"A test within the adventure, how marvelous!" Exclaimed Khloe, smiling widely. "I can't wait. What happened next? Were you beset by another cuddly animal?"
She was so excited, and there was little that could dissuade her from the story.
Felih laughs. "I wouldn't say cuddly- our last test was a battle against Genbu, a great, thousands-year old turtle beast who controlled water. He was fierce and strong, and tested our strength against his before finally allowing us entry into the very heart of the volcano- a shrine, in which animals who have lived long and gained sentience gathered to hone their skills and powers."
"Genbu, in his usual form, is actually quite a tiny turtle, he's very cute! All of the beings there were- talking tanuki, whittrets, foxes, birds, turtles, cats- all manner of cute and cuddly animals that spoke and told us all kinds of things about their lives. They've all got quite the personality!"
Felih grins at her visible delight, her enthusiasm just making him feel glad. If nothing else, his wild adventures can bring cheer to someone here, and that makes them all a bit easier to handle, in the end.
"Neither did I, to be honest. It came as a shock to me, but apparently some rare few can live so long as to become like spirits, powerful and intelligent, with wisdom and experience of the world all their own. Oh, but there is a small downside to this- the stronger spirits keep themselves in balance, careful balance between constructive and creative force, and the forces of rancor and destruction within them. In fact, the very shrine they resided at is meant to house the spirit of a creature long since sealed away, when he gave in and became overcome by the wild, uncontrollable rage and urge to destroy, losing the balance within himself."
"One of the great four guardian beasts there was a great, ancient white tiger named Byakko- a kind soul, noble and stern- whose own time was approaching to try and quell the rancor within him. And, well- the easiest and safest way to do so would be to unleash it... and let my friends and I battle it into submission."
He laughs weakly then. "Well, we certainly weren't expecting yet another trial..."
Felih nods, and then says, "Oh, yes- we bought, and it was a wild battle in the wilderness of Yanxia, where Byakko was first born. My companions and I were certainly worse for the wear after the battle, but so was he- but, yes, we were all well after it was over. We suppressed the rancor within him, and all of us immediately just curled up to sleep for a few hours right where we were," he laughs, looking sheepish.
"That big tiger is very warm and fluffy- he made a good pillow," he laughs. "Once we all rested up and tended to our wounds, we returned to the shrine and hideaway beneath the volcano together, and all was well again."
"Twas truly an incredible battle, however- his magics were bold and fierce, sending orbs and waves of rancorous aether at us constantly- and at once point, we all even found ourselves up far in the sky, free-falling in a tornado of his construction as we tried to dodge his many attacks. Though exhilarating... I would rather not find myself falling like that ever again."
Felih smiles at her enthusiasm, delighted to know she's enjoying the story. Her endless curiosity reminds him of how he himself was as a kit- who knows, maybe Khloe will be a wanderer too someday.
"It was... well, terrifying at first, but it definitely became exhilirating after that," he said with a laugh. "And the tiger? He's big, very, very big. Bigger than most tigers- thrice their size, perhaps more- if I tried to wrap my arms around his neck, I doubt I could do it," he said with a grin. "But he's a gentle giant, when he's not full of rancor."
Felih bites his lip. He hates to say no to her, but at the same time, a trip to Yanxia is weeks by ship, if not months- and he doubts that Khloe has ever been there before to attune to an aetheryte. Not to mention, Zhloe would surely want to go to watch after her little sister, but that would also mean either bringing all the orphans with her, or leaving them unattended for so long- both of which seem like bad options.
"Ah... well, have you and your sister ever been to Yanxia before?" he asks.
Felih hates saying no to the cute face! The guilt is real, and he has to say it: "Ah... I'm sorry, Khloe, but I'd have to take you all the way to Doma to show you the shrine of animals. And that's a long boat trip for someone who hasn't attuned to an aetheryte across the world, yet..."
There's apology in his voice, and he gently pats her on the head. "Maybe if Zhloe ever gets the chance to go, you can go with her- and I'll meet you there when you arrive."
"That's true... and I don't have the money to spend on Aetheryte fees either. Rowena doesn't give me that huge of an allowance and most of my payments go into helping Zhloe."
She looks a little sad at that, biting her lip in that cute way. "But can you bring me a present again next time, and one for Zhloe too?"
Felih brightens up at that, immediately nodding. "Of course! I'll bring plenty more presents next time- enough for everyone," he promises with a smile. If nothing else, he can bring them pieces of it- teleporting is taxing on both wallet and aether if coming from so far, but if he can do it and easily bring along the things he's acquired... well, why not?
It's a relatively fast way to get folk things from across the world, and he's got the aether to do it, so he may as well!
"What kinds of things do you think I should bring?"
Felih nods. "That, I can most certainly do. There is no shortage of either in Kugane and Yanxia- surely I can bring a nice batch of interesting gifts," he says with a smile, looking glad. He loved coming to help Zhloe with the orphanage, especially because he frequently worried about Zhloe's health, considering her forgetful and oft-selfless behavior.
"Speaking of Zhloe... I should check on her soon too- has she been doing well?" he asks, in the manner that very much suggests he is Concerned about her.
"She's doing fine, a kind adventurer provided some food a while ago," said Khloe. "Although we had to spring for pineapple pudding so it was still a bit of money."
Felih smiles, relieved. "I'm glad... goodness, though, with your sister's fondness for the pudding, mayhaps I should just grant her a tub of it so she doesn't go spending so much gil on it," he says with a little laugh and shake of his head. "And I have plenty to give to Menphina's Arms as well- hopefully it will help offset some more costs for a while."
Felih suddenly pauses. "You know, I don't think I've ever asked, Khloe. What's your favorite food?"
