Complete Private ✪ Finweald Different People, Different Priorities

[Amy]

Amy was quite annoyed today.

Things in Zalra just hadn't been getting any better, and even though Starcalled had been back in Arcia for a while now, she heard no signs of them coming to Zalra to aid the nomads or handle the Zalri or Zalrisis.

It was frustrating... Frustrating enough that Amy decided to go all the way to Finweald to get some explanations. Weren't those Lions meant to protect the people of the land? Why were they doing nothing to help her people, then?

The answer she got when asking around at their very headquarters only made her even more frustrated... "I'm sorry, but you have to understand. Our hands are full with handling the Magia." "We just don't have the resources." "I swear MIT is still researching Zalrisis and you'll be contacted as soon as a cure is found."

Excuses. All of it. All they were saying was that the people of Zalra were not a priority for them. We're on our own. Just like we always have been.

"Fine, then. You Starcalled only care about yourselves, after all. I was a fool to expect any better." Amy carefully turned around, using her cane to help her figure out when a 180° turn was done, then left their headquarters while stomping her feet, though she always moved her cane ahead first.

"Uhn... Do you need any help?" A person asked from her side.

Amy snapped back in the voice's direction, "Not the kind of help you Starcalled lot can offer, it seems!" and then proceed to walk away.

Truly a waste of time... Amy only hoped the children were fine back in Zalra. It's not like the nomads could offer many people to take care of them... Amy should have never come.

@Magnolia

 

[Magnolia]

Magnolia had her arm hooked on a basket filled with goods she had just shopped. Her master has been paying a few visits on Astorea, and while he did leave her off the hook for most of the part, Magnolia couldn't just sit back and not try to treat him with a nice dinner whenever he was done with his business through the day.

As she walked through the Capital, however, the protests of a girl caught her ears, prompting her to shift her gaze at the direction of the commotion. Whoever that girl was, she seemed rather furious, even lashing out at some passerby.

The unfriendly gazes were clear, and Magnolia approached her calmly, not failing to notice the cane or the way she moved.

"Greetings, madam." She spoke, and followed up with a quiet voice— "I don't wish to meddle, but it is unwise to act like this to the travelers. You are within a Starcalled nation, and some of them can get quite brash when hostilized."

 

[Amy]

Amy moved her head in the direction of the voice. She was about to snap at it too, but the way the woman (or at least Amy thought it was a woman, based on the voice) spoke made her stop.

Amy took a deep breath, then replied in an equally quiet voice, "Right... They not only fail to deliver on their empty promises, but they also can get hostile to those who call them out on it?" Amy tried to remember if she had ever been like this before.

No... She was not. She was never this kind of person... Only selfish people who don't value other people's lives; who think of the world around them as a game, would be like that.

They disgusted her, "Thank you for the warning, miss. I suppose this trip was not only a waste of time, but also one that needlessly endangered myself." Amy sighed, "But if I may ask? What brings you to such lands? I am afraid news don't travel particularly fast to my home in Zalra, but last I heard of it, the Starcalled had once again proven that they only care for themselves," like they proved to Amy in this trip, "so everyone just left this country for good.

"I did not expect to find anyone that actually cared about people here." And if she did, she thought it would just be one of the very rare Starcalled that seemed to understand people's lives actually mattered... A naive thought, it seems. That kind seems to be way too rare, after all.

Then, Amy tapped her cane to her left and right a few times, "And perhaps we should move places? I believe we might be in the middle of the road right now."

@Magnolia

 

[Magnolia]

Magnolia didn't falter at the girl's initial reaction. Thankfully things didn't get heated up, and the girl seemed to notice that there was no necessity of clashing.

"It is all a matter of how one present their opinion, madam." Magnolia said, but didn't push much to not sound like she was criticizing her. She had her reasons to be upset, and the mention of Zalra did make Magnolia ponder about it. Truth be told, she never had a lot of connection with that place— And if the Starcalled wanted very little to do with Zalra, the Landers wanted much less.

