Part 35: A Bloody Beauty Contest

Entry 33: A Bloody Beauty Contest



So the party did.







And you've really decided not to go with this sexy swimsuit?

Tiz turns to Edea.

Wait, you still have that?

I'm quite certain, thank you. I'll wear the vestal garb, as Tiz suggested.

This is your last chance to rethink it. Agnès, I still think the world deserves to see the bravo--

Unacceptable.



No one who matters is sad, Ringabel.

......



But don't be scared. We'll be close by, keeping watch.

Edea nods.



Good! Now, relax and go get 'em!



All we need to do now is head to the second Florem area.



And no, we're not allowed get cold feet and exit town.

The shops are closed, but there are more people out for the event.



Including the shopkeepers! This is the lady who runs the equipment shop.



And this is the item shop owner.

The party continues to the Festival. After Agnès is registered and goes off to prepare, the other three shove their way to the front of the stage's crowd:



They missed the first few contestants, but I'm sure no one important was up there.



The crowd is going wild.





Wooo! Yaaa!



It's like the speech at Ancheim all over again. I nearly forgot to breathe.

She'll do fine. And we're here, just in case.

Stage fright isn't the only thing worrying me.



So why is Agnès's entry number nine?

Where are the other three, you mean? Maybe they panicked at the last minute?

Hmm, I suppose it's possible...



Just so you know, the announcer's voice actor perfectly captures someone saying a name he isn't sure how to pronounce (It's Ahn-nyes).

Ah! Here she comes!



Agnès?

Agnès!

Agnès! You're on! Go!

Huh!?



Oh! Right! Sorry!



Agnès steps across the stage.



Boos start mixing in with the cheering.

She's clearly delusional. I almost feel bad.

...Almost! Ha ha ha!

I didn't come all the way here for this! Boo! Boooo!





The crowd is now nothing but loud booing.



At this, the crowd, all roused up by the festivities and sexy contestants, deigns to go silent. It's the most unrealistic moment of the game.

In hopes that this may reach you. Though great distance has come between us, I consider you my friend, now as in childhood.

You were a source of joy. A target of aspiration.



Just to see your smile and hear you speak filled my days with warmth. Yet now, I do not even know where you are...

The smile you wore as a girl is still so fresh in my mind. And yet... I feel my breast will be torn asunder from worry.





To be truthful, I am terrified without you, even now, as a grown woman. I force myself onward, but any confidence I show is hollow deception.

Every pause, every quiet moment, I feel ready to fall to my knees and wail as I did back then...



I cannot imagine completing my task without you there. Without your aid. For so long I'd swallowed back these doubts. Tried to be strong...

But I fear old habits are not soon broken... ......I will wait for you. So, please...if you are watching, tell me. Let me know you are there.



I will reach out my hand to you.





On that note, with the crowd either stunned into silence or asleep/passed out, the festival ends.

We rejoin the party some time later.



Can't be helped. Hers was an appeal wholly out of keeping with the contest's theme.

Perhaps I ought to have worn the bikini after all...

Or you could have worn a giant duck costume. The goal was to get attention, not win. Which she did succeed at, in her own way.

You were just fine. You said what you came to say. The idea was never to win the contest. If Olivia heard that, I'm certain your words will move her.

I hope so...

A bird flutters by overhead, dropping an item near Agnès.

Hm? I wonder what... A letter?



Ah! Olivia! She wrote me a letter!

See? You got through to her just fine! So, what does it say?

"I heard about your appearance at the festival, though I was not able to attend. It puts my heart to ease knowing that you have also weathered this terrible crisis."

"I wish to meet with you as well, Agnès, my one true friend. But I fear I am not free to move about."

"Behind the ruins to the west lies the hidden village of the Crystal Orthodoxy. You will find me there. Do not allow this letter to be seen by any eyes but yours. Not even the matriarch can know."



They must be after her, too, then. As we feared.



Let us go. Straight away! West, to the ruins, and the hidden village beyond!

The party nods and walks off. But we, the audience, turn another way, to a pair hidden nearby.



Most clearly, Victoria.

Then we've little need for the wind vestal to continue living, hmm?

Indeed. Though, if I may... It seems they make for the vestal of water's side.

Yes, and?





Japan, no.

It seems Victoria killing off beauty contestants wasn't part of any plan, but just for kicks. In case it wasn't drilled in how evil the Eternians are.

Wouldn't you say, Victor?

Just so, Victoria. Just so.

Don't worry, things'll get worse.



Now that the festival's over, the townsfolk have new things to talk about.

The festival's over for a whole year...It feels like forever.



We are filthy casuals.

Nothing makes a girl look cute like the right hairpin. I'm never taking mine off!

Boy, these people sure are obsessive about their stuff.



This guy's a gem.



A common aesthetic miscalculation.

I wish people would keep telling me I'm cute...



Those last two are the saddest people in Florem. They should leave town and go on adventures together, a lady and kid team. Along the way they'd find adventure, action, and self-worth. If nothing else, the fresh air would do them some good.

Speaking of fresh air, Norende.



Ooh, presents!? Yaaay!

Ah, yes. Gifts are strategically important.

So, which businesses are they? What do we build?

The item shop, the combat item shop, and the compound shop.

I see!

And when will we get these presents?

I expect they'll send them to us at regular intervals.

Hee, I can't wait! What do you think we'll get?

I imagine it'll be merchandise that each respective store stocks.

When giving a gift to a lady, careful selection is key. My personal advice is to choose an article she'll wear every day.

That way, she'll be forced to think of you around the clock.



Where'd everyone go?

At least one person in the thread said Ringabel's antics were getting tired. By this point, Edea, Tiz, and Agnès agree.

Speaking of Norende, new equipment from their shops:



Here, Tiz.



Obligatory weapon that looks like a cartoon cat's paw.



With that, we're ready to move on.

Victoria and Victor are going to be following Agnès and crew for quite some time, however, because...


Next: We're turning our attention to the side quests.

--

Event Viewer
Main Scenario:
The Festival Begins
Entrant No. 9
Beneath A Broad Blue Sky
I Am Here

Party Chat:
A Gift From Norende