Asking For Help

One of the biggest aspects of this game is getting help for missions, notorious monster drops and Artifact Armor quests. It can both be a fulfilling and daunting task to say the least. Since I have two jobs at level 75 I've received and given help on any number of things.

If I can offer any advice for people seeking help, it's this: come prepared! I had a guy wanting me to help him with his first piece of Blue Mage AF which involves running through Mount Z and fighting a Flan NM deep in the heart of the zone.

We were getting ready to set out when I asked if he could sub Ninja since there are many Bomb mobs that will aggro if you cast spells like Sneak and Invisible. He said he did not have Ninjitsu which I found a little disturbing. So I said "no matter" and asked if he could pick up some Prism Powders or Sneak Oils instead. He said he was broke. Again, a little disturbing to hear this. So, I suggested that he sub Dancer instead...he said he could not. So, I told him we wouldn't be doing this tonight. He didn't seem to pleased with this idea and immediately left.

So again if you want help on something...please come prepared! I'd suggest bringing three things whenever you set out: Some form of Sneak, Invisible and Reraise.

But, if you really want to speed things up: know where you are going, how to get there and what you will be facing during your adventure. DO NOT expect your high level help to baby step you through this game...it's both frustrating and leads to people not wanting to help anyone.

BLU Burn

In the struggle to get Blue Mage to level 75, I've found that off the wall methods are a nice change of pace. So, here's just a few examples of this great big experiment called BLU Burn parties.

November 13:

4 of us (Rin, Kensi, Deadlycashew and myself) level synced to 11 and ran around Konschtat Highlands doing Fields of Valor (Page 4 mostly...which is 6 Quadavs). We wiped the countryside with the turtle beastmen using spells like Foot Kick and Power Attack.

Once we hit level 12, Head Butt and Feather Storm became our preferred method of destruction. We helped Rin learn the spell while Deadly soloed an NM that pops in the Highlands.

After she learned her spell, we headed to Valkurm and started working on Lizards and Crabs (FoV Page 2). The crabs were a bit more difficult until we hit 14 then they started getting a lot easier. We eventually picked up a DNC and another BLU and by the end of the night I walked out of the Dunes about 11,000 experience points into level 68 BLU.

Some thoughts on this set up and level: I think our party would have been more effective had one or two of us subbed Warrior and the rest subbed White Mage or Red Mage to heal the tank(s).

Anyway, more to come...

Mandy The Mandragora (Episode 3)

Upon arriving in Valkurm Dunes, Mandy the Mandragora surveyed the blinding white sands and the variety of low level player characters rampantly slaughtering the denizens of the land. He turned to his comrades with a sigh. Sampson the Bard Sheep was taking a nap. Leon the Leech Ninja was drawing pictures of himself in the sand with his fangs. Renfield the Rabbit Thief was trying to touch his eyeball with his tongue. Bob the Crab kept scratching underneath his Donald Trump wig. And, Dwayne the Dhalmel kept munching on his red cap.

Mandy: “This wanton killing must stop…”

Dwayne: “Wanton? Is that a kind of soup?”

Mandy: “No, I mean yes…oh, never mind. Let’s find a place to set up and start our path to vengeance upon the player characters.”

Leon: “It’s about time. These katana fangs are itching for some adventurer flesh.”

Dwayne: “That’s disgusting.”

Leon glared up at the towering form of the Dhalmel White Mage. At least, if he had eyes he would be glaring up at Dwayne, instead he just sat there on the ground wearing a pair of sunglasses.

Renfield: “There’s a spot open…those palm trees over there.”

Bob: “This wig itches.”

Bob reached up with one of his claw axes and attempted to scratch his Trump wig. He looked rather silly.

Mandy: “I honestly don’t know why you picked that wig…it makes you look stupid.”

Bob: “I like it. I think it makes me look dignified. Now, let’s find a PC for me to charm and get this party started!”

So, with that, the oddball party traveled to a patch of palm trees amidst the dunes. Along the way, Bob the Crab Beastmaster attempted to charm a level 12 Samurai named Ihategalkas. He failed miserably and the Samurai started beating on him with his Great Katana.

Bob: “Hey! Oww…stop it!”

