Aria

Golden Settlement, Main Area

[Story, ch2]

Celia: Seriously, Aria! Open the way!

Aria: The way to the hills is sacred. I will not sully it for any reason.

Levi: Please, won't you reconsider? The wasps could beat us to the punch!

Aria: They tried. They failed. I will not waver in my conviction.

Celia: They...failed?

Aria: I dealt with them, yes.

Levi: Ngh. As rushed as we may be, if there's no danger, I don't think we'll manage to skip the festivities.

Celia: Bummer. Guess we'll have to relax, for once!

Aria: The way to the hills will open after the festivities are concluded.

Aria: Not sooner, not later. You must wait.

Kabbu: That's that, huh...

Vi: You heard her! Relaxing is the mission!

(minibubble) Leif: ...

Vi: That goes double for you, Leif. Let's check this place out!

Leif: Alright, alright.

Kabbu: The main event starts at night time. Let's talk to Aria when we're ready.

Aria: Oh? Are you here for the festival? It should start as soon as the sun sets.

Textbox: Keep exploring

Wait for nightfall.

[Story, festival start cutscene]

Aria: The Golden Festival has begun!

Aria: Oh Goddess Venus, who watches over us, and ensures a bountiful harvest without fault…

Aria: We congregate to share our gratitude. May it reach your roots and bring you joy.

Aria: And when the two offerings, held by our esteemed guest hosts, are brought to me…

Aria: The final ceremony will begin.

Aria: Now feast! Laugh! All in good faith! Let's make this one more festival to never forget!

Leif: Well, she's passionate.

Kabbu: Thank you, Venus. For watching over us…

Leif: Kabbu, you're praying too?

Kabbu: Er, I felt the need. We should be respectful of their tradition.

Vi: Didn't you hear? Feast and laugh! Now THAT's a way to show respect!

Leif: We should probably gather the two offerings. They sounded pretty important.

Kabbu: Let's look for them as the festivities ensue. They may help us complete our mission.

Vi: Uh, right. The mission. Yup. I'm on it!

[Talk without having offerings]

Aria: The final ceremony will begin when the two offerings are brought to me. Please enjoy the festival until then.

[Talking to Aria with the offerings]

Aria: The offerings... I can sense them. You've brought both?

Aria: You would wish to start the ceremony, then?

Textbox: We're ready.

Not yet.

[Not yet.]

Aria: Very well. Take your time to prepare yourselves.

[We’re ready]

Aria: Very well. Only three may perform the ceremony. Two bugs holding each blessing, and I.

Leif: So one of us will have to sit this out.

Kabbu: Well, we owe the offerings to you two. You should go!

Vi: No way, you haven't had any fun! You're going!

Kabbu: Vi...! Thank you!

Aria: So, who will participate in the ceremony?

Textbox: Kabbu and Vi

Kabbu and Leif

Let us think about this.

Aria: Oh, Goddess Venus.

Aria: May this ceremony please you and grant us a bountiful harvest for this following year…

Aria: May our battle shake the earth, and bring joy and dance to your roots!

(minibubble) Kabbu: It's a battle!?

Aria: Now, let us spar for the Goddess!

[post-battle]

Aria: That was a fierce battle. I am sure Venus enjoyed it.

Kabbu: Respected acolyte, have we earned passage to the Golden Hills?

Aria: It is all up to the Goddess.

Aria: Oh Venus... If you enjoyed our display, please grant us passage to the Golden Hills!

Aria: The path has opened. Beyond this point, lies the sacred Golden Hills.

Vi: Woah! It opened all by itself!

Aria: Whatever is your business there, Venus has granted you passage.

Vi: W-Well, whatever! We did it! That artifact will be ours in no time!

Leif: Soul: Relaxed. Passage: Open. Mission success, we'd say.

Kabbu: Let's tread carefully, team. We're heading into sacred ground. It won't be as simple as it seems.

Leif: It would have been nice to get some sleep... But we can do it.

Vi: No worries. We beat Snakemouth, right?

Kabbu: Heh, indeed. Let's go!

Aria: May Venus grant you what you desire.

[post-ch2]

Aria: You met Venus, didn't you? She sent me a request to keep the Golden Hills entrance open for you.

Aria: You must've done very well to receive her approval.

Golden Settlement, Residential

Textbox: There is a diary on the desk. Read it?

Textbox: Day X: I am not sure if I believe in this story about Venus…

I have always heard of her, but I have never seen her.

Maybe this is nothing but superstition, but I feel I must follow my mother's footsteps.

Continue reading?

Textbox: Day XY: What have years of training been for?

I still don't believe in Venus, even if the village does.

And they say I'll be the next priestess? If I left the hills, maybe I could find a new purpose.

Even so, I feel something calling to me, from the top of the hills.

