Tales of Vesperia

I. Scenario Chapter 1 -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

- 001: Everyday in the Lower Quarter -

Yuri: First the trouble with the knights yesterday. Now the aque blastia breaks... Why does stuff like this happen every day in the lower quarter?

Repede: Woof!

Yuri: I know, I know. There’s no use whining about it.

Repede: Woof!

- 002: Nobles -

Yuri: Looks like the nobles are living the sweet life, as usual.

Repede: Woof?

Yuri: The lower quarter's right there, and they still don't give a damn. It's not their loss, so what do they care? They should act, you know, noble. Not just dress nice and hide in their mansions.

Repede: *Whine*

- 003: Back in Jail -

Yuri: Back again. Man, I was just in here last month for fighting some Knights collecting taxes. I guess I get free meals out of it, if you can call it food. Damn. Cumore's made this way more complicated than it needed to be.

- 004: Extra Baggage -

Yuri: I just wanted to check on the lower quarter and come back. I didn't expect the extra baggage.

Estelle: Baggage? I can take it to the castle's lost and found for you.

Yuri: You're the one person I couldn't really ask to take care of it.

Estelle: Huh?

Yuri: ...Nevermind. I'm good.

Estelle: Okay. Let me know if you change your mind. ((walks away))

Yuri: Guess she's the textbook "little, naive noble." But why were those Knights chasing her...?

- 005: The Intruder, Zagi -

Estelle: Are there many people outside the castle like that man Zagi we met earlier?

Yuri: Nah, he's one of a kind. It's pretty hard to find anyone that nuts.

Estelle: I see. Well, that's a relief. I don't know what I'd do if everyone behaved like that...

Yuri: Yeah, life would be pretty rough if the world were full of guys like him.

- 006: Flynn - Part 1 -

Yuri: Have you and Flynn known each other a long time?

Estelle: Umm...Two, maybe three years...? Something like that...

Yuri: Huh...So he's been getting along all right at the castle?

Estelle: Flynn is a very hard-working and honest knight. It seems like everyone trusts him. The other day, he told me that they've been giving him more responsibility lately, too.

Yuri: Hard-working and honest. Right. In other words, hard-headed and obsessive.

Estelle: Hmm??

- 007: Thanks to the Lower Quarter -

Estelle: A map, equipment, and even money. Your friends are so generous, Yuri!

Yuri: *Sigh* They can't afford this. They can barely get by as it is.

Estelle: Well, I'm sure they're worried about you, and want you to have a safe journey.

Yuri: Hmph. It's more likely they're just glad to be rid of a trouble-making kid.

Estelle: That's not true!

Yuri: Guess I can't come back empty-handed, now that they've given us all this stuff. Now I gotta bring back the aque blastia. No matter what.

- 008: Christening Estelle -

Estelle: ((far off to the side))...Estelle... Estelle...

Yuri: She's been mumbling to herself for a while now...

Repede: *Whine*

Yuri: Hey, you coming? We don't have all day here.

Estelle: Estelle... Estelle...

Yuri: Looks like she's in her own little world...Hey! Estelle!

Estelle: Oh, right! Sorry, I'm coming! ((starts walking over to Yuri and Repede))

Yuri: Do they not have nicknames where she's from?

- 009: Nice to Meet You, Repede -

Repede: ((big picture))

Estelle: Yuri, is this dog yours?

Yuri: Yeah, he's my partner, Repede.

Repede: ((normal picture)) Woof!

Estelle: Oh, nice to meet you, too.

Yuri: "Nice to meet you, too?" Did you actually understand what Repede was saying?

Estelle: No...

Yuri: Yeah, I guess that was a stupid question.

- 010: On Traveling -

Yuri: I never guessed I'd leave home quite like this.

Estelle: Are you sorry to be leaving the capital behind, Yuri?

Yuri: When I was in the lower quarter, I was too busy just living day to day. Never really thought about it. I guess I did feel like setting out on an adventure sometimes.

Estelle: I'm so excited just to be outside. I've always dreamed of going out into the world.

Yuri: Being excited and all is fine, but don't overdo it. We need to find Flynn, right?

Estelle: I'm excited and worried, all at the same time.

Yuri: Heh, all right.

- 011: Outside the Barrier -

Estelle: I've heard stories about monsters living outside the barrier, but it's really true!

Yuri: Yeah.

Estelle: Now I understand why everyone says that the world outside the barrier is so dangerous.

Yuri: It's pretty easy to forget the monsters are even out here, when you live on the inside. We'd better not let our guard down.

Estelle: Right.

Repede: Woof!

- 012: Not Good with Magic -

Estelle: You don't use magic, do you, Yuri?

Yuri: It's not that I don't. I can't. That's one talent I don't have.

Estelle: But anyone with blastia should be able to use magic if they just learn the theory...right?

Yuri: I told you, I don't have the knack for learning magical theory!

Estelle: So...you're bad at studying?

Yuri: That's one way to put it.

Repede: *Whine*

- 013: Bigger than the Capital -

Estelle: The world is so big...

Yuri: What makes you say that all of a sudden?

Estelle: I thought the capital was big. But the world outside is so much bigger. How much farther beyond the horizon does that clear sky stretch?

Yuri: I know. Compared to the lower quarter, it's huge.

- 014: Quite a Scene -

Estelle: We made quite a scene, didn't we? I was so worried once those knights noticed us...

Yuri: I told you we couldn't stand out.

Estelle: You were the one who just jumped.

Yuri: I can't just look away when monsters are attacking someone right in front of me, right?

Estelle: Heh heh.

Yuri: What's so funny?

Estelle: I'm sorry. That sounded just like the way Flynn described you, that's all. He often said that you could never turn a blind eye when someone near you was suffering.

Yuri: Well, next time you see him, you tell him that I said he's the same way.

Estelle: Heh heh. I'll do that.

- 015: Guilds -

Yuri: That woman who gave us directions--she said she was in a guild, right?

Estelle: That was Ms. Kaufman, of Fortune's Market.

Yuri: Man... Giving up their rights as imperial citizens and just...living free...

Estelle: Yuri, are you interested in the guilds?

Yuri: Interested? Nah, I've just never had much contact with them. Back in the capital there weren't any gritty guild types who'd refuse the Knights' protection.

Estelle: We may meet lots of people in guilds before we're done with our trip.

Yuri: I hope they're a little less aggressive than that woman was.

- 016: The Curse, as Estelle Knows It -

Estelle: ((nervous)) Will this forest really get us to the other side of the Hold?

Yuri: If it doesn't, we'll just come back.

Estelle: ...But what if I get turned into a frog or a snake by the forest's curse?!

Yuri: If that happens, I'll take care of you.

Estelle: You'll...take care of me?

Yuri: Of course I would. Don't worry. I had pet frogs and snakes when I was a kid.

Estelle: If you got turned into a frog or a snake, Yuri, I wouldn't have any idea what to feed you...

- 017: Thanking Repede -

Estelle: ((eyes closed)) Repede, when I passed out, you laid down and made the nicest pillow for me.

((Yuri starts walking by))

Estelle: Thank you very much!

Yuri: ...What are you doing?

Estelle: I'm...um, thanking Repede...

Yuri: Repede? ((looks to the side)) He's not here...

Estelle: Huh? Wh-what? ((upset)) ...Maybe he doesn't like me.

Yuri: Nah, he acts like that with just about everybody.

Estelle: Well, then. ((big picture)) I'll just have to keeping trying until he accepts me!

- 018: Friends Make the Journey Fun -

Karol: Having friends to talk to really makes traveling a lot more fun! When I'm by myself I get a little scare--uh, I mean bored!

Yuri: Yeah, mm-hmm. Hey, Karol, there's a monster behind you.

Karol: What?! ((quickly moves out the way))

Yuri: Oh, my mistake. I must be seeing things.

Karol: D-don't do that! ((slowly moves back where he was))

Estelle: Our trip just got more lively.

Repede: Woof!

- 019: The Broken Sword -

Estelle: Karol, are you okay...e-even though your sword's still broken?

Karol: Nah, it's lighter and feels easier to use!

Yuri: Now your sword won't be swinging you anymore. Sounds good to me. Breaking your sword to get it to just the right length... You're obviously some guild's ace!

Estelle: ...Yuri, you didn't break Karol's sword on purpose, did you?

Yuri: ((looks away)) I'm not that good.

- 020: Barrier Blastia -

Yuri: Even though Deidon Hold was struggling without a barrier, they'd have had issues even with one.

Estelle: Yes, barriers really do have a big impact on people's day-to-day lives.

Yuri: Well, they keep people safe from monsters just by being there. It's no surprise it changes things.

Estelle: I want to help heal Halure's tree as soon as possible so that everyone can feel safe again.

- 021: The Tree of Halure -

Estelle: I can't wait until the tree's blossoms are in full bloom. They'll be fantastic...

Yuri: I bet there's a flood of petals big enough to just sweep you away.

Estelle: All those petals dancing in the breeze... It'd be like a dream...

Yuri: I wonder how they deal with all their houses getting buried in flowers every year. It's gotta be a pain to clean up.

Estelle: ...You really take the fun out of things, Yuri.

- 022: Maps -

Karol: Estelle, what are you looking at?

Estelle: It's a map of the area around here.

Karol: Ooh, let me see... Hey, this is almost completely blank! You can't call this a map!

Estelle: Really?

Karol: You should try a surveyors' guild, like the "World's Cellar"! Their maps are really amazing! All the top guild members have one.

Yuri: So, then, naturally you've got a copy, right, Karol? Let's see it!

Karol: Uhhh, well, y'see... Once you get as good as I am, you don't need to use a map anymore!

Estelle: Oh, that's too bad. I really wanted to see it.

- 023: A Nia Fruit? Here? -

Estelle: Why would a nia fruit be lying on the ground in the forest? I didn't see a nia tree nearby...

Karol: Oh, that'd be the monsters in the forest. It's how they mark their territory.

Estelle: Can we really just take it, then? ...I suppose there's no way for us to ask permission.

Yuri: Yeah, I don't really speak "monster." Karol, they don't teach that in your guild, do they?

Karol: The Hunting Blades hunt monsters! We don't need to waste time making friends with them!

Estelle: ...That's a shame.

- 024: Getting to Know Repede -

Repede: ......((growling softly))

Estelle: ((looking nervously hopeful)) Do you mind if I scratch behind your ears? ((approaches Repede))

Repede: ((moving away and growling a little louder)) ......

Estelle: ((stopping)) Oh, I'm sorry. I guess it's still too soon for me to pet you. ((closes eyes)) Let's start over by getting to know each other a little better.

Repede: *Whine/Yawn* ......

Estelle: So, then...

Repede: ((Walks away))

Estelle: My name is Estellise. You knew that already, right?

((Yuri walks over, and looks on either side of Estelle curiously))

Estelle: ((eyes open)) Huh? Repede...?

Yuri: Introducing yourself to an invisible friend?

Estelle: Ohhh, I won't give up! ((big picture))

- 025: Blastia -

Estelle: Halure's flowers sure are beautiful. I feel like I'm dreaming.

Yuri: Yeah, they're even nicer than I thought they'd be.

Karol: Yeah, this really makes it feel like our hard work was worth it!

Yuri: Halure shouldn't worry about monsters attacking, as long as the barrier stays like this.

Estelle: Halure's tree will keep everyone safe.

- 026: Red-eyes at the Tree of Halure -

Karol: Were those the red-eyes? So you got both the Imperial Knights and those guys after you?

Yuri: Yeah, I seem to be a big hit with all the weirdos.

Karol: And what did you do to get so popular?

Yuri: There's twenty-one years' worth of stuff. Listing everything might take a while.

Karol: ...On second thought, never mind. I don't want to hear it.

- 027: So...who is Flynn? -

Karol: Hey, so just who is this Flynn guy, anyway? Were you and him seeing each other, Estelle?

((Both Yuri and Estelle are surprised by his question))

Estelle: What do you mean? Seeing each other? Flynn is Yuri's friend.

Yuri: Yeah, that's pretty much it.

Karol: Two friends going after the same girl? You got a little wild side, don't you, Estelle?

Yuri: ((looks shocked))

Estelle: What do you mean? W-wild side?

Karol: No, it's all right. You can keep your secrets.

Yuri: ((annoyed)) He's so got the wrong idea...

- 028: Karol and Repede -

Karol: What's the matter, Repede?

Repede: Grr...

Karol: W-why are you mad?

Repede: ((still growling, slowly walks by))

Karol: H-hold on! You...you don't want to eat me, do you?!

((Repede quickly leaves))

Karol: ((not noticing)) H-help me, Yuri!!

Yuri: ((walks on screen)) Something the matter, Karol?

Karol: It's...it's nothing. Heh, ha ha ha ha...

Yuri: Talk about mood swings...

- 029: An Ex-Knight -

Karol: You know, Yuri... Your attitude, your behavior, they don't seem very...knightly.

Yuri: Where'd that come from?

Karol: I mean, we're entering the city through a back entrance, like thieves...

Yuri: This coming from the guy who picked the lock...

Estelle: I'm just tagging along to find Flynn...and now you've turned me into a thief!!

Yuri: We haven't stolen anything! Sheesh.

- 030: Lots of Books -

Karol: This city sure has a lot of books.

Yuri: I'm not really crazy about reading. I'm going to have a hard time sleeping in this place.

Karol: Yeah, you seem like you're too jittery to sit still and look at something for a long time.

Yuri: You're one to talk.

Karol: Hey, what happened to Estelle?

Yuri: She's been over there reading books since we got here.

Estelle: ((shows up, hmming)) ......

Karol: Estelle! Time to get going!

Estelle: ......((hmming))

Yuri: Once she starts reading, you can't pull her away.

Estelle: Huh? Did you say something? This seems to be literature from an ancient civilization!

Yuri: She's not even listening.

- 031: Rita -

Karol: Rita's a little scary, huh?

Estelle: Really?

Yuri: She's about what I'd expect. Seems like she's in a crappy mood, too.

Estelle: That's because you broke into her house, Yuri!

Yuri: I don't exactly feel like being on my best behavior when I'm dealing with a core thief.

Karol: What will you do if you're wrong about her?

Yuri: If I'm wrong, I'll apologize.

Rita: ((suddenly appearing, to the others' surprise)) You'd better remember that when the time comes.

Karol: Oh, you were listening?

Rita: I just happened to overhear. So, you think I'm scary, do you? ((walks away))

Yuri: Watch it, Karol. She's definitely the kind to hold a grudge.

Karol: H-hey! D-don't scare me like that!

- 032: Call Me Estelle -

Rita: You're name is Estellise, right?

Estelle: Yes, but that's kind of long to say easily. Please, call me Estelle.

Rita: You look like some fancy noble, Estellise. Why are you with that jerk?

((Estelle is curiously surprised and Yuri is shocked))

Estelle: ...Oh, I think that Yuri is a good person... And really, I don't mind if you call me Estelle.

Rita: All right, Estellise. ((walks away))

Yuri: She's tough...

- 033: Searching the Ruins -

Estelle: These ruins feel very different once you're inside them.

Karol: Yeah, it's weird. And there's all this stuff I've never seen before...

Yuri: What, is this your first time too, Karol?

Karol: Well, yeah. My specialty's monster hunting. Hey, what do you think this is?

Rita: You really shouldn't be fooling around over there. This place is loaded with traps.

Estelle: Did anyone else just hear a click?

Yuri: Karol! Watch out! ((shoves Karol out of the way))

Karol: ((Falls off screen)) Waaaaah!

Yuri: Sorry, I thought you were about to get killed. I overdid it.

Karol: ((weaves back up onto screen)) I think I would have been better off getting caught in the trap...

- 034: The Sorcerer's Ring -

Yuri: I wonder if people a long time ago used little rings like this to move things around.

Rita: Yes, items like this have been discovered in other ruins, as well.

Karol: It sure is useful for something so small.

Rita: Yeah, unlike some people I could name.

Karol: Huh?

Estelle: It's impressive that you've been entrusted with a Sorcerer's Ring, Rita. I've heard they're only given to a very small number of people.

Yuri: Hmmm. Guess someone trusts you.

Rita: You're the only one who doesn't.

- 035: Did you say "Castle?" -

Rita: Hey, didn't you say something about the castle not too long ago?

Estelle: Oh? Yes, well, you see...

Yuri: Yeah, I was in the castle a while back. I used to be a knight.

Rita: You? A knight? ((grinning smirk)) Please, how gullible do you think I am?

Estelle: Believe it or not, it's true.

Rita: ((skeptical))...Will wonders never cease?

Yuri: Is it really so hard for everyone to believe that?! Come on, let's go.

((Yuri leaves, Estelle follows))

Rita: Hey, they changed the subject on me...

- 036: Clearing Rita's Name -

Estelle: It's a good thing the core thief you're chasing turned out not to be Rita, right Yuri?

Yuri: ((annoyed)) Huh? How do you figure that? I couldn't care less who the core thief was. I would've loved it if it were Rita. I'd be done by now.

Karol: I wouldn't let her hear you say that...

Yuri: Well, at least we got a lead for catching the real criminal. I can't complain about that.

- 037: The Frail Girlfriend -

Estelle: So tell me about this frail girlfriend of yours, Karol.

Karol: Wha?!

Estelle: The reason you want to go to Nor Harbor is so you can see her, isn't it?

Karol: H-how do you know about her?!

Estelle: I knew it!

Karol: N-no! I mean, she's not even in Nor Harbor...

Estelle: Oh, it's not Nor Harbor?

Karol: I d-don't know what you're talking about!

Yuri: You might as well come clean, Karol. It's obvious Estelle's not going to give up.

Karol: You've got it all wrong! ((runs away))

Estelle: ((following him)) Karol...

- 038: Traveling with This Bunch? -

Yuri: When we left the capital, it was just me, Repede and Estelle.

Estelle: Now Karol and Rita have joined us. I'm so happy to have more people to travel with!

Karol: I'm not so sure about some people in our party, though.

Rita: I'm not so sure about you, you little runt.

Yuri: Hey now, go easy on the young Captain.

Estelle: Rita, we all have to work together to get along, okay?

Rita: Oh, yeah... Right.

- 039: Rita's Age -

Estelle: Have you been doing research in Aspio for a long time, Rita?

Rita: Yeah, I guess about five years.

Estelle: Five years, wow... Rita, how old are you, anyway?

Rita: ...I'm fifteen.

Estelle: W-wow... Y-you're so grown up. I can't believe you were researching blastia at ten...

Rita: It's not a big deal. How old are you, Estellise?

Estelle: Oh, umm, I just turned eighteen this year.

Rita: Time to grow up.

Estelle: R-right... I'll do my best.

- 040: Reviving the Tree -

Rita: Wow, I've never seen this many flowers on Halure's tree before.

Yuri: Huh? Doesn't it always get like that when the flowers are in season?

Rita: In season or out, I've never seen all the buds blooming at once like this.

Yuri: Really? Guess we're lucky to get to see something so amazing.

Rita: I'd say it's more abnormal than amazing...

- 041: Rita and Repede -

Repede: ((slowly approaching Rita)) ......

Rita: What are you looking at?

Repede: Woof! ((runs up next to her))

Rita: ((backs away)) Hey dog, you keep away! ((backs up further as Repede gets closer again))

Karol: Huh? Rita, are you afraid of dogs?

Rita: ((nervously)) Not at all! Mind your own business! Oh no... ((dodges away from Repede))

Estelle: ((walking onto screen)) Hey, Rita, I wanted to ask you about this-- ((stops as she spots Repede)) Oh, Repede!

((Repede runs away with Estelle following))

Karol: Repede sure knows who he likes and who he doesn?t.

- 042: Who is Nan? -

Karol: ...Hey, Estelle, I notice you keep looking in my direction--what's up?

Estelle: You don't mind if I ask? ((moves a little closer to Karol, who backs up a bit)) All right, well then...here goes. This "Nan"... Are you in love with her?

Karol: Ack... *hack* *cough* *choke*

Estelle: Nan is a girl's name, right? Is she the girl you wanted to show Halure's flowers to...?

Karol: Waaaaaa! No, no, no! You got it all wrong!

Estelle: I do?

Karol: Man, she'd be so angry if she heard you say that...

Estelle: Karol, good luck with her! ((big picture)) I'm rooting for you!

Karol: Uh, yeah...well, thanks. That's encouraging...

- 043: The Dragon Rider -

Yuri: Man, some people have some weird hobbies. I mean, who goes around destroying blastia?

Estelle: I wouldn't really call that a hobby.

Rita: If we ever come across whoever's doing this, I'll destroy him!

Karol: But what if he has some reason for what he's doing?

Rita: ((shaking up and down)) They can have any reason they want, destroying blastia is unforgivable! Period! ((suddenly moves in on Karol and starts strangling him))

Karol: ((struggling and shaking)) Ack, my, my neck! My neck! Waaaaagh! ((moves a little towards Yuri)) Ack, heeeelp meee, Yuri!

Yuri: ((moving away)) Meh, that'd take effort. Just play nice with each other, kids.

Karol: ((moves towards Estelle, pitifully)) Estelle...

Estelle: ((also moves away, looking freaked out)) Umm...do your best, Karol!

- 044: A Nice, Fun, Relaxing Trip -

Yuri: Red-eyes, knights... Why can't we just have a nice, fun, relaxing trip?

Karol: You're one to complain, Yuri.

Rita: Yeah, weren't those knights calling YOUR name?

Karol: But you're the one who was fighting with the mages, Rita.

Estelle: Please, everyone! We're okay, aren't we? I actually think it's kind of fun.

Yuri: If you think being chased is fun, then you're going to love the rest of this trip.

Karol: Yeah, you may have written off what just happened, but we're still fugitives!

- 045: The Value of a Barrier Blastia -

Yuri: That was a pretty big commotion over breaking a single barrier blastia.

Karol: I dunno, it seemed like the commotion Rita caused was even bigger.

Rita: Stop bringing up trivial details!

Estelle: Of course people would be upset. It was a barrier blastia.

((Karol, looking scared, starts to move away slowly from a pissed off Rita))

Estelle: Blastia are intertwined with almost every aspect of people's daily lives.

Yuri: Good point.

((Rita starts to move after the still slowly retreating Karol))

Yuri: Things got really crazy back in the lower quarter when the aque blastia broke.

Estelle: I hope they can fix it soon.

((Karol notices that Rita is following after him))

Yuri: Yeah, I mean,

((Karol panics and runs; Rita runs after him, grinning))

Yuri: that's what we're going through all this for.

- 046: The Reunion with Flynn -

Yuri: No matter how you slice it, Flynn is Flynn. He's even more stubborn than before...

Repede: Woof!

Yuri: You think so too, Repede?

Repede: Woof!

Yuri: Well, at least he seemed to be doing all right.

- 047: The Magistrate's Evil -

Rita: A city where the magistrate can do whatever he wants really leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

Yuri: Looks like there's bound to be a few power-mad imperials no matter where you go. What we saw on the way into town here--that happened all the time back in the lower quarter.

Karol: I'm glad I live outside the empire. I don't think I could stand this very long...

Estelle: Why would the magistrate do these things...?

Yuri: Hey, we don't need to let the bad vibes of this city rub off on us.

Rita: Exactly.

Estelle: All right...

- 048: Witcher and Rita -

Yuri: Hey, Flynn said that mage Witcher was from Aspio, didn't he?

Estelle: Did you know him from before, Rita?

Rita: ...Hmm.

Karol: What do you mean, "hmm"?

Rita: I get the feeling he might have passed through my field of vision once or twice... It's nothing more than a vague memory, though.

Karol: I think I know why Witcher had such a chip on his shoulder...

- 049: Opinions on Flynn -

Karol: I don't usually get along with knights, but Flynn was different. He seemed like a serious, capable sort of guy, you know?

Rita: Really? He seemed like a really stubborn, by-the-rules kind of guy to me.

Estelle: Flynn's a good person who'll give anyone a helping hand when they have a problem!

Yuri: Maybe now, but he raised some hell in the lower quarter back in the day.

Estelle: I can hardly imagine Flynn like that...

- 050: Search and Seizure Rights -

Estelle: Hey, Rita, what did Flynn mean about search and seizure rights to blastia laboratories?

Rita: Oh, that. Basically, if you're on an official imperial blastia investigation, you can go anywhere you want.

Yuri: Are you serious?!

Karol: Why bust our butts when the Knights can do that?

Rita: I don't think they can. There are plenty of "exceptions" that can block their authority.

Yuri: That sounds like what I've come to expect from the empire.

- 051: Raven -

Rita: ((ready to punch someone)) Hey you, bring that Raven creep to me, right now!

Yuri: ((freaked out)) Huh? Why do I have to do that?

Rita: You're friends with him, right?

Yuri: ((annoyed)) I told you, I hardly know the guy!

Rita: Oh, really? You met him in jail, right...? That's pretty shady, if you ask me!

Yuri: ...I can't really argue with that.

Estelle: I think he's kind of strange, but he didn't seem bad to me.

Karol: I don't think he's all that good either...

- 052: The Dragon Rider Rides Again -

Karol: I never thought we would meet the dragon rider in Ragou's palace!

((Rita starts to get annoyed))

Yuri: That was a dragon? I've never seen a monster like that before.

Estelle: Yes. It had a very different feeling to it than any monster I'd ever seen. I wonder where it flew off to after that.

((Rita gets even more annoyed))

Karol: I'll bet it has a hideout somewhere, but we don't have enough information to find it.

Rita: ((Finally snaps)) Enough! Enough with that dragon freak! Just thinking about that jerk makes me furious!

- 053: A Little Freaked Out -

Estelle: I thought you were done for when that ship sank with you still on it.

Karol: Seriously, I was pretty worried there for a minute. I'm glad you made it.

Yuri: ((completely calm)) It sank faster than I thought it would. I was a little freaked out myself.

Rita: You almost died and you were only a little freaked out? There's something wrong with you.

- 054: Zagi -

Karol: Yuri, you sure know a lot of strange people. Like that Raven guy we met in Capua Nor, or that Zagi weirdo who attacked us.

Rita: "Weirdo" is putting it mildly. What's his deal, anyway?

Yuri: That's what I'd like to know. It's nice to have fans, but this is ridiculous.

Estelle: It looked like he went down with the ship, though... Maybe that was the last of him?

Yuri: I don't know. Common sense just doesn't seem to apply to those kind of people.

Karol: Man, I really don't want to see him again!

Rita: Well, even if we do, he'll be gunning for Yuri, not us. I've got nothing to do with this.

Yuri: We'll deal with that when the time comes.

- 055: Raven and Getting Information -

Yuri: The way he looks, Barbos should stick out like a sore thumb walking around in town. It'd sure help if anyone saw where he and his gang were headed. ...Come to think of it, I wonder what happened to Raven back in Ragou's palace. I guess he panicked and ran when the dragon rider and the knights showed up...

- 055: Destroyed by an Earthquake -

Yuri: Hey Karol, do you know anything else about that city you said was destroyed in an earthquake?

Karol: Just rumors. Supposedly, it was some guild's headquarters about ten years ago.

Estelle: Which guild was that?

Karol: Sorry, I can't help you there.

Rita: I've never heard of an earthquake that destroyed an entire city.

Karol: Well, Aspio is across the ocean... Maybe the information just never made it that far?

Rita: Hmm, I wonder...

- 057: Karol, Fired -

Karol: ((Extremely upset)) Man...why did it have to end up like this... They said...they said I was f-f-fired...

Estelle: Karol, keep your spirits up!

Karol: I can't be happy anymore... It's like her words are a dagger in my heart...

Yuri: She was just worried it'd be too dangerous for you. There's still hope.

Karol: Huh? Y-you think so?! ...Uh, whatever, I don't care about what she thinks!

Yuri: The problem is your guild, right? I get it.

Karol: R-right, yeah. I don't care about Nan...

Rita: This hurts to watch.

Estelle: I'm rooting for you, Karol!

- 058: Doesn't Seem Like an Earthquake -

Estelle: Was this town really destroyed by an earthquake? The buildings all look kind of strange...

Yuri: Yeah. They don't really look like they collapsed from the ground shaking... Something's weird.

Karol: Yeah, so...how were they destroyed, then?

Yuri: Got me. Maybe we can find out by asking someone who used to live in the town.

Rita: That's not really why we're here though, so why should we care?

Yuri: You actually have a point there.

- 059: The Hunting Blades -

Estelle: What do the Hunting Blades mainly do, as a guild?

Karol: Like their name says, they make their living hunting monsters.

Yuri: It's not like there's any shortage of monsters once you're outside the barriers. Business must be booming.

Karol: Yeah, they definitely get a lot of commissions. But the Hunting Blades aren't killing monsters just because someone asked them to. Monsters are evil. This evil must be punished. That's the creed of the Hunting Blades.

Yuri: I wonder if any of them are doing it just for their own personal grudges against monsters.

Karol: Oh yeah. A lot of people. Like, Nan's parents were killed right before her eyes when she was a kid.

Yuri: Huh. It'd be hard not to hold a grudge after something like that.

- 060: Aersick -

Karol: So aer is more than just a handy substance for making blastia work, huh?

Rita: The questions amateurs ask, I swear... Aer affects everything in the world. Our own bodies, the growth of living organisms, even the weather.

Estelle: So the blastia in Ragou's palace that controlled the weather was interfering with the aer?

Rita: Correct.

Yuri: So then, that means the aer here is interfering with the processes in our bodies.

Karol: I mean, I can handle it, but is it really a good idea for us to be in aer this dense?

Rita: We shouldn't stay here too long. Especially runts like you who are still growing. The younger you are, the more of an effect the aer will have.

Yuri: Huh, guess that makes sense.

- 061: The Hunting Blades and the Monster -

Estelle: What do you think that scary monster we saw in Caer Bocram was?

Yuri: That beast was way tougher than anything I've ever seen before. If it didn't run away when it did, we'd have been in a world of hurt.

Rita: That's a surprisingly cautious opinion, coming from you. Not that I disagree, when it comes to a monster like that.

Estelle: Do you think it was the Hunting Blades who trapped it in the a reverse barrier?

Yuri: ...Yeah, probably... It looked like they'd come to take that monster down. Whatever the case, I don't want to meet up with a monster like that again.

- 062: The Dragon Freak -

Rita: ((big picture)) The next time I see that freak, my magic will be ready! No mercy!

Yuri: What's she so mad about?

Estelle: It looks like she's upset that we let that dragon rider escape.

Yuri: I never thought he'd go as far as the Caer Bocram underground to destroy blastia. Now that's dedication.

Rita: ((smaller, punching picture)) The next time we meet, I'll choke the life out of him with my bare hands!

Estelle: Rita's pretty dedicated, herself...

- 063: Karol and Nan -

Karol: ((separated from the others)) *sigh* This is awful...

Estelle: ......*sad sigh*

Yuri: You've been staring at Karol for a while now. What's up?

Estelle: I'm just worried about the fight he had with his friend, Nan. And he's clearly depressed.

Rita: That wasn't a fight. It was a one-sided verbal beat-down.

Yuri: It's gotta be a good sign if she cares enough to criticize him that much. If she didn't care about him, she wouldn't even bother, right?

Estelle: I suppose so...

Karol: *Sigh* I'm so hungry...

Rita: ...Wait, THAT's what you were worrying about?!

- 064: Estelle, the Princess -

Karol: I was so surprised to find out that Estelle was a princess!

Yuri: I had a feeling. She knew Flynn, and she was obviously brought up as a noble...

Rita: Shut up. You knew, already.

Yuri: Maybe...

Karol: Oh man... I wonder if I was rude to her without realizing it?

Yuri: ((in a high-and-mighty, noble accent)) Your language has been unpardonable. Captain Karol, the sentence for insulting royalty is...((intense)) decapitation. ((normal voice)) Been nice knowing you.

Karol: What about you?! You're way more rude than I am!

Yuri: ((completely indifferent)) Guess it's off with both our heads, then.

Karol: What?! Th-that's...

Rita: Idiots...

- 065: The Interrogation -

Yuri: It's been a while since the Imperial Knights have interrogated me... Forgot how tiring it was. Even the Princess and His Highness Ioder got involved.

Repede: Woof!

Yuri: And two captains and the Commandant. And with Flynn here, too, they're leaving the capital totally defenseless. Pretty sloppy work...

- 066: Alexei -

Karol: I'm glad that Commandant Alexei turned out to be so reasonable.

Rita: Yeah, I thought he'd be more of a stubborn jerk myself.

Estelle: Had you met him before, Yuri?

Yuri: I knew him, but I doubt he knew me. I was barely in the Knights for any time at all, really.

Karol: What sort of person is he, I wonder?

