Esper Story: Fabrice

There's something warm and beautiful about cold snow. I can forgive it for everything except getting my coat wet.

What drivel. You don't impress me. I'm not as dumb and naive as your usual fare.

...Perhaps it's just me, but something tells me you're not in good spirits?

Let's stick to business, thanks. Should I take your arrival to mean your recent bounty has been completed?

I'd say so.

Fine. The moment I ask, you stop talking.

What does it matter? You'll know the answer soon enough.

We're in this business for a reason. If no one's interested in your missions, then neither are we.

Do you think that perhaps you could find more clients if you adopted a gentler manner? What do you think? Perhaps you could try it out?

I prefer tackling issues head-on. That's how I take care of the Brokerage.

That's... my bill?

I have no idea why Celine allowed a fool like you to go on taking orders for so long.

Perhaps it's my good looks and the fact that I'm an excellent listener.

Stop flattering yourself.

If you want to hide in Graywater, there's not much we can do...

But since you're here, please settle this.

I'm actually offended. Is my worth to you merely limited to the value of what I can provide?

Well, from what I can see, your worth is even less than that.

Uhh...

Enough. Settle the bill if you don't want to be made into a statue.

Now, don't be angry, Melanie!

I know I must seem unreliable, but you should know I never bite off more than I can chew.

I highly doubt this little box could equal the sheer scale of what you owe.

There are as many forms of repayment as there are debts, are there not?

Still, I don't believe that you have information of any great value.

You need to think more broadly. There are things of far more value than just information.

Not Nexus Crystals, surely?

Finally!

Eh? Triki handed a strategic resource like that to a bounty hunter like you?

It wasn't Triki's to give.

Where did you get it?

That's a secret.

Have it your way. Just settle the bill.

Then, in that case, Melanie, would you please do me the honor of providing one of your classic Snowy Lotus teas?

If this is leading where I think it's leading, wait here.

A magnificent swirl, my cup overfloweth with snow!

No singing. Drink it!

It is so difficult to love certain people.

So, do you want me to turn you to stone or what?

The taste brings back memories. It's just as good as you used to make.

I find your praise... discomforting.

I say, Fabrice.

What do you think? The Nexus Crystals are beautiful, aren't they?

Beautiful is one thing, do you know the market value of these crystals?

Well, that's not my forte.

Alright, let me fill you in.

Crystals that are this pure would be worth, about 50,000 E-coins right now.

But you owe 80,000 E-coins.

Er...

It doesn't completely cover the debt I'm afraid.

And you dared to ask me to make you a Snowy Lotus! Well, today I'll make you a very different kind of lotus: the stony kind!

No, don't!

You dare run?

Calm down! Let me just sing you a song that I...

Shut up and...

Uh-oh!

Next time! I'll bring enough cash next time!

Utterly shameless. I'll turn you to stone soon enough!

Thank you for listening, my charming lady.

Something about your voice is so charming, song after song...

I had wanted to talk to you more, but sadly, I must be going. You see...

Afternoon, Triki.

Please come with me... My apologies for interrupting your conversation.

As you wish, Mr. Triki.

I'm sorry. I must depart.

We must continue this conversation when fate allows.

Mr. Fabrice...

It would appear that you have a broad age range where women are concerned.

The years do not diminish a woman's beauty, but rather add much depth to it.

I see. And I suppose I can imagine how you've managed to make yourself so popular with the fairer sex.

A product of my undying respect for them.

And to what do I owe the pleasure?

Mm. I have a very well paid mission and I think you're the man for the job.

What mission?

Our patron will tell you more. Please, come in.

Mr. Triki, this is the Esper you recommended?

Indeed. Fabrice may be a bit of a playboy at times, but he's one of our most reliable.

Please. Let's talk about the mission.

Alright, Mr. Triki.

I run a computer chip manufacturer here in Utgard. We recently made a bit of a breakthrough.

We've already signed an agreement with the Esper Union. The mission is simply to get all of the relevant data to the Union.

Can't the Union just do that themselves?

I'm afraid it's not quite that simple. You see, I received a rather alarming letter several days ago.

