There were no new books in the shop's selection. All the books in the selection now he had not yet read were the kind that always went a bit beyond him if he tried reading them. Jenare sighed. It wasn't like he hadn't known that even before he'd looked through them, he would have noticed if Richille's Wares had received a new shipment. It was too early for the Starlight Celebration rush, though. Maybe in a week or two, but not yet.
The door to the shop opened, bringing in cool air from the street. A cheery voice greeted him. "Hullo! Oh, you're Triene's brother, right? Is he home?" Jenare turned around, finding a blond Elvaan youth walking in. He was maybe several years older than he was, and suddenly Jenare felt a lack of words. He had seen this boy around his brother at times, they seemed to be good friends.
Sometimes, his brother would bring home sweets, saying they were from this cheerful apparition.
"Yes, he is home. Should I go fetch him?" He felt a bit simple, asking for that. It was polite, but why would someone ask for a person and not want to see them afterwards?
"Nah, it's alright. I'll go grab 'im myself." With that, the boy rushed past him towards the door at the back of the room. It lead to the family's living quarters.
"Ah..." He wasn't supposed to let people behind the counter, and the door was there. But he didn't quite dare to say it, and when he had gathered up his courage the boy was already gone, on his way to find Triene. Jenare sighed dejectedly. He supposed this was one of the reasons why his father did not want him to help too much with the store, when Triene was helping out all the time. He made a decision for what seemed to be the hundredth time, to be more daring.
He was still brooding over it when the boy returned with Triene, scaring him out of his thoughts. "There you are. Don't mope around alone like that, nothing good ever comes out of such a thing." The boy stared at him frankly, and red flooded Jenare's cheeks. He had never thought his well-doer who always sent him sweets had a personality quite like this. Weren't well-doers supposed to be polite? Was he completely wrong? "You know what, you should come with us today. We're going over to the port."
"Oh, I couldn't. Father asked me to watch the store until he comes back."
"That's quite alright, Jenare, you can go now." It was his father, who had just walked in. "I won't be needing you for the rest of the day. Although Triene, you should come back by early afternoon, I have work for you."
"Yes, father."
"That's such a shame! We need to hurry, then. Come on, you two." The blond boy hurried out. Jenare and Triene followed, the latter glaring murderously at his brother. Triene, while largely resigned to his position as the heir to the store, still wasn't quite docile enough to forgive his brother for going free when he had to work, not to mention interfering his time with his friends.
"You were Jenare, right? Triene's mentioned you a couple times. I'm Endahren, nice to meetcha!" Jenare nodded and confirmed his name. This was looking to be a long day, and although in truth he had a previous engagement with his friends for today, he was still somehow looking forward to this. He would of course have to apologize later. He continued walking after Endahren, vaguely hoping that they might meet his friends somewhere along the way so he would not have to apologize.
"Hi, guys. Missed me?" Endahren Merchell's cheery voice cut through the general hubbub in the port. It was a busy festival day. The people were cheery due to the Harvest Festival celebrations, but some work still needed to be done. Workmen were loading cargo below at the dock, and behind them came the sounds of celebration from the close-by popular pub Rusty Anchor.
General mumblings to the negative came from the four boys gathered in the alley. It didn't mean that they hadn't felt the lack of Endahren's presence, it merely meant that they did not like admitting it to his face. Triene felt like shaking his head. Sometimes, he wondered why he hung around this crowd. Although Endahren was nice enough when he didn't try too much, he supposed. Not to mention...
"I have stuff for you!" He waved around two bags that obviously included some goodies. The Merchells were by no means poor, and had a habit of supplying their children's friends with some goodies at festival times. Not too many of course, just enough to remind the children where they could get more, and pay for them this time. That's how father put it anyway, and Triene supposed it could be true. Nevertheless, he would never turn down good candy, that would be a complete waste.
"What have you for us?" It was Gell - or Gellenneu, father always said he was too familiar with people who would one day be his potential customers.
