Although we writers don't write simply for praise, responses from readers constitute about half our enjoyment. Even if people only give some small comment about some character's outburst or description, we still appreciate it. So don't think you have to give some complete review if you post-- Although those are essential to our improvement. What I'm trying to say is, tell me what you think, or else I have no idea if anyone's reading.


Chapter 7: An Introduction to Classification

"Orange?" Ian said disbelievingly.

"Well, for lack of a real name... yeah." Peter answered, embarrassed.

"Okay, let me set you straight. The rabbits are Viera, the lizards are Bangaa, the dogs are Nu Mou, and the cute, white things are Moogles, got it?"

"Umm, got it."

They had entered the Guild's main lobby and, by the time they had finished this short conversation, had reached the front desk. Standing behind it was a Viera as attendant.

"Good morning," She said serenely. "How may I help you today?"

"We would like to take Job Class Tests, please," Peter answered.

"JCTs? Okay, but first we will need to sign up you up for membership. Because this is a government institute, membership is free. If you will give me your names, I will make a card for each of you."

After they told her their names and she had given them their membership cards, she said, "Please stand in a line and state what class you are trying out for."

Anne was first. "Ninja," she said. The Viera handed her a paper and asked that she fill it out. Anne went over to a nearby sofa and sat down.

Link came next. "Gunner," he said. The Viera looked surprised.

"I'm sorry," She said blushing (though it was hard to tell, because of her fur), "but we have that registered as a Moogle job alone. They are the only ones dexterous enough to handle guns."

"I've been a gunman all my life, and I'm not about to stop now." He stated simply.

"Well... if you can past the test, I don't see why we shouldn't make an exception." She said hesitatingly. Handing him a paper, she added, "Feel free to cross out the first question."

Lincoln went over and sat down near to where Anne had settled herself. The first question on his paper read: Write two A-abilities you have learned as an Animist. Link crossed it out as he had been advised. While he answered the other questions, he listened to Ian's and Peter's problems. Ian's resembled his. The White Monk job class, the one Ian wanted, was available only to Bangaa because of the strength required, but he received the same dispensation as Link. Peter's problem was more difficult.

Ian, Anne, and Link listened closely.

"I'm sorry," The attendant said, when Peter had stated 'Samurai'.

"We have no job class of that type in our files. Is it called by any other name?"

"No,' Peter replied. "Just samurai."

"Here, look at this list. Are you sure it might not be one of these?"

Peter quickly scanned the list. "No," he said. "None of them is like it."

"Well." she said, blushing again. "I am very sorry, but you'll have to find another job."

"Couldn't you just make a new file?" Peter asked.

"Well... We don't have any restrictions against it... I suppose I could call the head of our outlet... yes, he will decide what is to be done." she leaned down behind her desk and made a small movement. "Wake up, Puck," Peter heard her say. "Please go and bring the boss immediately."

"Hmm? Oh, yes Miss Mua," He heard a small voice reply. The owner of the voice was a Moogle, and he, hovering by his wings, sped from behind the desk into one of the adjoining halls and away out of sight.

"Please sit down and wait," the attendant said, turning back to Peter. "Our boss, Mr. Steelson, will arrive shortly."

Peter sighed and walked over to his friends. As he sat down they all got up, having filled out their papers.

"Good luck!" each of them said while they passed by. Peter sighed, sat down, and started thinking. The others handed in their forms. Mua looked at Ian's and Link's papers and directed them to their classrooms where they would each take a short, 3-hour course on their job.

When she looked at Anne's form, she asked, "Why didn't you fill out the blanks for 'A-abilities learned as a thief'?"

"It's against the law to steal where I come from, so I don't have any experience in it." ("Oh really?" Peter asked in a fake, mildly-surprised tone from the corner of the room.)

"I see," said the Viera, "very well. No one has passed without some experience as a thief, but you can try." Anne, after getting her directions, left, leaving Peter alone.

He looked around to pass the time and saw that the lobby was quite pretty. The polished wood floor went well with the beige walls. A few potted plants were placed here and there added a refreshing touch of green.After another minute or two of waiting, Peter suddenly remembered the question Anne had asked and Dans had never got around to answering. He got up and went over to the attendant, whom he asked, "So is this where battlers learn abilities?"

