Thoughts from the Otherworld

 
 
Ellanore stomped her feet on the ground. It was getting quite chilly, and she was really getting quite annoyed at her one remaining Starlight greeting card. A galka. Seriously, a galka adventurer! In San d'Oria! She tried to remind herself that others had completed their card distribution with honor. Like that mithra from before, Rii Kalira. She had actually talked quite a bit with her before, although maybe that wasn't something to be glad over as now she still hadn't distributed all her cards. You could never know too many people in this line of business, though.

That was one of her shortcomings. She just couldn't seem to befriend enough people, and going out all by herself was quite dangerous at her experience levels. While she had learned a lot since autumn, there was still so much more left to learn. Traveling at farthest to Bastok and back wasn't exactly her idea of adventure, especially when she had mostly clung to the well-trodden paths while doing it.

Rii Kalira apparently adventured with a San d'Orian elvaan, and while she was a healer-type herself the man was good enough of a fighter that the two balanced each other out on their travels. Ellanore wondered if she couldn't do much better if she teamed up with a healer as well. She could heal somewhat, traveling long ways alone had taught her the necessity of that, but she wasn't too fond of using too much magic. She'd much prefer to physically fight her adversaries. It felt more honorable somehow, although she wouldn't for the life of her call fighting with magic dishonorable, exactly. It just wasn't something for her.

That was when she noticed a shape in the crowd, one bigger than the rest. A quick assessment confirmed the shape to be a galka, wearing full chainmail and heading out towards Ranperre's Gate. Ellanore felt so relieved she could cried if she was another type of person. She wouldn't have to give up after all, and could distribute all her cards.
"Excuse me!" She made her way through the crowd. "Mr galka there, please wait a moment!" The galka finally heard her and stopped when she was within a couple meters of him.
"Can I help you..?" The strong face was filled with polite curiosity.
"Yes, you've helped a lot in fact. Starlight greetings!" She smiled brightly and handed over the card. The confused galka took it from her.
"Ah, thank you." He looked at the card curiously. "Is this by any chance one of them moogle shenanigans of this year? Saw them making a ruckus earlier today."
Ellanore nodded. "Took me the whole day to track down a fitting recipient too. I keep wondering if it wouldn't be better for them to plan their events more cleanly beforehands."
The galka barked a laugh. "You don't say. No matter what the damn buggers do, it's always up to us to get their behinds out of trouble! Exactly why I was trying to avoid them this time."
"You have experience with this kind of events?"
"Do I ever. Guiding wayward actors and buffaloes filled up my tolerance for MHMU events for this year for sure." Ellanore nodded sympathetically. While she hadn't been around for either event, she'd heard rumors of wayward actors last summer, and the buffalo thing would have certainly been hard to avoid hearing about. "I'm Grundan by the way. Nice to meetcha."
"Ah.." Ellanore started and bowed lightly. "Forgive me my rudeness, I completely forgot to introduce myself. Ellanore Delouvien, at your service."
 
 
Ellanore wondered what she'd gotten herself into. This year's Starlight Celebration was a mess for her. It was her first since she'd left home and started adventuring - not that said adventuring had been all that adventurous for her - and a couple days before the event her moogle had hinted at her that the MHMU might have something for idle adventurers to do. She hadn't known what exactly it would be, but it had soon become clear enough the day before when she'd wandered into the Parade Square and gotten hooked up by Smilebringers to deliver gifts, and MHMU to deliver cards. She didn't even have clear instructions for either of these, just vague words in the effect of "make people happy". She looked at the four Starlight greeting cards she had left and sighed. At least the presents had been easy, kids were delighted to receive anything.

She looked around. The next card described the recipient as a fierce but beautiful mithra, and praised the glories of her bushy tail of all things. Ellanore looked at it, disgusted. Why did she have to find a mithra adventurer in San d'Oria? In San d'Oria, the city known for its inhospitality to other races! She was just pondering about the merits of giving up and returning the rest of the cards to the moogle when she saw it. A mithra skulking by the side of the road, her tail switching back and forth furiously.

Ellanore didn't waste any time. Annoyed that adventurer might be, but she wanted to get this card off her hands. And it's not like the mithra was annoyed at her, so it shouldn't matter too much. "Excuse me." The mithra turned around, and Ellanore had the card ready. "Starlight greetings!"
 
 

Concentrate. Draw a deep breath. Raise the bow, draw the string. Hold. Release. Again. Concentrate. Feel the bow. Draw a breath, raise the bow. Draw the string. Hold.