Estelle: He can be very formal at times. But in a way, he's something of a symbol for the Knights. Many who are in the Knights now were inspired to join by Alexei's example.

Yuri: Heh. One thing's clear. I don't have much in common with him.

- 067: Becoming Estelle -

Rita: Estelle, there's something I want to ask you.

Estelle: Yes, what is it? *gasp*...Wait!

Rita: What's the matter?

Estelle: Could you repeat what you just said?

Rita: I said, there's something I want to ask you.

Estelle: No, before that!

Rita: ((embarrassed)) Es...telle?

Estelle: ((ecstatic)) Yes! You finally called me Estelle! I've got to go tell everyone! ((leaves))

Rita: ...Oh, well...heh heh...

- 068: What's Going on Here? -

Yuri: The barrier failed right as the monsters appeared? What the hell is going on in this city?

Karol: I've lived in Dahngrest my whole life, but I've never seen anything like this.

Rita: So why the hell do we have such terrible timing?!

Karol: How should I know?

((Karol and Rita look at Yuri suspiciously))

Yuri: ((nervous)) What? You don't really think I'm cursed, do you?

- 069: Why Was Flynn Here? -

Karol: Come to think of it, why was Flynn in Dahngrest? The empire and the Union have never gotten along, so Knights don’t show up here often.

Yuri: I doubt they’re here to see the sights, either. It’s gotta be tied up in one of their duties.

Estelle: Do you think Flynn’s all right? Those guild people were being really mean to him.

Yuri: Flynn’s no delicate little flower. He can take some heat. Don’t forget. Before he was a knight, he had to make it on the streets of the lower quarter.

Estelle: I hope you’re right...

- 070: The City of Guilds, Dahngrest -

Estelle: Dahngrest has a very different atmosphere from the capital, doesn’t it? The city seems so energetic. Everyone here is so full of life!

Karol: Of course! It’s the largest guild city. Everyone lives according to their own principles. Do you like Dahngrest, Estelle?

Estelle: Yes, I think it’s lovely.

Karol: What about you, Yuri?

Yuri: Mm? I think it’d be a really great city if the barrier wasn’t crapping out.

Karol: Yuri, will you please let that go?

Yuri: I’m kidding! The city’s not bad at all. It even feels kind of like the lower quarter.

- 071: What’s the Don Like? -

Estelle: What about the person who controls the Union? What is Don Whitehorse like?

Karol: In a word, big. Big voice, big body, big everything!

Yuri: We already know what he looks and sounds like. We saw him, remember?

Karol: Oh yea, that’s right. Well... He’s a really cool person!

Yuri: Does that answer your question, Estelle?

Estelle: It’s clear that Karol has a lot of respect for the Don... But that’s about the only thing that’s clear...

Karol: He’s so cool that it can’t be expressed in words!

Yuri: We’ll just leave it at that, then.

- 072: Really Really Fishy -

Rita: I know there’s not much point in bringing it up again, but this guy’s really fishy.

Karol: Yeah, how long’s he planning to stick with us, anyway?

Estelle: Does he even have a good reason for being in Keiv Moc?

Yuri: You heard ‘em, old man. Spit it out.

Raven: Huh? I’m gonna stick with ya guys as long as need be. And as fer my reasons, I thought I told ya--I’m on a mission of self-discovery!

Rita: You said you were “out for a forest stroll!” “Takin’ in the nature!”

Raven: Oh, I did?

Yuri: If I had a memory that bad, I’d want to find myself, too.

Raven: There you go!

Karol: Really fishy. Really really really fishy.

- 073: The Mysterious Man in the Forest -

Estelle: Just who was that strange person with the sword, anyway?

Karol: Do you think he came to Keiv Moc all by himself? There are so many monsters around...

Yuri: Judging by the way he was standing, he’s pretty confident in his own abilities. He seemed calm, or even, like, meditative... Well whatever, he was a strange guy.

Karol: Yeah, I have no idea what was up with him at all.

- 074: The Don -

Yuri: Don Whitehorse... I can see how a man like that could rise to the top of the Union. He’s pretty impressive.

Estelle: I’m just relieved he’s the sort of person who’s willing to listen. I didn’t think he’d give us a chance, considering that he’s never met us before.

Karol: That’s what makes the Don so great! I told you, right? Man, he’s so cool!

Rita: Do you run his fan club or something?

- 075: Fishier and Fishier -

Karol: I never would have thought Raven was a member of Altosk.

Yuri: It looked like he and the Don were close. The old man probably has a pretty important job.

Karol: Y-yeah... It’s hard to believe, but he’s probably one of Altosk’s top officers. The fact that he can leave town on guild business shows that the Don trusts him.

Rita: That old man...

Estelle: You can’t judge a book by its cover, Rita.

Yuri: Fishier and fishier...

- 076: The Conspiracy and Flynn’s Trouble -

Estelle: I cannot believe that Ioder would give a letter like that to Flynn. There must be some mistake!

Rita: We’ve met His Highness, too, and he certainly didn’t seem like that kind of person.

Karol: But you heard the letter--it said to take Don Whitehorse out of the picture!

Yuri: So maybe it was sent by someone who wants to throw a wrench into what Ioder and Flynn are doing.

Rita: But that’s nothing more than a hunch right now.

Yuri: Yeah, you’re right. The only thing we know for sure right now is that Flynn is in trouble.

- 077: What the Don and Flynn are Thinking -

Estelle: Where were you talking with the Don, Yuri? You were gone for a long time.

Yuri: We had a nice little chat through some thick iron bars.

Estelle: ...Yuri, did you get Flynn out of prison by trading places with him?

Yuri: No, it’s nothing like that. Flynn would’ve been released even if I hadn’t gotten involved.

Estelle: What do you mean?

Yuri: The Don planned all along to capture Flynn, and use him to find out who’s behind this whole mess.

Estelle: So both the Don and Flynn know that there’s someone else manipulating things?

Yuri: Yeah. Why do I keep letting myself get caught up in this stuff? Now the Don’s making me do his dirty work... What a pain!

- 078: Judith’s Armor -

Yuri: Hey, why were you wearing that stuffy-looking suit of armor?

Judith: Oh? You didn’t like it? It’s pretty sturdy, and protects my body quite nicely. ((big picture)) See? Look at this beautiful skin, free of bruises and blemishes!

Yuri: ((staring at her)) Very nice... I’m actually worried where my eyes might wander.

Judith: You don’t look all that worried to me.

Yuri: ((looking away)) I’ve just got a good poker face. So, you’re okay? You don’t mind leaving your armor behind?

Judith: ((smaller picture)) It’s sturdy, but it’s heavy. Walking around with that on tires me out.

Yuri: Hey, no complaints here. I prefer eye candy to scary armor any day.

- 079: Together Again -

Raven: I can’t believe I made that kind of mistake! I should have moved right then! Damn it!

Rita: Somebody shut this old man up!

Estelle: What “mistake” did you make?

Raven: Oh, you sweet girl, thank you for listening. If I’d just met that Krityan hottie before Yuri, the two of us would be off together just...

Rita: Ha! ((punches Raven suddenly))

Raven: Gah!!! ((tumbles up the screen))

Karol: Whoa! Go easy on him, Rita!

Rita: You got a problem?

Karol: ((scared)) Uh-uh.

Yuri: I guess the old man couldn’t care less about me...

((Raven picks himself back up. Rita moves closer to him angrily and he leaves.))

Estelle: Ummm...well I’m glad you weren’t hurt, Yuri.

Yuri: ((Still a little annoyed)) Heh. Thanks.

- 080: Repede and Judith -

Judith: Is he also a member of your party?

Yuri: Yeah, he doesn’t get along too well with other people, though. Don’t let it get to you.

Judith: ((moves closer to Repede)) I’m Judith. Nice to meet you.

Repede: *Whine*

Estelle: Hey... Why is he letting Judith pet him?

Raven: Maybe the little pup’s a fan of pretty girls?

Estelle: B-But I’m a pretty girl too... ((moves towards Repede, who moves away))

Judith: ((surprised)) My my.

Estelle: ((crying)) ...Why doesn’t he like me?

- 081: The Tower of Ghasfarost -

Yuri: The bottom of the tower looked ancient, but the top is new...

Judith: It would seem someone built it onto a structure that was already here.

Karol: I had no idea there were any towers in this area. I wonder when it was built?

Raven: Well, judgin’ by how new the top looks, I’d say it was pretty recent.

Estelle: Do you think Barbos built it?

Karol: The Blood Alliance is one of the bigger guilds, but even they couldn’t build something like this.

Yuri: Ragou. He must have been putting up the funds.

Karol: Hey, yeah. That would make sense.

Raven: We still ain’t any closer to figurin’ out WHY they’d build somethin’ like this, though...

- 082: Be Thankful to Strangers -

Estelle: I need to thank whoever told you about this underground passage.

Yuri: Why would you need to be thankful for something like that?

Estelle: I’m trying to get out of the castle, just like you.

Yuri: That’s all well and good...but there’s no need to be all thankful because of it.

Estelle: Oh no. We must show courtesy to those who show us kindness.

Yuri: Sort of weird to be polite to somebody you’ve never met, don’t you think?

Estelle: Manners are never so important as when dealing with those with whom we have yet to be acquainted.

Yuri: You really think so, huh?

Estelle: I know so.

- 083: Who Is This Karol Kid? -

Yuri: This Karol guy is kind of weird.

Estelle: He does seem a bit restless, but that doesn’t make him a bad person.

Yuri: He doesn’t seem evil, but I’ll bet he’s got some weird thoughts going on in his head.

Estelle: You’re only saying that because you can see some of yourself in him.

Yuri: You think the two of us are alike?

Estelle: Yes. It’s like you have genuine emotions, but your pride won’t let you show them. So I can’t bring myself to dislike him.

Yuri: Huh...

Estelle: Did I upset you?

Yuri: No, that’s just some pretty deep insight about people you only just met, is all.

Estelle: Hey...

- 084: Rita’s Change -

Rita: ...Honestly, that girl...

Karol: Huh?

Rita: Estelle. She rushes off regardless of danger... She doesn’t listen when you tell her to stop...

Yuri: So Estellise has finally become Estelle, huh?

Rita: I...I’ve been calling her that for a while... What’s with you, anyway?

Karol: Hey, you know... Your tone of voice was different just then... Maybe it’s just my imagination...

Rita: You’re damn right, it is!

Karol: Ahh, there’s the Rita we all know and love.

Rita: Ha! ((punches Karol))

Karol: Ow!

Rita: How about you just shut up? Who cares what I say or how I sound?!

Yuri: Not me. Here’s to you being you, Rita.

Rita: Humph...!

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- II. Scenario Chapter 2 -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

- 085: One Mess After Another -

Yuri: Just when I get to relax...I get dragged into another mess!

Karol: Yuri, fate really is out to get you!

Yuri: Hey, it’s not all my fault. You had a role in this, too!

Karol: But I never ran into gigantic monsters or got arrested by knights before I met you!

Yuri: Well, things didn’t go bad for me until I left the capital with Estelle.

Karol: ...So that means...

Yuri: Drop it. Keep moving.

Karol: R-right.

- 086: The Monster that Attacked Dahngrest -

Yuri: That huge flying monster actually talked, right...? You ever heard of a monster like that?

Karol: I’ve never seen or heard of anything like that. I don’t think anybody in the Hunting Blades has.

Yuri: Man, first that thing in Caer Bocram, and now this. The world’s just full of surprises... I don’t care how many lives you have... It wouldn’t be enough to fight that thing.

Karol: Y-yeah. Not even I feel like taking on a monster like that.

- 087: Starting a Guild -

Estelle: Yuri, I was a little surprised to hear that you’re starting a guild.

Yuri: Well, it’s not like I’ll be doing it all on my own.

Judith: Did Karol give you the idea?

Yuri: Yeah, but I’d been thinking about it myself for a while now, too. I quit the Knights to find my own way of doing things, but I hadn’t done anything.

Estelle: What Flynn said to you back in the port town... That got to you, didn’t it?

Yuri: Nothing that guy says could get to me. ((walks off))

Judith: He doesn’t like to admit his feelings, does he?

Estelle: No.

- 088: The Monster Spoke! -

Karol: ...Hey, you mind if I ask a question? I need to be sure of something.

Estelle: What is it?

Karol: That big monster we saw... It was talking, right? Like, our language.

Estelle: Yes, I heard it with my own ears.

Yuri: You all heard it, too? I guess it wasn’t my imagination, after all.

Karol: Who’s ever heard of a monster that speaks a human language...?

Estelle: ...Just what is that monster...?

- 089: Is Dahngrest Okay? -

Estelle: The bridge collapsed from the monster’s attack... I wonder if Dahngrest is all right. It seems that some people were injured, too.

Karol: The place was crawling with knights. I think they can handle things from here. Plus the Don’s in Dahngrest, and all the guild members are really tough.

Yuri: Flynn would catch us if we went back now, and that’d be the end of your travels.

Estelle: You’re right. I’ll put my trust in the Imperial Knights and the guilds. I decided I’m going with you, and that’s what I’m going to do.

- 090: Heracles is Amazing! -

Karol: That moving fortress that attacked that monster was amazing...What’d you call it? Heracles?

Yuri: That was a monster, itself. I never knew the Imperial Knights had anything like that.

Estelle: I don’t know many details, but it seems it was constructed under Alexei’s orders.

Yuri: Without Heracles, we might all be in that flying monster’s stomach about now...

Karol: Seriously. Heracles to the rescue.

- 091: The Guild’s Purpose -

Karol: We picked a name, made laws, got our first job... We’re a pretty respectable guild, now!

Yuri: But are three members really respectable?

Karol: Why not? The Dark Wings--the famous thieves’ guild--they only have three members, too!

Judith: Quality over quantity.

Yuri: Too many people get to be a headache. I prefer a small group. But you can’t follow in the Don’s footsteps and defend Dahngrest without a few more bodies.

Karol: Yeah, I guess... But, if we just put one foot in front of the other, I know we’ll be big some day!

Judith: So then, you’re saying we can take it easy.

Karol: No way! ((big picture)) We’ve gotta give this guild 110 percent!

Yuri: Hah hah. Aye aye, Captain.

- 092: A New Journey -

Estelle: Now that we have a goal and a destination, I’m so excited about continuing our journey!

Yuri: This is a lot bigger than when we were just escaping the capital and chasing after Flynn. We’re out to find a mysterious talking monster.

Estelle: And to get over to Desier, we’ll need to cross the sea again... I think the Sands of Kogorh will be a hot and harsh environment, too. Still, I can’t help but be excited that I get to continue my journey! New landscapes we’ve never seen are waiting for us, just past the horizon!

Yuri: Well, just don’t forget what we’re out here for.

Estelle: ((pout)) I know.

- 093: Is Repede a Member Too? -

Estelle: Repede’s an honorary member of Brave Vesperia, too isn’t he?

Yuri: Of course he is.

Judith: But everyone who joins the guild has to swear to uphold its laws, don’t they?

Karol: Well, in his case...

Yuri: What are you all worried about? Repede knows the laws!

Repede: Woof!

Karol: There’ve been lots of times when I just know Repede understands what we’re saying.

Estelle: I know how you feel.

((Repede leaves))

Yuri: Yeah, I don’t know. Well how about it, Repede?

Judith: ...He just went to mark his territory.

- 094: The Toughest Thing She’s Ever Done -

Karol: Hey, wouldn’t Judith be the best person to seduce the guard?

Estelle: You too, Karol? Hmph! I can seduce people just fine!

Judith: Heh heh. You’re cute when you’re frustrated.

Karol: I get the feeling even her personality’s changing...

Yuri: Hah hah. You travel this big old world long enough, anybody’d change.

Judith: Don’t blow it out of proportion. It’s just seduction.

Yuri: Maybe to you, Judith. But to our dear princess, it’s one of the toughest things she’s ever done.

Estelle: ((big picture)) I WILL seduce that guard! Just you wait!

- 095: Oh, to Be Like Judith... -

Karol: ...With Judith seducing the guard, this plan can’t fail.

Judith: ((big picture)) I’ll do my best to live up to your expectations, Karol.

Estelle: ...What can I do to be like Judith...?

Yuri: Hmm? Did you say something, Estelle?

Estelle: Oh, no, just talking to myself.

- 096: I’m Cute? -

Karol: Hey, there’s still time, you guys. How about someone else seduce the guard?

Yuri: When a man makes up his mind, he’s gotta see it through to the end.

Judith: And this is a guild job, as well. Don’t forget...”All for the guild!”

Karol: Oh, that is so twisting the guild’s laws...

Estelle: Karol, you’ll be fine! You’ll be the cutest little thing that knight has ever seen!

Karol: ...Being the cutest anything has never been one of my life goals.

- 097: It’s So Not You -

Estelle: You know, in knight’s armor, you really do look like a knight, Yuri. You’re quite handsome!

Judith: You’re getting a complement you know. It wouldn’t hurt to smile.

Yuri: I’m not really crazy about this getup. I’ve got bad memories of Flynn laughing his head off about how silly I looked in this...

Karol: Well...I think I get how Flynn felt... It’s like...somebody dressed you up! Ah ha ha ha ha!

Estelle: No, not at all, Yuri! It’s good because it’s so different from who you are.

Judith: Leave it to Yuri to be different even in a normal suit of armor.

Yuri: This is why I hate this uniform!

- 098: It Kinda Works on You -

Estelle: I’m impressed that you passed for a real knight, Karol, despite your height.

Judith: It’s amazing. Especially considering he wasn’t wearing the full suit of armor.

Yuri: That knight must’ve been so panicked that he didn’t see anything besides your helmet.

Estelle: People usually notice things like that though, right?

Karol: Then why’d you put me up to this in the first place?!

- 099: Rita Appears -

Estelle: Heh heh heh.

Rita: What’s with you? First you’re panicked, now you’re laughing.

Karol: You’re pretty moody yourself, Rita.

Yuri: You’re not really one to talk, Karol.

Rita: Just shut up!

Estelle: Heh heh. I’m so glad we found you here. I mean, I gave up going back to the capital, so even if you had visited me, I wouldn’t have been there!

Yuri: Oh, how sweet, Rita. You were gonna go visit Estelle.

Rita: I...I wouldn’t go to the capital just to visit someone. I mean, I have to report my findings on the aer krene. I just thought I’d say hi or something...

Judith: I don’t know. That sounds like an excuse for a visit with Estelle to me.

Rita: Y-you stay out of this!

Yuri: Aw come on. We’re all together again. Let’s just be happy about that.

- 100: Yeager’s Speech -

Estelle: That man called Yeager certainly had a unique way of talking.

Rita: Unique isn’t the word I’d use.

Karol: I had a hard time understanding some of the stuff he said.

Judith: An ancient way of speaking, lost in this day and age...

Estelle: What? Are you serious?!

Judith: ...It would at least make a good story if that were true.

Rita: *((annoyed))sigh*

- 101: What Flynn Thinks -

Karol: Flynn was asking for Estelle to come back with him, right?

Yuri: The Knights can’t help thinking that the best place for a princess is a castle. He’s just worried that he won’t be able to keep track of her.

Judith: But Estelle decided to set out on this journey on her own, and you want to respect that.

Yuri: I haven’t really thought about it all that much.

Rita: The Knights are bound to keep following you though, as long as Estelle’s with you.

Yuri: And what kind of a guild would we be if we didn’t get into trouble with the Knights?

Karol: I don’t think fighting with the Knights is actually a guild requirement...

- 102: The Scheming Partners -

Judith: Oh, those two scheming together.

Yuri: What, you mean Cumore and Yeager?

Judith: Yes. Maybe they saw that they had a lot in common with each other.

Estelle: A lot in common?

Rita: Like being raving lunatics. Whatever the case, they made one hell of a combo.

Karol: Looking at those two made me feel totally normal.

Yuri: Get a couple of nasty people together, and they’ll put together some nasty plans. We were right to let Flynn deal with it before things got really out of hand.

- 103: The Guild’s Founding Members -

Karol: That settles it. Our guild is off and running!

Rita: What settles what?

Karol: Our guild’s gonna be called Brave Vesperia! Estelle came up with it for us!

Rita: Hmm. Brave Vesperia, huh? Don’t tell me you actually got Estelle to become a member.

Karol: No, no... It’s just the three of us for now. I’m the Boss, and then there’s Yuri and Judith, too! What do you think? ((big picture)) Pretty awesome, huh?!

Rita: ...Yeah, it’s amazing. They actually let you be the Boss.

- 104: This Is Soooooo Bad -

Yuri: We just started out, and we’re already working with one of the five master guilds. This is good.

Judith: Yeah. You’re one step closer to making your dream a reality, Karol. Aren’t you happy?

((Karol slooowly enters and moves across the bottom of the screen, looking sick, freaked out, and terrified))

Rita: You’re talking to the kid? He’s over there mumbling about something.

Karol: Mermen...the first thing had to be mermen. Brave Vesperia has some bad luck... What’s the president of Fortune’s Market gonna think of us if we fail?! This is bad. This is soooo bad.

Estelle: I don’t think he’s very happy.

Judith: He’s just being careful, that’s all.

Rita: That’s not being careful. That’s running and hiding.

- 105: Fun on the Ghost Ship -

Estelle: Do you think the others are all right?

Yuri: You should probably worry a little more about how we’re doing. There’s no telling what might happen on a boat this sketchy.

Estelle: You say that, but you sound like you’re enjoying all this. Maybe that’s why I don’t feel all that scared myself.

Yuri: Aww, man. This isn’t gonna be half as fun if you’re not properly terrified...

Estelle: Fun...?

Yuri: ...Never mind.

- 106: Step Back! -

((Yuri walks across the screen, with Karol quickly running up close behind him))

Karol: Hey, wait up, Yuri! ((grabs Yuri and slows him down, stopping)) We should slow down and try to keep quiet.

Yuri: Yeah but I can’t walk with you right on my back, Captain.

Karol: N-no, no. It’s good. I can walk fine. It’s no trouble.

Yuri: No, I said you make it hard for ME to walk.

Karol: Right, so I said I’M not having any trouble walking.

Yuri: No, listen! *Sigh* All right, whatever.

- 107: Yuri’s Hunches -

Judith: It looked quite sinister from the outside, but nothing interesting has happened so far.

Yuri: ...Yeah, seriously. Looks like all my hunches were off.

Judith: Hunches?

Yuri: I was kind of hoping for something, but you aren’t scared at all...

Judith: Oh. So I should be saying things like, ((pseudo-scared voice)) “Aaah! Save me, Yuri!” and grabbing onto you?

Yuri: It’s no fun if you tell me up front you’re gonna do it. Forget it.

Judith: That’s too bad. It sounded like fun.

- 108: What Raven’s Good For -

Raven: So, what possessed you to bring old Raven along?

Yuri: Huh? I just figured you’d come in handy, I guess.

Raven: Y’know, you just ain’t too bright. It’s the perfect chance for some alone time with the ladies! What’s the fun in havin’ two guys here?! ((scared-girly voice)) Aaah! I’m scaaared! Help! ((strong-confident-manly voice)) Never fear, kitten, daddy’s right here. ((normal)) That’s the way these things are supposed to go down.

Yuri: If we run into any trouble, I’m using you to save my own skin, got it?

Raven: Huh? So that’s how I come in handy? A decoy?

- 109: Estelle Talks to Herself -

Estelle: I’m worried about the others of course, but this place is scary... Let’s make this quick.

- 110: I’ll Save Them -

Karol: I’m pretty nervous, but I’d feel awful if anything happened to the others. We have to go save them. A-all right, let’s do this!

- 111: Ooh, When I Find Them... -

Rita: They insisted on going to go play on the creepy boat, so here I am stuck going after them. When I find them, ooh, they’re gonna wish they had died.

- 112: Sounds Like Fun -

Judith: I’m actually kind of glad I have an excuse to explore the ghost ship. It’s not every day you get a chance to have this much fun.

- 113: What a Pain -

Raven: ((moving slowly down the screen)) Oh man, what a pain. I don’t wanna do this... I mean, they’ll come out on their own eventually, right? ((looks freaked and backs up slowly)) Whoa, what was that? Man, there’s somethin’ spooky in the air around here.

- 114: Better Together -

Estelle: See how much better it is when we’re all together?

Karol: It’s times like these that give you a sense for how important cooperation really is.

Rita: Y-yeah, I guess. The runt said something smart for once.

Yuri: Not that we’ve done anything all that cooperative, yet.

Judith: That’s all right. Just being together makes this place less frightening.

Raven: I wonder if it’s really that simple. ((smirks for a second, then looks scared)) Aiee! It’s a four-legged hell beast!

Estelle/Karol/Rita: Aaah!

Raven: Oops, my bad. Must’ve just been the pooch’s shadow.

Repede: ((walks up on screen)) Woof!

Rita: Grr! You are so dead. I’m going to kill you and leave you haunting this ship!

((Rita leaps towards Raven several times, who continues to dodge easily and goes off-screen, with Rita following))

- 115: The Box -

Rita: It looks like the case holding the clear ciel crystal just won’t open... I wish we could make sure it’s actually in there, considering the sort of place we found it in.

Karol: Couldn’t you just bust it open with your magic?

Rita: No, I can’t.

Estelle: Right. If we damaged the contents we wouldn’t be able to make the delivery.

Rita: No, I mean I already tried blowing it up. ((Rita looks very annoyed, while Estelle and Karol are shocked)) This little box is tougher than it looks.

Estelle: ...I...I’m at a loss for words.

Karol: Forget it, Estelle. There’s not much you can say to that.

Estelle: A-anyway, I suppose it makes sense to put something so important in an unbreakable box.

- 116: Belius -

Yuri: Just what sort of person is this Belius exactly?

Raven: Well that’s just it. I’ve heard the name often enough, but I’ve never met the person.

Estelle: Karol, do you know?

Karol: I’ve only lived in Dahngrest, so I don’t really know the guilds in Nordopolica.

Yuri: The last thing we need is another Don on our hands.

Raven: Heh, you can say that again. One Don is plenty.

Karol: I can hardly wait to meet Belius now.

- 117: Regaey -

Yuri: Damn that Regaey...

Estelle: What could he possibly want with that case?

Raven: Well, our genius mage’s magic was kinda weird. He must have thought it was linked to that box.

Karol: Then, you think Regaey knows what’s in the box?

Rita: The only way we’ll find out is by going after him.

Judith: If he stole it knowing what was inside, then he must know what the clear ciel crystal can do.

Karol: If we catch him, we might learn something about Yormgen.

Yuri: Okay, now we definitely can’t let him get away.

Estelle: Yes, we don’t have a moment to lose.

- 118: Things Get Complicated -

Yuri: And here I thought all we’d be doing at the coliseum was beating bad guys. Now things have gone and gotten complicated.

Estelle: I certainly didn’t think we’d be seeing Flynn here.

Karol: Not to mention that Zagi guy.

Rita: And that runaway coward, Regaey, too. It can’t be a coincidence. Not with them all here at once.

Yuri: If it is a coincidence, it’s the worst one I’ve ever heard of. Just how bad can our luck be?

Raven: Ya think Leviathan’s Claw are the ones callin’ the shots this time?

Judith: Thinking things through is all well and good, but we don’t want Regaey skipping out on us.

Yuri: No kidding. We’ll finish talking later. Let’s go.

Repede: Woof!

- 119: It Ate the Aer! -

Rita: A monster that consumes aer…?

Estelle: Just what was that creature?

Karol: It did seem different from other monsters somehow.

Yuri: ...Yeah, that’s for sure. It also looked like it was staring at us.

Raven: Maybe it was wonderin’ which one of us to eat first.

Estelle: ...I-it looked into my eyes for quite a long time, actually...

Judith: How nice for you. He must have thought you looked the tastiest.

Estelle: I don’t think I’d call that nice...

- 120: Aer Krene -

Rita: I never would’ve guessed there would be an aer krene in the Weasand of Cados.

Karol: I guess nobody passing through ever noticed it.

Rita: It must not have been putting out enough aer until now for anyone to feel the effects.

Yuri: It sure picked the perfect time to start going crazy. That was a serious pain.

Rita: Well, I was able to log a new discovery, so it worked out in the end.

Yuri: Yeah, so glad you enjoyed yourself.

- 121: Yeager -

Karol: I’m still trying to get my head around the fact that Regaey was Yeager’s alter ego.

Yuri: This spells out the connection between Ruins’ Gate and Leviathan’s Claw pretty clearly. And that Yeager was the boss of both guilds.

Raven: Isn’t it kinda early ta say that for sure? It is possible that the Regaey we met was just Yeager puttin’ on a show. Maybe the real Regaey’s off in some ruins someplace, just diggin’ away, happy as a clam.

Yuri: We’re gonna have a hell of a time, if it’s really that complicated.

Raven: I dunno, maybe I’m just puzzlin’ over it a little too hard.

Yuri: We’ll have to keep at it until we get to the bottom of this mess.

- 122: The Imperial Knights -

Yuri: I wouldn’t think the Knights would bother coming all the way out to a border town like this. More power to ‘em if they’re really trying to “defend the public order,” or whatever, but... Something tells me there’s more to it than that.

- 123: The Desert -

Rita: This town’s only on the edge of the desert, but the heat’s still got my head spinning.

Raven: Youngsters these days have got no stamina, I tell ya.

Rita: ...*Pant*

Karol: Whoa, no come back from Rita.

Rita: ...It’s hot. It’s so hot.

Estelle: I think she’s so hot she didn’t even hear him.

- 124: A Day in the Sun -

Raven: We keep goin’, and goin’, but all we get is more sand and more blue sky.

Karol: You’re doing better than me if you can look at the sky, Raven. The only thing I see is sand.

Rita: ...How come an old fart like you has so much energy, anyway?

Yuri: Talking’s only gonna wear you out. If one of us goes down, it’d be about all we could manage to get them back to safety. And I for one am in no mood to be giving out piggy-back rides.

Karol: If I collapse, Raven, you can carry me.

Raven: Sorry, but this back’s reserved for ladies only.

Rita: I’ll die before I collapse.

Estelle: I won’t let myself be a burden, either.

Judith: The same goes for me, of course.

Raven: Hey, there’s no reason ta go stompin’ on an old man’s feelin’s, is there?

- 125: The Parents -

Estelle: Alph and Layla’s parents don’t seem to be anywhere.

Raven: And with the desert as brutal as all this, odds are they’re not holdin’ up too well.

Rita: Thanks, old man. This hot-as-hell desert was missing a looming sense of dread.

Karol: How could Cumore just abandon people out here because they got on his nerves?

Yuri: Seriously. Let’s hurry up and find those kids’ parents while we still have some strength left.

Estelle: Right.

- 126: Not a Normal Monster -

Yuri: What was the deal with that weird monster we ran into in the Sands of Kogorh.

Estelle: Just the thought of it still sends chills down my spine...

Karol: Was that thing even alive...?

Yuri: Huh? What do you mean?

Karol: Well, it wasn’t anything like other creatures that make their home in the desert...

Yuri: Huh. Another astute observation from Captain Karol.

Estelle: Whatever it was, I hope we never see it again.

Karol: Me too.

- 127: Missing Phaeroh -

Yuri: So after all we went to cross the desert, we can’t meet Phaeroh.

Estelle: And after you’ve all risked your lives to help me...

Karol: Maybe it’s better that we didn’t find him after all...

Raven: Yeah. If we had to fight him now, we probably wouldn’t make it out.

Yuri: Think about it though. Phaeroh can fly. He’s free to be pretty much anywhere at anytime. Tracking him down will be a tall order unless he’s got a lair somewhere in the area.

Estelle: ......*sigh*

Judith: No one’s saying that meeting him will be impossible.

Rita: We might get some information if we ask around in the town.

Estelle: You’re right. Thank you, both of you.

- 128: The Clear Ciel Crystal -

Karol: Can a clear ciel crystal really be used to make a barrier?

Yuri: If they could, and we had enough, we’d be able to make as many barriers as we wanted.

Estelle: Then even areas that suffer frequent monster attacks could be assured safety.

Raven: Yeah, but if it were possible, wouldn’t something like that have happened by now?

Rita: Maybe it’s best not to get our hopes up about it, then.

Judith: Ever the realist, I see.

Rita: All I’m doing is speculating on the most probable outcome.

Estelle: Actually, I think that’s what being a realist means.

- 129: Duke -

Estelle: Duke certainly has an air of mystery about him.

Karol: I thought he was pretty cold. Would it have killed him to listen to us a little?

Yuri: Maybe he was caught off guard. We did just kind of show up out of nowhere.

Rita: Did one of us say anything rude to him?

Karol: Probably you, Rita...

Rita: Ha! ((punches Karol, who bumps into Raven))

Karol: Ow! Hey, no hitting!

