Chapter Four Notes

[Note: This is my brainstorming text document for chapter four. It contains notes-to-self and cut dialogue and some events that never ended up happening. It's also missing some stuff that DID happen. Not everything written here is canon, and events might appear out of order. In the end, then, it probably won't make sense, but if you're curious about the creative process (or at least how I go about working it all out, maybe it's interesting?)

With that said, it contains a lot of spelling errors and stupid comments, so be warned. It might also contain minor spoilers if I decided a cut event should happen in a later chapter.]

This will be all the events leading up to ...

So uh I'm not sure how to organize this chapter which will probably be the longest chapter I ever make.

I guess we could start with...

uh...

Lloyd?


Yes!


-------------------------------------------------

(Kethios and Lloyd are standing in the church, discussing the problem of Pheldrin. )

K:  We'll never find a good priest this way...
L:  We rely on Phel a little too much, it seems.

(See, he's so popular because he is a full support priest that he's not always available to go to GH with them.  So, right now he's at the pyramids of Morroc and well wth Kethios they can't go to Morroc anyway, and so Lloyd and Keth are debating what to do.  GH would be impossible for them without Pheldrin.  Lloyd is not a healsader.)

K: Too bad he has other parties to work with.
L: I hope he's having fun at the pyramids of Morroc.
K: Too bad I can't go to Morroc.

(Gwynneth walks by, and Kethios is busy talking, but Lloyd is like ...)

L: Kethios! That crusader!
K: Hmm?

L: She's The One!

K: The one what?
L:  Remember I said I believe in love at first sight?  It just happened!

K:  Who, that crusader that just passed?

L:  With the angelic wings, yes!

K:  And you just let her walk on by without even saying hello?  Shame on you.  What are you waiting for?  Go chase her down.

L:  Oh, I couldn't...

K:  Seriously?  This is not a time to get shy.

L:  Could you...?

K:  You owe me, my friend.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Scene switches to the crusader.  She is complaining and coincidentally, Bene is the one she runs into.)

Crus:  Aargh. Dammit. Excuse me, acolyte.
Bene: Yes ma'am?
Crus:  Ugh, don't call me that.  I'm not that old.  Anyway, Where in God's name is the head crusader here?

Bene:  Umm, aren't you already a crusader?  Shouldn't you know?

(Kethios walks in to hear this)

Crus:  No, I'm from the Church of Geffen. But of course I can't even find the guy I'm supposed to check in with.  I mean, this church isn't as big as I thought, I should have found him by now!

Bene:  Well, umm, the crusader head is actually in the castle.  I know, that's unexpected, but yeah.

Crus:  Well!  No wonder I couldn't find him, I guess.  Hmph.  Yeah, we don't have a grand castle for our guildmaster to live in.  Geffen tower may be grand enough but it's not a government establishment.  Most of us crusaders stay in the church for the most part.

Bene:  It's not so different here, most crusaders live in the church, but the church is usually pretty empty during the day.

Kethios:  Ah, I thought you were new here.  I hadn't seen you around before.  Welcome to Prontera.

Crus:  Yeah, it's going to be one hell of a vacation being stuck here for a year.  I'm supposed to learn how this church works here, and after my time is up I'll return to the Church of Geffen and report my findings.  The CoG is new so a lot of policies are sketchy, you know, and we could really use some guidance.

Kethios:  Ah, so you'll be a regular face around here, huh?  Is it all business or are you allowed fun, too? Oh, and Solor, sorry for usurping your conversation.

B:  Oh, it's okay.  I ought to go anyway.

Crus:  leaving us?  Thanks again.

B:  No problem! (hustle off)

Crusader:  What a nice acolyte.  Anyway, what do you mean?  I'm actually supposed to act like any ordinary crusader and just record my findings in a journal.

K:  Well, my friend and I were planning to go to GH this evening but our friend couldn't make it.  We'd be more comfortable with a replacement than to go alone.

Crusader:  Oh, so you're hopin' I'd come?

K:  Yeah.  You don't have to - I know you have to check in with that crusader head and settle in here and all.

C:  oh hell yes I'm coming.  GH.  I've never been there! yes, even though I'm from Geffen.

K:  Well, we probably won't do too much there, since we don't have a priest.  Er, I mean, a healer.  I'm a priest but I can't heal.

C:  Heal!!  *grin* I an take care of that

K:  Huh, a heal-sader.  Don't you care that I can't heal?

C:  Nope.  When are we leaving?

K:  Well, we can go now if you're ready.

C:  Yeah.  This'll be great I've always wanted to go there.

--------------

(they go back to lloyd)

K:  Well.  Lloyd, this is, er, I didn't even ask your name.  I'm sorry.

C:  Hah!  I'm Lady Gwynneth de'Vabriel.

K:  Well, if you're going to put on titles, I'm Lord Kethios Laventar, but don't hate me because the name.

G:  Why would I?

K:  You know, the Laventars are terrible people.

G:  Oh, well.  I vaguely recall that name.  I don't know many families outside of Geffen.

K:  I guess that makes sense.  You should know -this- family though:  This is Lloyd Angevon.

G:  Oh really now?

L:  (shy emote)

G:  He don't talk much do he?

K:  He's, uh, shy.

G:  Whatever.  Let's go!!

(Kethios warps them to GH and they do some training.)

(Lloyd remains rather quite, while Gwynneth shouts battle cries and talks with Kethios about some of the monsters.  Lloyd lags behind and gets torn up by some hunterflies and she heals him in a pinch)

G: Are you okay, Lloyd boy?

L:  Ah, ahhh

G: ?

L: I love you!

G:  ...
K:  ...

-----------------

(scene switches back to Gwynn & Keth at the church)

G:  Oh dear God, what was wrong with him?

K:  I'm terribly sorry, he, um, he...

G:  Good Lord.  This is already turning out to be the best vacation ever.

K:  Come again?

G:  I can hardly stop laughing.  It's irony or something.  Erm, anyway, you gonna go to GH again sometime?  Let me know; I want to come again.

K:  You do???

G:  Yeah, that was fun!  You'd think at Geffen we'd go there a lot but really it's not the case.  But man that was some training.

K:  But Lloyd.

G:  Psh.  Don't worry about it.  He'll soon learn not to mess with me!

--------------------------

(We turn to Ellsy and co. training at Byalan)

C:  Another fine day's work, if I do say so myself.
E:  Yep!  Byalan's nice, though I don't know if the fishy smell is better than the culverts' smell.
B:  I just hope we never run into my family on the way here & back.

C:  Well, that's enough fish filleting for today.
E:  But we haven't fought any actual fish.
C:  Yeah, they're deeper in the dungeon.  Kind of dangerous there, though.
E:  Do you think we could make it?
B:  The Obeaunes shouldn't be too bad.
C:  Yeah, I can take them on my own.
E:  Okay!  Let's try that soon!

----------------------------

(It's evening.  Ellsy decides... it's time to confess her feelings to Kethios.

K: Umm, Ellsy?  Where are we going?
E:  Shh!  Just follow!

(she takes him through some dark areas etc. to the romantic spot)

E:  Okay.  Here!
K:  Err.
E:  Kethios, umm.
K: (please no)
E:  I... I love you!

K:  Ellsy, I...
E:  No!
K:  I can't.
E:  No!  You're supposed to say it back to me and then, and then...!
E:  Ahhh!

(Ellsy runs off)

K: (Two confessions of love by an Angevon in such a short time period...)

(Ellsy goes to her sister?)

