My, my, my, but you are a captive audience.
Rapt attention, wonderings of the future, and I swore I saw a glint in your eye when I spoke of that one couple, hm? Yes, that one. A secret lover of romance, yes? Do not deny it, I can tell from your emotions that is the truth.
Of course, I cannot say whether these couples, or the Travelers themselves, will live up to your expectations. You have heard the story of their adventures, so they will make it through their quests. Yet what of their bonds? Whereas our previous venture glosses over such relationships, what happens to them can only be found within this tale.
Now do not doze or tally off, for where this tale of the taverns takes place next well showcase the interactions between our favored Travelers. You wish for me to speak of those two, do you not? Or just the one Traveler's progression of their character? Sometimes it is difficult to tell with you, my friend.
Such a troublesome listener I have garnered the attention of. For no cost, mind you. Though, if you are willing to part with a mead to warm me on this chilled night, I would not mind.
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Not even a honeyed liquor to wet my parched throat and dried tongue?
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As captive as you are frugal. Wise, for you cannot tell if my personal tale, which I tell willingly, will live up to your expectations. Though I have your attention now, mayhaps I will not in the following chapter. But I can assure you, we will come to that one's interaction you so desire to bear witness to.
Oh, but now you are wondering how I know?
That glint in your eyes, a view of how you see what you listen to. You cannot hide emotions from me, a bard always knows his audience.
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And the tale as well, of course.
Whatever the reason may be to which you stay in my presence, adhering to the underlying teachings of these separate stories, I believe I have garnered your favor. An attentive audience is much of what a bard desires when relaying such legends.
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Do not mishear me, for these tales will be free of charge, but the next? You may not be so lucky. Remember, even a bard must eat and drink, find shelter from the fiery sun and icy moon.
So, yes, a bard wants for the leaves and the rapt attention. For now, your following my words will serve as recompense. After all, I cannot really garner much coin from one audience member, can I?
Of course, I jest. This is where I can showcase my talent for the craft of storytelling, where I began my journey. Where my words and tales took on lives of their own as I recalled them for the masses with their ales and individuals on the streets.
It is here I practice my craft, so I eagerly share my tales to all who wish to hear. Even if it is just one person intrigued in the recounting of a much grander work.
Yet those are the nights when my craft truly shines. Never will I turn such evenings away.
So, we shall venture forth, to when the Octopath Travelers continued their journey through the far reaches of Orsterra…