Memoirs of Adventure Creative Writing Contest (NA) - Official Entry Thread

[SwiftWing]

The entire prospect of it seemed absurd; I almost didn’t give it a second thought.

Almost.

There are always tasks to be accepted, and work to be done. And that’s not even getting into the troubles that are far above your average adventurer – invaders, Primals, otherworldly beings bent on seeing all of this misery continue…

And to think of me, playing in the dirt like some child? It was ludicrous. Absurd.

That’s not to say I couldn’t see that there were benefits to part of it – for the average person, that is. Just nothing that could be of use to me, I had thought.

But the more complicated things became, the more the thought of it took root (no pun intended). To be able to focus on nothing but the soil in your hands, and thinking no further then what seed to plant next. Nothing beyond the stretch of muscles flowing into the swing of the hatchet; the lulling, rhythmic sound of metal biting into wood.

In a time of turmoil, it was peaceful. Cathartic, even. It suddenly didn’t seem so absurd, anymore.

-An Adventurer In Botany

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Chosen Item: Bluebird Earring

[Zephryn]

There's a weight in my pocket. Miniscule, really. Most days I don't notice. Or care. Then there's other days where I reach inside and knock against it or feel the groves of engraving against my fingertips.

I honestly should throw it away.

Not sure why I kept it.

It's a stupid silly thing--this weight in my pocket. It never meant a thing to me, not even when you first gave it to me.

How long ago was it? How many moons have passed?

It's not like it was special. It became a running joke after awhile. It still is, if I am to be perfectly honest. I’m not sure you remember but I do.

We were so serious at first. So foolish. We knew absolutely nothing about what we were doing. What was expected of us. Not that we cared. We were young. Naive.

Maybe drunk. Who knows.

You showed up in a suit and I in a gown.

And well...

I suppose it was probably my mistake that the intermission ended early and we traded formal wear for the costumes of pirates.

My hat was fabulous; my skirt, too short. Or non-existent. You had an eyepatch, if I recall. Maybe a different version of my shirt. You had pants, that much I was certain. I would've remembered if you had gone without.

I don't think anyone foresaw that turn of events. There was much laughter.

I think I announced it to everyone then and there:

We married for a mount. Well, you did. I just wanted a dress.

Yet despite our selfish reasons and desires for tying the proverbial knot, you and I never really severed ties. Not once everything was said or done. Not even when you left for weeks and days. Leaving me by my lonesome without warning or consideration.

Were we too lazy? Too uninterested in taking that extra step to cut ties?

Or did you just find more enjoyment in keeping the benefits of a free teleport to the Casino and popping out from between my legs before running off?

I may never know. I never asked.

I just remember the day you finally annulled our marriage and “set me free”.

You left me 1 gil.

I still have that bit of mail in mailbox. Read but never redeemed. A reminder of times long gone and a token of appreciation from someone I frivolous attached myself to for material needs.

I wonder where you are sometimes. If you get a laugh or chuckle like I do about our marriage of convenience.

It may not be the fondest memory I have but it really is something. It clearly is something I have not forgotten. Or will ever forget. I don't think I ever will

If you do happen to read this, however, I want to say thank you.

Thank you for the dress, the mount and the memories. And yes, thank you for that 1 gil.

...It’s probably more than I would have given you. Maybe.

You never did give me a chance to repay you in the end. Or compensate, if that is a better word to use for the strange connection between you and I.

Either way, may you walk ever in the light of the Crystal, you cheapskate popoto.

(Reward: Noble Barding, please)