Seeking a New Path
Volenna and Jin enjoy drinks late into the night while discussing Sara's growth. Volenna is happy at Sara's quick growth, but Sara's growing independence causes her to worry that she is losing her place as Sara's guardian. Hearing this, Jin advises her to try to find a new hobby.
A gentle late-evening breeze blows over the deck of the Grandcypher as she sits in port.
Though the island she's docked at is home to a rather prosperous city, it is in one of her cabins that two adults are preparing to share a drink.
Volenna: All right, I'm done. I reheated the leftovers from dinner and stir-fried some mushrooms and clams.
Jin: My, that looks delicious!
Jin: As I always say, the ease and speed with which you prepare such excellent food astonishes me, Volenna.
Volenna: And as I always say, this is hardly anything impressive. Now enough of that, let's get to drinking.
Every so often Volenna meets Jin for drinks after Sara goes to sleep, for one purpose and one purpose only.
Volenna: Sara helped out with a monster hunting job again the other day and really pulled her weight too. It's shocking how fast she's growing up.
Jin: Indeed. I too am taken aback by the way she becomes more mature every day.
Jin: I've noticed quite the reassuring change in her temperament too. She smiles much more than she used to.
Volenna: Yes, you're right about that too. It's all thanks to (Captain) and the rest of the crew.
Jin: Indeed, they've been vital in all this, as have you.
Jin: And I'd like to believe that I've provided some positive influence myself.
Volenna: Humph, you can be sure about that.
Volenna: I can't be thankful enough for all of the good examples Sara has to look up to in this crew.
Volenna: Although there are some members who make for exceptionally poor role models... Well, I just have to make sure that Sara isn't influenced by them.
Jin: I'm not sure you need be all that concerned. This ship is a good environment for her. There are a lot of younger people here, some even fairly close to her age.
Volenna: That's true. It's wonderful to have her in a place where she's free of Manawydan's floods and people who want to use her.
By the time the pair down about half the bottle, Volenna always starts to become more talkative.
Volenna: She combed my hair for me today. She wasn't very good at it, but that just made it cuter...
Jin: You don't say? Isn't that nice, Volenna. Even in my mind's eye, the scene warms my heart.
Jin: Sara is a kind child, and attentive as well. Just the other day, she became worried that my hands were too dry and gave me some ointment for them.
Volenna: What?
Volenna: Don't tell me that you're talking about her new favorite hand salve that we found on the last island?
Volenna: She had already given me some, but I guess she was sharing it with you too...
Jin: It has a strong, fruity scent, very befitting of her. I'll need to give her something in return later.
Volenna: Just for the record, what exactly are you thinking of? Something age-appropriate, I hope.
Jin: Ah, so you'll be determining what's up to snuff then?
Volenna: It's just a precaution. I wouldn't want her to be given something sharp and hurt herself.
Jin: That seems a bit overprotective to me... Though at least I can be sure that you won't let any harm come to her.
Volenna: Of course I won't. Otherwise, what would be the point of me?
Jin: Hm...
Jin: By the way, Volenna. It seems to me that you're devoting all of your time and attention to Sara.
Jin: Is there nothing else that you're interested in? Do you have any hobbies, for instance?
Volenna: Hobbies, huh? I suppose that I have one, more or less. I used to kill time solving puzzles.
Jin: Puzzles, you say?
Volenna: They're more worthwhile than you might think. They let you organize your thoughts and can help strengthen your ability to concentrate.
Jin: You call it your hobby, but I can't say that I've ever seen you doing such a thing.
Volenna: Well, you know how busy things have been ever since trouble first started on Sable Island. I haven't even bought any recently.
Jin: Surely you have more time to spare now that we're living on the Grandcypher. Why not spend some of it indulging in old habits?
Volenna: I... suppose you might be right. On the other hand, taking care of Sara is just more satisfying than messing with puzzles ever was.
Jin: That seems somewhat concerning to me.
Jin: I may just be overthinking it, but it's important that Sara not lose the opportunity to gain experience and learn things independently.
Jin: And I'm sure you know that it would do no one any good for you to become dependent on her.
Volenna: Humph, of course I do.
