Heart of Gauld
Heart of Gauld
- Related Event: The Great Dragonyule Offensive/December 2020
- Release Date: December 14, 2020
- Featured Characters: Gauld, Rena, Maribelle, Cassandra, Francesca, Lazry, Renee, Ramona, Angie, Douleur
Dialogue
One day, not long before Dragonyule...
Dear Saint Starfall,
I would like an Arianna, please.
Angie
GauldWell this is a pickle. Angie's given me a letter for Saint Starfall, which is all well and good, but...
GauldWhat in Ilia's name is an Arianna?!
GauldHere I thought I could just gussy myself up as Saint Starfall and give Angie a gift.
GauldBut if I can't suss out whatever this Arianna thing is, Angie might find out that Saint Starfall's as real as soft bedrock!
GauldEven so, I can't well ask her directly.
GauldIf I let slip that I'M the one out present- hunting for her, why, it'd crush her dreams!
GauldNo recourse left now but for me to go around asking folks who might have a clue.
Gauld(Angie's a rokkan girl, so I figured I'd ask one of her peers. Lazry oughta know.)
LazryAnd...done. You try making a Yuletree ornament too, Gauld.
Gauld(Bah. Here I thought I could just do a quick Q and A. How'd I end up hunkering down to help Lazry and co. with their work?)
RamonaWhat is it, Gauld? You stopped working.
RenaKeep that fire burning inside! We've got a lot to make, after all!
ReneeThe castle is too big! I call shenanigans! How many decorations is it gonna take?!
CassandraSo, in the end, they didn't know what this all-important Arianna was?
DouleurHa ha ha! What a massive waste of time and effort!
GauldMy shoulders are stiff as a board after hunching over to do all that fiddly work. Not every rokkan's a crafter, I'll say that.
GauldAhhh. Nothing like tea for a tired body.
CassandraYour grandfatherly love is an inspiration. Alas, I cannot assist in your endeavor. I know not what an "Arianna" is, you see.
GauldShame. I'd heard you were quite the scholar, but I s'pose I expected too much.
CassandraMy knowledge is rooted primarily in the realm of things magical. Surely there must be someone more qualified to help. A merchant, perhaps?
GauldHey, you might be on to something there! Actually, we've got just the gal here at the castle!
GauldI'll go bend her ear a bit. Sorry to bother ya, Cassandra.
CassandraGoodness. Such a fierce-looking man, yet so desperate to give from the heart.
CassandraHeh. Inspiration strikes. Perhaps I should select a nice gift for the young lad in turn.
FrancescaArianna? As it turns out, I HAVE heard whisperings that something by that name has picked up popularity around the castle.
GauldReally?! So what the heck is it?! Spill!
FrancescaNot so fast. I can't just give away trade secrets for FREE, y'know. What do you say to buying this new product I've got?
FrancescaIt's a kind of fruit cake called stollen that's eaten in a foreign land on Dragonyule. Bet your little granddaughter'd love it!
GauldYeah, yeah, twist my arm, why don'tcha? Fine. I'll buy one.
FrancescaOho ho! Much obliged, good sir. Actually, while you're at it, buy THIS, too.
GauldOh, c'mon! You're gonna bleed me dry!
GauldAll this searching and I've only found out one thing: Arianna is really popular with the children in the castle.
GauldI oughta confirm with one such kid. Aha! Perfect, there's Maribelle.
MaribelleOh, it's Angie's grandpa. You need something?
GauldSorry to spring this on ya, but I was wondering if you knew about this Arianna thing that's all the rage.
MaribelleOh, that. Yeah, sure do.
GauldFinally, someone who'll tell me! What in Ilia's name is an Arianna?!
MaribelleIt's a suuuper interesting book!
GauldArianna is the name of a BOOK?
MaribelleYeah! I love it! And my friend— I mean, Angie loves it too!
MaribelleShe read my copy of Arianna and told me it totally touched her heart. Sweet, huh?
GauldOho, so you and Angie are friends?
MaribelleMhm. I saw her and she looked kinda lonely, so I struck up a conversation.
MaribelleAt first, she was kinda shy, but once she figured out I was nice, we really hit it off.
MaribelleAnd now we're good friends! We talk about all kinds of stuff together.
MaribelleLike the other day, when Angie told me what she wants to be when she grows up!
GauldYou got her to spill something like that?!
Gauld(Even I've never heard her talk about her dreams before...)
MaribelleAngie wants to be an author.
MaribelleSee, Arianna is about a girl of the same name who goes around stopping fights and making everyone get along.
MaribelleAnd after Angie read the book, this is what she said:
AngieI feel like if everyone read heartwarming books like Arianna, the world would be a better, more peaceful place.
AngieThat's why I want to write wonderful stories that will spread warmth, joy, and kindness all across the world.
GauldOh, Angie... What a sweet dream. I'd expect no less from my girl.
MaribelleThat's why she wants her own copy of Arianna, so she can read it over and over.
GauldI see.
Gauld(She's got a dream that came from talkin' to her friends. Looks like my granddaughter grew up right under my nose.)
Gauld(I'm glad, but...it also makes me feel kinda lonely.)
Gauld(Without me even bein' aware of it, my Angie's world has been getting bigger and bigger. Brings a tear to my eye.)
Gauld(But it's my duty as her grandfather to help her spread her wings and fly.)
GauldThanks for everything, Maribelle. You be good to my Angie, you hear?
MaribelleYou bet I will!
And before long, the day of Dragonyule arrived...
GauldAngie, a present's here from Saint Starfall.
AngieWooow! He really came!
AngieAnd he really got me a copy of Arianna! Thank you so much, Saint Starfall!
GauldAin't that something? And to top it off, we've got a little treat called stollen, too. C'mon, let's celebrate the holiday together.
Gauld(Had a heck of a time findin' the book, but it was pretty cheap, all things considered.)
Gauld(This is about all I can do to help support your dreams, baby girl.)
AngieUm, Grandpa? I, um, wanted to talk to you about something.
GauldAnything, love. What is it?
AngieWhen I grow up... I want to write wonderful stories like this one, and fill everyone with warm and happy feelings.
AngieBut it's not easy to be an author, is it?
GauldAngie...
Gauld(Now that I've heard it from her, I finally get it. Angie's dream is still taking shape.)
Gauld(And as part of her family, my role in helping her achieve it is clear!)
GauldWhat makes you say that, kiddo? You can do it! I know you can!
GauldYou're the nicest girl that ever did live. I'm a hundred percent certain you'll write the best stories this world's ever seen!
AngieAw, thank you, Grandpa! Y'know what? Maybe I CAN do it!
GauldThat's the spirit, love! I'll be rootin' for you every step of the way.
GauldWhatever happens, Grandpa Gauld will always be watchin' over ya!
AngieThat makes me so happy. You saying that is the best gift of all, Grandpa!
AngieDragonyule is the best day ever!
GauldGotta agree with you there, kiddo. Sure am glad we came to this castle.
GauldNow, the day's only just begun. Let's you and me have some fun, Angie.
The End
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