Judith: I wonder if he’s always lived here in Yormgen.

Raven: Who knows. I didn’t get the feelin’ he’d been here all that long, though.

Yuri: Duke is pretty weird, but this whole town is pretty weird, too.

((Rita and Karol move back to where they were before))

Karol: Yeah, no kidding.

- 130: The Knight’s in this Town -

Yuri: Using your power to terrorize people. There’s not a soul in the lower quarter that evil. ...You’ve gone too far this time, Cumore.

- 131: Cumore’s Missing -

Karol: Things are bound to improve here in Mantaic, now that Flynn’s liberated the town.

Judith: They did allow the ringleader to escape, though.

Karol: Cumore? Flynn’ll catch him in no time! Right, Yuri?

Yuri: ...Hmm? Oh, yeah, sure he will.

Judith: Is something wrong? He looked troubled...

Rita: Estelle’s not her usual perky self, either.

Estelle: Th-that’s not true. I’m as happy as you all are that Mantaic’s been freed.

- 132: Flynn – Part 2 -

Judith: Your friend is quite talented, considering the ease with which he saved Mantaic.

Yuri: Who, Flynn? That was nothing for him.

Karol: ...You know him really well, don’t you Yuri?

Yuri: Well, we’ve hung around together since we were kids.

Raven: You don’t hang around together much anymore, though.

Yuri: ......*sigh*

Karol: Yuri?

- 133: Closing Everything Off -

Karol: Only the empire has enough power to cut off all the ways in and out of a whole town.

Raven: Well, the guilds’ power is totally different. The Union would never try something like this.

Yuri: It’s the empire’s style. Crush problems with everything they’ve got. What are they after? Who do they think they are, sealing off all the roads like this?

Judith: I think the answer to that lies in Nordopolica. We should hurry, before we’re caught.

- 134: Investigating the Aer Krene -

Rita: If the aer krene was disturbed by...

Yuri: Did you figure anything out?

Rita: ...It’s still too early to say. I’ve got some leads, but it’s nothing I can be sure of, yet.

Yuri: Well, make sure and let us know when you’ve nailed it down.

Rita: ...I will.

Yuri: All right, let’s head out. ((Yuri leaves))

Rita: And it’ll probably involve you...

- 135: What They’re After -

Yuri: I thought the Knights were the ones who had business in Nordopolica.

Raven: I never woulda guessed we’d end up runnin’ into the Hunting Blades.

Karol: What are they all doing here...?

Yuri: Don’t know, exactly, but you can be sure it’s got to do with Belius.

Estelle: Could it be that the Knights--I mean Flynn--came because of Belius as well?

Yuri: We’ll have to ask the Duce. For now, though, we gotta see if we can get things under control.

- 136: Belius’ Death -

Karol: Belius... How could something like this happen...?

Yuri: There was still so much we needed to ask...

Karol: ...Yeah. Think of all the knowledge that only an Entelexeia would have.

Yuri: Not to mention her perspective as the Duce of Palestralle. Why couldn’t we have met her sooner...?

Karol: Yuri...

- 137: The Truth About Judith -

Yuri: I knew Judy’s secret would get out some day, but...not like this. A little heads up would’ve been nice. I don’t know what to think about anything anymore.

- 138: The End of the Guilds? -

Yuri: I was okay with taking out bad people on my own. But I couldn’t tell the others. ...Not before, with Estelle, and not now. I gotta face up to the choices I’ve made. It’s been weighing on Karol, too. Who knows what’ll happen to Brave Vesperia...

- 139: Guild versus Guild -

Yuri: The town’s quiet now, but it could get ugly quick.

Rita: Yeah, well. We’ve seen our fair share of ugliness.

Yuri: Not like this, we haven’t. Do you think Palestralle is just going to take Belius’ death lying down?

Rita: ...The Don’s grandson is wrapped up in this too. I guess they can’t just let things slide. The guilds sure make a big deal about their rules and settling their scores.

Yuri: Exactly.

Rita: What a pain. I don’t get it at all.

Yuri: We’re kinda caught up in this ourselves, you know. Just be ready if things go bad.

Rita: I know.

- 140: Don, Don’t Get Hasty -

Estelle: If the Don really did go meet with Yeager, what could the reason have been? And why would he go alone?

Yuri: It’s not to deepen the ties of their friendship, that’s for sure. It was probably because he didn’t want his subordinates to get wrapped up in the mess.

Rita: Well, that’s just one more example of how much the guilds love doing things the hard way. Upholding every rule. Settling every score. Is it all really that important?

Raven: Hey, if we’re goin’ after the Don, now’s the time. We can have special sharin’ time later.

- 141: Judith in Trouble -

Raven: I never woulda guessed we’d have to chase down the Don and then go make Judith talk. It looks like the Hunting Blades’re on the move, too.

Yuri: I want to know how Leviathan’s Claw managed to get that information. I’m sure there’s something they’re after.

Estelle: ...Judith.

Yuri: I know you’re worried, but let’s just deal with what’s right in front of us for now.

Estelle: Right. Let’s look for the Don.

- 142: The Don’s Passing -

Yuri: Now my hands have killed someone I never wanted to kill. ...Don, that feeling still hasn’t left my hands... You really were a piece of work, old man.

- 143: The Hunting Blades Again? -

Yuri: The Hunting Blades again?

Raven: We didn’t just cross paths this time. We’re after the same thing. We just might have to fight.

Karol: I-if it does come to that, you guys don’t have to worry about me. But we can’t keep Judith waiting. Let’s go! ((quickly leaves))

Estelle: Karol...

Raven: Our boy’s growin’ up.

Yuri: Yeah.

Estelle: Isn’t there some way we can avoid fighting the Hunting Blades?

Yuri: I hope so, but it’s pretty much up to them.

Raven: Yup.

- 144: The Great War -

Karol: Man... The Great War... I mean, leaving a gaping hole where a mountain used to be...

Yuri: I still can’t believe how much power the Entelexeia must’ve had.

Rita: How could the humans fight beings that powerful, and not get demolished? I just don’t get it.

Estelle: Indeed... The Great War may still hold secrets we haven’t uncovered yet.

Karol: Y-yeah, but the war’s over now. It can’t have anything to do with us, right?

Yuri: I hope so, but...

- 145: What to Do with Judith -

Yuri: We still haven’t heard Judy’s side, so we can’t say anything, but... She sure caused the guild a major headache, breaking blastias all on her own. There’s no getting around that fact, no matter what her reasons. We have to settle this. ...Man, I hate waiting...

- 146: Phaeroh -

Estelle: Judith, you’re familiar with Phaeroh, aren’t you?

Karol: Is he really as scary as he seems?

Judith: Well, let’s see. Sometimes he’s logical, sometimes he’s emotional. He can be really scary, or really kind.

Rita: All, right, that didn’t help very much.

Judith: One thing’s certain. His power is extraordinary, even among the Entelexeia.

Raven: Here’s hopin’ we don’t wind up lookin’ like poor old Mt. Temza the moment we meet him.

Yuri: If he can do that to a mountain, there wouldn’t be anything left if he turned on us.

Karol: I wish you wouldn’t joke about scary things like that.

Rita: Why should we get scared before we even get there? Especially if he’s that strong.

Karol: Wish I could take it as lightly as you and Yuri...

- 147: Phaeroh’s Words -

Karol: All that stuff about the balance of the world is pretty hard to take in...

Yuri: Yeah. I hadn’t even been outside the capital until just a while ago myself. And now we’re here talking about the fate of the world. You never know what life’ll bring you.

Judith: But isn’t that what makes it interesting?

Rita: I don’t think we can afford to be that relaxed anymore. Estelle doesn’t have much time left.

Raven: What’s the harm? It’s not as if acting all serious is going to solve anything.

Judith: Besides, Estelle will notice if we look all worried.

Rita: W-well, maybe so, but...

Yuri: We won’t forget what Phaeroh said. Relax.

Rita: I know, it’s just...

Yuri: Estelle’s got it the worst. If we get too down about this, we won’t be much help to her.

- 148: Reconciling with Judith -

Yuri: Karol, were you thinking by yourself this whole time about what to do with Judy?

Karol: Yeah, it was pretty much all I thought about after we left Nordopolica. That...and about what you did to Ragou and Cumore.

Judith: Really? It’s nice to hear you thought about me that much, even when I wasn’t around.

Karol: Yeah... I wasn’t sure at first. What was right, what was wrong... I think I have the Don to thank for setting me straight. Without the Don’s last words, I never would have found answers to the questions I had.

Yuri: “You gotta stand on your own two feet.”

Karol: Yeah, I was thinking about what that meant. And before I knew it, I wasn’t thinking about what was right. I was thinking about what I want to do...

Judith: And that helped you decide what to do with the guild.

Karol: Yeah. So here’s to fresh starts!

Yuri: Yeah.

Judith: To fresh starts.

- 149: The Kritya -

Karol: So...is Myorzo here?

Estelle: I wonder.

Rita: I get the feeling it won’t be easy to find.

Raven: Nobody we talked to had even heard of a town called Myorzo.

Yuri: You’d expect to see more activity in this place if anybody knew there was a town here.

Rita: The difficulty of the road might be responsible for that, though.

Karol: Man... Why’d the Krityans have to go and build a town in a place like this, anyway?

Yuri: Probably to avoid a lot of prying eyes.

Raven: We’re just gonna have ta check it out for ourselves ta make sure, then.

- 150: Rita and Estelle -

Rita: ((big picture)) Stay close behind me, Estelle. My magic will protect you if they attack with the hoplon blastia.

Estelle: But you’d be putting yourself in danger, Rita.

Rita: ((shrinks to smaller picture)) We’re all in danger, so relax. Or maybe you don’t believe I can do it?

Estelle: No no! I’m just worried about you.

Rita: Well, I’m worried about you.

Karol: Those two sure have come a long way.

Yuri: Their little fights were fun, though. Oh well, I guess this way’s healthier for everyone.

Karol: Yeah, I think so, too.

Rita: Hey, peanut gallery. Shut up or we’ll leave you behind. ((starts to leave, Estelle following))

Karol: She’s still got a couple rough spots to work on, though...

- 151: Meeting the Kritya -

Karol: The Krityans are different than I imagined...

Raven: Oh man, I totally agree.

Judith: What’s so different?

Karol: You know, more like... I thought they’d be more like you, Judith.

Raven: Yeah yeah! I’m seeing far less skin than I expected. I mean, come on.

Rita: So that’s what the two of you were looking forward to?

Karol: What’re you looking at me for?! I was talking about her personality!

Yuri: Seriously, let’s have some decency here.

Estelle: Is it me, or are you a little disappointed too, Yuri.

Yuri: It’s you.

Raven: ((quickly leaving, pushing Yuri out of the way)) Ahh, men!

- 152: The Legend -

Karol: Everything the elder said is true, isn’t it?

Judith: His interpretation of the murals might not be perfect, but with all he told us...it was very convincing.

Yuri: We knew this was a global problem once we talked to Phaeroh. He granted us time because he knew how we’d react when we saw this.

Raven: He probably wanted ta show us humanity ain’t cut out ta handle the situation.

Judith: And to make us give up on Estelle...

Rita: ...So, everything’s just going according to Phaeroh’s plan, then? I will NOT let that happen. Never... I won’t give up on her.

- 153: They’re Gone! -

Rita: I never should have left Estelle alone. Maybe I couldn’t have done anything, but I should’ve stayed with her. She was so depressed...

Yuri: You’re not responsible for this. Beating yourself up over it won’t bring her back.

Rita: I know...

Karol: And what happened to Raven?

Judith: He was acting a little strange.

Karol: Do you think they’re working together?

Yuri: I really doubt they’d both disappear at the same time.

Karol: But why just the two of them...?

((Yuri separates himself from the group a little))

Yuri: ((muttering)) ...Don’t make me start questioning your loyalties, Raven...

- 154: Payback -

Rita: Just who does that idiot Commandant think he is?

Karol: Barbos, Ragou, even Yeager. Alexei was behind all of them.

Rita: And now he’s taken Estelle!

Karol: I won’t let him do this!

Rita: I am gonna rip him to shreds the moment we get Estelle away from him!

Judith: He must receive his due punishment. We can’t let him get away!

Yuri: ...He’s evil. That’s all there is to it. And he will not change. It’s time for some payback.

- 155: The Entelexeia, Astal -

Yuri: If we don’t go after Alexei, that Entelexeia we saw is gonna wind up an apatheia.

Judith: Even from this far away, Astal’s wounds looked terrible. He might not hold out much longer...

Karol: I guess not even the Entelexeia are a match for Heracles.

Yuri: Maybe that was Alexei’s reason for building it in the first place.

Rita: Naturally. There’s no way he’d need something that powerful just to take care of the guilds.

Yuri: Whatever the case, we have to catch Alexei and stop him before it’s too late for Astal.

- 156: Just Who is Duke? -

Rita: Dein Nomos, the child of the full moon, “the resolve that impressed Phaeroh”? Just who the hell is this Duke guy?

Judith: Well, judging from what he says, it seems he’s in contact with Phaeroh.

Karol: And he has the sword Prince Ioder’s been looking for... I don’t like this.

Yuri: Yeah, but why would he just lend us something as important as Dein Nomos? I thought he was stubborn, but maybe he’s actually willing to listen to reason.

Rita: I wouldn’t get my hopes up about that.

Judith: Don’t we have more pressing concerns to worry about?

Yuri: Yeah. Let’s hurry.

- 157: I’ll Save Estelle -

Rita: I’ll save Estelle next time, I swear it... I couldn’t stand seeing her hurt more than she already has been.

Karol: Rita...

Rita: It’s Estelle who’s suffering. So then, why do I hurt so much, too?

Judith: We’ll get her next time.

Yuri: ...Yeah. We’ll save her. I’ve had enough of seeing her used as Alexei’s puppet.

- 158: Raven Was... -

Karol: I can’t believe Raven was an Imperial Knight. A captain! And his body... I guess I didn’t know a single thing about him. But he still protected us.

Yuri: He’d be happy to know you were thinking that. And that’s all the more reason we can’t turn back now.

Judith: Right. He risked his life so we could see this through to the end.

Rita: ...Yeah.

Karol: Let’s do it! Let’s save Estelle!

- 159: The Royal Guard -

Yuri: First, Alexei lost Flynn. Now he lost you too, Raven. That’s gotta hurt the strength of his precious Knights.

Raven: I don’t know. He’s still got his own personal Royal Guard with him, ya know. Those guys’re fiercely loyal to him. They’ll never betray him.

Yuri: You mean they still trust him? What could they possibly see in that piece of crap?

Raven: Well, Alexei wasn’t a piece of crap when he got his start.

Yuri: Huh?

Raven: It was his responsibility ta bring peace ta the world... That’s a heavy load for anyone.

Yuri: ...That’s enough. The less I know about him, the easier I’ll cut him.

Raven: Hah hah. Now that’s the Yuri I know.

- 160: Zagi -

Judith: It’s not my place to comment on your friendships, but...

Yuri: What is it, Judy?

Judith: I think it’d be a good idea if you cut your ties with this Zagi character.

Yuri: I’ve been hacking away at them since we first met, believe me!

Raven: Where’d you run into such a...unique individual? He seems ta be a pretty stubborn fan.

Yuri: In the castle, right before I left the capital behind. Flynn was supposedly his original target, but before I knew it he got sort of fixated on me.

Rita: It can’t be easy having such a crazy admirer.

Yuri: Tell me about it. That’s the kind of love I can do without.

- 161: Leviathan’s Claw -

Karol: What’s Yeager thinking? It’s almost like he’s trying to help us.

Judith: Well, he said himself that he didn’t want the empire becoming too powerful.

Raven: Then maybe it’s safe ta take him at his word. He lays that whole nut job act on pretty thick, but he is in the business of sellin’ weapons.

Yuri: And if the empire was on top, and the world was at peace, well, nobody would need any weapons.

Raven: That would make sense.

Yuri: So, he’s trying to drag the fighting out as long as he can. And that’s no good for anybody.

Karol: I...I won’t let him get away with it!

Raven: ...Yeah.

- 162: Zaphias is Safe -

Karol: Whew! That was a close call.

Yuri: I did NOT want to watch the lower quarter get destroyed right in front of me.

Judith: We owe your friend a debt of thanks.

Rita: He’s not too subtle, though. He went ahead with his Knights and all of us still in here.

Yuri: Flynn would do just about anything to defend the capital. And he’d use his own body to shield everyone else. That’s his thing.

Raven: Kid’s got more nerve than I gave him credit for...

Karol: What’d you expect? He’s Yuri’s friend.

- 163: What Estelle Tried to Say -

Karol: Estelle said something just before her power was fully activated, didn’t she?

((Yuri and Raven suddenly look frustrated/worried/serious))

Karol: What do you think she was trying to say?

Raven: Sorry, old Raven didn’t catch it.

Yuri: ((extremely frustrated and angry))......Tch!

Karol: Yuri?

- 164: Worried About Ba’ul -

Judith: ...Ba’ul.

Rita: Will Ba’ul’s wounds heal quickly?

Judith: My, is that concern I hear in your voice?

Rita: Well, yeah... I mean, we’ve been asking too much of him, really.

Judith: It will take some time, but he should recover. He’s quite the fighter, you know.

Rita: Oh... Good.

Judith: So don’t worry. Okay, Rita?

Rita: All right, I just... Hey, I’m the one giving out the sympathy here!

Judith: You really must learn to control that temper...

- 165: Alexei’s Mess -

Raven: It’s total chaos and panic no matter where ya look.

Karol: People were just living normally, and then the capital winds up like this all of a sudden. Heracles’ cannon even changed the land itself.

Rita: Not really a situation where you can just tell people to calm down.

Yuri: Nobody’s gonna accept his rule with this mess going on. Alexei... What the hell are you thinking?

Rita: Hmm, rule by terror, maybe?

Judith: Whether he can control the people or not, the world is headed for a crisis if this keeps up.

Yuri: But just try telling people about the aer and the catastrophe it’ll cause. They won’t understand. We’re the only ones who know, so that means it’s up to us.

Karol: This is gonna be rough...

- 166: Tougher to Get By -

Karol: *Groan*...

Raven: Hmm...

Karol: What is it, Raven?

Raven: You first, kid. What’re you moanin’ about?

Karol: I feel kinda weird. Like there’s a pressure on my chest.

Raven: Whaddaya know? I’m right there with ya.

Judith: It may be some light aer sickness. The amount of aer in the world is growing. It’s easier to affect you. Many people may soon begin to feel it.

Karol: I hadn’t thought of that... It’s gonna get tougher...just to get by, huh?

Raven: So, we’re comin’ up on the end, then...

- 167: Praise for Karol -

Raven: Karol... Why’d ya have ta go and be a hero?

Rita: Seriously. When is that kid gonna learn to be a good boy and act his age?!

Repede: Woof, woof!

Raven: I’ve never seen him show courage like that. I swear I lost a year off my life just watching him.

Rita: Well, we almost lost our entire lives, so we owe him one.

Raven: But that was just crazy. Absolutely crazy.

Rita: I know. We have to watch him and make sure he doesn’t do anything crazy again.

Raven: Yeah. I’m through losin’ precious years of my life ta that boy’s antics.

Repede: Woof!

Yuri: They’re actually agreeing for once.

Judith: We all share a pride in what Karol did for us, each in our own way.

Yuri: Hah hah. It just comes a little easier for some of us.

- 168: Where to Next? -

Rita: If we want news of the situation in the capital, wouldn’t going to Halure be the safest bet?

Yuri: Good call. Not only do they have a barrier, we can rest while we’re there.

Raven: Well if that’s that, then let’s get movin’. I’m damn near frozen ta the bone as it is.

- 169: The Me Then, The Me Now -

Yuri: It’s actually nice to be back.

Repede: Woof?

Yuri: It all started with trying to recover that aque blastia. Couldn’t have guessed then we’d be heading out on a trip that spanned the globe.

Repede: Woof, woof.

Yuri: Don’t worry, Repede. I’m the same guy now that I was then. It isn’t me... It’s the situation that’s changed. Yeah... It’s just a new set of circumstances.

Repede: Woof...

- 170: Worried About Estelle -

Rita/Karol: *Sigh*...

Judith: A double sigh?

Rita: Knock it off.

Judith: We have to make up our minds about Estelle.

Rita/Karol: *gasp*!

Judith: From what people who fled from the capital said, it’s probably already too late...

Rita: Stop it! ...Don’t say that.

Judith: I think Yuri has decided where he stands already.

Rita: How would you know that...?

Karol: You mean...the reason he tried to go alone was...

Judith: ...We have to make up our minds, too.

Rita: I know what we have to do... But still...

- 171: All in the Same Boat -

Raven: Hey...

Yuri: What’s up, old man?

Raven: I wanna hear what you’re plannin’. Ya know, about Estelle.

Yuri: *gasp* !

Raven: We’re all floatin’ in the same boat, right? Care ta share?

Yuri: ...I’m not sure I won’t lose my nerve if I start talking about it now. You’re just gonna have to bear with me ‘till the time comes.

Raven: ...You’re prepared to do what’s necessary, but you haven’t given up hope.

Yuri: ...That about sums it up.

Raven: I guess that’s your style... But don’t try and take it all on by yourself, all right?

Yuri: Heh, it’s weird hearing kind words from you, Raven.

Raven: Hah, true enough.

- 172: Out of Time? -

Rita: The capital’s like this, and Estelle’s power’s been released. ...The world might be done for...

Raven: Oh, the gloom! Rita darlin’, how can ya be so gloomy?!

Rita: Okay, first... Never call me “darlin’”... Second, excuse me for not being as optimistic as you...

Raven: ...Hey now. Old Raven’s not without his own worries.

Rita: Oh, really...?

Raven: Sure. But what’s the point of getting all down? We’re doin’ all we can ta make this work out, right? Ya just gotta believe in yourself... Wait, that’s basically a Rita trademark, ain’t it?

Rita: ...Okay, fine, you’re right! Ooh! How could I let YOU outsmart ME?!

Raven: There now, there’s hope for the world yet. As long as our little genius doesn’t lost that attitude.

- 173: The Lower Quarter is Safe -

Karol: Isn’t this great?! Now everyone in the lower quarter is safe.

Yuri: Yeah. Now all that’s left is crushing Alexei and saving Estelle.

Rita: You must be so proud that your men are finally doing some actual work.

Raven: I’ve tried ta tell ya, I don’t have any “men”.

Judith: How can someone respected by so many be so cold to his friends?

Raven: All right, Raven’s startin’ ta think he’s had about enough of these shenanigans.

- 174: Estelle Comes Back -

Karol: So now we’ve got the gang back together.

Estelle: I’m so glad to be with you all again.

Rita: Same here.

Judith: You must take care not to strain yourself.

Raven: Ya know, one step at a time.

Repede: Woof!

Estelle: I...

Yuri: Huh? What’s up?

((Repede starts walking off))

Estelle: I think Repede just welcomed me back!

Yuri: ...No, Repede’s already off over there.

Estelle: ...Should’ve seen that coming.

- 175: Ba’ul is Back -

Yuri: It looks like Ba’ul is back to his old self.

Judith: There’s plenty of aer for him to absorb. He seems to have used it to heal his wounds.

Raven: For all the trouble Alexei’s caused, he’s helpin’ us out in some unexpected ways.

Yuri: That’s not gonna get him off the hook, though.

Judith: He can go wherever he likes. With Ba’ul to help us, there’s no place we can’t follow.

- 176: Fighting Alexei -

Judith: I’d like to know one thing before we begin this battle. Just how strong is this Commandant?

Estelle: I heard he earned his knighthood when he won a royal tournament during the previous emperor’s reign.

Raven: I got to cross swords with him once, and I didn’t last more than three minutes.

Karol: So then he’s really, really strong...

Raven: And don’t forget he’s surrounded by his Royal Guard.

Rita: None of this sounds very promising...

Yuri: Hey, we’ve got Dein Nomos, don’t we?

Repede: Woof, woof!

Karol: Besides, we’ve been through all kinds of stuff together on this journey.

Yuri: Yeah. We’re tighter than any kind of guard, royal or not.

Raven: All right, so say we handle the Royal Guard. It’s still a coin toss, in the end.

Rita: I guess we’ll never be too prepared when it comes to facing Alexei.

Judith: Right. We’ll have to give it everything we’ve got.

- 177: Phaeroh’s Help -

Karol: So Phaeroh’s been absorbing aer, too. Is he trying to restabilize it?

Raven: We owe him one for keepin’ the fight up this long.

Rita: No, I don’t think that’s it. My guess is he’s taking in all that aer to disable Zaude’s power source.

Karol: That way he’ll be able to mess with Alexei’s plans, right?

Rita: Right. ...Right, Judith?

Judith: ...Who, me? What was the question?

Rita: ...Nevermind.

Karol: It’ll be easy if we can just get inside. We’ll stop everything in one shot.

((Judith starts to slowly walk away))

Raven: Wish it were that easy, kid. But we’ll be up to our ears in traps and royal guards.

Rita: Gotta admire his confidence.

Karol: ...Do you really mean that?

Judith: ...Phaeroh... Please be okay...

- 178: Leviathan’s Claw on the Move -

Karol: With all the henchmen he’s got why would Yeager come alone?

Rita: Well, he did have his two lady friends with him.

Judith: Though they didn’t attack us.

Raven: Who knows? Maybe he thought dyin’ would be the easiest way ta solve his problems.

Estelle: What do you mean?

Raven: I’m not too sure myself.

- 179: Taking Alexei Down -

Raven: Guess there’s no lookin’ back now.

Rita: We’re taking Alexei down! It’s that simple!

Estelle: We can’t let the world become any more chaotic than it already is.

Karol: It’s up to us to stop him.

Judith: Everything we’ve done is for this moment.

Yuri: Every one of us is ready for whatever may happen. Let’s do this!

Repede: Woof!

- 180: The Port is So Much Better -

Rita: Ragou’s gone, the new magistrate’s here... Nor Harbor’s so much better... It’s not fair...

Karol: Yeah. I’m sure Estelle would love to see this.

Yuri: We’d better hurry up and rescue her then, and bring her back here with us.

Judith: She did make a promise to Pauly, too.

Raven: And breaking that promise would go against the laws of Brave Vesperia.

Karol: Punish the unjust... Yeah. We’ll just have to come back once we’ve saved Estelle.

- 181: Ehmead Hill Blocked -

Rita: If Ehmead Hill is blocked off, none of the people stuck in the capital will be able to escape.

Raven: Yeah, you’re right. It’s not like they can fly.

Judith: If the aer in the skies above the capital keeps increasing, all living things will be in danger.

Karol: And if we let that happen, we won’t be able to go near the capital ourselves.

Yuri: All the more reason to stop talking and start moving.

- 182: If the Prince Becomes Emperor -

Rita: I wonder if the world will benefit if Prince Ioder becomes emperor...?

Yuri: Who knows...

Rita: What kind of weak answer is that? I thought you’d be at least a little optimistic.

Yuri: Well, he’ll have Flynn around. That should help things a little.

Judith: But only a little?

Yuri: I’m not so wide-eyed and innocent to think that major change is going to happen over night.

Rita: That sounds like you, all right.

- 183: Geraios Technology -

Raven: We’ve seen plenty of blastia so far, but this one’s in a different class altogether.

Judith: If this was made at the end of the Geraios civilization, it may contain clues to all their technology.

Karol: Chances are pretty good, if the building we saw in that relief in Myorzo is actually Zaude.

Estelle: So is there a connection between the cataclysm and the Adephagos?

Rita: If it does come from the end of the Geraios civilization, maybe it can turn back the Adephagos.

Yuri: I wonder if that’s why they carved the relief. It all adds up, but I keep going back to Phaeroh’s words.

Raven: About disturbin’ Zaude? Thinkin’ about it isn’t likely ta get us anywhere. We just have ta go on.

- 184: Don’t Mess With Zaude -

Raven: When someone as strong as Phaeroh tells ya not ta go messin’ with Zaude, it makes ya wonder.

Karol: I wish he’d use regular words when he talked, though.

Yuri: Definitely. If it’s really all that dangerous you’d think he’d want to make himself clear.

Judith: Maybe it was something Phaeroh had difficulty expressing, in his own way. He did take the time to warn us. That shows at least some concern for our well-being. Right?

Yuri: You mean that maybe he’s warmed up to us a bit.

Judith: Yes.

- 185: The Blade Drifts of Zopheir -

Yuri: Karol, just what sort of place is the Blade Drifts of Zopheir?

Karol: Well, I’ve never been there myself, but I’ve heard the entire place is covered in a sheet of ice. Nan told me this was the best season for hunting monsters there, ‘cause the ice is thickest. The monsters there sound pretty tough, too.

Raven: Covered in a sheet of ice, huh? I’m getting the chills just hearin’ about it.

Judith: Will it be a problem that we haven’t made any special preparations.

Rita: No matter how cold it is, it’ll be better than the heat of the Sands of Korgorh, right?

Yuri: I dunno about better, but we’re running out of time. We’ll have to go in as we are.

- 186: Are You Okay, Karol? -

Rita: Sure you’re all right after your little one man crusade?

Karol: Huh? Uh, I guess. I mean, I feel okay for now.

Judith: How unlike you to worry about Karol, Rita.

Rita: It’s not that I’m worried about him, I...

Yuri: We can’t show up with injuries when we’re going to rescue a princes who has to heal everybody.

Rita: Yeah... That’s what I meant.

Raven: If you say so.

- 187: What’s Up With Yuri? -

Raven: You’ve been lookin’ all around for a while now. Ya looking out for somebody?

Yuri: What? No!

Judith: There’s no point trying to hide it. Your eyes have been wandering all over the place.

Yuri: All right, you got me. With all the people from the capital, I haven’t seen anybody from the lower quarter.

Judith: You’re concerned for them, aren’t you? That’s nothing to be ashamed of.

Yuri: ...I just figured we’ve got enough to worry about as it is.

- 188: Yuri’s Changed -

Yuri: ((angry/worried))......

Rita: You’d think he could stand to be a little less cold and prickly all the time. I mean, I know he’s worried about the lower quarter, and we all want to wring Alexei’s neck, but still.

Judith: Oh, I’d say it’s all right from time to time.

Rita: What’s all right about it?

Judith: The fact that he acts like this knowing the tension it causes is a sign that he’s softened.

((Yuri and Rita are surprised))

Judith: The old Yuri would never have let us see that he was upset about something.

Yuri: ...It’s hard to stay emotional when your friends analyze you like you weren’t even there.

- 189: Yormgen is Weird -

Karol: This town’s weird. It’s in the middle of the desert, but look at all the plants...

Rita: It sort of reminds me of Mantaic.

Yuri: ...Yeah but, there is something...different.

Estelle: Really?

Judith: There may be more here than meets the eye. Maybe the truth is hidden away...

Raven: Leave it ta Judith ta put things inta perspective.

Yuri: The better the intuition, the more you see.

Rita/Estelle: Hey! I have good intuition!

- 190: Judith’s Communication -

Yuri: I never imagined you’d be able to speak with the Entelexeia.

Judith: Well, I use a Krityan technique to do it. ...Wait, do I detect a little jealousy?

Yuri: ...Hmm, maybe. ...Right, Repede?

Repede: Woof!

Estelle: Yuri...you want to talk to Repede?

Judith: I think the two of you understand each other well enough already...

Yuri: I’ve got him pretty well figured out, but I don’t know if he understands me.

Repede: Woof! Woof woof!

Judith: ...I think he feels the same way.

- 191: Gusios’ Crystals -

Estelle: So Erealumen is something Gusios created.

Rita: Right. I remember seeing a similar crystal back at Caer Bocram.

Yuri: Yeah, you were pretty absorbed in that thing.

Estelle: The Rita radar never lets any objects of interest go undetected.

Rita: ...Oh...I forgot... If Gusios undergoes spirit conversion, I won’t be able to investigate him...!

Estelle: There goes the Rita radar.

Yuri: Don’t get carried away, now.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- III. Scenario Chapter 3 -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

- 192: After Zaude -

Yuri: Estelle, Repede. Sorry to worry you.

Repede: Woof, woof!

Estelle: We were stuck on the top of Zaude. We couldn’t get down. But Flynn, and all the rest of the Knights managed to help us.

Yuri: Huh. Sounds like everyone had a pretty rough time.

Estelle: But we’re all safe now. All of us. I’m so happy...

Repede: Woof!

Yuri: The aer crisis, Duke, the Adephagos... We still got a mountain of problems to deal with.

- 193: The Adephagos Awakens -

Estelle: ...Seeing the Adephagos just there in the sky... It’s horrible.

