Disclaimer: See Previous Chapter.
Author's Note: Not much to say. No problems have come up and I'll try to update on a weekly basis if possible (sometimes might be sooner). So please enjoy the next chapter!
'Italic'-Journal
Bold Italic-Places
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Rabanastre(1) two years after the fall of Nabudis
Two youths, one sixteen the other fourteen, enter Rabanastre through the South Gate(2). Judging from their travel clothes it's the Dry Season(3) in the Giza Plains(4). The older one has a small smile playing on his lips while the younger one a scowl, clearly not to happy at being in Rabanastre.
"Come on Chibisuke. We're only here to restock and find a new mark." Ryoga is only met with silence from Ryoma.
"Look Chibisuke. I'm not any happier being here either. These Archadian bastards are getting on my nerves too."
"Let's split what we need to do and leave."
"Geez. Blunt as always aren't you? Fine. Alright, you go get sundries for the both of us. I'll head to the bazaar and try to pick up some rumors. We'll meet in an hour at the Sandsea(5)."
"Uiisu." And with that Ryoma left.
As Ryoma walked through the South Plaza he noticed some of the street children watching him. He could tell instantly that they were war orphans. Before he could reach the exit he needed to get to some of the younger orphans approached him.
"Ano(6)…are you part of a Clan(7)?" one of them asked.
"No. Independent Hunter."
"Sugoi(8)! Independent Hunters are rare these days. You're so lucky. You get to go where ever you want and take whatever job you want."
Soon all of the children were crowded around Ryoma. They had enough respect for him that they didn't pickpocket him.
"I need to go now. I have things that I to buy."
The children were disappointed but let him pass anyways. Being an Independent Hunter was hard from what they heard. It was much easier to be in a Clan where one knew that others had your back should you fail a hunt.
Ryoma suppressed a sigh and turned to face the orphans again. He called one of the over and handed him 500 gil(9).
"Go buy some food for you and your friends." He then turned and left. It wasn't that he was soft, it was just the memory of what he and Ryoga went through when he saw them. And Ryoga thought that he couldn't be charitable.
A few minuets later and Ryoma found himself standing outside the sundries store. However, it seems that there's some sort of commotion.
"NANI!?(10) I don't have enough gil!? I was sure I had enough! That's not right I tell ya, not right at all."
Ignoring the fact that he was most likely going to regret going in at the moment Ryoma entered said sundries store and took in the scene unfolding before him.
At the counter stood a boy around fifteen and one stressed out shop owner. On the counter were the supplies that the boy was trying to buy and from what Ryoma could tell all were standard items for novice Clan members or Hunters.
Ryoma didn't want to be in the sundries all day so he made his way through the store picking up items for both him and his brother. The boy was still arguing with the shop owner. Very loudly, Ryoma noted. Most of the other customers had already left.
Ryoma made his way to the counter only to hear the last bit of the boy's one-sided conversation.
"If I had known that the prices went up this morning I wouldn't have bought all this equipment. No I wouldn't have."
The boy then seemed to have notice Ryoma, semi-patiently waiting for him to move.
"Heh heh. Sorry kid. Didn't mean to keep you waitin'…demo you sure you can afford all that? The prices went up again due to the war."
Ryoma ignored him.
"Oi! Don't ignore me! I'm tryin' to talk to ya!"
Irritated, Ryoma turned to face him, glaring all the while. Ryoma took in the boy's appearance and his equipment.
The boy was tall, just a little taller than Ryoga. He had black hair that was spiked up making it look like a broom. His eyes were violet and he wore a big goofy grin on his face.
Next was his equipment. An Oaken Pole, Leather Helm and Armor and an Orrachea Armlet. One word to sum it all up. Novice.
The boy was a little taken aback by Ryoma's death glare but took the chance to note Ryoma's equipment.
The boy saw that Ryoma had an Elven Bow with a quiver of Onion Arrows that was strapped to his right shoulder, a Red Cap, a Brigandine and an Armguard. The only thing the boy thought about Ryoma was: experienced.