Volenna: Sara grew up in a cruel environment, tormented by a fate few can claim to have faced.
Volenna: Thanks to that, you could say that she's more mature than most children her age are.
Volenna: However, she's still only nine years old. She still needs me. Though I suppose that might just be what I want to believe.
Jin: ...
Volenna rejoices at Sara's growth while still believing her charge to be reliant on her. However, she would soon find that conviction challenged.
Volenna: Sara, look out!
Sara: Graphos, take care of it!
Graphos: ...!
Sara: Wow, good job Graphos!
Volenna: S-Sara! Are you alright?
Sara: Of course!
Volenna: I see... Good work, both of you.
Sara: Volenna, I'm going outside with Lyria!
Volenna: Hold on, it'll start getting chilly out there soon. Here, wear this shawl.
Sara: It's fine, we'll come back before it gets cold!
Sara: See you later!
Volenna: Sara?
Volenna: I heard that these fish have lots of bones. Let me—
Sara: Look, Volenna! I got them all out!
Volenna: ...!
Volenna: Ah... Good job, Sara. Right, I suppose you're dexterous enough to not need my help.
Volenna: She doesn't need my help!
Volenna: As much as I hate to admit it, Jin might have been right. I seem to have misjudged Sara's growth.
Volenna: She's matured so much that she doesn't really need me watching over her.
Volenna: It's a good thing, no doubt, but...
Volenna: I can't seem to decide whether to feel proud or lonely...
Volenna: ...
Volenna: Dependent, huh...
Volenna: This will only get worse unless I find something to occupy myself with, won't it?
Realizing that she has been standing listlessly for far too long, Volenna pushes herself to take action.
She opens a box and begins rummaging through the personal effects within.
Volenna: There it is.
Volenna: Ha, I certainly haven't seen one of these in a while. This should keep me entertained.
However...
Volenna: ...
That's odd. Never mind entertaining me, it can't even hold my attention.
Volenna: Nor is it giving me the opportunity to organize my thoughts. My mind is just flittering between random memories of Sara.
Volenna: ...
Argh!
Volenna: I should just go get some exercise!
Volenna: I'll go find that chronically unoccupied samurai and have him spar with me.
Volenna: Jin! Come train with me for a bit!
Jin: Ah, Volenna. That came out of the blue, but I have no objection.
Lyria: Hello, Volenna!
Volenna: Good, you're here too. Come join us, (Captain).
Jin: Oh? You seem somewhat perturbed, Volenna. What happened?
Volenna: Humph, nothing much. I just tried my hand at a puzzle for the first time in a while and didn't find it interesting.
Jin: You've lost interest in your hobby? It sounds like you have it worse than I thought.
Volenna: Yeah. But a little exercise is bound to clear my head, right?
Jin: No, I'd advise against that. You're likely to hurt yourself sparring while so distracted.
Jin: How about taking a step into a new world, Volenna?
Volenna: A new world?
Vyrn: What's this guy even talking about?
Jin: When I started on the path of fishing, the joy of it changed my world.
Jin: Why not try to find something that delights you like fishing delights me?
Volenna: Hm... You have a point.
Volenna: All right then, I'll head into town and see what I can find.
Volenna: If you all have time to spare, you're welcome to come with me.
Vyrn: Yeah, that sounds fun. Count us in!
Fortunately enough, the Grandcypher is docked at a city, with easy access to its most bustling districts.
The group bids Jin farewell as they make their way into town.
Vocation
Volenna and the crew try out various workshops in the city in order to find her a new hobby. Volenna's skill at various crafts astounds the instructors, until she tries her hand at weaving. There, Volenna is told by the shopkeeper that she has no talent for creating new patterns.
Hoping to help Volenna find a new hobby, (Captain), Vyrn, and Lyria are with her in a prosperous city that they happen to be docked at.
Currently, they're seated at a downtown diner planning their next step.
Vyrn: So where exactly do you go to find a hobby?
Lyria: I know that we're already here, but maybe asking around on the ship would be the best place to start?
Volenna: We can do that anytime. We happen to be in a city, and in cities you can find...
Volenna: Those things!
