A Butterfly’s Tale of Song and Wind · Flutternym Family
A timid butterfly that wants to cross the sea
Flutternym · Gracewing
Introduction by MOANIIMO · not game text
Flutternym hides the moment it senses danger, but the scales it leaves behind soon give it away. On a cliff of the Argent Strait, one Flutternym sings to a flower together with Perfumer Zephyro, believing that singing makes the flower bloom, the blooming flower brings the wind, and with the wind it can cross the sea.
Game text
Let me make it simple. Singing makes the flower bloom, the blooming flower brings the wind, and with the wind we can fly across the sea. Do you understand now?
Contents of this story
From here the story is told in the game's own words. The source (dex, dialogue or quest) is shown under each quote.
CHAPTER 01
The Bell of Freedom
MOANIIMO noteOn Crescendo Cliff in The Argent Strait, Perfumer Zephyro and a Flutternym are singing to a single flower.
Game text
On Crescendo Cliff in Argent Strait, the perfumer Zephyro and his Flutternym partner are singing to a flower, seemingly trying to make it bloom. If neither Zephyro nor Flutternym can make it bloom with their song, whose voice can?
La ~ lalalala ~ la...? Why won’t it bloom?
Oh, never mind, never mind. Life must not be going too well for you either. As your senior, I’ll graciously forgive you.
That’s my partner, Perfumer Zephyro. He sings because he wants to fly... and I sing because I do too.
Oh, young soul... You must understand, when we speak of "flying," we don’t mean mere fluttering about. We mean flying on and on—far enough to cross the sea! And that... can only be done through song.
Let me make it simple. Singing makes the flower bloom, the blooming flower brings the wind, and with the wind we can fly across the sea. Do you understand now?
I’m going to be the first Flutternym ever to fly across the sea.
Open the rest of this chapterSpoilers · includes the quest ending
Game text
Zephyro is a perfumer of the mixture school, and also the inheritor of legendary perfumes. Yet for him, perfume making feels more like a duty than a passion. Zephyro holds his own, impractical dream— He wants to fly across the sea. Fortunately, he can twine with Aniimo. Unfortunately, he can only twine with Flutternyms. Without the wind’s aid, a Flutternym cannot fly across the sea. Luckily, his Flutternym was once the companion of Zephyro’s grandfather, and it knows that singing the Song of Freedom can make the Bell of Freedom bloom. When the Bell of Freedom blooms, a great wind will rise. They could then ride that wind across the sea, just as his grandfather once did. And so, Zephyro and his Flutternym would often sing near the Bell of Freedom. Yet the Bell did not bloom—not once. The wind even carried away the Song of Freedom. They grew almost mad with frustration. Singing, waiting, and thinking— Great wind, great wind—when will you come? Is our song not free enough? Why won’t the Bell of Freedom bloom? ———— When the Bell of Freedom finally bloomed, Zephyro understood: The freedom to leave and the freedom to stay are one and the same. Still, he chose to ride the great wind with his Flutternym and left. Because that was the freedom they desired. No nobler than staying, only true to their hearts. ———— When the perfume "Freedom’s Breeze" was complete, Zephyro let go of everything at last. He was no longer a perfumer, and he relinquished the duty passed down through the generations. He felt light, so light. For all he carried now was the wish to fly across the sea. "To you who share this destiny, I give this Freedom’s Breeze— May it carry you, too, toward the place in your heart."
CHAPTER 02
The Guides of Lumenfly Valley
MOANIIMO noteIn the main story “The Land of Dancing Illusions,” Sunia and her party head to Lumenfly Valley to meet Velouria.
Game text
Flutternyms have always thrived alongside Irises. They love the scent of Irises more than anything. Let me think... I’d say a soft, pure pollen pink with just a touch of white.
You meet up with Sunia and head into the flower fields to gather the ingredients needed to visit Velouria. Sunia explains that Irises and Flutternyms live side by side, and that Irisal pollen can make a fragrance brighter and more splendid. To enter Lumenfly Valley, you’ll need to knock on its door with scent—and bring a Flutternym to guide the way.
That’s why we need the Flutternyms to guide us, or we’ll wander forever in her dreams...
However, Lumenfly Valley does not welcome anyone other than Flutternyms at present.
After lighting the incense, the barrier around Lumenfly Valley fades away. You also learn that this is the Land of Sweet Dreams, where illusion and reality blur together. Velouria’s voice echoes from the depths of the dream. Nervously, Sunia requests an audience. Velouria allows Sunia and Snowy to enter, but says anyone else must be twined with a Flutternym. Unable to twine with one, Nicole decides to wait outside the valley while you set out with Sunia.
CHAPTER 03
The Flutternym Queen
MOANIIMO noteFox introduces his partner to the Institute newcomers as the Flutternym Queen.
Game text
It’s just a shame that my partner, the Flutternym Queen, can only live this quiet life here with me.
The Flutternym Queen? True, high-ranking Flutternyms are called Somniwings, famed as graceful queens. But... this one looks like a regular Flutternym.
I didn’t expect to meet one of our kind here! What a wonderful surprise! After partnering with Fox, I thought I’d never speak to another Flutternym.
He spends all day at the outpost making up stories, and refuses to take even one step outside. I’ve heard them so often that sometimes I wonder if we really did have all those adventures...
Sigh, I wonder when I’ll get to visit the Sea of Flowers again...
CHAPTER 04
Cress’s Friend
MOANIIMO noteOne Flutternym is very proud to be Cress’s friend.
Game text
Deedee... lee-hoo... If you knew I was Cress’s partner, you’d say I got lucky too!
Cress is very kind. She knows the color of every single speck of dust on my scales.
Sigh... if she didn’t spend so much time worrying about Grace and looked at herself instead, she’d realize just how incredible she actually is.
Grace’s honey cakes give off a very... special aroma. I once snuck a bite and almost dropped dead on the spot!
