Melody of Joy

You're very good. I can feel my cares slipping away.

T-thank you... O-on to...the next...

Hm? That sound...

That must be...

Your music really touches the heart. Though, I don't suppose you can sing alongside, too?

Um... N-no, I...can't, I... I'm sorry...

That's a shame.

But your playing really is excellent. I'll stop by again sometime!

Did everyone enjoy your music?

Aldo... Um, yes...sometimes I... I hold...little shows...

But I guess... People want me to sing...

The curse, right... Anyone who hears you sing is filled with a terrible sadness. We need to find a way to fix that for you.

Ah, her voice...

I just...can't give up... on my dream. I want... to make... everyone happy...with my voice.

Traveling with you... Meeting so...many people... I feel that way...even stronger.

Pardon me.

It's been some time, Parisa.

M-Maestro! It...it has...

Maestro?

Ah, you mentioned you were raised by a musical troupe, right? Then, this "Maestro" must be...

Yes...the troupe's leader... A-and my...my foster father...

Maestro... This is...my traveling companion, Aldo...

I'm Aldo, sir. I'm something of a traveling swordsman, I guess.

The pleasure is mine, Aldo. Thank you for looking after Parisa.

What...brings you here...?

We happened to be working in the area. But more importantly...

I see your voice has yet to return.

Yes...I'm terribly sorry... for leaving the troupe for my own selfish circumstances...

Perish the thought. If anything...

Well! Now that we've reunited, would you care to join us again?

Huh?! B-but, I...

We just so happen to be scheduled to play before Palsifal Palace very soon.

If you would like, we could dearly use your lute.

Why not? It sounds like a fine chance.

Aldo...

......Okay... If I...can help everyone, then...

Excellent! It's decided, then. We'll be gathering in the palace's dining hall, so come find us there when you're all ready to play.

Let's head to the dining hall, yeah?

Okay...

...Right. I have to...do everything I can do...to make up for the debt I owe...

Parisa! You came back!

The Maestro said he ran into you. Will you be playing with us?

Are you...sure I should?

Of course! You're always welcome. Oh, right! You still have your dress, right? Need some help getting it put on?

Ah...r-right. Yes, please...!

Huh? What's she doing here?

There's something different about Parisa, I can feel it. She seems more positive than she was before. I'm sure we have her travels with you and yours to thank for that, Aldo.

It's all Parisa. All I've done is help support her doing the things she wants to do.

Did she spend her whole life here before she left on her journey?

Yes. She has no relatives, so we took her in. She's always been very timid, but her talent is second to none. I had hoped to make her my successor as the troupe's leader, in time, but...

The curse, huh.

It happened so suddenly. Anyone who heard her singing felt their heart being ripped in twain by a formless sadness. It was a shock to us all, but I think she was the one who was hit hardest...

And so she left without a word, hoping to find a way to break the curse...I see.

Ta-dah! May I present: Parisa!

This is...the usual performance outfit used by members of the troupe... H-how is it...?

Wow! It really suits you.

Thank you... For saying so... I-I'm a little nervous... Wearing it again... After so long...

Oh, you're back.

Oh, hi!

Hello again, Parisa. I'm so glad to see you looking well.

T-thank you... Y-you, too...

Who's this?

Ah, let me introduce ourselves. This is my daughter...

She's our troupe diva! She's a really, really good singer!

Now, now, nobody likes a flatterer.

So, Parisa. I heard you'll be joining us today on your lute?

O-oh... Yes... I-I hope I...

Will you sing with us? How about it?

......Oh, I...

Her voice is still recovering. Please try to be sensitive.

I see. Still, hm?

......

Enough, enough. You're being very rude.

I guess so. Sorry about that. Well, I have to go do my warmups, so I'll take my leave now.

Please don't think badly of her, Parisa.

No... It's okay...

This darn curse... If only that "blessed fruit you hear rumors about actually existed.

Blessed fruit?

Ah, it's only a fairy tale. I hear talk of it while we're traveling, here and there.

In the stories, it's not a real fruit, but a beautiful gem that glows in all the colors of the rainbow. They say, "the gem is birthed from the purest voice, and in the voice it dwells, overcoming all hardships."

I know it's silly to cling to a fairy tale, but I just want to hear Parisa's lovely voice again, that's all.

......

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ruin everyone's mood.

Why don't we play a little number to get everyone back on their feet? Can't we, Maestro?

That sounds like a fine idea. Parisa, would you do the honors?

Of course...!

That lute...

...Unbelievable. How is she even better than she was before? I'll show her. I'm the real star here.

I need another favor. This time for sure...

You've gotten even better, Parisa. You should have no problems at all fitting in with our performance.

...Thank you...

Maestro, bad news! We can't find your daughter!

What?!

Her performance outfit is missing too. It seems likely she took it with her.

Goodness, she's such a handful...

I'm sorry, everyone, but could you help me look for her?

She can be such a troublemaker.

Parisa...did you and her get in a fight?