Volenna points to a message board set up in the corner of the room.
Vyrn: Oh, is that one of the things that have job postings and advertisements that you sometimes see in places like these?
Lyria: "Monster Slayers Needed," "Roof Repair Needed," "Pet Walker Available"... Oh, and "Waiters Needed" too.
Vyrn: What's that got to do with hobb—Hm?
Vyrn: "Assorted Workshops"... This must be it!
Volenna: That's right. They have quite the selection.
Volenna: Calligraphy, tea brewing, knitting, weaving, painting...
Volenna: "Airship Piloting Instruction," "Boating for Dummies," "My First Speedship Race"...
Volenna: Hmm...
Vyrn: What do you think, Volenna?
Volenna: There sure are a lot of options... Well, there's no sense wasting time thinking, we'll just start at the top and work our way down!
Vyrn: Huh?
Volenna: To the calligraphy workshop!
Calligraphy Teacher: Right then, has everyone finished? Just write however seems natural to you.
Calligraphy Teacher: Now, I'll show you how... Oh?
Volenna: Humph, that should do it.
Lyria: Wow, your writing is so neat and pretty, Volenna!
Vyrn: I think it might be reflecting your orderly personality.
Calligraphy Teacher: My my my, what beautiful penwork. I don't think there's anything that I can teach you.
Lyria: So this is where we can learn to make better tea!
Volenna: Yeah, hopefully I'll learn how to perfect the stuff I brew for Sara.
Volenna's hope was short-lived.
Tea Instructor: My my, how masterful you are. I don't think I've ever had a student so capable.
Volenna: Not at all, it's all thanks to your instruction, ma'am.
Tea Instructor: Haha, I think that you'll likely surpass me in no time. You should probably find a more accomplished teacher.
Volenna: Wha—
Lyria: I guess your writing and brewing leave no room for improvement. That's so cool!
Volenna: My father taught me to do both when I was young. I knew that I wasn't a complete novice, but I didn't expect to be so adept as to be turned away...
Volenna: Knitting, however, I've never tried. This time the instructor will surely be able to teach me!
Vyrn: Oh? You'd better give it your best effort then!
Volenna: Yeah. Hopefully I'll be able to make some cold-weather clothes for Sara.
However...
Knitting Instructor: My, you're such a fast learner, and your stitches are so neat. You must be very fastidious.
Vyrn: Hey, (Captain), weren't you making a scarf for me?
Vyrn: This looks more like a coaster!
Lyria: D-Don't worry! I'm sure that it'll warm Vyrn up if he sits on it!
Knitting Instructor: Oh goodness, you've somehow followed the wrong instructions.
Volenna: That said, it's quite well made. You always manage to surprise me.
Volenna: Hm, knitting was interesting enough, but...
Now attending a painting workshop, Volenna murmurs to herself as she swiftly drags her brush across her canvas.
Volenna: I'm still getting excited about doing things for Sara's sake rather than my own. I need to stop doing that.
Lyria: Do you?
Volenna: That was what Jin suggested, wasn't it? That I find something I can do for my own sake?
Lyria: In that case, this painting workshop should—Oh dear!
Vyrn: Whoa! When'd you add Sara next to this bowl of fruit we're supposed to paint!
Volenna: I was thinking about how to make it a bit more pleasing to the eye, and then...
Lyria: I-It's really nice, Volenna!
Vyrn: I'm startin' to get a bit scared...
Vyrn: I feel like at some point we went from looking for a hobby to looking for something Volenna's bad at.
Lyria: Every workshop's instructor was saying that you're as good as a professional!
Volenna: I developed a lot of skills while preparing to be Sara's protector, and it seems they're more universal than I thought.
Volenna: What about you all? I hope you enjoyed yourself at least a bit.
Lyria: Hehe, I think we may have had more fun than you did, Volenna.
Volenna: I'm glad to hear that. Sorry for dragging you along with me.
Volenna: Right then, next let's... Oh?
As the group walks through the streets in search of new workshops, Volenna suddenly stops in front of a store.
Vyrn: What, does this place do lessons too? There's a bunch of fancy fabric hanging in the window.
Volenna: It's a weaver's shop. These are some impressive textiles...
