Part 18: Let's see just how tough you guys have gotten...

-Seaport City of Ruan-





We've been working like dogs at training, but it still doesn't feel like we're any stronger.





Like, everything's gotten a couple times more powerful than it used to be. It's freaky...
Now that you mention it...yeah...
...Ah, whatever. How about we have a night on the town? First one we've had in a while!
We can hit up the Lavantar in the north block! How's that sound?
Oh, that place with the remodeled second floor that's a casino now?!
Aww yeah, that sounds great, especially since I hear the dealers are hot chicks! Maybe I can show them my strength at poker, if you know what I mean!
Now that's a plan!
Carna's out of town, so if we wanna cut loose a bit, now's the time!
Man's Voice: Do you seriously think you can get away with that?



Alright Agate, work your magic.

Tch...
What the hell is this? I hear all about how you've 'improved,' and when I show up you guys are acting like THIS?
Ah-hahaha! It was just a joke, man! Totally a joke!
Hey, wait, isn't that...
That's that newbie bracer chick, Estelle!
Hey guys, been a while! We last met at the tournament, I think.
Yeah, sounds right.
Oh, man! We watched you from the stands after our fight, all the way to the finals!
You were incredible! I've fallen for you all over again! ♥
Ahaha...Um, thanks?
Anyway, we're here for a reason. Guild business. Is the guy who saw a 'white shadow' here today?
White shadow? You mean...
Yeah, they must mean that.
You know what I'm talking about, then!
So spit it out already. Stop wasting our time, it's valuable.
...Wait just one damn minute.
Where do you get off, making demands like that?
Huh?
You're pissin' me off. You abandon us, leave us in the dust, to become a BRACER, of all things. A fuggin' law-whore!
And then you come back to us, only when it's convenient for you, and expect us to tell you whatever? Well, you can just piss right off!
Yyyyyieee, Rocco...!
Heh. You're a prideful son of a gun, Rocco...same as ever. What d'you want me to do, then, huh? Get down on the ground and beg?
...



oh right Agate sucks at magic

WH-WH-WH-WHAT?! WHY?!
Dude, dude! Calm down!
Shut it! We need to settle this!
You win, we'll tell you what you want to know.
If WE win...you don't get to act like the puffed-up king fish no more.
Hah. Suits me just fine.
Let's see just how tough you guys have gotten...



Oh, man, oh, man, why'd things turn out like this...?
But hey, we get to fight Estelle again! ♥
I, ah, dunno if that's really the point here...
Okay, then! Don't expect me to hold back!



-Obstructive Existence-

My basic strategy for this fight(and most other fights): Agate does nothing but Wild Rage.





By clenching hard enough to give himself an aneurysm, Agate gains enough CP to launch into an S-Break, either immediately or on an upcoming damage/CP+50 bonus.



Meanwhile, Estelle does nothing but keep Agate doped up with Teara Balm. Wild Rage costs him a little more than 2000 HP at this level, but he should still last long enough.



The Ravens can boost each other's STR...



...and reduce your DEF. This move also has a chance to Seal, which is why Agate has that Pearl Earring.



Take this!



FINAL BREAK!

















I won't be able to Teara Balm back up to a safe level now; Agate can and will knock himself right out if you use Wild Rage below 70% HP. The Ravens are going to drop something heavy before his next turn anyway, so I'll switch up a bit here.

take this you sons of a biscuit eater



As luck would have it, Rais dropped right before he could use whatever move he was charging up, and Estelle was able to swipe his CP bonus putting her just over the S-Craft threshold.



-Seaport City of Ruan-



I give, I give! If I had a white flag, I'd be waving it!
DAMN it...
Heh. Guess it wasn't TOTAL BS that you guys were in the tournament. You still aren't putting enough into it, though.
Even so, you guys are really good for civilians. Like, really, really good! Why not stop wasting your time here and become bracers?
What...?
B-Bracers? Us?
N-No way!
Hey, the guild doesn't discriminate. Agate became a bracer, and so did I, and I started out as a clueless kid! You guys should be able to do it, no problem.
Don't make promises you can't keep. A bracer's more than just hired muscle. There's a lot of jobs that need more than just mindless fighting. You should know that well enough yourself.
Well...yeah, but even so...
Y-Yeah, that's right.
Fighting's just about the only thing we're good at...
Shoulda known nothin' would be that simple...
...
Anyway...a deal's a deal.
I'll tell you what you want to know.
All right, let's hear it.
Like we said, we're looking for the guy who saw a 'white shadow.' We heard that one of you saw it.
Yeah, someone did. He ain't here today, but you're lookin' for Belden.
He joined about a year ago--long after Agate left. You might've seen him before, though, Agate...
Oh, yeah, think I did. We talked a bit when I came by on that last case.
Belden hasn't been by since seeing that thing, actually.
I heard a few people say he's stuck in bed from the shock of seeing a ghost.
WHAT?! D-D-Do you mean he was cursed, doomed to die, suffer forev--
Uh. Dunno about THAT...but I do know he was damn scared.
He's always been sort of a spineless rich kid, though.
Tch. So what's he doin' pretending to be a punk if he's got a nice family?
Ah, whatever. We'll hit him up for details. Where's this kid live?
It's the big place to the right of the mayor's mansion. Some old fart named Norman owns the joint. Belden's his oldest son.
To the right of the mayor's mansion, got it.
Thanks for your help, guys!
Okay, now we know where to go! Let's go meet this 'Belden' dude.
Sounds good. See you, guys. Don't get into any crap just 'cause you're bored.
Ah, shaddup.
You guys keep it up! And come by again sometime! Hopefully without beating us up next time...
Keep up the good work, Estelle! ♥



'Just to the right of the mayor's mansion'...Looks like the place.
Bridget: Oh, welcome.



