Tales of Cadence

[Toku]

Audio skits are fun to make but I've only made one so what opinion do I have?

The sidequest was funny! I could just imagine everyone all dressed up, bumbling around with plates and cups and whatnot. Priceless. It's weird how Skylar just managed to always stumble upon them. lol stalker. XD
_________________

[0999Silv]

[Roadie]

Hi, guys...!

Much (seriously overdue) thanks for the comments on the last sidequest. I'm glad you all enjoyed reading it. And I'm sorry I haven't been commenting on everyone else's fanstories lately--college and NaNoWriMo have eaten up a ton of my time as of late.

Anyway, I have another new sidequest today. I'm trying to get myself back in a fanstory mood since I've set a definite date to start writing Tales of the Illusion, which I actually got bored and wrote a "preview" skit for, if anyone's interested in checking it out.

I'll work on some more ToC sidequests for a while, and maybe a post-story oneshot or two to kind of "check up" on what the characters are doing after the epilogue (if anyone's interested, of course!).

Also Happy Birthday to Tales of Cadence, which is two years old now~


Side Quest Series: Thicker than Blood

Return to Itona after you’ve been released from the trials in Lavinia. Enter Lukas’s quarters in the castle and speak with him as Raven.


Lukas: …Oh, Edward?! What are you doing here?

Raven: I live here, you idiot.

Lukas: I know that! It’s just…I didn’t think I was going to see you here again for a while.

Raven: I was just coming to check up on things…after the whole incident in Estershore, and all.

Lukas: Oh, right…

Raven: So…what are you going to do about all that?

Lukas: Me?

Raven: You are the heir to the throne and all. Shouldn’t you be handling stuff like this?

Lukas: Our father hasn’t stepped down just yet. He handles the big issues like this. I just…watch.

Raven: Oh, huh. I thought you’d have more responsibility by now.

Lukas: You can’t rush delicate things like an ascension to the throne, Edward.

Raven: Whatever. I don’t care.

Lukas: Then what brings you all the way here? Did you just want to come and poke fun at me, just like old times?

Raven: About what happened in Eus-Aen-

Lukas: I’d rather not discuss that.

Raven: Can’t I just finish before you turn me down? I want a rematch.

Lukas: A…rematch?

Raven: Yeah! We didn’t get to finish our fight! I want to prove that I’m finally stronger than you.

Lukas: Ohhh, I should’ve known it would come down to this. All right, we can have your rematch.

Raven: Yes!

Lukas: After you help me out with something.

Raven: Damn it…

Lukas: I have some work I need to do in Estershore. You know, issues regarding the reconstruction. I want you to come with me.

Raven: Ugh, why? I don’t care about that kind of stuff.

Lukas: You should. You’re coming back to live with us after you’re finished with your journey, aren’t you?

Raven: I guess so.

Lukas: Then please, come with me. Just this once.

Raven: And then we’ll have the rematch, right?

Lukas: Yes, I promise.

Raven: All right. Let me just tell the others.

Lukas: Go ahead and tell them, but come back and meet me here alone. Don’t bring your friends.

Raven: Is this some elaborate scheme to get me alone so you can bring me home…?

Lukas: No, no! I just think it would be better if we went to Esteshore ourselves without any distractions.

Raven: Fine, whatever. I’ll tell them.


Go to Raven’s former quarters and stand in front of the bed. Select the option to sleep.


Felix: Are you going away for a long time, Raven…?

Raven: I don’t think so. Not unless that idiot decides to kidnap me.

Ilia: I’m glad you’re spending some time with your brother.

Raven: Oh, shut up.

Elsynne: What should we do while you’re gone?

Raven: You can stay here in the castle. I don’t think anyone will care.

Elsynne: I’m not sure if it’s a good idea for me to stay here…

Ilia: Yeah, we can hang out at the inn until you get back. Don’t take too long!

Raven: I’ll try…


Go back to Lukas’s quarters and speak with Lukas.


Lukas: Wow, you really came.

Raven: What, did you think I’d back out on you?

Lukas: Well…honestly, I was afraid you might.

Raven: Here I am. Now let’s go and get this stupid trip over with.


