Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Travica Way & Ondore's Estate

Travica Way
Bhujerban Sainikah: His Excellency has given orders that you are to be granted an audience. You are prepared?
>Take me to him.
Then please come this way, bhadra.
>Decline.
Then, please come back when you are prepared.
Ashe: When Vossler learned my father had been killed the night of the treaty-signing, he returned to Rabanastre to aid my escape. There was still time before Vayne’s reach extended too far. We thought that you could protect me.
Ondore: However, when I made the announcement that you had taken your own life… I must have seemed a model citizen of the Empire. The announcement, you see, was Vayne’s suggestion. At the time, I was reluctant, but I could not perceive his reasons. Now it is clear: he meant to drive a wedge between us.
Ashe: Halim, we are past all this. Bhujerba must stand with us. We can stop Vayne.
Ondore: I once knew a girl whose only wish… was to be carried in her uncle’s arms. Your Majesty is a woman grown now.
Ashe: Then Bhujerba will aid me?
Ondore: Suppose for a moment that you were to defeat Vayne… What then? You cannot simply rebuild your kingdom with the only proof of your birthright stolen. The Gran-Kiltias on Bur-Omisace cannot recognize you as the rightful heir without it. You may yet be a princess, but without proof of your identity, you are powerless. You will remain with me. We will do nothing till the time is right.
Ashe: I cannot just wait!
Ondore: Then what does Your Majesty propose we do?
Ashe: Uncle Halim –
Balthier: Incidentally, what is the going rate for rescuing princesses these days? Food would be a good start – the good stuff, mind you.
Ondore: This can be arranged, though it will take some time.
Balthier: Time enough for a bath, I hope. Dirty business, you know. Ah, best bring a change of clothes too.
[As Balthier lists his demands, Ashe walks away as if in a daze, disappointed. The scene fades to black. Fade in again on the Strahl docked in the Marquis’s private hangar. The camera switches; we are looking from the point of view of someone seemingly sneak up on someone else who is sitting at the controls, messing with the buttons.]
Vaan: What are you doing? This is Balthier’s ship.
[Ashe, in the pilot’s seat, turns her head in his direction.]
Ashe: I’m going to retrieve the Dawn Shard. It’s the proof that I need. I know where it’s hidden. I’ll return his airship later.
Vaan: Are you crazy?
Ashe: This is something that I have to do! For myself and all those who have fallen. I will not be made to hide! I’ll fight alone, if I must.
Vaan: You still have Basch, right? Besides, you can’t just go around stealing people’s ships. What are you trying to do?
Ashe: I’m trying to concentrate!
Ondore(?): That’s quite enough, Your Majesty.
[Ashe and Vaan turn. Balthier stands in the doorway with a device, like a microphone of some sort, held up to his mouth.]
Balthier: What do you think? A bit over the top? In my line of work, you never know when something like this might come in handy. [in Ashe’s voice, over the device] I’m trying to concentrate!
[Pause, as Balthier approaches the two.]
Balthier: I’m leaving you with the Marquis.
Ashe: You can’t.
Balthier: Trust me, you’re better off staying here.
[Balthier turns to leave, but Ashe’s next words stop him in his tracks.]
Ashe: Suppose you kidnapped me instead? You’re a sky pirate, aren’t you? Then steal me. Is that so much to ask?
Balthier: What do you have that I would want?
Ashe: The Dynast-King’s treasure. The Dawn Shard is but one of the riches that lie waiting in King Raithwall’s tomb.
Balthier: [whistles and turns to face Ashe again] King Raithwall, you say?
[Suddenly Basch enters the bridge.]
Basch: Kidnapping royalty is a serious offense. It won’t do much to lower the bounty on your head.
Balthier: How much is the price on your head these days, I wonder?
Basch: [to Ashe] Allow me to escort you in Vossler’s place.
[Fran and Penelo also appear in the doorway.]
Fran: [to Vaan] Will you be joining us?
Vaan: What, are you kidding? I don’t wanna stick around this place.
[Penelo runs to take a seat immediately behind Vaan.]
Penelo: Then I’m coming too.
Vaan: Penelo?
Penelo: Don’t leave me here!
Vaan: [sighing] Of course not.
Fran: [to all] Then it’s settled. We should leave before the Marquis realizes she’s missing. Like proper kidnappers.
[The scene fades to black, then fades in again on a grand city.]
[Archadian Empire – The Imperial City of Archades]
[The view switches to a grand drawing room draped in the colors and insignia of the Empire. Emperor Gramis is having an audience with the same Judge in the horned helm who interrogated Basch and spoke to Vayne earlier.]
Gramis: Doctor Cid does this at Draklor?
Judge: I have confirmed he receives funds from Lord Vayne. His agency in the fall of Nabudis is also certain… yet, with Judge Zecht, who led the assault, missing… the truth remains difficult to ascertain.
Gramis: The long, cold years have clouded my eyes. I cannot see my own son’s heart.
[Suddenly, Gramis is taken by a coughing fit. The Judge appears concerned.]
Judge: My Lord.
Gramis: [recovering] This illness will claim me. So then, who is to be my successor? The Senate fears the capable peregrine Vayne. They prefer a young, fledgling emperor. [Pause] Gabranth. Once in the past, I laid siege to your homeland.
Judge Gabranth: The Republic of Landis is long since gone. My allegiance lies wholly with the Empire.
Gramis: Perhaps, but what of your brother? He did not accept us as you did. He fled to Dalmasca. Did you never think to follow him?
Gabranth: I follow his every move. He is an enemy of the Empire. He will be cut down.
Gramis: So you would kill even your own brother for the Empire. Be that as it may, Gabranth. Your ruthlessness is not without merit. But it must not become this way with Larsa. You must ensure that it does not.
Gabranth: So then, you ask me to be his sword, to strike where he might not?
Gramis: Rather be his shield. Gabranth, keep your close watch on Vayne. His is the keenest blade of all.
Gabranth: My Lord.
Gramis: Do this for me, Gabranth. I could not – I could not bear… to see my sons war with each other again.
[Scene fades to black.]

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