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For the last two weeks that James was taking care of the three orphaned fighters, an unexpected visitor had arrived to the Grand Cathedral of Lea Monde. Heading up to collect his earnings for the job one early morning, stepping once again into the radiant church overwhelming him always, a familiar-looking moogle was speaking to Mother Mariel in the library itself. The faux-French-sounding accent came ringing in James' ears echoing across the hall slightly, for which he could not help but overhear slightly as he walked through between the large bookcases. "It's a very strange thing, kupo." "I agree," replied Mariel, "it's very unusual magic unlike anything I have witnessed." "But dangerous, don't you agree?" "Oh very much so, but don't worry I have kept it safe and securely locked with enchantments on it." "That's good, I would not want to see the same results as the last wielder, kupo. And I thought I had bad days hahahaha." "Hmhmhm...but rest assured, I have it still locked safely away and I am almost certain it is a whole new form of magicite." "Truly? Hmmmm...that makes it high-value, lots of people will hunt out for it if they heard wind of it kupo." "Indeed, but they will not get past me. My enchantments are of course of the highest level you can possibly ask, and normally I would offer up a fee as tithe to the church but-" "Why shouldn't I?" "Oh no no no, you have done much for the church already." "No no please I insist, if you require some monetary fee for your service then I will not refuse." "Well...if you insist, thank you Mr. Lavant." "What about that word though, the one I told you about kupo?" "I have found nothing about it, no mention of it anywhere in our records." "Strange, it's not Occurian maybe?" "Oh no no no, wrong syntax for it, whatever this word is, it is definitely not Occurian." "Hmmmmm...I just can't stop thinking about it for some reason, maybe I should just get it out of my head for one moment and...maybe..." Berniere pondered briefly with a rubbing of his chin, scrutinising his eyes fervently towards the ground as Mariel looked past him to see the raptor poking out behind a bookcase. "OH, James!" "...aaaaah kupoooo!" The moogle waved happily at the raptor who went up towards them in a friendly jogging sprint, smirking down at the knight who bowed humbly before him. "What a small world this is, how are you?!" "I'm great thanks!" replied James. "Wow I didn't expect to find you up here, what you up to?" "Ohhh just making my rounds kupo. Madame Mariel here is taking care of a rather dangerous item I came across on my travels, and as chief researcher of all things demoniac, I could think no one better to trust." "Oho you flatter me," said Mariel blushing. "No no, it is true madamoiselle." He bowed and took her hand with a soft kiss upon it like a true knight, the nu-mou turning red and chortling to herself as the raptor smirked. "Well uh hey that's awesome, sorry for interrupting the conversation but-" "Oh no no please," said Berniere, "I was just finishing up our business, you go ahead." "Actually um, Berniere, can I ask you a favour?" "Oh, of course, how is your clan coming along by the way?" "It's going great, we've got a white mage and two brothers who are actually Mariel's kids from the church." "Really?! Huh...small, small world kupo. And how is Navarro?" "Ahhh she should be around here somewhere, but still cold and frosty." "Hahahaha, yeeees...well, you two ramble away whilst I am going to the Equestrian to whet my throat so if you need me, you come find me there. You know where that is?" "Oh yeah that's my favourite place around here, I'll see ya there." "Farewell kupo!"

The moogle headed off into a hot trot straight out the cathedral, the old nu-mou smiling at him before turning back towards James feeling her feet brush softly across the smooth red carpet. He nearly forgot what he had came for before saying: "I uhhhh-OH yeah um, my two months are up Mrs. Mariel, just wanted you to know." "Oh, already? Goodness, and I was hoping it was a few days more." "Hahaha, I knoooow those kids are awesome right? I really don't wanna leave but I got my stuff to do." "Well...not just that see, Mrs. Imrie has not returned yet." "Wait what?" "It's strange, I would have thought she would be back by last week but it seems her training in Bhujerba has gone on longer than I thought. But that is nothing for you to worry about." "What about the kids?" "Oh I'll take care of them, it's only a few days more I'm sure she'll be back." "Ahhhh okay." "Here is your last payment." She handed him a small sack of coins, the last 6000 gil payment he would receive as he pocketed it neatly into his satchel, patpatting for security. "Thaaaaaank you." "No thank YOU, those little ones are so much more strong and confident now. I must say Mr. Campbell I did not expect one such as you to be able to tame them so practically, and yet such composure they now have in all things knightly...though I was worried about them being given real weapons, I am glad to see my fears were unfounded." "They're old enough to understand," said FG, "I mean if they were like eight or something I wouldn't give them that but they're like maybe twelve so..." "Quite. And to reward your diligence, I have found something that might interest you." Mother Mariel brought out from her book satchel a small tome with red and purple, clearly dark tones of a much more intimate nature as she opened it to a bookmarked page before turning to show him. The raptor struggled to read but he could make out some words that gave him the general gist of things, asking: "Something about a...monastery up in the northeast of-" "Valendia yes," said Mariel. "It was noted perhaps six months ago that an odd disturbance had been recorded by travellers passing through that way, something that occurred in an area that was supposed to be anti-magic, but seemed very much the opposite." "A...scuse me, what?" "A strange aura in a supposedly anti-magic region, and not anywhere near the Jagd either. I thought maybe you would like to investigate it since it must pertain to something of your...interests, young James." "If you think so sure, but...what makes you think it's like a portal?" "Portal-based magic tends to work on a much more intrinsic sort of sense, one that could possibly break through the barriers of anti-magic fielding. Now when I hear of such disturbances I cannot possibly think what else it could be, so if you would like to go see for yourself then by all means." "Alright, sounds good thank you. You got a map for this location?" "Not quite but, if you have a map on you I can note it down for you." Luckily James did have a map in his satchel for reference purposes, giving his own scrawlings to the names of places translated by hand as Mariel drew a circle around one forest area. The northeast of Ivalice specifically as James noted: "That is...quite a long way away." "Oh yes," said Mariel, "I advise you to get some chocobos for the journey since it's very far on foot." "Or maybe an airship." "OH hohoho, no dear, that area's far too close to be nearing the Jagd and those simply will not work." "Ahhhh right yeah forgot the Jagd thingy." "You should ask your friend Navarro on maybe a good chocobo ranch near here, she was in here yesterday asking for books on chocobo rearing." "Wait seriously?" "Oh yes, she comes in all the time asking for books on 'the noble steed' as she called it, she might know something." "Uhhh okay then. Thank you Madame Mariel." "Please...the pleasure is all mine. But may I ask you..."