"*sigh* I guess I shouldn't keep a kid like you waiting. Guess I'll just leave and go hunt some fiends for loot(11)." And with that the violet eyed boy left.
Turning his attention back to the store owner, Ryoma placed his own items on the counter and paid for them.
Ryoma noticed that the store owner was going to put the other youth's items back. Ryoma, feeling unusually generous, stopped him and said "I'll buy those as well. Just keep them separate."
He paid the store owner 510 gil for the other items and then left. As he had expected the older teen hadn't left yet. He could make out his broom styled hair enter the Sandsea.
Ryoma really didn't have a choice. For Faram(12) only knows why he had bought the guy's items to give to him and he needed to go to the Sandsea anyways. Ryoga would meet him there in less than twenty minuets. He knew he would regret it later, but he resigned himself to go find the guy and give him the items he had wanted to buy.
A few moments later, Ryoma found himself entering the Sandsea and scanning for the loud teen. He found him soon enough sitting near the Rumors Board(13) and looking at the bills(14). Ryoma looked around the Sandsea. All the other tables and seats were filled, except for the one the older teen was at. Steeling himself, Ryoma went to the older youth's table and asked "Care if I join you?"
Surprised, the other teen whipped his head around and stared at him as if Ryoma had said something in a completely different language. When Ryoma didn't get an answer he stated "Every where else is full."
Taking a quick look around the other youth did indeed see that his table was the only one left open.
"I don't mind. Hell, I didn't think I'd see you again. Just took me by surprise is all."
Ryoma seated himself directly across from the youth with his back facing the door.
After a few minuets of silence, which the older boy couldn't stand, he decided to introduce himself.
"By the way, I'm Momoshiro Takeshi, but you can just call me Momo. And…you are?"
"…Echizen Ryoma."
"Not one to mince words are ya?"
"…"
"I guess not. …Can I ask you something?"
"You just did."
"Not that smartass."
"Hn. I'm listening."
"You seem to have traveled a bit and I was just wondering…" Momo trailed off.
"Nani?"
"Well…I was just wondering…what Clan do you belong to? You seem pretty strong so you must have a high Clan Rank(15), so…so you might be able to put in a good word for me?"
"Independent Hunter."
"Huh?"
"That's what I am. An Independent Hunter."
"No way! Hunters are like super rare these days! It's easier to take down a strong mark with a Clan then by yourself."
"Do I look like a team player to you?"
"Uhh…well…no."
"Don't get me wrong. I don't work by myself all the time."
"I don't follow."
"Excuse me gentlemen, can I get you anything?" a barmaid interrupted their conversation. Ryoma ordered first.
"Hmm…two orders of Fried Gysahl Greens(16) and Cockatrice pie(17)."
"And for you sir?"
"I…uh…I don't…"
"Make that three orders."
The barmaid left before Momo could say anything. Momo only looked at Ryoma trying to say something but no words would come out.
"Hn. What's a few more gil that you already owe me?"
"O-Owe you!? I-I don't owe you anything except for this meal!"
Ryoma cocked an eyebrow and asked "So you don't want these?" and placed the items before Momo who was, once again, in shock.
"Why?"
"I don't know. Faram decided that I should be generous today, so don't get used to it."
And at that moment, right as Momo was about to say something, an even more obnoxious person entered.
"Chibisuke!!"
Ryoma cringed on the inside. To think that he had been considerate enough to buy his baka(18) brother lunch.
Ryoga quickly made his way over to Ryoma's and Momo's table and seated himself without even asking.
"Eh? What's this? Chibisuke's made a friend? It's nice to meet you. I'm Echizen Ryoga."
"H-Hi. Momoshiro Takeshi, but just call me Momo."
"He's not my friend. Just an acquaintance."
"You're so mean Chibisuke."
"Ryoga. Shut up. Oh, here are your items."
