Card StatsVignette
Can't Make a Fool of Myself (Part One)
Interior Hallway
 Ghost A |
Seize him! |
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I don't think so! |
Ghost A |
GWAAAGH! |
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That's my 362nd victory. Surely you've gotten the message by now. As long as I'm here, none shall pass. It doesn't matter how many of you there are. |
 Ghost B |
What's with this guy?! He's so tiny, but he's as strong as a monster! |
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I don't appreciate a ghost calling me a monster. And what was that about me being tiny? |
Ghost B |
Eep! He's glaring daggers at me! |
Ghost C |
Hey! We're here to help! |
Ghost B |
Oh, thank goodness. |
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Reinforcements. I'd say about 50 of them. |
Ghost B |
All of us have to rush him at once! There's no getting past him otherwise. |
Ghost C |
Right! |
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Urk... They're going to attack simultaneously?! If I don't stop them, they'll pose a threat to Ace and the others. But even I have my limits... Hm? Something fell off my jacket. A rose petal? Ah, of course. I remember... |
Heartslabyul Dorm - Rose Maze
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In accordance with the Queen of Hearts' rules, I'm supposed to finish pruning these roses before tomorrow. But because of all this Ghost Bride nonsense, I'm nowhere near done! I'm busy enough as it is. Why must I prune roses on top of everything else?! Trey and Cater shouldn't have gotten captured so easily. When they get back, it's off with their heads! |
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That's quite the impassioned soliloquy. |
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...! Well, well. Hello, Malleus. To what do I owe the pleasure? I hope you're not here to send a frost upon our flowers. The poor roses are cowering in fear. |
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A frost? Ah, yes. That's a classic Thorn Fairy anecdote, isn't it? You can relax. That's not why I'm here. I actually wished to thank you, Rosehearts. |
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For what, exactly? |
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You're going to rescue Shroud and the other captives, yes? My retainers Lilia and Sebek are part of that group. |
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Ah, I see. There's no need to thank me, though. I'm not rescuing Lilia and Sebek for your benefit. The Heartslabyul housewarden is expected to show initiative during campus emergencies. I will expend all my efforts to find a solution. Why would I flout tradition? |
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You're rather mature for someone hardly older than a newborn babe. |
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Are you familiar with the concept of noblesse oblige? |
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Certainly. |
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It's a prominent school of thought that has a long history in the Realm of the Roses. "Those with power and status have a duty to aid the weak, proportional to their station." I simply honor that precept. |
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I see. I do wonder if you judge me, though. I suppose from your perspective, my conduct is unbefitting a leader. |
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I don't think that at all. Your position as prince of your land must come before your position as housewarden. Though you may wish to fly to your retainers' rescue, you are constrained by circumstance. |
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...... |
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Leader or no, I come from common stock. That, plus my small stature might make me less eligible for this princess, but still! |
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Heh... Clearly, I was worried over nothing. |
Can't Make a Fool of Myself (Part Two)
Heartslabyul Dorm - Rose Maze
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Clearly, I was worried over nothing. |
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What do you mean? |
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I am Briar Valley's heir apparent. As you presumed, I cannot enter into an engagement lightly, even on false pretense. That's why Lilia and Sebek went on my behalf. But we're both aware how that turned out. My retainers were imprisoned because of me, and it troubles me that there is nothing I can do to free them. |
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Now I see. So you've come to offer guidance, since I'm taking part in the rescue operation. You must think me rather incompetent. |
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Come, do not bristle so. Did I not just say I was worried over nothing? I've witnessed firsthand how you care for your vassals and your determination as a leader. I assume you've received no royal tutelage, yet you have the bearing of a king all the same. |
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Malleus... |
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Nonetheless, there is room for improvement regarding your appearance. You carry yourself with dignity and grace, but you lack a certain...majesty. If you are to impress the princess upon first glance, you should wear something indicative of your stature. |
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As I've said, I'm not an aristocrat. I don't have anything to denote merit or station. |
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Rosehearts, would you share one of those pruned roses with me? |
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If you like. What are you going to do with it? |
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This. When adorned upon you, this simple rose carries more weight than any medal. |
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Malleus... |
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If you are king of this rose garden, you must carry yourself with a rose's strength and nobility. |
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...Well. With a genuine prince telling me this, now I really can't make a fool of myself. I swear upon this rose, I shall fulfill my duty and rescue all the captured students. You can sit back with some tea and enjoy the show. |
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That's right. I made a promise. Malleus wanted to be here, but couldn't. So he entrusted me with his retainers' safety. Who am I to just give up? That would be entirely unacceptable. You know this, Riddle Rosehearts. |
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It's my duty to hold the line, and so I shall. Not a single one of you will pass! |
Ghost B |
We've got a huge group and you're not even flinching?! |
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Of course not! After all, I am... |
Diasomnia Dorm - Lounge
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Are you sure we shouldn't try to rescue Father and Sebek? |
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It'll be fine. Rosehearts has set out for the main building. We have but to relax and drink our tea, and Lilia and Sebek will return in short order. |
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Riddle's certainly capable, but I admit I'm surprised at how much faith you have in him. |
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Faith? I am merely acknowledging the truth. After all, he is... |
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THE KING OF HEARTSLABYUL! |
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