The letter warned me to drop the deal otherwise my family would be... involved.

Furthermore, I'm afraid any action by the Union may bring about the very thing that I fear. So I thought of the Hunter's Guild in Graywater.

You mean to say, this needs to be a completely covert mission?

I'm afraid you have the wrong man. I'm not exactly known for keeping a low profile.

Your profile is the reason you were chosen.

You're also a bit of a big spender. That's what the mission requires.

Well, in that case, I suppose I must accept.

The sooner I finish, the sooner I'll be paid... Where's the details?

Hold on a moment, Fabrice. You need to sign a contract first.

A contract?

"Neither the mission nor any aspect thereof may be divulged to any third party upon the completion of the mission without the imposition of a significant financial penalty"?

Yes, Mr. Fabrice.

Since when did Graywater force us to sign non-disclosure agreements?

Triki, are you okay with this?

I'm just a middleman, Fabrice. Mind your manners.

Triki, you know perfectly well I'm not going to sign something like this.

You've never signed an NDA before for any of our other bounties.

I take it back. I'm not interested in this mission at all now.

If I hadn't wasted my time here, I could have had quite a few drinks with that young lady by now!

Wait, Fabrice!

Let's say we omit the contract then.

Mr. Fabrice, there is something else I'd like to tell you. It's a little hard to say.

The reality is that my factory is also close to bankruptcy and I've bet our entire future on this deal.

Our livelihoods depend on how this goes and so we must tread carefully. If it so happens that...

It's alright. I couldn't care less about your personal difficulties.

I enjoy missions. That's why I take them. I make no promises to anybody.

Then... Fabrice, can you please do me the honor of listening to my one condition?

......

Mr. Fabrice, this is the greatest concession I'm capable of offering.

If you cannot accept this, then it does appear we will indeed have to find another bounty hunter.

...Well.

You signed it! I'm curious, what was it he said to you? What on earth could make you break your rule?

...It's nothing.

Remember my cut. We keep this confidential from now on, okay?

He has given far too much.

It's an unusually busy day on the streets, even by the standards of the more prosperous times before the Miracles arrived.

I have to say, the Esper Union has done a bang-up job of managing public order in this place.

You don't mean to tell me you invited me out here to talk about your views on law and order and other trash like that, do you?

If you were only as friendly as when we first met, I'd be most grateful.

I'm sad that my initial politeness led you to believe that you could renege on your debts as you have been doing.

Uhh...

Alright. I'll leave the debt to one side for a moment. Tell me, what's this all about?

I wanted to invite you to a show.

A show?

I hope you don't mean we're here to enjoy his show?

It seems those crystal-clear eyes of yours are working as beautifully as heaven intended.

And I see your compliments are as clumsy as ever.

I honestly don't know how you manage to attract so much attention from the fairer sex.

No, no, Miss Celine, you've missed the point of this outing.

Come, our performance begins.

He has a long way to go, but judging from his age, I'd say he has real talent.

Oh? So that's your plan?

This is Miss Celine.

Hi, Miss Celine!

An excellent performance, young lad.

Alright then. I've seen your performance, and now I should be getting back.

You know, my shop is about to open.

If it's possible, perhaps you could give him a job?

Aren't you in search of a performer?

This is your real aim in all of this, I take it?

Are you serious? Is this really okay? And what will his parents think?

He has no parents.

Is that so?

Young lad, you're a fine street musician, but the standards at my business are considerably higher.

Do you understand?

I understand, Miss Celine.

But I'm going to become an outstanding violinist, just like my big brother Fabrice.

Like Fabrice? Not good enough!

Can you please not try to destroy any positive impressions he may have of me?

What impressions could he have?

I'll arrange for someone to teach you. But if you don't meet my standards, then I'm afraid you'll be out the door.

I'll work as hard as I can!

Alright then. Let's get back to "Evening Sounds".

I don't understand.

Understand what?

I don't understand how someone living such a wanton, dissolute and downright irresponsible life can perform such an act of kindness for an orphan.

There's nothing to understand. You know me, I do whatever I feel like.

