A Ten-year Promise

Last we met, I mentioned there was something I needed to confirm before proceeding. This something concerned Jeromere.

Since joining the Studium, I have not had the chance to have a proper discussion with him.

There is so much I would like to ask him, such as why he refuses to speak of our vow from ten years ago or why he insists so fervently that I drop my studies.

For the longest time I was too scared to confront him. I thought if he had truly lost interest in astronomy maybe we wouldn't have anything in common anymore, and...

Never mind. That's no longer relevant. Thanks to you and our starlens journey, I've become confident enough to face my fears head-on.

I plan to meet Jeromere and ask him what happened to the promise we made at the exact spot where we encountered the Azure Star in Tranquility.

But I'm positive that if I ask him to come, Jeromere will find another clever excuse to avoid me.

Please, Forename, would you be so kind as to ask him in my stead?

Thank you! You can likely find him at Auk's Landing reciting poetry with his friends.

In the meantime, I will make my way to Tranquility and wait for you and Jeromere there.

End of cutscene.

Optional dialogue

Hm? Who are you? What do you want from us?

Speak with the cocksure student

You there! You're the craftsman/craftswoman helping out at the Faculty of Astronomy. I take it you're not here to recite poetry?

You're looking for Jeromere? Sure, I can point you in his direction but you have to do something for me first.

You see, there is this girl. She spurned my advances a few days ago...

Hm, I can see you are also flabbergasted to learn she rejected a dashing young man such as myself!

What will you say?

So what do you need me to do?

Hurry up and tell me what you want already.

Aren't we snappy? Well, I know just the thing that will elevate me from simply charming to outstanding─a set of classy writing utensils! I want you to craft them for me.

I will, of course, see that you are furnished with everything you need. After all, such consideration is the defining quality of a gentleman!

Just ask this boy right next to me for materials. He still owes me a rather large sum of gold and will see that all your expenses are covered.

Let's hurry and get this over with. I cannot stand being indebted to him for a moment longer!

Optional dialogue

Let me know if you need any more materials. <sigh> I should've found a way to return him his gil sooner...

Deliver the set of writing utensils to the cocksure student

Once you finish crafting me my utensils, you can deliver them directly to me.

Excellent! With this exquisite set, I will no doubt be able to produce poetry beyond that of the average club member! She will have no choice but rethink her foolish decision!

Ah, right. You wanted to know where Jeromere is. You can find him at Scholar's Harbor right about this time.

A real wet blanket, this one is, if you ask me.

No need to say that. He's only just joined and has yet to settle in, is all.

What faculty did he transfer over from again?

He is certainly not going to be happy if I told you. You're going to have to ask someone else.

Hm... Sounds to me like he's harboring a few secrets, then.

Yes, yes, the utensils you crafted are superb. Rather than dallying about admiring your handiwork, however, you'd best hurry to Scholar's Harbor if you want to catch Jeromere.

Optional dialogue

The mystery grows deeper. I wonder what happened to Jeromere at his previous faculty...?

Optional dialogue

Do not worry! They are in good hands. Now, I suggest you hurry. Jeromere isn't going to be at Scholar's Harbor for much longer.

Speak with Jeromere

Oh! It's you─the craftsman/craftswoman working with Jude. What can I do for you?

Question:

I want to talk to you about Jude.

I need to speak with you.

You want to speak with me regarding Jude...?

Very well. I suppose I can spare a few moments if it concerns our dear friend Jude.

Shall we talk here, or did you wish to speak in private elsewhere?

Tranquility? I'll be on my way, then.

Speak with Jeromere once more

So what exactly did you wish to speak with me about?

Start of cutscene.

I see... I suspected as much.

Of course I should've known you'd be suspicious. You have always been two steps ahead of me.

Even so, you still came. And I have words for you that have been left unsaid for far too long.

Jeromere, why did you quit the Faculty of Astronomy?

So you know I once presided there...

It would be odd if I didn't. Surely, even you knew you wouldn't be able to feign ignorance for long. I ask you again: why did you quit the Faculty of Astronomy?

I...

Ten years ago we made a vow at this very spot. We swore together we'd search for and find the Azure Star together!

Why would you renege on our promise now? Have you come to hate astronomy?

Me? Hate astronomy? Ha! Please do not be silly. Finding that star meant the world to me.

<sigh> You will also be forced to face the truth one day, just as I have. Allow me to warn you before it is too late.

I am but one summer older than you. I shed blood, sweat, and tears to ensure I'd be able to earn a place to study at the Studium.

I kept silent about which faculty I was to enter because I had hoped to make some progress toward our goals and surprise you with it once you joined.

Upon hearing members were free to use the telescope any time, I joined the Classical Astronomical Association. I planned to devote all my spare time to our investigation.

For several months, day in and day out, I took that telescope and observed every last corner of the sky without fail.

To my utter despair, I was unsuccessful in ever locating the Azure Star.

Even so, I refused to give up on our dream. I thought perhaps a more powerful telescope was required, and so after much negotiating with my professors, I was granted leave to use the finest equipment available in the Studium.

Yet for all my effort, all my planning...I could find not so much as a glimmer of that bloody star in the night sky.

I grew more weary by the day and was eventually forced to come to a harrowing realization...

The Azure Star does not exist. It never did. Just as the scholars at the Studium told us back then, we imagined it.

The Azure Star...doesn't exist?

If...If, in fact, what you say is true, then why not tell me sooner?

Same as me, finding that star meant everything to you. How could I possibly tell you that...

If the Azure Star doesn't exist, then what have I been working towards this entire time...?

I understand your feelings better than you know. Forgetting about it will take time, but it can be done.

Promise me, however, you won't forget this, Jude: I am and always will be your friend and ally.

My life─without the Azure Star giving me direction and purpose─is meaningless. What am I to do...?

What will you say?

What do you want to do?

You're the only one who can give your life purpose.

Yes. You're absolutely right. Letting someone or something determine my life's path is the easy way out. I'm the only one that can decide what's right for me.

Let's return to Makers' Meet. There is something I would like to investigate.

End of cutscene.

Speak with Jude

If even Jeromere was unable to find it, there is a good chance the Azure Star truly does not exist...

There is, however, one other possibility. There is the chance it is out there, just not observable with the tools that were at his disposal.

The journey we're about to embark upon is about as dark and uncertain as a flight through a starless night sky.

Regardless, I shall not give up. This is a dream I've pursued for a decade. I cannot walk away without a fight.

Alone, I would have no hope of continuing Jeromere's work, but with you by my side perhaps I can accomplish that which even he has not! Forename, may I count on your continued assistance?

What will you say?

I will see you through your adventure.

Well, I can't leave you to your own devices, can I?