Tales of Vesperia Part #17 - A quick stop at Aspio

Part 17: A quick stop at Aspio

Before going back to Aspio, I notice the King of Adventure inn a bit further east. I decide to heal up there, triggering a cutscene in the process.

...Hmpf...

Yeah, it's been a while.

What pleasant serendipity that we would run into each other yet again!

...I thought we'd see them again...

Oh, big brother, you're ever so blunt!

Who are these people...?

This is Karen and Rich! They're traveling around and operating an inn.

Nice to meet you! ♥

...

N-nice to meet you too...

It seems you have more companions since the last time we met. How nice! Perhaps you'd like to stop and rest?

Yeah, I could use some rest.

I agree. I'm kind of tired out, myself...

Well then, we'll take you up on your offer.

Please, make yourselves at home.

*Yaaaaaaawn* ...

Did you sleep well?

Yeah, I slept like a trick yo-yo.

If you ever happen to see us around again, please stop and say hello!♪

Yes, thank you so much. You're so kind!

...Later...

Big brother, I keep telling you, try to be more friendly!

I was actually hoping to trigger another scene, but I guess that only unlocks later. Anyway, let's go to Aspio.

So who is this knight, exactly?

He's Yuri's friend.

Hmmm, "your" friend? That must be a pain.

Huh?

Never mind. So what brings him to this town?

He was looking for a mage to repair Halure's barrier blastia...

Ohh...that rookie... He came to see me, too.

Flynn did? Was he all right?

Yeah, I guess.

You guess?

Since he's a knight, I'm sure he got some mage or another to help. Maybe he's already back in Halure?

...Oh, no...

I don't think Rita's the sort of person to steal.

Vouch for her character all you like, but that doesn't prove her innocence.

But...!

Don't bother trying to make him believe me. But, I really didn't do it, y'know.

Hmph. Well, I guess research seems to fit you better than robbery.

Yuri isn't very good at expressing his feelings.

...What a weirdo.

I'm going to go let the city guards know about what happened. Go and wait for me in my lab.

I don't think those stubborn guards will let us pass through the entrance.

True. Then take this with you. Show this to the guard and they should let you through.

Thanks.

Got it? Don't leave town without my permission or you'll be sorry!

Obtained Passport!
Rita left the party.

Skit: Clearing Rita's Name

It's a good thing the core thief you're chasing turned out not to be Rita, right Yuri?

Huh? How do you figure that? I couldn't care less who the core thief was. I would have loved if it were Rita. I'd be done by now.

I wouldn't let her hear you say that...

Well, at least we got a lead for catching the real criminal. I can't complain about that.

Watch the cutscene!

To Rita's house! Yuri, Karol and Repede make themselves comfortable, while Estelle walks up-and-down as if something's bothering her.

If you're that worried about Flynn, would you rather leave now?

Then take it easy.

What are you gonna do after this, Yuri?

I guess I'll go pay a visit to the guy behind all this core stealing. It sounds like Dedecchi ended up going to the same place, too.

Didn't he say Torim Harbor?

Oh right, you don't know.

Don't know what?

Nor and Torim are both ports of a city that extends across two different continents. On the Ilyccian side, where we are now, is the port of Capua Nor. People call it Nor Harbor. Capua Torim is the port on the other side, on the Tolbyccian continent. It's usually just called Torim Harbor. So first we'll go to Nor Harbor. We'll have to pass by Ehmead Hill on the way, but it's not that far west from here.

I'll be going back to Halure. I still need to follow Flynn.

...Hmm, I don't know. Maybe I'll head back to Halure, too.

Huh? Why? How can you just say that? The thief's gonna get away!

Besides, if we're going west, that will take us close to Halure.

Aww man, but I...

You gotta be somewhere? A sick girlfriend with an incurable disease or something?

I know I asked you to wait for me, but you sure made yourselves at home, didn't you?

What a heartfelt apology.

I'll take it though. It worked out pretty well for me, too.

Rita?

Well, thanks for the hospitality.

What? Going so soon?

We don't want to overstay our welcome. Plus, we're in a bit of a hurry.

I'm so happy to have met you, Rita. I'm afraid we have to go now. I'll thank you properly later.

Okay...

Skit: The Frail Girlfriend

So tell me about this frail girlfriend of yours, Karol.

Wha?!

The reason you want to go to Nor Harbor is so you can see her, isn't it?

H-how do you know about her?!

I knew it!

N-no! I mean, she's not even in Nor Harbor...

Oh, it's not Nor Harbor?

I d-don't know what you're talking about!

You might as well come clean, Karol. It's obvious Estelle's not going to give up.

You've got it all wrong!

Karol...

We can't even walk a few meters before we notice Rita following us.

Watch the cutscene!

If you're seeing us off, we'll say goodbye here.

I'm going with you.

Oh, so this is why you told us not to leave without saying goodbye, huh?

Yeah.

Is that it? Just "yeah?"

Can you just leave like that? You're an important mage here right?

I want to see Halure's barrier blastia for myself. It's no good to the people there if it's broken, right?

Actually, the three of us fixed it together.

Huh? What do you mean you "fixed" it? You're just amateurs.

You know, we revived it. It was great! Estel--

Let's just say it was beginner's luck.

Suit yourself.

I've never had a real friend my own age before!

I-I'm not so sure we're--

This is going to be so much fun!

Y-yeah...

Rita joined the party!

Alright, off to... Rita's house! Yeah, getting Rita back here unlocks part of a sidequest at Rita's place. Not only that, but it's part of a sidequest required for one of the best weapons of a character we don't even have yet. And of course, it's got a rather limited time frame in which we can activate it. Miss it, and you're not gonna get that weapon this playthrough. It's a dick move, and by far not the only one regarding sidequests in this game.

Hey, I told you not to touch Victoria with your grimy little hands!

Vic-Victoria? Do you mean this blastia...?

How come you like them so much?

How come... Because they're fun! The way they work, the theory behind them... Argh, I don't know... I've never thought about it! Can you give reasons why you like the things you like?

Well, there are definitely some things I like for no particular reason. I guess the reason I like them is because...I like them.

Exactly.

And it's not even something that seems related to anything important. Oh well. Now we can leave for Halure.

Skit: Traveling with This Bunch?

When we left the capital, it was just me, Repede and Estelle.

Now Karol and Rita have joined us. I'm so happy to have more people to travel with!

I'm not so sure about some people in our party, though.

I'm not so sure about you, you little runt.

Hey now, go easy on the young Captain.

Rita, we all have to work to get along, okay?

Oh, yeah... Right.

Skit: Big Game in a Small Package

Isn't it hard to use a weapon that large, Karol?

It's a little heavy, but I need to hold something large like this to make myself look bigger.

That's just the right trick to hide your miniscule size.

Ah, you want to look bigger to fool the enemies.

Now that you mention it, small monsters often puff themselves up to appear more menacing.

Right, it's just like...huh?

Are you saying I'm the same as a monster?

Even so, changing your appearance doesn't change who you really are, Karol.

Are you dangerous? Tell us right now if you are!

...I hope that's not another one of your clever tricks.

On the way, another arte!

ζ×Ψ＝Φ, pronounced "Phi", is a physical arte where Rita spins around while holding her weapon in front of her. Decent if you find yourself surrounded, but overall not all that useful.

Skit: Rita's Age

Have you been doing research in Aspio for a long time, Rita?