The party encounters what DomZ Ninja calls a "flying tree stump"; its name is Trick or Treat, hence the title of the installment. It is accompanied by two Mushroom Ups. It has Dander Fume, Inevitable Punishment, and Mushroom Party, but it eventually falls, giving the party Recovery Gloves and Floral Extract.
Also:
Jazz
- Lv. 23
- 2004 HP
- ATK: 193
- DEF: 138
- MAG: 75
- SPD: 62
He also gains the attack Plasma Chains.
First, our new item. Where Floral Powder restores 50% of HP to a single target, Floral Extract restores 70%. I just explained Recovery Gloves, so no need to talk about that again.
Plasma Chains is a Light Special Attack in which Jazz hits the enemy in front, then turns around and hits the enemy behind with a bigger blast.
I proceed forward, toward a waterfall.
Claves didn't think they ever get back after they fell into the river. Allegretto isn't sure what she means, as he doesn't think there's anything there. Falsetto isn't surprised that he's confused, as the town of Andante is right under his feet, or, as Viola says, underground. Jazz says it's not that impressive, but more than enough to live comfortably. Claves points out that they're a rebel army, and are supposed to be underground. Falsetto just scoffs. Jazz says it's Andantino's headquarters, and everyone there is one of them. He tells them to make themselves at home. He has Falsetto show them around, which is no problem for her. He and Claves are set to go on ahead, and says to join them when they get tired of sightseeing. Allegretto asks where they're going. Falsetto says they're going to the house they've been using as a base, on the shore of Lake Reverb
. It's their hideout, and a short walk from there.
The party is now Viola, Falsetto, and Allegretto.
To the right and through the cave is Andante (Field NO. 05, "Resist and Endure"). I save.
I talk to the man near the entrance. He asks how we got in here, and is apparently told that Jazz brought us. Beyond is the intro cutscene. Allegretto says it's inside a cave, and Viola seems impressed. Falsetto says it's nothing special on the inside. I talk to the man across the bridge. He explains that Andantino isn't a violent organization bent of indiscriminate terrorism. He says Forte doesn't realize how angry people are about what's going on there. Andantino targets only their important facilities, and makes sure no civilians are hurt by their actions.
In the first house, I talk to a man named Etude, who fights for the weak instead of living comfortably by submitting to those in power. He respects Jazz and his organization greatly. I then talk to the woman present, named Chaconne. She thinks his desire is noble, but doesn't want him to throw his life away. She doesn't know the use of freedom of he dies.
The next room has a doctor who talks about his job, and about the youngsters he's been seeing glorifying the idea of becoming martyrs for the cause. Afterward, talking to him means you get your HP back for free.
The man on the bridge to the right finds Jazz amazing for his conviction in risking his life to protect the weak. He's calm and composed (I see what you did there, game) and charges forward without losing sight of his objective. Also, he never abandons a comrade. That kind of leader is why this man pledges himself to Andantino.
On the other side of the bridge is a Storage Room. Inside is a Score Piece. Also a man, who tells me Jazz and Claves are an item. So are they equippable, a key item, or possibly a consumable? What are their effects? Anyway, he hopes having their leaders fall in love doesn't affect their objectivity.
Down the first set of stairs is a woman who discloses that women also support Jazz and oppose the current government, but most don't take part in combat; they guard their children and homes. Their thoughts are with the men, however.
Down some more stairs is a shop. I buy the Dragoon Blade for Allegretto, even though its ATK is less, because it does 47 Light Damage, so if I find myself in an are with Dark enemies, well...
I also buy the Monkey Bow (A bow used to frighten away mountain monkeys. ATK +77) for Viola, and Power Stroke (ATK +54; Chance of slowing the enemy on hit) for Falsetto. Finally, I buy the Tiger Armor (DEF +54) for Allegretto.
The guy next to the shop says that a soldier's body is his weapon, and asks if we're up for some Andantino Special Training.