She put a hand on his shoulder and pulled him down before whispering inside his ear: "You have met a terrible fate, haven't you?" Those words trickled like ice down into the very centre of his being as he turned with a hot shudder as she glinted from her eyes softly. A greater intelligence laid than one he ever knew within them, smirking from her old creased lips. "You are searching for something...aren't you? I thought since we are now alone finally I could ask you something about yourself that you may...hide from your fellow clan members." "U-u-um...wh-what are you t-talking abou-" "Don't play with me." She leaned forwards despite her height beneath him, shorter than Koopin was even and barely reaching up towards his chest as she slipped a hand across his cheek. "You are a strange raptor...whatever that may be, and I most certainly do not recall any yonder in Ivalice...are you lost, demon?" James panicked stumbling back before he nearly hit the bookcase behind him as she softly smirked at seeing his reaction. She did not make a move on him however and simply spread her arms open greatly, as if offering the radiance of warmth from her embrace asking: "Aren't you?" "I...ye-....y-y-yes...yes, I am lost. I've been...trying to get home for...years, that's...that's why I need this portal." "Then tell me...do you plan to harm those who must stand in your way, should this need of yours overwhelm the sanctity of other lives?" "No, never, I will not harm anyone. Not anymore. I used to, I'll be honest, but I can't do it now after everything I did. I'm not a saint, I'm not pure-hearted you know that obviously, you see right through me right?" "Possibly...but that's only because I saw your inherent aura, that does not mean I can observe what lies yonder within that heart." "But I want to be pure-hearted. I need to be, I HAVE to be. I have this...demon inside me and I'm fighting him with everything I've got." "I knew that darkness inside of you was struggling with something...how very interesting." "Just please, don't tell my clan about this, they need to be safe and I can't keep them safe if they can't trust me." "I promise." "Please, god I'll do any-wait...what?" "I won't say a word, by the light of Kiltia I swear to you, young James. Your secret is safe with me." "I...a-are you serious?" "I never joke about such things." Her face turned dark with unflinching eyes of serious motive despite her aged crackling voice. "You have good intentions and the way I saw you with those children was merely proof for me to know that you are most worthy of my trust, and bearing that of kind heart." "What, I-...you really thought I would be able to do it, just look after kids so easily?" "My sons trust you and therefore I trust you. And so far you have not betrayed me, for if ever you did...I would simply destroy you, by the grace of Faram." She said this with her hands upwards to the heavens whilst spread before her as if preaching from the pulpit, a soft radiant beaming look from her face, glowing with such purity. Yet James saw something else. A dark malignant look in one eye that glinted something dangerously as he nervously gulped whilst simply nodding, the old lady replying with: "That is part of my duty, for I must take any demon I find within these walls and eradicate them, but only if their means are to a great end of violence upon our home. Do you understand James?" "I...I understand, Mother Mariel." "Good. Now I wish you good luck, and hope that you return home one day. And don't worry about my sons...they cannot sense the evil from inside of you for they may both be arbiters of light, but they do not have the ability to detect the Dark. That...is of a higher power beyond their teachings currently." "My darkness is not anything like the Dark you guys mean." "No...but it's still intrinsically part of darkness, so do not worry. Your secret shall be safe with me...especially from my own children."

Smiling sweetly, she let James go as he walked away rather shaken and suspicious of her immediately. But the words she spoke seemed perfectly pure and he had no reason to suspect anything of her betraying his trust considering she already knew of his darkness even after handing him the mission to babysit young children. He wondered what exactly her intentions had been but regardless decided to make tracks towards the Equestrian for a light drink. Upon entering the bar, he found both Berniere and Navarro already waiting for him along with Dahlia and Berniere's own clan members. "Ahhh James!" called Berniere. "Come in please kupo!" "Hey there Berniere. I see you found Navarro." "Yes," said Navarro, "despite my many hiding attempts kupo." "Hahahaha," replied the male moogle, "aaaah such a mean-spirited moogle, one day your pompom will fall off from that sharp wit of yours!" "Not if I have anything to say about it." "Hmhmhm, sooo James, you remember Enoch and Margaret don't you?" The blonde female hume dressed in sapphire nodded simply with a stern look on her face, along with the male nu-mou raising his eyebrows rather sociably from his dark red-and-blue cloak. The raptor waved greeting in return as he sat with the moogle knight. "Sooo what's new with you guys then?" "Ohhh nothing," replied Enoch, "just simply a brief retirement from the drudgery of civil fighting." "There is nothing civil about it," replied Margaret dryly, "nor are we ever in retirement." "One could say the same about politicians Margaret." "Mmmmm. And where is the rest of this...Clan Koridai?" "In the church," said Dahlia, "Fayne and Baldwin went to perform duties as part of their return home." "Good, to see such faith in this impoverished land resting on the ruins of a pagan city." "W-well...I would not know much of it, I am more of a scientist rather than historian." "Really?" asked Enoch. "What sort of sciences?" "Medicinal, but I also take a great interest in physics I must admit." "Ahhhhh...wonderful, tell me have you studied the works of Casellano?" "Why yes, regularly! Actually his differential ratio I use as the common template for most of my thinking." "Marvellous!" The old nu-mou schmoozed over towards the younger Dahlia and shook her hand dutifully, her bifocals glinting with intrigue at her fellow scholar. "Enoch Thucydes, and you are?" "Dahlia Orosco, nice to meet you." "I rarely have the chance to converse on scientific matters or anything academic whilst out on the road, so forgive me if I seem very extrovert." "Oh goodness not at all, I know precisely what you mean! Tell me, what studies have you taken?" "Mostly I have studied along the lines of Linguistic scholarships, particularly that of the ancient languages but I confess I have had some interest in politics and therefore took a political course to compensate along those values, giving both ancient world and the modern world allowance to come forth to me." "How...VERY interesting, that's quite an unusual collection of studies!" "But tell me miss Orosco, why do you think Casellano's work was so formulative to our society?" "Well," began Dahlia, "personally I think it's because of his most basic experimentation concerning ectothermal properties, that alone founded many theories we now solve with in our studies. In fact there was a very interesting editorial last year concerning that-" James completely shut himself off from this tedious conversation and simply turned away whilst speaking to Berniere, smiling at the fact that Dahlia had made herself a friend as he asked the moogle knight: "Soooo about that favour-" "AH-AH-AH," said Berniere, "first we must drink, let us whet our whistles first kupo." "Right right, Wootie can I have that apple cider stuff please?" "Make mine Twilight, kupo."

He only asked for the favour after they had both drank their respectful beverages, just one for the road as they sipped cautiously cracking jokes every few minutes. James learnt more about Berniere's life with his freeing tongue, more specifically that he came from a family of engineers in Bhujerba which apparently was the hot-happening place for all things engineering-based as a major airport and sole free nation that remained completely impartial to everywhere else. Likewise Berniere learnt absolutely nothing about James that he had not already told his friends. After perhaps an hour later, Fayne and Baldwin arrived stumbling through in the midst of early afternoon, the monk turning leery with wild-eyed wonder and scar still streaked across his snout before he cried out: "JAMESSZH, JAMESSZH!" "What?!" "OH...s-sszhorry, I didn't realisszhe you were busszhy." "Nah it's cool, hey uh this is Berniere, that guy who gave us the recommendation." "AH!" replied Fayne standing up straight before bowing. "Forgive me good...sir, but may I divulge what a great honour to be before you my dear-" "Calm yourselves kupo," said the moogle knight softly. "I am not legendary, you can put your airs and graces away around me, no need to be like that." "Ah...f-forgive me, I did not want to intrude, I am...simply that I heard of you greatly and that I...respect you, deeply." "Are you alright? You seem to have a slight stutter, are you that nervous, kupo?" "Oh ignore him," said Baldwin, "he alwaysszh talksszh like that but uh I have sszhomething to tell Jamesszh." "Well can it wait a bit?" replied James. "I'm kind of in the middle of something." "Oh no it'sszh fine, we'll uh...we'll jusszht order sszhomething uh I'm Baldwin Sszhmithee, thisszh isszh my brother Fayne." "Pleased to meet you kupo!" Lavant shook both the bangaa's hands heartily as he introduced his own clan saying: "I am Berniere as you seem to know, that is Enoch Thucydes the old nu-mou sage and that is Margaret Mitford my most loyal and dear mage." "Charmed," said the woman blithely. "I need some fresh air so do not wait for me." "I'll join you," said Navarro, "I need to clear my head from the vapours kupo." "Agreed." The two women primly walked off into the shade behind the tavern as they skirted round the building, the raptor shaking his head with wonder at their obvious avoidance whilst Baldwin sat down jittering in his seat, before Berniere asked: "So you two are in the church kupo?" "Indeed," said Fayne, "we are both part of the Kildean faith and have been for...fifty years." "I thought it was thirty," asked James. "No...that-was how long I took to become prelate, but we have been with the church for many-BALDWIN!" "What?!" said Baldwin. "Would you...PLEASE-stop fidgeting?!" "S-sszhorry I...I'll tell Jamesszh all about it after you're done, um, Wootie, gimme szzhum applesszh here!" "Righto!" Wootton gladly handed him a cider drink allowing him to calm down some, whilst James finished up his dialogue with Berniere. "Sooooo you gonna do it for me?" "Of course I will kupo!" said the moogle. "I would be glad to help out a young student in training." "Awesome, thank you, I owe you one." "No no...just make sure that she trains up to be a strong and noble fighter. That is all I ask, in fact I have nothing to do right now so-" "Great, you wanna go now?" "Why not, let us seize the day kupo!" James drank down the last of his cider and headed off with Berniere up towards the church, whilst Fayne and Baldwin were left to their own devices alongside Dahlia and Enoch. The monk groaned and flexed his fingers saying: "Aaaaaaaaagh I wanted to tell hiiiiim!" "You can wait," said Fayne promptly. "But it'sszh really incredible!" "Only to you Baldwin." "YOU never heard of it either, I mean-" "I wisszh I hadn't-...damn it." "What are thosszhe two talking about anyway?" "I do not know, why not talk to them like a normal...person?"

