Fields of Mistria Balor

NoraI know the market, Balor. We won't take charity!

BalorI couldn't pull the wool over your eyes if I tried, Nora. I'm making my share off your order, I assure you.

NoraBalor...

BalorI do love our talks, but you'll have to excuse me. I've got business to attend to with Ari.

NoraUgh, you are incorrigible.

BalorThanks for waiting. Sorry to put you in the position of being my out.

Why would Nora complain about low prices?

Your prices don't seem that low to me...

BalorWhy indeed?

BalorI'll make sure there's something extra in your payment for today's work.

BalorI'm going to finish organizing these. Could you start taking the boxes into the General Store?

NoraIt's the most peculiar thing...

NoraI have no idea how he does it, but Balor's the only one with a supply line into Mistria. Normally that would drive his prices up.

NoraBut that man... he's selling his goods for well below the new market value.

NoraDo you think he's selling stolen merchandise?

NoraMaybe I'm just overthinking it.

Afterwards

BalorOh, here about the unloading job? Wonderful! Let's get to it.

HemlockHey there, Ari! Looking for Balor?

HemlockThought so. He had to step out for a moment, but he said you're welcome to head up to his room and he'll meet you there.

HemlockIt's just up the steps, first door on the left!

Hemlock"I've secured a reliable supply line from the Capital by adding to the bulk orders made by neighboring towns. From there, I can handle the final transport of goods to Mistria myself."

Hemlock"This will keep my prices low until Mistria stabilizes..."

Hemlock"Despite Nora's grumbling, she knows that Mistria is in a precarious position and the town needs every advantage they can muster."

HemlockYou probably shouldn't be reading this...

I should wait for Balor.

Continue reading.

Hemlock...

BalorThere you are! Sorry about that, had a delivery come in unexpectedly.

BalorI suppose the blame is on me for leaving my journal out.

BalorI hope I can trust your discretion on this.

But there's nothing bad here...

It looks like you're working hard to help!

BalorMistria has been in a delicate position since the earthquake, there's no need to remind everyone.

BalorListen.

BalorI don't want you getting the wrong idea. What benefits the town benefits me, understand?

BalorMistria has the potential to be a major influence in Aldaria, and I want to get in on the ground floor.

BalorI assume you do as well, since you moved here. Mistria will recover, we'll both make our fortunes, and then we can all go our separate ways.

I guess I see your point...

But you seem to really like it here...

BalorExcellent. I knew you were a kindred spirit the moment I met you.

BalorOn that note, let's get down to business.

BalorYou've been doing a great job with your shipments. In a short period of time you've become one of my key suppliers.

BalorMy advice is to continue to diversify what you sell. Mistria needs all kinds of support to get back on its feet, so focusing on just one or two areas won't cut it.

BalorRemember, business comes first, alright? There's a lot of profit to be made in Mistria for those with the eye for it.

BalorAnd after that, who knows? The world awaits!

BalorAri, there you are! Come and join me.

BalorHemlock, bring us over whatever the most expensive drink on the menu is.

HemlockYou got it! Seems like you're in a rare mood, Balor.

BalorWhy shouldn't I be?

BalorProfits are up, the town's businesses are booming... I couldn't be happier.

HemlockCheers you two, have the rest of the bottle on the house. Just give me a yell when you're ready to order.

BalorTo Ari, and to Mistria!

I'll drink to that!

Actually, can I get a lemonade?

To Mistria, to raising my cut of the profits!

BalorCheers!

WheedleWell doesn't this look cozy! Mind if I join?

BalorWheedle! Yes, actually.

WheedleSplendid!

BalorTo what do we owe the unexpected pleasure of your company?

WheedleWhy I thought you'd never ask!

WheedleI represent a consortium of merchants who have taken an interest in your work in Mistria, Balor. We're all very impressed.

WheedleYou've certainly made lemonade out of lemons.

BalorGet to the point.

WheedleThis paperwork transfers your Mistrian contract rights over to my business partners, and you walk away with...