Volenna: This sure takes me back.
Lyria: It does?
Volenna: ...
As Volenna stares at the cloth, too absorbed in her thoughts to hear Lyria's question, a friendly-seeming old woman emerges from the shop and approaches her.
Elderly Weaver: Would you like to try?
Volenna: Yes... I think I would.
Lyria: That loom seems so strenuous to use.
Elderly Weaver: You just have to get the hang of it. You'll feel a bit awkward at first, but you ought to be fine.
Volenna: That's right. Some children use looms like this to earn their daily bread, after all.
Volenna: Humph, that should do it.
Elderly Weaver: All done? Let's see...
Elderly Weaver: Oh, this is wonderful. It's easily good enough to sell.
Vyrn: Wow, so you're a natural at this too? I think we're gonna run out of things to try...
Elderly Weaver: Next, how about you try weaving a design of your own making?
Volenna: Understood.
Volenna starts using the loom again, this time weaving freely instead of following a predetermined pattern. However, the product of these efforts betrays everyone's expectations.
Lyria: This pattern is... very unique.
Vyrn: It kinda makes me feel uneasy...
Volenna: Ngh...!
Elderly Weaver: Oh, are you done? Let's...
Elderly Weaver: ...
Volenna: Please, say something!
Elderly Weaver: Well, I suppose...
Elderly Weaver: I suppose that you don't have talent for making your own designs.
Volenna: ...!
Vocation: Scene 2
After Vyrn embarrasses Volenna by telling Sara about the textile patterns, Volenna returns to the shop to redeem herself. As she practices, the shopkeeper tells her about how she added her own textiles to her daughter's dowry. This makes Volenna start imagining the day that Sara will find a partner of her own and leave her.
After trying her hand at weaving, Volenna was told that she has no talent for designing patterns.
Jin: I see. So that's why she seems so dejected.
Volenna: ...
Vyrn: Man, I can't believe we found something that Volenna is actually bad at!
Sara: So that's what happened while you were in town... Still, there's no need to be so sad.
Volenna: ...
Sara heard about my disgrace...
Volenna: Surely there was no need to tell her about it!
Vyrn: C-Come on, Volenna! All I did was explain what happened!
Jin: Hahaha! I'm surprised to learn that Volenna is even capable of becoming this forlorn.
Sara: Me too. I love her no matter what though.
Volenna: Sara... But still...
Sara: I'm actually happy to hear about it, you know? You're always perfect at everything, so it's feels like a reminder that you're just like the rest of us.
Volenna: ...
No, this is no good. I have to be a perfect role model for you. I'm your big sister, after all.
Sara: Volenna...
Jin: Well, putting that aside...
Jin: If you constantly concern yourself with what Sara thinks, you'll never find a hobby that you can get serious about.
Volenna: I suppose you're right, but...
Volenna: ...
Volenna: ...
No, this is where I should stand my ground.
Jin: Oh? The light has returned to your eyes... Have you rid yourself of doubt?
Volenna: I have! All this incessant moping will just make Sara even more disappointed in me!
Volenna: Just wait, Sara! I'm going to ask the shopkeeper to keep teaching me and become proficient no matter what it takes!
Volenna: I'll keep trying no matter how many times I fail, so make sure you learn from my example!
Sara: Volenna—
She's gone. I wouldn't be disappointed though...
Jin: Her willingness to listen to advice speaks to how fit she was to lead your personal guard, but she's still fairly hasty.
Jin: That said, I think we all know her well enough to rest assured that she'll succeed.
Lyria: That's true. Let's wait for her together, okay?
Sara: Okay.
Volenna: Shopkeeper! I'm sorry to bother you again, but I'd like you to show me how to create good patterns!
Elderly Weaver: Oh, you're... Miss Volenna, is that right?
Elderly Weaver: How very enthusiastic you are. Come on in, I'll be happy to teach you.
Volenna: My thanks!
The elderly woman has Volenna sit at the loom and resumes her instruction.
But upon noticing that her student is grimly focused and has no intention of enjoying her lesson, she decides to encourage her to relax.
Elderly Weaver: Miss Volenna? Miss Volenna!