Baldwin briefly walked past them in a fake pass trying to overhear what they were saying, and found himself promptly confused within three sentences of their conversation as Enoch spoke in media res: "-but the way that things are now concerning the electrical war of the currents, the political standard of Archadia has been nothing short of representative to themselves." "Well yes," replied Dahlia, "but they're so inclusive to only humes and nu-mous that they miss out on so many other trades with places. How can you possibly claim to be so open-minded to call a battlefield amidst universities of thought, when they cannot even bring themselves to make good trade amongst all consumers?" "Because Archadia does not have the standard by which to include other races into it, for any that tried to make a living within its walls are damned to find themselves bereft far more of opportunity, than they would in their own dear sanctums of say Rabanastre. There is no need for them to approach Archadia, if that sole kingdom wishes to be a tower of imperialism, then who are they to argue?" "That is true, there is no need. But I feel it is very arrogant that a kingdom would take such an anti-immigration stance towards specific peoples on the basis of not trading anything. The hume and the nu-mou live perfectly fine and now they cater towards the moogle thanks to the constant airship traffic which DEMANDS that they have to, or else lose out on big business across more than one continent." "Do you believe," said Enoch pointedly, "that were the moogles not responsible for the airship industry, they would not be included in Archadian trading?" "Yes," she said emphatically, "I do not see them doing so any other way, I believe that Archadia is a pharisaic nation to its own logic." "If it is by necessity for their inability to cater to such nations, then I feel it is more prudent rather than arrogant." "Is it prudent because they HAVE no ability, or is it arrogant because they do not ATTEMPT to have such ability? After all, they are a nation further expanding by annexing smaller countries and political states, what sort of kingdom cannot have the ability to cater to 'other such races' but it clearly has a defence budget in spades to propagate their own personal conquest!?" "That is the big question," continued Enoch, "but what do you believe personally?" "I...y-yes?" "OH," said Baldwin stammering, "I-uh...jusszht wondered if you wanted a drink Dahlia, my treat." "Oh um...I'll take the Fluttershy please, thank you." "Hokay, sszhorry for interrupting but uh jusszht wanted to check up on you." "No no it's fine," said Enoch politely, "forgive me for running your friend's throat dry with political discussion, tell me, are you of Clan Koridai?" "Yesszh, Baldwin Sszhmithee." They shook hands once Enoch offered gladly. "Enoch Thucydes, the pleasure is mine. Tell me, what do YOU think of Archadia's current political standing on trade and welfare?" "Ahhhhh...hehehe...well I think, the lesszh sszhaid about Archadia the better, I mean consszhidering me and all...I sszhtick with Dahlia'sszh opinion, I think it'sszh very arrogant for what they think they can do." "I see." "I'm not very political, I mean I am of the church sszho you know I have no need to be becausszhe of all the sszheparasszhion of church and sszhtate." "Ahh yes, of course, but that is no reason for you not to take interest, after all you can still vote as an ordinary citizen of certain matters. Is there not a council as such within Lea Monde?" "Well...yesszh but...Iiiii am out of practizzhe, I cannot even remember the lasszht head of the Kildean counsszhil but my brother keepsszh me up to date." "Father Montagu," replied Fayne perfectly, "made-council in Valendian five-five-two, originally from Balfonheim and...most-infamousszh for being-"

"THE GREATEST HERO EVER!" It took a few minutes for Lu to come out and say it, the shock of seeing her own truest hero now standing before her in the flesh being rather overwhelming. But she soon caught up with herself and jumped excitably up in front of him, staring upon his green armour and orange bauble dangling at the top of his head. Even between adults and children moogles did not seem to grow very much in terms of inches, but there was a clearer sense of stiffer bristling hairs and glossier whitish look from Berniere compared to the soft brown of Lu. He simply bowed and introduced himself with: "So you are the young warrior who stopped the dreaded Mimic Queen of Snowfly Forest?" "MMHMM, that's me, I did it!" "WE DID IT TOO!" said Blum behind her. "Well good!" said the moogle adult. "I am glad to see that this fair city is in such capable hands, kupo. Especially after much training from Mr. Campbell." "You're amaaaaazing," said Lu proudly, "I been listening to stories about you ever since I first got here, when I was a baby! I...I always hoped I could be as great as you one day and show the world who I really am." "You already are," said Berniere humbly. "You stand by your friends, you faced danger to find and protect your mentor, you guarded a fair lady if what Mr. Campbell says is true kupo. But I want you to remember one thing." "Y-yeah?" He placed a hand on her shoulder steadying her nerves as he took serious tone with her. "Do not model yourself on me. If you are inspired by me, that is good but do not become me, kupo. You are your own person, your own warrior strength burns within you and you shall cut your own path through this world Lu. Is that clear?" "Y-y-yes...yes sir. I'll be my own hero, totally!" "Good! I am curious though, you do not say kupo like most other moogles would, kupo." "Um...I-i never...really...I don't know I...never noticed that before, really, I don't?" "Maybe because you never been around most moogles," said Belle informatively, "you've always been around us an' the rest of the orphans." "Ahhh of course," said Berniere nodding, "forgive me that was very rude of me. Now, as I have plenty of time to spend whilst in your fair city, would you do me the honour of showing me your skills in combat?" "Wha...r-r-really? You wanna...teach us?" "More like sparring, kupo. I want to see how you three fare as well as see how good your teacher has taught you." "YAY!" cried all three of them. "WE DID IT, CUPID MARK CRUSADER SPARRING PARTNERS GO!" They rushed back inside their house to grab their wooden swords as James smirked at the moogle knight. He was however curious in asking whilst they waited: "So uh what was this artifact that you-" "Aaaabu-bu-bup! Please, I must request that you not speak of such things, you never know who might be listening kupo." "Huh?" "I have many enemies James, and they are always looking to exploit my weaknesses so for the sake of sanctity I must not speak anything of the recent artifact I obtained. You understand that it's very dangerous to talk on such things openly." "Oh yeah of course um, heh, sorry." "Not at all kupo. I understand that need to be curious and, AH here we are." The girls all came out with wooden blades more neatly-carved than last they had been, looking more like true training swords after a while of scraping the wood through to firmer point as Berniere said: "Let us see how well you three fare against me. Are you ready?" "I-i-i am!" squawked Lu. "I've been waitin' fer this my whole LIFE!" "Then let us prepare ourselves for battle! EN GUARDE KUPO!"

