[Video (Filtered from Kefka)]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[After her talk with Rosa, Rydia's leaning against the balcony railing of her room in Troia Castle, overlooking the neighboring town. It's past sunset, but there's still enough light to see by as the summer sky is slow to darken. She stares at the view for a moment, then turns away from it, leaning against the railing. Her demeanor is largely bright and excited, though there's a faint undercurrent of nervousness.]

So, I've decided--a few days ago, actually. Troia is lovely and it will always be a second home, but...it doesn't need me. And truth be told, I could do with some new sights. I'd like to know a little more about Alfitaria before I leave, though. The Garden Festival was just there, right? Aside from that outrageous parking fee, what was the city like?

[Filtered to Dagger]

[A warmer, more at-ease smile.]

How are you doing lately? Is there a chance your goodwill tour can include Alfitaria? I was looking forward to showing you around Troia, but we could have fun exploring this city instead.

[And her expression grows a touch more serious.]

I also have some questions I'm hoping you can answer, when you have a free moment.

Comments

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

...Esthar?

[Blank look, since Rydia doesn't remember seeing that name on the world map. She peers past Selphie, curiously.]

I've never been on anything quite like that before.

[lilyoftheslums.livejournal.com]

I wish I could tell you about Alfitaria. I haven't been there myself.

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

It's alright. That just means I'll have the fun of exploring later on. All I really know is that it's pretty different from where I live now.

[lilyoftheslums.livejournal.com]

I think this whole world is pretty different from where I lived before, but that makes the idea of exploring it that much more tempting.

[voice]

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

I should have assumed as much... but I've never been there, so I know nothing of it.

[He just knows since it's Edge's place now he'll be avoiding it.]

[voice]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

That's too bad.

[Yeah, she knows better than to encourage him to visit there. She'll just ambush him during Troia visits or elsewhere. And since he's around at the moment....]

How are you and Zephyr holding up? Enjoying the wandering life?

[voice]

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

[If she can ever find him, since he stays far away from both castle and town when he's near Troia.]

We're doing well... I think she likes exploring new sights.

[voice]

[melodiesoflute.livejournal.com]

You are leaving for Alfitaria? With Edge, I presume.

[He seen this coming a mile away, especially since Edge was quick to speak of his promotion as the new leader of Alfitaria.]

It seems as of our little group of merry men is dwindling.

[voice]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[A small sigh at that.]

I suppose it had to happen, at some point. Still, that's never to say we can't gather later on. The miles apart won't truly separate us if we don't allow them. Besides, I'm sure I'll visit.

[voice]

[melodiesoflute.livejournal.com]

True...

But I worry that is may be all too soon. We have done well in Troia thus far, but now in the hour of our leaving; I hesitate to go. I never dreamed of actually ruling any land here on Gaia, but like Edge, the Regent gave me a proposal I couldn't refuse.

[He sighed deeply.]

Let us hope for the best, Rydia. Our bonds are stronger than what they seem.

[morehatthanmage.livejournal.com]

[He really shouldn't feel so guilty about just asking about the sky people cities but he can't shake the feeling that he's betraying his friends somehow by considering leaving Lindblum again.

But really. It's just asking. He asked questions all the time. Asking something doesn't mean he's going anywhere at all.

But he still looks around carefully to make sure nobody can hear him and speaks even more quietly than usual and generally makes himself look unnecissarily suspicious.]

Um.

Um.

Where's Troia? I never heard of it before. It's a sky people city, right? What's it like there?

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[Vivi's unusually soft (for him) voice gives her pause, but she tries to answer his questions as best she can. She turns the Sky Phone away from her while she talks, so he can get a good overview of the small town below.]

That's right. It's a place from my world that arrived here, on the Forgotten Continent. There's the town below and then the castle. At home, the castle is run by women called Epopts, but they didn't cross over, so my friends Cecil and Rosa are running Troia instead.

[morehatthanmage.livejournal.com]

[Vivi likes learning new things. Guilt is quickly replaced by genuine interest as he sits, drawing his knees up to his chest and holding the phone in front of him. He watches as carefully as he can and listens to every word, nodding.

And he has a flurry of questions when she stops speaking.]

It sounds a lot like Alexandria. Is it nice there? Are Epopts like queens? Do they have magic there? Are there monsters there? Is there fighting there?

[video]

[livelyangel.livejournal.com]

It's really big. I think it's too big really, it's so crowded all the time.

[video]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

That will take some getting used to....

[Rydia shakes her head.]

Did you like anything about it, though?

[video]

[livelyangel.livejournal.com]

I like how there are so many different people. Every kind you can imagine and some I've never seen before, like the Selkies.

[voice]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

Well, first I have something to take care of, but then...yes, I'll be there soon. Once I'm settled in, you can be sure I'll be inviting whoever wants to come and visit.

[voice]

[sandrubies.livejournal.com]

Rydia. Don't be silly. Of course Troia needs you.

[voice/filtered]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

Oh, Cecil....

It's nice of you to say, but...I think Edge needs me more. You know he'll get into all sorts of trouble without someone to keep him responsible.

[Video - Filtered]

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

[When the video feed turns on, Dagger is in guest room in Lindblum, packing up the last of her things]

It's good to hear from you! I'm doing alright. I'll be departing Lindblum soon. [a smile] I was hoping I could stop in Alfitaria, though it may be a while. It's out on the Forgotten Continent, isn't it? Or was it the lost continent... [She's a little bashful that she can't remember] Well, never mind, it doesn't really matter.

What was it you wanted to talk about?

[Video - Filtered]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[Rydia straightens from leaning against the railing and begins to pace.]

I'm thinking about making a trip soon, before Edge is mired in all that bureaucracy. Eiko spoke of Oeilvert as a place where I could attain an item that would allow me to gain a new Eidolon. I assume you know what she means? She also said there was a no-magic barrier to the area, though she was caught harboring her friends from Luca before she could continue. I was hoping you could tell me about the place and whether or not it's worthwhile to go.

[Rydia's all for adventure, but this no-magic issue has her more cautious than usual.]