Lukas has joined the party.
Travel to the Ruins of Estershore. Stopping in inns along the way—in Adair and Birchmoor—results in brief Affection skits. Camping in the area between Adair and Estershore also triggers an Affection skit.


Lukas: It’s a lot worse than I thought…

Raven: Yeah…

Lukas: You were here when the area was destroyed, weren’t you?

Raven: Yes, with the others.

Lukas: What was that like?

Raven: I don’t know how to explain it.

Lukas: I see… Don’t worry about it, then.

Raven: Why are we here, anyway? There’s nothing we can really do.

Lukas: The king asked me to come here and survey the damage myself. Then I have to take notes, write up a report, and present the findings to him.

Raven: Why? What’s the point of that? Can’t he just come here himself?

Lukas: This is…preparation, I guess. For when it’s my turn to take the throne.

Raven: Oh… Whatever, I still don’t get it.

Lukas: You can help me with the report. Come on, let’s get started.


Conversations…

Raven: Ugh…

Lukas: What did you find?

Raven: Don’t…don’t look under that pile of rocks.

Lukas: Oh…

Raven: …

Lukas: You need to make note of what you saw, though.

Raven: I don’t want to.

Lukas: Perhaps…some things are better left unsaid.

Raven: Yeah…

~ ~ ~

Raven: Ah!

Lukas: Did you find something?

Raven: A cigar. Here, under this rubble.

Lukas: A cigar…?

Raven: Joseph used to smoke them all the time. Haha, I can even remember what brand he used. It smelled awful.

Lukas: Have you spoken to him lately?

Raven: No, not in ages. I actually…I’m not even sure if he survived this incident.

Lukas: …

Raven: Let me guess. Take note of it?

Lukas: It’s something the king should know about. He and Joseph are…were…good friends.

Raven: He was my friend, too.

Lukas: …

~ ~ ~

Lukas: I don’t think I’ve ever seen this much destruction before…

Raven: Yeah, it’s pretty bad.

Lukas: And it was all the Heir’s fault, wasn’t it? She really released part of the seal.

Raven: Elsynne didn’t intend to do anything bad. She wouldn’t have released that part of the seal if she knew this would happen.

Lukas: But she still-

Raven: God, Lukas, shut up! Elsynne wasn’t out to kill a bunch of people! Yeah, she knew that the ceremony was supposed to do something to the mainland, but she didn’t think it would be this bad! So stop throwing all this talk about her being a murderer and just listen!

Lukas: People still died. There’s no looking around that.

Raven: I know. She knows. We all know. And Elsynne’s willing to accept responsibility, remember? She promised to come home with me after the journey is over. Don’t forget that.

Lukas: And then we’ll put her on trial. The king’s already decided it.

Raven: On trial…? Wait, you can’t mean-

Lukas: The death sentence…is a definite possibility.

Raven: No way! No way in hell, Lukas! You know you can’t let them do that! She made a mistake, but she shouldn’t die for it!

Lukas: Edward…

Raven: This is ridiculous! Forget it!

(Raven runs away from the ruins.)

Lukas: (sigh)

~ ~ ~

(Later that evening -- Lukas finds Raven on the outskirts of the ruins, facing the direction of the elven community.)

Lukas: Skylar used to live out there, didn’t he?

Raven: Yeah.

Lukas: Have you been back since you found out about your parents?

Raven: Only once.

Lukas: Do you…want to visit Lianne more often?

Raven: Why the hell do you care?

Lukas: Calm down. I just want to talk to you. We never…get to talk anymore.

Raven: We didn’t talk all that often even when we were living in the same place.

Lukas: I know. And I really regret that.

Raven: I don’t want to talk to you right now if you’re going to go on about the king’s stupid report and Elsynne’s trial.

Lukas: There never was a report.

Raven: What…?!

Lukas: I just…I wanted to talk to you again, Edward. I was hoping we could get closer—as brothers—by coming here. More importantly, I wanted to find out what happened here in Estershore that day. We lost a lot of people.

Raven: I know. I saw it all firsthand. It wasn’t pretty.

Lukas: It must have been difficult… I’m sorry, that was a dumb thing to say. I’ve no doubt it was difficult to watch.

Raven: Estershore’s been around since before I was born…since before Ilia was born… And now it’s…

Lukas: It’s gone. But not forever.

