Note: This started as a piece of a longer, more cohesive work, but the idea wasn't working out and I scrapped it. However, I decided that I wanted to hang onto a few parts of it, and every now and then I find myself writing up another short dialogue that doesn't fit with anything else I've written. Hence, this collection of Final Fantasy Tactics dialogues. This is a perpetual work in progress--it'll probably never be finished, since it's just a collection of sketches that don't have a lot to do with each other. On the other hand, I don't actively work on it either, so new pieces will appear randomly, if at all.

Sketch One: Izlude and Alma
shortly after the battle at Orbonne

"Do you honestly feel that what you're doing is right?"

"Do you always ask personal questions to soldiers holding you hostage?"

"No...but I must know."

"Why does it make a difference?"

"I can't really explain. But do you truly think you're doing the right thing?"

"...Yes."

"You don't seem convinced."

"I know I'm right."

"Then why don't you sound like you mean it?"

"...I..."

"My brother said something."

"......Yes."

"What did--I'm sorry, I don't mean to pry..."

"Could've fooled me..."

"I said I was sorry! I just thought...well, maybe it would do you good to talk to someone about it. There's no one else here and somehow, it didn't look to me like you were really that close to the other troops..."

"I was second in command, but I was the youngest one there. I think some of them resented it."

"You must be skilled to have risen so far, then. They should respect you for that."

"Skill is only part of it. I wouldn't be as highly placed if it wasn't for my father's influence... And they're past tense now. Your brother and his friends killed them."

"Ramza wouldn't kill anyone unless he had to, and he wouldn't travel with anyone who didn't feel the same way."

"...I noticed that. He wasn't what I expected."

"How so?"

"He tried to talk his way out of the fight, but it didn't seem like cowardice. And he was aiming to take me out of the fight without killing me. I thought he was just hoping to keep me alive and get information from me, but..."

"But?"

"He just seemed so...honorable. Convinced he was doing the right thing."

"And that worries you somehow, doesn't it?"

"He's a heretic."

"So?"

"That means everything! Heretics are supposed to be cowardly , dishonorable...well, scum."

"And so when my brother didn't fit the church's definition of the typical heretic..."

"I realized maybe I was wrong. That heretics aren't all scum like I was taught."

"So maybe if the church is wrong about heretics, they could be wrong about other things?"

"No! That's not what I mean! Ramza did that too..."

"Did what?"

"Started nibbling in at the edges, challenging what I believe in, trying to plant doubts in my mind..."

"He's trying to open your eyes, Izlude."

"To blasphemy? No thanks."

"Not to blasphemy. To the truth. He's seen a side of the church that you haven't noticed--or, I should say, a side you've been blinded to."

"You're wrong. I could accept this about any other institution, but this is the church we're talking about! An organization that exists solely to spread God's word on Ivalice!"

"God may have created the world, but men created the church, and men are not immune to corruption--else there would be no need for the church."

"Saint Ajora founded the Glabados Church. Do you mean to suggest that the child of God would create a corrupt institution?"

"No, but--"

"Do you believe in God?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I?"

"Your brother doesn't."

"You're wrong. He does."

"Don't lie to me! Your brother is a heretic! If he believes in God, why is he fighting against us?"

"He's not against God. He's only against your mission because it's serving an evil purpose."

"It's not! My father wouldn't lie to me!"

"I never said he did. Someone could be lying to him--"

"The church would never do anything for evil! Why are you trying to...to...poison my mind like this?"

"Faith means nothing unless it is challenged."

"My faith is strong. I won't believe your lies."

"But blind faith is not true faith, Izlude. True faith is holding to your beliefs even when you see the faults in them, and that requires opening your eyes to the faults that exist. My brother uncovered evidence of the church's corruption and hypocrisy--enough evidence to easily justify losing faith completely. But he was faithful enough to denounce only the church, and realize that it didn't mean he should denounce God also. Admitting the church's faults doesn't mean you're unreligious. Don't you see?"

"No. I can't believe that the church would do such a thing."

"It seems we're at a stalemate, then. You won't accept anything I say about the church's conspiracy."

"And nothing I say is likely to sway you from the heresy you are committing."

"Correct."

"For all that you're a heretic, I'm still impressed with your conviction, Alma Beoulve."

"Impressed enough to let me go?"

"No. I wish it didn't have to be this way. Zalmo will probably have you executed once we retrieve the stones from your brother."

"I wish it could be different, too. But we both know it won't be. You have your duty."

"I should be glad we understand each other...but now I just feel worse."