"You're not from around here, are you?" Mua asked.

"Nope, I come from another country."

"Well, that explains you and your companions' lack of knowledge about jobs. I suppose I had better tell you what abilities are, since you won't be attending a class. You see, we teach members how to use an ability, but to be able to use one, you need to have a specific weapon. The first reason is that the weapon's characteristics were made to do just that attack. The second reason is that the essence of that ability is in that weapon, and if you know the basic movements and theory, which are what we teach you, you can perform that ability."

"Essence of Ability?"

"I'm not an expert about abilities, so I can't get any more detailed than that. Let's continue. Weapons are not the only items that can teach abilities. In fact, most R-abilities and S-abilities are contained in clothes. An item can hold up to three abilities. After a while you will get used to the feel of an ability and will no longer need to have use that specific weapon to use it. That's about all, I think."
As she finished speaking, footsteps echoed from the hallway. Peter looked to his right and saw an older man approaching. When the man was few feet away, he came to a halt and started looking Peter over as he twirled his grayed mustache.

At last he said, "So you're the young ruffian who thinks he's too good for any of the existing job classes and therefore needs to make a new one." Though the Steelson's words were of an accusatory character, Peter spied no look of annoyance or disapproval on his face, and therefore was able to form his answer with ease

"...Yes and no, sir." Peter replied after a moment. "I am young and I do think I need to make a new class for myself. None of the others suites my style."

Mr. Steelson twirled his mustache thoughtfully for a moment. "Uniqueness does sometimes lead to fame," He mused. "but it usually leads to obscurity. Hmm, I suppose it wouldn't cause everything to tumble down if we let you fight your own way. Very well, Miss Mua, let him sign up." he ordered the attendant. "I'll personally take care of the paperwork for the justice system. Mind you though," he added to Peter. "If you want to be able to do more than 'fight', and actually have some Abilities, you will have to make some yourself, and for that you'll need to have a vivid imagination and a strong spirit. The Abilities cannot copy any of the other classes' of that race, Human in your case, so be mindful of that. ...Hmpf, you probably will just get stuck doing 'fight' all the time, for lack of other attacks. Miss Mua, please make a folder for this."

"Yes sir." she replied, as he went back to his office. She took out a piece of paper and started writing on it. A moment later she lifted her head and asked Peter, "What weapon or weapons will your class use?"

Peter showed her his sword. "This," he answered. "In our country it's called a katana, but here people seem to limit katana to a more specific category."

"We do, though this looks a bit like some of them. Well, I'll call it 'fine katana', though it will only be a tentative title. Now for Armor. Will your class be equipping any of the following: Heavy Armor, Light Armor, and Mystic Armor?"

"...Heavy Armor and Light Armor."

"And what about shields?"

"No shields."

"Have you decided on a title for samurai moves?"

"Bushido seems like a good choice, but let's not make that final."

"Okay then, we're done." She finished and put the paper in a folder, which she filed away in the desk. "Be sure to notify me right away when you successfully create new attacks." She told him seriously. "Some judges will give you an unbelievably hard time for using attacks not registered in an engagement before letting you off, and that's only the first time."

Peter went back to waiting, and about two hours later the others were done with their classes. Ian flopped down on a sofa, "Man, whoever said that Bangaa are strong made a major understatement." He said, exhausted. "But at least I passed."

Link joined him. "My head is in a jumble from all the information they gave me," he moaned. "Somehow I passed too."

"I passed and my class went well." Anne said. "But then again, I didn't try to overreach." She turned away from Ian and Link so she didn't have to see their scowling faces. "How did it go with you?" she asked Peter. He recounted what had happened to him. As he neared the ending, they all got up and started walking to the door.

When his narrative was done, Link said, "Well, we still need to learn what a clan is, and we don't even know where we'll live or how we'll earn money, but at least we got that over with."


Just an observation, but people who write fiction about FFTA seem to prefer making many Viera sanguine, but in FFXII, all the Viera seem to be rather melancholic. Am I the only person who notices this?