Leon: “I guess this unfortunate PC is our first mark! Attack!”

With that, the party of six attacked the poor Samurai. Leon used [Provoke] on the Samurai while Renfield and Mandy started beating on him.

Ihategalkas: “OMG! I’m getting killed by a party of mobs! LOL!”

Mandy: “Ignore his Ato Trans Leight language…he only uses it to belittle us! No mercy!”

Sampson the Bard Sheep sang a song and the party felt invigorated, except for Dwayne who was still munching on his red cap. Renfield the Rarab Thief attempted to steal from Ihategalkas.

Renfield: “Hey! I got an item from that guy!”

Leon: “Nice.”

Mandy: “We’ll look at it after we’re done.”

Bob: “Dwayne! Stop eating your frickin’ hat and cast some Cure spells for pete’s sake!”

Dwayne: “Oh, right. Sorry, guys.”

Dwayne the Dhalmel White Mage cast Cure on the wounded crab then swallowed his red cap in one gulp.

Dwayne: “That was one tasty cap.”

Ihategalkas: “This blows! I’m gonna die! LMAO!!!”

Mandy: “Right you are!”

And, Mandy, who had saved up enough of something called TP, delivered a series of blows known as a “Combo”. The Samurai went down with a final death cry. A little message popped up saying the party of monsters had gained 100 Experience Points.

Leon: “Not bad. At this rate we should be level 75 in no time.”

Mandy: “Bah, level matters not. We are here to slaughter those who slew us.”

Renfield: “Let’s get to camp so I can check out this stolen item.”

The party made their way to the palm trees and took a moment to rest up. Meanwhile, Renfield took a look at the item he’d stolen. He seemed disturbed by what he saw.

Mandy: “What is it?”

Renfield: “It’s…it’s disgusting…”

Leon: “Let me see….oh, that’s nasty!”

Mandy took a gander at the item and realized it was a picture. But, not just any kind of picture. No, this was a picture of a Galka, lying on a satin bed and wearing nothing but a pair of thong underwear.

Mandy: “Oh, I think I’m going to be sick.”

Sampson: “That is the most horrible thing I’ve ever seen.”

Dwayne: “The string...it…it just disappears…”

Dwayne broke into a fit of hysterical tears. Renfield quickly discarded the picture card, Bob buried it in the sand. They all took a moment to shudder in sheer apprehension. Then, they resumed their antics.

Bob: “Hey! Check out that guy wearing the goofy white robes! Go get him, Renfield!”

Mandy glanced over and saw a Tarutaru crossing the sands wearing silly white robes. The pipsqueak looked like an easy kill.

Mandy: “Pull!”

Renfield: “Alright, already! I’m pulling!”

Renfield hopped over to the Taru and quickly kicked sand in his eyes.

Taru: “Hey!”

Immediately, Renfield booked it back to the camp with the Taru quick on his heels. Mandy double checked the Taru before attacking.

Mandy: “Hmm…level 75 White Mage…”

Leon: “Wha!?!”

White Mage: “Banishga II!!!”

Suddenly, there was a flash of white light and the party of six fell to the ground…dead. In moments their corpses were teleported to Castle Zvahl-Bailey. Irwin the Shadow Lord sat on his throne of skulls, irritably tapping his armored fingers on his knee.

Irwin: “You died…”

Mandy: “Yes, but it was Renfield’s fault…he pulled that level 75 White Mage.”

Renfield: “Wait a minute! I remember you telling me that ‘levels matter not’. I was just taking your advice.”

Mandy clenched his fist, ready to box the rarabs brains out. Renfied stood, poised and prepared for a fight.

Irwin: “Knock it off, you two! The problem is you are mobs and are not aware of party mechanics. Therefore, I shall grant you these magical belts. With these belts, you can hide amongst the Player Characters and learn their ways.”

Irwin handed out six belts to the weary bunch. Dwayne the Dhalmel started chewing on his.

Leon: “Would you just stop that?!?”

Dwayne: “Sorry, I’m hungry.”

Irwin: “Enough! Now, head back through the portal and join the Player Characters. I shall give you three days then I will summon you back here. Good luck!”