When Ryoga moved into better lighting Momo was able to see him and his equipment better.
Momo saw that Ryoga looked like an older version of Ryoma. His equipment consisted of a Kotetsu, a Headband, a Jujitsu Gi, and a Blackbelt. Momo could tell that Ryoga was experienced as well.
Before a conversation could be started again the barmaid came with their food and once she had served them she left.
"Chibisuke? You okay? You never order me food."
"Hai. I'm fine. You just better repay me with a good rumor."
"Hai hai. I'll tell ya after we eat. So Momo…" Ryoga said turning his attention to Momo.
"Yeah?"
"What exactly did you do to get Chibisuke to talk to you? Normally I have to anger him to get one, two words tops outta him."
"Aha…I didn't do anything. Really. Though maybe you can explain to me what he meant."
"Explain what?"
"He said that he's an Independent Hunter but doesn't work alone. I don't really get that."
"Alright, I'm only going to explain this once so listen carefully. Chibisuke and I are Independent Hunters. Being an Independent Hunter doesn't mean we take on marks by ourselves. It just means that we don't belong to a Clan and are free to take whatever jobs we want, unlike Clan members. Independent Hunters have their own ranking system as well. Clan members gain ranks by successfully completing their given Hunt(19). Independent Hunters gain ranks by successfully completing the hunt they choose and by gaining enough Notoriety Points(NP)(20). An Independent Hunter can't go up the ranks by just successful hunts alone, like Clan members. We also need a certain amount of NP and a certain amount of hunts to gain ranks. NP is a pain in the ass to accumulate too, which is why most choose to join a Clan. Anyways, Independent Hunters can work together to bring down a mark and each gain NP and shared claim to bringing it down. Chibisuke and I usually do this unless we're strapped for gil and we take on solo hunts. You get all that?"
"Most of it. So how do you gain NP?"
"Take lesser Hunts and kill massive amounts of fiends." Ryoma answered.
"Ne Momo?" Ryoga asked.
"Nani?"
"You haven't decided yet have you?"
"You can tell?"
"Baka. Your equipment gives it away."
"Chibisuke, no need to be so blunt."
"Che."
"Well Momo? If you want to try being an Independent Hunter we can show you the ropes. A little. It's best to learn from experience after all."
Momo took a couple of minuets to think about it.
"Alright. I'll give it a shot."
"Great! I've got the perfect Hunt for you to do!" Ryoga said as he pulled one of the bills off the Rumors Board.
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1. Rabanastre- Capital of Dalmasca
2. South Gate- One of the three gates leading outside of Rabanastre
3. Dry Season- Alternates with the Wet Season in the Giza Plains. The weather is hot and dry much like a desert.
4. Giza Plains- Plains to the south of Rabanastre. The Nomad Village is there during the Dry Season.
5. Sandsea- A bar in Rabanastre
6. Ano- Um
7. Clan- An organization whose members take on various jobs ranging from guarding a caravan to slaying a certain fiend.
8. Sugoi- Cool
9. Gil- Currency of Ivalice
10. Nani- What
11. Loot- What fiends drop sometimes. Loot can be sold for gil for fiends do not drop gil.
12. Faram- God of Light
13. Rumors Board- Board which contains bills posted by clients
14. Bills- Description of the job that is to be undertaken
15. Clan Rank- A rank to show where you stand
16. Gysahl Greens- Greens used to call Chocobos(21)
17. Cockatrice- A bird-like fiend. I decided to make it edible and since it looks like a bird why not make it into a variation of a Chicken-Pot Pie?
18. Baka- Idiot, Stupid
19. Hunt- Term used when taking on a bill
20. Notoriety Points (NP)- Points needed for Independent Hunters to gain ranks.
21. Chocobos- Big, usually yellow, bird used for transportation
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Please Review!! I already have an idea for the next chapter so hopefully it will be up soon! As always constructive criticism is welcomed here!