A Seat at the Last Stand

Ready for a tea break, Forename? I know I am.

Honestly, my neck and shoulders are going to calcify if I don't stretch my legs and walk around for a bit...

You know the Last Stand down in the harbor, don't you? Come and meet me near the outside tables, and I'll treat you to their coffee. It's quite good!

Speak with Alisaie

As busy as ever, I see. How very Sharlayan that no other gourmet café has sprung up to compete for customers...

Actually, this crowd gives me an idea: before we place an order, why don't we ask a few questions and gauge the mood of the city?

I'm interested to hear what the average citizen has to say about the Telophoroi. We might even learn something new. Worth a try, don't you think?

Alisaie is now accompanying you. Keep her at your side in order to proceed with quest objectives.

You can leave Alisaie behind by entering a different area, or by speaking with her and selecting the option to part ways.

If you wish to have Alisaie accompany you again, return and speak with her at the original location.

Optional dialogue

Someone here at the café should be willing to speak with us. Let's ask around!

Part ways.

No rest for a hero, eh? Do what you must. I'll wait for you at the Last Stand.

Regrouping after parting ways.

Right. Ready to pick up from where we left off?

Talking to NPCs without Alisaie.

Alisaie has yet to arrive. Be sure she is at your side before attempting to continue.

Alisaie wishes to hear what the citizens have to say. Bring her with you before attempting to engage them in conversation.

Speak with Last Stand customers while accompanied by Alisaie

Hildoise

Hildoise

Yes? I don't believe I've had the pleasure...?

Pray excuse the interruption, but we were hoping you might share your thoughts on the Telophoroi and their unconscionable plans...

Hildoise

My goodness, if it isn't the young Miss Leveilleur.

My apologies, but I work in the offices of the Forum, and if word reached Master Fourchenault that I was helping you...

I see... We're sorry to have bothered you.

Pirondierre

Pirondierre

What, what─what is it? Can a man not enjoy a moment of private respite? If you're looking to share a table, then I respectfully request that you look elsewhere.

You misunderstand, sir ─ we were simply wondering if you knew of the Telophoroi. These enemies of peace have promised an end to all we hold dear, and─

Pirondierre

Wait. You're that House Leveilleur girl, aren't you?

And this man/woman with you is obviously a foreigner. Hmph. I'd heard you were disowned for helping outsiders indulge their barbaric whims, and here you are giving truth to the rumor...

I'll thank you to leave me be. I've naught to say to the likes of you.

Well! I must apologize. 'Twas foolish of me to expect an onze of civility from one so enlightened. Come, Forename.

Optional dialogue

Hildoise

I do not wish to give offense, but your companion is a well-known figure in the city, and you never know who might be watching...

Pirondierre

Did I not make myself clear? Away with you, and let me dine in peace.

Well, the customers have been decidedly uncooperative. Maybe the staff would be more willing to answer our questions.

Speak with Dickon while accompanied by Alisaie

Start of cutscene.

Welcome, sir/madam! What can I offer you today?

Wait, is that Mistress Alisaie I see there!? My word, how long has it been!?

Far too long...

Meet Dickon, the owner of the Last Stand. I used to frequent his café on occasion, in between lessons at the Studium.

That seems like an age ago now. I remember hearing that you and Master Alphinaud had set sail for Eorzea, but then you never came back.

Lately there's been gossip about your father disowning the pair of you. Everything all right at home?

It's...complicated. And I hadn't expected complete strangers to be so familiar with our situation quite so quickly. Everyone has an opinion, it seems...

Well, it is House Leveilleur. No matter how discreet Master Fourchenault may have been, news of your family's doings never stays secret for long.

Things being what they are, what brings you back to the city now, of all times?

We have questions, and only Sharlayan has the answers. Tell me, Master Dickon: have you heard anything about an apocalypse called the Final Days?

What, like the end of the world? Nothing like that, I'm afraid. And that's what you're here to find? Information on this...apocalypse?

Yes, whatever we can learn. Unfortunately, your patrons appear to be unwilling to speak with me.

I wish there was more I could do to help...

Hm, but maybe there is. You're a visitor to Sharlayan, aren't you?

Then few will know your face. We should be able to pass you off as a server with none the wiser.

We just finished preparing a few orders. Strike up some friendly conversation while you're setting down the food, and you might just get the answers you're looking for.

Not a bad idea. I hate to ask, but...what do you think?

That's the spirit! Pay attention, now, and I'll explain where each of these dishes needs to go.

The tea set is for the chatty group sitting by the water's edge.

The omelette is for one of our regulars ─ a Highlander by the name of Gisla. She's sitting at an outside table with a friend of hers.

Behind them, you should see a Miqo'te gentleman. He ordered the oven-baked lobster.

Got all that? If you're not sure, just ask and I'll explain again. Good luck!

End of cutscene.

Optional dialogue

I think you'll be better off if I stay here, out of sight. Find out what you can, and there'll be a hot cup of coffee waiting for you.

Any troubles? Remember: the tea set goes to the group by the water.