Bridget: I would ask that you go see him there.
Huh?
Ah, we're not actually here to see your husband, ma'am.
We were hoping we could speak with Belden.
Bridget: Oh, goodness, you're here for Belden? I'm sorry, I thought you were here on election business.
Election...?
Er, wait, ma'am, is your husband...
Bridget: Yes, my husband is Norman, one of the mayoral candidates. He's using the top floor of the hotel as his election headquarters, you see. His supporters are doing...whatever it is people working for an election do up there.
Okay, I see. Oh, uh, we're from the Bracer Guild, actually. We kinda wanted to ask your son some questions, if that's okay.
Bridget: The Bracer Guild? Oh, no, has Belden done something wrong?
No, ma'am, nothing like that. We believe he may have witnessed something strange, though. We'd like to ask him some questions, if you'll let us.
Bridget: Something...strange?
Uh, he didn't tell YOU about what he saw, ma'am?
Bridget: I'm afraid not...I'm happy to have him home for the first time in ages, but he's barely spoken to me since he got back...And my husband's time is so dominated by the election that he won't even talk to his son...
I see...
Hmm...Do you mind if we talk to Belden, ma'am? If he's got some problems, we can at least let him talk about 'em.
Bridget: That sounds like a great idea. Please, go ahead. Belden's room is on the second floor.



Uh, 'scuse me? Could we talk to you for a sec?
Young Man: What the hell am I doing...? Came runnin' back home just 'cause Dad ain't here...I'm pathetic...
Hey. Look at people when they're talkin' to you.
Young Man: Eh? UWAAAAAAH! Wh-Who're YOU guys?!
Come on, Belden. Don't tell me you don't know me by reputation, at least.
Belden: Wha...A-A-AGATE?! Wh-What're you doin' in my HOUSE?!
Have some questions for ya, and your old lady let us in. Got some time?
Belden: U-Um, I...guess...What did you want to ask?
Well, we heard you saw a 'white shadow' recently. We were wondering if you'd mind telling us about it!
Belden: Oh, that...I'd...rather not talk about it, to be honest...Any time I remember much about it, I just get scared all over again...
The heck is THIS? You're a Raven! Man up! Talk already!
Belden: Ah! I'll talk, I'll talk!
Agate, stop scaring the poor kid. He doesn't need to wet himself.
Hey, he's talking, right?
C'mon, details, make with 'em.
Belden: Okay, okay. I was living in the warehouse where the crew hangs out until about a week ago. I usually only come back here for food, see? I slept over there, you know, so I could chill with my bros.
Yyyyou've got to be kidding. How in the name of the Goddess could you not want to live in a big comfy house like this...?
Although...didn't you use to live like that too, Agate?
...Don't change the subject.
So, you were with the crew. What happened?
Belden: Like I said, it was a week ago. The crew was all boozed up and asleep, but I woke up for some reason. Thought I'd go outside, feel the night air, y'know...and then I saw it.
You mean...the white shadow?
Belden: Yeah...a white shadow floating up in the air. It was in some kinda old-fashioned getup, cape and all...And it was...dancing in the air.
Ahaha, that's...rather specific.
Sure you weren't just drunk, tired, and seein' things?
Belden: Nah, no way. This scared me right out of bein' drunk, and I tried to scream but couldn't even do that...After the thing flew off to the northeast, I ran into the warehouse, yelling, and woke everyone up. That just got me a punch from Rocco, though...
Hmph...Okay, I see.
So WHEN did this happen? Do you remember?
Belden: I guess...around two in the morning? Aaaargh, now I remember the whole thing. I came home to try and FORGET all that!
Now I get why you ran home...
You just didn't want to sleep in some place where you'd seen something scary.
Pff. You're a failure of a punk, you know that? You'd be better off just quitting the Ravens and staying home.
Belden: Aww...Yeah, I know I'm not cut out for it. But, well, I just can't face my dad. He's busy with the election and not home much, and that's why I came back, but...Once the election is over, I'll have to face him, one way or another...And if he manages to win, my life'll get even MORE restrictive...
So, basically...you're just running away from something you don't like.
Belden: Wellllll...
Yeah, and you damn well know it, too.
The answer, genius, is to find your OWN answer, and stop relying on other people. I'll tell your old lady the same thing.
Belden: A-Agate...
We're done here.
Estelle, let's go.
Right.
Belden, thanks for talking to us.
Belden: Yeah...No point in running from my dad forever, right? I know that better than anyone. Still...

One witness done. Next stop: Mercia Orphanage.



hmm I should probably try to do something about Agate bleeding from his ears too