BalorThis is-!

WheedleWell, to call it a tidy sum doesn't do it justice, does it?

Do the contracts with the Mistrian businesses stay the same?

And what's my cut?

WheedleI'm afraid that's not for you to decide.

BalorI... see.

WheedleWell I won't overstay this warm welcome. Think about it, Balor. It's everything you've ever wanted, isn't it?

BalorWell that was unexpected.

BalorCan I have a rain check on the meal, Ari? I've got a lot to think about.

You aren't thinking of taking Wheedle's scummy deal?

You should do whatever makes you happy.

Balor...

BalorHemlock, can you bring me a fresh bottle? Thanks.

Afterwards

AdelineWheedle has been sniffing around town, but it seems like he's up to more than his usual tricks.

BalorFunny isn't it? You spend your whole life working towards a dream, then it drops into your lap and suddenly...

WheedleChecking in on your pal's Balor decision? Don't worry, I'm sure he'll make the right call.

BalorThere you are! Please, sit down.

BalorDo you like it? I had a bit of help from Hemlock and Jo getting everything set up.

BalorMaple, Luc and Dell tried to pitch in too... but it was easy enough to clean up their mess afterwards.

BalorFor today's menu, Reina is preparing some of her finest dishes.

BalorIt's worth enjoying a nice date since we have the time, don't you think?

I can't wait!

It seems like you've put a lot of effort into this.

BalorI'm sure the food will start arriving at any moment. But before it does...

BalorActually, Ari... there's something I-

JosephineFood's up!

BalorAh, our first course.

BalorShall we discuss our drink options before we tuck in?

JosephineActually, Balor...

JosephineI'm so sorry to interrupt, but can I talk to you outside?

Balor...

BalorE-excuse me, Ari. Feel free to get started. I'm sure I'll only be gone a moment.

JosephineWheedle is downstairs, and he's demanding to see you.

JosephineHe said something about picking up your contract.

JosephineBalor, surely you're not...?

BalorI see. This is not the timing I'd hoped for.

BalorJo... I need to talk to Ari first. Can you delay him?

JosephineFor you Balor, Hemlock and I will try to keep him busy. But you owe us one!

BalorI'm in your debt. Thank you.

BalorSorry about that...

Everything alright?

If you're busy, we could reschedule...

BalorIt's... nothing. It can wait.

BalorThere's something I've been meaning to ask you.

BalorSince the Shooting Star Festival, I've been wondering... what am I to you, Ari? We're more than just business partners... right?

You're one of my best friends, Balor!

You're more to me than anyone, Balor.

BalorAh, of course. Thank you, Ari. It means a lot to hear you say that.

BalorIn this line of work, it can be hard to know who your real friends are.

BalorBut... you've always been true to me, Ari. Someone I can truly rely on.

BalorI'm sorry to interrupt our meal again but... would you come downstairs with me for a moment?

BalorThere's some business I need to finish, and I'd like for you to be there.

WheedleBalor, there you are!

WheedleI assume you're ready to sign that contract and leave this backwater for good?

BalorWrong as usual, Wheedle.

BalorMistria is my home, and its people and their livelihoods aren't chips to be bargained with.

WheedleAh, I know a negotiation tactic when I hear one. If you sit down, I'm sure we can find a deal that works for you-

BalorNo amount of money would make me sign Mistria over to you and your band of crooks.

WheedleI see.

WheedleAnd who are you exactly, to be calling me a crook? You've been stealing and cheating your way around the Capital longer than most.

WheedleFor the right price... there's no depths you won't sink to.

WheedleAnd you, Ari. Don't you see what's happening here? This is nothing but an act.

WheedleYou'd better run while you still can. He'll turn on you the moment you stop being useful to him.

BalorEnough!

BalorHe's not... entirely wrong, Ari. I've done things in my past that I'm not proud of.

BalorI was just a kid trying to survive. But I'm a different person now, a better person.

BalorI have been for a long time now. Even more so since I met you.

WheedleWhat a charmer! And so sincere! Don't let him fool you...