In the room beyond him, one soldier is asking why they aren't attacking Forte. Another says Jazz is overly cautious. The third agrees, and wants to take matters into their own hands. The first soldier is ready to put their plan into action. The third wants them to keep their voices down. The second asks if they can pull it off on their own. The third thinks it'd be nice to have backup in case things go sour. The first suggests asking Etude, as he can hold his own in a fight, but the third says that he "practically worships Jazz", and questions if he'd go along with that. The first one thinks he would, as just standing around doing nothing is likely driving him crazy. The second thinks that sounds good, and that they need to pick a time to do it. He starts to relate intelligence reports, but then we pull back, and our party is standing there. Falsetto asks what they're doing. The first soldier is startled. The second claims nothing, and the third says they're done cleaning the room, and will head back now. They excuse themselves and leave.
At the head of the table, Allegretto can read a meeting log about vulnerable areas within Forte territory, but he doesn't understand it. In back, he can read a log about foods Waltz doesn't like. That seems pretty simple.
Beyond the meeting room, there's a man who's heard nasty rumors about the mineral powder, like about the test subjects who took it before it was sold. One rumor says it fried the brain of the first one.
In the room beyond him, a little girl is crying pretty hard. Her father says it won't help to cry about it. Our party comes in, and Falsetto asks what's wrong. The father greets her, and points us to a flower Falsetto identifies as a Simile flower. (Simile - In the same manner.) She didn't think any still existed. Viola notices that it looks like it's wilting. The father says they don't have water for it. Allegretto points out the tons of water outside, but Falsetto explains that they need water from Simile Spring, and the father adds that ordinary water will kill it. Allegretto says that you just need to get water from that spring. The father further explains that that involves going through the cemetery, and he doesn't want to go through that creepy place. Allegretto points out that he's her father, but he brings up rumors that monsters live there, and might eat him. The girl bawls some more, and her brother runs out of the room. Viola suggests, specifically to Allegretto, that they go get the water. "What?!" Viola tells him to think of it as his good deed for the day. Allegretto asks her since when is she so nice. Viola says she's always been nice, and urges him to stop grumbling and go.
I go back in and look around. In back is an album full of photos of his daughter from age 0-4. He also finds a Flare Head, one of the few character-specific accessories. When equipped to Viola, she gets +5 to ATK.
Beyond the home is a note: "Search around the stone pillar." I backtrack to a place where a stalactite and a stalagmite have grown together, back before the bridge near Etude's residence. Leaning on the stalagmite being used as a post to tie the bridge to is a man who doesn't approve of outsiders meddling in their business.
Back down, I take the walkway near the shop. Close to the beginning is a man who thinks we're new, and figures he's not the new guy now. He lets us know the training is rough at the beginning, and we'll get used to waking up early. Farther along is a woman who tells us the place used to just be the passage to Lento Cemetary. When they first came there, Simile flowers bloomed everywhere. They glow in the dark and are really beautiful. But they decreased in number as the town grew, and now you don't see them anymore. Right before the entrance is a man who tells us about the monster rumor. In fact, their hideout is there because most people believe the legends and fear the monsters.
I enter the passage.
(Field NO. 22, "Who Wants To Die")
I make my way to the fork, take a right, and go to the Save Point to save.
Up ahead is a boy, the girl's older brother. Allegretto tells him his dad's worried about him. Falsetto tells him it isn't safe there, and that he should go straight home. He says he can't, as someone's got to get that water for his sister. Viola says he's a good brother for that, but he shouldn't make his father worry. She tells him to hurry home, and that we'll get the water. He says it's not easy to get there. Wherever there's fog, the way is blocked. Allegretto tests it. Indeed, he can't just push through. The boy tells us his father calls it the Goblin's Grudge. Allegretto, having discovered that the kid knows what that stuff does, asks what they have to do. The boy points out the red candlestick. It's lit, which should make the fog go away. Thing is, if there are two candlesticks, like here, the candlesticks on both sides of the gate have to be lit, or the fog remains. And the flame on the right has to be green. Allegretto takes the red flame, since they might need it elsewhere. Now there's a flame counter in the upper left, for red, green, and blue flames. We now have 1 red flame. The boy tells us that there should be other flames in the cemetery. Allegretto gets it. The boy asks if they really think they can do it. Viola is absolutely certain, as if there's a cute girl involved, Allegretto'll find a way to make it happen. Allegretto dots at her. The boy doesn't want his sister to be sad.
- She's kinda cute, so please do whatever you can!