Raven: Huh?

Lukas: We’re going to rebuild it, of course. The king’s laying out plans now. And when I’ve taken his place, I’ll organize a huge rebuilding effort. Estershore will be restored to its former glory.

Raven: Heh. You’re already making huge plans, and you don’t even have the crown on your head yet.

Lukas: It’s good to start planning early. Especially for a huge project like this one.

Raven: Yeah, I guess.

Lukas: Edward, when you come home…will you help me rebuild Estershore?

Raven: Not if you’re still planning on slapping Elsynne with the death sentence.

Lukas: You’re going to bring that up again?

Raven: Of course I am! Lukas, I know you. You wouldn’t let them kill her if you knew the whole story. Let us tell you what happened, okay? And then, just…just make her do a ton of work in this rebuilding project of yours, or something. Make her help the refugees. I don’t care. Just don’t kill her.

Lukas: I didn’t know you felt so strongly about the executions.

Raven: Usually, I don’t give a damn. But Elsynne’s not like the other criminals. This is different—she wasn’t trying to murder anyone. This whole incident really messed her up. I was almost executed several times by the Lavinian government just because of who I am, so I know what it’s like to be in her shoes…well, sort of.

Lukas: …All right.

Raven: Lukas?

Lukas: I want to hear more about what happened—from both of you. We can give your suggestions a try.

Raven: You promise?

Lukas: I promise.

Raven: All right. You’re going to be the king, so you’d better keep that promise or I’ll go out and do everything I can to screw up your reign.

Lukas: Haha. I’ll hold you to that.

Raven: And…I guess help with your rebuilding effort, since you’re going to help me out. Besides, Estershore is part of my home.

Lukas: I’m glad to hear that… I really am.

Raven: So, now what? Since there isn’t a report to fill out, should we just head back home?

Lukas: We can. But first… (draws his sword)

Raven: The rematch!

Lukas: Or would you prefer to fight with your friends watching? As proof?

Raven: (draws his sword) No way! This is fine with me!

Lukas: All right! Let’s go!


If Raven Wins…

Raven: I did it! Finally!

Lukas: That was… (huff) That was quite a fight. You really have gotten stronger since you left home.

Raven: Of course I have! Remember Skylar’s giant dragon? I have to fight stuff like that now.

Lukas: Oh, I’m sure you don’t have to fight things that big and bad all the time.

Raven: Yeah…sometimes it’s worse. But it’s made me better, right? I’m a lot stronger now.


If Lukas Wins…

Raven: Tch…

Lukas: Edward-

Raven: Don’t say it. I’m not in the mood for pity.

Lukas: I wasn’t going to give you pity. I was just going to say…that was a great match.

Raven: I still lost, like always.

Lukas: Not “like always”. I can see you’ve improved immensely since you left home. And you know what’s even better than that?

Raven: No.

(At this point, the rest of the conversation is the same regardless of whether you won or lost.)

Lukas: You’ve developed your own style. I can still see traces of our family’s swordsmanship techniques, but you’ve made it your own.

Raven: What do you mean?

Lukas: Let’s see, how do I explain… Well, you’ve gone in a different direction than I have. But I’ve studied under our family’s style for years. You would have too, if you hadn’t left home.

Raven: So…is this a good thing or a bad thing?

Lukas: A great thing. I know you’re probably sick of hearing it, but you’ve changed all over…for the better, I think.

Raven: Peh, whatever.

Lukas: Ha, ha. Your attitude is still kind of the same, though.

Raven: Thanks, I guess. Especially for agreeing to the rematch.

Lukas: No problem.

Raven: Ever since I started training to use a sword, you were always better. I was jealous, but I never did my best to improve until now.

Lukas: Do you think your efforts have paid off?

Raven: Definitely.

Lukas: That’s good to hear. Oh, and when we get back to the castle, I’m going to give you this.

Raven: Your sword? But didn’t you get that from the king as a birthday gift or something? I thought it was really special.

Lukas: Special to me, I suppose. But I want you to take it, as proof that you’ve become the stronger brother.

Raven: Really…? You don’t have to do that, Lukas.

Lukas: I want to.

Raven: All right… Ha, thanks!