Yuri: ...Yeah. To think that catastrophe from the legend was hidden up there all along... It’s creepy.

Estelle: It just showed up in the sky, out of nowhere. All the people must be so worried...

Judith: I’d rather see what we’re up against than let it grow out of control somewhere hidden away.

Estelle: Your spirit is amazing, Judith.

Yuri: It might be a good thing to have the danger right out in front of us, though. It’ll bring together people who’d never get along otherwise.

Judith: True. When you can no longer deny the Adephagos exists, all that’s left is to face it.

Estelle: You’re right.

- 194: Glad Yuri’s Safe – Women -

Rita: Grrr. If he was safe, the least he coulda done is let us know! That idiot!

Judith: Yeah, if we’d known he was okay, we wouldn’t have wasted all this time looking for him.

Estelle: But we wouldn’t have known he was all right if we hadn’t looked.

Rita: Which is why he shoulda let us know in the first place! I mean, we looked all over!

Judith: We’d be too worried about him if we hadn’t.

Estelle: You were really worried, weren’t you Rita?

Rita: Wha...

Judith: It’s good he made it back safe and sound.

Estelle: Yes. I’m so glad. ((moves towards Rita)) And just look how happy Rita is.

Rita: Hap--?!

Judith: ((also moves towards Rita)) Are you happy?

Rita: ......((embarrassed))

- 195: Rita’s Research -

Yuri: A method for controlling the aer, huh? I hope it goes okay.

Judith: Yeah. If it doesn’t, we’ll have to keep our end of the bargain with Phaeroh.

Repede: *Whine*

Yuri: ...So, shouldn’t we stop it right away?

Judith: There’s no real hurry. I’m sure they’ll do fine.

Yuri: Yeah, they can handle this.

Judith: Heh heh. I have faith in them now.

Repede: Woof!

- 196: Glad Yuri’s Safe – Men -

Karol: I’m so glad Yuri’s okay.

Repede: Woof, woof.

Raven: Are you kiddin’? The Adephagos, the whole world goin’ nuts... There’s no way that kid would miss this.

Karol: You weren’t worried, Raven?

Raven: Eh, maybe just a little. But guys like him just keep gettin’ up. No matter what happens. So nah, I wasn’t too worried.

Karol: Hah hah... You really believe in Yuri, don’t you Raven?!

Repede: Woof, woof!

Raven: Aw, you’re gonna make this old man blush.

- 197: In the Don’s Wake -

Estelle: It seems that the Union is still in disarray.

Rita: They relied on the Don for too much. They’re probably scared without the guy who used to decide everything for them.

Estelle: I think I know how they feel. Constantly worrying whether or not you’re about to make some big mistake.

Judith: Well I can’t understand being so afraid of messing up that you can’t decide anything.

Rita: Wow. I agree with you for once.

Estelle: The Union has to do a lot of thinking for themselves, now that they’re without the Don...

Judith: Isn’t that how it should be?

Rita: Absolutely.

- 198: The Light at the End of the Tunnel -

Raven: ((moving slowly towards Yuri)) Y’know, we’re up to our eyeballs in problems. Savin’ the world sure keeps a guy busy.

Karol: ((also starts to move towards Yuri)) Well, the problems we’re dealing with are a lot bigger than they used to be...

((both of them glare at Yuri suspiciously))

Yuri: What... Why’s everybody looking at me...? I got something on my face?

Karol: Problems like you, Yuri. A lot.

Raven: I hear that. Fate is definitely out to get you.

Yuri: Hmm... After everything that’s happened, I’m starting to wonder myself. But hey, I’ve done a pretty good job of getting us out of whatever mess we’re in, right? You gotta at least give me some credit there.

Raven: See, for Yuri, the end of the world’s just one more problem that needs solvin’.

Karol: Maybe that attitude’s what’s kept us seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Raven: Gotta love the power of positive thinkin’...

- 199: The Birth of the Spirits -

Judith: This world is changing.

Estelle: What’s wrong, Judith?

Judith: One wrong choice could have led to far greater destruction, but instead the spirits were born.

Estelle: ...Sometimes we have to make difficult choices for change to occur... The spirits are proof of that.

Judith: Maybe their current from shows us the future the Entelexeia hoped to create.

Estelle: Yes... I think you might be right.

Ba’ul: ...

Judith: ...One day, Ba’ul might also face the decision of becoming a spirit. If the spirits represent evolution for the Entelexeia, then...

- 200: Freeing Estelle -

Rita: Heh heh heh.

Yuri: Rita, you look...happy.

Karol: So do you, Yuri.

Rita: There’s no longer anything shackling Estelle. She can use her power without causing any harm to herself or unbalancing the aer. So yeah. I’m happy.

Karol: Estelle’s really free!

Yuri: But there’s no guarantee she won’t overdo things again, though...

Rita: We’ll just watch her closely. If we don’t, she might go back to healing people ‘til she keels over.

- 201: The Adephagos Revived -

Rita: Ooooh! I’m gonna hurt that idiot who brought the Adephagos back!

Estelle: What could have happened at Zaude...

Raven: Those nut jobs probably fiddled with the thing too much, and broke it.

Rita: Thanks to Alexei, Zaude’s no longer functioning like it was meant to!

Yuri: This guy just never learns, does he? Things are gonna have to hit bottom before he’d consider changing his ways.

Judith: But they see that thing about to eat the planet, right? Even an idiot would understand the situation.

Karol: ...I sure hope so...

- 202: The Threat of the Adephagos -

Karol: Eew... I can’t believe the Adephagos could spawn such a disgusting monster.

Repede: *Arooo*

Estelle: The illusion Phaeroh showed us... He was trying to make us feel the power of the Adephagos.

Karol: But it’s no illusion this time... Oh man, are hordes of these things just gonna attack everything?

Repede: ((growling)) Woof! Woof! ((suddenly lunges at Karol))

Estelle: ((jumping away)) Aaah!

Karol: Ow! Hey, no biting! ((tries to get Repede off of him))

Repede: Grrr!

Estelle: ((moves cautiously closer to help)) It’s all right, Repede. He’s just a little nervous, that’s all.

Karol: And what’s wrong with being a little nervous? I’m not gonna run away or anything. I swear!

Repede: ((backs off)) Aroof! Woof!

- 203: How Phaeroh Feels -

Estelle: We’re lucky Phaeroh decided to help us out.

Yuri: He’s a little extreme, but there’s no doubt he cares for this world, just like Judy said.

Raven: I’ve been hard on him in the past, but he has helped us out all this time.

Estelle: We must defeat the Adephagos and save the world for Phaeroh, and his love of the world!

Yuri: Agh, no cheesy lines.

Raven: Yeah, come on...

Estelle: Honestly, you two should learn to show your feelings.

- 204: The Hunting Blades -

Judith: So his family was killed by the Entelexeia...

Yuri: Clint was it? The grudge he’s got against them won’t fade anytime soon.

Judith: Maybe he has his reasons, but I think just hunting monsters has been his purpose for a while. I was like him once... I only lived to destroy blastia.

Estelle: Then maybe he can still change. Like you did, Judith.

Yuri: I don’t know... Either way, we’ve got our own goals to worry about. Right, Karol?

Karol: Huh...? ...Yeah, you’re right!

- 205: Gusios to Gnome -

Raven: Whew. Old Goosie turned into Gnome, safe and sound. That’s a load off.

Estelle: Yes... It would have been tragic if he’d transformed into an Adephagos.

Judith: Yeah. He’s just fulfilling the role he was meant to play. I doubt he ever thought that his transformation might have caused the cataclysm itself.

Estelle: ...I feel for the poor Entelexeia who became Adephagos in the past... If only they’d had the option of spirit conversion...

Raven: Young lady, don’t dwell too much on all the “what ifs.”

Judith: Maybe they didn’t have a choice. But those who became Adephagos are trying to devour this world. That is the reality.

Estelle: I know... But it’s just so sad...

- 206: What Sylph Said -

Yuri: ((angry/frustrated))......

Estelle: Are you angry, Yuri?

Yuri: ...Yeah. A little.

Estelle: Is it about the events of Duke’s past that Sylph shared with us?

Yuri: ...So basically, Duke’s doing what he’s doing to clean up the mess made by an idiot. The whole thing is just so stupid.

Estelle: Even though Duke and Elucifur were both fighting for humanity’s sake... It’s so sad...

Yuri: Like the hero who shined so bright that people couldn’t look at him, and got scared.

Estelle: ...The overwhelming power caused people to fear him.

Yuri: It’s all so stupid...

- 207: All Four Spirits -

Estelle: Undine, Efreet, Gnome, Sylph... The spirits of the four great elements have been born!

Rita: The Entelexeia were thinking of the planet after all. I was worried there for a little bit, but that wasn’t too bad.

Karol: You call surviving by the skin of our teeth not too bad?

Rita: Ha! ((punches Karol))

Karol: Ow! A-anyway, we can defeat the Adephagos for sure now, right?

Rita: Not yet. There are still too many unknown variables. Hypothesize, test, evaluate, then prove... We have to follow the proper steps to ensure success. I’m not even sure how effective the four elements will be in converting aer to mana, yet. Wait... ((starts pacing around)) Could the mana from the loss in materialized aer created by the spirits be maintaining the balance...? If so, then I shouldn’t be measuring the actual value, but... No, that’s not right... I mean... ((continues mumbling to herself, slowly walking off screen, completely forgetting the other two))

Karol: Okay... She’s gone...

Estelle: Yep. I’d say there’s nothing to worry about. ((music note))

- 208: Flynn in Danger -

Karol: Flynn always seems to put himself in danger.

Estelle: He’s always that way. He doesn’t mind getting hurt if it means protecting others.

Yuri: Yeah, he gets a little crazy sometimes.

Rita: Like you’re any different. Birds of a feather, right?

Judith: Oh, I’d say we’re all like that.

Rita: Like what?

Raven: We all stuck with Brave Vesperia. Even when the goin’ got rough.

Yuri: Hah hah. I guess none of us can just let things go.

Estelle: Right. So we can’t just let Flynn go either.

Karol: Yeah. Exactly.

Judith: Well since we can’t let it go, I think it’s time we get a little crazy.

- 209: Sodia and Yuri -

Raven: Yuri’s not too fond of young Sodia, is he?

Rita: I can see where he’s coming from, though. Everything about her feels hard as a rock. That’s not exactly easy to like.

Raven: Aw, cut her some slack. Knights are all a little square. She has a stubborn nature that quick-to-act folks like you and Yuri don’t. And that’s a good thing.

Rita: Stubborn is good...? You totally lost me there.

Raven: I figured I would. That’s why we can’t talk without gettin’ on each other’s nerves.

- 210: Telling the Changing World -

Karol: I hope everyone will accept this. I mean, that the world is changing.

Judith: There’s a difference between understanding something and accepting something. It’ll take time.

Karol: But this is the only way that’s left. We just have to accept it.

Judith: This isn’t a choice we’ve made freely. We had to choose it.

Karol: But...

Judith: It’s something we have to do. That’s what you want to say, right?

Karol: Y-yeah.

Judith: That’s fine, then. Cheer up, Karol.

Karol: Okay. You think it’ll work out, right?

Judith: Who knows?

Karol: ...Judith... I can’t tell if you’re trying to make me feel better or not...

- 211: The State of the Union -

Estelle: The Don’s absence is still hanging heavily here.

Raven: Hmm, yeah, I guess so. But, still, they’re not doin’ half bad.

Estelle: You...think so?

Yuri: Sure. They may not show it much, though. These guys prefer keeping their distance.

Raven: Stand firm, don’t fight. Watch out for each other, help each other out. Not to close, not too far... I’d say they’re doin’ just fine.

Estelle: So they don’t just simply get along... Men are so complicated.

Yuri: Men aren’t the only ones...

- 212: The State of Palestralle -

Rita: You gotta hand it to Palestralle. They’re tough.

Estelle: Yes. The coliseum is as busy as it ever was.

Yuri: Belius had a lot of power, but Palestralle didn’t rely on her. That’s way different from the Union.

Rita: The people living here haven’t changed, either. This is the city Belius made.

Estelle: They’re doing all they can to live their lives. Maybe that’s what defines this town, and Palestralle.

Yuri: The world can change all it wants. Nordopolica’ll be okay.

Estelle: Yes, it will.

- 213: Ready for the Final Battle – Men -

((Yuri and Karol are sparring back and forth))

Yuri: Ha!

Karol: Nng! Ya!

Yuri: Tah!

Karol: Ya! Take that!

Raven: ((walking over)) Whoa, what’s the occasion? A little impromptu trainin’ session?

((Yuri and Karol stop fighting to talk))

Karol: Well, when I think about fighting Duke... I know I gotta be as strong as I can!

Yuri: Yeah, what he said.

Raven: I’d expect that from Karol. But Yuri... Brings a twinkle ta this old man’s eyes ta see ya trainin’.

Yuri: On second thought, let’s call it a day.

Karol: What?! We were just getting started!

Raven: Never fear! I think I can teach ya a thing or two. You can thank me later. Heh heh heh.

Yuri: You’re volunteering to help, Raven? You’re gonna jinx him.

Raven: Hah hah. Now, don’t be like that. There’s no beatin’ an old man once he finds his stride, ya know.

Yuri: Oh really? Guess I’d better keep practicing. We can’t count on getting lucky against Duke. All right Karol, no mercy? ((big picture))

Karol: ((big picture)) No mercy!

Raven: ((big picture)) Fight!

- 214: Ready for the Final Battle – Women -

Estelle: ...Is fighting really the only option with Duke?

Judith: Well if he’s in Tarqaron, then I think we’ll have to.

Estelle: If only we can defeat the Adephagos with the spirits before he completes the formula...!

Judith: Do you think he’ll just let that happen?

Rita: As long as he’s sacrificing people to achieve his aims at Tarqaron, we have to stop him.

Estelle: ......

Rita: Are you that conflicted about fighting him?

Estelle: Yes... But we won’t win if we go in with doubts.

Judith: Oh, I don’t know. If doubting is part of your nature, you should trust that nature in battle.

Estelle: What?

Rita: Well said, Judith. Maybe that’s the right approach. We’re not your typical band of heroes, after all.

Judith: You do what you can. You take the hits. But you don’t lose. Sound about right?

Estelle: Rita... Judith... Thank you.

- 215: Aurnion’s Spirit -

Karol: Man, Aurnion’s just getting better and better.

Estelle: Indeed. A town born from the empire and the guilds... I’m sure it’ll be a wonderful city.

Yuri: Though it’s a shame it took a world crisis to get them to work together.

Raven: Heh, a global threat brings people together. That’s irony for you.

Karol: I think that’s all right, though. They’re finally seeing eye to eye.

Estelle: Right. And even if they need a crisis now, I’m sure one day, it’ll just come naturally.

Yuri: Yeah.

- 216: The Ancient Civilization -

Estelle: The ancient civilization of Geraios... What must the people have been like who lived in an age that produced buildings like this?

Rita: Well, I’m no expert on their lives, but I have some ideas from the blastia we’ve excavated. Except for the Adephagos, from a scientific perspective their civilization was nearly perfect.

Judith: Their blastia would have given them power equal to that of the Entelexeia.

Karol: Oh, yeah. Otherwise, the Entelexeia would’ve wiped them out.

Yuri: People got too much power, and destroyed what they built in the process... It’s not that uncommon. But there’s one part of their legacy we’re still paying for.

Raven: ...Yep. They left behind the Adephagos for folks who came after them ta deal with.

Yuri: Maybe they didn’t have a choice, but that doesn’t make it right. You take responsibility.

Estelle: We...we’ll have to own up to whatever choices we make from now on, too.

Karol: That’s right. If we’re gonna make a world without blastia...we gotta make sure it works.

Yuri: Yeah, absolutely.

- 217: Zagi’s End -

Karol: Zagi was hopeless...

Yuri: Yeah. Just think of all the things he could’ve done with all that energy.

Raven: He finally found his equal, but the guy turned out ta be his enemy. That’s the saddest part of all this for him.

Yuri: Huh?

Raven: Duke lost his friend and equal. Alexei never believed his equal even existed. Then there’s Zagi... The strong need strong friends ta keep their power from distorting them.

Yuri: ...You think that’s it?

Raven: Take the Don. He had his equal in Belius, right?

Karol: ...Raven, sometimes what you say goes right over my head.

Raven: What? Are you making fun of my elegant, poetic comments?

Yuri: Hah hah.

Raven: ((moves away a bit)) You guys’ll be fine, though. You got plenty of friends.

- 218: Zagi – Part 2 -

Rita: Zagi was about as annoying as they come, but I feel sort of sorry for him.

Judith: Oh? That’s surprising. I thought he was a “Humph. Idiot!” kind of person.

Rita: That is NOT what I sound like!

Judith: I stand corrected.

Rita: ...When you can do something better than anyone else, you wind up feeling like something’s missing. The other researchers would go on and on about something I’d discovered, like, two months before... And I’d start to feel like talking with them was pointless.

Judith: So you think...Zagi was the same way?

Rita: I just got the feeling that we might have had something in common, that’s all. ...But why am I telling you this? Just forget it.

Judith: I’m sorry, but I have a good memory.

Rita: Well then, keep it a secret, all right?

Judith: Heh heh, it’s a deal.

- 219: Gusios’ Sacrifice -

Karol: Was Gusios in Caer Bocram in order to feed on the aer?

Judith: Yes. That’s how the Hunting Blades managed to trap him in their reverse barrier.

Yuri: So is that what you and Ba’ul were doing there, Judy? Did you go to save Gusios?

Judith: Not originally. We went there to destroy the hermes blastia creating the reverse barrier. Besides...in the end I was unable to save Gusios.

Ba’ul: ......!

Judith: He wasn’t allowed to decide whether he was for or against becoming a spirit.

Karol: It’s not your fault... There was nothing else you could’ve done.

Yuri: We won’t let his sacrifice be for nothing. We’ll use the spirits well, and defeat the Adephagos.

Judith: Right...

Ba’ul: ......!

Judith: Yes... Ba’ul says that aside from spirit conversion, he will do everything in his power to aid us.

Yuri: I’m glad he’s on our side.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- IV. Battle -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

- 220: Days Just Fly By -

Estelle: Wow, the days just fly by...

Yuri: What’s with you all of a sudden?

Estelle: Oh, I’ve just been thinking about how strong we’ve grown, without even realizing it.

Rita: That’s because we have terrible luck!

Karol: What does getting stronger have to do with having bad luck?

Rita: We keep running into one mess after another. The empire, the guilds...everybody hates us! So all this bad luck made us fight, and so...we got stronger.

Karol: ...Is that really luck?

Estelle: It’s all right, Karol. As we travel, the winds of luck are little by little turning in our favor.

Yuri: Exactly. Luck just flies by, too...like the wind!

Karol: Yuri, you’re...kind of missing the point...

- 221: The Invincible! -

Karol: ((big picture)) We’re invincible! We’re strong, unbeatable, unwavering... We are Brave Vesperia!

Raven: Ya let yer guard down any more, ya’ll trip over it!

Karol: ((smaller picture)) C-come on! I was in such a good mood, too...

Rita: You drop your guard more than any of us, old man...

Judith: Oh? Isn’t that just acting?

Raven: Oh my dear Judith, how very perceptive. I guess it takes an adult! Things like this just whizz right over these young’uns heads, ya see.

Repede: Woof woof!

Yuri: You ever notice how the old man’s ears wiggle when he’s lying?

Karol: Oh, look! Raven’s ears are wiggling!

Raven: I never heard anythin’ more ridiculous in my life. Ya never met anyone as calm and careful as ol’ Raven!

Karol: Look at those ears go...

Estelle: A-anyway, the important thing is to proceed with caution, right?

- 222: The Strongest Guild -

Raven: ((big picture)) Enemies run an’ hide when they hear our footsteps!

Karol: ((big picture)) I can hear them now, “Here comes the invincible army, Brave Vesperia!” ((music note))

Yuri: I don’t care how many enemies we’ve beaten, you guys are just too full of yourselves!

((Raven and Karol shrink down to smaller icons, annoyed at Yuri))

Judith: But I don’t think any enemy could stand up to us at this point!

Raven: See, even cute li’l Judith says so! <3

Estelle: But doesn’t this make you a little uneasy? Getting this strong...

Karol: What do you mean?

Estelle: What if everyone is afraid of us, or no one wants to be anywhere near us...?

Rita: Or maybe they’ll capture us, and put us in a cage for everyone to see!

Karol: I-I see... I hadn’t thought about that...

Yuri: Come on, that would never happen!

Raven: Hey, a life of luxury in a cage, people attendin’ ta my every need! Doesn’t sound bad ta me!

Yuri: ...No matter how strong they get, some people never change...

Judith: ...Heh heh... You’re one to talk, Yuri.

- 223: Eat or Be Eaten -

Estelle: Monsters are easier to beat than I thought...

Yuri: Isn’t that better than being harder than you thought?

Estelle: But I feel sorry for them...

Repede: *Whiiine*

Yuri: ...You’re way too nice. I don’t particularly enjoy being someone else’s dinner.

Estelle: You’re right... This is different from inside the castle... The strong eat the weak.

Yuri: Well, we’re not gonna be eating any of these monsters.

Repede: Woof!

Estelle: ...I...I won’t hesitate to defeat any monsters! But I will never forget what I fought or where I fought it.

Yuri: Well...suit yourself, I guess...

Estelle: Then, when I return to the castle, I will make graves in memory of all the monsters I’ve killed.

((Yuri, who’s looking a little freaked out now, and Repede start to slowly back away))

Yuri: I...uh...I guess you could do that...

((back away even more))

Yuri: ...I don’t understand this girl at all...

Repede: Whiiine!

- 224: The Meaning of Monsters -

Karol: We sure have fought a lot of monsters.

Estelle: Yes, I thought by now they might be more scarce, but...

Judith: Heh heh... That sounds like something you’d think, Estelle.

Yuri: If we could wipe out all the monsters ourselves, we wouldn’t need anything like barriers anymore.

Karol: But why are there monsters, anyway...?

Rita: So that people can defeat them, of course!

Judith: I think that’s a little extreme...

Rita: Well that’s the only thing they’re good for.

Estelle: I wonder... It seems there would be some good reason why they exist...

Raven: There’s no use thinkin’ too hard about it. Get started on that train of thought, and you’ll soon be askin’ yerself why humans exist.

Estelle: Yes... That’s a good question, too...

Yuri: There you go. Making things more complicated old man.

Raven: I was tryin’ ta get ya ta stop thinkin’ about these things, not think about ‘em more...

- 225: Ristelle?! -

Estelle: Rita, what does it feel like to fly through the sky?

Rita: Hmmm, it’s hard to put it into words, but it’s not bad.

Estelle: It looks like it would feel good...

Rita: You wanna try?

Estelle: Huh?

Rita: I can handle your weight, no problem. Here, hang onto my legs!

((They move closer and then start rising into the air))

Estelle: Hah hah hah hah, this is so much fun!

((Start moving side to side. Yuri shows up))

Rita: It’s a good stress reliever, don’t you think?

Yuri: Hey, it’s time to go! Come on, Ristelle!

Estelle: Ri...stelle?

Rita: ((dropping back down)) W-we’re two different people, you know!!

- 226: Dog Language -

Estelle: Repede’s getting really good at handling items, don’t you think?

Rita: Yeah. But I don’t wanna eat any gels that’ve been in a dog’s mouth!

Repede: Woof!

Yuri: He said, “Come on, don’t’ be like that. If things go bad, take it!”

Rita: That’s one big mouth he’s-- Wait a minute... Did he really say that? All I heard him do was bark.

Yuri: Stick around long enough and you’ll figure him out. Right, Repede?

Repede: WOOF!

Rita: ((jealous sounding whine))......

Estelle: You look a little jealous, Rita.

Rita: N-no way!

- 227: The Flames of Battle -

Judith: Why’d you run away, Yuri?

Yuri: The way that fight was going, we would’ve been eaten in no time!

Repede: Woof!

Judith: I’ll bet we could’ve ripped our way out from inside its stomach.

Rita: This woman’s crazy...

Yuri: I dunno, I think Judith could pull it off. And that scares me.

Repede: ...*Whine*

Estelle: Did you really want to fight that monster so badly, Judith?

Judith: It’s not that I wanted to fight it... I just don’t’ like leaving things half done.

Yuri: This was a strategic retreat. Come on. It would’ve been bad if we’d actually been eaten.

Judith: Yeah... But we should come back here again.

Yuri: Yeah, if we feel like it.

- 228: Bring ‘Em On -

Yuri: That was a pretty strong monster, but... I guess we’re done.

Karol: “I guess we’re done”?! Come on, we just defeated that gigantic monster!!

Yuri: Calm down, Karol. Pull yourself together.

Karol: Come on, Yuri, you could at least be a little bit happy... Huh? What’s the matter, Estelle? Why are you sitting?

Estelle: ((On the ground, exhausted)) ...How can both of you take it so easily?

Yuri: What, did you get scared, Estelle?

Estelle: That huge monster... I was so nervous, I, I...

Yuri: You were doing just fine while we were fighting.

Estelle: But if I got like this during battle, I’d end up causing trouble for everybody...

Yuri: Don’t worry about it, Estelle. ...Here, let me give you a hand. ((moves closer to Estelle))

Estelle: I-I’m sorry.

Yuri: ((pulling Estelle back up)) There we go! Now, who do we get to fight next... ((big picture)) Bring ‘em on, right?

Estelle: I’d rather have “nobody” be next...

Karol: Huh? Hey, Yuri... You’re really ready for another fight, aren’t you?

- 229: Karol’s Sidekick -

Karol: ...Good work... Yeah... Get some rest, you did well...

Estelle: Who are you talking to, Karol?

Karol: Waaah...!

Estelle: Aaaah...!! ...D-don’t startle me like that...

Karol: I-I’m sorry. Did you hear that just now...?

Judith: Yeah, we heard it.

Rita: You talk to your sword?!

Karol: It cuts better when I do that. Actually, we just won this battle because I gave my sword lots of encouragement before.

Estelle: Really...?

Rita: ...Whatever floats your boat.

Judith: Well that was unexpected.

Rita: What?

Judith: Nothing... ((moves closer to Karol)) Thank you for all the work you do. We can’t wait to see how well you perform next time!

Rita: ((also moving closer to Karol)) It must be tough having such an unreliable owner! You’re the only one we can count on.

Estelle: ((moves closer as well)) Umm, err... Good luck next time...

Karol: Wow, thanks, guys! I’ll bet my attack power will double in the next battle!

Rita: ((punching Karol)) Don’t get carried away!

- 230: Enjoying Victory -

Karol: With that, we’ve beaten all the world’s Giganto Monsters!

Raven: I was a little spooked at first, but...we did it.

Yuri: We probably couldn’t have done it if they gathered together like normal monsters.

Rita: Maybe they were just really territorial? ...That could have helped us beat them.

Judith: And we got a lot of valuable materials, too, since they were a lot stronger than normal monsters.

Karol: Yeah. It was a lot of hard work, but it was worth it!

Estelle: And defeating all of the Giganto Monsters will help Brave Vesperia’s reputation, as well.

Rita: How? It’s a few monsters in parts of the world people have only heard stories about.

Raven: Yeah, these guys aren’t the kind ya run across unless ya set out to.

Yuri: Well, what’s wrong with just being happy about it?

Estelle: You don’t seem too happy, Yuri.

Yuri: Hmm? Yeah.. I mean, I feel a sense of accomplishment, but also kind of empty...

Judith: Me too... Every time I beat a really tough enemy, I feel a little lonely inside...

Karol: ...I’m pretty sure that’s just the two of you...

Rita: These fighting addicts, I swear...

- 231: Enlightenment -

Karol: Yuri, that arte you did back there was awesome!

Raven: Sure was. I bet most enemies couldn’t stay standin’ after gettin’ hit with that.

Repede: Woof!

Yuri: *sigh*......

Karol: Yuri?

Yuri: To know--in an instant--how I need to move... That was the first time I’ve ever felt that.

Karol: Whoa... It was really cool, Yuri!

Repede: Arooooo!

Raven: ((slowly back away)) You’ve done some growin’, Yuri. Heh, you sure are something...

- 232: Just...Stick Them Together -

Rita: Estelle, that arte you just did...

Estelle: Yes, I know. I surprised myself, too. I just kind of stuck attack magic and support magic together and that came out.

Rita: No no no. That was way more powerful than “just kind of sticking them together”!

Estelle: R-really?

Yuri: That just shows how strong Estelle’s grown.

Repede: WOOF!

Rita: Well, you’re definitely a lot stronger than when I first met you.

Yuri: Keep up the good work, Estelle.

Estelle: Of course! You two do the same.

- 233: Karol’s Growing Up -

Karol: D-did...did you see what I just did?!

Yuri: Yeah, Karol, that was so awesome!

Repede: Woof!

Karol: I’ve...I’ve gotten really strong...

Yuri: Heh. Brave Vesperia is set if you keep doing things like that.

Karol: No, I can’t just stop there! I have to keep working! Get even stronger! ((runs off))

Yuri: Looks like he’s grown along with his artes. Good job, Karol.

- 234: Th-Thanks... -

Estelle: Rita, that magic you used was amazing! ((moves in closer to stand right next to Rita))

Rita: Wh-what do you mean... That wasn’t really anything special!

Estelle: Are you kidding? It was special! That was really, really cool!

Rita: ((pushing her back)) E-enough already. It seriously was not anything special! ...Compared to you...

Estelle: Oh... I was thinking how lucky I am to have a friend who’s so gifted with magic...

Rita: R-really...?

Estelle: Yes, really!

Rita: Th-thanks...

- 235: Strain on the Heart -

Raven: Spaaaaark! Did ya see my amazin’ performance out there?!

Judith: Yeah, you were great. But are you okay?

Raven: Huh?

Judith: I mean, doesn’t it strain your heart when you do an arte like that?

Raven: Mmmm, aw, I’ll be fine.

Judith: You sure? Well, go easy on yourself. ((walks away))

Raven: ((weary)) I wonder if my heart really can take it...

- 236: Let’s Go All Out -

Yuri: I didn’t know you could fight like that.

Judith: Yeah, neither did I, actually. That was my first time.

Yuri: Really? You sure put on a good show.

Repede: Woof!

Judith: Heh. I thought it might be better to go all out, you know?

Ba’ul: *Howls*

Judith: Ba’ul agrees.

Yuri: Hah hah. I’m sure he does. We’re counting on you, Judith.

Judith: And I’m counting on you.

- 237: The Christening -

Repede: *Arooooo* ((big picture))

Raven: Oh? Looks like the pooch is pretty fired up!

Karol: Did you see that arte he did? It was like a Whooooosh Attack!

Raven: Uh, Karol? No. it’s actually more of a...Mercurial Laceration!

Karol: Lame! Sounds like an old man thought it up.

Raven: An old man did, and it sounds damn good!

Rita: Argh! Will you two shut up?! It was a cut, right, so just call it “Slash!”

Repede: ((smaller picture)) WOOF!

Yuri: All right. Done.

- 238: Just Use Both -

Yuri: Hmm......

Karol: What’s up, Yuri? Is something wrong with your weapon?

Yuri: No, I was just thinking about how different axes and swords feel to use...

Repede: *Whine?*

Estelle: Ah, you use both swords and axes, don’t you.

Yuri: Yeah, but my artes change depending on which I use. It’s not a problem or anything, but...

Karol: Hmmm... Well, I think you look cooler when you’re using axes, Yuri. It makes you look stronger, too.

Repede: Woof!

Estelle: Really? I prefer Yuri when he’s using swords, myself.

Judith: You should just use one in each hand.

Yuri: Give me a break...

- 239: Congratulations -

Estelle: Yuri, you did it!

Yuri: Hmph, it’s not such a big deal.

Raven: Come on, kid, ya won! The least ya could do is cheer up a little!

Yuri: Yeah, I won...but that’s not really what I was going for...

Raven: Now, don’t get greedy. What more could ya want than ta enter a tournament and come out on top?

Estelle: Maybe what you wanted more than winning was the feeling that you’d really fought hard?

Yuri: Yeah... Something like that.

Raven: Sounds like ya understand Yuri pretty well.

Estelle: After having known Yuri for as long as I have, at least that much is obvious.

Raven: Really? I guess you two know each other...REALLY well...

Estelle: N-no, that’s not what I meant at all...!

- 240: A Youth’s Victory -

Yuri: ((big picture)) Yeah!

Estelle: You did it!

Raven: Hey, you actually look a little happy, for once.

Estelle: Of course he’s happy! Yuri defeated a lot of very fierce opponents!