"Of course, madam. As for my stay in Finweald, I'm doing nothing but serving my master while he is travelling in Astorea for business. I did hear about the disaster that occurred here, it truly is a destruction that has nearly no precedents, if it wasn't for the Titanus incident." Her gaze narrowed, albeit still devoid of expressions.

"Ah. Of course. May I assist you, madam?" Magnolia asked, offering her free arm, while still hanging a basket with her other arm.

 

[Amy]

"Amy." Amy mentioned after she was referred to as 'madam' again... She just didn't comfortable with being referred to like that. She was not important enough to deserve it. She was just a dead weight that the other nomads took in. A dead weight that was trying to make herself useful... She was not worthy of being referred to as 'madam'. "Your name, if I may ask?"

Though hearing the miss' explanation made Amy feel weird... Serving one's master... Once upon a time, Amy actually considered taking this kind of life for herself. Before she really understood how Faerin were viewed in Arcia. Before she realized what kind of life she'd have by living under the rule of the nobles of Falderen.

Perhaps that was luck in its own way though. Had she not been a Faerin, she wouldn't have found the family she has now with the other nomads in Zalra. Losing her eyes was a small price to pay for that.

Still, she felt a sense of camaraderie with this woman who was living the life she once considered for herself, "A master... It is certainly hard work to live under the rule of one. I hope you're proud of the life you have chosen for yourself." And she hoped that her master was someone who treated her well, but she decided to leave that unsaid. Better to not ask people about the things outside of their control, it could cause them unnecessary pain.

"It was that bad?" The word 'Titanus' caught Amy's attention. It was a name she hadn't heard in many years. And one she absolutely did not wish to hear on this kind of topic.

What kind of madness went through those people heads to cause a disaster as humongous as Titanus'? Were the Starcalled truly insane? Was their return not a promise of a better future, but a herald of a disaster?

Amy uttered a silent prayer to Rhiannon, hoping that her worries were unfounded. That the maid she was talking to had simply heard some exaggerated tales from people that didn't know any better. Whatever disaster they had caused that made everyone give up on living in Astorea, it better not be bad enough to be comparable to Titanus... For not only the Starcalled's own sake, but for everyone else's too. We had already lost enough as is.

"Assist? How so?" Amy tilted her head ever so slightly. She didn't feel any need to distrust this person at the moment, so she wouldn't mind assistance, but she had to know what the other person had in mind before giving a proper answer.

@Magnolia

 

[Magnolia]

"Madam Amy." Magnolia bowed to @Amy. "It is a pleasure. My name is Magnolia." She introduced herself, and while she couldn't notice the weird feelings the other girl was getting from her reveal, Magnolia did understand it probably sounded weird to someone that couldn't see her. It could be interpreted in many ways, so she decided to elaborate:

"It is hard work sometimes, but being a maid for my master is satisfying. He has helped me a lot, and it is only natural I want to help him as well." Magnolia pondered for a moment, trying to catch the things that were spoken about the incident.

"Apparently. A strange ship, that flies, mind you the absurdity, has fell on the old capital of Astorea and destroyed it, letting out a lot of creatures called 'magia', and making it a wasteland. These magia eventually attacked this new capital, Finweald, and caused plenty of destruction. I am not sure about the details, but that's how it was."

When questioned about the assistance, Magnolia cleared her throat. "My apologies. I mean if it would be helpful for someone to guide you. Or also, if you need any kind of help. I'm free from my duties for a while, so I could escort you for any business you may have."

 

[Amy]

Seems like Amy wasn't clear enough... She held back a sigh before replying, "Just Amy is fine. Someone like me isn't worthy of being referred to as 'madam'." Amy elaborated, "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, miss Magnolia."

Amy smiled as she heard Magnolia's next words, "I feel the same way with my family in Zalra. They did far more for me than I deserved, and I want to do everything I can for them as well." A similar person in completely different circumstances. Or perhaps their circumstances were similar, but they were actually quite different, Amy didn't have a way of knowing... For now, she was just happy to meet someone she could relate to like that. It was quite the rare occurrence, so she wanted to enjoy this chance meeting.