~ ~ ~

Back at the castle, when Raven’s reunited with the group…

Ilia: Had a good time with your big brother?

Raven: Yeah, yeah. Shut up.

Cymbeline: We had a nice little vacation~

Harriette: Away from your whining.

Raven: Yeah, I’m sure you did.

Stephen: Huh, Raven doesn’t seem as volatile as usual.

Felix: H-He’s in a…a good mood?!

Ilia: Well, whatever. Let’s move out—we’ve spent enough time in here in Itona relaxing.

Elsynne: …Oh! You didn’t have that sword when you left, did you?

Raven: Huh? Oh, no. It used to belong to Lukas.

Elsynne: It’s beautiful.

Raven: Yeah, it’s really nice.

Elsynne: Was it a gift?

Raven: Sort of.

Ilia: What, did you steal it from him?

Raven: No, of course not!

Ilia: Ha, ha. I’m just kidding. You wouldn’t be able to steal that sword from him if you tried. It must have been a gift.

Raven: …

(The others, except for Elsynne, leave.)

Elsynne: It wasn’t just a gift, was it? You challenged him again, didn’t you?

Raven: Yeah.

Elsynne: Ah… Raven, you’re lucky.

Raven: For what?

Elsynne: That you’ve got a brother who cares about you.

Raven: Ugh, that sounds so sappy.

Elsynne: But it’s true!

Raven: Yeah… I know.

(( Obtained Sword: Regent ))


Affection Skit: True Feelings

Lukas: Can I ask you a question? I’ve been curious about something for a while.

Raven: Yeah, fire away.

Lukas: Who do you see as your true family? My parents, or your real parents?

Raven: Huh? I guess I haven’t really thought about it…

Lukas: Did…did Lianne have any other children?

Raven: Not that I’m aware of. You’re my only sibling, as far as I’m concerned.

Lukas: So…you never answered my question.

Raven: I was thinking about it! Jeez, hold your horses.

Lukas: S-Sorry.

Raven: Well, I’ve always considered the king and queen my parents, since they raised me and all. I didn’t know Lianne was my real mother until recently. Skylar doesn’t count for family, because he’s a stupid bastard.

Lukas: And…?

Raven: Lianne and Arden are my biological parents, but they don’t seem like my real parents. Plus, I’ve grown up with you as my brother, and I doubt I’ll ever think differently.

Lukas: Good…I’m glad to hear that.

Raven: Really? You don’t want to get rid of me yet? Damn.

Lukas: Ha. Well, you’ll always be my little brother, regardless of blood.

Raven: You play the part of the annoying older brother pretty well. And please…shut up before this conversation gets too cheesy.
_________________

[KK Twain]

[0999Silv]

Awe, brothers bonding. I really like the different personalities the two have. They are so different, and that difference makes it so entertaining.

[Kevvie]

Long time no post.

AWWWW brotherly wub. Great job, as usual. ;D

EDIT: Forgot to comment on the preview skit, which was great. Looking forward to the new story.
_________________

[Avatar: Roadrunnuh][Fanbar: squidmaster64]

[Flamzeron]

Raven has a brother? He doesn't seem to be happy about it.
_________________

Listen to my podcast!
My voice acting resume
My YouTube Channel
Read my blog

[Roadie]

Dunno if anyone will see my (extremely late) responses, but I have some ~news~ and I thought I'd reply before I got to that.

In any case, thanks much to everyone who read the sidequest!

KK Twain: Ooh, I never thought of Lukas as a villain-type before...that's an interesting thought, actually.

Kevvie: Long time no talk! I miss your company. :'(

All right. In any case, this entire section of the forum has been pretty dead fanstory-wise, but I've actually still been writing fanstory-related stuff (and original stuff, but that's irrelevant right now). I know I promised to keep posting here, but I obviously haven't. My writing journal on LiveJournal, however, is alive and kicking with fanstory and original stuff. This news is relevant to the thread because yes, I am still writing ToC stuff...! Surprisingly. I-I actually just posted some ToC oneshots last night and there are more on the way...

I'm not saying "omg go to this journal now and read my crap" -- I'm just letting those of you who still lurk here and are interested that I'm still alive and writing for this story even though the thread and my account here are dead.
_________________

[Kevvie]