Allegretto promises to help her, and tells him to go home and wait for them. He does. I go back south and save, then go right. There's a single candlestick at this gate, and it's red. We use the red flame on it, and the fog clears.
We are now in the area of the cemetery called the Blockheads' Boneyard. Maybe Lucy has Charlie Brown interred here? Anyway, the Maledictor recolor here is called Scourger. The first one doesn't show off any attacks before we kill it.
Battlefields here are characterized by dark, with wisps moving around providing light. If we time it right, we might be able to take advantage of it if we need to.
Allegretto
- Lv. 24
- 7670 HP
- ATK: 154
- DEF: 146
- MAG: 105
- SPD: 83
The second one we encounter shows off Execute, but it doesn't do much damage, even unblocked.
Falsetto
- Lv. 23
- 7123 HP
- ATK: 157
- DEF: 108
- MAG: 76
- SPD: 107
A third one helps me level up Viola.
Viola
- Lv. 26
- 8147 HP
- ATK: 188
- DEF: 127
- MAG: 68
- SPD: 100
The Light Antiques are a little tougher, but not by much. One I fight uses Soul Circle. As you might expect, Light Antiques cast light, so if I want a reliable source for a Light Special Attack...
Another Scourger I fight tries Energy Steal, but it doesn't get much.
In the back, I find a blue flame, which I take. After another LA fight, I leave the way I came, and take the red flame.
I go save, then approach the place where the boy was, and go right instead. I light a blue candlestick and go through.
This is Old Age Acres. It is here that they start having both kinds of enemies in the same fight.
Falsetto
- Lv. 24
- 7468 HP
- ATK: 161
- DEF: 111
- MAG: 79
- SPD: 111
Allegretto
- Lv. 25
- 8034 HP
- ATK: 158
- DEF: 150
- MAG: 109
- SPD: 87
I find the Mailed Fist (ATK +10; Dark +50) for Falsetto, but it's such a slight benefit, and that's only if I'm attacking a light creature. I leave it off.
Viola
- Lv. 27
- 8520 HP
- ATK: 192
- DEF: 130
- MAG: 71
- SPD: 104
I go back to the Save Point, taking the blue flame along the way. I go toward the gate again, but this time, I go left. Lighting the red candlestick, I pass through to the Warrior's Burial Ground.
In battle, a Scourger finally uses Cursed Mace. Later, a Light Antique uses Soul Fire.
Falsetto
- Lv. 25
- 7822 HP
- ATK: 165
- DEF: 115
- MAG: 82
- SPD: 115
She learns Howling Thunder, a Dark Special Move with strong knockback. I put it in the second Dark slot.
Allegretto
- Lv. 26
- 8408 HP
- ATK: 162
- DEF: 154
- MAG: 113
- SPD: 91
Another LA uses Soul Stab.
Another Scourger uses Spectera.
I get totally confused. There's a gate with a red and a blue candlestick, but I don't have a red flame after placing one on the candlestick outside the place where I need one. I wander around looking for one.
Viola
- Lv. 28
- 8903 HP
- ATK: 196
- DEF: 133
- MAG: 74
- SPD: 108
I go to the Gone Too Soon Graveyard, just in case. It requires both my flames.
Falsetto
- Lv. 26
- 8186 HP
- ATK: 170
- DEF: 119
- MAG: 85
- SPD: 119
Well, that was a bust. I leave taking my flames with me, and save. Gotta think this over...
Allegretto
- Lv. 27
- 8791 HP
- ATK: 166
- DEF: 158
- MAG: 117
- SPD: 95
Viola
- Lv. 29
- 9296 HP
- ATK: 200
- DEF: 136
- MAG: 77
- SPD: 112
Falsetto
- Lv. 27
- 8559 HP
- ATK: 175
- DEF: 123
- MAG: 88
- SPD: 123
Oh hey, somehow I failed to notice the gate in back of Old Age Acres. Lighting the red candlestick allows me to pass into a small dead end, still in OAA, where there's a second red flame! Eheh...
Anyway, back in the Warrior's Burial Ground...
