i.

[sisterofheresy]

[Alma has mostly been keeping to herself since her recent arrival in Mayfield, mostly out of bewilderment and a desire to stay close to her brother, but she's out and about today! You'll find her in a number of places as she struggles to adjust to her new "home":

A. There's a new student at Mayfield High! Alma wasn't even aware that she was meant

Comments

C

[heroetic]

Alma? What are you looking for?

[sisterofheresy]

You, actually. [big smile!] I wanted to speak with you, if you could spare some time for your dear little sister.

[heroetic]

I can always spare time for you, Alma. What troubles you? I hope you've been alright living here... I apologize, but my efforts to find a way out have not born fruit yet.

[sisterofheresy]

You are not the only one searching for a way out, brother. It may take some time, but we will make it home, I'm sure of it.

...Before, you mentioned that I'd been abducted. I had hoped to make some sense of that.

[heroetic]

Yes... 'tis best we speak of it. You are certain you've no memory of it?

[sisterofheresy]

Quite certain, yes!

What all happened to you, after you and Delita left for Fort Ziekden...?

[heroetic]

...'tis painful to speak of, sister. These are no happy memories you've lost. Yet it would not to to keep you in ignorance of what has occurred.

...

I am afraid Tietra was slain. ...by Zalbaag's command, no less.

[sisterofheresy]

I'd heard as much, but -- did our lord brother really order her death? And... what of Delita?

[heroetic]

He did. I saw it with my own eyes. I could not believe it myself, yet... it is the truth, terrible though it may be.

As for Delita... I thought him dead for a year, as I lived the life of a mercenary under our mother's name. Yet he lived still, and we've crossed paths since.

He has... changed, Alma.

[sisterofheresy]

I suppose it is a comfort to know that one of them yet lives, and yet... Oh, Tietra.

...Changed? Delita? What do you mean?

[heroetic]

Delita is no longer the man we once knew. He has become... cold, towards myself and others. When last we met, it was as though I were speaking to a completely different person than the friend of my boyhood years. He fights under the banner of the Church, yet his allegiances shift like the sands.

I... fear him, Alma. And for him. And yet how can I condemn his actions, for would I not act the same, were it you in Tietra's place?

[sisterofheresy]

[staring. staring. staaaaaaariiiiiiiiiing.]

I always thought he was destined for great things, but I'd not expected to hear all this. So much has changed, Ramza! It is bad enough that I must question the intentions of our brothers, but... Delita, too?

[heroetic]

Sad to say, but it is the truth. Ivalice crumbles around us... The nobles plot with demons to usurp the throne, blind to the truth of the dark forces they conspire with. They kidnapped you to resurrect their god, but my companions and I gave chase.

[sisterofheresy]

That... That sounds horrible! And you found yourself swept up in all--

[Wait hold on that last part is sinking in.]

Resurrect their god... me?

[heroetic]

They sought to use you as a vessel for their lord. Saint Ajora... No, Altima...

[He closes his eyes and shakes his head.] It matters not. My companions and I put a stop to it, in the end. [there's no need to mention that he doesn't know whether they, or she, survived the battle...]

[sisterofheresy]

[There is a long, deliberate pause from Alma: she almost expects him to start laughing. "JUST KIDDING, SIS!!!" But it never comes, of course, so she bows her head miserably.]

Of all the things I might have expected you to accomplish in your life, brother, this was not one of them. Saint Ajora... unbelievable.