Ties of Blood : Chapter 1 - Part 2

The morning buzz in the residential area was oddly comforting. Though I lacked again a full night's worth of rest, I was glad the night was over. As per personnal custom, I simply turned in my bed, my back facing the sun, shying my eyes from the window and what was happening outside. Were I to look out, I'd see adventurers wandering back and forth, heading do different corners of Windurst, seeking business to do, whether by accepting quests from the townsfolks, accomplishing missions for our nation's glory, improving on a craft, or simply gearing up for a session of training. Mingling amongst them, Tarutaru children heading out for the Academy, looking forward to learn their first spell one day at a time.

Thirty minutes passed before I resigned to stepping out of my bed. It was hard to return to the land of slumber once the streets of Windurst stirred awake. I almost expected Mogri to greet me, before I remembered Moogles didn't accept working from actual households, only in residences appointed to adventurers. However, that was not entirely without its perks, as I smelled grilled newt coming from the kitchen. My adoptive mother, Illu Bohjaa, prepared a meal for both me and Rosaly, as it was rare enough both of us were back in town at the same time. Such flagrance helped me through my morning routine, from dressing up to applying my makeup.

"Mornin' sweetie! Yer up late."

"Heyas little sister!"

"...Hello mother, hi sis."

Rosaly had already started gnawing happily on her kabob'ed newts, mine still cooking above the fire pit, under mother's watchful eyes. If anything, she had a talent for cooking. If people knew about here dhalmel steaks, she'd have to leave the corral for a kitchen so much she would be asked for seconds and thirds.

...I didn't realized I was drooling over the ambiant smell until it wetted my chin. I embarassingly wiped my face, hoping I wasn't noticed.

"Soooo..." mother started, all the whine grinning at me, "whatcha my gurls up to 'tis fine day?"

"I w-"

"I'm gonna go smash up some bunnies in the dunes! Wanna come little sis?"

"I... uh..." I kept staggering, not knowing what to answer to Rosaly.

"Sounds fun hunney, but I think she's gut sumthin' already planned. So sweetie, what's yer poison?"

"Umm... I was thinking of working on my Dark Knight skills a bit today."

Tried as she would, Rosaly wasn't able to hold back her laughter, as she spat it through the hand covering her mouth.

"What's so funny sis?"

"Sorry! Sorry little sis, it's just, well..." She snickered again against her best wishes, or so I hope she was. "You know, last week it was Dragoon, and a month ago you were playing Samurai."

"...training. I took it to heart."

"Yeah, well, you got a lotta heart, jumping from one job to the next."

"Oh really... and who took up the ways of the Monk not two weeks ago?"

"Heyhey! It's kinda new, I got tired of being a Beastmaster, thought I'd take a break. Once I'm done, it's back to being oh so charming with the beasts."

"C'm'on gurls, dun fight like dat! Ye both got mah blessin'! Here sweetie, yer newts' ready."

I accepted the stick with the two skewered, blackened newts, and did a courtesy to my mother to show my appreciation. Rosaly was already licking her fingers clean of the bits of charcoal that stained her fuzz.

"You got someone to watch your back sis?"

The question surprised me. Rosaly and I were always loners in nature when it came to our training, and we never bothered the other about what company she might have on her adventures.

"As a matter of fact, I was thinking on calling out Sahyu to help out."

"Oh, that far-eastern chick?"

"Well, she says she's from the far east. The way she behaves, she sounds more like she came from a well-endowed San d'Orian family."

"...like your grand'pa?"

Rarely issues of my biological family tree were brought up by my adoptive family. Not by mother, nor my younger 'big sister', and even less by me. They were all I needed ever since the war orphaned me, though I always wear my mother's locket close to my heart.

"He was discharged of his title and estate, due to his involvement with a foreigner from the mithran homeland."

"Yeah, I remember, but still... He was raised in a sheltered world, he must have been pretty snobby an' all."

"Well... not really, he's just extremely serious about every matter he stumbles upon. But yeah, now that you mention it, Sahyu kinda reminds me of him. ...Wish I knew what befell him after the last war..."

"Aww, don't worry 'bout that little sis, you'll find him someday."

"...hopefully not with his name engraved in a tombstone..."

"I certainly hope not, sweetie. I'm rootin' fer a pleasurable reunion sum'day."

"Me too..."