E:  Oh, Lavian!  You know what it's like!  What with Edgar & Glass...
L: Indeed.  Come here, Ellsy... (hugs)



---------------------------------

(The next morning, at the bench where Ellsy and co. meet up before heading to Byalan)

C:  I think we can start going deeper into Byalan now.
B:  Oh yeah?
C:  Yeah.  But we have to be careful.  The next floor has mermaids, which I'm sure we can take, but there's also a monster called a Merman.  It's very strong and we shouldn't fight it.
B:  So what's the plan?
C:  If we see it, we'll use flywings to teleport back to the floor's entrance.  You, of course, use Teleport.
B:  Okay.
C:  Got that, Ellsy?

(Highlight Ellsy, darken the others.  They are saying 'blah blah' because she's thinking of how angry she is at Kethios)

E:  Yeah, flywings, whatever...
C:  You okay, Ellsy?
E:  I'm fine...
C:  Well, let's go then.

(maybe have Velger stalk them? 'so that's how it is, huh?' )

'why are they so... aren't mermaids supposed to have seashell bras?'  'no comment'

(They go to Byalan and fight stuff and then they see a Merman.    Bene tele's and Carl tells Ellsy to use a flywing.  Ellsy goes 'what' right as Carl uses one and disappears.  The merman advances on our confused swordgirl)

(she is saved by Velger)

V:  Stone Curse !!
E: ????? (Merman walks forward then stops suddenly.)
V:  Fire Bolt !!

(Merman dies)

E: Wow.
V: Hey lady~~ Do I get a reward for saving you?
E: Uhh.
V: I was just kidding.  The action is its own reward. *smug*
E: Thanks?

(bene walks in)

B:  Ellsy!  There you are!
V:  Heyyyyyyyy Bene!
B:  Oh..... Velger.
V:  You said you were busy and couldn't party with me.  But I see how it is.  A cute girl, huh?
B:  Well, I mean... /shy


(carl strolls up)

C:  Ellsy!  Why didn't you use a flywing!
E:  Umm...
C:  Who's that?
E:  He saved me from the merman.
B:  What are you doing down here? And where's Gaston?
C:  Oh, this is Bene's friend?
V:  Oh, you know me.  I think you can guess why I'm here.  See, I'd love to go to the pyramids in Morroc to see Isis, but I'm not strong enough for that yet, so...
V: Obeaunes! (ie. boobs)
B:  .....
V:  And Gaston's busy doing assassin-y stuff or something, I don't know.  I get bored of argiopes so I came here.  It's hard here, though, for a fire mage.  Think I could hang out with you guys for a while?
B:  Well...
C:  A mage, huh... I guess?

(They train a bit.  Afterwards Velger thanks them for letting him come with and surprisingly doesn't bother Ellsy.  He says soon he'll be a wizard and stuff)

-------------------------------------------------

(Lavian is by herself at the desk.  She sighs. "He never did accept his position back...")

(Edgar walks down the street and hears knights and others whispering about him.  He's not confident in himself anymore, and feels he isn't really wanted.)

K1:  There's that guy that used to be the Defender.
K2:  He's not a knight anymore.  He got fired.
K1:  Well he was pardoned, but yeah, he's not a knight.  Though they say he was offered his job back.
K2:  After all that happened, I wouldn't like him back.
K1:  I don't know, I thought he was pretty brave.
K2:  No one knows what really happened there though...
K1:  Hey, at least he got rid of that foreigner, eh?
K2:  Yes, we do have to thank him for that.

Ed:  Sigh.

A few weeks ago:
K:  So let me get this straight: you're not taking your job back?
Ed:  No.  Kethios... I'm going home.
K:  What? Home?  But Prontera is your home!  You've been here for years now!
Ed:  I need to get away.
K:  But what about Lavian?
Ed:  I failed, Kethios.  She doesn't need me hanging around, causing problems.  Being a reminder.
K:  You can't just disappear!
Ed:  Don't worry; I'll be back.

Present:
E: Hah.  The joke's on him!  I didn't go anywhere. I don't have a home to go to, except maybe...
(scene of him getting smashed at the bar)

---------------------------------------------------

(scene of Gwynneth yelling at Lloyd)

(he's been following her around, fawning)

K:  You are meant for each other, aren't you?  Is that what this all is?
G:  You're outta your mind!

K:  Why do you continue to come with us when he's so insufferable?
G:  Don't you see?  It's fun!  Besides, cleaning up Glastheim is any crusader's goal!

---------------------------------------------------

C:  So, Ben, tell us about your mage friend.
E:  He seemed kind of weird.
B:  I was walking Fwuffles and, long story short, we ran into him and he wanted to be friends.
E:  He mentioned a Gaston?  I was going to ask but he was kind of weird so I didn't.
B:  Yeah, Gaston is his bodyguard... kind of...
B:  I only trained with them a little bit.
C:  Because he's weird, huh?
B:  But I keep running into him.  Sometimes Prontera is too small.
C:  Well, there aren't too many places to train around here, so it's to be expected.
B:  Fortunately when Gaston is around he doesn't really need me.
E:  Gaston's a good person.  He saved my life once.
B & C:  What?
E:  Oh, you know... but I'm so glad I became a swordie.  That's the job for me!
C:  What about your next job?
E:  Oh, I don't know...
B:  Definitely a knight.
C:  Yeah.
B:  You'd be a cute crusader, though.
E:  Ben!  /shy
B:  You're just not religious enough for it.

----------------------------------------------------


(Lavian receives a threatening letter)

L:  Another one?  This is getting ridiculous.  I have to do something.

(She goes to Kethios)

L:  You.
K:  Huh?  Lady Lavian!
L:  Yes, you... you're Edgar's friend, right?
K:  Yes, I am. My name's Kethios.
L:  Do you know where he is?  I want to talk to him.
K:  No, he's gone.  He said back home, wherever that is.  I don't know, honest.
L:  Oh... will he come back?
K:  He said he would, but didn't say when.
L:  .......
L:  I need him.
K:  Ah? In what way?
L:  I can trust him.  I should have trusted him, back then...  He's a good man.
K:  He is, but...
L:  He left because of me, didn't he?
K:  Yes, probably.
L:  Shit.
L:  Well, when he comes back, please tell him to come see me.
K:  All right.

---------------------------------------------------



(another Gwynneth turning down lloyd)

---------------------------------------------------


"Another Day..."

(anyway Ellsy & co. go to Byalan but...)

(they run into Bene's parents who are knights. Father is bashing up vadons? idk)

E:  Wow, someone's got anger management problems.
B:  Oh, no... please let's go another way.
C:  Eh, but, going around will take a long time and we're already at the second floor here.

K:  Eh...!
K:  You little Bible-thumper! You run away from home, don't bother to write, yer mum was worried sick... and all to become a pansy choir boy???
B:  Dad...
K:  You make me sick! I'ma knock some sense into you right now!
E:  How dare you!
K:  Eh?
E:  Ben's an amazing acolyte who's always got my back and has saved my life more than a few times! He's got a heart of gold and will help anyone who needs help, even creepy people... like Velger! All in all, he's more a man than you are, to talk like that and act like that!
K:  Why you little..!
W:  Dear, what're you shouting about this time? Oh, my! Benedict!
B:  ....Hi mom....
W:  So you became an acolyte. Your grandma will be happy.
B:  But you're not happy.
W:  It's always been your choice, Benny... Are these your friends?
B:  Yes...
K:  Yeah? And how are they treating you? Like a slave just to keep 'em healed? Bet you're poor and no one wants you around when your magic's out!
E:  You wish! I couldn't imagine going anywhere without Ben!
K:  And you are?
E:  I'm Ellsyria Angevon!
W:  Oh, my!
K:  Workin' with nobles now? Hrm... guess you haven't done half-bad for yourself...
W:  Come on, dear, let's let them train now.
K:  This is not the last you've heard of this, son! You're a disappointment to me, you hear?