The explanation of the recent incident was absolutely baffling though. A flying ship. Creatures she had never heard of before today, and having not only one, but two capitals of the Starcalled Nation destroyed... "Well, I suppose this certainly would make the Stacalled busy." It didn't mean Amy forgave them for ignoring her people's needs though. Especially because this clearly wasn't the whole story. Whatever it was that happened here, was enough to make people resent those Starcalled and leave... It wasn't just an attack from outside forces, "Say, do you know what those Magias are like? I am afraid I have never met one before." And to the best of her knowledge, they didn't exist back when she still had eyes, "Were they creatures created by the Starcalled perchance?" Only to rebel against their very creators... Considering how selfish most Starcalled were, it didn't seem unlikely to happen.

... Amy really didn't understand how hard it could be to care for the people of Arcia. To care for those who live in the world that they came here to play in.

Amy was once again caught in her memories. Wondering about her past... She may have not paid as much attention as she should have to the people who lived here, but she certainly didn't ignore anyone's call for help. Or the fact that everyone here was as real as the people back on Earth.

... She really didn't get how the Starcalled could be that selfish... Though she figured it didn't really matter. She and her people would just continue living in the same way they have been so far, then. With, or without Starcalled help.

"Oh, guidance. That would be appreciated." Amy lifted her free hand up. She may not know how tall the woman was, but her voice was obviously coming from above. And while her memories of how big was the height difference between her and non-faerins, she still remembered enough to understand she'd probably need to hold her hand up if they were to hold hands, "I don't have any business in particular anymore." Since her trip to the Lions' headquarters was a complete waste of time, "But I'd like to buy some souvenirs... Do you happen to know of any store that sells things for children?" Amy's money was limited, but it should be enough to buy a few toys at least.

@Magnolia

 

[Magnolia]

Magnolia looked at @Amy, and after a mild internal conflict, she nodded. "Amy." She echoed, carefully taking the faerin's hand. The hold was very gentle and careful, almost as if Magnolia was trying to hold something that would break if she held too tight, but at the same time it was firm and secure, perhaps for the same reason: If it fell off her hands, it would break on the ground.

"Hopefully you can meet the expectations you have regarding helping your family." Magnolia said, with her gaze shifting to the lingering scars the city had on their buildings. "I haven't met the 'monstrous' magias, but I have met Starcalled that are magias themselves." She explained.

"I heavily doubt the magias are creations of the Starcalled. They may bear an intriguing creativity, but I would be more inclined to believe they could create flying ships than independent and self-sustainable golems that mimic humanoids to perfection."

Inquired about stores for children, Magnolia gave it a thought— "Many stores have been destroyed or closed. But I know a man that may suffice your needs."

 

[Amy]

Amy appreciated having her hand held like that. She enjoyed having her own independence, but it was undeniable that it was much easier to move around with someone by her side. She could feel much more at ease like this.

Then, Amy smiled at Magnolia's words. Both at her dropping the 'madam' title, and at the words regarding her family, "Hopefully so." Saving her life. Stopping her from becoming Zalri. Taking her in when she had nowhere to go. Protecting and feeding her when she was essentially a dead weight to the nomads... There's no way she could ever repay any of that.

Though Amy was still going to keep trying. Eternally indebted or not, she was still willing to do anything and everything for her family.

After that though, Amy stayed silent as Magnolia elaborated on the Magias. Waiting until she was finished with her explanation, "Independent self-sustained golems that mimic humans to perfection... I certainly can't even imagine how anyone would be able to create that." Amy didn't remember that much about Earth by now, but some general knowledge was still on her head... And when trying to think of what little she knew of robotics back when she stopped being a 'player' and became someone who lived in Arcia, she really couldn't imagine anyone from Earth coming up with a way to make golems that mimicked humans to perfection; unless they were somehow some sort of undiscovered genius programmer that could essentially do miracles... Essentially, a Terrasphere programmer.

However, Amy seriously doubted that Arcia was a part of a computer program. She would never believe it. Her life and her family's lives were not lies. They were not a bunch of 1s and 0s in a program. They were alive. They were living, and they were going to continue living as such... Amy did not know what gods brought the Starcalled to Arcia, but she firmly believed it to be only possible due to divine intervention.