With that, the six all piled toward the portal. They quickly put on their magical belts and leapt through the portal. Upon arriving again in Valkurm Dunes, Mandy found himself lying on a beach and he quickly realized he was separated from the others. He sighed and decided to blend in among the Player Characters. As he wandered along the beach, he heard a bunch of hooting and hollering coming from a group of adventurers.

Warrior: “Hey, baby! What’s your sign?!”

Puppetmaster: “Nice birthday suit!”

Red Mage: “Oh, man, I’ve got to get a snapshot of this and send it to my buds.”

Mandy found this attention rather odd so he moved away from the leering adventurers. As he walked along the beach, he glanced towards the water and noticed his reflection. He gasped. To his dismay, his magical belt had turned him into a Mithra and he wasn’t wearing any clothes. Just then, a lecherous Corsair approached Mandy.

Corsair: “So that’s what a Mithra looks like naked…Growr!!”

(To Be Continued)

Mandy The Mandragora (Episode Two)

In Vana’Diel, no one really dies. They just become part of the Shadow Realm. They roam the Xarcabard Frost Lands and haunt the Eldieme Necropolis. Except for Player Characters, they have the chance to be raised or to do something called “blood porting”. Since Mandy the Mandragora was not a Player Character, he was sent to the Shadow Realm to become an Undead Mandragora. He haunted gardens at night, sometimes disguising himself as a shrubbery while other times taking on the form of a tomato plant. He didn’t realize he was dead, he just knew he was somewhere new. One night he was terrorizing a Tarutaru gardener when he met the Shadow Lord.

Mandy (disguised as La Theine cabbage): “Hey, you! Yeah, I’m talking to you, short stack!”

The tarutaru looked about, nervously.

Taru: “Me?”

Mandy: “Yes, you. Come over here. I want to eat you.”

Taru: “Wh..what?!?”

Mandy: “Get over here and let me eat you.”

Taru: “Oh, dear-taru…I knew I shouldn’t have drank that Pamama Au Lait. I knew it was past its expiration date.”

From the shadows, there arose a low, grumbling chuckle. The tarutaru squealed and ran off. Mandy sighed and reverted back to his ghostly Mandragora form.

Sinister Voice: “Would you like to get revenge on those who put you here?”

Mandy: “Huh? Who’s that?”

From the darkness, a large form emerged cloaked in shadow with an unholy light glowing in his malevolent eyes.

Sinister Voice: “Some know me as the Shadow Lord, your kind is probably more familiar by my true name….Irwin.”

Mandy: “Irwin? Oh, seed! Not the Irwin that created the breed of cannibal rarabs?”

Irwin: “The very same.”

Mandy: “Not the Irwin that developed the cursed diapers!”

Irwin: “Well, that was more of an accident…I was trying to make a cursed subligar but I only had a piece of bast parchment so I made the diapers instead.”

Mandy: “Not the Irwin that…”

Irwin: “Enough! I am that Irwin. Now, I have a proposition for you, young Mandragora…”

Mandy: “Ok…”

Irwin: “Would you like to take revenge on those who slew you?”

Mandy: “Seed, yes!”

Irwin: “Very well. Come with me to Castle Zvahl Bailey’s and I shall grant you the power you so desire.”

Mandy: “Why do they call it ‘Zvahl Bailey’ anyway?”

Irwin: “Oh, well, the evil warlord Eric Zvahl inherited the castle when he was single. He married a woman with the last name, Bailey. She didn’t want to change her name so they just hyphenated. Thus, Zvahl-Bailey. Understand?”

Mandy: “Got it.”

Irwin: “It was really kind of sad. She cheated on him with a Galka and in the divorce she got the castle and all of his assets. Eric was left with nothing but a slightly used Chocobo.”

Mandy: “That is sad. So, you ready?”

Irwin: “Oh, right! Here we go…”

The Shadow Lord, a.k.a. Irwin, nodded his gargantuan head and in a flash they were transported to Castle Zvahl-Bailey. Mandy gasped when he saw the room in which he stood. Crimson flames enveloped the walls, the smell of brimstone assaulted his mandragora nostrils and, at the center of the room, there stood a life like statue of Prince Pieuje of San d’Oria. He was wearing a dress.

