin on Lady Sheila!

*huff* *puff*

You're so strong, Chiyo! You defeated those monsters in the blink of an eye.

Is...Is that 'em all gone now?

Yes. I don't see any others around...

Oh...

What is it?

Urgh...

Aaarrrgh!!!

Chiyo! What's wrong?! Were you really that scared of them?

Nah, that's not it... That's not it.

I wanted to protect Dragon Palace so bad. I was thinkin' o' Lady Sheila durin' that whole fight. 'N' each time I defeated a monster, I kept seein' Lady Sheila's face. Her havin' fun, her laughin' till her sides hurt...

And... *sob* I'd made up me mind, but... All o' a sudden, I feel so sad 'n' lonely at the thought o' havin' to part 'n' I just can't take it. *sob* *sniffle* I ain't never been good enough to be her handmaiden.

Chiyo...

Don't push yourself.

Huh?

I'm sure you were as much Sheila's friend as you were her handmaiden. You're even willing to leave Dragon Palace and get married because you think it's what Sheila wants. There are some orders no handmaiden will want to take. Having to leave a dear friend is always going to be hard.

Aldo...

*sob* *sniffle* You're right, you're right... Lady Sheila might be me master, but she was always me friend, too.

Waaahhh! I really don't wanna get married!

I wanna stay in Dragon Palace! I wanna stay with Lady Sheila!

I don't wanna leave 'n' go far away!

Of course you don't. So let's go tell that to Sheila.

Huh?

Chiyo, what was that about leaving?

Wha?! I know that voice.

L-L-Lady Sheila?!

Things seem to have taken a rather strange turn here.

Sheila! Why wouldn't you see Chiyo? She's been so lonely. And then there's this sudden marriage...

Wait, wait, wait! Didn't Chiyo tell you? I can't see her during the Binding of the Tides ceremony. It's against the rules.

Bindin'...o' the tides?

Yes... Why do you look like you're hearing this for the first time?! Chiyo, you did listen to the briefing on it, right?

Wha? No?! I ain't heard nothin' about this!

You're kidding! There was a briefing on it the other morning! Remember, you were so drowsy that you tried to eat pearls, thinking they were candy?

Ummm...

So basically... All of this was part of the ceremony? That's why Sheila wouldn't see Chiyo? And why Chiyo's dressed as a bride? And the reason Chiyo didn't know any of this is because she fell asleep during the briefing about it?

*grumble* I'm so pathetic... That was the biggest mess up in the history o' bad mess ups.

I thought you sounded desperate when you came to visit my room. You had me wondering if you'd always been this good at acting...

Acting?

Oh, right. If this is all you've heard so far, there's no way you'd know. If I've got to fill Chiyo in on this ceremony, I may as well tell you, too.

That would be great.

So first off, the Binding of the Tides ceremony takes place once every few decades, in order to calm the rough tide. There are two maidens. One plays the God of Tides, and one plays the hero. The ceremony has four parts in total.

Wha?! Four parts? That sounds real complicated.

You'd better be listening carefully this time, Chiyo!

Eeep! G-Got it, Lady Sheila!

First is the Closing of the Tides. The God of Tides maiden must shut the door to her room and stay inside for days. This derives from the sea routes being closed off during rough tides, I think.

Oh...

So you were playing the God of Tides, Sheila?

That's right! During the Closing of the Tides, you can't say a word to anyone outside of the room. But since you can't really survive completely shut off, someone can come in to give you food and so on.

So the fishfolk who came out of your room was just looking after you?

Yes. And by the way, Chiyo is playing the hero to my God of Tides.

Huh?! I'm playin' the hero?! B-But that's such a big deal...

I thought you'd be more than up to the task. That's why I chose you.

Anyway, second is the Entreaty of the Tides. The hero maiden visits the God of Tides' room and asks her to open up. The God of Tides cannot open the door, no matter what. This reflects the fact that the tide did not abate after the sea route closed, in spite of the Dragon Palace folks' wishes.

Wait? Then...

Which is exactly what Chiyo did.

Wha?! You mean I did the ceremony without even realizin' it?!

Your timing was so perfect, I never suspected for a second you were for real. Same with everyone else from the palace. They just thought the Hero this year was really giving it her all.

That's so mean! I was feelin' mighty desperate!

The more desperate you got, the more realistic your performance seemed.

What a strange coincidence... So what's the third ceremony?

The Linking of the Tides. The hero defeats some monsters and goes to gift the God of Tides with the treasure she obtains from them. This is the first time the God of Tides opens her door and speaks to the hero.

Oh? Then the ceremony...

Yeah, it's probably a failure now. But when those monsters turned up, I couldn't just sit around and wait. We're already speaking now, but I'm guessing you don't have a gift for me?

...! Lady Sheila... I...

It's okay, Chiyo. Don't feel responsible for this. The ceremony was just for show anyway.

No! I do have somethin' for ya!

Look! A gift!

Wha? B-But why?!

I thought the ceremony was real 'n' I'd never get to see you again 'n' I just couldn't take it. I figured if I was goin' off to get married, at least you'd have a reminder o' how I felt. So I went 'n' made you this.

Wait, isn't this the hairpin we always wanted to make when we were young? You remembered this?

Teehee... Yeah, well I treasure all me memories with ya, I do.

So despite misunderstanding this whole thing, you've managed to accidentally complete the first three ceremonies? I'm not sure if that makes you incredibly lucky or incredibly unlucky...

In which case, it looks like we won't have to cancel the last ceremony.

So what's the deal with this next ceremony thingy then?

It's the wedding ceremony between the God of Tides and the hero.