"He actually says that?" said Margaret despondent. "Indeed," said Navarro bleakly. "He is such an imbecile." "Then why on earth did you ever agree to him?" "He held my papers hostage, kupo. Foolish as he may be, he has a mind and spirit both wily with audacity and unusual that I dare even call noble." "Hm. Noble chivalry and foolhardy dumbness tend to make good bedfellows." "Hmhmhmhm...which one would you call me then?" "Neither, he has the whole bed for himself and you let him into your house expecting a small fee." "Hmph...at least I have half the deed in my name, kupo." "A shame you are not married, or else you could divorce easily and take back more than half." "HmHAH! Fair point." The moogle smirked as she leaned against the wall behind the tavern, relishing the quiet shade as the river flowed sweetly in the radiant sun of a warm churchyard afternoon. Margaret brought out from her robe a small packet of cigarettes, greyish paper rolled up and packed full of herbal bearings before lighting a hot fire from her fingers sleekly. Clicking her fingers once, her thumb burned bright with a magical flame just barely above her flesh as slowly she burnt the very tip of the cigarette, before a deep breath brought in the vaporous substance cloying within her lungs. Smoke poured out of her nostrils as she exhaled, her mouth rasping slightly before she offered the packet to Navarro who refused politely, hand raised upwards in deference before continuing with: "How did you come to be with Berniere, kupo?" "University," said Margaret, "an impressionable young sort, he had a strength that found me vindicated wanting to explore the whole world and see what wretched souls lied yonder. Sickening curiosity." "And has that curiosity been sated, kupo?" "Not enough." "Why sickening then?" "Because curiosity is poison much like many other things. Only certainty has brought progress to this world." "When you talk of curiosity, do you not speak more of blind chance and experimentation kupo?" "Yes...that is precisely what I meant." Nodding to each other the hume continued breathing in from her cigarette, sighing greatfully to mix the fresh air with burnt herbal essences pumping through her lungs before being released from her throat. She asked cautiously: "You know Berniere well, don't you?" "I have spent twelve years alongside him, kupo. Why do you ask?" "Do you find him to be rather...egregious with that heart he wears on his sleeve?" "It is simply part of his knight training, he always was a rather quixotic sort of person." "I worry that he does not fight for justice so much as he fights for being the good son of the world. And if you just set out to be liked, you will be prepared to compromise on anything. Then you would achieve hardly nothing." "Basically you think he is rather soft, kupo." "Indeed. The times I have known him there have been plenty of missed opportunities to gather more strength, we don't even have a full clan, a clan of great POWER one reputed to be legendary. But no, instead we have me, him, Enoch and a few others who can't be bothered to stick round for a social." "I did wonder..." She looked round cautiously as if to look for these other nameless subjects. "Where did the rest of your clan go?" "Usually gallivanting, they think they're on a holiday, fine people in combat certainly, they manage not to get killed but they lack any TRUE passion! You've got to learn to have passion in a job like this." "And Berniere does not, kupo?" "He has the wrong sense of passion, a mawkish turmulent glee that has turned this business into a play date." "Ahhhh...I understand perfectly miss Mitford." "Please, dear, Margaret will do, we are both women of the world and of strong candour for business. we do not have to play kiss-up." "Agreed, kupo."

They eventually tired of the fresh air and headed back inside to find that James had not returned with Berniere, and simply took to drinking just a little bit enough to kill the vocals of the tavern ringing in their ears. Dahlia was still debating with Enoch, Baldwin and Fayne were recounting a story to each other and Wootton just seeked any potential customers with dry glasses. James returned finally with Berniere somewhat around two hours later as Clan Herne decided that it was time for them to leave. Dahlia thanked Enoch for the riotous conversation, Navarro shook Mrs. Mitford's hand politely with stern looks and James gave a shoulder-slapping to Berniere before he hugged Navarro tight. She hugged him back in turn forcefully to let go of his solid embrace before they waved each other off, wishing farewell before James turned back towards Baldwin almost immediately right up in his face. But Navarro interrupted before he could say anything asking: "Did you get our payment, kupo?" "OH yeah," said FG, "I have it right here." "Excellent, let us leave this place, we shall make haste back to Nalbina within the next following days." "Actually um, I wanna talk to you about something, Mother Mariel told me about a new location that might interest us, she actually gave it as a mission to us." "Oh? Really?" They both ignored Baldwin's frantic hopping behind James as he brought out his map showing the location indicated, adding: "Yeah see, she found some stuff on portals and she basically told me that there was this anti-magic field way up here, northeast past Archadia, but there had been reports of an ACTUAL magic disturbance WITHIN that anti-magic field. Possibly related to portals." "Is she certain that is what it could be?" asked Navarro. "She's got no idea on what else it could be so yeah, might as well worth check it out and she did ask for us to go find and solve the mystery as she put it." "This is very far away, kupo." "Uhh yeah but she said that we may need to get some chocobos for the ride out, and no airships because it's near the Jagd so-" "Ah! Good, this is perfect kupo." "Wait really?" Navarro clapped her hands together with eyes shining of prospect, a look that James knew very rarely as she almost broke into a full smile. "I know a good ranch that we can get our steeds from, I believe it is high time that we earn ourselves some mode of transportation." "Won't that eat into the budget?" "Not necessarily, believe me I know how to handle this." "Um, actually..." Dahlia peeked up her hand as if about to raise objection to a class teacher's lesson. "We may have some problems, that Enoch sir I was talking to from Clan Herne, we talked greatly about Archadia and he told me that they have set up a large border crossing checkpoint between east and west Valendia, right outside their kingdom." "I see," said the moogle. "In that case we must earn some identification, normally we would not need it but in the case of Archadians-" "Wait what?" asked FG. "Identification, come on we've got clan permits, I wrote them all out and everything!" "True, that you did, but I want to make sure that they cannot refuse our passage on any small terms, kupo." "I have my-authenticity," said Fayne nobly, "being a prelate of the cathedral I have right of...passage-anywhere all over Ivalisszhe-hhhh." "Alright then," said FG, "your call I'll follow you. Hokaaaaaay Baldwin." He turned around finally towards the jubilant bangaa. "What did you have to tell me?" "FINALLY, hokay, sszhcusszhe me for one moment." He grabbed James by the arm and pulled him towards a far table away from both of the girls who sat up drinking together, wondering what exactly was all the fuss about as the monk sat with James and Fayne joining them. "Hokay, bracshe yoursszhelf. Did you know...that hume femalesszh, have hair on their cuntsszh?!"