Mandy: “Hmm…that’s an interesting statue.”

Irwin: “I know. I really hate that guy so I hired some goblins to make the statue. I put the dress on him. I think it adds something, don’t you think?”

Mandy: “Yes. I suppose it does. So, about that power you promised me?”

Irwin: “Yes, yes. First, I’d like you to meet some friends of mine.”

Irwin snapped his obsidian fingers and, in an instant, Mandy saw five shadows emerge from the stony floor. From left to right, the shadows took on corporeal forms revealing a rarab, a dhalmel, a crab, a leech and a rather disheveled looking sheep.

Irwin: “This is Renfield the Rarab-Thief, that’s Dwayne the Dhalmel-White Mage. Next to him is Bob the Crab-Beastmaster.”

Bob: “What’s up?”

Irwin: “To Bob’s right is Leon the Leech-Ninja.”

Leon: “Yo!”

Irwin: “And this poor fellow is Sampson the Sheep-Bard.”

Sampson: “Hi…”

Mandy: “Nice to meet you all…I’m Mandy the Mandragora. Say, wait a minute, you said there is a Thief, White Mage, Beastmaster, Ninja and a Bard? How is that possible? Our kind is not allowed to have Player Character jobs…”

Irwin: “Heh Heh. That’s the catch. They, just like you, were mercilessly killed by player characters with similar jobs. So, I thought I’d turn the tables around and grant you six the same abilities.”

Mandy: “Oh, seed! That’s awesome! So, what do I get to be?”

Irwin: “Hmm…let me check the Brady guide. I need to figure out your party dynamics.”

He pulled out a dusty book held together with twine and animal glue. The Shadow Lord thumbed through the pages.

Irwin: “Ahh, here we go…wait a minute. No, that’s not right. Bah, it doesn’t give any good advice on forming parties and which jobs benefit the most from the group setting. Oh, wait, it says here that Beastmasters can only solo. They detract experience points from the rest of the group. I’m sorry, Bob, but you’re going to have to change your job to something else.”

Bob: “That sucks. Wait, I thought it only detracted from the Beastmaster’s own experience. Not the groups.”

Irwin: “That’s not what the Brady guide says and you know that it’s practically the Bible for Player Characters. You have to start thinking like a PC not like a Crab.”

Bob: “Fine. Which job should I take up?”

Irwin: “Umm, go Warrior/Ninja. Seems to be all the rage these days. You can dual wield your claws.”

Bob: “But, I already have two claws. Oh, this is stupid. Can’t I go Warrior/White Mage. At least then I can cast some cure spells if we need it.”

Dwayne the Dhalmel: “That’s my job and don’t you forget it.”

Mandy: “Look, if he wants to be a Beastmaster. Let him be a Beastmaster. We’re not here to get experience points. We’re here to get revenge. Besides, I still need a job…”

Irwin: “Oh, right…well, that’s easy. You go as Monk/Warrior. You already have the fighting skills.”

Renfied the Rarab: “Look, this is all fine and dandy but what exactly are we going to be hunting for in this ‘mob’ party? I don’t plan on killing rarabs, so what do we hunt?”

Irwin: “That’s the brilliant part. With the abilities I’ve given you and the fact that you are a party of monsters…”

Leon the Leech: “Hey, I’m no monster! Sure, I may not have any limbs or eyes and I kind of look like a throw pillow with a mouth but I am no monster!!!”

Irwin: “I’m sorry, Leon, I didn’t mean to insult you. Alright, the fact that you are a party of animals means that you will hunt…PLAYER CHARACTERS!!!!”

They all laughed uproariously at that, except for Sampson the Sheep who had fallen asleep in the corner.

Sampson: “Zzzz.”

Mandy: “Right! So, when can we start?”

Irwin: “As soon as possible. You’ll need some gear…and being animals you can’t really use player character gear so I’ve hired a Yagudo blacksmith to design some specialized weapons and armor just for you…just step this way…”

Hours later, Mandy entered the room with a pair of spiked knuckles banded to his leafy hands. Renfield’s tail now featured a nasty set of daggers. Dwayne didn’t really get anything except a red cap which made him look rather effeminate. Bob the Crab gave up his claws in exchange for a set of claw axes and for some odd reason he wanted a wig that looked a lot like Donald Trump’s hair do. Leon the Leech got a pair of sunglasses and a set of katana fangs. And, last but not least, Sampson the Sheep got an I-Pod.