The omelette is for Gisla, a Highlander woman sitting outside with her friend.

Last but not least, our famous lobster goes to the Miqo'te man seated directly behind those two ladies.

Place the correct dish on the first customer's table

Optional dialogue

You work here, don't you? I'm still waiting on that charming little tea set...

Serving the wrong dish.

Excuse me, I didn't order this! Where is my tea set?

Talking to NPC again after serving the wrong dish.

Ahem, I only ordered the tea set. I can't possibly eat this as well, so if you would be so kind...?

Clear away the dish? (Yes/No)

Serve the tea set at the cafe table.

Oh, my tea set! Lovely, thank you!

...The Telopho-who? I'm sorry, I've never heard of them, or their “final days.”

My friends and I are somewhat uninformed when it comes to current events. Now, if you wanted to hear about ritual arcane practices of the Sixth Astral Era ─ common or esoteric ─ then I'd be happy to talk your ear off...

Optional dialogue

I always like to order this when I'm discussing arcane theory with my peers. It's my favorite treat!

Place the correct dish on the second customer's table

Optional dialogue

Gods above, I'm starving! I've never known the service to be this slow...

Serving the oven-baked lobster.

Is this on the house? Because I'm not paying for oven-baked lobster I didn't order. Now, where is my omelette?

Talking to NPC again after serving the wrong dish.

I know I didn't order this, but I'm beginning to wish I had. It smells divine...

Clear away the dish? (Yes/No)

Serve the omelette at the cafe table.

Ah, finally! Two, four, six, eight!♪ Let's dig in ─ no time to waste─♪

What? The Telophoroi? Ah, yes! I remember seeing the name in the latest gazette.

That and some grand claim about the end of days. Same old senseless warmongering. When will these fools grow tired of spilling each other's blood?

Best stay out of it, I say. The Forum made the right choice, and I fully support our decision to remain neutral!

Optional dialogue

The Last Stand really does make the best omelettes in the world. The fluffiest egg. The tartest sauce. I could eat it every day for a year!

Place the correct dish on the third customer's table

Optional dialogue

Gods, the anticipation... I've heard it melts in your mouth like the most succulent roast ever made!

Serve "urbane banter with a smile" at the cafe table.

Er, you don't need to butter me up, you know... I've already ordered one of the most expensive things on the menu.

Serve the oven-baked lobster at the cafe table.

At last, the oven-baked lobster is mine! You have no idea how long I've scrimped and saved and suffered to afford this heavenly dish...

The Final Days? This is the first I've heard of it.

Although, that would explain why my friend has been rushed off his feet. It must be a busy time to be a gleaner.

Hm? You don't know what a gleaner is? They're...collectors, of a sort. Travel the world procuring things that we haven't got here in Sharlayan ─ priceless books, unusual live specimens, and so forth.

So named for those folk who trail after the reapers in the fields, picking up every grain which was missed. Aye, by all accounts, gleaning is a most meticulous and demanding profession.

If these Telophoroi make good on their audacious threats, then many uncatalogued rarities could be lost forever. Why else would the gleaners be buzzing about in such a frenzy?

Watch the harbor, and you'll see what I mean ─ they're carting loads in from the docks all day. It's never been this hectic before. Not like this.

Optional dialogue

I've wanted to try this meal ever since I saw it served at another table. Ah, the aroma alone was worth every gil I scraped together!

I hope you and Mistress Alisaie got what you needed! ...She must be fond of you, eh? I've never known her to bring anyone to the café before.

Speak with Alisaie

Any trouble with the customers? Were you able to get anyone talking?

Interesting... They seem unaware of the Final Days, aside from whatever vague news the gazettes are printing.

Even Dickon had nothing to offer, and he's the best source of gossip in the city. Hmmm... If the Forum does have secret knowledge, then they've done an impressive job of ensuring no one whispers it in the wrong ear.

In any case, thank you for playing the part so well! Here ─ that cup of coffee I promised.

But let's enjoy our drinks somewhere else, shall we? Maybe behind the peristyle, away from the gossips and their wagging tongues...

Speak with Alisaie again

Yes, this should do nicely. Out of the wind, and out of sight.

Start of voiced cutscene.

Alisaie and the player are sitting on the ledge above the water, each with a cup of coffee.

When our father disowned us, I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

It wasn't until much later that his words began to sink in. That I began to feel the weight of what it meant.

Do you remember when the decision was made to come to Sharlayan?

G'raha said that the Forum was determined to keep us in the dark, and that Father's venomous “performance” was part of that strategy. To keep us at arm's length.

Perhaps it was. Father argued with Grandfather on many occasions, but never with such...dismissive contempt.

And...when he demanded what justifies the sacrifices we make in war...I honestly didn't know what to say.

Neither did Alphinaud, I know, but...never, for one moment, did I believe we had made the wrong choice. So all I could do was fume silently.

It was only afterwards that I realized how childish I had been. How being stubborn and self-righteous must run in the family.

If I could've just mustered a civil response, then things might've turned out differently...

Alisaie sees multiple boats with stacked crates entering a tunnel.