Not So Free Gift

I was relieved when the ferry finally docked in the small, coastal town of Selbina. The day was sunny on this side of the world, a cooling breeze blew through the town, the sand warm and cozy... Yah, that felt like paradise. I booked out of the dock as a Black Mage was busy tractoring all the bodies loitering the ferry's deck onto the dock. I felt bad for them... then I reminded myself how often I died on my way here.

It was a good reminder as well, as my first order of business was to find the Home Point in this town. Once that was set, I was onto my second order of business: handing in my voucher for my free gift. I pondered what it could be... A spa kit? A bathing suit? According to the voucher, I had to find a man called Isacio. Asking around town, they pointed me to an old man endlessly staring at the sea, as though he was waiting on something.

Coeurl >> Excuse me...
Isacio >> ...the next ship...
Isacio >> ...it won't be a ferry...
Isacio >> ...and she'll be on it...

Coeurl pokes Isacio

Coeurl >> ...Excuse me..?
Isacio >> ...eh?
Coeurl >> I'm here to turn in this voucher.
Isacio >> ...eh?
Coeurl >> It's from "Vana'diel Cruises"

Isacio's eyes are filled with delight

Isacio >> I knew it!!!
Isacio >> We're finally back in business!
Isacio >> ...but where is the cruise ship?
Coeurl >> ...apparently, there was none.
Coeurl >> I had to ride the ferry.
Isacio >> ...let me see that voucher, please.

Coeurl trades her Voucher to Isacio
Isacio sighs dejectedly

Isacio >> ...alas... she still won't come...

Isacio cries in front of Coeurl
Coeurl comforts Isacio

Coeurl >> euh... there there...
Coeurl >> What's wrong, sir?
Isacio >> I'm waiting for my beloved to come...
Isacio >> She promised she'd take the next cruise ship
Isacio >> but rumors spreaded the ship sunk
Isacio >> I still won't believe my love was taken by the sea
Isacio >> I know in my heart she's still out there...
Isacio >> Maybe she drifted to a deserted island...

Isacio stares off at the sea.

Coeurl >> So... no special gift for me?
Isacio >> What? Why are you asking me for a gift?
Coeurl >> ...the voucher I just gave you?
Isacio >> ...oh, that?
Isacio >> I'm sorry, but the voucher expired 40 years ago.
Coeurl >> =0.0=?!?
Coeurl >> 40 years?!? But I got that like five days ago!!!
Isacio >> ...and it still feels like yesterday...
Isacio >> ...we had one of the most booming businesses around
Isacio >> ...but then word of the war came...

Coeurl sighs dejectedly...

Isacio >> Hey! A bit of respect for your elders, young lass!!!
Coeurl >> ...sorry! I didn't mean to...
Isacio >> ...you young'uns...
Isacio >> ...never caring about old timers like me...
Isacio >> ...acting like we owe you the world...
Coeurl >> But I...
Isacio >> LOOK AT YOU!!!
Isacio >> Coming to me expecting a gift of some sort!!!
Coeurl >> But..! But..!
Isacio >> You can't get anything for nothing in this world!
Isacio >> No, young girl, you need to work hard for it!
Isacio >> In my time, we had to strangle goblins with our bare hands
Isacio >> ...And those fiends used to be 30 feet tall!!!
Isacio >> It took two of us to spread our arms around their necks!
Isacio >> ...I still feel bad for Tarutarus back then...

Coeurl stares blankly at Isacio

Isacio >> You young'uns are lucky nowadays
Isacio >> It rained so much that they shrunk during those years
Isacio >> And that's without your fancy "jobs"...
Isacio >> ...what? Why are you looking at me like that?
Coeurl >> ...er...
Coeurl >> ...I think I'll be going...
Isacio >> WAIT!!!

The urgency he had in his tone meant only one thing : it's been the longest time since someone talked to him. ...I can see why no one else in that small village bothered with the old coot. And so I was on that teethering board between two obvious choices... Should I keep walking away? Or should I be hearing what he might have to say next, under penalty of falling asleep out of sheer boredom? I was about to bite my tail for having sympathy for the old man, but postponed that to after someone would wake me from the upcoming coma.

Isacio >> You youg'uns... Always in a hurry to get somewhere
Isacio >> And yet you never know where you want to go...
Coeurl >> I know where I wanna go...

I had to use all my willpower to keep myself from saying that the place I wanted to be was on the next ferry back to Mhaura, far, far away from him.

Coeurl >> I wanna go to the Dunes to train and relax.
Isacio >> ...
Isacio >> Those aren't exactly compatible activities, you know...
Coeurl >> ...didn't mean to do them at the same time.
Isacio >> Hmm...
Isacio >> I just might have something for you lass...

Coeurl smiles warmly at Isacio
Coeurl presents her open hands to Isacio

Isacio >> You young'un... all the same...
Isacio >> ...always wanting something for nothing...

Coeurl pouts...

Isacio >> I could give you something nice...
Isacio >> ...in exchange for a small service.
Coeurl >> ...huh... ...what do I need to do?
Isacio >> You said you were going to train in the Dunes, right?
Coeurl >> ...uh-huh?
Isacio >> I need some items from those monsters.
Isacio >> nothing fancy, really...
Isacio >> and since you'll be training by fighting them...
Coeurl >> You want me to gather those items for you?
Isacio >> ...there might be some hope for you yet.

Coeurl blushes in embarassment...

Coeurl >> So... what is it you need?
Isacio >> ...you have to promise me one thing.
Isacio >> You must not ask me why I'm gathering those items.
Coeurl >> ...I don't even know what you...
Isacio >> PROMISE ME! OR NO DEAL!!!
Coeurl >> Ok! Ok! I promise I won't ask!
Isacio >> Good. Now listen carefully...
Isacio >> I need a Crab Apron...
Isacio >> A Damselfly Worm...
Isacio >> ...and a Magicked Skull.

Coeurl looks at Isacio questionably

Isacio >> YOU PROMISED!!!
Coeurl >> Alright! Alright! I get it! No questions!
Isacio >> Don't worry, I'll have something nice for you

Isacio smiles gently at Coeurl

Coeurl >> ...hey! Don't you get naughty ideas!!!
Isacio >> Nothing of the sort, young lass
Isacio >> my heart will always belongs to another lady...

Isacio sighs dejectedly
Isacio stares off silently at the sea...

I wondered what kind of person would be needing such odd items. Were they part of some sick, dark ritual? Were they collector's items? Or is he just some old wacko who lost his mind to a long lost love? ...I heard the old expression "curiosity killed the cat", so at first, I thought I'd be giving no mind to his odd query. But something in that smile he gave was comforting me enough into seek out those items. How hard could it be? The dunes is bound to be full of other adventurers, more than happy to train together, on smooth, sandy beaches overlooking a soothing sunset, far off in the distance over the sea... I'm sure training in such a calming scene will be smooth sailing.

...Oh woe were my expectations...