E:  Ben... it's okay Ben, if you want to cry, go ahead.
B:  I-I won't...
C:  Geez, man. I'll buy you an ice cream when we get out, okay?
E:  Oh, can I have one too?
C:  ....
B:  Thanks... both of you.
C:  Hell Ben, you know what.
B:  ?
C:  It's going to be even worse when I go home and let everyone know I'm an alchemist.
B:  Ouch.


---------------------------------------------------

(Lavian goes to see Kethios for an update on Edgar)


L:  He hasn't sent you a letter or anything? It's been some weeks now since we last spoke.
K:  No, nothing, and I haven't seen him.
L:  I wish I could talk to him. It's important. But if I don't know where he is, it's impossible.
K:  I'm not lying, Lady Lavian. I don't know where hs is. And...
L:  Yes?
K:  I hate to say it, but he may not come back at all.
L:  What? Why?
K:  Lavian, did you realize that he was in love with you?
L:  /! Are you ... ? Do you really mean that? He never said anything to me that would indicate that...
K:  Yes.
L:  Oh, my God. And then all that with Glass...! I chose Glass over him... but I didn't know(sponge tool on stuff from ch2?)
K:  If you had known, would it have changed things?
L:  I... I have to think about this.

----------------------------------------------------

(Ellsy & co. get some ice cream)

E:  I want rocky road!
B:  Umm, vanilla please.
E:  Carl, what are you going to get? If it's not carrot I'll be disappointed.
C:  Whoever heard of carrot-flavored ice cream? Besides, if you're gonna be like that, shouldn't you get blueberry? ... anyway, I'll take chocolate.
E:  Aww, I was hoping you'd get something with nuts. Because... get it? You're nuts!
C:  Can you believe this girl?
B:  Thanks, you two...

(after the ice cream)

E:  Hey, umm...
B:  Yes?
E:  I don't have anything to do, now... can I hang out with you? Well, one of you?
B:  I've only got my chores at the church. You know how boring that is.
C:  Eh, I was gonna go sort my things out to sell. You can help with that, if you'd like.
E:  Oh, can I?
C:  Sure. Have a good night, Bene.
B:  Okay, see you both tomorrow.

(Carl and Ellsy adventure time? idk)

C:  So, uh, I sort the different stuff into piles. Stuff to sell, stuff to keep. Then I bag the sellable stuff, put 'em in my cart, and take them to the item shop.
C:  Tentacles here, nippers there, fish parts over there. Blue gems stay here.
E:  Okay, got it.
C:  Speaking of tentacles... Did you ever...?
E:  Yes, Carl? *innocent whistle*
C:  ...You're planning to take what I say out of context aren't you?
E:  Who, me? /e4
C:  Well, anyway, did you ever go to the swordsman's guild and ask to learn the special skills?
E:  Oh... You know, I forgot!
C:  We can stop by there on the way to Byalan sometime. Now, let's go sell these things!

----------------------------------------------------

(Benedict walks in the church and is accosted by Gwynneth)

G:  Hey, my little acolyte friend, what's your name?
B:  Me? Umm, Benedict, ma'am.
G:  Benedict~ I wanted to thank you for helping me the other day.
B:  Oh, well, you're welcome.
G:  You're training to be a priest, right?
B:  That's right.
G:  Come with us to Glast Heim!
B:  Whoa... That's way out of my league. Besides, I've been training all day and I've still got chores to do... I'm sorry...
G:  I'll talk to your superior and get you out of those chores. I want a support acolyte this trip. Being the only one on heal duty is a pain and we never make much progress. But with you to help, well! Things will be different!
B:  Oh... I don't know...
G:  Have you ever been to Glast Heim? It's every acolyte's dream!
B:  Well, no, but...!
G:  Come on!
B:  Oh, well... if you insist...

----------------------------------------------------

(Carl haggles with a salesperson)

E:  Wow, you're good. What are you going to do with all that money?
C:  I'm saving up for a vacation to Jawaii!
E:  Don't you have to be on a honeymoon to go there?
C:  Not if you have enough money! And I'm kidding, Ellsy. I'm saving up to buy us better gear. What would you like next? A new sword?
E:  Oh, I kind of like my sword.
C:  Well if we stick with Byalan, a wind weapon would be great for you.
E:  Oh, I know! Baphomet horns!
C:  ... that's millions of zenny, Ellsy! It's gonna take forever to afford that.
E:  Okay, okay. Actually, I think we should get something for Ben.
C:  A new hat? I do wonder what his hair looks like under the eggshell.
E:  Yeah! That'd be great.
C:  I know what to get him! *whisper whisper*
E:  That... that's so mean!
C:  What, it's good for acolytes.
E:  You should totally get one for him. It's better than the eggshell, regardless!
C:  Okay, I'll look for one.


---------------------------------------------------

(Next morning Bene is tired from GH)

E:  (blah blah blah -- talking about something) Hmm? Ben? Oh! He's asleep!
C:  Really? Damn, if only I had a marker!
E:  Why?
C:  So I could draw a smiley face on his egg hat!
E:  Ohhh, that would be so mean! I wouldn't let you do that.
B:  Wsfrgh!
E:  Welcome back Ben!
B:  Oh, sorry, I dozed off there.
C:  Well I was saying, Ellsy and I are getting married next week, so...
B:  Wait, what!
E:  He's joking. It's a poor joke, though!
B:  Oh, man...
C:  Sorry, couldn't help myself. Hey, Bene, if you're tired, we can take a break today. You go home and get some rest.
B:  Is that okay? I don't want to be unreliable...
E:  It's fine, Ben. Really. We want you to be in good health, okay?
B:  Yeah, I'm sorry... Thank you...

C:  He probably spent the night crying, what with us running into his parents and all.
E:  Oh, I hope not!
C:  Holding that Lunatic close to him...
E:  Stop it! Now I wanna go chase after him and make sure he's okay!
C:  He's fine, I'm sure. Now, what are -we- going to do?
E:  Without Ben, there's not too much to do. Culverts?
C:  Hey, I can manage some healing. Alchemists have -some- magic, you know!
E:  Oh yes?
C:  Yeah, it's called "throwing potions at people in the nick of time."
E:  I don't think I like that idea...
C:  Tough! Actually, let's go get you that swordsman training, okay? I'm sure Bene wouldn't want to hang out around Izlude anyway, especially after yesterday.
E:  Oh, okay!

(We need a Velger thing too -- his sister?  Gaston?)

(Velger walks up to them)

V: Hey, you two! I just wanted to say... you don't have to stick with Byalan. There are plenty of other places to train. Change it up before you get bored!
C: Oh? Where would you recommend we go?
V: Well, you could try Lutie, or Geffen Dungeon, or, well, Louyang is fun for mages like me, or goblins or kobolds or orcs. Gotta be careful with orcs though, they have archers. Anything else you can think of, Gaston?
G: Sandmen should be good for a swordswoman.  They're southeast of Morroc.
E: Oh, Mr. Gaston! ...I don't like Morroc.
C: Hmm... I've heard good things about Geffen Dungeon and Cart Revolution.
V: Eh, well, it wouldn't be any good for me, even with my Tele clip. I finally got it back from my inusfferable sister.
G: You're just jealous that she just got her next class change.
V: So sue me! I'm so close to being a wizard, I can taste it!! Anyway, we're gonna go kill yet more Argiopes. Wouldn't be any good for you to, but think about what I said!
C: Thanks for the advice.

maybe they talk about sisters

C: Well Ellsy, let's talk to Bene tomorrow and see what he thinks.
E: Sure. Today let's get my training done and then go shopping!
C: Who said anything about shopping? Oh, fine...