Leon: “Why does he get the I-Pod?”

Irwin: “Because he’s the Bard and he’ll need to listen to songs and memorize them so he can sing them during your player character killing parties.”

Leon: “That blows.”

Mandy: “Enough bickering. Let’s get on with it. So, where do we start?”

Irwin, the Shadow Lord, smiled mischievously. He rapped his obsidian knuckles against the floor and a portal opened revealing a landscape all too familiar to any fledgling adventurer.

Irwin: “You will begin your slaughter in…Valkurm Dunes!”

Mandy chuckled insanely and immediately led his party through the portal.

(To Be Continued)

Mandy The Mandragora (Episode One)

Once upon a time in the ancient land of Vana'Diel there lived a Yhoator Mandragora by the name of Mandy. He (yes, he) spent most of his time dancing and practicing the martial arts of the Mandragora Monk. Then, one day, he was enjoying a nice chat with his good friend, Pumpkin Seed, and a group of adventurers came storming into the clearing.

Mandy and Pumpkin Seed looked at this group of six, armed to the teeth and fire in their eyes. However, being mandragoras, they merely shrugged their shoulders and continued their conversation.

Mandy: "I finally grew a four-leaf mandragora bud...wanna see it?"

Pumpkin Seed: "No...god, no...keep your pants on."

Mandy: "Don't be perverted. It's on my back. See..."

Pumpkin Seed: "Oh, yeah...that's very nice. My two leaf hasn't sprouted yet. Should soon."

This was all fine and dandy until a Warrior came running toward the two Mandragoras and yelled something at Mandy.

Warrior: [Provoke] [Just used it]

Mandy: "What kind of language is that?"

Pumpkin Seed: "Hmm...I think that language is called...Ato Trans Leight. It's an odd language commonly used by the creatures known as Player Characters."

Mandy: "I see."

The Warrior seemed vexed by the Mandragoras lack of response.

Warrior: "I am vexed."

He scratched his head then turned back to his party. They, snickering, motioned him onward. So, the Warrior now with a big grin on his face turned back to the Mandragora duo.

Warrior: "Hey, Onion Head! Come and get me!"

Mandy immediately took offense at this. He moved towards the Warrior. The Warrior started running away.

Mandy: "Wait a minute...come back here. My name is not Onion Head. That's my brother. I'm Mandy. Mandy the Mandragora. Oh, would you just stop...I just want to introduce myself."

Mandy continued after the fleeing Warrior. He rounded a bend and came face to face with a group of glaring adventurers...all with weapons drawn.

Mandy: "Oh, seed!"

He tried to turn back but a Dark Knight wearing a tight subligar took a roundhouse swing at him with a large scythe. Fortunately, the Bard was away for a moment so the Dark Knight missed terribly. Mandy shook his leafy fist at the Dark Knight when the Warrior, that had called him Onion Head, smacked him in the face with an axe.

Mandy: "Ouch! Hey, watch it!"

There was a loud *kaboom* and Mandy realized he was on fire. A little Tarutaru Black Mage had just cast a fire spell on him. The Tarutaru turned away, sheepishly, trying to hide from Mandy.

Mandy: "Oh God! I'm burning up! Oh, no! My four leaf mandragora bud!"

Mandy inspected his backside and saw a burnt bit of stubble where his coveted four leaf mandragora bud had once grown. A single tear rolled down his white and green cheek. He glared at the Black Mage, fury in his heart.

Mandy: "Now, you've gone and done it! Now, you've done seeded me off!"

With a barbaric cry, that sounded more like a chipmunk squeak, Mandy raced towards the Tarutaru Black Mage and began pummeling the ... umm... seed out of him. The Black Mage quickly went down, he quivered and shook on the ground while a Mithra White Mage frantically attempted to cast Cure on the poor Tarutaru.

Mandy: “Oh, and I suppose you are going to help him after what he did?!?”