N-no...not at all. Why...?

She's been in a bad mood ever since she heard you came back, that's why. I always help with her dress and hair and stuff, so I know when she's mad. I'm glad you're not fighting though!

Do you know where she might have gone off to, then?

Um...maaaybe Derismo Highroad? Any time she gets upset, she goes there to practice her singing. It's supposed to be a secret, but I know about it.

Really? We have to tell everyone.

No, no! It's a secret! She doesn't want anyone to see. But I think it might be okay if it's you, Parisa.

I'm sure your pretty music will cheer her right back up!

I hope so... Thank you...for telling me...

Aldo...

Yeah, let's go!

Where could she be?

...Parisa?

...I hear...her voice. She's...crying...?

Wow, I always forget just how sharp your hearing is.

Aldo...over there...!

Okay! Let's bring her back!

Wait...! Something's...not right...

Hey, so, what's up? Why'd you call me all the way out here? ...Hey, are you crying?

...No. My eyes are sweating.

Now, listen up, and tell me your thoughts. Be honest!

Sure, okay!

Wow. I can feel her voice right down in my bones.

Yes...her voice...is so powerful. I could never...hope to...

...Huh? But, wait, something's strange. What the...? It's such a rousing song, so why do I feel so sad? Why am I crying?

......?!

Well? How was that! That was a rousing hunting anthem offered to the spirits of a successful hunt! Do you feel energized?

Sniffle... Waaaaah!!

Mama! Mamaaaa! I wanna go hoooome!

B-but...

Wait, Parisa. Could it be?!

The curse...!

So it's the same as yours! Was she cursed, too?!

Ah, Parisa!

U-um...!

Parisa! What are you doing here?!

Everyone is...looking for you... The performance...is starting, and you're not there... B-but, more importantly! Your voice...!

So you heard...

So, what? Are you here to laugh at me?

N-no...! My voice...is the same... It's probably...the same curse. So we need to...find a way... to break the curse, and fast...

What do you care? Leave me alone!

I-I can't. Because...I... I love your voice...

Huh?

When everyone plays... And you sing...the whole world lights up all at once...

How can you just say things like that with a straight face?

What?

I don't need your help! I'll fix this by myself!

I have another wish! Take this curse off, right now!

A monster!

You heard me, right?! Fix my voice!

Wait! Where are you going?! Come back here!

Did that monster cause the curse? What's your part in all this? How did you know about it?

......

Aldo...for now... Let's chase the monster... If we defeat it, maybe... Maybe the curse will be lifted...

Yeah, you're right!

It's faint, but...I can hear... The wind is...slightly disturbed. The monster went toward... the Corinda Plains...I think.

Got it. Let's go right now.

How can she be so...

There...there it is!

Let's take it down and end the curse!

Urgh...what is this? I can't move.

What a...creepy sound... It's full of...twisted magic...

But even so... A sound is...a sound...

If I can...counteract it with a sound of the opposite type...it should be canceled out...!

I-it's not working...?!

Ugh...

Parisa! Are you okay?

Damn, I can't move...

Hey, you! Over here!

What are you doing? It's too dangerous!

Your sound is too delicate, Parisa. You'll never win like that. Listen up! If you want to win, you have to assert yourself!

We're free!

We can...do it, now! I'll...take them back... Her voice...and my voice, too!

Thank you...so much. For saving us...

I didn't do it for you. I just thought I should clean up my own messes, that's all...

Right, Parisa! The monster is defeated! Shouldn't the curse be lifted?

O-Oh, right...!

La la la! ♪♪

What a beautiful voice. And I still feel totally...

...Wait. No. That happy feeling's gone. ...Here come the tears again...

It's...not lifted. Just fighting the monster... Wasn't enough to fix it...

I guess not.

You made a wish earlier, right? What was that you were holding?

...This.

A stone...

Can we do something about the curse with that?

I don't think so. I've been asking this whole time, but it hasn't worked at all.

What...is it...?

It's a stone that will grant any wish. I got it on our travels.

...I wished on it to become the troupe's star diva, and the stone spat out a monster...

It told me that I could be the diva if you couldn't sing anymore... and I told it to curse you.

......

Why would you do something so horrible?

My voice is all I have. I wanted to live up to everyone's expectations of me, but...

They didn't have any at all. They only ever looked at you. No one ever looked at me...

So you decided to cheat your way up by stealing Parisa's voice away?!

Aldo...! Please...it's okay...

No, it's not!

...I understand. But... If that's...what happened... Why did it...curse you, too?

When you came back, I was... I'm not proud of it, but... I made another wish. I wanted it to steal away your lute's voice, too.

But maybe, deep down, I knew I was in the wrong. The monster cursed me and now all this is happening... It's all because of me. Me and my awful, cruel jealousy. It's only right that I end up cursed for what I've done.

That's...not true.

Huh?

I know...how much work you've done... To become the diva. More...than anyone. You've worked...so hard, and you never gave up. I know...how important it is to you.