If nothing there convinces me, I'll take my leave.

Continue reading?

Textbox: Day XXY: I saw her.

Venus. She truly does exist! And she is so beautiful…

I am not worthy of being her servant, after so many years full of doubt!

Mother... As the new priestess, I shall spread the goodwill of Venus to all.

I hope one day, I feel deserving of having met her.

Golden Settlement, Main Area

[Quest: Team Snakemouth…]

Aria: You came. I'm very grateful.

Kabbu: It was our pleasure, Acolyte. You look well... What seems to be the issue?

Aria: I'll be brief, to not waste your time. I'm planning on giving the Goddess an incredible offering.

Vi: An offering? Like a LOT of berries?

Leif: Goddesses don't need money. Bet it's a bunch of food.

Aria: That is correct.

Leif: It is?

(minibubble) Vi: Seriously?

Aria: I wish to give Her a banquet worthy of one as great as She is.

Aria: I have prepared several dishes, that I have. But I'm missing...something grand.

Kabbu: What sort of dish are you looking for?

Aria: It's hard to say. Something I cannot simply buy would be excellent…

Leif: We could ask Fry, Kut or Crisbee to make something. Their specialty, perhaps?

Aria: I've heard the chef Fry has been planning his "masterpiece".

Aria: The Goddess would be overjoyed to taste something that divine!

Vi: So uh... You think she'll give us something for it?

Aria: Of course. Venus is generous, kind and loving. If you make her happy, she will reward you.

Kabbu: Fry's masterpiece... We'll do our best to get it for you, Aria.

Aria: You have my thanks, Team Snakemouth. I'll be waiting here for you.

Leif: Let's make sure to make one for us too, Kabbu.

[talk again]

Aria: Did you bring it?

[talk again before going up]

Aria: Please go on ahead, I will catch up with you in a bit. Venus awaits at the top of the hills.

Golden Hills, Venus Room

[Quest: Team Snakemouth...]

Kabbu: Goddess Venus!

(minibubble) Vi: Hiya!

Venus: Vi! Kabbu! Long time no see! I'm especially glad to not get spooked by you, Leif.

Leif: Uh, sorry. We can't help it.

Aria: Goddess...I have brought you a humble offering, with the help of these brave explorers.

Aria: Please enjoy it to your heart's content, so that our village may be blessed for just a bit longer.

Venus: Aria! You know the festival's more than enough!

Venus: But thank you. I can tell it's going to be wonderful! Let's share, shall we?

Venus: Oh. My. Self!

Vi: A-Awesome!

Kabbu: Can earthly ingredients reach this flavor!?

Leif: We're gonna have to hunt for more Tangy Berries…

Aria: I-It was beyond my expectations. Thank you so much for sharing with me, Goddess.

Venus: It was nothing. I've never had a picnic! I'm feeling overjoyed!

Venus: Team Snakemouth! You're getting a healing discount from yours truly! Only 5 berries now!

Vi: That should've been the regul- Ow!

Kabbu: It was our honor!

Leif: It was worth it as soon as we tasted that dish…

Aria: Please take this Medal too, as a token of my gratitude.

Aria: I'm so relieved you enjoyed the offering.

Venus: I sure am glad I don't constantly monitor everyone, it would've ruined the surprise!

Venus: Come back again, yes? You are most pleasant company.

Kabbu: Anytime!

Golden Settlement, Main Area

[post-quest completion]

Aria: Thank you for that, Venus really enjoyed that gift.

Ant Palace, Bridge

[Ending]

Aria: Venus insisted on coming to thank you...I must keep her hidden!

Questgiver

I was not sure how to reach you, so this was my best shot. I have a personal favor to ask, if you have time.

I'll be in the Golden Settlement. I pray for your visit.

Npc Spy

Leif: An acolyte, huh. It's so unusual to see someone so deep into their faith.

Kabbu: Well, of all places, the Golden Settlement worships a very specific Goddess.

Vi: And it's worked out pretty good for them!

Kabbu: Indeed. It's not too uncommon to see devout followers around.

Leif: Every place has a different culture, huh.

Enemy Spy

One of Venus' acolytes, Aria spends her time in the Golden Settlement, preaching the words of Venus herself.

She prays in order to summon vines, which she can use to attack or to propel herself for a nasty kick.

Vi: What the heck? You're telling me prayer lets Aria summon huge vines!?

Vi: Maybe I should start praying too... Meh. I'll just use my Beemerang to hit her while she's up in the air!

Kabbu: Acolyte Aria...I cannot believe how much power her faith has bestowed upon her.

Kabbu: Her vine platform is troublesome. I'll cut it down if I must!

Leif: Impressive. We thought Aria was just an obsessed preacher but…

Leif: To be able to fight this well is commendable. Still, we'll make sure to freeze the vines she summons!