"I suppose I agree with you. It would be much more likely to have the Starcalled develop a flying ship than for them to develop those Magia... People." She almost said the word 'things', but she stopped herself. If they were able to mimic humans to perfection, then they were alive. They were people, and deserved to be treated as such. Nobody without a soul would be able to behave like that, after all.

"I can only wonder what the Starcalled did to be on the receiving end of this much anger though..." Even if Amy despised the Starcalled, she would never actively attack them, nor did any of the nomads have any intention to do so.

Regardless of how selfish they were, and of how little they cared for the world and its people, Starcalled were still called here by the gods. They were the agents of change, the ones who should make Arcia a better place. There was no reason to fight them... Or at least, Amy couldn't think of a reason for it.

"... The Starcalled must have done something really bad to the Magia." Amy concluded with a sigh.

She figured there wasn't much point in dwelling on a topic she knew nothing about, and that Magnolia did not seem to be very knowledgeable on either though, so Amy decided to pay more attention to the next topic at hand, "If you could guide me to this merchant, it would be greatly appreciated.

"And well, I cannot do much myself, but if you need help with anything, please feel free to count on me too." Amy added with a smile. She really didn't believe she was able to help Magnolia at all, but... Magnolia was already doing Amy a favor by showing her around, so she wanted to try retributing the favor if she could.

@Magnolia

 

[Magnolia]

"Would the gods even accept such a thing to happen?" Magnolia mused. She wasn't particularly fond to gods, she only respected them. The stories told plenty about them meddling with mundane matters, at least to a certain point... And the divine power some individuals channeled was undeniably a hint that those powerful entities were more than ready to interfere with mortal affairs.

Still, @Amy's following words caught Magnolia's attention. The small woman's behavior made it clear since the start, but her inclination to put the Starcalled on the wrong again poked her curiosity. "You truly loathe the travelers, Amy." Magnolia said, but her voice was quiet, almost secretive when matching her emotionless tone.

"Have they wronged you?" The hold became briefly tighter, but in a reassuring way.

The return of the kindness prompted a brief grateful response from Magnolia while she let Amy voice her opinion regarding the Starcalled matter as she guided her to the man that hopefully could help with the faerin's needs.

As soon as she reached the door, and was sure that Amy was done with any private topic, she knocked it a couple times.

It would take a moment, but soon a young man would show up on the door, opening it and taking a moment to process who was it. A grumpy greeting was almost what the duo received, but soon the man blinked a couple times, perking up as soon as he noticed who it was.

"Oh! If it isn't Magnolia, and... Hm? Is that..."

He frowned for a couple seconds before a grin crossed his lips.

"My my! Congratulations! It seems like the love between a servant and their master finally bore fruits. She is so tall too, you should've told me that you and master Trevor—"

"Cease with the jest, sir Henry. I'm just escorting this fair lady through the capital." Magnolia interrupted flatly, uncertain if she felt embarrassed for the man calling a full grown woman a child, or for the implications the man was pushing at her.

"Amy, this is sir Henry. A toymaker and puppet master as well."

 

[Amy]

"The gods are many. And their desires do not always match. Lady Rhiannon offered her own life for our sake; for the sake of her children.

"On the other hand, Zalrea manipulates her children's minds and turns them into monsters who only wish to worship her and spread her wicked crystals everywhere in Arcia.

"They may be much higher beings than us, but gods are still similar to us in some regards. They are by no means unified... And considering Zalrea can act freely back at home, it seems like most gods don't care to intervene too much on what the others do... Unless it's something that personally bothers them, of course. Like lady Rhiannon's sacrifice." Amy honestly didn't like thinking too much about it... She did not want to hate the other gods, but it was hard to not do it when considering what they did to lady Rhiannon.

She heard the preachings. She tried to acknowledge that there must have been a higher motive beyond her understanding that led them to mutilate lady Rhiannon... But accepting that was much easier said than done.