Volenna: ...! I'm sorry, I was too focused.
Elderly Weaver: Hehe, what has you so fired up I wonder? Won't you tell me?
Volenna: Ah, sure... Well, it's nothing special, but...
Volenna: Weaving was commonly practiced on the island I grew up on, so I've seen my share of textiles in my time.
Volenna: However, I'd never actually used a loom myself. Despite that, I assumed that I'd have little trouble mastering the craft and made a fool of myself.
Volenna: Now that my shortcomings have come to my attention, I need to correct them. That which I struggle with, I ought to become proficient at.
Volenna: Otherwise, I'll have no right to boast of my homeland's craftsmanship or my own familiarity with its product.
Volenna: It would be shameful even to look at them and speak of memories of home.
Volenna: Moreover... I want to be a good role model for my younger sister.
As she speaks of her reasoning with frustration in her voice, Volenna grips the latest unsatisfactory product of her efforts.
The old woman takes Volenna's clenched hands in her own and gently strokes them.
Elderly Weaver: What a very earnest girl you are. Quite unlike my daughter.
Volenna: I am?
Elderly Weaver: Indeed, very much so. She left to get married, but I used to teach her weaving just like this.
Volenna: I see. Mothers instructing their children in weaving was a common practice in my homeland as well.
Elderly Weaver: Was it? In my case, my husband died young, and I had to learn how to make ends meet.
Elderly Weaver: I started weaving in order to support us, but at first it was all I could do just to make decent cloth. I wasn't able to concern myself with the design at all.
Elderly Weaver: Despite that, I knew that I would have to prepare my daughter's dowry, so I worked night and day until I was able to make cloth good enough to sell.
Elderly Weaver: Thanks to that, I was able to send my daughter to her new family with a tidy sum of money and some of my textiles, and can keep making a living even now.
Volenna: I see... You had to make sure your daughter could get married...
Elderly Weaver: If you have a little sister, then it might be a good idea to add some of your own work to her dowry one day too.
Volenna: ...!
Volenna: I see... My hobby doesn't have to be just something to enjoy right now, it can be something that will be useful in the future...
Volenna: ...
The future?
Volenna: Sara... will get married?
Elderly Weaver: Hehe, that's something to look forward to, now isn't it?
Volenna: Sara will... Sara's partner...
Sara's Partner?: Wazzup my new big sis! Whoa, you're hella cute!
Volenna: Who in the blazes are you? Wait, don't tell me you're Sara's—
Sara's Partner?: S'right! Please entrust your little sister to me, yo!
Volenna: On your knees, miscreant!
Volenna: ...!
What was I just...
Volenna: What in the skies is wrong with me? Why would I imagine someone like that?
Volenna: Sara's partner would surely be more... more...
Sara's Partner?: Like, hi, nice to meet you!
Volenna: What's with you? Wait, don't tell me you're Sara's—
Sara's Partner?: What? Ohmygod, don't make me blush! Do you want to hear about, like, how we fell in love? I guess I can tell you that.
Sara's Partner?: You know, I just saw her and Graphos, and thought, "I bet she can protect me with that big sand guy!" You know?
Volenna: Die, filth! Destruction Sla—
Volenna: Ah.
Elderly Weaver: Oh dear...
The two women look down the shredded remains of the unsatisfactory fruits of Volenna's labor, which until only a few moments ago had at least been in one piece.
Vocation: Scene 3
That night, Volenna and Jin are drinking together again. Volenna declares that she wishes to use her hobby to save money to help Sara when she grows up. Jin suggests running an eatery, and Volenna smiles while imagining a future where her friends and Sara show up at her restaurant to eat.
Jin: Sara's partner, you say... I really don't think we'll need to worry about that for quite some time.
That night, two adults were once again sharing a drink in a cabin on the Grandcypher.
Volenna: Yes, but that's not the point.
Volenna: The shopkeeper made me realize that it's my duty to make sure that Sara will be able to leave the nest one day.
Volenna: Me not being related to her by blood doesn't change the fact that I'm the only one in a position to take up that responsibility for her late parents.
Jin: Right, the priestess was always chosen from children orphaned by the floods.