James simply blinked as if he had not heard him properly, reeling back the last five seconds to make sure he had not heard anything out of place. Then he started smirking without control as laughter came bubbling up slowly from his throat, Baldwin reeling back from his own amazement with hands open beside his face. "...pfff-...d-did...did you...h-hn-hnnot know?" "NO! I wasszh with a lady, lasszht night, a hume, wasszh my very firsszht and it wasszh AMAZZHING! Ohhhh sszhe wasszh pretty, sszhkin like chocolate but when we got upsszhtairsszh I sszhaw thisszh THING on her cunt! I thought it wasszh a toupee, or maybe sszhome sszhmall rat had latched onto her but NO, IT WASSZHN'T!" "ARE YOU SERIOUS?! KFFFHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAA, OHO my god you stupid fuckwit!" "WH-WHAT!?" "Of COURSE they got hair down there you idiot, oh my god REALLY Baldwin!? THIS is what you needed to tell me?!" "OH, look at you the female hume exzhpert! Well I am SSZHORRY but maybe you'd like to tell me sszhometime! But here'sszh the thing..." He leaned forwards just for this with hands clasped together seriously whilst James sniggered back down to a normal state. "When I plowed her sszhmoothly, after taking a while to find it from all the hair...sszhe, felt, amaaaaaaazzzhing." "...that's-...w-wait, what?" "No, really, turnsszh out all that hair, jusszht feels fantasszhtic on my dick. It wasszh like a dozzhen handsszh of sszhilk sszhleekly rubbing over my meat. I mean...ohhhh...hume femalesszh are wonderful, I have got to find one again." "You really wanted to tell me THAT?!" asked James. "What the fuck Baldwin, why the hell do I have to know that?!" "I thought you'd wanna know!" replied Baldwin defensively. "I mean we're both malesszh out there looking around for a bit of good time, maybe in casszhe you wanted to I dunno, play with a hume female sszhometime and not get all ecsszhtatic about that HAIR on their-" "Jesus are you serious? God dammit Baldwin..." James put his hands against his face grumbling half-heartedly in absolute disbelief. He wasn't sure whether to tell him off for being too rude or to tell him off for being too ignorant, with Fayne adding mawkishly. "I told you it was-not worth it." "Sszhut up," replied Baldwin, "I had good intensszhionszh, I didn't wanna leave you hanging." "Hanging from WHAT?!" asked FG. "I mean god, you drink, you're out with women, you swear like a fucking sailor, how the hell are you still a monk?" "I do my duty! I pray to Faram, to the light of Kiltia, I do no wrong by other people undesszherving, sszho long asszh I don't hurt the innocszhent I'm completely fine!" "And I play the role of...chaperone," began Fayne, "therefore I know that he can do no wrong." "Well that sounds fun," said FG derisively. "I mean hey glad you can have something but seriously, you sound like you've had every species under the sun and call that a conquest." "Not ALL of them," retorted Baldwin, "I mean I've had moogle, and hume firsszht time...there wasszh that bangaa, the nu-mou-" "Ahhh," said Fayne, "the bitch." "Noooo not HER, I mean um, that really nicszhe lady down at Balfonheim." "Ahhh," said Fayne, "the witch." "Yeeeeesszh, ohhhh sszhe wasszh wonderful, gave me a masszhage and a...well, heheh..." "Happy ending?" asked FG rolling eyes. "Ohhh it wasszh a VERY happy ending...only onesszh I never had are viera and garif." "So you just tick the box on all your species conquest for fucking?" "OHNOnonononono I don't mean like that, I mean I am jusszht intrigued by the many different people and how every sszhingle one of them isszh alwaysszh quite different to exszhperiensszhe, that makesszh it really fun!" "But you must have dealt with hair down...there, when you were like with a moogle, or maybe a nu-mou?" "Oh yesszh but, they have hair that'sszh very sszhmooth and perfectly sszhtraight down there, well-groomed. Humesszh have very...jusszht...curlsszh of hair that all twisszht themsszhelvesszh up and then add a whole NEW level of feeling." "Right...I never really noticed." "You ever had one?" "No...well, yes, but that was like years ago when I was a teenager." "Ahhh...well then."

The three kept drinking as James ordered another cider to keep himself wet in the throat, thinking on Baldwin's wild escapades and wondering something odd about him. Eventually he put his hands together like Baldwin had done with them almost clasped in like prayer, before saying: "You ever thought of like, getting a girlfriend Baldwin? I mean it's not healthy just sleeping around all the time." "I wear protecszhion, alwaysszh!" "That's not what I mean! I mean MENTALLY it's not healthy, you need to get a stable life, someone to be with, someone to love and cherish and feel good with. Don't you want that? I mean fun is fun and all but...to me there's always just that extra feel of goodness when you're with someone you know, someone you care for, someone you really like and know you can trust. It just feels a lot better than just sleeping around with random strangers." "...how old ARE you?" asked Baldwin harshly. "I'm like thirty-four or something?!" "You are half my age and giving ME advisszhe?!" "Well I'm just saying, do you not ever want to have a relationship properly?" "Of coursszhe I do!" "Well what's stopping you?" "...I...I-i-i don't know, I haven't found the right girl yet!" "In all of sixty-seven years?" "Oh I've had a lady on my arm plenty timesszh before! ...jusszht...well-" "The tragedy of my brother," said the bishop softly. "For all the mettle he...exhibits, the only great problem he could ever cower beneath...was repudiation." James took a while trying to figure out what Fayne meant, but slowly he realised as he leaned in towards Baldwin's head slumped up against the table. "...are you...afraid of being rejected?" "U-uh...m-maybe?" stammered the monk gently. "Look, it'sszh not that I know I cannot commit, I totally could, but...if I jusszht want to have a good time and sszhome girl sszhaysszh no, then fine, they don't wanna have sszhex I'm okay with that! But if I open my heart jusszht a little bit, and they sszhay no...that hurtsszh me. I can take them sszhaying no to my dick, or to my body but not to my heart, you know what I mean? I can't take that kind of pain and I rather don't want to risszhk it." Melancholy sank in and Baldwin wasn't even drunk yet, moaning gently as Fayne softly patpatted him on the shoulder simply nodding. James found it oddly sweet to see this side open up from his fellow clan member, asking: "I didn't realise you felt that way...so why screw around a lot then?" "I like to play around becausszhe I have no hangupsszh, no need to prove mysszhelf other than by sszhtrength and sszhtamina which, trusszht me, I have in sszhpadesszh! But when you talk about relasszhionsszhipszh that isszh...oy..." "Well, you just need to learn confidence, you gotta strengthen yourself right here." He tapped Baldwin on the chest. "You just need a little exercise for it, is there anyone you got your eye on at the moment, maybe you wanna date?" "...well...u-u-um...let'sszh jusszht sszhay there isszh sszhomeone you know." "Dahlia," said Fayne. "FAYNE!" "Well we're going to be here all night with you blubbering on like a babe, I'm not going to drag it out." "At leasszht let me prepare mysszhelf!" "Wait seriously, Dahlia?" James asked this as they all looked round towards her, the nu-mou laughing at something incredulous that Navarro was saying to her in private. She had tears running out of her eyes at one point, taking off her bifocals to wipe them off as her laughter trickled sweetly across the air, like plucks of an angel's strings as James turned back to ask: "I thought she'd be too...mild for you." "But that'sszh the thing," said Baldwin, "I LIKE her. I really like her, sszhe'sszh alwaysszh sszho kind and nurturing and...very sszhweet. Plusszh I have a BIG thing for nu-mousszh and that doesszh not help." "Ahh huh." "B-but I'm not looking at her THAT way, I mean...when I think about her, I do not think 'will sszhe feel great in bed', I think 'what thingsszh could we do together'. I like lisszhtening to her but...I mean...I don't know." "What's the problem, we're all grownups, go ask her." "N-n-noooo, what if sszhe don't like me anymore an' thinksszh I'm sszhome pervert, think of the clan!" "You are a pervert," said Fayne, "but you can hide that very neatly around her like you have been." "I'm not a pervert, I'm not sszhome molly!" "Molly?" asked FG. "N-never mind I'm not a pervert, jusszht becausszhe I like to sszhleep around doesszh not make me a pervert, I jusszht apprecszhiate women! But I want to apprecszhiate HER even moresszho...with my heart. And I feel...ohhh Faram, I feel sszho wounded when near her, my heart jusszht feelsszh sszho sszhick everytime I'm near here, ever sszhincszhe back two monthsszh ago." "And you've felt this way ever since?" "Yep." "Well...tell you what, why don't we practice something, she's busy with Navarro so how about this? Why don't we roleplay, I'll be Dahlia and you be yourself." "Huh?!" "I'll pretend to be Dahlia, say the stuff she would say, and then you talk like you were offering to ask her out on a date. That way any screwups or mistakes you make, we can just iron out on the way so then when you DO ask her out for real, you'll be all confident and sound great and ready for anything that happens. That sound good?"