I don't think so, Wheedle. (Kiss Balor)

Shut the hell up, Wheedle.

BalorAri!

BalorI have your contract here, Wheedle.

BalorSee these scraps? I tore it up weeks ago.

BalorI think I'll hold on to the pieces-

BalorAs a little memento. Proof that my heart lies here with Mistria.

WheedleYou... we're done here!

JosephineHe didn't even pay for his drink!

HemlockIf it means we won't see him here again, it's on the house.

JosephineBalor dear, we're all so proud of you.

HemlockShe's right. You're a true Mistrian, Balor.

BalorEveryone...

JosephineYou and Ari had better head back up, the next course is almost ready.

Afterwards

BalorAri... thank you.

MapleHey, Ari! Did you have a nice time with Balor?

HemlockI nearly stepped in when things started getting heated between Wheedle and Balor.

JosephineThat Wheedle! That he would even THINK that Balor would ever sell out Mistria for a pile of dirty coins!

ReinaI had to step out for a moment while getting your special meal ready, and mom said I missed quite the show!

WheedleAh, I thought I might be seeing you again.

BalorIt's so lovely out here, no matter the season...

BalorAnd this bridge has a special place in my heart.

BalorI think of you every time I cross it on my way back to town...

BalorYou remember, right? This is where we first met.

BalorI was in a different place in my life, then.

BalorMy time in the Capital wasn't so far behind me yet. I know that I'm not that person anymore... but I can't deny that history, either.

BalorI want you to know all of me, Ari. That includes the parts of I'm not as proud of.

I don't mind a little bit of mystery...

I know you, and you're wonderful just as you are.

BalorAri...

BalorI'm glad.

BalorLooking back, I really did have a hard life. It's not an excuse, but-

BalorI was young, angry, and desperate...

BalorStealing and cheating were all I knew growing up. It's how I survived life in the Capital.

BalorAnd... I must have carried some remnant of that with me to Mistria. In the beginning, I'd convinced myself this was just another stop on the road.

BalorThat changed because of you.

BalorSeeing the way you made it your business to help the people of this town... it gave me confidence that I was finally headed down the right path.

BalorIn no small part because you just... trusted me to do the right thing. Right from the beginning.

BalorYou never doubted me, Ari.

BalorHow could I possibly disappoint someone like you?

You make me want to be a good person, too.

You always work hard to make Mistria better... I want to do the same.

BalorI'm setting a good example? For you?

Balor...

BalorThat means a lot to me.

BalorYou've always been a gem in my eyes, you know.

BalorI never would have guessed, that despite my rough exterior-

BalorYou managed to see a glimmer of something similar in me.

BalorThere's no one else like you. You're truly precious to me, Ari.

BalorThat's why I gave you that Polished Gem.

BalorIt started out as a piece of sea glass I found by the Beach when I first came to Mistria.

BalorIt was a humble little thing, probably washed in from the Capital...

BalorBut after we met, I began to polish it... and now it shines like a sapphire.

BalorI don't know whether I'll ever truly shine the way it does... the way that you do.

BalorBut you make me want to try.

BalorAnyway... sorry for going off on a tangent.

BalorI almost forgot why we'd come out here in the first place!

BalorThere was something else you wanted to talk about, wasn't there?

I wanted to talk to you about our future together...

Let's talk about it another time...

BalorOur future? Ari...

BalorDoes that mean...?

I love you, Balor. Will you marry me?

Actually, let's talk about it more another day.

BalorMarry-

BalorMarry you...?

BalorAre you sure? Really?

BalorThere's nothing I've ever wanted more!

BalorYes. I will!

BalorI love you, Ari.

BalorI never expected to meet someone like you...

BalorYou're so much more than I ever bargained for.

BalorAnd I mean that in the best way possible.

BalorI get the feeling you'll be keeping me busier than ever from now on!

BalorAnd now we have a wedding to plan, don't we? Let's go all out!

Afterwards

BalorSomething on your mind, Ari?