Rico/Stories
Rico is heir to Palpebra's main water supply, and must appease the beast who guards it—with a bubble bath! Rico and Alk hunt soft, squishy blobbles to no avail, then realize Rico's bubbly water magic itself is the key to a perfect bubble bath.
???: Uh, um, excuse me!
???: I know this is sudden... r-really sudden, but... Could I ask you a favor?
???: If you wouldn't m-mind, would you go with me into the Kaleidoscope?
Alk: Who? Me?
Rico: My name is Rico. My family supervises a spring connected to part of the city's waterworks.
Alk: Ooh, so you help manage Palpebra's water supply?
Rico: M-manage? Not me personally, or not me YET, um... I'm actually in the middle of a trial for succession.
Rico: See, th-there's actually this big monster living in the spring, and I'm here to find an offering for him.
Alk: You're on a quest to help a monster?
Rico: A good monster! He's friendly and eats bad monsters that come near the sacred spring.
Rico: He's a big help, so we all call him the lord of the spring.
Alk: That makes sense... I think.
Rico: The problem is, he's been in a bad mood lately. I'm here to look for an offering to cheer him up!
Rico: I'm sorry to have dragged you into this out of the blue, but you're my only hope!
Alk: Don't worry about it! I was planning to explore the Kaleidoscope either way.
Alk: Do you know where to look for that offerin—
Rico: Are you all right?
Alk: Y-yeah... I kinda needed a bath, anyways.
Alk: That was some amazing water magic, Rico! No wonder you're in charge of the spring!
Rico: M-my family, you mean. I'm still in training!
Rico: Wait, those soft—those squishy, bubbly orbs—could they be?!
Rico: M-milord! As per your request, I have procured bubbles for your most noble bubble bath! May their soft, squishy-ness be to your liking!
Alk: B-bubble bath?
Lord of the Spring: BLOOOOOP!
Rico: Oh, oh no... He's still grumpy!
Rico: My father told me the power to quell the lord of the spring runs in the family, but I don't know what he wants!
Alk: Hmm. Something only you can do, and something to do with a bubble bath...
Lord of the Spring: BLOO BLOO BLOOOOOP!
Alk: Wait, Rico! Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
Rico: Yeah! I'll give it a try!
Lord of the Spring: Bloop bloop!
Rico: I... I cleared the trial! Wait 'til Father hears!
Alk: Your bubbly water magic sure did the trick!
Rico: Alk, thank you so much for the help! If you ever need holy water, you know where to find me!
Rico: O-or, you know, if you need anything in general! I'd be happy to help however I can!
Alk: Same! It was nice to meet you, Rico!
Palpebra's upper echelons gather to celebrate Rico's promotion. Rico uses Alk as an excuse not to dance, but it backfires—not only do the two have to dance, Rico's father is elated that she's finally found a suitable "suitor!"
Rico: Alk! I'm glad you could make it.
Party Guests: Congratulations on the promotion to chief supervisor, Rico!
Party Guests: You did it, Rico! Congratulations!
Party Guests: I'm glad the succession is finally settled. Here, darling, a little gift to celebrate.
Rico: Oh, you didn't have to! Thank you for coming, everyone.
Alk: Man, when I saw how big the mansion is, I was honestly a bit worried I had the wrong address...
Rico: We're in charge of Palpebra's main water supply, after all. Utilities are a pretty stable business.
Rico: I can't believe I'M the one inheriting it. This is all thanks to your help, Alk!
Alk: You're the one who did all the work. Congrats, Rico!
Rico: I-I wouldn't been able to solve the trial without you, though! Really, I can't thank you enough!
Rico: Pl-please enjoy the party!
Young Gentleman: Lady Rico, might I have this dance?
Rico: Da-dance?! What, with me?!
Rico: Uh, um... Sorry, I, I already said I'd dance with someone else!
Rico: (Alk... Please play along!)
Alk: Huh? Oh, r-right. Rico— I mean LADY Rico has already promised me the first dance of the evening!
Young Gentleman: Oh... Okay...
Alk: Whew. Was that okay?
Rico: Yeah, nice save!
Fancy Gentleman: Oh, did you hear that? Lady Rico wishes to dance!
Excited Lady: Oh, my, how lovely! Shoo, shoo, clear the dancefloor!
Alk: Wait, wait I can't—! Rico! Rico, what should we do?!
Rico: Alk, I'm so sorry... I just wanted an excuse NOT to dance, but looks like we don't have much choice.
Alk: (Psst, Rico. I-I've never danced in my life! What do I do?!)
Rico: (Just follow my lead. Whatever I do, copy it!)
Alk: Okay, I'll do my best!
Fancy Gentleman: Splendid! Stunning! Lady Rico's footwork is stellar!
Excited Lady: What an adorable pair! They're perfectly in sync with each other!
Rico: You're doing great, Alk. Left foot, right foot, left, right, left, left—
Alk: Left again?! W-was that okay?
Stately Man: I saw your dance, Rico. Absolutely marvelous!
Rico: Father! But— Are you sure it's all right for you to be up and walking? You should be in bed!
Rico's Father: It's my little girl's big day! We're all so proud of you, sweetums. At least let me say hello to the gentleman with you.
Rico: Oh, right. Father, this is—
Rico's Father: Alk, yes? I heard all about you. With Rico being how she is, I was afraid I'd never see this day! You have my deepest thanks.
Alk: Oh, gosh, I really didn't do much. I just helped a little on the way.
Rico's Father: My! What a humble, young man! Yes, I can tell you'll take excellent care of my little Rico. Have you picked a date for the wedding?
Rico: Wh-WHAT?! Father, what are you—
Alk: W-we-WEDDING?!
Rico: FATHEEER!