Jin: And if I remember correctly, so were those who protected her.
Volenna: That's right. My father was captain of the priestess's guard, too, before he died. He was an excellent leader who always strived to be a role model for his men.
Jin: I see...
Volenna: Don't you start getting doleful, or you'll ruin a perfectly good night of drinking.
Jin: Right...
I'm sorry.
Volenna: ...
You're such a softy.
Volenna: My father taught me his philosophy, his very way of life. Those teachings still live on within me.
Volenna: And when Sara learns from the example that I set, she picks them up too.
Volenna: He taught me his way of life, and I'm passing it down to Sara. That's what's important.
Jin: ...
Yes, I suppose that you're right. It's a wonderful thing that you're doing.
Jin: That said, you should make sure that you don't trouble yourself too heavily about it.
Jin: Though I cannot hope to match your efforts, I, too, am watching over Sara, and wish to see her grow up and one day leave the nest.
Jin: So please, don't feel that you must shoulder that burden all by yourself. I am here to help you with whatever you might need.
Volenna responds to Jin's insistence on solemnity with neither laughter nor displeasure, instead only quietly drinking from her glass.
Volenna: ...
Humph. All right, understood.
Jin: Thank you.
Volenna: Anyway!
Somewhat embarrassed by the exchange, Volenna forces her face back into a serious expression and gestures at Jin with her fork.
Volenna: No matter how it happens, if we want to put Sara in a position to live without our help one day, we're going to need money!
Jin: I-Indeed!
Volenna: We're traveling with this crew for now, but I'm sure we won't be able to impose on them forever. In fact, we'll one day have to quit living by the sword altogether.
Volenna: That's why I've decided that I should learn a trade, just like how you picked up fishing.
Jin: Is that so! Then you'll be embarking on the path of the fly rod with me next time we visit Auguste?
Volenna: How is that what you thought I meant? Are you drunk?
Jin: Hahaha! We have such delicious fare tonight, after all! Both to drink and, thanks to you, to eat!
Volenna: Oh hush, drunkard. In any case, I'll be changing my strategy for this hobby business.
Volenna: Instead of just trying to entertain myself, I'm going to go at it with the intention of making a living!
Jin: I see. No objections from me!
Volenna: That said, what should I learn? Weaving is certainly an option, an attractive one even.
Volenna: However, I imagine that I would have to become as skilled as the shopkeeper if I wanted to really make money at it. After all, I have no talent...
Jin: Hm... I actually have an idea concerning that.
Jin: How about starting an eatery?
Volenna: An eatery?
Jin: Indeed. You're both good and efficient at cooking, so I see no reason that you couldn't do it.
Jin: The food you made to snack on while we drink reminded my of something that Kaz had told me.
Jin: His wife, who had been an excellent cook, ran an eatery.
Volenna: I see...
Jin: Perhaps next time we visit Venera Beach you can ask him about it. What do you think?
Volenna: Right...
While listening to Jin, Volenna begins to envision a possible future.
There, she runs a small restaurant, where a collection of familiar faces start to gather.
Sara: Hi, Volenna! Long time no see!
Graphos: ...!
Volenna: Ah, you brought your family. And Graphos too, of course. Thanks for coming, make yourselves at home.
Jin: Volenna! Look, I've caught a big one! Would you cook this?
Volenna: You're back again? Fine, bring it here.
Lyria: Hi, Volenna! Hi, Sara! Oh, and Jin too! We're here!
Vyrn: We came for some good grub!
Volenna: Hey, keep the volume down! Are you trying to wake up Sara's baby?
Volenna: ...
Hehe.
Volenna: I'd never even considered doing something like that.
Volenna: If someone had suggested such a thing to me when I was younger, I imagine that I would have been furious. But now...
Volenna: I think that might not be so bad...
Jin: ...
On a sandy island, there once lived a knight who was exceedingly harsh on herself. The only thing that she concerned herself with was protecting her charge.
But now that she has allies she can depend upon and wings to carry her freely across the sky, she finds that there are no more chains to bind her.
However, the knight will not be putting down her shield. She will walk her own path, carrying her father's principles in her heart.