Baldwin looked surreptitiously at his brother Fayne, the bangaas looking rather awkward at this proposal but in the end finding no real flaw in the idea. Baldwin struggled slightly, hands clasped together wincing, thumbs twiddling until finally saying: "F-fine, okay that...doesszh sszhound like a good idea to practisszhe, okay." "Alright, let's do this. I'll be Dahlia, you come up to me and just say what comes to you. If you say anything odd or something that's not right, we'll stop and correct you." "Wait we?!" "I do have more...composure than you," replied Fayne. "I can guide you on the merit of wooing a lady too." "Leasszht I have the confidencszhe to not sszhtop in the middle of a damn sszhentenszhe, to hell with composszhiszhion!" "Composure." "Whatever, alright let'sszh do thisszh, MM-HMMPH!" James sat up and awaited Baldwin to come in with his first line, the bangaa taking a deep breath and clasping his palms rather nervously as if about to start a fire within them. It was incredibly weird for him, staring at James and trying to imagine the kindly grey nu-mou was sitting right in front of him, starting with: "Heeeeeey Dahlia." "OH," said James soft-voiced, "hello there Baldwin." "Hoooow uh...how are thingsszh?" "Very well thank you, did you need something?" "Um...I jusszht...ohhhh I can't do thisszh." He put his hands on his face as Fayne reassured him, rubbing his shoulders tenderly. "Come on now, you can do it, you're a monk not a child." "Thisszh isszh sszhtupid, I don' wannaaaaa, what if sszhe don' like me?!" "You can handle that, IF...she-says no, remember the time we met Mother Brea?" "Uhhhhhhh...don't remind me." "If we could handle her, you can definitely handle a nu-mou white mage, now come on. Buck up, or we'll be here all night." "Hokay hokay, sszhtart over. MM-HMM, halright...um...hold on." Baldwin brought out a scrap of paper from his pocket and twisted it up in his fingers forming a poor imitation of a pair of bifocals. "Put thesszhe on." "You're serious," asked FG. "Jusszht help me with thisszh." "Alright alright." He put on the bifocals made of paper balancing them on his nose before awaiting Baldwin to clear his throat, the monk starting with: "Hi Dahlia!" "Hello Baldwin!" said James pleasant. "How are you?" "Great, thanksszh and uh, you?" "Very well thank you, did you need something?" "Ahhh...well...um...lisszhten." Baldwin rubbed the back of his head nervously as he gave a small sigh. "We've...been friendsszh for at leasszht, five monthsszh now?" "I believe so yes." "Welll...the thing isszh...I really like you asszh a friend, I think you're a very wonderful...very kind...honesszhtly the sszhweetesszht persszhon I've ever known." "Oh, th-th-thank you Baldwin, gosh I...that's very kind of you." "And um...I like you sszho much asszh not jusszht a friend that, well, I feel...I feel asszh if...well..." "Yes?" "I...I'm in...I'm...I'minlovewithyou." "...I-i'm...sorry, what was tha-" "I LLL-urp...love. You." The raptor gasped and put his hands to his face as if about to cry, the swell of music simmering inside his head before he said: "Okay stop right there." "Wh-wha?!" He took off his bifocals. "You know how YOU feel about her, but she doesn't. Now if you come on to her saying you love her right out of the blue, that's gonna be a pretty sudden position to put her in." "Wh-what do you mean?!" "I'm saying you're going too fast straight-up saying that you love her, I mean the two of you don't even hang out that much on your own." "O-ohhh jeez, I sszhould jusszht forget thisszh." "No no come on let's do this again, let's think of another way to do this." "Why not," began Fayne, "ask...that you would like to do...something together? Just-the two of you, learn about each other, get to know each other." "We know each other good enough!" replied Baldwin. "Mmhmm, and her favourite book?" "Wha-um...AH, ohhhh...I-i dunno!" "Hmmmm very well, favourite drink?" "Rasszhpberry juisszhe." "Well well, you DID pay...attention to her." "Well yanno ever sszhincszhe the Tesszhla missszhion, after finding out how sszhmart sszhe wasszh I took real noticszhe, I paid more attensszhion." "Favourite movie?" asked FG. "DU-UH-I mean, play." "Anything by Robert Barker, sszhe LOVESSZH wordplay by him." "Heeeey see you're all relaxed now talking about her, see this is what you want!" "I-i guesszh sszho...what then?" "Ask her if she wants to do something with you, just the two of you, spend some time, get to know each other." "Alright...Dahlia."

"Yes Baldwin?" The real Dahlia had turned towards him, the monk now standing right before her ten minutes later after practice with James, rather nervously wringing his hands before realising as he stopped himself asking: "Would youuuu like to...thisszh isszh gonna sszhound um...would you like to do sszhomething together? Jusszht...the two of usszh?" "Oh? Well I'm...very flattered but, why just the two of us?" "Becausszhe I...I wanna get to know you more, you know? You're my friend, I like you, and I feel I sszhould get to know you. I mean I feel it'sszh a bit unfair that I don't really do much to get to know you. I mean I got Fayne, me an' Jamesszh are alwaysszh ribbing each other, Navarro isszh...well, Navarro, but you and I don't really talk too much. And I want to change that." "Well that is true...what would you like to do together?" "Iiiiii...maybe catch a play? I mean we had fun lasszht time did we not?" "OH, I would love to see a play, you know one of Robert Barker's stories is coming up in a few days down at the local theatre and I was hoping that...if we had time we could catch a performance. I asked Navarro if she wanted to go but...she was not interested " "Great, I'll go with you then, I'll pay for both of usszh!" "What!? Oh nononono-" "No no pleasszhe, my treat!" He clasped her hands inside of his as a smile gleamed across his snout, soft gentle fur rubbing across harsh smooth scale. "I want to, pleasszhe?" "...a-alright then, thank you...thank you Baldwin!" The bangaa nodnodded struggling to withhold his excitement as Dahlia returned back to her drink, the monk turning back both to his brother and leader sitting at the table with thumbs up in his silent squeeing joy. James felt particularly proud of himself for having sorted out his clan's problems, feeling like a dogooder as he took out a drink of justice gladly swilling down a whole glass of cider to prepare himself for a night-in. Despite his initial worries in the morning about Mother Mariel's word of warning, he found himself all the more enthusiastic to get going for the road ahead. But of course the road ahead never did run smooth, as he soon found out the following week once they would get going towards the nearest chocobo ranch. James rarely had the chance to witness these creatures up close, having seen them passing to and fro amidst the streets of various towns and cities. But now he had the perfect opportunity. It had been years since he had known such a scent of life in his world. After a wasteland, a galaxy and a torn-apart island half-covered by machinery, to know a simple farmland was something he had missed somehow, perhaps longing for simpler times where work came during the day and rest came down at night. Grand sprawling fields upon the horizon somewhere north of Nalbina, vibrant and verdant as if painted by a soothing artist by the softest of brushstrokes. The smell of manure and fresh grass was an oddly soothing scent, putrid yet at the same time fresh and rejuvenating.

