Character name: Gavrenon Whitelock
World: Tonberry
Prize: Bluebird Earrings

Belle of the Hour

Annabelle, having only recently taken up fishing ventures for her mistress, Ms Whitelock, needed all the time to practice and improve. Being placed on a Waterside Exploration I Venture, this short tale chronicles her first day's attempt...

8:00AM
Ding ding "You couldn't have picked a more inconvenient time."
"Annabelle, how do these earrings look on me?" says Ms Whitelock, full of glee.
"Splendid, madam, now if you'll excuse me, the fish await..."

9:10AM
Ding ding "What is it now, madam?"
"Annabelle, I just bought these new sandals, don't they look divine?"
"Yes, they certainly do - now please, if you may be so kind to let get back to fishing."

10:32AM
Ding ding "For the love of Azeyma - I mean, is there aught amiss, Madam?"
"Want to play Triple Triad, Annabelle? I've become quite bored."
"Retainers are not authorised to play cards, madam."
"Oh bother, go return to your fishing then..."

4:50PM
Ding ding "Argh! My line tugged just as you - ahem, how may I help you?"
"Annabelle, my party is not filling up, I want to go into a dungeon!"
"It helps if you set the item level to below 200 for Copperbell Mines, madam."
"Hahaha, where would I be without you?"

8:20PM
Ding ding "Another fish lost, what is it now... madam?"
"I'm just letting you know I'm heading off to bed soon. Long day adventuring!"
"Sleep well, madam." Finally, I can venture forth for fish uninterrupted for a while...

1:42AM
Ding ding "It's the middle of the night! What are you ringing me for now? I'm sharpening my knife..." Annabelle was nearing the end of her rope!
"I had a fright! Then I realised: I forgot to set the alarm!"
"But you don't have an alarm, madam."
"Well, Annabelle, why did you think I had this bell installed for!? It's not just to ring you, it's my alarm bell too! I named you Annabelle for a reason, you know. Fishing's just to keep you occupied till you wake me up!"

At this point, Annabelle gave up in protesting her incorrigible mistress, too embarrassed at her mistress' reason for naming her so and promised to ring the bell when the sun rose. As long as she could just stop the ringing for a bit longer... Annabelle retired to her quarters in Ms. Whitelock's home. She'll just have to settle for the pittance of experience gained. Well, that's one more answer for why retainers don't catch anything after a Waterside Exploration I Venture!

Ding ding Please ring responsibly!