Mandy howled furiously and knocked out the Mithra with a few well placed blows. Meanwhile, the Dark Knight and Warrior were frantically yelling all sorts of names at Mandy in an attempt to tick him off. They kept saying “Provoke” and “Last Resort” and other such nonsense like that. Suddenly, Mandy felt a sharp pain in his back side and howled in agony. A Thief had snuck up behind him and delivered a [Sneak Attack] to his already burnt bum.

Mandy: “You bastitch!”

The little mandragora whirled around and started pounding on the Thief. The Thief cackled, saying that his Ninjitsu shadows would protect him. However, in just two rounds, Mandy had knocked down all the shadows and was drawing blood from the impetuous Thief.

Thief: “Get him off me!!!”

Warrior: “I’m trying to!”

Dark Knight: “This mandragora is insanely tough!”

Mandy knew this to be true, he was well versed in the lore of the Mandragora Monk. He decided now would be the time to unleash his other abilities. Summoning his innate mandragora talents, Mandy put the interlopers to sleep with his Dream Flower.

Party: “Zzz.”

Mandy brushed a leafy hand against his nose and nodded curtly at the sleeping adventurers. He was just about to turn around and head back to Pumpkin Head when he noticed the Warrior cry out for help. Aggravated, Mandy leapt onto the Warrior and began punching and kicking him mercilessly. Then, he saw a horde of Paladins, Ninjas, Dragoons and many others rushing towards him.

Mandy: “Oh, SEED!!!”

Mandy attempted to run away but the oncoming horde beat on him without compassion. He knew he was done for, he cast Photosynthesis but to no avail, he sent a barrage of poisoned leaves at a Blue Mage but the turbaned assassin shrugged it off with a chuckle. The final blow came not from the adventurers but from his very comrade, Pumpkin Seed.

Mandy: “Why?”

Pumpkin Seed: “I’m sorry…the Beastmaster made me do it.”

Mandy, struggling in his death throes, looked up and saw an Elvaan wearing sheep’s clothes and controlling his best friend like a puppet. At last, he fell to the ground and died.

Just then, the Bard from the original party came back from wherever it was that he had been. The bard looked around at his fallen party members then he turned to the Dark Knight.

Bard: “I’m back. What happened?”

The Dark Knight promptly slapped the Bard and this time he did not miss.

Shantotto Comic

Shihei Worthy

NINJA SEINFELD / SHIHEI WORTHY

(An up and coming Ninja, Elanna, gets an invite to a party so she gladly accepts it and heads on out to Garlaige Citadel. After many hours, she realizes she's low on Shihei. So, she looks to her trusted Linkshell for assistance.)

NINJA: Hold on that pull, guys. I’m almost out of shihei. (Linkshell Chat) Well…hello!

LSLEADER: Elanna! How’s the…party chemistry? LOL…

NINJA: It’s going well. I’m really digging this party, been going for hours and got two levels already. I think I’m going to need some more Shihei though. Running a bit low. (An LSmate named Kraver overhears this)

KRAVER: You’re almost out of Shihei? Didn’t the gilsellers take over the market? There’s none to be found anywhere.

NINJA: Out of Shihei? How could that be? Everyone loves Shihei! (To party> Be right back, guys, I gotta run to Jeuno and get some tools!

(With a quick wave, Elanna uses Mijin Gakure on a Beetle and deathports to Jeuno. She heads over to the Auction House to look for shihei. Unfortunately, after scanning the tool section, she realizes there are none to be had. Elanna begins to get nervous then sees a Tarutaru with a bazaar comment that says "Shihei for Sale: Limited Stock! Get 'em before they're gone!". Quickly, she races over to buy herself some.)

TARUTARU: Can I help you?

NINJA (with little hope): Yeah, do you have any Shihei? I know they're out of them on the Auction House, but...

TARUTARU: Actually, I have a stack left.

NINJA (excited): A stack! A stack of Shihei? I mean, uh...a stack. Huh. Uh...how many come in a stack?

TARUTARU: Ninety-nine.

NINJA: Ninety-nine?! Uh...well, I'll take three.

TARUTARU: Three.

NINJA: Make it ten.

