FFT Berry - Route Start
Overview
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards: None
Guide
- Hover to view spoiler content.
Script
The usual oriental incense had been removed from the von Hagen estate today. Instead, the air is filled with the fresh smell of plants.
Smiling, Mr. Way explains why as he ushers you into the living room.
Payton Way: Master Marius replaced all the incense out of consideration for Berry.
Payton Way: The master had a late night and is still resting. I'm sure Miss [Player] is still concerned about yesterday, so I will wake Master Marius.
You: No need, Mr. Way. I'll wake him up myself.
After greeting Mr. Way, you walk down the familiar corridor to Marius' bedroom.
As the door opens, your eyes widen, and you are shocked by what you see.
The windows in the bedroom are completely open, the morning sunlight pouring into the whole room.
Marius is sleeping soundly in the sunlight with a pillow in his arms, while a gray cat named Berry is asleep beside him.
You: This...
This strange sight leaves you speechless and stunned for a moment.
The person and cat in bed are not only lying in similar positions, but they even have the same hair color.
The morning light blankets them in a layer of golden velvet, creating a sense of unity and harmony.
You: (What in the world happened last night after I left?)
At this moment, Marius rubs against the pillow in his arms, showing a satisfied smile.
You: (Judging by his expression, he must be having a beautiful dream.)
Berry: Meow!
Berry suddenly cries out in his sleep.
You look at the gray-blue cat, stunned for a moment.
He seems to be dreaming of something delicious, grasping tightly at the toy in his paws while kicking it with his powerful hind legs.
The fish toy is tight within his grip.
You: (Hmm... it's only been one night, and Berry already has a fish toy?)
You: (It seems like Marius is taking really good care of Berry.)
You: (Even though they were clearly incompatible with each other last night...)
What you see reminds you of the scene yesterday when you met Berry.
Villa Neighborhood
Yesterday, you came to see Marius to confirm the details of a Pax investment contract.
Vincent left to park the car after dropping you at the entrance of the von Hagen estate.
As soon as you got out of the car, you had a strange feeling.
You: It feels like someone is staring at me... Is the Villa District not safe?
You shudder and reach into your handbag for the self-defense weapon you always carry.
Having prepared yourself, you take a deep breath and spin around—
You: Eh?
Your hands slowly relax as you stare at the furry creature in front of you.
A gray-blue cat sits quietly behind you, looking at you with amused purple eyes.
You: Eh? What a rare eye color. I wonder what kind of cat it is... What's it doing here?
You ponder these questions until you hear faint footsteps behind you.
Marius: You're here early. Why didn't you tell me?
Marius: If Vincent hadn't contacted me, I would've had to wait longer to see you.
You: Eh? I was about to go inside, but...
Marius takes your handbag and is about to head in. Hearing that, he stops and looks at you questionably.
You: Marius, did you get a cat?
Marius: A cat? No, but we can get one if you want.
Marius stops walking and looks at you with anticipation.
You: No, that's not what I mean. Here... look!
Feeling that you can't explain it properly, you decide to show Marius instead and point in the direction of the cat.
You: Eh?
You and Marius see nothing except the green plants in front of the house.
Marius: What is it? Was there something there?
You: I just saw a cat with purple eyes, so I thought it belonged to someone here at the estate.
Marius: No one at the estate has a cat... Payton and the others never said anything of the sort.
You: Yeah, I guess. I've been here so many times, but I've never seen a cat before.
Marius: Maybe you ran into someone else's cat.
You scan your surroundings, but there is no cat in sight.
You: It's gone... Maybe it went home.
Without investigating the cat any further, you follow Marius into the estate.
Upon entering the living room, you and Marius are drawn to a fluffy ball on the sofa.
??: Meow.
You: !!!
Marius: A cat with purple eyes... Is that it?
The cat that just disappeared is lying on the sofa, squinting its eyes. You and Marius exchange a look and nod.
When the cat sees you two standing still, it glances to the side and waves its long tail casually.
You: It... seems to be greeting us?
Marius: ...I can see that.
Vincent Kim: Uh... Master Marius, do you want me to shoo it away?
Just as the situation comes to a stalemate, Vincent appears out of nowhere.
Marius: Okay, but don't hurt it.
Vincent Kim: Got it.
Vincent puts on gloves and quietly approaches the cat from behind, but the cat manages to deftly avoid every capture attempt.
Perhaps afraid that he'll hurt the cat, Vincent's actions remain gentle, but this means that the cat can escape with all its might.
The cat turns nimbly on the wall, launching off toward Marius.
Vincent Kim: Master Marius!
At Vincent's cry, the cat spreads its legs wide open and pounces on Marius' face.
Marius: Ugh!!
Its soft fluffy belly lands directly on Marius' face, causing him to fall backward after being caught off guard.
You: Watch out!
You reach out to catch his fall, and Marius staggers backward before pulling your arm to stabilize himself.
Then, Marius grabs the scruff of the cat's neck, "plucking" it from his face.
Marius: Hey, you're trying to mug me, aren't you?
Grabbed by the scruff of its neck, the cat suddenly "behaves" and stares at Marius innocently.
??: Meow...
Marius: Don't argue with me. I have eyewitnesses.
Marius: My family attorney is right here. Don't make me have her "bring you to justice" right here and now.
You: Pfft...
Listening to him "reason" with the cat, you try to suppress laughter while removing the cat fur stuck to his face.
You: Are you hurt?
Marius: No... Not hurt, but I ate a mouthful of fur.
??: Meow.
The cat waves its tail, its beautiful berry-like eyes watery and innocent.
As if to say... how could a cat have ill intentions?
Vincent Kim: Master Marius, I'm glad you're unhurt. Let me take care of the cat.
Before Vincent can finish, Marius has already turned his head and passed the cat to Vincent, not willing to look at it anymore.
Marius: Vincent, I command you to find its owner and send it away! The sooner, the better!
However, things didn't go as Marius planned.
Despite asking around the neighborhood, Vincent couldn't find its owner, so you figured the cat didn't live nearby.
Marius instructed Mr. Way to expand the search area while the cat stayed at the von Hagen estate in the meantime.
For convenience, you and Marius named the cat Berry, a "codename" for its stay at the von Hagen estate.
You: (Thankfully, the Pharaoh Hound hasn't been at the von Hagen estate these few days, or else things would've been more difficult...)
Looking at the sleeping Berry, you feel an uncontrollable urge to walk over and rub his belly.
Berry rolls over, purring. Upon seeing his enjoyment, you slowly move your hand up to scratch his chin.
Marius: You're giving the cat so much attention. Leave some for me!
Marius exclaims in a voice that interrupts your thoughts. You look up to see a pair of eyes full of grievance.
Marius: Miss, I'm right here. Don't you wanna do anything?
Marius' angry tone amuses you, and you can't help but touch his soft hair.
You: Marius, you're not jealous of a cat, are you?
Marius: Who's jealous of a cat... What I mean is...
Marius: You have to take care of Berry with me. Otherwise, there are no promises that I can take good care of him.
Marius grabs your hand, pulling you onto the bed.
You: Wait, Berry—
At this point, Berry has already been awakened by your movements. He gracefully sits there off to the side, watching you two silently.
Marius: You...
Before waiting for Marius to finish, Berry yawns, like a bad student who doesn't listen in class.
Marius: Look at him.
You: Fine, fine. I'll take care of Berry with you while he's at the von Hagen estate.
You: So, can you get up now?
Marius: Sure.