-----------------------------------------------------------------------

(There is a high-class party and some nobleman is bothering Lavian. Danil comes and talks to her to save her from him. They speak a bit about their childhood?)

D:  You looked like you needed help.
L:  Yes, thank you.
D:  That look on your face... it brought back memories

(scene of him proudly saying they were to be married b/c arranged marriage)

L:  Ahh /shy
D:  Don't worry, Lady Lavian. That's long behind us. I have a love in Geffen now.
L:  That's good to hear, Dan. I hope I can meet her someday.
D:  She's a blacksmith.
L:  Dan... if someone you cared about disappeared, what would you do?
D:  Why... I'd do anything I could to find her.
L:  Thank you, Dan. Excuse me.

L:  (I've been going about this all the wrong way! I shouldn't be waiting for him to come back -- I should be looking for him myself!)


(Next day Lavian orders knights to keep an eye out for Edgar and news on him)

(Feargus makes a note of it & plans to find Edgar first)

----------------------------------------------------

Ll:  Gwynneth... will you go out with me?

G:  Hell no!

Lloyd won't give up...

----------------------------------------------------

(Lavian goes to Al de?)

----------------------------------------------------


(Another day)

(Lavian sees Kethios playing with a blue gem and asks where he plans to go, then requests they go to Al de Baran to look for Edgar.)



''If you had known, would it have changed things?''

(blargh?)

[Note: I didn't use the following conversation at all.]

L:  Lord Kethios!
K:  Lady Lavian.
L:  Any news?
K:  Nope.
L:  Do you know why Edgar never told me his feelings?
K:  Well... in his mind, you were out of his league.
L:  Well, it's true that in history, there have been very few Knightmaster/Defender couples. But Edgar is a noble from Al de Baran, just like me, so I don't really understand.
K:  Well, he is a very private person, as you may have noticed.
L:  Could you tell me about him? I hardly know him at all... He was always so professional, we never talked about much except my work.
K:  Well, I first met him in Prontera about three years ago, and I helped him become a knight. He always struck me as a good kid. Sincere. But he is very private. He doesn't like to talk about himself anyway so... I don't really know all that much.
L:  Do you think he will ever forgive me?
K:  It's hard to say. What with him disappearing like he has... I don't know. But does it matter? What exactly are you planning to do when you see him?
L:  I want to try and convince him once again to be my Defender again.
K:  You know it can never be the same as it was before Glass came, though, don't you?
L:  Yes... I know.
K:  Well... I'll look harder for him, I promise.


---------------------------------------------------

(They've been training at Geffen Dungeon)

C: So glad that Velger guy told us about this place. How many spores do you think we've killed in the past week?
E: A ton!
C: And mushroom spores are very useful for my alchemy.

(After another day of training, Bene goes to church and Ellsy & Carl hang out again)

E:  By the way, Carl, for an alchemist, I haven't seen you do any alchemy!
C:  Oh, yeah... (skill window - his highest skill is axe mastery) Speaking of, I need to get myself an axe.
E:  Do some alchemy for me, please~?
C:  Uh, well, I do have a potion manual. And I do have a pile of herbs here... I can try to make some Red Potions. The manual's kind of complicated, and I haven't looked at it in a while... Just put herbs in a potion bottle with some water, can't be too hard now, can it?

(he fails)

E:  Well, practice makes perfect. Don't feel bad!
C:  Yeah, yeah. Hey, it's getting late, Ellsy. Want me to walk you home?
E:  No, I'll be fine. Thanks for having me around!
C:  See you tomorrow!

(maybe have him explain the different alchemy potions)

(have her mention she's going to al de baran for a few days)

Bene gets a break from Gwynn & co. because phel's back.


maybe velger's sister visits now? or later?

----------------------------------------------------

(Ellsy goes to visit Al de Baran and says goodbye to the guys)

(awkwardness)

B:  I thought swordies weren't your type!
C:  They aren't...
B:  ...
C:  Hey, you know what... while she's gone, I'm going to go visit my family. Get my butt kicked by them, whatever.
B:  Oh... okay. Make sure to come back though... Who knows what Ellsy will do if you don't.
C:  Yeah, yeah.
B:  I guess... I'll go see my grandma, too.


----------------------------------------------------

(At Aldebaran, Ellsy is standing over a grave - Tammothen's grave)

E:  Oh, brother, we were here to visit mom, but I bet you're lonely, too. Not a day goes by when I don't think of you, Tamm... Why did you have to die back then? ... I'll always remember how brave and funny and nice you were...

(Kyrsa interrupts)

K:  He wasn't any of that, you know.
E:  You shut up, Kyrsa!
K:  You were too young to pay attention but he was a trouble-maker through and through. A disgrace to the family.
E:  He was not!
K:  I'm 100% sure he caused the fire he died in. It certainly wasn't the first vandalism he'd have pulled!
E:  Shut up!
K:  He certainly had light fingers. Or did you think he bought every trinket he gave you?
E:  Kyrsa! Don't you have a heart! Tamm was our brother!
K:  If it wasn't for him, Mom would probably be alive.
L:  What are you two shouting about? Oh... Ellsy... you're crying... Kyrsa, please go away.
K:  Hmph!
L:  It's okay, hun, it's okay...
E:  Is it true, though? I can only remember good things about Tamm ...
L:  Oh, well... He did like to get into trouble, but you were the light of day to him, Ellsy. He'd have done anything for you. I'm sure you could have cleaned him up, easily, as you grew up... As for that fire, I don't think anyone will ever know. It is a mystery what he was doing in the neighbor's house, though...
E:  He was trying to save the people in the fire, I know it!
L:  It's, uh, possible... (but not likely...Kyrsa might be right about him causing the fire.  Ellsy was just too young to remember him as he really was)

E:  So, has Dad arrived yet?
K:  Oh, get real, Ellsy. He's never come here!
E:  But, he wrote me and said he would...
K:  Never. Do you even remember how he didn't come to Mom's funeral?
E:  He was at Tamm's, I remember that... Well, it's okay... if he's too busy to come, that's fine.
Ll:  Always too busy for any of us...
E:  Well! What if he's saving people right now? What if people would die if he took the time to come for the anniversary? That would be awful, huh?
Everyone but E:  ...
L:  Ellsy... you're still young.
E:  Stop saying that! I-I'm seventeen! I'm getting smarter everyday! Just because you all have bad memories of Dad, doesn't mean I should hate him too!
Ll:  No, we don't hate him, it's just...
E:  This is the worst reunion ever!
K:  Stop acting like the spoiled brat you are! If you're seventeen, act like it!

-------------------------------------------------------------------

(While both are gone, Bene talks to Kethios about Ellsy...)

B:  Lord Kethios, ummm...
K:  Oh, Solor. I have to say, I was surprised to see Gwynneth recruited you for our last GH trip. We didn't get a chance to talk at all, though.
??? not sure where to go with this.

B:  (Man that didn't help at all! Now I'm even more confused!)

---------------------------------------------------

(alone)

L:  Oh, Edgar, where are you?
K:  Edgar, where are you?

(across town, only a few streets away -- Edgar is knocked out with bottles of booze nearby)

innkeeper:  I'm gonna evict you if you don't pay up soon!