So, Amy sighed, tried to push the thoughts away from her mind, and instead focused on concluding her line of thought, "All that to say, it would only take one god granting its blessings, and all sorts of previously impossible things might become trivial. I believe it's not really possible to rely on the gods to stop others from doing us harm." Or to create things that would bring us harm, "It's better to pray to them for guidance instead, so that they can lead us the right path, and make sure we find our own road to safety and happiness." Amy smiled a bit, turning her head in Magnolia's general direction, "Or at least, that's what I pray for each day to lady Rhiannon."

The statement about Amy's feelings over the Starcalled Travelers almost made her pause for a bit. The only reason she didn't was because she was being led by Magnolia, and a sudden halt could have been troublesome for them, "Wronged me...? In a way yes, but in another no.

"I have not been actively harmed by any Starcalled, if that is what you were asking... They just frustrate me. In far too many ways.

"I believe the gods brought the Starcalled to Arcia. I believe it was a divine blessing to have semi-immortal people, with the potential to have their power grow far faster than anybody should normally be able to manage, be brought here. I believe they were meant to be our saviors. I believe they were supposed to do what was not possible for us, to face threats that nobody who fears death would ever willingly stand up against.

"... And yet, what do they do with their divine blessing? They make a country. They worry about land and taxes. They search for a way to bring back the dead of their own world. Ignoring the blessings they have here, and instead focusing entirely on a world whose gods seem to have abandoned them.

"I can't help wondering... Why? Why are they like this? Why can't they properly make a change here for the people who actually need them? Why can't they use their blessing right? Why can't they fulfill their duty?

"It just frustrates me so much..." Amy clenched the fist that held her cane a bit, "I have lost so many family members over the years in Zalra. I lost my eyes to Zalrisis... And what were the Starcalled doing this whole time?

"I understand they had their hands full managing a whole country after the Day of Disappearance. They couldn't simply abandon the people living there once they had already made the mistake of creating Astorea in the first place... But what have they done for the other people who needed them over all those years? How many of their resources were wasted in this search for a miraculous way to revive the dead that could be spent somewhere else? That could actually be saving lives of people who actually have a chance...?" Amy's glass-filled eye sockets started getting a bit wet, "If only they weren't foolish enough to forget the finality of death with the blessings they received, maybe my family would be much safer now than it currently is."

Amy heaved a sigh, before wiping out her tears with her cane-holding hand, "That is why I loathe them, miss Magnolia. I loathe them for wasting their divine blessing. For not heeding their divine call, and instead spending their time on pointless matters. For only caring about their own world and its people, without acknowledging how meaningful life is here in Arcia."

In a way, Amy also loathed her past self when she thought about it... What did she do before, back when she was still a Starcalled? She played. She didn't care... She wasted the lives that lady Rhiannon gave her, until she became too scared to die, and instead relied on the protection of others. Being a complete deadweight that only drained resources of the orphanage.

She changed though. She now tried to do what she could for her family. She wanted to help them, just like they helped her... And yet, those Starcalled showed no signs of changing. Day after day, they waste their blessings like they don't matter... It truly frustrates Amy to no end.

----- // -----

When Magnolia stopped moving and knocked on a door, Amy realized they had arrived, so she stopped walking and waited until she heard the door open.

Once the door did open though... Amy could not believe the words she had just heard. It took her a few seconds to process them.

Magnolia's words were what took her out of her stupor, "Right... Of course, a toymaker..." Amy took a deep breath, "I assume his skills with his hands are better than his eyesight? Because I don't need to have eyes to know I look too old to be a recently-born-child." Amy moved her cane around a bit, searching for the door, and after finding it, she made a quick stronger swing at where she assumed the man's leg would be at, "Oh, my apologies. This cane is harder to control than it seems... May I browse your wares? I need a few toys that are suitable enough for children's hands, yet robust enough to not let outside particles infiltrate them.

"Anything with fluffy fur is out of the equation, and so is any other sort of material that would let stray particles undetectably glue to it. Do you have anything that might suit my needs?"

