Francesca/Stories
Quotes
Adventurer Story Episodes
The Business-Minded Sylvan
Francesca: Howdy! I take it you two live in this here castle, yeah?
Euden: That's right. How can we help you?
Francesca: Huh? Oh, right! Sorry!
Francesca: My name's Francesca! I'm a traveling merchant who also has a little ＂goods transportation＂ gig on the side.
Francesca: Oh heeeey! You're a sylvan! Lemme ask you something here...
Francesca: You enjoy cooking, right? Course you do! I can tell a chef just by looking at 'em.
Francesca: So here's the thing: I deal primarily in spice. EXOTIC spice, to be exact.
Francesca: And since you're a chef and all, I'm certain I have something in my pack that you'll want. Heck, I'll even throw in a little discount!
Cleo: I have all I need, thank you.
Cleo: The spices I purchase at the local market serve my needs just fine.
Francesca: I had a feeling you'd say that.
Francesca: But what aboooooout...THIS?! Can you buy THIS at the local market?
Cleo: ...Oh my. I've never seen the like. *sniff* Ah! It smells divine.
Francesca: Well, there's plenty more where that came from, sister!
Francesca: Heck, I'm hauling around a variety of spices from all over the continent.
Cleo: Goodness. These ARE quite rare.
Cleo: I would like some of this... And this... And I simply MUST have this!
Euden: Wow, Cleo. I don't think I've ever seen such a greedy look in your eyes before.
Euden: I just hope we can afford it...
Francesca: Hee hee! If it's cost you're worried about, I'm happy to shave a little off the top. Think of it as a gift from one big-eared lady to another!
Cleo: Hmm? Ears...?
Cleo: You're a sylvan also! I had no idea. That hat made it impossible to tell.
Francesca: Thaaat's the idea.
Francesca: It's easier to do business with humans if they don't know you're a sylvan. Otherwise they start getting all weird about the whole thing.
Cleo: Well, if you're willing to give a discount, I suppose I can buy a bit more...
Cleo: ...Hmm? This is no spice. It's a book.
Cleo: What a curious tome. Is it for sale?
Francesca: Sorry, what? I sell books now? That's weird. I had no ide—
Francesca: ACK! DON'T LOOK AT THAT!
Cleo: ＂From atop of a mountain so tall it shattered the clouds, I watched the sun burst through in rainbow brilliance.＂
Cleo: Is this a novel?
Francesca: No, it's a... Well, it's actually a sort of travel diary that I've been working on. But it's a SUPER first draft, so you really shouldn't be looking at it.
Euden: That's a pretty big diary. Have you really visited all the places in it yourself?
Euden: ...Also, this picture is amazing. Is this something that really exists?
Francesca: Actually, I HAVE been to all those places. My work takes me all over the continent.
Euden: That's great! Where else have you been? Have you seen anything interesting or unusual?
Francesca: Well, one time I found a cave where the walls and ground were made of crystal. Oh, and there was the river made of fog! That was pretty trippy, actually.
Euden: I can't believe places like that exist.
Euden: I'd love to read your diary, if you're willing.
Francesca: Ummmmm...no.
Francesca: But I'd be willing to read it TO you.
Euden: Really?
Euden: In that case, you should come back to the castle with us. Then we'll have all the time we need to hear your adventures.
Francesca: It's a date! Although, if we're going to start being all buddy-buddy here, I'm gonna want to start a business relationship with everyone in the castle.
Francesca: You're cool with that, right?
Euden: Of course. I mean, look how much Cleo loves your spices already.
Euden: Now that we're settled, I'll show you to the entrance. Follow me!
Francesca: Hee hee...
Francesca: Ah, it's always SUCH a pleasure to meet new customers!
Nowhere to Call Home
Francesca: Hmm... There definitely seem to be fewer people wearing fancy duds lately.
Francesca: Looks like all the unrest in the kingdom is starting to affect people's daily lives.
Euden: Hey, Francesca. What are you up to?
Francesca: Oh, I just wanted to take a spin around town, maybe get a handle on the whole market situation.
Francesca: Watching the people here tells me what's going to go up in price and what I should be stocking up on.
Euden: You can tell that just by looking at people?
Francesca: Yep!
Francesca: At the end of the day, the price of goods depends on what folks are willing to pay. Or ABLE to pay, in some cases.
Francesca: So I try to keep an eye on what kinds of lifestyles they're living. What they eat, what they wear, stuff like that.
Francesca: That way, I know what they're going to want to buy down the line!
Euden: That's impressive.
Euden: I wouldn't know where to start.
Francesca: Yeah, I'm pretty much an expert when it comes to sniffing out profit.
Francesca: I've been traveling around doing business ever since I was little.
Euden: Ah. That's how you have so much experience.
Euden: I spent my formative years in the castle, so it's hard to imagine a life like that.
Francesca: And I can't imagine spending all of my time in one place!
Francesca: I've never had anywhere to call home, after all.
Euden: Wait, really? I mean, I know you spend all your time traveling, but you must come from somewhere originally.
