How I met my shifu

Recently, my guild went on a trade run trip to Freedich Island. It had been a long time since I've gone there for trading! To me, overseas trade runs are full of excitement and memories. So, I'm going to use it to tell my story today!

Remember I mentioned about my two best friends in Haranya, Vel and Finny? Well, if Silent Forest was the place I got to see Vel's true colour, then Mahadevi was where I first really got to know Finny better! 

I didn't really have many pictures of that first journey, because I was so anxious that we might meet pirates! Nontheless, I hope you will enjoy this story because I've thought for so long about how I'll tell it. Here goes!

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It happened last year, several weeks since I joined my new guild,.

Life in a big, active guild was exciting and full of activities. Soon it was time for me to experience a big overseas trade run for the first time. "Bring your packs to Solis where we will load up the schooners. See you there!" the raid leader instructed.

Later that day, I stood at the crafting station with fruits in hand. It must've been a strange sight for a Firran to be carrying so much healthy food. I stood staring at the crafting station, wondering how I was going to bring five trade packs across cities to the shores.

Suddenly, an archer with gravity defying hair came into view.

"Hello. Come, make your packs and load them in my hauler." 

To my surprise, it was the stern looking Finny who had come to my aid. I thanked him and quickly did as I was told.

"Anyway, I came to help you because you needed help, not because you're a girl, and not because I want anything in return. Understood?"

"Orh." 

I was surprised and relieved at the same time by how direct Finny was. You always knew where you stand with him. Somehow, that really put me at ease! After loading the last pack on the hauler, I hopped on the crates and sat.

As we rolled off, Finny started talking to me and asked me how I was doing in the guild so far. I listened to him quietly, and only spoke when a question was asked. After a while, he paused.

"You have been very quiet. Was there something you wanted to say?"

"Oh .. no, not at all! I was listening to you. Really!"

I must've sounded a bit sheepish, because he then turned around and peered at me.

"Why do you sound so nervous? Am I that scary?"

"... N-No! I wasn't scared of you, really! And I just didn't want to interrupt you..."

"No need to be so stressed out. Just be yourself with me, I'm ok with it."

"Orh."

"And if you ever have something that you wish to say, don't be afraid to speak up. Don't keep things to yourself. Do you understand?"

"Yes." I responded with seriousness.

"And don't hesitate to ask for help."

"Orh." 

As we talked, I realised that even though Finny sometimes seemed a bit impatient and looked really stern, he was actually pretty nice. Soon, the view of bright blue sky and ocean unfolded ahead of us. As I sat admiring the sight, I felt quite happy all of a sudden. 

"Thanks, Finny."

"You're welcomed."

Throwback

We will always think back on those good old carefree days ...

Dreams

"... Skimble?"

*Growl* ?

"... Do you think that ... if someone was in your dreams, then maybe ... just maybe ... you're in that someone's dream too?"

*Growl* ... (Hmm I don't know, maybe if I try it I'll see that pretty lioness...) *Ruffles mane and yawns*

"... What, are you going to sleep already? Hey!"

Sometimes the sea looks back

And sometimes, if you are determined and well-prepared, you get to take bits of it home.

But no matter what you do, there's always a chance that you don't!

Deceptive cuteness

Throughout my days with Freedom Orient, I was surrounded by friendly and enthusiastic friends. Amongst my new friend, I was by far closest to two: Vel, the purple-haired healer and Finny, an archer with gravity-defying hair.

Today, I will tell you about Vel !

Initially, I felt closer to Vel between the two. She would come by to see if I needed help with my quests, and sometimes take me around on her hauler just for the fun of it. When I asked questions, she would explain patiently with a soothing voice, despite my enthusiasm and short attention span. Vel was also always willing to go out of her way to extend a helping hand to anyone in the guild who needed help. I think she would make a perfect customer service officer.

What I didn't know was that behind that cheeky smile, Vel is a very, very impish person indeed!

We have a guild house by a lake in the peaceful Silent Forest. Back then, I would return there after a long day of exploration, to rest up in the cosy room overlooking the water. 

I had always thought it would be safe there, but I was wrong.

Early one morning, I was awoken by a commotion from the water. There was loud splash, followed by a stream of angry shouts mixed with hysterical laughter. Rubbing my sleepy eyes, I got up and went to the window to investigate.

Down by the water, Sino, one of our guild mates, was stumbling out of the lake sodding wet, waving a fist and shouting angrily at a small retreating group where the laughter was coming from. As I stuck my head further out to look, I saw someone with a familiar head of purple hair tied back in a pony tail, and that was none other than my dear friend Vel. 

