I’ve never once come to regret my heritage and even today I stand by my words. Though not written in the annals of history, Lalafells have been a staple food for many, a well-kept secret amongst adventurers. Unbeknownst to me, I had joined a Free Company filled with faux friends whose faces grinned ear to ear knowing my eventual fate. It wasn’t long before we were touring the F.C. house. Led down aged steps before being thrown into a cage. I was given leftover popotos day after day, as if mocking my very existence. Fellow Lalafell inhabited nearby cages as well, but slowly their numbers dwindled until few remained.

My time left in this world was short as one of my brethren left with each supper. We heard whispers around the dungeon, talks of Lalafells being sacrifices to the gods for rare drops or roast Lalafell being the greatest delicacy. I had to find a way out, to escape this prison that would lead to my demise. Banging on the cage only brought pain to my tiny hands and the keys were much too far from reach as my arms were that of a Lala. Yet it had slowly dawned on me over this past month, the cages we were given were slightly too big for some Lalafells! Being the runt of my family, I was smaller than most. Able to fit through the bars as long as I folded back my massive ears. All I could do now was wait as I searched for a time to escape, but security was tight as each member left their fat cats to keep watch on us 24/7.

I had no choice, as rumors were spilled that the Lala with the massive ears was next. A few hours before supper, only one fat cat lay in silence fast asleep and that was when I made my break. Ears folded back I slipped through and tried to sneak using ninja training I had learned shortly before my capture. Yet as I snuck the upstairs Orchestrion changed to the Shadowbringers boss theme and it was well known that you cannot hide while in battle. The fat cat’s eyes sprung open and lunged catching my Lala leg. I could only limp up the stairs and through the doors of the FC Hall. The sun greeted me for the first time in days as well as a delightful chirp. My chocobo lay stabled, my only chance for escape with this damned leg. Hopping on, the crash of the front door echoed. An Au’ra riding her fat cat emerged and the chase was on. Each corner turned a fat cat followed, bloodlust in its eyes, never such a fear I have felt by one so supposedly cute. All the while the Aura on its back threw rocks in hope of maiming either one of us. Twists and turns in the streets of the Goblet were so foreign to me, but we ran past houses and houses until finally the fat cat no longer followed and I was free.

This is now a message to all out there. We Lalafells are friends not food. If you are captive, you can escape and we can all be free once more. There is always hope, even if we cannot see it beyond those that are taller.

Tatsu Katsu and Meep the Chocobo

(If I win I would like the Noble Barding!)