So...you're much more suited... To be the diva, than I am...!

That's not true! I cheated to drag you down from where you belong. I ruined your entire life!

I've...always respected your... Headstrong, positive...and fierce nature. You always... Shine...so bright...

So...I think... It's very good, that you...became the diva.

......!

...We should go... We won't make it back... Unless we hurry...

But, the curse is still active.

For now, I...want to focus on... the performance. We can look... for clues about the curse... later...

Okay. Let's go back to the palace.

I'm sorry... We couldn't get...her voice back...

It's fine. As long as you're safe. We'll have to adjust the program to get by just on instrumentals.

Yes...I'll play my lute... Hard enough...to make up for all the trouble...I've caused...

Thank you all...for listening...

Hm? No singing today?

I guess not. What a shame. I was really looking forward to it.

......

Please let me explain.

I'm very sorry, but due to unavoidable circumstances, today's performance will be instrumental only.

Huh? That's no fair!

Aye! I came here for some singing!

I can only apologize...

Aww, no singing? I wanted to hear singing...

......

...You're right. This is all my fault. I should...

...No... Let me do it...

But your voice still isn't fixed either.

Let me be...the only one who has to bear this. The only one...whose songs make people sad to hear them...

No. No, I won't accept that. I won't make you shoulder my mistake. I'll take responsibility, and show everyone what I've done to myself.

...Okay...then...

Let's...sing together...!

Huh?

I've...always dreamed of it... I've always wanted to... to sing together with you...

......!

Is that...too selfish of me...?

...Okay, fine. I'll do my best to make you look good.

Okay...please do...

La, la la la... ♪♪

La la la... ♪♪

La la la, la la laaa ♪♪

......

Sniffle... Sob... I-I can't stop crying...

Right, the curse...

Huh? Wait a minute.

W-what...what...

What wondrous voices! I've never been so moved!

......!

Aah...my spirit is lifted. It's as if all the clouds in my heart have been cleared away.

So pretty...

W-what's going on?

Everyone...is smiling... They heard our voices, but... They're all still smiling...

That was amazing, you two. Everyone seems really happy. But...

When did your voices come back? The curse was still active before we came back to the palace...

I...I have no idea...

Huh? What just glowed?

The stone...?

Wait...that's...!

It's glowing in seven colors.

Huh? Wait...

In the stories, it's not a real fruit, but a beautiful gem that glows in all the colors of the rainbow. They say, "the gem is birthed from the purest voice, and in the voice it dwells, overcoming all hardships."

Could it be? That thing the Maestro told us about?

The...blessed fruit...!

It's never done this before.

Do you think maybe your voices together gave it some new power?

Where...did you even get this...?

At a little village in the grasslands. Sar-something...

Sar... Sarupa?

...Do you think it has something to do with Reptires?

I...don't know... But, we...

Yeah, we took her down. I guess that means there's no way to know for sure if it's related.

......

I...look, I...

I'm so sorry! I did something awful to you!

Don't...worry about it...please... I'm just happy...your voice is back.

Ah, there you are.

What a wonderful performance! I couldn't be prouder of you both.

...Thank you...

Really though, what a miracle for your voices to return just then.

It's all...thanks to her...

Huh? What do you mean?

It was because of you. Because you gave me courage...Parisa.

......?

Um...Maestro. I have...a favor to ask...

Uh, certainly. What is it?

I-I would like...to stay... With the troupe. I still have...so much... To repay you all...for... Please, let me...

......

I'm sorry, but I can't allow that.

Huh? B-but...why...?

Because that's not what you really ought to be doing, Parisa. Your dream is to make all the people of the whole wide world smile, isn't it?

But...I could do that... As part of the troupe, too...

You know, I've always thought that you were destined for grander things. You've already done so much for us, and been such a joy to have. We want you to be able to smile, too.

That's the best way you can repay us. Understand?

...I do...

Aldo, I'm sure Parisa will achieve her full potential as a songstress traveling with you.

I realize this is selfish, but would you please continue to watch over her?

Of course, sir. Leave it to me.

Thank you.

Um...I really...I was really happy that...I got to sing with you...

Me too, Parisa. It was wonderful.

...Come back anytime. We would love to hear you sing once again.

Yes...I would like that.

Aldo...thank you.

I didn't do a thing. Not about the curse, and not about the troupe either. It was all your hard work.

Are you sure...you want to keep me around...? Would that...be okay?

Of course. We still have to achieve your dream, you know?

...Thank you.

Parisaaaaaa!!

W-we heard that you'd regained your singing voice, and came running!

Are you...about to leave?

Yes... I'm sorry... The performance...is over...

So we were too late. That's such a shame...

I-if you would like... I could...sing for you...?

Would that be okay?!

Please!

I'm so glad I skipped out on my shift.

H-here goes...

So beautiful.

I feel so much better now.

Wish my old ma back home could hear this too.

I'm happy for you, Parisa.

(Everyone is smiling...)

(I hope...I can bring my songs to everyone, someday...)