Bewildered, I approached Vel and found out she, with the rest, had tossed Sino into the lake while he slept. Curious, I asked.

"Wow.. did you do it because he was annoying, or something?"

"Not really!"

"Then why'd you do it?"

"Because it was fun, of course!" 

I will never forget that mischievous glint in her eyes. Soon, I started hearing more tales of innocent, sleeping people being carted away, dropped amongst monsters, dunked into rivers, or otherwise rudely awakened by some kind of unexpected antics. I started worrying a little for my safety when I go to sleep if I knew she was around nearby.

As I got to know Vel better, I realised she wasn't quite what she seemed. She hasn't tried to kill me just yet, but she would often try to disturb me for the fun of it. You can never tell if she was saying something seriously, or if she was just teasing. How annoying !

Throwback - Winter in Villanelle

     

A new perspective

All the while I have gone there for war and killing in the shadow of the valleys, I never knew Hasla was this beautiful.

Throwback - An Unlikely Trio

Hours turned to days, and days turned to weeks. Under the guidance of my new guild mates, I was slowly getting better at the art of quest busting and dungeon bashing. Amongst all my new friends, I would end up being closest by far to two people - Vel the purple-haired healer, and Finny the archer with gravity-defying hair. I don't know what magic he used to keep it that way.

Here's an old picture from last year, of us poking around Mahadevi !

  

Summer is coming

Tape me down for safety

"Let's do a trade run to Falcorth Plains! .. Hold on, am I leading?"

"Yup, I feel like living dangerously."

"Oh dear. I need a seat belt. Herm, tape me down for safety."

"On second thought, I'll stay at the back, so the crash will be softer."

"Alright everyone, follow me!"

"Oh dear..."

Throwback - A New Chapter, & How I Met My Shifu (Prelude) and Vel

When Jeon first took our little guild into Freedom Orient last year, I felt like I've moved from a little town where everyone knew everybody else into a big city. Fortunately, these "city people" were really friendly and always tried to make sure that we didn't feel left out. Soon we were mixing like milk and sugar in coffee. 

Before long, my new guild mates took me to the Greater Howling Abyss dungeon for the first time. 

In Lighthalzen, everyone had a role. Every time we went into a dungeon, everyone knew what they needed to do and where to put themselves. I was the tank of the group and though I wasn't the best tank, I thought I wasn't too bad at it! Eager to be of help, I drew my weapon and raised my shield, ready to charge in. "What's the plan?" I asked enthusiastically.

"Just stealth and let the rest of us do the killing."

And off my party went. Not wanting to simply hide myself, I tried to help with the fighting. But soon, the healer was bailing me out of trouble at every turn.

"What are you doing? Don't you know what you are supposed to do?"

It seemed like I had started testing the patience of our slightly impatient archer. I felt like a young Padawan amongst all these people who were stronger than me. Fortunately, being a Padawan also meant having infinite enthusiasm and reduced fear for annoyed people. 

"Aw, don't be harsh to her, it's her first time here after all! Here, I'll explain what you need to do." the healer stayed by my side as we continued through the dungeon, and patiently explained what I had to do. 

"Get it right and don't get us killed!"

The archer raced ahead, shooting arrows into monster eyes as he ran and slicing enemies up like an elf in a Magic Ring trilogy. 

---

I didn't know it back then, but I would continue testing the patience of this impatient archer for a long, long time to come, and discover the true colour of the deceptively patient and adorable purple-haired healer, who in reality was really full of mischief.

Lonely water

Once upon a different life 

We rode our bikes into the sky 

But now we call against the tide 

Those distant days are flashing by 

Hold back the river, 

let me look in your eyes 

Hold back the river, so I 

can stop for a minute 

and be by your side 

Talking to the Moon

At night when the stars 

Light up my room 

I sit by myself 

Talking to the moon 

Trying to get to you 

In hopes you're on the other side talking to me too 

Or am I a fool 

who sits alone 

Talking to the moon

Hold my breath and count to ten

"Shifu."

"Yeah?"

"Can I take a picture of us?"

".. what for? But sure."

*two minutes later*

"Are you done?"

"Not yet! I'm trying to take a nice one !"

"... done?"

"Nooo... don't move!"

"For how long do you want me to stand here!"

"Just a bit more please!"

"I'm gonna portal."

"I'm going too ! Wait for me !!"