Allegretto
- Lv. 28
- 9185 HP
- ATK: 170
- DEF: 162
- MAG: 121
- SPD: 99
...I light the blue and red candlesticks, permitting me access to the second blue flame. I take it and leave, reclaiming the flames along the way. I save, and return to the Gone Too Soon Graveyard. There are two gates, each with a red and a blue candlestick, but progress may only be made if you go through the right one. A long path called Back Road leads to a chest with a Lion's Mane in it, a single-target item that increases attack power by 10%. Even farther along is a path called Entrance to Spring. I grab the green flame, and save at the Save Point there. Back to the Back Road, GTSG and the Main Cemetery Road.
I take the flames again, save, and go to the candlesticks we were standing in front of when we were talking with the boy. I light them, then enter the Back Road and take it to GTSG. I go to the other gate, light its candles, then light the blue candlestick beyond. Beyond that gate is a chest with Hellstriker (ATK +65; Burst) in it, which I equip to Allegretto. I go back through the Back Road, then back to the Main Cemetery Road, and return to Blockheads' Boneyard.
Falsetto
- Lv. 28
- 8943 HP
- ATK: 180
- DEF: 127
- MAG: 91
- SPD: 127
...Something's up. It's telling me to do something the game won't let me do. I must've missed something. Hang on...
Viola
- Lv. 30
- 9700 HP
- ATK: 204
- DEF: 139
- MAG: 80
- SPD: 116
She gained White Dagger, a Light Special Move. I replace Hawk Eye with it.
Ah, forget it. There's an item I'm just not getting. Onward to Simile Spring!
The boss here is called Death Crow. It has Light Antiques with it. It uses Intake and Sweeping, and Curdle, and can resurrect its companions with Warder's Call. After a decent fight, we get Thunder Stir, which appears to be a bow.
Allegretto
- Lv. 29
- 9589 HP
- ATK: 189
- DEF: 166
- MAG: 125
- SPD: 103
Allegretto states the obvious. Viola realizes that they did barge in there all of a sudden. Thinking about it, she wonders if it was just protecting the graveyard against intruders. If that's the case, Allegretto feels bad about that. Falsetto is sure it's all right, and says to get the Simile water and head back.
At the house (before the party returns), Claves asks Jazz what's on his mind. He asks her what she thinks of Falsetto. Claves asks what he means. Jazz says they have an information leak, and he suspects Falsetto of being a spy. Claves seems surprised at this. Jazz asks her if she hasn't been acting strange, and oddly combative, especially toward Claves. He doesn't think she used to be like that. Claves offers the possibility that Falsetto is jealous of them. Jazz hopes that's all it is, but does think there's something she'd hiding from him. He's known her since childhood, so they can tell almost everything about each other. After some silence, Claves has a thought: if there is a spy, she thinks the guards would have been watching the dungeon, given that their plan was to infiltrate through the secret passage. (Especially since there's this gaping hole in the wall at the dungeon end. Maybe after sending some guards to check it out, they determined that it would be impossible to get past all the monsters, but still...) She thinks it must have been a coincidence, and can't believe Falsetto is a spy. Jazz seems reassured from the brink of losing his faith in her. Jazz remarks that it's taking them a long time, and asks if he should go get them. Claves thinks that's a good idea. He leaves, and gets only a few feet away before he thinks he hears something, which he dismisses as "nothing"...
...but, of course, it's not. Claves is standing, but injured, in front of a woman who calls her a fool, and says the information she provided was very valuable. She was ordered to kill Claves if her identity was revealed, so she's not to take it personally. Claves knows her as [[ Rondo]]. Rondo reveals that Falsetto had suspected Claves for some time, and they were bound to find out. Claves had the perfect chance to frame her, but let it pass, so that can't go unpunished. Claves collapses. As she lies on the floor, writhing in pain, she says she already knew Falsetto suspected.
Flashback to...
- Falsetto asking why she needs things repeated.
- Falsetto quipping that agogos taste good in soup.
- Falsetto doubting that Waltz would attack Andantino.
- Falsetto saying it's boring when things always go according to plan, and that it's nice to have things shaken up once in a while, and asking Claves if it's okay with her.
- Falsetto talking about humans being masters of destruction, and the effects of everything they do.
In the present, Claves remarks that Waltz made a mistake when he chose her, because she fell in love with the target. She figures she's a failure as a spy, and more than that, an idiot. She asks herself why she said those things to him. She closes her eyes.
Flashback to an excerpt from the earlier conversation.