----------------------------------------------------

(Lily is officially introduced)

[Note: this happened earlier in the comic]

(Keth admits that they won't find a place for Edgar after they look for him)

(When they get back, Keth is very embarassed)

L:  Now, what is going on with Edgar.

K:  Well, I promised him I wouldn't tell anyone, but seeing as it's you... you should know...

(Edgar's Past, or at least what Kethios knows of it)
L:  So that's why he kept his feelings a secret...
L:  Not a noble at all. Somehow, I suspected that much. But a thief from Morroc.......

K:  He wanted to tell you the truth, but with the Glass thing there was no chance.

L:  I see. It all comes back to that, doesn't it? Damn it. What am I going to do?

K:  Does this change everything?

L:  No. You said it yourself. There was no other way for him to be a knight, a role which he fit rather well, considering he saved my life twice!



K:  Think about it. If word ever gets out that he used to be a thief, well, it'll ruin him. He'll be disgraced. And it will come out eventually.

L:  I know, but.. I need him.

L:  Look, read this.

(death threat)

K:  What? When did you get this?

------------------------------------

(Ellsy comes back Huh where's Carl)

B: He's visiting his own family.
E: Oh, okay. Then it's just the two of us, just like old times!
B: Where do you want to go?

V: Phew, I made it before you left! Look, look!
B: Oh, congratulations.
V: I do feel the power! See, there's this great place by Einbroch. It's like mandragoras 2.0. Turns out I didn't even need the Tele Clip, or even Gaston. Trained there till I finished up my training and bam, wizard!
E: Where's Einbroch?
V: You can get there from Juno. Yeah, it's in another country. Anyway, I'm gonna head back there until I'm bored of burning plants. I just wanted to show off. Ciao!

E: He's still weird.
B: He could have invited us.
E: He's a world traveler, isn't he? Maybe we should travel more.
B: Amatsu's supposed to be pretty at this time of year.
E: Let's just stay around here until Carl comes back.
B: All right.

E: Welcome back, Carl!
C: Heya. Guys, this is Lenna, my, uh, my fiance.
L: Hi, Carl's friends! Pleased to meet you.
E: Your ''what''?
C: It's a long story.
E: Well, uh, congratulations.
B: Yeah...
L: Thank you! You're invited to the wedding, of course. It's next week.
E: That soon?
C: Yeah, in fact, we gotta go to the church to confirm with the ... churchy people.
B: The pastor.
C: Yeah, that. Thanks Bene. See you.

E: ...This is a joke, right?
B: I don't know. It seems there's a lot about Carl that we don't know.
E: He never did have much to say about his family.
E: But do you think maybe he went back and proposed because I kissed him.
B: Well...
E: That was a joke, anyway! I just wanted to make him uncomfortable. Maybe it worked too well!

C: Psst! Bene!
B: Yeah?
C: Come'ere, we've got to talk.
B: What, do you want me to be your best man or something?
C: No, I have someone for that.
B: You do.
C: Don't tell me you had your heart set on being my best man?
B: Err. No.


(plan happens)

TO JUNOOOOOOOOO

ugh I'm tired


(what)

----------------------------

B: So, Carl told me it's basically an inheritance issue.
Before Lenna's parents died, they set up a trust fund that says she has to be married to inherit everything in the fund. Carl's parents are merchants, so you can probably guess that they wanted Carl to marry Lenna. I wouldn't say "just for the money" but... yeah...

E: All Carl had to do was tell them no.
B: They're hard to say no to, apparently. They already threatened to disown him for becoming an alchemist.

E: But what about Lenna? She could have told them no, too.
B: I don't know. I didn't talk to her. But it seems like she felt like she owed them for giving her a home when her parents died, so she didn't oppose it.

B: At least until she realized Carl didn't want to marry her. Then she discovered Randall did. I guess by that point the wedding was already planned, so the three of them staged this.

----------------------------

[Note: these are probably some dye palettes I used. I didn't mark what they are for...? sigh.]
39
51
299

------------------------------------

(Feargus's minions abduct Edgar and then send a letter to Lavian. It says if she values his life, she must go to the hidden temple alone and unarmed to make a deal for his life. if she tells anyone they'll kill him.)

L:  It's a trap, I know it. Set by someone who works for me ... How else would they know that I care enough about him to take the risk?

(She goes to HT. she is surrounded. They frisk her.)

L:  Now where is he? What sort of deal are we talking about? Ransom?
Guard:  Take her to him!
(they lock her in with him)
L:  Hey...!
G:  There is no deal!
L:  Who do you work for?!
G:  We gave you plenty of warnings and you never heeded them! Now, you'll disappear for a while, and in your absence, a new Knightmaster will be chosen! And by the time you get back, it will be too late to do anything about it! Your delusional Defender's word will mean nothing!
G:  By the way, don't think about escaping. There are plenty of strong monsters around, especially baphomet jrs, ghostring, and others!
L:  WHO DO YOU WORK FOR??
G:  Bye.

-------------------------------------

(Ellsy & co. are at Mjollnir - velger is a perv still? idk)

[Note: This didn't happen.]

-------------------------------------

L:  Ugh. Edgar, are you alive?
L:  Hello? (push him)
E:  Ung. Where am I? L-lavian?
L:  Are you okay? Can you get up?
E:  Maybe...
(edgar sits up)
E:  Ahhh.
L:  They must have drugged you.
E:  *remembered drinking hard last night* uh ... sure.
E:  But Lady Lavian! What are you doing here? Why did you come! It was a trap!
L:  Who do you think I am? -Of course- I'd try and save you!
E:  But now we are both trapped and at their mercy.
L:  That's true... What will they do with us?
E:  Honestly, I have no idea. I hardly remember being brought here. I thought I was in trouble because I didn't pay the rent... but it turns out they were after you?
E:  Why would they think they could get at you through me, anyway...?
L:  ... Let's just think of a way out of here, huh?
E:  Hmm.

E:  There might be a way, but...
L:  Yes?
E:  There is something I have to tell you.
L:  (now is not the time for a love confession!)
E:  I'm ... not a LaVelle. I'm not from a noble family at all.
L:  Oh (disappointed)
E:  And, and, I used to be a thief.
E:  I'm telling you this because I might be able to use my thief skills to escape. I was never good at stealing, but I'm still pretty good at hiding and sneaking. (Glass never saw me once!)
E:  Also I have lockpicks. I can open the door, sneak out, find some weapons, come back, and then...
L:  Then we fight our way out? All right. Be careful out there. It's very easy to get lost in the Hidden Temple.

(Edgar gets out, sneaks past a few guards...)

(Runs into a mob of baphomet jrs. who see him and then... he sneaks to bring them to the guards, who kill the jrs, then a head guard comes by and yells at them for killing the jrs. "You're supposed to give them honey! You know what happens when you kill the juniors!" "Sorry boss, we panicked and..." "How many did you kill?" "Uhh.... three...?")

(Monster roar in the distance... "SHIT" show scene of Lavian wondering wtf happened)

G:  Shit! Run for it!
G:  Why do we have our base in a fucking monster-infested area anyway?

(Baphomet Sr. teleports in and murders them all.