@Magnolia

 

[Magnolia]

Magnolia didn't interrupt @Amy at any moment, letting the woman speak and tell her point of view, which at some point it felt like she was venting. Whether Magnolia agreed or disagreed with each word Amy spoke, it was impossible to know. The maid didn't voice her opinion, not now. Sometimes all one needed to do was to listen and to let someone say everything they wished.

Even if some words stung deep in Magnolia's heart.

The only response Magnolia gave was a handkerchief she had in her pockets, hoping it would be enough for the faerin to wipe her incoming tears properly.

---

"OW—!"

The man hissed feeling the hit on his leg, rubbing his leg but at the end of the day, taking it with good sport regardless.

"Of course... Of course... Well! I do have what you need, miss! It is all a matter of what exactly you want. Joint puppets? Wooden carved dolls? I have puzzle games too, I've made them myself."

He bowed like an artist, proud of his work and gesturing for the faerin to see it.

Magnolia looked at him for a couple seconds, shaking her head a couple times until he realized what he was doing, clearing his throat.

"Ah, if you want to feel one of them... Here. And you are free to browse around with miss Magnolia too."

Henry handed Amy a small wooden jointed doll. Its clothes felt like actual clothes, comfortable to the touch, just like the smooth wood skin the doll wore. The eyes were glass-like, and the details of the joints were so big that one could feel its tiny fingers bending to the slightest of the movements.

"Is this what you are looking for?" Magnolia wondered, ready to guide Amy closer to the shelves crowded with other toys if the faerin needed.

 

[Amy]

Magnolia was a bit startled by the feeling of something silky touching her skin, but she realized it was a handkerchief after the short moment of surprise, so she thanked Magnolia and used it to properly wipe her tears.

---

Amy stayed silent as the man talked about his products. She was happy that he seemed to instantly give an affirmative answer to her request though. She understood it wasn't exactly a common request, so she was unsure if she'd find anything.

At the offer of feeling the doll, Amy hanged the cane on her arm, let go of Magnolia's hand, nodded, and stretched her hands forward, "Please."

Amy's hands went over the doll for a bit, before she smiled, "This one will do.

"No puzzle games though. Too hard for me to play with the children, too easy to lose pieces, too much risk of a random piece getting infected." Amy was honestly surprised to hear that puzzle games were actually sold in stores though. Perhaps it was something that the shop owner heard about from the Starcalled, it would make sense when considering where they were.

Maybe in a distant future, the kids will be able to play with something like it. Once a cure to Zalrisis is found. Amy most likely won't be able to play with them, but she'll be pretty happy if they can have the chance to play in a truly safe environment.

To Magnolia's words, Amy smiled, "Yes. Exactly this kind of thing. The children don't have much to play with, so I'd like to give them something that can last." Because most toys tend to have some easy infection route, and before they noticed it, the crystals had already taken it over, so the infected toy had to be quickly disposed of.

It was a shame that she couldn't give anything fluffier to the kids, but those were also too dangerous. A wooden doll felt just right.

Holding the doll with one of her hands, Amy moved her other hand around a bit, until she found Magnolia's hand, which, luckily enough, wasn't too hard to find, as they had hardly moved since they last held hands, "Let's browse some others like this one, miss Magnolia.

"And perhaps there is something here that you or your master might want as well? Depending on the price, I might be able to afford giving you a gift." Amy's smile was sincere. This was easily the happiest she had been since she arrived in Astorea. Just imagining the children's happy voices when receiving the gift was enough to get rid of the foul mood that she was put in after entering this useless country.

@Magnolia

 

[Magnolia]

At @Amy's approval, the toymaker chirped happily as he clasped his hands together.

"Ah! Spendid! I'm so happy you've liked it! But if puzzles are too much, we have simpler toys by your right~"

The voice of the man was lively, but not in a way a merchant being eager for a business. Instead, it almost felt like he was having fun with the idea of his toys being exactly what they needed.

Magnolia glanced toward the direction Henry spoke of, and she gently tugged Amy's hand, guiding her.

"The company is enough, Amy. And master Trevor isn't easily fazed by anything but magic artifacts and mysterious phenomenon." Magnolia admitted, looking at Amy's sincere smile for a couple seconds before approaching the shelves.