Yuri: ((small picture)) Yeah, for the first time, winning actually feels like something...

Estelle: That’s the feeling that you really fought hard. You gave it your all, Yuri!

Yuri: Right. It feels like this means a lot more than the last time I won a tournament.

Raven: Hmmm, sounds like ya two are really gettin’ close. How interestin’...

Estelle: *gasp* R-Raven, what are you talking about...!

Yuri: If you’re happy for me, old man then you and me are getting kind of close, too, you know.

Raven: Oh. Uh. Heh heh...

- 241: A Princess’ Crucible -

Karol: Good job! I knew you could do it, Estelle.

Estelle: Thank you!

Rita: You twerp, you’re only saying that now so you can look good.

Karol: N-no, I mean it!

Rita: Oh, really...? Anyway, congratulations, Estelle.

Estelle: Thank you! I’m glad I could spread a little joy.

Yuri: That’s good. You looked pretty serious out there. I was worried.

Estelle: Well... I just felt like I was on display for everyone to see...

Rita: It’s not a very good feeling to have people betting on whether you’ll win or lose.

Estelle: Yes...but then I realized I should focus on my opponent, not the people watching me. The more you want to beat your opponent, the happier you are when you finally win!

Yuri: Yeah, I guess so. I’m glad it was a good experience for you, Estelle.

Estelle: Yes! And all of your encouragement makes me want to work even harder!

- 242: A Boy’s Befuddlement -

Yuri: Hey, nice work, Karol! You won! You sure have grown strong.

Repede: WOOF!

Karol: Y-yeah, thanks!

Raven: I hear it’s a great thing fer a guild’s reputation if someone who won the tournament joins ‘em.

Estelle: Yes, Brave Vesperia could become famous, thanks to you, Karol!

Karol: Heh, heh heh... M-m-m-maybe...

Yuri: You don’t seem very happy, Karol.

Karol: N-n-no, I mean, y-y-yeah... What I did... I didn’t know I... I was, like... Whoa...

Estelle: I...don’t understand what you’re saying...

Yuri: You’re just flustered ‘cause you’re not used to it. Come on, Karol, that’s not like you.

Raven: Heh heh. I dunno, that ramblin’ at the end there sounds just like him ta me!

Repede: Woof!

- 243: A Genius Mage’s Change of Heart -

Rita: Well, that’s done.

Estelle: You’re so nonchalant... Shouldn’t you be a little happier?

Rita: Nah, that was too easy.

Raven: Act tough all ya want, but it looked like ya were havin’ a pretty rough time out there.

Rita: Maybe you’re starting to get cataracts, old man. Perhaps I can help you blast them out!

Raven: Agh! No no no no!

Estelle: But you won! That’s great! You could at least be a little bit happier...

Rita: So what, I won. It doesn’t change anything, really.

Raven: But they give out a prize specially tailored ta the winner.

Karol: That’s right.

Rita: Oh... Maybe if I’d won more battles, they would’ve given me something useful for my research... Guess I should’ve beaten more opponents...

Raven: Ya already won the whole tournament... I don’t think ya could’ve beaten it any more than ya did...

- 244: An Old Man’s Dream -

Raven: *panting gasp*......

Yuri: ...What’s the matter, old man? You won.

Raven: Th-this is a dream. I mean, conquering the coliseum after all these years...

Judith: It was your dream to win this tournament?

Raven: Guild members across the world all hope ta achieve this once in their lives.

Yuri: Then your dream’s come true! That’s great!

Raven: No, this can’t be real. This is a dream, I know it.

Yuri: If it’s a dream, then you shouldn’t be able to feel pain, right?

Judith: Let’s test it out!

((Judith backs up a bit and the charges at Raven, sending him flying))

Raven: Gaaah...! ((crashes somewhere off-screen))

Yuri: Whoa... If the old man wasn’t dreaming before, he certainly is now.

- 245: A Maiden’s Concern -

Judith: That’s all there is?

Yuri: Not enough violence for you, huh?

Judith: Oh? Do you really think I’m that violent? That hurts, Yuri.

Rita: If you’re trying to make us think you’re an innocent young maiden, you’re not fooling anyone.

Yuri: ...Innocent young maidens keep their pretty little selves out of coliseum tournaments.

Judith: *sighs* Innocent young maidens also don’t win tournaments full of powerful opponents.

Yuri: Hah hah hah, that’s right...

Judith: *(Melancholic) Sigh*

Rita: Don’t tell me you just got yourself down.

Raven: ((quickly walking on screen)) Ah, the melancholic sigh of an innocent young maiden... How picturesque!

Judith: Oh?

Raven: What, not violent enough for ya?

Judith: *(Annoyed) Sigh*

- 246: A Dog’s Thoughts on Battle -

Repede: AROOOOOOO!

Karol: What was that? A victory howl?

Yuri: Yeah, something like that, I think.

Rita: He’s just a dumb beast, after all. He probably just thinks he had a successful hunt, or something.

Repede: *growling* Woof!

Yuri: He can hear you, you know. Repede thinks about all sorts of things. You’ve offended him.

Rita: What do you mean, all sorts of things?

Repede: Woof! Woof woof!

Yuri: The significance of him winning a tournament that’s held by the world of humans, for example.

Repede: WOOF! WOOF!

Yuri: He’s thinking about what a good chance it is to show humans how strong and proud the noble dog is.

Rita: What, your pooch is a philosopher? Don’t make me laugh.

Repede: WOOF! WOOF WOOF!

Yuri: So maybe you’d like to have a fight with Repede, with your honor on the line?

((Repede starts growling and biting at Rita))

Rita: ((trying to get away)) Hey, I don’t wanna fight you! Hey! Stop biting me, let go...!

((they continue their “fight”))

Karol: ...I’ve been wondering for a while, but... You understand what Repede’s saying, don’t you, Yuri?

- 247: Stopping Enemies -

Karol: Wow, the hourglass is really amazing. The enemies just stopped moving!

Yuri: Yeah, it certainly makes it easier to win battles.

Karol: You can get ready for what’s next, attack enemies, change battle formation...! And if we’re having trouble running away from enemies, this makes it a cinch! Oh, and it even lets us keep enemies from running away! It’s seriously awesome...

Rita: ...Hourglass! ((punches Karol, sending him flying))

Karol: Ngah...!

Rita: Personally, I find this way easier.

Yuri: *sigh*......

- 248: New Fangled Whatsamahoozits -

Karol: The all-divide sure is useful.

Raven: No, it’s no good! No good at all!

Repede: *Whine?*

Estelle: Why is that? I mean, it makes battles easier...

Raven: Rely on that gizmo too much, and pretty soon ya won’t be able ta win a battle without it!

Yuri: Using items is a decent strategy, old man.

Raven: Kids... In my day, -

((Yuri, Repede, and Karol all start to leave, not caring enough to listen any further))

Raven: - we fought fine without any of these gizmos and whatsamahoozits...

- 249: The Tougher, The Better -

Karol: That last battle was sure fast! I wish all battles were that easy.

Yuri: Easy? I dunno, I didn’t feel much of anything. I wanted a little more action, you know?

Raven: Oh, yer a fan of getting beaten to a pulp while strugglin’ ta beat some crazed, giant monster?

Yuri: Aw, don’t put it like that, old man. It’s not struggling. It’s fun. Sooo much fun. The best part about a battle is its raw challenge!

Karol: Its raw challenge, huh... I kinda like the way that sounds! ((music note))

Raven: Ehh, sorry, but I’d prefer to avoid the hard-fought battles. They’re rough on these old bones.

Yuri: ((big picture)) But that makes it even more fun!

Raven: ((annoyed)) How’s that?

Yuri: ((small picture)) That’s for you to find out, old man!

- 250: No Mercy! -

Judith: That last battle went by in the blink of an eye. You guys are merciless!

Rita: Hit before the enemy has a chance to. The only certain victory is a preemptive one.

Karol: We can’t show our enemies any mercy!

Raven: If we take it too easy, then we’re just playin’ with ‘em. Makes me feel sorta bad fer ‘em, ya know?

Judith: But still, I think a little bit of mercy would have been okay, just to be fair.

Raven: You’re prolly the most cold-blooded, merciless killer of us all, Judith darlin’.

Judith: Oh? You really think that?!

Yuri: Looks like she doesn’t even realize it.

Rita: I think she’s just pretending not to.

- 251: Items? Who Needs Items? -

Karol: H-hey, hold on a sec!

Yuri: What is it? Is something the matter?

Karol: Help me organize these items, would you?

Estelle: Since when did we have so many of those?

Judith: We haven’t been using them. They add up.

Yuri: If we can get by without using them, so much the better, right?

Estelle: Is that how it works...?

Judith: You don’t want to get into the habit of wasting items when you don’t need to, right?

Estelle: Ummm... I’m simply not very familiar with using items...

Karol: Well, it doesn’t matter what you pick, just use some items... They’re going to waste!

Estelle: H-he’s right, Yuri. Let’s use our items.

Yuri: All right, if we need to.

Karol: Or at least help me sort them out!

- 252: Exquisite Battles -

Karol: This is amazing! We’ve been through so many battles without a scratch!

Raven: Yeah! We are soooo tough!

Estelle: Yes, it’s not fun at all to get hurt, even if we can heal wounds.

Judith: Though I have to say, it’s unusually exhilarating to see enemies in pain.

Rita: You’re...scary...

Repede: Woof!

Yuri: Battle scars are the true mark of a man. What’s the point of a battle if you don’t get hurt?

Judith: Oh? You like getting hurt?

Yuri: That’s not what I’m saying...

Rita: I don’t get you at all.

Raven: I get the feelin’ Rita likes dolin’ out pain more than she likes receivin’ it! <3

Rita: I do.

Raven: Yer pretty scary, yerself...

- 253: Not Enough Fat to Burn -

Yuri: It’s f-f-freezing... Think there’s a cabin or something where we could get out of the cold?

Estelle: I don’t think anyone would build a cabin on top of a sheet of ice...

Raven: If we just had some fire... Oh yeah, Rita, use yer magic ta give us some fire, would ya?

Rita: What am I, a walking matchbox...? And besides, using it on YOU would be a waste of aer.

Raven: What’s the big deal? Weren’t ya usin’ it over and over again just a little while ago?

Rita: That was to defeat enemies! What would you want me to set on fire, anyway? ((speculating something)) Hmmm, you’ve got a pretty muscular body.

Raven: Huh...? Well, I mean, what with the guilds and the Knights and all, it’s a lot of work...

Rita: ...Doesn’t look like there’s enough fat to burn very well...

Yuri: Hah hah. That’s too bad.

Raven: ...Huh? ...Hey!

- 254: The First Sign of a Cold? -

Estelle: ...Achoo...!

Karol: Huh? Are you catching a cold, Estelle?

Estelle: No... It’s just... I’ve been so cold, ever since I saw Rita use that water magic of hers...

Karol: That’s terrible! Are you sure you’re oka--ACHOO...!

Yuri: Now it’s both of you? You should just tell Rita to stop using that kind of magic.

Karol: I can hear Rita already. “I’ll decide what type of magic I use, thank you very much!”

Estelle: Oh, come on. If we tell her that we might be coming down with colds, I’m sure she’ll—

Rita: What’s that? Something about me? Kchoo!

Karol: Hey, you catch a cold too?

Rita: ...Maybe someone’s...talking about me behind my back...

((The other three look nervous))

- 255: I Want a Shower -

Judith: Oh, what to do...

Karol: ...What do you mean?

Judith: I’ll die if I can’t take a shower once a day... And in a dry old desert like this...

Karol: R-really?! Rita, you have to do something!

Rita: Humph. Idiot... She’ll be fine. It’s not like she’s a flower. Going without a shower won’t kill you. It’s been 10 days since I last showered, actually.

Judith: It’s been that long...? I’d be on my deathbed if I were you...

Karol: I’ve got it! Rita’s not a flower! She’s a prickly cactus!

Rita: ((big picture)) ...Die!

((Karol is sent flying by Rita’s magic))

Karol: Gaaah!

- 256: I Like It! -

Karol: It’s so hot...

Raven: That’s ‘cause Rita keeps usin’ all that fire magic.

Rita: It doesn’t have anything to do with my magic! The desert’s just hot! ((punches Raven))

Raven: ((knocked sideways)) Ack!

Karol: Whatever. It’s just...really hot...

Rita: What...are you saying I should stop?

Yuri: I guess we’re saying it’d be real nice if you would...

Rita: I won’t stop...

Karol: Huh...?

Rita: ((aggressively)) I won’t stop. I like it.

Yuri: Aren’t you hot, too? Come on...

Rita: I’m hot! But using the magic makes me feel so good that I forget all about being hot, all right?!

((Rita charges at Yuri, then at Karol))

Karol: Wah, Rita’s nuts!!

- 257: Watch and Learn -

Estelle: You look very good swinging a sword, Yuri.

Yuri: You’re not bad yourself, Estelle.

Estelle: Really? My swordmaster used to scold me terribly...

Yuri: Well, I have to admit I’d be surprised if you looked TOO natural.

Estelle: I really don’t like fighting... I don’t like hurting people...

Yuri: How ladylike of you.

Estelle: But...if I don’t fight, I’ll end up hurt, myself, right?

Yuri: Yeah, that’s pretty much how it works.

Estelle: I wish I could enjoy fighting like you do, Yuri...

Yuri: You think I enjoy this?

Estelle: Don’t you? I mean, the way your eyes shine... That only happens when you’re fighting.

Yuri: O-oh, really?... Wow, you’re pretty observant.

Estelle: Yes, I like watching people.

- 258: Even Dogs Have Pride -

Karol: I don’t understand Repede. He’s a dog, with claws and fangs, but he uses weapons...?

Repede: Grr...Woof!

Yuri: Yeah, I guess dogs do usually fight with claws and fangs.

Estelle: Huh? But Repede’s a dog, isn’t he?

Repede: Woof woof!

Yuri: Repede is Repede.

Karol: ...What does that mean?

Repede: ((fiercely)) Woof woof! WOOF!

Yuri: Whatever he is, Repede doesn’t think of himself as a dog. That’s why he uses weapons and items. But that’s not to say that he thinks of himself as a human, either.

Estelle: ...I don’t really understand... But he seems very proud.

Repede: WOOF!

Yuri: Yep! So show him some respect!

Karol: ...Hey, Yuri. Are you translating what Repede’s saying?

Yuri: Nah, it’s just your imagination.

- 259: Big Game in a Small Package -

Estelle: Isn’t it hard to use a weapon that large, Karol?

Karol: It’s a little heavy, but I need to hold something large like this to make myself look bigger.

Yuri: That’s just the right trick to hide your miniscule size.

Rita: Ah, you want to look bigger to fool the enemies.

Estelle: Now that you mention it, small monsters often puff themselves up to appear more menacing.

Karol: Right, it’s just like...huh? Are you saying I’m the same as a monster?

Yuri: Even so, changing your appearance doesn’t change who you really are, Karol.

Rita: Are you dangerous? Tell us right now if you are!

Karol: It’s okay! ((big picture)) I’m an elite Hunting Blade! There’s nothing to worry about!

Yuri: ...I hope that’s not one of your clever tricks.

