Pickpocket- Growth Quest Solo
Thief
Thief
Sitting at the beat-up desk in her room, Aari stared at the paper before her. An inkwell sat next to it, and the corresponding quill rested loosely between her fingers. Her heart was beating hard, but at a steady pace. Finally.. Finally, she felt that it was time to attempt establishing contact with her mother. She still had no idea if her mother was even alive, or if her old friend Frik was alive, but she was at a place now where she needed to know. She needed to find out what had happened after she had been taken. She also needed to explain what had happened on her end of events after being taken..
So many years had passed though, and the idea of the task was daunting. If Aari were to get a letter in return, would the contents be uplifting or heartbreaking? Would her mother be angry to find out she was still in Oba? Would she be happy, or sad? Would she understand why her daughter had felt compelled to remain hidden and quiet?
The possible consequences of the letter, both positive and negative, were enough to keep Aari staring at that blank piece of paper for quite a while. It was not until her maglardilla, Ginsu, crawled up onto the desk to try chewing on the fluffy end of the quill. Aari giggled and gave the strange creature an affectionate pat. Giving the creature a little food to nibble on, she sat back at the desk and nodded. So much had happened since she had left Zena... Her hope was that enough time had passed that she might be able to get the letter to her mother now without interference. She dipped the quill into the ink, took a deep breath, and started writing.
‘My dearest mother:
I do not know what your state will be when this letter finds you, but I hope that you are well enough to bear this news. I wish it were me to arrive at your doorstep rather than this letter, but I still have much to accomplish before I can return. First and foremost, know that I still love you, and I still miss you. Second, know that I am doing well. Much has changed since I last saw you; more than what the passage of time inevitably does to all. I want to cover as much as I can in this letter to begin making up for the lost time between us.
I will that I could tell you everything that has happened, but that would turn this into a book rather than a letter. I need to hold back a little for when I can finally see you again. I wish that time was now, but that cannot be. I still have so much to accomplish here, so I must continue to stay.
I am no longer living with my father. I am ashamed to say that I was complacent and quiet for many years in his home, but I have finally gotten free of that cage. Your home would be one of the first places father would search to find me, I was certain. As such, I stayed away so that you could speak the truth to whomever father sent to check on you. As much as knowing nothing is dangerous, knowing something could have been worse. After everything you have gone through already, I could not bear the thought of adding such a strain.
When I left, I went with a pair of father’s servants; though he treated them more like slaves. Jydora is a Matorian woman a few years older than I am, and Halim is her son, who is a precocious little youngling who has been through too much in his young age. Both have managed to keep their tenderness and humor through their services, and have always been dear to me in my time there. They remain with me still, precious friends and as much my family as Frik is.
..I hope the mention if Frik brings you joy rather than tears. I know as much about his condition as yours, though my last sight of him was less than pleasant. If he remains near you, please allow him to read this letter as well. It simply would not do for him to think I had forgotten about him at all.
Both of you, I hope, would be quite proud to see me as I am. Jydora and Halim brought me to a little community away from town. It is small, but everyone is close and everyone contributes to bettering the community. I feel that I am holding up my end of the chores quite well, and I end the days feeling good about what I do.
Speaking of what I do.. that is about to change a little. Up to now, I have been training. Do not worry, mother, for I have compassionate and skilled fighters training me in their ways. After the years I spent in father’s house, I can no longer stand idly by while others are mistreated and abused for the sake of another’s ego. Though there was a war long ago to end slavery here, people continue to be harassed and hurt; including youths such as Halim. I am going to help end this. I know that I am just one person, and that there is no real way to end all of the evil and hatred in the world. However, I can help; with the help of my friends and family, I can help make Oba a better place for all to live. Once I get that started, once I bring father’s reign to its end, then I will be able to see you again. This drives me to work hard every day; knowing that once I make sure we are both safe from that awful man, that I will be able to return to Zena. To home.
If you do not mind, I should think that Jydora and Halim will come with me if they are able to. I would love for you to be able to meet them.
You would also be very interested to see Ginsu. She is a very strange creature, apparently native to Jauhar. She entered my room here in Oba, absolutely dry and starved, and I tended to her until she was well. Since then, she has chosen to remain with me, and I enjoy the silent and subtly affectionate companionship. I have since learned that she is a maglardilla, and they reside high in the trees of Jauhar’s forests. I must admit a little guilt that she has few trees to climb here, but I did set up a rope netting near the ceiling of my room for her to climb around on. It is quite fun to watch her scurry around. To be honest though, I am uncertain of Ginsu’s gender. I feel that female is right though.
I love you mother, and I love you Frik, and I will see you again.
Aaricia’
Looking over the letter, Aari sighed heavily. She had rambled a little.. but most of all, she was afraid. There might be no one to receive the letter, or the eyes that read might be filled with anger... or, even worse, sadness.
Folding the parchment up, she sealed it and pressed a kiss to it. Her hands shook when she handed the letter to the messenger, but she felt a weight lift from her shoulders as well. She was no longer sitting stagnant under her father’s thumb.. and she was no longer hidden by her mother’s protection either. Aari’s chin lifted along with a smile. She could do this.
(( Word count: 1,286 ))
Conclusion: A reflection on Aari's part of what stage 2 was for her, which was training in fighting, friendship, and more personal things; and now she's ready to take her impulsive dream of being a Robin Hood-esque fighter into a tangible, helpful reality. Her goals are set, and ready to be put into motion.
There is also the big step that she feels like she's ready to contact her mother again. She was too scared and ashamed to do it before.