Edgar is in the wings, praying he isn't seen by the demon lord. Baphomet teleports away. Lots of guards are panicking now and trying to escape the temple)

(Edgar returns to Lavian after looting the guards' corpses)
L:  What is going on out there?
E:  Baphomet is running free.
L:  Oh dear God. If we run into that, we're toast.
E:  I know. Everyone's trying to get away from here now. Here's a sword... let's go.
L:  Ugh, it's one-handed.
E:  It's all they had. Do you know the way out?
L:  No.
E:  We'll have to wing it, then.
(they run into various minibosses until they are near the entrance)
(Maybe they run into Feargus?)
L:  This looks familiar, I think we're almost out.
(Bapho teleports near them. They are surrounded by bapho jrs too)
E:  Run, Lavian!
L:  No, there's no escape...
L:  Heh, well, under the circumstances, I think it would be fine if we confessed our feelings for one another.
E:  ...what
L:  Okay, maybe you're not the type to do that...

(horn blast sounds out. Baphomet pauses in attack. A line of knights with some priests are lined up, led by Danil. The sheer numbers make Bapho back off and L&E are rescued)

D:  These miscreants have confessed.
L:  Thank you, Danil. You were just in time.
D:  You are welcome, Lady Lavian.
E:  Who...?
L:  This is the Knightmaster of Geffen. The note I received told me not to tell anyone that I was going into the HT to find you, but I'm not stupid. I knew I couldn't trust anyone close to me, but Danil, being so far removed from Prontera, it was a safe bet that he wasn't involved. I asked him to be my backup, and if I didn't return after too long, his knights would storm in.
E:  That was still quite a risk you took for me, Lady Lavian...
L:  I'd like to think it was worth it...
E:  (says nothing)
L:  Danil, please go ahead. I need to talk to him in private.

E:  /swt
L:  Edgar, I don't know how to ask this.
E:  Maybe you shouldn't?
L:  Do you still love me?
E:  ... Always and forever...
L:  Will you forgive me for not realizing it sooner?
E:  Yes, but --
L:  Life without you was awful, Edgar.
E:  ... Lavian, I'm not a ... I'm not at your level at all. My life is a lie, and I'd bring you down. Stay away. Let me go back into the shadows where I belong.
L:  You don't belong there. I know you don't. Stay with me, please.
E:  ........ *sigh*

yuno_in05

-------------------------------------------------------

L: Do you still love me?
E: Ahhh. Why would you ask a question like that?
L: Kethios told me ...
E: God, is nothing I told him safe?
L: Edgar...
E: It doesn't matter. Now you know everything about me. I don't belong near you. I'm a thief, and I don't even know who my parents are. My entire life is a lie.
L: Yes, I know the truth, now, and frankly, it changes little. I want you by my side. Every day with you missing, and having no idea where you were... It scared me.
L: I wish I had known it sooner. So please, tell me...
E: I don't belong...
L: We can work it out.
E: Then, my lady... I am yours.

-------------------------------------------------------

C: I have a box to send to Benedict Solor at the Prontera Church.
K: That'll be 2,000z. (now has 27 z left)
C: I hope I like this place because I'm not getting home any time soon.
C: Guess I shouldn't have spent all my money on that headgear right before the wedding.

C: Man, being a bum in Juno is gonna suck. The benches are made of stone.
V: Heyyyyyyyy. You look familiar.
C: Oh, it's you.
V: I told the others I've been training by Einbroch. But man, the air there sucks, so I come here when I'm done for the day. Expensive airfare but worth it. Where you staying?
C: A night under the stars for me. I can't afford an inn.
V: ARE YOU NUTS?
C: The bench is hard but it's not a problem.
V: SHH IT'S NOT SAFE TO TALK.
C: What are you going on about?
V: Phew, no one's around. Look, my sister's a sage. She knows how things work here. Homeless people around here go missing all the time. You could be next! I mean, it's worse in Lighthalzen, but it could still happen here.
C: I can tell I'm going to have a great night sleeping here thanks to you.
V: You're welcome.
C: Err, what happens to the people who go missing? Or do I want to know.
V: Wouldn't be scary if we knew what happened. But they're not seen again, or so I'm told.
C: (Nooo he couldn't invite me to stay with him. Nooo why would anyone be nice to poor old Carl? Well, this cold hard becnh will make me a light sleeper anyway...)
maybe he dreams of being taken away


G: Hello.
C: Ahhh!!
G: No need to be alarmed, young alchemist. I just wanted to sit for a bit.
C: Ah, right. Go ahead. (Not like it's my home or anything.)
G: Are you staying in Juno long?
C: ( should I make small talk? What if he's a snatcher? )
G: Have you discovered how the city floats?
Have you seen the chains that keep it from flying away?
C: Not yet, sir.
G: Ah, a shame.




G: It might be too early to say.



So I heard there's a homeless alchemist around here. (GM with dye 299 and cool hat)
C: Oh God, are you going to kidnap me?
G:


------------------

C: Don't scare me like that! I thought you were a monster.
G: Some have called me that, yes.
C: Nice hat, anyway.
G: Thank you. Have a seat, friend.
G: I have a proposal for you.
C: Am I still dreaming?
G: If that makes it easier to accept, you may think what you wish.
G: Are you staying in Juno long?
C: Well, I just got here.
G: Have you discovered how the city stays in the sky?
G: Have you seen the great chains keeping it anchored?
G: Have you visited the great library?
G: Have you been on an airship?
C: Not yet, sir. I pretty much found the Kafra here and called it a day.
G: Ah, a shame. The Schwartzwald Republic has much to offer an adventurer with a sharp mind.


C: Are you a recruiter?
G: In a way...
C: What do you want?
G: So blunt.
C: Look, I just ran away from home and I've got nowhere to stay. I'm poor, I'm hungry, and on top of all this, I think you might be a snatcher or something!
G: *laugh* You have nothing to fear from me, young alchemist. In fact, I want to offer you a job.
C: Tell me.
G: It's delicate. We will have to go somewhere private.
C: I think I'll go outside and kill some monsters instead.
G: I see you don't trust me. I will warn you that the monsters around Juno are very difficult. They are much stronger than any from Rune-Midgard.
C: I'll take my chances.
G: I won't stop you, but remember that I warned you first.
(flashback to Velger's warning)
C: On second thought...
R: Sir! There you are! Morgan is looking for you, and --
G: Ah, Captain, I am a bit busy.
R: Oh, sir! Is that the alchemist that Corn saw last night?
G: Indeed.
R: Oh! Did we get him before Rekenber?
G: We are still in negotiations, Captain...
R: I see! Forgive me, sir!
G: Go tell Morgan that I'll be right there.
R: Yessir!

C: I assume I wasn't supposed to see that.
G: Ah... I cannot lie.
C: Why all the interest in me? I've not even been in Juno for a day!
G: Have you heard of the Rekenber Corporation?
C: Of course! They're based out of Lighthalzen. A huge research company. They invented the airships. It's probably every alchemist's dream to work for them and make an amazing discovery.
G: Funny you should say that. They are, indeed, on the lookout for scientists, with or without experience. I guarantee that you'll be approached by one of their recruiters before this day is through.
C: You aren't one of them?
G: I am not. I represent a different group altogether.
C: You want me to go to you instead of them.
G: Yes.
C: What's wrong with Rekenber?
G: Oh, nothing. They pay well, and their employees are very happy. But they have so many scientists already working for them that there are none left for anyone else. And I have desperate need of an alchemist.
C: Sell me on your group.
G: Rekenber's contracts are five-year commitments. They hide it in the fine print, and most people fail to notice it until after they've signed it. My group has no contracts. You can leave at any time. We are also a non-profit. Of course, because of that, we cannot pay as well. G: We work for the community. I would not say the same for Rekenber, despite their innovations.
G: Are you at least interested?
C: What can I say? I'm hard up for money, and I'm not ready to spend five years here.
G: Excellent. Please, follow me, and I will introduce you to my crew.
G: Corn, Rune, Geo, Hideki. And there are many working for us, but these are our heads. Oh, and your name is?
C: Er, Carl. Carl Sauvages.
G: Excellent.
C: And you are?
G: Well. Shall we give Carl our welcome? Yes?
R: Welcome to the Aesir Ciel.


from rikkuni
also I'm picturing Gwyn grabbing Bene by the shoulders and saying
[9:34:17 PM] Allec Ribeiro: "FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS SACRED, PLEASE TELL ME YOU AREN'T ROMANTICALLY INTERESTED IN ME."

oh oh, use this to segue into bene talking about priscilla and gwynn asking "that kind of treatment towards acolytes is allowed here???"

