Backstory
From the beginning, Scena loathed things that were tedious, repetitive, or unoriginal. She loved the idea of stories that were as grand and flashy as can be, but would the tale of a Misery be so grandiose? She considered herself the lead, albeit doomed to share the identity of a villain with the many other Miseries within the Pandora's box. What set her apart from most of them was her self important cruelty that showed in her short temper and unwillingness to fully cooperate with others. The other Miseries might've shared some of those traits but still picked others to like, while Scena seemed to be the type to only benefit herself. When they were all unsealed, Scena didn't pick any teams if someone secondary could hold her back, but trying to do things all by herself until ruin was her inevitable downfall. Her ability of manipulating loneliness didn't afflict her, becoming such a foreign feeling that she'd torment humans until it made sense to her.
Looking at lonesome humans every once in a while, she wondered why they didn’t feel lonely at all. There was no other person with them, but they were still at peace. Humans didn’t necessarily need others to thrive, there were hobbies— music, arts, and so on that accompanied one. Intrigued, Scena disguised herself as a human to understand what was so great about such things. Apathetic to humans and the feelings attached regardless, Scena found herself in love with human creations.
Holding onto a painting of a loved one who’s passed, thinking of the dance shared with a lover to a certain song, and lovely gowns worn during special occasions, Scena learned human feelings of companionship can’t be torn from an individual when it’s embedded in other things. It was beautiful, but destroying something where the heart has been poured out can leave both things empty she thought. Disguising herself next as the daughter of a king, she asked a kingdom for all kinds of entertaining favors.
“Show me your best concert, show me a breathtaking portrait, write a thrilling tale!”
Every new piece created was delightful the first time around, but once again, Scena was an easily bored person. Stories of romance followed a predictable formula, musical tunes become repetitive, and isn’t that portrait the same as the last? She could guide them if she wanted to, telling them to try again or “do it this way”, but that would take away from it being a surprise. My, if nothing good can be made by these humans, what worth are they? With that line of thought, and eventual succession in the royal family, her reign was a truly terrifying one. Talents and skills lost to time, lives cut short at her discretion, Scena practically executed those who had no use to her. Those with mistakes, stagnant abilities, those she simply got tired of. But one day, she saw something she hadn’t before— a young lady’s shamisen performance.
Dwelling in Europe, she had only been exposed to the arts and experiences of that land. Why not branch out and start seeing what other kingdoms had to offer? Entranced by the lady’s enthralling stories of her homeland, Scena followed her to Japan. Naturally, the trip was engaging enough for Scena to want to stray from her destination, but the lady was very persuasive in keeping her fixed on seeing Japan. While she couldn’t understand the languages either, she figured the music there would keep her company. Taken to the school the young lady taught at, Scena could see the passion put into the student shows. “It’s a sound I could listen to forever.” She would say. “Then do so.” The lady insisted, and she meant it.
With her ruthless reputation as an awful ruler extending out of her kingdom, rumor reached a certain spiritualist in Japan, one of many previous Pandoras. Just like Scena, they had assimilated into human life despite the prowess they possessed. How suspicious, they thought, that such an inhumane person could exist when the original European princess was described as an angel. Luring her out of her comfort, the young lady planned a trip so Scena could be sealed away. Trapped in a shamisen case, Scena went back to an unassuming life. From an appeased queen to a tucked away musical ornament, she was no longer given the attention she wanted. She continued to hear all sorts of shamisen songs for many years, reminded of the siren-like sound she was tricked by, begrudgingly waiting the day she could be freed. That’s right, such a fate didn’t suit someone that the world was supposed to revolve around.
Perhaps she’s a villain in the story of her head after all, rather than the protagonist undergoing trials, maybe it’s not a bad thing after all. Sure the hero can win, but so can the antagonist. Righteousness was never up her sleeve, she had an inflated ego and an antipathetic outlook on humans. She could never save the world for them, spare them, not when this is her treatment. Contemplating it for decades, she vowed to hunt the Pandoras and any intervening humans that got in the way of her aspirations. And yet, finally unsealed by Gingko’s group, she was enlisted to be on their side. That's completely the opposite of what she had in mind, but to fight other Miseries...it was a twist that enticed her. For now, so be it, but it doesn't mean she'll settle with those around her in the future either.