A Pedigreed Parader

Eastgate

Rabanastran (woman speaking to group): This is an outrage! I thought we’d make it in with time to spare, but they closed the gates before they finished inspecting our things!

Rabanastran (woman in blue, pink, and green): I just don’t see why they won’t let me through. I’m a citizen same as anyone else, aren’t I?

Erstwhile Adventurer: So just as they’re finishin’ their inspection, what do I see but the gates closin’ before ma very eyes! A wee bit dodgy, wouldn’t ye say?

Hapless Merchant: Urgh. They wouldn’t let me through! Nothing to do now but wait until the ceremony’s over.

Kytes: Ah, Vaan! I guess I’m not the only one who got locked out of the city! I told Penelo about the mark you were going after, and I guess I got her worrying. So the two of us headed out here to find you. As soon as I stepped out, the guards closed the gates and things got crazy. I haven’t been able to find her since.

(After talking to Kytes, a cutscene begins. The Imperials at the gate struggle to shout over the disgruntled crowd.)

Imperial: Stand back there. Back!

Imperial 2: This gate’s closed till the ceremony’s over, do you hear?

Vaan: Now what?

(Suddenly, Vaan is forced aside as a pair of highly decorated chocobos is escorted through.)

Imperial: Open the gate! (gate begins opening) All right, out of the way!

Vaan: Wait a second! How come you let these chocobos through the gate and not us?

Imperial: What of it? This here is a pedigreed parader, boy. Costs tens of thousands of gil, this one did. A prettier price than a hundred of you provincials would fetch. Keep your distance! We don’t want the chocobos stinking of peasant.

Vaan: What did you say?

Imperial 2: Step aside! (shoves Vaan out of the way) Right then, move ‘em in!

(Vaan groans; when he looks back, he notices he dropped his Galbana lilies when he was shoved, and the chocobos are now trampling over them.)

Vaan: That does it.

(Just when he's about to lose his temper, a jovial voice drifts in from beyond the gate.)

Migelo: Ho, ho! A fine, fine chocobo you have there. Yes! Tchita Downs stock, if I’m not mistaken. Change the soil, change the chocobo, am I right?

(Migelo comes through the gate, chatting up the Imperial and holding a jar of wine. Unnoticed by the Imperial, Penelo ducks in behind him, taking Vaan by the arm.)

Migelo: Yes, yes. Different soil means different bouquet, too. Take a Dalmascan Barose wine, eh? It may lack the flavor and depth of some of your Archadian wines… but it has a certain strength of character. It’s not bad, really, once you get used to it. Care for some, sirs? There’s more than enough for all to cool their throats, of course.

(The Imperial takes the jar from Migelo haughtily.)

Imperial: (to another Imperial) You, let these carts through and then we close this gate as ordered. (aside) My mail’s choked with this sand.

(Migelo bows, and then turns to Vaan and Penelo.)

Migelo: Don’t give me a scare like that. You’re lucky that ended where it did.

Penelo: Right. Now’s our chance to go through.

(Bells begin to peal from within the city.)

Migelo: Ah, the ceremony’ll be starting soon. I’d best be hurrying.

Penelo: Okay, well – (Vaan suddenly takes off running.) Vaan! Wait! (Penelo starts after him.) What is it? Vaan?

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