TARUTARU: Ten?

NINJA: Twenty shihei should be plenty.

TARUTARU: Did you say twenty?

NINJA: Yeah, twenty-five shihei will be just fine.

TARUTARU: Right. So, you're set with twenty-five.

NINJA: Yeah. Just give me the whole stack and I'll be on my way.

(Elanna buys her Shihei and races out to catch up to her party again. When she arrives, she finds the White Mage, Red Mage, Black Mage, Warrior and Monk waiting impatiently.)

WARRIOR: You, uh...you want me to pull a monster?

NINJA: O.k. Hold on just a second. (The Ninja digs through her bag of tools for her Shihei, when she gets a /tell from a linkshell buddy who just happened upon her camp.)

LSBUDDY: Hey, hon? It's me, CloudStryfeSephiroth. (She waves.) Hey, sorry to bother you at your camp. Uh, did you get any of those Shihei?

NINJA: Yeah. Cleaned out the whole bazaar. Why?

CLOUD: Well...our Thief...

NINJA: Ah, uses the Shihei.

CLOUD: She loves the Shihei.

NINJA: Yeah, I'm sorry, Cloud. I can't help you out.

CLOUD: What?

NINJA: I can't do it. No way, there's no how.

CLOUD: Wait...let me just explain something to you. See, this is not just a weekend routine...I'm on the verge of a perma party here. You know about perma parties?

NINJA: Oh yeah, I know all about perma parties, and I'm really sorry.

CLOUD: Please, can I just explain something to you very privately here? This thief and I have been together many, many times now, and just between you and me, there's really no big surprises here, so...perma party is all that I have left. I can never go back to seeking!

NINJA: I'm sure you'll find another party, Cloud. (The ninja turns to her party.) Hold that pull! I'm coming!

(The Ninja reaches into her tool bag, but then stops and reconsiders.>

(The next day, Elanna logs onto her linkshell, interrupting a previous conversation.)
 
LSLEADER: On the other hand…

NINJA: What?

CLOUD: Thanks again for last night!

NINJA: Hey, I didn’t even use one.

LSLEADER: I thought you said it was a great party.

NINJA: Yeah, it was, but then I just couldn't decide if they were really shihei-worthy.

LSLEADER: Shihei-worthy?

NINJA: Yeah, I have to conserve these shihei.

LSLEADER: But you like to main tank, isn't that what the shihei are for?

NINJA: Yes, yes - before they went off the market. I mean, now I've got to re-evaluate my whole screening process. I can't afford to waste any of 'em.

CLOUD: You know, you're nuts with these shihei. Cloud is gettin' frustrated!

(Elanna gets invited to a party by the same Warrior from before.)

NINJA: So, you think you're shihei-worthy?

WARRIOR: Yes, I think I'm shihei-worthy. I think I'm very shihei-worthy.

NINJA: Run down your case for me again...?

WARRIOR: Well, we've partied together several times, we obviously have a good rapport. I have the best gear that money can buy. I eat sushi. I provoke. Berserk – weapon skill. And if I can speak frankly, I'm actually quite good at this.
NINJA: You going to do something about your under leveled Monk sub?

WARRIOR: Yeah, I told you...I'm going to get it to 37 tomorrow.

NINJA: And your Mog House?

WARRIOR: Cleaned it this morning.

NINJA: The coffer, the moogle, everything got cleaned?

WARRIOR: Everything, yeah. It's spotless.

NINJA: Alright, let's go.

(They head for the Crawler’s Nest.)

(After the first Worker Crawler is dead, the Warrior manages to ding a level at that moment.)

NINJA: (smiling): Congratulations.

WARRIOR: How you holding up?

NINJA: (stretches): Great. You?

WARRIOR: Fine, fine. Everything o.k.?

NINJA: Yep.

WARRIOR: No regrets?

NINJA: Nope. (Warrior goes to pull another monster.) What are you doing?

WARRIOR: What do you mean?

NINJA: Oh...I don't think so.

WARRIOR: Why not? I thought you said everything was fine.

NINJA: I wish I could help you, but I can't afford two of 'em.

(Pats the Warrior on the shoulder and disbands from the party.)