This year started so slowly, yet already this much time has passed, and there has hardly been a time to rest properly since the end of February. It is almost May again, and this has prompted the moogles to arrange yet another of their events. I remember this particular one from last year, thankfully neither then nor now has something gone wrong. We decided to come to Bastok to celebrate this past year of adventuring, and see Endahren off on his way back to San d'Oria.
I feel like a bad friend, for not having mentioned him in such a long time in my journal. We have kept in contact via letters, although even this has been made somewhat difficult by me so rarely being somewhere where letters could reach me. Now that I have met him once again, I have this feeling that something is happening in his life that he hasn't been telling me. He seems to..avoid me somehow, even though on the surface he seems exactly like before. I am not certain how to approach this matter.
Before leaving Sand d'Oria when this moogle-sent event Egg-hunt Eggstravaganza was upon us, we headed to Mt Ghelsba to retrieve our second of the set of three keys required for a free Kazham pass. I still have my doubts about this scheme, although I suppose gaining intelligence of the most recent orc movements can never be a bad thing. We had to venture in quite deep to Fort Ghelsba - indeed, at one point we found ourselves at the very top of Mt Ghelsba, above the Forst even - but managed to retreive keys for the both of us. Unlike with the yagudo in Giddeus, I have no worries of the political kind to slay several of these beasts. Or for that matter, quadav.
That being the last required key, the Palborough one. The mine is full of these turtle-like beastmen, as we very well knew from previous experience on the mission we ended up slaying that nether-world dragon. Entering that place brought back unpleasant memories, and the mine is not too cheerful a place for even the brightest person. I have to admit to being somewhat glad to be done with that place.
Other than that, we have been enjoying the Eggstravaganza festivities here in Bastok. It involves trading eggs with letters on them to make sets that spell out various words, and the moogles give out prices to people who give them some certain words. It is a strangely exhilirating experience, and a great spirit-raiser after as gloomy a place as Palborough.
The end of the winter is drawing near. The Doll Festival preparations came and went, and the day itself is almost gone now. Time generally passes slowly during the winters, but the feastdays go by fast. This year's Doll Festival we spent in Windurst, and it was certainly surprising, but not in a good way. I started thinking about the nature of the day. It is, after all a festival for girls, so I asked Kii Kalira if she wouldn't rather spend it with her sister. The answer I received was that her sister died some time before I arrived to Windurst last year. I have to admit to being more than a little surprised. She hadn't said a word to me of it before, and although she certainly doesn't need to, it still leaves me wondering. Why wouldn't she mention something like this? She must have been devastated by her loss when I so presumingly whisked her away from Windurst along with me. I wonder if this loss doesn't explain some of the differences I've noticed from how she was before.
I am not sure why, but she bought me a Windurst-made bonbori lantern some time after. I had been admiring them, but that doesn't mean she would have to buy one for me. I have to confess to being confused.
Earlier in the day I met a strange mithra. It isn't entirely polite to say so, but for some reason I seem to meet many of them. This one told me to fetch her a suitable stone for Rarab's Tail hostelry's famous pickles. It is strange though, she didn't appear to be working for the establishment herself. So why...? Windurst is certainly a laid-back place.
It has been some time since I last wrote in this journal. Despite the clouding thoughts of the Shadow Lord's return, nothing out of the usual has happened as far as I know. It is unnerving, having to just wait. Altana give us strength in this ordeal.
It is now the morning after Valentione's Day. The day went well, all things considering, although I must once again wonder about Kii Kalira's recent small oddities. She has always given me my favorite dark chocolate before. This year, she gave me an assortment of store-bought chocolates. Perhaps she was too busy to make them herself? I certainly hope it is not an indication of anything else. Nevertheless, I am glad she remembered me on this day.
Quite as usual, the Mog House Management Union had come up with a plan to enliven the feast day, once again asking adventurers to help. We ended up matching and delivering chocolates all over San d'Oria. I suppose it was fun in its own way, although I very much doubt how useful such an exchange of chocolates is. Moogle magic is known to be somewhat quirky - and even if it wasn't, isn't it better to find a love without such tricks?
First day of the new year. May it be as event-filled as the last one.
Although I am not entirely certain I should be hoping for that. I...I am confused. While Kii Kalira did seem to be cheered up by our visit to Jeuno, I certainly did not expect her to kiss me. Ah, there you have it. I can barely write it down, my head becomes so filled with thoughts of her I simply cannot coordinate my hands enough. I'm afraid I'm taking it too far. While she is sweet, and Endahren especially has mistaken the situation - quite permanently it seems - in reality I cannot recall any instance where she would hint about something more. It was just a new year's kiss, that is all.
I must take my mind off this matter.
We will be going to Bastok soon again. With the festival season over, we must retain our duties. The both of us have been ordered to make a visit to the capital as a continuation to a display of mutual willingness to help other nations. It is quite convenient that we would both receive such orders at the same time, although I suppose convenience should have nothing to do with it. It is a matter of political importance to keep good relations with your neighbors, and our missions are just small examples of that.
It is quite late, the night after Starlight Celebration. The scenery is magnificent. The air is crips and fresh. The food was delicious. And yet, I cannot help but think that something went wrong. After exchanging presents, she became...quirky. It's almost as if she was shocked. Did I pick the wrong present?
I had a dozen things I wanted to write about, how amazing the day and how much fun we had. And now, all I can think of is her. She is not herself, that much I can see. I...I need to think about this.