"Bubble chocolate!" was Endahren's cheery answer. Everything about him seemed cheery today. And true enough, when Triene looked at the bags more carefully he saw they did not quite appear to be bound by gravity, but floated more this way or that according to Endahren's movements. They weren't in any danger of floating away since the fabric of the bags weighed them down enough, but if left alone a piece of bubble chocolate was quite liable to float away in the next breeze. "A lot of it! Mom said to ask you to take some home, too, for the little ones. I suppose we could eat all of it by ourselves, too, but she would hear about it...so no eating too much, alright?"
Several protests came from the boys, but they promised not to eat more than their share. Sometimes Triene thought that if Endy told them to run in the way of a freaked out chocobo, they'd do it too. Nevertheless, he agreed with the other boy's words. The bags seemed big enough, and Jenare might leave him alone for the evening if he brought home candy. Sometimes, having a younger brother could be so tiring.
Endahren,
Greetings from back home. I hope the letter finds you well, and the store still profitable. How is the situation in Bastok? Any success in your attempt to teach San d'Orian customs to Calvier? I have been doing well for myself, no major troubles.
Since my last letter, I have finally started moving somewhere in my life. I now life in a mog house by myself, accompanied by a moogle who keeps calling me 'Master'. I thought that last bit might prove amusing to you.
Mother was sad to see me go, I think. She did not say anything, but this is the feeling I have. In truth, moving out provided me with surprising experiences. I didn't think I would feel quite so free afterwards. I am still in the city after all, but perhaps the sense of adventure in this is enough by itself for now. I'm looking forward to leaving San d'Oria eventually, and seeing the world with my own eyes. Perhaps I will even visit you one day. Bastok isn't too far from San d'Oria after all.
I have been practicing my fighting skills more than ever. I've discovered that they are much needed if you wish to venture deeper even into such an area as the forests of Ronfaure. I never knew before just how many orcs lurk those woods, ready to prey on a careless traveler. Even though I haven't yet had time to do much, the experiences I've had have opened my eyes to many new things.
Best regards,
Jenare
Jenare looked around in his old room. It was mostly empty of personal belongings now, he had already packed and taken out most everything. Only some furniture remained, and some old things he would have no need of in his new life. It reminded him of the time Endahren had left San d'Oria to live in Bastok. It had been a similar feeling in a way, although this time it was he himself that was leaving.
He nodded to himself and turned. There was no reason to stay here any longer. If he wanted to, he could come back to visit any time. He wouldn't be going far after all, not at first. He would just be moving out. Nevertheless, leaving the room and his old life felt somehow final. He supposed he could never return to his old life after this, adventuring and making his way in the world by himself was bound to change him somewhat. While it was sad, he was looking forward to it.
His mother Celese was waiting at the foot of the stairs.
"You're leaving now?"
Jenare nodded at the question. "Yes, I'm leaving now."
"I know I've said it before, but do take care." Celese held a hand to her chest. "And remember us too, every now and then."
"Of course I will."
Celese smiled at him. "I know you will, I'm merely worried. Here," she handed him a box. "Your favorite apple pie. It might be a while before you get to eat it again, so..."
Jenare received the box and thanked her. Then they said their goodbyes. Now there was nothing left to do but say goodbye to Triene, his older brother. Jenare opened the door leading to the store. The day wasn't special to the rest of the world, so Triene was working, holding up the store. Jenare smiled when he saw Triene behind the counter, serving a customer. He waited until the lady had left before speaking up.
"Triene. I'll be leaving now."
Triene leaned on the counter and smiled sadly. "I know. We'll miss you." The two shook hands, nothing more was needed. They hadn't always gotten along well, but that was part of being a family. Jenare picked up the box of apple pie his mother had given him, and headed out. The sun shone in his eyes when he stepped out, almost blinding him for a moment. This was the start of his new life.
Jenare looked around in the room. It was empty, naturally. He had had no time to bring in any furniture, or any of the other items he was going to bring with him from back home. It was the first time he was seeing this room, he had just made the contract with the Mog House Management Union.
