“I had no idea your passion was in mining, Minfilia,” Shira said.
Minfilia invited Shira for tea after having reunited her with her adoptive mother — it was the least she could do to thank the fellow Scion. F’lhaminn had baked soft and tender tea biscuits to go with some freshly brewed tea. Shira paired this with some rolanberry jam she preserved and high-quality butter that she had kept for cooking.
“Yes, it’s a passion since my formative years,” the Antecedent beamed at Shira with her clear grey eyes, her voice light and soft. “It was not my intent to hide this from you, though there scarcely seemed to be an appropriate time to bring it up.”
F’lhaminn encouraged both of them to take time to rest. Hearing her mother be so proud of her made Minfilia more aware of how tireless the scions were working. She also realised how distant she must have seemed to the tireless warrior she sent on constant errands and missions. Not once did Shira seem to complain, though she knew that she had endured much.
She frowned. As another one blessed with the Echo, she felt she wanted to be closer to Shira, yet during their time together, she felt they grew more distant. With a hand to her breast, Minfilia confessed her apologies as sincerely as she could.
“I realise perhaps I have shared very little about myself with you. Nor you with me, doubtless due to the tasks I’ve beset upon you. I would like to correct this, now that we have some respite.”
Minfilia looked at Shira, wondering how she would take the apology. Instead, the Au Ra shook her head with a smile. Through this wordless exchange, Minfilia understood that Shira forgave her. The Antecedent smiled in relief.
Shira extended her hand. “Can I see the Tiger’s Eye that F’lhaminn gave you?”
“Of course. I have it here,” Minfilia took the gem stashed safely away in her pocket, passing the small stone to Shira. She took it in her fingers and rotated the round, smooth gemstone in the dim light of the Waking Sands, seeing its striated surface with its luminous bands. She did not think Shira would be as taken with gemstones as she was. When she passed it back into Minfilia’s possession, she had to ask.
“I understand that your vocation is in fishing, Shira. Did you have any interest in mining?”
“I did join the Mining Guild in Ul’dah. What for…” Shira put a fist on the side of her cheek as she searched her memory. After a long pause, ruminating over bites of rolanberry jam-covered tea biscuits, Shira finally remembered.
“Oh, right. I needed components for enchanted silver ink, obtained in the South Shroud by mining. I needed it to repair a faded copy of an orchestrion roll I found. Then when I managed to synthesise it with alchemy, I found out I lacked the Master Recipe to repair the other orchestrion rolls I found.”
Minfilia was astounded. This seemed almost highly impractical. “I had no knowledge you were crafting alongside adventuring. Could you not have found someone to repair it for you on the market board, or through your retainers?”
“The what? Marred Debt Horde?”
“Oh dear…” Minfilia remembered Shira was quite directionless, especially in large cities.
“One of these days though, you should come fishing with me, Minfilia. You really do get to experience the natural beauty of Eorzea, sitting still with rod in hand, listening to the sound of water, the wind in the trees and the call of animals.”
Shira spoke with a fond, captivated smile that Minfilia felt happy that she could at least find some common interest with Shira. She knew when Shira was not adventuring and at the Waking Sands, she was pouring over a hefty volume known as The Fisher’s Guide to Eorzea, among other tomes dedicated to fieldcraft and tradecraft.
“You sound like you have many fond memories of fishing. Did you fish much growing up?”
“No, not much.” Shira shrugged, taking a swig of tea before indulging in a fisherman’s tale. “It all started on my journey to Limsa Lominsa. It was the first time I was out on the open ocean. I saw fish leap up from the surface, seagulls and dolphins. Then, when I ate at the Bismarck with some friends, I tasted Ash Tuna for the first time. I was hooked on the taste! I remember thinking to myself ‘So this is what ocean fish tastes like.’”
It was true. Many esteemed nobles and patrons of the Bismarck would pay top gil to dine on the bounties of the sea, whether they were caught in La Noscea or traded from beyond.
Shira continued, embellishing her tale as best she could. “As soon as I established myself with the Marauder’s Guild, I went straight to the Lower Decks to apply to the Fisherman’s Guild. The rest is, well… as you know.”
Minfilia chuckled. “Perhaps we do need to have a fishing trip together. Rarely do I hear you speak so passionately.”
“If you can help me with mining Mythrite sand, we can then go fishing for cliones in Western Coerthas!”
Thinking of the blistering cold and sleet in Coerthas, Minfilia shook her head in horror, realising she had spoken too soon. “Pray that we find some more suitable winter clothing first before embarking on such an expedition!”
A brand-new shape in a brand-new hue, Barrie in Melon is a breath of fresh air (just like the best sort of summer day). Pair with a picnic blanket, a paperback, and a fruity snack for max deliciousness.
