The Cloudborne

Ondore’s Attendant: His Excellency the Marquis will meet with you shortly, bhadra. Please, make what preparations you must and go to the estate. You will find it at the northern end of Travica Way.

Timorous Bangaa: That Havharo… I don’t get ‘im. If it’s been me, I’d’ve gutted you and hung you out to dry, not let you out swimmin’ all over town. You keep quiet ‘bout what you seen in here, friend.

City Parijanah (talking to Ondore’s attendant): If it is directions you seek, bhadra, ask another parijanah. I am off duty. …Have you met with His Excellency? One can only hope he convinced you of the need for showing restraint on Bhujerba’s streets.

Melisa: Haa. Hello there, boy. Quite the performance back there. Do not think for a moment that all of us accept you. And watch what you say outside.

City Parijanah (talking to Melisa): A resistance, bhadra? Ah ha ha! How could such a thing exist in Bhujerba? We have always been neutral with regard to Archadia’s wars. If anyone asks you, I should hope you would say the same.

City Parijanah (talking to red bangaa): I am sorry, but I am off duty, you see. Hah! I have fooled you, bhadra! No, I am merely pretending to be a drunkard. I wait here to pass messages to those in the organization from other regions, you see.

Cloudborne Patron (moogle with yellow pom-pom): What’s wrong with a moogle wetting his throat, kupo? I may look small, but I’m more grown-up ‘n you! I know thots o’ lings! Er… lots o’ things!

Magu: Harrum? Melisa call for me? Haa… she didn’t? Then don’t give me a scare like that. (snort)

Cloudborne Patron (man sitting at table with woman): It was hard to relax and enjoy a cup back in Rabanastre with all them Imperials about. Here, I can drink all I like… to Bhujerba, and freedom!

Notoriety: 100%

[When the Notoriety meter reaches 100%...]

???: You. Boy. You will come with us.

[The scene switches to the back of the Cloudborne, where the Timorous Bangaa brings Vaan before n important-looking man sitting at the table.]

Henchman: This is the one, Havharo. Says he’s Captain Basch, he does.

Havharo: He would sooner pass for the King.

Henchman: I knew he weren’t no Captain! That was a mean trick to be playing.

Havharo: If at trickery it ended, it would end well enough. But why this boy, and why Captain Ronsenburg? An explanation is due, and I will hear it. The Empire’s hounds grow passing bold indeed.

[Balthier and Fran enter.]

Balthier: A shame if they learnt the Marquis trafficked with the likes of you. Agents masquerading as guides. A hideout at the back of a tavern. Not exactly earning high marks for originality, are we?

Henchman: Now you’ve done it.

Havharo: Wait!

[Basch makes his entrance.]

Havharo: So Basch fon Ronsenburg does yet live.

[The scene fades to black, and fades in again on a different setting.]

[The Estate of the Marquis Ondore – Drawing Room]

[Larsa sits at a desk writing, while Penelo sits on a sofa in front of him.]

Penelo: So Vaan really is all right. I didn’t think I’d ever get to see him again.

Larsa: You will join him soon. And until then I shall see that you’re kept from harm.

Penelo: Thank you.

[A pause, then Larsa looks up and sets down his pen.]

Larsa: I am troubled. The Rabanastre Imperial Guard appear to have overstepped their bounds. I intend to speak on this with the Consul.

Penelo: [surprised] What?

Larsa: Vayne Solidor, the Consul, is my brother.

[Penelo gasps.]

Larsa: The first duty of the Consul is to maintain order in Dalmasca. My brother – my brother is not one given to failure. Perhaps things are not going as well as they might be, but give him a little time, and he will put things to rights. Be not troubled. My brother is a remarkable man,

Penelo: He frightens me.

Larsa: Why?

Penelo: I’m sorry. He is your brother. It’s just - you don’t understand how much we lost to the war. My friends, my parents.

Larsa: So you fear the Empire? Listen to me. The men of my family, we are taught to place the needs of others before our own. I will see that you are kept from harm. It is my duty to House Solidor.

Penelo: But how - how can I trust you?

Larsa: Because I give you my word. My brother would do no less.

Havharo: I knew there must be more to it, but to find you at the end of this tale… Ah, to see the Marquis’s face when he learns of it.

Basch: I should like nothing more. I would meet him, and see for myself.

Havharo: How say you, my lord?

Ondore’s Attendant: There is little to be said. I shall arrange a meeting with the Marquis. We shall expect you at the estate.