It was on this farm that James saw those yellow birds resembling a rooster the size of an ostrich, perhaps six feet tall with hard yellow beaks and fluffy feathery down complete with large sprawling wings almost always tucked in. Scratching chicken legs sturdy and tri-clawed with two at the front and one at the back, the sounds of chirruping squeaks and squawks filled the farmland as their clear blue eyes blinked warily at the newcomers. He also noticed a few other colours besides yellow, though rarer to some degree. Red, blue, as well as at least one or two black chocobos rooting around willy-nilly digging up for worms possibly. Travelling down the winding white road that split between two fields of lively large birds, they saw a house upon the horizon. A main house with two stories certainly large enough to house quite a wholesome family, along with two barns, two stables and three silos rising from behind the homestead. But Dahlia had noticed something else, a sign above the ranch entrance. "W-wait...Rocinocobo Ranch? Is that right?!" "Yes kupo," said Navarro. "My family own this ranch." "Wait WHAT!?" cried out FG. "Your family owns a ranch?!" "Did I stutter? Yes, that is what I said, is that a problem?" "No not at all just-...you never told me about it!" "You never asked, kupo." "Oh bullshit, I've asked you always about stuff and you NEVER tell me anything! We're supposed to be partners here and you barely tell me anything!" "I do not want to be the centre of attention James, unlike some people kupo." "I just wanted to know something about you, at least a little." "Well now you know, my family owns a chocobo ranch, now come." James sighed and shrugged heavily as if giving up on the matter, walking further in with his group until noticing also further out that there were fields currently being ploughed. Fresh torn-up earth indicated more than just a chocobo ranch as they came within view of the house itself,a two-storied farmhouse with one window either side of the door, and three staring down at them from the upper level. The door soon opened as a voice squealed with joy: "SWEETIIIIIIIIIIIE!" Navarro resisted the urge to grimace and walked solely forwards before making a headlong rush, the small form pulling out of the doorway revealed to be another moogle. One with soft yellow clothing and white apron to match her pure-white fur instantly hugging Navarro tight, the knight warrior doing the same. "OHHH my baby welcome hoooome kupo!" "Hmhmhm, hello mother. How are you kupo?" "Oh, goodness, there is so much to tell you I simply have to-MAAAAAX! MAXIMILLIAAAAAAAN!" The moogle in yellow called back to the house before someone else popped out of it. This one was much more surprising as Clan Koridai gazed in shock at who came out next. A tall white hume with reddish tan and brown hair, stridant with thick burly arms and full-grown beard covering half his face, well-trimmed and shaven so it never dipped down freely off his neck. Harsh stone eyes in a square head with body clothed in green overalls belying the farmyard muscle underneath. Almost immediately his face melted with joy upon seeing Navarro. "HAHAAAAAA MY BABY GIRL!" "Father!"

Almost immediately Rocino changed her attitude, bounce-hopping up towards her father as she leapt straight into his arms, the man bending down to grab her tightly with a warm hug as their cheeks nuzzled against each other. James looked at his clan with equal confusion like the rest of them did, not one of them daring to speak out. "At last you arrived," said Max, "I was starting to think you'd forgotten about us my little mog!" "You know I wouldn't," said the moogle gladly, "I just had a little more business than usual, kupo." "Ohhhhh...does that mean more pay?" "Yes indeed father." "Hahaaaaa, that's my girl! And who are this lot with you, friends?" "That is my clan." "...WHA-...HAH! My little mog with her own clan and everything!?!" "OH HOW WONDERFUL KUPO!" The mother did not know what to do with herself, looking back between the newcomers and her family overwhelmed with joy. The clan all simply waved bashfully at Navarro's parents, the moogle in white apron rushing up towards James and immediately grabbing him by the hand. "Please come in come in kupo!" "A-ah hey, um n-nice to meet you I guess!?" "OH good to see you too, I'm Ruby, welcome come in!" "I-iiii'm James uh-HEY!" Dragged by the wrist towards the house by a surprisingly strong housewife, the raptor could barely resist as the rest of the clan walked in on their own staring upon the interior of the house. The first hallway had a set of stairs up on the right, coats hanging upon the side with a dining room to their left and a kitchen at the far back beyond it. A door to their right next to the stairway showed the living room for people to sit in and relax whilst staring in full view of the ranch outside through a window. The kitchen was large enough that it covered the entire back wall of the house. One enormous singular table firmly planted in the centre of the room rectangular, three sinks at the left wall, cupboards covering a U-shape entirety of the right wall, a backdoor to a smaller contained farm area for smaller animals and lastly a giant kiln for baking bread in the right corner. The clan were amazed at the grandeur of this farmhouse manor, Navarro returning to them as she lead them to the living room, beckoning them to sit. "Your house is HUGE," gasped FG. "Do not be fooled," said Rocino, "the light from the windows makes it seem bigger than it is kupo." "Bullshit this place is a mansion, when were you gonna tell us you were so rich?!" "I'm not, my home has been in my father's family for six generations built from the ground up as well as the rest of this farmland." "You are the inheritor then?" asked Fayne. "Yes, kupo."

Dahlia sat down next to Navarro on her right whilst James sat on her left on a central gorgeous couch of painted rose brambles upon its cotton-white seating. Fayne and Baldwin sat in two armchairs side by side, staring around the main seating room for having quite a large scope of wooden floors, large furnace where all the seats had gathered round towards to as well as trophies and portraits hanging on the faded green walls. Of the Rocino family, Navarro and her mother were the only non-humes present upon the rows of family portraits, the younger version of the moogle knight still garbed in farm clothing with clear eyes and heartfelt smile. It was the first time they had ever seen her smile, trapped in the past as they looked back towards the present Navarro asking: "Do you have any other questions about my childhood, kupo?" "U-um," stammered FG, "n-not really." "Good...how was the play Dahlia?" "OH, wonderful!" replied Dahlia. "Baldwin was very kind to pay for our tickets, it's a shame you never went, I would have loved you to come along." "I am not a fan of Barker, kupo. Too rapid-fire for my taste." "That's okay, Baldwin enjoyed it too." "I did!" replied the bangaa. "That whole part about the cucumber wasszh-" "AHA-HO-snrrrk!" She covered her face in a desperate move to contain herself from raucously laughing before she recomposed herself, Baldwin laughing along with her as he chuckled filthily. "Yes...that...hhhheeheeheehahahaha, hhhhohhh cucumber." "Hhhehehehehe...ahhhhh...sszho, we going to get a chocobo each, Navarro?" "Yes," said the moogle, "you will have one each and I will personally choose each and every one of them for you." "Wait, really?" asked Fayne. "Why?" "Because I am well-versed in husbandry concerning the chocobo, they are complex creatures with various personalities that I find interesting when you pair them up with the right rider, kupo." "Ahhh I see," said FG, "the rider makes the steed, right?" "More like the opposite...in some cases that is." "Well hey I'm all for it, I never really rode any animals before so uh, this'll be really new for me. But uhm...have any of us rode chocobos before?" "I have," said Dahlia. "Many a year ago," said Fayne, "me and Baldwin have." "Welp," said FG whilst stretching arms behind him, "NNNnnnhhhhaaa might as well rest up here a bit after that long-ass walk." "I quite agree kupo!"