Francesca: Nope!
Francesca: I was raised by another traveling peddler.
Francesca: He said he found me on a battlefield and had no idea where I was born or who my parents were.
Francesca: My earliest memories are all of him. Everything before that is a big ol' blank.
Francesca: Sooo...yeah. No home for me!
Euden: I see...
Francesca: Aw! Don't look so glum, chum!
Francesca: I like this life, and I LOVE my freedom!
Francesca: Still... Say, can I ask you something?
Francesca: How DOES it feel to have a home?
Euden: How does it feel? ...Huh. To be honest, I've never really thought about it.
Euden: But I suppose I'd call it...reassuring? Thinking of home puts me at ease, though I hate the thought of losing it.
Francesca: Huh. Okeydokey, then.
Francesca: Honestly, I'm a little jealous you have a place like that in your life.
Francesca: No matter how much I travel, home is one place I'll never reach.
Euden: And that really doesn't make you sad?
Euden: I know I'm sad not being able to return to my home right now.
Francesca: Yeah, not really. I mean, our situations are pretty different, ya know?
Francesca: You miss home because you know it and something's stopping you from going there. I never had one, so I don't really know what I'm missing out on.
Francesca: So nope! Don't feel sad. Curious, sure. But not sad.
Euden: ......
Francesca: Okay, mister, that's enough moping from you. We've got a town to see!
Francesca: Every observation is a nugget that helps my business grow.
Francesca: You never know when you're going to stumble on a chance to make a profit...
Francesca: And I'm not gonna let ANY of those chances pass me by! Hee hee!
A Merchant's Word
Euden: ...Er, I'm sorry? You want us to help out with your business?
Francesca: Yep! See, I need to make a delivery, but I've got too much to carry alone.
Francesca: So then, any takers? Think of it as a super fun vacation! ...Except with more hauling.
Francesca: Plus, I'll buy you all a little grub once we're done. Fun, right? Super fun!
Ranzal: ...Hey, Francesca?
Ranzal: Remember when ya said this was gonna be some kinda fun little vacation?
Fiend: Graaaagh!
Ranzal: When the heck does the fun kick in?! All we been doin' is fightin' fiends!
Euden: Easy, Ranzal. I'm sure she didn't know there were going to be so many fien—
Francesca: Hooo doggy! They're really coming out in droves today, huh?!
Francesca: I mean, I'd heard rumors that the roads around here were jam-packed with fiends, but WOW! It is really something.
Ranzal: So ya DID know!
Ranzal: Gya! Fine, whatever. Let's just get rid of 'em.
Ranzal: How much longer are we gonna be walkin'? My blisters got blisters now!
Ranzal: Yer gonna have to give us more'n a little grub to make this crap worth it...
Francesca: Oh no, mister! You knew the terms of the deal when you signed on!
Francesca: A signed contract is absolute! That's how we merchants work.
Ranzal: YA SAID IT WAS A DAMN VACATION! Contract's null and void, if ya ask me.
Bandit: Oi! You kids got some nerve to come swaggerin' through our stronghold!
Bandit: Now then! Hand over them goods, and maybe we spare yer lives.
Ranzal: Oh for the love of... Now we gotta take care of bandits?!
Cleo: ...Francesca?
Cleo: When, exactly, are we due to arrive at our destination?
Cleo: Because if you don't give us a straight answer, we are all turning around. This has gone on long enough.
Francesca: N-no! But we... You... The contract! Plus, we're SOOO close to the end! It's just right over... I mean...
Francesca: ...Fine. We're three days away.
Cleo: Three DAYS?!
Cleo: That's it, Eduen. Let's return to the castle.
Euden: Look, I understand how you feel, but I think we should stick with her.
Euden: If we leave, she's just going to keep going, and it's far too dangerous out here for that.
Cleo: You truly are too softhearted sometimes.
Euden: *pant* We're back! ...Finally.
Ranzal: Yeah, we're back—but I still can't believe we did all that work for one lousy meal!
Cleo: I, for one, am never helping Francesca with her business again. ...Hmm?
Cleo: We have received a delivery.
Cleo: What's this? Fresh fish? Vegetables? Snacks of every description?
Francesca: Yep! I got a few couriers I know to send all the best food and produce they could get their hands on.
Francesca: I mean, I DID promise you grub in exchange for helping me, right?
Ranzal: Wait. Yer givin' us all this for free?
Ranzal: This much food costs more than whatever ya got paid for the job!
Francesca: Ranzal! I'm insulted. I would NEVER take a loss on a job.
Francesca: I'm a master negotiator, so I got all this food at a hefty discount.
Francesca: Besides, a signed contract might be absolute, but I'm not some kind of ingrate.
Francesca: Anyway, enjoy the feast, everyone!
My Home
Francesca: I'm baaaack! Oh man, that was a long trip.
Francesca: I'm so exhausted, I may just keel over right here and now.
Euden: Welcome back, Francesca.
Cleo: Did everything go well?
Francesca: Oh, it was a resounding success. Hee hee!