The days just fly by. It is the eve of the Starlight Celebration, and I finally managed to acquire Kii Kalira's present. While thinking about what to get her I remembered her mentioning her favorite scent. I don't think she has been wearing it recently. Maybe she ran out and cannot? So I decided to get her a bottle of it. It proved to be surprisingly hard, but I did manage it in time, thank goodness.
The city has already been decorated for some time, and Smilebringers run the streets. It is indeed a magnificent time to be in San d'Oria. Maybe we'll visit the other cities too, see how the day is celebrated in different nations. But tomorrow, we will relax and have a good time. We have deserved it.
I and Kii Kalira have just visited the Passhow Marshlands, close by to Konschtat. San d'Oria controls the area this Conquest period, and I signed up to deliver supplies to the region. Choosing that particular area might have been a mistake, though. Kii Kalira most certainly appeared not to approve. I suppose I cannot fault her for that, the marshes were not the most pleasant place to be in, especially when wearing sandals.
Starlight Celebration is approaching fast. I have not yet decided what present to get Kii Kalira. I only have faint half-formed ideas, but nothing too concrete yet. Thankfully there is still time for that.
Since we were conveniently close to Bastok after getting ourselves away from the marshes, we entered the city for some rest. Might stay here for a while.
It has been a busy and incredible day again. I do not remember the last time we've had this much excitement in our lives.
Throughout the morning and day I and Kii Kalira participated in the festivities again, and agreed to help with an event called the Wake of the Lilies. I dimly recall hearing something about this previously, yet the exact particulars of the matter elude me. It is apparently a wake held yearly to appease the souls of dead witches, with progressions in every nation.
Aside from the Wake, we walked about the city in costume and enjoyed the festivities. As much as it pains me to admit, the festivities in San d'Oria have not been this much fun since I was a child. There is something about the atmosphere in Windurst that makes everything seem that much more lighthearted, and the people more willing to let go of everyday matters to concentrate on having a good time.
Later in the day, I and Kii Kalira attempted to leave for Giddeus again. But who do we meet if not the very Moogle we met yesterday, still worrying about Pyracmon. I had good reason to worry about the authenticity of his defeat yesterday. It seems that he might be immortal, or close to it. Nevertheless, this should not stop us from doing everything we can to stop him, whatever his purpose in infiltrating Windurst would be. We aided in his defeat once again. It seems though that after yesterday, not quite as many adventurers are willing to help. There were only two Tarutaru dragoons with us. Despite this, our victory was ensured. I am starting to think that his strategy depends on overwhelming our defences not with strength, but with resilience.
For defeating Pyracmon this time - what can the cityguard be thinking, not helping during these times? - I and Kii Kalira received several enchanted items. The enchantment is a spell of Teleport, with the destination point set at Bastok. The mere concept of such items fascinates me. They are certainly cannot be very widely available, for I have merely heard of them before, but never seen one with a Teleport enchantment. Granted, I do have a ring with a San d'Orian Warp enchantment, for those emergencies should I ever be needed at home.
Our venture to Giddeus forgotten, we decided to see what festivities Bastok has to offer us. The decision was certainly sudden, although understandable considering the freedom and convenience of travel these items have temporarily brought us.
I am currently writing this in Bastok. I hope the good people of Windurst can wait a little while to have their requests fulfilled. We have rented rooms here and plan to stay for a little while.
It is the first day of the Harvest Festival.
Earlier today, Kii Kalira and I were on our way to Giddues to complete some requests from the cityfolk. Just outside Odin's Gate we came upon a frantic Moogle. While this itself has not been an infrequent sight lately, it was only polite to listen to his woes.
Turns out that the rumors that have been circulating in Windurst lately were based on truth, and the monster was actually the exorcist Pyracmon, come back to life due to an evil relic he had in his possession. Controlled by the evil of the relic, he had become a fearsome monster, a rather big flying eyeball. Naturally, we agreed to help the poor Moogles. We joined the many other adventurers helping vanquish this evil, and after a fierce but short battle we emerged victorious.
Words cannot quite convey how amazed I am by this turn of events. To have those rumors to actually have been true... this certainly is the most exciting Harvest Festival I remember having, and I am truly glad that I came to Windurst again. However, it worries me how easy it was to dispose of the threat, in the end. Could this truly have been a mighty exorcist in his previous life?
Despite the festivities, something seems to be bothering Kii Kalira. I am reasonably certain by now that my misconduct has been forgiven, but something is most certainly weighing on her mind. I wish I could help.
We never did get as far as Giddeus. Will have to attempt again tomorrow.
I am in Windurst now. Even at this time of the year, the city manages to surprise with its lush surroundings - so different from San d'Oria - and its people small in stature, but with warm hearts. Talk to any of the Tarutaru around, you'll feel welcomed. Some of the Mithra might be another matter. One Mithra in particular confounds me. I...haven't really talked to her much since my arrival. Maybe she forgives me, maybe she does not. I must confess, I feel like I could never figure her out.
The Harvest Festival is approaching. When I am not outside the city practicing my skills, I am among the merchants, admiring their wares. The cooking guild in Windurst seems particularly enthusiastic about the upcoming feast, and delivers one heavenly sweet after another to the merchants. I am looking forward to spending the Harvest Festival here, I am certain I'll stay in the area at least for that long.
Lately, I've been hearing rumors among the city folk, about some strange monster or other. Maybe it is merely the upcoming festival, but it would certainly turn out to be very interesting if true.
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