The voice of Mrs. Rocino came up from the kitchen as she waddled her way through shaking everybody's hand, the clan all smiling gratefully at the small yellow-dressed moogle with hearty cheeks and plump body. "You must have been travelling quite a bit, I see my daughter's just as tough on you as she is on our chocobos hmm?!" "Hahaha," said FG, "well she does keep us on the straight and narrow I mean what can I say?" "That you are the leader and not me kupo?" replied Navarro. "Oh...well, I mean I am but you ARE deputy for a reason yanno." "Hohoho," said the mother, "well it is very nice to meet you all OH but where are my manners kupo?! My name is Ruby, Ruby Rocino-nee-Brackham." "I'm James, James Campbell. Those two are Fayne and Baldwin Smithee, and that's Dahlia Orosco." "Pleased to meet you," said Dahlia gladly, "I had no idea that Navarro was from a ranch, what a wonderful place to be!" "Oho thank you dear!" replied Ruby. "It's a tough life but someone's got to do it! Tell me, are you needing to be somewhere anytime soon, kupo?" "Not especially I think, are we James?" "Nope," said FG, "not really why?" "Well," began Ruby, "it's just that we don't often see our sweetie return so often so I thought why not celebrate with a nice big family dinner?! My husband and I already have some ideas to feed all of you an-" "Woah woah, hey there's no need to roll out the red carpet for us I mean I appreciate it bu-" "Nonsense, the more the merrier please sit down kupo! Navarro told me that you were in the market for a few chocobos but that does not mean you have to just up and leave. In fact all things considered it would be best if you all stayed since I heard that one or two of you may not quite be so accustomed as to riding them, is that correct kupo?" "...I...well...I guess that's true but-" "Then it's settled, we'll have dinner tonight! I also have beds set up for you thouuuugh you are one extra than I planned so one of you may have to share." "Wow beds, really?! Damn um, thank you so much I-" "Just a service to travellers, normally I would waiver a fee but since you are Navarro's clan I'll let you stay for free. Navarro would you help me in the kitchen please?" "Of course, kupo." The moogles hopped off towards the kitchen as the rest of the clan simply laid back in amazement and relaxation, sighing happily with relief at the prospect of having a fine meal as Navarro worked in the kitchen. The sounds of all three family members working away together was rather soothing, and James could not help but be reminded of staying with Koopin's family as the smells of food cloistered throughout the stately manor. After an hour of preparation, they sat down at the dining room across the hall in the midst of resplendent decor. Pale walls of sunlit colours laid around them with one large square table that could seat at least twelve people with three on each side. Navarro sat with her mother and her father on one side, the human clearly overshadowing everyone at the table by a good 6'5''. Fayne and Baldwin sat on one side of the table whilst James and Dahlia somehow ended up together again opposite the bangaa brothers, the monk waving at the nu-mou happily. "You don't HAVE to sit next to me yanno," murmured FG. "I know," said Dahlia softly, "but I didn't want you all alone on your side of the table because that would look so sad." "Awww...thanks Dahlia."

The meal brought out before them was a wondrous selection of meats and vegetables, a fine spread James had rarely seen since the Mushroom Kingdom. Fresh bowls of salad with mixed leafs and tomato slices, and several cut plates of monstrous juicy portions of crisp meat well-stewed for extra flavour to a reddish-brown that his mouth practically watered at the sight of. He wasn't sure exactly what every slice of meat was, but once he stuck his teeth in he frankly could not care for the overpowering taste of beef with the textural lightness of chicken that turned him rapturous with satisfaction. "MMMMMPH, man this is amazing!" "Thank you kupo!" said Ruby. "Good ol' family recipe of secret spices kupo!" "What a wonderful buffet!" said Fayne gladly. "I have not known food as...wondrous-since Mother Mariel made her Vagrant Pie." "Aaaach don't!" moaned Baldwin. "That wasszh amaaaaazzhing that pie, we have to get it again!" "You know that mother cannot cook often with her work." "But I want her piiiiiiie...though thisszh pie here isszh fanTASSZHTIC!" Chomping down on a hot apple pie slice he took for himself, the bangaa readily stuffed his face much to the delight of Navarro's mother, who nibbled away at her salad whilst Maximillian tore the flesh off some unknown beast's cooked leg. He didn't even use both hands, just simply held the large haunch by one hand like a club and stripped the flesh with his teeth. James felt somewhat demure next to him as he tucked into his own cooked animal leg, using both hands and eating it like corn on the cob as Maximillian said: "MMmmph, ffhho, you-" "A-ah dear," warned the mother, "don't talk with your mouth full kupo." "Mmmhh...glk, sorry dearest, yes so you are the leader of this clan hmm James?" "Uh yes sir," said James. "Tell me, how did you and Navarro meet? I'm curious." "Well...basically I needed some way to travel around Ivalice and so we could split the fare, I helped her out in a mission she had-" "You carried a head back for me," said Navarro, "not slay the beast yourself, kupo." "I'm not taking credit I'm just saying I carried a head the size of YOU back. How the hell were you gonna carry it back yourself?" "I can manage." "Ahh huh." "Don't underestimate her," said Max, "after all she is my daughter, ha ha ha!" "Hhheh, I can tell, so what do you do on this ranch sir?" "Well there's chocobo rearing of course, we have a very fine stock of over twenty-five chocobos that we sell for a fine price. There is also the vegetable fields we plow every spring." "You do all that yourself?"

The large human finished up his first animal haunch and left a large bone on his plate before tucking into the next one, hands smeared with meat juice as the raptor did the same before Max added: "No, we have helpers but they get their own housing to not interfere with my family life. Work on this ranch well and you get your own housing to live and work." "Ohhh yeah, I used to work on a ranch where we had housing, like a nice bed and all." "Oh really? Where?" "Um it was some really faraway place, I only did work for like five months or something, I think it was a place called Guardia?" "I haven't heard of it, what farm was it?" "Livestock mostly, not a chocobo ranch." "I've always wondered," asked Dahlia politely, "what's it like handling chocobo?" "Like handling twenty children," said Navarro staunchly, "each one of them constantly bickering with some complex issue before you have to solve it out, kupo. You must earn their respect, then their trust, and finally their love." She said this almost sagely whilst she used a fork and knife to eat up a carefully-collected plate of mixed vegetables and meat portions, neither of which would ever touch until they reached her mouth. Dahlia was the same but allowed her food to mix, the nu-mou noting this rather curiously as she politely tucked in asking: "How may I ask do you gain their trust, respect and love?" "My family have always followed these rules, kupo. Firstly, to demand respect, one must learn to command their chocobo with utmost dominance and authority so that they follow you. Second, to earn their trust, one must learn to take care of their chocobo, feeding, caretaking, cleanliness so that they stand by you. Lastly, to receive their love, you must learn to protect your chocobo, fighting alongside each other against all sorts of monsters so that they will protect you. That...is the true merit of a chocobo's rider, kupo." "Oh my...and how long can that take?" "Depends on the rider...and the chocobo, if one does not understand their chocobo then they have no hope of gaining authority, which in turn will not allow them to gain trust or love." "What if a chocobo already loves you," asked FG, "but they don't respect or trust you?" "What an absurd question!" said Maximillian. "Love goes hand in hand with trust, and when's the last time you ever heard of someone who loves you not respect you?!" "...yeah that...kinda-you know what sorry that was stupid of me." "Hahahaha...are you sure YOU'RE not the leader my little mog?" "No," said Navarro bluntly, "I am the woman behind the man, kupo." "HAH! That's my girl!" The father rubbed his daughter's head with pride as James felt somewhat embarrassed, but let it be as they all ate up, retiring to their assigned beds. Navarro's mother Ruby had already made three of them and kept them well-prepared just in case of any such travellers that came. Unfortunately, as Ruby had mentioned, there were not enough beds to cater for everyone so Fayne and Baldwin ended up sharing one bed together whilst James and Dahlia slept in their own thankfully. Navarro slept in her room kept perfectly preserved the same as it always had been, waiting for the next day to start putting her clan through some rather humiliating experiences. And she secretly smiled knowing how fun that would be.