i.

[heroetic]

[As soon as consciousness washes over him, Ramza scrambles out of the bed and reaches for a sword he won't soon find. Where-? How-? The questions shoot through him like bullets, but sadly the same cannot be said for their answers

Comments

[sisterofheresy]

[Similar to Ramza, Alma has also just woken up in Mayfield, and she is now exploring her new "home" with wary interest. Her fascination also lies with the portraits strewn about the house -- how could Ramza be posing with her infant self when he was only a year her elder? It made little sense.

She takes one such photo from the wall and reads the writing on the back, her brows furrowed in confusion.]

"Alma's first day of school"... "Ramza and Alma, age 10"... What in heavens? When did he cut his hair...?

[heroetic]

[Ramza, meanwhile, is busy tearing his room apart.] Alma? Alma!? Blast it all, where is she...

[sisterofheresy]

[All that commotion gets her attention, fortunately!] That voice -- ah! Could it be...?

[When it registers in her head that Ramza is here, Alma breaks into a run and tears down the hallway, following the sound of his voice toward his bedroom.]

Ramza? Brother, is it truly you?

[heroetic]

Alma-!

[He doesn't say anything else. Doesn't wonder whether this is real; whether they are alive or dead. It doesn't matter where they are, or what's happening.

Ramza runs forward, and hugs his sister tightly. After all this time, he's finally found her.]

[sisterofheresy]

[The hug takes Alma by surprise, but she recovers quickly and wraps her arms around her brother's middle, squeezing him tightly.

Ramza is here. And he's alive. After he ran off to rescue Tietra, she thought she would never see him again... There are no words to describe her joy or her relief at this very moment.]

Ramza... So you are safe. [She lays her head on his shoulder.] Thank God.

[heroetic]

It was you whose life I feared for, Alma. [He closes his eyes and holds her tightly, as though if his grip loosens she'll slip out of his fingers.] Tell me, is this... a dream? Are we...? [he can't bring himself to say it.]

[sisterofheresy]

I know not if this is a dream, but... this feels real, doesn't it? [After a brief pause, she pulls away to stare at him, confused. Time paradox, go!] My life? What do you mean, Ramza? I was perfectly safe in Lesalia, I'll have you know.

[heroetic]

[Well, that's weird.] ...Lesalia? Have you no memory of your abduction? Your... transformation? I have been fraught with worry for your safety, these few months past...

[sisterofheresy]

[Just. Staring. What the hell are you talking about, bro.]

What? Ramza, I've not heard from you in close to two years... What is this nonsense you speak of?

[heroetic]

Nonsense? But it...

...Alma? What year do you think it is?

wait does the FFT calendar have years on it OH WELL

[sisterofheresy]

You need to ask? Ramza, you should know full well what year it is.

[heroetic]

...Alma, you were kidnapped from Orbonne by the Knights Templar. Have you no memory of this?

[sisterofheresy]

And for what reason, pray tell, would the Knights Templar kidnap me? This is a poor prank, dear brother, even for you.

[heroetic]

This is no jest, Alma. I have spent no small amount of time chasing at their heels, praying for your safety. Are you certain you have no memory of this?

[sisterofheresy]

Of course I've no memory of such a thing! The notion alone is absurd. Are you quite all right, Ramza...?

[heroetic]

...Mayhap the trauma has robbed you of your memory. And mayhap that is for the better.

[He shakes his head.] I'll regale you with the details later. The crux of the matter is... you are safe. That is all that matters.