Is that so? Does he remind you of anybody? Anybody you might know?

Do you mean myself?

What about your family?

Gone.

Oh, you poor lad. And I suppose you've been stuck in the city for a long time. It must be very lonely.

Not at all, I have my violin. And my music. They make sure I'm never lonely.

......

They make sure I'm never lonely...

Fabrice! Fabrice!

Huh? I'm sorry, I got distracted.

How can you be distracted talking to such a beautiful lady?

I'm sorry, Celine.

Never mind. You didn't answer my question.

Can you repeat it?

So if you care about him so much, why don't you adopt him? Why get him a job with me?

I'm an eternal wanderer without a care in the world.

That's your impression of me, isn't it?

How can a man like me care for a young boy?

......

He asked you to take care of him. I truly believe he will have a better life here.

You're just lazy.

We've arrived at the "Ice Lake".

Thanks a lot, Biondina.

It isn't easy walking through this thick snow with a tail. I should demand more money.

You don't get hung up on stuff like that, do you?

Not with anyone else, but with you...

I already did you a favor by not charging double my usual rate.

I'm so sorry to hear how terrible your impression of me must be.

You came all this way just to play your cello?

Not at all! My new song is missing a few key lyrics. I need inspiration.

And so you're going to get it by surrounding yourself with nature?

You may well think that.

I don't think you'll find anything here.

We're pretty close to the Starlight Miracle. This is a dangerous place. Miramon have been known to roam these parts.

This is my creative journey. I can't walk it with integrity if I'm afraid of danger along the way.

I've walked past dimly lit forests and sailed wide open seas;

I've walked through busy cities and deserts of sand;

When the cruel god of fate comes, who stands, who stands?

Ay, young traveler, where did you go?

To the places of happiness, the warm beds of waiting?

To the pure maidens, with glittering eyes?

He strums his song, singing as he goes;

Ay, young traveler, where did you go?

It sounds extremely sad...

Like I said, it's a work in progress.

But I'm impressed that you can even attempt something like this.

It's an unexpected... joy.

Eh? Who's that?

It's... don't worry! We're just passing through and wanted to rest by the Ice Lake.

Don't you know this is next to the Starlight Miracle? It's extremely dangerous here.

We've been here a dozen times at least. It might be dangerous, but we haven't seen anything yet. We're still here.

If I recall correctly, there's a lot of work available in Utgard at the moment, isn't there?

There's a lot, but does it pay well? You still have to work hard if you want to live comfortably.

Anyone willing to take such a dangerous route could earn a comfortable living working for Alexa's Vortex Casino.

It'd be a good life if I was still single.

But I'm helping to maintain an orphanage, and we get fewer helpers every year.

In times like these, all anyone can do is make the best choice for themselves and be well-prepared.

But the kids have me. And I'm earning more than enough to take care of them.

So did you come along this route to make more money for the orphanage?

Is it really worth it? Coz if you make a mistake, then you'll never earn anything ever again.

I don't need anyone to tell me whether it's worth it or not. The smiles on my kids' faces tell me if it's worth it.

......

I should be getting back. The kids will be waiting.

......

Did you notice?

Notice what?

That sparkle in his eyes.

Yeah. They still have hope, despite the state of the world.

Hope for the future... The same thing the Esper Union keeps talking about?

I suppose you've never thought of joining the Union?

I've been alone for as long as I can remember. I'd rather not have my choices limited by the Union.

Anyway, I've achieved my purpose in coming here.

Your purpose? I thought you were trying to finish that song.

Yeah, and I just figured out how.

Oh? Then may I have the honor of being the first to hear the completed version?

Why not?

I've walked past dimly lit forests and sailed wide open seas;

I've walked through busy cities and deserts of sand;

When the cruel god of fate comes, who stands, who stands?

Ay, young traveler, where did you go?

To the places of happiness, the warm beds of waiting?

To the pure maidens, with glittering eyes?

He strums his song, singing as he goes;

Ay, young traveler, where did you go?

"For the young one who travels, my heart treasures and unravels."

I call this one the "Song of the Sojourner".