2018-11-03: Favor For Favor

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  • Cutscene: Favor For Favor
  • Cast: Josephine Lovelace
  • Where: Humphrey's Peak
  • Date: November 3rd, 2018
  • Summary: Josie seeks advice about an ARM from a retired ARMs Meister.

BGM: (Xenoblade Chronicles ~ ACE+ - Valak Mountain (Night)) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBdO6uKdMl4


"I have to hand it to you, Doctor. You certainly didn't make the finding easy."

So says Josephine, eased back in a chair that looks like it was hand carved, a single glass dangling from her fingers. Across the small quite-aged wooden table in the similarly small but cozy house in Humphrey's Peak sits a much older man, his face as weather-worn and craggy as any desert rock. He squints again at her, even through the thick glasses he wears.

"Hmph," the elderly man scoffs, lifting his own glass. "You're lucky I didn't turn you out on your ear, girl. I've done retired from the ARMs-work life, what with my eyes failin' me and all," he says, gesturing towards his glasses.

"Lucky for you, I know your name." He settles back in his seat, taking a long draw from his own drink.

Josie's hand tightens on her glass. In her seat, she sits up straighter than before.

"You're the younger sister, aye? She used to talk about you, she did. Just about the only thing she missed, from the sound of it. Heh. I ain't met the man, but I'd wager your da was a piece of work."

Joviality has fled Josephine's face. It takes her a moment more to remember the glass in her hand, to there after take a sip from it.

"I'd say you're right on the money," Josie says, once she's swallowed the bitter mouthful.

Across the table, the once-renowned ARMs Meister Pavel "Doctor" Hayes, just snorts. "Well, far be from me to dredge up old family business. I dare say you didn't come here to listen to an old man talk about a student's family life. What brings you here, girl?"

The ghost of her normal smile reasserts itself. "Heh. Well, you might not believe me on any of this, Doctor, but you did ask."

And so Josie explains. The business with the ancient ARM Gryndille. What was recovered from it. What she hopes it may yet be.
The world's status. What hangs in the balance.

"...It's quiet out here in Humphrey's Peak," Hayes says when he speaks again, in the silence that follows the archaeologist's tale. "It's why I retired here. Tired of bein' bothered by every third-rate Drifter with a busted ARM. Still, you hear tell of a thing or two about the outside world." He glances at her over the rim of his glasses. "Things like talk about Metal Demons returning. Or the world comin' to an end."

He sets his glass down on the table with a thunk. "So no, your crazy little story's maybe not as crazy as you think it is. Tryin' to build an ARM capable of putting a hole in a legendary monster, eh?" He again settles back in his chair. "Your sister always said you were the practical one. Listening to you now, I don't think that apple fell too far from the tree. Heh heh..."

Silence hangs in the air on Josie's side of the table, though it may be partially excused from the drink she's again swallowing. As if picking up the general air, the older man leans forward in his seat.

"Ahem. ...Normally I'd ask you for those schematics, girl, but my eyes ain't what they used to be. Instead, tell me what you and your mechanist friend are tryin' and what you got -- in depth, got it -- and I'll see what I can dredge up out of my mind. Aye?"

A softer thunk issues from across the table: Josie has set down her glass. "Pick your brains? Suits me fine. Maybe there's something we're missing. How about you get out a little more of this," she taps her glass pointedly, enough to make it briefly sing, "and I'll get ready for story-time."

Slowly, Hayes rises to his feet, complete with the grimace that age so commonly brings to such movement. "In exchange, you can do me a little favor."

Josie lifts her head.

"Tell me about that wayward sister of yours, my student. You ain't said a word about her yet. I might be blind, but I ain't stupid, girl. There's something you're keeping from me."

Josie draws a breath. Releases it. And then simply says: "Alright."

And then after him, as he starts to shuffle off:

"Bring extra."