Tatiana/Stories
Alk and co. find a woman appearing to be in a spot of trouble with a ruffian. However, things aren't quite what they seem to be at first.
Alk: Did you guys hear something?
Stella: A couple of voices. It sounded like one of them was in trouble.
Light: Let's check it out!
Alk: Hold it right there!
???: What do YOU want? Can't you see we're busy here?
Light: Busy? Get your hands off that poor, defenseless woman!
???: Don't stick your nose where it don't belong!
???: Defenseless woman? That's adorable.
???: But I can handle myself, thank you very much.
Nimbus: Hmph. Looks like we ain't needed here.
???: Not at all! I ought to thank you for giving me this opening.
Light: That's some impressive movement.
Tatiana: You think? They don't call me Tatiana the Swiftblade for nothing, you know.
Loan Shark: Hmph, more like Tatiana the Dine and Dasher!
Light: Dine and dash? We... We've completely misjudged the situation!
Loan Shark: Ya think? This broad's been swindlin' my pub from day one! Pay yer damn tab already!
Tatiana: Why, I NEVER! I mean, sure, maybe I did have a drink or two... Who's counting, anyway?
Nimbus: You might have a problem.
Light: Tatiana, was it? Is this man telling the truth?
Tatiana: My bar tab? Hmm... Maybe he is, maybe he isn't.
Tatiana: More importantly, you all came here to my rescue, didn't you?
Tatiana: It'd be nice if you could rescue me from this awful barkeep... It shouldn't be thaaat much!
Nimbus: Ridiculous. Let's get outta here.
Light: Wait... We can't just let this go unresolved.
Nimbus: You can't be serious! You're gonna cover for her?
Alk: Whew... She really went to town, huh?
Tatiana: Aw, don't be like that! You said you'd come to my rescue, right, friends? I'm not one for hard labor, you know!
Nimbus: Friends? Don't get the wrong idea here, lady.
Tatiana: You were impressed with my skills, weren't you? I'm sure we could make loads of money as a team!
Light: *sigh* All right. I'll pay for it.
Tatiana: Aw, thank you so much, widdle bunny! I'll get you lots and lots of carrots to eat, okay!
Light: Don't get the wrong idea, I'm doing this not for you, but the poor barkeep you've been terrorizing.
Tatiana: Same difference!
Loan Shark: Appreciate it, fellas. Welp, she's your problem now! Heh-heh.
Tatiana: Okay then! What's our first stop gonna be, friends?
Alk: What're you talking about?
Tatiana: For our celebration, of course! We need to raise a toast in the name of friendship!
Nimbus: A toast?! On whose tab, exactly?
Tatiana: I mean, obviously not mine, right? It's MY welcome party, after all! Let's booze it up while the night's still young!
Alk learns the basics of knifeplay with Tatiana as the two bond over fishing and food.
Nimbus: Damn... They just aren't bitin' for me today. How about you?
Alk: No luck here either.
Tatiana: Fishing poles? Tsk, tsk. You two have SO much to learn.
Nimbus: The hell are you goin' on about? How're we supposed to fish without fishing poles?
Tatiana: Easy. Here, watch and learn, guppies.
Tatiana: Now pay attention, okay? I'm only going to show you this once. THIS is how you fish... Tatiana-style!
Alk: Whoa... There they are!
Tatiana: Well? Think you boys are up for it?
Nimbus: I admit that was rather impressive, but how do you plan on retrieving it?
Tatiana: Isn't it obvious? Here, take a closer look at the knife.
Nimbus: Hmph, I should've guessed. You've got a string around it.
Alk: I guess that's why they call you the Swiftblade, huh?
Nimbus: Yeah, well... That ain't fishing if you ask me.
Tatiana: You've gotta be able to do at least this much if you're gonna live here, right?
Nimbus: Uh... We don't actually live around here, but yeah. Do what you want.
Alk: That's right. We live in Starview, remember? But that was a really neat trick!
Tatiana: *sigh* Isn't Starview Village just the best?
Tatiana: All the food and drink you could ever dream of... all for free!
Tatiana: *sigh* Having friends sure is lovely, isn't it?
Alk: You're just planning on eating all our food, aren't you?
Alk: Speaking of which, it's almost noon! We'd better get going.
Tatiana: Sounds good to me! Let's crack open some cold ones and enjoy this fresh catch!
Alk: It's almost ready, so hold on a little longer.
Tatiana: No worries! Just give me a bottle and I'm a happy camper.
Nimbus: Easy on the sauce, Tatiana. You know how you get.
Tatiana: Oh, don't be such a buzzkill, Nimbus. I'm not THAT bad.
Nimbus: This... is some pretty damn good fish.
Tatiana: Right? All the fish around there are, really. I was hoping I'd get to pair it with a quality bottle, but alas...
Tatiana: You sure know your way around a fish though, Alk! I might just have to loosen my belt.
Alk: There's still plenty left, so make sure and eat your fill!
Tatiana: Phew, I couldn't eat another bite! Say, Alk, this would be the perfect time for a digestif, don't you think?
Nimbus: I don't think so. You're just gonna have to deal.
Tatiana: Ugh, fiiine.
Alk: Actually, Tatiana... I'm actually about to head back and do some more fishing.
Alk: Do you think you could teach me how to do that thing with your knife there?
Tatiana: Interested in becoming a quickblader yourself, are you? Fine by me.
Tatiana: I mean, it's the least I can do after you've spoiled me silly, right? But you'd better do exactly as I say, got it?
Alk: Okay. I'll do whatever it takes!
Tatiana: That's what I like to hear! So first, I'm going to need you to get me a drink.
Nimbus: You know...
Alk: Tell you what—if you manage to catch, say, ten times as many fish as me, you can have an aperitif before dinner. Sound good?
Tatiana: Deal! Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?