There was many other toys over the shelves, including spinning tops of all types and a box with wooden blocks of many shapes that could be piled up to 'build' anything. Slingshots and wooden decorations were there as well, though one could be used as a weapon and the other wasn't necessarily for playing.

The maid picked up some of them, carefully handing each of them to Amy, letting the faerin decide what felt better.

 

[Amy]

Amy was honestly surprised at the toymaker's words, or rather, by the voice behind it... It seemed to be emanating genuine happiness. Something she absolutely did not expect of any shopkeeper. It seemed like he truly was the kind of person who took real pride in his work.

Magnolia's reply caught Amy's interest though, "Magic artifacts I can certainly understand, but... Mysterious phenomenon? Lord Trevor certainly seems like an interesting person." Amy hadn't asked if Magnolia's master was a noble, but she figured only a noble would be capable of being someone's master, so she went with the 'lord' title, "I would like to hear more about him, if you have the time and willingness."

Either way, Amy was led by Magnolia to the shelves and touched a few toys that were offered by Magnolia. Some brought a bigger smile to her face. Some made her remember her own childhood back when she still lived in Earth, and some... Sadly seemed unfitting.

"This top is something the kids would probably enjoy, but I worry about it raising crystallized dust... It's probably better to not get it." Amy remembered this one from her own childhood. She never understood how to make it work, but perhaps the children would be able to handle it better than she could... Perhaps in a distant future though, when things are better.

The wooden blocks though... They were probably more expensive than Amy would like, but... It also seemed wonderful. As long as the children were careful with properly removing any dust from pieces before storing them away, this could work. That, and not running after any piece in case one was lost. Amy would have to make sure to tell them that a lost piece was lost. They couldn't endanger themselves searching for anything in the middle of Zalra's crystals.

Amy smiled again as she made her decision, "I'll take this one, and three dolls that are like the one you first showed me." Amy then used her free hand, which still had her cane hanging by its arm, to grab a coin pouch from her pocket, so that she could pay for the toys.

@Magnolia

 

[Magnolia]

Magnolia nodded. "And he truly is. The first thing he wanted to do upon the news of the magia attack in Finweald, was to come here and see what had happened with his own eyes." She explained, and didn't really interrupted the way of Amy to refer her master, especially because she asked Magnolia to talk more about him, which prompted the maid to grasp the hand of the faerin with both of her hands, and leaning in so close it was possible to feel her breathing.

"You want to? I can tell you for sure. You can even meet him, if he comes to the inn we are staying." She said.

At the mention of the tops being able to lift the dust, Magnolia leaned away, nodding quietly and waiting for @Amy to pay for the toys. As the toymaker received the payment, he looked at the faerin woman for a moment with a pondering smile on his lips.

"Here you go missy. But tell me, tell me. Are you planning to stay for the day in Finweald? I've heard you talking about Zalra, and it is sure a travel from there to here, I am sure you need to prepare for your trip back~"

He placed the toys in a bag, neatly organized in it to not break any of them, even if they looked rather durable.

"I would like you to pass by here before you leave, if you would."

 

[Amy]

Lord Trevor did not seem to be a man that takes very good care of his health if he wanted to come to Finweald after the Magia attack, but Amy decided to not comment on it. After all...

Amy was surprised at Magnolia's reaction. Amy was fairly sure this was the first time Magnolia showed signs of being excited about anything... It made Amy happy. Seems like Magnolia doesn't have many chances of speaking about her master, and... Well, Amy can certainly understand the desire to talk about the people she cared for.

So, Amy smiled as she felt her hand being held by both of Magnolia's and... Some hot air hit her hand? Amy was a bit unsure of what to take of that, but... "Of course. I wouldn't have said I wanted to know more otherwise.

"And it would be my pleasure to meet him at that inn if you two are okay with my company. Although..." Amy chuckled, "You do not need to kiss my hand for that, miss Magnolia."