- 260: Rita’s Calm Mind - Estelle: Rita, you seem very used to fighting for someone who’s been doing research in Aspio for so long. Rita: I’m just used to using magic, and I’ve been working to cultivate a calm mind. Yuri: A calm mind, huh...? ((Karol thinks about something then starts sneaking up on Rita)) Estelle: Is there something wrong with that? Karol: ((jumps at Rita)) ...Boo! ((Rita, calm as can be, punches him, knocking him to the ground)) Karol: Ouch! Rita: Sorry, I thought you were a monster. Karol: Argh... I’ll startle you someday, you just wait... - 261: Touchy Subject - Raven: Ya think we might cut down on the battles a bit? This old man can’t take it fer much longer! Karol: Really? We haven’t been fighting any more than usual... Raven: Yeah, but keepin’ up with your youthful pace is killin’ me! Yuri: Perhaps we should go at a pace of someone older and slower? Raven: Who’re ya callin’ older an’ slower? Judith: Don’t worry, you’re still young and full of life. Raven: Ah yes, I’m glad you understand me at least, Judith honey... <3 Karol: He was the one who called himself an old man... Yuri: Cut him some slack, Karol. People his age get sensitive about these things. - 262: A Weirdo Among Weirdoes - Estelle: Your spear fighting is fluid and your footwork is amazing! I love watching you fight, Judith. Judith: Oh, it’s my pleasure! Yuri: Aren’t all Krityans more of the nerdy, scholarly type? More indoors than outdoors people? Estelle: Yuri’s anti-book comments aside, is it true that the Kritya don’t fight in battles? Judith: It seems most of us don’t like fighting very much. Estelle: So you’re an exception? Yuri: A weirdo among weirdos, then. Judith: How strange. I’ve always thought it was normal to fight someone who was threatening you. Yuri: Yeah, true. Estelle: Really? Is that normal? Yuri: Sure, it’s normal. Judith: Totally normal. Estelle: I-I see... - 263: Ahh, Youth! - Estelle: Doesn’t all that fighting ever make you tired, Yuri? Yuri: Nah! I’ve got you here to heal me if I get hurt, after all. Estelle: But...getting hurt and getting tired are different... Don’t you ever run out of energy? Yuri: Mmm... I’d say swinging my sword gives me more energy, rather than taking it away. Rita: You’re like an overenergetic kid who runs around until he passes out! Yuri: Course, I’ve got more energy than a kid, so I can make that much more mischief. Raven: Ah, youth! I’m outta breath with just one swing. I wish I could go back ta my younger days... Yuri: Talk about pathetic... Raven: Don’t worry, it won’t be long before yer in the same boat as me, kid! Ha ha ha! Rita: I don’t think that’s too funny, old man. Yuri: ((big picture)) Well, until then, you can just sit and suffer in admiration of my youthful energy! Estelle: That’s the first time I’ve ever heard of someone suffering in admiration... - 264: Thinking Too Hard? - Estelle: You know, at first I wasn’t comfortable with fighting, but recently I’ve gotten quite used to it. Yuri: Oh yeah? Well, you have been fighting a lot, huh? Judith: It looks like you’re still wasting energy with some unnecessary movements, though. Estelle: I always try hard to think of what I should do next, but somehow I just can’t get things right... Yuri: Maybe you’re thinking too hard? Judith: If you fought more on a gut level, your body might respond more fluidly. Estelle: On a gut level... ((big picture)) I see! So I just need to follow my instincts! Yuri: ...You think maybe she misunderstood what we were saying? Judith: Maybe, but I think she’ll figure things out. - 265: When You Put Your Mind to It - Karol: Whew... Raven: What? Tired already? What a poor excuse fer a warrior! Karol: T-tired?! No way, not me! Judith: It wouldn’t be strange if you were, Karol. You’ve come the farthest out of all of us. Karol: Th-the farthest out of all of us... Heh, maybe... Raven: You’re young! Young people hafta work hard. It’s nothing to be getting all worked up over. Karol: Urgh... Judith: Karol may be energetic, but he’s still a child. He doesn’t have as much strength as the rest of us. Karol: I-I’m fine! ((big picture)) I can work just as hard as you two do! Raven: Exactly, ya can’t be usin’ yer age ta get out of doin’ yer part for the team! Karol: ((small picture, annoyed)) I-I know that! Judith: Karol, you’re really good when you put your mind to it! Karol: Heh heh...... Raven: Hey, Karol... You weren’t just fishin’ fer a compliment from Judith, were ya? - 266: Talking in Your Sleep - Judith: Rita, last night you were saying the strangest things in your sleep... Karol: What was it? C’mon, tell me! Rita: H-hey, don’t go telling weird stories about me... Judith: You were chanting magic spells. Karol: ...So what? That’s not scandalous or anything! Rita: Shut up! What were you expecting, anyway?! Karol: Rita, I think all this fighting we’ve been doing is getting to you. Judith: Rita, you were so cute, saying spells in your sleep. Rita: Wh-what are you talking about? Judith: But I have to say, I was pretty surprised when the spell actually worked. Karol: S-seriously? Judith: You see? Rita, you should really get a little more rest. ((Karol starts to slowly back away, looking scared)) Rita: ...How much of that was true, and how much of it was a total lie? Judith: Oh I’ve never been very good at lies. - 267: Lucky? - Raven: I can’t believe I’ve gone this long without dyin’ in battle... This can’t be good! Repede: *Whine?* Yuri: It seems good to me. Or do you still not care about dying since you already died once? Raven: Mmm, I can’t say that feelin’s totally gone, but maybe it’s lessened a tad. Yuri: Yeah? Then show it! Be happy! Repede: WOOF! Raven: Fate waits until you’re on top of the world ta knock ya down. I gotta stay on my toes. Yuri: So you’re just going to keep pretending like you’re troubled, and hope fate doesn’t notice. Raven: ((big picture)) Smart kid. I’m gonna keep testin’ my luck and see just how far it takes me. Yuri: Don’t come crying to me when fate comes for payback! Repede: WOOF! - 268: Beautiful Juggernaut - Judith: ((big picture)) Karol: Judith, you always go right for the enemies, don’t you? Estelle: Yes, you never hesitate at all! Repede: Woof! Judith: ((small picture)) Hah hah hah. Yuri: You’re a juggernaut. ((Judith suddenly runs off without a word)) Karol: Huh? What does that mean, Yuri? Yuri: It means she charges like a boar! Estelle: A juggernaut means something that has so much inertia that it can’t be stopped or redirected. Karol: Huh... Hey, Judith’s gone! Repede: Woof! Judith: ((comes back)) Sorry, I’m back now. Estelle: Where did you go, Judith? Judith: Oh, I thought I saw something. Seems like it wasn’t a monster after all. Yuri: That instinct of yours to attack anything that moves reminds me of a wolf... - 269: Canine Hero - Yuri: I don’t know what we’d do in this journey without Repede’s help. Karol: How come Repede’s so strong, anyway? Repede: Woof! Woof woof! Yuri: He trained hard in order to capture the spot of Big Boss. Estelle: What do you mean? “Capture the spot of Big Boss”...? Repede: Grr...Woof! Yuri: It was a battle to defeat the Little Wolves, the leaders of all the dogs and cats in the capital. Estelle: Th-they had a leader...? Yuri: ((passionately explaining)) They were the former “Big Bosses”. They oppressed the cats and dogs, and even harmed humans. Karol: U-umm... I’m really interested in hearing more, but... Estelle: Y-yeah... If it’s a long story, maybe you could tell us when we have more time? Repede: *Whine*...woof! Yuri: Oh well, your loss... Long story short, Repede fought for the dogs and cats, ((Repede = big picture)) and now he’s their boss. Karol: So he got stronger to protect the ones he cared about. Estelle: And the reason he’s fighting now is also to protect the people he cares about, right? Repede: ((small picture)) WOOF WOOF! - 270: Never Stop Training - Karol: Huh? Where’s Yuri...? Estelle: Oh, he said he was going to go for a jog... Karol: Really? He sure is energetic... Yuri: ((walking up to them)) Hey, Karol! Karol: What’s up, Yuri? Yuri: I just haven’t fought in many battles lately. I don’t want to get out of shape. You wanna come? Karol: Uh, I...sure, I guess. Estelle: All right, I’ll come along, too! Yuri: Okay, this time’s for real! Four mile run, followed by 100 sit-ups, push- ups, and squats! Let’s go! Karol: H-h-hold on here... Are you serious...? E-Estelle, you’re okay with this? Estelle: Huh? Isn’t this a normal exercise routine? Yuri: That’s our princess for you. All right, let’s go! ((Yuri grabs Karol and starts running, dragging him along, with Estelle following)) Karol: Wh-why do I have to go?! - 271: Someone Veeeery Important - Estelle: I’m just a bother for everyone. I fought with Yuri when we started out, but recently... Raven: Yuri says that he doesn’t want ya ta get hurt. Judith: You must be very important to him. I’m jealous. Estelle: Huh? Y-you mean... Raven: Estelle, what do ya think of Yuri, anyway? Judith: Oh, come on, it’s obvious... Estelle: P-please, stop...! You have the wrong idea... Rita: ((walking by)) What are you two adults trying to convince Estelle of this time? Raven: Oh, does our genius mage want in on this, too? Rita: ((stopping briefly)) Yuri’s just been keeping her out of battle because Flynn asked him to take care of her, right ((starts to walk away again)) Estelle: ((disappointed/upset)) Th-that’s right. That’s what it is! There’s nothing else to it. Nothing at all... Judith: Poor Estelle... Raven: Oh! It’s absolutely heartbreaking! Estelle: I’m telling you, you have it all wrong! - 272: What Am I Good For? - Karol: Hey, let me fight every once in a while, too, okay? Yuri: Really, Karol? You want to fight that badly? Karol: Yeah, I want to fight--for Brave Vesperia...! Raven: There’s more that you can do fer the guild than just fightin’, ya know. Yuri: ...That’s a pretty surprising bit of wisdom coming from you, old man. Karol: But...what should I do, then? Yuri: Hmm... You could cook food for us, or gather information about places we’re going... You’re good at those kinds of things, right? Karol: Oh yeah... Raven: And yer really good at findin’ cute girls fer me ta talk ta, right? Yuri: ...Hold on. Karol, have you really been doing that for the old man? Karol: Uh...yeah... I mean, Raven told me to bring cute girls to him, so... Raven: This kid’s such a cutie, the ladies are all over him! <3 Yuri: ...Karol, you shouldn’t be so trusting. Raven: Huh, why’s that? Karol: Trusting of what? Yuri: *Sigh* Never mind... - 273: Stress Relief - Yuri: Oh, okay, that’s why... Karol: Yeah, don’t you think? Rita: What? Yuri: Doesn’t it stress you out just watching everyone else fight all the time? Rita: You sure you’re not confusing me with yourself? Karol: You don’t wonder what it is about yourself that makes other people not want to rely on you? Rita: Maybe that’s the way YOU feel... Karol: ...You really do have it together, Rita. Rita: I get to think about things while you all are in battle. It’s nice. Yuri: Hmmm, I guess hitting Karol and kicking the old man aren’t as much of a stress relief as I thought. Rita: What, you think stuff like this relieves stress? ((punches Karol)) Karol: Ow...! So cut it out! - 274: Raven’s Demons - Yuri: Raven, you haven’t fought with us much at all, have you? Raven: Oh no! Quite the contrary! Estelle: What do you mean? Raven: While you all have been busy fightin’ yer own battles, I’ve been doin’ some fightin’ of my own! Yuri: Are you saying we’ve just been too caught up with our own fighting to notice? Estelle: Huh? B-but I looked over during a battle the other day. You were just hanging around like normal... Raven: Well ya never know when the demons of sleep or hunger will rear their ugly heads! Yuri: I see... That must be tough, what with the lack of urgency or any real danger. Estelle: Hehe, and yet you always suffer a crushing defeat! Raven: It’s so true... So maybe ya can swap me in sometime soon? I’ll work hard... - 275: Come On! Say It! - Judith: *Sigh*... Karol: Hey, Yuri, something’s weird about Judith. Yuri: Judy’s always weird. Judith: You’re terrible... Can’t you see how stressed I am? Karol: What’s the matter? Did something happen? Judith: I’m just...I’m just not helpful at all, am I...? Karol: That’s not true! Why would you say that? Judith: No, you don’t have to pretend. I’m too weak, I know it. Karol: You...weak?! Trust me, nobody thinks that at all! Judith: No, it’s all right. Don’t try to make me feel better. It’s easier for me this way, anyway. Yuri: ...You’re bored, aren’t you? Not being able to fight...? Judith: Oh... Karol: ...Is that what you’re worried about? Judith: No, it’s okay. I can handle the boredom... *sigh* Besides, I have Ba’ul to talk to. Yuri: *Sigh* - 276: Repede Wants to Play - Repede: Whine... Karol: You look pretty tired, Repede. Repede: Woof! Grarrr. ((lunges at Karol)) Karol: Ow! H-hey?! Yuri: He only looks tired to lull his enemies into a false sense of security. Karol: E-enemies?! I’m not an enemy! Yuri: He hasn’t been fighting lately. Maybe he has a lot of pent-up energy. Play with him some... Karol: D-don’t you think it’d be better if you did that, Yuri? ((Repede starts to “play” some more))...Agh...gah, gah, gaaah!!! Repede: Woof! Woof woof! Yuri: Aww, that’s nice, Karol. It looks like Repede’s warmed up to you. Karol: Wh-what? He just wants attention ‘cause he hasn’t been fighting lately-- ((Repede starts to growl and bark “playfully”)) Agh, let go, let go, aaahh!! - 277: Karol’s Bag – Part 2 - Karol: I wonder why my bag works so well when I hit enemies with it...? Rita: Huh? You don’t know how your own bag works? Karol: Yeah, not really. Rita: ...Surely the bag just has a high level of aer conductance? Karol: Aer...conductance? Rita: It’s a measure of how easily something carries aer. The aer produced when you use strike artes must be easily conducted through that bag. Karol: So that’s why enemies get weaker when I hit them with my bag? Rita: Exactly. It’s the same as with my belt. Different people have different items that carry aer for them more easily. Karol: Wow, interesting... Thanks, Rita! Rita: You sure don’t know much about your own possessions. ((walks away)) Karol: I guess I’d better take good care of my bag! -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- V. Cooking -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- - 278: The Secret Ingredient - Karol: Yuri’s croquettes are the best! Rita: How strange... They’re just balls of mashed potatoes, but... Judith: There must be a secret ingredient! Raven: Oh yeah? What’d ya put in it, Yuri? Yuri: ((completely straight-faced)) Love. ((everyone’s shocked and/or freaked out)) Rita: Agh! ...*Hack* *hack* Ick, blech! Karol: Wh-who are you and what did you do with Yuri...? Raven: My hearin’ isn’t what it used to be. What did ya say the secret ingredient was? Yuri: Love! The lady who ran the inn where I lived always said cooking was all about love. I put as much love in them as I could. So eat them with care, okay? Karol: Yuri’s love-filled croquettes... Rita: Ugh... Raven: I wish they weren’t so good... Judith: A secret ingredient is a cook’s greatest treasure. You didn’t want to tell them, did you? Yuri: Actually, I didn’t put anything special in there at all. - 279: Call It What It Is! - Karol: Estelle, your potato soup sure is good! Yuri: I’m not used to soup being cold, but this is really delicious. Estelle: It’s not potato soup. It’s called vichyssoise. Yuri: Estelle, what would you call a soup made from onions? Estelle: That would be onion soup, but... Karol: Then this is potato soup! Estelle: No, it’s vichyssoise! It’s the name of the dish! Yuri: Hey, Rita. ((Rita starts to walk over)) What would you call this soup? Rita: ...Potato soup. ((Yuri starts grinning like a madman, and Estelle gets upset)) Estelle: Why won’t any of you call it vichyssoise...? - 280: The Artiste - Karol: ((big picture)) All right! On today’s menu we have...a rice omelette! Estelle: Wow... This looks great! You drew a face on it in ketchup! This is Repede’s face, isn’t it? Yuri: Mine is Repede facing to the left. Repede: Woof! Rita: Mine’s a...golem? Wow, you even got all the details right. Yuri: You’re really talented, Karol. Karol: ((smaller picture)) Heh, so are they good? I spiced it up by adding some... Huh? Why aren’t you eating? Estelle: It’s so cute... I don’t want to ruin it by eating it! Rita: I wanted to save him... Karol: C-come on, eat up! Don’t stare! Eat it already! I worked really hard! - 281: An Improved Recipe - Raven: Oh ho, Rita! I hear yer finally a stir-fried veggie master? Rita: I guess so. Nothing’s impossible for me. Judith: You sure you didn’t just have a good teacher? Rita: It always has to be about you, doesn’t it? This was all my genius. But stir-fry is a pain to eat. It ties up both my hands so I can’t read! Karol: Estelle’ll get mad at you if she catches you reading while you’re eating. Rita: I got it! Put the vegetables between slices of bread like a sandwich. One hand! Genius! Karol: Why do you want to go mess up perfectly good food like that?! Judith: A stir-fried veggie sandwich... What an original concept! Raven: ...It looks like Judith’s ready ta add that to her cookbook. Karol: Man, Rita’s always gotta screw things up... Rita: You’re just jealous! - 282: Melts a Young Girl’s Heart - Karol: How’d you master making crepes, Raven? I thought you hated sweet foods. Raven: My boy, you got a lot ta learn about the miraculous powers sweet foods have over the ladies. An exquisite crepe melts a young girl’s heart and leads her straight into the arms of the chef--me! Estelle: For people who like sweet things, there’s nothing harder to refuse than a delicious crepe. Judith: And if you know someone made it just for you... Karol: Uh...yeah, I guess crepes could really reel ‘em in... Rita: I know someone’s reeling at least... Raven: Told ya. They love me! Karol: Y-yeah, okay, good luck, then. Raven: Not luck, son. Skill. - 283: Judith Goes All Out - Yuri: Rita, you’re eating quietly for once. Do you like the food? Rita: I wouldn’t say I like it...but I don’t dislike it. Judith: I’m glad it suits your taste, Rita. Estelle: I’ve heard that making pork stew is especially time-intensive. Judith: Yes, it takes at least two days to boil the pork until it’s soft enough to eat. Yuri: It seems you’re pretty good at cooking elaborate dishes, Judy. Judith: I used to cook a lot. I don’t mind a little work if people will enjoy it. Yuri: Did you use to cook for your family? Judith: Yes. And no I have you all! It makes all of the hard work worthwhile. Rita: ((has continued eating quietly the whole time))...It’s delicious. Estelle: Huh? Rita, did you say something? Rita: No. Judith: Heh heh, thank you, Rita. - 284: A True Gourmand - Rita: Hey, there’s something seriously messed up about people eating dog food. Yuri: It’s all the same mush once it hits your stomach, right? Rita: Dog food and people food are totally different! Karol: You’re just afraid you’ll start liking it. Estelle: But don’t you think the taste is addictive? I love the unusual flavor! Yuri: An acquired taste for the true gourmand. Repede: Woof! Karol: Maybe that’s one taste I don’t really need to acquire... - 285: All For You... - Karol: Yuri, you’re really good at cooking! Repede: Woof. Raven: Yer not half bad yerself, Karol. Yuri: You’re pretty good at it too, for an old man who’s always making excuses not to cook. Raven: The ladies love a man who can cook! Karol: No way... If that were true, I’d be the coolest guy around! Raven: Seriously, it’s true! Karol: Even if it doesn’t make me cool, I guess I’m happy just to have other people enjoy my cooking. Yuri: Yeah, it’s a lot better than just cooking for yourself. Raven: It’s nice watchin’ a lady enjoy a good meal. I could care less about guys. Karol: Next time I cook for you, Raven, all you’re getting is a butter sandwich. Yuri: Nah, spreading butter is too much work. Just give him the crusts. Raven: What happened ta being happy about other people enjoyin’ yer cooking...? - 286: Rita’s 3-Second Cooking - Estelle: Oooh, I’m following the recipes... Why isn’t my food coming out as good as yours, Judith? Judith: I do all of my seasoning by taste. Maybe that’s it. Rita: Try changing the balance of ingredients, or adding some seasoning that’s not in the recipe. Estelle: Good idea. I’ll try that. Judith: Rita, I never expected to hear such practical advice coming from you! Rita: H-hey! I’m not the best cook, but adding spices is like mixing chemicals. It’s just chemistry. Judith: I guess, in a way...but I also feel like that’s not all there is to it. Estelle: So do you and Yuri use your own special seasonings? Is that why your food is so good? Judith: Exactly. If you just rely on the recipe, your cooking will never be really delicious. Estelle: Cooking is hard, but I’ll keep trying. I want to learn how to make better food! Judith: That desire is the most important thing of all. - 287: Hunger is the Best Spice - Karol: I’m so hungry... Raven: I’m dyin’ here... Yuri: Already? The girls look like they’re doing fine. ((stomach growls)) Karol: ...Was that Estelle? Listen, her stomach’s rumbling, too! Estelle: I can wait. Though it’s been a little difficult... ((another stomach growl)) Raven: Hmm? That sounded like it came from Rita. ((third growl)) Yuri: Judy, you too? Are you trying to see who can hold out the longest? Judith: Perhaps a diet is a little bit like a competition in holding out. Raven: A diet? What do you need a diet for?! Especially you, Rita! Lose any more weight, and you’ll—((is knocked down by Rita’s punch)) Rita: I’m just waiting until I finish reading this book, okay?! - 289: About to Go Wild - ((loud stomach growls)) Karol: I can’t take it anymore... I’m seriously gonna starve... Raven: Can I eat a gel? Yuri: No. Repede: Grrrr...Woof! Raven: D-does the pooch look a little scary ta anyone else? Rita: Oh, he’s probably just hungry enough for his wild instincts to kick in. Judith/Estelle (sounds like everyone else as well): *sigh*....... Raven: The pooch isn’t the only one about to go wild. Yuri: I’m no good at diets, seriously. Karol: This isn’t a diet. It’s a fast... Why do we have to stop eating, too? Judith: We can’t have delicious smells just wafting by! We’re just as hungry as you are! Karol: Agh, what a tyrant... - 290: Let’s Eat Already - Karol: I...am...so...hungry...! We’re seriously gonna starve! Judith: Save your energy, Karol. You’ll just make yourself hungrier. Estelle: Sharp stomachs make short graces, Karol. Karol: ...What does that mean? Yuri: It means hunger can make you rude...and that leads to angry people attacking you with sharp things. Raven: I think yer a little off... But whatever, Yuri and Rita seem ta be pretty calm despite not havin’ eaten in a while. Yuri/Rita: I’m used to it. Raven: Uh huh... Estelle: Ah! ...There’s a delicious steak, right on top of Repede’s back... Judith: It’s a trap! Don’t succumb to temptation. Yuri: Maybe we should do something about this... Karol: Yuri! Yuri! I found a green piece of veggie-bread in my bag! I can eat it, right? Right? Yuri: What the... No, Karol, don’t! Seriously, this is getting dangerous. Let’s eat something already! - 291: Mmm... Pretty Bread - Estelle: It looks like what we just cooked used up the last of our ingredients. Repede: *Whine!* Yuri: We’ll have to stop by a town and pick up some more, I guess. Karol: Hey, there was a green piece of veggie bread left in my bag! Estelle: A green piece of... Uhh... What a strange type of bread. Repede: *Whine*...? Yuri: ...Karol, when did you buy that bread? Karol: I dunno. - 292: The Proper and The Picky - Rita: I’m not eating! It’s all stuff I hate. Yuri: It’s not good for you to be so picky, you know. Repede: Woof. Karol: Yuri’s right. You need to eat more so you can grow bigger. Rita: And just what parts of me aren’t big enough for you?! Yuri: Karol, you have a lot to learn about ladies. Repede: *Whine*... Estelle: Well Flynn told me that you didn’t have any understanding of female psychology, Yuri. Rita: Nice one, Estelle. Yuri: *sigh* ...... - 293: Done Growin’ - Raven: Stop making food I don’t like! Make somethin’ else! I won’t take this bullyin’! Judith: Okay... No food for you, then. Karol: All of us have things we don’t like, but you don’t see us complaining. Live with it. Rita: You should be thankful. I stopped reading to come here and eat with you, you know! Estelle: An unbalanced diet can lead to an unhealthy body! Raven: I’m done growin’! I can afford a little lack of nutrition at my age! Repede: Woof woof! Woof! Yuri: Repede’s making fun of you, Old Man. He says you’re a disgrace to humans. You’re the oldest one here... Aren’t you ashamed of yourself? Raven: No way. I’m a poor excuse for a grown-up. Yuri: Sheesh, listen to him... Judith: You’re terrible. ((Raven turns to stone at Judith’s criticism)) - 294: Again...? - Karol: *Sigh* ...Again? Estelle: This food’s a staple. But...I do wonder why we always have the same thing to eat. We have other recipes we could be making. Karol: Rita said she liked it so much she could eat it every day. Rita: Hey, the old man was whining about how much he hates every other kind of food. Raven: Well, Yuri was goin’ on and on about how we hafta save money on food! Yuri: Judy, didn’t you say this would be a good way to compare our cooking? Judith: I thought Estelle was trying to perfect this dish... ((everyone pauses for a moment, thinking)) Yuri: ...I want something else. Karol: Me too! Raven: Me three! Rita: I’m tired of this! Judith: Our other recipes are going to waste! Estelle: All right, let’s eat something different next time, okay? Karol: So I wasn’t the only one who was tired of it, after all... - 295: Cook to Live - Estelle: Yuri, you like cooking, don’t you? Yuri: I don’t know about “like”... Why? Estelle: We’ve been making you cook for us all the time, and you haven’t refused once. Raven: Quiet, Estelle! We don’t want him ta stop! Yuri: It’s all right. I noticed. Karol: You don’t mind? Isn’t it a lot of work? Yuri: I used to cook for myself when I was living in the capital. It’s not bad at all. Judith: It’s not bad...but you don’t really like it? Yuri: Well...it was better than having to eat dangerously awful stuff every single day. He meant well, but he didn’t realize how bad he was. This was the only way to stop him. Raven: Ya got my condolences, Yuri. ((glares pointedly at Rita)) Rita: Why are you looking at me?! Yuri: Rita’s cooking is nothing compared to this stuff, trust me. Judith: I’d like to meet someone who could make food like that. Raven: It’s like lookin’ at a scary monster. I’ll pass on the food, though. Yuri: ...You already met him. - 296: Estellise’s Cooking Practice - Rita: Hey Estelle, you’ve been doing most of the cooking. You could let the guys cook every now and then. Estelle: No, it’s fine! The more I cook, the better I get. Judith: That’s true. Cooking is something you get used to. I think your cooking has really improved. Estelle: Thanks, Judith! I’m happy that I have your seal of approval. Every day I shred two vegetables, julienne one, and chiffonade two more. Guess it was worth it. Karol: You didn’t have to do all that... Right, Yuri? Yuri: Yeah. It’s a waste of veggies. Rita: I think you missed the point. Estelle: No, it’s okay. Repede’s been eating all of the vegetables for me, besides the onions. Yuri: Repede!! Repede: ...*Whine* Judith: Ahh, I thought Repede was getting a little pudgy. Raven: Ya, his attacks in battle’ve been leavin’ a bit ta be desired, too. Yuri: Repede, you’ve gotta learn how to say no to food... - 297: Today, Yesterday, the Day Before That... - Karol: Food’s ready, everybody! Estelle: Umm, Karol... Isn’t this the same thing you made yesterday? Rita: Not just yesterday, but the day before and the day before that, too! Raven: Ya must like this a lot ta be makin’ it all the time, huh? Karol: That’s right! I like it so much I could eat it every day! Raven: Ol’ Raven prefers a more refined, mature taste. Karol: Since I’m always cooking, I figured it was my right to make what I like to eat. Yuri: Well, that’s a good point. Rita: Hold on! You’re seriously okay with eating the same thing every day forever? Yuri: I’m happy just to have something to eat. Karol’s cooking isn’t half bad, either. Karol: Thanks, Yuri. I can’t wait to make delicious food tomorrow, too! Raven: So tomorrow’ll be the same as today, then? Judith: It looks that way. Too bad... Estelle: I’m worried that this will be bad for our nutrition. Rita: Don’t bother making any of the same stuff for me! I’d rather go hungry. Karol: You know, you could all just do some cooking yourselves for once... - 298: “It” - Rita: Hey, what’s with making me do all the cooking?! Raven: Ah, perhaps you’ve gotten better and ya finally came to enjoy cookin’? Rita: No way! Cooking is a pain, and it’s a waste of time, too! The point of eating is to restore your energy, right? Just eat some bread or a banana or something! Yuri: What, you want us to just eat the ingredients raw? Karol: I remember Rita serving a sandwich that was just two pieces of bread with a raw egg in between... Judith: A raw egg? How original! Raven: Hey, don’t get any ideas, now! Rita: Make me cook again...and I’ll put “it” in the food. Raven: Put what in the food? Rita: Something I’ve been saving for a special occasion. Judith: Ooh, that sounds interesting. Karol: Judith, don’t encourage her! Rita: Don’t you dare make me cook next time! Estelle: Aww, and I wanted to try what Rita was saving for a special occasion... Karol: Estelle, I don’t think you do... - 299: The Old Man’s Cooking - Raven: Don’t ya think ya’ve made ol’ Raven cook enough lately? Come on, somebody switch with me! Rita: You’re kidding. No way. Estelle: You’re a better cook than I am, too... Please, keep up the good work. Yuri: It’s all you. Judith: I like your cooking! Raven: Why won’t anybody trade places with me?! Karol: Maybe there’s a good reason for that? And besides, your cooking tastes good. Raven: Well, I’m sure yer happy with that, but I don’t wanna do it! Rita: So you shouldn’t have to cook just because you don’t want to? How selfish can you get? Raven: ...Selfish? You’re one ta talk! Yuri: But cooking the food yourself is a good way to avoid forgetting when you last ate, don’t you think? Raven: True, true, lately my memory’s been jus’ horrib-- Wait a sec, my memory’s not THAT bad! *Sigh* Just how much of an old fart do you think I am...? - 300: Poor, Little, Helpless Men - Estelle: Judith, we’re always making you do the cooking for us... You don’t mind? Yuri: Would you like us to help out every now and then? Judith: No, that’s okay. Cooking’s fun. Of course, we can switch if you don’t like my cooking... Karol: No, we love your cooking! I could never get tired of it! Raven: Indeed. It brings back memories of long ago... It’s the sorta cookin’ I could eat every day. Judith: Heh heh, that makes me so happy! That’s the sort of cooking I’ve been trying for. It’d be nice if someday you thought to yourself, “Gee, I sure would like some of Judith’s cooking.” Yuri: Yeah, I wouldn’t mind having this again. Rita: ...Careful, boys. Just in case you haven’t caught on, she’s taming you. ((guys are shocked)) Karol: What?! Judith: Oh my, looks like I’ve been found out. Raven: Heh, heh... ((kinda upset)) Bein’ tamed, huh? Yuri: I’m not sure I can resist... - 301: Hot Food, Hot Sun - ((everyone looks like they’re in pain/extremely hot)) Rita: Who the hell decided to pan-fry noodles in the middle of a searing hot desert? Estelle: People should really give more thought to these decisions... Yuri: ((practically yelling)) Yeah. And it’s not just hot--this strong taste really dries out your throat, too! Repede: Woof, woof woof. Judith: I feel like the more I eat, the weaker I get... Yuri: I can’t stop sweating. Damn it, I can’t stop!! ((Raven starts walking in)) Karol: Yuri, you’re more worked up than usual... Raven: ...Let’s just say ya owe us one, boss. Yuri: Owe you one? Raven: I see what yer doin’, getting’ all worked up. Ya said yourself yesterday that ya wanted some noodles. So did ya make ‘em yerself? Did ya ask someone else ta do it? Hmm? Yuri: ...Sorry. I guess fried noodles really aren’t good for eating in the desert. Repede: ...*Whine* - 302: The Cold is Fatal - Rita: Who the hell thought it’d be a good idea to make s-s-sorbet in this freezing weather... Karol: It’s s-s-so cold, my t-t-teeth are chattering too much to eat... Judith: I think sorbet can be delicious even in the cold. Rita: So it was you! Judith: I was just expressing my opinion... I never said it was me! Karol: J-J-Judith, you’re all right eating sorbet d-d-dressed like that? Raven: If ya get...an upset stomach, Judy...I’ll give ya a massage! Rita: Th-th-that’s hardly something you should be saying, with our p-p-purple lips and your runny nose! Yuri: Rita, can you...cast spells...like that? Rita: P-p-probably not... My t-t-teeth are chattering too much... Karol: And my hands are t-t-too stiff to hold my weapons! Yuri: Eating sorbet...in a frigid cold field of snow... Th-th-this is not fun... - 303: Not Too Sharp... - Karol: Ugh... This is terrible. Yuri: Did you follow the recipe? There are ingredients in this food that really shouldn’t be in it. Estelle: Actually, I haven’t seen our recipe book around recently... Raven: Yeah, I wonder where it went. Rita: Recipe book...? Is this it, by any chance? Judith: Rita, you had it? Rita: No wonder it seemed so flimsy and weak. Karol: You were using it as a weapon...? Rita: Someone replaced my book with this thing. It’s not my fault nobody noticed the recipes were gone. Yuri: Well, I can’t argue with you there. Judith: We don’t have very many recipes either... Maybe we should have some more interest in cooking. - 304: Imperial Chef - Estelle: Yuri, the food you cooked was so delicious! It might even be better than the chef’s in the castle! Repede: Woof! Yuri: Flattery will get you nowhere, you know. Estelle: Yuri, how about you become a cook in the castle? I’ll write you a recommendation! Repede: Woof, woof. Yuri: You really know how to compliment a guy, Estelle. Estelle: You would have to do something with your hair, though. The kitchen staff is very strict. Yuri: ((nervous)) Just how serious are you. -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- VI. Chat -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- - 305: Yuri’s Life - Karol: Hey, Yuri, where in the lower quarter do you sleep? It’s not under a bridge or something, is it? Yuri: What do you think I am? Repede: *Whine*... Rita: All right, so where did you live? Yuri: I stayed at an inn after I left the Imperial Knights. The innkeeper is really nice and said I could stay there if I didn’t have anywhere else to go. Karol: I’m finally starting to get a real image of you living in the lower quarter. Rita: Yeah, I can just see you bumming around down there. Yuri: Gee, thanks. Repede: *Whine*... - 306: History of the Hold - Estelle: I wonder when Deidon Hold was originally built. Yuri: From the looks of it, it’s already seen several decades’ worth of wear and tear. Raven: People were already taking it for granted when ol’ Raven was just li’l Raven. Karol: There was this guild I used to be in, and the leader was this really, really old guy... He once told me that Deidon Hold was built back when his grandfather was a little kid. Yuri: That’d make it a least a hundred years old, huh. Estelle: So that makes the Lord of the Plains over a hundred years old. He must be an amazing man. Yuri: I don’t know. “He” might be she... Karol: Yuri, I think you missed the point... - 307: Unlucky Star - Yuri: So, this Lord of the Plains isn’t always prowling around? Estelle: Someone in the Hold said that he only appears just before the rainy season. Yuri: Huh. So he changes habitats depending on the season. I guess we must’ve come to the Hold at a bad time before. Estelle: It looks that way. Normally, the Hold leaves their gates open. Yuri: But not now, of course. Man, I must’ve been born under a really unlucky star... - 308: A Rose By Any Other Name - Estelle: Do you know how Halure’s tree got its name? Yuri: Huh? There’s a reason for that? Estelle: Yes. It comes from the three types of plants growing on the tree. Those plants are the harmonea, the luluria, and renen. The beginnings of their names make “Halure”. Karol: Wow, you learn something new every day... Yuri: Karol, you hadn’t heard that before? Karol: Plants aren’t really my specialty. - 309: Origin of the Academic City - Estelle: Aspio was originally built in order to research the giant blastia excavated from the mountain here, wasn’t it? Rita: Right. At first it was just a small research outpost, but as more people came here it turned into a full-fledged city. Now there are people in Aspio doing research on all sorts of topics, not just the giant blastia. Yuri: And you’re one of those new researcher, right? Rita: Yep, and proud of it! - 310: The Sea Breeze - Estelle: The breeze that blows in a port city makes everything feel so different. It smells like the sea. Rita: Stand in the ocean wind too long and you’ll get covered in salt, you know. Estelle: ...Thank you for ruining my mood. Rita: Hey, feel free to get all sticky and gross! I won’t stop you. - 311: Yuri’s Worry - Yuri: I guess the Empire likes to throw its weight around no matter where you go. Before I left the capital, I didn’t know--or care--about anything besides the lower quarter... Repede: ...