Bottle Up The Upside-Down Smile
(Item of choice if selected: Scarf of Wondrous Wit)



“Heh, I can’t believe I’m writing this. I can’t let the others see me like this. Not when they’re doing all of this for me. How fortunate I am to have friends holding the line in these dire times for me with a smile on their curled lips.”

“If you come across this bottled letter, I’d really appreciate it if you toss it somewhere and burn it. Writing this is embarrassing in trying to calm my nerves…”

“Ahem. Let’s see...over the years, I have been known by many titles. ‘Bringer of Light’ and ‘Corpse Dancer’ are two that come to mind for me. But...when Yozan and Koharu asked me why I wanted to be an adventurer, back then I wanted to fight in Ul’dah’s Coliseum.”

“That’s how I first started off as a Gladiator and later a Free Paladin, among other occupational jobs.”

“Fights like with Handeloup de Daimbaux and Black Lotus were intense and thrilling. Swing, strike, and block on the offensive. Parry awe-inspiring techniques and dodge hair-raising magic on the defensive. All the while a cheering crowd inspiring you to give it your all while keeping yourself from spilling blood with steel in your hand and magic at your beck and call.”

“I will never forget my rivals’ smiles full of determination and hope.”

“So, I told the two doman children, on one of my many escort quests I tend to do for others, that I sought power and hunted for new experiences and adventures. I’m not used to children, so I smiled more than I had talked, and was glad at the time that they didn’t press further with the deeper whys.”

“Yet, if I had to be honest with myself, I said all that to learn new techniques and magics as I continue to question my purpose in life.”

“Thinking back on what I could’ve said to the children, fame and glory are nice things, but I’d rather see people smiling.”

“And in a way, I did for a time. Guildmates and friends from many walks of life. Yet, some of my friends are in trouble and I’m not sure how to help them.”

“One by one, these friends of mine collapsed and won’t wake up. I have to pin my hopes in finding a relic that might lead me into saving them.”

“For all the power I’ve garnered and borrowed, seeing others worried or crying instead of smiling has always bothered me.”

“So I fought, and I fought, and I fought...”

“For all that I have accomplished, the war with the Garlean Empire still keeps me away from what I’d rather want to see and do.”

“If only wars were fought in an arena. Ahhh, now I’m wishing for the impossible.”

“And so I continue to fight, risking everything to keep those smiles on friend and rival alike.”

“I suppose I also did guarantee Yozan he’d be a fine adventurer someday as well…That’s just one more reason to the overflowing bucket full of hopes and dreams I need to deliver.”

“Hang in there, everyone. I’m coming.”