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The returners headed to Jidoor after getting a clue to Terra’s whereabouts. She had turned into a creature that looked like an Esper and flown away, seeming to be in some kind of trance. They were directed to Zozo, feeling increasingly optimistic about finding her, but this town had a particularly bad reputation.
“What did they mean by ‘watch out for the people there’?” Sabin wondered.
Celes was skeptical about the warnings from Jidooreans. “They were kind of vague about it. All I heard was that ‘they’re all liars’. I guess we should take whatever we’re told with a grain of salt, but that applies to any person from any place, really.”
“Do you think it could be prejudice?” Edgar asked. “Jidoor’s class system makes it proper to look down on those who live in scarcity.”
Locke smirked, having a deeper knowing of Zozo. “Yes, Jidoor is classist as fuck, but they’re not wrong about Zozo. The crime rate over there is... notable. We should watch our backs, be ready for confrontation, and not believe a single word that we’re told.”
Celes was becoming more concerned about Terra. “If Terra is in that place surrounded by dangerous people...”
“If she perceives them as dangerous, then they should be worried!” Sabin said confidently, with Edgar and Locke nodding in agreement.
Celes continued. “Right. But if we’re going to ask around and we cannot trust what we’re told, then...”
“Then we need to pay attention to what is left unsaid.” Edgar smiled and winked at Celes, which for once had the desired effect of easing her worries.
The town of Zozo lived up to its bad reputation. It was dark and rainy, yet filthy and crowded. The citizens looked at them suspiciously, which was a clear indication that they stood out as outsiders.
Edgar rushed towards a woman who was lying on the ground. “My lady, let me help you up. You shouldn’t be under the rain.”
The others just watched and waited. As soon as Edgar placed his hand on her shoulder, she pulled a knife at him. Celes cast ice on the woman’s hand, causing her to drop the knife and then run away.
Locke shook his head at Edgar. “What did I just say?”
Edgar nodded. “Point taken!”
They entered the building labeled as ‘Inn’, although none of the establishments seemed legitimate.
“This place is dangerous! And don't you dare think about jumping between buildings!" the innkeeper told them.
All knew what this meant. Jumping between buildings was the way to get from one place to another, and it was just as safe, if not safer than walking down the streets.
At every corner, Edgar got distracted talking to the citizens. Locke and Celes were getting impatient, so Sabin went to get him.
"Brother, come on. We can’t really trust anyone here. It’s best if we explore the whole town without engaging them.”
“I agree. It’s just that they’ve been feeding me some strange information, seemingly incoherent.”
“By ‘seemingly incoherent’ you mean that there’s some actual meaning to it?”
“That’s what I’m trying to find out. I think they’re giving me codes.”
“They gave you a riddle?”
Locke overheard them. “Oh no, Edgar, don’t fall for that! The whole ‘guess the stripper’s measures game’ is nothing but a scam, believe me !”
“How would you know that?” Celes was already judging Locke before he had a chance to say anything.
“Because they lie about everything!” Locke quickly answered.
Edgar agreed. “They do. Even about the weather.”
“I mean, they even lie about the time of day!” Locke assured her.
Edgar nodded. “Indeed, even about the type of people that you encounter here.”
Celes made a face before turning to Sabin to hear his unconvincing argument that would favor Locke.
“Don’t look at me. I just kick ass and rearrange face.”
She looked at all three begrudgingly. “Let’s find Terra.”
They found Terra at the top of the tallest building, luckily being watched over by Ramuh, who was a fellow Esper. They agreed to break into the imperial magitek facility to free Ramuh’s friends who had been kept as guinea pigs. But before figuring out a way to Vector, they stopped by the building with the rusted door.
The clues Edgar had been collecting turned out to be meaningful. They set the time on the clock to reveal a secret passage.
Locke got ahead. "Oooh, this has to be some good treasure!” He rubbed his hands before opening the chest, but was puzzled by its contents. He took the chainsaw out of the chest to show it to the others. “This is not something I’d care to keep. Could this be useful to you?”
Edgar was amazed. He stared at the tool as he would at the most stunningly beautiful woman. “She’s gorgeous!”
Locke was amused by his reaction. "Oh, so it’s a she , huh?”
Edgar took it from Locke’s hands. “Just look at her! Her contours, her light weight… Oooh those teeth!” He smiled mischievously. “Oh yes, she’s feisty!”
Celes looked at the tool, not seeing any of the qualities Edgar listed, while Sabin had the widest grin. “I don’t remember the last time I saw you this happy. Those clues were meaningful after all!”
Edgar caressed the chainsaw, keeping his eyes closed. “I know. She was calling me, waiting for me to find her. Oh yes, you’re all mine now!”
Celes whispered to Sabin. “Should we be worried about him?”
“Nah, he’ll get over it soon.”
They set out to return to Jidoor, but Locke proposed a brief stopover in Kohlingen. They had recently learned about how he lost his fiancee, so they could understand his desire to visit the place despite being so far.
Locke went into the old apothecary’s house and came out carrying a white object with holes. “ I left this here the last time. It’s a mask that the players of Narshe’s national sport use to protect their faces. I saw some lumberjacks using it for the same purpose.” He handed it to Edgar. “I know you’ll whine like a little girl if any debris flies to your face while using that chainsaw.”
Edgar smiled, feeling flattered. “You know me so well.”