*Whine* Karol: It’s not everywhere, but I feel like the Empire’s influence is especially strong on Ilyccia. They can do whatever they want since there aren’t any major guilds on Ilyccia. Yuri: We can’t just let it stay this way... Repede: Woof. - 312: Torim, the Center of Trade - Rita: Torim feels a lot more like a port city than Nor did, don’t you think? Estelle: Yes, it’s lively, and the port is full of ships. Karol: That’s because Torim is run by Fortune’s Market. They control shipping all over the world. I’m pretty sure Fortune’s Market has their headquarters in Torim. Yuri: I guess business can keep a city running if people want it to. I never would’ve thought of that. - 313: Three in One - Estelle: The two barrier blastia of this city and Nor harbor were originally a single blastia. Yuri: Did you read that in one of your books back in the castle? Estelle: Yes. Actually, there were three pieces. The last piece sunk in the sea between the two cities. Raven: I wonder if you could raise that blastia. And if you sold it, you could live like a king forever! Yuri: The Empire would’ve already done it if they could. Any idiot could come up with that idea. Raven: ...You don’t have to be mean about it. - 314: People are Different - Estelle: There was a huge waterfall at one end of town! Did you see it, Yuri? It was magnificent, powerful, and really quite beautiful... I could almost see a rainbow over it! Yuri: Yeah, I saw it. It could come in handy having all that fresh water nearby. You might not even need a aque blastia with something like that. Karol: Estelle saw the waterfall as something pretty, but Yuri saw it as something useful... Raven: That’s different standards of livin’ for ya. - 315: Leader of a Hundred Guilds - Yuri: How many guilds are there in this city? Karol: I don’t know the exact number, but I think there are more than a hundred. Yuri: Whoa, that many? Are all of them in the Union? Repede: Woof?! Karol: Nah, not all of them, but... I’d guess around 90% of them are Union members. Yuri: Wow, and the Don’s at the top of them all... That guy’s amazing. Karol: That’s why he’s the Don! Rita: What are YOU so proud about? The Don’s the amazing one, not you. - 316: The Fifth Master Guild - Estelle: Altosk, Fortune’s Market, Ruin’s Gate, and the Blood Alliance... Huh, that makes us one short. Yuri: Huh? What are you talking about? Estelle: The Union’s five master guilds. We’ve dealt with four of them, but not the last one... Yuri: Oh. Hey, I don’t think I even know the last one’s name... Hey, Karol. What’s the last guild called? Karol: Ah, that’d be the blacksmithing guild, the Soul Smiths. Yuri: Huh. I didn’t know they had a guild for that, too. Karol: You’ve probably used swords forged by the Soul Smiths without even knowing it. You’ve seen weapons embossed with an iron hammer, right? That’s their guild emblem. Yuri: Oh, yeah, the innkeeper where I used to stay had a kitchen knife with something like that on it. - 317: What Are We Here For? - Estelle: A town with a coliseum sure attracts a lot of different kinds of people, doesn’t it? Judith: Yes, people are here for all sorts of reasons. Some come to fight, some come to watch. Rita: Then there’s people like us, too. Estelle: I wonder what other people think when they see us on the streets? Judith: Well, I’d say they think we’re here for the fights... Rita: Maybe for you and Yuri, but I couldn’t imagine Estelle as a gladiator if my life depended on it. Karol: What about me? Rita: Hmm...a lost child? Karol: Hey! Raven: Well then, what about ol’... Nevermind. I know where this is goin’. - 318: A Barrier in an Oasis - Yuri: Why would someone set up a barrier in a place like this? Estelle: Actually, they discovered the blastia at the bottom on the oasis, and have just been using it as is. A nice person in town told me that. Judith: And with it sunk in the oasis, no one could move it, so I guess they had to leave it where it was. Rita: No one would trudge out into a scorching wasteland like this just to set up a barrier. Yuri: Ah, that explains it. Guess there’s a reason for everything. - 319: Likes and Dislikes - Rita: Yormgen and Mantaic are totally different. It’s much cooler here. Maybe it’s the ocean... Raven: But it seems boring. I wonder what the folks here do for fun. Judith: I kind of like it. This kind of calm, quiet village suits me. I can’t stand loud people. Yuri: Ohhhh. That’s gotta hurt, old man. Raven: She was talking about the town, not about me! Judith: Hmm, maybe... Raven: D-do you really hate me that much? - 320: A Town Without a Barrier - Karol: I had no idea there were villages in the middle of the Sands of Kogorh. Raven: I’m impressed they’ve managed ta live here without a barrier to protect ‘em. Yuri: They don’t even have outer walls. Any monster could destroy this village easy. I don’t feel like I could get a good night’s sleep in a place like this. Repede: *Whine* Estelle: I do wonder how they handle the danger of wild monsters. Karol: I guess everyone in town is just really strong! Rita: ...Could you be any more stupid? Repede: *Whine*... - 321: A Long, Long Time Ago - Estelle: A book in the warehouse said this city rose into the air at the end of the Geraios civilization. Rita: Hmmm, so that would mean it was on land before that happened? Estelle: That part wasn’t clear, but I think the city was probably floating on the ocean until then. Karol: Oh, so that’s why it got eaten by a giant jellyfish... Estelle: I don’t think that’s quite what happened... - 322: The Dawn of a New Town - Estelle: There’s no place to sleep! How inconvenient... Karol: And there’s no barrier, either... Yuri: Well, people are pretty tough. They should manage as long as monsters don’t attack. Estelle: Maybe you’re right... Raven: Course he’s right. Everyone’ll have their dream home built in no time. You’ll see. Judith: Even without a barrier, I’m sure they can fend off monsters with the knights and everyone banding together. Estelle: So this is what the birth of a town looks like. ...How exciting! - 323: The Hero of a New Town - Rita: It used to be just bare land, but it’s starting to look like a real town now. Estelle: It looks like they’re building more and more houses, too. Karol: Yeah. Look on that roof over there. That’s the master carpenter of the carpenter’s guild. He heard about Aurnion, and came with all his tools and apprentices to help. He even refused to take money for it. He’s so generous! Raven: Hmm, looks like the manly carpenters are out in full force! Rita: You could learn a thing or two from them. - 324: A Town Grows Ever Stronger - Estelle: This town has grown into quite a wonderful place. Yuri: Sure has. I can’t believe it’s a real city now. Repede: WOOF! Karol: All the refugees look happy, too. Even with all the danger left in our world. Yuri: They’re strong. They’ve figured out complaining doesn’t get anything done. And that’s not a bad thing to figure out. Repede: Woof. Estelle: Yes, I agree. - 325: Something’s Not Right - Estelle: This may be a silly question, but what exactly is this town? Rita: Yeah... Writing I’ve never seen before, strange buildings... Something’s not right here... Judith: I’ve traveled all over with Ba’ul, but I’ve never seen a place like this before. Yuri: Maybe it’s related to some sort of guild activities? Karol: I dunno... I’ve never heard of a guild like this. Raven: Well, so what? There nothin’ better than a mysterious town every once in a while! - 326: Not Exactly Warm - Karol: The Fount of Warmth is like this phantom guild that people have only heard stories about. I never thought I’d see it with my own eyes. Yuri: A phantom guild, huh... Estelle: If they’re a guild, then they must have their own rules and purpose, right? Karol: The stories I’ve heard say their purpose is to provide the best service to their customers. Rumor has it that any member who’s rude to a customer must immediately take their own life. ((the others are, understandably, rather freaked out by this)) Rita: For how relaxed this place is, their rules sure are strict. - 327: On the Run - Estelle: Yuri, you were a knight once, right? Yuri: Didn’t you already say you heard about me from Flynn? Estelle: ...Well, it’s just...you don’t seem to know your way around the castle well... *Gasp*... Are you an imposter?! Yuri: That’s some imagination you’ve got. Why would I want to impersonate a regular guy from the lower quarter? Estelle: I-I guess you’re right... Yuri: Come on, let’s go before we’re caught by the castle guards. - 328: Is This the Curse? - Estelle: We can’t seem to find our way through this forest at all. Oh! Could this be the curse?! What should we do, Yuri?! There really was a curse after all! Yuri: Don’t be stupid... Estelle: Or...do you not have a good sense of direction? Yuri: No, of course I do...I think... Estelle: Then maybe it’s my fault...?! What should we do...? Yuri: They say no medicine can cure a fool, but I wish something could cure a bad sense of direction... Repede: *Whine*... - 329: Nothing to Worry About - Estelle: Hmm... If that ceiling collapsed, we’d be buried alive. Karol: Wh-what are you saying stuff like that for, Estelle?! What if that really happened? Rita: Come on, don’t be such a wimp. These ruins are made of stronger stuff than that. ((sounds of something crashing, scaring everyone (except Yuri))) Karol: Ahhh!! ((Yuri starts grinning)) Karol: Estelle, now the ceiling’s going to collapse because you were talking about it! ...Huh? Yuri: Oh, sorry. I just stubbed my toe on a rock. Rita: ...You did that on purpose, didn’t you? Estelle: Yuri... You’re mean... Karol: C-come on, let’s hurry and finish up what we’re doing so we can get out of these ruins! - 330: Can We Finally Meet Flynn? - Estelle: I hope we’ll finally be able to meet Flynn when we get to Nor Harbor. Yuri: I get the feeling we’ll miss him again... Karol: He could be passing by the foot of the hill right now, headed back to the capital... Estelle: But Flynn left us a letter! I’m sure he’s waiting for us! Yuri: We’ll see... Rita: Why do we have to take such a convoluted path through this place, anyway? Karol: It’s your fault! Rita: H-how was I supposed to help that...?! Quit blaming other people and let’s get moving! Otherwise we’ll end up missing him for sure! Estelle: R-right. Let’s hurry to Nor Harbor. - 331: Estelle, The Historian - Estelle: ((wandering around)) Wow... These buildings are from the late Ellicasm civilization! It must be a very old town. Yuri: You seem to know a lot about these things...as always. Estelle: It’s such a shame they just let the city fall apart like this... ((continues to wander and explore the ruins)) Rita: Do you really think we’re in any position to be sightseeing around this moldy old city? Yuri: We do have things we need to be doing... Rita: Then shouldn’t we be focusing on them instead of this little tour? Estelle: Oh wow... That round roof is using the Lian method, first developed by Emperor Heliorus IV! Rita: But I guess we should do something about that first... Yuri: Yeah. - 332: Built Like a Maze - Estelle: ((wandering around)) Hmmmm, how interesting... Karol: Estelle looks as interested in cities as always... Yuri: Estelle! C’mon, let’s stick together! Estelle: I’m fine! Yuri: The buildings are run-down, it’s overgrown, and this place is seriously built like a maze. ((Estelle leaves the group in her continued exploration)) Rita: With all these obstacles in the way, it’s pretty tough to go where you want to go. Karol: Huh...? Estelle?! ((Yuri and Rita, finally noticing she’s gone too, are shocked/worried)) Estelle: ((comes running back)) Sorry, I got sidetracked! Yuri: I thought I just said to stick together! Rita: You all need to be more careful. I’ve never seen anyone get lost so easily! - 333: The Forest of Bugs - Karol: ...Hey, can we get out of this forest sometime...soon? Estelle: Is something the matter? You look nervous, Karol. Karol: N-no way! Wh-what are you talking about? Yuri: Whoa, check out this weird bug! I’ve never seen on this gross before. ((walks away a bit to the bug)) Raven: And yet ya don’t mind pickin’ it up like that? Yuri: Hey, Karol, any idea what kind of bug this is? ((walks over to Karol)) Karol: ((moving away)) ...Keep that thing away from me?! Estelle: What’s the matter...? Karol: Huh? It’s just...that poor bug, being manhandled like that! Let it go! It wants to be free! Rita: ...Really...? Karol: Really...! Yuri: ...Hmmm... - 334: Lead On, Old Man - Karol: Man... I wish we could get out of here already... Raven: Don’t get so flustered, boy. We’ll get outta here nice and easy, ya’ll see. Rita: Not everyone leads a carefree life of unicorns and rainbows like you, you know! Raven: Life is a lot like this forest... Winding paths, intertwinin’. Ahh, this forest is really relaxin’. Yuri: C’mon, let’s leave our philosopher behind and get a move on. Raven: Listen ta what I have ta say! Yuri: So you mean we’re lost in the forest of life? Raven: Oh ho, so ya get what I’m sayin’...? Estelle: Before we find our way out of the forest of life, we need to find our way out of this one... Raven: I’ll lead. ((everyone else, not listening, starts leaving him behind)) I have found direction in this life more times than—((notices that everyone is now gone)) Hey, wait! I’m not done yet...! ((quickly follows after them)) - 335: Fun With Numbers - Estelle: That makes thirty-five... Yuri: Huh? What do you mean? Estelle: We’ve seen thirty-five gears so far. Rita: You’ve been counting the gears...? Talk about laid back. Estelle: I-I’m sorry, I just...felt like counting them. Yuri: You’re really meticulous, you know that? Estelle: Heh heh heh... Rita: You know that wasn’t a compliment, right...? Yuri: Anyway, let’s keep moving. I wouldn’t want Estelle to get too bored. Estelle: Oh, i-it’s not that I was particularly bored... - 336: The Other Side of the Mirror - Yuri: Hmmm... There’s something about this mirror... Repede: Woof! Yuri: It almost gives you the feeling there’s a room hidden on the other side of the glass... Repede: Whine... Yuri: Okay, I hear you. Don’t get sidetracked, right? Alright, let’s get serious and keep moving. - 337: A Terrified Little Girl - Rita: ((shuddering gasp; looking terrified))...... Estelle: Rita, are you okay? Rita: What do you mean? Of course I’m okay... That’s why I’m gonna get outta here right now... Raven: Aww, but we worked so hard ta get here! We should take our time and soak in the atmosphere! Rita: We can’t take our time here!! I-I have the important mission of investigating the aer situation... It’s not like there’s any other reason I’d want to leave here... Raven: Ack, a strange face on the other side of the mirror...! Rita: Eek... Er, uh, n-no, it can’t be...! Judith: I feel kind of sorry for her. Come on, let’s finish what we came to do...for Rita’s sake. Estelle: Yes, that might be best... - 338: Going and Coming - Judith: What’s with you, Karol? You’ve been nervous for a while now. Yuri: Come on, we’ll lose Regaey if we don’t hurry up! Karol: B-but, there might be dangerous monsters in there... Rita: What are you talking about?! We can’t just take this sitting down! Estelle: We can’t let him have that box, Karol! Raven: I’m just a little, tiny, eensy-weensy bit curious as ta why he took that box. So let’s find out! Repede: Woof! Yuri: I don’t know if you all are brave or crazy... Karol: I guess I’m outvoted...? Rita: Argh, I’ve had enough of this! I’ll blast away Regaey AND the monsters! Let’s go! - 339: Going... Going... - Karol: Hey, I’ve kind of got something important to say. Rita: What a coincidence. I had something I wanted to say, too. Karol/Rita: Let’s get out of this desert! Raven: Is that all ya got ta say? I think we should be enjoyin’ this hot, sandy landscape, myself... Estelle: How could you possibly enjoy this...? We have to get out of this desert... Yuri: Let’s hurry and get out of here... Raven: Judith, back me up here...! Judith: We need to get out of here... Raven: Hey! How pathetic... I guess we oughta hurry up an’ decide whether ta go back or press on... - 340: Gone...? - Karol: Sand and bones, cacti and treasure chests, the sky and the wind and the sun and... Judith: It just keeps going on and on... Repede: ...*Whine*... Yuri: At least we got a clear view of what’s around us... Raven: Talk tough all ya want, but...it’s pretty obvious ya kids aren’t doing too well. Just ‘cause ya got a clear view doesn’t mean ya can’t get lost. Rita: We’re not lost... Yuri: But you know...I’ll pass on us going missing while we’re trying to find something... Repede: Woof. Judith: But turning back now would be...a big pain, wouldn’t it? Karol: We might be in trouble...if we don’t go back... Raven: Don’t ya think we should make a decision soon, before things get any worse? - 341: Leviathan’s Claw HQ - Yuri: I wonder what they were thinking, building a big manor out in the middle of nowhere like this. Raven: Isn’t it obvious? Crooked plots and intrigue! Estelle: We should hurry and finish what we need to do before we get caught up in anything. Raven: It’s not so bad here, Estelle. Why not take our time and get the full tour? Yuri: Are you thinking of exposing some “crooked plots and intrigue” while we’re here? Raven: Nah, I wasn’t thinking about any of that. Being in someone’s home is just so relaxin’, is all. Rita: I can’t believe you... Yuri: We don’t have time for this. We’re going on ahead, old man. ((starts leaving, the other two following him)) Raven: No, no, wait fer meee... - 342: A Sentimental Landscape - Raven: The hole in this mountain is like the hole in my heart... Ahh... How my chest aches... Yuri: Getting all sentimental on us, Old Man? Raven: Nah, it’s just memories of the war. I’d appreciate it if we didn’t spend too much time here. Rita: Stop being such a coward. Raven: Ohh, that hurts, Rita. Rita: The only way to get past a bad memory is to embrace it. Yuri: Sounds like you’re speaking from experience. Rita: Not really. I was just generalizing. Anyway, you want to hurry, right? Then let’s go. Raven: Our little genius mage is more mature than she looks. - 343: A Map of the Shrine - Judith: It’s so boring looking at the same types of rooms over and over again. Karol: No way! When you make a map, you realize how everything’s laid out! It’s really interesting! Repede: *Whine*...? Rita: Would you say you’re happy so long as you’re making a map? Karol: Yeah! Nothing calls to a man’s heart like the thrill of making maps! Yuri: I’ve never had that thrill. I just need a map to show me where I’m supposed to go. Repede: Woof! ((Yuri quickly grabs the map out of Karol’s hands)) Karol: Hey, wait! I still haven’t written down all of the places where you can find monsters...! - 344: The Guide - Karol: Are we going to keep going, or what? Yuri: Yeah, we should. Or are we lost? Rita: That’s impossible. We have a map, right? Yuri: Well, it’s useless if we can’t read it. So, Captain, you’re drawing the map. Which way do we go? Karol: Let’s see, this way’s north, so that would put us... Uh...? Judith: ((walks over to him)) We’re here. North is the other way. Yuri: Nice! Judith, you’re amazing. Rita: And the mapmaker is useless. Karol: Huh...? L-looks like I’m not so good at making maps indoors... Heh, heh heh... Yuri: That’s not as funny as you think it is. Come on, let’s go. - 345: Crude Aesthetics - Yuri: Hey, does this place look half-finished to you? Raven: Not really. Why do ya say that? Yuri: Look at it! There are still boards lying all over the place! Raven: Huh? But that’s the ideal! Don’t you get it? Yuri: No, I don’t. Raven: This is the essence of simplicity! Bare walls and pipes stickin’ out every which way... Yuri: I have a feeling the “essence of simplicity” is something a little different... Rita: In other words, it’s good enough so long as it works, right? Raven: Once again, our genius mage shows her lack of appreciation fer beauty and fine subtleties! ((moves down, apparently pointing at the walls)) I mean, look, really look, at this rusty wire mesh! Isn’t it nice? Yuri: I’m going to go crazy if I have to listen to any more of the old man’s lessons in aesthetics... Rita: Can’t we just ignore him and keep moving? - 346: The Land of Ice - Raven: Oooooh... In this cold, we’re gonna freeze in no time! Yuri: In that case, we should move more to get warmer. Either that or get to a warmer place. Raven: Either way, if we hold still, we’re done for! Yuri: Yeah, but if we wander around too much, we could use up all our energy and collapse. Raven: Then it sounds like we need to do what we came to do and get outta here. Repede: WOOF! Raven: The pooch seems just fine in all this cold... - 347: Ice Drifts - Karol: Is it me, or is the ground around here changing? Yuri: It’s because they’re ice drifts. They move on the water and change how the ground looks. Karol: Wait, so if we don’t get out of here soon, the path could shift and leave us stranded? Rita: It’s certainly possible. Raven: Yeah, but then we could use the block of ice ta float merrily across the sea! Yuri: Yeah, you do that, old man. Raven: I’m not kiddin’! Stick with me! It’ll be fun! Yuri: I’m not cut out for fun. Raven: Oh, all right. I don’t wanna be stuck on top of a block of ice with a spoilsport, anyway! Let’s go. Yuri: Yeah, yeah. - 348: Nice and Normal - Yuri: No matter how far we walk, it looks like... just a regular forest. Judith: That it does. Karol: But there’s something nice about a normal forest. Bubbling brooks, rolling hills, green trees... It’s kind of soothing. ((music note)) Judith: What a nice perspective to have, Karol. Raven: Sometimes it’s easy ta get distracted by yer worries and forget what’s really important. Yuri: Yeah yeah trees water forest, it’s great. Can we go? ((walks off)) Karol: I don’t think Yuri’s into this... - 349: Mental Work is...Work - Karol: Urgh... I can’t figure this out... Man, what a pain... Estelle: Why would anyone bother to set up such complicated mechanisms on the ocean floor...? Yuri: It’s a common way to keep intruders out. Rita: The Shaikos Ruins were the same way. Places only certain people could enter, that kind of stuff. Estelle: So only people who know the correct steps can enter? Yuri: Exactly. But if we rack our brains a little we should be able to figure it out. Karol: So why haven’t we figured it out yet? Yuri: You tell us, Captain! You’re the master puzzle-solver. Karol: Wha...?! Since when?! Yuri: Since now. So put on your thinking cap and figure this out! Karol: Agggh... I can’t believe this... - 350: Just a Little? - Rita: The dog’s looking a little spooked. Repede: ((nervous/angry)) Woof! Yuri: Why do you look so happy, Rita? Rita: Who, me? Yuri: Repede being scared makes you happy, huh. Rita: I have no idea what you’re talking about. Repede: *Whine* Yuri: He’s just not too good with water, okay? Being at the bottom of the ocean is a little tough on him. Repede: Woof. Rita: A “little” tough, huh... - 351: So Sparkly - Estelle: It feels so mysterious here, almost like a fantasy novel... I like it here... Karol: Are you serious...? Yuri: It’d be even nicer if these sparkling crystals weren’t hurting my eyes so much. Estelle: Oh, I’ve already gotten used to that. Rita: ...Hmmm? Now that you mention it, it’s not really bothering me, either. Yuri: I guess I’m okay with it. Raven: Huh? Yeah, me too... Karol: What? You mean I’m the only one who’s still getting blinded here...? Yuri: All right, let’s get back to the task at hand. I don’t wanna be here any longer than we have to. ((starts to leave)) Estelle: Hee hee, I’m ready for more! ((Estelle, Rita, and Raven follow after Yuri)) Karol: ...I feel so left out... Judith: *giggle* ...... - 352: Negative Zone? - Karol: This sure is a lonely place... Rita: It’s just rocks and mountains, and the wind just sounds so lonely... Estelle: It feels more desolate the longer we’re here... Yuri: Let’s finish up here and get out soon. Judith: But the sun is so warm, and feels so nice... Rita: Well, aren’t you optimistic... Judith: Oh? But, this is the perfect time for a picnic. Raven: Maybe we are lucky ta have sunshine. I mean, it looks like there could be a sandstorm any moment... Yuri: I guess we were letting the atmosphere get to us. Come on, it’s not so bad. Estelle: Yes, let’s keep going! Rita: They sure cheered up quick. - 353: An Ancient Relic - Karol: We’re so high... I wonder how much farther we’ll have to climb... Judith: Yes. I’ve never even flown this high with Ba’ul. Yuri: To think that this is a weapon to beat the Adephagos... Repede: *Whine* Rita: The Geraios civilization was even greater than I thought... Karol: But we’re the ones who have to beat the Adephagos! Yuri: Yeah, we’ll be in for trouble if we leave things up to Duke. Let’s hurry. - 354: Getting Lost - Karol: Did people really live in this place? I don’t know where we’re supposed to go next... Yuri: It’s like the place is made to confuse us. Judith: It was probably built according to a plan at first. But after all sorts of little improvements, it ended up being the tangled city that it is. Rita: Isn’t it strange that such an advanced civilization would have such haphazard planning? Estelle: ...Maybe they were so advanced that the plans couldn’t keep up with the rate of progress? Judith: Perhaps they thought technology just a few years old was outdated, and changed their plans. Yuri: There’s no use making guesses about what happened to a lost civilization. Let’s keep going. Judith: You’re not interested in figuring out how that lost civilization kept from getting lost? Yuri: ((big picture)) We men will make a path! Karol: ((big picture)) That’s right! Judith: Oh please... Rita: So go ahead. Lead the way. - 355: Not as Bad as I Thought - Yuri: The area outside the barrier isn’t quite as bad as I thought it would be. Repede: Woof. Estelle: But it’s like I read... Outside the barrier, there are monsters everywhere. It’s so dangerous! Yuri: Oh yeah? Think about all the knights going to all the cities of the world! This is nothing. Repede: Woof, woof. Estelle: But a lot of people hardly ever go out of the city, like you, Yuri. Yuri: And some people never even go out of the castle... - 356: Invisible Fur - Karol: I knew there was an ice drift north of Ilyccia, but I never thought I’d walk across it! Yuri: Well, it’s nice to have the experience, but I don’t think I ever want to cross that place again. Judith: Oh, why’s that? Karol: Huh? Don’t tell me you want to go back to that freezing icebox again! Judith: Why not? I thought it was a very beautiful place! Isn’t that right, Repede? Repede: Woof! Yuri: I can’t believe Judy can stand this cold in that outfit. Karol: Maybe she’s got fur like Repede? ((both boys lean in closer to Judith, trying to see if she does)) Judith: Hm? ((big picture)) Heh heh, you boys look as if you’ve never seen a girl before. ((the two blush and back off, looking away)) - 357: Wishy Washy & Gloomy - Rita: This rain is so gloomy. I wonder if it’ll ever let up. Karol: Tolbyccia is in the tropics, so it hardly ever stops raining here. Estelle: You know, I read about Tolbyccia in a book once. They say that all of the rainfall makes for an unusually high diversity of plants and animals. Yuri: Who cares about that stuff? I’m with Rita. Karol: I was born and raised in Tolbyccia, so this is nothing for me. Rita: Ahh, okay. That makes perfect sense! A place like this suits a wishy- washy, ((moves closer to Karol, who backs up)) gloomy ((moves closer again)) person like yourself pretty well. ((Yuri and Estelle start to leave)) Karol: Huh? Do I really seem that emo...? - 358: The Island of Crystals - Yuri: Gusios must have incredible power. The Entelexeia are amazing. Estelle: Do you mean all of the crystals everywhere? Karol: It’s unbelievable. There used to be nothing here, and now there’s an entire island. Judith: I think there are a lot of factors besides Gusios’s power that made it this big. Rita: It was probably aer, ocean currents, and elemental spirits that were kept in reverse barriers. Raven: So ya think all those came together and formed an island of crystals in a short time? Estelle: What an amazing ability, to be able to make something so beautiful... Judith: Gusios probably continued to make crystals to protect his own body. Yuri: Well, the crystal island itself won’t get any bigger than this, though. - 359: The Map Lover - Rita: I’d heard stories about it, but man, they sure picked a spot for a coliseum. Estelle: It’s at the tip of the continent of Desier, after all. Yuri: Now that you mention it, this continent has a pretty strange shape. I wonder why it’s shaped the way it is? Karol: Hmm, I’ll bet we might figure out why if we walked all the way around it. Yuri: That’s our map lover, Captain Karol! ...I don’t love maps. Rita: No no. Don’t be shy! It’s a wonderful hobby. Karol: Ugh... That doesn’t sound like a compliment at all... - 360: Dealing With the Heat - Rita: So hot... Estelle: There’s no shade or anything... Karol: ...Agh... Ohh... Yuri: What’s the matter, Captain Karol? Judith: Maybe it’s so hot he can’t speak...? Raven: You’re already pooped? Tch tch tch. Weak. And, yer all so much younger than me! Rita: Would you shut up...? Estelle: Aren’t you hot under that thick coat, Raven? Raven: Nah, this clothing is kinda special. Karol: L-let me borrow it... Raven: Ah, my boy, if yer really sufferin’ that much, I’ll gladly lend ya my stinky, sweaty clothin’. Karol: ...Never mind. Yuri: The heat is at least better than your stench, old man! - 361: The Promise of Hypionia - Yuri: Thanks to Flynn, it seems like everyone in the town has settled into their lives here quite nicely. Repede: *Woof* Estelle: It has the same climate as the capital. That might make it easier for them to live in the town. Judith: And people lived on this continent before everyone came with Flynn. The land was for humans. Yuri: It’ll be nice if more and more people come to live on Hypionia. Raven: Exactly. Home is where the heart is. Karol: I wouldn’t mind living here myself... Repede: *Woof* - 362: Too High for Others? - Karol: Wow, I can’t believe we’re walking around on a never-before-explored continent! Yuri: Who could make it up here? Even we wouldn’t be up here if it weren’t for Ba’ul. Estelle: Yes, that’s true. I think that’s why there’s no record of it in any histories. Karol: We’re walking around on a really high place. Yuri: The fog’s so thick, you can’t even see the ground from on top of the cliffs! Raven: Ooh, scary! Judith: One wrong move, and we could find ourselves falling straight down those cliffs! Karol/Rita: *gasp* ! Raven: There’s no hope of surviving a fall like that... Heh, we’d better walk carefully. Rita: ((shuddering gasp, terrified)) ... - 363: Beautiful Coral? - Judith: Hmm....... Raven: Seeing a languid look like that on a pretty girl’s face...that’s somethin’ else, I tell ya. Karol: What’s wrong, Judith? You’ve been staring at the sea for a while now. Judith: Oh, I was just thinking about how beautiful the multicolored coral are. Yuri: Coral? What’s that? Estelle: It’s an organism in certain shallow and warm areas of the ocean. It’s beautiful! Raven: Wow, that’s a livin’ creature? I dunno, sounds like yer pullin’ my leg... Rita: I wouldn’t expect someone as uneducated as you to understand. Karol: The colors are really pretty. Estelle: I’d read about coral in books, but this is my first time seeing it in person. Judith: I’d love to have a closer look. Yuri: Why not just jump in the sea? You’re already dressed for it. Raven: Ohhhhh, a lady who’s just all wet... Ol’ Raven might hafta take a dip too— ((Rita pushes him overboard; sounds of him splashing into the water)) Rita: Full speed ahead, Tokunaga! - 364: Ya Love Me! - Rita: This really feels like a deserted island. Karol: Ohhh, walking around outside like this, you really start to feel the sun... Raven: Yeah, with the sea on all sides, there’s nothin’ to give us any shade... Estelle: You don’t like it? I think this is a very lovely place. Yuri: Even if it is, the people in this town are absolutely crazy. Judith: Yeah, it sure seems like the people here follow their own path. Rita: People? They seem more like farm animals to me... Yuri: Sure, it’s a weird place...but isn’t the scientist in you just a little curious? Raven: Yeah, mystery makes things more interestin’. It certainly makes me more interestin’. Karol: Mystery? I’d say it’s more like lying and cons in your case, Raven... Rita: It’s nothing but fraud, for the old man! F-R-A-U-D! Yuri: You sure? I think it’s more like fairy tales, in his case. Raven: Aww, you like me don’t you? ((everyone’s shocked by this assumption)) How flattering... - 365: The Monster Book is Mine - Estelle: You’ve filled up quite a bit of that Monster Book, Karol! Karol: We still have half of it to go, but it’s filling up nicely. Yuri: You’ve been pretty diligent filling it in. I thought you never stuck to anything at all. Karol: O-oh yeah... Ah hah hah... Rita: He probably had to stick with it since he showed it to just about everybody. Karol: N-no, it’s not like that! Rita: Oh, it isn’t? Well, then, as long as you’ve made it halfway, let’s see you finish it up. Karol: Of course I will! Yuri: All right. Good luck. Estelle: If you get tired of it, I’d be happy to carry on from where you left off, Karol. Yuri: I’d imagine you’d enjoy it, too, huh? Estelle: Hee hee... Karol: I want to finish this myself, so I’ll keep at it! - 366: Check It Out! - Karol: Look, look! I filled up the Monster Book! Estelle: Oooh! Let me see! Yuri: We sure have fought a lot of different kinds of monsters. Estelle: But it looks like there are still a few blank pages left... Karol: I’m sorry... I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to finish it... Yuri: You’re not the only one working on it, though. Karol: Huh...? Judith: Right. That book is the product of all our battles together. Estelle: That’s right, Karol. You can’t give up! Karol: Yeah... ((big picture)) Right! Okay, let’s work together on filling in every last page! - 367: Really, Truly Finished - Karol: I did it! ((big picture)) The Monster Book is actually really complete this time! Estelle: Karol, that’s great! Yuri: Good job, Karol. That was some nice work. Repede: WOOF! Rita: Well...kudos, I guess. Raven: Well done, kid! Judith: Yes, it’s fantastic! Karol: ((smaller picture)) This wasn’t just my work. We all did this together! Yuri: So this is a record of our achievements...all of us. Karol: This is the first time I finished anything like this, and, and, it’s all th-thanks to you guys... Raven: Don’t cry, kid. Estelle: ((crying with happiness)) You did well, Karol. You did so well. Rita: This is ridiculous... Judith: Rita? Are your eyes watering, too? Rita: I, I just have big eyes...! Yuri: Come on now, all this emotion over a little Monster Book...? Repede: *Whine*... - 368: Still a Ways to Go - Estelle: Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmmmmm... *sounds of writing* Yuri: Huh? What are you writing? Item names? Estelle: Yes. I’m working on the Collector’s Book. Look how many items we have already! Yuri: Wow, you’ve filled in a lot! It must be fun since you like books so much. Well, keep up the good— Rita: No. From what I can see... Yes, it looks like it’s only about halfway complete. Estelle: What?! H-halfway?! Rita: Keep on working on it, and come back when you’ve made some real progress! Estelle: A-argh... I’ll fill this book up all the way, and then I’ll make you eat your words! Yuri: ...Didn’t this use to be your book, Rita? ((Rita looks away, ignoring him)) - 369: Almost There - Estelle: Hey, Rita. Take a look at this. Rita: Huh? Oh, the Collector’s Book. Let’s see... Estelle: ...... Rita: Hmmm... You’ve done well to get this much. You even got the little differences between weapons.. Estelle: I...I did it!! Well, Rita, are you going to do it? Are you going to eat your words? Rita: Err...you know that’s just a figure of speech, right? And besides... Estelle: Besides? Rita: You’ve done extremely well, but you still have some left to go. ((smirking)) I can still think of a few items that aren’t in here. Estelle: R-really...? If there are more items you know about, please, feel free to write them in! Rita: You idiot. It’s for your own good. Besides, there’s only a little left. Keep it up! Estelle: Urgh... ((big picture)) O-okay... I’ll do my best...! Yuri: ...Is this really for Estelle’s own good? - 370: Collector’s Book Confession - Estelle: ((looking nervous))..... Rita: Hmm...... Estelle: ......((waiting impatiently for the final verdict)) Rita: ...Yeah, with this...I’d say the Collector’s Book looks pretty complete to me. Estelle: R-really?! So you mean, you’re going to...eat your words? Rita: S-sure. Good job. Estelle: Eat them. Rita: Uhhh... *nom nom nom*? Estelle: Y-yes, I did it! Look, everyone! Look at this! ((walks off to show everyone)) Yuri: You wouldn’t know how much was left if you didn’t already know most the items in there. Rita: Ah, you caught on? Well, there were a few I didn’t know at first, like the apatheia or Dein Nomos. Yuri: Of course I caught on. So why’d you make Estelle go through all that trouble? Rita: Well, I...I knew we’d eventually have to write it all down, but...I-I didn’t...uh...you know, feel like transferring all that data from my head to paper... ((Yuri looks at her suspiciously, unconvinced)) Rita: R-really! That’s all it was! ...What?! Yuri: ...Well, all she had growing up were books. I guess it’s good she had a chance to get some hands-on experience. Rita/Yuri: Heh/Hmm.... - 371: Joy and Sorry on the Waves - Yuri: It looks like you got your sea legs. Judith: Yeah. I still get a little seasick, but the sea breeze feels so nice! Ba’ul: *Howls* ..... Rita: The pooch seems to be pacing around in circles in the middle of the ship. ((Repede walks in, looking miserable)) Rita: Think he’s sick? Yuri: Oh... No, he’s not sick. Rita: Then what’s the matter with him? Yuri: Well... Rita: ((walks over to Repede)) Hey, you silly pooch, come here? ((starts dragging Repede closer to the ship edge)) Repede: Grrr... WOOF WOOF! Yuri: Hey, Rita, I wouldn’t pull his tail like that if I were you! Judith: What’s the matter with Repede? Yuri: Oh, he’s just afraid of water, is all. ((Rita pulls Repede even closer to the edge)) Yuri: ...Hey! Rita! Repede: Woof woof! ((gets free of Rita, (probably bit her, too) and runs off)) Rita: Ow...! Get back here, you! ((chases after him, ready to smack him back)) - 372: The Romance of the Sea - Estelle: I’ve been wondering... If Ba’ul can fly, why do we bother taking a boat over the sea? Raven: I love boats! A ship cutting through crystal-clear waters... Nothin’s more romantic. Rita: Romantic? Whatever. I’d rather have efficiency than romance any day. Raven: Rita. I thought you of all people would understand. I mean, your relationship with blastia an’ all. Rita: Don’t confuse my sincere appreciation for sublime beauty with your absurd “romance”, old man. Raven: Oh, so cold... Rita: Emotion doesn’t matter. I’ll choose the logical, pragmatic approach anytime. - 373: Not so Good With Heights - Raven: There’s somethin’ about flyin’ that just feels great...like yer on top of the world! Repede/Ba’ul: Woof!