Then, Amy finished her transaction with the toymaker. Carefully counting each coin with practiced movements before delivering them, and hanging the toy bag on her arm, before getting back to holding her trusty walking cane with her hand.

"Pass by here? What for? I don't particularly mind doing it myself, but I am afraid I won't be able to find your store on my own. Is this place well-known perchance? I should be able to find my way back here if I ask for information along the way." It was left unsaid, but she had no intention of taking more of Magnolia's time by asking her to guide Amy here again before she left.

"As for staying the day here in Finweald... That has yet to be decided." Amy told him. She had already finished her business, and while it was incredibly fruitless, she did manage to get some nice souvenirs for the children, even if that made her coin bag quite light.

So, she had planned on starting the trip back right away, but... Perhaps she might delay that. Amy certainly hadn't expected to find someone she could relate to in the middle of the Starcalled country, so she felt like she ought to make the most of the occasion.

@Magnolia

 

[Magnolia]

Magnolia blinked at @Amy's statement, and she shook her head. "My apologies, Amy. I've just got briefly excited and I overdid. I will be more mindful of your personal space." Even if she knew the faerin was just jesting, Magnolia had to make sure she wouldn't feel uncomfortable having her around.

Upon the answer to the toymaker, Magnolia affirmed: "As long as you don't stay for a month, I can accompany you through all your stay in Finweald." She didn't get any side job this time, mostly because she wished to cooldown for once. The bad part is that she completely forgot how monotone and lonely it could get.

"Ah, even if you don't have miss Magnolia with you, you should be fine, miss Amy. My shop is well known, ask anyone and they should know. It is just that I may have something that would be good for you, but I do not have it with me right now."

 

[Amy]

Amy felt a bit troubled at Magnolia's statement... It seemed like her joke flew over the other woman's head, even if she didn't know how to make it clearer that she was jesting, "You do not need to apologize. I was just joking.

"Besides, I was happy to hear you suddenly get excited about something." Amy smiled as she said all this. When unsure of how to handle a situation, being honest was just the best way to go about it, or so she believed.

"A month? Dear me, I am not planning on staying for such a long amount of time. I do not want to stay away from my family for any longer than necessary, and this trip already took long enough as is." Amy answered honestly, "Though I appreciate the offer for aid, miss Magnolia. I'll take you up on your kindness if you don't mind it." Amy really disliked being a bother, and she honestly didn't understand why Magnolia was going out of her way to help her, but... She decided to accept it if the other woman was offering it.

Perhaps it was as simple as what Amy had been feeling since they first started talking... She just enjoyed the other's company.

"Something for me...?" Amy asked... She didn't quite like the vagueness of his words, but... If she was going to come here accompanied, there wasn't much to fear. She may have not known Magnolia for long, but she doubted the other woman was trying to lure her into a trap... Especially because now would be the perfect time for it if that was really her intention, and nothing had happened so far, so it should be fine, "I suppose I can come back here again to find out what is your mysterious surprise for me." Amy decided.

"Well then, thank you for your business." Amy gave the toymaker a small curtsy, then turned her head to Magnolia's direction, "So, shall we? I'm looking forward to meeting lord Trevor now."

@Magnolia

 

[Magnolia]

Magnolia bowed her head. "I see. My apologies for not understanding your joke." It was hard to distinguish in her voice (and her face) if the response was a joke, or if she was actually apologizing. The maid averted her face for a moment, pondering.

"I see" She muttered, then looking at @Amy. "It is rare for me to talk about him to anyone else. So it is intriguing to hear someone wanting to listen about him."

With another bow, Magnolia took the faerin's hand. "Of course. I will do my best to aid you, Amy."

The man watched the scene with an amused expression, and at the suspicious tone coming at him, he could only chuckle, handwaving—

"It is less of a mysterious surprise, and more of an 'in case I can't get it, I won't disappoint you', heh." He shrugged. "But we can also consider it a surprise. I like surprises."

After a goodbye, Magnolia guided Amy out of the toy workshop, once again meeting the streets of the capital and moving toward the inn.

"Do you happen to be hungry? As soon as we get there, I can order something for my room so we can talk over something pleasing to eat."