Part 41: Gallivanting About

Entry 38: Gallivanting About



A new gift from Norende! Wait. Tiz, I think you need to recheck your suppliers.

As mentioned earlier, the order of completion for the Venus sister sidequests changes cutscenes. Let's cover some of the variants.


First up is the conversation with Mephilia, a scene known as How to Make a Hairpin. The section mentioning which sisters are killed changes. Going through in reverse order:

Version D, the one we got, plays if both Artemia and Einheria have been killed.

Version C plays if only Einheria has been killed:

She's dead... Einheria is dead, Mephilia. ...I'm sorry.



My sister is too beautiful to die. She's the only pure one. In all the world...


Version B plays if only Artemia has been killed:

I hear you killed my sister. Artemia... How did she go?




Version A plays if Artemia and Einheria are still alive. No additions; it just omits the section mentioning sisters altogether.

They're small touches. Apparently Mephilia is currently only in contact with Artemia's group, not Einheria's, hence she doesn't believe Edea if only Einheria dies.


Another minor set of changes are tied to Einheria's death scene, Einheria's End. Depending on whether zero, one, or both of her sisters are dead, Einheria's last line of dialogue changes. Version A, with no sisters dead, gives no line, while C, with both sisters dead, gives this:



Again, an extra touch acknowledging the player's choices.


With that covered, let's return to the present. The party's in Florem, recovering from their encounters with the Venus sisters.



Did she finally get fed up with you and leave?

I'd had enough of her, anyway.

Did she offer you a reason?

Well, she'd been saying how she wanted this gold lamé handbag, so I finally bought it for her.

You actually ended up buying it...

That had to be rather pricey. I'm surprised you could afford it.

She seemed really happy when she walked around with her new handbag. But soon, all I could see was the handbag. It looked to me like the bag was walking around with her.

It was one huge wet blanket on our relationship.

Ha ha! That's what happens when you don't live within your means!

You're telling me. I'm almost broke now.

That bad, huh?

It is. And tonight we'll be roughing it outdoors!

Right, Tiz?

Wait, whaaat!?

That evening, as the party wanders around Florem scrounging up loose change for a stay at the inn:



They come across an unusual man speaking with a woman.



What do you know? It's the final side quest of Chapter 2. It became available after defeating at least one Venus sister and going through the Yulyana Woods dressup segment.

As the party shuffles by, eyes on the ground, the strange man turns to address Ringabel.



But pray, mistake me not. I've no interest in children, and still less in men.



"Double date"...?



Ah, beg your pardon. That was no criticism. I'm proud--envious, even! Hard to believe I was that young, once. Time's remorseless arrow, eh?

Now look at me. Just a sad pile of bones and flab and tarnished dreams.

I'd be happy to cheer those bones up any night, DeRosa.



Curious... I feel a reflexive, uncontrollable revulsion.

The man turns his back on Agnès and Tiz.



You're addressing me?

I am. Tell me straight. Just how far have you gotten with her?

Ringabel shakes his head. Edea is stunned into silence.

...What!? Not even held hands? That's worrisome. You're making the Red worry.



A pickup artist. In case the dehumanization of women angle of the chapter wasn't clear enough, we're in for a doozy.

Take me. If I saw an opening to chat her up, I'd have her in my pocket in minutes. Seconds!

What!?



If you'll pardon my saying, I doubt Edea fancies shallow old men.

Ha ha ha! No need to get heated, lad. True, you have your youth and innocence and baseless confidence.

As well you should. Stay just as you are. ...We'll see if she does the same.



"Technique"!?

Ahh, but I'm afraid you'll have to study up on that one alone. Heh heh, take care.



Ringabel's lackadaisical attitude masks a surprisingly socially awkward fellow.



Unfortunately, the PUA's managed to strike a nerve.

Edea. Just what manner of technique do you look for in a man?



Is it clever conversation? A gift for cooking? Swords and sorcery? ...Kissing?



......

Ringabel backs away. The screen fades to black as Edea attempts to punch sense into Ringabel. Meanwhile, Tiz and Agnès find enough pg in the flower beds for the party to stay at the inn.

The next morning:



Next time I see that Red character, I'm getting a demonstration, one way or another.

Despite Agnès's wishes, Ringabel delays the party from leaving town. That evening the group wanders near the festival stage.




Aside from DeRosa and his partner, an odd woman is lurching off to the side. What's she doing?



It's late for a lady to be wandering about. Shall I walk you home?

It wasn't enough... The hairpin...the dye... I used them. Used them both. But...



He laughed... Laughed his smug laugh as he said it... "I've a secret beauty potion." But it wasn't enough... It's not enough! Red hair left... Left the basement...

None of it lasts... Potion wasn't enough. Basement... so dank. I woke... Woke up and screamed.





......

What do you make of all that?



My dudes. When a woman's running around shrieking about addiction and trauma, it's not a "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" scenario. Considering all the Bloodrose Legion trouble so far, you'd think they'd be on the lookout for this sort of behavior.

While Agnès and Edea consider the woman's state and possible involvement of the Eternian Forces, Ringabel spies red and drags Tiz off to the stage area (after Tiz switches to another outfit).





Come. We're following him. I intend to see this so-called technique for myself.



After a silent pause, Tiz watches Ringabel stalk off. Finally, with a weary sigh, he follows along. He doesn't care much for Ringabel's insecurities. This had better involve murder or he'll be disappointed.



They sneak through the city's crowds (currently invisible due to game budget) after DeRosa.



Despite their attempts to keep up, they lose sight of him in the middle of the shopping district.





They decide Tiz will search one way...



While Ringabel searches another.



A short time later, Ringabel catches a glimpse of DeRosa and his date.



Before he can catch up, DeRosa disappears again. There is no trace left behind.



It's getting late, and Tiz reports back with no luck. Edea's calling for them in the distance. Better luck tomorrow, Ringabel.

The next morning:



Need...sleep...

That evening, DeRosa reappears near the festival stage. If approached, the cutscene repeats, Ringabel once again roping Tiz into a futile chase.

The next step in the side quest will not trigger until you speak to the mentally impaired woman near DeRosa. Once you do, as early as the morning after the second search, Edea approaches Ringabel.



Ringabel nods.

There's something about him. Something shady. We tailed him, and he just vanished.

Sure you didn't just botch the attempt? I'm sure you're an old hand at chasing skirts, but you've no talent for tracking middle-aged men.



He seems the type to leave a trail of broken women behind him. I'll judge him for myself.

Don't. Please... I don't want you going near him. Just the thought of you and him...



Besides, have some faith. Do I seem the type to fall for a washed-up philanderer? I'll just put on a little act and see what his game really is.

But how?

Well, first...


That evening, the party arrives at the festival stage area to find DeRosa, just as before.



This time, briefed by Edea, they're ready.



Edea intercepts the couple...



And the lech can't resist the bait.



The "bravo bikini," wasn't it? I didn't realize Edea had it.

One glance can tell you it doesn't fit... Clearly, the woman is fearless.

Are we sure this is wise? It might attract the wrong attention.




Next: How terrible is DeRosa? Our trek downwards has barely started.

--

Event Viewer
Sub-Scenario:
How to Make a Hairpin - C
How to Make a Hairpin - B
How to Make a Hairpin - A
Einheria's End - C
Einheria's End - A
A Playboy's Palaver
In Search of Technique
Never Enough
Tailing a Technician
The Red
Operation Bravo
Fearless

Party Chat:
Overpriced Love