Final Fantasy XII - Even a Stray has Pride

Part I: Childhood's End - The Feast

It had been a long week since Basch and I met Naria, the daughter of the fearful farmer. We came to visit the farm twice, and found the girl busy giving a hand to the team of workers.

'Hey! Why didn't you warn me you'd come! I haven't changed dress!' she'd said.

'How did you want us to warn you?' Basch had asked.

'Emm... Right. Well, hello, anyway!'

And she'd waved to us with all her arm and a smile that ate half her face.

The second time, Basch and I agreed to join in the job to have it done by the end of the day, which we succeeded to do. We had big bursts of laughs, a nice lunch with the workers, and much, much fun under the warm sun. Everything was like perfect.

'Well, you know the feast's date is coming close.'

We were having tea at home. My mother had put the tray and went back to work. She always welcomed Naria with open arms; and I understood this behavior. It must be so hard to grow up as a child without a mother.

'Yeah. So what? We're gonna dance together and we're gonna win. Anything against that?' said Basch after loudly drinking a sip.

'No, no', Naria objected, raising her forefinger. 'That's not exactly it, because I wanna dance with Noah too!'

'Oh come on' Basch said with a laugh. 'Who'd want to dance with that handicapped savage cuss.'

'Hey, hey! I won't allow you to talk this way of your brother. Noah is a clever boy, and as gallant as you are. Well, I'd even say he's worth more than you, because he doesn't talk of you in such mean words!'

I thought Naria's past promise was a joke, because she seemed to get along so well with Basch, but reality just showed me it was a strong will of hers. I felt so grateful.

'Now Basch', Naria said, always with her cheerful tone. 'I'll dance with both him and you. And I don't want to you to say ill of Noah again. Understood?'

'Yeah...' Basch lamented, looking at the window.

Naria and I exchanged a skeptical look.

'Fine, fine. I see you're talking about the event already.'

The three of us turned towards the door. Mom was there, smiling at us.

'Wait', said Basch in astonishment. 'Weren't you supposed to be working?'

'There was not much to do today, so I'm already finished. I supposed you've already worn your finest clothes.'

This had to be a joke, for what we were wearing could be easily qualified as pajamas.

'But... Auntie', Naria said. 'I thought the feast was tomorrow. There hasn't been the bard yet.'

Among our traditions was a chant sung by a young bard, who used to travel across the neighborhoods in the feast's morning.

'He did pass, my dear. You were just too dizzy to hear him, all sleepy in your respective beds!'

Mom wasn't wrong. We hadn't woken up early this morning, and I don't think I would have even if a war had started. I lowered my head in shame.

'Don't show me that face, Noah', said Mom with a laugh. 'Be a gentleman instead and prepare to welcome your new friend among the best dancing couples of the village!'

'Wait! Wait!' shouted the girl before rushing outside. 'I didn't bring my dress from the farm!'

'What about me?' questioned Basch in anger.