She realizes that when he said that they knew everything about each other, she felt jealous. She didn't want to lose Falsetto, but she also wanted to fight fairly for him and have him choose her. She wonders what she's saying, as a fair fight is the last thing that would suit someone who's as deceitful as her. But after all she's done, she still didn't take advantage of her chance to frame Falsetto, and was and is surprised that she did not. She wonders if Rondo was right: framing Falsetto would make her job and love life easy. However, she doesn't regret it, but feels like she could start everything new. She struggles, and gets up. More flashbackyness. But ultimately, she guesses she loses in both work and love. She wishes she had grown up with Jazz. She thinks her life might have been better. She envies Falsetto. She gets a homing pigeon out, and says this is her final gift to Jazz and Falsetto. She tells it to fly, but that its destination isn't Forte, but Baroque. With that, she falls to the floor. It's done, she says. She had to do one good deed or the valkyries wouldn't come for her. She wonders if they'll ever figure out that she was the spy. She's sure Falsetto will tell them. She wonders if her feelings were real, or an illusion. Everything to that point has felt like an act, but wants to be the real her in the end. She says she truly loved him.
Fantaisie-Impromptu
It's been a game chapter since we've had one of these, right? Anyway, this is a beautifully flowing melody in C-sharp minor composed around 1835. Chopin didn't intend to release this piece to the public, and may have (unless evidence has come to light that disproves this) asked his friend Julian Fontana to burn the score after his death (Wait, if Chopin wanted it burned, why didn't he do it himself and make sure it happened?), possibly because it resembled Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. If that's the case, Chopin may have wanted to avoid such criticism by not publishing it.
However, Fontana published it as opus 66 6 years after Chopin's death. It must have been difficult for him, deciding between having the work published gainst Chopin's wishes, or honoring his friend's wishes and irrevokably withholding it from the world. We should be grateful for Fontana's decision. If he hadn't done what he did, "We who live in the present day would never have been able to immerse ourselves in this wonderful world of fantasy. There might have been other compositions that were threatened with destruction just like this one." Chopin's request might have seemed reasonable at the time, but "we should consider ourselves fortunate that pieces like Fantaisie-Impromptu were spared."
Chapter 4: Grand Valse Brillante
The snow is falling softly, and Beat is walking around outside a large building. He spots Polka, who's sitting in a swing. He calls to her, as he's been looking all over the place for her. She greets him, and apologizes. Beat notices that she's been staring at flowers a lot lately, and tells her not to worry, as he's sure Retto and the others are doing okay. Retto, he says, is not the type to croak just from falling off a bridge. Polka is sure he's right, and thanks him. He notes that they were pretty lucky back there. Polka continues that if they hadn't been picked up by the Baroque ship, she doesn't know what would have happened.
Flashback!
Frederic is thanking someone for helping them. The man says not to mention it, as it was nothing. Polka asks if there's any way she can repay them, as he did save their lives. Beat agrees, and volunteers the "little squirt" Salsa for dishwashing or something. Salsa doesn't think it's fair of him to call her a little squirt just because her hat washed away. The man is just glad they're all in good spirits, but says there's nothing they could help with. He suggests they rest, and introduces himself as Crescendo, saying he's the captain of the ship. Beat struggles to say it, as he finds it tough, and asks for something easier. Polka asks him not to be silly, and reminds him what he said about remembering people's names. Frederic thinks he's very young to be the captain of a ship. Salsa asks if he is a captain. She goes over and examines him, but as she finds none of the stereotypical accoutrements of a pirate captain, she doesn't think he's really a captain. Beat apologizes for her rudeness, and realizes in saying "Captain" that he could just call him that. He says he could remember his name, but you do need to show respect to the ship's captain. He salutes. Crescendo says to feel free to call him whatever they like. Polka thanks Captain Crescendo for his kindness, and decides to get some rest.
In the room, Salsa is certainly taking the captain's advice, and catching some "z"s. Polka, however, is still worried about Allegretto and the others. She decides to go outside for some fresh air to cheer her up.
(Field NO. 06, "Quiet Defender")
I'm in control of Polka now. Right outside the room is a man who will refill our health.
Before doing any more exploring, I think it's high time to Save and quit.
Next time: ARRRRRRRRPG Elements!