(gwy is standing around or maybe eating)
B: Umm, Lady Gwynneth, can I speak to you?
G: Sure, Benedict. Have a seat.

G: What's on your mind.
B: Well, err, it's rather personal.
G: Oh my God.

(she stands and pushes at him or however it ends up spriting)
G: FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS SACRED, PLEASE TELL ME YOU AREN'T ROMANTICALLY INTERESTED IN ME.
B: Whaa! I'm not, I'm not!

---------

B: Well, see, acolytes are supposed to find a mentor in the church to help them learn their skills. But...
G: There's always a but.
B: The one I found was cruel, so now I don't have one. I talked to Keth and he said --
G: Cruel how? Making you stay up all night reading by candlelight?
B: Err, well, it's not so important.
G: Benedict. I want to know everything that's going on here. Tell me, if you don't mind.
B: (flashback scene)
G: What is wrong with this church?! And she's still a priestess??
B: Well, Fwuffles is all right. I didn't want to make a big stink about it...
G: Benedict, you've always got to stand up for what's right. Whether you're the victim, or someone else is.
B: I--I know, but I didn't want ... I think everyone would take her side since I'm just a new acolyte, and then things would go bad for me.
G: Oh, Benedict... I hate to say it, but you're probably right. Too bad you can't join the church of Geffen. We're such a small community that something like that wouldn't happen.
B: Well, it's okay now. That all happened months ago. But anyway, after that I don't have a mentor. Kethios volunteered but he's not all that great with magic.
G: I see.
B: He said I should talk to you about healing at least.
G: Oh! Sure, I can give you some pointers. No problem. Why don't we go visit Payon dungeon? I'll teach you to heal the undead.


(carl does researh for the Aesir Ciel)

C: Ehhh. It was just a thing comparing effectiveness vs. cost for a bunch of potion vendors.
R: what are the results?
C: well, Store A's got better potions for slightly better price than Store F, but Store C is cheapest if you don't care about quality. Store D's last longer, if shelf life is important at all, and --
R: Okay, keep up the good work!
C: She didn't even take my summary sheet ... oh, well, I got paid anyway!


C: This one's about herbs used in potion making and the resultant potion's effectiveness. They were testing blue potions. Seems the potions made with herbs that came from Nightmares are slightly more effective than others. The ones from Marins were least effective.
R: Ah, very interesting.
C: You don't sound interested.
R: One of these days we'll hit pay dirt. Just keep reading these journals for us.
C: What exactly are you all looking for?
R: No idea, actually. It's all Pop's idea.
C: "Pop's"?
R: Sir Jamus. Some of us call him that because he's been like a father to us.
C: You guys saved Alberta when I was just a kid.
R: Yeah, I remember that. I wa dating Hide then, but it didn't work out.
C: Err.
R: Anyway, Pop thinks you'll know it when you see it, so just keep at it.
C: I could be at it for a while, there's a lot of journals.
R: We'll pay you, just keep going.

C: Ugh, all these research notes and nothing of interest. Who's funding these studies, anyway? The Republic, I guess.

C: Phew, three more down.
C: H-hey, this... my God...
C: W-what the hell...
C: (I can't believe... I can't read this .... but I can't look away ...)


R: Hey Carl, Pop has an announcement to make. Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost.
C: Nah, I've just been indoors too long. Let's go.

SJ: Hey everyone! I know we've all been working very hard here, but we could use a break, yes?
Person: Well, sure! A trip to Comodo again?
SJ: No, Rachel. We could use a breath of fresh air, yes?
Prson2: Is something happening there?
SJ: No. I mean, yes! I mean -- err. Rune, would you please make the announcement for me.
Rune: His daughter's getting married. And he's going to try to bring us all as guests.
SJ: I'm a very happy man. We will leave immediately.
Rune: What?
SJ: The wedding is tomorrow afternoon. Even with the airships, it will take time to get there.
Rune: Why so soon? We don't have time to bring a present?
Corn: He forgot to check his mail until today.
Rune: You're supposed to RSVP! You can't just bring all of us uninvited.
SJ: Relax. It's MY daughter, after all.

C: (well, I'm excited and all but ... that research ... I want to finish reading it!

SJ: Let's go!
(scenes of airship?)

END CHAPTER !!!!!!!


---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Note: the following part came from a text document titled "aesir carl"]

R: Carl! Come have dinner with us!
C: But I just started...
R: You've been at it for hours.
C: Oh.


C: Wow, it's busy.
R: Like it or not, you're part of our family now! /heh

P: Tell us about yourself, Carl!
C: Err, well. Not much to say, sadly. Ran away from family obligations, yadda yadda...

C: I can't believe I'm dining with the Aesir Ciel.
P: Why not? We're people too!

C: You guys saved Alberta when I was just a kid. You've been my heroes ever since.
R: Oh, I remember that.

R: I was dating Hideki back then! What a mistake.
H: Hey! /pif

C: You guys are always doing things like that. I mean, you saved Miss Lavian Angevon from a demon a couple months ago. Or so I've heard. I wasn't there.

R: Oh, well, that is Pops's daughter, after all!
C: ... "Pops"??

H: Yeah, we call him that. Well, those who aren't tongue-tied with respect in front of him.

C: You call Rune Midgard's greatest hero ... Pops ...
R: Ohhh. He hates to be called a hero. If he was here, he'd tell you, Tristan Gaebolg, now that's a hero!

C: Who?
R: The first king! He battled against the great snake, Jormungand. And saved the world.

C: But that's just a story.
R: All stories have a kernel of truth to them.

C: What are you all doing in Juno, anyway? Shouldn't you be in Rune Midgard?
P: We're investig---
P: Shhh!
P: ???
P: We don't know this guy! He could be a spy!
R: Well, Pops trusts him. He's always been a superb judge of character.

C: Well, I just wanna know, why you don't participate in the War of Emperium? With your power you'd easily be the top guild.
R: Oh, no. The WoE is just a distraction. Pops would say, its acronym. It's "woe". You know, like despair.
C: Uhh...
R: We've got far more important things to be focused on.
C: I see... like the research I'm going through.
R: Good man!

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[Note: the following comes from a text document titled "aesir carl 2"]

C: I have enough money to return to prontera

C: but I'm not sure I want to. I'm having fun

C: I kinda miss Bene and Ellsy, but...

C: Welp, another report done!




C: Where is everyone?

S: Arc Angeling was spotted in the field.
C: SOunds dangerous. Rune's out there?

S: Yep.
C: I would have liked to come.

S: Well, you aren't really a member of the guild.
C: I'm working for you.

S: It's not the same.
C: Why aren't you out there?

S: I prefer Angeling.

C: Umm, how does one join the Aesir Ciel?
S: That's up to Sir Jamus.

C: Oh, I haven't even seen him since the first day.
S: He's around.

---

S: I think they're back.

SJ: Good job, everyone!