Ellanore's breath misted in the crisp air as she worked on her archery practice. Just the basics. Just the very basics. But strangely, she felt much calmer than she ever had with the sword. This came naturally to her, it flowed out almost effortlessly. Mr Arandant said she had a gift for it, and had become much friendlier towards her since she had said she was giving up the sword. She supposed she had been the only one who didn't see how it did not fit her in the slightest. But this, this was her skill. She had found it, she was at peace. Even though it had been only three months ago she had desperately wanted to learn the sword, she now hardly ever thought about it. Even the rare instances she did, it was only to think how foolish she had been. Draw a breath, raise the bow. Feel it, feel the way the bow had enough power to send forth a deadly missile, small and light but made powerful by the force of the bow.
She sighed happily and lowered the bow once again.

"You look happy." She blinked and looked to the side. She hadn't noticed anyone had approached her, she had been too concentrated on her practice.
"I guess I am." The person observing her was Endahren. Lately, she had felt a lot more ambivalent towards him. Not that she had ever hated her, she was quick to correct herself, but sometimes, having him around had been bothersome. Now, though... Ever since he had given her that piece of advice about going on her own path and not being too caught up with dreams of grand swordsmanship, her thoughts on the matter had been more confused. She glanced above towards the window of her room distractedly. On that table, in a special box that also housed several of her other treasures, was the compound eye circlet he had given her that day. She had had to ask her father what it was exactly, if it had any magical properties. Just a slight little enchantment, barely detectable. Even so, she treasured it. It was a thoughtful gift. "You should not be hopping here all the time. Don't you have a store to look after?"
Endahren chuckled. "Father really takes care of it most of the time. My time to be busy will come yet, but it's not just yet. Mostly I just help out when it gets busy or he has other business to take care of." Ellanore nodded slowly. She hadn't really thought before of how he lived his life, what he did with his days. But this kind of arrangement made sense. Nothing could have two leaders, really, there was only one sovereign.
"Well then, what are you doing here?"
"Just felt like seeing you. And to ask if you would like to come to out family's traditional Starlight Celebration dinner, on the 25th. Lots of good food and all!" Ellanore stared at him. This was certainly new. She generally didn't have too much to do with the Merchells, and they not with her family.
"...Come on now, you don't have to be so shocked. It's a very simple question." She couldn't quite identify the emotion in his voice. He was looking at her earnestly, but there was something she could not quite place.
"Well. I...I suppose. Since there's the engagement and all." The thought filled her with confusion, still. She had always known the time for the two of them to get to know each other better would come eventually, but she hadn't thought it would be any time soon. A family dinner, now?
"Great! Well, I'll be seeing you then, if not earlier! Mother has the specifics, you should work it out with her." Endahren smiled brilliantly, turned, and left without even a goodbye. Ellanore stared after him. That had been...sudden. Then she frowned. Knowing him, it could be a prank. She growled under her breath and started packing away her bow. Dishonorable lout. Then she stopped. He had mentioned to get in contact with his mother. It didn't really sound like it was just a prank. Suddenly, Ellanore felt like crying.

 
 

Nightingale giggled at the street performers. It was the day of the Harvest Festival. Technically, he was supposed to be with Master Peridaut, they would perform tonight and Master Peridaut was always adamant about preparations, seeing that every single little detail was in place. But he had opted to sneak out instead, to come out and play with his friends, see the amazing costumes people were wearing, just generally have fun.
It felt like it had been ages since the last festival. He loved these days, when people were cheery and out in the streets in crowds, laughing and shouting and just generally having a good time. He always got to wear nice clothes on festival days, too. In truth they were just for performing, but he thought that was such a waste. If Master Peridaut was going to pay him for a nice costume for the Harvest Festival, why should he only wear it during his performance? He wouldn't get it dirty or anything, he was always careful about things like that.
When the performance ended, Nightingale looked around. He hadn't found his friends yet, none of them had exactly been expecting for him to have any free time today. It would be a surprise, for sure. Looking around, his eyes met those of an elderly lady, sitting on a bench nearby. The woman smiled and gestured him over.
"You have such a nice costume, boy. I felt like giving you a cookie for it." She smiled and dug out a cookie from her basket. "Heading out to for trick-or-treating with your friends?"
Nightingale took the offered cookie and smiled brightly. "Thank you, ma'am. I'm actually out here for a little while only. I will be performing with my Master at the square in front of Neptune's Spire tonight, the clothes are more because of that."
"Ah, a performer, are you? What will you be doing?"
"I am a singer, ma'am." Nightingale turned to leave. He didn't have too much time to spend on stuff like this if he wanted to have time to be with his friends today. But he remembered well all Master Peridaut's teachings of always advertising yourself and your performance, for bigger crowds and more gil. He turned back and looked at the old woman. "Please give us your patronage tonight." He bowed slightly. "And thank you again for the cookie, ma'am."
The old woman chuckled at him. "My, you're a little charmer, aren't you. I'll definitely be there." Nightingale put on his best stage smile and thanked the woman. Then he left, waving to her as he went before disappearing into the crowd. That had taken up too much precious time, but he supposed it couldn't be helped.