"If that's the case, maybe I'll make a weekly delivery of it, so long as I'm not buried in work," Felih says with a grin. "That ought to help considerably- Zhloe's cravings are sated, and there's more money for the orphanage to get actual food. Besides, I can always drop off more food and supplies and gil each time I come."
Felih had a special place in his heart for the various orphanages across the realm. He was a bleeding heart- and hey, if his line of work brought in good money, why not share it? It wasn't as if he had anything to spend it on.
"Watermelon? Wait, why can't you get much?" he asked curiously. Watermelon seems easy enough to procure... he's tempted to even help her grow some- the Orphanage could benefit from a proper garden.
"Okay, sounds good!" Exclaimed Khloe, giggling as she leaned over to hug Felih. She was a cute kid after all, and was beaming widely.
She looked up at him and added, "The best Watermelon grows in the heat, from Costa del Sol. It's too expensive to import it all the time. Especially since it could go bad on the wagon here."
Felih just beams then, happily scooping her up for a proper hug and bunting their foreheads together affectionately. He missed his own tribe and his family- so in a way, caring for the orphans and getting to play with Khloe and check on Zhloe made him feel like a big brother again.
"I'll be sure to make plenty of it. As for watermelon... well, there's certainly no shortage of them in La Noscea, what with the ever-summer weather it has. I'm sure I can add a watermelon to the weekly supplies. A big sweet one- certainly enough to share."
Felih nods, happily hugging her, beaming. "Of course- I'd be glad to. I can tell everyone stories while we share the watermelon- how's that sound?" he offers, tail happily swaying behind him. Khloe truly was a sweetheart, and the orphans were fun to spend time with as well- he may as well try to be a supportive adult in their lives if he'll be by so often dropping off supplies.
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valoirs
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She was so excited, and there was little that could dissuade her from the story.
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"Genbu, in his usual form, is actually quite a tiny turtle, he's very cute! All of the beings there were- talking tanuki, whittrets, foxes, birds, turtles, cats- all manner of cute and cuddly animals that spoke and told us all kinds of things about their lives. They've all got quite the personality!"
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Her pen flew as she wrote in the small journal, giggling as she did. "That's amazing, I didn't realize animals could live for thousands of years!"
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"Neither did I, to be honest. It came as a shock to me, but apparently some rare few can live so long as to become like spirits, powerful and intelligent, with wisdom and experience of the world all their own. Oh, but there is a small downside to this- the stronger spirits keep themselves in balance, careful balance between constructive and creative force, and the forces of rancor and destruction within them. In fact, the very shrine they resided at is meant to house the spirit of a creature long since sealed away, when he gave in and became overcome by the wild, uncontrollable rage and urge to destroy, losing the balance within himself."
"One of the great four guardian beasts there was a great, ancient white tiger named Byakko- a kind soul, noble and stern- whose own time was approaching to try and quell the rancor within him. And, well- the easiest and safest way to do so would be to unleash it... and let my friends and I battle it into submission."
He laughs weakly then. "Well, we certainly weren't expecting yet another trial..."
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So many questions from this little child and yet she was excited for the tale.
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"That big tiger is very warm and fluffy- he made a good pillow," he laughs. "Once we all rested up and tended to our wounds, we returned to the shrine and hideaway beneath the volcano together, and all was well again."
"Twas truly an incredible battle, however- his magics were bold and fierce, sending orbs and waves of rancorous aether at us constantly- and at once point, we all even found ourselves up far in the sky, free-falling in a tornado of his construction as we tried to dodge his many attacks. Though exhilarating... I would rather not find myself falling like that ever again."
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Khloe smiled. "I think it would be amazing to see from afar...'
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"It was... well, terrifying at first, but it definitely became exhilirating after that," he said with a laugh. "And the tiger? He's big, very, very big. Bigger than most tigers- thrice their size, perhaps more- if I tried to wrap my arms around his neck, I doubt I could do it," he said with a grin. "But he's a gentle giant, when he's not full of rancor."
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She had that pleading look in her eyes.
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"Ah... well, have you and your sister ever been to Yanxia before?" he asks.
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She bit her lip. "But we've gone to Gridania before when we were younger!"
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There's apology in his voice, and he gently pats her on the head. "Maybe if Zhloe ever gets the chance to go, you can go with her- and I'll meet you there when you arrive."
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She looks a little sad at that, biting her lip in that cute way. "But can you bring me a present again next time, and one for Zhloe too?"
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It's a relatively fast way to get folk things from across the world, and he's got the aether to do it, so he may as well!
"What kinds of things do you think I should bring?"
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"Speaking of Zhloe... I should check on her soon too- has she been doing well?" he asks, in the manner that very much suggests he is Concerned about her.
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Felih suddenly pauses. "You know, I don't think I've ever asked, Khloe. What's your favorite food?"
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"Oh? Well, mine is watermelon! You can't get much of it though."
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Felih had a special place in his heart for the various orphanages across the realm. He was a bleeding heart- and hey, if his line of work brought in good money, why not share it? It wasn't as if he had anything to spend it on.
"Watermelon? Wait, why can't you get much?" he asked curiously. Watermelon seems easy enough to procure... he's tempted to even help her grow some- the Orphanage could benefit from a proper garden.
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She looked up at him and added, "The best Watermelon grows in the heat, from Costa del Sol. It's too expensive to import it all the time. Especially since it could go bad on the wagon here."
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"I'll be sure to make plenty of it. As for watermelon... well, there's certainly no shortage of them in La Noscea, what with the ever-summer weather it has. I'm sure I can add a watermelon to the weekly supplies. A big sweet one- certainly enough to share."
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"Thanks! I really love watermelon so having a big one here would be the best thing in the world. Of course you need to come and eat it with us!"
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"I'm really excited for this!"
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