(people pile into the place)

SJ: Hello hello! Carl and Swift! Thank you for holding the fort.
S: How'd it go?

SJ: A dance with Carats.
R: We gave Rosa shadow arrows, and everyone else distracted his mob.
SJ: The key to victory is the proper equipment... and teamwork!



SJ: And that was that.
R: Was great to be on a raid with you again, Pops!
SJ: I need to get wet every once in a while.
R: You mean get your feet wet.

C: Uh, Rune, I want to talk to you about something. Later, when you aren't busy.
R: Not busy now, actually. What's on your mind?

C: Oh, uhh...
SJ: Do I make you tongue-tied? I can leave.

C: No, no, sir. I just wanted to ask Rune what the point of my research is since she doesn't even collect the reports.

R: ...
SJ: ...

C: *wince* Err, that sounded petty... I'm not really that needy. It's just, I mean, uh, it's like you're paying me for nothing. I wanna be more helpful.

SJ: No, what you are doing is important.
R: We're pretty sure there's something hidden in the journals.
SJ: You'll know it when you see it. I am sure of it.

C: Oh. Okay. Could I maybe get a hint? Save me time? (This isnt like a test or something?)

R: I couldn't hazard even a guess.
SJ: Honestly I hope my hunch is wrong. If it is right... well, we'll come to that when it happens.

C: Well, if the boss says it's important, I'll keep it up.
SJ: That's the spirit!


-----------------------------------

[Note: This following part is the brainstorming I did for the Lavian & Edgar conversation which leads to her bringing out the Emperium. As you can see, I reworked this conversation several times. It's the hardest conversation I had to write in this chapter.]


L: Edgar, let's go to lunch.
E: Lunch ... ?

Takes allhis willpower not to order alcohol

L: Order anything you like. It's on me.
E: Err. Thank you, milady.

(panels of nothing)

L: (sigh)
E: (She's upset? What do I do?)

---

L: I never wanted to be like my father.

L: I respect him, of course, but I don't understand him.

E: Is this something you should be telling me? I know you don't like to talk about him.
(I thought this was going to be a simple lunch)
L: Lunch with a lady is never simple.

---

L: Did you know it was quite a scandal when he married my mother? Back then, clergy from the Church of Al de Baran could not marry. He just stole her away, and that was that. He was never one for "rules." Didn't matter what anyone thought.

L: After he saved the kingdom from war with the orcs, he was knighted. The king then offered him a powerful and honorable position at his royal court. He would be the king's right hand man. A diplomat, and advisor, and a judge.

L: He refused the position in front of everyone.

L: Can you imagine that? After all the honors and accolades he was awarded, he just up and left. It was all people would talk about for weeks. Even now, people talk about it.

L: That was before I was born. But as I grew up, hearing the nobles talk about him behind his back. They never had anything nice to say about him. He was irresponsible, always away from home, traveling. Mother took it well, but... I hated it. I was never close to him...

(Never around when we needed him) - deathbed scene

---

L: This is a letter he wrote to me when I became the Knightmaster. I almost burned it, I was so angry after I read it. I couldn't read it as anything but an insult.

L: Here's what it says.
E: You don't have to tell me...

"To my darling daughter Lavian,

I had to write this as soon as I heard.

Knightmaster Lavian. Prontera will never have a better servant.

A cage is still a cage, even if it's gilded."

If you ever decided to escape, open the box."

L: I worked so hard to become the Knightmaster here. Made a few enemies, actually. Feargus, for one.

L: But that he'd say something other than "I'm proud of you" or "great job!!"

L: I thought he was belittling my accomplishments.

L: But now I see. He was disappointed that I didn't see the world the same way he did. He was warning me.

E: I don't understand...

L: I'm coming to the point. You want to know what we're going to do about Feargus.

L: I think... I think I'm going to resign.

E: What? You can't let Feargus win!

L: He won't win. He'll think he's won, but he'll be wrong. I hate this job. A gilded cage is all it is.

E: Lady Lavian...

L: I have so much paperwork that I can't do what I want to do, what I accepted this position for: to strengthen the knights guild and help swordsmen become knights.

E: You aren't wrong there, but resigning... Would you become a captain instead?

L: No. I couldn't stand to work under him. No, I'd sever from the knight's guild completely.

E: Would you join one of the other knights guilds? You're friendly with the Geffen Knightmaster...

L: Edgar, what are your plans? You wouldn't be Feargus's Defender.

E: Me? I can't even imagine you stepping down!

L: So you're saying you have no plans?

E: Well...

L: That's fine. I've made plans for you! /shy


(the swordies hardly even knew who I was...)

------------------

L: When I was growing up, I didn't want to be like my father.

L: My mother, for example. She was an acolyte. Back then, clergy in the Church of Al de Baran weren't allowed to marry. But he just whisked her away, and no one could stop him.

They changed the rules... for him.


--------------------

L: My father.

E: Oh. I thought you never wanted to talk about him.

L: He and I don't understand each other. We never have.

L: I'd hear all these stories about him while growing up.

E: He stopped the assassin's guild from targeting people.

E: And convinced thieves and rogues to steal from monsters instead of people.

L: ... Very interesting, Edgar. I didn't know about that.

E: /swt

L: But what I meant was the stories the nobles would tell about him. They'd twist everything against him. They'd complain about how he worked with the criminal underground, for example, instead of the good that came from it.

L: I'm thinking of one story in particular. After he discovered the source of the town invasions and put an end to them, the king awarded him the Grand Cross Order of Merit.

L: During the ceremony, the king also offered him a most prestigious position. He'd be the king's closest advisor, his friend and ally.

L: But he turned it down. In front of all the nobles gathered there.

L: It was quite a scandal... who could turn down the king?

---------------------

E: Why did he refuse?

L: If you believe the more jealous nobles, because he's a lazy, disloyal anarchist.

E: That's not right.
L: That's what I was told growing up. And I have to admit it was hard not to believe some of it.

L: He was always away on his adventures. Even when we needed him the most.

---------------------

L: Growing up, he was always away from home.


L: It was well before my time, but hearing about it, I couldn't understand why he'd turn it down.

L: But he was always breaking society's well-constructed rules.

L: When he married my mother, that was another scandal.


L: It was shocking to everyone, to say the least. Even though it was before my time, I can't imagine how anyone could turn down the king.

L: The nobles couldn't, either. He was accused of many things -- being lazy, anarchist, you name it. Behind his back, mind you. No one would dare say it to his face. That's what I heard.

L: It was hard no to believe it. He was almost never home.

L: Never when we needed him, at least.



----------------------------------

E: Why did he refuse?

L: I don't know. It was before my time, and I never asked.

----------------

L: Which brings me to what I wanted to say, but first a little more background.

L: He and I were never close. He was always away from home. So I mostly knew him through the opinions of the jealous nobles around me. When he was absent they'd say he was "running away" from his responsibilities at home. "Playing" at being a hero.

L: And his being away all the time took a toll on mother, and then when Tamm died suddenly... It was a bad situation all around. I blamed him and grew bitter towards him.

L: I moved to Prontera to become a knight. I was so proud when the king recognized my ability.
L: And then, when I became Knightmaster, I received a letter from dad.

L: Haha, I remember it now. I was as excited as Ellsy!

L: And then I read it ... I have it right here.

L: I was so angry. I thought he was insulting me and all my accomplishments.

L: For the longest time, I didn't understand him at all. But now, I think...

[Note: and that's it! What a long chapter. I hope you enjoy the comic & continue to read. We've still plenty of things to happen. Thanks for reading!]