Francesca: I made myself a FORTUNE!
Francesca: In fact, I made so much, I bought all of you a buttload of presents!
Ranzal: Holy crap! Look at all the meat!
Ranzal: Yer one generous gal, kid.
Francesca: Aw, heck. It's nothing.
Francesca: You all do so much for me, after all. This is the least I can do for you.
Ranzal: All right! Tonight we're gonna stuff our faces! Right, Eduen?!
Euden: Um...that seems unhealthy.
Elisanne: If you're going to eat yourself to death, you will do it alone.
Cleo: I'd prefer that you show at least some modicum of decorum, Ranzal.
Cleo: At least spare a thought for whoever has to clean it all up afterward.
Francesca: Right then—let's have a toast to another successful job. Cheers, everyone!
Ranzal: ...Hoo-ee! Oh yeah, that's the stuff. I can't eat another bite.
Cleo: I'd be concerned if you could, honestly. Does the word ＂restraint＂ hold no meaning at all for you?
Francesca: Hee hee! Man, I just love this castle. Everything is so FUN here!
Francesca: Whenever I'm away, I can't stop thinking about it.
Francesca: I'll be on a job trying to be all businessy, but all I'm thinking about is getting back.
Francesca: Sometimes I wonder what you're all doing, or what souvenirs would make you happy.
Francesca: It's kinda OCD, to be honest. Heh.
Francesca: Anyway, as soon as the job's done, I haul buns back here quick as I can.
Euden: Francesca, you just described a home.
Francesca: Wait, what? For real?
Euden: Absolutely. In fact, I feel the same way about this place.
Euden: I know you told me once that you never had a home of your own...
Euden: But we'd all be honored if you would consider this castle as your home.
Francesca: My...home?
Francesca: Oh man, I've never had a home before. I don't even know what to do there.
Euden: Just keep acting how you always do.
Euden: You're clearly not aware of it, but you've been behaving like this is your home for a while now.
Francesca: Oh...
Euden: I mean, a home is just a place that you can't wait to get back to, right?
Francesca: Oh. My. Gosh. ...You're RIGHT!
Francesca: This castle is my HOME!
Francesca: You're the best, Eduen. I'm so happy I came here!
Where She Hangs Her Hat
Goods Carrier: I brought everything you asked for, Francesca.
Goods Carrier: Where do you want it?
Francesca: Just pile it up over there, thanks.
Euden: Hey, Francesca.
Euden: You're getting a lot of deliveries today. What's all of this for?
Francesca: Oh, heya, Eduen! I'm just stocking up on goods.
Francesca: Can't run a business without things to sell!
Euden: But there's so much...everything.
Euden: Normally you only stockpile as many goods as you can carry around.
Francesca: Oh! Yeah, well...
Francesca: Actually, I'm planning to operate out of the castle for the next little while.
Euden: Really? I mean, that's fine, but it's a pretty big change. Why are you doing it?
Francesca: Because my merchant instincts are screaming that I'll get filthy, stinkin' RICH if I stick with you!
Euden: Really?
Euden: I trust you and all, but I guess I don't quite understand the logic there. We don't really do much for your business.
Francesca: Are you nuts?! Of COURSE you do!
Francesca: Just being ASSOCIATED with a member of the royal family gives me mad clout with prospective buyers!
Euden: Look, I may be royalty, but I'm about as unimportant a royal as you'll find.
Euden: My name can't possibly be that useful.
Francesca: Yeaaah...but you're also really strong! Having you escort me around makes my job a ton easier.
Euden: Er, but we only did that once.
Francesca: Umm... Erm... That's... Well...
Euden: Are you okay? Your face is turning red.
Francesca: DON'T LOOK AT ME! ...Okay, fine. I'll spill it.
Francesca: I'm...comfortable here.
Euden: Sorry?
Francesca: C'mon, man! Don't make me do this! Look, it's just... I mean...
Francesca: I'm going to operate from this castle because I want to keep living here!
Euden: Why didn't you just say so?
Francesca: Because I didn't know how.
Francesca: I've never said ＂I want to live here＂ before to anyone in my entire life.
Francesca: Anyway, yeah. That's the deal.
Francesca: And now that I'm working from here, you can all escort me again sometime!
Euden: Uh, I think we'd...rather not.
Ranzal: I wouldn't do that again if ya offered me a ham baked into a second ham.
Cleo: Indeed. While the reward was great, it was not commensurate with the work.
Francesca: Hee hee! I'm KIDDING, guys!
Francesca: Well, it's time for me to get to work on my next get-rich-quick scheme. See ya!
Francesca: Honestly, that prince...
Francesca: I wonder if this is what it feels like to have a family, too?
Francesca: ...Oh, right. I should write down how I'm feeling in my travel diary so I don't forget.
Francesca: ＂At the end of my long journey around the continent, I finally found a place to return to, and people who welcome me.＂
Francesca: ＂This comfortable castle is a new thing for me.＂
Francesca: ＂It's finally a place I can call home.＂