A Purchase of Fruit

This is what I get for sharing! Maybe I'll just head out on another patrol...

Accepting the quest

I'd love to lay out a welcome meal, but the duties I put off when I went to the market are still waiting for me...

Argh! There are a hundred and one things that need doing! I'm sorry, but would you mind waiting here with Alisaie?

What, and twiddle our thumbs while you work yourself to death? Surely there's something we can help you with?

...I could do with a hand, it's true. Thank you. You can start by helping me sort out the larder, Alisaie.

While we do that, could you tend to a few patients, perhaps? There are three in particular I meant to visit─it's just a matter of saying a few words to them, and seeing that their skin isn't caked in sand.

Their names are Pawnil, Todden, and Halric. They may not give much in the way of a response, but I promise they'll be pleased to meet someone new!

Optional dialogue

I would speak more on the subject of sin eaters, but let's see these tasks finished first.

It will do them good to see a new face. There's not much in the way of novelty around here to distract them from their worries.

Tending to Pawnil

Pawnil

Th-Thank...you...

Optional dialogue

Pawnil

Y-You're Alisaie's...friend? That's...good...

Tending to Todden

Todden

......

Todden glances up at you blankly, but you notice the tension in his face ease slightly.

Optional dialogue

Todden

.....

Tending to Halric

Start of cutscene.

Halric remains utterly still as you wipe the sand from his cheek.

The texture of his skin has hardened into something akin to plaster...

End of cutscene.

Optional dialogue

Halric

......

Your work is done, then?

Speaking with Tesleen

You've seen to the patients? How were they?

...Good. That's good. I knew they would enjoy meeting you.

I am concerned about Halric, though... I'll have to speak with the other carers, but I think his time may be near.

We shall leave you to have that discussion, then. I was going to take Forename to Mord Souq if you have any errands there that need doing...?

Well, I suppose there is one thing...

Would you pick up a nectarine from the markets, please? Cassard's caravan just passed through, so Rhon Ron should have some fresh fruit.

Come, then, Forename─there's something I want you to see. Right after we stop at Rhon Ron's stall, of course.

Optional dialogue

Hm? Oh, my jobs are all under control now, thank you. Go and spend some time with Alisaie.

Let's see about that nectarine, shall we?

Speaking with Rhon Ron

Start of cutscene.

Oho, back again, are you? You need another taste of Rhon Ron's wares?

Actually, we're looking to buy a nectarine. Do you have any in stock?

Oh, yes! Nectarines, peaches, grapes! Fresh and juicy!

Hm... Given how richly you cracked your coinpurse with me, I might still owe you food... Here, take this one! Free of charge!

Gods, I've never seen a Mord merchant give away something for nothing before. How much coin did you spend here...?

Oh yes, I'll take a jar of honeyed worms as well. Hm? Oh no! They're not for me! It's...an offering of sorts.

...Ahem, the worms, if you please?

Only the best wrigglers for you! Come again, my friends!

Right, that's our shopping chores taken care of. Let's head up past the aetheryte to the main tower─the view I want to show you can only be seen from its very top.

End of cutscene.

Optional dialogue

See you again soon! Your belly won't let you stay away!

Mord Souq Guard

<yawn> You need something?

Speaking with Alisaie

Here are your precious worms. That buys us a trip to the top of the tower, does it not?

Mord Souq Guard

<gasp> Glazed Wrigglers! You actually brought them!

I really shouldn't let you, but...just this once, all right? Only once!

Never fails. Shall we?

Start of voiced cutscene.

Look, over there─where the wall is broken.

Do you see what lies beyond?

That's what the land became after the Light flooded in. An empty white nothingness.

Life cannot exist in such conditions. The primordial Light would wreak havoc on the body's aetheric balance.

That nectarine you bought...it's Halric's favorite fruit.

Most of the patients, Halric included, survived the attacks of powerful eaters.

But their fate was sealed all the same. The monsters' corruption has entered their bodies, and their very essence is being subsumed by Light.

The twisted state of the world itself just makes matters worse. Under normal circumstances, a person's aether naturally tends to equilibrium, but for these poor souls, the opposite is true.

Sooner or later, every single one of them will turn.

Tesleen and the patients, they all know this. They know what has to be done before the change goes too far─before the eater within takes over.

The preferred method is mixing poison into their favorite food. In my time here, I've borne witness to a lot of last meals.

I feel just as helpless as before. No matter how hard I fight, it's never enough.

But it's a war I mean to wage, nonetheless. ...Speaking of wars, do you remember how I made you promise not to leave me, and then promptly collapsed?

Well, let's just say I had a few choice words for the Exarch concerning the timing of his summons...

But even if the fault lay with someone else, I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd abandoned you on the battlefield.

So I swore that I'd make up for my absence there by making a difference here.

And that's what keeps me moving forward...even when things seem hopeless.

On which note, it's time we headed back. The longer we keep Tesleen waiting, the harder this will be for her...

End of cutscene.

Optional dialogue

Mord Souq Guard

No one is allowed in here without permission, especially not outsiders!

Speaking with Alisaie

I'm glad I was able to show you that. When it comes to understanding the catastrophe which befell the First, one glimpse of the empty wasteland beyond the wall is worth more than an hour of Urianger's lecturing.

And I needed you to know beyond a doubt that Tesleen has no other choice. The nectarine will be a kindness.

It isn't just the threat posed to others... When a person becomes an eater, the pain appears to be excruciating.

The carers are truly fond of their wards, and would spare them that suffering. It is their way of fighting back against a fate worse than death.

Optional dialogue

Go ahead. I think she's been waiting for us.

Giving the nectarine to Tesleen

You're back. I hope you had a nice time. Did you...manage to find a nectarine?

The player hands over the Nectarine.