A moogle flew by. "Does the room satisfy you, Master?"
Jenare looked at the creature. It was slightly strange, most of the time the citizens of San d'Oria didn't have too much to do with the moogles. They were everywhere, but they weren't really too big a part of the everyday lives of normal people. And the way the moogles now talked with him was somewhat embarrassing.
"Ah..yes. It looks nice enough."
"I'm so happy, kupo!" The critter flew around the room. "Just leave everything to me! I can guard the house, arrange the furniture, take care of items sent through the auction houses! Anything at all, kupo!"
Jenare nodded slowly. He'd known moogles were enthusiastic about everything they did, but he hadn't really realized the extent of it until just recently. He wondered how well he would manage like this, being served by this moogle, called Master at every turn. Endahren would be amused. He made a mental note to write to him soon.
"I will start moving in tomorrow, if that is alright."
"Of course, Master!" Jenare sighed. It looked like an adventurer's life could have surprising hidden troubles.
Miss Kii Kalira,
I hope my letter finds you in good health. There have been some troubles here in San d'Oria. If you'll excuse me for being so abrupt, I'll explain it straight away. While I am not too eager to bring up the issue, you are aware of my father's thoughts of the other races of the Goddess, are you not? This brings him several minor difficulties in his trade, but it appears to bring me more grief than it does him. He managed to get his hands on your latest letter and read it, naturally discovering who you are and where you are from. As a result, he is now determined to never let me communicate with you again.
Please do not be alarmed, I have no intention of conforming to his wishes this time. I have explained the situation to my friend Endahren, and for now you can address your letters to him instead. He will deliver them forward to me. He truly is a real friend!
I will respond to your letter shortly, I must hurry in sending this note so it will reach you in time.
Please take care,
Jenare Richille
"He has no right..!"
"Of course he doesn't."
"It's my life! I can damn well do what I please!"
"Mm-hmm..." Endahren looked in fascination as his long-time friend paced the length of his room and glowered at the walls. What a rare sight. Something had actually worked up the ever-patient Jenare. "Can we go again over the part where you've been writing with a hot mithra chick?"
Jenare whirled around. "I have not been writing with a...!"
"A hot mithra chick? So, what would you call it then?"
Jenare sighed in frustration. "Just...don't refer to Kii Kalira as...that." He sat down on the room's other chair. "Why did he have to..I was doing nothing wrong. She's a friend, of course I'd want to stay in touch with her."
"A friend. Sure. That's why you've been hiding it."
"I have not been hiding it! I...merely haven't mentioned it. And now it's all finished, anyway. Father will confiscate all her letters."
"Jenare, dear friend... you need to get out more. One hurdle on the way and you're already giving up? We'll get you your girl, I promise."
Evening. The lights of Windurst shone down below, coming ever closer. The wind was cold, so Jenare drew his coat tighter around him. It was his first time seeing the city of Windurst, who sacrificed so much during the Great War.
"Don't wander too far, Jenare."
"I won't, father," he answered, turning respectfully to face the older man. The trip had been long, even with airships the distance between Windurst and San d'Oria wasn't covered too quickly.
"You be careful now. The tarutaru here never learned to be careful around their betters. They're running freely all over the place." Jenare just nodded, neglecting to mention that he had received this very same warning five times already since they had switched airships Jeuno. "And surely you know better than to interact with the mithra. Those tails are indecent!" This time, he nearly sighed. There warnings were worse than when they had first visited the Republic of Bastok.
"Yes, father. Shouldn't we go belowdeck to gather our belongings? We'll arrive soon."
"Yes, yes. Wouldn't want anyone wandering off with them. These foreigners, you never know," Gervaine muttered, and started making his way off the deck. Jenare could only follow, but before he did that, he threw one last look at the city. Despite the ever-present grumbling about foreigners, it might turn out to be an interesting experience.
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