Basically, a big ol' party!

Eeeep! This party is somethin' else, I tell ya!

Teehee, isn't it? I mean, it is the wedding between the God of Tides and the hero after all.

The God o' Tides and the hero... So me 'n' Lady Sheila's wedding... Umumum...

So that means your partner-to-be was Sheila as the God of Tides.

I was told me partner was gonna calm the ragin' sea.

Teehee. I bet you never imagined your partner was the God of Tides.

It's a pretty strange story. The God of Tides lays waste to the sea so the hero gives her a gift to calm her down, right? So why do they end up getting married?

According to legend, the God of Tides was laying waste to the sea because a bad monster appeared. The hero defeated this monster to give as a gift to the god, and accidentally saved her in the process.

Whoa, you mean this God o' Tides was in trouble?

Right! The God of Tides fell for the hero and sent a sea turtle palanquin to propose. The hero accepted and they got married.

So that's why the fourth ceremony is a wedding.

Well, it could have been that they just wanted an excuse to throw a party...

I wouldn't put it past you Dragon Palace folks.

But there's something that bothers me about this legend.

What d'ya mean, Lady Sheila?

I don't think it was a coincidence that those monsters appeared during the ceremony. Maybe this ceremony's true purpose is to make us prepare for those monsters.

Uh-huh...

Bear with me for a second, but if I got everyone in the Dragon Palace to act in the Binding of the Tides ceremony... In the Closing of the Tides we shut all our doors tight to prepare for a monster invasion. In the Entreaty of the Tides, the hero in charge of defeating the monsters patrols the Dragon Palace.

Then they defeat the monsters during the third ceremony. Don't you think this makes more sense?

Yeah, it does!

Th-That's sure one way o' lookin' at it!

'N' I'm sure them monsters were the ones that turned up when I got meself caught in that rough tide. Ain't too surprisin' there's a ceremony preparin' for them things appearin' when the sea gets choppy.

I knew it! Those monsters wash up on Dragon Palace when the tide gets more violent!

So something that was originally done to prepare for those monsters eventually turned into the ceremony you do today?

Perhaps. Misunderstandings can occur with this kind of old ceremony, which can lead to things being changed. But it will all be pointless if the monsters come back and no one knows what to do. We'll have to reassess.

You're really speaking like an Otohime now.

Well of course I am. I'm having to be two Otohimes at once!

But if we're right, then what is the purpose of the fourth ceremony? Surely there's no need to keep the whole hero dressing as a bride and throwing a party bit in the ceremony?

Yeah, I s'pose...

Speaking of brides, when Chiyo fought those monsters for real, something strange happened.

Strange?

Light started gathering on her clothes, as if it was responding to her feelings...

Wha? I had no idea 'bout that!

But I did feel this mighty strong power surgin' through me! Wonder what that was.

I know! That must be the point of the fourth ceremony.

What is?!

Wearing the bridal costume!

The bridal costume?

I have wondered about it. The hero wears an inherited bridal costume, but the God of Tides doesn't have any particular outfit to wear. I think the point of this part of the ceremony is the bridal costume itself.

I see...

Perhaps this outfit is some divine artifact that gives the wearer power. Like my lance.

That certainly could be possible, given Chiyo's strength before.

Right!

Then surely that means that the third and fourth ceremonies are in the wrong order?

Hmm, it seems there's a few things I'll need to check. I'll have to look for the literature and review the correct way to do the ceremony.

I'll help ya!

But ya know... It feels kinda weird marryin' ya for this here ceremony... I-I know it's just for show 'n' all, but...

But it feels like I was told I'd get to be with ya forever 'n' that made me feel all happy inside!

What's that? You'd get to be with me forever? You do say the strangest things, Chiyo.

Lady Sheila...

Of course you can be with me forever! You're my handmaiden after all! Until you say otherwise, I'll always want you by my side!

Eeeeewa!

B-But Lady Sheila... I'm so stupid! I keep messin' up 'n' draggin' you into it. I thought you'd get fed up with me eventually.

But Chiyo, you've messed up for as long as I've known you.

Eeeeeyaaa!

Oops, I didn't mean that in a bad way. I mean, I like your mistakes, I like how weirdly lucky you are, I like you and all that entails. I enjoy every day I'm with you, whatever that day may bring.

And I'm never going to get fed up with you, not in a hundred years, not in a thousand years!

Lady Sheila!

Th-Thank you for sayin' that... I'm so happy I could burst! Eeeep...

Hey, wait! What's wrong? You look like you're about to cry!

Wahhh... Lady Sheila... *sniffle*

Honestly! You're gonna get your special bridal costume all dirty!

Oh, that's right! Don't you think that hairpin you gave me before rather suits you? Here, let me give it to you. Just stop crying! You're going to look so cute!

*sniffle* *sniffle* I'd love that 'n' all, but are you sure?

Hm?

You're the one who was always pinin' after that there hairpin...

Me? Did I say that?

I mean, in the ol' days, I'd keep losin' that fish, 'n' next day, you'd always be askin' me to go with ya 'n' look again. I always figured you really, really wanted a hairpin made outta its scales.

Oh, that's what you thought? Teehee...

That wasn't it. I just wanted a reason to sneak out of training with you. The hairpin was just an excuse. For me, the most important thing was getting to spend time with you.

...!

Huh? I feel like I've heard that before...

Teehee... Heeheehee. Honestly, Lady Sheila...

So we've gone from crying to laughing? You sure have been acting strange today.

Heehee. Today's been full o' surprises. 'N' full o' happy things, too.

Well, good. Enjoy this party, then go back to helping me out!

You got it, Lady Sheila!