/*Howl* Raven: ...Hey Rita, hun, why don’t ya stop loungin’ in the middle of the ship and come on over? Rita: ((separated from the others)) Later. Raven: Aww, come on... Ya don’t feel like livin’ it up with ol’ Raven, is that it? Rita: Humph... Repede: ((lunges for Rita)) Grah... Grr grrr grrrrr ((starts dragging Rita across the ship)) Rita: ((trying desperately to get free)) Wh-what are you doing, dog?! Stop pulling me! Let me go! Stop it... I said, stop it! Raven: Ohh? Rita, dear...don’t tell me you’re afraid of heights? Rita: Wh-who, me? N-no way! L-let go of me already...! Raven: ((walks over to Repede)) You heard the lady. ((drags Repede off of and away from Rita)) Repede: *Grah* Rita: *panting* .... Raven: Oh, ya haven’t lived until you’ve seen the view from up here! Ba’ul: *howls* ((looks rather exasperated/weary by their antics)) ..... - 374: Ba’ul’s Still Young - Judith: Hmm...... Ba’ul: *(happy/grinning) Howl* Judith: Heh heh! ((Yuri, Karol, and Raven walk a little closer to her)) Yuri: So what’s Ba’ul saying? Judith: It seems that even he can tell he’s bursting with power. Karol: Awesome... Even Entelexeia grow up, huh? Judith: Ba’ul’s still very young, so he probably has a lot of growing left in him. Raven: So young and already this big? Ol’ Raven sure is jealous! Yuri: I think it’d be better if you grew up in a different way, old man. Raven: Huh? - 375: Strong Bonds - Judith: Was that fancy ring a present from someone? Yuri: Hmm, I guess you could call it a present. Judith: Well, well, looks like you’re quite the ladies’ man! Yuri: No no no. I’m just a big sucker. Judith: Oh? It’s amazing enough the ring holds power, but it even reacts to aer and become stronger! You must have a very strong bond with the girl who gave that to you. Yuri: ((looks shocked by her assumption and then kind of weary)) That’s one bond I wouldn’t mind breaking... - 376: The Manly Way - Yuri: This ring just keeps getting new abilities. Karol: It got a new one back in Ghasfarost, didn’t it? Judith: Back then, it was just you and me, Yuri. Rita: I’d love to study it when I get a chance, but I guess now isn’t the time. Raven: Well, at least this means we can go ta new places now. That’s good, right? Karol: Raven’s right. We should go around shooting stuff and look for new places we can get into! Yuri: Yeah, it’s hard to tell whether something will react to the ring or not just by looking at it. Rita: I don’t know how I feel about just going around and shooting everything we can... Judith: I like it. It’s the manly way to do things! Raven: ...You like it? ((runs off immediately)) Waahaa! Maybe if I shoot here? How about here?! Yahaha! I did it! It opened! It opened! Yuri/Judith/Karol/Rita: *SIGH* ...... Repede: *Heh* - 377: If Only It Could... - Rita: I’m pretty certain the ring’s not going to change form any more than it already has. Estelle: It sure has gotten a lot of new capabilities since we first got it. Raven: Aww, but it’s kinda sad ta think that this is all we’ll get from it... Judith: You were hoping it would get even more, huh? Karol: Yeah, me too! I thought it would be able to do a lot more things! Too bad... Yuri: What else do you want it to do, Captain Karol? Karol: Hmm, let’s see... I think it’d be kind of fun if it let us talk with animals! Estelle: That would be great! I’d like to talk to Repede. Raven: Nah, I think I’d prefer some more practical capabilities, myself. Judith: Don’t you think it’s already pretty practical as it is? Raven: Nah... Now, if it could tell me what yer thinkin’, Judith, then maybe... Or if it could make pretty girls fall in love with ol’ Raven... ((everyone starts to look annoyed/surprised)) Raven: Or if it could see through yer clo— Rita: Ha! ((punches Raven)) Raven: Ow! Rita: You just want it for your perverted fantasies! It’s a Sorcerer’s Ring, not a Sleazebag Ring! ((big picture, charging a magic spell; everyone’s looking a little scared now)) Ooh, I’ve had enough of this! I should kill you!!! ((Raven goes blasting off again)) Yuri: Oh hell... ((Raven finally comes back down, bouncing and landing on his side)) Yuri: Hey old man, what do you wish the ring could do now? Raven: Ur...urgh... Go back in time...shut me up... - 378: The Saver, The Spender, and The Gambler - Raven: Ohh, my heart! Yuri: Whoa, whoa, are you okay, old man? Raven: It’s just...the sound of money gets this old heart racin’! Stop that jinglin’, would ya, Karol? Yuri: Huh...? All right, whatever... Karol: I can’t believe how much Gald we have! Yuri: I bet it would feel great to spend all this Gald at once! Karol: No way! We still need to save lots more! Raven: Ahh, sounds like ya’ve got plans fer the future, kid! Saving for a hideout fer Brave Vesperia? Karol: No, I wasn’t thinking of that... It’s just that saving lots of money feels...good, you know? Raven: Ya know what they call that, kid? Penny-pinching, that’s what! Yuri: There’s no use hoarding your money for later. You gotta spend it all at once! Go wild! Raven: No, no, that’s even worse! Ya kids’ve got no sense of moderation! Yuri: ((annoyed)) All right, old man, then what do you think we should do with it? Raven: ((big picture)) Just invest it in ol’ Raven. My secret guild knowledge’ll give you back a hundred times as much... Karol/Yuri: Pass! - 379: Money Goes ‘Round - Estelle: Money seems to disappear before you know it... Rita: No. It disappears because you use it. Judith: Sure, but if you only use a little at a time, you don’t realize how much you’re spending. Estelle: I guess we’ve been spending a little too much... Rita: What do you mean? We need to spend more! Estelle: Really? But why...? Rita: The more Gald we spend, the more it comes back to us...and it brings its friends, too! Estelle: R-really? Judith: How interesting! Estelle: Huh...? Rita, your name’s on this money... Rita: Exactly. I’ve been writing my name on our Gald so we’ll know when it comes back to us. And when it does come back, I bet it’ll have doubled, at least. So go on! Use it! Judith: Heh. What a lovely little fairy tale. - 380: It All Comes Back One Day - Karol: Hey... That change we got for what we bought, it had Rita’s name written on it... Estelle: What...? ...Rita! Rita!! Rita: ((walking over)) What’s all the commotion? Estelle: Our money came back to us with that last purchase we made! Look! Rita: ...*gasp*! Didn’t I tell you? Our money comes back, and it brings its friends! Judith: ((Walking up, surprised)) Huh? You mean that wasn’t just a fairy tale? ((Yuri shows up as well)) Karol: “Rita Mordio.” It has your full name... How embarrassing... Yuri: I thought Estelle was spending more money than usual... So that was your doing. Raven: ((walking over also)) Money is one thing, but what were ya thinkin’, writin’ yer name on all the tools? Rita: Say someone buys one of our tools and likes it. Maybe they’ll give us a little something in return! Karol: ...Talk about greedy... Raven: All right, but would you at least quit writing your name on all the gels? Estelle: Rita... We have to eat those... Rita: But...but...! - 381: Grown-up Kids - Karol: Hey, do you mind if I have a gel? Judith: Karol, I don’t really think you should eat those unless you need them. Karol: But I can’t stop thinking about how good they taste, or the smooshy way they feel between my teeth! Yuri: I noticed we’ve had fewer gels lately... You’ve been snacking on them, haven’t you? Rita: I want them so badly I can’t sleep! And here you’ve been eating them while we weren’t looking?! Karol: I haven’t been doing anything like that! ...Wait, Rita, you were losing sleep over gels...? Rita: ...N-no! Of course not! Ah hah, wh-what are you talking about...? Raven: They’re not snacks, ya know. They might be small, but they’re pretty expensive. Estelle: I can’t say I like their taste or texture very much... Judith: Perhaps they’re not too pleasing to a princess’s palate. Yuri: No, that’s not it. I don’t think they’re that good either. Karol: I’m addicted to their simple taste. You just don’t get it... Raven: ...Gels were made sweet and soft so they’d appeal ta children, after all. Karol: ...Are you saying my sense of taste is...childish? Judith: What’s the matter with that? You ARE both children... ((Rita and Karol look rather annoyed by that)) - 382: Still a Lot to Learn - Estelle: Synthesis artisans are amazing. They produce such lovely items in such a short time! Rita: Yes, it really is an art. The quality is always second to none, too. And the same artisan is always sneaking into the cities we visit just before we get there. ((Yuri is surprised)) Estelle/Karol: What?! Really?! Are you serious?! Raven: Oh yeah. I wish I had half the vitality he has. We’re nothing compared ta how much he gets around. ((Yuri starts to look suspiciously at them)) Karol: Yeah, right, okay. There’s no way he could do that... Judith: Really? Do you think it’s more likely that the world’s full of such skilled artisans? Karol: Y-you too, Judith?! Y-you really believe that?? Judith: And he must have great instincts, too. We should see about getting him to join Brave Vesperia. Estelle: R-really...? K-Karol, the next time we meet him, let’s see if he’ll join. ((starts walking off cheerfully)) Karol: R-right! Okay! ((follows her just as cheerfully)) Yuri: Whoa... I think those two actually fell for all that. Raven: The princess and the kid still have a lot ta learn. Rita: I hear they’re actually using blastia to do the synthesis. Judith: You know, maybe we got a little carried away... - 383: Pouty Estelle - Estelle: I love dinner cooked outside over a campfire! ((music note)) Maybe it’s the spice of the stars... Yuri: The spice of the stars, huh? Heh, maybe so. Repede: *Woof* Karol: Nah, the food you get at an inn in town is way better! Raven: The pretty young lady says somethin’ nice, and ya gotta go kill the mood! Repede: *Whine*... Karol: Wait, no... But... ((Estelle starts to look upset)) Rita: Food is food, no matter where you eat it! It’s all the same mush in your stomach, anyway. Raven: And there’s our little ray of sunshine to chime in with somethin’ even more insensitive! Estelle: No, it’s okay... You’re right. Inns do have better food, and it doesn’t matter where you eat... Yuri: Aw, look, you made Estelle all pouty! Rita: Er, no, I mean, I, you see... Well, I guess... ((continues to stutter and look around frantically for an excuse, but finally crumbles under the 2 guys’ glares and Estelle’s tears)) ...Sorry. - 384: Favorite Places - Estelle: It’s amazing how many different types of cities there are across the world! Karol: Oh yeah, you grew up inside a castle, didn’t you? That must’ve been tough. Yuri: But I have to say, I like the capital best out of everywhere we’ve seen. Estelle: Me too. I love the feeling of freedom in the air that the capital has! Karol: I love the cozy humidity of Dahngrest! Rita: Who needs that muggy town when you can have the breezy, gentle living of Aspio? Judith: Sounds like you all think the places that are the best are the ones you’re the most used to. Karol: Well, everyone loves the place where they grew up. Raven: Mmm, Dahngrest is nice, but I gotta go with Yumanju. ((music note)) Karol: ((suspicious)) Because you could spy on women every day? The Girls: ((scandalized and angry)) *GASP* ! ((Yuri looks surprised as well)) Raven: Yeah, there’s that little crack in the wall between the men’s and women’s baths, and ya-- No! No, never! Yuri: ...You mean it’d be just the thing to soothe the aches and pains of old age? Raven: ...Exactly! ...Yer a boy after my own heart, Yuri. - 385: Where You Want to Be - Karol: Agh...! Yuri: What’s the matter, Karol? Karol: I...I just saw a b-bug... I hate this forest! Yuri: Come on, this place is tons better than the Blade Drifts of Zopheir, isn’t it? What’s a few bugs? Raven: And too much cold’ll kill ya! <3 Rita: You’ll be fine in the cold if you just bundle up. There’s nothing you can do about a desert, though. Judith: Yes, you have to remove clothing, and there’s a limit to how much you can take off. Raven: Maybe yer just not taking enough off! ((music note)) Rita: ((punches Raven)) ..... Raven: Ow...! Rita: I also can’t stand being on the Atherum. Judith: There sure are a lot of places you don’t like going, Rita. ((Raven slowly moves back to where he was)) Rita: Well, what about you? Judith: I don’t like the Heracles very much, myself. ((angry/digusted)) That giant blastia’s just... Rita: That sounds like the Judith I know... Repede: Wooof! Yuri: What about you, Estelle? Estelle: Huh? Me? I prefer places without monsters, personally. Karol: Places without monsters... You mean inside barriers. Estelle: Huh? That’s not what I mean, exactly... Yuri: I think I know what you meant. Rita: I wish the whole planet was like that, but that’s just not how it works. Estelle: Yes, I know... - 386: Around the World, Thanks to Karol - Karol: It feels like we’ve been all over the entire world. Estelle: I’d read about some of the places in books, but we’ve gone to lots of places I’d never heard of! Raven: Ah, ya gotta admire the youthfulness...the sweet naivete! Rita: What? Are you too old and withered to appreciate anything anymore. Raven: Oh! You’re terrible! I am as innocent an’ pure as a newborn babe... Yuri: Judy, you’ve been around the world on Ba’ul, right? Did you know most of the places we went? Judith: No, not at all. There were a lot of places I’d never seen before. Karol: See? Wasn’t it a good idea to join Brave Vesperia? Look how far we’ve come! Estelle: I feel like I really have a sense of how big the world is now. It wasn’t that way in the castle. Karol: You see? Rita: Don’t be getting all cocky, Karol. It’s not like you had anything to do with it. Raven: Now ya know how I feel, kid! Come ta ol’ Raven’s arms. ((Karol backs off immediately, looking rather scared)) Raven: ((moving towards Karol)) Misery loves company! - 387: All Corners of the World - Yuri: We finally filled in the world map! It was practically blank when we left the lower quarter. Repede: *Woof* Estelle: In the castle, I never could’ve imagined that I’d travel to all the corners of the world someday. Yuri: It’s such a huge world we live in. Filling in this map really helped me realize that. Estelle: Anyone can read about these places in books, but to actually feel the heat or the cold is...wow... Yuri: Yeah. The only way to learn about this world is to get out there and experience it for yourself. Estelle: Seeing is believing, they say. Yuri: Well, it shows you that you can’t just rely on books to learn what you need to know. Repede: Woof! Estelle: Yuri, you could learn a lot from books! Yuri: ((completely uninterested)) Yeah yeah, learn learn. Estelle: Urgh, you’re just impossible! - 389: Ba’ul’s Stroll in the Sky - Ba’ul: *Howls* ..... Judith: Hmmm.... Karol: Hey Judith, what are you doing? Judith: I was communicating with Ba’ul. Raven: Come ta think of it, it’s been a while since we flew on him, hasn’t it? Estelle: Isn’t he lonely while you’re gone, Judith? Judith: No, not at all. I can communicate with Ba’ul whenever I want to. Yuri: Oh yeah? What’s Ba’ul doing right now? Judith: It appears he’s taking a stroll in the sky, and eating. Rita: Eating...?! How is he eating while flying through the sky? Raven: He could just leave his mouth open as he flew. Food would just come on in. Karol: Whoa!!! You mean Ba’ul’s a carnivore? Judith: Hee hee. If you’re so curious, maybe you should just ask him yourself. Ba’ul: *Howls* Rita: You know we can’t talk to Ba’ul like you can, right...? - 390: Ba’ul’s On His Own - Rita: It’s been a long time since we first came here. Yuri: I wonder if Ba’ul’s taking good care of things in our absence. Raven: Or maybe he’s tired of being in such a dark place, and went home! Karol: Come on, Raven. He’s at least more dependable than you are. Raven: If you kids are gonna say stuff like that ta me, maybe I’ll go back fer real! Rita: Go ahead. ((everyone except Judith are surprised by her quick statement)) Rita: But isn’t it tough on Ba’ul, being near a magic field? Judith: Yes, the Ba’ul of a few years ago might not have been able to withstand that. Even though he’s young for an Entelexeia, Ba’ul has grown. I’m sure he’s just fine right now. Estelle: You really trust Ba’ul, don’t you, Judith? Raven: I wish Judith trusted me like that... - 391: A Change of Pace - Raven: You sure do like walking around outdoors. ((Yuri walks over, Repede following)) Yuri: Who are you talking to? ((Rita and Estelle come over as well)) Repede: *Whine*...? Raven: Just...myself. ((Karol and Judith enter the scene)) Rita: Going senile now, huh? Estelle: We’ve just been wandering around outside for quite a while now. Judith: It might be a nice change of pace sometimes to collect materials for synthesis. Karol: And we have Ba’ul, too. We could use him to fly around and collect them a lot faster! Yuri: You’re saying we should get help from Ba’ul? Judith: Yeah, I think that Ba’ul probably wants to help all of us with what we’re doing. Raven: Of course, it’s your call whether to collect materials for synthesis or just wander around. ((everyone else looks curious or suspicious)) Rita: ((getting annoyed)) Seriously, who are you talking to? Repede: *Whine*...? ((Raven just smirks)) - 392: What Not to Do when Gathering - Karol: We’ve finally managed to gather 1000 items for synthesis! Woohoo! Rita: What?! You’ve been counting?! Karol: Huh? Y-yeah, I mean, I’ve been taking notes of how many items we found and where we found them... Rita: Agh! That’s weird! I mean, so pathetic! And creepy! Yuri: What can I say? Captain Karol loves maps. ((Raven starts to walk by)) Yuri: He’s been just as devoted to filling in our world map, too. Raven: ((stops)) Oh boy, what a find, what a haul! This beautiful mushroom looks so delicious! Karol: !! Raven: Mmmmm! *nom nom* Karol: Oh, Raven, don’t eat... Raven: Whoa, this is GOOD! Karol: ((looking defeated/upset)) ...that mushroom. Raven: Ahh hah hah hah! ((Yuri and Rita are surprised by his sudden laughing fit)) Raven: M-make it stop! Waaah hah hah hah! Karol: That was a chuckleshroom. They’re for synthesis, not eating... Rita: Maybe that’s what it takes to teach you not to eat everything you find on the ground? Raven: Y-yer actin’ like...heh...like it’s my fault or somethin’, damn it! Ha ha ha! Yuri: And we’re supposed to take you seriously when you’re laughing like that? - 393: Making Nice with the Customers - Estelle: Waiting tables is more fun than I thought it’d be! Judith: It is, isn’t it? You can talk with all sorts of people, and expand your perspective on the world, too. Karol: You all must be so smart. How come I’m the only one who gets yelled at for messing up orders? Yuri: Oh, that must be because they like you so much. Raven: Ya, haven’t ya ever heard that the greatest hate springs from the greatest love? Karol: What sort of crappy love is that...? Rita: Forgetting Karol for the moment, why don’t you ever wait tables, Yuri? Yuri: Huh? It’s annoying. I don’t wanna do it. Raven: Sounds like ya just don’t know the meanin’ of fun, kid! You’d turn down a chance ta make nice with a bunch of cute female customers? Rita: Who wants to get friendly with an old pervert, anyway?! - 394: From Mind to Game - Rita: ...What sort of technology is this...? I can’t understand how it takes the image of Ba’ul from our heads and turns it into a game... Judith: Well, well. So there are things not even our genius mage understands! Yuri: You know, this whole town if full of stuff we don’t understand. Repede: *Woof* Raven: So what? If it’s fun, it’s fun! Rita: Maybe that works for happy-go-lucky Raven, but I need to understand what’s around me. Judith: I think there’s some truth in what Raven’s saying. Even if you can’t unravel certain mysteries, it doesn’t change the fact that what’s fun is fun. Raven: Ya see! Ya see?! Judith darlin’, unlike *someone* here, you sure know what’s important. You and me, we’re on the same wavelength! Yuri: ...I wonder what would come up on the screen if it showed what the old man was thinking? Repede: *Whine*... Rita: I don’t even want to imagine it. In fact, I’m sure we couldn’t imagine it if we tried... - 395: On Art - Estelle: This figurine is lovely! Yuri: A figurine? I’d say it’s more like a toy, really. Karol: You must not have seen many things like this in the castle, Estelle. Estelle: I’d like to see more of these figurines! Yuri: And thus a figurine collector is born... Judith: Oh, some people are just more interested in aesthetics than others, Yuri. It’s not all that unusual. Rita: Yeah, I don’t really have any interests outside of blastia. Karol: I’ve always been a fan of cool guild emblems, myself. Estelle: What about you, Yuri? Yuri: Huh? I’ve never really given much thought to artistic sorts of things. I never really looked at anything like art. Raven: Ask me, ask me! Ask me what I like... Everyone: Girls! Raven: ...Th-that’s right... Rita: We KNOW it’s right! - 396: It Looks Great on You - Karol: The antlionz sure are weird. Yuri: Yeah, we don’t know what they want or where they come from...or anything else about them. Rita: Not that I care about any of that stuff. Raven: That’s our genius mage! She must have her gigantic brain thinkin’ about much more important things. Estelle: But I thought that clothing--or whatever it was he was wearing--was very cute! Judith: I prefer the kowz, myself. Raven: If I were only a little shorter, I could fit into that getup... Rita: ((cheerfully)) Yeah, I’ll bet Karol could wear it! Karol: M-me? I-I don’t think it would look good on me at all... Yuri: You’ll never know until you try it on! Karol: Y-Yuri, you too? ((looking scared)) Cut it out... Rita: I guess there’s no way to know... Raven: But to try it out... ((Rita and Raven start grinning/smirking at Karol)) Karol: Huh... N-no, stop it...! ((Runs away, with the other two chasing after him)) Yuri: Times like this are the only times those two get along at all. Judith: Hee hee, it looks great on you, Karol! Karol: ((off-screen)) Gaaahh!!! Qawsedrftgyhujikolp... - 397: A Little Too Casual? - Karol: Hey...Yuri? Yuri: What is it? Karol: Don’t you think you need to be a little more...proper? Repede: *Woof* Yuri: What do you mean? Estelle: Your outfit! I really don’t think you should be wearing that everywhere you go! Yuri: It’s easy to move around in! I don’t see what’s wrong with it. Karol: Aren’t you embarrassed? Yuri: Why? Raven: Looks like instillin’ a sense of shame in the kid won’t work... Rita: What do you mean, a sense of shame? Raven: Blastia Girl’s impervious as well, huh... Rita: Huh? - 398: Deep Massage - Estelle: All right! Who’s up for a little massage? Karol: A massage? Estelle, why are you dressed like a masseuse, anyway? Rita: You don’t...you don’t actually LIKE that outfit, do you? Estelle: I do! ((music note)) I never saw any clothing like this in the castle. I love it! ((music note)) Judith: Well, it looks quite nice on you. Estelle: My favorite part is this visor! All right, Karol, time for some deep massage! ((Karol looks shocked, even as Estelle moves up to him to give him that massage)) Karol: ((trying to get away)) H-h-hold on, now! Judith: A princess and a masseuse... A deadly mixture, indeed. Rita: Maybe I should get my lab coat... - 399: Not in That Getup - Karol: H-hey, Rita... ((moves towards Rita)) Rita: ((quickly backs away)) Ugh, get away from me! Karol: Estelle... ((moves towards her)) Estelle: ((backs away as well)) If you can avoid it, I’d prefer if you didn’t come near me... Karol: Uhhhh... Raven: Hey, kid. I don’t think ya should be getting’ too close to the ladies dressed like that. Judith: Oh, I don’t think it’s so bad. It’s interesting! But still, ((backs up)) don’t get too close, okay? Yuri: Sounds like it’s not going over as well as you thought. Karol: You all made me wear this ‘cause you thought it was funny! You’re terrible! Yuri: Who’s terrible? Raven: I don’t know. Judith: Not me, of course. Karol: Huh? Hey...! - 400: Scandalous! - Estelle: Rita? How long are you planning to wear that? Rita: Huh? I haven’t really thought about it. Estelle: Isn’t that what you wear after getting out of the bath? Rita: Yep. It’s easy to move around in and it gives me nice airflow, too. Estelle: You can’t wear that! A young lady can’t parade around in scandalous clothing like that for all the world to see! What if a strange man attacked you? Rita: I’d blast him to smithereens. Estelle: That’s right! You’d kick his b-- No! Stop changing the subject! Rita: This is what common people wear, right? And if you think this is scandalous, what about Judith? Estelle: I, umm... Judith: Too scandalized for words, I see. - 401: Manly Musk - Yuri: Wow old man, really making yourself at home with that getup, aren’t you? Raven: Oh yeah! Can you feel the macho energy? The manly musk, waftin’ from my physique? My fans across the world are gonna love this! Rita: Idiot. Raven: Hey, Rita! Ya interested in becoming my fan? ((moves towards her; Rita jumps away, freaked out)) Whaddaya say? Manly musk! Rita: ((backs away even more)) Agh! That’s gross! Get away from me! Hey dog, do something about him, would you? Repede: WOOF WOOF! ((gets in between Raven and Rita)) Raven: Humph! It seems it is time ta put my macho energy ta the ultimate test-- taming the savage beast! Repede: GRRRR! ((Raven backs up a bit, and then lunges forward)) Raven: Gaze upon my manly physique and be awed! Yuri: Repede’s male... - 402: Gorgeous You-Know-Whats - Estelle: Umm, Judith? I think that outfit looks very cute on you. Judith: Oh, thanks, Estelle! Estelle: But, um... When you’re wearing that outfit... Rita: She’s trying to say that we’re fed up with all the guys ogling you in that outfit! Estelle: Umm, that’s not exactly it. You see, we, umm, have a very important job to do, so, umm... Judith: So you’re jealous? Estelle: Ah...! Judith: If that’s all it is, just wear this outfit yourself. Estelle: Like my boobs could fill out that top! Uh...! ((Runs away, VERY embarrassed)) Judith: I never said anything about boobs... - 403: So Cute - Judith: Oh, Estelle, you looks so cute! Estelle: R-really? I’m glad... I was worried these clothes wouldn’t look good on me... Rita: They seem kind of old-fashioned. Estelle: That’s what makes them cute! ...Ah, I wasn’t talking about myself! Rita: No, it’s okay. Estelle: I was just saying that the clothes are cute, not me... Rita: You don’t need to be so modest! Judith: ...You’re so cute. - 404: Order Up, Karol! - Karol: All right, time to serve up some orders! Yuri: ((surprised)) “Serve up some orders”...? Karol: Ah... It’s just that wearing this puts me in the mood to be serving customers...((embarrassed)) Raven: Ya know, those clothes make ya look a little more macho than usual, kid. Karol: Really? Heh... Yuri: You think so...? Raven: ...So I guess that means Karol’ll be cookin’ dinner tonight! Karol: Wait, you were supposed to cook tonight, Raven! Hold on! I mean... Hey?! Yuri: You heard the man, Karol. - 405: It’s All About the Ears - Estelle: Wow, Rita! You look different than you usually do. You look cute... ((Yuri looks over curiously)) Rita: ((embarrassed/annoyed))...Are you saying I normally don’t look cute...? Estelle: N-no, that’s not what I meant... ((sad)) Rita: Well, it’s not like I care anyway. Estelle: Hey, Yuri, you think she looks cute, right? ((goes up to Yuri and starts dragging him towards Rita)) Don’t you? Yuri: Huh? ((looks away)) Yeah... I like those cat ears, I guess. Rita: Just the ears...? Estelle: Oh, come on, Yuri, why are being so shy? Your face is turning red! Yuri: ...The ears are the problem. Rita: ((annoyed)) What’s that supposed to mean? - 406: Perfect for the Old Man - Yuri: Wow, that looks surprisingly good on you, old man. Raven: I’m surprised you’re surprised! Of course it looks great! Rita: Yeah, that sort of messy look suits you pretty well. Raven: Well, I didn’t expect a naïve young lady like yerself ta understand an adult’s subtle grace. Rita: Why would I wanna understand that?! Yuri: So that’s an adult’s subtle grace, huh...? Raven: Mmm...? Yuri: I feel like it’s boosting your natural sketchiness more and more... Rita: Oh, that I understand. Raven: No no no... - 407: Now THAT’S Service! - Judith: Well? What do you think? Karol: Whooooaa... Raven: And just what are you starin’ at...? Karol: Uh... I was just thinking that if Judith was a waitress somewhere, I’d go there every single day! Raven: Ah, Karol, taken by the charms of an older woman... ‘Course, I’d do the same thing! Judith: Heh heh. Thanks guys. I wonder if I should show a little more, you know...? Raven: Oh yes! Oh god, yes! ((falls over, ready to die happy)) Karol: Judith, I think that’s enough... I can’t stand seeing Raven like this for much longer... - 408: We’re a Guild - Estelle: It’s been a slow process, but Brave Vesperia has really come into its own as a guild. Rita: I think it’s still nowhere close to a full-fledged guild. Estelle: But everyone’s trying their best! Rita: Well, I guess the guild does have a good style. ((Yuri and Estelle look curious about her meaning)) Estelle: A good style? Rita: We have the kid for comic relief, the Krityan as the love interest, and Yuri as the straight man. ((Yuri is rather surprised by this assessment)) Estelle: Oh. I thought you were talking about how fashionable our clothes were! Rita: That’d make you the space cadet, then. Estelle: So you’re the straight woman? Rita: I’m not a member of your crazy comedy act. Yuri: ((annoyed)) ...We’re a guild, you know. - 409: One Surprise After Another - Karol: Brave Vesperia is making smooth sailing! ((music note)) Judith: But I’m not sure if I can see which way we’re heading. Karol: ...You mean it’s like we’re surrounded by fog on all sides...? Yuri: I kind of like that, though. You never know what’s going to happen next. Repede: WOOF WOOF! Judith: It’s more like we lack a plan in the first place. Karol: But that can be fun too! We might run across an amazing treasure, or something even better! Yuri: Haha, you sure have a lot of enthusiasm for someone who gets startle so easily, Captain Karol! Karol: I-I like being startled! What’s the point of an adventure without surprises? Judith: Heh, I like that. Okay, let’s just keep moving forward as we have been. As a guild. Repede: Woof! - 410: Histories - Raven: So Yuri has a history, too... Estelle: I’d like to know where all of you came from. Karol: Hmmm, where should I start...? Rita: We already know what you’re going to say, you big wuss. Karol: Urgh... Fine, Rita, then how about you? Rita: I’ve done research in Aspio for a while. Karol: Jeez, big shocker there. ...What about you, Judith? Judith: Me? I lived in a town before I met Ba’ul. Everybody called me a prim and proper little girl. Yuri: ((skeptical)) You gotta be kidding. ((Judith is kinda annoyed by his disbelief)) Estelle...you grew up in the castle, right? Estelle: Yes. I spent all of my time in the castle, reading books. I’m so jealous of all of you. Karol: See, no surprises, just like Rita’s story! Raven: Doesn’t anyone want ta ask ol’ Raven? I might have some interestin’ tales ta tell? Rita: In your case, old man, I think I’ve got a pretty good idea what you’d say. Raven: My past might spin ya fer a loop and have ya fallin’ head over heels fer me! Ya don’t know! Yuri: I can’t say you’ve established a lot of credibility so far as stories are concerned, old man. Raven: Don’t be so cold! Come on, let me tell my story! - 411: Home, Sweet Home - Judith: Everyone in the lower quarter is so kind. It makes me miss my hometown a little. Yuri: Judy, isn’t your hometown... Judith: Yes, it’s gone. Rita: Hometowns, hmm... I lived in Aspio, so I can’t say I feel too nostalgic about this place. Karol: Yeah, same with me and Dahngrest... Estelle: I...I miss the castle every now and then. Yuri: Yeah, you spent a long time there. I’m the same with the lower quarter. Karol: Where’s your hometown, Raven? Raven: Me? Hmmm... Dahngrest, I guess. Karol: Huh? But you weren’t born in Dahngrest, were you? Raven: Well, if our journey ended now, I’d head back to Dahngrest... So I guess it’s my hometown. Estelle: Maybe our hometown is just the place we’d most like to go back to if we had the choice... - 412: A Sad End - Estelle: Why did things have to end up the way they did...? Raven: At this point, there’s no use mullin’ over whether we chose the right course or not. Judith: But we need to think about it, so the same thing doesn’t happen again. Yuri: It’s becoming harder and harder to make a legitimate living in this world. I’m not saying that should excuse what I’ve done. Rita: You can’t go through your entire life doing what’s right. It’s sad, but that’s reality... Karol: But that doesn’t mean someone who used their sword for justice will just turn evil for no reason. As long as they were fighting to protect someone right and good... Raven: But accept that, and things break down ta anarchy. Estelle: I want to change the world so those who are just can lead good lives. A world where we can’t have justice without making someone else the bad guy is just too sad... Karol: It’d be nice if people could just talk things over. Raven: Yeah, that’d be a nice start. Yuri: ......*Angry sigh* Rita: That’s why I’m saying that you shouldn’t carry this burden by yourself! - 413: An Unforgettable Journey - Karol: The imperial family and the guilds... Estelle’s standing with both of them is gonna change. Yuri: I don’t know what’ll happen in the future. If Estelle doesn’t change that much... Estelle: I doubt I’ll change as long as I keep the memories I have right now. But I’d like to continue this journey with you until the end... Yuri: Don’t worry--I can just sneak you out of the castle again, like I did when we first met! Karol: Yeah, and this time I’ll tag along and help with the lockpicking! Estelle: Thank you, both of you. But crime is a very bad thing! Karol: Then we’ll have to go in through the front like decent visitors, won’t we, Yuri? Yuri: The front door really isn’t my style. ...Man, do we really have to do that? Estelle: Yes, please do! - 414: Scary Things - Rita: Wow, Karol, when you freak out, you really freak out! Karol: Come on, everyone has a few things they’re afraid of, don’t they?! Rita: Not me. Raven: Now, now, genius mage, it’s not nice to lie. Even ol’ Raven’s got his own fears. Yuri: What are you afraid of, old man? Raven: I’m afraid of pretty girls! Karol: What?! Yuri: ((skeptical)) Yeah, yeah... Rita, it’s better to come clean. That way we can help you out. Rita: Like anyone needs your help! I can take care of myself just fine! Raven: Her type always has some of the worst fears... Rita: Yeah, whatever. - 415: Learn Well - Raven: *groan* ...My head hurts. Estelle: Are you okay? Should I use my healing artes? Rita: Leave him, Estelle. He’s just not used to hard questions like that. I think he sprained his brain. Yuri: But Rita! I’m impressed! You know everything! Rita: Well, you never know what might be useful for research. Judith: Knowledge is no burden, they say. Yuri: Estelle’s living proof of that. Estelle: Read enough books and you just learn lots of things without realizing it. Judith: Maybe you absorb facts better because you’re already reading all the time. Yuri: That tactic won’t work for the old man at all. ((Karol enters, weaving from exhaustion)) Karol: Ugggh... My head hurts... Rita: Here comes the second doofus... - 416: High Standards? - Raven: Now that ya kids have gotten an insight inta the real Raven, I think it’s yer turn. Yuri: Our turn to what? Raven: Ta tell about yer love lives, what else? Rita: You’re so stupid... Estelle: I’d...kind of like to hear what everyone has to say. Judith: Oh? Then you have to start, Estelle. What’s your ideal man like? Estelle: My ideal man...is someone like the Amber Knight in the Tale of the Jade Planet. Judith: ((annoyed/confused)) Who? Estelle: In the Tale of the Jade Planet, he’s a good friend of the main character, and— Raven: Sure, sure. Who’s next? Karol: I prefer a girl who’s nice, a little quiet, maybe kinda gentle, not too tall... Raven: ...That girl ya liked...was she like that? Yuri: I seem to remember her being a bit more on the strong-willed side. Karol: Rita and Judith, what about you? Rita: Someone who’s not like the old man. Judith: That sounds about right. Yuri: Yeah, I’ll go with that, too. Raven: ((upset)) You kids just don’t understand the beauty of the middle-aged man! Someday, someday... - 417: Casino Crasher - Karol: I had no idea you were so good at cards, Judith! Judith: Really? I don’t think I’m anything special. Raven: Come to think of it, I’ve heard of her before. Yuri: Really? You knew, Raven? Raven: Yah, I heard a rumor or two about a wanderin’ gambler who rides a dragon. They say that the casinos she’s gone to have gone bankrupt, one by one... Karol: Someone who rides a dragon? That’s gotta be Judith! Judith: The stories get bigger every time they’re told. All I did in Nordopolica was destroy the blastia. Anyway, let’s stop talking about silly things and get a move on. Raven: Ya know, they say it wasn’t just one or two casinos that gambler put outta business... - 418: Hot Springs Are Nyice - Yuri: We really worked our butts off in there! Rita: I can’t believe how much Estelle got into character! Karol: You’re one to talk, Rita. You were loving it! Checking yourself out in the mirror over and over again... You know you liked that outfit. Rita: Sh-shut up! I-I don’t know what you’re talking about! Raven: Yer kinda cute when yer embarrassed! Rita: Ha! ((punches Raven to the ground)) Raven: Gahack, gugh... Judith: It felt nice to relax in the outdoor baths after working up a nice sweat doing hard work. Estelle: I love this kind of lifestyle. It’s so fun that we can all relax together in a nice outdoor hot spring! Raven: G-gahack... Y-yes... Outdoor s-springs are...nyice... Everyone: Nyice? - 419: The Mystery of the Wonder Chef - Karol: I probably should’ve asked this a long time ago, but who IS the Wonder Chef, anyway? Rita: Is he even human? Estelle: I’ve never read any sort of literature mention the Wonder Chef before. Raven: I wouldn’t mind if he taught me how to turn into objects like he does. Karol: Really? But you wouldn’t be able to move! Raven: You can see all sortsa things! I’d transform into something in a pretty lady’s room... Rita: Ha! ((punches Raven)) Raven: Ugh! Yuri: He was waiting like that the entire time. What if we never found him? ((Raven moves back to position)) Judith: Or what would happen if someone broke him... Estelle: You...you can’t do that! What if he really is a person?! Karol: Maybe we could just draw some funny pictures on him? Yuri: Now you’re thinking. - 420: On Stage - Estelle: Rita, you were resisting at first, but you really got into the act, didn’t you? Rita: N-no, you were just taking your part so seriously... I had no choice but to follow along. Judith: Your costume was pretty cute, too. What a nice treat for all of us! Rita: Hey! Yuri: Your acting was really on point, Karol. Karol: Heh. Well, I used to be in the actors’ guild, after all... Raven: You’ve been in all sorts of guilds, kid... Rita: Anyway, that wasn’t even acting. Estelle: I’d like to act in another play with everyone else, someday. Rita: No way! Never again! Karol: Me neither! I don’t want Rita to set me on fire again! Judith: I’d like to be in the play, next time. Raven: I’d have to be the lead, of course. Yuri: I had my doubts, but it looks like everyone had a good time. - 421: Voyage of the Scurvy Dogs - Rita: How long do you plan on goofing around on the ocean? Yuri: What’s the rush? I think it’s nice to take things easy every once in a while. Karol: Yeah, me too. It’s a little slow, but it’s so nice sailing on the ocean. Repede: Woof! Raven: ((pirate accent)) Arrr, so ye three scurvy dogs are on my side. Judith: So, shall the woman take them on? Rita: It’s a stupid argument. Do what you want. We’re going below deck. ((walks off)) Estelle: Wait, I’m... ((follows)) Raven: Arr, this vessel now belongs ta Cap’n Raven! Come on, men! We set sail fer adventure! Karol: Raven’s acting weird... Repede: *Whine*... Yuri: I actually like the old man’s passion... Just don’t forget where we’re going, okay? -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- VII. General Purpose -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- - 422: That Way’s Dangerous - Rita: Where are you going? The Shaikos Ruins are east of Aspio. Karol: We’re headed for Halure, right? Estelle: But the Red-Eyes could still be around. Yuri: Yeah, maybe we should hold off on going there now. - 423: Not This Way - Yuri: This isn’t the right way. - 424: We Shouldn’t Go Back - Yuri: I don’t think going back’s such a good idea. - 425: Oops! - Estelle: Oh? I didn’t mean to go this way. - 426: I Don’t Know About This Way... - Estelle: I don’t know if we should really go back right now. - 427: Hey... - Karol: Hey, this isn’t the right way is it? - 428: This Way’s Bad - Karol: Eh, we really shouldn’t be going this way right now. - 429: Wrong Direction - Rita: We’re going in the wrong direction. - 430: This Way? Really? - Rita: We shouldn’t be going this way. - 431: Ol’ Raven Lost It - Raven: Huh? Old Raven kinda lost it for a second and started going the wrong way. - 432: Oh No No No - Raven: Oh, no, no, no. You DO NOT want to go this way. - 433: Oh My! - Judith: Oh, it looks like I messed up. - 434: Let’s Turn Around - Judith: Let’s turn around and go the other way.
 * (Yuri, despite being there in the skit, does not react. One. Single. Bit.)*
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