Part 101: Sidequesting: Repede Snowboarding!

There's two things we can do in the PS3 version only at this point in time. The first one is in Deidon Hold.





Hmm... They're all... not quite...



What a magnificent dog! I've been looking for someone like you! You're the perfect mascot!
Woof?
What's going on?
My apologies, I'm called Lewis, from the guild Perpetual.
Perpetual? I've never heard of that guild.
Never heard of 'em, kid? They're affiliated with the Union.
We're here to try to show everyone the virtue of each and every season, so that everyone can enjoy them more! Yup, we're a guild that's perpetually trying to please.
Why in the world do you do that?
That's what public relations is all about. Gotta put on a show ta have products ta sell.
I haven't had any luck with the seasons lately, though. If I mess up this time, the boss is gonna fire me.
Sounds like you have all sorts of problems.
So, what's your idea this season?



Clear air, piercing cold, and snow like powder! Pure refreshment! Experience it all through snowboarding!
But isn't it dangerous outside the barrier?
I've got that covered! We've got mercenaries at hand, so no need to worry!
Did ya say piecing cold? Just hearin' that makes me wanna curl up in bed.
You really hate the cold, don't you?
I'm used to that. No matter what I do, people act just like him.
Why'd you have to open your big mouth?
Er, well, ya know, I'm sure people who like the cold would be interested!
And that's when it occurred to me. If I can't get through to people on my own, I'll just need to get through to them with animals!
And that's when you zeroed in on Repede.
That's right.



Would you mind helping?
That's some confidence you've got there. Well, I can't blame you for having your eye on him. But the choice is up to Repede. Well?
No other dog could ever be as cool as you! Would you please do it? At least once?
...
I'm begging you.
Looks like he'll do it.
Really? Thank you! Let's go, without delay!
Go where?
I made a course on a nearby snowy mountain. Oh, make sure to take off any of his attachments. They're dangerous. Come on, let's go!






It's a minigame! One that is, sadly, much better in concept than it is in execution.

The first time we try it it just throws us straight into the first course:

Watch the minigame, course 1! (pretty bad 1st attempt)





Repede kinda controls like a car, you hold O to accelerate and steer with the stick. It's kinda hard to control him properly.



If you collect a snowboard you get on it, which drastically increases your max speed at the expense of your handling. If you run into an enemy, you lose the snowboard.



Collecting these stopwatches decreases your time by a few seconds.



You can also jump, which is mostly useless since it slows you down, except in those shining areas where you jump higher and farther.



And that's the basic idea.






I'm sure we'll get some great publicity with these shots.
Woof!
Repede looks happy too.
If you ever have the time, would you mind doing it again for me?
Sure. Repede seemed to enjoy himself. We'll drop by when we've got some spare time. Right, Repede?
Woof!
Thanks. Talk to me whenever you feel like doing it again.


Skit: Silver Canine
Hey boy, that looked pretty fun! Lemme try too!
*Whine...*
No one would want to try it after seeing you go down.
Woof!
Don't underestimate me, youngin'! I can pull this off easy.
Here I go!

Raven runs off.

Gh?! Gah...
He's not making it look fun at all.
*Whiiine*


Anyway, to actually do something here, we need to get a sub 1 minute time on the first course.



Watch the minigame, course 1! (decent 2nd attempt)





Woof!
Repede looks happy too.
The boss of Perpetual saw Repede's last run. He wanted to give him this costume as a token of his appreciation. Here.
Aren't you lucky, Repede? Why don't you try it on?
Woof!



What exactly is he supposed to be?
Perpetual's winter mascot! We made a costume of him for Repede.
Oh, great. A mascot.
He comes but once a year! Riding a sleigh led by reindeer in winter, he delivers presents to children the world over!
What a lovely character.
I can see how going down the slopes in that outfit would be good marketing.
That's a good idea.



Do you think you could help out again the next time you've got some free time?
Hmm... What do you think, Repede?
Woof!
Thank you. Next time, would one of you mind being the race starter? It would probably help your dog's start times, too.
I'd like to give that a try.
Then how about we go with her.
From now on, why don't you put something cute on him? Something that'll put the pictures into overdrive!
Didn't you say that was dangerous?
That's what I thought, but he's so good that it should be no problem. Well, come by if you want to do it again.



Repede actually get costumes in the PS3 version! Santa Repede (with sunglasses) is pretty great.

Anyway, now that we have this, each unlocked course has a party member associated with it.



The idea is to equip the corresponding Overdrive doll for each course, then beat that course under a specific time.
(Technically we don't have Rita's Overdrive doll yet but just roll with it.)



Watch the minigame, course 2!



Course 2 is significantly trickier than the first.



It's longer, there's a split path, there's even some pits to fall down.



Anyway, if Repede controlled just a bit better, this minigame would have potential.



As is though, it's really just kinda annoying.



And the worst part about this thing? There's eight courses.



Courses 3 to 8 are just copypastes of the first two with different item and enemy placements. Yep.




By beating each course with the correct Overdrive doll under a certain time, we get a costume for the corresponding character.



Of course. We need books to satisfy out intellectual curiosity.
That's it!
W-what...?
Glide intellectually. That's a good slogan. Here, take these clothes as thanks.
Try them on!
Woof!
Guess I may as well.



Aren't these just pajamas? Lame.
Now, now. Don't be shy. I want you to have them.
Well, if you're going to go that far, I guess I'll take them.
Stop acting cool. We all know you actually like them.
Shut it!
Come by any time!



We'll come back to this when we have more Overdrive dolls.



The second sidequest is over in Heliord, at night.






Sounds like a kid's voice ta me.





Hey, let me see it for a second.



You can't just expect it to stop crying if you ask...
Wow... Rita, you've really got a mother's touch!
What's that supposed to mean...?
Hey, do you think this child was abandoned by its parents?
If so, we should probably take it to the knights to take care of.
But it's so late to be doing that...
...We might as well wait until the morning. We can look after this little one until then.



W-why?!
I'm sorry, but I'm not good with children so young that they can't even understand me.
I'll have to bow out on this one, too. It's so small, I'm afraid of breaking it...
Ya really think I look like I'd make a good babysitter?
Well, I think...
Ugh, whatever! You all are useless!
B-but I hadn't even said anything yet!



Oh, uh, all right.








I dunno.




Uh, ummm... Maybe it's hungry...?
Maybe we should give it a banana?



Shh! Keep quiet, Karol.
W-who's there?
Rita, this baby is still too young to eat bananas. Maybe if we gave it some milk or something else...




I, umm... I'm going to go see if I can find something to use as diaper!




There's a good boy, there's a good boy.
...I was really surprised to see that he was a boy.
You're blushing, Estelle.
Huh...?!
Heh, just kidding.




Hee hee, he's sleeping so soundly!
*Yawn* It's way past my bedtime, too...
And yet you've been awake for hours taking care of him...
Well, I can't just leave him alone.
...You know, I wonder where Yuri and the rest ran off to.
Yeah...



Huh? What are you talking about?
If we...if we don't end up finding his mother, we should adopt him and raise him together...



Kid... Don't you go forgetting us once the morning comes.







Woman: Ah, my boy! Thank you so very much! I just took my eyes off him for a second and he disappeared!
Seriously... Pay better attention!



I would have been happy to look after him a little while longer.
You must be joking.
That baby got so attached to you, Rita.
I wouldn't exactly call that attachment.
They say a child can tell who's a good person instinctively.
A good person, huh?
You're a good person, Rita.
...


...Yeah.

Next time: Plot!